Wednesday, March 18, 2015

• Warm morning, calm, cloudy, temp: 71, high: 79.
• Final packing day.
• By 10 o'clock, we're mostly packed. Could almost leave this afternoon/morning. But there's a jam this afternoon. Oh, well.
• Went to lunch/jam with Phil & Ann. Audience was noticeably smaller. The band talent was also smaller. Didn't stay for the full 2 hours.
• Had a comfortable afternoon nap.
• Then after Jim & I went out to buy dry ice for the fish & fill the car with gas, Dan & Candy took us out to dinner at the Texas Roadhouse.
• Skipping entertainer Greg Jones this evening in favor of early sleep. We'll be leaving tomorrow at about 3 AM. Car is loaded. Only overnight bags remain.
• Rained off & on all day long. And now it's raining quite hard again this evening. But probably wont last long. Hope it's not raining when we leave at 3 o'clock.
• And thanks, Kathy, for the well wishes text message to our upcoming travel and trip. I'll text information along the way.
• Probably no blog entries for tomorrow. Sorry. :-(

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

• Light breeze, cloudy, warm, temp: 66, high: 76.
• Early, Jim & Diane drove up to McAllen to see the PT doctor for a wrap-up on the physical therapy and to get any ongoing instructions.
• While Jim & Diane went to the doctor and in the cool calm of the morning, I did my daily 3 mile bike ride around the park.
• After Jim & Diane got home, Phil, Jim & I departed for the Livestock Show in Mercedes, TX, about 25 miles East of us.
• Livestock show had lots of cattle, pigs, some goats & sheep. It includes some current and some antique machinery. See pictures below.
• D&C and J&D and I had supper at Wendy's as we're in the process of packing the house for the trip on Thursday.
• After supper, J&D joined D&C for the last evening of cards as we'll need to go to bed early tomorrow night as we plan on leaving Thursday morning at about 3 AM. 
• Will be meeting Dave at Jim's between 1 & 4 Friday afternoon and back at RidgePointe by 5 or 6 PM depending on Dave's schedule.
• And tonight I have lots of pictures taken at the Livestock show in Mercedes, TX. Most were taken on "machinery hill". Enjoy!

Monday, March 16, 2015

• Drizzle, light breeze, cool, temp: 60, high: 70.
• Enjoyed our last Canadian breakfast with 7 others at Taco Fiesta. And Gil bought all the coffee. Thanks, Gil.
• Quiet morning. Starting to get stuff packed up. Pro'ly about half done. But got all day Wednesday to finish. (Goin' to the Livestock show tomorrow in Mercedes)
• Guess I better get my bike ride in today.
• Pleasant afternoon for my 3 mile bike ride around The Plantation.
• This evening the gang drove up to Paradise Park in McAllen for Bingo.
• Only got one picture from today. Enjoy!

Sunday, March 15, 2015

• Cloudy, calm, warm, temp: 65, high: 67. Rain forecast for all day. Hasn't yet started at 6 AM.
• After the 10 o'clock service, we all went to Rudy's Bar-B-Q for lunch.
• Rested afterward til the 3 PM RGV Band Concert. Due to the constant drizzle, I didn't get any bike ride in today. Bummer.
• Just before the concert, Phil came by to get some help on a PC that kept stopping displaying ads. We installed malwarebytes.org which should fix the problem.
• The Rio Grande Valley band concert was most enjoyable. They did a fine job. I've included some pictures - see below.
• Rain started about 2 PM and has been alternately raining hard and drizzly ever since. Very soggy out there.
• Had some delicious ice cream at the Ice Cream Social at 5 PM.
• Movie tonight is Theory of Everything which I saw a couple months ago, but enjoyed it enough to go see it again. And it was even better the second time. Most enjoyable. If you haven't seen it, go.

Saturday, March 14, 2015

• Warm, calm, cloudy, temp: 64, high: 78. Light rain passed before 6 AM.
• No pancake breakfast today due to a park wide yard sale all day.
• After Diane's bacon & eggs breakfast, and before the rain starts, I biked around the park, looking at the yard sale stuff - about 3 miles. See route below.
• And I forgot to mention that yesterday, besides my 3 mile bike ride, I walked a mile and a half in the morning. Preparing myself for the Minnesota days when it's too cold to ride bike.
• Kath called testing her new car hands free phone process. She also brought me up to speed on her family news. Thanks for the phone call, Kath.
• On a lazy Saturday, a nap sure felt good.
• For supper, we're went to IHOP after which J&D and D&C played Bingo at Pharr South.

Friday, March 13, 2015

• Nice morning, cool, calm, clear, temp: 54, high: 78.
• Kind of a lazy day. High was only 75. Minor sprinkles.
• Late morning D&C picked us up for a free lunch at H-E-B for Winter Texans. Then we drove up to a couple of car dealers as D&C want to find a new car.
• Went on an early afternoon bike ride of about 3 miles around our park. Nice weather for a bike ride.
• This afternoon I started to think about packing for our return trip. But didn't get much done. Have to get more serious as the new week dawns.
• This evening the gang is driving over to Paradise Park in McAllen to play Bingo.
• No pictures today. Sorry. :-(

Thursday, March 12, 2015

• Nice morning: clear, calm, cool, temp: 54, high: 75.
• Regular Thursday morning men's breakfast at Taco Fiesta had 23 guys in attendance. I thought it might be much lower than that.
• Took a short nap.
• Jim drove up to McAllen for his last physical therapy session. Next week he sees the doctor and then it's off to Minnesota.
• And he graduated from his physical therapy class. He said all the techs gave him a big hug.
• Perfect afternoon for a long bike ride. Sunny. Light breeze. Warm, temp: 72. Rode 5 1/2 miles all around The Plantation including both dead end roads.
• Diane fixed a delicious hot beef supper. Afterwards played cards and went to bed early.
• In the afternoon with the nice warmth, clear sky, I walked around the park, took some pictures of shuffleboard players.

• And below I had to get a picture of the card players (sorry, I missed you, Dan) last evening.

Wednesday, March 11, 2015

• High light fog, light breeze, very pleasant, temp: 58, high: 74 .
• At 9:00, I helped set about 300 chairs for the jam hosted at Paradise Park this afternoon.
• Mid morning, Dave called to find out about my new return plans. He also briefed me on news in his family. Thanks, Dave for the phone call.
• After Dave's call it started to rain lightly and has been doing that off & on all day. Ugh. My miss my bike ride again.
• RuthC who had fallen and been in the hospital for last 3 1/2 weeks asked if I could look at her computer as it wouldn't turn on for her. I did and it's now working.
• Had lunch at the Hall and attended the first half of the jam that started at 12:30. After attending the Live from Nashville performance last evening, the jam was just a bit boring.
• After lunch Jim & Dan went to Bertha's Salon for haircuts. I decided to wait until I return to RidgePointe where I can get caught up on news in the barbershop there.
• This evening's entertainment is called simply,  Mario. He did a variety of music - but just a bit too much country to suit my taste. He was a good performer with a beautiful, very deep bass voice.
• And tonight I have to brag a bit about my youngest grandson who is a Junior at the University of Minnesota majoring in (I forgot). He is also in the University Marching Band and Maroon Campus Band. The picture below is of a concert they gave last evening. They played some very interesting music by Holst and by Mozart.

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

• Warm, rain, blustery, occasional lightning, temp: 63, high: 67. Rain & thunderstorms.
• Today was our monthly Minnesota breakfast at the clubhouse of the Tierra Del Sol golf course. We had about 21 in attendance.
• Mid morning the guys ran errands: auto parts, auto maintenance, electrical parts - and didn't get home till after 3 o'clock.
• The rain is gone for a week or so and the sun shone this afternoon with temp at 68.
• Biking got even a little warm, but I biked 3.4 miles around The Plantation.
• This afternoon I took a picture of Candy & Dan's trailer that they needed for the title transfer to the new owners. I took the picture, printed it for them, & emailed it to them.
• Our plans for returning to Minnesota are beginning to firm up, particularly as we gain visibility into the weather here and the weather in Minnesota - that 65 degrees yesterday in the Twin Cities kinda prodded us along. 
• We are planning to depart here on Thursday, March 19, arriving in Minnesota on Friday, March 20. But I'll keep y'all posted for any change in those plans.
• This evening Jim & Diane played Bingo at the Hall while I attended the concert described below.
• Irene gave me her ticket to the McAllen Concert Series where I saw a performance called Live from Nashville. It was a tremendous show of 4 singers plus 5 band members and everyone of them was very talented and energetic. There was only one thing wrong with the whole show, they sang only "Country" songs, I'm just not a fan of country - but I sure enjoyed the staging, the harmony, the energy, the lighting, and even some "old" country songs like Folsom Prison and Orange Blossom Special.
• Finally, my daughter, Kathy, has had a Honda Pilot for the past 12 years, used it to teach 2 kids to drive, and drove it to work every day. It was the family car for her & Cam. Well it was finally on it's last leg, mechanically. So her & Cam went down to the Nissan dealer and purchased a new Nissan Murano, nice car. I just had to include a picture of Kathy behind the wheel and her new car.

•  Below is the picture I shot & printed for Candy & Dan who are selling their trailer and moving into Irene's, who moved to a rest home on the 20th.

Monday, March 9, 2015

• High clouds, warm, calm, rained overnight, temp: 59, high: 69.
• We had 8 this morning at our regular Monday morning breakfast with Canadians at Taco Fiesta.
• Jim drove to PT this morning for his next to last PT appointment. Then after the last doctor visit, he's ready to head North.
• It was raining quite hard when we got home. Looks like it may rain all day. Hafta stay indoors. Ugh.
• Jim & Dan each took their vans to the local Chrysler garage for recall work. They also got them prepared for returning to Minnesota.
• The rain finally subsided after lunch. So I biked through The Plantation for 3.6 miles dodging lots of puddles.
• Most of the afternoon was pleasant in the low 70s with no rain. However at supper time it started drizzling again and is forecasted to continue through thunderstorms tomorrow.
• This evening, Diane & Candy drove over to Paradise Park in McAllen to play Bingo while Jim played cards at our Hall.
• At supper, we discussed our departure date. With Jim's last doctor appointment on March 23rd, we had planned to leave March 24th. However, he finishes his PT on March 12 and has been able to move up his doctor appointment to March 17th. So we could leave any time after that and after we're ready. Right now our plans is to look at the weather forecasts next Monday, March 16, and try to set our plans.

Sunday, March 8, 2015

• High clouds, calm, warm, temp: 56, high: 71. Light rain overnight. Streets are wet.
• And today is that special day. It's Jim's birthday. Call him on his cell phone & wish him happy birthday. I'll keep this day's blog open and report how we celebrate.
• A large group of people drove over to Donna to Martha's Taqueria Del Sol restaurant to a birthday luncheon with Jim & Diane.
• After a very nice celebration and large lunch, we came home to a lengthy nap.
• This evening's movie is Boyhood. 

Saturday, March 7, 2015

• Cool, calm, clear, temp: 41, high: 64. Back to the airport.
• In the morning we drove over to the Don-Wes flea market so that Denise could purchase a few last minute items.
• From there we headed toward the Harlingen airport stopping for lunch at Cracker Barrel.
• After lunch we delivered the kids to Delta airlines at the airport
• On the way home we drove via Military highway so Jim could see the crops. It's an interesting time of year as many farms are currently being planted.
• Upon arriving back at Paradise Estates Resort, I biked 3.17 miles through The Plantation.
• Then last evening J&D went to Bingo at Pharr South.
• Will have some interesting items tomorrow as it's a special day.

Friday, March 6, 2015

• Cool, calm, high clouds, temp: 45, high: 54. Our next 80 isn't forecast until a week from today. Ugh!
• Jim left at 6:45 for his early PT appointment.
• Mid morning I went over to Bobbie's to install her new router.Long story short, the problem must not have been the router, cause I never got her wireless network working. Arg!
• Around lunch time we all left for something to eat and to drive to the Harlingen airport.
• The plane was full, so Randy, Denise & Nolan received significant comp tickets and we brought them home to fly tomorrow - in first class.
• In the evening, several drove to Paradise Park in McAllen to play Bingo.
• More on the saga tomorrow

Thursday, March 5, 2015

• High clouds, very windy, almost cold, temp: 45, high: 44. Cold day. Dramatic change from yesterday's 85.
• People are starting to head back North. At our men's breakfast this morning, we only had about 20 guys when we usually have 25 to 30.
• And with the high being less than 50 degrees, I'm gonna miss another day of biking. Ugh!
• Except for Jim, we had lunch at Joe's Crab Shack. Jim is not 100% from his fishing trip and has a PT appointment at 2 this afternoon and wanted to get rested for it.
• Upon our return Randy & Denise shopped at the local pawn shop.
• This evening we were invited to a Volunteer Appreciation Dinner with about 300 other guests.
• This evening Randy, Denise, & Nolan & Jim went to play shuffleboard since it was the kids last night.
• The picture below is of Denise at Joe's Crab Shack where she's about to eat crab legs. Yum - yum. And of my bike ride yesterday. And I'll tell you about my new Microsoft Band tomorrow.

My bike ride route of yesterday 

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

• Warm morning, high clouds, calm, temp: 71, high: 87.
• And by the time you read this Jim, Randy, Denise, & Candy will be well on their way to Port Madison for some deep sea fishing in the ocean (gulf).
• Think you read that last paragraph some where before. Well, you did - in yesterday's blog. Yes, they're going out again today to catch some of those deep sea lunkers.
• Mid morning I helped set up chairs for the after jam and evening entertainment.
• For lunch Diane, Dan, Nolan & I went to Peter Piper pizza, just up the road. Had good pizza & Nolan got to play a variety of arcade games.
• After lunch it was very warm and the wind had subsided a bit, so I biked 5 1/2 miles through the park and through The Plantation. 
• Afterward I was pooped, but very warm. So, what else, I went swimming. Suffice it to say that by the end of the day I was very tired.
• Solved part of the tiredness by taking an afternoon nap for an hour or so.
• Then Diane, Nolan & I had supper at Taco Fiesta. Shortly upon our return the fishermen returned - about 7:30.
• The good is that most everyone caught fish. The bad is that they all got seasick.
• In the evening, Dave & Hannah called and told me of their family news. Thanks Dave & Hannah for the phone call.
• This evening's regular Wednesday entertainer is Leslie Blasing, a female country music singer. But because of the late arrival of the fishermen, we did not attend.
• A couple of interesting pix today. 

Nolan playing great uncle Roger at Air Hockey. Nolan won. Thanks, Diane, for the picture.

The "snow storm" that occurred in Plymouth (Minneapolis) yesterday. Thanks, Kath, for the video.

Tuesday, March 3, 2015

• Misty, calm, warmer, temp: 53, high: 81.
• And by the time you read this Jim, Randy, Denise, & Candy will be well on their way to Port Madison for some deep sea fishing in the ocean (gulf).
• "the best laid plans . . ." where have you heard that before? Yes, it happened. The fishing trip was canceled.
• Our troop of Candy, Jim, Randy & Denise got to Port Madison in plenty of time for fishing, but the fishing boat decided it needed the day off, so it refused to start and about 10, the captain called off the outing.
• So they called us suggesting that we reconnoiter on South Padre Island for the afternoon. Didn't get home til after 6. But had a nice day of sand beaches and sun.
• In the early evening, Dan called to tell me I missed a "big" show storm that day in Minnesota - it snowed all of 4" which the news reported as a big storm. He also briefed me on his family news. Thanks, Dan, for the call.
• And our fisher-people get to go fishing on Wednesday. We wish them luck.

Monday, March 2, 2015

• High clouds, light breeze, cool, temp: 53, high: 63.
• Had our regular Monday morning breakfast with our Canadian friends at the Tierra Del Sol golf course clubhouse.
• Tomorrow Randy, Denise, Jim, & Candy are going deep sea ocean fishing in the gulf most of the day, so they had to go get their fishing licenses this morning.
• Upon their return J&D and R&D left for Mexico. R&D needed to get some meds & purses.
• Nolan & I stayed home. We took a short nap. Then we biked for a couple miles through a part of The Plantation. Then we played pool. By that time, the Mexican travelers returned so that Jim (along with Denise) could make his PT appointment.
• This evening Denise & Diane joined Candy to play Bingo at Paradise Park in McAllen while Jim & Randy played cards at the Hall. Nolan & I had a quiet evening at home.
• And sorry for no pictures again this evening. Maybe tomorrow. Suppose to warm up.

Sunday, March 1, 2015

• High clouds, breezy, cool, temp: 47, high: 64.
• Late morning we drove up to Don-Wes Flea Market. Everybody found something to purchase even though it was not a very warm day.
• Sun came out when we got home so Nolan went swimming for a couple hours while the rest of us napped.
• Later several went for a bike ride. I made my 4 miles for the day biking through The Plantation.
• Saw a pretty good movie: The Giver.
• No pictures tonight - lost in download - pro'lly cockpit problem.

Saturday, February 28, 2015

• High fog, ligh breeze, cool, temp: 44, high: 63. After today, next 5 or 6 days to be over 80.
• At our weekly Saturday morning pancake breakfast, we were treated to French toast. Delicious.
• Some sort of shooting with 2 killings occurred in Progreso Nuevo overnight/early morning. No details available yet. So don't know if we'll go there today.
• Late morning, several of us decided to drive over to the Rio Grande Valley Outlet Mall instead of going to the flea market. It was just too cold. So Randy, Denise, Diane, and I drove over. We all shopped for a variety of items. Jim & Nolan had fun at home while we were gone. Nolan learned to drive the golf cart.
• I purchased 2 pairs of shoes, a shirt, and a Spring jacket all at the Bass outlet store. See pictures below
• Upon returning, J&D and R&D went over to Pharr South for supper and to play Bingo. I stayed home with Nolan. 
• And with our shopping trip and the rain, I didn't get in my bike ride. Ugh.
• Nolan & I were going to bike out to Burger King for supper, but it was raining. So we scrounged out the refrigerator.

 This is a picture of Nolan after he learned to drive the golf cart

 These 2 picture are for Dan, Kath, & Dave to evaluate my shoes purchase at the Bass store.