It has been too long since I have updated my blog. Don't quite know where the time goes . . . just too busy playing cards, reading, relaxing, etc. I guess!
Sort of house bound today as it is finally raining here in Texas. It is so desperately dry here that it is a very welcome occurrence. Other than a few (truly a very few) sprinkles, it has not rained since we got here in November and it was already very dry when we arrived. More rain is predicted tomorrow - all is welcome. It will not solve the drought but every quarter of an inch helps. It is also COLD - yes, cold. It is actually 48 degrees here right now - the very same temp as in Eau Claire!! Of course it will be back in the high 70s by Monday. We were in the Valley (Rio Grand Valley - Weslaco, Donna, Harlingen, Brownsville, etc.) on Tuesday and Wednesday and it was in the 90s then.
When we arrived back from Florida in January, we drove down to Nuevo Progresso MX since we were already down in McAllen. Picked up a couple of things (like Bailey's Irish Cream) and headed out. You are allowed two bottles each without paying federal tax and prices are really good. This time we went down with Roger and Becky & Bryan and Kathy. We stayed overnight and did Mexico on Tuesday and the Donna flea market and fruit market on Wednesday. Motel had a pool and that was enjoyed by all after a hot day in Mexico.
Since I last updated my blog, we've been to the 2009 Clay Expo and Bountiful Bowl Pottery Show. This brings potters from all over Texas to Rockport. In addition to the show and sale, they do a silent auction of pottery items to support the Aransas Co. food pantry and meals on wheels programs. Chuck and I & Kathy and Bryan went up to Lamar to their LaMardigras. We played in their "casino" for fun and tickets to use to enter raffles. Chuck won a 1/2 day whooping crane boat trip which we plan to take next Tuesday. Kathy won this last year so it will be the same group of six - Chuck & I, Becky & Roger, and Kathy & Bryan. Supposed to be a nice day so should be fun. We went with several couples from the park on a bus trip to the San Antonio Rodeo and Stock Show. After the evening rodeo session which included bull riding, roping, the kids' mutton busting, barrel racing, etc., the entertainment was Billy Ray Cyrus. He put on a good show. Becky, Betty, and I went to Robstown to the Gem and Mineral Show and Becky, Kathy and I went to Robstown to the Peddler Gift Show. Last weekend was Oysterfest here in Fulton. We worked with Becky and Roger on Thursday evening in the t-shirt booth - they solicit volunteers to help sell t-shirts, beer, pop, and oysters. The whole thing is put on by the volunteer fire department and money made supports their needs for equipment, etc. We went back on Friday night to hear a local band called Riptide. They play mostly 50s and 60s music - the good stuff!! Every other Saturday they hold Belt Sander Races at the a local bar called the Pickeled Pelican. Roger raced one for the first time last Saturday . . . has a little work to do on it but hey, gotta start somewhere (see pictures above).
Chuck has had his boat out a couple of times - I threatened that he couldn't bring it next year unless it got wet this year. He's also been out with his metal detector a couple of times . . . no big finds, just a few pennies and quarters, a cheap ring, washers, etc. I keep busy playing cribbage, bunco, bingo, bridge, euchre, and spades. We both play Texas Hold'em on Saturday night here in the park and occasionally on Tuesday nights at a local bar called the Sugar Shack. On Sunday nights we play Pegs and Jockers with a group of friends. Two weeks ago I won the first blackout game of bingo at the Texas GI Forum for a nice size pot.
Our plan is to leave Fulton on Thursday, March 26. We will head up to the Roundtop area and have a reservation at the Dixieland RV Park in Carmine. On the 30th we will help George and Mary set up their booth at the Carmine Dance Hall. This will be their last show as the spirit is willing but the body is telling them to hang it up. We enjoy helping them . . . for those of you who don't know, George and Dad were Marine Corps buddies. We will help them tear down and then the next day head out for Branson. Will be there at least two weeks . . . will see what the weather is doing back in Eau Claire.
