12-30-18

46º with rain at 7:30 pm Sunday here in La Feria, TX as I start this.  Been crappy all day - mist or almost raining with temps in low 50's and dropping since yesterday morning.  Guess it is 36º with low of 27º predicted in Clarinda tonight.  But, our weather is a bit cold for our liking.

Went out to Golden Corral Buffet in Harlingen, TX today after church service.

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More later, L

Christmas 2018

75º with heavy overcast and winds 15 to 20 mph from the south here in La Feria, TX at 3:00 pm Wednesday as I start this.  Click on photos to enlarge.

After church Sunday we, along with Butch Giesking, Darlene
Winslow, the Bakers and the Nehers, went to Bar Be Cutie
Smokehouse in Weslaco, TX for lunch.

Menu

We helped with the Christmas Eve program at the Recreation Hall Monday evening.  I did a reading (below) and Phyllis helped with the people getting their costumes on for the scene at the left.

Program ended with Candles lit by each person.

Cookies, Coffee & Punch followed, with fellowship.

Harold and Darlene visiting

Plenty of cookies.

Our lights as I came home.

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The "serving crew" huddling before lunch near the
kitchen door..

Tuesday, Christmas Day, Phyllis worked some during the morning helping at the kitchen and setting up tables.  I picked up Betty Schneider's dish of food to take to the hall, as she is getting quite tottery, though she had no trouble getting herself to the hall on her rented golf cart.  She forgot her cane so I went back to her place and got that.  We both helped several elderly people with their plates as they went through the food line.

Rev & Mrs. Baker on the left, from Oklahoma City, with
Phyllis behind them.  Harold on the right.

Harold & LaRhoda Neher from Hiawatha, KS

Reverend Baker

Everyone brought a dish to share.

Phyllis welcoming the people

Phyllis awarded Merv & Ruth Stoufer the first place
award of $100 of February lot rent for best lighted Christmas lights at their RV.

Lots of a variety of good food brought by everyone to add to the turkey, ham,  mashed potatoes and gravy furnished by the Park Owners.   After some useful resting in the afternoon we played Cribbage with Darlene Winslow from West Branch, MI.

Have to add this photo of our friend Bill Oberholzer supervisinig
his wife as she washes a neighbor's trailer.

Here is copy of my reading for Christmas Eve:  

Parable for Today

   There is an old poem which relates the story of a violin, which is being sold along with many articles at a public sale.  One after another the articles are sold until at last the auctioneer came to the rustic violin.

   “What am I bid?” he started as he lifted the broken piece of retired music maker up for the people to see.

   “25¢” --- “50¢”, cried a man, as the auction went on.  The room fell silent as the people just gazed at the ancient piece, not knowing whether to bid on it or to let it go for 50¢.  Out of the crowd there came an elderly gent who took up the violin, gazed at the bow, tightened the strings, and then began to play.  The music, beginning as sweet as the song of a bird, rested on the people assembled like the fresh breath of air that fills a room.  They stood, awed by the music, the old man, and the rustic violin.  They stood awed by the beautiful sound that came from the two as they became one in music.  Finally, the music stopped.

   Was there a dry eye in the place?  No, there was not.

   Finally, after a time of silence, the auctioneer raised his hushed voice to break the quiet.  “What am I bid for this creation?”

   $500.  No, $1,500,” and more as the crowd became excited over the change in the violin. 

 Finally, the auctioneer completed the sale, “Going once, going twice, gone to the man who bid $15,000.”

   The violin was perfected by the touch of the master’s hand!

    My friend, what if you were that violin?  What if the world thought you a piece of junk!  What if you were the worthless!  The whole message of Christmas is that in Jesus Christ, you can be touched by the Master’s Hand.  This Christmas, why don’t you let the Holy Spirit of God fill your life with light and music and love and peace and…..

   So, then the whole world will know your worth, because you were touched by the Master’s Hand.

Later, Lynn

God Bless America

Oldie..
A Nice Bit Of History

Frank  Sinatra considered Kate Smith the best singer of her time, and said that when he and a million other guys first heard her sing "God Bless  America" on the radio, they all pretended to have dust in their eyes as they wiped away a  tear or two. 

  
Here are the facts; The link at the bottom will take you to a video showing the very first public singing of "God Bless America. " But before you watch it you should know the story behind the first public showing of the song. 
  
The time was 1940.   America was still in a terrible economic depression.  Hitler was taking over Europe and Americans were afraid we'd have to go to war. It was a time of hardship and worry for most Americans 
 
This was the era just before TV when radio shows were HUGE and American families sat around their radios in the evenings, listening to their favorite entertainers and no entertainer of that era was bigger than Kate Smith.

Kate was also large; plus size as we now say and the popular phrase still used today is in deference to her; "It ain't over till the fat lady sings."

 
Kate Smith might not have made it big in the age of TV but with her voice coming over the radio, she was the biggest star of her time. 
  
Kate was also patriotic. It hurt her to see Americans so depressed and afraid of what the next day would bring. She had hope for America, and faith in her fellow Americans.  She wanted to do something to cheer them up, so she went to the famous American song-writer Irving Berlin (who also wrote White Christmas) and asked him to write a song that would make Americans feel good again about their country.   When she described what she was looking for, he said he had just the song for her.  He went to his files and found a song that he had written but never published, 22 years before - in 1917.  He gave it to her and she worked on it with her studio orchestra. She and Irving Berlin were not sure how the song would be received by the public, but both agreed they would not take any profits from God Bless America. Any profits would go to the Boy Scouts of America. Over the years, the Boy Scouts have received millions of dollars in royalties from this song. 
  
This video starts out with Kate Smith coming into the radio studio with the orchestra and an audience. She introduces the new song for the very first  time and starts singing. After the first couple verses, with her voice in the  background, scenes are shown from the 1940 movie, You're In The  Army Now. At the 4:20 mark of the video you see a young actor in the movie, sitting in an office, reading a paper; it's Ronald Reagan. You will recognize other old stars but have forgotten their names. You may remember George Murphy near the end, though. 
 
To this day, God Bless America stirs our patriotic feelings and pride in our country. Back in 1940, when Kate Smith went looking for a song to raise the spirits of  her fellow Americans, I doubt whether she realized just how successful the results would be for her fellow Americans during those years of hardship and worry... and for many generations of Americans to follow.
  
Now that you know the story of the song, I hope you'll enjoy it.

Many people don't know there's a lead in to the song since it usually starts with God Bless America .. So here's the entire song as originally sung. Enjoy it! Click below:

Kate Smith introduces God Bless America - YouTube

December 22nd

33¨ in Clarinda, IA where we aren't; and, 73º here in La Feria, TX with expected high of 80º. Click on photo to enlarge.

Received photo from our son's family.  To left - Granddaughter Ashley holding Great Granddaughter Jessica, with Grand Son-in-Law Heath Long behind; in center son Cameron with his wife Patty Miles in front;
at right is Granddaughter Emily Miles with her boy-friend Derek Sclegel  behind.

From Facebook - Niece Angie Alexander with her son Michael.

Great Granddaughter Jessica waiting, watching
out the window for someone to come.

Last night Phyllis MC'd for the first entertainment at the park this season - LINDLEY CREEK  They put on a very good Christmas Program for the somewhat small crowd (just under 50 people) who attended.

"Santa" in this inflated suit, did a skit just after the half-time break.

Thursday I picked up Bob Wiese at Snow-to-Sun RV Park and we went to our Men of A Chord barbershop chorus practice in McCallen.  We broke about 3:30 and went down to the big mall -  LA PLAZA MALL where we spent about an hour singing Christmas Carols and then getting our photo taken with Santa.

One quartet did a few songs after our group singing.

By the time we put up with the traffic in McAllen at rush hour and then one accident slow-up on the Interstate, it was after 6 pm before I got back home.  I missed Bean Bag Baseball, which I found out later they did not have enough players, so cancelled it that night.  We had had a small group at our Pot-Luck Supper on Wednesday night at the hall and then 8 of us played Pegs & Jokers at our house afterwards.  For some reason I didn't take my camera out of its case!

I re-painted the propane cover from the travel trailer from black to white.  It should stay cooler now as well as look a little more cool!

Friday Phyllis, and all the staff at the office, went with the staff people from the other two parks that RHP owns in the Valley and went out to a buffet for their Christmas get-together.  I went across the Interstate to the local La Feria Fiesta Tex Mex Restaurant

to their buffet to eat.

GROANER’S CORNER:((  The young couple invited their aged parson for Sunday dinner.While they were in the kitchen preparing the meal, the minister asked their son what they were having."Goat," the little boy replied."Goat?" replied the startled man of the cloth, "Are you sure about that?""Yep," said the youngster. "I heard Pa say to Ma, 'Might as well have the old goat for dinner today.'"

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When you stop believing in Santa Claus is when you start getting clothes for Christmas.

Q: How many bureaucrats does it take to screw in a light bulb?

A: Two--one to screw it in and one to screw it up.

“Morticians have to be careful to spell the name right to avoid making a grave mistake.”

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- Weight of Santa's sleigh loaded with one Beanie Baby for every kid on earth: 333,333 tons.
- Number of reindeer required to pull a 333,333-tons sleigh: 214,206 -- plus Rudolph.
To deliver his gifts in one night, Santa would have to make 822.6 visits per second, sleighing at 3,000 times the speed of sound.  At that speed, Santa and his reindeer would burst into flame instantaneously.

Signs at Christmas:

- Toy Store: "Ho, ho, ho spoken here."
- Bridal boutique: "Marry Christmas."
- Outside a church: "The original Christmas Club."
- At a department store: "Big pre-Christmas sale. Come in and mangle with the crowd."
- A Texas jewelry store: "Diamond tiaras -- $70,000. Three for $200,000.
- A reducing salon: "24 Shaping Days until Christmas."
- In a stationery store: "For the man who has everything a calendar to remind him when payments are due."

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Expecting Snow.....Move The Car!".....

One winter morning while listening to the radio, Bob and his wife hear the announcer say, "We are going to have 4-6 inches of snow today.
You must park your car on the even numbered side of the street, so the snowplow can get through."

Bob's wife goes out and moves her car.
A week later while they are eating breakfast, the radio announcer says, "We are expecting 6-8 inches of snow today. You must park your car on the odd numbered side of the street, so the snowplow can get through."

Bob's wife goes out and moves her car again.
The next week they are having breakfast again, when the radio announcer says, "We are expecting 8-10 inches of snow today. You must park"... then the power goes out.

Bob's wife is very upset, and with a worried look on her face she says, "Honey, I don't know what to do. Which side of the street do I need to park on so the plow can get through?"

With the love and understanding in his voice like all men who are married to blondes exhibit, Bob says, "Why don't you just leave it in the garage."

December 20, 2018

63º at 9:30 am Thursday - bright sky but a bit breezy cool.

Been kind of busy this week, though haven't accomplished a lot.

Click on photos to enlarge.

Because we are practicing barbershop chorus on Thursdays for 3 weeks I got to go to a bit of the Bluegrass Jam in the hall Tuesday.

Played Pegs & Jokers last evening after pot luck supper
at the hall.

Wednesday I did a little horse shoe throwing, only two of us showed up.

Had 12 at exercises this morning.  At 75.529 years of age I think I might be the youngest there.

Phyllis with staff for birthday of
the cleaning lady yesterday.

Two doctors gave interesting session on various
health issues yesterday afternoon.

Today I go over to McAllen for 2 hour practice with the Magic Valley Men of A Chord barbershop chorus and then we are going to a shopping mall there in McAllen to sing Christmas Carols.  Bean Bag Baseball at the Rec Hall tonight.

On the first day of Christmas, My drive through gave to me: A Big Bacon Classic with cheese.
On the second day of Christmas, My drive through gave to me: Two Happy Meals, and a Big Bacon Classic with cheese.
On the third day of Christmas, My drive through gave to me: Three Biggie Fries, Two Happy Meals, And a Big Bacon Classic with cheese.
On the fourth day of Christmas, My drive through gave to me: Four Egg McMuffins, Three Biggie Fries, Two Happy Meals, And a Big Bacon Classic with cheese.
On the fifth day of Christmas, My drive through gave to me: Five onion rings, Four Egg McMuffins, Three Biggie Fries, Two Happy Meals, And a Big Bacon Classic with cheese.
On the sixth day of Christmas, My drive through gave to me: Six chocolate milkshakes, Five onion rings, Four Egg McMuffins, Three Biggie Fries, Two Happy Meals, And a Big Bacon Classic with cheese.
On the seventh day of Christmas, My drive through gave to me: Seven pints of cole slaw, Six chocolate milkshakes, Five onion rings, Four Egg McMuffins, Three Biggie Fries, Two Happy Meals, And a Big Bacon Classic with cheese.
On the eighth day of Christmas, My drive through gave to me: Eight bowls of chili, Seven pints of cole slaw, Six chocolate milkshakes, Five onion rings, Four Egg McMuffins, Three Biggie Fries, Two Happy Meals, And a Big Bacon Classic with cheese.
On the ninth day of Christmas, My drive through gave to me: Nine polish hot dogs, Eight bowls of chili, Seven pints of cole slaw, Six chocolate milkshakes, Five onion rings, Four Egg McMuffins, Three Biggie Fries, Two Happy Meals, And a Big Bacon Classic with cheese.
On the tenth day of Christmas, My drive through gave to me: Ten baked potatoes, Nine polish hot dogs, Eight bowls of chili, Seven pints of cole slaw, Six chocolate milkshakes, Five onion rings, Four Egg McMuffins, Three Biggie Fries, Two Happy Meals, And a Big Bacon Classic with cheese.
On the eleventh day of Christmas, My drive through gave to me: Eleven pounds of blubber, Ten baked potatoes, Nine polish hot dogs, Eight bowls of chili, Seven pints of cole slaw, Six chocolate milkshakes, Five onion rings, Four Egg McMuffins, Three Biggie Fries, Two Happy Meals, And a Big Bacon Classic with cheese.
On the twelfth day of Christmas, My drive through gave to me: Twelve bags of Pepto, Eleven pounds of blubber, Ten baked potatoes, Nine polish hot dogs, Eight bowls of chili, Seven pints of cole slaw, Six chocolate milkshakes, Five onion rings, Four Egg McMuffins, Three Biggie Fries, Two Happy Meals, And a Big Bacon Classic with Cheese 

Isn't that terrible?  Later, Lynn