Great weather in the Valley

 73º here in La Feria, TX at 9:49 pm on Sunday.  Has been a great weather day.  Rode my trike 11 miles before noon.

Here is the schedule for our performances starting in January 2020 for the barbershop chorus that I am in:

2020 Magic Valley Men of A-Chord Schedule

Date	Day	Time	Name of Park	Directions
Jan 12, 2020	Sunday	2:00 PM	Winter Ranch RV Resort - Alamo	600 State Hwy 495 Alamo, TX
Jan 19, 2020	Sunday	7:00 PM	Valley View Estates - Mission	2100 Vernon Mission, TX
TBA		6:30 PM	Alamo Rec Vehicle Park - Alamo	1320 W Frontage Road, Alamo, TX
Feb 03, 2020	Monday	7:00 PM	Mc Allen Mobile Park - Mc Allen	4900 N McColl Rd McAllen, TX
Feb 09, 2020	Sunday	6:00 PM	First United Methodist Church - Mc Allen	4200 N McColl Rd McAllen, TX
Feb 18, 2020	Tuesday	7:00 PM	Texas Trails RV Resort - Pharr	501 W Owassa Rd Pharr, TX
Feb 21, 2020	Friday	7:00 PM	Wagon City North - Mission	2905 North Conway Mission, TX
Feb 28, 2020	Friday	6:30 PM	Winter Green Estates - Mission	500 N Bryan Rd Mission, TX
Mar 06, 2020	Friday	7:00 PM	Donna High School - Donna Combined Concert with Sweet Adelines, Senior Ambassadors, and RGV Band	East, 2301 Wood Ave, Donna, TX
Mar 08, 2020	Sunday	7:00 PM	Trophy Gardens RV Resort - Alamo	800 State Hwy 495 Alamo, TX
Mar 15, 2020	Sunday	7:00 PM	Snow to Sun  - Weslaco	1701 N International Blvd  Weslaco, TX

 Just saw this picture, at right, of Bobi Raab on Facebook.  Have no idea if she plays it or was just posing.  She and Bob are to get here from Minneapolis area next Saturday.

First firing up the grill this season!

They were delicious, with green beans and potato salad

To leave tomorrow morning for Progreso, MX to have my temporary tooth cap re-cemented (it came loose the next day after getting it) and also for Darlene to get some dental work done.  If we get back in time we will attend the Veteran's Day ceremony and meal at the Rec Hall.

Phyllis has been packing and re-packing suitcases for our trip next week, and we are deciding what to take and what to not take.  Needing to get the final things lined out.  Here are the spots we will be stopping at on this 16-day cruise:

GROANER'S CORNER:((  A man in Topeka, Kansas decided to write a book about churches around the country. He started by flying to San Francisco and worked east from there. Going to a very large church, he began taking photographs and notes. He spotted a golden telephone on the vestibule wall and was intrigued by a sign which read: "$10,000 a minute." Seeking out the Pastor he asked about the phone and the sign. The Pastor explained that the golden phone was, in fact, a direct line to Heaven and if he paid the price he could talk directly to God. The man thanked the Pastor and continued on his way. As he continued to visit churches in Seattle, San Diego, Chicago, Greensboro, Tampa and all around the United States, he found more phones with the same sign and got the same answer from each Pastor.Finally, he arrived in Texas. Upon entering a church in Dallas, behold, he saw the usual golden telephone. But THIS time, the sign read: "Calls: 35 cents." Fascinated, he asked to talk to the Pastor. "Reverend, I have been in cities all across the country and in each church I have found this golden telephone. I have been told it is a direct line to Heaven and that I could talk to God, but, in the other churches the cost was $10,000 a minute. Your sign reads 35 cents. Why?" The Pastor, smiling benignly, replied, "Son, you're in Texas now... It's a local call."
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A dog thinks: Hey, these people I live with feed me, love me, provide me with a nice warm, dry house, pet me, and take good care of me... They must be Gods!
A cat thinks: Hey, these people I live with feed me, love me, provide me with a nice warm, dry house, pet me, and take good care of me... I must be a God!

Enjoyable holiday meal served by HEB

52º with wind at 9:00 am here in La Feria, TX on Saturday morning.  "Cold front" came through Thursday evening and temp dropped from 87º to 59º in about an hour  Has not gotten out of the 50's since then.

 Yesterday we took Richard Pozzebon and Darlene Winslow and went to the HEB Feast of Sharing just north of downtown Harlingen.  Had a bit of a wait in the windy, chilly day, but was good meal and saw lots of people.  They serve these meals in many cities in Texas and Mexico

HEB (a huge grocery chain here in Texas) Feast of Sharing is the culmination of a year‑round commitment H‑E‑B makes to fighting hunger. In addition to a holiday meal you can enjoy music, arts and crafts, and kids activities. Our December dinners may even feature an appearance by Santa himself.

For the annual HEB celebrations, more than 250,000 meals are served during 33 dinners throughout Texas and Mexico. An average Feast of Sharing dinner serves:  • 3,000 pounds of sliced turkey • 2,500 pounds of cornbread dressing • 750 pumpkin pies • 380 gallons of mashed potatoes • 140 gallons of turkey gravy

NOVEMBER DINNERS

MIDLAND - 4 – 8 p.m. on Friday, 11/1 - Annual: 17th - Guests: 8,000

LAREDO - 4-8 p.m. on Friday, 11/1 - Annual: 31st - Guests: 12,000

SAN ANGELO - 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Sunday, 11/3 - Annual: 23rd - Guests: 6,500

FORT WORTH - 3 – 7 p.m. on Wednesday, 11/6 - Annual: 8th - Guests: 9,000

BROWNSVILLE - 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Wednesday, 11/6 - Annual: 26th - Guests: 10,000

HARLINGEN - 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Friday, 11/8 - Annual: 27th - Guests: 5,500

DALLAS - 3-7 p.m. on Friday, 11/8 - Annual: 13th - Guests: 12,000

MCALLEN - 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Sunday, 11/10 - Annual: 29th - Guests: 9,500

PORT ISABEL - 5 – 8 p.m. on Wednesday, 11/13 - Annual: 11th - Guests: 1,500

EAGLE PASS - 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Saturday, 11/16 - Annual: 23rd - Guests: 5,000

DEL RIO - 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Saturday, 11/16 - Annual: 27th - Guests: 4,500

RAYMONDVILLE - 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Thursday, 11/21 - Annual: 18th - Guests: 1,250

AUSTIN - 4 – 8 p.m. on Tuesday, 11/26 - Annual: 30th - Guests: 13,000

DECEMBER DINNERS

WACO - 4 – 8 p.m. on Tuesday, 12/3 - Annual: 30th - Guests: 7,000

TEMPLE - 4 – 8 p.m. on Thursday, 12/5 - Annual: 20th - Guests: 4,000

RIO GRANDE CITY - 5 – 8 p.m. on Thursday, 12/5 - Annual: 16th - Guests: 2,500

ODESSA - 4 – 8 p.m. on Friday, 12/6 - Annual: 17th - Guests: 5,000

BIG SPRING - 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Sunday, 12/8 - Annual: 5th

VICTORIA - 4 – 8 p.m. on Tuesday, 12/10 - Annual: 29th - Guests: 5,000

ABILENE - 4 – 8 p.m. on Tuesday, 12/10 - Annual: 15th  Guests: 7,000

WESLACO - 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Saturday, 12/14 - Annual: 17th - Guests: 4,000

KILLEEN - 4 – 8 p.m. on Tuesday, 12/17 - Annual: 12th - Guests: 5,100

SAN ANTONIO 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Saturday, 12/21 - Annual: 27th - Guests: 14,000

CORPUS CHRISTI - 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Saturday, 12/21 - Annual: 31st - Guests: 13,000

This is 24 cities, so 9 cities have the dinners in Mexico, though I cannot find list of them on the net.  They were listed on our placements, but I didn't think about writing them down or taking a photo.

GROANER'S CORNER:(( The husband says to his wife, "You always carry my photo in your handbag to the office. Why?" She says, "When there is a problem, no matter how impossible, I look at your picture and the problem disappears."  He smirks and replies, "You see, how miraculous and powerful I am for you?" She calmly replies, "Yes, I see your picture and say to myself, 'What other problem can there be greater than this one?' 
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A father was trying to teach his young son the evils of alcohol.  He put one worm in a glass of water and another worm in a glass of whiskey. The worm in the water lived, while the one in the whiskey curled up and died.  "All right, son," asked the father, "what does that show you?"  "Well, Dad, it shows that if you drink alcohol, you will not have worms." 

Volunteer Information

Later, Lynn

Hot day before cold front

84º here in La Feria, TX with "feel like" of 90º at 10:35 am - to be in the 50's for high tomorrow with rain so a change in the weather.  We were at our dermatologist doctor's office at 7 am and went through our check-up and were out by 7:30 am.  Stopped at Las Vegas for a good, inexpensive, Mexican breakfast.

    I had told about Carl's saga, buying 2nd trailer after nixing deal on the first (They are pulling it out from 3 houses down from us to move across the park as I type).
Another interesting thing -- Carol - in her 70's is married to Ernie - in his 90's.  They have lived in a trailer for several years and bought a small older permanent model a couple years ago.  Ernie was having a lot of health problems and the VA had put in a lift to get his wheel chair or motorized little scooter up to the porch level, made the bathroom accessible, etc.  Ernie was nearly deaf and having dementia problems.  They have lived in the park full-time for several years.  Last August Ernie wanted Carol to take him up north, near Fort Worth, I think, so he could visit with one of his sons who was very sick.  Think Ernie had 7 kids or so.  While they were there two of the boys and one daughter decided Carol wasn't taking good care of Ernie and wouldn't let Carol bring him back south to their home.  So, she came home without him.  In a few weeks the son did die.  The two sons and daughter showed up at Carol's place here in the park and went through the place taking everything they said belonged to Ernie.  They had a "Power of Attorney" that Ernie had signed, giving them authority to act in his behalf.  She discovered after they left the even took her small"safe"box and many personal papers of hers.  They tried to take the pickup,  but Carol called the cops and had that stopped.  They showed up a month later and were going to take a deep freeze and other appliances because "they were Ernie's" and Carol was able to keep the deep freeze, but they insisted then that since the pickup had a lift in the back that could pick up Ernie's electric scooter and he said he needed it.  She finally let them take it and she went out and bought a small car to get around in.  She wouldn't let them take the travel trailer that is parked behind her permanent unit (even though they insisted it was Ernie's) and has discovered a lot of things missing from the house.  On advice from a lawyer she did take what she considered her portion of their checking account and change it to a local bank here in her name.  The sons raised hell about that, insisting it was all Ernie's even though her Social Security Checks always went to that account, also.  She has not heard a word from Ernie, but with his mental condition is not surprised.  It has really done her in.  She has had a lot of leg trouble.

Picture found on the Internet

 Tuesday, November 5th was the first practice for the barbershop group Men Of A-Chord in McAllen, TX.  Only had 11 men show up.  Many have not gotten here for the winter and several have said they were staying north from now on.  One did pass away this summer.  Was good to get to singing with the group, even though it was a small group.  A discussion was had on weather to invite ladies into the group since we are having a hard time maintaining membership.  20 years ago there were over 60 in the group; last winter we were lucky if 32 showed up for

performances.  The leader sang in a quartet over the summer that had a lady singing lead in the men's group and said it went over fine.  If they do allow it, I think Phyllis may join the group.  They are to have a board meeting next week and discuss it.

Some enormous clouds have built up some days but we haven't had any rain for a while.

This was the sunset as we were riding our recumbent trikes last night.  I have ridden 10 miles, 9 miles, 8.5 miles and 9 miles.  Today we rode 5.5 miles before noon, but it was getting hot so quit until late afternoon.

 Yesterday we, and Darlene Winslow, went to Progreso, Mexico for some dental work and medications.  I had some looseness show up at one end of a 9-tooth bridge put in a few years ago.  After getting a cleaning, the doctor looked it and determined that she needed to "saw off" the last tooth of the bridge and make it a separate capped tooth.  Spent a most unpleasant hour while she sawed through it.  I said it seemed to take a lot and she said that it was steel under the white surface and that was taking the time.  Finally got it pulled off the tooth it was anchored to and put in a temporary cap.  To get permanent

 one a couple days before we leave for our cruise. 

 On the way back from Mexico we stopped at Nana's Taqueria in Weslaco for a fine Mexican lunch.  They have turned one of the small buildings by the courtyard into a gift shop so looked through there. 

2871 people have been killed on the highways of Texas just this year.  Amazing.








Is now 87º and 2:30 pm.  More later, Lynn

Carl's trailer has been moved.  I haven't got photo there.

Nice weather days in November

71º here in La Feria, TX at 6:35 pm on Sunday.  Has been a terrific weather day.

Drove to downtown La Feria this morning to eat biscuit, gravy, eggs & coffee at the La Feria Cafe.  Not a big crowd this morning as we were there before the church crowd comes in, though they were starting to arrive by the time we left.

This is the back of our lot, from across the fence.

After we got back to the house we took the trikes for a spin.  Rode a little over 3.5 miles on the streets just north of Kenwood.

This is the back of our lot, from across the fence

This is the back of our lot, from across the fence

This is towards the west end of Kenwood

Some of the area on other side of the fence is cleaner.

This was Saturday - looked like might storm - didn't.

Phyllis was making cookies Saturday - Chocolate Chip!

 I went ahead this morning and finished riding 10.44 miles.  Some of the views in the park.

This photo is of one of the lots on the south side, towards the east end.  Carl Pinkereton had it finished cemented so the entire area is covered.  He agreed to buy Pat & Lois Sumner's 2nd mobile home in August and moved into it, paying rent until the papers could be all drawn up.  He issued a check for the sale price which the office of Kenwood handled.  Patrick was in Kansas and did not get the tax paid up to date until he returned to the park in early October.  When all the paperwork was done the Sumners and Carl were called up to the office to sign all the final papers, deed, etc.  The office staff couldn't find Carl's check to hand over to the Sumner's.  They did find it the next day, but in the mean time Carl backed out of the agreement and bought a different mobile home, on the north side from Minga.  He moved his stuff out of Sumner's place and into Minga's.  He had removed and gotten rid of several items from Sumner's place (I suppose since at the time he did it--from the middle of August to the near-end of October--he assumed he was buying it and thought the items were "junk".  It included a linen cabinet, tall enough that when he took it out he damaged the ceiling; a desk, and a shelf attached to the wall above the laundry area where he left holes in the wall and also cut out a 2"x4" in the shed area.  He admitted to Pat that he had done this but has no intention of returning anything or paying for them.  Lot of hard feelings and Lois is so mad she can hardly do anything but tell anyone all about it and get really flustered and up-tight.  Not a good situation--assume there will be some court action.  Carl said he his having the mobile home he bought moved a couple hundred feet to the other side of the park because "he likes it better there".  A shame to have hard feelings in the park and will see how it plays out.

Went to San Benito, TX last Friday for blood draw and will see our regular physician on Monday.

 This afternoon I worked some more on the back of the pickup.  When put in the upper shelf I had to remove some of the acrylic which forms a shelf on the sides to the rear.  Got them cut different and put back on.

I also got some of the shelves cleaned up in the Texas Room, but have much more to go.

GROANER'S CORNER:((  A minister dies and is waiting in line at the Pearly Gates. Ahead of him is a guy who's dressed in sunglasses, a loud shirt, leather jacket, and jeans.Saint Peter addresses this guy, "Who are you, so that I may know whether or not to admit you to the Kingdom of Heaven?"The guy replies, "I'm Joe Cohen, taxi-driver, of New York City."Saint Peter consults his list. He smiles and says to the taxi-driver, "Take this silken robe and golden staff and Enter the Kingdom." The taxi-driver goes into Heaven with his robe and staff.  Next it's the minister's turn. He stands erect and booms out, "I am Joseph Snow, pastor of Saint Mary's for the last 43 years."Saint Peter consults his list. He says to the minister, "Take this cotton robe and wooden staff and enter the Kingdom.""Just a minute," says the minister. "That man was a taxi-driver and he gets a silken robe and golden staff. How can this be?""Up here, we work by results," says Saint Peter. "While you preached, people slept; while he drove, people prayed."

More later, Lynn