June 30, 2016 One More in June

Wow-o-wow!  where has this month gone?  

Tonight was the last of Zade's baseball games for the summer.  All of the players have improved their skills.  The parents are very supportive.  There's no yelling from the stands.  Best of all: the boys have had fun.  Good job, Coach Darin!

This afternoon Emily, Zade and Ashlynn's Nanny, brought them to the pool at the RV park.  All of us played for a couple of hours.  The sun went behind clouds, a breeze kicked up, and it was warmer in the water than out!

I watched Ashlynn at gymnastics this afternoon!  Her favorite apparatus is the uneven bars.  She is quite good at flips--forward and backward!

Yesterday we met Tom and Donna, long-time friends from Poplar Bluff, at O'Charley's for lunch followed by a good visit before they headed to a doctor's appointment.

Tomorrow, Friday, we are going to Iberia, MO for a funeral.  My brother Mark's mother-in-law passed away.  The services are tomorrow.  We will be back late in the evening.

June 29, 2016 A Very Special Day

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ZADE!!!

He is eight years old!  He brings a smile to your heart and face, is full of love, well-mannered, smart, and a giant St. Louis Cardinals' fan!

June 26, 2016 Another Performance!

Glen's mother has been in our thoughts today.  This would have been her 98th birthday.

Yesterday we played in the pool with Ashlynn, Zade, Sarah and Darin.  Jeff and Marcella were also there.  

Darin smoked ribs and chicken wings on his grill, adding corn on the cob  for dinner last night.  Oh, My!  Delicious.

Ashlynn and Zade came home with us to spend the night.  

We all attended the eleven o'clock worship service this morning, followed by lunch at "O'Charley's".  

We finished lunch in time to make it to the two o'clock performance of "STEEL MAGNOLIA's" at the River Campsus of SEMO University.  The cast of six played the major women's characters.  The cast was very talented.  All but one were SEMO students.  

We thoroughly enjoyed these performances at SEMO University.  The tickets are affordable, and the performers talented.  The experience enlarges our world just a little.

Jeff and Marcella went with us to this afternoon's performance.  

Stay cool, friends and family!  Our weather center shows a high of 100 degrees today.

June 23-24, 2016 Indulgence

Yesterday was a "me" day!

The day started with Darin's housekeeper coming here and cleaning the motorhome.  I know, I know, I could have done it.  But...I didn't want to. Just call me "Lazy!"

She did a great job.  She cleaned out the pantry shelves, cleaned the shelves, isolated the out-of-date cans; dusted--and that was a big job.  We just spent a week parked near a dusty-chat road.  She vacuumed and mopped, cleaned the bathroom.  

I will invite her again! Maybe in the fall just before we go back to Texas!

In the afternoon I used a gift card from Darin/Sarah for a massage!  Ah-h-h!  The masseause found every tight muscle and sore place  I had!

Last night Zade had another baseball game.  Score isn't kept; but.....we know that Zade's team won!  Just two more games next week to end the season.

This morning we learned how to renew our passports.  It is hard to believe that it has been nearly 10 years since we first got our passports.

This afternoon I got a much-need haircut!  

Tonight Glen and I attended a performance titled "ALWAYS PATSY CLINE!"  The two performers, Patsy Cline and her friend Louise, were the only two in the cast as well as a five-piece country/western band.  Patsy and Louise were played by two students at Southeast Missouri State.  It was an excellence performance.  Without getting the program out of my purse I am guessing "Patsy" sang 25-30 songs.  The performance took place at the "River Campsus" of SEMO Univ.

June 22, 2016 Evening Baseball Game (pictures)

Thankfully, the baseball field was mostly in the shade at the beginning of the game. There also was a most welcome light breeze.  A good night for watching baseball!

The players play a variety of positions during the game, introducing them to different skills.  Zade played pitcher, first, left field, and catcher.  He was 3 of 4 at bat!

Here's some pictures of the game!

Good Swing!

On base at second.

It was high, but a hit!

Left field

He is a good catcher!

After the game!

Big sis, Ashlynn

P.S. It has cooled down to 87 degrees at 9:20 p.m.

June 22, 2016 Where Have We Been? (Cape RV Park, Cape Girardeau MO)

Where Have We Been?

I forgot to warn/inform you that when we left Evelyn and Gary's we were going to my sister Jan and hubby Bruce's farm in rural Miller County MO.

This rural area is the black hole for Verizon of internet service.  MIFI nor Hotspot provided any power.  There is a landline at Jan's home but it is Sl-o-o-w!  Jan and Bruce get so frustrated and aggravated at the (lack of) service there.

So-o-o-o....we spent Thursday to Tuesday morning with Jan and Bruce, and their extended family.

Saturday morning at 5:30 A.M.---  Yes, A.M.!  Bruce asked Glen if he knew that 5:30 A.M. comes twice a day----.we were part of a group that helped Mitch (J/B's son) and Abby assemble a above-ground pool.  That was the cool of the day.

First attempt at installing the liner was a bust!  There was too much liner!  After some disCUSSion and a couple of phone calls a second attempt was made--this time successful!  Filling the pool started at 10:45.  It was full by Monday morning.  The pool is a considered a "30 ft" 52" tall.

Father's Day was celebrated by attending worship service followed by a pot luck lunch at Jan and Bruce's.  Glen grilled brats and burgers, with fresh squash and green beans from Matt and Teresa, bean salad and asparagus salad from Jan and Bruce.  A delicious mean with wonderful company.

Are you familar with the fundraiser known as "Bean Supper".  The Lion's Club of Brumley MO has a once-a-month Bean Supper to raise funds for the club.  The menu includes pinto beans with ham, cole slaw, and corn bread, and homemade desserts.  All you can eat for $5.00!

This is election year so there were several candidates "politicking" . We see neighbors and friends that we haven't seen in a long time.  Plus, the food is wonderful!

Monday night there was a fast-pitch softball game.  Addison (Jan and Bruce's second granddaughter/Mitch and Abbie's daughter) was the starting pitcher, as well as hitting a three-run homer in the last inning!  Alas, the team lost by one.

Have I mention it is HOT!!!! The current temperatures are more typical for July/August.  It was 86 degrees when I looked at 8 this morning.

We arrived in Cape Girardeau yesterday afternoon.  We met Darin/Sarah/Ashlynn/Zade for dinner at 6:30.  Ashlynn and Zade didn't know we were in town!  Surprise!

We will go to Zade's baseball game tonight.  I will try to have pictures for you.

Meanwhile, we are hibernating.  The shades are pulled, and the air conditioning is running.
89 degrees at 10 a.m.

June 15, 2016 Hail, Hail, the Gang is All Here

The Texas Gang is all together again.

Jeff and Marcella arrived here at the same park as us late morning.  We four went to lunch at Butler.

About three (?) weeks ago Gary found an older bass boat for Jeff to consider purchasing.  After exchanging pictures, calls to the owner, Jeff purchased the boat sight unseen.  It is a 1978 model, 16.5' long, 65 hp motor.  Has been under roof at all times.  Yes, the boat looks older, but it does not show its age.  It is just what Jeff wanted!

Gary took it to a marina for the work that Jeff ordered.  

After lunch Jeff and Glen went to the marina to pick up the boat.  In the next couple of days Jeff will get the boat on a lake and try it out.  All expectations are that the boat will work/run great.  

Marcella and Evelyn played guitars and sang this afternoon.  Marcella has made lots of progress, teaching herself, in playing the guitar.  

Gary and Evelyn prepared dinner tonight.  Grilled steaks, hash brown casserole, bundles of fresh green beans wrapped in bacon and sprinkled with brown sugar, salad, and angel food cake, fresh strawberries and ice cream rounding out the menu.  Oh my, it was all delicious!

Conversation after dinner consisted of plans, routes, RV parks all related to our late summer trip.

June 14, 2016 More Eating

As I said yesterday....

each day is known by where we eat!

Today started with breakfast at the local diner, "GRAY'S" with Gary and Evelyn.

Then a trip to Walmart was next.  

Mid-afternoon we--Gary/Evelyn, Glen and I, went to the local ice cream parlor.  The family who makes the ice cream also owns a pecan farm.  There are lots of pecan items for sale also!  After a short rest, Glen and Evelyn made music for an hour plus.  Enjoyable to be able to listen.

Much as I hate to admit it,
Tonight was "Taco Tuesday" at The Flaming Lantern.  Tacoes $1 each.  Very good.  We enjoyed conversing with two couples and friends of Gary and Evelyn.

We are full.  

June 13, 2016 Family Time

We are visiting with Gary and Evelyn every day.

Listing all the places we eat tells you what we do each day!

Friday--I mentioned already that we met Gary/Evelyn's granddaughter at "Jose Peppers" in Belton MO.  Great food.

Saturday--It was dinner at "Short Street" in Montrose, MO.  Montrose has about 200 people in it.  There are few other businesses; but, SHORT STREET is a fantastically delicious restaurant.  Our entre of choice this night:  prime rib with baked potato and salad bar.  This prime rib is fork tender, served with au jus and/or creamy horseradish.  Oh, my!  So good.

Sunday--after church--lunch at THE RED LANTERN in Butler MO.  This is great down-home good cooking.  Glen had the special: smothered chicken, mashed potatoes/gravy and green beans.  I enjoyed hand-breaded pork tenderloin with mashed potato/gravy.

Today--lunch at MC BEE'S, Passaic MO.  McBee's makes approximately 2 dozen differently flavored brats.  Today's flavor was "pineapple".  There really isn't a pineapple flavor, but oh, so moist.  Um-mm-m good.

This afternoon Glen and Evelyn enjoyed a time of picking-n-grinning!! They started at the front of their songbook and made it into the "C's"!  They sound great.  The audience enjoyed the session very much.

There were periods of off and on rain showers all afternoon.  Sometimes there was rain on one side of the road but dry on the other side.  The total here was .41" of rain, enough to give everything a good bath and cool off the temps.  It was 91 degrees before the rain and 71 degrees now!

June 10, 2016 Great Day

It was a great day with Evelyn and Gary today!  

We lunched with Evelyn.  Gary was busy wearing his chef hat today.  He manned the smoker all day.

Tonight Gary and Evelyn drove us to Belton, near KC, to meet with granddaughter Candice and her daughter Kendall for dinner at a great Mexican restaurant!  Kendall just turned five.

Back at Gary and Evelyn's we watched the KC Royals vs. Chicago White Sox.  During commercials we checked on the St. Louis Cardinals vs. Pittsburg Pirates. 

June 9, 2016 Released! Out of Town! (Passaic RV Park, Passaic MO)

We made it!  We are out of Branson!  We don't have anything against Branson.  We are not really into lots of shows, or lots of traffic.  For most of this week we didn't have access to the motorhome!

All work is done.  The motor home is fine; drives straight.  We don't have to worry about steering box falling off.  The wheel bearings on the front tires were checked for damage.  None was found.  All is well.

We drove to Passaic MO which has a small, adequate RV park.
Air conditioning is definitely a must.  It reached 91 degrees this afternoon and will be that warm or warmer for the rest of the week.  It must be summer.

We are ten miles or less from Evelyn and Gary's.  We are looking forward to spending time with them.

June 8, 2016 Deal or No Deal? (back at Branson Lakeside RV Park, Branson MO)

Deal or No Deal?

It is....NO DEAL!

We have backed out of the boat deal.  The longer the deal took to get finished, the more we felt we shouldn't be doing this.  Going with our instinct, and lots of conversation, we called the dealer this morning and cancelled the purchase.

We were able to lounge in the motel room until one this afternoon.  We ate lunch, then checked on the motor home.  We were told it would be finished about 3.  We just waited in the parking lot until completion of the steering bracket/frame
.  
Glen drove the motor home back to the RV park.  Glen says it steers well.  The generator had to be removed for the steering work.  It runs just as it should.

Now, just one more project in the morning.  On the way from Ft. Smith to here, oil was slung out of the hub of the front right tire onto the tire.  

The center plug for the hub cover popped out, allowing oil leak out onto the tire.

In the morning the same mechanics are going to clean, and inspect the wheel bearings in the front right tire.  Then replace the hub cover and install new oil.  This should only take from 8-noon.  More waiting.  

But, it all needs to be done.  

By the way, this RV park is nearly full, if not full.  No matter the condition of the motor home tomorrow, we have to move.  No more room here!

June 7, 2016 All Day in the Truck (Overnight at Camden Hotel and Conference Center, Branson MO)

Remember last night's blog/list?

The good news: we did have the motor home at the repair shop at 8:00 a.m.
The sad news: Part One: the work wasn't completed this afternoon.  Part Two: we are in a motel room tonight.

We are staying at the "Camden Hotel and Conference Center", on the street between Highway 76 and the Tanger Outlets.  It is very nice, clean, up to date, and reasonable.  It is not low-end $35 for two, nor is it high end $200 at the College of the Ozarks' Ketter Center.  [$65/per night]

Family and friends, if you are in Branson and are in need of a hotel, we give this high marks.

We enjoyed breakfast at "Billy Gayle's", beating the crowd by being there at 8:15.  Those pancakes hang over the edges of the dinner plate!  

We toured the Visitors' Center at Table Rock Dam, then enjoyed the scenic drive back to town.

Late in the work afternoon, when the motor home was level  we went inside and got the vitals for an evening away from home.  The necessary items were medicine (of course) and the C-Pap for Glen.  
"They" said the work was done, In the morning it would be just putting everything back together!

The boat seller said the boat would be ready to pick up Thursday morning!

June 6, 2016 Eventful Day

Top Ten for Today:

• the new/replacement part for the motor home is in; there is an appointment for 8 a.m. in the morning for the motor home.  Hurray!  
• 
  
•  We saw new territory this morning.  We went for a drive, wanting to see Forsythe, Rockaway Beach, and Powersite Dam.  We left east  and then north out of Branson across Lake Taneycomo near the  Bass Pro.  Glen and I had never been that direction.  
• We found the village of Powersite; then the town of Forsythe, where the Powersite         Dam is actually located.  

• Both of us had heard of "Rockaway Beach--back in the old days, like in college times, "Rockaway Beach" was the place to go party.  But what we saw today didn't look too like it was too much into "partying."  It is actually a village that time has passed by. The hotels/motels were the mid-1960's vintage.  

Nothing impressive here!

• This afternoon the RV park office called, asking if we were interested in "free tickets" to either the 8:00 p.m.  tonight - or 2:00 tomorrow--show of "The White House Presents The Legend of Kungfu".  Unfortunately when we arrived at 7:45 p.m. the show was on "intermission" .  The production had actually started at 7:00.  We weren't the only ones that showed up late either.  
• Critique: the production was a "history" of Kungfu, with at least two dozen performers who were quite talented in the art of Kungfu.  It was interesting, but we were glad we hadn't paid for the tickets.

• Back to Saturday!!! On the way home from the birthday party we "spied with our little eyes" a new-looking Bass Pro Fishing Pontoon for sale on a lot just south of Springfield.
• Glen has had 'boat fever" for many months.  You might say he has always regretted selling the boats we owned at retirement.
• "For Sale" was a 2014 22-foot pontoon, with a 90 hp Mercury motor, set up as a fishing rig.  Just what we wanted.

Saleman told us it was a repo; he bought it from a bank.  The prop looks as if has been in the water maybe once.  It doesn't have a full-size, snap-down cover.  

End of the story:  We bought it!  It is still at the dealer being shined and polished, some work done on the tail lights, etc.  We will either pick it up tomorrow evening or Wednesday evening.

You are wondering how we are going to get it to Zapata, aren't you.  That is the big question.  There are a few options.

     Our son graciously offered to use it this summer as well as find storage.

     This fall/winter Glen can pull it behind the motor home and I can drive the truck to Zapata.

      Brother in law Jeff S has also bought a bass boat.  He plans on taking it to Zapata in a

      couple of weeks--just down there and back, storing it at our place under roof.  Glen       

      could drive down at the same time as Jeff.

Glen has mentioned if we leave it in Missouri someplace--our son's?--then this fall we can use the boat and fish during the month of October.  

Is that ourr Final Answer?  who knows?  No decision yet.

Yesterday we made a stop at Bass Pro and bought the necessary items to use the boat: life jackets, anchor, rope.  I am sure there was more, just can't think what it was.

We will be up and at 'em early in the morning; plan on having the mh at the repair shop at 8:00 a.m.

June 4, 2016 Birthday Party

Today there was a birthday celebration for (nearly) 5 year old Kendall, Evelyn's great-granddaughter.  As she said her "real birthday is June 7".

Kendall

Kendall modeling her birthday bike helmet!

The party was held at the "Rutledge-Wilson Farm" in Springfield MO.  This farm is now part of the Springfield MO park system.  There is a fishing pond, chicken, phesants, baby pigs, a converted barn for gatherings.  

It was great seeing Evelyn/Gary, Suzanne (Ev's daughter)/Ken, Candice/Chris (Ev's granddaughter and Kendall's parents), Cody (Suzanne's son--Ev's grandson--Kendall's uncle) and Angelie (Cody's girlfriend).  

Of course there were lots of other friends and families.

The family enjoyed lunch at "City Market and Butcher" after the party.  The pulled pork sandwiches were the best!  Cole slaw and baked beans weren't exactly to our taste.

We awoke to rain, lots of rain, loud rain!  We checked to see if the party was still happening. It looked as if Noah might be making a visit - or it was raining all over the world.
 By the time we were five miles out of Branson the sun was shining.  
When we returned home the rain total was 2 inches.

June 3, 2016 Special Lunch

Awkward.  But....

It is my birthday!!!  Glen and I went to Keeter Hall at the College of the Ozarks, for lunch.  What makes it special?

The setting:  a huge log hotel/restaurant/conference building.  The furniture and decor are hand built by students at the college.

The meal:  a chef supervises students in preparation and cooking and serving the meal.  The bread, jams, butter, are made by students; the ice cream is hand made.

The view: the backside of the Hall looks over the college campus and the Ozark Mountains.

College of the Ozarks has no tuition.  It is called "Hard Work University".  All of the students work their way through school with jobs on campus.  It is an awesome opportunity for students.

Recommendation:  if you are in the Branson area --or close by--plan a meal at Keeter Hall.  Take time to tour the campus; tour the museum, the antique farm equipment museum.  If there is a large number in your party, or is a week end, or a busy time of year, make a reservation.  The Sunday brunch is awesome.  This is not your I-Hop or Waffle house breakfast.  Make a reservation for sure.

Glen went by Branson Motor coach this afternoon and learned--nothing.  They don't know if the part (steering box bracket)  has been sent or not!

It has been rainy part of every day we have been here!

Special plans for in the morning.  Stay tuned!

June 2, 2016 Guess What? There is a Reason for a Recall! (Branson Lakeside RV Park, Branson MO)

Wednesday morning we did a little shopping.  I know.  US, shopping.  (generally, we don't shop!)
 But, we went to "Harry and David's" for some pepper/onion relish (which is good on everything) and maybe another two or four other snacks! Giving away free tastes is a great sales tactic!

"Christopher Banks", a clothing store that I like, was right there almost next to "Harry and David's".

I found a few bargains!

Back to the motorhome.  Glen drove it to "Branson Motorcoach".  We left it for them to inspect the bracket for the steering box.  But "they were running behind !"

Lunch was at "Billy Gale's Restaurant".  "Billy Gale's" is famous for breakfast and we have enjoyed several.  But, we had never been there at lunch time.  It was tempting to have breakfast, but ....we split a pork tenderloin sandwich/fries.  Believe me, it was big enough to split and delicious.

We returned to Branson Motorcoach to wait in the parking lot.  About three the motorhome was moved into a bay.  Very quickly a technician was telling Glen there was a "severe, serious" crack in the bracket.

They contacted Spartan in Michigan about the recalled bracket replacement.  First, Spartan said to tell the owners "not to get back on the road", and the new bracket would be sent out  Thursday.  

Branson Motorcoach allowed us to drive back to the RV park.  Obviously we aren't going anyplace until next week when all the work is done.  

There is a reason for the recall.  If you have a Spartan chassis and received a recall notice, do not ignore!!!

Who knows what we will find to do in the next few days.