This past Wednesday Jeff and Marcella learned of the death of Jeff's college roommate/best man at their wedding. Doug, a high school baseball coach in southwest Missouri had brain cancer.
They left Friday mid-morning driving their truck to Springfield MO. Just north of Waco TX the truck experienced braking issues. They stopped at a dealer who was able to do repairs Saturday morning.
The visitation/funeral services were today. Jeff was an honorary pallbearer.
I think they will head back here (Zapata) tomorrow, but not for sure.
We are dog-sitting for Bonnie, their terrier. She is a great dog. She even sat on my lap this afternoon for a while. I think she is missing her people!! 😑🐶
Jeff fished with Fred two days last week before leaving. There was enough each day to put several packages in the freezer.
Of course the musicians attended the three usual jam sessions--Monday night, Tuesday night, and Thursday afternoon.
Wednesday Jeff, Marcella, Glen and I drove to the Valley--two and hours south of here in the Mission/McAllen, Donna, Weslaco area. There were stops at Academy, the flea market, Nuevo Progreso, Mexico; and Walmart.
That trip always takes all day. It was early evening when we returned.
At Academy we bought crappie rods/reels which are very light-weight. We also bought rod/reels in case we want to try to catch a catfish or two!
Yesterday the local Lutheran church hosted a chili/chicken noodle soup luncheon to raise funds. Both dishes are delicious. There was cole slaw, and homemade desserts to accompany the soup.
Sunday, January 29, 2017
Saturday, January 21, 2017
January 21, 2017 Another Successful Day
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| Crappie have to be a minimum of 10 inches. These were huge. |
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| Glen, Jeff, and Fred |
Jeff and Fred went fishing this morning!
They brought home 23 large crappie. Full disclosure: they didn't catch them all! Friends didn't want all they had caught so they shared.
The biggest one got away! Fred was trying to net a big one (Jeff said it was nearly three pounds) but the net had a hole in the bottom!
Fred uses an electric knife to fillet. He is quite skillful with it. It is much faster.
The north/northwest wind is blowing at 24 mph (currently). Forecast for Sunday is gusts up to 50 mph!
Hope you are enjoying a great week end!
Friday, January 20, 2017
January 20, 2017 A Great Day!
Our television has not been turned on at all today! Inauguration Day!
It has been a great day!
Fred and Gay came over mid-afternoon with their musical instruments, joining Marcella in some playing time. Glen joined on vocals! It is always entertaining to be in the audience during these jam sessions.
After the last song, Jeff shared his home-made key lime pie with us. It was delicious.
The six of us then played several games of "19-point Pitch", a card game.
All of this fun was enjoyed outside! A jacket felt good to some; others didn't need the extra layer.
The high today was 78 degrees, currently 60 at ten-thirty p.m.
It has been a great day!
Fred and Gay came over mid-afternoon with their musical instruments, joining Marcella in some playing time. Glen joined on vocals! It is always entertaining to be in the audience during these jam sessions.
After the last song, Jeff shared his home-made key lime pie with us. It was delicious.
The six of us then played several games of "19-point Pitch", a card game.
All of this fun was enjoyed outside! A jacket felt good to some; others didn't need the extra layer.
The high today was 78 degrees, currently 60 at ten-thirty p.m.
Wednesday, January 18, 2017
January 18, 2017 A First!
Jeff made all the necessary and appropriate adjustments to his fishing boat. He and Marcella took the boat to the County Park Launch.
Here they are, returning to the boat launch.
They traded places with us. We took a ride in the boat. It was a FIRST for us: the first time we had been on the Lake. We didn't go far, but it was fun.
Jeff and Glen agreed the motor ran great, the boat got on plane quickly. It is just what Jeff needs to go catch a mess or more of crappie and/or catfish.
There are many white pelicans on the lake.
I think these are Inca doves. They were obviously soaking up the sun one of the very cold mornings last week!
Glen deep-fried some of the catfish that were given to us Monday. Oh, my, they were delicious. There were hand-cut French fries, and homemade hush puppies to go with the fish.!!!
They traded places with us. We took a ride in the boat. It was a FIRST for us: the first time we had been on the Lake. We didn't go far, but it was fun.
Jeff and Glen agreed the motor ran great, the boat got on plane quickly. It is just what Jeff needs to go catch a mess or more of crappie and/or catfish.
Glen deep-fried some of the catfish that were given to us Monday. Oh, my, they were delicious. There were hand-cut French fries, and homemade hush puppies to go with the fish.!!!
Monday, January 16, 2017
January 16, 2017 Happenings
Fred, friend and musician from Oklahoma, came over this afternoon to show Marcella how to string her guitar.
The guitar sounded great tonight! Marcella is doing great with playing the guitar. Jam Session started tonight at Amigo Inn Motel and RV Park. This is where Fred and Gay park their RV. Jam session will be each Monday night.
This afternoon neighbors Joe and LaDorra from across the street brought us five blue catfish. They fished most of the day on Falcon Lake.
The three bigger ones weighed approximately 12 pounds each. The two smaller ones were skillet size! Glen and Jeff cleaned and filleted late this afternoon just before going to the Jam Session. There might have been a fish smell on Glen's hands. thankfully it was Marcella sitting next to him. I think Glen is planning on frying some for lunch tomorrow....unless....
unless Glen goes with Fred to San Antonio. Bill, old friend of Fred and Gay, and newer friend of us, is in the hospital in San Antonio. Wife Joy rode in the ambulance with Bill Friday. Joy is wanting a vehicle up there, but; there is a chance Bill will be released tomorrow. Fred will know for sure in the morning if a] Fred will go by himself to SA and drive Bill and Joy back here; or b] Fred and Glen will each drive a vehicle to SA and leave one with Joy being able to drive themselves back. Bill and Joy stay in the motel/rv park near Fred and Gay.
Jeff is working on getting his boat ready to put on the lake. He got his fishing license today. We are hearing reports that the crappie are biting like mad!
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| Fred...teacher; and Marcella, student: stringing her guitar |
This afternoon neighbors Joe and LaDorra from across the street brought us five blue catfish. They fished most of the day on Falcon Lake.
The three bigger ones weighed approximately 12 pounds each. The two smaller ones were skillet size! Glen and Jeff cleaned and filleted late this afternoon just before going to the Jam Session. There might have been a fish smell on Glen's hands. thankfully it was Marcella sitting next to him. I think Glen is planning on frying some for lunch tomorrow....unless....
unless Glen goes with Fred to San Antonio. Bill, old friend of Fred and Gay, and newer friend of us, is in the hospital in San Antonio. Wife Joy rode in the ambulance with Bill Friday. Joy is wanting a vehicle up there, but; there is a chance Bill will be released tomorrow. Fred will know for sure in the morning if a] Fred will go by himself to SA and drive Bill and Joy back here; or b] Fred and Glen will each drive a vehicle to SA and leave one with Joy being able to drive themselves back. Bill and Joy stay in the motel/rv park near Fred and Gay.
Jeff is working on getting his boat ready to put on the lake. He got his fishing license today. We are hearing reports that the crappie are biting like mad!
Saturday, January 14, 2017
January 14, 2017 Company's Coming! No, Company's Here
I know, I know it has been ten days since I have written anything.
Each day is much like the day before. There's is a little work done, then a whole lot of resting!
Glen has finished all of the projects that were on the "to do" list. We are now ready to do whatever comes our way!!
Each day is much like the day before. There's is a little work done, then a whole lot of resting!
Glen has finished all of the projects that were on the "to do" list. We are now ready to do whatever comes our way!!
- All of the kitchen updated--except light fixtures over the sink and stove. I need to choose what I want.
- Installation of a room air conditioner in the bathroom. Even in winter months that is a nice addition.
- more concrete poured--widened the area where Jeff/Marcella are parked.h
- .Installation of sun/shade/wind screen on the north end of our outdoor living space, as well as filled in the space above with metal siding.
- And, music/Jam sessions have started.
- This past Sunday was the (first ) Second Sunday of the Month Gospel Jam Session at a nearby RV park.
Yes! Jeff and Marcella arrived last night. They left southwest Missouri just before a freezing rain/ice storm arrived.
Every Tuesday night there is a Jam Session at another RV Park.
Thursday afternoon the weekly Jam session started at a third RV Park.
Our friends, Fred and Gay from Oklahoma, arrived nine days ago. They came to our place yesterday afternoon. They and Glen "picked and grinned" for nearly three hours.
Lake levels continue to drop. There isn't much "lake" water here, mostly river at this point. There needs to be several days of lots of rain.
Jeff and Marcella brought a bass boat with them. Jeff is looking forward to catching some crappie--and we are looking forward to a good fish fry!
Our local church, First Baptist Church, opened a pre-school here in Zapata last fall. Alas, there wasn't enough support to keep it open, and it closed at Christmas break. Glen helped several other church members in emptying the building this morning. Items were brought to the church for storage at this time. I think there will be a sale in the near future.
Remember, we like to hear from you also!
Tuesday, January 3, 2017
January 3, 2017 No More Wobbles
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| Doesn't it look good against the blue wall! |
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| Here's the colors of the top. You can see that something heavy has been dropped on the front edge at some point in time! |
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| The counter/cabinets you see with the sink when walking into the kitchen is what Glen has installed the past couple of weeks. It's very functional. |
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| This is the north end of the "barn": our shelter from wind, sun, and rain. With the zippered door open the breeze can blow through the barn. If you look through the right space you can see there is a matching wind shade on the south end. |
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| Other days protection is needed from the north wind! On those days everything is closed! Glen also closed in the space above the left wind shade with metal siding to match the rest. |
Monday, January 2, 2017
January 2, 2016 Oh, My Aching Shoulder
When we divided things from my mother's home I chose a rectangular "kitchen" size table with a green porcelain top. Today I started removing the peeling paint from the legs and edge around the top. Thus..."oh, my aching shoulder!"
I scraped and scraped. Glen removed a couple of legs that needed some attention. All of a sudden the project got more involved. I just wanted the table legs not to be wobbly and a new coat of pain.
Glen is using wood glue and clamps to "un-wobble" the legs as well as tightening some screws.
We found at least five coats of paint, applied two coats of paint remover, and scraped some more. Tomorrow I hope to sand and repaint! The next big decision: what color? The original was a shade of green to match the top; then there was a yellow, another green, blue, and white. I am thinking the original green will look great.
Once I started the table project I didn't get any pictures taken of the new sunscreen project. Now I will have the finished table to add to the list.
Take note: I cooked lunch!! We enjoyed eating outdoors with a bowl of pinto beans and a slice of homemade cornbread!
I scraped and scraped. Glen removed a couple of legs that needed some attention. All of a sudden the project got more involved. I just wanted the table legs not to be wobbly and a new coat of pain.
Glen is using wood glue and clamps to "un-wobble" the legs as well as tightening some screws.
We found at least five coats of paint, applied two coats of paint remover, and scraped some more. Tomorrow I hope to sand and repaint! The next big decision: what color? The original was a shade of green to match the top; then there was a yellow, another green, blue, and white. I am thinking the original green will look great.
Once I started the table project I didn't get any pictures taken of the new sunscreen project. Now I will have the finished table to add to the list.
Take note: I cooked lunch!! We enjoyed eating outdoors with a bowl of pinto beans and a slice of homemade cornbread!
Sunday, January 1, 2017
January 1, 2017 The Old and the New
Glen and I have spent the last few days discussing the beginning of the New Year--2017. Back when we were ten years old did we really think we would still be around in the two thousands especially 2017.
Here it is...the beginning of the New Year. May your New Year be filled with blessings!!
The past week has been a repeat of the day before: great weather, and enjoying being outdoors most of the day.
Christmas Eve we spent the afternoon/evening at and with friends/neighbors Jim and Dee. They have a large enclosed steel building that they generously open to about 30 neighbors and friends on Christmas Eve. They furnished ham and turkey; the attendees furnished all the side dishes. Oh, my, what a spread.
Christmas Day we attended worship service. Glen led the music.
Jim and Dee graciously invited about six couples back for "left overs" at lunch time. It was a great week end.
This past week Glen finished a couple of projects. I requested and Glen installed more cabinets and a new kitchen sink in our "outdoor" kitchen. The new counter top and cabinets and sink surely add to the functionality of the kitchen.
Our resident chefs--Gary and Jeff-- have no excuses now to not bake and cook to their heart's content!!😊🍞🍰🍲🐟
If you remember a couple of Wednesdays ago we went to the Valley and stopped at the flea market. Our purchase there was fitted wind screen for the north end of our barn. Glen now has it installed. It definitely keeps out the unwanted wind; there is also a zippered door that can be opened if the breeze is desired. I will get a photo or two tomorrow to you can see what I am talking about.
This week looks like it is going to be like the past two weeks--quiet! There are a couple of small projects that Glen will work on, but nothing major. No complaints about the weather.
Tonight Glen and I went to Jim and Dee's. Dee and I watched a movie..the "new" "Bridget Jones'Baby". Glen and Jim watched football.
I haven't even mentioned New Years' Eve. We went out to dinner at a local restaurant with Jim and Dee. After the meal Jim and Dee went to a dance. We came home. We did manage to be up at midnight. Zade had told me that if "you were awake at midnight you had to smooch someone!" I smooched Glen! There were numerous fireworks exploding in the skies to celebrate the midnight hour and the incoming New Year.
A bit of unexpected and sad news. Gary and Evelyn are not coming to Texas at this time. Gary's son Darren is experiencing some health issues. Obviously Gary and Evelyn are staying there until there are more tests, decisions made, and they aren't needed. This may be a few weeks or longer.
We ask for healing prayers and guidance in these health matters if you feel lead to do so.
Here it is...the beginning of the New Year. May your New Year be filled with blessings!!
The past week has been a repeat of the day before: great weather, and enjoying being outdoors most of the day.
Christmas Eve we spent the afternoon/evening at and with friends/neighbors Jim and Dee. They have a large enclosed steel building that they generously open to about 30 neighbors and friends on Christmas Eve. They furnished ham and turkey; the attendees furnished all the side dishes. Oh, my, what a spread.
Christmas Day we attended worship service. Glen led the music.
Jim and Dee graciously invited about six couples back for "left overs" at lunch time. It was a great week end.
This past week Glen finished a couple of projects. I requested and Glen installed more cabinets and a new kitchen sink in our "outdoor" kitchen. The new counter top and cabinets and sink surely add to the functionality of the kitchen.
Our resident chefs--Gary and Jeff-- have no excuses now to not bake and cook to their heart's content!!😊🍞🍰🍲🐟
If you remember a couple of Wednesdays ago we went to the Valley and stopped at the flea market. Our purchase there was fitted wind screen for the north end of our barn. Glen now has it installed. It definitely keeps out the unwanted wind; there is also a zippered door that can be opened if the breeze is desired. I will get a photo or two tomorrow to you can see what I am talking about.
This week looks like it is going to be like the past two weeks--quiet! There are a couple of small projects that Glen will work on, but nothing major. No complaints about the weather.
Tonight Glen and I went to Jim and Dee's. Dee and I watched a movie..the "new" "Bridget Jones'Baby". Glen and Jim watched football.
I haven't even mentioned New Years' Eve. We went out to dinner at a local restaurant with Jim and Dee. After the meal Jim and Dee went to a dance. We came home. We did manage to be up at midnight. Zade had told me that if "you were awake at midnight you had to smooch someone!" I smooched Glen! There were numerous fireworks exploding in the skies to celebrate the midnight hour and the incoming New Year.
A bit of unexpected and sad news. Gary and Evelyn are not coming to Texas at this time. Gary's son Darren is experiencing some health issues. Obviously Gary and Evelyn are staying there until there are more tests, decisions made, and they aren't needed. This may be a few weeks or longer.
We ask for healing prayers and guidance in these health matters if you feel lead to do so.
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