December 29, 2017 Last of the Year (Still in Zapata TX)

In one way the past two weeks have been quiet; in another way there has been things going on!

Glen developed a UTI on December 12, and felt very, very rough for two weeks.  He saw the local nurse practitioner and got prescription for medication as well as a shot in the posterior!

Sunday, December 24, neighbors/friends Jim and Dee hosted a pot-luck lunch for about 30 people.  Actually, Jim woke up with the flu and was not present for the afternoon.  The food was delicious, and seeing the neighbors was great.

Glen was able to attend the Jam Session on December 26, and joined the group on stage.  There were 11 performers.

Wednesday afternoon we drove to Laredo to the International Airport to pick up TRISHA and BRADY!  Hurray, it was a short visit, but much better than none.  Originally Natalie and Tanner were also coming but it didn't work out.  Natalie had a conflict, and Tanner had a stomach bug.

We showed Brady and Tanner the highlights of Zapata:  the county park, our favorite restaurant, the big houses, and the trashy houses.  

The weather didn't cooperate as Wednesday and Thursday the high was only 45 degrees with a mist in the air.  Today it did make it to 58 degrees.  

We returned to Laredo International Airport today, returning Brady and Trisha.  First was lunch at "Palenque Grill", our favorite restaurant in Laredo.  Trisha and Brady agreed with us that the shrimp tacos there are the best.

After dropping them at the airport, we shopped at Walmart and Sam's Wholesale, arriving back in Zapata at 4:30.

After putting away all the groceries, we visited an hour or so with Gary and Evelyn.

Oh, yes!  Gary and Evelyn arrived on Tuesday, December 26.  We are glad they are here and look forward to the next few months with them.  

Brady, Trisha's older son, second year at Arkansas Tech University

Brady and his momma, Trisha.

See you next year!

December 18, 2017 Monday: Just One More Week

My, oh, my!  The days of December are flying by.

This will be short as the past week has been QUIET!  

Last Tuesday Glen started feeling poorly--again, with flu-like symptoms.  There was fever, body aches, chills, vomiting, and not feeling well at all.

By Wednesday he realized it was more than the flu.  He was having other symptoms that indicated painful bathroom habits.  There are no doctors in Zapata, but there is 'Doctor Mary', a nurse practitioner that has an excellent reputation.  

It turned out to be "UTI", sorry if that is too personal or too much info.  Dr. Mary gave him a shot and ten days of medication.  He didn't start feeling better until Saturday.  

We did go to church Sunday, but he is lacking in energy.  Today, Monday, the energy level is increasing.

Yesterday was potluck Christmas lunch after worship service.  In true Mexican tradition the main course was tamales, handmade, of course.  I prepared charro beans: pinto beans with onion, jalapeño peppers, and tomatoes.  I thought it turned out pretty good.

Of course there was Spanish rice, menudo (tripe soup), and other side dishes.  In case you are wondering, "No!" I did not have menudo.  It is one Mexican dish I have not learned to appreciate.

The past 3-4 days, including today, there has been "Zapata rain".  There is moisture in the air, and everything is wet, but usually windshield wipers are only needed on "intermittent".  Of course it is also cloudy and gray.  

The sun is supposed to return tomorrow.  Hurray!

December 11, 2017 Fun Things (Still in Zapata tX)

Yesterday (Sunday) we enjoyed the Zapata County Museum Christmas House Tour.  There were three locations.  

"La Hacienda De La Flores", a beautifully decorated home owned by Dr, and Mrs. Flores, was the first of our stops.

Dr. and Mrs Flores are world travelers.  Each Christmas tree is decorated with items collected on a tour.  China, Russia, Danbury Mint, Nutcracker themed, Holy Land, and more countries were represented.  

Multi-colored bougevvilla in bloom in front of Dr. Flores hacienda

Brought to home from China trip

each decoration from China

Nativity from Holy Land

Entryway to hacienda

The next stop was an old ranch house that had been remodeled/redecorated.  No pictures.

The final stop was at the Torres' home.  This home was filled with Nativity scenes and a room filled with Christmas villages.

These Christmas villages were in one room.  Mrs. Torres and her son worked every November Sunday on display.

A delightful Sunday afternoon activity.

Tonight Highway 83, the main street of Zapata was closed for the Christmas parade.  It is the bet of small town Americana.  The street was lined with residents to view the parade.  Of course there were Santa's, music, band, Old Glory, fire truck, Border Patrol, Sheriff, and royalty--the Zapata County Fair Queen and her attendants.

Let the parade begin.

Junior ROTC

Old Glory

Santa dressed in green from the Border Patrol

There were approximately 35-40 units in the parade.  

Another fun activity!

December 4, 2017 Monday. Return Trip

Last Wednesday we made a trip to Laredo to refill prescriptions, and...I took the incorrect refill form with me.

Friday, we went back to Laredo to get the correct refill.  We also made a stop at Lowe's.

Last Tuesday Glen went to the first Tuesday night Jam Session.  Surprisingly to me, there were ten musicians, and about 25 in the audience.  I chose to stay home and read.

Sunday we went to church. Jim and Dee, friends on the other corner of the street, treated Glen to a birthday lunch.

The four of us then went to San Ignacio, an old settlement/village, about 15 miles north of Zapata.  There are many buildings/home that were built in the mid-1850's to near 1900.  The homes are being restored/renovated by family members.  

The walls are 2' thick; made of locally quarried limestone covered with a thin layer of mortar.  The original buildings had no windows, only 4-sectioned doors, usually located across from each other that could be opened for cross ventilation.

We toured about 10 buildings including a "fort" that was surrounded by a tall wall and used for protection of the residents from resident Indians.

It was a fun afternoon.

Today Glen and I went to Salineno, a birding sanctuary, about 30 miles south of here.  We have lamented the lack of birds in our own yard this winter.  It was evident that Salineno also had fewer birds--in numbers and varieties.  

There is a "cold" front coming through Wednesday/Thursday.  I am hopeful that the changing temps will move the birds around.  Sure would like to see the brightly colored orioles and other birds.


Click on the pictures to enlarge.

Note the thickness of the walls; the door in four sections (San Ignacio TX)

A table setting in one of the homes.  Note the size of the grapefruit.

A Christmas wreath made of prickly pear.  Unique and pretty.

Salineno Bird Sanctuary: for size compare the green jay with the chachalaca.

Close up of the chachalaca.

Turtle convention with an osprey in the center enjoying sushi!

Close up of the osprey.