"Wish You Were Here....

...and really wish I were there!" 

Pat Williams, November 27, 2010

Lakeville, Minnesota

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Thanksgiving

It's Thanksgiving Eve—an appropriate time to consider things for which we are thankful. Of course we should do it continually, but sometimes daily activities seem to get in the way.

Some of the things for which I am thankful:

• Pat and other family members. I'm especially thankful for the wee ones in our family and hope that they can grow up and live in a safe and understanding world.
  
• Good friends. Many of these good friends were, will be, or are right there at Rockport 35 RV Park.
  
• Good health. Although we have our aches and pains, we are relatively healthy. For this, we are very thankful.
  
• Sufficient resources (I hope!). A good job and living within our means is now paying off. We do not need to be gainfully employed in order to eat or have a warm place in which to sleep. If you are reading this, you are in the same general category; millions of people are not. We can all be thankful.
  
• Adequate challenges.  This website and others provide mental challenges which I like to think are good for my head. And because working on these challenges is so time consuming, it "keeps me out of the bars."
  
• A job I really enjoy. All I ever really wanted to do was fly airplanes. I have a part-time job flight instructing which keeps me in touch with the industry and gets me off the ground frequently. I meet new and interesting people. It's the best "job" I ever had and I am thankful for it. (I have to call it a job because I do get paid!)
  
• My parents and others who provided direction throughout my life. I now realize that my parents sacrificed a lot to provide my sister and me with "things" and experiences which would help us grow up in the way they intended. I am thankful for the guidance all my teachers, including my parents and those who still teach me today, provided.

This is a good time to make a list, even if it is only a mental list, of things for which we are thankful. The list is a long one, to be sure.

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Another Small Mystery of the Universe

The chysalis shown here might already have released a beautiful Monarch butterfly!

It's quite amazing, isn't it, that a flying creature of beauty could be developed inside this. If you look closely, you can see the butterfly "folded up" on the inside.

Here's what Allison said when she sent this in:

"This is in our backyard...a jewel hanging on a dead bush.

We are waiting for the Monarch Butterfly to come forth before we cut down the plant. 

Really, "Awesome" is too finite for our Creator God!"

Thanks for sharing this marvel of nature with your residents!

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To Whom It May Concern

Please be advised that I did not vote for Bristol Palin.

Or anyone else.

I'm NOT part of this problem.

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Facebook

Facebook is the up-and-coming "thing" in the fast-moving on-line world. Over 26% of all Internet traffic is Facebook traffic. Can you believe that!

I'm not necessarily recommending that you rush off and join Facebook. It's somewhat complicated and not immediately obvious how it all works. But if you're already on the inside, here's something for you!

I've just added a "Like" button over on the right. It's just above the weather. (It might be moved later, but we'll try it there for now.)

If you happen to like this page, and we certainly hope that you do, just click the "Like" button. That will, hopefully, bring more readers to this page and let more people know about the park and the good times that we have with all the great people here.

Will you be the first to "Like?"

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The Season Has Begun!

We are in full swing--had a wonderful Welcome Back--so it appeared to me!

Chef Tony's brisket...Allison made cakes.

 

The park is in full swing with new and old friends arriving.

 

Chef Terry and crew are creating breakfasts which get us out of bed on Saturday

 

Marv has ice cream going down smoothly.

 

Games are afoot every day of the world... 

 

John Martin is back and teaching woodcarving on Monday and Wednesdays.

 

Bev is doing stretching Mon-Wed-Fri followed by Connie and crew doing exercises. Water Aerobics begin the first week in January.

 

The gals are getting very crafty, Tuesday Coffee and Bible Study.  This Friday is the first Ladies Lunch: Parrot Island Grill.

The men are off to breakfast and Bible discussion on Thursday mornings.

 

Christmas deco comes to the hall the last Monday in November and we'll host the Good Samaritan's for breakfast the first Friday in December.

We're looking forward to Cookie bakes; Christmas Caroles, gifts exchanged and candlelight service--all the wonderful events of Christmas.

December 18 we will put on Dicken's "Christmas Carole" and the cast has been cast.

 

One of the most favorite events is the Sunday Hymn-sing prior to church. Tony & Allison are reviewing the "10 Commandments".  From comments, people are really enjoying the series.

 

Oh, yes! We have the most beautiful light green crystalis with gold specks on a bush in the back yard: soon to be a Monarch butterfly!

 

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Now doesn't that list of activities make you either glad to be at Rockport 35 RV Park or wish you were already there? It does me. Guess we better pick up the pace so we don't miss too many Saturday breakfasts! (Those guys simply do a wonderful job!!!)

I really appreciate the news above; Thank You! You, too, can send info. Just click the "Comment!" link below and your email will be opened, already addressed to me. It's that simple! You can do it; I know you can!

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Medal of Honor

You might have seen all or part of yesterday's Medal of Honor ceremony at the White House.

The honoree, Sgt. Salvatore Giunta, is from Hiawatha, IA,—the little town that we drove through every time we went to or from Cedar Rapids before we moved. He went to the same high school that my daughter attended, which is now just two miles down the street from our new home.

By all reports, he is a super guy and is a great representative for not only Iowa but everyone in the military.

The really good news: he was alive and able to attend the presentation! He's the first recipient in that category for nearly forty years.

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The Journey to Rockport has Begun

Joe and Carolyn Egers sent these pictures, just to prove that they are on their way to Rockport! And possibly in response to my request for news from friends at Rockport 35 RV Park.

Here's their note:

Carolyn, Joe, and the two Dachshunds Gravy and Koda have departed for Rockport last Wednesday November 10th with a stop in Chicago to visit with the grandchildren and spend Thanksgiving with them and take them to the parade in downtown Chicago. See the attached photo from last years parade. T. After hen the Saturday after Thanksgiving we will resume the trip to Rockport, and our plans are to arrive Wednesday Dec 1st.  By the way, ask Joe what happens when the receiver hitch breaks on the second trailer!!!!!!!!

Oh Oh! That sounds toooo exciting!

Thanks for the update! We'll see you sometime before Christmas.

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Hey, Folks, What's Going On Down There?

Remember, I am over a thousand miles away from the park and don't have a clue as to what you're doing for fun or what's new or who's already arrived.

If this site is to be interesting to those already there, it must have some news of current conditions, happenings, people, etc.

And those friends who are not yet there would find that information useful, too.

Bottom line:
YOU send me some news, please! Just click on "Comment!" below and write an email. I'll make it happen from there one. Pictures are welcome, too, of course!

Who'll be first????

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Political Spectrum: Where Do You Stand?

Julee sent a link to a neat (short, simple, easy) political quiz that you can take in a minute or two.

It will score the test and graphically show where you stand relative to liberal/conservative and libertarian/statist. Pretty neat, actually! (You engineers will love it!)

It gives a word description of your position. In my case, I felt the description fit me almost exactly. You mileage may vary, of course.

Now that the elections are over, you might as well enjoy politics a bit. Here's the test: http://www.theadvocates.org/quiz

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$147M of OUR Money Going to Brazil Cotton Farmers

Would you believe that you and I, as U.S. Taxpayers, are subsidizing Brazilian cotton farmers to the tune of $147,000,000 each year?

Yep, it's true! And ridiculous, in my opinion.

Here's the short version:

The U.S Government (that's supposed to be you and me) subsidizes U.S. cotton growers. The Brazilians complained to the World Trade Organization (WTO) that this was unfair and illegal under the WTO rules. The Brazilians won. And over several years of U.S. appeals, the WTO stuck to their decision.

We (the U.S.) refused to cease paying our own cotton farmers, so that left only one recourse for the folks in Brazil: tax incoming U.S. products. They threatened to do just that. Ultimately, the two sides negotiated a payment of $147M/year to Brazil and they agreed to not tax imports from the U.S.

The result is that we are now paying subsidies to not only the U.S. cotton farmers, but also those in Brazil!!!

If you think this is just fine, please let your Senator and Representative know.

On the other hand, if you think it is not an appropriate way for your tax dollars to be spent, let them know that, too. Then let them know again and again.

The long version is on National Public Radio. You can listen to it or read it here:

http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2010/11/09/131192182/cotton

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Thankful

I just received this from our granddaughter.

"Greetings everyone!

 

As the Thanksgiving season approaches - this is a reminder to think about what you are truly thankful for! Our economy is in a world of hurt right now, but if you're able to check this e-mail, I guarantee you're not as bad off as some folks in this world.

 

Happy people don't have the best of eveything, they make the best of everything they have.

 

I am thankful for:

 

-The fact that I have two beautiful, healthy children

-A great husband who is a wonderful father

-My family

-A roof over my head

-Food on the table

-The job that is able to provide me with 2 of the above 

 

Don't forget what's important my friends! I don't really like Suze Orman - but she says "People first, then money..." and I think she has a point."

The picture below illustrates her first and third point.

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