Deer Acres

by Dianne

Quite often, while walking out and about in the park with the boys (Buddy and Bandit), we find ourselves engaged in conversation with other park residents on the same mission. Recently someone asked if we've seen any deer this year in the park area?

Click on picture to enlarge

So, I thought if I was a little more diligent in watching for them during the day that just maybe I could get a picture.  Well, would you believe it, as I was about to shake a rug out back looking toward the laundry building between 3^rd and 4^th streets, there in the field stood a couple of doe.  Praying they wouldn’t run off, I went in and got the camera.  One either heard or saw me because she picked up her head and looked right at me as I took the picture.  Yup, she was spooked and off they went, just after I got this shot.

Click on picture to enlarge

Also, with the help of Rick’s trail camera we got this picture of the 6-8 point buck who’s been strutting his stuff.  This handsome guy was caught on camera yesterday (12/27 around 5 pm) about 30 yards from our RV. 

Anyway, to answer the question -- yes we see deer, almost daily when paying attention, or with the help of a trail camera.
 

Yes She Did!

by Keith

She sure did! Pat beat me in a game of Eight-ball today!

I won the second game, but only because she beat herself by pocketing the black ball with its magical properties at an inopportune time.

It was nothing I did; she did it all.

Merry Christmas

by Keith

Surprising or Interesting Facts

by Keith

The number of U.S. households
that owned televisions
decreased by 1.2 million in 2012!

This info comes from my brand new The World Almanac and Book of Facts 2013which arrived a couple of days ago from Amazon.

And that information is on page 5; only 1003 more pages to go!

It's full of interesting information. For example, if you "want to get away from it all" where should you live? Try Wyoming, with 5.9 people per square mile (Iowa=54.8, New Jersey=1,199.5)

You might ask "Wyoming Bob" if he knows the other 4.9 people who also live in "his" mile-square piece of the Cowboy State.

Same Guy, Same Task---

                                               ---Different Lot

by Keith

You know the annual ritual: I find a shady spot and wax my truck, The Big White Horse. The process takes a couple of days. That's on a good year.

Even though we're not there among you, the ritual continues. Today, the shade was provided by clouds.

The Annual Waxing Ritual

But there's a difference. At Rockport 35 RV Park, I always had rest periods of various lengths. Friends would stop by to visit and, often, offer their car or truck so that I could gain additional practice waxing.

Here, although the park is huge, people aren't walking the streets in the numbers they are at 35 RV. Plus, we've not developed the great network of friends we had back in Rockport.

As a result, I got a lot done this afternoon! But there's still more to do. Maybe another section tomorrow?

Texas Friends

by Keith

Pat and I took a short walk around the block. The picture below jumped into my camera.

We 

Our 35 RV Friends!

Spectacular Christmas Lights

by Keith, with lots of help from YouTube

The folks at Rockport 35 RV Park will enjoy this, I think!

What's This Used For?

by Keith

Our adventure for today was going to Don Wes Flea Market, between Donna and Weslaco, TX.

I saw three tools there which I had never seen before and did not know their purpose.

Rockport 35 RV Park has a population of gentlemen who very well might know the intended function of this.   I would not be terribly surprised if one (or more!) of them came up with the answer.

What is this tool used for?

Come up with an answer and either write a "Comment" or send me an email.

Send Keith an email!

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Easy Shopping

It's easy to shop at amazon.com and there are some advantages to doing so:

• Huge selection of items; much more than just books!
• Lower prices than many stores!
• Effortlessly delivered to your doorstep (think big TV set!)
• Delivered to an address of your choice (think grandkids far away!)

In the interest of full disclosure: if you click on this ad and order from amazon, I'll get a small "advertising fee."

Prayers for Allison

by Tony > Connie > Keith

Yesterday (Sunday, Dec. 9) Allison was taken back to MD Anderson hospital in Houston. Here's a message from late Sunday night:

Tony just called me and Allison is in the emergency room at MD Anderson.  The Dr's initial prognosis is that she has a blood infection.  He's asking for prayers for her.

The motorhome also broke down on them around Blessing, Tx.  He unhooked the Cady and loaded the dogs and got her to the hospital. 

Please pray for Allison. She's very serious. 

Thanks!
Connie

And also pray for guidance and comfort for Tony! His responsibilities and stress levels during the last several months have been huge, as they always are when a spouse is critically ill.

A.W.O.L.

by Keith

Cliff, Rick, Marv

The two gentlemen on either side of the young guy plus their spouses are absent from the Rockport 35 RV Park this year. Oh how they're missed!

Both Cliff and Lois and Marv and Bev have been coming to the park "forever" and have been active participants in activities. Both couples decided that, given their ages (80+) and health conditions and possibilities, it would be prudent to avoid the 1000+ mile trip with their spotless Ford pickups and fifth-wheel trailers this year.

Their absence raises several questions:

Who will become recognized as Cliff's replacement as the most dedicated fisherman? Will it be one of the Toms? One of the Bobs? Jim? Gayle? Rick? Someone else? We'll just have to wait a few months to find out.

And who will be the chief ice cream scooper on Sunday evening? Will Jeanie be crowned the chief, or will she remain the reliable, smiley, assistant—always there, always on time, always willing and always with a big smile?

And will Marv's absence mean the end of at least one beautiful northern-style lawn?

And without Lois, who will make the coffee and bake the goodies for the gang who met at the north end of 2nd street? This is a serious question and one which should be answered quickly!

And who will nurse us back to smiles without Nurse Bev on duty? And who will stretch us back into shape? And do a multitude of other things which makes the social life of the park tick like a Swiss watch?

The park residents, and certainly Pat and I personally, will miss these stalwarts of the community. We recognize and respect their decision to "retire" from the rigors of travelling.

We wish them good health and joy during their life after 35 RV.

But we'll surely miss 'em!!

Dedicated....

by Dianne

That’s our Buddy -- dedicated in his attempt at keeping our backyard squirrel free. When he sees a squirrel trespassing on our property, usually on the privacy fence, that’s his call to duty. Now the squirrel has a choice of jumping into one of two dog-free neighbor’s yards, but always chooses the challenge of ours. When Buddy has a squirrel up a tree, he is on guard until the critter makes a break for it no matter what the weather brings and no matter how long he has to stand watch. Last night I had to make him come inside well after dark. Would you believe the squirrel was back first thing this morning? Hmmm, I guess he is dedicated too. Come Monday, he’ll think all his persistence paid off and the crazy old dog finally gave up. Well, let him think what he wants – come Spring, we’ll be back.

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