International Look

by Keith

The park took on a decidedly international look today when recent arrivals Bob and Marie displayed the Canadian and American flags.

Here we see four of our friends from Canada enjoying the nice Texas weather and hospitality.

Marvin and Jean from Manitoba
 Bob and Marie from Ontario

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Scaredy Cats, I Mean Dogs

by Dianne

Don't know why, but our two dogs, Buddy and Bandit, do not like it when I use my Pampered Chef Slap Chopper in the RV. I use it all the time at home but I'm always in the kitchen and they are usually in another room. Didn't realize it was such big deal to them.

Well, today when prepping food for our Friendship Dinner tonight I had to use the chopper and this was the results. Buddy was first and just a couple more chops Bandit followed. They're mighty brave when confronted in the park by a small dog but just get out the chopper and they run for protection from Daddy. Had to coax them from Rick's lap.




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Bev's Hardware

by Dianne

Last November there was a short article on Bev Nagelkerke's successful surgery to remove a screw from a previous back surgery she had in '08 which was pressing on a nerve and causing pain in her right leg. I guess there was more to it than just one little screw as shown in this picture.






I've heard of athletes bragging about their "hardware" (usually referring to a trophy or medal they've won) but when Bev offers to show you her hardware, she is talking about the real thing. These are the actual screws and other miscellaneous parts taken from her back - the culprit of her leg pain. Bev said there is another set just like this one still in place and, hopefully, will not give her any problems down the road. Amazing!!



Those of us who have returned to Rockport 35 RV Park know that Bev is doing great. Her leg pain is gone and she has returned to most of her previous activities. Although she is not ready to lead the morning stretch group yet, she is taking advantage of the pool to help strengthen her muscles as she continues to heal.

Bev, we are happy your surgery was a success and that you and Marv are back in the park. We so enjoy your company and friendship.

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"Official" Rainfall Report

by Keith

9:10:  Just Under 1/2"

12:30: About 1.1 inches!

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Can't Wait To Share This Info!

by Keith (of course ---Dianne would never publish anything like this)

I can't wait until the next time I go to early morning coffee, even if it is next Monday, to share this new-found information with someone! Therefore, you are the lucky recipient of this new-found knowledge!

Did you ever wonder what size "A4" paper is, and why it is that size? (A4 is the standard size of the typical sheet of paper used in an office in Europe, as a "letter" size is used in the States. The A4 is a bit smaller than our      8 1/2 X 11 sheet.)

The scheme is pretty simple—once you see it explained, especially if the explanation includes a drawing.

Here's how it works:

• Start with a piece of paper one meter square. That's size A0.
• Fold it in half and cut. That gives you two size A1 sheets.
• Fold one A1 sheet in half and cut it. Now you have two A2 sheets.
• Fold one A2 sheet in half and cut it. Now you have two A3 sheets.
• Fold one A3 sheet in half and cut it. Now you have two A4 sheets.

This process continues at least through A7 size.

The A4 sheet is 1/16 of a square meter (but is not square.)

Want to learn even more? OK, but I'll pass it along anyway.

There are also "B" sizes. The same principles apply, but the starting sheet isn't one square meter. It is one meter on one edge, and 1.414 (the square root of 2) on the other edge. B sizes are often used for posters.

If you get asked questions to which the answer is here and you win millions, please remember that you saw it here first!

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Comment January 7:

Thanks for the info! Very interesting!

Sandy

Background: 

We met Sandy and Gene four or five (?) years ago at a CoE campground near Potosi, WI. As it turned out, they were from the Cedar Rapids area and Gene and I both worked for the same company, although did not know each other there. (We each had about 6,000 coworkers.)

We both are members of Escapees. Each summer, Gene and Sandy run a computer workshop in Winterset, Iowa, (John Wayne's birthplace) which brings a dozen or two folks from all over the country to Iowa to expand their computer knowledge and skills.

I find it interesting that Sandy reads the blog for Rockport 35 RV Park! That is one example of the reach of the internet!

And I was amazed—and pleased!—that she found it interesting!!!

And finally, very thankful that she commented on it!

Comment January 10, by Dianne:

Keith, honestly, I’ve never wondered about A4 paper size. I suppose it could be an interesting topic, but it’s just never come up in a conversation or in anything I’ve read.  However, it did peak my interest enough to do a little research and this is what I found.  “By 1977, A4 was the standard letter format in 88 of 148 countries. Today the standard has been adopted by all countries in the world except the United States and Canada.”

PS  Thanks for sharing.

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Signs Seldom Seen

by Keith

This sign was near Wales West RV Park, where we were in Alabama. I watched carefully for the other kind of hills, but never did see one.

It still is not clear to me what the real intent of this sign was.

That wasn't the only thing in Alabama which mystified me. Highway route numbers was another one.

As even a poor engineer can tell you, engineering is generally considered an exact science.

But this is ridiculous!

This sign was near New Orleans.

Finally, here's one you won't see many places! It's a mile marker along I-10, shot shortly after we entered Texas.

In the same general area, there was a sign "El Paso 847."

Texas is big. And interesting. We like it.

Because I just thought of it and like it, I'll quote Gov. Rick Perry, made while referring to The Current Occupant (as Garrison Keillor referred to George W. Bush):

"He's all hat and no cattle."

Sounds like a true Texan to me!

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Celebrating the End of 2011

by Keith; photos by  Dianne and Keith

The hats said "Happy New Year" and it was billed as a New Year's Eve party. It was, indeed, held on the eve of the new year. But what we really celebrated was the end of the old year, 2011.

I say this because by the time 2011 rolled past our time zone, the clubhouse was dark and all the revelers were tucked soundly in their beds so they would be refreshed and ready to greet the New Year this morning.

Regardless of what we were celebrating, we had a good time! The evening started by enjoying the fellowship of good friends (some long-time, some recent) and a pizza dinner with salad and cookies. And more conversation!

Joan organized (?) five tables (20 people) of the card game The Friendship Game. It's a multi-handed "tournament" in which the rules for each hand are different. It's a team game, but partners change with every hand.

Because of these factors, skill at cards has relatively little to do with winning—as last night's winner demonstrated. Getting a skilled partner for the those hands offering high-scores (+100 points, +300, +500, etc.) seems far more important.

Once again, it was an evening of good food and great fellowship at Rockport 35 RV Park!

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PS: Here's where some of the pictures came from:

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