IN THE WIND Adventures of... Mary Ann and William

What a great attitude! :-)

2011-07-04T01:30:00.004-04:00

In a previous post, I said that I would share this note from my Dad with you.
Here it is...

Note from Dad - June 16, 2011:

I'm back from Dr. Worden's, and the news is not too good. The cancer has spread to a number of areas including both of my lungs and to my liver -- but I am feeling no pain except what I had already been experiencing in my right arm and in my two legs. I am coping with those pains by using Morphine and Norco, and I am enjoying life on a daily basis.

The blood work shows that my liver and other organs are working as normal, and the cancer that shows up in my lungs and in my liver is quite small. There is a lot more good liver than bad, and the portion of lungs that is affected is still small.

This news just makes me want to do more fun things faster -- like go to the casino more frequently, take an ocean cruise, get the book selling faster, and finish writing my sentence-diagramming book. I want to have everything set right for Lorraine so that she won't be left with a lot of unfinished projects. I am still very positive about everything, and I want to enjoy life with even more zest.

Instead of 115 years, I might have to back down to 113.

I'm tired and am going to take a nap right now.

Love Ya,

DAD

BLOGGER'S BLOCK??????

2011-06-24T08:12:00.000-04:00

Hello again everyone,

If there IS such a thing as "Blogger's Block", I must say that I think I've had it for a very long time...since Texas anyway. When I get "down in the dumps", I have a very bad habit of just "clamming up" and shutting out the rest of the world, except for those closest to me (and sometimes even them). Not healthy, I know, but that's what I do.

I had these ideas about what I was going to write about and when I was going to write it....but...well, all that fell apart when some things didn't go as planned, and I just didn't pull it together again, so I hope that you will please forgive me for my neglect and bad manners. I have been reading your blogs sometimes, but just haven't commented. Sorry.

I'm going to try to get back to it....a little at a time. Things will probably be somewhat jumbled for a while (at least chronologically).

Just off the top of my head, some of the things I want to write about:

I still want to write a good update post about Holman Motors (yes we DO like them, and they HAVE made up for past problems caused mostly by one person there).

My parent's health is not good. Dad's health seems to be the worst. I'll post a note here that he wrote recently, and I'll update on both of them soon.

I have a fantastic new camera that William bought for me just before we left Texas, but I have not used it yet. In fact, it's sadly still in the box. Don't worry, I'll get to it one of these days when the "insiration hits me". It's a Nikon D3100. (new tripod too!) :-)

I took up beading just before we left Texas, and I've been on a slow roll with it ever since then. It's relaxing and I really enjoy the creative process.
Just recently, I even opened shop on Etsy.com, check it out! www.Dreamtraveler247.etsy.com

Let me know what you think of it and if there's aything you like. I've made up a coupon just for my blog friends. You can use the coupon code: BLOGFRIEND11 for a 10% discount on anything in my shop from today through July 31st, 2011.

I really do care about what happens to all of you in my blogger "circle". Thanks for hanging in there with me (us).

- Mary Ann

Why can't I post? Blogger won't let me...

2011-06-24T06:57:00.002-04:00

...is anyone else having problems posting?
Ijust read the HELP section and evidently I can compose and SAVE, but then have to go to EDIT POSTS, check it, and then at the very bottom of the page (scroll way down), click on the orange publish button. Ok, well I hope it doesn't stay this way. :-)

+1, I'll click yours, if you'll click mine! :-)

2011-06-24T05:57:00.006-04:00

Please click the "+1"on our blog page. Thanks! :-)

I think I've seen this once or twice very recently...somewhere...perhaps while reading other's blogs? Anyway, it seems like kind of a neat idea. Google sent me an email about it, so I thought I'd give it a try....and see if any good comes of it. What do YOU think of it? Are you using it?

Here's the YouTube video about +1 :

President Obama on Death of Osama bin Laden

2011-05-02T03:36:00.001-04:00

President Obama at the 2011 White House Correspondents' Dinner

2011-05-01T09:35:00.001-04:00

No matter what your political views, this is worth watching.
Obama can be really funny! We enjoyed this....
and look at Trump's face (my opinion is that he asked for it).

Texas Chili Contest

2011-05-01T08:46:00.006-04:00

(WARNING! Foul language)

If you can read this whole story without laughing
then there's no hope for you.

Note: Please take time to read this slowly.
If you pay attention to the first two judges,
the reaction of the third judge is even better.

For those of you who have lived in Texas, you know how true this is. They
actually have a Chili Cook-off about the time Halloween comes around. It
takes up a major portion of a parking lot at the San Antonio City Park.

Judge #3 was an inexperienced Chili taster named Frank,
who was visiting from Springfield, IL.

Frank: "Recently, I was honoured to be selected as a judge at a chili
cook-off. The original person called in sick at the last moment and I
happened to be standing there at the judge's table asking for directions to
the Coors Light truck, when the call came in. I was assured by the other two
judges (Native Texans) that the chili wouldn't be all that spicy and,
besides, they told me I could have free beer during the tasting, so I
accepted".

Here are the scorecard notes from the event:

CHILI # 1 - MIKE'S MANIAC MONSTER CHILI...

Judge # 1 -- A little too heavy on the tomato. Amusing kick.

Judge # 2 -- Nice, smooth tomato flavour. Very mild.

Judge # 3 (Frank) -- Holy shit, what the hell is this stuff? You could
remove dried paint from your driveway. Took me two beers to put the flames
out. I hope that's the worst one. These Texans are crazy.

CHILI # 2 - AUSTIN'S AFTERBURNER CHILI...

Judge # 1 -- Smoky, with a hint of pork. Slight jalapeno tang.

Judge # 2 -- Exciting BBQ flavour, needs more peppers to be taken
seriously.

Judge # 3 -- Keep this out of the reach of children. I'm not sure what I'm
supposed to taste besides pain. I had to wave off two people who wanted to
give me the Heimlich manoeuvre. They had to rush in more beer when they saw
the look on my face.

CHILI # 3 - FRED'S FAMOUS BURN DOWN THE BARN CHILI...

Judge # 1 -- Excellent firehouse chili. Great kick.

Judge # 2 -- A bit salty, good use of peppers.

Judge # 3 -- Call the EPA. I've located a uranium spill. My nose feels like
I have been snorting Drano. Everyone knows the routine by now. Get me more
beer before I ignite. The barmaid pounded me on the back, now my backbone is
in the front part of my chest. I'm getting shit-faced from all of the beer.

CHILI # 4 - BUBBA'S BLACK MAGIC...

Judge # 1 -- Black bean chili with almost no spice. Disappointing.

Judge # 2 -- Hint of lime in the black beans. Good side dish for fish or
other mild foods, not much of a chili.

Judge # 3 -- I felt something scraping across my tongue, but was unable to
taste it. Is it possible to burn out taste buds? Sally, the barmaid, was
standing behind me with fresh refills. That 300-LB woman is starting to look
HOT...just like this nuclear waste I'm eating! Is chili an aphrodisiac?

CHILI # 5 - LISA'S LEGAL LIP REMOVER...

Judge # 1 -- Meaty, strong chili. Cayenne peppers freshly
ground, adding considerable kick. Very impressive.

Judge # 2 -- Chili using shredded beef, could use more tomato.
Must admit the cayenne peppers make a strong statement.

Judge # 3 -- My ears are ringing, sweat is pouring off my forehead and I
can no longer focus my eyes. I farted and four people behind me needed
paramedics. The contestant seemed offended when I told her that her chili
had given me brain damage. Sally saved my tongue from bleeding by pouring
beer directly on it from the pitcher. I wonder if I'm burning my lips off.
It really pisses me off that the other judges asked me to stop screaming.
Screw those rednecks.

CHILI # 6 - VERA'S VERY VEGETARIAN VARIETY...

Judge # 1 -- Thin yet bold vegetarian variety chili. Good balance of spices
and peppers.

Judge # 2 -- The best yet. Aggressive use of peppers, onions, and garlic.
Superb.

Judge # 3 -- My intestines are now a straight pipe filled with gaseous,
sulphuric flames. I shit on myself when I farted and I'm worried it will eat
through the chair. No one seems inclined to stand behind me except that
Sally. I can't feel my lips anymore. I need to wipe my ass with a snow cone.

CHILI # 7 - SUSAN'S SCREAMING SENSATION CHILI...

Judge # 1 -- A mediocre chili with too much reliance on canned peppers.

Judge # 2 -- Ho hum, tastes as if the chef literally threw in a can of
chili peppers at the last moment. **I should take note that I am worried
about Judge # 3.He appears to be in a bit of distress as he is cursing
uncontrollably.

Judge # 3 -- You could put a grenade in my mouth, pull the pin, and I
wouldn't feel a thing. I've lost sight in one eye, and the world sounds like
it is made of rushing water. My shirt is covered with chili, which slid
unnoticed out of my mouth. My pants are full of lava to match my shirt.
At least during the autopsy, they'll know what killed me. I've decided to stop
breathing it's too painful. Screw it; I'm not getting any oxygen anyway. If
I need air, I'll just suck it in through the 4-inch hole in my stomach.

CHILI # 8 - BIG TOM'S TOENAIL CURLING CHILI...

Judge # 1 -- The perfect ending, this is a nice blend chili. Not too bold
but spicy enough to declare its existence.

Judge # 2 -- This final entry is a good, balanced chili. Neither mild nor
hot. Sorry to see that most of it was lost when Judge #3 farted, passed out,
fell over and pulled the chili pot down on top of himself. Not sure if he's
going to make it. poor feller, wonder how he'd have reacted to really hot
chili?

Judge # 3 - No Report

Only a man would attempt this....‏

2011-05-01T07:51:00.004-04:00

Just try reading this without laughing till you cry!!!

Pocket Tazer Stun Gun, a great gift for the wife.

A guy who purchased his lovely wife a pocket Tazer for their anniversary submitted this:

Last weekend I saw something at Larry's Pistol & Pawn Shop that sparked my interest. The occasion was our 15th anniversary and I was looking for a little something extra for my wife Julie. What I came across was a 100,000-volt, pocket/purse- sized tazer. The effects of the tazer were supposed to be short lived, with no long-term adverse effect on your assailant, allowing her adequate time to retreat to safety....??

WAY TOO COOL! Long story short, I bought the device and brought it home. I loaded two AAA batteries in the darn thing and pushed the button. Nothing! I was disappointed. I learned, however, that if I pushed the button and pressed it against a metal surface at the same time; I'd get the blue arc of electricity darting back and forth between the prongs. AWESOME!!!

Unfortunately, I have yet to explain to Julie what that burn spot is on the face of her microwave.

Okay, so I was home alone with this new toy, thinking to myself that it couldn't be all that bad with only two triple-A batteries, right? There I sat in my recliner, my cat Gracie looking on intently (trusting little soul) while I was reading the directions and thinking that I really needed to try this thing out on a flesh & blood moving target. I must admit I thought about zapping Gracie (for a fraction of a second) and thought better of it. She is such a sweet cat. But, if I was going to give this thing to my wife to protect herself against a mugger, I did want some assurance that it would work as advertised. Am I wrong?

So, there I sat in a pair of shorts and a tank top with my reading glasses perched delicately on the bridge of my nose, directions in one hand, and tazer in another. The directions said that a one-second burst would shock and disorient your assailant; a two-second burst was supposed to cause muscle spasms and a major loss of bodily control; a three-second burst would purportedly make your assailant flop on the ground like a fish out of water. Any burst longer than three seconds would be wasting the batteries.

All the while I'm looking at this little device measuring about 5" long, less than 3/4 inch in circumference; pretty cute really and (loaded with two itsy, bitsy triple-A batteries) thinking to myself, 'no possible way!' What happened next is almost beyond description, but I'll do my best.. .?

I'm sitting there alone, Gracie looking on with her head cocked to one side as to say, 'don't do it dipshit,' reasoning that a one second burst from such a tiny little ole thing couldn't hurt all that bad. I decided to give myself a one second burst just for heck of it. I touched the prongs to my naked thigh, pushed the button, and . .

HOLY MOTHER OF GOD . . . WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION . . . WHAT THE HELL!!!

I'm pretty sure Jessie Ventura ran in through the side door, picked me up in the recliner, then body slammed us both on the carpet, over and over and over again. I vaguely recall waking up on my side in the fetal position, with tears in my eyes, body soaking wet, both nipples on fire, testicles nowhere to be found, with my left arm tucked under my body in the oddest position, and tingling in my legs? The cat was making meowing sounds I had never heard before, clinging to a picture frame hanging above the fireplace, obviously in an attempt to avoid getting slammed by my body flopping all over the living room.

Note: If you ever feel compelled to 'mug' yourself with a tazer, one note of caution: there is no such thing as a one second burst when you zap yourself! You will not let go of that thing until it is dislodged from your hand by a violent thrashing about on the floor. A three second burst would be considered conservative?

IT HURT LIKE HELL!!!

A minute or so later (I can't be sure, as time was a relative thing at that point), I collected my wits (what little I had left), sat up and surveyed the landscape. My bent reading glasses were on the mantel of the fireplace. The recliner was upside down and about 8 feet or so from where it originally was. My triceps, right thigh and both nipples were still twitching. My face felt like it had been shot up with Novocain, and my bottom lip weighed 88 lbs. I had no control over the drooling.

Apparently I pooped on myself, but was too numb to know for sure and my sense of smell was gone. I saw a faint smoke cloud above my head which I believe came from my hair. I'm still looking for my nuts and I'm offering a significant reward for their safe return!

P.S. - My wife, can't stop laughing about my experience, loved the gift, and now regularly threatens me with it!

If you think education is difficult, try being stupid !!!

Some Doctors' Embarrassing Medical Exams

2011-05-01T07:13:00.007-04:00

1. A man comes into the ER and yells . . .' My wife's going to have her
baby in the cab !' I grabbed my stuff, rushed out to the cab, Lifted the
lady's dress and began to take off her underwear.
Suddenly I noticed that there were several cabs - - - and I was in the
wrong one.
- Submitted by Dr. Mark Mac Donald, San Francisco

2. At the beginning of my shift I placed a stethoscope on an elderly
and slightly deaf female patient's anterior chest wall. ' Big
breaths,'. I instructed. ' Yes, they used to be,'.. .... replied the
patient.
- Submitted by Dr. Richard Byrnes, Seattle , WA

3. One day I had to be the bearer of bad news when I told a Wife that
her husband had died of a massive myocardial infarct. Not more than five
minutes later, I heard her reporting to the rest
of the family that he had died of a ' massive internal fart.'
- Submitted by Dr. Susan Steinberg

4. During a patient's two week follow-up appointment with his
cardiologist, he informed me, his doctor, that he was having trouble
with one of his medications. ' Which one ?'. ..... . I asked.
'The patch . . .. the Nurse told me to put on a new one every six hours
and now I'm running out of places to put it! 'I had him quickly undress
and discovered what I hoped I wouldn't see.
Yes, the man had over fifty patches on his body! Now, the instructions
include removal of the old patch before applying a new one.
- Submitted by Dr. Rebecca St. Clair, Norfolk , VA

5. While acquainting myself with a new elderly patient, I asked. ' How
long have you been bedridden ?' After a look of complete confusion she
answered . . .' Why, not for about
twenty years - when my husband was alive.'
- Submitted by Dr. Steven Swanson, Corvallis , OR

6. I was performing rounds at the hospital one morning and while
checking up on a man I asked . . .' So how's your breakfast this
morning?' ' It's very good except for the Kentucky Jelly.
I can't seem to get used to the taste.'. . ... Bob replied. I then asked
to see the jelly and Bob produced a foil packet labeled 'KY Jelly.'
- Submitted by Dr. Leonard Kransdorf, Detroit , MI

7. A nurse was on duty in the Emergency Room when a young woman with
purple hair styled into a punk rocker Mohawk, sporting a variety of
tattoos, and wearing strange clothing, entered ..
It was quickly determined that the patient had acute appendicitis, so
she was scheduled for immediate surgery. When she was completely
disrobed on the operating table, the staff noticed that
her pubic hair had been dyed green, and above it there was a tattoo
that read . . .'Keep off the grass.' Once the surgery was completed,
the surgeon wrote a short note on the patient's dressing,
which said ' Sorry . . .had to mow the lawn.'
- Submitted by RN no name

AND FINALLY ! ! ! . . . . . . .

8. As a new, young MD doing my residency in OB , I was quite embarrassed
when performing female pelvic exams.. To cover my embarrassment I had
unconsciously formed a habit of whistling softly. The middle-aged lady upon
whom I was performing this exam suddenly burst out laughing and further
embarrassing me.
I looked up from my work and sheepishly said 'I'm sorry. Was I tickling you ?'
She replied with tears running down her cheeks from laughing so hard.
'No doctor, but the song you were whistling was . . .'I wish I was
an Oscar Meyer Wiener.'
- Dr. wouldn't submit his name

THANK YOU, BACK IN MICHIGAN, COMPUTER, HOLMAN MOTORS, NEW CAMERA, etc.

2011-04-09T21:21:00.019-04:00

Just a quick post for now. Still on my old DELL laptop that is even closer to death than it was at my last post. Many of the letter keys and all of the number keys and punctuation marks do not work any more, among other issues. I'm typing this by going back and forth between the laptop keyboard and the virtual (on-screen) keyboard...what a p.i.t.a. (hence short post).

Arrived back home in Michigan Friday evening (April 8th) after spending a week in Batavia, Ohio at Holman Motors (where, in September, we bought our RV, 2011 Keystone Fuzion 360 fifth-wheel toy-hauler) for hail storm damage repairs and some warranty work. It all went very well and the folks at Holman were absolutely wonderful to us.

I wrote a very unpleasant post about Holman last fall, I believed with good reason at the time, but we have learned during the past couple of months and during this particular visit that one "bad apple" there did not spoil the whole bunch, because that "bunch" went out of their way, including the "extra mile" for us, reinstating our faith and confidence in Holman Motors. Would we recommend them to anyone looking to buy an RV? HIGHLY! YES, INDEED! I plan to write a detailed post about what went on with Holman when I get my new computer.

A big THANK YOU to every one who "put their 2 cents in" about what kind of new laptop I should buy. I really would like to have a MAC, but the cost may be prohibitive....so, I'm kind of leaning towards HP. Has to have at least a 17" screen, TONS of storage, great sound, fast, etc. I'll know more when we go shopping next week or so (MicroCenter?, Best Buy?, other?).

I need a new printer too, preferably wireless, low-cost ink, maybe fax-optional...your suggestions please?

The next few days (or weeks...hahaha) we'll be re-stocking groceries and stuff at the house, spring cleaning, catching up on paperwork, dentist appointments, cleaning the inside of the RV...carpet and all (yuk!), visiting with family and friends, etc., etc., etc.

Also, I have a LOT of photos to sort and edit, but I think that project will have wait for the new computer...the visuals on this DELL have become more and more distorted...to the point that I don't trust it to edit my photos on any more. If I manage to post any in the next few days or so, they'll probably be from those I edited a couple of weeks before we left Texas.

I'll be reading your blogs whenever I get the chance or whenever this DELL lets me. Look for updates to come on Holman, lots more about Texas, etc., when I have the new computer.

OH! William just bought a new camera for me. I'm so happy and excited about it! It's a NIKON D3100. I haven't had the chance to try it out yet, but you all know that I WILL soon and I'll let you know all about it. Happy Spring!
- Mary Ann :-)

SERIOUS COMPUTER PROBLEMS (your 2 cents please?)

2011-03-26T00:43:00.005-04:00

My laptop computer is dying. I've had a lot of trouble with it over the past year, but it's really, really bad now. I'm surprised that I can even write and post this right now.

We're getting ready to head north in a few days, so I'll be busy cleaning and packing things up, but I'll keep trying to use this thing whenever it lets me.

I'll be shopping for a new laptop as soon as we get back home. Not sure which brand yet, but it MUST have tons of memory for my photos, be fast, have great sound, great picture, a fairly large screen (this old (2006) DELL has a 17.4" screen...and NO, I will NOT buy another DELL...nothing but problems, and horrible, horrible customer service)...and not cost an arm and a leg. Was considering a MAC, but they're expensive (between 1900.00 and 2400.00 for what I want) and technology is moving along SO fast......so, I'm thinking HP or maybe Toshiba? Most people suggest that I'll be happy with HP (Hewlitt-Packard). I would love to hear YOUR opinions and advice!

Thank you ahead of time for your input!
- Mary Ann

NIGHT MARINA (Aransas Pass, Texas)

2011-03-17T13:24:00.006-04:00

DARK INDUSTRY (Ingleside and Portland, Texas)

2011-03-16T17:33:00.007-04:00

Driving through the Ingleside/Portland area one evening...

MEANDERING CAMERA

2011-03-15T11:25:00.011-04:00

(within 1/4 mile of our current location)

RATTLESNAKE?! Remnants of old oil company docks, cactus and jellyfish at Lighthouse Trail Park (Aransas Pass, Texas)

2011-03-14T04:55:00.029-04:00

Click on a photo if you want to view a larger version of it,
then hit the "back" button to return to this page.

Cactus skeleton

It was just around the corner there from the dock remnants, (see where the green grass and brush is?), that I think I encountered a rattlesnake. YIKES! Luckily, (or maybe not...because I would have enjoyed taking it's picture...I think) I did not see it, but I certainly did hear it. I was walking on the sand, but the grassy area was about chest height to me (kind of a cliff area...the terrain, not my chest...LOL).

I was holding my camera to take another shot of something when I heard what sounded like a cross between a rattle and a buzz. At first I thought it was broken bits of shells beneath my feet, but when I looked down there were hardly any where I was standing, so I stood perfectly still then I heard it again!

I was only about a foot and a half in front of the "cliff" facing it, trying to see if I could see something (bees or wasps maybe?) when I heard a sharp "HISS" and then another sharp "hisssss" quickly followed! Not to worry though, I had already been very slowly and quietly backing away from that area to resume my picture taking farther on down.

A couple of days later when mentioning this little episode to a guy who lives full-time in our RV Park (he's a native Texan and works and lives in this area for many years)...he told us that the whole Lighthouse Trail Park area used to be a shipping area full of docks for an oil company years ago and that the area was then and still is infested with rattlesnakes and that he wouldn't set foot over there, not even to go fishing (which many people do).

So, will I go back sometime? Sure I will!
I'll just be more cautious next time. ;-)

Click here to view the whole Picasa album.
(Best viewed as a slide show imho) :

Lighthouse Trail Park - Jan.19,2011

CONN-BROWN HARBOR, FISHERMEN, SHRIMP BOATS

2011-03-08T01:05:00.008-05:00

These photos were taken on January 27, 2011

Fish cleaning station.
This Pelican is patiently waiting for scraps.

Shrimp boat

HAIL, MARINA, THOUSANDS OF MULLET...what a difference a few hours makes!

2011-03-07T06:03:00.021-05:00

Around 4:00 am on Sunday, January 9th, we were hit with a huge, long lasting hail storm and a couple of tornados touched down nearby.

Our new RV suffered some damage, but we were very lucky compared to many other people. I'll post an update about all of that as soon as we finally receive the check from the insurance company (yes, we're STILL waiting).

Just a few hours later we were chillin' at the local marina
(er, um..."bar"), where I took most of these photos...

In addition to the wonderful views,
Mickey's has absolutely DEEE-LISH-US burgers
and homemade fries!
They're pricey, but they're huge...
two people could easily share one
and feel delightfully satisfied.
(unless you're ravenous)

William (on the right) and Doug Bell (on the left, owner of the Rockin' B Steakhouse ...yes, "melt in your mouth" steaks and other awesome food)...
talking about their motorcycles.

A huge school of mullet (aka "bait fish" here)...
thousands of them swam up in to the marina...

Yes...they are as big as they look!

Mmmmm, did I see fish? :-b

Something big swimming (more like meandering)
through the canal (about 50 feet from our door)...

The canal alongside our RV Park

Local plants suffered a severe beating
from the golf ball size hail...

BICYCLE RIDE (Aransas Pass,Texas)

2011-03-01T01:54:00.010-05:00

Bicycle ride - Wednesday, January 5th, 2011
All within a couple of blocks of where we're living.

Our bicycles

A sand crab hole

Oysters! Oysters! Oysters!...and Birds!

Butterfly

Oyster and barnacle shells

Alligator path???

Awwww...isn't it cute? :-)

Look closer...

Click to view whole Picasa album:

Bicycle ride - Wed.Jan.5,2011

Bluegrass Festival at The Gaff (Port Aransas, Texas)

2011-02-20T03:09:00.008-05:00

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2011

People playing "Chicken Bingo" (use your imagination) in the front yard at The Gaff while the Bluegrass Festival and Belt Sander Races are underway in the back yard.

A Malamute enjoying the Belt Sander Races

I wonder what that long black thing is over there? Wish we would have had the binoculars with us. It kind of looks like a dead dolphin? I hope not! It also kind of looks like a seal?...but I don't think they exist in this area. Maybe an alligator?...but wouldn't that be unusual right on the channel where all the big ships go through? I wish this was a much better picture. What do YOU think it could be?

To view the whole album
CLICK HERE:

Feb.19,2011-The GAFF

BENT PALM TREES (Aransas Pass, Texas)

2011-02-09T16:09:00.005-05:00

We were going to run some errands today, but the winds are just too strong.
Weather report says the wind chill will be around 22 degrees farenheit. Dang!
Like many other people across the country, we sure are ready for some
consistent sunshine and warmer temperatures!

Looking out our window this afternoon

We like this park because it's quiet and people are very friendly, but they mind their own business, the price is right and we can walk to the water or take a short drive to the big beaches of Mustang Island and Padre Island. :-)

Ransom Road RV Park

Small Art Gallery (Aransas Pass, Texas)

2011-02-08T09:47:00.013-05:00

This is a small Art Gallery from the outside at night. After visiting with Amy and Charlie at their home in Ingleside-On-The-Bay, January 1st, 2011 (see one of my recent posts), William and I stopped in Aransas Pass for some take-out food a couple of doors down from the gallery and I snapped a few photos while we were waiting for the food.

I just thought it looked like a pretty cool little place. We haven't visited it yet when it's open, but we intend to. All of the art is done by local artists.

To view a larger version of a photo, just click on it and then hit your back button to return to this page.

To view the whole Picasa photo album
(This one is best viewed as a fast-paced slide-show)
CLICK HERE:

Ingleside-On-The-Bay, Texas - Visiting at Amy's and Charlie's house, Jan.1st,2011

Snug as two bugs in a rug...(Aransas Pass, Texas)

2011-02-07T06:38:00.009-05:00

What we've been doing for the past couple of weeks...

My post on January 26th was a very brief one about my daughter's accident (in Michigan). Thank you for your very much appreciated comments and messages of concern. She's unharmed (except maybe her pride) and she's very busy as usual with college and work (both full-time).

Like much of the rest of the country, we have been hunkered down during this very cold, icy weather...snug as two bugs in a rug actually. :-) I've been reading your blogs as often as I have an internet connection, and I feel for you, especially those who were/are in the worst of it.
We sure are glad that this rig has the blizzard package, and we've been making good use of the fireplace. We rode out a cold spell last winter down here in our previous rig (see last years earliest posts) and let me tell you...this year was much more comfortable!

Went for a ride on the bike (motorcycle) a couple of times before the weather got too cold (and when it wasn't too windy). Went bar-hopping a few times, ate out once or twice, watched movies, went to hear the band at Bernie's on a Thursday evening week before last, made a couple of trips for groceries, etc., etc.

Also, finally bought our fishing licenses...ouch! $68.00 EACH. We were told they were good for a year from date of purchase, which we were ok with...but then we were told AFTER we received them that they're only good through August for "out of state" people. We're here December through the end of March/early April. What a rip-off! Oh, well...you gotta pay-to-play just about anywhere these days. We did go shore fishing twice before the weather nose dived, but didn't get a bite. We'll try again when the weather gets warmer consistently.

I've spent many hours the past few weeks trying to get some response from the insurance company about the hail storm damage to our RV early January 9th. After getting very angry, they FINALLY sent out a local rv repair company to do a repair estimate for the insurance report (a few days ago). Meawhile, the majority of our neighbors had already received their checks! We're still waiting, so when things get sorted out, we WILL change insurance companies. I'll wait to mention names until then.

We also had to have some warranty issues dealt with inside the RV, but had trouble trying to get someone out here (because they were all busy with hail storm damage). There's a list of things, but the URGENT one was a water leak that we couldn't see where it was coming from, and it spread through one side of the RV from the half-bath in the garage to under the fridge and stove in the kitchen/living room which also where the main speaker system and electrical box is! After calling Keystone and the RV dealership where we bought this 2011 Keystone Fuzion 360 fifth-wheel toy-hauler, they both made calls for us and got someone out here. Yay! It seems to be fixed and all is now dry. I'll write more about it AFTER the rest of the list is taken care of, and after the insurance issues are settled. Then I'll name names and give kudos (or raspberries) to those who deserve them.

Hope you're all doing well. Hang in there, it'll be warmer soon. :-)

E-Readers and E-Books

2011-02-07T06:01:00.008-05:00

I don't have an E-Reader myself yet, but I'm slowly getting used to the idea and I'm always interested in reading about my fellow blogger's aquisitions of all the various forms of new technology, so when I came across this article earlier on Twitter, I thought I would share it with you here. Some pretty cool stuff.

Click here:getting-up-to-speed-with-ebooks

My daughter was in an accident on Saturday.

2011-01-26T01:49:00.005-05:00

My daughter was in an accident on her way to work Saturday. She's all right and going to school and work. I've been thanking God ever since!

BEFORE

AFTER

Ingleside-On-The-Bay with Amy and Charlie

2011-01-22T13:24:00.008-05:00

Click on a photo if you want to view a larger version of it,
then hit the "back" button to return to this page.

January 1st, 2011

The beautiful home of our friends Amy and Charlie, located in Ingleside-On-The-Bay. I wish I had taken some pictures of the inside. Amy has an amazing GIFT for decorating. It's beautiful! And she and Charlie did ALL the work themselves on the (bought used) house...just awesome stuff! This is their boat and the back of the house which faces the bay.

Charlie and William on the upper deck.

Pictures taken from Amy's and Charlie's back yard:

That's Corpus Christi in the background.

Their outdoor bar/kitchen/living room.

Amy with their dog Millie

Charlie and Amy