Bay View RV Resort, Rockport, Texas – December 15-21, 2014

MY week here at Bay View RV Resort was relatively quiet, while RJ’s was very busy. He’s been putting in quite a bit of time working both in the Resort office, and watching over some of the remodeling here in the park (motel rooms and adult pool). It’s kept him very busy!

The weather for the first few days was very comfortable, with temperatures reaching into the low 70s. We have to keep reminding ourselves that this is the winter season here in the Coastal Bend area of Texas, so chilly temperatures we experience occasionally are the norm for this time of year. There were rain showers later in the week with overcast skies. We’ve been blessed.

We’ve been experiencing low water pressure in the kitchen area of our camper, so Dick’s been investigating that issue, as well. It might mean we need a new faucet…Merry Christmas!

Tuesday was the annual cookie exchange at the club house, so Monday afternoon was spent baking. Instead of adding chocolate chips to my recipe, I substituted white chocolate chips and craisins. Yum-yum! There were 18 women who participated, so I came away with a good variety.

Wednesday was another work day for Dick, and a practice/preparation day for me, as I decided to play my new keyboard at happy hour that afternoon. About 40 people attended happy hour, which was followed by the weekly dinner in the clubhouse. That night’s fare was lasagna, green salad, baguettes, and cherry-topped cheese cake for dessert. YUM-YUM! (Thanks, Betty! So happy you’re here as our chef!) In case you've missed my keyboard playing. here’s a link to me playing during happy hour.

Thursday, we decided to get the laundry done early, so we were out of here by 8:15, with our first stop at Whataburger for their sausage breakfast sandwich and coffee. They’re oh, so good! On the way to Whataburger we passed a wooded area very near Walmart and saw a 10 or 12 point buck running across and alongside the road. So glad he wasn't hit, as this is a very busy road and it was the beginning of what amounts to rush hour here in Rockport. By 10:30 we were done with the wash and headed back to Bay View.

Later in the day, as I was sitting outside, friends Karen and Sharon came over. Dick decided to take a walk along Fulton Beach Road while we gals were chatting, and he saw these birds: pelicans, a blue heron and a cormorant. It was a beautiful day, and we’re so glad we were able to take advantage of the outdoors.

That night we played another few rounds of Pegs and Jokers, with Gary and Pam, Bill and Carole, Bob and Sharon, and Robert and Donna (she’s been full-timing for 17 years!). Yup, there were 10 of us, so it took us a while to complete 2 games. That’s OK—we had nothing else to do that evening. Unfortunately, the guys won 2:0. There’s always next time, gals!

Friday was another work day for Dick. He’s been putting in enough hours to make it a full-time job, not part-time! That afternoon was happy hour at 4:00 in the club house; I brought a peach chutney-covered appetizer that also had sliced green onions, candied walnuts and toasted coconut on top. Served with crackers, it was the perfect addition to everyone’s libations. And, friends Bonnie and Jerry brought crackers and sliced sausage from Prasek’s Hillje Smokhouse (located in El Campo, Texas, they also sell online and through the local HEB grocery store). Good stuff!!

That evening rather than cooking, Dick and I had dinner at Latitudes, one of our favorite restaurants in Rockport. Dick had salmon, while I had crab-stuffed shrimp. They serve a wonderful creamy garlic dressing on the salad, and with blue cheese crumbles added—Yummy! We were not disappointed!

Saturday was another work day for Dick. In mid-afternoon I walked from our RV resort, across Highway 35 North to Stevie Lew’s BBQ with friends Steve and Marti, Terry and Larry, and Mary. Our friend (chef) Betty also joined us. We noshed on Stevie Lew’s BBQ brisket, pulled pork, and stuffed potato. All came with our sides choices of coleslaw or potato salad, and their fabulous creamed corn.  For dessert Marti Mary and Betty had their wonderful cherry cobbler (warm of course), topped with vanilla ice cream. We did not walk away hungry! I brought brisket home for Dick so I wouldn’t have to cook just for him that evening.

Sunday we attended First Baptist Church of Rockport. Youth Pastor Jason Mims brought the message. With Christmas just a few days away, he spoke of the birth of Jesus and what the Biblical story of Jesus’ birth means, from the books of Matthew and Luke: Jesus came from the kingly line of King David (Matthew 1:1); as the “son of Abraham” He came as the promised blessing (Matthew 1:21); he was born and came as “King of the Jews”—he didn’t need to be crowned king later in life; Jesus’ reign will last forever (Luke 1:33); and the shepherds were given the message from the angelic host that Jesus was born as the “Savior of all!” (Luke 2:8) And…our final response to these messages should be that of Mary, from Luke 1:38: “I am the Lord’s servant, and I am willing to accept whatever he wants of me…” God is able to do the impossible; our response to his demands should be that of willing acceptance of how he works in our lives, and what he wants from us. Good message!

There were quite a few people at the ice cream social Sunday afternoon at the clubhouse. This, of course, was followed by 2 rounds of Pegs and Jokers—again there were 10 of us just like Thursday night, so it took over 2 hours for the women to accomplish the task of beating the men 2:0. We did it!

That’s it for this week, folks. We wish you a very happy Christmas, celebrating with friends and family. Blessings, from our home to yours. We leave you with this very different kind of Christmas poem. (Click on the highlighted text to see and listen.)

Merry Christmas with love,

RJ and Gail