Week in Review: Minnesota and Texas - February 17 - 23

Sunday, February 17 seems so long ago. We decided to attend the 2^nd more traditional service at First Baptist Church of Rockport, which has the organ, choir with robes, etc., rather than the worship team with band and keyboard. We decided that the 1^st service was more to our liking, so that’s what we’ll be attending. This week’s message was based on Psalm 120, entitled, “Provisions for the Journey.” Psalm 120 is a reminder that the best way to begin a pilgrimage of discipleship into the presence of God is by turning away from the deceptions and conflicts of the world and turning to the truth and peace of God. (You can hear the weekly sermon at www.sermon.net/fbcrockport or go to  fbcrockport.net, click on resources and then online sermons. We’ve been blessed by Pastor Scott’s messages, and know you will be too.

Texas skies

Later that day we went to dinner with Marvin and Shirley. But first we had to stop at the flea market in Aransas Pass to pick up some personalized carpets that Marvin and Shirley had ordered, with a pelican, water, palm trees and the words “Oetjen’s Nest” hand painted on them.  We were hoping to eat at a local restaurant called the “Butter Churn,” but alas, they closed before we got there. Our second option was to JD’s Seafood Restaurant. YUMMY! JD’s is touted as having the best seafood in the area, and we were not disappointed. Dick had fish tacos, Shirley had the fish platter, Marvin had the shrimp platter, and I had the shrimp fajita tacos. Again, I say, “YUMMY!.” We will be going back again, and again, and…

Our good friends, Marvin and Shirley

Monday dawned cloudy and humid, with the possibility of rain showers later in the day. I spent the morning getting the trailer set for Dick’s 2-week bachelorhood, while I’m in Minnesota. I had to make a list of what was available in the refrigerator for him to eat, or everything would stay untouched until I returned. I believe he’d live on cold cereal, crackers and cheese if I didn’t. Just prior to leaving for San Antonio and the airport, I said my goodbyes to Marvin and Shirley, who will be heading home to Illinois before I get back. Marvin, as I’ve mentioned, does “intarsia carving.” He gave us this beautiful wall plaque of “Jesus.”

MAN, IS MINNESOTA COLD!!!! When I arrived in Duluth around 10:30, the wind chill was reaching -40 degrees. That’s 110 degree difference in 5 hours!! My brother met me at the airport with my winter jacket and believe me I needed it! Wind, blowing and drifting snow, and COLD—I much prefer sun and sand!

The rest of this week's blog will be separated into two sections: Minnesota with me, and Texas with Dick.

Minnesota:

The wind was still blowing, and snow was still drifting on Tuesday morning, with temperatures at -14. Brrr… Need I say I’m thankful for heat? Dick was basking away in 70 degree weather and sunshine in Texas, while I preferred to stay inside in Minnesota except for a trip to our favorite store (WalMart) to stock up on groceries for the next week. The wind was fierce, but I was prepared with ear muffs, gloves, and down jacket. It’s been a long time since I was in weather like this. While I was out Pastor Doug Green from Mom’s church stopped by for a visit.

It’s good to be with Mom again, even though I would’ve preferred warm and sunshine. Mom’s injury is healing beautifully, and there should be minimal scarring on her forehead.

Wednesday February 20 was overcast, with temperatures in the mid-20s. The wind had died down, so it was tolerable to be outside. Neighbors Jan and Lloyd stopped in to see Mom for a few minutes. Was good to see them again and catch up on what’s been happening in their lives since we last visited.

The temperatures dipped again Wednesday night, and by 7 a.m. Thursday morning they had reached +4 degrees. Once the sun came up it “warmed” (relatively speaking!) to a “balmy” +24 degrees. Ralph and Ona from Mom’s church came by, for about an hour, to check on Mom. That afternoon Mom had her first good shampooing since her fall 2 weeks ago, and a haircut. That raised her spirits and took about 15 years off her! (I told her that instead of turning 92 on March 1, she would be only 77…Ha! She got a kick out of that.)

In December I decided it would be a good idea to create a “Shold Family Cookbook; a Nourishing Heritage with recipes handed down from generation to generation, as well as those that are current family favorites. My mom’s siblings and family members are all wonderful cooks, and I thought how sad it would be if their recipes, anecdotes, stories, and photographs were lost and not captured somehow. Ergo the cookbook. While looking through Mom’s recipes I came across an oatmeal cookie recipe from my grandmother. Of course I had to make them Wednesday afternoon – oh boy…are they good! YUMMY!!! That one is definitely going in the cookbook.

Mom's home

Snow started falling around 6 a.m. and continued throughout the day, with accumulation of 4”. Temps were in the mid- to high-20s, just perfect for snow. Thankfully, the wind didn’t blow so it was actually quite beautiful.

Friday afternoon while I was out with my brother Rich, Mom’s youngest sister Fern and her husband Kenny, from Grand Marais, stopped by. So sad I wasn’t around to see them. Last summer when Dick and I were in Grand Portage we saw them quite a bit, but obviously not since then. (I will see them next week, for the “birthday lunch” at the Red Lobster in Duluth, celebrating Mom’s birthday and her youngest brother Wally’s birthday. There are usually 25-30 relatives who show up for these lunches, which are held every couple of months or so. I think I mentioned these lunches in earlier posts. We spend 2 to 3 hours laughing, eating, and talking. Great times are had by all! Other patrons, after hearing why we’ve gathered, have said they wished they were part of a family like ours!)

That evening my brother Ron and his wife Debby arrived from Roseau, MN for the weekend. It’s a 5 ½ hour trip for them; they come down every 6 to 8 weeks, to spend time with Mom and do what needs doing while they’re here. It’s always so good to see them.

Saturday was an overcast day with temps in the 20s. Everyone took it relatively easy gearing up for Sunday, when we were going to celebrate Mom’s birthday a few days early. Photos will be posted next week. (Her birthday is on March 1.) Next week’s weather should be sunny with temps in the high 20s. Perfect for my visit!

Texas:

Temperatures in Rockport are a bit different from those in Minnesota! (Dick sent me his notes for his 1 week of bachelorhood…) Tuesday at 7 a.m. the temps were in the low 60s, just perfect for Dick’s 50-minute walk along Fulton Beach Road. Later that day, he attended a photography class in the clubhouse, given by PhotosbyNelson.net. I‘m looking forward to hearing what he learned and seeing the results of what he learned.

I know this is tiresome to hear all the time, but he says that Wednesday dawned with temps in the mid-60s, and slightly overcast. His walk took him again along Fulton Beach Road, about 60 minutes today. A few posts ago I mentioned that he purchased a Texas fishing license, so that afternoon he decided to try his luck on the Copano Bay Fishing Pier. No luck. Appears the only fish he’ll be eating, for a while at least, is tuna from a can! Dick attended an RV seminar later that day, on full-time RVing. He said he learned quite a bit. Good thing, since that’s what we’re doing! That evening he went to the clubhouse for the Wednesday evening meal of “Bangers and Mash.” He said it was really good! (At least I know he’s getting one good meal a week while I’m gone! Ha!)

Thursday was pretty much the same regarding the weather and walking. He rode the motorcycle to our favorite store (WalMart) and then to a town called Sinton, where wind turbines and oil fields abound. That afternoon he attended another RV seminar, this one was put on by Marvin and Shirley, about RV servicing. Looking forward to hearing what they had to say.

Oil wells, a familiar site in Texas

Wind turbines in Sinton

Dick woke Friday to temps in the high 60s. Dave, a guy Dick met from another trailer park on one of his walks, stopped by to chat. He is becoming a wood carver, so had some stories to share, as well as some frustrations. Friday was another beautiful day for a motorcycle ride, this time to Port Aransas, but not until after a trip to Caroline’s Turtle Bay Café for a late breakfast. When Dick got to Port Aransas, he was able to ride the motorcycle on the beach for miles. These photos were taken in Port Aransas and at the I.B. McGee Beach Park.

Ferries to/from Port Aransas

I.B. McGee Beach Park

Surfer

Under the pier at I.B. McGee Beach Park.

Camping on the beach.

Saturday morning’s temperature was 53 degrees, a bit cooler than it has been.  After breakfast Dick attended the RV park’s craft show, held in the clubhouse. He said he “spent his wad” there, so I’m looking forward to seeing what he bought. Later, he walked for about an hour along the beach on Fulton Beach Road. Just a typical day in our lives

Thanks for joining us again this week as we continue our journey, my 2 weeks in Minnesota and Dick’s 2 weeks of bachelorhood! Please come back again next week.

Hugs and Blessings to you!

Dick and Gail

Week in Review: February 10 through 16

Greetings! This week was relatively quiet, which was nice.

Sunday we attended the 8:30 a.m. service at First Baptist Church of Rockport, followed by breakfast at…you guessed it: Caroline’s Turtle Bay Café!  I had her corned beef hash – again – and Dick had a pecan pancake, eggs and sausage. YUMMY! (Just can’t get myself to try anything else.) The rest of the day was spent relaxing. Dick did ride the motorcycle for a while, but cut it short due to threatening skies. Even though we really need rain, nothing came of it other than wind.  It’s interesting how the temps feel much warmer than the mid-60s, the high for the day

.

It’s Monday, February 11, and the day our friends Jill and Del leave for parts north, on their way home to Illinois. Temperatures hit the mid-60s again today. Dick and I walked for about 40 minutes along the Fulton Beach Road, but cut the walk short due to gale force winds along the water.  We decided to spend the rest of the day at home, reading and enjoying the nice, but windy weather.

Tuesday dawned cool, but sunny and clear. After breakfast we walked along Fulton Beach Road again. After the two previous windy days, it was nice to have just a slight breeze—enough to keep one cool. The water was so calm, reflecting the piers and palm trees so beautifully. Our neighbors Marvin and Shirley invited us over that afternoon to their “King of the Road” trailer to play a cut-throat game of “Pegs and Jokers.” The game would remind one of a very aggravating game of Aggravation or Sorry, but there are playing cards involved and different rules. Crazy! We played guys against the gals, and I’m sorry to say that Shirley and I lost by just a couple of pegs.

We decided to flip and rotate the mattress on Wednesday. That was an interesting endeavor, as there isn’t much room in the bed room area to accomplish that feat. After much deliberating, we ended up bringing the mattress out into the living room to do the flipping/rotating, and bringing it back into the bedroom. Whew! (So glad it was only queen size, not king!) I made 5 loaves of banana bread that morning, while Dick took a walk. Delivered one loaf to Marvin and Shirley that afternoon, when Shirley and I took on the guys again in Pegs and Jokers. Alas, we didn’t fare much better—lost by one peg.

Thursday – Valentine’s Day. The morning was really quite cool, at 48 degrees, but it was sunny, and no wind so it warmed up quite a bit by 10 a.m. We decided to do the laundry early that day, so by 9:30 all was done and dried. What a beautiful day! Sun was shining on Aransas Bay, with thousands of diamonds sparkling on the water. 

We walked for a full hour along the water, enjoying the sun, slight breeze, and God’s gorgeous creation. We continue to see egrets, blue herons and pelicans.

And, across from our site we got a glimpse of a beautiful red cardinal on one of the power lines (apologies for the blurry photo).

Later that morning we rode the motorcycle about 60 miles round trip to Ingleside, through the back roads and then along the water. Ingleside is home to acres and acres of oil refineries and oil tanks, all along Aransas Bay.

 That evening we went with Marvin and Shirley to Port Aransas, across the causeway on the ferry, for dinner at Port “A” Pizzaria. It was such a good end to a beautiful day, spending time with new-found friends. We are so blessed to have them as our RV neighbors—they've become like family in just a short time.

It’s difficult to top these sterling days here in Rockport, but Friday was just another of those days. Temps reached the low 70s, no clouds, and beautiful sunshine. Love these days, where one can be outside enjoying the weather, walking along the water and talking with passing neighbors during their walks. Fridays are $3.00 hamburgers and $2.00 hotdogs at the clubhouse, so that’s what we did for lunch. While I sat outside to do some knitting, Dick took the black beast for a wash. Gets rather dusty here in Texas! Later that afternoon Marvin and Shirley brought over a bottle of wine from their hometown, so we sat outside on our patio mat enjoying the sunshine, wine and talking with friends.

Don from San Diego stopped by with his two cocker spaniels, Gracie (chocolate) and Wing Man (black and white). They were so loving, and to prove it they freely gave hugs!

Saturday dawned cool and windy: 57 degrees at 7 a.m. We decided to take advantage of the pancake breakfast at the clubhouse, where we met two couples from Georgia who just became full-time RVers in October. They’ll be here through March, so I’m sure we’ll see them again and have stories to share.  Marvin was selling his wood art creations at a craft show at the Drifters, another RV park down the road in Aransas Pass, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., so after breakfast we hopped on the motorcycle and headed out to support him at the show. There were jewelry, quilted items, wood products, painted rugs, home-made jellies and preserves, and all manner of stuff you might find at a craft show. Also, there were a few custom cars for “oohs and ahhhs.” 

We walked through that RV park for a while, and on our walk saw a half dozen guinea hens “strolling” among the RVs. They were huge!

Next week I’ll be blogging from Minnesota, as I’ll be going to visit my mom for a couple of weeks. Dick will be staying in Texas and enjoying the “warm” sunshine.

Hope this finds you well. We’d love to hear from you!

Hugs ‘n’ blessings,

Gail and Dick

Week in Review: USS Lexington and Lamardi Gras - February 3 through 9, 2013

Sunday February 3 dawned a bit overcast with temperature at 59 degrees when we got up. By 1:30 they had reached 71 and the humidity was about as high. Following church at First Baptist Church of Rockport and our weekly breakfast at Caroline’s Turtle Bay Café we headed to the Aransas Pass Civic Center to take in the Coastal Bend Wood Carvers Show. (Yes, we did get home before the start of the Super Bowl.)

WOW!  There were some amazing pieces! The pieces were formed from one piece of wood, no glue allowed. As you can see from these photos, talent abounds.

Magnolia blossom, carved on its stand from one block of wood,
then hand painted.

Iris, carved on its stand from one block of wood,
then hand painted.

Butterflies and a dragonfly, carved on its stand from one block of wood,
then hand painted.

Knots, carved from one block of wood..

This and the one below were carved by the same artist. The girl in this"
one is his daughter; the music is the first phrase of "Amazing Grace."

Carved from one block of wood, this took over 700 hours to produce.
We were in awe.

Temperatures, on Monday stayed in the mid-60s to mid-70s, so the day was quite pleasant. The sun was shining and there was a slight breeze. We said farewell to our newfound friends Bruce and Louise from Nova Scotia, who were heading to the Brownsville, TX area. During our walk we saw what appeared to be a cow moose lying down—but ha! It was just bushes growing that way. (In one of our earlier blogs we posted a photo of a driftwood giraffe, so we thought we’d continue our menagerie of “natural wildlife.”) Later that day I gave Dick another haircut.

Tuesday morning I attended the weekly “stitch and …..” session at 9 a.m., followed by an RV seminar at 11 a.m. in the clubhouse, with Dick, Jill and Del (our friends whom we met in Ashdown, AR in November).  Marvin and Shirley Oetjen, our friends and RV neighbors from Carterville, IL (who own an RV dealership there) put it on. Quite informative, and we learned quite a bit, which was a good thing for us “newbies.”

Then came the rains, on Wednesday morning, starting at 1:15 a.m. with a thunderstorm. What a deluge! When it was over, by mid-afternoon, we had received 3 ½”. Wow!  While I went shopping with Jill during the storm, and had pedicures, Dick stayed home and dealt with leaking rear windows that developed while I was gone. Yuk! That evening we attended an Italian dinner in the clubhouse and played Mexican Train Dominoes with Jill and Del. What a fun game! It’s on our list to purchase.

We also got word that my mom had fallen while shoveling snow, and had cut her head quite badly. As of today (Sunday) she’s still in the hospital, but hopefully she’ll be released within the next day or so. We’re so thankful for my brother Rich, his wife Karen, and niece MacKenzie, who are in the same town as she, and watch out for her. We covet your prayers for Mom’s quick recovery and complete healing.

Thursday our friends Jill and Del went with us to see the USS Lexington, a decommissioned World War II air craft carrier, now a museum, docked in Corpus Christi. Another WOW! We were glad we followed Marvin’s advice and took the day to see it. We arrived there about 10 a.m. and left about 4 p.m.

Following is just some of what we learned about the USS Lexington.

The Lexington was commissioned in February 1943 seeing extensive service through the Pacific War. She was the recipient of 11 battle stars and the Presidential Unit Citation. Following the war Lexington was decommissioned, but was modernized and reactivated in the early 1950s, being reclassified as an attack carrier. Later she was reclassified as an antisubmarine carrier (CVS). In her second career, she operated both in the Atlantic/Mediterranean and the Pacific, but spent most of her time, nearly 30 years, on the east coast as a training carrier.

The USS Lexington served on active duty for 40 years, during which she has had the distinction of five designations:

1943:    Aircraft Carrier

1952:    Attack Aircraft Carrier (retired)

1962:    Antisubmarine Aircraft Carrier (retired)

1969:    Training Aircraft Carrier

1978:    Auxiliary Aircraft Landing Training Ship

U.S.S. Lexington CV 16

The Blue Ghost

“During her tour in World War II, Lexington was nick-named ‘the Blue Ghost’ by the Japanese who, whenever they claimed to have sent her to the bottom of the Pacific, found her cruising again in their back yard. Tokyo Rose, a radio propagandist, had personally and repeatedly sent her to the bottom. ‘It was a ghost,’ she said, ‘a blue ghost.’ Lady Lex was the only carrier not camouflaged. She maintained her original blue-gray color. Japanese pilots would report that they had seen, hit and sunk a great blue ship. This happened four times.”

She was decommissioned in 1991, and opened as a museum on Corpus Christi Beach on October 14, 1992. Offering more than just a tour of the ship, Lexington serves as a link to the past through exhibits that honor and memorialize those who served our country, the vessels they served on, the planes they flew and the battles they fought.

Thought you’d be interested in Lexington’s current vital stats (after her 1955 refit):

            Overall length:                                       894’6”

            Length at waterline:                               820’

            Beam at widest:                                    66’10”

            Beam at waterline:                                103’

            Height (waterline to flight deck):              52’

Draft (hull below water):                         30’4”

Full-load displacement:                          43,000 tons

Speed:                                                 30.5 knots (just over 35 mph)

Here are some fun facts, too (as of 1991):

·         Lexington is as tall as a 19 story building, and as long as three New York City blocks.

·         Lexington carried enough gasoline to drive your car around the world 132 times and enough fuel to sail nonstop a distance of 30,000 miles.

·         You could play three football games or 14 basketball games at the same time on her flight deck.

·         You could park 1,000 cars on her flight deck.

·         Lexington has more sleeping space than the largest hotel in the world.

·         Lexington can produce enough electric power to supply a city of 150,000.

 In 1975 and 1987, Lexington, with the blessing and cooperation of the Navy, served as a filming location at sea. The films were the feature movie Midway and the TV miniseries War and Remembrance. In both cases the ship was altered to the extent possible to resemble other vessels, the USS Enterprise for War and Remembrance, and USS Yorktown and for Midway, by adding anti-aircraft cannons and operating World War II vintage Navy aircraft. Lexington was also used (though tied up to her pier) for filming of the 2001 film Pearl Harbor, where she was altered to resemble a Japanese carrier.

In July 2007 the popular TV show Ghost Hunters filmed aboard the USS Lexington looking for evidence of ghosts, and in December 2009 was the subject of an episode of Ghost Lab, on the  Discovery Channel.

USS Lexington Museum in Corpus Christi.

With friends Jill and Dell in front of the Lexington's bell.
Presented to USS Lexington by Bethlehem Steel Co. in 1943,
this brass bell weighs 1,100 lbs.

The "Island," with the Japanese Rising Sun flag indicating where
the USS Lexington was hit by a kamikaze pilot at 250 mph.
50 crew members were killed and 132 injured. The flames
were under control within 20 minutes and flights resumed.

Twin 5" / 38 Caliber MK 38 Gun Mount

Original teakwood decking on the Port side elevator.
Read more details above.

Overlooking Bofor's 40mm Quad Guns, each requiring
a 10-man crew. The USS Lexington had 15 40mm quad mounts.
The "pods" hanging from the side are inflatable 15-man
 life rafts, each equipped with survival gear.

Dick decided to "walk the plank."

Blue Angel A-4F Skyhawk

T-28B Trojan

T-2C Buckeye

Bell Helicopter AH-1S Cobra

A-7B Corsair II

Grumman F9F-8T Cougar

McDonnell F2H-2 Banshee

A-4  (A-4B) Skyhawk

T-34B Mentor

The Bugs Bunny Minuteman was created by
shipmate Donald Foster, who was hired by
Warner Brothers Studio after the war.
Bugs Bunny went on to become one of
their most famous cartoon characters.

Schematic of the ship's firemains, sprinklers and foam systems. Others
were displayed showing electrical schematics and bulkheads
including damage control sets of charts.

Dick wanted to experience "the Brig."

Air Command Center

Ready Room.

Sick bay. During WWII, the medical facility had 49 beds, staffed by
5 flight surgeons, 2 administrative officers, and 32 hospital corpsmen.
Sick bay also maintained all medical histories, and documented all
illnesses and injuries. As personnel left the military, their records
were made available to the Veterans' Administration

One of the ship's dental chairs in one of the three procedure
rooms. Nearly every type of dental procedure could be performed
on board, from routine cleanings to fillings, extractions and more.

A sailor's job is never done.

 This Knot Board was made by
Utah Hamilton, Chief Bo'sun's Mate. While at sea he
learned more than 3,668 knots during off-duty time. This board
shows just some of the most popular ones.

Precursor to the travel trailer?? This storage unit could be
used for dog kennels, bunks, showers,
refrigerators, laundries, command posts, to name a few.
They have electrical systems, plumbing, are well
insulated and can be set up by 2 people in 15-20 minutes.

Pilothouse

The Hobart mixer; lots of bread was "kneaded"
(ha!) for the crew. The Mess Hall was open 24/7.

One of the tables from the Fantail salvaged from the USS Saratoga.

Ship's Chapel

Honoring those who gave their lives...

When we returned home from Corpus Christi we took a load off for a couple of hours then went to Panjo’s for pizza – REALLY GOOD!

Friday was a very pleasant day with temperatures in the mid- to upper 60s. Good day to kick back and do stuff around the trailer. Dick caulked the rear windows, hoping to keep the water out during the next downpour. I read and did some knitting.

We woke to rain showers on Saturday, the day we had decided to go to Lamar, TX to the “LaMardi Gras” celebration, which benefits the Lamar Volunteer Fire Department. Got to Lamar in time to catch the beginning of the parade. All entrants tossed Mardi Gras beads—we caught quite a few. I was thinking that I might need physical therapy afterwards, as they got to be really heavy! Spent the entire afternoon there, listening to a great band (Cruise Control) that played everything from The Beatles and Journey, to Sugarland, Van Morrison, Pat Benatar, KC and the Sunshine Band, and more. Ate BBQ ribs, jambalaya, and shrimp. Then, played blackjack for a few hours ($10 bought $500 in chips, all going to the benefit). Such fun! (The rain held off with only a bit of a drizzle during the parade.)

Miss "Pinky"

Little Bay Sea Queens is a ladies only, community organization 

that meets regularly, hosts charity events and appears in parades

 throughout the Texas coastal bend.

These 2 gals entertained everyone with their dancing.
They were not inhibited! (Her t-shirt read, "Just be glad
I'm not a twin!"

Cruise Control, from Corpus Christi. 

This was a busy week, but not without lots of fun. Jill and Del leave today (Monday), but it was fun to be with them again, and share good times.

We hope this finds you well.

Blessings and hugs,

Gail and Dick