What a wonderful week this was, weather-wise: sunshine,
light breeze most days, relatively low humidity, temps in the mid- to high 70s.
Perfect!
Tuesday morning’s temps were still in the high 40s, but the
sun came out, and it was a good day. I attended the weekly Stitch and Bitch
session with 8 lady friends, and Dick walked the park and Fulton Beach Road. I
produced knitted stitches; Dick produced photos of more birds! This day he saw
ducks, a Sparrow Hawk, and a Great White Egret.
That afternoon was another rousing game of Wii bowling. Four
teams of 4 each made for a lot of cheering, booing, and downright noise! Dick's
team won 2 of the 3 games we played. Afterward, we sat outside at our site
reading, waiting for time to pass until we headed to Panjo’s Pizza for dinner
with friends Bob and Sharon, Dick and Fran, Gary and Pam, Bill and Arleen.
Wednesday’s temps were again in the high 40s at 6:30 a.m. I
attended the rescheduled Yoga class at 10 a.m., and Dick walked the park and
Fulton Beach Road, seeing ducks, egrets and gulls. Then, off to work he went
leaving me to wash the exterior windows of our camper. Uff-da! I’m sure it was
an interesting site, me attempting to balance on uneven ground on a ladder. At
least they’re clean—for a while.
That evening was happy hour and dinner at the clubhouse. For
$7 each we were served roast chicken or shrimp over home-made pasta, cooked
carrots, tossed salad, rolls, and a lemon jelly roll cake for dessert. Not bad!
That evening Dick returned to the clubhouse for more Texas Hold ‘em, this time
winning $7.
Dick decided to take the Goose Island State Park Songbird
Tour on Thursday morning at 8:30. That meant a really early breakfast before he drove off, and Sharon and I went
to the clubhouse for Pilates. However, once we got there we met a gal who saw
us walking in with our mats; she is a Yoga instructor who was in the park for
just a couple of days. She offered 2 free Yoga classes (Thursday and Friday)—we
said “yes!” Again, I say Uff-da! She really worked us, but it was a good
workout. The following photos are just few of the many Dick took on the birding tour.
That evening Dick and I were invited to Illinois friends Randy
and Jeri’s coach for dinner. Wow!
Randy smokes the best ribs and freezes them before they come down. So…we had
ribs, BBQ pulled pork, baked potatoes, green salad, baked beans, corn
casserole, fresh fruit skewers, and cherry-chocolate cake for dessert.
UFF-DA!!! Sure was good! Only wish we had remembered to take our camera for a photo
of the food table. Joining us for dinner were Marvin and Shirley, Bill and
Carole, of course Randy and Jeri, and Steve and Pam (friends of Marvin and
Shirley).
Afterward we all headed to the clubhouse for an evening of
Pegs and Jokers. Women won 2:1 over the guys. Yippee-skippee!
Friday morning was another fun-filled hour of Yoga with
Cindy, the in-park visiting Yoga instructor. Although we were a bit sore from
the previous day’s workout, most of us returned for another session. While we were sweatin’ and stretchin’ Dick
walked the park and Fulton Beach Road, seeing Egrets, Great Blue Herons, and
White Pelicans. Then, since it was such a beautiful day he threw a leg over his
motorcycle and rode to nearby Cape Velero, then came home and washed the big
black truck. He saw these magnificent birds at Cape Velero.
It was LaMardi Gras time last week, so a bunch of us drove
over to nearby Lamar on Friday night to celebrate. This annual celebration
benefits the Lamar Volunteer Fire Department, drawing people from all over this
part of Texas. Joining us this year were Bob and Sharon, Steve and Marty, Mary, Dave
and Marihelen, and Bill and Arleen. We usually go on Saturday for the parade
and lunch, but since there was a lot going on Saturday, we opted to go Friday
night. It opened at 5 p.m. with music by Three Way Street (a country rock band;
and one of the members is friend Bob’s guitar teacher.) We noshed on egg rolls,
pecan shortbread, red beans and rice, BBQ brisket tacos, and much, much more!
Sodas, beer and wine were available, too. All were purchased by buying tickets
so no money was exchanged inside the food tent. There also was a Chinese
Auction (you buy tickets, write your name and phone number on them and place
them in designated boxes for the drawings); blackjack tables were set up
nearby, using tickets for money with all winnings exchanged for tickets going
into the auction boxes. Friend Marty ended up winning $1,200 in tickets (no
money) good for 12 auction tickets. (Dang, she never received a call saying she
won anything…) About 8 p.m. Whiskey Bent, another country band, started
playing. We left shortly after 8:30. What a fun evening with good friends.
(LaMardi Gras continued all day Saturday into the night, with more food and
more bands, and vendors selling their wares. We bought 2 can cozies with the Seattle Seahawks log on them.)
Saturday morning Dick went off to work on computer projects in the office while a few of us
ladies decorated the clubhouse for our annual Valentines Dinner and Dance,
scheduled for that evening. Red tablecloths, pink and red plates and napkins,
red carnations, candy kisses and hearts, and other heart-shaped items decorated
the tables.
After decorating, a few of us (Pam,
Sharon, Lynn and I) went to Aransas Pass for February’s Market Days at the Civic
Center. Vendors from all over Texas put out their wares for purchase. Everything
from home decorator and kitchen items, shirts and aprons, photos and jewelry, to
food was available. We all entered our names into the door prize drawings (did
not have to be present to win); I won a children’s book (hmm, wonder who’ll get
that…?). Got the call shortly after we returned home telling me I had won, but didn’t go to pick it up ‘til
Sunday after church.
We all needed a bit of nourishment
after our shopping trip, so a stop at Shempy’s, located between Aransas Pass and Rockport,
was next on the list. They have fabulous lobster bisque—yup, we all had a cup.
Yummy stuff! Figured that would be enough to hold us over ‘til our dinner at
the clubhouse that evening.
Happy hour started at 5 p.m., with
dinner at 6. Dinner’s menu was our choice of prime rib or lobster-crab cakes,
baked potatoes, salad bar, and Bananas Foster for dessert. YUM-YUM! For $20 per
person, you couldn’t beat the price! We all brought our beverages of choice,
and had a wonderful time together. Music was brought to us by the Bay View Baysiders (formerly
the Jam Session Guys).
Sunday, Valentine’s Day, was
beautiful, with temps in the mid-60s when we greeted the day. Off to First Baptist
Church of Rockport for their 8:30 a.m. service. Pastor Scott continued his
sermon series from Exodus: the Israelites’ journey of hope and faith. Today’s
topic was “Deliverance.” Pastor Scott asked a poignant question for our
consideration: “how can we know our lives can be delivered (from sin) and
changed?” Answer: God’s love changes us--our lives are valuable to Him; and,
God will display His power and glory in our lives for all to see. His judgement
will ultimately change the world. Our changed lives will reveal Christ’s
greatness—not our imperfect lives. The only thing that will separate us from the
love of God in Christ Jesus is our unbelief. Here’s a link to his messages: www.fbcrockport.net/sermons/
After church we drove into Aransas
Pass so I could retrieve my door prize, “The Cobweb Christmas.” It’s an Old World
Tale of how uninvited guests into Tante’s house spin webs on her Christmas tree
that get changed into beautiful threads of silver and gold. And that, as they
say, is how tinsel came to be.
Then, it was just a short drive
down the road to breakfast at The Bakery, in Aransas Pass. Dick and I each had an
omelet, hash browns, and rye toast. Good food! They’re always busy, so we were
pleased to find seating immediately.
We returned home for just a bit
before going up to the clubhouse and gazebo for the wedding of Richard and Toni
(she works in the office). A reception was held in the clubhouse, with punch
and cake, just before the weekly ice cream social. The weather was beautiful,
and the wedding went off “with” a hitch! Ha!
Then we had to play a few games of
Pegs & Jokers with Bob and Sharon, Bill and Carole, John and Sarah, and Arleen
filling in for Dick who had to go to work for a few hours. We women gave up the
2 games we played to the men, allowing them to boost their egos a bit. The year’s
not over yet, and we have many more games to play, to prove the women’s
prowess.
Just before 4 p.m. we walked over
to David and Marihelen’s for happy hour. Joining them were Pam and Gary, Bob and Sharon,
John, another Dick, Bill and Arleen, Dick and me. What a fun time! We laughed
and chatted for a couple hours before the chill got to us and the day’s light
faded. It was the perfect end to a perfect week.
Until next week, here’s hoping y’all
are safe and healthy. We look forward to sharing more fun times with you.
Love ‘n’ hugs,
RJ and Gail
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