Merry Christmas Everyone

First of all Merry Christmas to anyone who may read this. 

This Christmas we seem to have spent quite a bit of time, with friends, reminiscing about our kids, childhoods, parents, brothers and sisters and so forth.  It really makes us realize how blessed we really are to have our health, a great family, super friends, and the opportunity to do what we're doing.  To live the life most of us have here in North America.

Christmas makes us all think of Christmas's past and who we celebrated them with.  We were so blessed to have spent a couple of them with Thom and Dwaina Sprague.  You may remember from previous posts that Thom passed away last summer.  He's been on my mind allot and I know I'm only one of many people missing him this Christmas. 

RIP Bro.

Thom, third from the right, on a Dirty Dogs Tour, in Boise Idaho, summer 2004

 

For some reason this young lady has been on mind allot also.  She is the Afgany girl who was shot in the head by a Taliban "hero" because she was outspoken on wanting an education for women in her country.  She fooled them and lived.  I know  she doesn't celebrate Christmas but we do, and I hope you join me in keeping her in your prayers.

Malala Yousufzai, a real "Hero."

 

We had a fabulous Christmas eve with some of our friends from dancing.  Ron and Elaine O'Neil invited us to their home where we enjoyed the company of many good people and lots of great food. 

Guys enjoying O'Neil's (Ron in Red) patio

 

Girls inside, Elaine in green, with Bernie at the back

 

This link will take you to Ron's schedule.  If you're in the valley, like good music, and/or dancing, check him out some night.  For dancing we think he's the best in the valley http://wintertexaninfo.com/Bands/RonONeil_A-Party-Of-One.html

 

Christmas day we had a really great time chatting with all of our kids and grandchildren.  This year they were scattered more than usual.  We had a couple of them in Cabo San Lucas Mexico, one in Langely BC, and two in Winnipeg MB.  Getting in touch was easy but conections weren't great.  We use our computer for these calls as a few billion others do on Christmas day.  The connections were tough so we'll just have to do it again soon.  Not something we mind doing.  They were all having a good time.

 

In the afternoon we got together with good freinds Ken and Doreen Broughten at their home for our 5th Christmas dinner at their place.  They have three Broughtons there with their spouses, along with us, and another couple.  It has become a wonderful Christmas tradition here, one we enjoy and treasure.  Thank you Ken and Doreen.

 

As usual we ate way toooooo much.  As seems to be the case this year we spent a couple of hours reminiscing about our childhoods, parents, kids, and so forth.  Maybe it's us, mabe not, but either way it was fun to share stories with friends.

 

So now - well - today we were going out to do a bit of shopping.  In S. Texas they don't do "Boxing day" like we do in Canada.  That day is called Black Friday here and it happens at Thanksgiving.  They do have sales all over the place today but we just don't have the energy to take it on.  Bernie has her Kindle and a cup of coffee.  She's curled up in her recliner - I could be wrong but I think she's done for the day.  I made it to the computer and I think this is all I'll accomplish today.

 

So for now, I'm done, Merry Christmas.

 

Thanks for stopping by and please do leave a comment when you can.

 

Neal and Bernie

 



 

 

 

 

 

 





Something you won't see every day

In fact unless you are in this wee corner of Texas it’s unlikely you’d ever see one North of Mexico or Central America.
 

  “Black Bellied Whistling Ducks” sitting outside our RV.

 

 This guy seemed to be the alpha male, the lookout, maybe the “boss” duck, I don’t know but he always maintains an “I’m cool” stance away from the others.

 

We’ve seen them other years, sitting on telephone lines, resting in trees, exhibiting very un –duck like behaviour.  This year they have taken a liking to the empty lot beside us so we get up close and finally a couple of decent pictures.   They aren’t great shots because they’re through the window.  As soon as I go outside they’re outta here in a heartbeat.

Hope you enjoyed them.

Thanks for stopping by and please do say hi when you can.

Neal and Bernie

And Now - from Pharr Texas

Well we've made it to Texas and are settled in for the winter.  The temperatures are running in the mid 80's every day with the humidex hitting 100 twice this week.  We'll put up with it, somebody's gotta do it.

You know you've hit S. Texas when the bugs are messing up your windshield and everything is flat and green.  We love this part of the drive each year, on Hwy 281, the last 100 miles or so S. of San Antonio.  I sort of relax at that point, the drive is almost done, the bugs are destroying the windshield and the Rio Grande Valley is just ahead.  Friends and warmth are around the corner .................

 

Flat and green with bugs on the windshield

 

Forty "flat" miles that way to the Gulf of Mexico

 

 

And Then The RIO GRANDE VALLEY

 

I'm not sure where it actually starts but for us the Palm Trees in the center mean we're in the Valley.  That's always good for a high five and that big smile on my bride's face.

And Then TROPIC STAR

 

The driveway into Tropic Star.  Right here, every year, a thank you prayer for another safe trip.  Feels like coming home.

 

 

And so winter 2012/2013 begins,

 

Those are orange trees outside our front door and a big old oak tree giving our rig afternoon shade.

 

This is home for the next three months.  We're back at Tropic Star but on a different lot this year.  They created a half dozen pull through lots for those of us with longer rigs and we decided to take advantage of the opportunity.  It lets us keep our truck with the RV which is a "big deal" to me.  I like the old girl and keeping her close is important.  :-)

It didn't take long for the "winter Texan" rush to set in.  Bernie and I sat down with a calendar yesterday to try and figure out how we'll fit it all in every week.  It turned out we will be going seven days a week with no down days.  Every year we say "it's going to be different" and every year we end up going seven days a week.

Each year we spend as much time as "our bodies will allow" taking dance lessons, going to dances, and enjoying the circle of friends we have around that activity.  This means two lessons, one or more dances per week, a lunch or two, and maybe a dinner with our dance buds.  Now - I can assure you - we won't be Dancing With The Stars anytime soon, but we do have allot of fun and the exercise is good. 

On top of the dance schedule Bernie goes to the gym three mornings a week, walks four or more miles a few times a week, I'm in the stained glass room three days a week, Sat. mornings I work with the Pancake Crew in the dining room, church on Sunday morning, and that's our regular winter schedule.  We also try to get together with friends as often as we can.  You can see why Winter Texans say they have to go home in the spring to "rest up."

Dancing The Night Away

 

 

Fun with some dance friends

 

 

A daughter comes calling
 



Once again, for the second time in two years, Amber came from Calgary for an extended weekend visit.  We had a great time and loved every minute of it.

There's something about dad's chair that makes a girl feel -  "comfortable."

 

 Of course a walk into Mexico for lunch is a "must do."  The food was good and the company - fabulous.

 

 Amber and Bernie hard at work
"Let's Twist again like we did last summer"
"Let's Twist again like we did last year"

 

Thanksgiving two

 

Being Canadian we get to celebrate Thanksgiving twice.  The first one at home with
family and the second one here with friends.  Doesn't get any better than that and we do have a lot to be Thankful for.  Once again for at least the fourth year Ken and Doreen hosted a fabulous dinner where we ate way way way too much - again.

 

 



Doreen (back left) and Ken (front right)

 

Bernie and Doreen, they act like sisters

 

 

And so now we'll get ready for Christmas where, once again, we'll eat too much.  Once again we'll say "never again" which really means - until next year.

And this is what happens at the end of a Winter Texan's day.  That's all folks nothing left.................and now you know why I don't post this blog as often as I should.

Bernie grabbed this one - no flash - at the end of a long day but I must admit it's a regular occurence........

 

Thanks for stopping by and please do leave a comment when you can.

 

Neal and Bernie