RAIN – The Natives Cheer & the Winter Texans Run for cover!!

Listening to the local TV’s weather report is a riot. Whenever it sounds like there is a faint chance of any rain, it is made to sound like manna from heaven. The drought in Texas is no laughing matter, so the absence of rain has been the norm for many months. Well – the sky finally opened up and when it rains – it RAINS. Past five days have seen buckets of water – parts of this park could double as fishing holes!! A few more days and things should dry up.

Not that rain has slowed us down!!

Our friends Doug & Sue did arrive late afternoon on Friday Jan 27th – late due to a blown tire. Is this sounding familiar? Like this year’s Titanium treat is blown tires!! We found out from our friends at the Friday night Country Dance – that a new Titanium had arrived in their part of the park. So we hooked up with them on Saturday after Jane completed her literacy tutor course. Later that night we went to the Vance Greek and the Deep River Boys concert. Vance is a former Branson performer who is very popular here in the Valley - so popular that they almost filled the dance hall for his concert!!

On January 31, we celebrated our friend Connie’s 65th birthday with a BBQ at Dave and Myrna’s.

It was a lovely warm day so we were able to sit out late into the evening and we didn’t even need our propane campfire. However, we were all well coated with bug spray as we have had lots of Texas size mosquitos.

We took Doug and Sue to Oak Hill on February 1 – again it was a lovely day – probably our last day of real sun. Although there was no live music, the DG played enough country music that we could practice our 2 step. The next night, Sue (or was it Jane) convinced Doug that they should try 2-step lessons, so they joined us at the dance hall with BJ Dance instructors Betty and Jerry.

On Saturday the 4th, we joined Myrna, John and Marg who were selling unwanted items at the park garage sale. Well Jane managed to buy for more than I was able to sell. Fortunately the Fun ‘N Sun motorcycle group donated unsold items to a local shelter – win / win for all. After the garage sale, we headed to the pool to swim and sunbathe. When we returned to our 5th wheel for a late lunch, the temperature was 89 degrees F. Within 2 hours, after a severe thunderstorm roared through, the temperature fell 20 degrees. By Sunday morning, the temperature was down to 49 degrees F. Each day is challenge to figure out how to dress.

The Saturday night Rock & Roll dance was well attended despite the heavy rain – we had a great time dancing to songs we knew and not having to struggle with the more intricate moves we are learning at dance class.

We decided to take Doug and Sue to Sam’s Club in Brownsville on Monday the 6th. Jane had read about a Mexican restaurant or take out place that made healthy tortillas and tamale by using olive oil instead of lard, so we headed there for lunch. Well, the newest branch was no longer in business so we headed to the original location in downtown Brownsville. After driving around the block a few times, we found the restaurant but really didn’t know whether it was open or not. However, the outside appearance was so rundown that we decided to keep on driving. Our next stop was the New York Deli but it had moved and we couldn’t find its new location. By this time it was 1:00 pm and the nearby Red Lobster was open for lunch – good choice to fortify us for our trips to Kohl’s and Sam’s Club.

On February 7, Doug drove the four of us to South Padre Island for the annual Snowbird Extravaganza sponsored by the Canadian Snowbird Association. The information session about Canadian / U.S. border issues was very informative.

We then headed to Pier 19 for a seafood lunch.

We helped Sue celebrate her birthday on February 9th. We started with dinner at the Texas roadhouse where Sue avoided riding the birthday bull! Dinner was followed by dance class – hey that’s what the birthday girl wanted. Then we got together at our place for cake and Sue got a chance to meet our friends.

Friday was overcast again – so we made a trip to the Outlet Mall. We didn’t find many bargains, so our pocket book still looked healthy. Friday night we joined our friends at the country dance. During the last dance, Paul suffered an acute attack of vertigo - which knocked him out of commission for Saturday and most of Sunday. Today he is still somewhat unstable on his feet, but able to ride the 3 wheel bike, go on a shopping trip (Jane drove) and attend the afternoon happy hour. Hopefully he will be all mended by tomorrow so we can enjoy the Valentine Day dance.