Seen in south Texas

There are many, many retirement parks in the area where my sister lives, and as I mentioned before, plenty of activities. What really piqued my interest, and an activity in which I'd definitely participate, are the jam sessions held at most of the parks. People who have some musical ability gather to play music together and take turns singing. Some are geared toward country music; some are the "big-band" sound. Here at home, my guitar sits unused for the most part; if I had someone with whom to jam... a few music sessions where I could join in... I'd be very likely to jump at the opportunity. I wouldn't feel intimidated, because these are people of average talent, for the most part, doing what they love. Nobody is expected to play or sing like a professional. Of course the people making the music are enjoying themselves. Likewise, the audience loves the free entertainment. If there's a space left open for a dance floor, couples will be dancing. It's just a very positive experience. I especially
enjoyed "the Whistling Drummer", and made the following video so I could share with my readers.

I'm back from Texas

I think I'd love being a Winter Texan!

I came home from Texas with a bulging suitcase. It was all I could do to lift it above my head to put it into the luggage compartment of the plane. (Notice the "over-the-hill-crossing" sign I brought home?)

This is why. Yes, of course I could buy grapefruit at the store. But they wouldn't be as juicy and sweet as the ones fresh-picked from my sister's tree.

This is the view from my sister's patio; she's in an over-55 retirement park with other "winter Texans".

That's the "clubhouse" where people in the park gather for all sorts of interesting activities: exercise classes, basic computer classes, jam sessions, bingo, card-playing, and swimming... and so many other things.

When I got home, it was 14°. Back in Texas, people were taking advantage of the swimming pool, and my sister had her air conditioning on in the evenings.

Oh, if you want to read about how I almost missed my entire trip to Texas, click HERE.

Heading south!

Above is the weekend forecast for my home town.

This is the forecast for Mission, Texas, where I'll be spending Thursday evening through Sunday afternoon.

YES!

Dreaming of Texas

That's my sister, Maxine, and me at South Padre Island; my daughter and I flew down to visit her at her winter home in Mission, Texas, in 2003.

A couple of years after that, the daughter, her three children, and I made the trip in her van. What a trip that was! Texas is a big state, and Mission is about as far south as you can get.

That's me and the grandchildren showing off our grapefruits.

Maxine's husband passed away in 2002, I believe. They had wintered in Mission for several years, and all of us wondered if she'd go to Texas by herself in winter, with him gone. You bet she did!

She's eighty years old, and I've intended to go visit her by myself, just once; I'm sure there won't be many more opportunities to go. For a couple of years I've planned the trip, but I'd put off buying tickets and then find myself without funds. This time I was smart: I purchased my airplane tickets in October, before all the winter expenses set in!

So on these recent cold days, I've been reminding myself that I shall soon have four days in sunny Texas, with all the grapefruit I can eat.

Yes!

(Cliff and I sneaked in a long motorcycle ride Sunday... check it out!)