Christmas is Coming! Deck the Halls!

Now that we are all stuffed with roast turkey, turkey sandwiches, turkey gumbo and turkey surprise, let's get down to business.

The next big holiday event is right around the corner.

Christmas means different things to different people but one thing it means to just about everybody is decorating!!!

Let's turn Sandpipers into a glittering resort.

This is our home, let's make it shine!

I am asking for oodles of volunteers to come to the pavilion at 10am on Monday morning, December 1st.

We'll hang wreaths, set up trees, festoon, beribbon and glitterize.

If you have decorations which you are perhaps tired of, or don't want/need anymore...decorations that are too good to toss...why don't you bring them to the pavilion Monday morning and we'll see if we can't use them in a new way.

We'll play Christmas music and have a festive good time.

Join in, you'll love it!

Celebrate Bob with a Party at Pepe's!

Bob & Sue have been making friends and enjoying the Rio Grande Valley

as members of Sandpiper's Resort for 8 years.

Golf was an obsession. How many stories have I heard about his...shall we say,

passion... on the golf course?

He never missed a happy hour. Life of the party, that's our Bob!

8 years.

Long enough for them to make lasting friends.

Long enough for them to make an impact on the community outside our gate.

Long enough for us to feel his absence from the park.

They have made no secret of his fight with Alzheimer's.

They have attacked it with tenacity and with humor.

Visiting friends and family is still a highlight.

Bob is now living at The Bridges of Mission, an assisted living environment,

but he welcomes friends to visit and enjoys outings with Sue.

This Saturday will be an outing to remember, and if he can't remember, we'll do it for him!

Join Bob, Sue and his friends from Sandpipers to celebrate his 75th birthday in style, at Pepe's!

We will gather at 1pm, to get his birthday started.

Live music at 2...dancing & frivolity, much food & drink consumed!

Bob may need a nap afterward....

Several people have asked about gifts. Sue says he doesn't need a thing, but if you would like to donate goods or money to the 1st Lutheran Church Food Pantry she would be happy to deliver to them. Good used clothing, bedding, towels, and food, of course, are really needed. Bob, and others from Sandpiper's, volunteered for years to help the food pantry, the only one in Edinburg. See Sue at lot# 222 if you would like to donate in Bob's name.

So...come drink a beer with Bob at Pepe's on Saturday, Nov. 29th, 1 pm.

Cheers! And Happy Birthday, Bob!

Who's got your goat?

Hello from Louisiana. Jim & I are at our daughter's for Thanksgiving. Good thing we made it too! Saw the remains of a big accident on I-10 near Lake Charles this morning that resulted in a 10 mile parking lot on the highway...thankfully going the other way! Then a few hours later another big accident that we saw in our rear view mirror...missed it by THAT much!

Checking my email a few minutes ago I find true excitement happening back at Sandpiper's. Here is the email from SueP.

Well, no sooner do you guys leave than we have our first bit of excitement. Relive with me
the manic chase that took place across the park.

Too bad I didn't get my camera until the critters had already been put under control. Jay (or somebody) lassoed the smaller of the two and the big billy just followed like a lamb.Back story: John comes in early from water volleyball (around one-ish) and screams at me to get a broom and jump on my golf cart and follow him. He needs me to help corral some goats that have gotten into SPR via unknown means. (He had been playing wvb when someone noticed the 4-legged potential players on the lawn outside the pool.)
I follow him to the 400 row, then east to the 30-40 row where people are closing in on the two billygoats. They showed no fear of humans but simply moved away when approached.

Curiously, they didn't fear Tony and Sherry's rottweilers, but chose to sit opposite the black wrought iron fence from the snarling, barking dogs rather than allow themselves to be caught by bumbling humans. By this time we have waaaay more people in on the chase.

Yves shows up with a lasso and proceeds to stalk the goats along the north fence toward the west. He found out how slippery those little guys can be. It's around then that I flew back to the mobile to get the camera. When I returned they(Jay, critters, and a host of bit players in the drama) were on their way down the 300 row heading south. Joe (Joy) also took some pics, which he emailed to me to include in my email to you.

Having escorted the parade to the fence I took a few parting pics. To the best of my knowledge the goats were simply released outside on the road and encouraged to "scram" if they knew what was good for them. That's all the story I know - but I'm sure others have facts to add in response to your story. Dakota Bill told Jay we should let the goats in whenever they feellike visiting. Rounding them up could be another park activity ;-)

We'll try to keep things "normal" while you're gone but there's no guarantee!

Another Poem by Dick Bunstock-as requested

Requiem

The frozen smile still lingers

'Neath her round black button eyes.

Dripping water washed her inked-on nose away.

And the corn husks in her body

Are as crisp as autumn leaves.

her gingham dress is faded into gray.

+++

She used to have blond tresses

made of yellow twisted yarn.

They disappeared a long, long time ago.

Transformed into a blanket,

Which was very soft and warm.

In a mouse's nest a couple shelves below.

+++

It is dark here in this closet

Where she's lain so many years,

For nobody ever opens up the door.

And her fate has been determined-

Like the house she'll disappear-

'Cause the people never come here any more.

+++

There is another castoff

Who is stored upon a shelf,

In a nursing home an aged lady sits.

And she's playing with her dolly

Back with Mama, on the farm,

For her mind will not accept what now exists.

+++

Every day for her is Christmas,

And she sits beside the tree.

Every day again the brand-new doll she finds.

In an everlasting childhood,

Like the doll upon the shelf,

She sits alone, and waits the end of time.

Happy Hour Memories

Recently Mariana lent me a book of poetry written by a past member of Sandpiper's Resort, Dick Bunstock.

I didn't know Dick real well. I spoke to him several times in passing, and danced one memorable dance with him one New Year's Eve. But I'm not going there....

When I showed the book of poetry to John P. one afternoon, was I surprised at his excitement! He also had a book of Dick's...a different one.

After reading both books I regret I didn't know Dick better.

John brought up Dick's name and memory at happy hour...then wrote this:

So who was this fellow named Dick Bunstock?

Well, he was a farmer from Kansas, pictured here riding his John Deere tractor. Dick and his wife Dee were long standing members of our greater Sandpiper’s Family. Regrettably, both passed away in recent years. Dick was a unique personality; he was a kind, gentle, bear of a man, weathered by life and sun.


Memories of Dick recently surfaced at Thursday’s happy hour by those who had the good fortune to know and value him.

Dick, in his older years, found himself struggling to hold on to a remembered world he knew was ebbing away, ever so slowly, building by building, town by town, memory by memory.

You would never have believed this big, often gruff looking hulk of a man was a poet, a true romantic at heart. He shared with us his poetry and writings, reflecting his passionate view of how life changes over time, as do we. It was a remarkable journey for us to revisit his spirit and the words of wisdom in his writing and to share those memories at that particular happy hour – for it’s never the same each day.

Richard Bunstock was named Poet in Residence for the State of Kansas.

Here is one of his poems....

I made a trip to yesterday,

A visit to the past,

To try to find what I had lost,

To learn what wouldn't last.

Back to the house where I was raised,

A well-remembered place.

It seemed the same, but as I neared

The tears ran down my face.

I'd hoped to see my parents,

At least in memories eye,

But hopes of this diminished

And the memories passed on by.

My brothers and my sisters

Were not there to ask me in.

There was little to remind me

Of the way that things had been.

There was little left of memories

In this tumbled bit of wood.

Of the life I knew, and people, too,

That made my life so good.

But it caused me to remember

What another poet penned;

"The one place you cannot go,

You can't go home again."

Horse Fashion.

When visiting with Tommy & Terry at their Missouri Saddletramp Dude Ranch
it is important to dress appropriately.

While riding the little 'mule" anything goes.

Here Annie and Terry model the latest fashions in feminine outdoor attire,

while Bill & Tommy sport the current look in denim.

Joey, Tommy, Terry & Bill demonstrate the proper and improper dress to impress a horse. To whit...Below is Tommy, clothed correctly in urban cowboy sartorial splendor.
But check out Joey & Bill...what do the horses think?Keep your horse happy. Don't embarrass him by dressing like a rube.
Above is a happy horse. See the proud expression?

Proud to be bearing a fashionista such as Dr. Bob.
Catherine's horse is delirious with joy, clearly delighted in the choice of hats.
Tommy's horse, too, is clearly overjoyed at all that denim, the go-to choice for all true cowboys.

Then there is Joey.

Joey, Joey, Joey.

And Bill...

Bill, your horse is gagging!

Choose a different hat and you might just make the cowboy best dressed list.

Hasta la bye-bye, & Introducing! The JayBurger!

Jay gets back to the park and shakes things up! It may be a coincidence but as soon as he got here look what happened! Not that Karen is a slacker, nosiree!

But it sure was nice of her to save this pivotal moment for the Jaybird.

Masked banditos snuck into Sandpipers to pick up any old little thing we had laying around.
They robbed us blind...right down to the studs.

A daring escape winding throughout the maze of streets ensued....

Whizzing around corners on two tires. Oh, the drama! The heartbreak!

Will they escape? Will the townspeople form a posse and catch up?

It's looking dire....

Oh no! They've escaped...they made the border.

In memory of the Great Trailer Heist I dedicate this recipe of the day to the man who makes things happen. To the man who appreciates fine cuisine.

I give you...

THE JAYBURGER

A glazed donut (or even two) snugly embracing a grilled hamburger patty, cheese, bacon, perhaps a fried egg if you aren't watching your cholesterol.

Come on Jay...you know you want it.
I think I just threw up a little in my mouth. Sorry.

Fire Marshall Visit

At Nov. 19th's forum in the community room we listened to Hidalgo County's Fire Marshall, Richard Drewry, educate us on fire safety. Now, before you roll your eyes and yawn, let me tell you it was pretty interesting stuff!

The Fire Marshall's job is to prevent us from burning to death. That's it.

To do their job firefighters try to educate the public, starting with school kids. They use humor quite effectively. Donna #16 had, just the day before, attended a children's program with the kids at the school where she volunteers. She had very high praise for the results.

I'm going to just touch on a few highlights which I found interesting...

for instance, did you know:

We are 8 miles from the nearest fire station, which translates into at least a 10-15 minute response time. During that time the "little" fire is going to double (in square foot area) every 2 minutes.
Smoke is the big killer. 90% of fire fatalities occur in residential fires, and 98% of those deaths are due to smoke inhalation. Kids and seniors are the two groups at most risk in a fire. Kids because they don't know what to do. Seniors because we are more susceptible to poisonous smoke inhalation.

The United States burns down more property and kills more people in fires than any other developed country on Earth. Why? 'Cause we are lazy. Too lazy to install smoke detectors. Too lazy to test them or change the batteries.

What's your life worth? Check your smoke detectors today. Buy new ones if they are older than 5-7 years. How about your fire extinguisher? Is it near your kitchen? If your stove is on fire can you get to it quickly? Will it fight a grease fire? Does it need refilling? Do you have properly working carbon monoxide detectors?

Did you know that good old baking soda may not work on different cooking oils? That a properly rated fire extinguisher is better.

Do you know the rating system?

A is for ordinary combustibles-paper, cloth, plastics, rubber.

B is for flammable liquids-oil, gas, grease, some paint.

C is for electrical equipment-wiring, fuse boxes, etc.

If your RV or mobile home catches on fire: If it is very small put it out. If bigger than you can handle (split second decision here, folks) GET OUT! Then call or have someone call 911. Tell them the address, the gate code, too. Put the address, gate code, office phone number on a card by your phone. It is a proven fact that brains melt down in emergencies.

If a fire occurs at or near Sandpiper's the nearest hydrant is miles, MILES, away. Tanker trucks will be used with enough water to really drown any fire.

If your RV is on fire...well, forget it. It's probably a total loss. Concentrate the garden hoses on nearby RV'S. You can save them from catching on fire.

A fire truck costs a million bucks, but lasts up to 35 years before it needs replacing.
Hidalgo County is the 7th largest county in Texas with just under a million population.

The fire dept is a combination of 2/3 volunteer and 1/3 paid firefighters.

They answer 2200 calls a year, a lot of them grass fires.

And lastly, the Fire Marshall was pleased he didn't have to teach us the stop-drop-roll method of putting out flaming clothes.

Not wearing clothes is a good thing, 'cause they can't catch on fire. I think he admired that trait in us!

Snakes and Lakes and a Squirrel or Two!

Tuesday's Bike Ride was to the Santa Ana Wildlife Sanctuary in Alamo. It's just off Military highway and a beautiful spot to visit.

We had 18 riders who enjoyed the day immensely!

We explored an old cemetery.....

No ghosts, but we did find a clue of what was to come in our future... snakes!

Our FIRST snake...skin that is.

Then Lanny, our illustrious leader, the former Boy Scout and Green Beret, the guy lost children used to look for to find their way home...yes, that Lanny.... had us park our bikes on the side of the road for a short walk to a bird and wildlife viewing pond. Despite some whining from a few hiking challenged members, we strolled along a wooded path, chatting merrily, scaring away any wildlife within 20 miles with our decibel level.

Did we find the pond?
Well, no.

The consensus was we zigged when we should have zagged.

This is Jim showing Lanny where he went wrong.

This is Lanny hanging

his head in shame.

Though to make up for it he did find us a couple of Coral snakes, an Indigo snake, a squirrel or two and another pond...so all is forgiven.

Lanny has Daniel Boone status again.

Pauline discovered Mesquite has thorns.

Several kinds of water birds were spotted.















All in all a beautiful day, with nary a mishap...until.....



"Louise", says Tom, " I do believe you've lost something."


"Not to worry, Tom" says Jon, coming to the rescue. "I have my trusty tool kit."

So all restored we finish our bike ride with a feast at Willies BBQ in Alamo.

Donna is in awe of her stuffed baked potato!Yikes!

I guess I know what's for your lunch tomorrow, Donna!

Next week's ride is the much anticipated Los Ebanos Ferry Ride. Nov. 25th. Ride the last hand-drawn ferry across the Rio Grande to the little town of DiazOrdaz, Mexico. Don't forget your passport. Lunch at Vallarta Seafood Restaurant. 8 mile round trip, all paved.