Lost Glasses?

I pair of glasses (looks like prescription)

are on a bench in the bath house. 

Are you looking for them?

Could they be yours?

Check out the bath house.
(Edit: Moved to lost & found in office)

 

Thanks,

Mary

 

 

 

 

 

 

We have Ibis!

Since the water has receeded we've been visited by large flocks of Ibis.  I initially thought they were Glossy Ibis but they are not in this area.  Instead Dona thinks they are the White-faced Ibis and as she is much closer than my binoculars she is probably right.  Photos are from Karon J.(who thinks all wading birds are Egrets...but there have been some Egrets here, too, so she is forgiven)

 

From Wikipedia

The white-faced ibis (Plegadis chihi) is a wading bird in the ibis family Threskiornithidae.

Winter Quintana, Texas

This species breeds colonially in marshes, usually nesting in bushes or low trees. Its breeding range extends from the western United States south through Mexico, as well as from southeastern Brazil and southeastern Bolivia south to central Argentina, and along the coast of central Chile. Its winter range extends from southern California and Louisiana south to include the rest of its breeding range.

The white-faced ibis is very similar to the glossy ibis in its non-breeding plumages, but it tends to be slightly smaller and the plumage color is somewhat warmer. Breeding adults have a pink bare face bordered with white feathers (rather than a bluish bare face with no bordering feathers), a grey bill, and brighter colored, redder legs. Adults have red eyes year-round, whereas glossy ibises have dark eyes. Juveniles of the two species are nearly identical.

Distribution

The white-faced ibis occurs in Canada, the United States, Central America and the southern half of South America. In 2012, the total population size was estimated to be 1.2 million individuals, and increasing. The IUCN rates it as being of Least Concern.

Origin

The white-faced ibis bears a strong resemblance to the related glossy ibis and in the past was sometimes considered to be a subspecies of the glossy ibis.Another theory was that upon coming to the New World, a small isolated glossy ibis population evolved to become its own separate species. However, recent molecular phylogenetic studies show that the white-faced ibis may actually be paraphyletic.In fact, members of the white-faced ibis populations in the United States appear to be more closely related to glossy ibises than to members of white-faced ibis populations in Southern Brazil.

Feeding

The white-faced ibis eats a variety of organisms, including many invertebrates such as insects, leeches, snails and earthworms. It may also eat vertebrates such as fish, crayfish, newts, and frogs. Its feeding style is to use its bill to probe for prey.

Breeding and nesting

This species breeds colonially in marshes, usually nesting in bushes or low trees. Its breeding range extends from the western United States south through Mexico, as well as from southeastern Brazil and southeastern Bolivia south to central Argentina, and along the coast of central Chile. Its winter range extends from southern California and Louisiana south to include the rest of its breeding range. The white-faced ibis chooses to nest in the parts of a marsh with dense vegetation such as bulrush, cattails, shrubs and short trees. It will then build a nest from reeds. The white-faced ibis usually lays three or four blue-green eggs at a time.

Lifespan

White-faced ibises in captivity live up to fourteen years on average. In the wild, white-faced ibises usually live for nine years; however the oldest recorded wild white-faced ibis lived for fourteen years and six months.

Under Control-At Last!

A HUGE Thank You to all who helped in the Flood Crisis!!

 

Tommy Euday just stopped by with a request to thank each

 and every person who helped in his war against the water.

 

Bill Gifford and Staff Eddie, with Jay, manned the small pumps at my end of the resort, valiantly clearing mud and debris from the hoses, and babying the pumps, urging the water out past the berm.

 

Then Tommy brought in the big gun!  A much larger pump working with the small ones got the job done.

 

Tony J. (or is it G?), Gary Waldo, Charlie Cockrill, Mike Kovach, Barry Moore, and probably more, stayed up late, fueled the pumps, hauled the hoses, prayed for sun, and

GOT US UNDER CONTROL!

 

Still raining a bit, and might for the next week or so, and the clean-up is ongoing...but these guys deserve the

biggest thank you ever!

Bob and Bernie's Excellent Adventure!

Greetings from Bob and Bernie:

It looks like the flooding this time is worst than

 it was the one winter we were there. 

 The septic tanks will again need to be pumped out. 

 

We have survived our first winter in Kokomo,

with only a few heavy snows.

 

  We returned from our ten day trip to Iceland and the Faroe Islands.  It was colder in Kokomo (below freezing)

and 1 to 3 degrees C in Iceland

and 4 to 5 degrees C in the Faroe islands. 

 

 There were 54 persons in our group, one from Singapore and one from Mexico.  The hotel in Iceland was first class while the hotel in The Faroe Islands was good but definitely not as good (the elevator could hold only 3 persons) 

 

 The food was very good everywhere with fish and sheep a dominate item on the menu. 

 

We had to split up the group into 3 different hotels in the Faroe Islands.  The Faroe islands does not get many tourist and the population is about 50,000 and now with people from all over the world arriving, there was no place for them.

 

  There is only one airport on one of the 18 islands approximate a mile in length as the remaining terrain is not flat.

The attached photos show what we saw:  Total solar eclipse,

 

 northern lights

 

  and how some in our group were waiting for totality.  The ships were cruise ships there  just for the event.

Hope the weather changes and it dries up soon for you.

 

Bob and Bernie

  

 

 

An offer you can't refuse...

Tom and I will be heading north on May 7.   On Saturday, May 9 we will be in Houston and will be going on a one hour air boat tour of Galveston Bay.   We bought the tour at an auction and it accommodates 6 people.    We are looking for four people who would like to join us.   This is the same weekend as Mother's Day, and is subject to the weather (of course).    If you would like to be our guests,  please give us a call 314-724-7399, or see us at our sight # 44.   Thanks, Tom and Louise

Last Night's Photos from our Photo Laureate-Tom

You must forgive us for this endless stream of flood pics (and poetry) but it's quite the most exciting thing to happen here in a long while.

 

Ode to Lake Sandpipers

Silver skies,

growling pumps,

dragonflies,

stinks like dumps.

 

Golf cart Armada,

pumps a-thumping,

grass reappearing,

more rain coming.

 

(Here's Jim's)

 

Water's creeping

up to the houses,

carrying fire ants,

scaring the mouses.



Tom, The Photo Arteest!

In the early morning before the waters are disturbed by cars and golf carts, the lake is like glass.

 

  Here are a few of the photos I took
early Saturday morning.

 

  I wonder if the people in those houses that are
upside down are dark matter versions of ourselves? 

 

Through new photo technology I am able to

 photograph the root systems of trees which
amazingly match the tops of the trees!

 Tom

April Showers Bring May Flowers...

And I'd guess we are expecting a sh*tload of blooms!

 

 

Jay and his pumps were beginning to see some progress in the field yesterday.  Oh, just progress in the form of a few blades of grass appearing along the road edge.  Then it rained again! 

 

Another inch and a half of overnight rain has brought the water up and into our driveway.

 

That has NEVER happened before.

  Even with the flood from Hurricane Dolly our driveway was dry.

 

And more rain, perhaps heavy, has been forecast over the next several days!!!



Thank you and Goodbye from Wendy and Jim

First...hurray, Jay has a couple of pumps working to drain the field.  It's a muddy, messy job.  Lots of clearing out dead grass and debris from the hoses.  It'll be a slow process but it's getting done!

************************************

We are pulling out today and may not have gotten around to say goodbye to everybody because of the flood. We are so grateful to all here at Sandpipers who welcomed us with open arms and made us part of this lovely community. We consider ourselves so blessed and fortunate to have so many new true friends.

Thank you, thank you from the Mighty Bus, Wendy, Jim and kitties
www.mightybus.wordpress.com

We Need Mosquito Fish, We Need a Drain!

Greetings all,

(From Tom)

We had a little rain last night. 

 A thunderstorm set up camp right

over Sandpipers. 

We had thunder and lightening for about two hours

 with constant heavy rain. 

 The radar during this storm showed a rain hood
coming off this thunderstorm that extended about 50 miles into the Gulf of Mexico.  Through the whole storm the radar showed the red area of heaviest rain right over Sandpipers. 

 

It's no wonder that we look like this.

Rain gauges in the park showed between 4 and 5 inches of rain.

  I took pictures about 11:30 p.m. and then did quite a few more this morning.  We've seen this before.  The last time was after Hurricane Dolly in 2010, shortly after we got our house here at Sandpipers. Preparing our lot for the house we removed the topsoil and put about 18 inches of fill rock in to elevate the lot. 

It is paying off.

These are two panoramic photos.  When you view them, you can enlarge them to fill the vertical dimension of the screen.  They will spill off the sides of the screen.  You can then scroll the pictures to view them as a continuous 180 degree view using the hand tool or the scroll bar at the bottom of the screen on most computers.  I left these at full file size so you can make this enlargement without losing resolution.

Tom

Water, Water, Everywhere

Tom sent a few pictures of our new water feature...
 lovely new Lake Sandpipers. 

 

 "These were
taken from Lot 44 on the North Shore. 

 

 I guess we'll have to replace the
speed limit signs with No Wake signs!

Tom"

 

And this is after just 3.73 inches...hmmm, I guess that is a lot compared to what we normally get.

From Dick & Frankie...

Another fun and successful winter season

with the most marvelous people on earth!!  

 

 Thank you all for making Sandpipers your winter home.  

Dick & I wish you all a spectacular summer, safe travels with outstanding adventures and look forward to more exciting escapades in the 2015-2016 season at Sandpipers.

BLUE SKIES & BUTTERFLIES EVERYONE!!

 

Oh Woe, another Bike cancelation!

The last of our regular bicycle riders are departing

 for the far North this weekend. 

 

 As a result, we'll call off the bicycle ride previously
scheduled for April 14. 

 

The bike ride on March 31 was our last ride for
the season.

Tom & Louise Butler
Lot 44

A Round-up of Blogs and Recipes

 

We have some mighty interesting folks at Sandpipers and here is an addition to your must read blog list...
 

 Mightybus.wordpress.com

 

 

It's the blog of newbies Wendy and Jim and the last few months posts are about the people and events here in the park. 

Read through the posts.  She has some great foodie recipes...salsa and such.

 

And of course you all know about Louise's thought provoking blog...

 

http://butlerblaisdellblog.blogspot.com

 

and

Steve & Judy Taylor have a great blog about their travels
 and bird photos,

steveandjudystravelblog.blogspot.com/

Jim & B do one too...
From the Turtle's Shell
 

 

any more????? Let me know.

 *******************

Easter Sunday we spent the afternoon with friends eating and talking and enjoying the great weather.  Our delicious spread included this yummy treat brought by Frankie.  Just make it! 

 TO DIE FOR!

 

Boursin Cheese Dip Recipe

Cut up 1-2 large onions, thinly sliced (or better, chopped roughly) Place 1-2 TBS oil in a skitllet.  Add 1/4 cup brown sugar, pinch of salt, 1-2 TBS balsamic vinegar.  You can also add 1-2 TBS of red wine if you are drinking some or need an excuse to open a bottle.  Throw in the onions and cook on low until they are carmelized. (45 minutes or more)  Don't rush it!  Stir often, and watch them....they can burn if ignored. 

 

Once cooked, add a goodly amount over Boursin cheese (any soft cheese will do) and serve with crackers.  Can be made ahead and warmed before serving...yum!

 

Boursin cheese is mighty good stuff but also pricey...here is a great alternative..

 

 

Homemade Boursin-Style Cheese

 

Do you want to fancy up a party? How about having a great snacking cheese? What about something wonderful to put in scrambled eggs, or on a bagel, or atop grilled meats? Well, here you go then! This is a homemade Boursin-Style Cheese recipe that costs a fraction of the price stores charge for a teeny tiny tub; it makes a bunch; it freezes well, too!

Author: The Saucy Southerner modified from Southern Living Nov 1994

Recipe type: Dip/Spread

Ingredients

• 1- 8 ounce package cream cheese, room temperature
• 8 tablespoons butter (real butter- this is one stick or ½ cup), room temperature
• 1 small clove garlic (if using raw- 2 cloves if using roasted garlic)
• ½ teaspoon dry oregano leaves
• ⅛ teaspoon dry basil leaves
• ⅛ teaspoon dry dill weed
• ⅛ teaspoon dry marjoram leaves
• ⅛ teaspoon dry thyme leaves
• ⅛ teaspoon dry chives
• ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions

1. Place all of the ingredient into the bowl of a food processor, or use an electric mixer with a whip attachment.
2. Whip thoroughly until smooth and fluffy.
3. Place in an airtight container to refrigerate for a couple of weeks, or freeze for up to 4 months

From Bill and Jocelyne

Bill and I would like to thank everyone for their concern and good wishes, it was well appreciated. 

 

  The injured foot is painfully and slowly recovering,

fortunately nothing was broken. 

 

We hope to leave sometimes next week or as soon as we can travel.

We  wish  everybody a nice summer and safe travelling and we are looking forward to seeing everybody in the fall. 

 

Hugs, Jocelyne and Bill.

 

A Big Thank You From Margaret & Irwin

We would like to say a big thanks to Cindy & Jim,

and Wendy and Jim for a

surprise 50th anniversary celebration

and to all our Sandpiper friends

thank you for the anniversary wishes!

Love,

Irwin & Margaret

A Blast From the Past!

I think you might enjoy some of the past April Fool's Jokes!
Recap of Past April 1^st Columns


 

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Recreational Fee Program

In an effort to help control increasing costs a new recreational fee program will be implemented by Oct 1st. Residents may purchase a variety of recreational programs that best meet their needs.

The following monthly packages will be offered:

• Pool/Spa
• Tennis
• Petanque
• Water Volleyball
• Evening Programs (may include dances and other events utilizing the pavilion facilities)
• To help residents achieve the most out of their recreational costs, we will offer a series of subscription tiers:

Basic - choose one recreational program for a low rate of $10/month or $100 annually

• Bronze - choose two programs for a low rate of $15/month or $150 annually
• Silver - choose three programs for a low rate of $18/monthly or $180 annually
• Gold - all recreational programs for a low rate of $20/monthly or $200 annually

Offering these programs helps ensure residents are only paying for the entertainment that meets their needs. Entertainment cards will be issued documenting the appropriate program for your subscription. To obtain more information on these programs please see Karen at the Office or contact Jon at lot 221. 
****************************************************************************

Friday, April 1, 2011

Security Measures

Message from the powers that be:

 

As you are all aware we had a little incident

 a few weeks ago involving several teenagers breaking

into Sandpipers with resulting police activity.

In the interest of resort security it has been decided that

we need to wear ID name tags with lot number also visible.

*

Those residents owning premium lots have the option

of gold embossing around the edge of their ID card.

The tags of ordinary people with ordinary lots will be outlined in colors to match the Sandpiper palm tree/sun logo.

*

Tom will be available to take pictures

and lanyards will be supplied by the office.

 Check soon to have the best pick of colors.

*

The ID picture cards will be encased in plastic with an opening for folding money which will come in handy...buying food from Flip Flopz for example, or tickets to our many fun events.

 

It is requested that you wear your ID name tags

 inside and outside the park, for several reasons.

*

 First, it is a great way to advertise our wonderful resort (tho in keeping with local sensibilities we will leave the word "nudist" out and just have Sandpipers Resort prominently displayed.)

*

 Second, and perhaps even more importantly,

our residents are not getting any younger

 and a reminder of where you live may come in handy, not to mention if you forget your name.

*

I know most of you will welcome this increased security measure and your support is appreciated.

*****************************************************************

 

April 1, 2012

More Updates From The Office.

Here are a few more notes from Karen:
********
Have you noticed the HUGE numbers of little fruit flies EVERYWHERE?

It's that time of year but I can't remember any other time

when they have been such a problem...so,

TEMPORARILY...

 there will be a banana ban at Sandpipers. 
Nothing attracts fruit flies like bananas do.

Please act responsibly and remove all bananas from our midst. 

You will be notified when it is safe to purchase bananas again.

****************************
************

It has come to the attention of management that a few of you have been irresponsibly feeding wildlife with the resultant problem of unacceptable waste products being deposited on

lawns, cars and, gasp, people!

If you must feed the birds please get a signed waiver from your neighbors and leave a copy with the office. 
To make it a bit easier a link to the required form
is included below. 
 Just print it out in triplicate and get your neighbors
 on either side to sign,
 then leave two copies with the office.
Keep one for your own records.

 

Bird Waiver Form

 

******************************
*****************

A really hot topic is the future of RV storage at Sandpipers.  Management has been able to rent space quite near the park and is working with the owners (a really nice goat herding family) to house our extra cars, carts, trailers and RV's in their field. 
 Payment should be made directly to them and in a timely manner so they can continue making improvements on the site, as they only work with the money they have on hand. 

 Right now the goats are hard at work eating the thorny shrubs that house the rodents and snakes that infest the field so it shouldn't be too long before the field is ready for us. 
 And is it secure, you ask!??
  Barbed wire surrounds the field. 
Keeps the goats in and the vandals out...
the only thing is...make sure your hoses and cords are well tucked away.  Goats will eat anything, which we are counting on to keep the grass mowed.
 Check it out when you are driving down Seminary Rd. 

It's at the corner of Seminary and 2812.

************************************

It has come to this...the world is apparently watching

Sandpipers Resort on You Tube! 

For the immediate future please be aware

that apparently the crop dusters and/or helicopters

 we routinely see over the resort are filming us.

 

  Please move any salacious activities indoors for awhile. 

Check the link below to see if you have been compromised!

 

You Tube Video Featuring Sandpipers Resort

***********
***********************

I hope that this answers many of the speculations that have been floating around the park. As always, if you have further questions, please feel free to come to the office
 and discuss the matter with me.
 Oh, and by the way, we have been advised by the flooring company that the use of shoes is contributing to the deterioration
 of the office floor surface...
 and cloth fibers are clogging the AC filters!
 Consequently, when the office is open
there will be no shoes and no clothing allowed.

Our goal has always, and will continue to be,
to provide our guests with a
 "safe, beautiful and congenial" resort.

*****************************************************

Monday, April 1, 2013

Caring Adults, Cheerful Attitudes  

There has been some grousing over a few of the new rules here at Sandpipers...rules which really are only intended to make our resort even more beautiful and more perfect than it already is,  and to make us more beautiful and perfect nudists.

New command:  Within the Sandpiper fence all must be nude at all times.  This is a 'nudist' resort and thus ALL shall be nude, ALWAYS!    

I think most peeps understand that feeding birds
 only leads to attracting large flocks, 
and eating in non-designated eating zones, 
such as bird feeders or for that matter, JAKZ,
 is not only against the rules but attracts vermin of all types.
  Dropping crumbs (JAKZ) or seed (bird feeders) is dangerous and attracts all the wrong sorts of vermin.  The bird feeder in the field should be sufficient for your viewing needs. And you can always invest in a pair of really powerful binoculars to view the grackles that visit the feeding station in the field.
Nature at it's finest!

 

We are all aware of the extreme drought in South Texas. 
 Edinburg has issued some directives: 
Washing cars never...and homes or RV’s 
on designated days only, for instance.  
And parking cars on grass...
well, if we could water there WOULD be grass, 
but still...it’s a no-no.
 No-no to parking, 
no-no to watering grass.
Heaven forbid water trickles down the street!
We must cut back...if not we won't even have enough water for flushing!  It'll be like living on a Carnival cruise ship!
A suggestion:  Instead of drinking 64 ounces of water a day, cut back!  Substitute beer, you'll be happier, and save water.
 And bathing?  
Instead go for a swim.
 The chlorine will kill any bacteria.

 

The counting of how many pets you have is

undergoing a tweak. 

Does a 75 pound bull dog really equal a 4 pound Chihuahua?
 From now on a pet weight limit will be imposed on each household.  If your number is 75 pounds, for instance, 
you could have up to 18 Chihuahuas with a bit left over. 
And if your dogs get fat, well, put them on a diet!

 

To control the never ending increasing cost of garbage removal several steps have been implemented in the past. 
 Dumping garden branches into the burn pile,
 saving up non-garbage for Angel’s truck, etc. 
 All have worked well, yet still we are spending WAY
 to much every week for removal. 
 That is why a pay-as-you-dump arm will be installed over the dumpster door.  There will be a charge per bag, paid for by tokens which you can pick up in the office during regular office hours (check the office schedule-we are closed for lunch or afternoons or weekends, and there are reduced hours for summer, however we are there for you, just call to leave a message). 
 The token cost will be deducted from your activity account.

 

Now these rules, at first glance, may seem harsh, but remember they are for your own good.  To enforce them we are asking for some “tough love” police...bounty hunters if you will.  

 

If you see neighbors breaking any of these rules please turn them in.  

You will be rewarded by a Best Member award.  

When you have accrued enough awards you can redeem them for a senior drink in Flip Flopz...a special award will be given to water bounty hunters.  If you spy a neighbor wasting that liquid gold and turn him in, you will receive an extra ration of water for the week.

 Get your BM Award and join the CaCa Club...

Caring Adults with Cheerful Attitudes!

************************************************************

April 1st, 2014

Big Bug!!!

Did you hear all the ruckus from our end of the park yesterday? 
You know Jay & Karen have bought Kate & Stretch's mobile.  They are having it removed and the Taj Mahal of mobiles brought in later.  Well, the movers have been preparing the old home for removal and have disturbed....something.

You may remember I found a tarantula in one of my kitchen cupboards awhile back. 

 Grossed me out and scared me to death. 

 

 Juan, our trusty bug guy, set traps and thankfully no spiders had returned...until yesterday!

 When doing my daily walk around the garden this morning look what I discovered!

 

  Juan says this is a new threat to the valley and only a small handful have been reported..so far. 

 It's a new spider call the Angolan Witch Spider.
They migrated from South America.
In Texas they primarily eat dogs and cats. 
 

 It took several gun shots to kill it, and the house movers helped.

If you want to read more about the Texas invasion of the Angolan Witch Spider click here.