Don Nugent's Blog

Galveston - Saturday, Jan 21, 2012

2012-01-21T17:04:00.004-06:00

Donna and I have checked into our hotel here in Galveston. We sail on the Mariner of the Seas on Sunday. Our ports will be Cozumel, Mexico; George Town, Grand Cayman; Falmouth, Jamaica after departing from Galveston, TX.

Wednesday, Jan 11, 2012 - King Tut

2012-01-11T20:33:00.002-06:00

Donna and I had a fun day. We used our Metro 70+ Card for free transportation on the bus from the Park and Ride to downtown and rode the train to the museum district. We did the King Tut exhibit at the Museum of Fine Arts.

An afternoon appointment with my Nephrologist for results on last weeks tests was good. Blood work was normal. The doctor said I am doing great but the blood pressure was only 99/68 with a pulse rate of 62 so he is reducing my blood pressure medication. Thursday we are back to the Medical Center as Donna has an appointment with the Cardiologist in the morning and I see my Neurologist in the afternoon.

Monday, Dec 12, 2011 - Silver Eagles Luncheon

2011-12-09T10:44:00.001-06:00

It is time for chicken wings and beer again so our Silver Eagles will meet for lunch at Hooter's on FM 1960 at I-45 to enjoy fine food in pleasant surroundings.

Silver Eagles Poem

The second Monday of each month is the day we retired guys have wings and beer at Hooters. We go at 1:15 pm to avoid the lunch hour rush. Many are from our subdivision but we also are joined by area friends.

Ashland Retiree Club - Thursday, Dec 8, 2011

2011-12-08T10:28:00.002-06:00

Christmas Luncheon with our Ashland Retiree Club at the Sugar Creek Country Club. Drinks will be at 11:30 am in the garden room. After lunch, we will have our annual white elephant gift exchange and a brief business meeting.

Galveston - Sept 25 and 26, 2011

2011-10-03T10:33:00.002-05:00

Donna and I drove down to Galveston to spend one night at the Comfort Suites on the seawall. We enjoyed stuffed shrimp and crabcake for dinner at Casey's Seafood. On Monday, we did a tour of the Rain Forest Pyramid at Moody Gardens. They have made many improvements with the $25 million renovation after Hurricane Ike.

Lunch was at a Italian restaurant and then back to the Aquarium Pyramid to relax and look at the fish and penguins. We enjoyed out day at Moody Gardens.

Thursday, Aug 25, 2011 - Galveston

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The Harris County Pct 3 bus departed at 10:30 am from Memorial City Shopping Center near JC Penney. Ashland Retiree Club had lunch at Mario's Seawall Italian Restaurant with a buffet luncheon or order from the menu. This is Galveston's oldest Italian restaurant.

After a seafood and pasta buffet, we drove to the Moody Mansion. The 28,000 square-foot, four-story structure was completed in 1895. Today, guests visit 20 rooms on a tour that depicts the home life of a powerful Texas family. Our next stop was the Lone Star Flight Museum to look at the war birds that served our country in World War II. After out tour of the planes, the bus returned our group to Houston.

Supper Club - Saturday, Aug 20, 2011

2011-08-21T11:40:00.003-05:00

Donna and I were host this month for the Supper Club group that has been meeting for over 30 years. We normally go to one of the members homes but we chose to do it at Juanita's Mexican Grill this time. There was a lucky number of 13 in our party and we all had a good time even though there were a few in the group that do not prefer Mexican food.

If you have enough margaritas and beer with the appetizers before dinner is served, the food tastes better. Donna and I have enjoyed Juanita's Mexican Grill with family for several years.

Monday, Aug 8, 2011 - Silver Eagles Luncheon

2011-08-07T19:11:00.003-05:00

Apache Helicopter - 21 July 2011

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Our Ashland Retiree Club did a tour of the 158th Aviation Regiment "Texas Thunder". This was a excellent show of the USA military power. The Test Pilot and trainer gave the tour and had a hellfire missile, some rockets as well as 30 mm cannon shells set on a table by the Apache helicopter. The women in our group were impressed as the men at this firepower. The tour guide allowed our group to climb a platform to look into the cockpit of this very large helicopter. You can only imagine the adrenaline rush you would get flying this machine in combat. This unit has deployed several times to Iraq and Afghanistan.

After the tour, we had lunch in Old Town Spring at Wunsche Bros Cafe & Saloon. The specials were chicken and dumplings and meatloaf but the menu had many choices of southern cooking. Everybody enjoyed the tour and lunch plus a chance to shop in Old Town Spring.

Beach Week - 10 July 2011

2011-07-08T16:30:00.004-05:00

This will be a fun family vacation as Donna and I enjoy a week of sand and surf on Galveston Island. Dan and Tammy will join us with Matthew, Jackson and Ted. Brother David and his wife Linda will drive over to join us.

Much of our time will be on the island beach but we do have a few trips planned to Moody Gardens. Palm Beach, the Colonel Paddlewheel boat, aquarium, IMAX theater and the Rainforest are all attractive to the grandsons at Moody Gardens.

4th of July

2011-07-04T15:36:00.002-05:00

Donna and I are celebrating the 4th of July with Dan, Tammy and the 3 grandsons. The subdivision had their parade, fun run and Clubhouse activities and we will swim at the East Pool for a late afternoon cool down. The pool is open until 9 pm today.

We have the American Flag flying from its pole in our front yard and honor our founders as well as all military men and women that are serving this great country. The city is having its big fireworks display off Allen Parkway near downtown at 9:30 pm.

Saturday, May 22, 2011 - Back Home

2011-05-21T21:48:00.002-05:00

The Continental non-stop from Vancouver, BC to Houston went well but Super Shuttle kept us waiting over an hour for a van. I would have used a taxi if I knew the service would be so poor. We walked in our front door a little after 8 pm.

Radiance of the Seas - Saturday, Apriil 30, 2011

2011-04-29T21:53:00.006-05:00

Donna and I are in Tampa ready to board the Radiance of the Seas. We will visit the ports of Cartagena, Colon, Panama Canal, Puntarenas, Puerto Quetzal, Acapulco, Cabo San Lucas, San Diego, San Francisco, Victoria and Vancouver.

Radiance of the Seas

We had a good flight to Miami but our pilot had to abort his first landing and on the second try, the plane hit the runway so hard we bounced. He then slammed on the brakes along with reverse thrust to throw everyone forward. After our two hour layover for a second flight on to Tampa, we had a one hour delay because of rain and lightning. In FL, they shut down the gates when it is lightning within 10 miles. Then after we taxied out, another hour was wasted because Obama flew into Miami on Air Force One which closed the airport. One more reason to dislike him.

Ashland Retiree Luncheon - Wed, Apr 20, 2011

2011-04-20T15:35:00.003-05:00

In place of a bus trip this month, Ashland Retiree Club of Texas met at Las Ventanas Restaurant and Cantina for a luncheon. This restaurant is located at 14555 Grisby Rd just south east of I-10 and Texas 6.

Their ceviche, guacamole, tamales oaxaquenos, Tacos al Carbon, fajitas, salmon, fish taco's, avocado salad, Parrillada las Ventanas (a table side griddle with chicken, shrimp, tenderloin, chorizo along with peppers and onions), etc. are excellent. A tasty sangria as well as good margaritas were available. The place is beautiful - bar/food/service great.

Drinks were at 11:30 am and ordered lunch at 12 noon from the menu.

Monday, April 11, 2011 - Silver Eagles Luncheon

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Monday, March 14, 2011 - Silver Eagles Luncheon

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March 2, 2011 - Sea Center Texas

2011-03-08T12:46:00.002-06:00

Our Ashland Retiree Club took a Harris County Pct 3 bus on a seniors trip down to Lake Jackson to visit Sea Center Texas. There are many exhibits at Sea Center Texas including the Touch Pools, Salt Marsh, Coastal Bay, Jetty, Artificial Reef, and the Offshore exhibit. The two twelve foot Touch Pools allow visitors to handle marine animals such as blue crabs, hermit crabs, starfish, urchins snails and anemones. We did a tour of the hatchery to see the tanks were they grow the Red Fish and Flounder to stock the bays and Gulf of Mexico off the upper Texas coast.

On our return to Houston, we stopped in Angleton for lunch at La Casona Mexican Restaurant. Everyone had a great time.

Family Cruise - February 20 - 27, 2011

2011-03-08T12:28:00.002-06:00

Donna and I joined Tammy, Dan and the 3 grandsons on a Western Caribbean Cruise out of Galveston. This was a fun week with port visits to Roatan, Honduras; Belize City, Belize and Cozumel, Mexico on the Voyager of the Seas.

Roatan, Honduras

Matthew, Jackson and Ted had a great time feeding the Iguana, playing with the Monkeys and Parrots as well as swimming on the beach at West End during our visit to Roatan.

Monday, Feb 14, 2011 - Silver Eagles Luncheon

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Ashland Retiree Club - Friday, Jan 28, 2011

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Ashland Retiree Club boarded our Pct 3 bus at the Memorial City Shopping Center on Friday, Jan 28. We did our Tree Sculpture Tour in the morning on Galveston Island. There are about 23 trees that have been carved in various shapes.

After our tree tour, we had a lunch buffet at Mario's Seawall Italian Restaurant, 628 Seawall Boulevard, 409.763.1693 This Italian eating joint is owned by Antonia and Nilda Smecca, who took the town of Galveston by storm in 1973 by offering authentic Italian cuisine, served as they do in their home town of Gela, Sicily. The choicest of delicacies, from pastas to pizzas as well as dishes, such as Lasagne, Baked Rigatoni and Eggplant Parmigiana are available here.

After lunch, we rode the Pct 3 bus over the Bolivar Ferry to the community of Crystal Beach, a family oriented beach community. We returned to Houston after our view of the new construction after Hurricane Ike.

Monday, Jan 10, 2011 - Silver Eagles Luncheon

2011-01-09T20:03:00.001-06:00

New Years Day - Moody Gardens

2011-01-04T12:17:00.005-06:00

2011 was brought in for our family here in Galveston. After a nice breakfast at the hotel, we were off to Moody Gardens to enjoy the first day of the new year with the 3 grandsons. After 3 different I-Max movies, a visit to the Aquarium Pyramid, the fun ride, ice skating, and the tour of the Festival of Lights (Christmas Lights) it was time for a late dinner and to bed by midnight.

The second day of 2011 was ice skating at Moody Gardens and a seafood lunch at Casey's Seafood Cafe before we drove back to Houston.

San Antonio Riverwalk - Sunday, Dec 19, 2010

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Donna and I leave today with Tammy and the 3 grandsons to stay a few days on the Riverwalk. Matthew, Jackson and Ted have never done the barge ride or enjoyed the Alamo and Brackenridge Park in San Antonio.

Monday, Dec 13, 2010 - Silver Eagles Lunch

2010-12-12T21:25:00.000-06:00

Sunday, Nov 7 2010 - Voyager of the Seas

2010-11-07T02:23:00.003-06:00

We will be on a shuttle to the Voyager of the Seas in less than a hour. The flight over was a little turbulent but all is well. It was good to sleep in a king size bed last night.

Charles Krauthammer - Oct 23, 2010

2010-10-26T09:05:00.002-05:00

The always excellent Krauthammer: "The Gallup findings on the ideological inclinations of the American people. Conservative: 42%. Moderate: 35%. Liberal: 20%. No fanciful new syndromes...are required to understand that if you try to impose a liberal agenda on such a demonstrably center-right country--a country that is 80% non-liberal--you get a massive backlash."

"The peasants have seen the future - Greece and France - and concluded that it does not work. Hence their opposition to Obama's proudly transformational New Foundation agenda. Their logic is impeccable: Only the most blinkered intellectual could be attempting to introduce social democracy to America precisely at a time when the world's foremost exemplar of that model - Europe - is in chaotic meltdown."

Thursday, Oct 21, 2010 - Ashland Retiree Luncheon

2010-10-21T16:34:00.001-05:00

Our Ashland Retiree Club met at Rudi Lechners Restaurant for some good German food. We discussed a trip to the see "Secrets of the Silk Road" at the Houston Museum of Natural Science in November. We also have our December Christmas party at Spring Creek Country Club set for Dec 8.

On Friday, I get to visit my cardiologist and have some blood work done while fasting and then have a test to see how the blood is flowing. Donna has an appointment with her pulmonary specialist in the same building to see how the fluid on her lung is doing.

Silver Eagles - Monday, Oct 11, 2010

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Tuesday, Oct 5, 2010 - Pct 4 Bus Trip

2010-10-03T21:06:00.001-05:00

With perfect Fall weather, Donna and I are going on a trip to see Washington on the Brazos, birthplace of Texas above Brenham and the a good lunch at Volare Italian Restaurant in Brenham. In the afternoon, we visit the Chappell Hill Lavender Farm.

Pappadeaux - Sunday, Oct 3, 2010

2010-10-03T21:05:00.001-05:00

Sunday was Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen where we ordered 6 seafood platters for the 7 of us. Since 3 were small grandsons, we all had plenty to eat.

Replaced Crown - Tuesday, Sept 7, 2010

2010-09-07T10:44:00.002-05:00

Visited my dentist today to remove a old crown and have a temporary put in. I will get the new crown in 3 weeks. Nothing like the feeling of a numb mouth and fat lips.

Saturday, Aug 21, 2010 - Carnival Triumph

2010-08-18T15:37:00.002-05:00

Donna and I sail on a 7 night Eastern Caribbean cruise to the Bahamas and Key West. A boat ride in peak hurricane season is always fun. With four swimming pools, seven whirlpools, tons of bars, a giant casino and a daily schedule of activities that will make your head spin, the Triumph lives up to Carnival's "Fun Ships" motto with gusto. A passenger looking for a little peace and quiet could easily find themselves locked in their cabin ordering room service for the duration of the trip, but if you can (or care to) look past the crowded bars, loud music and long buffet lines, you can definitely relax on the Triumph. Head to the Oxford Lounge for your nightcap rather than the Hollywood Dance Club or sunbathe on the Spa Deck rather than on the crowded levels surrounding the main pool.

After the cruise, we visit David, Linda and family.

Arrows to Astronauts Tour - Thursday, Aug 19, 2010

2010-08-18T07:22:00.003-05:00

Our Ashland Retiree Club will take a Harris County Pct 3 bus to meet Kathy Hill at Bay Area Community Center in Seabrook at 9 am. We will then visit Pine Gully Park and the Karankawa Indian camp site. Our bus will drive by the Bay Port ocean terminal and the new Houston Cruise Terminal on our way to Armand Bayou Nature Preserve. We will drive by the West Mansion and Kathy will discuss James Marion West on our way to the restored seafood markets in Seabrook.

Lunch will at The Outrigger Restaurant on Kemah Bay. Great seafood with fish tacos, oysters and crawfish as their specialty.

Our last stop will be the Butler Longhorn Museum that has the worlds largest display of longhorns history.

Monday, Aug 9, 2010 - Silver Eagles Lunch

2010-08-08T15:15:00.001-05:00

N'awlins Cooking - Sunday, Aug 8, 2010

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Today. Donna and I enjoyed some great N'awlins cooking at Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen. We started with a combination fried alligator, fried calamari, plus a shrimp fondue appetizers. That gator was tender... The 25 fried shrimp with onion rings was the main course. The kids are in Galveston enjoying a rented beach house so they missed out on this meal.

This puts us in the mood for our stay on Bourbon Street in the French Quarter before we do our 7 day Eastern Caribbean cruise later this month.

Corpus Christi, TX - Tuesday, July 27, 2010

2010-07-27T12:47:00.005-05:00

I want to thank the taxpayers of our country for furnishing me a nice hotel room here in Corpus Christi while my wife is doing some work for our government. This is a pretty little town on the Gulf of Mexico that is loosing population as the industry is not growing. A great place to visit and the weather is nice.

Donna and i had a nice lunch today at the Outback Steakhouse. I enjoyed it better than the dinner at Baja Coast Bar and Grill last night.

Thursday, July 15, 2010 - Ashland Retiree Club

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The Harris County Pct 3 first stop will be Brady's Landing Restaurant. The seafood buffet is great and has a large variety. Our next stop is the Houston Sports Museum where the showcase displays autographed baseballs from Babe Ruth, Jackie Robinson, Mickey Mantle and other baseball giants. While the museum showcases items from all sports, most of the collection pays homage to the history of baseball in Houston, from the early days of the 1903 Houston Wanderers and the Houston Buffs — once the minor league affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals — to the Colt 45’s and Houston Astros.

At 3 pm, we will visit the Saint Arnold Brewing Company. The weekday tour and tastings begin everyday at 3:00 pm, are $7 and will include a souvenir tasting glass. St Arnold will admit guests between 3:00-3:30 and taps will close shortly after 4:00.

Downtown Aquarium - Tuesday, July 13, 2010

2010-07-13T07:48:00.005-05:00

Tuesday will be a fun day on the rides at the Downtown Aquarium for Tammy and the 3 grandsons. Hop aboard the C.P. Huntington train and take a ride through the center of a 200,000-gallon shark tank for an up-close view of a variety of shark species. The Ferris Wheel lets you venture 100 feet in the air and experience spectacular views of the downtown Houston skyline. Ever ridden on the back of a dolphin or an alligator? Kids ride on a aquatic-themed carousel. Calling all thrill seekers! Dare to drop an exhilarating 65 feet while watching the downtown skyline on the Lighthouse Drop!

Donna and I will just enjoy being with the family on a hot and humid day here in Houston.

Monday, July 12, 2010 - Silver Eagles Lunch

2010-07-12T08:12:00.000-05:00

Ashland Retiree Bus Trip - Thur, May 27, 2010

2010-05-28T09:32:00.004-05:00

Our Ashland Retiree Club used the Pct 3 bus to go to Huntsville to visit the Texas Prison Museum, H.E.A.R.T.S. Veterans Museum of Texas and the 67 ft statue of Sam Houston. Lunch was at the Farmhouse Cafe. Harris County lets the retiree ride their bus free.

Donna and I drove to Beaumont after our return from Hustsville where she is testing and interviewing at Texas Workforce on Friday.

Monday, May 10, 2010 - Silver Eagles Lunch

2010-05-09T21:42:00.000-05:00

Ponta Delgada, Azores, Portugal - April 27, 2010

2010-05-09T21:23:00.004-05:00

Donna and I enjoyed our port stop in the mid-atlantic islands or the Azores. We did some walking and rode a bus around some of the city to get a feel of the area. Clouds prevented a view of the Sete Cidades twin lakes at 1900 feet altitude in the mountains.

Ponta Delgada, Azores, Portugal

We stopped at a Internet Cafe to send some email.

14 Day Transatlantic - Sunday, April 18, 2010

2010-04-18T06:40:00.002-05:00

Donna and I sail today from Galveston on the Voyager of the Seas for Barcelona, Spain.
We will have only 5 port stops so that is 9 days of cruising on the Gulf of Mexico, Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. After a few days in Barcelona, we will return home on Lufthansa German Airlines. Our port stops are in Nassau, Bahamas; Ponta Delgada, Azores; Malaga, Spain; Cartagena, Spain before we spend a few days in Barcelona.

Monday, April 12, 2010 - Silver Eagles Lunch

2010-04-11T15:57:00.000-05:00

South Texas State Fair - Easter Weekend 2010

2010-03-21T21:04:00.002-05:00

Donna and I will spend the weekend in Beaumont with Dan, Tammy and the 3 grandsons. We are looking forward to a fun time with carnival rides and livestock. Matthew and Jackson are 6 and Ted is 4 so this will be a good experience. I remember going to the fair when I was just a young lad.

Ashland Retiree Luncheon - Wednesday, March 10, 2010

2010-03-04T17:15:00.003-06:00

We will have our Quarterly Business Luncheon at YAO Restaurant & Bar on Westheimer. We will cover club activities for the coming months.

Despite the enormous doorways and various photos of Yao playing basketball, the elegant dining room bares little resemblance to most sports-themed eateries. Tables are generously spaced for quiet conversation and décor is understated Asian. The adjacent lounge features a lustrous red and black color palette, ample booths and three big-screen televisions tuned to the latest game. The restaurant, run by Yao's parents (father Yao Zhiyuan and mother Fang Fengdi), serves familiar dishes including Peking duck, General Tso's chicken and Szechuan prawn.

Monday, March 8, 2010 - Silver Eagles Lunch

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Voyager of the Seas - Sunday, Feb 21, 2010

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David and Linda will drive over on Friday as they join us for this cruise. Donna and I will join Dan, Tammy and the 3 grandsons along with David and Linda to drive to Galveston on Saturday for one night in the hotel before we sail on Sunday.

This 7 night Western Caribbean Cruise will visit the ports of Roatan, Honduras; Costa Maya, Mexico and Cozumel, Mexico. The nine of us are looking forward to fun times on this large vessel.

Click on the itinerary for a larger view...

Thursday, Jan 21, 2010 - Ashland Retiree Club trip

2010-01-23T11:34:00.005-06:00

On Thursday, Jan 21, our Ashland Retiree Club rode the Harris County Pct 3 bus to Bellville, TX to tour Newman's Castle. We stopped at the bakery and Mike Newman drove his pickup to lead the bus out to his home for a tour and lunch. The castle is cinderblock construction with a masonry stucco finish. Five corner turrets, 24 ft tall and a Gatehouse, drawbridge. Central keep, 42 ft. tall. Outer walls, 18 ft. Large courtyard in the middle. There is a Chapel in one of the round turrets. Living quarters in the keep and in a lean-to construction along two sides of the outer walls. I am glad I do not have the A/C and heating bill on a home this size which has large rooms with high ceilings.

We had perfect weather with low humidity of 22% and a high of 78 degrees without a cloud in the sky. Donna bought a loaf of fresh baked wheat bread at the bakery and we made a stop at the meat market where we bought some turkey jerky. hot links and some jalapeno beef sticks.

Newman's Castle Slideshow

Galveston Island - Dec 26 - 28, 2009

2009-12-31T15:58:00.004-06:00

Donna and I enjoyed a fun weekend in Galveston to take the 3 grandsons to the Festival of Lights at Moody Gardens. We also did the IMAX, Aquarium and the Ride Film. Dan and Tammy had a adjoining room at our hotel. On Monday, the grandsons enjoyed a ferry ride to the Bolivar Peninsula and lunch at the Rainforest Cafe.

Thursday, Dec 10, 2009 - Ashland Retiree Club

2009-12-09T16:59:00.002-06:00

Our Ashland Retiree Club has their annual Christmas party at hte Sugar Creek Country Club starting at 11:30 am.

Donna will have a followup visit for the cataract surgery on her left eye and then we will attend the Ashland Retiree Christmas Party for lunch. We always have a white elephant gift exchange that is fun for our members.

50 Plus Christmas Party - Tuesday, Dec 8, 2009

2009-12-09T16:50:00.003-06:00

Our Cypresswood 50 Plus Club had their annual Christmas dinner at Via Emilia Italian Restaurant on FM 1960. We had a good turnout with 42 at the party. There was enough funds in our treasury to give every member a $5 bill from their $10 yearly dues.

Monday, Nov 9, 2009 - Silver Eagles Lunch

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Sunday, Oct 11, 2009 - TUTS musical

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Our Cypresswood 50 Plus Club will take the Harris County Pct 4 bus from the East Clubhouse to the Hobby Center in downtown Houston. We will see the matinee production of "Meet Me In St. Louis".
High on the list of best-loved family films from Judy Garland’s MGM career, MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS makes its TUTS debut as a lavish stage musical. Gorgeous turn-of-last-century costumes, a wonderful score, and the warm humor of nostalgic romance combine in a brand-new show with old-fashioned appeal for all ages. With a real moving trolley to make Esther’s heartstrings go “zing zing zing!” and a Victorian home setting that even Martha Stewart would endorse, MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS is the kind of show TUTS has the reputation of always delivering …. a wonderful classic from the golden age of musical comedy. It’s the one you’ll want to share with all your loved ones --- a cavalcade of family fun.

Adventure of the Seas - Sept 12 -21, 2009

2009-09-08T21:33:00.006-05:00

Click on the itinerary for a larger view...

Donna will fly back from New Orleans on Friday evening and we catch our Continental nonstop to San Juan, PR on Saturday. We sail on Sunday for our 7 night Southern Caribbean cruise. This is our third boat ride this year. We will have a day in San Juan with a rental car and then fly back to Houston on Monday, Sept 21.

Wednesday, Sep 9, 2009 - Quarterly Business Luncheon

2009-09-08T20:58:00.002-05:00

The Ashland Retiree's Club of Texas will have the first business luncheon of our new fiscal year that started July 1. We will meet at 11:30 am at Yao Restaurant & Bar which is run by the parents of Yao Ming, our Houston Rockets center. Lunch is a choice from the menu. Yao Restaurant serves Chinese American cuisine within a fine-dining environment including a casual bar. The food is prepared to order from fresh produce, delivered daily. All menu items are high in protein, low in fat content, and contain no MSG.

Moody Garden Hotel - Sept 5-7, 2009

2009-08-09T16:19:00.000-05:00

Donna booked two rooms in Galveston for the Labor Day Weekend. Dan, Tammy and the 3 grandsons will join us for Labor Day Weekend fun. We have yearly passes to Moody Gardens so we will stay at the hotel and ride their shuttle across the parking lot to the pyramids. The hotel has a Indoor Lap Pool, Texas Size Pool with Swim-Up Bar and a Hot Tub to relax in.

Delve into the oceans depths at the Aquarium Pyramid® to see penguins, sharks and thousands of tropical fish. Explore the mysteries of science at the Discovery Museum or experience the action of the IMAX® 3D, 4D or Ridefilm theaters. Cruise aboard the Colonel Paddlewheel Boat or enjoy beautiful white sand beaches and blue lagoons at Palm Beach. Explore the 10-story Rainforest Pyramid® where over 1,000 species of exotic plants from the rainforests of Africa, Asia and the Americas meet.

Thursday, August 27, 2009 - Ashland Retiree Club trip

2009-08-09T16:14:00.002-05:00

This month, we have a Pct 3 bus trip scheduled to East and West Columbia. There are many historical homes in these towns southwest of Houston. West Columbia was the capital of the Republic of Texas for a few months before it moved to Austin. One of the places we will visit is the Varner–Hogg Plantation.

Cypresswood 50 Plus Club - Tuesday, Aug 11, 2009

2009-08-09T16:05:00.001-05:00

We have our monthly meeting at the East Clubhouse at 7 pm the second Tuesday of the month. This month will be a discussion of our activities and trips we will make on the Harris County Precinct 4 senior bus fleet.

Cypresswood Fifty Plus Club

The county furnishes these buses to our group free and picks us up here in the subdivision. The county takes care of it seniors...

Monday, Aug 10, 2009 - Silver Eagles Lunch

2009-08-08T20:59:00.000-05:00

Senior Trip - Friday, July 31, 2009

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Our Cypresswood 50 Plus Club rode he Harris County Pct 4 bus to the Woodlands to ride the water taxi and then have lunch at "Sweet Tomatoes".

In the afternoon, we went to the National Museum of Funeral History. They have everything from Civil War embalming to the death of Presidents and an exhibit celebrating the lives and deaths of the Popes and it includes a full-scale replica of Pope John Paul II's crypt, an exact reproduction of the coffin used in the funerals of three previous Popes as well as replicas of other Papal vestments by the tailor shop that has made the vestments of the last seven Popes.

Fathers Day - Sunday, June 21, 2009

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The celebration will be at Dan and Tammy's home in Stagecoach. Jack, Tammy's Dad, will cook the meat on the gas grill and the women are fixing appetizers, side dishes and desert. Donna's Father, John will attend and of course I will be their as Dan's Dad. Dan will celebrate his status as the dad of Matthew, Jackson and Ted. As long as the A/C keeps us cool, good times will be had by all.

Thursday, June 18, 2009 - Cypresswood 50 Plus Club

2009-06-14T16:42:00.004-05:00

TUTS performance of Cabaret. Our Harris County Pct 4 bus will leave the East Clubhouse in our subdivision at 6:30 PM
'Cabaret' has to be one of the greatest musicals of all time - if not actually THE greatest musical of all time. Not only does it have some stunning songs and fascinating characters, it also has a compelling and highly political storyline with a message from history that can't be ignored. Set in the decadent Berlin of the early 1930's during the uninhibited era of the Weimar Republic, it sets the rise of the Nazis against the apathy of the masses, and describes a wind of change that would have terrifying consequences for all.

Vacation - May 28 - June 8, 2009

2009-05-24T13:44:00.005-05:00

Donna and I fly to Miami on Thursday, May 28 on Delta Airline out of Hobby airport. We plan to play at the Bayside Marketplace with boat tours and dining on Friday and board the Carnival Liberty for our 7 day Western Caribbean cruise on Saturday. We have some fun ports scheduled in Ocho Rios, Jamaica : Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands and Roatan Honduras.

We return to Miami on Satureday morning, June 6 and pick up a rental car for more tours and will fly home on Monday, June 8th.

George Observatory - Friday, May 22, 2009

2009-05-22T09:38:00.002-05:00

Our Cypresswood 50 Plus Club will ride the free Harris County Pct 4 bus lfrom the subdivision clubhouse for dinner at the Outback Steakhouse. We will have a presentation and telescope viewing at George Observatory in the Brazos Bend State Park. The George Observatory, located about one hour’s drive south of Houston in the attractive Brazos Bend State Park, is a satellite facility of the Houston Museum of Natural Science. The Observatory houses a Challenger Learning Center for Space Science Education, which takes participants on simulated space missions, complete with a mission control center and a spacecraft simulator. A meteorite exhibit features fragments of several famous meteorites, including a piece of the Allende, Chihuahua, Mexico carbonaceous chondrite meteorite, which fell to the Earth on Feb. 8, 1969. This is the most primitive type of meteorite known contains interstellar grains (stardust) and is believed to have formed during an explosion of a supernova/red giant star before the birth of the solar system, making it one of the oldest substances known to man.

Supper Club - Saturday, May 16, 2009

2009-05-18T10:01:00.002-05:00

Ed and Peg treated us fine this month with huge piles of jumbo shrimp, corn on the cob, potatoes, mushrooms and onion that were cooked outside. The cool front was blowing in that evening and we had a few showers but everyone had a great time. There was a lack of interest in a November cruise so we will need to have other activities.

Ashland Retiree Quarterly Business Luncheon - Wednesday, May 13, 2009

2009-05-13T09:49:00.002-05:00

We will meet at 11:30 am at Sugar Creek Country Club in Sugar Land. We will drive to 420 Sugar Creek Blvd. Lunch will be a choice of New York Steak or Chicken Marsala.

This will be the election of officers and directors for the fiscal year startin July 1, 2009. I am the nominee for President of our club.

Monday, May 11, 2009 - Silver Eagles Lunch

2009-05-09T10:30:00.000-05:00

Mothers Day - Sunday, May 10, 2009

2009-05-09T10:25:00.001-05:00

We have a soccer game for the twins on Saturday and then a picnic in a park aferwards. At age 5, they do not count the scores but they enjoy running up and down the field with their uniforms with a sponser name and their name and number. Ted is too young to play in the league but enjoys being a mascot.

We have a big day planned for Sunday with a trip to Galveston and Moody Gardens. We have a years pass for the 7 of us so we can take in the Aquarium Pyramid, Rainforest Pyramid, IMAX 3D Theater, 4D Special FX Theater, Palm Beach, Discovery Pyramid, Ridefilm Theater and Colonel Paddlewheel Boat.

Friday, May 1, 2009 - Homecoming

2009-04-30T22:03:00.003-05:00

Friday morning, Donna and I are driving to Alexandria, Louisiana to get with David, Linda, Mary Dawn and Carl for Homecoming. Ted, who is 3, will go with us as it is hard to have a weekend pass without some grandchild contact. He enjoys playing at Mary Dawn and Carl’s home with their four children.

The crowd will be a little smaller this year as some of the family had other commitments and could not make the trip. It is always a good time at Liberty Chapel Cemetery greeting the extended family and friends and having a potluck lunch at the church in Grant Parish.

Columbus, TX - April 23, 2009 - Ashland Retiree Club

2009-04-23T23:56:00.001-05:00

The Harris County Pct 3 bus had our group of 16 at the Chamber of Commerce office that is located in the 1886 Stafford Opera House before 10 am. We met our with Kim Dyer and paid our fee for the tour and our docent, Al Hubenak, took our ARCOT group to a meeting room and gave us a 30 plus minute talk on the history of the Columbus area. He told us how the Sheriff had shot the richest man in the State of Texas in a gun battle in downtown Columbus in the late 1800's. The town had a problem with law enforcement and there were many people killed by assassination in the town. The economy of the town declined because of the lack of investment when the Sheriff killed the wealthiest man in the state and the farmers in the area went elsewhere to shop as they were afraid of coming into town because it was dangerous. The city unincorporated for several years so the County Sheriff would take over the law enforcement.

As you can tell, the town had a old west reputation. We went upstares to see the largest flat floor opera house in the state. Our group then went to the Confederate Museum which was located in the old fire tower. It had a water tank on top that was destroyed in the 1909 hurricane. Our group then went to the Colorado County Courthouse that was built in 1881. We sat under the large dome in the court room while Al Hubenak told us more history of the courthouse. Our group picture was made in front of the Judge's Bench. We then went to the 3rd floor to see the Grand Jury room and the wood table that has the Colorado County Seal in the middle.

We had the opportunity to see the tree stump where court was held before the court house was built in 1881. The bus drive took our group by the hanging tree where many persons met their demise. We then stopped at the 2nd largest oak tree in our state which is located in Columbus.

A fine lunch was enjoyed at Schobels Restaurant before the bus returned us to Houston.

Monday, April 13, 2009 - Silver Eagles Lunch

2009-04-12T09:20:00.000-05:00

Easter Sunday Brunch – April 12, 2009

2009-04-12T09:16:00.000-05:00

The family will meet at Lasagna House III today for brunch and then go to John’s home to eat an Easter Bunny cake that will also serve as Dan’s birthday cake. The ears and bow tie are chocolate with white icing and the face is made with yellow cake and white icing with the appropriate decorations.

Beaumont Trip - Wednesday, April 1, 2009

2009-03-31T13:01:00.003-05:00

Donna and I will drive over to Beaumont on Wednesday and she will work for our government a couple of days while I enjoy visiting the sites of our old home town. On Friday, Dan and Tammy and the boys will come over and we will do the South Texas State Fair on the weekend. The twins are 5 and Ted is 3 so the Fair should be a good experience. They had a fun time at the Houston Fat Stock Show and Rodeo and Jackson rode the mechanical bull. I will take my notebook computer so I can keep up with the email.

Les Misérables - Sunday, March 29, 2009

2009-03-24T11:41:00.000-05:00

TUTS fosters an extraordinarily diverse range of performing arts from right here in Houston. Donna and I will go on a Harris County Pct 4 bus to the Hobby Center to enjoy this musical.

Adapted from the classic Victor Hugo novel, the musical theater phenomenon Les Misérables has a score by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg (Miss Saigon), with lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer. One of the world’s best-loved musicals, it is the longest running musical in London’s West End, and arguably the longest continuously-running musical in the world. This immensely popular entertainment has been seen by over 53 million people worldwide in 38 countries and been performed in 21 languages. There are over 35 recordings of the score, again in several languages. Following the life of the fugitive Jean Valjean, his foster daughter Cosette, and his relentless pursuer Javert against a backdrop of the French Revolution, Les Misérables reminds us that we are each part of the same human family---that whatever our outward differences may be, our longings for individual liberty and peace are the same.

Ashland Retiree Trip to Danevang, TX - Thursday, March 26, 2009

2009-03-24T11:35:00.001-05:00

The Danevang Cultural Center is a three-acre museum complex and includes the following exhibits:

Pioneer Home, built in 1896, was moved from its original farm site to the Center and restored to its original floor plan. The furniture and appliances recall life in Danevang from the 1890s through World War I.

Hansen Shed is an "on the farm" museum that houses the private collection of Harold and Ella Hansen. It was donated to the center and moved to the current site in 1993. Many artifacts also donated to the center are on display.

Danish Cultural Museum, dedicated in June 2001, depicts the local Danish community and its background, a history of the Viking era, cotton and grain farming history in the area, and the community's school, family and social history. Visitors can also see Harold Hansen's extensive barbed wire collection.

The ladies of the local community will prepare our lunch and guide our tour. We will also visit the historical Danevang Evangelical Lutheran Church and cemetery.

On our return, the Harris County Pct 3 bus will stop at Prasek's Hillje Smokehouse just south of El Campo. We plan to bring a cooler (ice chest) for some fresh sausage, bacon or meat to bring home.

Hooters - Monday, March 23, 2009

2009-03-15T18:59:00.003-05:00

Donna and I are meeting friends at Hooters for a wing party that includes draft beer, tea, coffee and soft drinks. This will be a good time with a large group of friends.

Wednesday, March 18, 2009 - ARCOT

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Ashland Retirees Club of Texas will meet at 11:30 am at Landry's Seafood on Westheimer for their quarterly business luncheon. This restaurant has a buffet lunch with a lot of good Gulf Coast seafood.

We will get a headcount for our bus trip on March 26 to Danevang, TX to tour the Danish Cultural Museum and the Danevang Evangelical Lutheran Church and cemetery. On our return to Houston, we will stop at the Prasek's Hillje Smokehouse just south of El Campo for some fresh sausage, bacon or meat to bring home.

Monday, March 9, 2009 - Silver Eagles Lunch

2009-03-03T11:06:00.000-06:00

Houston Museum of Natural Science - Thursday, Feb 19, 2009

2009-02-17T11:29:00.003-06:00

Our Ashland Retiree Club of Texas will take a Harris County Pct 3 bus to the Houston Museum of Natural Science this Thursday. One of our members is a docent that wil take us through The Birth of Christianity: A Jewish Story.

The Ossuary on display bears an inscription that reads “Alexander, son of Simon of Cyrene.” According to the New Testament Gospels, Simon of Cyrene was forced to bear Jesus’ cross on his way to be crucified.

View the earliest known manuscript containing the story of Christ's birth in the oldest known copy of the New Testament Book of Luke. Examine other ancient manuscripts including the prophetic Old Testament Book of Isaiah - one of the original Dead Sea Scrolls found at Qumran. Witness history first hand and be among the first to view a host of other authentic artifacts from this fascinating time and place, which to this day remains one of the world's most important and influential cultural intersections.

Lunch will be at the Cleburne Cafeteria.

Saturday, February 14, 2009 - Valentine's Day

2009-02-13T12:25:00.003-06:00

Donna and I will get on the Harris County Precinct 4 bus at 10 am to ride to Galveston with the Cypresswood 50 Plus Club. We will bring a folding chair to watch the Galveston Mardi Gras Kick-off Parade followed by eating at Mario’s and then walking the Strand. Lunch is the only cost at this time as the county furnishes the bus, driver and fuel at no cost to our club.

Hurricane Ike hit Galveston very hard but the hotels and restaurants are back and the business along the Strand is getting back to normal. Mardi Gras is a big event in Galveston and a hurricane will not stop the fun and festivities.

On Sunday, Donna and i celebrate 47 years of marriage. This is a big weekend.

Cypresswood 50 Plus Club - Tuesday, Feb 10, 2009

2009-02-09T11:37:00.001-06:00

Our Cypresswood 50 Plus Club meeting is Tuesday at 7 pm at the East Clubhouse. We will have have a guest speaker talking about separating myths from truth in your financials. Dean, our Activities Chairman, will discuss what he has scheduled for our club for the next several months.

Cypresswood 50 Plus Club

Dean has scheduled our trips on the Harris County Precinct 4 bus that is furnished free to our group to visit activities within 150 miles of our subdivision. Dean has sold his home in Cypresswood and will be moving to a condo he has purchased on Padre Island. We will miss his support for our group as he has done a fantastic job with the activities he has arranged.

Our group is going to Galveston later this month to watch a Mardi Gras parade and shop the Strand. The bus driver and fuel are free so our only cost is lunch at Mario's.

Monday, Feb 9, 2009 - Silver Eagles Lunch

2009-02-09T11:19:00.000-06:00

It is time for chicken wings and beer again so our Silver Eagles will meet for lunch at Hooter's on FM 1960 at I-45 to enjoy fine food in pleasant surroundings.

Silver Eagles Poem

The second Monday of each month is the day we retired guys have wings and beer at Hooters. We go at 1:15 pm to avoid the lunch hour rush. Many are from our subdivision but we also are joined by area friends.

Sunday, Feb 1, 2009 - Super Bowl XLIII party

2009-02-01T14:38:00.002-06:00

Don and Donna are getting ready for the big Super Bowl XLIII party at Ed and Peg's home. The Arizona Cardinals vs Pittsburgh Steelers are the teams to watch and Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band will give us the halftime entertainment.

This is a tradition with the Holtens and the crowd always has a great time with the many TV's including one at the bar out by his pool. Ed will have lots of sandwich and soup with the appetizers to go with the open bar.

Saturday, January 17, 2009 - Liberty of the Seas

2009-01-05T14:03:00.003-06:00

Donna and I will catch the SupperShuttle to IAH for our Continental Airline nonstop to Miami on Friday, Jan 16. We hope to get some Florida Stone Crab for dinner that evening.

Liberty of the Seas - Jan 2009

On Saturday, we will board the Liberty of the Seas for a Eastern Caribbean cruise. This one goes to San Juan, Puerto Rico; Phillipsburg, Sint Maarten and Laberdee, Haiti. The statistics on the vessel are below.

Tonnage: 154,407 gross register tons (GRT)
Length: 1,111.9 ft (338.91 m)
Beam: 184 ft (56.08 m)
Draught: 28 ft (8.53 m)
Speed: 21.6-knot (25 mph)
Decks: 18 total decks, 15 passenger decks
Number of Outside Rooms: 1254
Number of Inside Rooms: 561
Capacity: 4,370 passengers (double occupancy)
Crew: 1,300 crew (average)
Registry: Bahamas

Monday, Jan 12, 2009 - Silver Eagles Lunch

2009-01-05T14:01:00.000-06:00

It is time for chicken wings and beer again so our Silver Eagles will meet for lunch at Hooter's on FM 1960 at I-45 to enjoy fine food in pleasant surroundings.

Silver Eagles Poem

Sunday, Dec 28, 2008 - Santa's Wonderland

2008-12-29T11:22:00.004-06:00

The family made the trip to Santa's Wonderland near College Station Sunday evening. Donna and I met Dan, Tammy and the 3 grandsons in Tomball and rode with them for dinner at Double Dave's Pizza in College Station. Then down to the Christmas lights at the Santa's Wonderland. We toured the old western town and warmed by the bonfire while enjoying the country western music and Christmas carols.

The hayride behind a pickup truck was fun as our group of seven were the only people on this trip. Jackson enjoyed the gator eating the frog and Matthew liked the reindeer fired from the cannon. Ted was enjoying it all.

Merry Christmas - Dec 24, 2008

2008-12-24T15:34:00.003-06:00

Donna and I are enjoying the Christmas spirit and looking forward to this evening with Dan and Tammy and the boys. In knowing about all the snow and ice in the northern part of the U.S., it was funny to go out this morning at 6 am in a t-shirt and shorts to get the newspaper. It was 72 at that time but only warmed up to 74 deg today.

On Christmas Day, we will all be at Dan and Tammy's for a late lunch and celebrate the day with all of the related family and a few friends. We have enjoyed this season very much with the Supper Club party at Bonnie and Bill's last Saturday and the Gift exchange with the drawing of numbers. We also had our Christmas dinner with the Cypresswood 50 Plus Club and the lunch with the Ashland Retiree Club.

We wish all our family and friends a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Saturday, Dec 13, 2008 - Donna's Birthday

2008-12-17T11:45:00.001-06:00

Donna celebrated her 69th Birthday on Dec 13th. We had dinner at the Outback and enjoyed a Coconut Shrimp appetizer and 11 oz steaks with baked potato and sawtayed mushrooms. On Sunday, we had the full celebration at Dan and Tammy’s home with cake, pie and ice cream with all the family. Jackie, Tammy's Dad, shares the same birth date with Donna so we had a good time with all.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008 - Ashland Quarterly Luncheon

2008-12-06T16:44:00.000-06:00

We will have a cash bar at 11:30 am and lunch starting at noon at the Sugar Creek Country Club at 420 Sugar Creek Blvd, 281.494.9131. We will have a choice of New York steak or Chicken Marsala. We will have our White Elephant gift exchange and no guest speaker. Ashland Retiree's Club of Texas must be out of the room by 2 pm.

Ashland Retiree's Club

Tuesday, Dec 9, 2008 - Christmas with the 50 Plus Club

2008-12-06T16:42:00.000-06:00

Our club will have the Christmas dinner at the Olive Garden in the Woodlands at 7 pm. This will be in place of our normal meeting at the East Clubhouse.

Cypresswood 50 Plus Club

Harris County Precinct 4 provides a free bus and driver for our club activities but we will drive to the restaurant for our Christmas dinner.

Monday, Dec 8, 2008 - Silver Eagles Lunch

2008-12-06T16:40:00.001-06:00

It is time for chicken wings and beer again so our Silver Eagles will meet for lunch at Hooter's on FM 1960 at I-45 to enjoy fine food in pleasant surroundings.

Silver Eagles Poem

Sunday, Nov 16, 2008 - Carnival Conquest

2008-11-05T12:15:00.005-06:00

Donna and I will sail from Galveston to visit the ports of Montego Bay, Jamaica; Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands and Cozumel, Mexico on a 7 night Western Caribbean cruise. This 110,000 DWT ship is not quite as large as the Voyager of the Seas that we did in February which was also out of Galveston. They have Italian officers on the Carnival Conquest.

Carnival Conquest - Nov 2008

We are joined this trip by our son Dan and his wife Tammy and the 3 grandsons. Donna has been wanting to take the boys for two years now but the twins turn 5 and Ted 3 just before we sail so they are big enough to enjoy a boat ride. My brother David and his wife Linda are also with us on this cruise.

Monday, Nov 10, 2008 - Silver Eagles Lunch

2008-11-05T12:13:00.000-06:00

It is time for chicken wings and beer again so our Silver Eagles will meet for lunch at Hooter's on FM 1960 at I-45 to enjoy fine food in pleasant surroundings.

Silver Eagles Poem

Thursday, Oct 23, 2008 - Alexandria Trip

2008-11-05T12:06:00.002-06:00

Donna and I drove over to Louisiana to visit my brother and his wife. Celio was visiting from San Pedro, California and we wanted to have the opportunity to talk with him as we had not visited since our Mexican Riviera cruise out of LA last November.

We were joined by David's daughter Mary Dawn and her husband Carl and family for a great seafood buffet that evening. Everyone had a good time.

Silver Eagles - Monday, Oct 13, 2008

2008-10-08T22:06:00.001-05:00

It is time for chicken wings and beer again so our Silver Eagles will meet for lunch at Hooter's on FM 1960 at I-45 to enjoy fine food in pleasant surroundings.

Silver Eagles Poem

Sunday, October 12, 2008 - Texas Renaissance Festival

2008-10-08T21:50:00.007-05:00

Our Cypresswood 50 Plus Club has a Harris County Pct 4 bus reserved for the fun day. We leave at 1:30 PM from the East Clubhouse for the Texas Renaissance Festival.

Texas Renaissance Festival

Click on the link to visit the website.

Priscilla's Retirement Party - Saturday, October 11, 2008

2008-10-08T21:41:00.003-05:00

Bonnie and Bill are having a party at their home for Priscilla. We have been in our Supper Club group for over 25 years and enjoy getting together with our friends.

Ed and Peg Holten had Supper Club at their home on October 4 but I was in Alexandria, Louisiana to celebrate my 70th birthday with my twin brother David.

Election 2008

2008-10-08T21:38:00.002-05:00

I cast my vote early in the November 4 Presidential Election. You can see by the photo below where my support is.

Click on image for a larger view.

Hurricane Ike - September 12, 2008

2008-09-27T10:37:00.006-05:00

Donna and I will remember this storm for a long time. I experienced the wind and rain from our home and she was at her Dad's home to watch over him. The wind in our subdivision was at 80 mph sustained with higher gusts. The picture shows the surprise at the power of a wave hitting the Galveston seawall about 12 hours before Ike came ashore. Normally, there are gentle waves on a sand beach about 15' below the Galveston seawall.

We lost our power for two weeks but had a generator for our second week without power to run a small refrigerator, fan and a couple of electric lights and one TV. The cable did not work so any TV picture was full of snow. We were glad that we had a gas hot water heater so were able to take both warm and cold showers. Without A/C, a cold shower was always good before going to bed. Our only damage was the two wind turbines were blown off the roof and we lost a section of fence. Of oourse, food in the refrigerator and freezer went into the garbage. A lot of flashlight batteries were burnt along with candles during the two weeks after the storm.

You appreciate good neighbors that stop by to bring you ice and help with things that need to be fixed. The traffic gridlock from the loss of traffic lights in a major city increased travel time and gas lines were long during the first few days.