With the holiday over, we used Saturday morning to “deconstruct” Christmas decorations, and it sure took less time to deconstruct—3 1/2 house—than for Kay to decorate.  With the house back to normal and looking empty, we concentrated on getting the motorhome ready for travel to south Texas for our abbreviated winter there.  Most of the packing had been done prior to the holiday, and since we’re packing light this year, we lacked only last minute items.  When de-winterizing, a leak revealed itself above the the potable water pump compartment when the pump was activated.  Consequently, we didn’t know whether or not we would have water, without leaks, when hooked up to “city” water, and packed several gallons of water for cooking and flushing.  Also, we noted the chassis battery was weak (the motorhome has three batteries, two for the coach or house part of the motorhome, and one for the chassis, or engine and drive train part of the motorhome); oh well, it could be replaced upon arrival in the Rio Grande Valley since we could start the engine using the auxiliary start button (taking advantage of the coach batteries).   Also, three wireless security cameras were installed in the house.

We delayed our departure until the forecast showed a low probability of rain 20% or less, and Monday morning the persistent rain finally stopped, or at least we thought.  We hooked up the Honda, and departed the storage facility, headed to Texas.  Just as we passed the gate exiting the Village, I realized my hearing aids were still in the house bedroom, so the motorhome was turned around, driven to the house, and the hearing aids recovered.  On the way back out, we passed friend Jim Passe who had drive over to say good-bye.  We pulled over, and exchanged good-byes, and were off for the Rio Grande Valley.  The first day’s travel was slightly less than 200 miles, all in a misting rain with 20-25 mph headwinds, as we stopped at Johnson Creek Campground, Lake O’ The Pines, Texas, about an hour south of Texarkana.  This is a US Army Corps of Engineers campground heavily used by locals, and they seem to occupy spaces even without reservations or paying.  Consequently, after being assigned a space, we found it to be occupied, and we drove around the campground with the motorhome 3 times before finally being assigned another spot.  Electrical connections were made and the hose was hooked-up, and voila, the leak did not appear—hallelujah and praise the Lord!

Our second day’s travel took us further south almost 300 miles with partly sunny skies and little to no wind.  We arrived just after noon at Colorado Landing RV and Mobile Home park at LaGrange, Texas.  We have stopped there many times enroute to and from the Valley.  Many of the RV sites were empty when we arrived but quickly filled as the afternoon wore on.  We had a late lunch at Las Fuentes Mexican restaurant near the RV park, and it was great; enough food was left over for another meal or two.  

A light rain fell through the night, forcing us to load up for the final day’s travel in wet conditions.  The light rain and a slight tailwind continued throughout the day, otherwise the trip was uneventful.  Gasoline was relatively inexpensive for the trip down, as we payed $1.699 per gallon for 93 octane at one stop and $1.519 per gallon at Victoria, Texas.  Other prices were in the $1.70+ per gallon.  We arrived at Bentsen Palm Village RV Resort, our winter home, at about 1:30 PM, welcomed by all our neighbors in “Circle 3”.  It really feels good to be here, despite the cool, wet weather.

This reporting period began with one of the most important events of the year for Kay, Book Club Christmas party.  As has become typical, when Book Club meets in Hot Springs Village, most of the ladies arrive a day early and spend the evening at Oaklawn, enjoying the games of chance—some more than others!  And then the big day arrives and they eat, drink, and exchange gifts; they are truly sisters from another mother. Jackie hosted this year’s Christmas Book Club meeting.

We wrapped up the remaining medical appointments for the year; I’ve been cancer free for 5 years, the cardiologist said he didn’t need to see me for another year, and Kay’s wrist has almost returned to normal from the tendonitis she’s suffered for several months—life’s good!

This time before Christmas also provided an opportunity to have breakfast with old friends, Ron and Ginger Hicks, and dinner with new friends, Mike and Susan Cigleman.

As the week before Christmas progressed, Kay had minor surgery for skin cancer, with accompanying bandages around her nose; people will think I’m an evil husband.

The Adams came to celebrate Christmas on December 23, spending the night.  We had a great time with them;   made fried apricot pies for Karyn, her favorite, and Ridge and Aker were full of life, having a great time at KK and DDs.  Santa called Ridge, and Mrs. Claus informed him that he made the “nice” list.  

He fist pumped at the news, as there was some doubt after the previous few days!  Watching his reaction was priceless.  On Christmas Eve we celebrated gift giving with a brunch and gift opening including Karyn, Matt, Ridge, and Aker, and Ron, Cheryl, and Kaden.  It was delightful!  We spent a quiet Christmas Eve afternoon, and enjoyed a packed Carols and Candlelight ceremony at church. 

We awoke early Christmas morning and made the trip to Memphis to celebrate gift opening with Jenny, Harper, and Brian.  And then, Jenny prepared a great dinner for us all, including her mother and her mother’s husband.  A good time was had by all.  We drove back to Hot Springs Village, took it easy for the evening, and said goodbye to another holiday, at least at home this time, our first in 4 years.

The holiday season is in full swing in Hot Springs Village, with musical performances seemingly every night.  And, as the year draws to a close, semi-annual medical appointments abound.  In between are social events for Kay and golf for Donald, weather permitting.  Speaking of weather, temperatures have been above normal for much of early December, with rain scattered every few days.

We began the month taking care of of Ridge and Aker for a couple of days while their parents were working out of town—not sure how young working families do it these days—returning to the Village during the daytime for Kay’s initiation into P.E.O. (Philanthropic Educational Organization) an organization whose mission is the furtherance of education for women.  We returned to north Arkansas early in the month for semi-annual dentist visits, having lunch with former neighbors and good friends, Wayne and Loretta, along the way.  Kay returned to central Arkansas to baby-sit Aker, away from school for a few days because of an illness.  Sandwiched in between all these activities, she attended numerous luncheons and other social activities—she’s obviously the social butterfly of the family—while I played an occasional round of golf.  I even dug the bicycles out for cleaning and lubricating, and managed a ride or two.  The hills here in the Village kicked butt and tested lungs and legs, making for short rides.

This is our first Christmas season at home since 2011, and Kay has done a super job decorating the house (photos in next week’s blog).  She has wrapped seemingly tons of presents, so there are lots of packages under the tree.  It will be fun watching Ridge and Harper open presents this year.  We had looked forward to baking, but we don’t need the empty calories and there is no one to give the food too as our neighbors are in similar eating straits—what a shame.

The suet feeders hanging off the deck are attracting a few birds, and along with Lake Estrella behind the house, provide some decent photo opportunities for the usual array of suspects:  Eastern Bluebirds, Carolina Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, Carolina Wrens, Crows, White-breasted Nuthatches, Red-bellied and Downy Woodpeckers, Mallards, and Buffleheads.  Our first Yellow-rumped Warbler appeared at the sunroom window on December 14, but as typical with warblers, didn’t stay in enough for a photo.

Notable among the various Christmas musical performances in the Village were the HSV Mens’ Chorus/P.E.O. Singers and the cantata at our church.The Village Men’s Chorus is the first musical group to be formed in the Village, 1971, and currently has 35 members.  The P.E.O. Singers is made up of members from the 6 chapters of P.E.O. in the Village.  The Christmas cantata at Christ of the Hills United Methodist Church was the best we’ve ever attended.  The choir was comprised of 60+ members and was complemented by a 17 piece orchestra.  Despite some songs having ranges difficult for professional singers, the choir handled them well.  And the symphony added a huge value to the performance.  Well done!

With respect to medical appointments, we’ve had more medical-related visits since living in the Village than at any other similar time in our marriage—wonder if it is something in the water!  Actually, several of them were “new” patient visits, and others simply because we’re aging; no one told us it was going to be like this.

One other item worth mentioning is that we’re going to have new neighbors.  The lot next door, across the common area/boat launch, has been cleared and the footings were placed.  The house will go up fast.