Forty-degree temps drove us indoors
at the beginning of the month.
On the first, we became pickleball
groundhogs-in-reverse and went indoors
in Harlingen to play. Over 30 people came.
Yesterday, we went museum-hopping. The
McAllen Science Museum had
a children's garden. I harvested celery! :-)
we stopped in San Juan
at the Gelman Museum of Stained Glass.
There are almost 200 original
stained-glass windows in a church-setting
This is the newest one, installed
in 2022, created by an Italian artist.
Google gelmanmuseum.org
Cousin Leon and Lisa came to the Valley to
see their granddaughter who is with the
Border Patrol. On Sunday, Feb. 5th,
we took them to experience
the Los Ebanos ferry, the only
hand-driven ferry in the U.S.
It can transport up to three vehicles
from the Texas to the Mexican side
of the Rio Grande River.
Four men pull and maneuver the ropesto propel the ferry. It costs $2.00 to go
to Mexico and $1.00 to come back to Texas.
Passports/official ID's are checked upon return.
Monday, Feb. 6th, took the cousins to Space X
Lisa and Leon on the bridge to Nuevo Progreso,
Finished painting. I named it "No Birds."
Thursday, the 9th, Clayton's was packed!
The sun came out later, and I had
We drove to South Padre Island
Stayed overnight on the island,
February 18th was "La Feria Days Festival"
La Feria high school Folklorico dancers entertained...
The car show was a lesson in history...
After the ferry ride, we went to La Hoya
to watch the high school students perform
in the annual mariachi/folklorico competition.
They performed a variety of songs and
dances for two hours! Then we went
to the San Juan Basilica and
to Reyna's BBQ! Got back to the park
in time for card Bingo in the clubhouse.
Wendy won $4.80!
and then across the three-mile Causeway Bridge
to South Padre Island.
Mexico, on Tuesday, February 7th.
Vicente painting a winter scene for Diane.
His tools are spray cans of paint, crumpled
plastic bags and paper, sandpaper, and toothpicks.
(You had to be there.)
to take off both of my jackets! :-)
on the 13th. Bob rode his bike
from the south end of the island
to Clayton's on the north end.
I went shopping and picked him up.
We went to dinner at the Meatball Café
before going to see "The Man of La Mancha"
came home on the 14th, and
went to dinner at Applebee's.
Thanks everyone for all the
birthday gifts and messages! :-)
We bought lunch from the food booths,
and sat by the memorial to eat.
this is a 1956 4-door Chevy Bel Air wagon.
The owners are sitting in the chairs behind Bob.
We did go to Space X from the airport. Space X 
From Space X we went to South Padre Island
Every day at sundown, the bagpiper and his little brother 
Anyone want to buy a grill....$500
On the way to Brownsville for the Charro Days
We enjoyed a lot of mariachi and other music,
several middle school marching bands,
There were a few "little" mechanics
along the road! :-)
Bob told me that son-in-law Doug had a meeting
in Houston and wanted to come to see Space X.
So, I went along to the airport...and SURPRISE!
It wasn't Doug, but Brenda! They had planned
this for two months and kept it a secret!
is located east of Brownsville, Texas, at Boca Chica.
Bob is explaining the system and history to Brenda.
This transporter takes the booster and the Starships
to the launch site. It was in the parking lot where we stopped.
The road to Space X is full of Texas history.
This camp was built in 1846 for soldiers
who volunteered to fight the war
against Mexico with General Zachary Taylor.
And this was the site of the last battle of the Civil War!
These palmetto pilings are the remains of the
Boca Chica railroad from the inlet to White's
Ranch on the Rio Grande. It was begun in 1864
by General Herron and completed in 1865
by General Sheridan to transport military supplies.
General Zachary Taylor built a bridge 1000 feet north
of this from Brazos Santiago for the same purpose.
and Bob gave Brenda the tour from the south
to the north end.
We ate at Lobo del Mar--a restaurant on the Laguna Madre.
play The National Anthem and Amazing Grace.
(I think they were maybe 12 and 6 years old).
parade, we stopped at the Harlingen Visitor
Center so Brenda could have her photo
taken with George Strait.
Charro Days is a week-long celebration of the friendship
between Brownsville, Texas, and Matamoros, Mexico,
which began in 1938! The February 25th parade featured
entries from both countries. Here are their flags.
several middle school marching bands,
adult day care residents dancing in the street,
and even dancing horses.
Afterwards, we ate at the Vermillion restaurant.
On Sunday, the 26th, we took Brenda
Monday was Mexico day!
Brenda...in the US and Mexico
Santa and his reindeer showed up, too,
among the 164 entries in the 2 1/2 hour parade.
to the Basilica of San Juan for the
9:00 Mass. She treated us to breakfast
at El Rancho Grande, and then we
went to see "The Sound of Music"
at the Harlingen Arts Center.
After eating a quick supper at home,
Brenda and Diane went to play
Card Bingo. Brenda won 23 nickels!
with the Rio Grande River in the background...
We went to Nana's for lunch...back in the US
for Mexican food :-)
Brenda was updating my computer, so
while it was "doing its thing,"
we went to the pool. Temps were in the high 80-90
range during her entire visit!
