Sunday February 14, 2010...Returned to the cold

I returned to Missouri from the Rio Grande Valley of Texas and now I can say that “I've been there and done that”. But I want to do that again!

February in the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas is green and warm. Their coolest day was with a high in the 50s and many days in the 70s and 80s. No snow, just sunshine and warm breezes. I definitely want to go back.

Another nice thing about that area is the friendly people – they actually welcome visitors (snowbirds or winter Texans) with open arms. There are thousands of retirees that go down there annually for the great weather and there are many activities designed just for the older generations. Many folks have trailers or mobile homes that they leave down there to visit 4-6 months each year.

I understand that the summers are very hot (many days over 100) but the winters are great! It was nice to sit outside in a lawn chair and enjoy the blue skies and puffy white clouds in early February. By the way, the Mexican food is great – not too hot and very flavorful with plenty of home grown fresh vegetables.

It's supposed to snow today here in Missouri – I miss the warmth. Next year!

Tuesday February 9, 2010...Hola, Amigos!

I was just getting up from my morning nap and thought I would drop a note while awake. It's really terrible down here in the warmth and the gentle springlike breezes. I feel so guilty having this great weather and blue skies and greenery while the rest of the states are shoveling themselves out of terrible snowstorms. It's enough to make you lose your appetite for the fresh fruit that grows all around. Guilt makes it hard to fall asleep at siesta time - well maybe not "hard" - maybe "less easy". But I will survive and carry on. The ocean with it's gentle lapping waves was warm and blue and the sky with it's fluffy clouds was a deep blue - and the sun was very bright and just a bit too warm, so we could only spend a few hours on the beach before frequenting one of the wonderful restaurants in the area. There are a lot of retirees out and about and since I am one of the younger ones, it makes me feel springier. That's a nice feeling!

It will be hard to return to the harsh cold reality of winter after this dreamlike vacation here in the eternal springtime of south Texas. Adios for now.