I wanted to comment about the solar windmills. There are many area's in Texas who are using them and with a good amount of success. Mostly, the comments I've heard and read about around Texas is that they are pleased.
Here in Kerrville, the Guadalupe River runs the full length of the city. The river authorities work very hard to make sure it maintains it's eco-balance. The area is very beautiful. There are solar panels throughout different area's. The area I live in uses them and we see a credit each month on our electric bill, which is pretty nice. It's not a huge amount of credit, but some credit is def. better than no credit.
I call Kerrville, "My Camelot" for a reason. The size of the city is the perfect size for me, even though it has increased in population since I moved here in '89. The surrounding small towns are so interesting to visit, as Jim and Kathy can attest to, during their visit. If I need serious medical treatment, although the local medical options are good, I can be sent to San Antonio, TX, which is an hour away. The same applies, if I need to zip into San Antonio for some bigger shopping options. Kerrville, is teasingly called by the senior's, "the land of the living dead." This is because it is in the top 5 in the United States as having the richest (money-wise) pop. So, the elders, "rule the roost." The younger generations work in the medical fields and elder care fields taking care of their needs. A lot of career orientated, commute to San Antonio and surrounding cities. There is a lot of ranch land.
I have been single for 32 years. I have been thinking lately that maybe I have been too picky. But it sounds like a good hunting ground to match my list: 98 years old, no living relatives, extremely wealthy, AND a doctor's note saying he will die in two weeks. If you find a guy like that, let me know
Debbie, that is too funny! Good luck filling that list.
We had an update on the news last night regarding the wind turbines offshore. They are going to be 19 miles offshore---not 13. Don't think that will be a horrible eyesore.
We put solar on our roof June of 2015 and will have recovered the cost sometime in 2021. The largest recovery came from the Feds and Delaware. We are very happy with the lower electric bills! We can't go off grid because we don't have batteries to store the produced electric, but if the grid goes down, we do bave a propane generator. So far the longest we have been on the generator was a little over 24 hours. Inconvenient, but nothing like others have had to deal with.
quoit>Ha Deb....I wish I could say I could find someone like that, even here in elder-land!! The women to men ratio here is 5 women to every man...ha!! I found that out when I went to a Senior's dance not too long after my last husband passed. One man showed up and at least half a dozen Women rushed him, asking for him to dance with them. And, they were not nice about it either...they were out for blood!! It is almost the same here in my senior community. There will be a meeting in the meeting room an "if" one man shows up, you here, "Oh so and so sit here, Oh come sit over here!" I mean, you would think they were at a male strip show. These quiet little grey haired ladies turn into huge agressive personalities....ha. As for me, I've outlived 3 of my 4 husband's and hell will have to freeze over before i will even consider even a date. I am sure I went way past my Quota, ha!
Happy Birthday BILL LEGGETT and may your next year be easier than your last. Thanks for all you do and one of these days-weeks-months, your red pepper birthday present will arrive.
Now I am thoroughly confused regarding your post....did you mean to say the MEN rushed a MAN and asked him to dance or the WOMEN rushed the ONLY MAN?! Thanks for clearing that up for me!
Debbie, I love your requirements for a man! Hahaha. It sounds like you are perfectly happy with your life without a man in it and that is fine. I have always believed it the best strategy is to be honest and straightforward in relationships. That way no one is surprised or confused. That being said, I was married to the same man for 45 years and very happy about it which was perfect for me. Was he perfect? No, but neither am I ! I was blessed to have him for so long and he felt the same way. I felt we only made it that long because of open communication and neither one of us liked conflict. We adjusted to each other’s idiosyncrasies over time. I’m not saying it was easy but it was worth it. Now I find myself adjusting to a “new” normal that I did not want nor did I ask for it. But here it is anyway. I don’t know what the rest of my life will offer, but I charge forward hoping for the best God has to offer me. I sincerely wish the same for everyone. No one should be alone if they don’t want to be; likewise, no one should be in a loveless unhappy relationship either. I hope I don’t become a hermit in my old age or one of those old women chasing down the only man left standing in the old folks home! Just shoot me now please! I will definitely go down laughing however! Lol maybe we should all end up at the same place where we can just dance and tell jokes and remember the fun times!
Your idea of us all being in the same old people home is the best idea I have ever heard of. We all have stories to tell and jokes to exchange and no stress friendships. I think you have just described heaven We'll now have to figure out how to get God to accomplish this idea.
I'm planning to get a place in Ruidoso or one of the small communities close. I am planning to get a 2 bedroom/2 bath home so there will places for people to come see me. All are welcome just not all at one time unless you bring sleeping bags.
I am so glad that we have our website and am so grateful to Jim and Bill
OK everyone. I just got caught up on all the new subjects and also saw that my friend, Terry Boone is headed for Machu Picchu. I hope he has a good time. To all who had birthdays, I hope they were good times had by all. Remember celebrating your birthday, is so much better than the alternative.
Also, I had my first great grandchild, Sierra Rose Marcum. She is a very cute little girl. I just got back from Russia and must say I enjoyed it greatly, especially the people. Friends people are people regardless of nationality. Prior to going, I read so many articles about how unfriendly they are. Well, I think otherwise. Using a translater app on my cell phone, I approached a cop in a very nice mall (again told they were unapproachable) and asked him where I could buy some vodka. Actually, I really wanted gin, but figured where there is vodka there must be gin. Anyway he pointed to the down escalator to a supermarket that consumed the entire lower floor. Sure 'nuff, I found it right away. Got back up the escalator...got the cop's attention...held up my paper bag...and then gave him a bow. And with a great big smile, he gave me a big thumbs up and nodded.
So I have read that talking about travel might be interpreted as bragging, I am going to tell everyone that traveling with my wife, Johnene is what I live for. We have a 14 year old car and live in an apartment that we enjoy. Once the insurance company settled with us for our Hurricane Michael destroyed house in Panama City, we looked around and determined to do something different than buying another house, that must be maintained. We put the money in the stock market and with Johnene's CPA business now being totally on the Internet, we have the time and money to see the world.
Day after tomorrow, we head for the four corners area to walk trails and to take photos. If you would like to see videos of some of our travels, here they are below. We have modified our priorities to do considerable travel. Laura (Knight) Atkins has also done considerabe travel and we love to compare stories. I hope when Terry gets back he shares some of his as well. If you have some travel stories, please post your memories.
Mardi, Thanks for clearing that up for me Mardi. I’m glad you live in such a nice community even though there are not enough men for every woman. I’m sure you have discovered lots of fun things to do anyway!
Debbie, I’m sure you will find just the right little place to call home! Keep us posted on your final decision.
Richard, That is a huge list of you tube videos on your travels! You two are really blessed with the good health to enjoy traveling and meeting new people. What treasures of memories you have.
Bill, Hope your birthday was a good one and you continue to enjoy those beautiful new great granbabies!
I hope everyone continues to share their stories and pictures of traveling. I am thoroughly enjoying them!
"DIE WITH MEMORIES, NOT DREAMS" -- A quote I heard today that sounds pretty good. Does anyone doubt that RICK MARCUM is full of memories? Great travel, Rick, and I think TERRY BOONE is in South America this week exploring. As for Kathy and me, we just try to keep seeing people and classmates. Having our RV worked on, we have been at Wines of the San Juan (River) in NW New Mexico for the past month. We will more than likely leave on Tuesday, pass thru Albuquerque, see DR JIM BROWN Wednesday or Thursday, then onto Arizona. We will be near PEGGY WARE KOGER and ROD WESTENBARGER (SE Phoenix) for a short while (11/1 - 11/13) then fly to Seattle for a month. Then onto Yuma, then Quartzsite (HAL HILL territory), then Palm Springs, CA for Christmas and New Years. Guess I will have to look up Willie Nelson's #1 fan, LINDA HENRY CROWDER'S mother while we are there. BARBARA BUZBEE, are you still there? Yes, then back to Yuma and probably going to see the New Christy Minstrels on Jan 11th in Quartzsite. BOYCE McFARLAND will be in South Carolina for a few weeks (maybe). MARY HUSEMOLLER is not certain how long she will be in Reno (her and Bill's old stomping grounds).
Anyone going to be near any of those places so we can visit with you too? Kathy and I just keep hanging around until we see you next time.
Jim, I love the photo of you and Kathy! Yes, making memories is the best! Also - thanks for sharing photos of Bobby & Ernie Allison. Love that cottage in Ouray! That's God's country . . . and my favorite state in the US!
Richard, you are so right -- people are people everywhere. Traveling is one of the ways to discover that, although we can find that locally, too, if we try. But my family - 4 generations now - has placed an emphasis on travel, and no one has pursued it like my older daughter and her oldest child. Your Russia story and my daughter's recent stories from Ukraine help remind me of the humanity behind the international news stories.
Bill - Happy birthday . . . a little belated!
Glad to hear Mardis and Diana's experience with wind turbines . . . yes, 19 miles off shore shouldn't affect tourists, I'd agree. We have some on the hills here in Western NY, but they are mostly ignored. It sounds as though your communities are more actively involved in seeking sustainability.
Then there's the talk about men . . . Mardi - outlived 3 out of 4? oh my! what a tumultuous time! I never remarried after my divorce . . . though there was one particularly interesting guy . . . However, at this stage of my life, I would hate to either give up my idiosyncratic schedule (I'm a really extreme night owl) or ask someone to put up with it. But if I were to consider it, I'd replace Deb's age requirement with a requirement that he be a good cook - and clean up the kitchen after himself! Then the 2-week clause could also go! ;)
Battery's dying & cord's in the other room - so that's it for tonight!
I see your point about changing the doctor's note for a cook and housekeeper. But you could always hire a maid for that stuff. Men tend to argue about having to do laundry. I'm just going to order pizza. I understand about the nightowl thing, I do that too. My brain just won't shut up. I find that old TV programs tend to help a bit. My best success comes when I watch the old Hopalong Cassidy movies works the best.
Debbie - I'm into "Major Crimes," "The Closer," and "Rizzoli & Isles" . . . although I think I know every plot. They're all on later, or I've DVR'd them! ;)
And I think I still want a chef/exceptional cook . . . maybe one who can do laundry too, although that's no biggie. Vacuuming, yes - a must! And if it's a man, so much the better! LOL!
I HATE OLD AGE and forgetting to take a picture of DICKIE DAVIS and PAM BERRY DAVIS when I was with them today. I did manage a picture of JIM BROWN and me but the website won't let me post a pic by phone. Oh well, you already know JIM B has far more hair then JIM W.
Robbin, when I want to go to sleep, I put on a basket ball game, works every time. Sometimes, I throw in a Hopalong Cassedy movie and get about half a movie to doze off.
Bill, you may do all of that but do you pick up your socks and put them in the hamper and put your used glass in the dish washer?
Jim, don't worry about getting older, think about it this way, people open doors for you, you can wear any thing (even if it doesn't match) and no one says anything about it, and most of all you get to use the old people menu and get discounts.
Donnia Gouge posted a really good picture on Facebook....for all of you FB followers. I love the graphics Bill, and the pumpkin patch cartoon is hysterical....you are too much!!
Well this is where I go into hibernation like an old bear....as I DO NOT do the "S" word.........SNOW!! I got stuck in some of the cold states for several years and when I finally got out of them, I breathed a huge sigh and said, "Thank You God" for getting me out of there. There are many that like the cold....but, I am just not one of them. I am that little kid that their Mama would get all bundled up with a snow suit, the mittens, the socks, the boots, and the head warmer......and I would look up and say...."I need to pee." I can never get all of my body parts participating to being warm at the same time....there is always a part that is still cold....ha.
Prayers for the California fires and prayers for the winds to die down. My heart is heavy for their losses and for the firefighter's and first responders who are working so very hard to get the fire contained.
May all of you be safe out there. Luv N Hugs from Mardi
First, Happy Birthday today to ROGER PRICE. Roger was always a nice guy (I've known him since Jr High) and fun in school. Roger, I hope you are loving living in So-Cal and check in sometime. It has been May since you signed onto the class website.
May I ask a favor of you wonderful classmates? I have two ladies I am concern about and if you know them, you may be also. If you knew them in high school, would you mind dropping them a card or letter to say "Hi" and you are "thinking of them?"
When I phoned MARGARET NICHOLS KUENZLER today, she was in bed. I cannot tell you about she or Billy's conditions but know that this wonderful classmate, who has done so much for our class, could use a bit of cheering up. Michaele AUSTIN KELLY is one of two people that Margaret has periodic contact with. That is how we are as a class. Like Margaret, you only trust two people with all the news and one of them is a family member and one is a classmate. Can you drop Margaret a note?
Margaret Nichols Kuenzler - 1301 Chico - Carlsbad, NM 88220
JILL WEBSTER REED has been very open about her dementia diagnosis. Her husband, Harold, has been wonderful and gave me permission to say this openly. Jill has Vascular Dementia. Unlike Alheimer's form of dementia where you do not know what you do not know, in Jill's dementia she knows when she does not know something that she should. It can be so frustrating. She has memory of years ago and high school and friends and her dad's murder, but may not remember if she had breakfast an hour ago. If you knew Jill, would you drop her a note while she remembers you?
There are many of our class who are suffering. If you care to share it with me, or the class, please drop me a note at JWhiteCLU@aol.com. Put RHS or GHS or something on subject line so I do not think it is junk mail and discard without opening.
TERRY BOONE has not checked in with me since he went to South America. I guess he has been too busy catching up with TCU Hornfrogs.
Finally, let me tell you about PEGGY WARE KOGER. Peggy has total presence of mind. How do I know? I am in Mesa, AZ (yes, 85 degree weather) right now, very few miles from Peggy and Fred's house. During the time I am here, she and Fred are in Ireland and Italy. Do you think she planned it that way? I think so. :-) Anyway, Peggy, have a great time on your trip. I would if I were there.
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