The Ray Adventures: Rockport Dec. 3

We have been enjoying mostly beautiful weather, in the 70's and 80's with an occasional cold front that haven't been "too" cold, we've had to put on long pants a few times.

On Wednesdays I spend the day with other quilters in the park at the Adult Club House sewing on our newest project. It is nice to spread out all of our "stuff", in the coach I put my sewing machine on the table, the ironing board and cutting board on the counter and the bed is usually covered with fabric. Gary and Luci usually make themselves scarce. Gary went to see the Hunger Games Mockingjay Part 2 with RJ and Gail, he has not seen the first three so he was a little lost. I love Wednesdays, this week Chef Betty she prepared Stuffed Cabbage Rolls, delish. Yum, Yum, Yum.

Friday morning after I left Snap I went to the Family Club House for a cooking class taught by one of our residents who is a chef and cook book author. The focus of the class was food processors (I don't have one) but probably can figure out a way around that. She made baguettes, cilantro dressing and a yummy Jalapena romelade for spicy boiled shrimp. She topped the meal off with a rustic apple tart with moscato. Of course we got to eat everything she made. Delish!

Saturday afternoon we went down to Rockport's "A Tropical Christmas" held on the festival grounds by Little Bay, which was full of vendors, food and entertainment. We watched the Dog Costume Contest sponsored by the local Humane Society. What a hoot! Cast in Bronze, a performance of Carillon Bells, a musical instrument of at least 23 cast bronze cup shaped bells in varying sizes, he has 36, played on stick like keys, called batons, with fists and pressing the keys of the pedal keyboard with the feet that connect to metal clappers that strike the bells. The varying intensity of the notes are determined by the force applied to the keys. We saw a carillon on the shore of a lake in Stone Mtn. Park in Georgia but no one was playing. This artist has his bells mounted on a trailer that he pulls with his motorhome to all his shows. He has played all around the country, he has even played for the Queen of England. I was surprised to learn he doesn't cover the trailer while towing down the road. That must be a sight. Gary, RJ, Gail, Bob, Sharon, Bill and Arlene and I had a bite to eat at the Poor Man's Country Club Grill before heading back to the festival ground for the lighting of Rockport's Christmas tree, the parade and fireworks. The weather was beautiful, a perfect evening sitting beside the bay watching fireworks.

Sunday, after a rousing game of Pegs and Jokers we had happy hour at Bob and Sharon's with several other couples. Another beautiful day.

Monday Gary went to the USS Lexington, his job was to shuttle visitors up to the hanger deck for the Pearl Harbor ceremony. There are still three remaining survivors of Pearl Harbor that live in Corpus Christi. NAS Corpus Christi had an important role in WWII, over 35,000 pilots were trained there.

Tuesday I took my second Yoga class, I'm really enjoying it, the hardest part is the last seven minutes, you are supposed to lie (lay?) down keeping your mind and body still. Ya sure.

Wednesday after exercise, Gary and I went to Corpus Christi to do some Christmas shopping and a trip to the NEX for booze, the prices are a little lower than retail and you don't have to pay sales tax.

Thursday we went back down to Corpus Christi, Gary, Jim and Bob volunteered while Bob's wife Lynn and I took the car and went to the two quilt stores in the area. Pegs and Jokers again, sometimes the cards are good and some well-- not so good.

Friday Gary rode his 12 miles along Fulton Beach Road while I went to Snap. We split a burger at the Family Club House along with yummy potato salad and cookies. It's a good thing we exercise. I wrapped the grandkids Christmas presents after lunch and got them to the post office. It cost $50.00 to send the packages, next year we'll shop in Oregon or send them money. After Happy Hour we ate a couple of crab stuffed jalapena's for dinner.

Saturday we started to walk the Fulton Beach Road but by the time we got to the water it started to rain, we turned around and went back to the park where it wasn't raining, and walked the perimeter, about 1 3/4 mile. About lunch time we got the promised cold front, it basically rained the rest of the day but still warm.

Sunday turned out to be a nice day, we went to the Symphony by the Sea with Gail and RJ. It is a major fund raising event for Rockport-Fulton ACISD, featuring the Corpus Christi Symphony Orchestra and the Rockport-Fulton High School Choir. The guest conductor Andres Franco was back again, his mix of music and humor makes it an enjoyable event. After, we had "linner" at Moondog's, a fun Bar and Grill on the boat basin in Fulton. On our way home, just as the sun was setting, we drove back to the park, passing a bunch of the white pelicans, the lighting gave it a surreal look.

Monday and Tuesdays were ordinary days, we exercised in the morning followed by our walk along Fulton Beach Road. Gary volunteered on the Lexington Tuesday while I cleaned the RV. The past three weeks we have been going to Panjo's Pizza with several other couples. Their pizza is among the top we've eaten. Yum, yum yum.

That's it for this week. I hope you aren't too bored, we're not. Enjoy the pic's.

TTFN,

Gary and Pam