Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Blue Lagoons Round Robin Pickleball Tournament

It’s been a great winter and we have had 26 people who have played pickleball on our court! Most of the players were just learning to play and so Renita and I volunteered to teach the fundamentals. Our first and most important rule was, “It’s just a ball don’t fall! Several ignored this rule but luckily we have not had any long lasting
injuries or trips to the emergency room. As our winter friends are starting to leave, we decided to hold two round robin skill level tournaments. Most of our players are now capable of playing others with a skill level of 3.0. Four of us have played for years and so we held a separate round robin. The day arrived and the weather cooperated. The order of play was decided by the order in which they had signed up. We had six who felt comfortable playing and we started our first, round robin with a rules meeting. Barb volunteered to judge the games. Her task was to keep and say the score, call any side outs, and to watch for foot faults in the kitchen and over the baseline.
Renita also kept track of the book recording the scores and I determined the order of rotation for the players. Everyone loved the positive atmosphere and we had quite a few people show up to cheer their favorite players. We encouraged the spectators to be quiet during the play and to only cheer for positive points! The players changed sides when one side reached five points and we played each game to nine. Of course you had to win by two. After each game the sides rotated so each player was able to partner with everyone else. Both players on the winning side scored a point and the tournament was decided by who had the most wins. At the end the players with four wins were Laurie and Del. Third, fourth, and fifth place were lee, Patty, and Maureen. All played well!
Prizes were donated by our friends Zita and Alan and by Mark and Renita. We also purchased brand new balls for the games. The top two winners received a new pickleball paddle and the next three had their pick of new grip tape and wrist bands. All the players also received a pickleball.
As you can see our players were all smiling and can’t wait to get back home to continue their learning against other similar ranked players. Two days later the weather held and we were able to play our 3.5 round robin. The format was the same for the 3.5 round robin. As there were only four players it only took us six games to decide the winner. I took first, Barb, second and Dan third. Renita was the anchor, she had some bad breaks during play. It was fun and challenging to play against better players and we held nothing back. Finally a thanks to Blue lagoons for building the court and to Gordo and Babs who bought the nets. Clear skies and of course game on!

Thursday, March 7, 2024

The Sixty-First Gulf Coast Gem and Mineral Society Show

Each year we only sell at six shows. One of the biggest is the Gulf Coast Gem and Mineral Societies, (GCJMS), annual gem and mineral show. This year the show was held at the usual site, the Fair Grounds, in Robstown Texas. This year twenty-seven dealers showed their fossil, mineral, rock, and gemstone creations. It so nice to see so many of our friends in the Society and to reconnect with other dealers. Last year the show’s attendance had dropped a little and so we were concerned about the numbers that walked through the door. We should not have worried!
Both Saturday and Sunday’s sessions were well attended. We make virtually everything we sell. Each summer I saw grind and polish the cabochons and in the winter months I wire wrap the pendants and bracelets. Often, we compete with booths in which the dealers don’t make any of their wares, (resellers). One of our friends, Cecil knaps and makes arrowhead, knifes and other Native American artifacts. His work is exceptional!
Our niche is that because I am a geologist, we aren’t just selling jewelry, but we are telling the story of almost every one of the stones. We even prospect some of the materials! One of my favorite stories involves a rattlesnake that Renita encountered while hunting Sweet Water Moss Agates. That time she spotted the snake and told me to get a good picture of it. The prairie rattler had just shed and was a beautiful greenish color! As I neared the snake it rattled and reared up. After taking a couple of pics she yelled at me to get closer, and I always do what she says. Happy wife happy life! I could fill the blog with stories but back to the show.
My cousin Angie and her husband Pete traveled down to the show and helped us both days. Pam and Roy, Renita’s sister and her husband also attended and helped us on Saturday. Thanks to them and all the GCGMS members who worked at the show! It was a good two-day show, and it met our expectations. Not only do we sell but we also buy supplies and fossils for our own collection. This year several dealers were retiring so we purchased larimar, red tiger eye, dinosaur eggs shell fragments. We also bought a large fragment of a woolly mammoth skull for our private collection. Now we are preparing for the summer shows in Wyoming. Maybe we will see some of you down the road, (full time rvers never say goodbye). Clear skies

Friday, February 23, 2024

Valentines Day Feast 2024, Thanks Zita and Alan

For the past nine years we have had a feast on Valentines Day. Our activities coordinators Zita and Alan have prepared sumptuous feasts of prime rib and Cornish hens, smoked to perfection! Thie year was perhaps the best yet!
They prepare the meal after careful planning and everyone in the park is invited. Tickets are sold ahead of time to make sure that everyone gets their choice, and the Recreation Hall is always sold out! This year sixty-eight people attended.
Upon entering the door, we were first greeted by our friends Barb and Dan who took great photos of each couple. Dan is an excellent photographer and Barb makes sure all the couples are smiling and sitting in the right spot.
The festivities were started with a prayer and then the tables are called starting with the back row, it alternates each year. This year they first served the small number who requested Cornish Hens and then the rest who chose prime rib. After getting our main dish we next proceeded to the salad table where we had the choice of shrimp cocktails or a lettuce salad. Renita couldn’t eat all of her Cornish and I barely managed to eat my huge slice of outstanding prime rib.
Zita had also prepared a special dessert to sweeten the finish of the meal! Our friend Jane, a master florist arranged the flowers on each table, which we were able to take back to our rv! The decorations were done by volunteers the morning of the party. Sadly, this is the last year Zita and Alan will serve as activities directors. There will never be any better! They are not returning to the park as they have purchased a home and are leaving the full-time rv lifestyle. Words cannot express our gratitude. Clear skies and safe travels! Mark and Renita

Tuesday, February 20, 2024

A 2024 Oyster Feed at Blue Lagoons Rv Park

Not everyone likes oysters, so our 2024 oyster party only had fifty-four people sign up for the event. Usually, the party is just for our happy hour group, currently about 28, but this year Zita and Alan bought oysters for everyone.
The first task was to line up enough cleaners and shuckers. We had six. A couple of them had never shucked before, but they quickly caught on! Two people washed the oysters while the shuckers worked carefully! No one was cut as the oysters were opened! Alan and Zity had bought a full sack, which is about 2-300 oysters. Alan estimated that we would split the oysters into two presentations, raw oysters on a half shell and Oysters Rockefeller. I volunteered to cook them. Now the plan was to make two for each person which meant that I would need to make one and cook one hundred and eight! Luckily three sou chefs volunteered to help me.
I was using a new recipe from Allrecipes. It was pretty simply, sauté onions, spinach, and garlic in olive oil and then add spices, three cheeses, ( I used parmesan, feta, and pepper jack). Finally add milk. Then after laying out the oyster in a pan lined with parchment paper and coarse salt fill each tray with rows of raw oysters, (the salt is used to keep the oysters level).
I cooked the filling in a large pan and then transferred the mix to a big bowl where Renita, Laura, and Maureen filled each one with the mixture, (solution, I was a former chemistry teacher). Finally, they were topped with panko bread crumbs. Then I placed each tray in an oven preheated to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. The final step was to move the trays every four minutes, (top to bottom of oven), eight minutes total, and then to take them out for serving! My assistants performed superbly, and the oysters turned out great! Thanks to Alan and Zita for the oysters and to my great three volunteers. I could never have prepared them by myself! Thanks for the help!
Bon Appetit and of course clear skies. Ps The Oysters Rockefeller were well received! I will most definitely use this recipe again!

Sunday, February 11, 2024

Blue Lagoons Craft Show February 3, 2024

Each year Renita and I organize a Craft Show. The purpose of the show is to allow the crafters in our rv park to display their craft/art, (what the difference between Crafts and Arts is that the term craft is used to denigrate traditional women’s work/skills). This year we had eight people who requested tables, (one of our usual persons had a bad harvest of maple syrup and did not attend). Still, we filled all the tables with everyone’s work and had a good turnout. Not everyone sells, and this show gives all the opportunity to share their passions.
Of course, we set up our usual two tables. Pam and Roy also filled two tables.
Sue’s table was filled with her oyster jewelry and Jim sold both rough slabs and his own wirework and cabochons, (I taught him how to wire wrap).
One new person, Renee and filled her table with her beautiful handmade quilts
. Diana’s work is always appreciated, her work includes silverware holders that many use for our weekly buffets.
Joe, who age is in upper eighties/lower nineties has started a new passion and makes art by splashing paint on blank canvases he purchases at a local retailer. He sold eleven pieces of his work!
A new person, Kay offers wellness classes and Maureen sells skin care products.
All in all, it was a great chance for all of us to spread the word about what we do, besides fishing. Clear skies

Saturday, February 3, 2024

Teaching Pickle Ball in Blue Lagoons Rv Park

Last fall we arrived at our winter rv park and saw that many of the spaces were empty. It was worse than normal as the rent increases had taken their toll. At our small happy hour I told the managers, Ron and Deb, about the phenomenal growth at our rv park in Star Valley Wyoming.
At the time we bought our lot sales of finished lots were sluggish and we were able to buy a corner lot at a price that had been lowered. Since then, the tennis courts were remade into pickleball courts and now you would be hard pressed to be able to find an empty spot to rent! We have over 300, members in our pickleball club! The manager asked a few more questions and decided to paint a pickleball court on a space near the workshop. I agree to teach pickleball classes and so it was done, (and a fellow rv’er donated a new net, thanks Gordon). Now the court is not ideal but it has a faithful following as we have taught anyone interested.
Because we live along the coast we first must squeegee the court and then remove the leaves. After that its game on! We play Monday Wednesday and Friday mornings, and anywhere from six to ten people usually show up. weather permitting. The newcomers are improving their skills, and we are even talking about having a skill level round robin tournament!
Last year at our summer park, due to my ankle problems, we only played a few times but now we look forward to our return and hope to play more! It’s so fun to have another option besides our walks, for exercise! Clear skies. Ps Thanks for the court Ron and Deb!

Thursday, January 25, 2024

Daves New Boat and First Fish

It was the first time out testing Daves new Boat. His old aluminum boat had seen better days, and the motor was toast. Water had backed up through the exhaust port and even though it had been flushed after the last use in March, the crankshaft bearings had rusted. His son-in -law hated to see Dave not being able to fish and had told him to buy a used boat, for his Christmas present. Waiting until the Mechanic Roy, (my brother in law), arrived from Iowa, they poured over used boats on Marketplace and found a possible replacement. Checking the boat out, a fiberglass 1974 Predator, the motor had started and ran great, so they both agreed, and Dave bought it. The boat and trailer needed work and Roy did the work with the expertise of years of experience. When it was seaworthy, Dave and I took it out on its maiden voyage. It behaved flawlessly. The fish didn’t cooperate with us and so we only had one bite, or should I say Dave had one bite…. After an hour by the bridge, we decided to move, and he picked up his pole and started to wind it in. The rod twitched and a fish started to make a run. It headed away from the bridge, with its razor-sharp barnacles, and doubled over the rod. It was a big fish, but Dave was up to the task. Stowing the poles and grabbing the fishnet I watched as it made made run after run, before finally tiring. When he finally got it to the surface it was still a few minutes before I was able to swipe the fish headfirst into the net and fold it over the fish, (it was longer than the net). Using both hands, it took all of my strength to lift it into the boat.
It was perfect! The only fish of the day and Dave caught it! It was too big for us to lift up for a picture, (and to be kept), over forty inches long, and so we were able to release it safely. We both watched as it made a couple of flips of its tail and then returned to the depths. It was a great release! That was the only fish of the day, but what a fish! It was not the biggest he ever caught but it was a beautiful black drum! A great first fish to christen the boat, Well done Dave! Clear skies