Celebrating the birthday of Carlos De Leon

We first met Carlos and Ana in 1996 and have visited them repeatedly over the years.  Then we could move about Rio Bravo, Mexico, freely.  But with the increase in border violence over the past several years, we now stick close to Carlos while we move about.  He is our chauffeur, guide and host.

This is El Iglesia del Sembrador, or the Church of the Sower.  Since 1996 much has been added to the property including the castle appearing structure to the left.

Carlos with a puppy.

In 1996, we were part of a group from the Lay Ministry Training Center then located in St. Paul, MN.  We performed skits, gave testimony and met people with Carlos as translator in this plaza in the center of Rio Bravo.  

This is the grandson of Carlos and Ana.  He is the son of Abi, their third child.

Before the birthday celebration, a church service was held.  The ladies in red are from a neighboring church.  They moved in dance with the music using tambourines, banners and flags.  A very precision group. Abi is in the center of the musicians.

Announcing Ana and Carlos.

Birthday greetings, Mexican style.  Everyone goes to the front to greet the celebrants.

From the left, their friend, Ana, Carlos and a grandson.

A much younger group including Abi and a friend.  Ana and Carlos have not changed a bit!

Quilt show and a visit to a Texas roadhouse.

This day was dedicated to a visit to the Rio Grande Valley Quilt Show in McAllen.  We set our schedule this year to take it in as last year we left the week before.  Mary Sue picked up Sue and Ruth and the photographer did not go.  Sorry, but he does not have too much interest in these events.

This spectacular quilt represents the quality of the quilts displayed.

 Then we went to Willies with Tom and Lolly and Joan and Butch, all from Fergus Falls.

 Ruth assures us that this is a typical roadhouse experience.

 Decisions, decisions.

Large portions were challenges to finish.  Most did not finish.

La Quinta Mazatlán

No visit to the Rio Grande Valley would be complete for us without a visit to this little jewel just a mile or so from our hotel and next to a busy airport.

We described this last year but a want to show what we found this year.  

This was the idea of a world traveler and dreamer who married wealth.  Now the site is part of the McAllen park system.

Beautiful interior rooms preserved in the manner of the original owner.

Nice sun room.

Posing in the living room.

A lady pointed out a lizard that was unafraid and posed for pictures.

A close-up of the little fellow.

A very large nopal [prickly pear] cactus with new blooms.  The shoots that follow are harvested as an ingredient in cooking.

Sue and Ruth at Quinta Mazatlan.

Finally, a view of our "home" for the month of February

Catching up in the Rio Grande Valley

Some of our faithful readers have wondered why there has been no day-to-day reporting of our activities.  Well, it has not been as pleasant here in the Rio Grande Valley as in former years.  The extreme weather up north has had a chilling effect here.  

We picked up Ruth after a week here and after times where Expressway 83 was closed due to icing on bridges to a bible study to be conducted in someone's living room was cancelled due to the cold Ruth and Sue huddled against the wind in Port Isabel.

After traveling back to McAllen, we are enjoying lunch in our spacious quarters in the Comfort Suites.  There is even a small bedroom for Ruth's privacy.

Finally the weather has changed and as the New England area suffers from cold and snow, it is forecasted to be sunny in the 70s and 80s for the next week.  Better late than never.

This is what the weather should be.  This is a view or the McAllen City Hall.

There are several of these McAllen police "deer stands" set up around the town.  Question is, is there anyone inside?  No evidence of police cars for pursuit if necessary and there is a surveillance camera moving back and forth on an irregular pattern. 

It was time for pancakes at the Lemon Tree RV park served every Thursday evening.

Our friends Tom and Lolly live here and we have been there several times for pancakes. 

The line stretches completely around the dining room for all the pancakes you can eat.  

Volunteers from the park prepare and serve the pancakes.  As the plates are cleaned at the table, servers come around to get more pancakes if desired.  The price is very moderate.

Tom and Lolly in the foreground and Joan and Butch, all from Fergus Falls, enjoy the feed.

Tom calls this place the "wind tunnel" due to all the hot air expended when folks meet to socialize.

Tom and Lolly's home in Texas.

At Bibleville, a park in Alamo, we attended a Saturday afternoon concert.  Here musicians from the park demonstrated their skills by playing familiar hymns.  

Then a professional touring group, Triumphant, performed for the audience.  Next September, the Lundstroms will be leading a tour to the National Quartet Convention 2014 in Pigeon Forge, TN, where this group will be one of many renowned quartets will be featured.

After the concert, we met in Don and Arlette's home in Bibleville.