I Rubbed Elbows With The Snow Birds In Burnet Texas 2005"

In July 2005, my husband and I left Monte Vista, Colorado; we had been there three years, but the whether became a nuisance to my husband's body and bones. The only problem I had was driving in the snow every morning going and coming from work. Since my husband and I was off and on the road a lot ; he found a cottage for us to rent down on the LBJ lake at The Heart of Texas Resort. This heart of Texas resort was a perfect place to be; since we didn't have anywhere special we needed to be, we rented the cottage for six months until we decided where our next traveling adventure would be. I thought living down on the LBJ lake was a very interesting place because the opportunity to be able to go fishing anytime that I wanted too. We were also told b y the property managers; that the Snowbirds would be coming in around the last of August and everything would be different because of the get together, fish fry's, putt-putt golf, card playing, regular golf etc. There were many things to do to keep anyone busy. the thought of seeing the Snowbirds was all fascinating to me, because I would get to see just how the Seniors live their life style. The property also had a pecan orchard that covered the whole rental property. i picked up bags and bags of pecans, they were medium to small, there were very few pecan tree with large pecans, they taste very good.

At The Heart Of Texas Resort was where I learned to but I paint; it was a good outlet for me because I was battling deep depression, plus going through knee pain. The thought of the painting came to me one day, and I shove the idea out of my mind I thought it was crazy to ponder the of painting: because I had no former painting experience, although I could draw some what. No matter how hard I pushed the thought of painting away the thought would always return. I finally gave in to the idea of painting and started buying up paints, brushes, canvasses anything related painting. I didn't really know how to get started, but one day ; I just started trying to draw and paint things and over a period of time ; I realized that I did have a certain amount of talent in the art department. My depression was so bad that I think God gave me the idea, to paint to keep my mind on positive things. we learned through the owners of the property that the Snowbirds build the huge banquet building out of their own pockets ; to have somewhere for special occasions when needed. It's a huge neat building that's large enough for a huge banquet gathering and it have six rent-able rooms for and families. Before the Snowbirds came, kept my self busy by painting, fishing and picking up pecans. I caught enough sun fish and blue gill to make a meal.

The resort had a fishing dock and landing to stand and fish or sit and fish, they even Had night fishing if you were interesting; I tried it a couple of times, but it seems the fish weren't interested or hungry, so I gave up on the night fishing idea. when ever anyone would fish on the dock, there was a place to clean your fish and take them back up to the cottage and cook or freeze them. I caught so many blue gill perch that I put them in the freezer for later. In the later part of August, the Snowbirds started arriving; couple by couple and they all were older people, some was even white headed. The funny thing was, everyone was older than me, butit was me that had a jacked - up knee that was giving me the blues, none of the senior had knee or leg problems that I could tell, I thought it was something wrong with this picture of me walking with a cane and the senior was walking on their own. As the Snowbirds slowly trickled in, we introduce ourselves to each of them, I think, it was about seventy couples, to me was quite a few people when we all got together. The Snowbirds started inviting us to all of their functions and events, they made us feel right at home. when all the last of the Snowbird made it they had a get together at the banquet hall and invited everyone so we could get to know everyone; They were the most sweetest people we had ever known. We talked about lots of things, from fishing, sports, baking , you name it; we talked about it and we realized we were the only new couple in the fold, but it seem to be alright with everyone and that made us happy and comfortable. The men would go fishing, catch them,clean them, fillet them and freeze them until they got up to a hundred pounds and then we would have a fish fry, oh!! boy, I couldn't hardly wait. They had to except the fact that my husband didn't go fishing, even though he bought a reel and promise to go with me, it never happen' that was okay because I went alone.

Everything sounded so grandiose to me, it almost to much to take in, my thought was, is this the way real people live, year after year.? I didn't understand why someone would buy a home in a place where the winter is bad and then leave home every year to get away form winter, it didn't compute for me, but to each it's own. I didn't understand but I excepted it and enjoyed being involved with all of them. There were a few that was really funny, so funny you couldn't help but laugh all the time, both men an women.The Snowbirds would stay away from home until the snow leave; then they would pack up and head back home,until the next year, most of them have been doing this for years and years. The ladies all liked me, my cooking, my recipes and my company, so I fit right in with them; they even invited me to their regular canasta card game and I would watch them play,day after day until one day; they ask me to play and after a few day of coercion, I decided to give it a try and I found out how much fun it was, and I played every day after that day.   At 4;00 o'clock every day they got together for happy hour, talked,had drinks and told stories; it was very interesting and sometimes comical.

The Snowbirds also had some pretty good golfers to come with them,  both men and women. Golfing never interested me, b ut we all kept active doing one thing are another.  when finally started having big fish Fry's and the women had to bring the side dishes, which we did, there was always so much food to eat and they all wanted to know what dish or dessert that I had prepared, there was never anything hardly left of my food, which was alright.  I always got rave revues on what ever I cooked for them.  It was such a great experience, being around such nice people and having them except us into the Snowbird fold was a great honor for us. Being there with the Snowbirds was such a heart warming experience,one my husband and I will never forget.  The Snowbirds stay at the resort three to four months before they pack and head for home in another state.   We did thanksgiving, Xmas and Valentines day together and these events were truly special to us. We have live the traveling life style to different places  and seeing how others live and enjoy life.  As the months dawn to summer,couple by couple the Snowbirds slowly went home, until there was no one left but us.  The resort was back empty again, and it was also time for us to be moving on to a new destination  and a new adventure.

Benny Faye Douglass