Radically Retired

Tag: McAllen Texas

  • Celebrating 2026 Spring Day 2

    Celebrating 2026 Spring Day 2

    On the second day of our celebration of spring weekend 2026, we attended the 35th annual RGV Big Bloom Home and Garden Show at the McAllen Convention Centre.

    Even though this was the 35th year of the show, it was the first time we’d heard of it.

    With over 200 vendors, this event featured literally everything from bedknobs to broomsticks and everything in between.

    It was a wonderfully apt way to welcome spring.

    This section had plants native to the RGV
    Creative use of Burl
    Every cactus and succulent one could imagine
    Flower pot decorations
    Glass flowers
    Hand carved military memorabilia
    Funky clothing
    Many food vendors, most with tasting samples
    Lawn furniture galore
    BBQ’s and Smokers of every type and size
    Apparently the leaves are used in India to make a med that lowers blood sugar
    This large outdoor courtyard was filled with plants and pots
    Talavera pottery – my favourite
    These ceramic plant pots caught my eye
    Hubs bought two for me 😊

    Now that we know about this event, we’ll definitely attend again next year. It was a couple of well spent hours that truly brought home the feeling of spring.

  • “Laissez les bons temps rouler!”

    “Laissez les bons temps rouler!”

    Every year at this time, McAllen, Texas (our neighbouring city) hosts “The Golden Age Olympics”. It runs over several weeks and includes every event from race walking to jigsaw puzzles (yes, you read that right – it’s a timed event) and winners come away with medals as well as bragging rights.

    Each year, there is a different overall theme, and this year, as you’ve no doubt guessed already, the theme is Mardi Gras.

    My feature photo was shot at the community hall where hubs registered for the poker event.

    The title of my post, translated to English on this banner, is always the theme for New Orleans Mardi Gras – and is so appropriate for the fun and games happening daily at the
    Golden Age Olympic Games

    I had planned to enter the 5K race walk this year, and am ready for it. Unfortunately, it was downsized this year to a 1.6 K (one mile) race. That’s about the distance I walk at my warm up pace.

    I could figure out a way around it, I suppose, but decided not to this year. I’d have to find a warm up spot close to the race path and then work on it. I have neither the time nor the inclination to do that this year.