2014 - Day 365/0 - Wednesday...

Oh my, where have the year(s) gone?  This will be my 2,193rd journal post.  On this date in 2009, I wrote my first journal entry.  I called that Day Zero.  Today completes six years of journal entries.  I have not missed a day (another result of my OCD), although there have been a couple entries that were late, due to technical difficulties, one while I was in DC at a meeting, and the other (that I can remember) was a technical difficulty caused by too much Merlot and the failure to hit the send button before I fell asleep on the keyboard, resulting in several thousand pages of XXXXXXXXXXXs.

What fun, and thanks for reading.

It was not too much trouble deciding which photo to use in today'
s entry.  It was either this photo of my last closing of the year (today) or another photo of a wreck on the Interstate.  Hopefully photos of traffic mishaps will be confined to Williamson County beginning in the New Year, since the new law goes into effect in Austin which prohibits HOLDING the cell phone unless you are at a complete stop.  Well, now that I think of it, that may not be a problem; I am at a complete stop on the Interstate frequently; we will just wait and see.

On another note, I have compiled a years worth of useless statistics, three of which I will share with you right now.  For the year, we recorded 33.61" of rain in our fancy schmancy rain gauge here on the edge of nowhere.  We collected 3,367 eggs (380.59 dozen).  We figure that comes to about $4 per egg.  AND I received 72,093 spam e-mails for the year.  But who's counting?  Well, I am!  Duh!

We on the edge of nowhere hope you and those that you love have a blessed New Year and nothing but happy memories from here on out.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, COUNTING, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2014 - Day 364/1 - Tuesday...

It is absolutely, positively, without a doubt, unconditionally, unequivocally the coldest mid-40-degree day I have ever been through.  The outside temperature when I got home said it was 43 degrees, and if I did not know better, I would swear it was something south of zero (on the Celsius scale), but no, it was confirmed to be in the mid-40's.  So, I put a few more logs in the stove and of course I shed my clothing to a more comfortable boxers, t-shirt and socks (accompanied as usual with my pink croc knock-offs).  A fabulous outfit for the evening.

We are such wimps in central Texas when it comes to cold weather, that the City of Austin has cancelled the New Years Celebrations because of the THREAT of cold weather.  Granted there is the POSSIBILITY of some drizzly rain AND temperatures nearing the freezing mark, but cancelling and rescheduling (let's celebrate the New Year in February!) seems a little bit crazy.

I'm just sayin'.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, COLD, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2014 - Day 363/2 - Monday...

It never ceases to amaze me out here on the edge of nowhere.  Things just spontaneously unearth themselves.  After a decent rain, it is not unusual to go our in the yard or the pastures to see what has been uprooted.  Unearthed.  Revealed.  I saw this broken cup handle earlier last week, and made a mental note of it for a journal entry.  I sought it out this afternoon after I got home and checked on the girls.  Up closer to the road is where Aunt Mary used to live.  She had a two story frame house that was plain but adequate, and the neighbors tell us stories about her.  When the people we bought the house from moved here, her house was still there, and they sold it and had it moved, so the house itself still exists somewhere.  I will go through my files and see if I can find a photo of the house and post it tomorrow.  Anyway, we are always finding things emerging from the soil.  Forks, oyster shells (this is the coastal plain after all), shotgun shells, bottles, beer cans, strong boxes full of cash.  Wait, was that my out loud typing? 

Never mind.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, STUFF, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2014 - Day 362/3 - Sunday...

We have the best documented stray cats in all of the edge of nowhere.  No one else has such well documented stray cats as we do.  The evidence of our stray cats is well documented.  We have plenty of documented evidence that there are stray cats hanging out at our house.  And at least one skunk, although the evidence of that is not photographic.

It was a pretty grey and gloomy day here on the edge of nowhere overall.  The clouds broke and the sun came out about 4 o'clock this afternoon.  By that time, I had taken a couple naps, taken two bales of hay out to the cattle and cleaned the chicken coop.  Changed the HVAC filters, (flipped the mattresses on the beds yesterday), and kept the fire in the stove going.

All in all, not a bad way to spend the final weekend of the old year.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, SKUNK, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2014 - Day 361/4 - Saturday...

Well, as predicted, it has been cooler today (the coldest 45 degrees EVER), and the wind (gale force) has been coming in from the north.  The chickens are crazy because they do not seem to mind it, and I think Barney the Cat has donned winter apparel or has been eating pie and cake like the rest of us during this Holiday Season. 

Jody and I did get out of the house for a couple hours today, and I did make a stop at Old Navy to buy some boxers and t-shirts.  The boxers were supposed to be half-off, and if they were, it is just more evidence that I am out of touch with reality and have no idea how much a pair of boxers should cost.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, BOXERS, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2014 - Day 360/5 - Friday...

It's Friday, it's Friday, it's Friday.  It's Friday, rinse, repeat.  It's Friday.  If you don't believe me, just look at the subject of this journal entry.  FRIDAY!

It was in the 70's today, and it is not supposed to get out of the 50's tomorrow, but that is still okay.  We had some little spritzes of rain, and that was not terrible either.  Rain is back in the forecast, and the clouds are rolling back in.  Big breezes from the south, but they are supposed to turn around and be from the north by morning.  I have the stove cleaned out and ready for a new fire.

After we took the Boy Dog for a ride, we both went down for naps, and then we decided to do a tour of a couple shopping centers within a 100 mile radius of the edge of nowhere.  Okay, I exaggerate.  Shopping centers within a sixty mile radius of the edge of nowhere.  I have to admit, it was a pretty darned successful campaign, and I think it may just be repeated tomorrow. 

We did stop at the Elevation Burger at Northcross, one of my favorite places for a healthy, greasy organic natural burger and fries (fried in olive oil).  It was Jody's first time there, not sure if he liked the burger as much as I do but he proclaimed that the chocolate shake was excellent.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, CLOUDS, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2014 - Day 359/6 - Christmas Day...

Jody and I both hope you enjoyed your day, and got everything that you wanted.  Just in case you did not get everything you wanted, there is always tomorrow.

This is what it looks like when you let the girls loose on Christmas morning.  Straight to the chicken feed.  It is kind of the same thing inside the house, too.  Straight to the pie!  Well, actually, I have not had any pie today (yet).  I am working up to it.  So far, I have had several cookies, one piece of fudge, some turkey, sweet potato and peas.  I think I might be burned out on pie, but I will do my best to overcome that before I go to bed this evening.

We did as little as we (I) possibly could today.  I rode with Jody while he took the Boy Dog for a ride, then I took a nap.  I went out into the front barn and did some early American engineering to get the LED shop lights to come on when I switch on the main lights.  They work, it is not pretty, but I will work on pretty tomorrow when Home Depot is open.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, ENGINEERING, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2014 - Day 358/7 - Christmas Eve...

Okay, it is Christmas Eve, and this (not so little elf) recently stabbed himself with what could well be the sharpest fork in the dishwasher.  No blood (I am really surprised) but it hurt like crazy.  I did get up and go into the office for a little while this morning.  En route, I made a couple stops, picking up this and that.  And then deliveries began, and then home.  Once home, deliveries commenced again, and now back home, settled in for the duration (until morning at least).

We have a fire in the stove, the girls are all tucked in (and all accounted for) and they are enjoying the radiant heat of a new heat lamp bulb in their coop.  It is supposed to be coolish (possible freeze) overnight, so I replaced the other heat lamp bulb that croaked earlier this season.  They just don't make things like they used to Martha!  It is Christmas after all, so they deserved a new bulb.

The great weather prognosticators are predicting a possibility of precipitation in the seven day, and the threat of more possible freezes before the new year.  We did record 0.08" or rain overnight, and about 0.02" since then.

Enjoy your evening.  I finished off the pie from Thanksgiving last night, just in time for more pies.  I think I hear a box of wine (whine) calling my name.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, FORKED, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2014 - Day 357/8 - Tuesday...

The downtown birds have discovered the feeder on the balcony outside my office.  I think they have the capability of going through some seed, too.  There is a variety of birds congregating out there; doves, grackles, and little birds that I do not know the names of.  It is an interesting show anyway.  They do freak out (not like the Twilight Zone or anything) whenever I go in or out of the office, but I think they will figure it out that I am not going to walk out the door while they are consuming the seed du jour.

I will head into the office tomorrow morning, and then head back out later and make my way home for the four day weekend.

It has cooled off here in the last twenty four hours, threats of a light freeze possible, maybe a little bit of rain.  We have received about 0.07" since this morning, and there is the possibility of more on the way.  Hard freeze predicted for the New Year.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, BIRDS (BUT NOT FREAKY), Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2014 - Day 356/9 - Monday...

Well, honestly, the sunrise this morning was really promising, but it turns out that the sunset has been absolutely spectacular, so I have chosen to go with the sunset.  All in all it was a pretty darned good day, and that is saying something for a Monday in December.  There was evidence of sunshine today, but I think that will end within the next 24 hours.  The high temperature today was 71 degrees, and that will change as well.  Rumor has it that there is a cold front coming through early tomorrow morning, which will bring grey skies, clouds and cooler temperatures.  The expected high temperature for tomorrow is (optimistically) 52 degrees, and that is (seemingly) a long shot.  There is even supposed to be some rain in the forecast tomorrow.  Not really encouraging given the fact that I bought a pair of suede shoes this afternoon.  Boo-Hoo: First World Problems!

But there is still hope for Wednesday and Thursday.  The sun is expected to shine again soon.  We will see.

Girls were all accounted for this afternoon, I will go put them to bed in a couple minutes, while at the same time being careful for 'possums of the freaky sort.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, SUNSETS, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2014 - Day 355/10 - Sunday...

Okay, so this if kind of freaky in a Twilight Zone kind of way.  Jody and I went to dinner this afternoon at Michael and Lynda's home in West Austin, and we were joined by Josh, Mary Ann and Mary.  That's not the freaky part.  Dinner was great, we exchanged gifts, had some dessert and overall a great time was had by all.  That's not the freaky part either.  We got in the car to come home, and we got home about 7 o'clock.  We are almost to the freaky part.  I unloaded the car, went into the bedroom and put on my pink knockoff Crocs and went out to read meters and put the girls to bed.  Almost.  As I was walking over to the chicken coop to close their fenced in area, I spied something by the chicken feeder, and as I got closer, I realized it was the 'possum.  It did not move (it's a 'possum, get it?).  I took several photos of it, and it still never moved.  I turned my back for 5 seconds to secure the coop gate, and turned back and it was GONE!  VANISHED.  DID NOT MAKE A SOUND CREEPY VANISHED.  TWILIGHT ZONE FREAKY VANISHED.

That was the freaky part.  What do you think?

I did go into the coop to make sure all the girls were accounted for, and to gather up eggs.  All the girls were there, got the eggs, and got back inside without being attacked by the freaky vanishing 'possum.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, FREAKINESS, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2014 - Day 354/11 - Saturday...

I began my rant last night about having no oversupply of common sense, but then I forgot (there I go again) and went down a rabbit hole about something else, but now I am back and wanted to clarify the common sense thing I started; Yesterday, walking from my car to the Habitat House dedication (remember that it rained the night before) I walked (as instructed, I ALWAYS follow instructions), through a field that (allegedly) had a straw/hay path leading to the house.  I had been to the same field and traversed the (alleged) straw/hay path on Tuesday and noticed a decided absence of straw/hay.  But it was not big deal on that day because it had not rained, and even so, I was wearing shoes that were more appropriate for traversing a field.  On Friday, I was not wearing shoes that would be considered sensible for walking any unreasonable distance, weather it were via a lovely hardwood floor or a straw/hay path, ESPECIALLY if just mere hours before it had rained.  SO, the common sense part dealt with the fact that I ended up with several pounds of expansive clay soil (up to about the penny part had I been wearing penny loafers) on what had until very recently been nice oxblood pair of tassel loafers.  At least I was not the only one stomping around before and/or after the dedication, and if you had no knowledge of the events, you would have rightly surmised that you had accidentally arrived at a clog dance marathon, and I was not even good enough to make the top ten.

Now, where were we?

I now have documented evidence of the grey cat for you all to peer at.  Today, I saw the orange cat (Barney) walking across the patio towards the food station (kind of like the condiment bar at a Burger King), and shortly after, she was gone (there was no moist food in evidence).  Then I saw the grey cat walking across the patio to check out the offerings, and I snapped this photo.  Later in the day, I saw the grey cat high-tail it to the neighbors, or at least through the fence onto their property.  As I was sitting down to pen this journal entry, Jody reported that we now have an orange cat (Barney) a grey cat (yet to be named) and an opossum taking nourishment on the back porch.  I am not sure, but I do not think this is going to end well.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, STRAYS, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2014 - Day 353/12 - Friday...

So, it seems that I am not over-burdened with common sense, either.  It did rain overnight, and that is a good thing since I had already terminated the cattle relocation effort.  It rained REALLY HARD for about 20 seconds, and that was it.  It did thunder a time or two, and the Boy Dog did very well, he did not even stir.  If that is any indication of what I have to look forward to, my hearing should be the next thing to go.  We recorded 0.59" of rain, so is better than some, not as good as others.  I did make it to the Habitat Blitz Build Dedication, and it was interesting because I was the one taking photos of the KVUE folks instead of the other way around.  My friend Aaron took this action-shot, and another friend Steve was the spokesperson on behalf of the Board.  A good time was had by all, and I am looking forward to the next build next year.

Jody and I had tamales and chili for dinner tonight.  We were not expecting the tamales to arrive until Monday, so that was an extra nice surprise.  I am thinking I should have some pie (we're gonna need more pie) just to kind of keep the momentum going.  There is not nearly enough methane in the atmosphere, PLUS I need to store up for going to get firewood tomorrow.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, PAY IT FORWARD, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2014 - Day 352/13 - Thursday...

I have never been very successful at predicting trends in the stock market or the weather.  All week long they have been saying there would be a monsoon-like precipitation event in the area tomorrow (beginning late this afternoon or evening and continuing through about 1 o'clock Friday afternoon.  Now (I think) they are back-tracking on that prognostication, and have lessened the amount of rainfall we are to expect.  That all occurred approximately thirty seconds after the cattle moving event scheduled for tomorrow morning was cancelled (postponed) because of the foul (not fowl) weather.  Even the dedication of the Habitat Home that was scheduled for tomorrow (that the Austin Board sponsored along with KVUE) was called because of the weather.  CORRECTION:  The dedication of the Habitat Home scheduled for Noon on Friday, December 19th HAS NOT BEEN CANCELLED.  I was wrong!  The dedication is still on!

We shall see.

No matter, we will play the hand we are dealt.  At least Vera and the other girls will not be sad if the rain is not as bad as has been predicted.  They are enjoying the weather and (maybe even) the new type of food they have been getting.  Whichever one it is, the egg production has increased nicely. 

I built a fire in the stove yesterday afternoon and it is still going very nicely.  It is nice to have the fire going, and I am going to get another truck load of pecan firewood on Saturday, and I hope that will take us through the rest of the cooler weather, but maybe not.  We are expecting more rainy weather (come on El Nino), so that makes it seem cooler.

We shall see.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, PLANNING, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2014 - Day 351/14 - Wednesday...

And so it begins.  I always knew it would.  About a month ago when I went to Houston for a class, I discovered I made my hotel reservation for the wrong night.  And there was no room at the Inn.  Last week when I stayed in Austin for most of the week, I left the house without most of my jewelry.  I spent the better part of the week twisting and 'gnatting' imaginary pieces of jewelry.  Today, I left the house without my wallet, and I did not even know it until I was busy ordering pies for Christmas, and did not have my credit cards.  Do any of my older friends remember if this is how it started for you?  Can you remember anything?

I remember rain.  It started raining this afternoon, and it is supposed to rain through late Friday.  It looks like we might have a little bit of a reprieve tomorrow afternoon (assuming I can remember what day it is tomorrow), but I have a suspicion that my plans for Friday will be cancelled.  That is not the worst thing that can happen, so I will just roll with it.

Be warned:  I am expecting to be a nice person through the rest of the year.  Some sort of unexpected niceness may be played upon you when you least expect it.  I tried to practice niceness today, and it was met with some degree of difficulty.  You have been warned.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, LAPSES, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2014 - Day 350/15 - Tuesday...

It cooled off a little bit overnight.  When I got up it was about 40 degrees outside, and a little bit breezy.  The 2014 Habitat for Humanity Blitz Build is winding down, just a couple more days until the dedication on Friday.  This is the second year the Austin Board of REALTORS® has sponsored a build, and we are partnering up with KVUE, the ABC affiliate here in Austin.  I was honored to participate (and cause as little damage as possible, they were watching me) with members of the Habitat Staff, AmeriCorp members and REALTOR® colleagues.  Our little company (Austin REAL Pros) also participated.  We were all there except Kim (somebody had to answer the phone).  So, as I said, the dedication is n Friday, and on that date another deserving family will have a home to call their own.  What better thing can a group of REALTOR® do for their community?  I am not sure, but I do know that the colleagues I deal with on a daily basis are the most selfless (having no concern for self; I had to look it up to make sure I was using the right word!) people as a group that I know.  We all work on the behalf of others whether it is help our clients find a home or to advocate for the rights of property owners.  I am proud to be a member of that group.  Here is a recap of the folks in the photo (at least the ones I can recall the names of, I am really bad with names):  Stacy, Jamie, Carrie, Andy, Jacqui, Pat, Munchkin, Me, David, Valorie, Kerry, Chris and Moose.  Beaux was there somewhere, must have been otherwise occupied when the photo was taken.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, BLITZING, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2014 - Day 349/16 - Monday...

While it is not exactly reminiscent of Lost Maples (near Utopia, Texas) this is about as much fall (or winter) color as we get out here on the edge of nowhere (which is further than the middle of nowhere).  I noticed this pretty little tree up by the road the other day and asked Jody if it had always turned yellow in the fall (winter).  We have been here about six years, and I had not noticed it being this boldly colored before.  He said that sometimes it turns red (the Bradford Pears sometimes turn red in the fall, too), but this was the first year he had noticed the yellow color.

Not a bad day for a Monday.  It was a lovely day in central Texas today, highs in the middle 70s, so that was swell.  There is allegedly a cold-front coming through today (maybe it already has) and the high temperature tomorrow will be in the 60s.  Then rain for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.  If it rains on Friday, that will delay the relocating of the cattle that we have planned.  We are going to have to play this one by ear.

Tomorrow I will be working with the Austin Board and KVUE at the Habitat Blitz Build.  It is going to be good.  Stay tuned for photos.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, FALL (WINTER), Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2014 - Day 348/17 - Sunday...

Last night Jody and I went to Marble Falls and had dinner with Candy and Mike, and then went and walked through their Trail of Lights.  Very nice, lots of fun, very pretty right there on the river.  This is a photo of the two of us in one of the light tunnels.

It continued raining off and on all day today, and I just got in from taking the trash up to the road.  Miguel had taken the can up earlier, but I emptied the cans inside the house and took it out.  Naturally, as so as I stepped out of the garage the heavens opened up and came down until I was thoroughly soaked.  I now have various articles of clothing strewn about the house.  I could put them in the dryer but that is too logical for me at this given time.

Not sure what the coming week will hold, but it looks to be relatively calm.  I expect to take Friday off since I think there will be some cattle divestiture on that day.  Stay tuned.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, RAIN, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2014 - Day 347/18 - Saturday...

The mystery of the thump goes on, as evidenced by sightings of BOTH cats today.  Earlier this morning we saw Barney (looking none the worse for wear, and kind of chubby actually) walking across the patio towards the back porch.  I saw her go to the food bowl, sniff at it and walk away.  When I reported that to Jody, he put some canned cat food out for her, and oh my, she decided to make a U-turn and come back and stay awhile.  Later in the afternoon, Jody and I went to Marble Falls to have dinner with Candy and Mike and to then go see their Christmas Trail of Lights (very nice by the way), and as we were coming down the road towards the house, there were both cats crossing the road towards the house.  Yep, so both cats are accounted for (and they were acting VERY chummy, too), so we have no idea what in the hell was thumping outside the house the other night.

Dinner with Candy and Mike was very nice too, but I am old, and it is past my bedtime.  It is after dark for Pete's sake!

Deeds, Actions, Changes, THUMPS, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2014 - Day 346/19 - Friday...

Home.  Perfect.  I stayed in Austin most of this week for one reason or another, but I am glad to be home.  This is what the skies looked like most of the week, and I don't think it is going to get any better until next week.  Rain is in the forecast for Sunday. 

Jody thinks the cat(s) are gone.  He said there were some thumping noises last night, and there has been no sign of either cat today, no evidence of any cat food having been eaten.  We seemed to have had two cats hanging around, one orange (Barney) and then a grey cat appeared.  Now there is no evidence of either cat.  Might have been an owl.  Maybe one or both will reappear in a day or two, that is life on the edge of nowhere.

I think we are going to head for Marble Falls tomorrow afternoon, dinner with Candy and Mike and then heading to see their Trail of Lights.  Fun, and not nearly as crowded as Austin.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, HAZARDS, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2014 - Day 345/20 - Thursday...

This was the night of our annual Holiday gathering at the office.  It was a blast, thanks to all the folks that worked so hard to put it all together.  That would be EVERYONE at Austin REAL Pros EXCEPT ME.  I just sat there and took advantage of all their hard work.  Special kudos to my friend and business partner (and the first person I met when I moved to Austin in 1985) Carrie.  This photo was taken by another good friend of mine, Skip.  Thanks Skip!

Otherwise, this was a really good day.  I got to sleep a little later than usual (til 6AM), and it was a pretty calm and reasonable day.  I think overall, the world is a little bit of a better place after today.  And if everyone you know and care about is not better now than they were this morning, you can fix that tomorrow!

Deeds, Actions, Changes, BETTERING, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2014 - Day 324/21 - Wednesday...

NOTICE:  The sole criteria for choosing the photo to accompany tonight's journal entry was (drum roll) the photo that included the least number of visible chins.  Today was my last scheduled appearance on the KVUE Mid-Day News.  Once a month for the past year I have done a piece on real estate topics in the Austin Market.  It was fun, I got to know these folks pretty well, and I will miss that. 

My first meeting this morning was at 7:30, and then I was at the Board three or four times after that.  I have another meeting that begins tonight at 7PM, so it has been a full and busy day.  It has also (so far) been a full and busy week.  Tapers off somewhat tomorrow and slows down pretty well on Friday.  I think next week will be much quieter.

I ordered a sandwich to be delivered tonight since I am still in town, and the lady on the phone "upsold" me a dill pickle.  And then when it was delivered, there was no dill pickle.  Now that is a really good profit margin on that pickle.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, DILL PICKLES, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2014 - Day 343/22 - Tuesday...

Finished the second day of TAR TREPAC Trustee meetings and orientation, and again, good stuff, good information and good training.  2015 will be a very good year.  This is a photo of the freshman class of Trustees, just your average group of over-achievers!

After the training was completed, it was off to catch up on some errands for tomorrow.  A stop at Costco and some e-mails, text messages, phone calls and finalizing details.  All in a days work.  Dinner with a very good friend, and then back to complete this blog and then some time to prep for the next day.

Emily had her baby, congratulations to her and Hunter and Hudson and Barrett.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, LOOSE ENDS, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2014 - Day 342/23 - Monday...

That's me on the left, in an all day meeting for the Texas Association of REALTORS® TREPAC Trustees.  Great information, great group of NEW Trustees, great things are in store for TREPAC, just on the cusp of the new legislative session that begins in the middle of January.  Let me make it through December, and then I will begin thinking about January.  January is also shaping up to be a busy month!

The culmination of the day (not including all the TREPAC stuff) was scoring 102 points with a five letter word, playing Words With Friends with my bud Skip.  I don't think I have ever scored 102 point before!

Deeds, Actions, Changes, SCORE, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2014 - Day 341/24 - Sunday...

Okay, the score at the half is all tied up; Evans 1, Speckles 1.  I think Evans' offense was a little bit better than Speckles, and he did lead in total yardage.  The Speckles man is now confined with TWO (not one, TWO) fences between him and the alluring sireen at the neighbors.  AND the fence is all fired up and making good use of the new charger that I bought last week.  When I went out there to check on them this morning, the alluring sireen was all ensconced within a couple hay bales, looking like something out of a manger scene.  She is just alluring enough to get the Speckles Man to was his vessel against the rocks and be lost at sea.  We shall see what the week brings.  One good sign is that I can hear no bellowing out in the back pastures.  Always a good sign.

After I got Speckles back onto our property, I put a bale of hay out in the cross-fenced pasture, and it seemed that his interest was more towards filling his stomach with hay than it was to love-making and trespassing.  After that, it was a good cleaning of the stove and the chicken coop, and then it was time for me to hit the big blue chair.

Did I mention that I am practically crippled after the day?  We will see how ambulatory I am tomorrow morning.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, TIE SCORE, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2014 - Day 340/25 - Friday...

Blog hits went up 51% yesterday when I put Emily's photo in the post.  Just sayin'.

Jody is of the opinion that we have the 17 year variety of crickets, and that they came with the house.  We have not seen any crickets outside (although I did see ONE cricket in the garage this morning), and so Jody thinks they were included with the home construction, and once this passes, we will be cricket free for another 17 years.

Mr. Speckles jumped the fence again, and he is still ensconced at the neighbors courting their heifer calf.  Unfortunately, it seems Mr. Speckles days as the ruling bull at JBAcres are numbered.  That is kind of sad, but once a jumper...we've had him for 9 or 10 years, and he has never jumped before.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, JUMPERS, Ki
ndnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2014 - Day 339/26 - Friday...

Today had its share of ups and downs, but the ups definitely ruled.  I will talk about the ups, not the downs.  Pay attention.

First off was a visit to the board to participate in the new member orientation.  I do PAC and Ethics, definitely something I enjoy and I think the new members learn something by the time I have finished.  Then to my office to speak with a couple clients (one in person and one via long distance).  Check.  Then it was off to visit Emily and to see my journal hits jump dramatically just because I posted an "ussie".  That's okay, I can take it.  Emily is definitely more popular than I am, and I can accept that fact and I am comfortable being able to admit that.

I think we both had a great time talking and gossiping, I know for sure I did.  I miss Emily, happy that I am able to go and visit her, and glad that we get to visit every now and then.

Deeds, A
ctions, Changes, EMILY, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2014 - Day 338/27 - Thursday...

Don't be talkin' no smack talk about the Bobble-Head-Bill, you hear me?  Bobble-Head-Bill can take your puny Bobble-Head any day of the week with his Bobble-Spring tied behind his back.  You get it? 

It is Thursday, which means it is one day away from Friday.  That is not a bad thing!  I got a little bit of work done today, along with some other stuff.  Okay, it was mostly stuff, but it was a good day!  Office work in the morning, office lunch for a late birthday luncheon, then a listing appointment in the afternoon.  Life is good.

Tomorrow is going to be a good day, too.  New member orientation in the morning, office work in the late afternoon, phone call early afternoon with a client out of the country, and then I will go visit Emily in the late(r) part of the afternoon.  If she agrees to another selfie with me, that will make my numbers go up dramatically.  Emily is a big site-draw, not that I'm jealous or anything, but a cover photo with Emily and an Emily update is going to put my blog hits go through the roof.

Stay tuned!

Deeds, Actions, Changes, EMILY, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2014 - Day 337/28 - Wednesday...

...and it is HUMP DAY...and my birthday (34th or maybe 39th is you are going Celsius)
...and the day of my last BOD meeting as the association President.  All-in-all not a bad day, if I do say so myself.  Let me be clear...I am still in charge until 11:59 on December 31st...just to be clear!  We also had a Past Presidents luncheon, and I was presented with a birthday cake (socks) and a good time was had by all! 

Have I mentioned lately that I am the luckiest man in the world?

Just checking!

Deeds, Actions, Changes, IT'S MY BIRTHDAY, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2014 - Day 336/29 - Tuesday...

This is kind of the way I feel right now.  A HOT MESS!  It is kind of an indication of how my day went.  A HOT MESS!  I hope it is not an indication of how the rest of my week will be!  I don't think so, really.  Things are slackening up as we get towards the end of the week.

Today I had an all day meeting, and that was a good and productive thing.  No more meetings for this particular group until January.  Tomorrow is my last Board meeting as President of our Association, and I am conflicted about it. I have enjoyed it very much, and will miss the interaction and the good work that we (all the Directors) do as a Board.  As was coined by one of my mentors, today I am a peacock, tomorrow I will be a feather duster.

Boo-Hoo!

Deeds, Actions, Changes, MESSES, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2014 - Day 335/30 - Monday...

We went from a high temperature yesterday in the 80's to a high temperature today in the 60's.  And that was at midnight last night.  Temps lowered throughout the day, right now it is 41 degrees on the edge of nowhere, and it is supposed to get close to the freezing mark by tomorrow morning.  I do not actually think it is going to freeze, but it will be close.  This particular spot on the edge of nowhere is on a high place, and we are usually three or four degrees warmer than other places around us.  That is a good thing in cooler weather, but I have not really put that theory into study during the hottest times of the summer.  BUT, it is cool enough that I am glad that I cleaned out the stove yesterday, and there is a lovely fire burning right now.  Jody likes that!

I did a lot of running around today, which included getting my hair cut.  Just in case you were wondering, I try to get my hair cut on the last Friday of the month or the first Monday of the month.  Nothing OCD about that, nothing at all.  Errands here and there, all day meeting tomorrow, all day meeting on Wednesday, and then a break on Thursday and Friday.  I have a lunch meeting on Thursday, and a listing appointment on Thursday afternoon.  Telephone appointment on Friday afternoon.

Blah, blah, blah, blah, BLAH!

Deeds, Actions, Changes, FIRE, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2014 - Day 334/31 - Sunday...

There is not a cricket to be found outside our house on the edge of nowhere.  Neither Jody nor I have seen a cricket outside the house this year.  Not even in the garage.  That is because all the crickets are INSIDE the house.  Live crickets.  Dead crickets (often in multiples).  Crippled crickets.  Fornicating (allegedly) crickets.  I say allegedly because I have never seen a movie or power-point presentation on the mating habits of crickets.  Not even in Junior High School Health Class.  Chirping Crickets.  Hiding Crickets (preferably in the t-shirt or pull-over jacket I put on after rising from a troubled nights sleep.  That is because there are crickets in the bed clothes.  I do not think the crickets sleep, I think they just die.  No crickets outside, but plenty of crickets (see above) inside.

The same with leaves.  No leaves on the trees or shrubbery or ground out here on the edge of nowhere.  They are all in the pool.  Don't believe me?  Ask Denny!

And don't get me started about chicken sh*t.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, CRICKETS, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2014 - Day 333/32 - Saturday...

It was 77 degrees in Austin today, probably the same out here on the edge of nowhere.  This is a photo of the sunset, very pretty indeed.

After sleeping late, I made a pile of eggs for me and Jody, and then I headed into Austin to run some errands and do some other secret stuff.  Just stuff.  I did go to the office to check things out.  Okay, I also did a little bit for the economy today.  Did some small shopping.  Something that has never happened before, happened today.  I was taking bales of hay out to the cattle this afternoon, and I cold not get the first bale off the hay fork.  I had to peel that sucker off like an onion.  There is hay strewn from one end to the other out there.  The second bale cooperated as was expected, but you never know what is going t happen out here.  After that, I gathered up Jody and we went back into Georgetown for lunch, cam home and we both went down for naps.

Tomorrow is chicken coop cleaning day, and more fence work.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, HAY BALES, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2014 - 332/33 - Friday...

I am thankful for another (former) neighbor today; Randy.  I was out acting like I knew what I was doing, trying to put the fence back together this morning, and I beckoned Randy over to help me.  He is the undisputed fence expert of the edge of nowhere.  Randy and Irene lived next door when we moved here, and they sold part of the property earlier in the year, and bought some land in Salado to be closer to their children and grand-kids.  Anyway, Randy came over and helped me get the fence re-wired and strung back together, and that was great.  Of course, the fence is not working yet, but I will work on that some more tomorrow afternoon. 

After the fence stuff, Jody and I went into town to run some errands, and we then went to Taylor to buy some cattle feed and had lunch at the bar-b-cue place (Vencil's) by the rail yard.  Good pulled beef (I think, I just eat what they put in front of me) and a diet-Coke.  Perfect.  We got 500 pounds of cattle feed, 200 pounds of chicken feed (trying a new brand), and then another stop at HEB before we headed home and we both went down for naps. 

The new bull calf (Giblets) is looking fine in the back pasture, and that is good.  This is a picture of one of our other neighbors cows, they were all gathered up around the front fence when I was unloading feed and checking meters.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, FEED, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2014 - Day 331/34 - Thanksgiving...

In addition to all the things I am thankful for on a daily basis, today (this being Thanksgiving Day) I am especially thankful for Pauline and Hubert, who came and helped me fetch Mr. Speckles who (this is all I can figure) jumped the neighbors fence and went courting their heifer calf.  We ended up having to cut out a section of fence and bribe him back in to our pasture with cattle feed.  Then, instead of stringing the fence back (we cut four of the five barbed wire strings and the goat fence) I put a gate panel up there.  Tomorrow I will secure the gate panel better and hook the electric fence back up, but it will not string the fence back, just in case there is a replay of this incident.

To add to the excitement, Violet had another calf this morning, and in honor of the day, we are going to name him Giblets.  Yes, it is for sure a bull calf, I saw him pee.  Mother and son are both doing well, and we will discuss the retained placenta later.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, STRAY BULLS, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2014 - Day 330/35 - Wednesday...

Repeat after me; today is not Friday.  If you don't believe me, just look at the title of this journal entry.  It was a ridiculously busy day, again not with work accomplishments, just with stuff.  Stuff here and stuff there, and most of the stuff got done, not all of it, but most of it.  I will be able to accomplish the rest of it in the next three days though, in that I am confident.

It seems we now have two cats hanging around the house.  I was back in the lab late this afternoon and happened to glance out the door t see a grey cat looking back at me.  I think we were both kind of surprised at that, I know for sure I was.  A little while later, there was Barney hunkering down beneath one of the tables out on the back patio.  I wonder how many cats we will end up with.  I guess it was inevitable that, if you have one cat (okay it is not like Barney actually belongs to us) you will most likely wind up with another cat.  Where will this end?  Where do these cats come from?  I know we live on "Abandon Your Animals Boulevard", but this is getting just (maybe) a little bit out of control.

And the coyotes are having a party across the street.  Survival of the fittest out here on the edge of nowhere!

Deeds, Actions, Changes, CATS, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2014 - Day 329/36 - Tuesday...

Okay, I am running out of time.  Tomorrow is the last work day of this week, and I have just about got everything done.  Persistence is a good thing, if you're me, not if you're the other guys.  But who could possibly refuse my wonderful smile and my happy demeanor.  It seems no one can!  I got to do a test drive today at the Capitol with my CHA license.  In like a breeze, no questions.  Of course Carrie had no issues either, but all she had on her was a drivers license and a credit card.  BUT it worked, and that is all that matters.  I think it will get a little bit more use next year with the Legislature is in session.  I think it is going to be one of those years.

I have a few things on  my list that I will get checked off tomorrow, and then it will be four days of sleeping late and taking it easy.  And then there is the first half of next week...

Deeds, Actions, Changes, EASY IN, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2014 - Day 328/37 - Monday...

I am sorry to report but this three day week is just really not going to work for e.  I have too much stuff to do to cram it all into three days.  And the first three days of next week are jam packed as well.  What to do, what to do, what to do...

I was super happy to go and visit my dear DEAR friend Emily today and have lunch with her.  We sat in the restaurant and gossipped and laughed and laughed and laughed!  It was a blast, and I do not want to wait that long to go visit again.  Right about now she and her boys (all
three of them) should be enjoying some pie and collapsing into sugar shock.  What could be better than that? 

I actually did get a lot of stuff done today.  Stuff, not work.  I got very little work done at all.  Just stuff.  I expect to get more stuff done tomorrow.

Oh, an I have decided on the theme for February (traditionally the theme month on the blog).  February, 2015 theme:  Who can I blame?

Deeds, Actions, Changes, EMILY, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2014 - Day 327/38 - Sunday...

Day after day I am reminded that I am not getting younger, I am getting older and all my bravado and energy is really nothing more than an act.  Last night was the preview party for the Austin Empty Bowl Project, and that was a lot of fun.  Today I did a volunteer shift at the TRASHMAN for Empty Bowl, and my shift was from 10 til 1.  In the middle, I filled in for selling $1 tickets for the quilt drawing (they know I am not ashamed to ask for money; if you don't ask, you don't get).  By the end of my shift, I was spent.  I had to come home and take to my blue chair, and get in a nap.  I know there are many MANY more volunteers who work much harder than I did, and I totally respect them for that, and I bet they are taking a really well deserved rest right about now.  My respect and admiration go out to Hester and Kris for the tireless hours they spend planning and coordinating this great event, and I would not be surprised if they did not re-surface until the first of the year.

Congratulations to a job well done!

Deeds, Actions, Changes, EMPTY BOWL, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2014 - Day 326/39 - Saturday...

For all practical purposes, it has rained all day.  Well, perhaps I exaggerate that just a teensy little bit.  For all practical purposes, I has rained all day when there was something else I could have been doing, but it was raining so I couldn't do it.  Overnight, we had about 0.16" of rain.  Since I emptied the gauge this morning, we have had over an inch, and it is still raining.  Jody and I went into town (left the edge of nowhere at about 5 o'clock) to attend the Austin Empty Bowl Project Preview Party, and it was raining.  We made it to the party, and we could hear the thunder and all, and they made an announcement that there were more storms coming (all the business had been taken care of) and there was a grand exodus.  We made it home with no issues.

Tomorrow will be the actual event, come on out if you get a chance and buy a bowl (hand made by local potters) and get some soup, listen to some music, have a nice time.  All the weather is supposed to be done soon after midnight, and it is supposed to be a beautiful day!  I will be easy
to spot, just ask for the "trash man".

Deeds, Actions, Changes, RAIN, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2014 - Day 324/41 - Friday...

The devil has been busy beating his wife all day today.  Pouring down rain and the sun is shining to beat the band! 

I am pretty darned happy that today is Friday, even though that also means a dearth of television programming.  I think I will be able to keep myself busy.  Speaking of rain (see above), it is supposed to rain overnight and for most of the day and night tomorrow.  BUT, Sunday is supposed to be a beautiful day.  That will work out because that is the day of the annual Austin Empty Bowl Project.  Every year on the Sunday before Thanksgiving, folks line up around the building to get a hand made bowl, some bread and soup, and listen to some local music.  This year will be no exception, and it is always a great event.  We have been long-term sponsors of the event, and continue to do so.  If you want to know more, go to http://www.austinemptybowl.org/ and find out all about it.  On Sunday I will be volunteering as the TRASH MAN, and I have to tell you, I do a pretty darned good job!

Deeds, Actions, Changes, TRASH MAN, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2014 - Day 324/41 - Thursday...

Umm...okay...Tis the season to be...INTERESTING.  Yeah, that's it.  INTERETING!  That's my story and I'm sticking with it!  So, once again, there I was, minding my own business, and I come up against this guy.  Fern.  That's his story and he's sticking with it.  I did share with him that "Fern" is my porn name, and if you want to know more about that, just ask.  It is (aren't they all) an interesting story.  But I digress.  Fern (no me the porn star, this guy in the photo) works in customer service, and he was very helpful.  I don't think too many people argue with him.  He was a very nice guy, and it just goes to show you that you should not judge a book by its' cover.

I made it home this afternoon, and shortly after I happily in the house, it started to rain.  That is not supposed to happen until Saturday, but there it was.  Last I looked, there was 0.06" in the gauge, and it has rained a little bit since then.

And finally, just in case you are having a hard time finding that perfect gift for that man or woman in you life who has everything, this is for you!  I am stealing this word-for-word from the Bartlett Tribune-Progress (Serving Central Texas Since 1886):  Public Notice - Historic Bridge Available.  The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) announces the availability of a historic eight box concrete culvert for relocation and preservation in compliance with the U.S. Secretary of Interior's Standards for Treatment of Historic Properties.  The bridge is located on County Road (CR) 115 (signed Colorado Street) at Willis Creek located in Granger, in Williamson County.

The bridge was built in 1925.  It consists of eight concrete boxes measuring eight feet by six feet.  It has an overall width of 32 feet and a clear roadway width of 20 feet.  THe total length of the bridge is 70 feet.  Technical difficulties and substantial costs associated with relocating and reconstructing the bridge should be anticipated.

Limited financial assistance is available to help with relocation costs.  The Austin District of TxDot will be accepting reuse proposals until August 1, 2014.  For more information, please contact Monica Swensen at (512) 832-7181.

Marketing this bridge to a responsible party is required under Title 23, U.S. Code, Section 144.

There you have it, even if it is too late to get it (according to the deadline published in the paper yesterday).

Deeds, Actions, Changes, INTERESTING, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2014 - Day 323/42 - Wednesday...

Who knew Sandy Clause does not have a favorite charity.  I would have expected that if anyone was on the knowing end of who would be in need of a little bit of assistance, it would be good old Sandy Clause hisself!  There I was, minding my own business, when Sandy walked past.  I acknowledged his northern presence on a lovely balmy day in northwest Austin, and he responded with the obligatory hohoho's and the this-n-that's, and kept on walking.  Always thinking and with a certain presence of mind, I hollered back to him and asked him if he would grant me a selfie opportunity.  It seems the old guy is not a bit bashful nor camera shy and is up for any and all self-promotion (even though it is not even Thanksgiving yet).  I queried as to a favorite charity as a trade for this pictorial documentation of the event (perhaps thinking temporarily that I was back in the southern hemisphere where every llama and colorfully clad coca leaf peddler is photographable for a fee), but he declined.  I did mention that I was heating up the road to make a charitable donation to the Coats for Kids drive, and he thought that was just fine.  This particular photograph does not capture his full sartorial glory, red jacket and green velvet (perhaps velour) pants and pointy shoes.  You just had to be there.

Reports of Austin losing its' weird are highly exaggerated.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, CELEBRATING, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2014 - Day 322/43 - Tuesday...

Oh Siri, you silly, SILLY girl you.  It's kind of like you are a genie in the phone, but you are a cantankerous little devil deep down inside, aren't you.  You do give me good driving directions, I have to admit, but you are not worth crap when it comes to finding a phone number for the place across the street.  Admit it.  Whenever you are asked to locate the closest so-and-so, you seem totally incapable of giving me you full attention.  And just today, you erased all my calendars from my phone.  POOF!  You freakin' little...  Oh, sorry, this is a family oriented journal.  But it took me until just now to figure this whole charade out, and it was right in the palm of my hand the whole time.  I have been accused time and again for "obviously pushing the wrong button" or even "I guess we'll just have to do a factory restore" or "I don't know how you manage to f up your phone all the time".  But it is really you, isn't it.  It never occurred to me.  I think you are actually the opposite of artificial intelligence.  Are you in cahoots with a dude named HAL?  I used to think it was the GOOGLES that I loathed and despised, but I now find that it is you , little Miss Siri.  Why I oughtta...

MEDIC!

Deeds, Actions, Changes, SIRI, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2014 - Day 321/44 - Monday...

The coyotes are across the road doing an a cappella version of "Baby It's Cold Outside".  Not sure, but it sounds like 6 or 8 of them.  And the sound carries much better on these cold dry nights.  The girls are relieved that I have tucked them into their coop for the night, too.

Today was a really good day for a Monday, even though it was a Monday.  And there were lots of meetings to attend, back to back.  10 til 4:30. But there were lots of significant advances made and for all those accomplishments, I am proud.  On the way to work there was this beautiful sunrise.  It was a lovely sight, since we have been days with clouds and drizzle.  We are all glad we don't live in Seattle, because we (here on or near the edge of nowhere) cannot tolerate too many days without sunshine.  I guess the folks in Seattle feel the same way about drizzle.  They can only go so long without it.  What do you think Melody?

Tomorrow is another full day, as is Wednesday.  Thursday and Friday will welcome a little bit of some scheduling opportunities, and next week looks pretty wide open, even if there are only three days in the work week!

Deeds, Actions, Changes, SUNSHINE, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2014 - Day 320/45 - Sunday...

Sad news is almost worse than bad news.  There is plenty of bad news, but add a bunch of sad news in with it, and it is almost intolerable.  Bad news is about crap that adults perpetrate upon themselves (or others) and sad news is about babies and puppies. 

It was one of those days, nothing bad happened (see above) and nothing sad happened (see above), but it was cold, drizzly, grey and windy.  Just the perfect day for working outside an doing stuff that would be better done on a day when the temperature was closer to 70 degrees, with a light breeze out of the north and an occasional cloud just to block enough sun so that you don't begin to glisten.  But no, it was as I previously said, but I did (along with Miguel) what needed to be done, and was pretty much finished by noon.  I have also been able to keep the fire in the stove and that is nice.  I thought you might like seeing this wet spider web that I photographed before it was (regrettably) destroyed when we had to take hay to the cattle.  Spiders are not known for their good sense in choosing a locale for their homes.  I often wonder if tragic endings like this one are reported on the spider-new channels as a really big storm that came through and destroyed the dwelling.  Do spiders need big-wind insurance, and if so, what are the premiums like.  I think it might be really bad for fire-ants, because I wreak havoc on those at the drop of a hat.

Hmmm.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, DAMP, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2014 - Day 319/46 - Saturday...

Let us begin with this query:  Who in the HELL would ever need to visit the web site www.doiwantarootcanal.com?  I do not need to visit that site to get the answer.  I ALREADY KNOW THE ANSWER to that question, and I expect there are a bunch more stupid questions that I already know the answer to.  I heard an advertisement for this place on the radio today, and I was just kind of struck dumb.  Okay, dumber than usual.  Just to make sure that I was not hallucinating, I visited the site, and they even know he answer.  The answer is NO! 

But I digress...

It was a quiet day on the edge of nowhere, I made it into Bartlett this morning and bought two hay rings for the cattle, two bags of bird seed (I am going to try and grow my own birds, Jody is not in favor of it, but I am going to give it a shot) and two bales of cedar shavings for the girls.  We had a guy come out and replace the garage door opener, and I tried following the directions that were provided to me by the manufacturers help desk for the NEW weather station, and that did not work, either.  Perhaps we are not destined for a new, advanced weather station.  It has been dribbling from the sky for about the last five or six hours, just a fine mist, I would not expect there to be any recordable accumulation, but you never know.  Another two or three cold nights, and back up into the 70's by next weekend.

Yippee!

Deeds, Actions, Changes, THE ANSWER IS NO
, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2014 - Day 318/47 - Friday...

Well, I have successfully gotten the first fire of the season going in the wood stove, and that is nice.  From the looks of this cloudy and grey sky, you could squint adequately and convince yourself that you were in some (select the deity of your choice) forsaken place like Ohio or Michigan (no slam there Diane, last I saw you were snorkeling).  It reminds me of when I was a kid and I would go pheasant hunting with my dad when we lived in Michigan.  Cold, grey, damp...and after that came the really bad parts.  Yes, sometimes I get tired of the heat here on the edge of nowhere, but I really do not have that many good memories of freezing temperatures and snow.  The worst memory I have of that kind of climate is 1976, Rochester, New York.  Ask me about it sometime!

A good day today, all in all.  Got lots of work done in the office, got lots of good things accomplished at the board, and pretty soon it will be time for bed.  Except it is Friday night, and that means there is a real lack of choice on the tube.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, COLD, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2014 - Day 317/48 - Thursday...

You are welcome to your own opinion, but this is mine:  Nothing (and I mean that), NOTHING in close proximity to a urinal in a public men's room should be emblazoned with the logo Nut-Locker.  It is just not rational to me, and if you have a differing opinion, please feel free to comment, but please also provide the rationale.

Having arrived in Houston yesterday with no overnight kit and no hotel rom, I think I survived pretty well.  Before leaving the office yesterday, I was able to scrounge up a tooth brush and a disposable razor, so I thought I was pretty well set.  It was only after I completed my shower and was drying my hair that I remembered that I also was not endowed with a brush or a comb.  SO...I adopted the look of one of the three stooges for the day...or maybe a combination of them all (except for the one with no hair, with apologies to David and a plethora of other friends).  And I made it through the day pretty much unscathed and arrived home on the edge of nowhere (because that is further than the middle of nowhere) all safe and sound.

Tomorrow will indeed be another day.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, NUT-LOCKER (OFGS), Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2014 - Day 316/49 - Wednesday...

The beginning of this day was really hectic, the middle of the day was calm and peaceful, and there were a couple surprises towards the end of the day!

Beginning:  According to our super-duper thermometer, we did not get below 37 degrees overnight.  On my drive to work, there were no readings below 35 degrees.  It is supposed to be colder tonight, but I am not expecting a hard freeze.  I packed for an overnight trip to Houston (I have to take a class tomorrow), and forgot a few important items.  To begin with, we could not get the garage door to go down last night, so I released it and closed it manually.  Today, I got it up but could not get it to go down again, so that was a challenge.  Further into town I realized that I did not remember to pack my overnight kit, but I could endure without it.  I found a tooth brush and a razor in the office, so I am all set.  I was scheduled to do a KVUE Midday Interview, and that went well; this is a photo of me and Andrew, the KVUE Producer that I have had the honor of working with all year, a really rewarding experience.  That was the beginning.

Middle:  Not much to report, nothing really worth noting.

End:  I made I to Houston at about 6:30 only to arrive at the Hotel to find out I made reservations for tomorrow, not today.  I am not kidding. Oh, and there was no room at that Inn, and they were unaware of any available rooms in the area, since they had been trying to find accommodations for others (they were over-booked).I eventually found a room, and I expect that I will look back at this some day and laugh.  But probably not tomorrow.  Or any time soon.

My class starts tomorrow at 9 a.m., and I expect to leave about 7:45, just in case.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, GOOD, BAD, UGLY, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!