2017 - Day 151/214 - Wednesday (already)...

The day started out beautifully, and went down hill from there. Climatologically speaking. I am getting kind of tired of putting in all the work (clouds, grey skies, no sun) and not reaping the rewards (rain). Austin is getting some rain; they got a nice bit of rain last weekend, but we have received just a little bitty bit of rain. We have the clouds, we have the thunder, and we can see the lightning, but we can't get the rain. But wasn't the sunrise pretty? That is a nice thing about the country, you can actually see stuff all around you. Wheat fields (now plowed), corn fields, sorghum fields, hay grazer (is that also called Sudan Grass?), cotton...lots of stuff out here. I was told today that the wheat did not make this year...it looked good to me and Jody, but apparently we did not have enough cold weather for it to mature properly, so all the wheat fields are being plowed under. Deeds, Actions, Changes, SUNRISE, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2017 - Day 150/215 - Tuesday...

But it really kind of feels like Monday. Traffic felt like Saturday. If you are in Sweden, it must be Tuesday. If you are a Texas Legislator, you probably think it is Friday. If you're the Pope, it might always feel like Sunday. If you are me, tomorrow is Wednesday. If it is ground hog day, it is likely to be Thursday. If you are a movie, it is probably Saturday. There, I think I got them all covered. Today was kind of fun, traffic was non-existent, I got a lot of work done in the office, we are transitioning to the next month with no major catastrophes, things seem relatively under control. We still have not had any rain, even though by looking at these clouds, you would be led to believe that it was imminent. Not so. Just clouds. We are all going to have to order light boxes to ward off the depression. How do people in Seattle do it? Not sure. I bought five new chicks this afternoon, and they are all ensconced out in the front barn in their little coop. Nothing cuter than baby chicks. Deeds, Actions, Changes, CLOUDS, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2017 - Day 149/216 - Memorial Day...

Happy Memorial Day to everyone! I got everything on my list scratched off except one item, and I am about 15% complete with that. It is taking a little bit longer than I expected, and it is causing me to glisten profusely! It is already hot and very humid, and we have not received enough rain with this last round of storms. Everywhere around us got rain, be not us...okay, we did get 0.19" overnight, but in the grand scheme of things, we need more. Much more. The girls are doing well, and we wonder if Callie was ever let outside by her former owners. It seems she does not really know what to do when we take her outside. She frequently just stands there and looks forlorn. A good thing is, in our efforts to train them to go outside, when she finished her dinner tonight, Jody said she went right to the door to go out. She didn't do anything (I don't think either one of then did), but at least she knew it was time to go out. Lexie is the white girl (kind of looks a lot like a tube) and Callie is the grey girl.

Back to work tomorrow...the last week of one month and the first week of another month. Deeds, Actions, Changes, GIRLS, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2017 - Day 148/217 - Sunday...

A Rube Goldberg machine is a deliberately complex contraption in which a series of devices that perform simple tasks are linked together to produce a domino effect in which activating one device triggers the next device in the sequence. The expression is named after American cartoonist and inventor of such contraptions, Rube Goldberg (1883–1970). Thank you Wikipedia. I have a new respect for the outrageous prices people charge for salvaged wood and/or hardware. It took two days to deconstruct the old chicken run (outside the chicken coop). The old coop reminded me of a Rube Goldberg chicken coop run. It was very complicated and consisted of many part and pieces. The new run is very elegant in its simplicity. It is a 10 x 10 kennel we got from Tractor Supply. The fourth wall of the kennel is used for part of the top enclosure, and we had some other panels from another kennel (that had been used as a chick enclosure) to finish off the roof. So, the girls can be all secure inside their run and the coop once they call it a day. I have a little bit more to do on it, but if you don't know, you wouldn't know. Got that? I still have four things on my list to get accomplished. Maybe tomorrow. Maybe not. We shall see. Deeds, Actions, Changes, KENNEL, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2017 - Day 147/218 - Saturday...

I got very little of my 'To Done' list accomplished. There were/are eight things on my list, and only one thing has been crossed off; I changed the filter in the water filter thing in the kitchen. I did make some progress though, and I expect to get a couple more things crossed off the list tomorrow. I was out measuring things outside the chicken coop this morning, to make sure that the plan I had devised in my head just 'might' work. I had been in and out of the enclosure a couple times, taking this measurement and that measurement, and I turned around and saw this rat snake on one of the 2 x 4 supports. That sound you heard of a 13 year old girl screaming was most likely me. I composed myself and took a couple pictures, and when last seen, the snake (with the two orbs about half-way down its' length) was flying through the air into the tall grass. If those orbs were chicken eggs, all will be good. If they were nest eggs, I would suspect that snakes days are numbered. Whatever... Jody and I did go into Taylor this morning, and I bought a 10 x 10 chain link dog kennel to replace the other exterior enclosure that keeps the chickens safe at night. So far, I have demolished about 90% of the original enclosure, and I have about 60% of the new enclosure completed. It is completed enough that it is standing, but it is just 'pinned' together, and the roof of the enclosure has not been added yet. I think I can get all that done tomorrow. It already looks a lot better, but the chickens are not that interested in change...must like the chicken keeper himself. Deeds, Actions, Changes, CHAIN LINK, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2017 - Day 146/219 - Friday...

If I were a conspiracy theorist (or someone of particular bent), I might be paranoid by the rather obvious observations being made of me and Jody when we sit out in the yard in the evenings. This (we think) is a pretty young squirrel and he does not seem to be put off by our presence. He/she will zoom around in the tree limbs above our heads, not caring about much of anything, and we are not sure if the girl dogs even know is up there. Granted, the girl dogs will bark are raise hell about absolutely nothing, but they have not figured out that they should bark at the squirrel. Yes ladies and gentlemen, boy and girls, children of all ages. It is Friday. I wish I could remember when the weekends became such a big deal to me. I wish I could point out a date or event that made the weekends what I work all week for. But I can't. I just enjoy them, the ability to sleep in a little bit longer, the chance to take a couple naps, and make a few accomplishments around the house. But, today is Friday, tomorrow and the next day and then there is Monday which in this case is not that bad since it is a Holiday, but then it will be Tuesday. Ugh. Tuesday. The day after a Holiday Monday. I am not sure I will be able to face it. But for now, it is the beginning of a three day weekend, and that is a happy thought. Deeds, Actions, Changes, SQUIRREL (NO MOOSE), Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2017 - Day 145/220 - Thursday...

I am very sad to report that, today was almost as bad as yesterday as far as commuting is concerned. BUT, it was on the way IN, not on the way OUT. I am having another of my bouts with 'Austin is becoming too inconvenient'. It was wreck city on the way in, but not that terrible on the way home. One nice thing is that MoPac (stands for Missouri Pacific because the rail road tracks go down the middle of it) is not as bad as usual where I get on at Cesar Chavez. That has saved me about 20 minutes two days in a row going off to appointments. This is a photo of the Interstate from my rear view mirror this morning, and if that is what was behind me, you can use your imagination to conjure up what was in front of me. TWICE! I am really looking forward to the long weekend coming up. I have a list of chores to get accomplished, but it will be a great weekend. Deeds, Actions, Changes, WRECKS, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2017 - Day 144/221 - Wednesday...

Just when you thought it was safe to get back on the Interstate... Okay, for those technical folks in the reading audience, in central Texas it is the Interregional Highway, not the Interstate, but I am abandoning that pc idea and just going with the readily acceptable idea of 'average'. In addition, there is only one cave, and it is correctly known as Bee Cave, Texas and Bee Cave Road. But everyone insists on saying 'Bee Caves', so go ahead with yourselves, and I will try my best to be average. But I digress. I have been having a little 'happy fest' with myself all this week, glowing in the fact that UT has recesses for the summer, which means traffic ebbs somewhat in its' intensity. But the commute home this afternoon was (kind of, sort of) a killer. I took me one hour (60 minutes) to travel 7.4 miles. And the cause of the back-up was at my 8.2 mark. A motor home decided to catch fire right there, and by the time I got to it, it was nothing but a mere skeleton of its former self. I don't know if there were any injuries (none were reported on the local news) and I don't know if any other vehicles were involved, but it made for REALLY slow going on what was otherwise a beautiful afternoon. Deeds, Actions, Changes, BURNS, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2017 - Day 143/222 - Tuesday...

This was a pretty calm day, and I got some things done, but by the time I was finished with my 2 o'clock meeting, I was exhausted. Not sure why, but it liked to have killed (kilt?) me. I made it home just as it started sprinkling rain. We avoided the worst of it, but the counties and towns east of us got hit pretty hard with some good wind gusts. We have been lucky, and so far the storm shelter has only been used for storing bottled water and dead snakes. What else do you do with a big concrete hole in the ground? The clouds were interesting though, and I liked that part. It just occurred to me that Monday is Memorial Day. Sweet! I can always use an extra day to take a nap. I do have a couple things planned. I am going to demo the existing cages area outside the chicken coop, and replace it with a 5' x 10' x 6' dog kennel. Since I am only using three sides of it, I am hoping I can use the other side for a top. I have it all worked out in my head, and we will see if it all works out the way I am planning it. Deeds, Actions, Changes, STORMS, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2017 - Day 142/223 - Monday...

We planted several varieties of grapes about three or four years ago, and they all did pretty well,considering. We have about six different kinds growing along the fence around the dog yard and two others growing up over the gazebo. We have never had good sweet grapes. They are always bitter. The dogs seem to like them, even though they are nowhere near being ripe. The look nice and are getting bigger, but I think they are still a month or more away from ripening. But again, the dogs do not seem to mind a bit. It rained overnight, and we are supposed to (maybe) get a little bit more rain through the evening, but I don't really think we will get much more. There is always the Memorial Day weekend to look forward to, we very often get rain (frequently really heavy rain) over Memorial Day. The sun has not shined a bit today, and that just kept the temperatures (and the morale) down below average. I would sit and type a bit more, but Antiques Roadshow is about to start, and I have to go. Deeds, Actions, Changes, GRAPES, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2017 - Day 141/224 - Sunday...

The landscape renovation project continues, and there has been good progress. Cannas, Iris, Garlic, Lilies; the list goes on and on. Transplanting will begin in June and go through July. Literally tons of cactus have been removed, exposing lots of little treasures from the previous owners. This property had been an Iris Farm, and I found one of the old 'care instruction' cards from that business this evening while I was surveying the work. Interesting stuff. The purpose is to have all the flora closer to the house, so it can all be better appreciated. There will be THOUSANDS of Iris bulbs transplanted, populating the new beds and filling in the existing beds. It will be great to see it all completed. As for me, I did little of anything of consequence today, with the exception of starting the truck. Jody and I took a ride around the neighborhood, surveying all that situation. And naps. I took a couple naps which I welcomed while slouching in the big blue chair. Tomorrow I will be back in the office, and I am looking forward to that. Deeds, Actions, Changes, TRANSPLANTING, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2017 - Day 140/225 - Saturday...

So, does this look like a Texas sunset? If not, just admit that you don't know what the sunset on the edge of nowhere looks like. I made it home just as the sun was fading, and I am proud to note that I am going to sleep in my own bed tonight. The last five days (six day, five days, who's counting) were filled with activities, advocacy, meetings, committees, dinners, receptions and a lot of hard work. Overall, I think most people would agree, we were there too long, we had too many meetings, we did not get enough sleep, we ate too much, we drank too much, and we did a lot of great work. I have done it many times in the past, and I would do it all over again without a minutes hesitation. But I am glad to be home. We are supposed to get a little more rain (maybe) overnight, and there are chances of rain through Monday evening. Interestingly, Jody said there were thunder storms and a lot of lightning last night, and the new girls slept through the whole thing. I don't understand how some dogs panic and some dogs do not even recognize that it is happening. We are good that these girls are in the latter category. Good night. Deeds, Actions, Changes, SUNSETS, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2017 - Day 139/226 - Friday...

Okay, I confess. I have no idea what this photo relates to on this particular journal entry; I went to The Googles, entered the date, this this is what showed up. I am generally embarrassed when I have one more glass f wine that is absolutely necessary, but that is exactly what happened on this day. HOWEVER, the bottom line is that I got $200 for the installation of our incoming President, and I am not embarrassed about that at all. I am unabashedly unashamed about raising funds for worthy causes, and I will do it in any way I can. So, tonight I got cash/credit card numbers for $200, and I got commitments (on a bar napkin) for about $700 more dollars. Now I just have to keep up with those napkins. Today was (for me) the last day of this annual DC Mid-Term conference. It has been a great week of meetings, and the most important parts were the networking and the sharing of ideas and goals with our colleagues to further the goals of our REALTOR® colleagues across the United States. It has been a great week, and I have really been fortunate to learn more about my colleagues, and the folks I work with on a daily basis. Have I mentioned lately that I an the luckiest man in the world? Well, I am, and I know it! Deeds, Actions, Changes, Whatever, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2017 - Day 138/227 - Thursday...

I am pretty sure it is Thursday, and I hope tomorrow is Friday. Today was not nearly as busy as yesterday, for which I am grateful. This morning I had a chance to get a little extra sleep, and was minding my own business when there was a schedule change. One of my favorite sayings is 'More sturdy stands the bowing reed than doth the might oak', which, I have been told, is something I learned in high school. Shakespeare. At least that is what I am told. I made it to one of our Legislators meetings where I was the lead, and then had lunch in the Rayburn cafe. Then on to another meeting, then back to the hotel. A reception and then a dinner, and now I am back in the hotel and looking forward to a good nights sleep. If you know anything about me, or if you have been following this journal for any time at all, you know I am very fond of clouds. This particular photo was taken at the reception this evening on DuPont Circle. Very nice. It seems there is the possibility of some rain and storms in the area during the next 36 hours or so, and that could actually be kind of fun. We will see. But the clouds are really interesting anyway. Deeds, Actions, Changes, CLOUDS, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2017 - Day 137/228 - Wednesday...

Years ago, I was asked what I was looking forward to after some of my volunteer responsibilites were completed: I did not have to think about that question for very long, I knew exactly what I wanted. I was looking forward to laughing again. I am a great laugher. I love laughing until I cry. I like doubling over and laughing until I start coughing and choking and I think my head will explode. I laughed a lot tonight. Laughing is one of my most appreciated talents (by me) and I think it is a really under-appreciated exercise for most people. Laughing is good, and I think I probably added a couple years to my life tonight. I thank all the people that were part of the evening, and I want to send out a special thank you to Fern. Fern has been in retirement way too long, and I may just be time for him to make a re-intro into society. I think it is time. We shall see... And, did I mention that the DC Police are a lot of fun, but they are not Uber... Otherwise, in my opinion, this was the most difficult day of the annual DC visits. My day began at 7 o'clock this morning, and my last meeting was finished at about 7:30 tonight. Then it was on to a dinner with many of my favorite colleagues, and now I am closing out the day with this journal entry. Tomorrow is an easier day, and I will get a little bit of extra sleep. Deeds, Actions, Changes, LAUGHS, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2017 - Day 136/229 - Tuesday...

So...this is what it looks like when a gaggle of REALTORS® get together to advocate for property owner rights and REALTOR® issues. This is a photo from one of the meetings I attended this afternoon, the NAR 360 meeting. Pretty much an overview of issues we will be speaking with our elected officials during our Hill Visits tomorrow and Thursday. I am not sure how many of our colleagues are here, but we will be meeting and speaking with our elected officials to make sure they know the issues that we support for property owners and our colleagues. I attended several meetings today, and these meetings are always a chance to see my colleagues from across the country. The end of the day included a nice dinner aboard a boat that cruised up and down a waterway (no, I don't know which one) while we watched the sun set. My day starts tomorrow at 7AM. Time for me to go to sleep. Deed, Actions, Changes, MASSES, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2017 - Day 135/230 - Monday...

If you stick your head out the window of my hotel and squint your eyes just right, you can see the Washington Monument. I am in Washington, D.C. for our annual visit to our Texas elected officials. Hill visits are always an interesting experience, and every year we bring information to our Congressmen and Congresswomen, and we are happy to share our knowledge and experience for the benefit of property owners and all of our colleagues across the United States. Thanks to everyone for all the hard work you do every day. There were lots of my colleagues on the flight into Washington this morning. We were delayed; first with the forward landing gear (they had just landed but, oh well) and second with a nail in one of the tires. All was good though, and it was a pleasant flight. We were about an hour-and-a-half tardy getting in, but it all worked out. Stay tuned, you never know what tomorrow might bring. Deeds, Actions, Changes, MONUMENTS, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2017 - Day 134/231 - Sunday...Mother's Day...

Person of Size. Hmmm. I was in need of altering my airline ticket for some travel this week, and under the frequently asked questions was the heading "Persons of Size'. I looked up the term on The Googles, and determined that (I guess) I qualify as a 'Person of Size', although not to the extent that I (usually) can get away with only one seat on the airplane. Usually. But, since I have gained a few pounds over the last year or so (eating seems to be my answer to all of life problems), I needed (after I got my ticket changed) to go and purchase a few new shirts. It seems all my weight goes straight to my neck. Whatever. BUT...I went on a shopping expedition today, since I will be meeting up with many of my colleagues this week, and I will on occasion, be in need of a shirt and tie. Without turning blue and/or passing out from the constriction of my carotids and stuff like that. So off I went. Lots of interesting options, and I did manage to pick up a few things. But, the competition is great. I will be up against folks like Kenny, Joe, Seth and Hagan. OMG. To be honest, I think Hagan wore one of these suits in Hawaii a couple months ago, so I did not get that one. But, I do expect to make a splash with my colleagues. I got the shirts, I got the socks...everything else will just have to fall into place. Happy Mother's Day to all you mothers out there. Deeds, Actions, Changes, SUITS, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2017 - Day 133/232 - Saturday...

It was a pretty good day out on the edge of nowhere. I got a lot of little things done, nothing that is really worthy of noting, but things that needed doing. So now they are done. When I went out to put some fertilizer on the roses this morning, there were four red morning glories just as proud as they could be, climbing up through one of the grasses in front of the house. I kind of gave up on the glories last year, although they are one of my favorites. I think it is just too hot and too dry out here for them to flourish. But, the volunteers are very welcome, and I hope to see more of them. I also did a little of this and not too much of that, but all in all it was a really good day. Deeds, Actions, Changes, GLORIES, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2017 - Day 132/233 - Friday...

I attended a very important meeting at the Board today, but after the meeting it was important for those of us in attendance to take a couple minutes and laugh. There is not enough laughing going on, in my humble opinion. Laughing will make us all live a little bit longer. Laughing is good for what ails us all, and I recommend laughing on a regular basis. We all need to laugh more. Politics could be laughable, but sadly that is not the kind of laughing I am talking about. Laughing is the making of spontaneous sounds and movements of the face and body that are the instinctive expressions of lively amusement and sometimes also of contempt and derision. I am okay with the first part of that, not so much with the last part. Chuckle, chortle, snort, guffaw, cackle, giggle, titter, twitter, snigger, snicker, teehee. I am good with all those. I am also good with burst out laughing, roar, hoot, howl, crack up, dissolve, split one's sides, roll on the floor, double over. Kill yourself laughing may be taking the whole thing just a little bit too far. I am not okay with dismiss, make a joke of, make light of, shrug off, brush aside, scoff at, or pooh-pooh. Now, take my advice (please) and go practice. Deeds, Actions, Changes, LAUGH, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2017 - Day 131/234 - Thursday...

Cupcakes. Really small cupcakes. Teeny-tiny cupcakes. Can you even see them? They really are cupcakes. I attended a reception tonight at the Board, the 2017 ABoR Foundation Scholarship Awards Reception. There were some finger foods served, which I really did not have an opportunity to share. But there were plenty of cupcakes. Did I mention that the cupcakes were really small? They were really small. But I ate a couple, and I brought three of them home with me. Maybe I am just in the mood to complain, which is really uncharacteristic of me! No, really... CUPCAKES! It's What's for Dinner! I was in the office most of the day today, and I crossed lots of items off my 'To Done' list. Happy about that. Tomorrow is going to be another good day, I can just feel it! Deeds, Actions, Changes, CUPCAKES, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2017 - Day 130/235 - Wednesday...

I absolutely, positively hate it when I outsmart myself, but at least it doesn't happen very often. I got out of the bed extra early this morning because I intended to leave extra early to get into Austin extra early. Parts of the plan worked, and parts of the plan did not work. I got up extra early (as reported above) and did indeed leave the house extra early, but I did not make it into the city extra early. It was wreck city on the way in, and then this evening it was wreck city traveling home. This morning I left at 6:22 a.m. and I made it to the board after 8 a.m. I was scheduled to guide a class of my colleagues and the class was from 8:30 until 5. I made it, but not without a certain amount of anxiety, name calling and lane changing. It was crazy. Then, on the way home, there was a wreck in Georgetown and there are hardly ever wrecks in Georgetown. But I digress. The class was great, I learned some things, and I think (okay they all said they did) the colleagues that were taking the class said they all learned some valuable stuff. SAD NOTE: There were about 25 folks in the class, and I was the only person in the room that still has a 'land line'. I was also accused of having a fax, and and AOL e-mail address. They were half right! Guess... Deeds, Actions, Changes, WRECK CITY, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2017 - Day 129/236 - Tuesday...

Must to the consternation of the weather prognosticators in central Texas, we did in fact receive a little bit of rain this afternoon. As of this morning, the forecasts called for 0.01" up to Wednesday afternoon. I don't know what was in the gauges in Austin, but out here on the edge of nowhere, we got ten times that (sounds really good but it doesn't really amount to that much). BUT, we will take what we can get. I was outside feeding Barney, checking meters and collecting eggs when it started thundering and lightning. I took refuge in the chicken coop for about ten minutes, and the chickens took refuge in the bamboo and under some vines. I am not sure which of the species were the most secure, but there were no fatalities amongst us. We also think it is really interesting, the new girls (Callie and Lexi) do not make any notice of the thunder. The last several four legged friends we have had were total freak-jobs when it thundered, but these two do not even act as if they notice it at all. Maybe they are deaf, but they can hear a can opener, so I doubt that. This photo was taken last night of the Garlic and the sunset. I like the photo very much, I hope you enjoy it as well. Big day tomorrow. Deeds, Actions, Changes, RAIN, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2017 - Day 128/237 - Monday...

I think it is kind of creepy when my Monday was better than the most recent Saturday or Sunday. I think it is because I actually got a few things accomplished in the office and got a sense of satisfaction from that. Not that I did not make any accomplishments over the weekend, I did. But today I had a really nice day, and that is always a good thing. And, I think this is going to be a really good week, too. I guided a quick class today at the Board, and that was fun. And a package arrived for me today, and that is always fun too. Retail Therapy. I am a big believer in that. If you have a bad day, go shopping. Works for me. If you need a hand with anything, just let me know! I have plenty, and glad to help! It is a beautiful day here in central Texas, it has been cloudy all day, but that worked to keep the temperatures down and with lower temperatures, the humidity is not that big of a problem. Cloudy for the next couple days (at least) and maybe a little bit of rain on Wednesday. We will all keep our fingers crossed! Deeds, Actions, Changes, THERAPY, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2017 - Day 127/238 - Sunday...

A lovely day in central Texas. We are still experiencing lower humidities, but the winds have turned and are now coming out of the should, and the humidity is rising. Jody and I took a little walk this morning (sans girl dogs) and that was lovely, and later in the afternoon we sat out in the shade and the girl dogs decided to have a little bit of play time. And then, being the slave to Madison Avenue that I am, we went into Georgetown to pick up a pizza. I saw an advertisement of this pizza last night, and I have to admit, it was really, really good. We also got some rose food...the roses are doing nicely, but some of the leaves on some of the roses are looking kind of pale and puny. We hope the rose food will help them. Tomorrow starts off a relatively calm week, so that will be a good thing. Sorry I have nothing exciting to report this lovely spring day.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, GIRL DOGS, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2017 - Day 126/239 - Saturday...

I did get my prepping done for a class that I am teaching later next week, so that is a good thing. I have guided the class before, but there have been some additions to the text and I wanted to make sure that I knew what I was doing before I got in front of a bunch of colleagues and looked even less intelligent that I really am. Generally speaking, I do not need any help looking stupid, that is one of the gifts I was born with. I also got the grass cut in the girls yard, made a small repair to the chicken coop and collected five eggs. The girl chickens are having starts and stops in the egg laying department this year, but at least they are producing enough that we don't have to buy eggs. We have about five dozen eggs right now, and that is plenty for us and a few to give away to neighbors. There were also a couple naps worked into my busy schedule today, and Jody and I did manage to get into Georgetown for lunch. I think tomorrow I will get a few little office things out of the way, and then see about another nap. Deeds, Actions, Changes, EGGS, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2017 - Day 125/240 - Friday...

Happy Cinco de Mayo, y'all. I have only lived in Texas for a little more than 30 years, and honestly, I never heard about Cinco de Mayo until I moved here. And it is not about mayonnaise, either. It is not about ships hitting a reef and losing their cargo of salad dressing either. Cinco de Mayo is a celebration held on May 5th. The date is observed to commemorate the Mexican Army's unlikely victory over French forces at the battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, under the leadership of General Ignacio Zaragoza. Just today (what a coincidence) there was a park redone and a plaque unveiled at Zaragoza Park in Austin. Good Job! It was a good day today, and it is Friday as well, so there is nothing to complain about on those two facts. I led a good class this morning at the south office, and that was a lot of fun. I always enjoy that. And I got some of my hairs cut this afternoon, and that was a good thing too. I expect to cut a little bit of grass tomorrow, and take copious naps on at least two occasions. I have some prep to do for another class I am guiding next week, and that should not take a terribly long amount of time, and it is something I really enjoy, that makes it okay. Deeds, Actions, Changes, CINCO DE MAYO, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2017 - Day 124/241 - Thursday...

It was an open-window kind of day in the office today, and everyone enjoyed that. The 'cold' front that came through last night did not bring us any rain (boo-hoo) but it did provide us with some nice gusty winds and cooler temperatures with lower humidity levels. The girls last night decided the winds were really boogey-men, so there was some barking going on through the night, but otherwise, it was okay. We are supposed to enjoy this brief respite from the heat for another couple of days, and that is wonderful. Plenty of time for...but you already know that song. The Callie girl dog has decided it is okay for her to eat again. Maybe she just had a stomach ache, maybe she was just not in the mood, but whatever the reason, she is back to eating what is put in front of her. AND I went to Petsmart this afternoon and bought some really expensive (okay, all dog food is more expensive than the HEB brand) dog food, and we will see how that goes in the next day or so. In the meantime, they are both back on the HEB brand and they seem to be okay with it. I am teaching a quick class tomorrow at the south office, then getting a hair cut tomorrow afternoon. Not too sure what the weekend will hold, but I expect it will include some grass cutting. Deeds, Actions, Changes, COOLTH, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2017 - Day 123/242 - Wednesday...

The anticipated rain event did not happen. It happened north of us, but that is not helping us any at all. We could hear little rumbles of thunder, but no rain. There was a trace overnight, but again, that has not helped us at all. The society garlic (at least I think that is what these are) are about to bust open. Since I took this photo last night, two more of the pods has opened up. I think they are really interesting, and like to watch them bloom every year. The temperature has dropped significantly in the last couple hours as the 'cold' front has come through. The high temperature today was 95, and the last time I looked it was down to 81. Supposed to be dry and cooler for the next couple days and that IS a welcome thing. There will be plenty of time for the heat and humidity. It's not the heat, it's the stupidity! Jody took the two girl dogs to the vet this afternoon, and they both checked out fine. I am a little concerned about Callie, she did not eat her food this morning, and she did not eat her food this evening. This morning was chicken and this evening was beef mixed with some dry food. Turned her nose up at all of it. The little white dog (Lexy) is a rather indiscriminating eater...she pretty much wolfs down whatever has been put in front of her so far. Kind of reminds me of Costco...where every aisle plays host to folks that may never have another meal. I bring that up because I visited Costco this afternoon. Let's not go there... Deeds, Actions, Changes, GARLIC, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2017 Day 122/243 - Tuesday...

When one day ends, another one begins. It seems like only yesterday that it was Monday. Whatever. Summer will be upon us soon, and Jody and I are both threatening to get in the pool this year. I don't think I have been in the pool in the last three years, but I swear, this will be the year. Almost ready! We are having the deck redone starting next week, and landscaping around the house is underway, but that won't be done until August. Anyway...we are in the process. This year will be the year! It seem that Little Girl had a name the whole time and we did not even know it. We are a little bit suspicious whether or no she was aware of it either, since she is not very reactive to it when we use it. The shelter sent us a note today and mentioned that her name is Lexy. You could have fooled us! Her paperwork just said "Little Girl", but we will try it out for a while and see what happens. I wanted to name them Martha and Cora. Those were Jody's and my mother's names, but that did not gain any traction, so we are sticking with Callie and Lexy. We shall see. Deeds, Actions, Changes, POOL SEASON, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2017 - Day 121/244 - Monday...

The Bonsai Azalea that Bruce & Melody sent Joel for his birthday continues to bloom forth. The weather has been a little bit unusual, south winds bringing heat and humidity followed by north winds bringing cooler temps and lower humidity. We are currently in a south wind cycle, but the next change is due on Wednesday. In all honesty, we are happier with the north winds, but we also understand it will not last. The azalea is parked on the front porch and has been relatively protected, so the temperature swings have not really bothered it at all. I am not sure how much longer the blooms will last, but Memphis style azaleas last about three weeks, if I am recalling it correctly. Whatever, they are lovely. Today was not a remarkable day in any respect expect for the part that I visited the ladies restroom 'on accident'. I was walking down a hallway in a state building and passed a door that said 'Women'. The next door should have been 'Men', and that is the one that I entered. Not so in this case. I spent about 30 or 45 seconds in there, looking for anything that rang familiar, and finding none I realized I was out of my element. Having done no harm, I made a hasty exit and found what I was looking for on the other side of the building. Again, whatever... Deeds, Actions, Changes, WOMEN, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!