2018 - Day 304/61 - Wednesday...1599...

The temperature dropped about 25 degrees during my ride home this afternoon. The front arrived, pretty much on schedule, and it is raining a little bit right now. Nice an cozy warm inside the house, but not too bad outside if it weren't for the wind and the rain. Otherwise, it is a lovely fall evening. This photo was taken before all the rain started, but the temperature had already dropped and the wind was really strong. Whatevs...

Happy Halloween everybody. No trick-or-treaters here, never are. I did get some Halloween cookies this morning and took them to the office. There was lots of power-real-estate going on today, lots of little teeny-tiny details to get taken care of, and I got most of it done. A decent feeling of accomplishment.

Mikey called this afternoon, his diagnosis is the plumeria did not like the 'cooler' weather, and fell apart. Hopefully it will just go dormant and come back next spring. It seems I am HELL on plumeria. Who knew?

Heading to Boston tomorrow, gonna be cold and rainy there too. Looking forward to seeing lots of colleagues and especially a dear friend that used to live here...Diane. I may be bringing her a surprise or two. We shall see. Tomorrow is also NOVEMBER. Holy Crap!

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

2018 - Day 303/62 - Tuesday...1609...

I have absolutely no idea what happened to traffic today. On the way in, I was expecting awfulness but it did not happen. What DID happen was all going north and I was going south, so that was a sweet thing for me. What DID happen going north involved two 18-Wheelers that collided and caused ALL lanes of the expressway going north (the opposite direction) to be blocked, well into the late morning. I fairly BREEZED in to the city. Not really, but it could have been a lot worse. I paid the price for gloating on the way home, however. Suffice it to say that it took me a LONG time to get home, perhaps a record breaker, although it did entail two stops, one at Costco, but it had to be done. This scene of the sun going down caught my attention, so I thought I would share it with you.

Tomorrow is Halloween, it is supposed to rain, possibility of storms and high winds. Perfect. We have lived out here on the edge of nowhere for ten years this year, and there has not been ONE kid ringing our door bell on Halloween. Perfect!

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

2018 - Day 302/63 - Monday...1616...

As I have reported in previous journal entries, the cooler weather has caused a rejuvenation of the flora around the edge of nowhere. These shrimp plants have come into their own in the last couple days, and that is nice. They are generally fall bloomers, and we like that. On a sad note, two of the three plumeria look as if they have been hit by frost. I do not think that is possible, but could they have drowned from all the heavy rains? Mikey? The one you gave us (that survived) is still going, but it looks a little worse for the wear. I hate it. I love plumeria!

We are happy to be back home. We stayed in Austin last night, because Jody had a series of doctors appointments this morning, the first was SCHEDULED for 8:30, the second was SCHEDULED for 9:15, same office. I am kind of tired of talking about this...we finally made it in to one of the waiting rooms at 9:40. Unbelievable that professionals can do this to their clients. These appointments were made MONTHS ago, and we made the appointment to be FIRST for the day, so there would not be any back-ups.

So much for that.

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

2018 - Day 301/64 - Sunday...1627...

I straightened out stuff in the car this morning, in anticipation of taking Jody and the girls in to Austin for the day. I had (and still have) 14 hats in the car. This particular set of hats is at the condo in Austin, and there are more in the closet. I pretty much get hats from everywhere I go. I am pretty particular about my hats, too. I don't care for the typical 'gimme' caps. Nope. I can't really explain it, but there are hats, and then there are the hats that I like. Not that I really wear hats. I like hats, but I very seldom wear them. It's because I have no neck. You heard it right, I have no neck. My maternal grandmother used to hold me in her lap and say 'I'm so sorry you ain't got no neck'. I guess it manifested itself into my psyche. I don't typically wear hat, because I ain't got no neck. BUT, HATS I GOT!

Sunday. Chores done and I even added some to the list. My least liked chore is cleaning the chicken coop. It has to be done, but it is my least favorite. I am okay with gathering the eggs, and cleaning the pool filter, sweeping the deck and patios and porches, but cleaning the chicken coop is not my favorite. I kind of have it down to an art, so I can usually have it done in 30 or 45 minutes. But, have I mentioned that it is not my favorite chore?

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

2018 - Day 300/65 - Saturday...1623...

At last count we had 24 chickens. We might have had 25 earlier, but I am at the age in which I tend to forget things if I don't make notes. I wrote 24 down on the calendar the other day, so I know for sure we had 24 recently. I have to tell you, the chickens appreciated the sunshine and balmy weather today, although the sunshine had a tendency to lessen the balminess (it was 86 degrees today) but it was lovely that there was warmth and sunshine. So far this month, we have fetched over 17 dozen eggs from the girls, so that is not too shabby. A few whites, lots of browns, some speckled, some chocolate and a couple blue/green. It is always interesting to see what will be brought in from the chicken coop.

Otherwise, I did a lot of nothing much today. I did clean the pool filter cartridge, and I am very proud of having accomplished that. About all that is on the list for tomorrow is to get the chicken coop cleaned out. Maybe I will go into the back pasture and look at the tanks. They are FULL, and that is a lovely sight to see.

A little bit more rain later this coming week, then a cold front on Wednesday will put the temperatures into the high 60s during the day. That's more like it!

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

2018 - Day 299/66 - Friday...1614...

It as a long day, lots of details to get attended to. Started with early voting on the way in to Austin. No line, no waiting, no problem. It was still dark when I got there, those are my headlights illuminating the signs! I got in to the office about 8:30, and it was an up and down day. Overall, everything worked out for the best, and there will be details and things that need paying attention to for a while, but all is well. But. I got the early voting gig crossed off my To Done List!

This is expected to be the first weekend with no rain in two months. And the sun is supposed to be shining. And the temperature is supposed to be pleasant, expecting it to be in the 70s. That will be welcome. Rain is in the forecast again beginning on Wednesday.

Oh well...

Chores tomorrow, adios!

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

2018 - Day 298/67 - Thursday...1617...

This is not particularly the most dramatic photo I could have posted with this journal entry, but it is the one I liked best and it is my journal and I DON'T have to ask anyone what their opinion, so it is what it is. I think it is a lovely photo, and I hope you do as well.

Today was a busy day and a day of several accomplishments. The morning started with a meeting at the board, then in to the office for some power real estate. My instructors license is set to renew so I got all that information gathered up and delivered it to the proper state agency. Then back to the office. I had a four-thirty appointment, so I left about 3:45 and got a few errands done along the way.

My commute home started at about 5, and incredibly, I made it hame about 6:15. Everything works, sometimes it just takes a while longer.

Tomorrow will be a pretty quiet day, and then it is the weekend! I guess I should mention that the sun came out today for the first time in a while. There was a trace of rain this morning, but that is it. We have had rain and clouds for 17 of the 25 days so far this month, and almost 10 inches of rain.

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

2018 - Day 297/68 - Wednesday...1624...

This is (apparently) why you cannot drink the water within the confines of the City of Austin. There is a whole gaggle of people finger pointing, none of them (in my opinion) have figured it out that a lot of shit has been pouring into our water supply from the north and west, and that the 'silt' travels downstream to the gulf EVERY DAY, and we are just seeing a WHOLE LOT of silt (probably hundreds of years worth) in a very short period of time. I am (as I profess at the mere mention of controversy) NOT a rocket scientist, that is why I am a REALTOR®. I have always accepted the responsibility of having enough common sense to be able to walk across the street and chew gum at the same time. There. I said it. I do in fact have certain skills, and I san see that, if there is a bunch of shit in the water, it might take some extraordinary efforts to remove the aforementioned shit before it would be applicable for human consumption. Chocolate Milk my A*S!

Whatever...

It is still raining, and it is below seventy degrees, so I of course am freezing to death. It might help if I put some clothes on, but I think that is most likely OUT of the question.

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

2018 - Day 296/69 - Tuesday...1655...

What a day, what a day, what a day! Action packed, full of fun and information. The day started with breakfast at Lost Pines in Bastrop, the a meeting for an hour or two, then a TREPAC Alumni Training presentation. TREPAC Alumni are hot to help and participate, and we got a bunch of them together and got them all fired up (again) about TREPAC and the Corporate Ally program. It does not take a whole lot to fire these folks up, and they are all on board to make it happen. The alumni are such valuable contributors to TREPAC, and they have such a wealth of information and history that has (until recently) been under-utilized. I think enlisting these TREPAC Alumni is going to breath a fresh strength of involvement into the program, and I am tickled to death to be in on the ground floor. You all just need to hide and watch what is about to happen. The photo is that of Texas State Representative Bill Flores of the Texas 17th District, speaking to the group about the importance of TREPAC. Very interesting and very knowledgeable,

After that, I drove to Bryan/College Station for a Major Investor function in an absolutely beautiful home of last year's BCS Board of Directors. Exquisitely done, everyone was very gracious and hospitable - even when I backed into one of the sconces in the foyer and caused a candle catastrophe. It was indeed an unfortunate incident, but everyone (except me) was very kind and gracious, and made little of it. Did I mention how gracious they were?

Tomorrow will NOT be quite as busy, but it will be busy, beginning at 8:30 in the morning, which means I need to get up from here and get some sleep.

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

2018 - Day 295/70 - Monday...Whatever...

Our friend Rob from NYC sent us this photo of San Diego. Trying to make us feel badly that we are not still there. That's okay, neither is he. We are all back where we started from. Where we started from has its' own appeal to all of us, and I expect we are all really happy where we are. So, as always, it was a great visit, but we are all glad to be home!

I, on the other hand, am not home. I am attending a series of TREPAC Leadership planning meetings and Alumni training sessions in Bastrop. This series of planning sessions ends tomorrow. Tomorrow evening, I will make a little side trip to Bryan/College Station and then home. It is what I enjoy, it is one of the things I am 'pretty good' at, so I am going o keep on doing it.

I am pretty good. And that is just gonna have to be good enough for today. We will see what tomorrow presents us!

That all sounds kind of cryptic, but believe me, it is not. It's just, just!

Deeds, Actions, Changes, SAN DIEGO, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2018 - DAY 294/71 - SUNDAY...1633...

I call this one 'Sunday in the Park with TREPAC'. I got up this morning and did chores; messed with the pool, cleaned the chicken coop, took out the trash, did the recycling, you know...the usual Sunday stuff. Then it was off to the office. Made it there at about 12:30, did some power real estate, and then it was off to Bastrop for a TREPAC and TAR Leadership retreat. The planning part starts tomorrow morning (really early), so tonight we headed back to Austin and went to an 'escape room. If you have never done that, I highly recommend it. It was a blast, and we all had a great time. Then dinner, then back to the hotel, now to sleep. A seven o'clock meeting in the morning will be an early enough start.

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

2018 - Day 293/72 - Saturday...1624...

This water flowing over the low-water-crossing is not in the least bit impressive, considering all the flooding that is going on west of us. You cannot really tell it from this photo, but we did not drive across it, it was flowing pretty briskly and it was several inches deep, and we were not in any hurry, so we turned around and went back.

I will tally what is impressive: Today we got 14 eggs from the girls up front. I am not sure if that is a record or not, but I think it is a pretty decent take from a bunch of cold, wet chickens.

We went in to Georgetown this afternoon. I needed air in my tires (just because of the change in temperatures), and the Discount tire place has a computerized air system...no guesswork, so we stood in line for 20 minutes to get air in the car tires. When we left, there were seven cars behind us waiting. Then on to Walgreen's for our second round of the new shingles vaccine. We were several weeks late getting the second round because there is (we assume) a shortage. Anyway, they called me while I was in San Diego, so we went in today. Not the smoothest of all transactions, but we are done with this. I don't think we will need another vaccination for shingles EVER. Then off to Panera Bread for scones (they were out), so I got Jody a pumpkin muffin and a cranberry muffin, and then to Schlotzsky's for lunch.

A good time was had by all.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, RAINS (STILL), Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2018 - Day 292/73 - Friday...1642...

It seems there is rain in the forecast. I left Monday to go to a conference in San Diego. It was raining when I left. It was raining when I arrived back this afternoon. Since Monday, we recorded (so far) 5.11" of rain. It is crazy. We did not get anywhere NEAR the worst of it. The Hill Country and the Highland Lakes areas have been very hard hit. I watched bits and pieces of it on the San Diego news channels, and it is just incredible how much damage and loss there has been.

Think about making a donation to the charitable effort of your choice, there are lots of people needing help right now.

Otherwise, I am just glad to be home. There won't be a whole lot of yard work done tomorrow, but the chicken coop will need to be cleaned. That will be about the extent of my chores over this weekend.

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

2018 - Day 291/74 - Thursday...Who Knows?...

Awright, Awright, Awright! This is my last night in San Diego, and I have tho tell you, it was a GREAT conference and it was a great visit with friends and colleagues, some of whom live in Austin but I never get a chance to visit with unless we are in a city other than Austin and we are attending a conference somewhere else. Isn't that weird? We can live in the same city, but we don't get to spend any QUALITY time unless we are at a conference or a meeting outside our usual business environments. I think that is odd, and I am going to try to do something to correct that. Stay tuned.

This is my last night in San Diego. Carrie and Rod and I had a GREAT day here. We attended a couple meetings/sessions/key notes in the morning, and in the afternoon, we went and had a good visit with each other. It included the before mentioned sessions and education pieces of the conference, a visit to an upscale mall where I purchased some upscale moisturizers for the bags under my eyes, and a few other stops here and there. Retail therapy at its' finest, if I do say so myself!

Then, we had a lovely lunch at a place Rob found, then back to the hotel to lay by the pool before the two (or three) reception this evening. The band is still cranking outside my window at the hotel

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

2018 - Day 290/75 - Wednesday... Still...

I have been to San Diego three or four times (at least) in the past...okay make that five or six times (at least). The first time was back in the 80's with my old corporate job. Then, it seems like every two or three years I am back to attend one or another real estate niche conferences. No one is complaining. As far as I know, most (if not all) of the attendees like San Diego and like attending the conferences here. I am in that group. I like it a lot. Today, Carrie and Rob and I attended some sessions and then we headed off to San Diego proper for lunch and just to enjoy the city. This photo is one that I (as I recall) have used in the past in this journal. I just think it is interesting. The actual event depicted here actually happened in New York City...pretty much as far to the right side of the continent as this city is totally on the far left side. I just think that is interesting. Kind of juxtapositioned geographically speaking. I hope you enjoy...

And yes, a very good day overall. Learned lots, shared lots, saw lots, heard lots...a successful day!

Deeds, Actions, Changes, THE KISS, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2018 - Day 289/76 - Tuesday...Still...

San Diego. A day of meetings, non-stop phone calls (conference calls), a nap, dinner on a boat and now it is WAY PAST time for bed. But it was really a good day. A really good day. Dinner tonight was on a boat (see the previous sentences) and it was fun but way too long. Three hours is about one hour way too long. Everyone got OFF the boat quicker and more orderly than they got ON the boat. But it was fun too. Fun to see friends and colleagues (many from Austin) that we don't really get a chance to see unless we are at a conference somewhere. That is really kind of a statement of the times in which we I've. So close but no time. This photo is of the San Diego skyline from the boat, with the Midway in the left side of the picture.

Lots of rain in central Texas. Jody said there was 3.81 inches of rain yesterday, and it is still raining. Lots of flooding, BIG bridges being washed away, lots of structural damage. Not aware of any loss of life at this time. Lake Travis is FULL again...flood gates are open life is interesting.

Do the best you can.

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

2018 - Day 288/77 - Monday...Hmmm...

Well, it rained like crazy in Austin this morning, and from what I hear, it is still raining. It was/is cold. It is cray-cray. Right now, I am in San Diego, but I have been wet (for most of the day) and cold (for the whole day. Allegedly it is close to 75 degrees here in San Diego, and I have the heater on in the Hotel. It is set on 78 and I am still cold. I think it is because I got soaked to the bone this morning trying to park the car, get the luggage for me and Carrie (Carrie did most of it) and get to and from the shuttle. TO THE BONE. I was wet all the way to San Diego, and I finally got dry. Not sure about the shoes, though.

Anyway...it was lovely out by the pool this afternoon. The hotel is nice...so nice that they have a room service menu for the dogs that are visiting as well (see the photo above). We are about to head out for some dinner, then several days of conference, and then back home.

Looking forward to it!

Deeds, Actions, Changes, PAMPERED PETS, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2018 - Day 287/78 - Sunday...1610...

In about the last four to six weeks, as I drove home in the afternoons, a little cemetery caught my eye on the northbound service road, between the Walburg and Jarrell exits. This afternoon, as Jody and I were coming home from some errands in Georgetown, I stopped to take a look. It is the Farmer Cemetery, and it is being Restored and Maintained by the DAR. I am wondering if it caught my attention after (perhaps) they had done some clearing and cleaning of the property. Regardless, there was/is what seems to be an entry beyond the fence and a lane to about mid point of the cemetery lined with Iris. There must be hundreds of Iris lining the lane to the middle and at that point, the Iris make what could be interpreted as a pi symbol across the top of the lane. I would say there are about fifty or so markers, the oldest birthday I saw was 1807, but that marker was not that old. An interesting marker is the one I am including in this post, Martha Dunn, born 1829, died 1899 and at the bottom of the marker the words "She was the sunshine of our house". I think that is very telling. There were lots of markers of children who lived only days or a few years. An interesting place to visit and to not forget the earlier folks that lived around here. Names that I remember on the markers were Farmer (of course) Thwing, Munn, McLeod, Rader, and others I don't recall right now.

Otherwise, I got all my chores done that I wanted to get done. Storms are expected overnight, and the temperatures are supposed to be in the 40s and 50s for the next couple days. And more rain. Most of that is okay with us, as long as it does not hang around too long. Sunshine and 70s are expected by the weekend.

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

2018 - Day 286/79 - Saturday...1625...

On our way to lunch this afternoon, we stopped at one of our neighbors (hereinafter to be referred to as 'The Chicken Lady' or 'CL' for short. CL had come by last week and asked if we wanted any chicks, and we told her sure. She was expecting some chicks to hatch tomorrow (tomorrow now, not tomorrow last week), and I told her we would take some. We stopped over there to let her know that I was going to be out of town all this week coming, could she keep the chicks till I returned. Sure, now problem. How many did I want? How many have you got? Thirty-five or 40. Well, we'll take eight or ten. That'll do. She has a gaggle of guineas too, which are the subject of the photo for this entry. She used to have a pet turkey, too, but alas mating season showed up and he left. So much for loyalty.

Earlier in the day, I went to Taylor and got some molasses barrels for the cattle and ran a couple errands. Came home, took a nap and did a few more things, and that is when we headed in for lunch.

Late tomorrow is when it is supposed to start raining, and the temperature is supposed to drop by about 40 degrees. That should last three or four days, just long enough for us to get tired of it, not long enough for us to get used to it.

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

2018 - Day 285/80 - Friday...1625...

The increase in rain and the (HAHA) cooler temperatures have revived many of the flora species around the edge of nowhere. I have seen gayfeather along the side of some of the roads, and our variegated cannas are blooming nicely and filling out nicely. The roses have begun to produce again, particularly the yellow rose in the back and these white old fashioned climbers. Things are perking up, and that is swell.

As predicted by me, the weather is expected to change early next week. I generally predict the second weekend in October, and it seems this year it will be a day or two late. Early next week, the high and low temperatures will only have a three degree spread, predicted to be between 44 and 47 degrees. Then it warms back up to the 50s and 60s. Bring on the pumpkin spice.

Tomorrow will start with a trip to Taylor to get a couple molasses buckets for the cattle, then digging a couple holes for some trees that I am planting up by the road; a couple red buds and a pecan that were gifted to me by Kay at our office.

I am sure there will be a few other chores that will be completed, but I need to pace myself!

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

2018 - Day 284/81 - Thursday...1639...

If I could only figure out a way to teach Barney the Cat how to sweep leaves off the pool deck, empty the skimmer and the bag on the Polaris, I would have it made! But, for now, I guess we will just keep feeding him, and hope he keeps some of the rodent population on the Edge of Nowhere in check.

Home again after four days in Austin attending TAR TREPAC Orientation meetings. Always a great time, lots of fun with friends and colleagues, lots of good information spread around, and lots of great ideas to maintain our fundraising quotas and goals. We had lots of guests from Nebraska, Iowa and the National Association of REALTORS®, so that always makes it even better.

Legislative Management Team meeting tomorrow, then off to the office, then run some errands and then an appointment to get my haircut tomorrow afternoon.

I remain, the luckiest man in the world!

Deeds, Actions, Changes, BARNEY, Kindnesses, Wh
irled Peas, FUN!

2018 - Day 283/82 - Wednesday...Climbing...

Oh my goodness...said almost nobody ever...especially after a day like today. There was nothing at all wrong with the day, it just seemed like it was a really LONG day. It was an early start, 6:15, and a late end (it is not after 9 p.m.), but it was a LOT of fun and there was a lot of good work accomplished. This is a photo of the backstage cast of the morning's TREPAC Live program we presented, based on Saturday Night Live. It was a lot of fun with a gigantic case of characters. If you look closely across the Interwebs, I am certain you will find a phot of your truly in full costume, working it for everything it is worth.

After the TREPAC Live presentation, there were break-out sessions about plan writing, legal aspects and a forum with lobbyists and chiefs-of-staff. Very interesting.

Tomorrow about noon will wrap up my section of the week, first with the Weekend Update, followed by a combined luncheon of Trustees and Association Leadership (BOLC).

Good stuff.

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

2018 - Day 282/83 - Tuesday...Not Sure...

To be clear, this is a view that I seldom tire of. With all the tedium and inconveniences that our city is guilty of, this is one of the reasons that we all love this city and will stay around for a long time. I am privileged to see this view two or three times per year, and I am always impressed, and I always like to share it with visitors.

So...

Today was the first full day of our annual TREPAC training, and it was indeed a long day. My first meeting was at 10 o'clock, and it ended with a dinner, and it is now after 10 p.m. Those of you that follow this journal know that I am almost always in bed WAY before this, but this is the exception to the rule. Tonight was gun seeing many of our friends and colleagues from across the country, and the next couple days will be a blast as well.

BUT...my first call is 6:15 a.m., so EVANS OUT...

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

2018 - Day 281/84 - Monday...Hmmm...

It has been a rainy Monday all day long. I forgot it was a Holiday, and I made record time into the city this morning. That was a good thing, and I got a good bit of work done before I needed to start doing errands and some other stuff done. This is going to be a week full of meetings. It is going to be a blast this week, and it is the start of something BIG. Everybody just needs to hide and watch! This picture is of the incoming TAR TREPAC Leadership. Tony, David, Me and Deborah. We are all going to be parts of history in the making.

It is going to be more fun that you will ever be able ti imagine. There is a cause and an action, and just wait to see it all come together.

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

2018 - Day 280/85 - Sunday...1588...

Sunday...not a bad day overall if I do say so myself, although there were not a tremendous number of accomplishments. In fact, there were hardly any accomplishments at all. Woke up (that's always a good sign), read the paper, had massive quantities of coffee, made a pile of eggs for me and Jody (and the girl dogs), went to the big blue chair, watched the news and Sunday Morning, took a nap and then got just a teensy bit motivated. Cleaned the patio and the pool deck (that is never ending in the fall (haha) and the leaves all around the pool are fall-ing into the pool and onto the deck and patio. The kitchen drain decided to drain slowly and I decided to be a plumber. That did not work, but I will put a call in to a professional tomorrow. It seems (so far) that that is the only drain being affected...so... Then, I decided to give a try at figuring out why the outside light on the flag has decided not to work any longer. That too was a failure, even AFTER going to Home Depot for a new low pressure sodium bulb. Whatever. The electrician will make a house call one day this week, and we will see what the damage is on that one.

I did manage to get the chicken coop cleaned out, and the picture of the mushroom growing out of one of the trees was discovered while I was pretending to be a Keystone Kop with my ladder-in-the-Polaris-up-against-the-tree-so-I-could-climb-up-higher-to-see-if-I-could-fix-it routine. Again and also, no workee.

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

2018 - Day 279/86...Saturday...1589...

This poor pitiful little white dog (Lexie) is just starving to death. She is not sure she can hold out until dinner. She hasn't eaten since breakfast. Her dinner time (along with her sister Callie) is 6:30 or so, but she starts become feeble about 5 o'clock. She was born WAY too late. She should have been in Vaudeville, she would have been a smash hit. Paw to forehead, the whole bit.

Saturday, my day of rest. I did get a nap in the morning, went with Jody to take the girls for a ride, then we went in to Georgetown to get the truck inspected. While we were waiting, it rained and then it stopped. It POURED DOWN RAIN and then it stopped. It sprinkled rain, and then it stopped. REPEAT. It was really interesting. When we left the inspection place, we went down the road less than half a mile, and it had not rained a drop there.

Interesting.

When we got home we had about a tenth of an inch in the gauge, but that was from earlier in the morning. Nothing else as of now.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, STARVING DOG, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2018 - Day 278/87 - Friday...1590...

Well, it is finally Friday. It seems like it takes a week or so for Friday's to come around. Sometimes it is a long week, sometimes it seems like a short week. I headed straight in to the board this morning, I was on the program for new member orientation Ethics training, and I always like that. I get a great deal of enjoyment speaking with our newly licensed colleagues, and today was no exception. Tami Faye was there presenting Advocacy and TREPAC to the new members, and as long as the two of us were there, we got Phillip to take a picture of the two of us with the Traveling TREPAC Trophy. Cortney from San Antonio was the winning bidder for the trophy last year, an it is back and getting all gussied up for a new high-bidder. If you want to bid on the trophy (which includes bragging rights and possession of the trophy for about 10 months next year), attend the ABoR Installation event in December, where it will be on the auction block. You never know, you might just take it to your office in December.

Otherwise, today was just another day in Austin during the Austin City Limits Music Fest. The city if FULL OF FREAKS, and that is pretty much the way we like it. It was 90 degrees today, and combine that with a bunch of unwashed freaks and, well, you know where this is going. PLUS there is also a new hickey in the works, we are covered up with motorized scooters, which also means we are covered up with motorized scooter mishaps involving many of the great unwashed and unknowing pedestrians. It is just something you have to see to believe.

Whatever...

Deeds, Actions, Changes, TROPHIES, Kindnesses, Wh
irled Peas, FUN!

2018 - Day 277/88 - Thursday...1600...

The day went by REALLY quickly, but I cannot seem to remember making too terribly many inroads on the work that I have in the office. zI stopped at a property on the way in to the office, then I made it to the office and got some work done. I made time to gt the car washed, and then I had a 2 o'clock appointment and then back to the office. I left the office about 3:30 headed to Kingsland to attend the Highland Lakes Association of REALTORS® TREPAC Major Investor Appreciation event. It was really a lot of fun, there was no ask, just fun. The event was on Lake LBJ, it was shady, nice breezes and nice people at the function.

Next week starts our annual BOLC, so there will be days and days of training for TREPAC and Governmental Leadership. RPAC and GA teams from many states come and visit us to see how we get it done, and that is always fun. A good time will be had by all!

Deeds, Actions, Changes, LAKE LIFE, Kindnesses, W
hirled Peas, FUN!

2018 - Day 276/89 - Wednesday...1577...

I see this guy (or gal) occasionally when I am in the home-stretch of my afternoon commute. He hangs in a pasture about 10 miles from the edge of nowhere. I noticed he/she was a one-horned longhorn, and that was kind of interesting to me. Generally, I zoom past him/her before I think about stopping to take a picture, but I had my wits about me today, and stopped. I really had not noticed how this he/she was until I was editing the picture. He/she has plenty of good green grass in the pasture, so maybe he/she is just old. Whatever the case, he/she is REALLY thin by 2018 standards, in my humble opinion.

I had a pretty successful day at work today. Rehab on one of our managed properties is FINALLY looking like it will turn out well; it has been touch-and-go, but things are coming together nicely now. I did some work at the Texas Association first thing this morning, then on to the office and back on the road home by about 3:30. It sounds like I have bankers hours, but keep in mind, my daily commute is EASILY two-and-a-half-hours a day, usually a little bit more. That is why I have the subscription to Audible.com.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, ONE-HORNED, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2018 - Day 275/90 - Tuesday...1580...

Just a little bit more rain this afternoon on the Edge of Nowhere. About 5/100". Better than a trace, and enough that I can postpone watering for several more days. Supposed to be drying up the next couple days, but there are rumors of more rain coming back in the seven-day forecast. Plenty okay with us. It was in the high 80s again this afternoon, so I give it another ten days or so before any real cool down happens. In my opinion, the major temperature change happens after the 14th of October. It has been pretty accurate for the last ten or fifteen years, too. I was taking a look at one of the properties we are renovating, and this little antique rose bush is in the way. It is going to get dug up and transplanted to the edge of nowhere, and it will (hopefully) thrive with a little care and attention. The bud in this picture is about the size of a nickel, very tiny and delicate. We shall see.

Tomorrow has a few things in the morning (a taping at TAR) and then office work in the afternoon. Have I mentioned lately that I am the luckiest man in the world? Believe it!

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

2018 - Day 274/91 - Monday...1576...

He is back to rain on the windshield (Monet-esque) photos. I have not shared one of these in a long while, so today was the day. When I left the house this morning, it was not raining, it was fogging. The fog was so heavy, it was almost as if we were in a cloud forest. Thick enough that you could see it and if you were to walk in it, it would not take long before you would have needed to change in to dry clothes. As I got further in to Austin, it did begin to rain, and that is when I decided I needed to 'creep' forward for a little while to accumulate the proper precipitation on the windshield for an appropriate photo. Enjoy.

And then it was the typical first day of the month action in the office. Work. A little of this. Work. A little of that. Work. Go to a meeting. Work. Go back to the office. Work. Go to another meeting. Work. Go home. I did make it home before it started to rain at the edge of nowhere. BUT, since I have been home, we recorded over a third of an inch of additional rain. We will take it.

Gotta go, Antiques Roadshow is coming on.

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