Volume 17 - Day 359/6, 2025 - Thursday - Christmas Day

So, somebody got a Power Wheel for Christmas! When we were walking this morning (me, James, Paul and Richard), we saw this family (see photo) out celebrating the day with their young one enjoying his Christmas present. Fun to see. Otherwise, my day was relatively calm and quiet. I did check our PowerBall numbers, we won $16, but I am glad somebody finally won. No more playing until the jackpot gets back up to about $450M. I went down to Jimmie and Linda's to have some cake for Wells's birthday, and then Richard and Marge and I went for Chinese for dinner. I am in for the night, and I will (perhaps) have more to say tomorrow. Merry Christmas!

Volume 17 - Day 358/7, 2025 - Wednesday - It's Christmas Eve!

I may have started a new Holiday Tradition at the Curious House. I washed four loads of laundry, and made those into five loads to be dried. AND...(are you sitting down?)...I vacuumed. The whole Curious House. I may not have done the best job ever, but it is no longer in obvious need of being vacuumed. Okay, to be honest, it was NOT in obvious need of being vacuumed, depending on the time of day and how the sunlight was coming in the windows. But it's done, and there is no turning back. Richard and Paul and I had a good walk this morning (see the sunrise photo), and after my chores, I did have a couple other errands that needed to be taken care of. It was up to 79 degrees at the Curious House, and so I put the top down to do those errands, and it was basically a lovely day in central Texas. Marian and Ronny brought me pralines (the first time I have ever had a praline) and cookies, and Billy and Gina brought over three different kinds of tamales. I am a lucky man, and I know it.

Volume 17 - Day 357/8, 2025 - Tuesday

It was 68 degrees when I got up this morning, and Richard, Paul and I had a nice walk. After walking, we met for our ROMEO breakfast, and Rick joined us. On the way home from breakfast, I made two stops: Target for dog food and dog treats, and then to Costco for vitamins and stuff like that. I made it home and went down for naps, and a little of this and a little of that. Later in the afternoon, Billy, Gina and I went to the Lucky Duck in Taylor for catfish, always good! I have a couple errands to run tomorrow, mostly concentrating on eating kiwi fruit and ice cream. Don't tell me I don't have my priorities in line. I just realized tomorrow is Christmas Eve, even though I have thought about that now and then. It still seems like it has snuck up on me, but I will get it all figured out in the next day or two.

Volume 17 - Day 356/9, 2025 - Monday

I may try t come up with more interesting photos to share on platelet days, but then again, I may not. Just in case you were wondering, today was platelet day. On the way in to Austin, I did a few chores, and on the way home from Austin, I did a few more chores. That is not to say that I did not have a nice walk this morning, I did. One of my chores was to find some already peeled kiwi fruits. I thought Trader Joe's might have them, but no. I did find them at Whole Foods. I have not been in a Whole Foods for quite a long time, not for any reason in particular, just have not needed to be in a Whole Foods. I was glad to find that they do indeed have peeled (for lack of a better word) kiwi fruit, and I am also glad to know that I am apparently not the only first world person that is not fond of peeling kiwi fruits. Granted, I only did it once, but I was not very good at it. AND THEN...shortly after I got home, Gina brought me a slew of peeled kiwis. I have plenty for the short term now, so I will let you know if kiwi consumption helps me in the platelet world. They are supposed to be good for platelet health and platelet counts, that's my story and I am sticking to it. For dinner, I had an HEB meal-ready-to-eat (steak, potato and green beans) that said on the label that it should be consumed by December 17th. That's only five days ago, and it didn't smell bad, so I ate it. I did cook it a couple minutes longer than the directions said, just to mae sure I killed all the bad stuff if there was any bad stuff in it. I'm still breathing, and I don't have any ill feelings, so I guess it was okay.

Volume 17 - Day 355/10, 2025 - Sunday

I just got off the phone with Mike, and I am waiting for 60 Minutes to come on. This football game is NEVER going to end. After 60 Minutes, there will be a special about Rob Reiner, and, bless his heart, I do not think there is anything else I can learn about Rob Reiner. I am pretty sure they have covered it all. It was a good morning for a walk, and I did not even check our PowerBall tickets until after noon today. Someone is going to win it one of these days, and it is a 50/50 chance that it will be me! Stand by! I went to Home Depot and HEB later in the afternoon, and I need to go to Target tomorrow. Tomorrow will also be a platelets day, and I always look forward to doing that. While I am in Austin, I have a few errands that I can take care of, too, and that is always good. You never know who you are going to run in to at HEB, and today, it was Santa. Who knew Santa shopped for groceries at HEB! It seems like he is a yogurt fan, too! Well, one of us is, and it is likely not me!

Volume 17 - Day 354/11, 2025 - Saturday

As you may or may not recall, I have proclaimed myself to be the penguin expert of this journal. You may (or may not) also remember my comments about penguins get about 11 hours of sleep per day, in four second increments. My internet home page is abcnews.go.com, and this afternoon, for some reason, there was an article titled Some animals have evolved extreme ways to sleep in precarious environments. In particular, they discussed chinstrap penguins in Antarctica, and that they survive by taking thousands of catnaps per day-each averaging just four seconds long. It was interesting to see that, and I invite you to click on the link (above) and read the whole article. Unless of course you are not in the least bit interested in penguins, which I cannot at all comprehend! I take several short naps a day as well, but mine are about 15 minutes a piece. It was a good day for a walk, and after the walk, a bunch of us took off for the single estate sale of the day. We were not expecting much from this sale, and we were right. I spent $2, and walked away with a couple things. I went nowhere else for the day, and snacked on leftover food (pizza, brisket, biscuits, cornbread muffins) throughout the day, not that there is anything wrong with that. It got up to the middle 70s today, getting a little cooler overnight, and then warmer for the coming week and through the end of this year. The photo accompanying this entry is another from the boat ride on Thursday. Austin is a pretty place from Lady Bird Lake!

Volume 17 - Day 353/12, 2025 - Friday

The most important thing I did today, was to remember to keep breathing. I was a total lump, and I am okay with that. I did walk this morning, I wore shorts and it was a bit chilly for that. I got up to the low 60s, and I was chilly all day long. I was too stubborn to turn the heat on, but I bundled up and suffered the consequences of my stubbornness. It was a beautifully clear day, and even when I sat in the sun, I was still 'not hot!' Biscuits, cake, and sausage was distributed throughout the neighborhood, but I kept the brisket. I also learned that you should not try to heat brisket in the microwave without covering it with something. On the positive side, the microwave is now nice and clean! I went with Jimmie and Linda in to Georgetown this afternoon, and we had salad and pizza at 600 degrees. Time now to chill for the rest of the evening, and get ready for one estate sale tomorrow. I expect to find something I cannot live without!

Volume 17 - Day 352/13, 2025 - Thursday

Well, another day has come and gone, and it was relatively busy for someone who did very little of anything for most of the day! Of course, it was a good morning for a walk, and the weather was lovely. It was a beautiful, sunny day today, blue skies, a blue that you can only see in central Texas. Okay. This evening was a very nice gathering of a bunch of friends on (what is now called) Lady Bird Lake. It was a great day for a boat ride, and I think everyone had a good time. We got to see the Trail of Lights from the water, and looking at the Austin skyline from the river is always interesting. We had really good brisket, sausage and chicken, with the appropriate sides, and chocolate cake that was really good. The girl dogs assumed that I had abandoned them and that they would never have another bite of food, but they think that a lot and I always prove them wrong. It is way past my bedtime, so this is the end of this entry. Thanks to Gina for the photo!

Volume 17 - Day 351/14, 2024 - Wednesday

When I got up this morning, it had actually dribbled a little bit over night. 0.02" of dribble. It was still dribbling when we would have ordinarily started our walk, so I decided to go back to bed, and I think that option was easily adopted by Richard and Paul. Throughout the day today, we have received an additional 0.05" of rain, not great, but we are not complaining. The dribbling also meant the skies were grey all day but by this time tomorrow, the skies should be clear. I did have an errand to run in Austin as well, so I got there and back without any trauma. The girls went to the beautiful parlor this morning (while I was on my way to Austin), and I left to pick them up at about 3:15. By the time we were getting close to the Curious House, about 3:45, this wreck happened. It looked like a big truck went into a ditch and took out a light pole as well. The emergency vehicles were inconsiderate to the point that I could not really get a good photo or really see if any other vehicles were impacted. BUT, it was quick and the responders were quick, too. The girls would most likely have NOT chosen to get their hair cut, considering the chilly weather, but it will grow out quickly. I started reading a new book today, and I like it a lot, It was recommended by Marian, Wild Dark Shore, by Charlotte McConaghy, about a family on a remote island (Shearwater), not far from Antarctica, and a woman that washes ashore after a shipwreck. Interesting, and I was into it right from the beginning. Other than that, nothing else is very newsworthy from this side, what is new with you?

Volume 17 - Day 350/15, 2025 - Tuesday

It warmed up some today, but still a little bit chilly. Walking was good, and then Richard and Rick and I met for the ROMEO breakfast. After breakfast, I stopped at HEB and bought stuff that will last me for a while, and the girls have enough food to last them for a while, too. When I got home, I started taking plants out of the garage and the dining room, and there are no more freezing temps forecast for the foreseeable future. I am not convinced that will actually happen, because this is central Texas, and stuff happens when you least expect it. Jimmie and Linda stopped over about 6, and we rode around and looked at the lights in the neighborhood, and then it was time for book club. We had a good book club get together, and picked our book for next month, The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz. I finished reading Nobody's Girl today, so I am ready for some lighter reading. Tomorrow, I have a couple errands to run, including one that will take me in to Austin, and the girls are going to the beautiful parlor. They don't know it yet, so it will be a surprise. 

Volume 17 - Day 349/16, 2025 - Monday

Well, as Monday's go, this one did not suck for me. It did freeze (barely) overnight.Two outside water dishes (for dogs, front and back) did not freeze, but one shallow and elevated bird bath did freeze. I actually think the morning glories survived for the most part. The plants that I brought in from the cold will be put back outside tomorrow, and the forecast calls for temperatures in the high 70s in the next couple days. The walk was chilly, but we did it, and I did not go anywhere until my doctor appointment at 3 o'clock. The appointment was basically to interview a new doctor, because the doctor I have been going to for over two decades is retiring. So, I think it was pretty successful, we both agreed that we could accept each other in a doctor/patient relationship. We are both (probably) going to be on probation for a while, but my first appointment with him is not until June. I also went to my subdivision HOA meeting this evening, where it was much of the same. I whispered a lot to the people sitting around me, but it was another event where one member (who does not want to participate) has all the answers and knows everything there is to know. That's okay, I can just sit back and whisper to my hearts content. After our walk in the morning, the ROMEOs will have breakfast, and tomorrow night will be book club at Margie and Richard's house. Always fun.

Volume 17 - Day 348/17, 2025 - Sunday

Well, depending on what happens overnight, this may be the last of the morning glories for this year. They have done well for the last couple years, and they require very little maintenance. I think I will need to watch them a little closer next year, they have a tendency to take over everything in their path. I knew that when I put them in, I just need to pay better attention. It was very cold this morning when we walked, and it did not get any better during the day. All the plants are either in the garage or in the dining room, and it is expected to warm up through this week. I guess I could go wrap the outside spigots...That won't take long, but I really don't think it needs to be done. Whatever. I had brunch today with Terry and Candy, and then I went to Costco. I will go to HEB maybe tomorrow or Tuesday, and I have an appointment to interview a possible new doctor tomorrow, too. I have a couple hours to go to finish the book I am listening to, and book club is Tuesday. For the rest of the night, I think I will just pile up with the girls and try to stay warm.

Volume 17 - Day 347/18, 2025 - Saturday

I had a perfectly good reason to go to P. Terry's for a double cheeseburger combo this afternoon. Today, they will donate 100% of their profits to the Statesman Season for Caring program. They did the same thing earlier this year (after the Kerr County floods in July), and Gina and I waited in line for at least an hour to order and get our food. The lines were not as long today, but I helped (I hope) increase the dollars they will donate. We had a good walk this morning, it was foggy (or misty, I'm not sure the difference), and it was shorts weather again. After the walk, it was time for estate sales. There were three, and I bought something from two of them, including a kitchen apron with penguins on it that Marian found for me. In addition to the penguins and chicks, it references Antarctica, Ushuaia, Argentina, various penguin species (including Macaroni), whales, and the End of the World. Not the kind of the End of the World that you might immediately think of, but that Antarctica is the End of the World. I am very proud that Marian found it, and I will display it somewhere in the kitchen. It is supposed to get very much colder over night, and the high temperature tomorrow will be recorded at 12:01AM. Then, it will be back up to 80 degrees by Thursday. All that really means is, I will bring the plants in for one night, tomorrow afternoon.

Volume 17 - Day 346/19, 2025 - Friday

I GOT A HIPPOPOTAMUS FOR CHRISTMAS! No, really! billy and Gina gave me a dancing and singing hippopotamus for Christmas! I love it, but the Piglet hates it, which is okay with me. She cannot have the hippopotamus out of her sight, and it is kind of interesting to watch. It was a good morning for a walk, and it was shorts weather, too. I think tomorrow will be a shorts morning as well. I had one meeting to attend this morning, and that was interesting. I did nothing of any consequence after getting back to the Curious House, and that was okay, too. Paulina, Krisa and Maja made it safely to Poland, and the photo they shared did not show them any worse for wear. I saw Jimmie and Linda for a few minutes, and I think they are heading to Nac either tomorrow or Sunday, and they will be back on Monday. Lots of peeps are taking short trips here-and-there, it is that time of the year. Today is Mikey's birthday, so if you talk to him, be sure to wish him a happy birthday! Three estate sales tomorrow for us to check out, and I am on the prowl for treasure.

Volume 17 - Day 345/20, 2025 - Thursday

Well, today was a busier day than I have experienced lately. I only did half of the walk this morning, because I was expected at a meeting in Austin at 10 o'clock. I got to the meeting at about 9:45, all was good, and then I found out there was NO meeting at 10 o'clock, but there was a meeting at 11:30. It was comforting to know that I was not the only person that believed there was a 10 o'clock meeting, but I really would have appreciated getting the change memo. Whatever. I was ready for anything: I put on real socks, long pants, and a sport coat. Bonus: The socks were brand new, and I have had them for years, a time long, long ago when socks were a thing for me, and I bought and was given socks for any occasion, and no occasion.So, how long has Stein Mart been gone? I miss Stein Mart, for many reasons, one being that you could go in there and walk out with lots of goodies, and still have money left. The on-line Stein Mart just does not do it for me. Whatever. Once I got home from my non-meeting and the real meeting, I fed the girls and then headed out to dinner with Jonathan and Dale, and that was fun. I have one meeting tomorrow, and that will be it for the week. Good!

Volume 17 - Day 344/21, 2025 - Wednesday

I am about half-way through the book I have been reading, and I do not recommend that anyone read it. Nobody's Girl by Virginia Giuffre. The book is well written, nothing wrong with that. The subject matter is disgusting and sad. To think that things like this can happen to people by people in power is worse than horrifying. There have certainly been plenty of women who have made similar accusations, and all we really need to do is believe them and prosecute everyone that participated. I will finish the book, and if you are curious, it is your decision, not mine. You have been warned. It was a little bit warmer this morning, so I wore shorts for our walk. The sun cast long shadows on me and Richard, and I always like seeing and sharing that. Apparently we are also in the middle of some interesting meteor showers, the Geminid Meteor showers. You can see up to 100 meteors per hour, peaking on Saturday and Sunday, and nightly after 9PM, and best from midnight until 2AM. I will be asleep, but let me know if you see anything. Don't call! I have a meeting tomorrow, and after that I will be taking Paulina, Krisa and Maja to the airport, all headed back to Poland. I think Val and Oliver will leave sometime next week. I will have another meeting on Friday, and there are two estate sales on Saturday. 

Volume 17 - Day 343/22, 2025 - Tuesday

The photo accompanying this entry is one of the things I miss about the farm. Jody and I did not do a lot of decorating, we kind of quit after 9/11, but I always did put lights up by the road. I always liked looking at the lights at the gate, I thought it was really pretty. Plus, I always preferred multi-colored lights, as opposed to all clear lights or lights of all one color. That preference remains at the Curious House, maybe I will include a pick of that in another entry. It was cold, relatively speaking, this morning, but it did not freeze at the Curious House. We had a good breakfast with the ROMEOs this morning, and after breakfast, I went back in to Austin to get an errand done that I should have done yesterday, but forgot. I intended to stop on the way home to get my haircut, but I forgot that, too. SO...after a nap, I did go and get my haircut, and that is one more thing I can cross off me chore list. I think it will be warmer overnight, and I put the back patio plants back outside, and I might put the front plants outside when I complete this entry. Maybe.

Volume 17 - Day 342/23, 2025 - Monday

Call me stupid (all together...YOU'RE STOOPID!), but donating platelets twice a month is something that I really look forward to, and something I really am happy to do. It was chilly for our walk this morning, but it did not get to freezing or below. I did not bring plants in last night, but I brought everything in this morning before walking. It MAY get to freezing or below overnight tonight, and then it should warm up for the foreseeable future. Nothing even close to freeing in the forecast through Christmas day. After platelets, I got back to the Curious House, and I continued eating food that has been (mostly) brought over to me by neighbors. I think I still have three or four more days of food before I need to buy anything at the grocery. After walking tomorrow, I will join the ROMEO breakfast, and then (maybe) go back in to Austin for something I should have done today when I was there. Everything will work out, no problems. Since it was platelet day, I include a photo of the donation for your enjoyment. While I was there, there was a man who decided to 'live stream' his whole blood donation. It was the first time he had ever donated, and I was full of sarcasm and questionable comments, which should not be surprising to anyone. 

Volume 17 - Day 341/24, 2025 - Sunday

We are at that time of year in central Texas, when it can be 75 degrees yesterday, and only 55 degrees today. That also means it will be in the 30s tomorrow when I get up and get ready for my walk with Paul and Richard. I wore shorts for the walk this morning, but not tomorrow. I am being very daring right now, I am not bringing the plants back inside or in the garage. I am betting it won't actually freeze this week, but we may get close. I may not be able to take the stress and change my mind tomorrow, stay tuned. I had a nice brunch this morning, and made a stop at HEB on the way home. That is about the most productive I have been, and I am totally fine with that. I did do a few things in the office, cleared the desk, and I am ready for the new week. Tomorrow will be a platelet donation day, and that makes me feel good. I have a couple things to do Thursday, including taking Paulina, Krisa and Maja to the airport. A meeting on Friday, and that will pretty much make another week. Life is good! I harvested the lemons today, and took them to Paulina. They will be on their way to Poland on Thursday, and Paulina's mom will enjoy them.

Volume 17 - Day 240/25, 2025 - Saturday

Well, it has been kind of a long day, and it is only about 7:30, and it feels like it should be about 10 o'clock. It gets dark too early, and I am not used to that. We all had a nice walk this morning, and then shortly after that, it was time to hit the estate sales. We did three estate sales, I bought something at two of them (half-price), and got home in time for a nap. I briefly considered getting up and doing something more productive, but that thought left me quickly. I went twice to check the mail, and it had arrived on the second attempt. Val and Paulina came over with Krisa and Maja, and we all went to dinner in Georgetown, and then walked around the square for a while. It was an absolutely glorious day weather-wise in central Texas today, blue skies, sunshine and the temperature in the low 70s. Not sure what the weather has in store for the coming days, but it will all be okay. Nothing in particular on the calendar for the next several days, but, as usual, I will find something to fill the time. For now, it is time to get in the big chair with the girls and flip through the channels!

Volume 17 - Day 339/26, 2025 - Friday

I did a lot of this-and-that today, including going to Trader Joe's (not once but) twice! Gina was a good sport and went with me both times, and I expect I will be back there tomorrow morning soon after they open the doors (8AM). I am on a mission. Don't ask, it is just one example of my OCD. Whatever. I also walked this morning with Paul and Richard, and found time for a nap or two. I was on the phone for quite a while, trying to get some billing issues settled, and got all but two items on my chore list completed. It has been another chilly, grey day, but things are supposed to improve tomorrow, and warm up over the next several days. That will be good, even if all that gets better is that the sun will shine. I think that makes everything better. We will also have three estate sales to hit tomorrow, and I have not been to an estate sale in about a month. That will be fun. I am attaching a photo from my Antarctica trip to this entry, since I did not take a photo of anything today. We will see what the day brings tomorrow.

Volume 17 - Day 338/27, 2025 - Thursday

I have lived in central Texas for a little over 40 years, and in that time, I have visited the Capitol dozens, if not hundreds, of times. Yesterday was the first time I ever used the north entrance, and I was totally disoriented once I got in. BUT, I soon figured it out, and got my business taken care of, in and out, nobody got hurt! It was 'kind of' raining this morning, so we did not walk, and I don't think anyone was particularly dismayed about that. Honestly, I don't think any of us are that keen on our daily walks, but we do it because we need to do it, and because we get to moan and groan and solve the problems of the world. I don't expect it will be rainy tomorrow, so we will be taking a morning walk. I had a nice lunch this morning with Michael and Lynda, and it was nice seeing them. I had a 1:30 appointment in Georgetown, and I made it back with a few minutes to spare. I made a few stops on the way home, and Jimmie and Linda and I took off for dinner at 3:30. I am making a trip to Trader Joe's tomorrow with Gina, so let me know if you need anything, I am taking requests!

Volume 17 - Day 337/28, 2025 - Wednesday

Well, in case there was any doubt, yes, today is my birthday. 74. It's alright, nothing particularly unsettling about it to me, just (really) another day. I need to remind all of you that I consider myself to be a really lucky man, and I wish more people could be as lucky as I am. We did get a walk in this morning, and then I had a meeting to get to in Austin. I fear I may be becoming one of those people that lives in the suburbs, and has discovered that Austin no longer has the appeal it did when I first moved to central Texas in 1985. But...the burbs are quite acceptable, and I am quite content to be here. I took the birthday cake from last night to the 10 o'clock meeting, and left there with kolaches and bundt cake cupcakes. I continued to collect food and wishes as the day went on, and this evening I went to dinner with Jimmie and Linda. When I got home, Billy and Gina brought me more food over, so I think I am set through the end of the year with food in the refrigerator. It is kind of dribbly outside, and I think that is expected to continue for the near term. If it is still going on tomorrow morning, I expect we will not walk, which will be just fine with me. I am having lunch with Michael and Lynda tomorrow, and then I have a 1:30 appointment back in Georgetown. The photo accompanying this entry is the cover of the birthday card from Jimmie and Linda, probably the best birthday card I have received in a while. What could be better than Death by Puppies?

Volume 17 - Day 336/29, 2025 - Tuesday

So...today was a chilly and busy day. It was 32 degrees when I got out of bed this morning, and it was not any warmer when Richard, Paul and I took off for our walk. After the walk, the three of us, plus Rick, met for the ROMEO breakfast. Between breakfast and getting back to the Curious House, I ran SIX errands, but they are all done now! Then it was down for a nap, and then the doorbell rang (which always sets the girls off), and it was the guy there to fix the outside lights. That took him about 45 minutes, and it was another instance of squirrels chewing through the wires. I don't have a solution to that problem, so I expect I will be doing that once or twice a season for the long term. Tonight was our neighborhood Drinking Liberally group, and we all had a good time. Tonight, the group turned in to an early birthday celebration for me and Richard (whose birthday is Monday). Great fun, great neighbors. I have a couple appointments in Austin tomorrow, so that will take up a good part of the day. Lunch with Carrie and dinner with Jimmie and Linda. I am a lucky man!

Volume 17 - Day 335/30, 2025 - Monday

I wimped out as soon as I got out of bed this morning, and I turned on the heat. It was, I think, in the low 40s outside, and the low 60s inside the house. I actually got cold enough to wake up overnight, but I did not do anything about it until it was time to get up. It has been grey and overcast all day, with little dribblies of rain, and we are expecting a light freeze overnight. Then it is expected to warm up again, and no more freezing forecast for a couple weeks. After our walk, I brought all the plants in from the back, then I took the little white car in for more service. I got a call that one of the tires needed to be replaced, tires that I just bought last year, and has about 16,000 miles on it. BUT, it is out of warranty, because...and I just really can't get in to it right now. Needless to say, it is not logical to me, but it seems to be perfectly logical to the dealership that sold me the tires. Whatever. In between times, I started my search for a new doctor, and I have an appointment with one on the 15th. I brought all the plants in from the front, and one it too big to bring in, so I have it covered with a sheet, and there is a heat lamp under it, so that should keep it from freezing. At least, that is the plan. I think the lemons are pretty close to being harvested, and I only got three this year, hopefully more next year.