Volume 18 - Day 14/351, 2026 - Wednesday

Today was a good day, not quite as cool as the last day or so, and it all started with a good walk. I had a couple zoom meetings today, and one of the things that I accomplished was that I got some tickets to the Savannah Bananas World Tour game that will be in Round Rock in March. If you never heard of the Savannah Bananas, check with Mrs. Google. It should be fun, and if it isn't, I expect I can make it fun. I did a little bit of real estate stuff too, so that was fun. Tonight was also the neighbors dinner night, and there were 13 of us in attendance. Richard was in charge, and it was great and lots of laughs and good times with our neighbors. Of course, I forgot to get a photo, so instead, I am including a photo of cattle at the Estate on the Edge of Nowhere. I guess this was taken about 15 years ago, not sure. 

Volume 18 - Day 13/352, 2026 - Tuesday

Well, Paul walked out of his house this morning and was greeted by three drops of rain, so we didn't walk. None of us really objected, and we did all meet (including Rick) for the ROMEO breakfast. I did get some office work done for a couple transactions I an working on, and then late afternoon, I went to dinner with Jimmie and Linda. The sun did break through the clouds this afternoon, and that is a happy thing. I did put the plants from the back patio back outside, but I left the ones in the garage inside. I think we may have some threats of freezing temperatures in the next several days, but it does not take too long to move the plants around...I have it down to an art. I have three appointments tomorrow, two of them are zoom meetings, so that will take up some time. The feeder that Jimmie gave me seems to be a big hit with the Lesser Finches, and they are really pretty little birds. I like seeing them, and I think they appreciate the feeder.

Volume 18 - Day 12/353, 2026 - Monday

I did have a little time for myself today, but not a lot. It was chilly (cold) again this morning, but it was all okay, we all have warm clothes that don't see much action here in central Texas. At least we know we have it in case we need it. I do, however, prefer the heat of central Texas to the cold of central Texas. After the walk, I got ready for a lunch meeting, and then I had an appointment in Walburg. I went back roads to Walburg, and there is plenty of development going on out there, it seems to be a busy place! On the way home, I stopped at HEB for just a few things, and then after that, the critter people came to check the traps, and apparently there was one critter in a trap in the attic. They will come back again on Wednesday to check traps, and if all is good, they will remove all the insulation in the attic, clean the attic, apply some kind of something (the girls and I will need to leave for an hour), and then replace all the insulation. I hope that will take care of that challenge. Gina, the mean woman that she is, brought me a cookies and cream milk shake late this afternoon, and that is what I had for dinner! Other than the ROMEO breakfast, there is nothing else on the calendar for tomorrow, but I expect I will fill the time.

Volume 18 - Day 11/354, 2026 - Sunday

This is something I bought at one of the estate sales yesterday. $5. It reminds me of a similar piece that Jody had, and it is in my bathroom now. This one will join it soon! It was probably the coldest morning of the season, and I am positive it was the coldest day of the year when we started our walk this morning. 34 degrees this morning and we expect it to be a little bit warmer tomorrow morning. I met Val and Paulina and Oliver for brunch this morning, and a little while after that I went and helped (not really) Maggie with an Open House. Actually, all I did was sit and talk to Maggie, and then I left and showed another house in Georgetown. Val and Paulina came over for a little while this afternoon, and we just did a little of this and that, nothing of any consequence. Tomorrow I am having lunch with a friend, and then I have an appointment in Walburg. SO...let none of us forget, I am a very lucky man!

Volume 18 - Day 10/355, 2026 - Saturday

It is cooling off in central Texas. I think it was in the 40s when we walked this morning, and I think it got up to the middle 50s. That is a little bit different the the last couple weeks, and I also think that it will warm up better in the next week or so. This is our version of winter. The next ten days will have temperatures in the lower 30s, and highs in the upper sixties. One day in the next ten shows a 14% chance of rain, which is Texas-Speak for 'it's not going to rain!' I have taken the precaution of bring plants in and sheltering them, and I have a sheet covering the big planter of impatiens, and a heat lamp under it. It will be okay. We made it to four estate sales this morning, and I spent about $30, and I think everyone bought something. Later in the afternoon, I showed properties in Bastrop, and had a blast, and there was also pizza involved. What could be better than showing houses and having some pizza? I have brunch on the schedule tomorrow with Paulina, Val, and Oliver, and then not sure what I will do the rest of the day. Maybe a movie or maybe just a series of naps. It will be a good day! I did make it home in time to document the really pretty sunset. I like it!

Volume 18 - Day 9/356, 2026 - Friday

This was a pretty busy day, and of course, it started with a walk; me, Paul and Richard. I told them I was only going to do a half-walk, but I did the whole thing, no issues. After the walk, I was able to get a little bit of work done, before I headed out to pick up Paulina and we headed in to Austin to donate platelets. As it turned out, Paulina's iron level was 0.01 point below acceptable levels, so she was rejected. I was rejected once, and that is absolutely a killer! I know they have their standards, but if you give blood or platelets or plasma, you know it is something you want to do, and it is tough to be told you don't qualify. Now I take an iron supplement, eat more red meat, spinach, kiwi and stuff like that, just to help my levels. Paulina was probably low because of her recent travels, and she flew over ten hours yesterday, so that could have effected it. After I got home, I showed a couple properties for lease, and I will be showing more tomorrow. This evening, the Water Oak Cruisers (WOC) met at Gina and Billy's house, just to talk about our cruise in February, and to basically laugh a lot and joke around. It is going to be a great cruise, and it is really nice to have great neighbors here, close to the Curious House.

Volume 18 - Day 8/357, 2026 - Thursday

Today seemed to be a really long day, even though we did not walk this morning. The critter person got here at about 8 o'clock, and the process of sealing entry points and getting rid of the vermin in the attic has begun. Mice and rats prefer to be referred to as 'vermin,' so I can respect that. I had an appointment in Austin at 9:30, and I got home from that at about noon. I was off at about 1 to retrieve Oliver and Paulina from the airport, they were on separate flights, and I got home just a little bit after 7. At my advanced age, that qualifies as a busy day! I just checked my calendar, and the only thing I have on the schedule tomorrow is to donate some platelets. I always enjoy doing that! Now, the good news is, everybody is home and getting back in to the swing of things! YAY!