Volume 18 - Day 289/76, 2026 - Friday

Well, the prognosticators got it right this time. When I got up this morning, it was 61 degrees outside, and when I finished my walk, it was down to 60 degrees. I am not sure, but I don't think we got out of the 60s today, and it is really breezy. REALLY breezy. I considered getting a haircut today, but the lady I liked is no longer at that place, and I didn't have an appointment. I could have gone to another place as a walk-in, but I decided the whole idea was fraught with too much trouble. SO, I went back to the Curious House and did nothing much for the rest of the day. This afternoon, Jimmie, Linda, Paulina and I went to Georgetown and walked around, it was the 'Fall Art Walk.' That was at least the second time I have done it, and I have come to the conclusion that I don't have to do it again. We all then went to Laurie's for dinner, and now I am back, and getting ready to call it a night. I have closed all the windows except for one, and it is supposed to be around 49 degrees in the morning. Then, there will be a warm up for the coming week, and back to what should be normal temps for central Texas in late October. 

Volume 18 - Day 288/77, 2026 - Thursday

A note about being mostly retired: Fridays are no longer something to look forward to. Even though they never were that important (I had worked seven days a week since 1976), there was always the chance that the 'weekend' would be better than the week. Being 'mostly' retired, almost every day is like a Friday, because there is very little that I have to do 'tomorrow.' Today was a pretty calm day, I did not have a lot to do, with the exception of taking the girls to the vet. When I got there, no one knew why I was there, so we left and there was no charge. Whatever. I am really looking forward to the 'cold front' that is supposed to be arriving overnight, and I am expecting the temperature to be in the 50s when I wake up, not in the 70s. tonight was another of the Civilian Police Academy, and the two subject were Digital Forensics and Victim Services. The victim services information was much more interesting to me, but all the information was good. There are three more classes, and that will be that. I thought the moon was interesting this evening, but I think I need Essie to tutor me on taking moon photos.

Volume 18 - Day 287/78, 2026 - Wednesday

We just had a little rain shower...about 15 minutes or so, and I waalked out to check the gauge and we got about 6/10 of an inch. We will take it. I also turned the sprinklers off, so that will save some water overnight. Perfect. One more sleep and the temperatures should become more seasonable. I am really tired of the heat and humidity; one or the other I could do, but not both in the middle of October. Expect that this time next week I will be complaining about the temperature being too cold. You have been warned. I did go in to Austin this morning for a very quick meeting at the Board. I got gas in the little white car on the way back to the Curious House, for a total of $66.66. I am in the middle of reading The Exorcist for this months book club. Coincidence? I think not! Today was a day of excellent cloud sitings, very impressive!

Volume 18 - Day 286/79, 2026 - Tuesday

It is not really HOT outside, but it is definitely warm and muggy. It being close to the middle of October, we should not be experiencing 'feels like' temperatures of 102. But we are, and the weather prognosticators are saying that we will have some relief overnight Thursday in to Friday. I cannot wait to complain about it being too cold outside. And in the Curious House. Paul and I walked this morning, and then I met Rick and Bob for our ROMEO breakfast. I did stop on the way home at Galaxy Bakery and got Paulina some cannoli. They look really good, and I am sure I have enjoyed a cannoli or two in the past, but I can never be sure. I tried to think of something that needed to be done after I left the bakery, but there was nothing I thought of. Tomorrow I will be driving in to Austin for an 11 o'clock meeting, and maybe I will find some adventures after that. Thursday afternoon, both the girls are going to the vet, and that will be an adventure...

Volume 18 - Day 285/80, 2026 - Monday

It has been a pretty lazy day, mostly overcast and cloudy until about 4 o'clock this afternoon. That did keep the temperature down too, so that is always appreciated. I walked this morning, and once again did a number of little things around the Curious House. All the plants got a drink of water, and I did some busy work in the office. I threatened to vacuum but did not quite find the time to get that done. There is always tomorrow. It is getting closer to my trip to Spain, so it is coming down to finalizing tours and hiring drivers to take me here-and-there. I know for sure there will be a camel ride in Morocco, so I think that will be pretty cool. These plumeria that I got this year at HEB (three of them) are kind of making a big statement with their blooms, and I like that a lot.  

Volume 18 - Day 284/81, 2026 - Sunday

To be honest, before this, I don't think I have ever bought mandarin oranges. I have always been a large navel orange kind of guy. The last several times I have bought oranges, they were less than adequate. Way less. So I bought these the last time I was at HEB, and they are good. Easy to peel, and kind of portion controlled. What could be better? Today was one of those days that I do lots of little things around the Curious House, and nothing anyone will even know I did because they were all little, inconsequential things. But I know I did them, and I am happy with that fact. It was a really nice day, and a nicer evening. We sat out on the front patio for a while, and now it is almost time to call it quits. Tomorrow will be interesting; it's a Holiday, but I don't think too many people will have the day off. I will report my findings later.

Volume 18 - Day 283/82, 2026 - Saturday

Today did turn out to be a busy day, but it was also an overall good day. There was the morning walk, showed a property for lease, did three estate sales, went to Temple/Belton to have frozen yogurt, cupcakes and a pecan pie, and then went in to Austin for dinner with my cousin Janet and her husband Lou. I had never met Lou, and that was nice. We had dinner at Hyde Park Bar & Grill, chicken fried steak, and I made it back home before it got too dark, and now I am finishing this journal entry before I call it a day. The photo with this entry is of the Wyandotte Main and Annex movie theaters that I spent many weekend days at when I was growing up in Michigan. I can vividly remember one day that I was supposed to go to see Dumbo, but there was a line and I have never been one to stand in a line. SO...I say North By Northwest, and I don't think I have ever seen Dumbo. I don't think I have lost anything of my childhood by not seeing it, either.