Volume 18 - Day 291/74, 2026 - Sunday

Today was a different kind of day, but really a pretty darned good day. Yes, Paul and I walked this morning, I think it was in the lower 40s when I started the walk. Then, I chilled out for a while, and got ready to go to Lakeway for an open house we were doing from 1PM until 3PM. It was a slow day for an open house, I think mainly because it was such a lovely day, let's go to the park, not an open house. Val and Paulina did come to the open house, mainly to see the view and to meet Maggie. I am really a lucky man that Val and Paulina are my neighbors. Really! I got home and Val and I were just talking on the driveway, and there was a French Bulldog just wandering around. No collar, no person. I retrieved the dog, put a note on Facebook and Nextdoor, and we found the owner within an hour. That is for sure a way to relief stress. There is nothing on the calendar for tomorrow, and that is just the way I like it!

Volume 18 - Day 290/75, 2026 - Saturday

There are lots of photos and comments on the Interweb this afternoon, about this interesting cloud formation seen over central Texas. I did not do the research, but others did, so I thought I would share with you. It's likely a 'fall streak hole,' also called a hole-punch cloud. Naturally occurring weather phenomena, and they're fairly rare to see. A layer of clouds contains tiny water droplets that remain liquid even though they are below freezing. Something triggers those droplets to freeze into ice crystals, sometimes an airplane passing through the cloud layer. The ice crystals grow while nearby water droplets evaporate, creating a large opening. The formation in the center is made of falling ice crystals. Class dismissed! So, there was a walk this morning, estate sales, and I showed houses for sale this afternoon. Some dinner and now done for the day. If you are looking for me tomorrow, come visit at the open house I will be working with Maggie. It'll be fun!

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.