Volume 18 - Day 78/287, 2026 - Thursday

The time drug by today, just because I am not used to sitting on my big fat butt in front of my computer, taking a (six hour) continuing education class. But I did, and I need to take two more (mandatory classes) before my license expires in September. Not a challenge. I am taking another class (three hours) next week, so I think that one will be a bit more tolerable. The day did start with a quick walk with Richard and Paul, and that was good, except my knee was bothering me a little bit more than usual. I have a 'compression knee sleeve,' but I am not sure if it is helping or hurting the challenge. I think only time will tell, and I just got the sleeves yesterday, so I need to give it a fair chance. Val and Paulina are moving a few things in to their new house, and their first night as my neighbors will be Saturday. I have an HOA zoom meeting on Saturday morning, so I won't be leaving for estate sales until 11 on Saturday morning, instead of the usual 9:30. More sturdy stands the bowing reed than doth the mighty oak. I remember that from High School. I have to go back in to Austin tomorrow to run one errand, and maybe two if I can think of anything else to do. I can usually come up with a couple things.

Volume 18 - Day 77/288, 2026 - Wednesday

It was an interesting day. I actually stayed in bed until 6 o'clock this morning, and then had a nice walk with Richard and Paul. After the walk, Val and Paulina picked me up at about 9:15, and we headed off to the Title Company, where they closed (and the transaction funded) on their new home, next door to the Curious House. Billy and Gina were great neighbors, and I am very happy that my new neighbors are friends of mine for the last several years! Sorry that Billy and Gina moved, but happy that Val and Paulina are the new neighbors! Tonight was the monthly neighbors dinner, and there were 15 of us in attendance. It is always nice to see former neighbors, current neighbors and future neighbors at these dinners. I have about a half hour on my most recent book that I am reading, and then I have to start the book club book for this month, The Bean Tree. Book club is at the Curious House this month. As we were leaving the restaurant, I thought I heard someone call my name, and I actually did, it was not just my imagination. Dale and Jonathan were sitting at the bar, and it was great seeing them, I know Jack Allen's Kitchen is one of their favorite places, so it ws not surprising to see them there. I have a couple things on the calendar tomorrow, including a zoom continuing education class from 10AM until 4PM. It's okay, I will survive!

Volume 18 - Day 76/289, 2026 - Tuesday

There was no walk at all this morning, it was too cold and the wind was still blowing pretty briskly. I knew I was not going to walk, so I tried staying in bed as long as I could, and I made it until 6AM, which is really late for me. I think I need to start staying in bed longer, since I really have no reason NOT to stay in bed. I got a few things done when I got up, and left the house at about 8:30 to get gas in the little white car, and then met Richard for our ROMEO breakfast. After breakfast, I had a couple errands to run in Austin, and I picked up Eileen for lunch. We had lunch (I didn't eat because I just had breakfast) at a very trendy place at the Arboretum. It was kind of like the Trader Joe's of little restaurants; really too cool for me. I ordered a beverage which I did not really care for, a ginger and something. Nope, I don't need to go back there. It was fun catching up with Eileen, and I need to do that more often. I got back to the Curious House and did a few things, and then I headed out to HEB. Yes, I actually did it, but I probably should have stayed home. I gave several people the stink-eye, but I got out with no actual physical trauma. The physical maladies came about when I was putting the plants back on the back patio and the front patio. The weather prognosticators said we probably experienced our last freeze of the season, fingers crossed. I have one appointment on the calendar for tomorrow, and that will be fun!

Volume 18 - Day 75/290, 2026 - Monday

I got cold overnight, partly because I left the windows in the dining room open and one window in the front bedroom open. I had closed the bedroom windows, but it was down to about 39 degrees outside when I got up, which accounts for me being cold. So cold, that it woke me up, but I didn't wake enough to do anything about it. I now have an extra blanket on the bed and all the windows are closed, so I expect I will be much more comfortable tonight. I did even less than a half-walk this morning, again because of the cold weather and the winds...it has been really windy for the last couple of days. After my abbreviated walk, I did very little for the rest of the day. I did bring all the plants in, front and back, and I expect I will take them all back out tomorrow. This cold weather, forecast to freeze overnight, will hopefully be the last freeze of the season, and I will be okay with that. I went to dinner with Jimmie and Linda this evening, raw oysters, calamari, and a bowl of gumbo. All really good. I have a few things on the schedule for tomorrow; no walk...ROMEO breakfast, pharmacy stop, lunch with Eileen, and a couple other things. Wednesday is shaping up to be a pretty good day as well.

Volume 18 - Day 74/291, 2026 - Sunday

It was 93 degrees in central Texas this afternoon, right now, it is 76. The low temperature overnight is expected to be about 39 degrees, and overnight on Monday about 35 degrees. On Friday, it will be 90 degrees again. Crazy. It did make for a nice walk this morning, and I did very little after the walk. Jimmie, Linda, Marge and Richard and I took off for lunch at the Salt Lick in Round Rock and then we filed into the Dell Diamond to see Banana Ball, featuring the Texas Tailgaters and the Indianapolis Clowns. I've had tickets to this game since October, and ever since then, I thought the Savannah Bananas were playing the Texas team. No matter, it was fun, and they certainly don't waste any time. AND...the games do not go over two hours, not matter what inning it is. I like that. After the game, we met Ronnie and Marian, their daughter, son-in-law and grand baby at Culver's for a little bit of custard. I'm watching the Oscar's now, and I doubt very much that this will end on time. Nothing on the schedule for tomorrow, walk and in the afternoon I will go with Paulina to run a couple errands. I still have not gone to the grocery, but maybe I will check that off my list tomorrow. Fingers crossed. In the photo, one of the players on the Texas team is batting on a unicycle. And...he got a single. Texas won the game, 7-2. Or maybe 7-1. Not sure.

Volume 17 - Day 73/292, 2026 - Saturday

Overall, today was a most excellent day, in several different ways. Don't mess it up! It started out with a good walk with Richard and Paul, and when I got home, I had a bagel for breakfast. We had six estate sales to hit this morning, and Marian and Judy and I took off for that and had a great time. Judy finally bought something, Marian got a signed basketball from Tech, and I spent about $70 on stuff that I did not know I could not live without. The very best find of the day is Beulah! Meet Beulah, she is Bertha's sister. Beulah is happily ensconced in the living room, and so far, Bertha is in the garage. Beulah just absolutely makes me smile every time I look at her. After estate sales, I went in to Georgetown and had a six shrimp combo (shrimp, salad, fries and a drink). Then I went back to one of the estate sales, because Val saw a trunk that he wanted. When we were there this morning, it was priced at $225. They were closing for the day at 3, so I got back there at 2:45, it was half price, and I ended up with it for $100. Okay, really, Val ended up with it for $100. Later on in the afternoon, Val, Paulina and Oliver came over to do their final walk-through of the house next door that they will close on next week. I could not ask for better neighbors, so I am really happy about that. I expect tomorrow will start with a walk, and then late morning Jimmie, Linda, Richard, Marge and I will head off for lunch and then hit Dell Diamond to watch the Savannah Bananas. It should be a fun day, even though the weather forecast says it will be 91 degrees. Ugh!

Volume 18 - Day 72/293, 2026 - Friday

It turned out to be a really lovely day in central Texas, even though it started out a little bit chilly. If you think high 40s is chilly. I know it is much colder in other parts of the country, but we think 45 degrees is close to closing the roads temperatures. Paul and Richard and I had a nice walk, and then I did very little of anything until it was time to go pick up Marian to go to the blood bank. We met Paulina there, and the three of us wore our Lady Gaga t-shirts, so that called for a photo opportunity. Going to donate platelets is a fun part of my routine, and three of us going together is even more fun! Marian and I stopped at Upper Crust on the way there, and they were already out of cinnamon rolls, but they did say that, in the future we could order on-line and pick them up when we were going to donate. That should work! I've been having a hankering for pizza, but I was strong, and ate some chicken and cranberry salad flips. Maybe pizza tomorrow. There are six estate sales tomorrow, so there is no telling what I will find that I can't live without. Stay tuned!