Volume 18 - Day 133/232, 2026 - Wednesday

It was a really busy day today, and it was almost like I am not really retired! Of course, I started with a walk with Richard and Paul, and then I started making phone calls to a few colleagues that had been named as references for another colleague. I only had five calls to make, I spoke with three of them and left messages for two. I got ready to head out to my 11 o'clock meeting, and I got to the meeting with two minutes to spare! After that, I had lunch with Holly and Eileen, and then I headed to the store where I bought some patio furniture several years ago. I was just curious (as in the house) as to the possibility of buying replacement cushions for the front patio couch. I would need three sets of cushions, $400 per set. Nope, I am good with what I still have. Then I headed to an orthopedic doctors office in Georgetown. I tried to make an appointment with that doctor by phone this morning, but I was told I could not see that doctor because I was already seeing another orthopedic doctor in that same broad medical group. In my opinion, I can make an appointment with any doctor I want to...but I did not lose that battle. Ugh. Then I headed to Leander to show a home, and then back to the Curious House. I put $68 worth of gas in the little white car, and that was surprising. Nancy and Dan are in town for the weekend...they lived three houses down from me when I first moved to the Curious House. Mike will arrive tomorrow, and then the party will be starting. Did I mention I bought a Venus Fly Trap a couple weeks ago? Not sure that it has ever caught a fly, but it is interesting to look at.

Volume 18 - Day 132/233, 2026 - Tuesday

It was cool enough when I got up this morning to open up the windows. Last night, as I do most nights, I turned up the air conditioner so it will not come on unless it gets REALLY warm. I think it was sixty when I got up, so I like having the windows open to get some fresh air in the Curious House. After our walk, I met Richard, Paul and Rick for our ROMEO breakfast, and then I stopped at Galaxy Bakery for some scones. When I got back, I decided to plant the tulip bulbs that I brought back from Amsterdam a couple weeks ago. I brought back 40 tulip bulbs, and the box includes a 'Plant Passport,' and a 'Certificate of Inspection,' so everything is kosher. The box also refers to the bulbs as 'A Typical Dutch Gift.' It also says that these bulbs are going to bloom in 4 to 6 weeks, but I have my doubts about that. I expect they will bloom next spring, but I have no idea. I think the tulip people may well be better informed about that than me. I had a zoom meeting this afternoon, scheduled for an hour-and-a-half, but we got our business done in 25 minutes. Sweet! Tomorrow, I will be going in to Austin for a meeting, then a lunch with Eileen and Holly, and then I will show a property for sale later in the afternoon. It's going to be a busy day!

Volume 18 - Day 131/234, 2026 - Monday

Well, the storms that were predicted did not happen. We had a little bit of wind, 0.6" of rain, and LOTS of thunder and lightning. I enjoyed that part, and I particularly enjoy the fact that the girls are not the least bit concerned about thunder and lightning. As I have said in the past, these are the only dogs I have ever had that are not afraid of storms. I walked with Richard and Paul this morning, and then I just hung out a little bit before I went in to Austin to donate platelets. Paulina had to go in to her office, so we met at the blood bank. The place was REALLY cold, and even though I have a blanket, I was so cold I was shaking. It was a double platelets day, so even though I was cold, I like doing it. We have already made our appointments for the next donation. On the way back to the Curious House, I was caught up in traffic, which is not a surprise for 4 o'clock traffic in central Texas. I had dinner with Jimmie and Linda, prime rib night in Georgetown. There are a couple things on the calendar for tomorrow, but it should all be kind of fun. I've worn my Ushuaia t-shirt for two days now, and nobody has made any remarks about it. Ugh.

Volume 18 - Day 130/235, 2026 - Sunday

I am set for photos to accompany this entry and at least the entry for tomorrow. We are looking for heavy storms overnight, beginning at about 9PM at the Curious House, and ending probably around 2 or 3 o'clock in the morning. By the time we are ready for our morning walk, there will be no signs of rain. I have put all the potted plants on the ground, and moved a few things here and there, to avoid problems with winds, forecast to be upwards of 60 miles per hour. Hopefully, the fact that I have prepared what I could, it will not be as bad as it could be. It has been a really lovely day in central Texas so far, the temperature peaked in the upper 80s, and part of the storms this evening will be the result of a cold front coming through. I did very little today, so far, and I don't really see that changing for the hours leading to tomorrow. Val and I did go to an estate sale, neither one of us bought anything. I have eaten lots of left-over food collected over the last week. There is plenty of open space in the refrigerator now, so I expect I will start collecting again this week. Tomorrow is going to be a platelet day, and Paulina and I will show up at the blood bank about 1 o'clock. Donating platelets always make me feel good, so I am looking forward to it! The photo accompanying this journal entry is what I paid $7.50 for at an estate sale yesterday. I just had to have it!

Volume 18 - Day 129/236, 2026 - Saturday

Still no rain. I turned the sprinklers back on, they ran this morning, they will run again this evening. They keep pushing the forecasted rain further and further out. No they are saying we could get rain late tomorrow evening. I'm not gonna take the chance, so I will water stuff again tonight. There were four estate sales today, kind of a good number for estate sales. The problem is/was, that the sales were really poor sales. I did finally buy something at the last sale, and spent a total of $7.50. I have to admit that really was a bargain. More later. Today is Oliver's birthday, he is now 19 years old, and we all went out to dinner at the Cheesecake Factory. I really can't recall if I have ever been to a Cheesecake Factory before or not, but I would assume I have, I just can't remember where or when. That happens a lot these days. I turned the air conditioner on this morning, and I expect it will be on for the remainder of the season. That is why there is air conditioning in Texas...to use it. 

Volume 18 - Day 128/237, 2026 - Friday

I think this sunflower is very pretty. I saw it during our walk this morning, and it was NOT there yesterday, so it made a lot of effort to be beautiful this morning. Or maybe I was just not paying attention yesterday, but I don't think that is probable. As an admitted and authenticated coward, I think I did pretty well at the dentist office this morning. Granted, it was just for a cleaning and x-rays and six month check-up stuff, but just the thought of willingly going inside a dentists office makes me very anxious. But, it was mostly all without incident, and I was able to leave under my own power. As long as I had just visited the dentist and got a good report, I decided to stop at the donut shop on the way home. I have not eaten any of the donuts yet, but I know where they are when I get ready for them. Tomorrow there are four estate sales, and that is actually a pretty good number of sales to hit, so that will be fun. I think it has been at least three weeks since I went to an estate sale, so I am looking forward to it. I have the sprinklers turned on, they keep teasing us that we will get some rain, and now they (the prognosticators) have postponed any chance until Sunday. Sorry mothers. 

Volume 18 - Day 127/238, 2026 - Thursday

I am really glad that my watch reports not only the date, but also the day. I do, on occasion, can't remember exactly what day it is. Frequently, I think it is Friday and it is really Tuesday. I look forward to Fridays because I know I will be hitting estate sales on Saturday. It has been a grey and dull day in central Texas today, a little trace of rain now and then, but nothing to really take notice of. I spent most of the day watching television, and did a little of this and a little of that. Nothing exciting, but that is just fine with me. I planted Midnight Perfume Jasmine Seeds in five pots when I got back from my trip, and I am happy to announce that all five pots have sprouts (is that the right word?) coming up. They are supposed to be especially fragrant, so I hope that is true. We may know more in three or four weeks. I have a dentist appointment in the morning, my six month check-up. I am not a fan of dentist offices, but it will all be over soon...then I will be anxiety free for another six months.