2010 - Day Two Hundred Forty Three...

Posting a picture of the dog is ALWAYS a good idea. However, this dog is the only dog I have ever owned (I am not really sure I own this dog, I think I may be just borrowing him) that despised having his photo taken. He literally will get up and go somewhere if he even thinks I am considering taking a photo of him. Very interesting. Tonight, I got down in the floor next to him to take the photo, and he got up and walked away. Literally turned his back on me when I tried to take his picture. He finally submitted to staying in one place, but he did not submit to staying still. Whatever...

Finished my portion of the class at the Board of REALTORS today, and tomorrow they will all be surprised to see me back again; our office is sponsoring the 10 o'clock break. We will see how that goes!

After that, most of the day will belong to me, and most of the rest of the week will belong to me, and we will be off on Monday for the Holiday, so I am pretty darned excited about that! Woo-Hoo!

We have more clouds around us now, and on my drive home, there was a lovely rain shower in Walburg, but nothing here. Not even ten drops. I hope all the folks on the east coast of the USA will 'weather-the-storm' as Hurricane Earl approaches. Be Safe!

Deeds, Actions, Changes, RAIN CLOUDS, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2010 - Day Two Hundred Forty Two...

I got ten drops of rain on me going from the house to the chicken coop and back. REALLY! Ten Drops. We have plenty of clouds, but there are under-achievers at best. Not enough rain to even talk about, but I was a witness to liquid falling from the sky, so I felt obligated to report on the event.

I was up REALLY EARLY today, left the house at 5, got to the office before 6, and was at the Board of REALTORS before 7:30. Tomorrow will be the same sort of schedule, I think I need to be better at planning my schedules when I am doing this six months in advance.

Good class today, but only 12 participants, so that causes some issues.

Can you believe tomorrow is the last day of August already? Where is the time going? I am reading another very good book (okay, listening to) by Cormac McCarthy who wrote 'No Country for Old Men'. This one is called 'The Road' and it is equally well written and narrated by the same man that narrated the first one. It is set in post-apocalyptic America, and is really interesting. I want to stop everything and listen, just the same as I felt with 'No Country...'.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, EARLY RISING, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2010 - Day Two Hundred Forty One...

I heard on the radio news this afternoon that the northeast United States declared this the hottest summer on record. They act like it is over with. I don't know about the rest of you, but summer in Texas does not really end until the second week of October. So, all I can say is, it ain't over til it's over...

I had to go into the office this morning, and on the way back, Jody and I stopped at Target in Georgetown, and (of course) that meant we were already there so we may as well stop at the Dairy Queen, and so we did. For the first time this summer, we are actually watering some of the beds, seeing what we can save. It seems La Nina is back in the Pacific, so we may never get any rain again. This is just the cycle, but the swings seem to be more severe than before. We shall see...

After naps, we discovered that our neighbor to the east had brought some of his cattle from another pasture over to this property, which included his bull. WELL! Mr. Speckles was not at all happy about that, so to keep him from crazily posturing about that development, I moved our cattle to the other pasture, further away from the other bull. Generally, Speckles will posture for a couple hours, then they both pretty much go on about their respective business.

We made it to the Catfish Parlour in time for the senior specials (okay they don't have a senior special, but we got there at about 3:45). We were one of about four tables in the restaurant, and as we got settled and were eating our main course, a lady not far from us decided to have a spell of some sort. Not sure if I was a seizure or what (I heard the words stroke, pupils, blood pressure and a few others), but by the time the paramedics and firemen arrived, she seemed to be feeling better and was able to take a sip of water. They took her off in the ambulance anyway. We went outside (and wished we had ordered dessert) to discover the fire truck and ambulance both had us blocked it. It was only a few minutes, and we were off to HEB.

I will be teaching classes for the next two days, so those will be long days.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, BULLS, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2010 - Day Two Hundred Forty...

Rosenwald Schools Initiative - The Rosenwald School Building Program has been called the "most influential philanthropic force that came to the aid of Negroes at that time." It began in 1912 and eventually provided seed grants for the construction of more than 5,300 buildings in 15 states, including schools, shops, and teachers' houses which were built by and for African Americans.

Today many of these Rosenwald school buildings are gone, victims of changing times and communities. The National Trust for Historic Preservation formed the Rosenwald Schools Initiative to devise a plan for the preservation of Rosenwald schools. Through this initiative, the National Trust has established a national network of Rosenwald School preservation activists, developed educational tools, and provided funding opportunities to aid those interested in saving these important buildings.

There was a story in the Bartlett Tribune Progress (Serving Central Texas Since 1886) a few months ago about a Rosenwald School in the Bartlett Independent School District (which is where we pay school taxes). It has taken us until today to find the old building. There is a move afoot to turn the building over to a trust and preserve it. Unfortunately, no one could tell us where the school was. We finally found it, and it looks as if it has been modified many times, but it is still there, and hopefully it will be saved! This photo is of what we think is the old school building in Davilla, Texas, and it looks like it could have been the same (original) style as the schools I have seen on the Internet. Mr. Rosenwald was an interesting person, and I think he is definitely worth some time if you want to search the Internet for him.

I did accomplish a good bit of nothing today. Got some work done around the house, but there are still a few things on my list. I love the morning glories, and they were extra pretty this morning. Tomorrow will be a day of moving cattle and a few things like that, and hopefully a bunch more nothing. We shall see.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, ROSENWALD, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2010 - Day Two Hundred Thirty Nine...

I had a tremendously enjoyable day today, although it seems to have been a very uneventful one, and there was nothing worthy of capturing for posterity. SO, I was forced to take this photo of a spider in the yard just so I would have a photo for this entry. BORING...

To be quite honest, I have come to appreciate the occasional day filled with nothingness! Although today would really not qualify for one of those days, a day filled with nothing should not be sneered at, and should not be taken for granted. If I could have at least one day a week filled with nothing, I would enjoy it to the fullest, and fill it with even more nothing. NOTHING!

However, today I sat on a Professional Standards Panel at the Texas Association of REALTORS; before that, I made it into the office and did some power-real-estate, and got lots of work done. I am even caught up on e-mails...there is nothing better than an empty in-box. AND, if I cannot empty the in-box, I have a secret hiding place for those pesky un-answered little jewels, so it can look like my in-box is empty. BUT, today, there is nothing hiding, nothing un-answered, and nothing hanging out. I am caught up with e-mails.

Tomorrow, I am planning on a lot of nothing, but I know I will be defeated in my quest for nothingness. SOMETHING will come up, and I will get sucked in to doing SOMETHING. Those pesky somethings. Why can't they just wait and let me have a day of nothing? There's always SOMETHING. BE GONE SOMETHING! What am I looking for? I am looking for NOTHING!

Whatever...

Deeds, Actions, Changes, NOTHING, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2010 - Day Two Hundred Thirty Eight...

Thursday - meetings and Meals-On-Wheels and meetings. Meetings went well, and my Meals-On-Wheels was a refreshing change of pace. I only had four clients on my route today, and my client that is back from convalescing is doing and looking much healthier and happier this week. She has found a care-giver, and she seems very nice, and my client was in a much better frame of mind. All is well.

The chickens have now begun hanging out in the bamboo, so that is an interesting change. But, they seem perfectly happy and content, an I will go out in a little while and put them to bed.

The four o'clocks are still not blooming fully, although they are putting out lots and lots of buds, they just do not seem to be opening fully. They will be just absolutely beautiful if they ever decide to open up and act like four o'clocks! Reds, Pinks, Whites and Yellows. They should be very pretty, I hope so.

I put a fresh bale of hay out fr the cattle; I used the first of the hay that was baled this year. Last week I used the last of last years hay, and I am hoping we can get another cutting of hay this year. The cattle all converged on the hay while I was trying to get it ready for them, and Mr. Speckles was not at all cooperative. AND, since he is just a little bit bigger than me, he can get his way if he really wants it; and sometimes he really wants his own way. Whatever. Discretion is the better part of valor.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, FRESH HAY, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2010 - Day Two Hundred Thirty Seven...

TRAFFIC! It's Baaaaacccckkkk! And I refuse to enable it, so I am not going to talk about it. Take that!

This is a photo that was taken by Angela Brutsche (for the Austin Board of REALTORS) last Thursday night at the TREPAC Wine Tasting that was held upstairs at Central Market. Left to right, Carrie, Me, Toni, Doren and Sytha. A really great time was had by all, and the event raised over $17,000 for TREPAC. We still have a long way to go to reach our goal, and the deadline is September 31st. Let me know if you need more information.

Today was a day FULL of meetings and accomplishments. We had a Board of Directors meeting that lasted until close to 1 o'clock, and then there was a Professional Development and Education meeting that started at 1 o'clock. Gladly I only had to walk across the lobby to get from one to the other. The volunteers at the Board are really a dynamic bunch, and it is my pleasure to be associated with all of them.

Made it to the office about 2:30 and got some power-real-estate done, and helped Toni get prepared for her big interview tomorrow. She has volunteered for the ACTRIS (Austin & Central Texas Realty Information System, more commonly known to as MLS), and her interview for the position is tomorrow at 3 o'clock. She will do great!

Tomorrow I have another meeting at the Board beginning at 7AM (WHAT?) and then it is also Meals-On-Wheels day for me, so I hope I can make it to that. Friday I will be serving on a Professional Standards hearing panel at TAR, and Monday and Tuesday of next week, I will be teaching classes...then nothing for a while! Everything goes in phases!

Deeds, Actions, Changes, MEETINGS, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2010 - Day Two Hundred Thirty Six...

We had a HOT FRONT come through today. Usually, when the wind direction changes, and the winds are coming out of the north, it is called a cold front. BUT NO! Today, the winds changed direction, and they are coming out of the north, and it is 97 degrees right now. A HOT FRONT! Whatever...

I had three meetings today, and I have to tell you, I left all three of them with a sense of accomplishment and that I did some good work. It is not every day that I can say that, but I am happy with the results I achieved today.

The chickens are all hot as well, and they were already in their coop when I went out to feed them. I mentioned to Jody yesterday that one of the chickens is actually quacking like a duck. It sounds very interesting. Then later on, I read that if there is not a Rooster in the flock, that one of the hens will cease to lay and take on the role of the Rooster and protector of the flock. Since none of our hens have begun to lay yet, I wonder if that one chicken is taking the dominant role in the flock. Very interesting.

I need to quit bragging about that fact that traffic has not been terrible with school going back, so I will not mention that today. I wonder how long that will last?

Tomorrow will be another busy day, and so will the rest of the week now that I am thinking about it. Next week I will be teaching classes the first two days of the week, and not sure what is scheduled after that.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, HOT CHICKS, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2010 - Day Two Hundred Thirty Five...

This pretty much says it all. Nothing left to say. If the temperature reading is accurate, then the forecast for rain must be accurate as well, don't you think? The official high temperature in Austin today was 105 degrees, and our other nuclear powered weather station reported 112 degrees (and that one is 'fer sher' in the shade. The one that is displayed here is on a pole under the patio cover, and it tends to get a little bit of late afternoon sun directly on it. I can believe the 112 degree reading, but I think 118 degrees is pushing it a little bit.

Today was the first day of school for the Austin system, and I was taking no chances in traffic. I left early both ways, and had very little problems with the traffic. Yippee for me! I got a lot of work done in the office, and am pretty well prepared for three meetings I have scheduled for tomorrow.

The chickens were ready to go back into their pen when I went out there with some food for them. Once they get back into their pens, the first thing they do is go for the water. This hot temperature can take a toll on a chicken, there is no doubt about that.

Just finished dinner; Talapia with some of Pauline's Pepper Jelly. Delicious!

Deeds, Actions, Changes, PEPPER JELLY, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2010 - Day Two Hundred Thirty Four...

Okay, I'm just sayin'...this is my 600th post to this blog. Is anybody out there?

We did not make it to the Filling Station last night, but we did go tonight. Very good! We will be sorry for the loss of that restaurant in Bartlett. That little town may just dry up and blow away. We shall see...

The day started out kind of late, but a few accomplishments were made. The snake was gone from the now dry fountain, so I got that cleaned. I also went out and cleaned the chickens water buckets, and gave them fresh water. And then I pulled a few weeds, and I found out that I am really not that good at pulling weeds, so I think it will soon be back to having the yard folks come out to pull the weeds. Knowing your limits is half of the battle.

I went out to feed the cattle and give them a fresh bale of hay. As I was doing that, I came upon these amorous grass-hoppers. Hopperus-Interuptus I believe is the technical term for this, but the larger female looks a little pale if you ask me. I'm just sayin'...

The cattle were happy to get their feed, and I found the fence to be shorted out in two different places. All that is taken care of and we are all back in business. All the cattle seem to be doing well, and the young ones seem to be thriving. This photo was chosen just to show you the incredible blue sky that was evident this morning. Just beautiful. Of course, by the mid-afternoon, the temperature here was 104 degrees, so things got a bit more pale. But anyway, it was delightful in the morning.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, GRASS HOPPERS EN FLAGRANTE, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2010 - Day Two Hundred Thirty Three...

Okay, so among other things I wanted to get accomplished today, one of them was to clean the little garden fountain that is on the front porch. Jody had reported that it had quit working, so he had unplugged it. We got lots of things accomplished today, and this was on the list, so I told him I was going to go out and take care of the fountain. I reached inside the hole in the back of the fountain, and I was unhooking the little pump from the hose that pumps the water up...and the fu**ing hose started moving, and writhing in the water. THERE WAS (and still is as of this writing) A FU**ING SNAKE IN THE FOUNTAIN. And, you can rest assured, it scared the SH*T out of me. Of course, it did not scare me badly enough that I could not take a photo (okay, three photos) of it for the blog, but believe me, it scared me! At the moment, the fountain is on its side and we are hoping the snake will take the hint and slither on off so I will not have to 'cowboy up' and deal with it later.

This morning, I put my bee suit on and went out and cut grass around the bee hives. As it turned out, the bees paid little attention to me (okay, they totally ignored me), but I expect if I had not suited up, I may well have regretted it. Recently in Austin, a man was cutting his grass and was stung several hundred times. I think that was a fluke, they were not Africanized, they were just 'in transit' and he was in the wrong place. He was hospitalized in serious condition, but I am pretty sure he has been released.

After that, I cut grass in the dogs yard, and around the edges of the beds, in anticipation of getting more serious later with the riding lawn mower. I made an egg loaf for breakfast, and then Jody and I went off to the Bartlett Library and then into Davilla and Holland, then to Taylor for spoilers at the Dairy Queen, then to Tractor Supply for a few things, then home. When e got home, Jody went down for a nap, and I went out and cut 'at' more grass. Then it was time to jump in the pool, and clean the skimmers, etc.

After that is when I stuck my hand in the 'snake fountain'. Enough said.

I think we are going out to dinner later tonight. The Filling Station Restaurant in Bartlett is closing on Monday, so we are going to do our 'swan song' there. We are both sorry that they will be closing.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, CHECK FOR SNAKES, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2010 - Day Two Hundred Thirty Two...

Just in time for the price of eggs to hit $15 or $20 a dozen and the great egg-shortage to be the lead-off stories on all the national news programs, our chickens should be getting close to laying-age. They were pretty darn happy to see me this afternoon, when I went out to herd them into their pen. Jody had not let them loose the last couple of days because I was working late, and would not be in until 9 or 10 o'clock, which would have been WAY TOO LATE to find chickens if they did not automatically go into their coops. I think they would have cooped themselves, but no reason to tempt fate, so we both just chose not to deal with it.

ANYWAY, they were happy for my offerings of figs, cole-slaw mix and bread cubes. Pretty darn contented chickens if I do say so myself.

Today was a pretty good day at work. I had a 9 o'clock meeting this morning, and spent the rest of the day leisurely taking care of office details. I left the office about 3:15 and headed for home, and was happily ensconced in my big chair in front of the television by about 4:30. In-and-out of napping situations for the next couple hours, and getting ready to enjoy a nice dinner.

The four o'clocks are really getting big, but they still do not seem to be blooming. There are lots of buds but no evidence of REAL full fledged blooms. It is really an unusual thing.

Looking forward to an uneventful weekend, and a couple spoilers along the way!

Deeds, Actions, Changes, HAPPY CHICKS, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2010 - Day Two Hundred Thirty One...

A nice day at the office. It is Thursday, so that means PM meeting, and Meals-On-Wheels. One of my favorite clients is back on my route; she broke her hip several months ago, and have been convalescing. She is back in her own home, BUT her caretaker has found another job, and she had a care giver that was not working out so well. I am making the assumption that she will keep trying to find another care giver, but in the mean time, she is having mobility issues, and it is not a good situation. Another bad review of the state of our health care system.

Tonight was the TREPAC Wine Tasting and it was a lot of fun. It was from 6 until 8 PM, and I had two glasses of wine, and then it was time for me to go for the ice-water. I am definitely not much of a drinker. Carrie and Toni and Shane from our office were there, and this is a photo of Carrie and Toni. It looks like Toni thought I was going to hit her! There were lots of folks there that we all knew, and it was fun seeing them all there relaxing and casual.

One of my good friends Pam was there with her good friend Jim, this is a photo of me with Pam. Jim was out officiating something I think.

On the way home, I stopped by one of my listings to change the lock box on it. The property has been leased, and I needed to put a different lock box on it so vendors could access the property and do a little bit of cleaning and change the locks.

I brought a good bit of some sort of chocolate dessert home for Jody, but that will have to wait until tomorrow.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, TREPAC, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2010 - Day Two Hundred Thirty...

Well, I have to tell you, I was a little bit concerned that I would be able to come up with a decent photo for today's entry. I am leaving the office and heading for the Board of REALTORS to teach the first evening class at the Board, sort of an experiment. BUT, lo-and-behold, as I was driving down Oltorf, what do you think was in the middle of the cross-walk? Well, I am not sure either, but it gives a new meaning to 'cross-walk', if you know what I mean. Wink-Wink! AND, it is not Leslie. I know Leslie would not be wearing all that cumbersome clothing in hot weather like we have been experiencing lately. Leslie would be on the streets in a thong and a tube top. Okay, and a Marlboro, but NOTHING else!A great day today, and I know the class tonight will be a lot of fun. Keep your fingers crossed that some attendees show up!

Deeds, Actions, Changes, CROSS-DRESSERS, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2010 - Day Two Hundred Twenty Nine...

Well, the rain that we were supposed to get last night turned out to be just ANOTHER major disappointment. There was rain in Austin, but nothing here. RATZ! We had some nice winds, but nothing more. There were stronger winds all around (some damaging winds as well), but no problems here.

A BEAUTIFUL SUNRISE this morning. Interestingly, I go nowhere anymore without a camera, so I am (almost) always ready to document happenings. Incredible. I took about seven photos of this same scene, and this is the only one that does not look like I had the DT's. Now, if you know what the DT's are, I have a pretty good idea of how old you are. I'm just saying...

This is a photo of my friend Deb, and a beautiful acrylic painting she did and is donating to the silent auction at the TREPAC Wine Tasting event Thursday evening at the Central Market on North Lamar. It should be a really fun event, and I hope we raise a lot of Moo-Lah! I pretty much have the Moo part of it covered, because I am donating a heifer calf to the auction. Get it? Moo - Calf... Whatever...

Tomorrow will be a great day if everything goes as planed. Two meetings during the day and I am teaching a class from 6 until 9 PM. A first! We shall see how it goes.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, TREPAC, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2010 - Day Two Hundred Twenty Eight...

Have I mentioned to you lately that it is hot? Well, it still is.

Last night after I posted my entry, we had a visit from Vince, the mad who made the Air Show that was Jody's Anniversary Gift this year. I was on the phone, and I noticed a truck driving very slowly past the house, and then the truck backed-up and did that at least twice. The next thing I knew, the truck was coming down the driveway, and so I went out to see who it was (of course wearing my usual outfit, boxers and a t-shirt). It was Vince, and he was just checking out the Air Show to see how it was doing. He also had a sheet metal cupola in the back of his truck, so I took this photo of it. Very interesting, and he said the man he built it for wanted a 'Monk' on it, so here it is. Vince is really a very talented artist, and I love walking through his work shop. I will be back over there very soon.

Still hot! Have I mentioned that? Just checking. In my car on the way home, the thermometer was registering 106 degrees; the official high temperature for today was 105 degrees, and our newly revived nuclear weather station reported it to be 112 degrees. I can tell you, it felt every bit of 112 degrees this afternoon when I went out to feed the chickens. I also spoke with our friend Mike in Florida this afternoon, and he said a friend of ours in Memphis reported the heat index there to be 117 degrees. What in the hell...or, well, maybe that is it! Who knows?

Spotted these clouds when I was not too far from the house this afternoon, and our illustrious weather prognosticators are reporting a 30% chance of a thundershower later this evening. We would really like that to come true, but you never can tell. These days we are getting really excited about a 10% chance. Whatever...

Tomorrow should be a pretty peaceful day, two meetings (one included lunch) and then Wednesday and Thursday will bot be late nights; evening meetings, so I will not even get home wither night til about 10:30. I hope I make it!

Deeds, Actions, Changes, RAIN?, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2010 - Day Two Hundred Twenty Seven...

A pretty good day today, stayed in bed pretty late, got up, read meters, made coffee, read the paper and went outside to start getting things done.

1. Moved the cattle troughs into the current pasture, and gave the cattle some cubes and then moved a fresh bale of hay into their pasture. That was a process that took an hour, but those things always take some time. I also hung out a little while with them, which is something I am going to try and do more of. This is a picture of Violet and her calf. We do not have a 'fer shure' name for this calf yet, but I am leaning towards something with 'Fawn' in it, because of her light brown color, which reminds me of a fawn. Violet was our 'first born' and I have a special place in my heart for her, and 'Fawn' is her first born, so the same thing goes for her. Violet is a very small cow, compared to the others, and I don't know if this calf will be small too, but she is only several months old, and already almost as big as her mama.

2. Went out and cleaned the chicken coop and put in another roost inside the coop for the girls. I also had to block off some areas in the coop where the chickens could have gotten access to the rest of the shed. Not a problem before, but this roost I installed is pretty high, and the larger the girls get, the higher they can get, so I blocked those areas with wire. They should not be able to get into the rest of the shed now, and if they do, I think they might be pretty bloody chickens. Hope not.

3. Took this photo of the morning glories. They have really done well this year, and so far we have been able to keep the yard guys from cutting them down. I really like morning glories, and this year has been good for them. I planted some four o'clocks a couple times this year, and the first set were pulled up be the yard guys. CRAP! I threatened them after I planted the second set, and they are (for the most part) coming up nicely and budding very nicely, but they really are not blooming. It may be just too hot for them, I am just not sure. BUT, they have a lovely fragrance and I really like the scent. Wonderful!

4. Went into Taylor today for the specific purpose of having a spoiler. Mission accomplished.

5. On the way home from Taylor, we drove through Granger. Granger is really a much nicer 'little town' than Bartlett is. Bartlett seems like the red-headed-step-child, and just seems like a sad little place. The Mayor and City Council members were all at it again last week in Bartlett, and no one seems to be happy about being in Bartlett. On the other hand, Granger seems very nice, it looks like people take more pride in everything, and it is just a nice little town. I love this store; it is falling in upon itself, but it looks like it was a glorious spot at one point. And according to the signs, they covered pretty much what needed to be done.

6. Took a nap.

That is about it for the day. We are going in to Georgetown for dinner tonight, we have coupons for Souper Salad, so that will be fun.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, CHICKEN ROOSTS, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2010 - Day Two Hundred Twenty Six...

Okay, well, in reality, I might have been somewhat less than honest in yesterdays post. You see, I actually did take a few photos yesterday, a couple before the entry, and a couple after the entry was published. So, in today's entry, I will post 50% of the photos I took yesterday, with lines and paragraphs beside each one.

This first photo is one I took as I was getting close to home. I saw this 'red thing' floating around in the sky, and was not sure what it was. Still not sure. Anyway, it was kind of circling around, and I thought at first it might be one of the para-gliders that come around here every now and then. Finally, I turned onto CR 302, and got to a place where I could stop the car and get out to look at it. It looked kind of like a mylar 'thing' kind of balloon like, but it was in four sections. Not any kind of a mylar balloon that you find at the grocery. And, it could go forward and back, and then back again. I have no idea what it was, but it was interesting.

Then after publishing last nights post, I went out to put the chickens to bed, and took this photo of them 'roosting' outside their coop. Tomorrow I will fix them a higher roost inside the coop, and they may be more amenable to going inside the coop in the evenings. As the days are getting shorter, I expect they will go in their coops earlier and earlier. That is what I believe, but we will wait and see.

Today was a great day, I did very little of anything. I went and had my car serviced this morning; 110,000 mile service. Then I put new batteries in our outdoor nuclear weather station. Last week when we had that little bit of rain, there was one good lightning clap, and either that static electricity shorted out something, or the batteries just failed coincidentally. Either way, there are new batteries in everything, and all is back to normal again.

We of course went into Georgetown and stopped at the Dairy Queen for spoilers. Then Jody made a quick pass through HEB, and I made a quick pass through Tractor Supply. We got home and (according to routine) both went down for naps.

Tomorrow I intend to feed the cattle, and move a fresh bale of hay out there for them. I am thinking about trying to spend more time out there with the cattle to see if they will become a little bit more sociable with me. You never know!

Deeds, Actions, Changes, UFO's, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2010 - Day Two Hundred Twenty Five...

I took no photos today, not that there was nothing of interest, I just did not do it. I was travelling down South First this afternoon with our agent Shane, and while we were stopped at a traffic light, a gentleman dressed in religious looking robes crossed the street carrying a (picket type) sign declaring 'Jesus Hates War'. I really needed to take a photo of that, but he was walking at a pretty brisk stride, so I lost that opportunity. SO, I did an Internet search of 'this day in history august 13' and hit 'images' and this is about the most interesting thing that came up. I have no idea what it is, but it says only 'August 13, 1934'.

Enjoy!

Deeds, Actions, Changes, August 13, 1934, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2010 - Day Two Hundred Tewnty Four...

There is so much beauty in central Texas where I am fortunate enough to live. It is really sometimes just breathtaking. You really just need to know where to look, and to STOP AND LOOK, and to appreciate what you have around you. Last night there was a really lovely sunset (this photo is not nearly a good depiction of it), but it was later in the evening, and I was in bed watching tv. I could see it, but I did not have the motivation to get up and digitally document the event. BUT, I have it in my head, so that is just as good.

This morning, as I was going off to work, these lovely pink clouds were just hanging there, ready for someone to notice, and so I did. It is not hard to find beauty, you just sometimes have to stop and realize it. And appreciate it.

A nice day today; it was Meals-On-Wheels day, and that is always nice. Unfortunately, it is hotter-than-the-hinges-of-hell in central Texas right now, so that does to take some of the enthusiasm out of short trips in and out of the car and its' air conditioned comfort. BUT, it is a good thing to do, and I have done it for a long time, and it is part of my habit.

Showed some property for lease this afternoon, and that was fun and (hopefully) productive. Tomorrow will be another good day (at least that is the plan), and it will be nice to have another weekend of nothingness. I asked Jody if there was anything that he would like to get accomplished, and he basically said he did not want to plan on doing anything after 9AM, it will be too hot! Good plan!

Deeds, Actions, Changes, BEAUTY, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2010 - Day Two Hundred Twenty Three...

Yippee-Skippee! RAIN! We had a little bit of rain today, and there is hope for some more later this evening. While in Austin today, the skies opened up around 3 o'clock, and there was a very nice little downpour. I called Jody, and of course there had not been a drop. Lots of lightning (brilliant) and thunder too. Later on, I was on my way home (via a listing in Round Rock) and it began to rain again. Then it quit. Then when I got to Georgetown, it rained again. Then it quit. BUT, when I got home, our rain gauge had about a quarter-inch in it, so that is LOVELY! Come on and rain some more!

Nice day today, a couple meetings this morning, a lovely lunch this with my friend Bryan, and then back to the office to get some work done. Tom and I went to visit a couple properties, and that was all good, although one of them was supposed to be vacant, and it is not, so that is a problem. We have new tenants moving in later this week, so that creates an opportunity! FUN!

The chickens were running around when I got home, and they had been somewhere sheltered, because they were all dry, not a bit damp even. I was suspicious that we had a new calf in the back because I did not recognize one of the calfs back there, but after dinner Jody and I went back and there were no new ones, and all were present and accounted for.

A calm day tomorrow I hope, usual property management meeting and Meals-On-Wheels. Good stuff!

Changes, Actions, Deeds, RAIN, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2010 - Day Two Hundred Twenty Two...

I have fallen prey to the Madison Avenue hype and the mass hysteria of consumerism. I have seen the enemy and it is the iPhone4. Mine arrived today, and it is really pretty, and fast, and all those things. I hope it is as good as my iPhone3, or whatever it was. We shall see, I will let you know in a week or so.

Nice day today, but it is really hot, and it is oppressively so. Too hot, too humid, too much longer to wait for cool weather. We really have nice weather in central Texas (most of the time), but the summer heat is too much for too long. I will quit whining in a couple months, about the middle of October. But until then, please forgive the ranting (and perspiring).

We sponsored a break at the Board of REALTORS this morning, and then we had a strategic planning meeting at the office. After lunch, I had a REALTY ROUND-UP meeting at the Board, and then I was off to a property management appointment in Round Rock. It worked out nicely, and we have a new managed property in our portfolio. Always a nice thing to add a nice property and nice owners to our group.

Tomorrow is a few meetings in the morning, lunch with my friend Bryan, then I will be off with Tom from our office to walk a property.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, iPHONE, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, iPFUN!

2010 - Day Two Hundred Twenty One...

If you are not careful, something like this could have a negative impact on your drive to the office. And, as a matter of fact, it did. It was not as bad as it could have been, but it did cause a certain amount of delay, and there was nothing I could do about it. It was too early for the traffic to be backing up because of the President's visit to Austin, so it had to be something else. And, in fact, it was!

Finally made it to the office, and it was really a pretty darn good day. Around noon time, I headed off to Costco to buy supplies for a break sponsorship we are providing tomorrow, and traffic on Highway 290 (which goes straight to the airport) was indeed already backing up (most likely because of the President's visit). He was due to arrive at 12:05, and word was he arrived 15 minutes early. STEER CLEAR!

Made it back to the office, got some more work done and headed out just after four o'clock. Not too much trouble getting home, just the 'usual delays' and the Pres was long gone by that time. He does not have to stop for red lights!

The chickens are all doing well, and they really like the figs, so at least that is one place I can get rid of some of them. Otherwise, we are all pretty much figged-out!

Tomorrow is Melody's birthday. I called her to surprise her a day early with birthday wishes, and that was a good thing, since she will be out-of-pocket all day tomorrow. WE LOVE YOU MELODY!

Deeds, Actions, Changes, PRESIDENTIAL VISITS, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2010 - Day Two Hundred Twenty...

Perfect day today, I did little of nothing, so I think that means I did diddly-squat, Which is actually a pretty darn accurate accounting of what I did today. PRETTY MUCH NOTHING!

We did go into Georgetown to the Dairy Queen, then to Beall's where I bought a pair of pants and Jody got a paid of shorts, and then to the Collector's Market to see what was going on there. Then home, naps, TV and then we went back to Georgetown for dinner. El Patron. I had shrimp enchiladas and Jody had the spinach enchiladas.

IT IS HOT HERE! Just wanted to mention that.

The chickens are doing well, they were happy out of their pen when we went to dinner, and they decided it was too early for them to go back in the pen, even if I was bribing them with bread, greens and figs. The really do like the figs! Anyway, they were not at all ready to go to their pens, so we went on to dinner, and I penned them up when we got back.

Should be a pretty calm week, but now having said that, it will be all downhill from here.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, IT'S HOT, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2010 - Day Two Hundred Nineteen...

Part of the day (and part of last night) in photos...sort of...except for the narrative parts...and the parts with no pictures...whatever...

This is a picture of the little swallow that fell (or was pushed) out of the nest last night. We put it in this flower pot by the front door, and it immediately got itself up, hopped up on the rim of the pot, and crashed to earth once again. Jody picked it back up and put it back in the pot. When I went out to put the chickens to bed, it was still in the pot, but when we got up this morning, there was no sign of the fledgling, but the good news is, there was no sign of a body, either. Hopefully it made it and all is well. Okay, at least we can think that, again, since there was no body.

There was another beautiful sunrise this morning when I was out getting the paper and reading the meters. Very nice. There was also a nice sunset the last couple nights, but by the time I spied them, I was already pretty much retired for the evening. LAZY! Whatever...

One of my goals for the day was to get one side of the berm (strip of ground along a dike; a narrow shelf or path or ledge, typically at the top or bottom of a slope; a mound or wall of earth) shredded this morning, before I did much of anything else. Try to get that done before it gets too hot, and I pretty much succeeded. My plan to attack the berm on an angle did not work, and I was not in the mood to have the tractor turn over on top of me, so I just attacked the sides straight on, and just cut the berm at a 90 degree angle. Still was kind of scary (I am not really a brave person), but it worked, and now one side of the berm is cut. The other side of the berm is much steeper, and goes off into what is now a dry tank (stock tank), so I am still pondering on how to get that side of it cut.

When I went out initially, the Mule would not start, but I found that the battery cables were just loose, and after I tightened them, it started right away. I would not have been happy if I had to buy ANOTHER battery. BUT, that Mule is really a lifesaver (okay a foot saver) around here. Of course, the tractor was parked right near where all the cattle had gathered early this morning, so I took the opportunity for this group (partial group) shot. If you look closely kind of in the middle of the frame, the little black and white spot laying down is the newest calf (living up to her name 'Sleepy'), and you can see the white spot on her head. She is as cute as she can be.

Jody and I were heading off to Red Rock this morning, so I could check on the house down there, and put some salt in the water softener. Before we left, I went out to look at the Morning Glories, and just see what I could see. There is a HUGE spider web (goes along with the HUGE SPIDERS around here), that I have finally learned to avoid. The web only goes about half-way down from the top of the arbor, so it is possible to go UNDER the web, kind of like if you were doing the limbo. Whatever... ANYWAY, these spiders around here are REALLY BIG, so I just thought I would show you this one. Scary!

We made it down to Red Rock and back with no real troubles, and everything is going nicely down there. The property is back on the sales market, so I hope there will be some activity on it, it would be really nice to get the property sold. I have really mixed emotions about it, I really love that place, but it is 75 miles away from here (35 miles away from the office) and there is just no need for us to keep it. I do not really want to lease it out again, I would just like to get it sold and move on.

We did, however, make a stop at the Dairy Queen in Taylor for spoilers. The new flavor of the month for Blizzards is (who can remember) but it contained Oreos, brownies and lots of other chocolate things. I am sticking with my root beer freezes, thank you very much.

The sage is blooming up by the road again, and that is supposed to be a sign of rain. The sage is supposed to bloom before a rain, and so far I think that has been pretty accurate, so hopefully we will get some rain in the next few days. We can really use it. We need a couple inches of rain every month so things will not just fry. I would really like to get another cutting of hay before the end of the year, and if we could get some rain, that would be helpful.

Tomorrow, I have a couple goals; get my hair cut and try to find a couple pairs of pants. Nothing earth shattering!

Deeds, Actions, Changes, GIANT SPIDERS, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2010 - Day Two Hundred Eighteen...

Okay, it is almost my bedtime. A nice day at work today, but it was a short day because I was teaching a class at the Board of REALTORS. Ethics, a class I really really enjoy, and there were about 30 people in the class, and it is not the end-of-the-month, so they were not ALL there because they were needing to get their licenses renewed. I have been seeing this bicycled parked in the garage at the Board, and whoever belongs to it is really riding in style. I am all about streamers myself!

Jody and I went to the Catfish Parlour tonight for dinner, and that was yummy good. We are on a second wave of fledglings for the swallows all around the house, and the young-uns are falling (or being pushed) out of the next in record numbers. We keep picking them up and putting them where their mamas can find them...so far we are 0 for 3. I hope our averages pick up.

Tomorrow will be a busy day, we are heading down to Red Rock in the morning, I need to put some salt in the water softener. Then we are going to stop and try to find Jody a nice straw hat. Again, IT IS HOT!

Deeds, Actions, Changes, CATFISH, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2010 - Day Two Hundred Seventeen...

A beautiful sunrise this morning, although I am generally not in a position to take a picture to share when the best parts are visible, so I hope you will use your imagination to 'see' how beautiful it was. Of course it was also very warm this morning, so there is the possibility that this was more 'flames on the horizon' and not really a sunrise. Not sure which one it really was, but it shore was purty!

Okay, yes it is still hot here, and today was my day to deliver Meals-On-Wheels, something that I really enjoy doing. HOWEVER, when it is in the upper 90's at 11 o'clock in the morning, a good deal of walking, in-and-outs, stair climbing and general exercise of any sort (while wearing lined dress pants) is just not something that contributes to the general well-being of a person. Sitting in an air-conditioned room with fans and daiquiris all around is something that comes to mind, but it is what it is. Whatever... Anyway, I am still with my four-clients and we all seem to be in a holding pattern for the foreseeable future.

I went and put signs and lock-boxes on a couple properties this afternoon, and that trip encompassed about 50 miles; one was in Manor and the other was in far north Round Rock, and it was interesting to take the drive and get that completed. Life is good indeed!

When I got home, I watched part of the news with Jody, and then it was out to gather up chickens and put them back in their pen (with a little bit of bribery). I am not above bribery (for whatever) and I find that it works quite well in any number of instances. BUT, chickens are easy! This tree is between the bees and the big storage shed (that houses the chicken coop) and I am not sure how much longer it will last. I am trying to decide which way it will fall if-and-when it does, and I am also assuming it will be an event that will be sooner-than-later.

We are having meat loaf and sweet potatoes for dinner tonight, YUMMY! After dinner I will be obliged to watch 'Big Brother' my one televised reality show that I am (I am ashamed to say) addicted to. The seasons of Big Brother have really degraded to a car wreck kind of thing; can't stand to watch it but you can't stand not to, either. I should have a little more self-respect for myself, but obviously I don't.

I will head into the office tomorrow morning, and then be off to teach a class at the Board of REALTORS tomorrow afternoon. A Perfect Day!

Deeds, Actions, Changes, FALLING TREES, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2010 - Day Two Hundred Sixteen...

Made it into the office at about the usual time, but really I was a little bit later than usual, and I paid for it with the traffic challenges that I faced. No real idea WHAT the traffic challenges were, they just were. Never saw anything that could account for a challenge, just traffic stopped, and there we all were. Whatever...

Got some things done in the office and then I was off to the Board of REALTORS where they were having photo sessions for the membership. A great benefit, if we can get good photos that can be used in our promotions. At least worth a cool hundred bucks. My appointment was at 11:15, and Carrie and Pat from our office were scheduled around the same times, so we had a big time trying our best not to take things too seriously.

I left there and went to meet Jody to trade in his cell phone. He had an earlier appointment, so it was convenient for us to meet at the AT&T store where our former real estate office assistant (Mark) works. He was very helpful and got us through the maze of paperwork and programs, so it was all good. We also took time for lunch at Chipotle, which is one of Jody's favorites. Unfortunately, Jody's appointment was at the dentist, so he was not able to eat, but he got something in a carry-out which he had later in the day. Everything worked out perfectly!

Back at the office, I got some more stuff done, and left there at about 4:15. Traffic was not too terrible on the way home, but if I happen to be engrossed in a book on CD, I tend to not really pay that much attentions to traffic. That was pretty much the case this afternoon, I am reading a little bit of fluff fiction, and it is very entertaining, and nothing that I have to really concentrate greatly on. NICE!

All is well at the casa, I had big plans to go and shred some more tall grass (it is an area that has a really steep grade, but I figured out how I can do it), but guess what? IT IS TOO HOT! IT IS TOO HOT! I think I will just wait until the weekend, where I can do it earlier in the morning before it gets too hot. I cannot cut the yard grass in the morning because of the dew, but shredding tall grass with the tractor is fair game.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, TALL GRASS, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2010 - Day Two Hundred Fifteen...

It is even too hot for the chickens. When I got home from work this afternoon, I took a brief nap while the news was on, and then I changed my clothes and went outside to feed the chickens. Jody had let them out of their pen and they were out wandering around somewhere. Tonight I found them under some of the antique rose bushes that were around Aunt Mary's house years-and-years ago. Five of them came out from under the bushes eagerly, but one of them wanted no part of it. It was all I could do to coax that chicken out from under the rose bush. AND THEN, when I got them all in the pen, they all went in the coop and could have cared less about the bread crumbs and cole slaw mix I had for them. I think it is just too hot. They were in the coop at the water trough, so maybe they know better about what they are doing. I hope so...

It was over 100 degrees here today again, officially 100 and something in Georgetown, but Austin did not officially break the 100 degree mark. I don't care much what anyone says, there is not that much difference between 99 degrees and 102 degrees. It is still HOT.

Free photos being taken at the Board tomorrow, so I will be busy doing some extra fine grooming in the morning. Free face shots is a big deal for real estate brokers!

Jody's cell phone has given up the ghost, so I think we are going to go and trade him up to another phone tomorrow. He already has an appointment in Austin, so that will work out nicely.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, NEW PHONES, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2010 - Day Two Hundred Fourteen...

There is a song in my head that I just cannot get out of there (lots of room for roaming). It is a boring little tune, and there is really only one verse and it goes something like this...IT'S HOT! Say that three or four hundred times within just a few hours, and you will get my drift. It has finally reached the 100 degree mark in central Texas, and it does not look like it will be going away any time soon. The forecast for the next seven days is 100-101 for the highs and 77-78 for the lows. Typical. It is not as bad as last year though. That is a catchy little tune in and of itself.

I was in the office almost all of the day today, and only ventured out to go to one appointment. IT IS HOT! Okay, try to get used to that. AND, I did not have anything for lunch other than the snacky stuff that various folks brought into the office from different functions over the weekend. SO, now that I am home Jody is fixing me a meat-loaf sammich for dinner. YUM!

Jody let the chickens loose this afternoon about 3 o'clock, and during the national news I went out to feed them. There was only one chicken in evidence, and I finally found the rest of them up by the road under some low bushes, I am assuming it was cooler for them under that. They are now penned up again, and I will put them to bed about 8:30.

Tomorrow is another quiet day more or less. I thought I had an appointment in the afternoon, but it has been rescheduled for next week. It will be mostly an office week this week, and that is good, it will give me time to get things caught up. I will be teaching a class at the Board on Friday, and that will be fun!

Deeds, Actions, Changes, MEAT LOAF SAMMICHES, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!