2013 - Day 304/61 - Friday...

Holy Crap, Batman!  We did get a little bit of rain overnight.  The reading in the gauge this morning was 5.51" overnight.  According to my OCD self, that makes 9.39" for the month.  We also got 274 eggs in October (22.84 dozen).  If you are really interested, I can also tell you how much electricity we used (both front meter and back meter), how much water we consumed (that would include consumption by chickens and cattle (3,680 gallons).  I count things, and keep track of things.  It's a curse, let's just leave it at that.

Back to the rain.  This is a picture taken this afternoon of one of the stock tanks in the back pastures.  This is our new tank, we had it dug about three years ago when the drought was beginning.  You get your tanks dug when there is a drought, because you know that a drought is always followed by a flood, you just do not know how long it will be before the flood.  ANYWAY, this tank has NEVER had this much water in it.  I could see the water in both our tanks and the neighbors tanks from the road.  That is a MIRACLE!  Honest, a miracle!

How was your Hollowe'en?  I got to wear my Silence of the Lambs mask for a little while, but I was making the children cry so I took it off.  They were throwing their plastic pumpkins full of candy at me and running away, so maybe I should have kept it on for a little while longer, but I am really not that excited about candy corn.

It turned out to be a beautiful day here, and we have several windows open.  It is supposed to cool down nicely tonight, so that will make for good sleeping weather.  Tomorrow is Friday, and I will have a pretty busy day.  Need to go by about three or four properties, and then it is on to the weekend.

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

2013 - Day 303/62 - Wednesday...

I am not lacking for photos for this journal entry, but I will spare you lots of stuff.  Overnight, we had 0.24" of rain, and so far we have added 0.96" of rain.  That makes for good photos of clouds.  I also have photos of the parking lot (MoPac) that I travelled upon this morning after the rain (we cannot drive in or after or before rain because we are not used to that phenomenon).  I have a photo of me after my morning tutelage consisting of how to tie a bow tie.  I liked it.  But I won't share it with you at this time.  INSTEAD, I will share with you this photo of a traffic incident that was on the OTHER side of the expressway but had traffic on MY SIDE of the expressway backed up for about 8 miles.  Stop and go.  Bumper to bumper.  On the OTHER SIDE!

Whatever.

I am going to clear myself a space in the closet tonight, since we are expecting more rain overnight and the accompanying thunder and lightning (shouldn't it be lightning and thunder?).  I am anticipating the dog being very nervous and choosing not to rest comfortably, but I will be prepared.

Today was a great day full of meetings.  Directors meeting this morning, another meeting this afternoon.

Tomorrow will be meetings; PM meeting in the AM, then teaching a quick class, then meeting with officials at Austin Energy and then attending a really cool Hallowe'en party on the way home.  It will be a fun, fulfilling and satisfying day, you can take that to the bank.

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

2013 - Day 302/63 - Tuesday...

This is a totally boring photo, but I actually did have to stop for gas on the way home this evening, and the price of gas was (just barely) under $3 per gallon.  Just barely.  It is a photo of something that I had to do today, and I have other photos of other things I had to do today, so just ask if you really want to see them.

I made it into the office today, and stayed in the office working until about 1:30.  I had a 2 o'clock appointment to get my hair cut, and then I needed to go to Costco.  Then I needed to stop at the Board office (to change my shirt after the hair cut ) and drop off some stuff.  Then I headed off to an Affiliate Appreciation night at Iron Cactus.  There were about150 to 200 affiliates there, representing about 100 businesses and organizations that have products and/or services that can be marketed to real estate professionals.  It was a great event, lasted a couple hours. 

While I was there, I noticed there was a call on my phone from our neighbor Irene, and the Google Voice transcription just asked that I give her a call when I had the time.  I left the event and gave Jody a call first, and he said that one of the cows (Orchid) had a new calf in the far back pasture and that the calf was dead.  I am not really that experienced as a farmer, but I was not really hot for having to deal with this.  Jody was also concerned that Orchid was dealing with a retained placenta, something that I actually do have a lot of experience with.

To make a long story less boring, I got home just at dark, found the calf, picked it up and put it in the back of the Polaris, and moved it away from all the cattle.  I put the calf as far back on the property as I could, in the further southwest corner of the property as I could.  The winds tonight are coming from that direction, so I am hoping that the wind will not carry the scent of the calf so that Orchid can smell her dead calf.  Randy (Irene's husband) advised that everything should be okay.  The next thing is for the coyotes to do their work, and the cycle of life will continue.

Sad, but that is part of it.  It was a fully developed bull calf, beautifully marked, but he just did not survive.  Life as we know it and as we knew it will continue.

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

2013 - Day 301/64 - Monday...

I have had it just about up to here with gummint interference with my every day life.  NOW it seems the gummint can tell me where I can and where I cannot loiter.  I made a special trip today to loiter, only to find out when I got there I could not loiter within 15 feet of my preferred loitering place.  What is going on?  What is this world coming to?  Where will it all end?  Oh, the humanity of it all.

Whatever...

I am still getting caught up on some of the stuff I was supposed to have accomplished on Saturday.  Loitering, however, was always on the schedule for Monday, so at least I have not lost even more ground.  Yesterday I got the truck inspected, today I got my drivers license renewed (had to show up in person) and I also voted (early voting end on Friday, Lea, be sure to vote for Affordable Housing, you won't regret it).  Here is an interesting thing about human nature.  I got to the DPS mega-center at about 7:20 this morning; they open at 7:30.  There were about a half-dozen cars in the parking lot, and all the cars were occupied.  I finished looking at e-mail, FaceBook and made a move in my Words With Friends game, and got out of the car and went to the door of the mega-center, just thinking that maybe the lobby doors were open.  The doors were locked, but you could see the staff inside getting ready for their day.  I just stood there at the doors, and suddenly there was a mad rush to line up behind me.  I was not first, but I was now.  AND, I was the first to check in, but I was number three.  Number three was the FIRST to be called.  How can you be first and third all at the same time?

I am so confused...

Deeds, Actions, Changes, WHO'S ON FIRST (THIRD!)?, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2013 - Day 300/65 - Sunday...

Really, just a little over two months to go and we will be in a whole New Year?  Crazy!

We were up for a good portion of the night with an overly concerned dog.  He is not good with thunder and lightning.  It was not seemingly that bad, but the power did flash off for about a second or two, just enough to send all the digital time pieces into flash mode, along with the DirecTV boxes.  Comforting the dog, speaking kindly to him, taking my pillow into the closet and laying in the floor with the door closed (so he could not see the lightning flashes) did not seem to work.  Eventually he calmed down and by that time I was pretty well wide awake.  I spent the rest of the night in the big blue chair.  AND, we got 0.62" of rain out of it!

We were able to get a couple things done today that had originally been scheduled for yesterday.  We went into Georgetown about 10 o'clock this morning and got the truck inspected.  I do not like putting it off to the last day.  I had also intended to get my driver's license renewed.  I cannot do it electronically this year, I have to show up in person, I expect they want to make sure I am still breathing.  PLUS I need to vote, and I can hopefully get that done before the end of this coming week.  I will be out of town on the actual voting day.

The cooler weather and the moisture are really working miracles with the morning glories.  I do not think they have ever grown this beautifully.  And the blooms (generally only the blue ones) stay all day long and into the evening.  The pink and red blooms fade pretty much as you would expect.

This week will be a fast and furious one.  Tomorrow will be a full day in the office, a couple appointments on Tuesday, a couple on Wednesday, four on Thursday and another office day on Friday, all subject to change.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, GLORIES, Kindnesses, Wh
irled Peas, FUN!

2013 - Day 299/66 - Saturday...

Very little went according to schedule today.  I will admit, the sun did rise in the sky as predicted, but that was about it.  Okay, I take it back, I did let the girls out of their pen and the morning glories did make a pretty bold statement, but that was about it.  I am lying.  The clocks kept on ticking and seconds passed as did minutes and hours, and everything worked out the way it was supposed to, it was just not the way we expected.

Otherwise it was a normal day.  I got up later than usual, sometime after 7 o'clock, and it was still dark outside.  Jody was up way before me, and he had retrieved the newspaper. I went out and let the girls out and they were making a big racket.  Jody and I both went down for several naps.

We eventually headed into Georgetown, where we had a late lunch and then we went to Wendy's and got chili to go which will be prepared at a later time. 

It is supposed to rain tonight, most likely after midnight.  Tomorrow could be a little bit wet, but I will need to get the cattle fed, coop cleaned and lots of little things done around the house.

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

2013 - Day 298/67 - Friday...

I am glad to be home after two days of intense Leadership Training.  My friend Cathy (2013 ABoR President) took a few photos, and I may post one of those tomorrow).

I got home this evening, and piled up in the big blue chair just as the news was starting.  When I woke up, the national news was almost over, so I hope nothing really important is going on in the world, because I missed it.  The girls are all doing nicely, and they were really not in the mood for having their picture taken, but I made it quick and got out of the coop before they revolted.

We are going into Austin tomorrow for partake in a friend's celebration, so that will be fun.  In the meantime, I am going to bed.

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

2013 - Day 297/you do the math - Thursday...

Okay folks, spell check is going to have a bit of a challenge keeping up...

I am attending my fourth (maybe, I can't keep up) Leadership Retreat for my local board, and we have been working hard since 9 o'clock this morning.  We have made tremendous accomplishments in that brief period of time, and I am overcome with pride for my Association. 

Can anyone tell me where the ice machine is?

The photo above is of Bruce who has worked so hard and been such a help to us in creating our Strategic Plan for the next year, the next three years and the next five years.  With all the hard work we do, we have to take a little time to let loose, and we all need to take a moment to remember that we are all individuals, we all have different ideas, different purposes, and different goals that are important to us.  We do not necessarily have agendas, awe have a purpose.

I have had a wonderful day of planning for the future and sharing ideas with my colleagues.

This is one of the most difficult journal entries I have completed in a long time.

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

2013 - Day 296/69 - Wednesday...

All week long I have been under the impression that it was Wednesday, and now that it actually IS Wednesday, it seems kind of anti-climactic.  Not that there is anything wrong with Wednesday, it just turned out to be a Wednesday.  I'm just saying...

I need several of these for the front yard.  I can never find these when I have the truck, and if I have the truck and go searching for these (or other forms of concrete masterpieces) I just come up empty.  But, I think they are fabulous.  There is a fine line between yard art and La-Z-Boys on the front porch, and Jody believes I am erasing it.  I prefer to think of this (and maybe even a velvet Elvis) as a conversation starter.  And interesting conversations at that.

Today was mostly filled with office work, a couple meetings, and a nice drive home.  I have found a new book to listen to and it is very interesting.  It is called Hitler's Furies by Wendy Lower, and it is about women in Nazi Germany and the roles they played in the Holocaust.  "Secretaries, teachers, nurses and wives in the...killing machine."  I am not even finished with the prologue and it am fascinated and horrified at the same time.

I won't be back in the office until Monday, I am participating in a leadership retreat for the next couple days, and I think it will be a great time for fellowship and information sharing, seriousness and fun at the same time.

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

2013 - Day 295/70 - Tuesday...

I woke up this morning and thought it was Wednesday.  I am an old man, I did not figure it out until I was getting my daily pills figured out, and Tuesdays pill container was still full.  I keep up with the days by the pills I take.  Then this afternoon in a meeting, I thought next Wednesday came before the day after tomorrow.  I am so confused.

But, as usual, life is good.  I am the luckiest man in the universe, no one even comes close to that.

I was in the office all morning and left at about 12:30 to run some errands and then head to a couple meetings.  One a 2 and another at 3:30.  These days, it seems like I spend a lot of time in meetings planning for other meetings.  It's a curse.

I made it home this evening just a little bit after 6, and Jody thought he might need to send out a search party.  Just circumstances.  Dinner was DEE-licious.  We had leftovers.  I love leftovers, and never have been a very finicky eater.  I generally eat what is put in front of me.

Two more weeks (or so) before the end of Daylight Savings Time.  Not too crazy about that, but it will mean more light earlier and more dark earlier.  I'm with Jody, we should just change the clocks by a half-hour and call it a deal.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, CLEAN PLATE CLUB, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2013 - Day 294/71 - Monday...

Just another day in paradise.  I am going to cut right to the photo and then get into the day.  This is what happens when organized security details like Fire, EMS and Police respond to a wreck on the Interstate.  Not that there is anything wrong with that, but instead of being pulled onto the shoulder like the actual accident participants, they take up two lanes of a three land Interstate and talk about how many more lanes they think they can take up.  I do not really believe that, but it makes for a little bit more interesting and controversial journal entry.  Bless their hearts...

Today was not a terrible Monday, all things considered.  I was able to get a good bit of work done, and there was not too much stuff on my desk to take care of when I returned after being away for five days.  It could have been a lot worse.

I got off to two meetings this morning and was back before 12:30, a personal best for me.  Tomorrow I will be in the office until about 1 o'clock, then out for the rest of the day.  Life goes on...

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

2013 - Day 293/72 - Sunday...

This gave is suicidal.  A couple months ago, I saved its' life, and it is trying to commit suicide all over again.  This thing bloomed back in the spring, and the bloom eventually got to about thirty feet high.  I do not know if this is true (it could be an urban legend) but I think that Agave's croak after they bloom.  BUT, because of the high winds we were having, and the fact that this plant was listing at about a 45 degree angle, I cut off the bloom one day and hoped that would keep it from dieing.  Is that how you spell dieing?  Anyway...so far, the plant has survived, but it is putting up NOT ONE BUT TWO new bloom stalks.  I guess it just has a death wish.

Just in case you were wondering, fire ant mounds have no logical order in nature.  One of the things I wanted to do today was to cut SOME (not all) of the grass towards the road.  Having said that, I do take great joy in running over fire ant mounds with the riding mower.  BUT, every time I decided I had cut enough grass for the day, there was another mound, which meant I cut a little more grass.  I ended up cutting more grass than I had intended to, but I did spread fore ants over a couple acres, and probably none of them perished.

I did get the chicken coop cleaned out, got the cattle fed, got the electric fence repaired and a couple other things done before I finally succumbed to a nap.  Jody and I went into Georgetown for dinner tonight at SouperSalad.  It has been a long time since we have eaten there, and it was pretty good.

This is going to be a LONG week, lots of stuff to get done.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, SUICIDE IN NATURE, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2013 - Day 292/73 - Saturday...

Feeling good to be back home and participating in some semblance of normalcy.  I slept a little bit later today than usual, but that was really no accomplishment since I did not get into the bed until well into today!

I got today's paper read, and Wednesday's paper read.  I still have to work on Thursday and Friday's paper plus the mail.  I made a pile of eggs for me and Jody, and that was pretty much the total of my morning productivity.  I got piled up in the big blue chair and took a couple hour nap, and then got up and was a little bit more productive.

I had ordered new road signs for Randy and Irene's property, and got those put together and delivered.  We also took eggs to Rand, Irene, Hubert and Pauline.  Jody and I think headed into Georgetown for a late lunch at Schlotzsky's.  On the way into Georgetown, we drove through Walburg and there was a (I think) Thunderbird Car Club showing about a half-dozen old T-Birds in the parking lot.  This red one (probably a '57, what do you think?) was not my favorite but it was the easiest one to photograph.  My favorite was an aqua-blue one, but it was attracting a crowd and I did not want anyone else to know I liked it too! 

Once we got to Georgetown it was soup and Sandwiches all around, and by the time we got home it was time for another nap.  Jody got a record 13 eggs today, which I think is still short of the number of eggs we should be getting with all the chickens.  I think there are some girls out there that are not pulling their weight.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, T-Birds, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2013 - Day 291/74 - Friday...

Today was a really most excellent day, but I am going to cut to the chase and talk about my two new BFF's, Lea and Chris.  But, I have to give you the lead up first...

Carrie and I left the Hotel on the way to the airport about 2:45 and it was a really quick trip to the airport.  We went through security (for once I did not get pulled aside) and made it to the gate about 2 hours before out flight was scheduled.  There were lots of interesting things happening in the airport, but this entry is about my two new BFF's.

The flight was (allegedly) running 15 minutes late, but by the time we taxied out, we were more than 35 minutes late, but that still would give us time to make our connection in Phoenix.

We got to Phoenix and had 3 minutes to get to our connecting flight, but luckily it was just across the terminal, a couple hundred feet away.  We got to the gate and the folks there said we had plenty of time, they were waiting on a couple other flights, and there were 40 empty seats on the plane.  They said I could go get some sandwiches across the way and so I did.  When I got back to the gate, they said I had time to go pee as well, and so I did.  NOTE TO LEA:  I washed my hands before I offered you a jelly bean!

Carrie and I both got on the plane and there was not an aisle seat to be had.  A lovely lady named Kelly (or maybe Kelli) offered Carrie her aisle seat and I was totally jealous.  So then there was the lotto for me to decide WHICH people I wanted to sit between on a two hour flight home to Austin. 

AND THE WINNERS WERE:  Chris and Lea.  The deal was cinched when I announced that I had drink coupons and they both welcomed me with open arms.  We had a BLAST the whole way back to Austin, and we talked about a veritable plethora of topics (don't forget to vote in November).  Lea has only lived in Austin for about five months, and Chris and his family live in Cedar Park.  Chris has lived here his entire life except for a four year stint in Seattle.  And Chris is taking his lovely bride to San Antonio tomorrow to see Michael Buble.  Pretty darned cool if you ask me.  Don't ask Lea, she knows nothing except Back Street Boys!

Anyway, it was a great flight, and I hope I run into these two again sometime, but what are the odds.

What is the difference between stowage and storage, and why would you want to STOW a magazine on an airplane?  Lea just wants to know.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, BFF'S, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2013 - Day 290/75 - Thursday...

My apologies for yesterday's entry, but today made up for it all.

Carrie and Beverly and I went off to the San Diego Zoo this morning after a leisurely breakfast.  Beverly's group had rented a car, and she had the use of it, so off we went.  My job was just to follow behind her and Carrie once we got to where we were going.  My job was to NOT be in charge of anything, and I liked that very much.

Carrie signed us up for the senior citizen tour (mainly because I am pretty feeble), but I think by the time it was all over, they both appreciated it.  The Zoo is a pretty big place.  We arrived and parked in 1 Flamingo, also known as Flamboyance.  I am not making this stuff up.  We got inside the Zoo and lined up to get on the bus.  Our tickets gave us unlimited use of the guided bus tours, the express bus tours (which included on -and-offs) and the skyfari Aerial Tram.

The first bus took us through all the sections of the Zoo and gave us a pretty good overview.  After that we had lunch and headed for the on-and-off bus, which deposited us conveniently close to the Panda exhibit.  We stayed in line for about 30 minutes before we got to see the Giant Pandas, and we actually got a pretty good show.  A 14 month old Panda was up in a tree, and decided to venture down to play with his mama, so it was all pretty good.

Before we left, the aerial tram deposited us (again conveniently) close to the exit.  Someone did a good bit of logistical planning here, not as good as Disney, but pretty good.

We headed back to the Hotel (made a jelly bean stop at CVS) and did some more conference stuff before it was time to go back down to the trade show and then to dinner.

Overall, a really good day.

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

2013 - Day 289/76 - Wednesday...

What is the opposite of a Post Script?  A Pre Script?  It sounds okay but they both would (or could) be abbreviated by 'PS', so it could be a little bit confusing, but here goes:

PS:  I think this is probably the most boring entry I have made in almost five years of posting, but there is little or nothing I can do about it.  Upon closer review, I actually had a pretty good day, there is just nothing about it that can possibly be literally expressed in this journal.  Sue me...

Today was a full day of training, emphasizing customer service and customer satisfaction.  A Director from the Ritz-Carlton organization was the presenter, and it was pretty interesting stuff.  A pretty good day of thought provoking-ness.  After that session we had an hour break and then a pretty interesting and entertaining light entertainment session featuring an act called The Raspyni Brothers.  I expect you could find information about them on the www.

So, that is it...I will work diligently to make tomorrow a more interesting day.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, MOON OVER LA JOLLA, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2013 - Day 288/77 - Tuesday...

Okay, made it to San Diego without too much trouble.  I got up early this morning and finished packing, and made it into the office to get some final work done before taking off.

Carrie and I met up with a couple other folks from NARPM heading to San Diego.  I actually slept most of the flight, and that was pretty nice.  Carrie brought a couple sandwiches and some really good gluten free puffed popcorn chips, so that pretty much covered lunch.  We made it to San Diego just about right on time, and got to the Hotel by about 2 o'clock in the afternoon.  We went and registered, then went and had something to eat, and then I went to my room and watched a little bit of tv news before meeting up with the group to go to dinner.

We had dinner on the USS Midway, and that was pretty darned cool.  Before dinner, the friends we met up with took a tour of the bridge, the Captains Quarters, the Admirals Quarters and the Captains Port Quarters, along with other things on the ship.  Launched in 1945 and retired in 1992 it is pretty much a floating museum and really pretty interesting.

Classes and seminars tomorrow, maybe the zoo.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, FLOATING MUSEUM, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2013 - Day 287/78 - Monday...

Did you see us on the news tonight?  They showed videos of the flooding in Austin.  ACL cancelled, houses floating down a creek.  700 chickens being rescued.  Just another day in Texas.

Getting down the Interstate was much easier than getting up it this afternoon.  It pretty much rained off and on all day today, there was another 0.55" of rain recorded on the edge of nowhere (which is further than the middle of nowhere).  I would say there was about that much in Austin as well.  Traffic this afternoon was plagued with wrecks of all sorts, but there is no avoiding it.  I left the office3 today at about 3:15 and it took until almost five o'clock for me to get home.

Packing for my trip later, should not be too bad.  Tomorrow I will be bringing you updates to this journal from LaJolla.  Don't worry, I will not be having any fun.

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

2013 - Day 286/79 - Sunday...

Even though I got off to a late start, I got everything done today that needed to be done today.

I did not stay in bed very late, although the emergency weather radio went off twice during the night.  I got up long enough to hear that we were not in the affected areas, and went back to bed.  The dog was up and down because of the lightning and thunder, and Jody got up to try and calm him.  I don't think it worked, and they both eventually got back into their beds.

We got 0.80" of rain overnight, and places in Austin recorded over 12' of rain last night.  The last day of the ACL Festival was cancelled, some low water crossings are still flooded.  I wish we had received all of that rain over the lakes, but we did not.  I think there might have been a couple inches over the lake, and I have not seen how much the lakes up because of it.  Not enough, that is for sure.

It was still raining a little bit when I got up, and I was sitting in the office after having let the girls loose, and several of them were amped out on the front porch.  I eventually got the cattle fed, got the chicken coop cleaned out, and cleaned off the porch.  I also feel very smug about having polished my shoes in anticipation of my trip this week.  I am not a big fan of polishing my shoes, but I am a big fan of having my shoes shined at airports or where ever I can find a shoe shine stand.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, STILL RAINING, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2013 - Day 285/80 - Saturday...

I accomplished a personal best today; I stayed in bed until 8 o'clock this morning. Of course I slept on the couch fro about 10:30 last night until 5:30 this morning.  Sometimes I just toss and turn, and I will go crash on the couch or in the big blue chair.  Sleeping on the couch means I hear the clocks chiming pretty regularly, so at least I know how long I have been awake.

I also broke my own rules today and actually did a little bit of work around the house.  I cut 'at' some grass in the front of the house, between the house and the front barn.  Mostly trimmed up the tall weeds in the bamboo patch, but it looks like someone actually lives here now, not so much like an abandoned house.

I did a lot of napping, too.  And I went to get some cattle feed and got it all piled up in the feed shed.  Hopefully tomorrow will be a day of more chore accomplishments, I have a list.  We have had several traces of rain today, and at last look we had received 0.06" of rain.  If we are going to get as much rain as the prognosticators are claiming (up to 2.5" in the next few days) it had better hurry up.  The sage are not blooming, so I do not know what to believe.

When I went out to read my meters this evening, this old frog was perched on top of the water meter.  I see this guy in the meter well every now and then, I guess he (or maybe she) has another way in and out of the well, because the cut-out in the top of the meter housing is not big enough for entrance or egress.  But I digress...

The high today in San Diego was 68 degrees and from what I can see, the highest temperature for next week is forecast to be 81 degrees.  Not much variance between the highs and the lows, maybe ten or fifteen degrees.

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

2013 - Day 284/81 - Friday...

There are some really beautiful clouds all around this afternoon and evening, but I decided I would not bore you with the delicacies of nature, instead I am choosing to see if you can guess what we had for dinner tonight.  Odds are your first guess will not be correct.  Ready?  Okay, guess.  See I told you, you are wrong.  We had chili.  It is our opinion that Wendy's makes just about the best chili on the planet since (this is strictly my belief and I have seen no corporate claims otherwise) that Wendy's combines at least two of my favorite things in their chili; beans and left-overs.  I think Wendy's uses the burgers they did not sell today and puts them into their chili tomorrow.  Just a thought.  If there are any Wendy's Corporate types lurking out there (I do have tens of readers on daily basis) then just let me know and I will make the appropriate retractions and corrections and apologies.  I will even offer up my first born to you.

But isn't it enough that we think you make the best fast-food chili around?  Should be...

My day started with a breakfast meeting, and then some inspiration, and then some good accomplishments in the office.  It is Friday, and I left for home about 3:45 and made it home about 5:30 (I had to stop for chili; see above paragraphs.  Try to keep up.).  This is the second week of Austin City Limits Festival and the city is once again Full of Freaks.  There are new occupants of the condo above us at the office, and they were showing off their new digs and (again this is only my opinion) once you achieve the lofty heights of the third floor you automatically become either an elephant or a rhinoceros (NOTE:  I think rhinoceros should have a 'u' in it somewhere).  I don't care if it was a ballerina that is visiting upstairs, once they hit that unit, they all have a herd mentality.  Incredible.

But I digress...

Did I mention that it is Friday?  And that we are supposed to get some rain this weekend?  And that I will most likely sleep extra long overnight and throughout the day tomorrow.  I didn't think so.

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

2013 - Day 283/82 - Thursday...

I did not want to get out of bed this morning, but I did.  Expect a replay tomorrow.

One of the things I did today was to attend the Board Officer Leadership Conference (BOLC) at the Texas Association of REALTORS®.  Our guest speaker at the luncheon was Texas Attorney General (and Texas Gubernatorial Candidate) Greg Abbott.  He gave an interesting speech and was on his way to Round Rock for another appointment.  I had noticed a couple media vans in the parking lot when I was going in, but did not expect they would be attending the event I was going to.  Interesting stuff.

We had our routine PM meeting in the AM, but I had to cancel my Meals-On-Wheels route today.  I do not know why but schedules seem to happen in clusters; there is either a lot to do in one day or a cluster of days, and then there is not a single thing on the calendar.  I have been able to keep my head above water with my real work, though, so that is good.

Tomorrow I have meetings beginning at 8 o'clock with a breakfast, then I should be in the office by about 12:30.  Tomorrow will also start the second weekend of the Austin City Limits Festival.  Once again, the city is full 'O Freaks!

I am really looking forward to the weekend.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, FREAKS I TELL YOU!, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2013 - Day 282/83 - Wednesday...

Really, it is only Wednesday?  Feels kind of like a Friday if you ask me...

SO, it is late (almost 10 o'clock) and I just got home a few minutes ago.  Tonight I attended the Women's Council of REALTORS® Austin Chapter Bras for a Cause Event, an annual fundraiser for Breast Cancer care in the Austin area.  A very nice turnout for this really well done event.  I bought a Bra last year and donated it back to the event.  I bought the same Bra again tonight, and it will be back in the auction again next year.  What do you think?  I like it!

I was on fire today, I got a lot of things done that I had been putting off for a while, and attended a couple meetings and taught one class.  It was a full day!

Tomorrow I have a couple meetings, Meals-On-Wheels and Jody has an appointment at the dentist.  I think it will be another full day.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, BRAS FOR A CAUSE, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2013 - Day 281/84 - Tuesday...

It seems I spend an inordinate amount of time at the various local (and national) pet emporiums these days, looking for over-the-counter cures for one thing or another that ails the Boy Dog.  Today I was interested in checking out dog shoes, hoping to find something that would give the Boy Dog some traction when he has ambulatory issues.  We think he can walk adequately (most of the time) but sometimes he has challenges becoming upright because of the laminate flooring that is in most of the house.  You would think he would learn (maybe you really can't teach an old dog a new trick) that it works much better if he collapses on a rug as opposed to the hard surface flooring.  But I digress... 

I went to a big box pet emporium in Georgetown on my way home tonight, and asked where I might find dog shoes.  The response was that they have dog shoes in two different areas of the store, depending on if I were interested in 'fashion' dog shoes or 'utilitarian' dog shoes.  My immediate response was that it seemed like both varieties of dog shoes should be in the same section of the store.  I am really not going to dwell on this, but I can only conjecture that if you are looking for a fashionable dog shoe you might not want to be bothered that a dog might actually need a style of shoe for a therapeutic reason.  DOWNER.

BUT, I also do not believe that the dog sunglasses should be relegated to share rack space with therapeutic and/or utilitarian dog shoes.  In my opinion, dog goggles and/or dog sunglasses deserve to be located with the dog shoes for fashionable dogs and their owners.  Dogs and/or their owners with delicate sensibilities should not be subjected to the medical concerns of utilitarian dog shoes.  I will be voicing my opinions to the editors of the local news medias as soon as I successfully publish this journal entry.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, CANINE FASHION FIRST, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2013 - Day 280/85 - Monday...

I am not certain what type of implement this is, but if it can give me a frozen Pina Colada daiquiri, I am all for it!  And, as long as I am on the subject, I'll take two please.  I remember when I lived in New Orleans (several decades ago) we used to go to the drive-through daiquiri (that does not look like the proper way to spell daiquiri) emporium, and get frozen Pina Colada Daiquiri's.  By the time we got where we were going, the Daiquiri's were gone and so were we.  Life was so much simpler back then.

Today was a pretty good day, tomorrow will be much more exciting, and who knows what Wednesday will bring.  We still have the air conditioner turned off and the windows open, but the humidity is supposed to be back to plague us in another couple of days.  This will be a nice taste of fall, and I am happy about that.

We might even get some rain this coming weekend.  Keep your fingers crossed.

One evening this week, I will go out and threaten some of the weeds in the front of the house with the lawn mower.  I hesitate to say I will cut the grass, because I am not too sure how far I will get with that process, but there is always next weekend, so keep your fingers crossed that we get some more rain!

The Boy Dog is still doing pretty well, having a few mobility problems today, but maybe it is just a flare up of his arthritis.  I know exactly how he feels, if that is the case.

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

2013 - Day 279/86 - Sunday...

Last night when I was putting the girls to bed, two of them REFUSED to go to bed.  I tried herding them into the pen (and then to the coop) but they would have none of it.  I thought there might be something going on in the coop that was scaring them, but all the other girls were in there with no obvious concerns.  I waited about twenty minutes and went back out there, and they were all hunkered up together against the wall of the front barn.  In the dark you can pretty much do anything to a chicken, so I picked them up and punt them in their pens, and they walked right into the coop.  I have no idea what the challenge was, but I hope there is not a repeat of it tonight.

Today went exactly as planned, if a day can go EXACTLY as planned.  You should all know that the sage are a (in my opinion) a much better prognosticator of rain than are the paid prognosticators.  In all honesty, I will mark this one down as a tie, because the news last night showed a chance of rain to hit us at 3 AM, and at EXACTLY that time we were having a little thunderstorm.  I would have slept through it except the Boy Dog does not EVER sleep through the slightest bit of thunder and/or lightning.  Jody and I are both tuned in to his toe nails hitting the laminate floors, so whenever he starts to wander and whimper we don't know what the challenge is.  Could be projectile poop.  Could be involuntary urination.  Could be thunder.  It is best to err on the side of caution.

Anyway, I got chores done, and some office work done as well.  Pavlov's cattle were waiting in the feed lot for their weekly feed and a fresh bale of hay.  I have kept them out of the far back pasture, and the grass has been growing pretty nicely back there.  I think I will open that pasture up to them next weekend.

I got a LITTLE bit of grass cut, got the chicken coop cleaned out, took a nap (or tried to).  Jody and I went into Schwertner for the annual bar-b-cue, and got it to go, so that is what we will have for dinner one night this week.  We made it into Georgetown and I ran a couple errands.  Bought a couple sports coats and a couple pairs of slacks, went to Catfish Parlour for dinner, filled the car up at HEB and got sodas and ice cream for the upcoming week.

Like a good Boy Scout (is there some sort of copyright on those words that I am obviously violating?), I am prepared.

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

2013 - Day 278/87 - Saturday...

This was a pretty typical day as Saturdays have been going for the past couple months.  Accomplishing just as little as I possibly could without causing any glistening.  It began glistenable this morning, but as of a couple hours ago, the glisten-quotient has decreased noticeably.  Seven o'clock in the evening and it is in the 60's, expected to hit into the mid-50's overnight, but probably no rain in the near term.  We will take the hand we are dealt, and appreciate the cooler weather.  The windows are open and we have turned off the air conditioners.

We did make a trip to the feed store this morning, and I will get the cattle fed tomorrow.  Then there were some naps, then we went into Georgetown for a couple things.

After breakfast and chores tomorrow (cattle, chickens and a bit of grass cutting) I think we may even take a drive into Austin for a stop at Costco, and then come back by the Catfish Parlour in Georgetown.

Exciting stuff!

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

2013 - Day 277/88 - Friday...

The Sage is really beginning to bloom nicely, so I hope this natural precursor or rain will be more accurate than the professional prognosticators in the area.  The cold front that comes through tomorrow is expected to bring only a slight chance of rain, but the Sage plants predict otherwise.  The disturbance in the Gulf is heading north and east, so the six to seven inches of rain that is predicted to follow it will all hit areas that really do not want any more rain; while we sit here in what may next week be declared the worst drought EVER for this area.  Couple that with the population explosion, and you can see the challenge we are all about to experience.

It is, however, Friday.  It is also the birth day of a very good friend and colleague Emily, who at this very moment should be enjoying a wonderful dinner with her husband and child.  Happy Birthday Emily!

I am looking forward to the cooler weather, but please be aware, I have no intention of wishing for COLD weather.  Cool is good, Cold is stupid.  I had a call this afternoon from a former client, who said she is in Colorado, there are several inches of snow on the ground, the temperature was below freezing and she forgot why she was there.  I am not looking forward to any of that.  Snow in the 40 degree range is okay, because it will all melt within a couple minutes.  That we can handle.

The Boy Dog remains well.

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

2013 - Day 276/89 - Thursday...

Boy Dog Update:  All is well for now.  No news is good news.

The Rain Lillie's are back, we did have a teeny tiny bit of rain last weekend, but I guess it was enough for them to be revived.  And the sage up by the road is starting to bloom again, so that is a good sign.  The cold front that is arriving this weekend has a small possibility of rain, but there is a storm in the Gulf that will probably head towards Louisiana and then through Atlanta, so we are not expecting anything from that.

We did have a PM meeting in the AM, and that was good and productive.  My Meals-On-Wheels route (with Chris) was smaller than usual, I think there were only five clients today as opposed to the usual nine.  Good to get out of the office and do something for someone else.

After that, I headed into the Board Offices and presented a class on NAR Ethics.  I love these classes, and I especially enjoy guiding colleagues through these courses.  It was a BLAST!

Deeds, Actions, Changes, FLARES, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN?

2013 - Day 275/90 - Wednesday...

So, this is what happens when you leave for town later than you know you should.  Instead of a hour and 15 minutes, it just takes longer and longer and longer.  Note to self, don't dally.

Boy Dog Update:  He had a pretty good day today.  He slept in his old room (the laundry room) where he could pretty much do what he wanted and we were not hovering over him freaking out that he was just a producer of an endless stream of urine.  He did not whimper or whine a bit, and it was as if he was glad to have his own private time.  Not a sound all night long.  Of course when we let him out of the laundry room that was an event in itself, but some of you might be a bit squeamish, and this is a family oriented journal, so I will spare you the (bloody is not the right word) details, and leave it up to your individual imaginations.  BUT, let me repeat, today seems to have been a good day, almost normal, and no repeat issues.  He is going to sleep in the laundry room for the near term, however.

Lots of accomplishments today, did some power real estate this morning, went to a 10 o'clock meeting, was back in the office about 12:15, did some more power real estate, had a 3:30 appointment in the office, and left for home about 4:30.  I stopped and brought home a Papa Murphy's Pizza for dinner, we highly recommend the Cowboy Special they are promoting right now.

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

2013 - Day 274/91 - Tuesday...

Okay, what's the deal.  I got up today and my watch said it was September 31st.  That made it a little difficult when I was signing documents and realized there is (although maybe in a parallel universe) no September 31st on the Julian Calendar.  I am not sure where September went, but I am glad it is gone.  I always look forward to the second week of October because (in my guesstimation) that is when we will get our first real hint of cooler weather.  And, right on time, we are supposed to have a cold front (no conditions set by the weather prognosticators, this one is supposed to be the real thing) come through late Friday afternoon.  I am ready for it!  For all of you that cannot get enough of these Andrew Wyeth type photos from the edge of nowhere, here you go.

Boy Dog update:  I reported recently that we have gotten the projectile diarrhea challenge under control, although there is the very distinct possibility that the Boy Dog will never poop again, as a result of all the prescription medications we have introduced to his system.  NOW he will not quit peeing.  He is a veritable urine manufactory.  He will not quit peeing.  In/out, in/out, in/out, on the porch/off the porch, on the porch/off the porch.  Do you see a pattern?  This all began this afternoon.  He will be sleeping in the laundry room tonight.  We called the Vet, and she advised us to discontinue one of the medications we are giving him to see if that will stop this most recent challenge.  Please do not recommend doggie diapers because we have tried that; both the canine variety (which we cannot find big enough to fit him) and the people type (which are just awkward period).  But thanks for thinking about it.  I will let you know how all this works out.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, DOG PEE, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!