2015 - Day 334/31 - Monday...

Jody and I have been feeding the girl cat (Barney) for at least a year now. The other night, I put the food out for her and called her, and a GREY CAT responded and promptly went to town eating the moist food. The next night the orange cat (Barney) arrived on cue, and last night it was the grey cat. It is like they are alternating nights. Later on in the evening though, after the grey cat ate the moist food, I looked out and Barney (the orange cat) was dining on the dry food. I don't know how it will play out tonight, but it seems that there is a possibility that we now have TWO cats hanging around outside. Barney does not bother or pay any particular attention to the chickens, so I hope that will be the same story with this new addition.

It is shaping up to be a really busy week, and I will let you in on what I am up to as we go, just stay tuned.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, TWO CATS, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2015 - Day 333/32 - Sunday...

Curiously, I was not hungry this morning, so I made Jody a pile of eggs and I had a bagel (butter, no jelly or jam). Then I was off, and by ten-minutes-til-9 I was loading firewood into the back of the truck. I got it home and piled some of it in the garage (so it will stay dry), and the rest of it is still in the back of the truck. It'll keep! I came inside, did a few more chores, and took to the blue chair. Could not drift off to a nap, got up, looked at one of the clocks, and thought it needed new batteries. It was only 11:20...I thought it was 2 or 3 in the afternoon. That is what happens when there is no sun or relief from the drizzle. You have no concept of time.

There must be a code somewhere that girl dogs have no need to avoid walking through ankle deep (to a dog) water, without being fazed. I am freezing, bundled up from head-to-Croc, and the girl dog is unfazed by it all and ready to go on a hundred mile hike. I don't get it. Oh, and it seems she is a canine pyromaniac as well. She is fascinated by all things wood-stove. She has to pay strict attention and inspect every move when it comes to spreading the coals and adding wood to the stove. Very interested.

Here are a couple things you should know; Jody and I cut the mold off two different pieces of pie (Pumpkin and Apple) and ate generous servings. I did an internet search about eating moldy foods, and it seems it is not totally uncommon, but just in case we come to a premature demise, tell the coroner to check the pies. Said pies are now in the back refrigerator, hoping to be kept from further degeneration.

And I forgot the other thing I was going to tell you.

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

2015 - Day 332/33 - Saturday...

While walking the girl dog this evening, I was wearing two coats (one with a hoody), a pair of farmer insulated gloves and a very fashionable pair of turquoise colored Crocs. It is cold as the dickens (cool) here, but at least the girl dog was not unusually embarrassed about my outfit. Earlier today, I was laying on the couch and she decided to use me as a stepping stone to look out the windows and survey the situation. I am an adequate lump for her, and she does not hesitate to make use of any immovable she may happen upon to patrol for cats or chickens or other species that she may feel superior to. She does a good job!

I went in to Austin this morning to get my haircut, and took a wee-bit advantage to do a wee-bit of shopping at my friend Jill's shop in downtown Pflugerville, Ruffles and Rust. If you get a chance, stop by and support your local shop keepers.

Work around the property tomorrow, and back to work on Monday.

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

2015 - Day 331/34 - Friday...

The day after Thanksgiving has proven to be cooler (I would say colder but,if I put it all in perspective, it is really just cooler), rainier, windier and just over all less attractive than the previous day. It has pretty much rained all over night and all day today. We have about an inch-and-a-quarter so far, and more is expected. Throughout all that, there are a couple Iris blooming here and there in the yard. This one is a pretty little one, blooming itself in to a stupor outside the garage. With all the rains, next spring should be a good one (for the Texas Wildflowers as well).

It took a combined week (or more) to successfully change the GFCI plug in the garage. Many attempts and conferences with those in the know led to our neighbor Jim coming to the rescue and wiring it up properly. I SWEAR I had it wired properly at least once during the week, but he must have magic fingers or something, because it is now working as intended. I will, however, keep my eye on the night light to make sure it continues to operate properly.

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

2015 - Day 330/35 - Thanksgiving Day...

Jody and I are thankful for all of you...

It was a really calm and slow day. I went and delivered a pie to some good friends, and then it was down for a nap for a little while. Maddy the girl dog is thankful for all her blessings as well, and we are the luckiest family in the world.

Enjoy the calm, tomorrow is black Friday, all hell will be breaking loose soon.

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

2015 - Day 329/36 - Wednesday...

Must. Remember. Today. Is. Not. Friday.

I'll try, but I have an overwhelming urge to go see if Sharktank is on later. The Pyracantha has been having an excellent season, and the sage is getting it right this time. The red berries on the Pyracantha are lovely against the backdrop of the sage. The Pyracantha (also known as the 'firethorn' for very good reason) has been bursting forth with berries for a couple months now. The sage has it right; we had a trace of rain today, supposed to have up to 3 inches between now and Sunday night. Good sleeping weather I hope.

I ha lunch with Emily and Hudson (I think he is four, not sure), and that was fun. The three of us played hide-and-seek, and it was fun to see a mom do her thing with her child. Very cute.

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

2015 - Day 328/37 - Tuesday...

This is what is wrong with America. Too much crap. Too many choices. Our heads are in a constant state of spinning from trying to decide what kind of tooth paste we should buy. Then what type of allergy or cold or flu toxin to purchase. Then it is on to cereals. What happened to corn flakes and rice  krispies? And don't get me started on dog food and cat food. But this...THIS is the GFCI aisle at Lowe's. Why are there so many freakin' different GFCI plugs in the store. I get there may be two or three different ones, depending on the voltages etc...but a whole freakin' wall of GFCI related stuff. Not necessary. This was my second visit to a big box retailer in about four days to find a GFCI plug for the garage outlet. It seems the one I bought on Saturday is defective (and of course I threw away the box and the receipt, how can a GFCI that I just bought be bad?), and so I needed another one. It is now sitting in the garage happily awaiting my electrician skills to install it...but not until Thursday morning.

I bet Donald Trump has never been in the GFCI aisle is EITHER Home Depot or Lowe's. But he did see people protesting about them in Jersey City!

Deeds, Actions, Changes, TOO MUCH CRAP, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2015 - Day 327/38 - Monday...

Monday, Monday, Monday...what're we gonna do with you? I am absolutely, positively, 100% certain that none of this is up to code, but we have had the refrigerator and the freezer (in the garage) plugged in via an extension cord, because the plug that generally serves those units are on a GFCI breaker, and we cannot get the breaker to hold. I have replaced the GFCI itself, and the offending tripper plug (outside the garage) has received a new water resistant cover (all new insulated bits) and we caulked about the cover for extra water resistance, but this freaking GFCI plug in the garage will not work. The little tiny green 'pilot' light thing on the plug is glowing green, but if I plug the night light into the plug directly (we use the nightlight in the GFCI plug so we will know if the breaker has tripped and (hopefully) won't lose everything in the refrigerator and freezer), and there is no power. NOTE: Two parentheses in one parenthetical anecdote, not a record (for me) but worth mentioning. I am at a total loss as to how the pilot light thing can glow if there is no power to the plug. Whatever. So today I was on a mission to find an electrician that would journey to the edge of nowhere, but no luck. I kind of think everyone is already observing the Christmas Holiday (they sure can't be thinking about Thanksgiving), and no one returned a call.

It will all get corrected in time, and I expect we will get the issue corrected without loss of 1) Limbs, 2) Lives, 3) Food stuffs from either storage unit, and 4) All of the above. Feel free to pick one.

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

2015 - Day 326/39 - Sunday...

Well, at least it didn't rain overnight, but it did go down into the mid-30's. Last night was the Austin Empty Bowl Project Preview Party, and today was the actual event. I am TRASH-MAN! TRASH-MAN! People remembered me from last year, and that was fun. I did not (to the best of my knowledge) run anyone off from the event, and it was a lot of fun, even though it was chillish. I was able to keep warm by walking around and harassing people. Carrie kept warm by drying folks bowls after they were washed and before they filled up with soup. A great event benefiting the Capital Area Food Bank, Meals-On-Wheels and the Kids Cafe. Thanks for everyone that attended.

We got home from the event about 3 o'clock, and then I went down for a nap. Pizza for dinner, and probably another nap before I can it a night. This is a short week, office in the morning, teaching two classes in the afternoon, and that is pretty much it for the week.

I think there are pies in my future.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, TRASH-MAN, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2015 - Day 325/40 - Saturday...

Tonight was the preview party for the 19th Annual Austin Empty Bowl Project. We (my business partner Carrie and I) have been long time sponsors of the project that benefits the Capital Area Food Bank and Meals on Wheels and More Kids Cafe. Always a wonderful evening, and I want to thank our friends Mike, Candy, Julie, Jetta Steve and Eric for joining us at the preview party. It was a lot of fun, and lots of good foods, soups, desserts and beverages! A good time was had by all.

Earlier today, I got a lot of errands run so we could get a few things accomplished on Sunday. Visits to target, Home Depot, Tractor Supply and WalMart (for gas and diesel).

Most of the day tomorrow will find me at the Empty Bowl Project, if you get a chance, you need to come by, it is a great cause (always the Sunday before Thanksgiving) and you will not have too much trouble finding me, just look for the 'trash man'.

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

2015 - Day 324/41 - Friday...

It was a full house this morning at the new member orientation at the Board. Probably about 125 new REALTOR® members. I thought I had a meeting immediately following the orientation, so that would have meant that I had to be finished ON-TIME (which for me is kind of a challenge), but alas, my other meeting was at 2 PM, so I could just babble on like a brook. I got finished pretty much at my usual time, so about 10 or 15 minutes past my cut-off. Bottom line, I got some points across, and gave the folks attending some information they could use in their new career.

And then to the office for some power-real estate. I got to the office at about 10:30, and got a good bit of stuff done before I left at about 1:15. What should be a twenty-minute-trip from my office to the Board office now is made uncertain by the construction on MoPac. Wherever you go in Austin, you have to add twenty or thirty minutes to the trip to overcome traffic disruptions. You just have to figure it in, and when folks throw a hissy-fit, just recommend to them that if they are in such a hurry, they should try leaving a little bit earlier the next time.

I am sorry that your lack of planning has caused you this inconvenience.

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

2015 - Dy 323/42 - Thursday...

One can only assume that someone, at some point in time, actually took the time to call someone else to report this small brush fire in the MoPac median. It didn't cause the train to slow down at all, but the traffic was going slowly enough for me to take this photo. Really people, I have no personal dislike for smokers, what I have is a dislike for throwing their trash (of whatever ilk) out onto the streets. In this case, I am jumping to the conclusion that someone tossed their cigarette butt out of the car window (heaven forfend my car should smell like smoke, that's why I use Fabreeze), and caused this slight ignition of combustible materials. After all the rain we have had, I am surprised that it actually ignited, almost as much as I am that no one really paid any attention.

But there you go, we are all too wrapped up with world affairs, and since we seem incapable of making smart, thoughtful comments about that, I feel it is my right to go off on a rant about careless neighbors.

Done.

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

2015 - Day 322/43 - Wednesday...

When I drove into the driveway this afternoon, I noticed the sage up by the road were blooming. Blooming sage is (supposedly) Mother Nature's way of saying rain is on the way. During the recent spells of rain (probably at least in the last month or so), the sage has not bloomed a lick and it rained like crazy. Now the weather prognosticators are predicting NO RAIN for the next week or so (okay, they say there is a 20% chance on Saturday, and in Texas that translates to NO RAIN) and the sage here are blooming their little hearts out. Whatever.

Today was another good day, things turned out well. A meeting that I expected to last three or four hours was over in less than two hours, so that opened up some time for me to get some things done; catching up with e-mails, showing property, reviewing property applications, this and that. I just LOVE found time in my schedule. Nothing better than time, I am here to tell you.

Breakfast meeting tomorrow, then time in the office.

Life is good, I am the luckiest man in the world!

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

2015 - Day 321/44 - Tuesday...

You guys are all extra lucky tonight. Since it rained overnight (it followed me home from San Diego) and it rained on me all the way into the city, you were going to get a photo of a rain blurred windshield. But, lucky for you guys, when I got home this evening, there were some clearing skies and some really pretty pinks and reds, so out with the dreary and depressing, and in with the pink and pretty. Kind of like my day today, too. Could have gone downhill really quickly, but it turned out alright and on a positive upbeat note. Have I mentioned lately that I am the luckiest man in the world? Even though I do have domestic Goddess chores to complete before retiring (dishwasher is loaded, have to push some buttons now), and still playing catch-up on work that was put on hold while I was out cavorting on the west coast (those trips are killers, y'all), I am the luckiest guy in the world.

Somebody has a birthday tomorrow, and it is not me.

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

2015 - Day 320/45 - Monday...

This post is going to be (relatively) short and sweet, since I just got home and it is already past my bedtime. I would have been home about 30 minutes earlier, but when the plane landed, we had no gate to unload at (no rooms at the Inn), but I am home now, partially unpacked, and happy. I also have a whole new appreciation for John Legend. He gave a great concert last night for the REALTOR® conference in San Diego, one-hour flat, in-and-out, nobody gets hurt, but it was fun and I like his work. I was in the eighth row center, good seats, hardly had to stand up the entire night.

I will hit the ground running tomorrow, after a week full of meetings, this will be another week full of meetings.

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

2015 - Day 319/46 - Sunday...

One thing I have always enjoyed about attending various conventions in southern California is the flora that grow like weeds. Living in central Texas is not conducive to many plants and flowering shrubs that require at least some attention, particularly the moisture kind of attention. Here the succulents grow crazily (they should grow well in our area of Texas, but I have quite successfully caused them to succumb to an early demise) and particularly the Birds of Paradise. I am fascinated by them just willy-nilly there for all to enjoy. Here is my challenge; I have been here for four days now, and I have passed this particular spot every one of those days, and today was the first time I noticed this lush planting. Had to stop and take a quick photographic document, and the passers-by thought I was cray-cray. That's okay with me, there are lots of different cray-cray-ness in the world, and I happy to support this kind.

Finished my third (and last) meeting of the day, and in a couple hours I will be heading to a John Legend concert. I am not particularly familiar with his body of work, but as soon as I hit 'publish' I will do an null search and brush up on his work.

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

2015 - Day 318/47 - Saturday...

It was not my fault. Brian was already not feeling well (and having a bad hair day) before Erica and I snook (snuck?) behind the curtains to visit with the NAR staff at the convention. Everyone back there was really fun and having a great time, except (possibly) for Brian, who was experiencing some physical distress, but he was a really good sport about everything!

First thing this morning was a Professional Development Committee Meeting, then a forum here and there, and then this afternoon was the general Session. During the display of nations with REALTOR® colleagues attending the conference, the delegate from France received a very nice standing ovation and accepted the recognition with grace and humility. There were lots of other recognitions of our colleagues who go out of their way on a daily basis for community outreach, advocacy and volunteer servitude, as well as recognition of our state REALTORS® of the Year (Bill Jones from the Temple-Belton area is our Texas REALTOR® of the Year). Afterwards, Emmitt Smith former Dallas Cowboy (and a REALTOR®) was our keynote speaker, and that was very entertaining.

Tonight is my second visit to the USS Midway, and that will be fun. I need to be downstairs in eight minutes to board a bus and head out.

Tomorrow will be another busy day.

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

2015 - Day 317/48 - Friday...

If you pray, please pray for Paris. If you pray, please pray for all of us. Whatever it is you do to communicate to the deity of your choice, please do it. if you are more of an affirmation sort, please affirm for Paris and all of us.

Aside from all the craziness in the world that touches our lives, I was a safe and lucky person today, attending another round of meetings and forums at the annual NAR conference. As I write this, I am watching the television news, so it is somewhat difficult for me to focus on fun and normalcy, but I am going forward because we all need to keep going and go about our lives in spite of the crazies. In that regard, after my most recent round of forum attendance, I did manage to walk through MOST of the trade show, and did not stand in line to get my photo taken with the Property Brothers, but I did manage to take a photo of them as a bystander. We are pretty much addicted to HGTV, so it was fun to see them just a few feet away. There was no lack of attention being paid to them, either.

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

2015 - Day 316/49 - Thursday...

Is it still Thursday? It seems like it should be Friday or Saturday already. I took off from Austin this morning and headed for San Diego, arrived at about Noon San Diego time, and did not get into my room until after 4 pm San Diego time. I did have lunch, but hanging in the lobby was not that exciting. I missed a couple meetings that I wanted to attend, but tomorrow is another day. There is a dinner (Installation of our new NAR Chairman) this evening, and my day starts really early in the morning, although it is not really that early Austin time. I did kind of luck out in the room/view department after all was said and done. Not too shabby. I always enjoy visiting San Diego, and I even got in a few minutes of sock shopping after lunch with my friend Candy.

The next several days are going to be busy, and I am looking forward to seeing lots of friends and colleagues from across the country.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, NAR ANNUAL, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2015 - Day 315/50 - Veteran's Day...

Happy Veteran's Day and thank all of you for fighting for my right to write this crap on a daily basis.

We did not receive any of the forecast rain today. We did, however, achieve an unwanted record high temperature of 87 degrees, and humidity levels of about 500%. There are supposed to be two (not one boys and girls, count them, two) cold fronts overnight, reducing the daily high temperatures by about 20 degrees. Bring it on. There were some lovely clouds on the way home, and the sun was trying its best to break through.

Hump day, and I survived it. That was no great feat, honestly, and it is becoming a bit easier to breathe, and that seems like an accomplishment in itself. According to my friend Casey (who says he has broken, cracked or fractured every single rib in his body, it will get better, but there is not much you can do about it. He suggested an ace bandage to constrict the rib somewhat, but also cautioned that I would need to unwrap it every hour or face pneumonia or some other malady, so I think I will just keep winging it.

Out of town tomorrow morning through Monday, I will check in with you from a remote location for the next several days. Stay tuned!

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

2015 - Day 314/51 - Tuesday...

It has been cloudy and overcast all day. When I got home from work, and between various stories on the various news reports, I took the girl dog out for a walk. While I was taking storm cloud photos for this entry, I noticed a great blue heron flying past. There were actually two of them flying past at the same time, but only got this photo with one of them even barely recognizable. If you look closely, you can see the wings spread, kind of like birds we drew when we were little kids.

Here is an update on the cracked rib. It is getting progressively painful, and I even had a little bit of trouble finding a comfortable position to sleep last night. I had been surprised that there was no evident bruise, but the bruise appeared today, and it is a doozy! I think that is crazy; very little pain when it first happened, but the pain is building (to a crescendo?), no bruising right away but 48 hours later there is an impressive bruise a-brewing. Interesting stuff!

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

2015 - Day 313/52 - Monday...

Same meter, different frog. Or is it a toad? How can you tell the difference. I used to know the difference between a turtle and a tortoise, but I really only knew it for the test. Short term memory. Info for testing is stored in short term memory, experiences are stored in long term memory. Now I forgot what I was talking about. Oh yeah, frogs. Frogs are really not that interesting. I still don't know how these (yes there are more than one in that meter cavity) frogs get in and out of there. There are (I am sure) plenty of bugs in there for them to eat, but I would think they need a conduit for coming and going. I did get four toads (or maybe they are just big frogs) out of the pool skimmer basket and the Polaris bag yesterday. Sadly, only three of them made it, and they hopped merrily off into another body of water (of which we have plenty these days), and the less fortunate of the four was (most likely) consumed by the winning chicken that happened upon it first. If your scrambled eggs taster like frog (but don't frogs taste like chicken?), now you know why that is. Chickens will eat anything.

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

2015 - Day 312/53 - Sunday...

This cow (her name is Violet, her mother's name is Orchid) was our first born, and she was the one bawling for her calf as I reported on Wednesday. When the berm gave way (collapsed) the calf was washed under the fence into the neighbors pasture and could not get back, so that set the two of them to bawling all evening, into the night, the next morning and into the afternoon, when the calf finally figured out which way he came from and walked back under the fence. Our neighbor Jim had been on his property most of the morning trying to coax him back across, but that didn't work and he finally figured it out for himself. Violet is a small calf, but has always been a good mama. That is the second calf born of Mr. Speckles stock since he drowned. There is a possibility there could be one more in the oven, so we will give it a while an see if any other calves appear.

I am really happy with the accomplishments that were made this weekend. I finished the second of two distance learning classes (I consider myself to be a pretty good instructor but not a very good student), removed grape vines from the gazebo so the painters can get to it later this week, cracked (fractured? is it all the same?) a rib doing that, went into Georgetown to get some lumber and supplies, and the painters were able to get some work done on the house since it did not rain for a change. All-in-all a good day!

Deeds, Actions, Changes, NAME THE CALF, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2015 - Day 311/54 - Saturday...

Overnight we had 0.23" of rain, and since I emptied the gauge this morning, we have had another 0.96" of rain, so we are doing pretty well for the month so far. Supposed to be dry tomorrow, but rain again on Wednesday. We need to be more careful about what we ask for. The newspaper feedback section the other day said El Nino was here but now he has transformed into El Adulto!

I apologize to you in advance for this boring journal post. I have spent a really good part of my Saturday ignoring my overwhelming urges to take a nap, and instead, I spent most of the day working on some distance education courses online. It should be noted that most learners take these courses because of the convenience of taking the required number of hours when it is convenient for them. And if it is convenient for them, then it is most likely convenient for a BUNCH of people from here to Timbuktu! And the distance learning provider should have the bandwidth to accommodate all those learners. I was unable to go forward with the instruction for about five hours today. The most annoying part of it was that I was knocked off three times following an audio portion of the class. I had to listen to that incessant babbling of the instructor (probably a very nice guy) three different times, repeating the same stuff over and over and over. It was not that great the first time, but the third time was no charm in this case.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, DISTANCE CRAP, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2015 - Day 310/55 - Friday...

I have no particular knowledge about what you folks may be storing in the butter keeper of your refrigerator door, but when I stay in town, that is where the emergency Milky Way bars are maintained. Life would not be worth living without Milky Way bars, so I am never far from an adequate supply. And, as you probably know, I take things in spells; jelly beans, Milky Way bars, root-beer floats, two-dollar bills, whatever.

The flooding rains failed (miserably) to materialize. I stayed in Austin last night, where there was not even any precipitation, Jody reported that we received 0.28" of rain and enough thunder to last an eternity. How is it exactly that thunder can cause GFCI breakers to trip? I understand how those things work (up to a point), but I don't understand how thunder claps can cause them to trip.

I guess I am not really required to understand it. I don't know how lots of things work, like cell phones, television signals, internal combustion engines (so 2000's) and any number of other things. As a matter of fact, if the truth were to be know, I don't know how most things work, and I don't really care. I know how to (for the most part) work them, but who cares how they work? Not me!

Deeds, Actions, Changes, MILKY WAY BARS, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2015 - Day 309/56 - Thursday...

These clouds do not really express the intensity of the storms that we are predicted to have over the next 24 hours or so. There are more crazy predictions of vast rainfall amounts, it is truly difficult to comprehend receiving that much rain is a short period of time. Floods last week, and more anticipated for the next several hours. Watching the 9 o'clock news right now, and they are predicting flash floods and anywhere from 3" to 11" of rain. Schools are already planning to start classes on a delayed schedule, and it is just a waiting game right now. I tried to move the truck from under the shed last night, and the mud from last week just made it impossible to get it out. What a pain in the are.

Our neighbor Jim came over this morning to try to coax the calf from his property back to ours. Tried and failed, tried and failed. Eventually the calf figured it out and he (we think it is a he, you know how that goes, I don't call them till I see them pee) just decided to walk back through the low water breech and he was back home with his mama. He was wondering what all the fuss was about.

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

2015 - Day 308/57 - Wednesday...

On my way out the driveway this morning, I was greeted by our old friend the mama owl. every now and then we will see her (we assume her, because three or four years ago we knew where her nest was, and two or three owlets fell out and the nest and we had to take them to a rescue shelter), but not nearly as regularly as we did a few years ago. So, she glided her way out onto the road this morning and landed on one of the wires following the property line. It has been really foggy the last few days (in the mornings) and this morning was no different. She let me get close enough to take a few photos, but due to the conditions, about the best I could get was this silhouette. I know what it is, she knows, and now you know!

Ugh.

That pretty much sums it all up. Worst part of the day was coming home this afternoon and discovering that the berm on our 'new' tank (about four or five years old now) washed out. There is a gap in the berm about 20 feet across and about ten or fifteen feet deep. Violet had one of Speckles last progeny's in the last couple days, and that new calf went UNDER the fence to our neighbors and there is a LOT of bawling going on back there. Nothing to do about it until in the morning. Nice to have good neighbors.

Deeds, Actions, Changes, LADY OWLS, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2015 - Day 307/58 - Tuesday...

As I write this journal entry, the polls have about five minutes before they close. I expect the election workers are already packed up and just waiting for the buzzer to sound. I believe the turnout will be depressingly small, but I also expect that the items that were important to me (and therefore of dire importance to you) will all pass with comfortable high margins. The sad thing (IMHO) gets back to the lack of interest in the elections. Let me just say this about our statewide constitutional amendment elections today; for the most part, BORING! Yes, we as REALTORS® did a good job getting Prop 1 on the statewide ballot, but otherwise, I am not sure why our elected officials did not do their jobs and pass some measures instead of making us take a vote on it. You know the deal, they only had one job to do... And they left it up to us (for the most part) to do their work. I apologize in advance for painting this picture with such a broad brush, but that just happens to be my crusade right now.

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

2015 - Day 306/59 - Monday...

Today belongs to the Lutherans (if you live on or near your own edge of nowhere). Today is Wurstfest (first Monday in November, and thank you Denny I am feeling much better), and the Lutherans in Walburg have the market on the day. If you are a Catholic or a Baptist, it is too bad for you, today is owned by the Lutherans. There was actually traffic backed up on FM 972 from IH-35 to the church. About two miles and it took me about 35 minutes to make the trek. BUT, you have to hand it to the Lutherans, they have this gig down pat; there are Sheriff's directing traffic and I think all the students get extra credit for participation. It is kind of a sad statement that they cannot make change, so they rounded the dinners UP to $10 a plate. Jody and I both agree though, that this year was better than last year. The original Lutherans (the Wurstfest group are break-aways from the originals) will be having their own diversion later in the month, with a chili dinner. Last year was the first time that we know of, nothing spectacular, but we will support them anyway.

Otherwise, it was a pretty good at the edge of nowhere. The painter (accompanied by Mrs. Painter) showed up and they started power washing the house, then caulking and then painting, but I expect the rain will hit before they get started painting, so that will set things back some.

However, progress is being made.

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

2015 - Day 306/60 - Sunday...

Just because I try to put the photo at the top of the post, just to try and attract more viewers (Madonna, Marky Mark, Sandra Bullock, Queen Elizabeth), I just wanted to let you know that the frog reappeared on the water meter when I was out there this afternoon. It is not uncommon for the frog to appear, but it beats the hell out of me how he gets in or out of that meter cavity. I have no idea, but I do not expect to lose any sleep over it, there are plenty of other opportunities for me to lose sleep, and not over a frog.

The first freakin' day of November already, and it is also the first day of Standard Time for the 2015-2016 season. How long does it take for the average senior citizen body to adapt to the time change? So I have to add about (at least) seven days to that number. I was okay with sleeping until 7:30 this morning, but you can't fool me...I actually lost sleep overnight, because every time I woke up, I looked at the clock and then had to calculate what time it REALLY was. Interesting. Is it just me, or do the rest of you stress over petty crap like this?

It was a good Sunday as Sundays go. It rained again this morning (even though it was not supposed to rain), and we have about a tenth of an inch in the gauge. We are about to start with getting the house painted (outside). The gutter man came on Saturday and removed the exiting gutters. The painter came on Saturday as well to drop off some equipment. Power washing is supposed to start tomorrow (a two-day deal), and then the painting is supposed to start. Of course, it is supposed to start raining again on Thursday and go through (at least) Sunday, so we have set an achievable goal to have the house finished painting and new gutters installed by the end of the year.

We shall see.

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