2017 - Day 90/275 - Friday...

It's Friday AND it is the last day of the month AND today was one of the worst traffic days EVER both going and coming. I even left before sunup this morning, knowing there would be lots of stuff that needed to get done for the end-of-the-month. And there was. It felt like I was chained to my desk today, and could not get caught up with all the things I needed to get done. And I showed property this afternoon and got caught up in traffic again. I know there are a few events happening in Austin this weekend, but this felt like there must be 10 or twenty things going on. This is a photo of a motorcycle jockey this morning riding on the white lines between cars. I know this is legal in some states, and I have experienced it where it is legal, and even then it took me by surprise. It has happened here on occasion, but it never fails to take me by surprise. And then when the biker is in front of me, I always think they will be smushed by one (or two) of the other cars. ANYWAY, it is supposed to storm over night and into Sunday. Allegedly it is going to be worse on Sunday. Maybe I can get a little teeny tiny bit of grass cut tomorrow. We will see. Deeds, Actions, Changes, CYCLY JOCKEY, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2017 - Day 89/276- Thursday...

Jody and I played hooky today. Is that the way you spell hooky? How about hookey? Nope. Hookie? Nope. It must have been right the first time. Always go with your instincts. Anyway... I had a late meeting last night, so I stayed in Austin. I got up this morning, realized that we were playing hooky, and decided there was no reason to shave! It was almost like a Saturday morning, except it was different, it was Thursday. Anyway... I made it home about 9 a.m., and we packed up and headed for Willow City Loop. To be honest, the Indian Paintbrushes, Indian Blankets, White Poppies, Bluebonnets and some little yellow wildflowers (not bastard cabbage) were really more plentiful along the road sides than they were in the Loop, but you got vistas and overlooks in the loop that do not translate into photos but are really beautiful. It has also been a while since we have really been deeper into the Hill Country, so that was very nice. We say one deer crossing a highway (he made it) and a couple wild turkeys, one of which was very cooperative in the photo opportunity department. We had a late lunch in Burnet; we had intended to have lunch at the Bluebonnet Cafe (get it?), but there we a line out the door so we went to the fish restaurant overlooking the river. Very nice. Then home in time for Jeopardy and naps all around. Deeds, Actions, Changes, TURKEYS, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2017 - Day 88/277 - Wednesday...

So, I went through a drive-thru at a new restaurant today...I studied the menu (I assumed it was a chicken restaurant) and finally the cars behind me grew impatient. I pulled forward and placed my order; three piece chicken tender please ($5.49). Would you like to make that a combo? Fries and a beverage? Yes please. That'll be $11.05 please, pull up to the window. Really? I thought $5.49 was a (somewhat) reasonable price for 3 chicken tenders (now that I think about it, I'm not so sure). You can get 10 chicken tenders at Burger King for $1. I think. But I digress. I carried on a conversation at the window, and it seems they charge what they charge. $11.05 for one meal seems a little much for me at a drive-thru. Okay, but here is the problem. The chicken tenders were really, REALLY good. Very very good. So...if you are okay good with trying new things, then I give you permission to try this new place. Deeds, Actions, Changes, NEW THINGS, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2017 - Day 87/278 - Tuesday...

The girls are back producing again, not consistently, but better than before. We are getting at least one egg a day, sometimes as many as seven. This photograph was on a day that we got seven eggs (including this one). As with all species, there are overachievers, there are underachievers, and there are the just average. I can relate to all of them. I don't know a lot about the anatomy of a chicken, but any of these coming out of a hole in a chicken has gotta hurt. Maybe not. It is supposed to rain overnight, maybe after midnight and into the drive-time in the morning. Supposed to be pretty big, so we will just wait and see. Deeds, Actions, Changes, EGGS, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

Day 86/279 - Monday...

This is really not what you want to see on the way into the city on a Monday morning. I could see the lights flashing about a mile-and-a-half behind me, and they finally got to the point that they could pass me. I continued on the road for another four miles or so, and never did see them again. I have no idea where they are headed, but down the shoulder of the Interstate (IMHO) was not the best way for them to get there. Otherwise, it was a really nice day in central Texas. We had some unexpected rain last night (it was all supposed to be north of us), and the gauge recorded 1.07". We are also supposed to get MORE rain late tomorrow night into Wednesday morning. We shall see. We also think there is a wildflower expedition in the near future for us. Deeds, Actions, Changes, TRAFFIC, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2017 - Day 85/280 - Sunday...

So, today is Sunday, I made a few accomplishments, particularly cleaning out the chicken coop and a few other minor things around the house. We both went down for naps, and I spent a little while doing some real estate, and we almost have a property under contract; should know for sure about that tomorrow. More naps, then into Georgetown to do a little bit of shopping. I bought some shorts and some casual shirts, jody bought a radio, I bought a wired mouse for the computer and it is interesting, this mouse does better with a mouse pad. I have no mouse pads, so I am using a piece of paper. Necessity is the mother of mouse pad inventions! We had Victor come out to take a look at the tree that is falling over, so that will be taken care of in about ten days. I hope it stays up until they can get out here and get it taken down. They will cut up the wood and stack it so we can burn it next fall. We went through the park so Jody could feed the mules (only one of them showed up), and that is where I took this picture of the poppies. I think I need to plant a bed of poppies this fall, and I am going to be on a search for lab-lab beans too. We had some, but who knows what happened to them, but I really like the blooms. Other than that... Deeds, Actions, Changes, POPPIES, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2017 - Day 84/281 - Saturday...

We both slept in a little later than usual this morning, and that was nice. I was a little bit cooler this morning, and the winds were coming out of the north, so I actually put on a jacket when I went outside to let the girls loose and to pick up the paper. I started cutting grass about 8:30, and got all the front done, and that was pretty much time to call it a day. With all the high winds lately, there is a tree that trying to fall, and it is only being held up by the tree next to it. I am considering putting a chain through the fork of the tree, hooking the chain up to the tractor (I have about 50 feet of chain) and seeing if I can pull it over and keep it from falling on the front barn and wiping out the chicken coop. We will see how that works out, I am still pondering it. Some of the fallen limbs were hauled to the back of the property and added to one of the burn piles. Jody went with me and we now have several nice stands of bluebonnets and Indian Paintbrush back there. We went searching for more bluebonnets where we had seen some lovely patches last year, but nothing. These patches on the back of the property are some of the nicest we've seen this year, so that is very nice. Deeds, Actions, Changes, BLUEBONNETS, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas!

2017 - Day 83/282 - Friday...

It's Friday again, and this one was a really busy one. My first appointment this morning was at 8 a.m. and I had five different appointments throughout the day. The first one (where the photo was garnered) was at the Austin Board where the Executive Assistant (Vicki) was honored for her 20th Anniversary at the Board. During those years, she has never missed a Board meeting. She is absolutely, positively without a doubt the best there is. Hands down. This is a photo of me, Vicki and current Director Bob at the meeting. I would not have been able to complete my year as ABoR President without the help and counsel of Vicki. Thanks! Then at 10 a.m. I led a class on Ethics for newly licensed REALTORS®. That is always something that I really enjoy and today was no exception to that statement. There were about 60 or 70 new agents in the room, and a good time was had by all, and I am pretty sure that everyone in the room learned something. Then I had to go to my office because I forgot a file, then met with some Seller clients at 1 p.m., just to go over a few things and make sure they were confident with the process of selling their home. 3 p.m. appointment to get my hairs cut, then a 4 p.m. top show a couple houses. All done, nobody got hurt! Deeds, Actions, Changes, BUSY, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2017 - Day 82/283 - Thursday...

It is still pretty dark when I leave for work in the mornings (thank you very much Daylight Saving Time), but this morning there was a little hint of the coming sunrise. It was much prettier as the sun got higher in the sky, but by then I was on IH-35 and even I cannot get a good shot when going down the expressway. Well, I could actually, but I didn't. But this is kind of pretty, so put your imaginations to work. Things will never really be back to normal here, but things will calm down and we will settle into another routine. We both slept comfortably last night, and that was excellent. Joel is not staying in the bed as late as he would be otherwise, but I think that will work itself out. He did get a nice long nap this afternoon. Another thing that is an improvement is that AT&T got our landline working. It took two service folks, about an hour to report that it had been repaired and that there was nothing wrong with it. BUT, we can now receive incoming calls and the caller ID works again. Interesting description of the LACK of a problem, and as well all know, things don't break at a convenient time. Our friend Michael and Lynda reported a trip to the Willow City Loop, and that the wildflower display is really excellent this year. I think we are going to plan a day trip out there late next week. We shall see. Deeds, Actions, Changes, SUNRISES, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2017 - Day 81/284 - Wednesday...

Take heed, your whole life can change in the blink of an eye. Because of really big things or because of really small things. As I reported yesterday (and thank you all for the respect), our beautiful little girl dog Maddie died after eating something she found up on the road. Only after she died did we come to realize that she was the sun of our solar system. We were but a couple of tiny planets (maybe a couple of dwarf moons) rotating around her life-giving brilliance. Jody and I have always known we were creatures of habit, but that little girl dog quickly became a new habit. We were on her schedule, she was not on ours. It became painfully clear last night. Jody and I are both still out of sync, but we will recover from the pain, and one day we will find another little girl or a little boy or a big girl or another big boy that will prove to be a vital piece of our existence. Until then, I expect we will be more sad than glad, more quiet than loud, more calm than quirky. We know we are not the only ones to have experienced these kinds of losses, and in the 25 years we have been together, we have lost other dogs and cats, and it never gets any easier. We will do it again happily, we will share our love and our sorrows. In the meantime, Barney the girl cat is still with us, although she has her own schedule, and we are really not a big part of her life. All she knows is that we feed her (she looks darn healthy too), she lives in any of the many sheds and shelters around the farm, but we have never petted her or held her. But she is still there. Deeds, Actions, Changes, ONWARD, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2017 - Day 80/285 - Tuesday...

Please do not 'like', 'react', or comment on this journal entry. Just this one time. Usually I solicit connects, but just this once just leave it alone. thanks in advance. The girl dog (Maddie) died this morning. Jody was taking her for a walk, and she found something along side the road, ate it, and that was the end of that. All within a couple hours. As with most dogs, she would eat anything that did not eat her first. We have no idea what it was. We live in the country (the edge of nowhere), so it could have been some type of agricultural thing, it could have been another dead animal (or a piece thereof), or somebody could be spreading poison. People are odd and some people are mean. We are not conspiracy theorists, just exploring the possibilities. Our neighbor has had a couple dead skunks on his property, and as far as I can tell, skunks don't just up and die. But there are a lot of skunks around, and that is an odd occurrence. We had Maddie for just about a couple years, and when I try to comfort others when they lose a dear pet, the loss of one just opens up a place in your heart for another. We will have another dog when the time is right (or maybe two or three), but none of our pets are ever replaced. We just find a dog to patch the holes in our hearts. This is the last photo I ever took of Maddie. She was swell. Deeds, Actions, Changes, MADDIE THE GIRL DOG, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2017 - Day 29/286 - Monday...

Interestingly, over the past two weeks, the City of Austin enjoyed (their words, not mine) a population increase of about 300,000. Attendees of the annual SXSW Conference and whatever... The states of Maine, Vermont, West Virginia and Wyoming do not have a single city of 300,000 persons. US cities with a population (give or take) of 300,000 include Anaheim, Bakersfield (who knew), Riverside, Santa Ana, Stockton, Aurora, Tampa, Cincinnati, Toledo, Pittsburgh, and Corpus Christi. Did you notice how I used the Oxford comma there? Anyway... It is like we have a Super Bowl here EVERY YEAR! And to accommodate all those people (most of whom left today, historically the worst travel day at the airport), there is a lot of temporary infrastructure and crap that is brought in, only to be taken away when the whole thing is over. On my commute home this afternoon, I saw this truck carrying some of the electric people movers that had been used at the event. Interesting. And before we know it, we will be in the throes of the Austin City Limits Fest (ACL Fest). Deeds, Actions, Changes, EXODUS

, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2017 - Day 78/287 - Sunday...

Well, I made up for yesterday today. I could have stayed in bed another hour or two this morning, but I got up about 6:30. Made coffee, lets the girls loose, read the paper, made a pile of eggs, and then went outside. I trimmed some limbs back from the house in a couple places, started the truck (YAY!) and took it up to the front of the property where a couple trees had died and fallen back during the winter (?), put them in the truck and took them to the back of the property and added them to one of the several burn piles back there. Then I came back and hooked the trailer up to the truck and took all the debris that was on the trailer and added it to a burn pile. While back there, I checked out the tank back there (holding water and fish), saw a nice patch of bluebonnets and a few Indian Paintbrushes scattered around here and there. Back at the house, I trimmed grasses around a couple fence lines, got the tractor out and shredded a couple acres (seems like more) of tall grasses, then took a couple of bales of hay to the cattle. They could have cared less, they are happy with the grasses that are growing, so they are really not interested in hay right now. This is a picture of the tank that was repaired a couple months ago. It is holding water nicely, so that is great. Both the tanks where the cattle are have plenty of water, so that is great. If we can just keep getting periodic rains throughout the summer, that will keep the cattle (and us) happy. Tomorrow morning (5:23 a.m.) is the first day or Spring. If this is Spring, I cannot hardly imagine what summer is going to be like. Deeds, Actions, Changes, CHORES, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2017 - Day 77/288 - Saturday...

I had the best intentions for the day...and then, well, I kind of changed my mind. My intention was to put the diesel and gas cans in the truck and go into Georgetown and get gas. My intention was also to cut the grass REALLY short up between the house and the front barn, in an effort to keep the bamboo from taking over. My intention was to haul some dead trees up by the road to the trailer and then to take the trailer and dump it on a pile to be burned later. I have made burn piles for the nine years that we have lived here, and I have not burned one yet. My intention was to...well, never mind. I did get the grass up around the bamboo cut really short, and I hope that will help in the march of the bamboo. If left unchecked, I expect we could forget about building a wall because the bamboo will be impenetrable in another couple of months, and think of the savings. With that done, I put the tanks in the back of the truck, but the battery was dead, and I cannot (still) find the battery cables. I know we have at least two sets of battery cables, but I cannot find them. I have the trickle charger on the battery and I am going to leave that on overnight. Maybe I will become motivated tomorrow. I did take this photo of some of the wisteria growing along the fence line up by the road. The scent is really intoxicating, too. Lovely. Deeds, Actions, Changes, INTENTIONS, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2017 - Day 76/289 - Friday...

FRIDAY! YES! It's Friday. The older I get (and I get older on a daily basis), the more I look forward to the weekends. Weekends did not really mean much to me years ago, but now I truly look forward to the days off (even if I don't really get the days off). Usually the weekend days mean I can sleep a little bit later in the mornings, and if I am really lucky, I can get in a nap or two or three. So, weekends are good. Not that today was bad, it is just that weekends are better (perhaps). I got some work done in the office today, went to an estate sale (where I bought a lamp timer for $1), made a stop at Costco and showed a property on my way home. All in all, not a bad day. As predicted, it was a grey and overcast day for most of the day, but the sun did come out this afternoon, and the high temperatures are expected to be in the 80s for the rest of the weekend. I don't recall what the rain possibilities are for the weekend, but I think it is supposed to be nice for the most part. It has been really windy, so that is a good time for making electricity and flag photos. I am a photographic opportunist! Deeds, Actions, Changes, FLAGS, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2017 - Day 75/290 - Thursday...

I am not sure if rain is in the forecast or not, but it has been grey and gloomy for most of the day. There was dribbles of rain this morning when I went to let the girls loose. The girls think I am crazy because THEY did not change their clocks last Sunday. They are still roosting on Central Time. They are a non-conformist group of chickens to be sure. But I digress... I drove into Austin with the windshield wipers coming on and off intermittently, and it pretty well stopped by the time I got to the office. But on the way home (I left earlier today) the clouds were coming in and it looked like there could be a good chance of showers. By the time I got home, the skies were clear and blue with just a few clouds here and there, and the sun was shining. It makes me wonder if Austin is not only a heat island that causes rain to go around it, but is it also a 'dreary island' which causes the clouds to hang around and produce nothing. The fact that thousands of people travel up and down IH-35 on a daily basis (not fast either) makes me wonder if it is not really clouds but air pollution. I generally dismiss that thought and just start fist raising at the folks stopped around me in the Interstate. And this week has had far too many observances for my liking; Pi Day, Ides of March and tomorrow is St. Patrick's Day (who was never really made a Saint, but that's another story). Too many... Deeds, Actions, Changes, CLOUDS, Kindnesses, Wh

irled Peas, FUN!

2017 - Day 74/291 - Wednesday...

Welcome the Ides of March with open arms and clear visions! Somebody has to do it. It is still Spring Break time here in central Texas, which makes the morning commute much less of a problem. It is also, sadly, SXSW which makes the evening commute a nightmare. And...I remember the good old days (last week) when my morning commute tended to greet me with a beautiful sunrise. Now I leave in the dark and pay no attention at all to the rising sun. Whatever... I did get home this afternoon and, while making my rounds, saw this little dwarf Iris up by the road. The first one of the season. We had Iris blooming off and on throughout the summer, fall and winter seasons; poor things are just confused about when they are supposed to bloom. There are blooms around the area, but not the overwhelming banks of blooms that we used to see. But it will all work out the way it is supposed to. Deeds, Actions, Changes, BLOOMS, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2017 - Day 73/292 - Tuesday...

Have you met my OTHER little friend, the riding lawn mower? Cutting the grass while sitting down and eating Hershey bite-size candies still counts as exercise, right? I tried that this afternoon after I got home from work (one of the MANY curses of Daylight Saving Time), and I have to tell you, it worked out pretty well. I cut (at) grass in the back and then cut grass up on the road. All the grass is (kind of) cut, and what is left will be done with the tractor and the shredder. Large parcels of grass to be cut between now and the weekend if I can keep this momentum going. Cut some grass, take some hay to the cattle, cut some grass, have a piece of chocolate. Cut some grass, check my e-mail, cut some grass, call it a day. I don't want to over do anything, I don't want to peak too early. I need to pace myself. Oh, and Happy Pi Day to you! Deeds, Actions, Changes, GRASS, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2017 - Day 72/293 - Monday...

It actually did turn out to be a pretty day today, right now the sun is shining, there is a pretty brisk breeze from the north, the temperatures are in the 60's, and, if I didn't know better, I would think it was high noon and it is actually almost 6 p.m. Have I mentioned to you my dislike for Daylight Saving Time? If not, check back three or four journal entries for my recitations of displeasure. Anyway, spring flowers are popping up all over. We saw some beautiful Iris yesterday, but there is not a single bud on any of ours that I have seen. The climbing roses are doing nicely, the weeds are blooming like crazy (one mans dandelion is another mans' lovely flora), and the wildflowers are doing their thing. I have not seen any Indian Paintbrush yet but I am looking forward to some soon. This is a photo of the white rose we planted last year where I used to try to grow morning glories. I think where I tried planting them was just too hot, so we put in roses. Deeds, Actions, Changes, ROSES, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2017 - Day 71/294 - Sunday...

It is not as if we need another lamp in the house, condo or office, but how many people have a Hula Girl Lamp that actually does the hula? I saw this lamp when I was in Hawaii last week and one should be showing up on the doorstep in a week or two. Not sure where it will live, but somewhere in a place of honor! I cannot get enough kitsch. Another grey and overcast day, and I did not do much around the house. Very, very little. I did go into Austin late morning to meet with my client and show several houses. We keep seeing great houses, and today was no exception. I expect there will be a contract offer made soon, just everything needs to fall into place. Jody and I think a dog has been 'dumped' not far from the house. We saw it yesterday, and went looking for it this morning. Not to be found. Then Jody went back this afternoon and saw it in pretty much the same place, but ran off. We will keep an eye on it to see what happens. The girl dog may be getting a playmate. We shall see. Deeds, Actions, Changes, HULA GIRLS, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2017 - Day 70/295 - Saturday...

I really did not put too much faith in the precipatory prognostications for today, since they had really not been very accurate over the last couple days. I went outside to clean off the porch and patios but never really got around to that. I started cutting grass, and that is pretty much all I did today. I actually cut 'at' the grass, not getting all worked up over making sure all the edges are cut and neat and tidy. It is all I can do to keep up with what I am doing, but overall, I think you can get the idea (if you drive past) that someone has taken some time and at-tempted to cut the grass. At certain places in the yard up close to the road, I sam reminded of the jungle fauna taking over centuries old cities in the rain forests of South America, and I feel the same is really possible on either side of the driveway. Somewhere in there, there used to be rock borders and edging...not sure what happened to all that stuff. These yellow roses were planted a couple years ago (I think) and have settled in nicely. On one side of the trellis are yellow roses, on the other side are red roses, but it seems the yellow ones are winning to battle over real estate. Last year we planted some others; I showed you the yellow ones the other day, and there is a white one that is blooming very nicely as well. Deeds, Actions, Changes, ROSES AND RAIN, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2017 - Day 69/296 - Friday...

The Bluebonnets are beginning to show up all around central Texas. I think it will be a pretty good year for them; we have had warmish weather (okay HOT weather), some good rains and a little bit of sunshine. I am starting to see them on MoPac and other places around. There will be none in Zilker Park after the next two weekends. SXSW started 'officially' today. It actually started last Monday, but the freak part of it started today, and the city is, once again, full o' freaks. Wonderful. I worked all day long on my 'Good Citizenship' rankings for the year. I let people merge in front of me in traffic, I let two different people go in front of me in line at Costco, I did not roll my eyes at anyone in Costco while they were blocking the aisles so they could get a free sample of chicken on a stick, I was polite and patient to people all day long. Hardly ever even raised my voice at all today. So far, the award has not arrived, but I expect it to be delivered at any time. Did I mention that today is Friday. Have I shared my angst with you that Daylight Saving Time begins on Sunday? Help me, please. Deeds, Actions, Changes, BLUEBONNETS, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2017 - Day 68/297 - Thursday...

If you are from Texas or know someone from Texas or if you are in Texas and you repeat anything that is included in this paragraph of this journal entry, you are advised to do so in hushed tones. A red rose means "I love you", but a yellow rose stands for jealousy and infidelity. During the Middle Ages and Renaissance, yellow came to be associated with Judas Iscariot, and therefore with his sins, namely jealousy and betrayal. Consequently the yellow rose took on these connotations, giving it a much different meaning in the West than it held in the East, the later culture seeing it as warm, healthy and positive. When the Victorian language of flowers later developed in Europe, the East had become fashionable, and eventually the Eastern associations with yellow were adopted by the West. It is therefore not uncommon to see dual meanings for the yellow rose, and yellow flowers in general, among the many books that seek to express the meaning of flowers. Remember, hushed tones. This photo was taken this afternoon of one of the rose bushes we planted last year. I think this particular plant was cultivated from some surviving rose bushes that survived the recent events in New Orleans, to wit, the hurricane followed by the flooding. If you are from New Orleans, I too recommend that you speak of those two very separate events in hushed tones. Don't say I didn't warn you. Deeds, Actions, Changes, HUSED TONES, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2017 - Day 67/298 - Wednesday...

Yesterday while I was still in Maui, we were supposed to have lunch outside in one of the Hotels garden areas. We did, but we were mostly taking cover the various shade umbrellas that were placed here and there. We all really expected the rain to quit, and it did quit and then started up again, and then it quit and then it started up again. After lunch, I went up to my room to do some work, and was surprised to be awakened from my 'work' by the rain. It was really raining heavily, and there were flood warning. We were supposed to have the ending reception outside, but that was quickly moved inside, so everything worked out just fine. My flight left Maui at 11:30 their time (which translates to 'the middle of the f'ing night Texas time), and I got there a couple hours early. Christi from Houston gave me a ride to the airport (she had a flight on another airline and had to turn in her rental car), so everything worked out just fine. I expected to sleep the entire flight to Phoenix, but that was not in the cards. I do not think I slept more than three minutes at a time the whole trip back, but I did get in some sleep between Phoenix and Austin. Overall, it was a great conference, they always are, and there was a lot of knowledge to be gained and information to be shared and networking to be networked. I am having issues with the fact that Daylight Saving time starts on Sunday.

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

2017 - Day 66/299 - Tuesday...

If it's Tuesday, it must be John Boehner. One of the better things about the Annual President's Circle meetings is the balance; you get a taste of both sides of the aisle, and I like that. We have enjoyed a generous helping of differing views about housing, politics, history and how we got to where we are. The final speaker this morning was John Boehner, and he did not disappoint; he cried. I expect he is a nice enough person, and I would like to go have a beer with him. Or maybe a glass of someone's lest expensive merlot (my drink of choice). There is one more closing function this evening, and then I will head home. My flight leaves this evening at 11:25 (that's 3:25 a.m. Austin time). My plane arrives at about 2:30 tomorrow afternoon, and I should be home on the edge of nowhere by about 4:30 or so. Then I am attending a couple of classes on Thursday, and then back into the office on Friday. Deeds, Actions, Changes, POLITICS, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2017 - Day 65/300 - Monday...

It is Monday, right? I am totally messed up on my days and times. I still know my Rs and Ls, but my days, dates and times are suffering. This morning started early (breakfast at 6:30), and then speakers started at 7 a.m. First was Bill Brown, the NAR President for 2017, then Deborah Roberts, Dr. Frank Lutz, Jerry Giovaniello, Ralph Holmen, Jerry Fisher and to end the day, Marcus Luttrell, the Lone Survivor. Great Programs so far. Afterwards, we went to lunch at Mama's Fish House. We are me, Tami, Donald an Ray. While we were there, we got a chance to meet Mama herself, along with Papa. They still eat there every day, approve every single thing on the menu, and are pretty hospitable to boorish people from Texas that ask for photos. Okay, that boorish part was me, but you get it... I just got summoned to the Lobby Bar...

Deeds, Actions, Changes, MANA, Kindnesses, Whirled Pes, FUN!

2017 - Day 64/301 - Sunday...

In my opinion, it is next to impossible to achieve an aggressive cadence and hold a 'close-to-full' glass of wine at the same time. It was a good thing that I had the foresight to include a cocktail napkin with my order. I have been hanging out with my friends Tami and Donald most of the day, and it was a great day. Met up with them this morning (crack of noon Austin time), and then took a nap and then we went whale watching and then took a nap and then attended a quick opening reception this evening and I am back in the room, getting ready to self-medicate and call it a night. A really close to perfect day. There were a lot more whales to be seen than I expected we would see, and they (particularly a whale calf) really put on a great show. The calves are always playful and have to surface a lot more than the adults. The reception was on the beach, and there was a really nice sunset, which I am a great admirer of. Tomorrow will be an early day, although I expect I will be awake early and not have to set a clock. Breakfast at 6:30, and meetings after that. Deds, Actions, Changes, SUNSETS, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2017 - Day 63/302 - Saturday...

It is Sunday where most of you are, but it is still Saturday where I am. It has been a long day of travel, but I made it, and I am at the Hotel in Maui. I will only be here three days (not long enough to get adjusted to the time change), but I expect it to be a fun and informative conference. Again, most of the day was spent traveling, and chasing sunsets. I left LAX about 5:30 local time, and got here at 9:30 local time, which is 1:30 Austin time. In the room, unpacked, getting ready to hit the bed. Good night! Deeds, Actions, Changes, SUNSETS, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2017 - Day 62/303 - Friday...

Pretty much, just the fact that today is Friday should be enough of an entry. I have become more and more fond of Fridays as I have increased in age and waist size. I really do look forward to the weekends, even though I probably work harder on the weekends than I do during the week. It is a different kind of work though, so that is satisfying and rewarding. And when I show properties on the weekend, that is different as well. The weekends are when most clients are available to be shown properties, so there is a lot of hurrying-up going on. But, for whatever it is worth, I look forward to Fridays because that is the preview to the weekend. This photo was actually taken yesterday, it was a promising sunrise, and the day lived up to those expectations. It is time for me to go to the blue chair. Deeds, Actions, Changes, SUNRISES, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2017 - Day 61/304 - Thursday...

Alright, alright, alright! As the official 'luckiest man in the world', I seem to be on a streak of really, REALLY great days. I don't want to jinx it, so I will not get too crazy with my exultations. But...I really am on a streak! I made it to the office with no real challenges...I am resigned to averaging about 35 miles an hour in the mornings to the office. I think the commute home probably averages a little bit better; maybe 4o miles an hour. In the office a good part of the day, getting the desk cleared off. Then off to do some errands, and then to a TREPAC Fundraiser at the home of ABoR Director Cord Shiflet, very successful and a lot of fun! Tentative numbers look like the event raised $10,750 for TREPAC! Thanks for all that were involved in this first of (hopefully) an event that will be an annual thing. This is a photo of Diane, Daniel and me out by the pool. A little bit nippy, probably in the high 50s, but a blast, really! Deeds, Actions, Changes, TREPAC, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!

2017 Day 60/305 - Wednesday...

This is what a wonderful, spring time day is supposed to be like on the edge of nowhere. The high temps were in the mid-60s today, winds from the north came in about mid-morning. I know you cannot really tell, but the flags show that the winds are from the north. It is pretty easy for us, we just check the flags or the turbines to see which way the winds are blowing. This is the view from the home office, looking from the porch to the drive. Again, we are all relatively pleased that the humidity has been reduced as a result of the wind change, there will be plenty of time to bitch and moan and groan about the heat and stupidity very soon. The edge of nowhere is usually a place of extremes; too hot, too cold, too dry, too wet, too something. Wonderful spring days (even on the first of March) are too few and far between to go unnoticed. And in the fall, the lovely few days of crisp cool temperatures are usually gone before we really get a chance to appreciate them. Deeds, Actions, Changes, NORTH WINDS, Kindnesses, Whirled Peas, FUN!