Volume 12 - Day 305/61, 2020 - Saturday

It's Halloween, and this year, I have decided I am going to go trick or treating as a crop duster. What do you think? I could fill the tanks with disinfectant spray, and be the sensation of the edge of nowhere. It's an idea, anyway! As far as I am concerned, I was too productive for my own good today. I have 19 things on my weekend to do list, and I have already accomplished  eleven and a half of those things. One thing is kind of an ongoing task, but I will get that one finished tomorrow. It was another beautiful day here in central Texas, the high temperature was in the mid-70s, and a nice gentle breeze was from the south. I have already turned all the clocks back except four in my bathroom and the mantle clock. I expect I will still find one or two that I missed in the coming weeks, that is what usually happens. More about the crop dusters; they have been out here for the last couple days, not sure if they are seeding or fertilizing or weed killing. I think this time of year they are putting winter rye grass in the fields for cattle, but I never know for sure. It is always interesting to watch them though, and I could do that for hours. Very interesting. I also ALMOST got my new printer setup completed. It works, but I have it hooked up to the computer with a cable, I could not get the wifi to work, but I will leave that for another day.

Volume 12 - Day 304/62, 2020 - Friday

Okay, it was a lovely day in central Texas, the day started off really early so I could get the car in to the service center by 8:15, and that did not really happen. While I was on the way, the service center called and said they would not be able to start working on my car until Monday, but the had a loaner I could use if I wanted to drop the car off, or I could just bring it in on Monday. Just for the hell of it, which would you choose. There is no wrong answer here, just taking an 'exit poll,' just to stay in practice. So, because of that change of plan, I got into the office really early (it was kind of like old times), and had the place all to myself. I left the office around 1:30 and had a couple errands to take care of, and when I got home, I had a pimento cheese half sandwich, and then settled in for a nap. By the time I rustled myself up and went out to feed Barney and the chickens, it was about 65 degrees, the sun was shining, and all was right with the world. Seemingly. I am looking forward to getting a few hours extra sleep over the weekend, and it would be nice if this was the last time we had to 'fall back,' but I am not expecting any miracles. That shriek you hear tomorrow, that you interpret as that of a thirteen year old middle school girl, will actually be emitted from me, trying to install the new printer. I am NOT looking forward to that.

Volume 12 - Day 303/63, 2020 - Thursday

This right here is enough to ruin your commute, and I am not talking about the people who are in traffic behind this wreck, I am talking about people who were involved in the wreck. The debris field went on for about a mile before I ever got to this actual place. There were bumpers and fenders, pieces both big and small, strewn over three lanes northbound on the Interstate. I must have been about five minutes behind the wreck, because the police (one car) got there at almost the same as I did. There was a civilian directing traffic around, and firetrucks and at least one ambulance was getting to the scene from the southbound side after I already got past this rolled-over vehicle. Somehow, there were cars involved on both sides of the highway, and from what I could tell, the most serious injury was a lady with a hurt arm, hopefully there was nothing worse. Last night, my home printer decided it was tired, and that we had had a good run together, but it was not to be a longer relationship. Try as I might, and even with the help of Mrs. Google, I could revive it, and so it will be joining a recycle bin near you soon. I went to Office Depot on the way in this morning, and after (almost) tears of anxiety, I was able to find a new all-in-one, and now it will take me about a week to get it all set up, but I have the whole weekend to try and do that. I got some work done in the office, and then at 1:30 I was at Texas REALTORS® getting ready getting ready to provide some live banter for the TREPAC auction. We raised over $21K, so I am calling that a success!

Volume 12 - Day 302/64, 2020 - Wednesday

I thought it was Tuesday all day today, until about 3:30 this afternoon. I am apparently still in a time warp. Today was much more calm than yesterday, and tomorrow will be even more so. I got in to the office at about 9:45, got a great amount of work completed, and I have a great sense of satisfaction about that. I tuned in to the TREPAC Orientation virtual meeting and learned a LOT from the three great presentations. I am lucky to be surrounded by such professional and knowledgable staff and volunteer peeps, combined we all help each other attain greater heights. (Wipes tears from his cheek.) And then it was time to leave the office. I had a couple errands to get done, and now they are. This morning it was absolutely a terrible morning, weather wise. Cold, foggy, rainy, miserable. This afternoon, the sun decided to come out, the temperatures made it to the high 50s, and that was absolutely wonderful. It is supposed to go down to the high 30s tonight, but then we are expecting a warming trend. For the month, we have had just barely a half-inch of rain, and that looks like all we will be getting, no more rain in the forecast for the last three days of this year. Barney was in his usual spot this afternoon when I went out to feed him, and he allowed me to take this quick photo. He's a good boy!

Volume 12 - Day 301/65, 2020 - tuesday

I have to try and get this done quickly. Ironically, I spent the day moderating panels and this and that for the first day or TREPAC Orientation. I decided that, even though I have not had any issues with my internet connection out here at the Edge of Nowhere, I wanted to go in to Austin just so I could make sure there was no internet connectivity problems. Guess who had no internet this evening when he got home? That's right, ME! My internet is provided via a 'radio' signal, and it just went down. I called the provider, and they had my up and running again in about 20 minutes, but I am really happy that I went in to Austin today for my TREPAC participation. Otherwise, the day was kind of like a time warp, and I was NOT Dr. Frankenfurter. I was not Magenta either, but that is a whole other story. THERE WAS LOTS GOING ON, and it was kind of hard to keep up with all the activities, but the first day is 'a wrap,' and we will keep going for another several days. My participation is lessened for the rest of this week, and it will pick up somewhat next week. SO, here is a challenge for you. There are very few pictures of my when I have my mouth closed or when I am not stuffing food in my face. See if anyone can find a picture of my with my mouth closed or not consuming something. I'll wait!

Volume 12 - Day 300/66, 2020 - Monday

You read it right boys and girls, today is the 300th day of the year, only 66 more days to go. The last time I checked, it was 46 degrees outside, and damp. We received about a tenth of an inch of rain, but it has been grey and overcast all day long. I have actually turned the heat on on one side of the house. It is set at 70 degrees, and it has not come on yet, but I expect it will overnight. I just want to chase the chill out of the bedroom, what with the Covids and all that, and particularly my advanced age. Anyway... On days like this, it was always a Wendy's Chili night, and I would stop and get us chili for dinner. Why not? I stopped on the way home, and I had chili for dinner. I hope the beans don't cause me any issues! Otherwise, it was a pretty good day, I was in the office EARLY because I knew I had stuff that needed to be accomplished. Got all that done, and working on polishing some stuff for TREPAC Orientation this week and next week. With everything being virtual, it is seemingly much more complicated than doing these meetings in person. I will report back to you tomorrow night and let you know how the first day went.

 

Volume 12 - Day 299/67, 2020 - Sunday

I had eight or ten things on my list to get accomplished today, and I got all but one of them scratched off. I did not make it to Steinmart (that was a last minute add-on), and they are all closing their stores. I guess my 'go-to' for clothes will revert back to Burlington. I think Steinmart had better selections for me, but it is what it is. Otherwise, I got everything else done, and went to the grocery and bought $97 worth of mostly dog food. I am not kidding. The girls eat (probably) better than I do, and it is only because I have opposable thumbs and they don't. If it was all left up to them, their entire diet would consist of string cheese...mostly because that is what my diet mostly consists of. To put all the rumors to rest, I actually cooked something tonight for dinner, even if it was just an egg loaf. At least I remembered how to turn the fire under the pan on. I do not see this 'cooking' thing becoming a habit, though. Jody was always happy to see this llama when we would go in to Georgetown. I can hear him saying "such a beautiful animal." I think he said that every time we saw it. I even did laundry tonight, I only have to do it every two or three weeks, but I feel accomplished when it is done.

Volume 12 - Day 298/68, 2020 - Saturday

I stayed in bed just a teensy bit longer today than usual, but it was nice. I could actually have turned on the heat in the house, but I didn't. I did not open any more windows, either. It is supposed to warm up tomorrow, and then cool back down next week. Generally we do not get a good freeze in the area until about the second week in November, so I still have time before I need to move plants inside the garage. Tomorrow, I need to go back in to Georgetown to pick up a few groceries, and make a stop at Best Buy. I did stop at HEB in Georgetown this morning, and bought two bags of lightly salted potato chips. That is targeted shopping at its' finest! I met up with Candy this morning, and we did some running around. We haven't spent any quiet time together in a while, so that was nice. We had lunch on the square at Gumbo's, I had catfish, veggies and a bowl of red beans, rice and sausage. The menu said one catfish filet, I asked for two filets, and they were plate size, so I had one for dinner tonight. All is well, and it is about time to start thinking about calling it a day.

Volume 12 - Day 297/69, 2020 - Friday

At 5:55 this afternoon, it was 55 degrees (but I did not think to take a picture of it until later), and we had received .05" of rain. That is the first measurable rain we have received this month. The cold front came through at about 2 o'clock, just because we saw the wind starting to get a little stronger. I was in Austin at the time, and I was headed north shortly after, and the temperatures started dropping. By the time I got home, it was in the sixties, and the next time I checked it, it was 55. Right now we have dropped another degree. Shortly after I got home, the pest control guy was here, and we have been thoroughly treated for pests. I have not seen any more fleas since the other day, but I do not want to take any chances, either. I am looking forward to a nice sleep tonight, I had opened windows, but I have already closed most of them. I think tomorrow will be sweater weather, and that will be nice. Candy (and maybe Mike) and I are going to go do some running around tomorrow, just to see if we can get into any trouble. Before we meet up, Candy is going to buy too many bushels of tomatoes for something. Whatever...

Volume 12 - Day 296/70, 2020 - Thursday

I am not much in the mood to talk about anything controversial or political at the moment. Or the next moment, or the moment after that. I am tired and feeling beat up with it all, and I don't think I will be in the mood tomorrow, either. And as long as I am on the subject, why does 'auto-correct' think tganks is a real word? It willy-nilly changes other words, but not tganks. It is pretty obvious to me (the guy who was disqualified in the seventh grade spelling bee for spelling 'burglar' as 'bugler'), that tganks is NOT a word, and I am not as smart as auto-correct in most instances. What else can I complain about? Let me think. Let's talk about the weather. It is the 22nd day of October, and it was 90 degrees here today. There is supposed to be a cold front come through tomorrow afternoon, and the temperatures are supposed to lessen next week, and there are three days with chances of rain in the forecast. Last week there were predicting our first freeze next week, but that has been cast aside. Snakes. You want to talk about snakes? I have not seen anymore of the rattle snake I saw a couple weeks ago, but I know it is around here somewhere. Loose livestock. Let's tale about loose livestock. There do not seem to be any extra cattle on the property today, so that has been taken care of. Clouds. Let's talk about clouds for just a few seconds, and then I am gonna cut off this blog entry. The clouds were absolutely beautiful this afternoon, so I thought I would share this picture with you. Concentrate. Focus. Breathe deeply. Close your eyes. Say ayummmmmmmmm. Feel better? It sometimes works for me. 

You're welcome.

Volume 12 - Day 295/71, 2020 - Wednesday

Nothing can really ruin my day more than one of my neighbors (the nice neighbors) calling me to tell me that one of my cattle are loose. That anxiety can be lessened somewhat when I get home and determine that it is not one of my cattle. But there is great relief. Then, you spend a couple hours trying to figure out who said loose livestock belongs to. The other neighbors were not responding to a couple voice mails I left, so I called Capital Land and Cattle (the run cattle down the road and on the other side of the road). They sent a couple cowboys out, complete with chaps, herding dogs and horses, and proclaimed it was not one of their cattle. They looked at me with some concern when I asked, even if it isn't yours, do you want it? And they left. It ended up that it was the 'other' neighbors cow, and they eventually got it back over to their property. I guess. At least it is not here any more, and there is little chance now that it will end up in the pool. How was your day? That does really not require an answer...

Volume 12 - Day 294/72, 2020 - Tuesday

It seems like it should be further into the week already, but I just confirmed, and it is only Wednesday. I got in to the office pretty early this morning, and left to meet Michael and Lynda for lunch at Central Market. Social distancing and all masked up all around. Michael and Lynda are well, and Lynda forgot her phone, so there were no grand baby photos. I think I recall the grand is one month and one day old today. I have seen the photos and she is a beauty. I went back to the office, got some more work done, and then left at about 2:30 to run some errands on the way home. Did I mention that I found a flea on the piglet last night? Well, I did, and I had every intention of stopping on the way home and picking up some Adam's Flea Mist, and I totally forgot about it. No more flea incidents today (so far), and I have an appointment with the pest control people for Friday afternoon. They will spray the dog yard and the inside, so I think it will all be okay. Every time I have a little tickle on my leg or arm I freak out that it is a flea, but apparently it is just the long fur on said arm or leg blowing in the breeze of the ceiling fan. That's what happens when you get old, you lose some hair, but what you have left becomes unreasonably long. Don't believe me, just wait and see.

Volume 12 - Day 293/73, 2020 - Monday

Big changes are in the air, and I am right in the middle of all of it. There was supposed to be a cold front come through the area this afternoon, but it never made it...the temperature was 93 this afternoon, and even I think that is a little bit excessive. I got in to the office this morning, and got a good bit of work done before my first zoom call at 1 o'clock. Then I left the office to go to a meeting, and logged on to the wifi where my meeting was for my 3 o'clock zoom. We can all adapt to things, we just need to have the will to do it. This will be a pretty calm week, but the next two weeks will be a little bit harried. Big Texas REALTOR® meetings the 27th and 28th, and then more on November 4th and 5th. I will need to take a break to catch my breath after those meetings. Hopefully, the weather will chill out to take the edge off everyone's tempers for the next month or so. It is an interesting time in which we live.

Volume 12 - Day 292/74, 2020 - Sunday

Yesterday, I put two things on my chore list to have done over the weekend, and I have scratched two of them off my list. The thing that has not been done is inconsequential, and I did not really need to get it accomplished, so I didn't. Late this morning, I met Candy and Mike for brunch, and that was really nice. I have not seen them in a couple months, so it was nice to hook back up. That makes four different ventures to a restaurant in the last week. Today, we ate outside and that was nice, the company was great, and the food was good. I have a piece of Key Lime Pie that I am going to take a look at in a little while. There have not been nearly as many monarchs flying through this year as in the past, and I am a little bit concerned about that. There are no doves, either. I saw this pair of monarchs (you have to look closely) taking a pit stop and doing some hanky panky out by the chickens this afternoon, after I cleaned out the chicken coop. Some friends in Austin report seeing a good number of monarchs, but not so much out here. I am wondering if the ag chemicals are affecting them. 

Volume 12 - Day 291/75, 2020 - Saturday

I nearly killed myself standing on a step stool this morning, trying to get a photo of these roses for this journal entry. Yellow roses were my father's favorites, and I have a fondness for them because of that. During the Victorian times, the yellow rose had a much different meaning that it does today. Several years ago, I read a book about the Victorian and later meanings of flowers and particularly the colors of the flowers, and it was really interesting. Back in the day, yellow roses symbolized jealousy and marital betrayal, Now, the yellow rose represents friendship, joy and caring. In central Texas, the yellow rose is known more to symbolize strip clubs and business man luncheons. I did very little of anything today, it started out lovely and cool this morning, we just just a trace of rain during the late morning, and the winds are now coming from the south, and bringing the coastal humidity with it. Tomorrow the temperatures are expected to be in the high 80s, and while that is really normal temperatures for this time of year, the lower and dryer temperatures of the last couple days were much nicer than what is expected tomorrow.

Volume 12 - Day 290/76, 2020 - Friday

I got my vote on this afternoon.I did a couple zoom meetings, and several phone calls, and I left the house about 4 o'clock, and headed to the Jarrell ISD headquarters and did my early voting. No lines, no waiting, pretty simple, in-and-out. According to the American-Statesman update this evening, 22.7% of the registered voters in Williamson County have voted since Tuesday. I think there will be a lot of counting to get done on the third. While I was in Jarrell, I thought I should stop at the grocery store, but there was nothing really that I could think of that I needed, and it was just (I think) out of habit that I thought I NEEDED to stop at the grocery.I can't think of anything I need to be hoarding right now, so I just came on home. I am not sure what I will get accomplished tomorrow, maybe nothing, but I have several hours to think about it at least. If you guys think of something interesting, other than a road-trip to Hazlehurst, let me know.

Volume 12 - Day289/77, 2020 - Thursday

Right up front, please give me this opportunity to say, everybody is offended by everything. I know that to be true, because in my lifetime, I have offended, more or less, entire nations with stuff that I thought was cute or funny. Back then, I did not understand it, and today, I understand that what some people think is funny could very well be offensive to whole populations of people. I think people are not less attuned to our friends and associates sensitivities, there are just more venues for us to use to smatter people with offensive things. Social media. It is supposed to be social, not offensive. The definition of the word 'social' is ADJ: 1.) relating to society or its organization. 2.) needing companionship and therefore best suited to living in communities. N. an informal social gathering, especially one organized by the members of a particular club of group. The definition of the word 'media' is N 1.) the main means of mass communication (broadcasting, publishing, and the Internet) regarded collectively. 2.) the plural form of medium. SO...what good is social media? I think mostly it is fun, but many times, posts are entirely used to inflame and/or offend people. I am taking time right now to post the most offensive thing I could find. I went to the Googles, and I asked Mrs. Google to show me the most offensive and inappropriate photo she could find that was not copyrighted (and in the public domain), and the photo attached to this journal entry is the best she could come up with. That is my offending post for the day. Enjoy.

Volume 12 - Day 288/78, 2020 - Wednesday

Traffic is back, and perhaps with a vengeance... It took me almost an hour to go seven miles, and when the traffic got flowing again, there was no evidence of a wreck or anything. I hate it when that happens! I presented a class today, a quick four hour class, and it was considered a 'hybrid' class. There are lots of 'virtual' classes being held via zoom and other online services, but I need the interaction of class attendees. I need to see their reactions, I need to be able to watch them to see if I am confusing them (which can definitely happen), and need to see their responses to questions. I just 'play off' the persons in attendance, and I don't get that interaction presenting classes via zoom meetings. I am certainly not criticizing those that like virtual classes, it is just not for me. I do not present classes that I do not care for, either. I only present those classes that I like the subject matter, and that is my choice. At my advanced age, I choose to be finicky, so there. I will present another class tomorrow, and then there will be a couple zoom meetings on Friday, and the following week will be considerable slower than this one. AND, I am looking forward to the weekend!

Volume 12 - Day 287/79, 2020 - Tuesday

You saw the Queen last night on the side of the truck, but here is a little more information about our field trip last night to Bastrop County. Amazingly, we had dinner last night at the same place we have had dinner for the last three years. This is only the second year that we made it to Buccee's, and a first this year was to stop and have a selfie done at the Sugar Shack in Bastrop. Traditions just keep getting better and better. The amazing part was that the restaurant was open on a Monday night, and their business was doing pretty well. Masks and distancing were all in place, so nothing to worry about there. Buccee's was the usual blast, but we were all so out of practice for being together we were easily tired. So we headed back in to Austin at a reasonable hour, and met for breakfast at 8:15. I have never had avocado toast (with an egg, over-easy), but it was good and totally not what I was expecting. First off, I was expecting toast, and the avocado was not on toast. I was also expecting the egg to be on top of the (alleged) toast, but it was not. It was good, not particularly filling (that is a good thing), but again, not what I was expecting. I should have ordered the 'dirty biscuit,' but I never order the right thing on a menu. The temperatures are going to be in the upper fifties overnight, and I have the windows open. Lovely. The rest of the week will be kind of busy, but things will slow down next week. At least that is the plan.

Volume 12 - Day 286/80, 2020 - Monday

It was a busy day today, but lots of work got done. We are getting ready for our TREPAC Orientation, so there is a lot of behind the scenes stuff going on. Doing virtual is a lot more complicated that live meetings, lots of details and lots of logistics to work out to make it all seem seamless. When it looks really easy, that is nothing but the result of a lot of work having been done. Wall-to-wall meetings, lunch, some tapings then about an hour to catch up with reality, and then we headed off to Bastrop for our annual dinner, a stop at Buccee's, and then a quick photo in front of the Bastrop Sugar Shack, then back to the hotel. We will start again tomorrow morning at 8:15, a zoom at 10:30, and then another zoom at 1 in the afternoon. So, when we were in Bastrop, we stopped at a red light, and Queen Elizabeth was in the truck next to us. You never know what you might see when you are driving down the road, but I am pretty sure we are all thankful for phones with cameras!

Volume 12 - Day 285/81 - Sunday

I got all my chores done by 1 o'clock this afternoon, got cleaned up and headed in to Austin to meet with my 2020 TREPAC peeps. This is the first time we have been together since February, and it is good for the heart. We met and did some planning, and a lot of laughing, and a lot of just plain ordinary fun. Tomorrow, we are meeting for breakfast, then planning for the 2021 TREPAC year, then heading to the Texas REALTORS® office for some more meetings. Then, on Tuesday, we have another zoom meeting in the morning, and then I think we are done for this trip. SO...before I did any of this, I had a LONG list of chores to get taken care of, and I managed to get everything accomplished. I am proud to be here with all my leadership family, and I am sure I will have more to report tomorrow.

Volume 12 - Day 284/82, 2020 - Saturday

I had just a little bit of motivation to use the leaf blower and clean off the pool deck and the patio, but Barney came up and decided it would be a good time to get a drink of water, so that interfered with all my plans. The whole day was thrown off kilter because of it. Basically, I got very little done today. I did feed Barney and the chickens, and got a couple classes ready for presentation next week. I have a pretty long to done list of things to get accomplished tomorrow, and I figure I will get most of it done. It is supposed to be 100 degrees tomorrow, and if it reaches that high, it will be the latest in ANY year we have had 100 degree temperatures. Towards the end of the week, they are teasing that we might have a little bit of rain, nothing to get too excited about though. It really seems to be getting light much later in the mornings, and dark much earlier in the afternoons. There are still three weeks until daylight saving times ends on November 1st. It should be dark for about 23 hours a day between now and then.

Volume 12 - Day 283/83, 2020 - Friday

On my way in to the office this morning, I stopped at Upper Crust for muffins. I have not been there since the shutdown, but I had driven past a couple times, and knew they were open to some extent. When I got there, the process was; go socially distanced into that line. When you are the first person in line, the entry door will be left open, and you will face a plexiglass barrier, behind which are the assorted delicacies you have to choose from. Place your order, pay for the order, and then go socially distance yourself in the line at the exit door, and your order will be delivered. I was disappointed that there was not a pumpkin muffin to be had. They had pumpkin bread loaves, but that is just not the same. I had my heart set on pumpkin muffins. So, instead, I got cinnamon rolls for the office, and a cinnamon roll and a blueberry muffin for me in a separate bag to sate myself over the weekend. It was a hectic day at the office, and I left at about 2:30 to drive home, and there was a traffic slowdown (reminiscent of the good old (?) days), and that stretched on for about 35 minutes, covering about twelve miles of Interstate. Work continued after I got home, but now I am done, and I will soon recline in the big blue chair. Enjoy your weekend!

Volume 12 - Day 282/84, 2020 - Thursday

This is a sample of what I did yesterday, ALL DAY YESTERDAY (almost). Most of my waking hours were doing this yesterday. Don't get me wrong, most of it was a blast, and I met some really cool people and got to wear a mask A LOT, and I got to visit with some friends that I haven't seen for a while (while wearing a mask), and it was all good! Do you know what a .HEIC file is? Me either, but the photos attached to this entry (photo credit: ProductionFor) was sent to me as a .HEIC file. I actually asked Mrs. Google how to open that file on a Mac, and even though I believed I was following her directions, I could not open the file. It opened wonderfully on my PC in the office, and I can preview the files on two different Macs, I just could not open the file to post to this journal. BUT...I am a sneaky little booger, and I figured out a back door to open the file, and here you have the proof of same. No luck again today trying to buy a bicycle. I am going to have to try other ways to do this. I went to Bicycle Sport Shop in Austin this afternoon, and the parking lot was full, no one is allowed inside except staff, and I don't know how I can buy a bike that way. From my experience (years ago) doing long distance bike rides, I know better than to just go to a big box store to find a bike. I did take three clocks (old clocks, wall clock, table top and mantel clock) to the clock repair shop today. One came with Jody and has not worked in at least three decades, another has not worked as long as I have had it (salvaged from an abandoned property) and the other clock worked until last Saturday, when I...well, never mind. Anyway, the guy (I have taken clocks there before for repairs, and bought clocks there in the past) said it will be at least ten days before they even look at them. He said people are sitting around in their houses these days, looking at all the stuff they have that doesn't work anymore, and they have suddenly decided to get it all fixed. It's okay, I can wait, there is no hurry. I told him the clocks don't need to keep good time, they just need to tic and chime. It's only the noise I am looking for.

Volume 12 - Day 281/85, 2020 - Wednesday

I am pretty sure today is Wednesday. Let me be clear, the first FOUR hours of my waking day went as planned. THE FIRST FOUR HOURS... After 10 o'clock this morning, I was not in charge of my own destiny, but in the end, I regained control at about 7:15. During the nine plus hours that I was not in charge, it was painful, and at the same time ethereal. It was like I was looking down at what was happening. I just looked up the word 'ethereal,' just to make sure, and I am going to go with that. I had already changed and/or adjusted my schedule, and during the day (the part where I was not in charge), I had to revise/change/adjust the plans for the day that had already been changed/adjusted. The last two hours became really fun, and I was having a great time, because everyone was giddy and ready to be done. Everything will work out, and I will have some fun stories to tell (a couple years from now), and I met some really wonderful, nice, lovely and interesting people. It's just that I do not like not being in control. And speaking of control, this is nothing new, but rules are rules. I am not really keen on following rules. What follows that sentence was something of a political comment, and I erased it, for the good of all involved. You're welcome!

Volume 12 - Day 280/86, 2020 - Tuesday

Today was a crazy day. Or maybe I am just going crazy. Probably the latter. Three zoom meetings, then an emergency trip to Kohl's for a couple dark suits that fit (I am a victim on the Covid-19 pounds). You have to buy a variety of sizes because the fitting rooms are closed (for your protection), and take back what doesn't fit. I decided to just take a chance on the 'expando-pants,' and it all seems okay. I also went to the bike shop in Georgetown to find a bike, and they don't have any bikes. I seem to recall that bikes are made in China, and...well, what's the use of going on, you all know what comes after that. This morning, between zoom calls, I moved all the furniture around in the living room. I have to admit, it turned out better than I expected it would. Generally, I come up with a bright idea, and execute the concept, then I am dissatisfied with the results, and put everything back the way it was. I just went and took another look at it, and I am still satisfied with the results. I just had to make sure. I will be going in to Austin early in the morning, and won't be returning until late in the afternoon. It will be a full day: Zoom meeting at 9 (I hope to be in the office early enough), then doing some work at Texas REALTORS® at 10, lunch with Michael and Lynda at Noon, back to Texas REALTORS® at 2, then (hopefully) leaving for home not later than 3:30. I will also need to stop at the grocery on the way home, to pick up some 'essentials!' I took this picture of the roses last night, I had not really paid attention to them, but they are blooming nicely here and there!

Volume 12 - Day 279/87, 2020 - Monday

OMG! It is about 6:45 here in central Texas, and I am on a zoom meeting about Medicare, droning on and on and on. I am really not too happy about the historical stuff about Medicare, I just want to know how much I am going to pay in 2021, and can I get better coverage than I have right now. I have been on Medicare for three years now, and I was expecting to save money from when I was a subscriber to a private insurance plan, but so far that has not happened. I think I am paying at least as much now under Medicare, as I did as an individual subscriber to Blue Cross/Blue Shield. Ugh. My advice is to try your best not to get old, but I am not sure what the alternative is. Okay, I really do know what the alternative is, and I am not sure if I recommend that either. Not a bad day actually for a Monday, and as I was retrieving the garbage can from up on the road, I noticed these little yeller flares (if you are from Lubbock, you will understand that) coming up and blooming in the yard. We have been here twelve years, and I do not think I have ever seen these before. There is a whole passel of them, and I hope to see them blooming for at least another couple days. Tomorrow is a stay at home day for me, I have three zoom meetings tomorrow, and there may be another one added. I am going to also try to go in to Georgetown to get a few things taken care of, so it will be a pretty busy day. 

Volume 12 - Day 278/88, 2020 - Sunday

Tomorrow starts another work week. Hmm. I did manage to get all my chores for today done, and even more. My energy spurt continued, and now I can hardly move. Not really, I am just tired. I have the den pretty well put back together, and I did not have to sacrifice any tables for behind the couch. I was actually able to use one of the tables that was already in the den, I just repositioned a couple tables, and I am pretty happy the way things worked out. I still have room for a new La-Z-Boy for that room, and that will be the end of that. I think I have been in an unhappy cycle for a couple weeks, but I think I have turned that corner, and I am getting happier, and I am proud of that. In amongst all the other things I did today, I went by a bike shop in Georgetown, but they were closed. I had been thinking of getting a hybrid or maybe a mountain bike for riding out in this area. I still have my road bike, but I don't think it is a good bike for less than great roads. So, I think I am on the verge of getting (hopefully) a hybrid. I need something to give myself some exercise. Biking is not like exercise to me, it is fun and I enjoy it, and I used to do it all the time and now it is time to start back. I have one early zoom meeting, then I will be off to the office, and then I have another zoom either late morning or early afternoon. I will figure all that out tomorrow. I did not mention it earlier in this post, but there are more iris blooming all around the house, and now the crab apple is blooming. It is honestly a crazy year!

Volume 12 - Day 277/89, 2020 - Saturday

I had a real spurt of energy this morning, I am not sure what came over me. I gave the girls their monthly pills, changed the HVAC filters and vacuumed the grills, treated the headlight covers on the truck with a TurtleWax product I bought a couple weeks ago (they are better, really better, but not like factory new), did a bit of bookkeeping in the home office, moved some plants around, and a few this and thats. I took off late morning just to go for a drive, and ended up in Elgin and Bastrop, and just drove around the old downtown parts of both cities, and enjoyed the calm. Both of those small Texas towns are really lovely. While I was in Bastrop, I took the picture that is accompanying tonight's journal entry. Sometimes, the less said, the better. Cut to the chase! I have a few things on my list for tomorrow, including going in to Austin for a quick visit to the office. I am almost motivated to get the den in the house straightened around, too, but I really need a small size sofa height table. I have a couple in the house right now, but I do not really want to move them from where they are. There is one I have my eye on that I can sacrifice for the cause, but the jury is still out on that. I am hoping the blog/Facebook Gods are more cooperative tonight, I have not liked the way this new journal format is interfacing with Facebook, and it is getting me a little bit discouraged. I start getting blog anxiety every year about this time, trying to decide if I will keep it going. It is a pretty big commitment, and this is finishing up my thirteenth year (or maybe my twelfth year, I'll check that later). Whatever.

Volume 12 - Day 276/90, 2020 - Friday

Much like this lovely iris that I found blooming this afternoon, I have always considered myself a late bloomer. Any successes I had earlier in my life were achieved because I liked what I was doing, not because I was keeping my eye on the prize. Most often, I did not even know there was a prize, so I was not keeping my eye on it, I was just having a good time doing things that I enjoyed. As I advanced in age, I found out there were prizes that I could keep my eye on, but by then, it was actually too late for the most part. I have achieved my share of prizes in my life, and I continue to be a lucky man, in spite of my short comings. Just know, I am a lucky guy, and for the most part, that is enough. I went in to the office this morning, did some work, and then went and had a nice visit with Michael and Lynda in their front yard. I think they have a neighborhood social distancing hour in their yard, and it was lovely under the shade of their big old oak trees. I haven't decided on any plans for tomorrow or Sunday yet, I am sure I will think of somewhere to go, and I will report back on it tomorrow. I am for sure not going to the grocery...I am still trying (contemplating) to clean out the freezers before I buy more real food. That is not including milk and donuts.

Volume 12 - Day 275/91, 2020 - Thursday

They cut on Monday, and the raked and baled yesterday. I think the front field got about 18 bales...just a quick count. I haven't been out in the back to see what is back there, but however many it is, it's plenty! Our last hundred degree day was September 1st, so September was actually a pretty good month, lower temperatures and 7.7" of rain, that is a really good month. This month is predicted to be average temperatures, but BELOW average rainfall. And October is supposed to be one of our wetter months. Doggone it! I have NO zoom meetings tomorrow, so I am going to take my time going in to the office, and hopefully there will be an estate sale somewhere close to the office that we can attend. We try to make that a Friday ritual, but the covids got us behind, so we are just trying to get back into the swing of Friday's. I think tomorrow I may try out the headlight lens restorer I bought at the auto parts place a couple weeks ago, and see if that will work on the truck headlight lenses. Can't hurt, that's for sure. And then there is the weekend...I am not sure what I will be doing over the weekend, but I expect I will come up with something for Saturday, and then probably just hang around the house on Sunday.