Volume 16 - Day 121/245, 2024 - Tuesday

Today was a much more laid-back kind of day. Of course, we started with a nice walk, it was in the 60s and much less humid than yesterday. I think it is going to be warmer (not sure about the humidity) for the next several days. Better than average chances of rain the next three days, so the walks may be called off, not sure. After the walk, we had a nice ROMEO breakfast, and solved even more of the worlds problems. After that, I was in to the office, and solved more problems. That's what property managers do...we stand there, ready to fix something. I had another appointment to take the little white car in to the dealer for two new tires on the back. So, I got home at just about five this afternoon, and did all the usual things, fixed the girls some dinner, and I had a pimento cheese flip for my own dinner, and a piece of cherry pie. I still have the pecan pie that Paulina brought me back from Las Cruces. It's in the refrigerator, so it will keep. The rest of the week looks uneventful, but that can change with little or no notice. Interestingly, it seems like this is the last day of April, and a third of this year has already passed us by. I think May may be an interesting month, stay tuned. Oh, I almost forgot, it's Tuesday, and that means Total Stranger Day, and proof of that is accompanying this journal entry. I'm really not sure which one of us looks stranger!

Volume 16 - Day 120/246, 2024 - Monday

I had a somewhat busy day today. It was VERY foggy outside when I got up, and it remained so during our walk and as I headed out of the house. I was busy putting out some fires before I left the house, and I have a feeling those fires are still capable of shooting back to life. I had a 9 o'clock appointment to have the little white car serviced. I did one zoom meeting at the dealership, more or less took over one of the offices, and get a lot of stuff done before I even got to the office. I have to take the car back tomorrow afternoon, replacing the two back tires. I could have sworn I replaced all the tires a couple months ago, but maybe I only replaced the front two. I need to find that receipt! I made it to the office, touched a bunch of stuff, had another zoom, and took off for home about 1 o'clock. There was one more zoom that started at 4:15, and then it was time to call it a day. Shortly after I got home, Linda and Jimmie called to see if I wanted to go have ice cream, and I cannot think of too many times I have turned down an opportunity to have ice cream. Even though the day was kind of busy, it was productive and I will give it a couple extra points for the good things that happened...a giid day over all.

Volume 16 - Day 119/247, 2024 - Sunday

It started raining this morning just before we would have headed out for our walk, which is much better than if it had started raining half-way through our walk. I am not a fan of walking in the rain or while it is lightning outside. It has rained for a good part of the day, but right now it is sunny and bright. I have recorded 1.99" of rain since about 6:30 this morning, and that is a happy thing. There are chances of rain every day for this week coming, and that is good, too! I failed at my goal of doing nothing today, and for that I am both sad and a little bit happy. I did laundry, changed sheets on the bed, went and bought donuts, a few personal hygiene things which require the use of finger nail and toe nail clippers, and a few other things...things that included pie (not donuts). Paulina got back home from Las Cruces this afternoon, and she and Val stopped by and brought me some pecan pie. Always delicious! The rest of tonight will be spent in front of the television, so I need to get a few more things done before my program comes on. I have a 9 o'clock appointment tomorrow, I hope it will be raining but I also hope it won't be raining, so I can join the boys for a nice walk.

Volume 16 - Day 118/248, 2024 - Saturday

Within the next month or two, I may very well regret having done this. Either that, or it will be so hot that I cannot keep this pot of morning glories properly watered, and they are all shriveled up and dead. If they aren't dead, I will do my best to keep the vining under control, assuming that they are blooming their little hearts out. So far, I am happy with the blooms I have seen, in both the pots I planted, and the plants along the stone wall. Very nice so far. We had a nice walk this morning, Michael (Richard and Marge's son) is visiting from New Orleans, and he walked with us. After that, I had a little breakfast (not satisfied) and then Diane, Pam, Marian and I hit three estate sales. We were all underwhelmed. I spent $8, and that was full price for something. I napped off-and-on for the better part of the rest of the day, got a few officey things done, and then went to Target. I like Target, and I really don't go there very often, mainly because there is nothing too much that I really need, and stuff there is very rarely half-price! I am done for the day, and we are supposed to get some rain overnight, and I am looking forward to that. I hope it really happens, and when I finish this entry, I need to go and turn off the sprinkler. I told you yesterday that the girls got all their annual shots yesterday, and last night I was really worried about Callie. I had to check her a couple times to make sure she was breathing, but she has recovered nicely, and seems like she is back to normal this evening.

Volume 16 - Day 117/249, 2024 - Sunday

Okay, it is Friday, my third favorite day of the week. We had a nice walk this morning, and then I had a relaxing time getting ready to go in to the office. I did what needed to be done, and headed home in time for a nap before I took the girls to the vet for their annual check-ups. Shots, ear hair plucking (?!?), all kinds of check ups, another six month supply of their monthly pills. They both survived, and they are both a little bit lethargic right now. I think the shots do that to them, I know I get lethargic when I get a shot. We got a little sprinkle of rain this afternoon, 0.05" in the gauge. There is rain predicted for the next ten days, with a chance of a couple inches. That would be nice. Tomorrow there are three estate sales, and that is always fun. I also want to do a little bit of organizing in the garage. It seems like I organize the garage a lot, but that is mainly because I have a habit of just putting stuff down where ever there is an empty space. Whatever.

Volume 16 - Day 116/250, 2024 - Thursday

I have wakened tired the last two mornings, even though I feel like I have slept well. Interesting. We had a nice walk this morning, and then I had some breakfast and fed the girls. I had a very disappointing zoom call at 9:30, and that was followed with a few phone calls from participants, voicing their unhappiness as well. Off to the office, I arrived later than I had anticipated, and touched some stuff and met with Kerry and Laura to go over management reports. Today was a plasma day. Full legal name? Date of birth? Are you allergic to iodine? Do you still have your spleen? When I donate platelets or plasma, those questions are asked at least a few times. You learn something everyday; your spleen is where the body stores platelets. It is also interesting that the machine decides if you are going to donate plasma or platelets. Even though I have only done platelets/plasma twice, the machine has said it wants my plasma. In case you are not aware, plasma in a plastic bag looks like pee. It's kind of disgusting looking. AND, it gets really cold in that room when you are laying there for a couple hours. I had my blanky that Teri gave me for Christmas, and even though there were about nine or twelve other prople in the room donating something, I was about to freeze. Then I was too hot. It is a never ending battle. Tomorrow all I have on the schedule is an appointment to take the girls to the vet for shots, and paperwork to take them to Playa in late May. Don't tell them, I want to surprise them!

Volume 16 - Day 115/251, 2024 - Wednesday

Well, it is hump day, and it is mostly downhill from here on to the weekend. We started off with a good walk this morning, and then I was in to the office at about my regular time...9:45 or so. I had a couple things to get done, and a new tenant orientation at 1 o'clock. Everything got done, and I was headed back to the Curious House by about 1:45. I had a couple errands to run, and then I needed to get stuff ready for Book Club, that was meeting at the Curious House. We were not at all over excited about this months book, but we managed. Next month is Stranger in a Strange Land. In the meantime, I have finished End Game, and it was not all that great, more trash on the Royals, and I am starting a book called Sick Puppy that was recommended by Carrie. Hopefully it is a humorous read, I need something that does not cause me to have to think. Tomorrow I have a 9:30 virtual meeting, and then I will be off to the office. I have an appointment to give some platelets tomorrow at 1 o'clock, and that will carry me through the afternoon. I may or may not have anything on my schedule for Friday, I think I will just surprise myself!

Volume 16 - Day 114/252, 2023 - Tuesday

Today was another kind of busy day. Sure, there was the morning walk, and a good time was had by all. The ROMEOs had breakfast this morning, too, and that was fun. It's Tuesday, and that means it is perfect stranger day. This lady was  lot of fun, and so far, I have not been reported to management. That may be a new record! After that, I stopped by a property that will have a new tenant move-in tomorrow, and I think everything that needed to be done has been done. Then it was on to the office, and I touched a few things, and then headed home. I had a couple errands to run (holdovers from yesterday), and again, neither of those things got done. Really frustrating. We had our monthly neighborhood dinner, it it was really a lot of fun, it was a good group. I could probably go on-and-on, but I am a little bit tired. Tomorrow will be a little bit busy, and book club is tomorrow night at the Curious House.

Volume 16 - Day 113/253, 2024 - Monday

Well, well, well. it's Monday, not that there is anything wrong with that. We had a nice, chilly walk this morning. I carry dog treats with me every morning, and there is a dog we see every now and then when we walk through the pocket park. He is a pretty yellow lab (I think), and he doesn't bark at us any more, he just kind of looks at us while we walk. I have not offered him a treat, because I don't have permission from his hoomans. I fixed that yesterday. While I was out, I stopped at the hoomans house, introduced myself, and asked if it was okay for me to give their dog a treat when we see him. They were very gracious, and appreciated me stopping to ask, and said it was okay. The dogs name is Denver. I was ready to give him a treat this morning, but he was not outside. There is always tomorrow. There were some pretty clouds this morning, and I always like clouds, just not total clouds! I made it in to the office, took off for home with four errands to run. O only accomplished two of them because it is Monday. I did get the little white car washed, and I did vote. Today is the furst day of early voting. GO VOTE! My morning glories are doing nicely...more blooms on the trellis, and both pots have little tiny blooms. I just hope they don't all burn up this summer.

Volume 16 - Day 112/254, 2024 - Sunday

Well, hell. It is Monday eve, and it makes me sad! We had a good walk this morning, and once I got back to the Curious House, I did a few little chores, and then met up with Marian and we went BACK to one of the estate sales we hit yesterday, to see what we could find that was 50% off. I bought about $25 worth of stuff, and that is not a bad thing. Later in the day, I went to Costco and walked around in circles for a while, looking for something I wanted and it was right in front of me the whole time. Done. I had dinner tonight with Val, Paulina and Oliver, and now it is time to watch another installment of A Gentleman in  Moscow. Tonight will be the third or fourth installment. Not sure home many installments there will be, but I enjoyed reading the book several years ago. Seven years ago today, Jody and I adopted the girls from the Georgetown Animal Shelter. We had no idea how old they were when we adopted them, but the shelter thought Lexie (aka The Piglet) was three at the time, and Callie was two. They told us they had been raised together and they had been surrendered by someone that was traveling around the country in a big RV. I thought part of traveling around in a big RV was to have a couple dogs with you, but, whatever. The Piglet took to Jody immediately, and Callie just hung out in the background. We adopted them both, and once we got them home, they acted like they had never seen the other in their lives. The Piglet is still a clingy little girl, and she cannot be more than a foot or two out of my sight at any given time. Callie remains the laid back calm one, with a take-it-or-leave-it kind of attitude. So, I guesstimate the Piglet is not ten, and Callie is nine. They both have a good life, and just like me, they are lucky, LUCKY girls.

Volume 16 - Day 111/255, 2024 - Saturday

I was just another grey and kind of dribbly rain day today...we are on a streak of those days, but I am pretty sure the sun will be shining at some point in the near future. We had a good walk, stayed mostly dry, and then it was time for a bit of a nap. Before you knew it, it was time for estate sales, and we hit seven of them. Once again, they were all kind of underwhelming. Marian and I are going back to one tomorrow morning, everything will be half price. I have had the windows open for the last couple days, but it is chilly outside, and it is starting to rain, so the windows are closed. It will be in the 50s tomorrow morning when we walk, but it will all be okay. I am still disappointed that I have not seen any humming birds at my feeders. I cleaned the feeders this morning, and refilled them, so maybe that will encourage them to hang out. I hope so. I am very happy to report that the first morning glory of the season was spotted this morning, and I hope there will be more very soon. I did not have any white ones (morning glory look-alikes) last year, but I am hopeful for this year. I may have gone a little overboard with the morning glories this year, in addition to those up against the back wall, I have also planted two pots, and put them up against the back deck and the side fence. I have almost everything off my chore list done, and it is time to just lean back!

Volume 16 - Day 110/256, 2024 - Friday

When Margaret came in to the office today, she questioned why I was there, when there was an estate sale going on a few blocks down the street. Well, when it was time to go, I headed to the sale. In the process of spending $4, I recognized this tall guy looking around. I asked if I should know him, and he said probably not, but I did recognize him. Spencer Cronk, former City Manager of Austin. I don't usually include last names, but he qualifies as a person that locals are familiar with, so shut up. He was fired because of his perceived poor response to a winter ice storm in Austin a couple years ago. I cannot vote in Austin, but I have opinions, and my opinion is that he was a scape goat and a tool for the Mayor, City Council and other officials to be distracted from the real problems THEY created. I shared with him that I had been fired from EVERY job I ever had, and it always worked out to my advantage. He said he was doing fine, he lived in the neighborhood, and he agreed to let the creepy guy take an ussie with him. Nice man. I had already determined that I was going to stop at another estate sale in Northwest Hills, so that was fun. Tomorrow, there are seven sales for us to hit, and we need to get a good nights sleep to be ready. Today started with a nice walk, I got some stuff done in the office, and I've already had my dinner. Dessert is in the refrigerator, and that is my next move. Most likely going to get some rain beginning late tomorrow afternoon. It should all be over by early Sunday morning, and we have a chance to get a couple inches of rain. Fingers crossed.

Volume 16 - Day 109/257, 2024 - Thursday

People have different benchmarks about what makes a good day and what makes a bad day. For me, today was a really good day. I wore the particular t-shirt on purpose this morning, because I had a meeting with someone I consider to be a pompous ass (takes one to know one), disrespectful, and incompetent. This person wasted my time and the time of at least five other people. The good part was, I was totally sarcastic the whole time, made several tacky comments, and all-in-all had a great time. PLUS, I get to bill them for the time that was wasted. A win-win all the way around! After that meeting (I use the term very loosely), and since today is Thursday, it was cheeseburger special day at Sandy's. After I placed our order, I noticed a man walking across the parking lot. I can neither confirm nor deny that this man could be housing challenged. Still in line, the mad started picking through the trash can. I asked him if he was hungry, and would he like a lunch burger. Well, this totally confused the people at Sandy's (I had an add-on to my order), but it all worked out in the end. After lunch, I had another meeting that went well, then I headed home. Fed the girls, took a quick nap, and then went back in to Austin for a Pickle Ball event for TREPAC. Back home now, getting ready for the big storm tonight, and maybe even some rain! Oh...and this is my Back to the Future hair. Just sayin'.

Volume 16 - Day 108/258, 2024 - Wednesday

It was in the low 70's this morning when we walked, and the humidity was about 170%. It was a muggy morning meander through the neighborhood. I needed to be in Austin early, so there was not much time for putzing. Traffic was pretty not good, and it took a while to get in, but everything worked out okay. I did what needed to be done, made several phone calls, and left pretty early as well, since I had a zoom call and I needed to be home to let the housekeeper in. NOW...the house is clean, and for some reason it smells like bacon. I am not sure what that is all about, since I had a spaghetti and meat ball dinner from HEB. The sun did not make an appearance today, and it has been really overcast. We have good chances of rain beginning Saturday afternoon, maybe up to over 3 inches before it is all over. I have a bunch of meetings tomorrow and there is a TREPAC event that I will be attending late afternoon. I think there is a slice of pie in my future, and maybe some ice cream, too. My package still has not appeared, and I am holding on to a faint hope that it will appear by the end of the week. I stopped at the post office, I was told it was delivered, but maybe the key to the cluster box was put in the wrong mail box. Hmmm. No complaints, I still believe the post office does a better job of delivering mail than I could do. And now, if you will excuse me, I am going to make arrangements to attend my youngest sons high school graduation, even though I have not attended any of my other four children's graduations. Okay, be quiet, I know that's a stretch. This is my journal, so...

Volume 16 - Day 107/259, 2024 - Tuesday

Today was a really nice day...we had a walk in the morning, and as I was getting ready for the ROMEO breakfast, we had a power flash. Flash because, while some people around me had no power, the solar and the batteries came through like champs. My digital displays on the clocks (there are lots of them) did not even start flashing. It is weird where there was no power and where there was. I'm not sure how that was working. Rick had no power, so he could not get his car out of the garage, so I picked him up for breakfast, and Paul took him back after breakfast. We know, we know...he could get his car out of the garage, but it was easier for me to pick him up. Shut up! After breakfast, I took of for the office, and it was a good day there, too. I have a couple things happening in the next ten days or so, and there are lots of tiny little details that I am trying to keep up with. It will all be okay. I had placed a couple orders (not on Amazon), and one said it was delivered yesterday (not), and the other was delivered today. The today one is really something nice, but I can't tell you what it is. If you want to know, you just have to come visit me at the Curious House. I fear that everything is not attention worthy on television tonight, so it will be more murder mysteries, and repeats of things I have already seen. Maybe I will have something to eat. What do you think? Since today was Perfect Stranger Tuesday, I had fun doing this selfie, she was really nice. While we were having breakfast, Jimmie and Linda came in with a couple of their friends that have been visiting from Georgia. Linda and the lady visiting (I'm really bad with names) were sorority sisters at Kentucky. Delta Gammas!

Volume 16 - Day 106/260, 2024 - Monday

For all practical purposes, this was a typical Monday. A typical Monday, in a string of about 3,744 other typical Mondays. Nothing particularly exciting happened, and nothing particularly disheartening happened, either. Just a day, a typical day in a series of typical days. There have been just about exactly 26,558 days in my life, most of them have been typical. Not that there is anything wrong with that. We had a nice walk this morning, there was just a little trace of precipitation for part of the walk, nothing that got us wet, nothing that got the streets wet, nothing that made a difference, rain wise. Then it was off to one of my favorite places, UFCU. That is sarcasm, in case you don't really know me, but just like to read this journal. Sarcasm is one of my talents, sarcasm and profanity. That is NOT sarcasm. As I was walking in to the branch, I realized that I had forgotten to put my wallet in my pocket. Never fear, they saw me in the parking lot and had my account stuff pulled up before I walked in at 9:01AM. I got that stuff done, and headed in to the office. A nice typical day in the office, and I came home in a typical manner. Just a typical day. And now, I am getting ready to watch a typical Monday night of television. But first, this little bluebonnet is a survivor. It is making a great statement in a harsh environment next to our cluster mail box. It is definitely a survivor.

Volume 16 - Day 105/261, 2024 - Sunday

Well, I have had several bursts of energy today, and the girls are not happy about that. Mainly because the Piglet got her face washed, and Callie got her ears brushed. Every couple weeks, what is so bad about that? As usual, the day started with a nice walk. I tried staying in bed a bit longer this morning, but I start waking up around 4AM, and the best I can do is to stay in the bed til about 5:30. After the walk, I watched Sunday Morning until I could not take it anymore. I transplanted the rubber tree, and it looks much happier in the bigger pot. I did a few other yard things, and then I went and vacuumed the car, and ran it through the car wash. After that, I stopped at my favorite donut place, only to be disappointed. I guess 10:15 in the morning is too late to get the kinds of donuts that I like. Then off to HEB, and now, in addition to a bunch of other stuff, I have half an apple pie in the kitchen, with my name on it. I also need to take an inventory of dog food before I go to HEB. I may have enough dog food now to last three or four months. I still have not seen any hummers at the feeders, but I may have seen a couple flying past. This juvenile cardinal, however, had a nice time in the bird bath off the back deck. Happy to do what I can. Not much going on tomorrow, but I do have a 9 o'clock appointment, so it will be kind of an early day. Billy Joel special tonight on CBS. Be there or be square!

Volume 16 - Day 104/262, 2024 - Saturday

We took time off from estate sales this morning for an emergency mission to save a turtle that was crossing Sun City Boulevard. With flashers flashing, we made several illegal maneuvers before coming to a stop and finding the turtle. Diane carried him (Diane's assumption) to the other side of the road, where she set him down in some grass. I saw a post later in the day on Facebook that the 'paint turtles' are on the move, so maybe this was a paint turtle. Not sure. We did not get to know him long enough to name him, so we do not have a real attachment to him. Then we finished out estate sales...the sales were really underwhelming, but we all bought something. I was desperate, so I bought something that I don't even know what it is, and neither does anyone else. Speaking of estate sales, I bought something last week, a piece of pottery, that is signed on the bottom in either Japanese or Chinese. Should I know the difference? If I should, go ahead and blast me, I don't. BUT, is there anyone here that might be able to translate it for me? I expect it is the artists signature, maybe where and when it was made. Let me know. As usual, the day started with a nice walk, you already know about the estate sales, but after a nap, I went (for the third Saturday in a row) and had 20 fried shrimp for lunch. Not tire of then yet, and I think they are really good. Not sure how long this special will be running, but I am down for it again next Saturday, at least.

Volume 16 - Day 103/263, 2024 - Friday

Bird or dogs? Bird or dogs? Bird or dogs? I'm going with the bird. I still have not seen any hummers at my feeders, and I might clean the feeders and fill them with fresh syrup tomorrow or Sunday. Jimmie and Linda two doors down have one or two at their feeders, and another friend of mine (Jill) in Kerrville reported her first sighting of hummers at her feeder. So, I will be patient and do what I can to attract me some hummers. The other birds are happily taking advantage of the water I put out in the front and back. There was also a juvenile Cardinal at this water station, but I was not quick enough to get a photo. We had a nice wak this morning, and then it was off to Austin. All was calm there, and I got everything I needed to do, done. I had a couple errands on the way home, one was to stop at Costco. I picked up a few things I did not get last week, and it is interesting that the coffee pods I use at home and we use at the office are no longer available in the Costco stores. SO, I order coffee from Costco, and it is out for two day delivery. It seems like a lot of trouble! After Costco, I wanted to stop at one of the local nurseries to replace the plants in the pots in front of the garage. I wanted some yellow bougainvillea. I never heard of them but Marian found some a couple weeks ago. I saw them online, but that seems silly to order plants online, so I settled for a couple multi-colored lantana instead. I will plant them tomorrow, maybe before we head off to estate sales. It should be a nice, calm, restful weekend. Fingers crossed.

Volume 16 - Day 102/264, 2024 - Thursday

Even though I have not had a bad day, I was just thinking...maybe we should change the day of the week from Thursday to Turdsday. Just thinking. Spell check fixed it just a minute ago, but it did make me start thinking. And thinking is not one of my higher qualities. I am all set to renew my real estate license. No real rush, I have until the end of September, but I took my last required Continuing Education class today. It was a virtual class, so I did not have to wear pants. I think I need a total of about 21 or 25 hours of CE to renew, and I think I have 49 or so. I always liked taking my real estate classes, so I really don't worry about it. I just have to take certain classes every two years to comply. We had a good walk this morning, minus Richard. Richard is usually the one that is ready to go, so we will find out what was wrong tomorrow. Maybe he was just tired. We will see. Otherwise, the girls and I had a nice day at home, they think it is the weekend already, and they will be surprised when O head off to Austin tomorrow. I have a few things on my list of chores for the weekend, nothing crazy. As always, there will be estate sales, and that is always fun. Hopefully there will be a movie that I want to see, fingers crossed. 

Volume 16 - Day 101/265, 2024 - Wednesay

I forgot to mention yesterday that we had breeched the 100 day mark in this year. Today is day 101. The days are going by, and quickly. We had a nice, but chilly walk this morning. Here in this neighborhood, we were not hit with any hail, and for all the warnings, only 1.12" of rain. Rain is rain, so there is no complaining here. The lake even came up a few inches today, so that is good. I had a 9:30 appointment this morning, and then an 11 o'clock appointment, then it was in to the office. All went well, and I stopped at HEB on the way home. Interesting selections at HEB: Glucosamine Chondroitin, a blow dryer and two quarts of skim milk. I like being able to get everything I need all at one time. It ended up being a lovely sunny day today, and tomorrow is supposed to be today all over again, just hotter. I think the orchids like the window I have them in in the bathroom. It's a great big window, and they get bright light but not really direct sunlight. I think it is their happy place, and they are really proud of themselves. I am happy to have them happy, too. I have a class tomorrow morning, and I was supposed to give platelets tomorrow afternoon, but I was told I had given too much whole blood so I cannot give platelets until the 25th. It is all very confusing. I asked them to talk to me like I am a two year old, and I still didn't understand, but we shall just wait and see what happens on the 25th.

Volume 16 - Day 100/266, 2024 - Tuesday

It's Total Stranger Tuesday! On Tuesday's, during the ROMEO Breakfasts, I find a victim who is a total stranger to take a selfie. Today's victim was the most reluctant, but she agreed. I think she thought I was going to pay for her breakfast, but nope, that is not part of the deal. Anyway, I think she is really cute, and it is a fun thing to do. It took almost exactly 24 hours for us to recover from the eclipse yesterday. It has been grey and gloomy ever since the eclipse yesterday, but the sun finally showed up about 1:45 this afternoon. We are still under storm warnings, and these should be done by tomorrow morning. I am always in fear of hail, and I want to do everything I can do to avoid hail. There are hail damaged cars all over central Texas, and I do not want to be a victim of that. So, there was no walk this morning, but it was not because of rain, although there was that threat...there was lightning, so I am not walking while there is lightning in the area. After breakfast, I was off to the office, and that was all good. Everyone has a story about the eclipse, and that is fun. Tomorrow, I have a 9:30 appointment, then an 11 o'clock appointment, and then I will be off to the office. On Thursday, I will be taking a class in the morning, then going to give more platelets in the afternoon. Maybe plasma. We shall see...

Volume 16 - Day 99/267, 2024 - Monday

Well, all it took was a positive attitude. I maintained that we would be able to see the eclipse, even with the naysayers prognosticating clouds, and it happened. There were some clouds, but overall, it was a great event outside the Curious House. Outside meaning three houses down, sitting on the driveway with Marge and Richard, and we were joined by Jess and Abbie and Sherice, our letter carrier. I really have nothing to compare it to, but it was great! I understand there will be eclipse overload for the next day or two, but it was the one and only time in all my years that I was witness to a total eclipse. Okay, I also have to proclaim, I think the word 'totality' is a pretty stupid word. Sue me. Okay back to ordinary stuff. We had a nice walk this morning, and after the walk, I did a few things around the house. We did not open the office today, we expected traffic to be a little bit crazy, and maybe it was, maybe it wasn't. I ran a couple errands, and took a couple naps, so all in all, it was a nice day. It did rain a little bit this afternoon, after the eclipse, and we are expecting rain tonight, tomorrow and Wednesday. Bring it on! I don't have a lot on my schedule the rest of this week, I am taking a class on Thursday, and going to give my second platelets donation that afternoon. Everything works out!

Volume 16 - Day 98/268, 2024 - Sunday

It turned out to be a beautiful day today, but it is not looking that great for the eclipse tomorrow. We have a 50% chance of clouds here at the Curious House, and if I don't get to see it, that will just be the way it goes. I am considering becoming an eclipse chaser; the next total eclipse is in Argentina in October, so, that is something to think about. There needs to be some kind of method to my madness. Chasing eclipses could work out to be fun. Our walk this morning was good, but a little sad too, because we did not win the Power Ball. We did win $12, so that means we are all about $300 down this year with MegaMillions and Power Ball. Whatever. You can't win if you don't play. After the walk, I took a little nap, then headed out to meet Reuben, Alisha and Terry for brunch. It has been a while since we could get together, and that was fun. On the way home, I stopped at Costco and Home Depot. I threatened to get my hair cut, but I changed my mind. Almost cut my hair, it happened just the other day. It's gettin' kinda long, I coulda said it wasn't in my way. But I didn't and I wonder why, I feel like letting my freak flag fly! Just as good now as it was then! I casually got a few things done around the house today, but I was certainly not in any hurry to do stuff. Tha's just kind of the way I like it, too!

Volume 16 - Day 97/269, 2024 - Saturday

Why should I be ashamed of myself, you ask? Well, the reasons are numerous, but the one I have in mind right now is because I went, once again, to Golden Chick and had 20 fried shrimp for $12. That makes two Saturday's in a row. Not sure how long I can keep that up, but I probably have another two or three Saturday's in me. As usual, the day started with a nice walk, me Paul and Richard. After the walk, it was estate sale day, there were five sales, and I spent a total of $3.25 through the first four sales. The last sale got me, and I spent a little more money, but I got a couple really cool things that I had NO IDEA I needed until I saw them. If you want to see, you will just have to come to the Curious House for a visit. It was cloudy and grey all day today, and I just hope it is not a harbinger of what is to come on Monday. If it is overcast on Monday, there will be a lot of pissed off people, for sure. When I was on my way to the shrimp bonanza, I saw a fire truck, so I decided to follow it. Not sure what happened, but it looked like someone was in the middle of a medical emergency. I hope everything work out well for all involved. We have a brunch scheduled for tomorrow, and that will be fun, it always is. Then, probably just a nice, calm day, working up to the eclipse.

Volume 16 - Day 96/270, 2024 - Friday

Okay, I met with the CPA this morning, and all I need to do now is sit and wait. This is the earliest I have been this far along on my taxes in about three decades. It feels pretty good, too. So, as usual the day started with a nice walk, and then I headed in to the office. I had two or three things to get done before I headed to the CPA. I got that stuff done, and met with the CPA, and then back to the office. I had to touch a few more things in the office, and left about (I'm not sure when). On the way home, I stopped at HEB and got gas in the little white car, did a little bit of shopping, and then got home and took a little bit of a nap. I had a plan to have dinner with Paulina and Oliver, so the girls got fed early. We went to Jimmy Vegas for dinner, and then stopped for ice cream. Tomorrow will be a little bit busy, there are five estate sales, and a few small chores that I want to get accomplished around the house. 

Volume 16 - Day 95/271, 2024 - Thursday

It is the weekend eve, and that is pretty darned exciting. Just in case you were wondering, the poop in the tree was still there this morning when we walked. Apparently, poop in a purple bag in a tree has a pretty long shelf life, I will keep you all up to date on this topic. Baklava is a baked Mediterranean pastry dessert. It is made with buttered flakey layers of thin phyllo dough and finely chopped spiced nuts, drizzled with sweet syrup and lemon. The most common nuts used are walnuts and pistachios, but hazelnuts, almonds, and cashews are sometimes incorporated into baklava. NOTE: I know a woman in Playa named Hazel, but she is not nuts. Just to be clear. The nut mixture and sweeteners vary depending on which region the baklava comes from. You're welcome! I bring this up because, last night, Pam brought me a HUGE container of baklava. It looked like some sort of an entree to me, not a dessert, and I was planning to have it for dinner tonight. I was bragging during our morning walk about my good fortune, when I was told that, if I had the baklava for dinner, I would be bouncing off the walls for a couple days. SO, for dinner tonight, I had a couple pimento cheese flips and a little baklava for dessert. Very good! Oh, and for lunch today, I had a brisket grilled cheese sandwich from one of the food trucks across the street from the office. Very good, too. Apparently, this journal entry is about food and poop. Interesting.

Volume 16 - Day 94/272, 2024 - Wednesday

I am relatively confident that you have never seen a bag of dod poop in a tree before. And...it must have been a really, REALLY tall dog! So, let's just think about this for a minute...WHO walks their dog, and is very conscientious about picking up after the dog, AND THEN hangs the sh*t in a freaking tree? I am baffled with the thought processes of some people, but maybe I am just over-thinking this. Whatever. Other than that, we had a nie walk this morning, me, Paul and Richard. After the walk, I did my ordinary stuff, and then headed in to the office. It was a quiet day, and I did manage to get the three or four numbers I needed to meet with my CPA on Friday. DONE!  I left to head home around 1 o'clock,  had no errands to run, so I got home early, and took advantage with a nice little nap. I had a four o'clock zoom, and that was good, and after that was the news, and dinner. Now I am ready to call it quits for the day, and have a nice evening with the girls. I hope I don't toss and turn all night thinking about dog poop in trees. 

Volume 16 - Day 93/273, 2024 - Tuesday

Okay, this day is almost done, and I am a little bit stressed out. Unfortunately, I brought all the stress onto myself, and that is not an unusual occurrence. I do that a lot. First world problems, and it will all work out. We had a great walk this morning, and James joined me, Paul, and Jack. Richard was feeling a little bit queasy, so he did not walk.James and his girlfriend (Kim) moved a couple houses away from me about five months or so ago, and it has been fun getting to know them. James walks with us every now and then, and this morning, he presented us with Easter goody bags that Kim made up for us. Very, VERY sweet! Good neighbors are the best! After the walk, the ROMEOs all regathered for breakfast, and and Richard made it too. We all had the usual, which is a lot of laughs and problem solving. In addition, Richard ordered a cinnamon roll, and it looked REALLY GOOD. I may have to go back sometime for one of those. It was huge! I also got my perfect stranger selfie, and that is what is adorning this journal entry. Then on to the office. It was a good day in the office, and I got everything done that needed to be done, and between office time and home office time, I am 'this close' to being ready for the CPA appointment on Friday. THIS CLOSE! I just need about four more numbers, and that will be it. I will be done with everything by noon tomorrow, and ready for the MAN! For dinner, I had something was was frozen, something that had a best by date sometime in 2022. Whatever it was, it has not killed me yet, so I think I am good. Time to go pet a couple girl dogs, and pile up in the big chair and watch some tv. Lator, gator!

Volume 16 - Day 92/274, 2024 - Monday

Hmmm. April Fool's Day. Jody's birthday. Martha's Birthday. Our little company was started 24 years ago today, too.  lot of things for me to remember on this day every year, and it is all easy for me to remember. The day started with a nice walk, as usual, there were four of us. After the walk, it was a little bit of breakfast for me and the girls, and today, being the first, is pill day for the girls. Then it was off to the office. Even though today is the first of the month, it was a calm and quiet day. That is not always the case for property managers, but today was nice and calm. I left the office at about 1:30 and made it home about an hour later. There were no stops on the way home, and I had a pimento cheese flip, and that was my lunch and dinner. I was going to have some salmon for dinner, but it looked kind of bad, it has been in the refrigerator for eight days, so even I had second thoughts about it. I need to figure this ready-made-meals thing from HEB thing out, because I am not really that keen on wasting food. It may mean I need to go to HEB more than once a week. It is supposed to rain pretty heavily tonight, and maybe even some high winds and hail. I got all the catkins off the furniture on the back deck, so when it rains it won't stain the cushions. That is the plan, anyway. After a little bit more of doing nothing, I headed off to my HOA Landscape Committee meeting, and it was a good meeting. The photo accompanying this journal entry has nothing at all to do with the topics of the entry, it was just a neat bit of an old car I saw this morning on the way in to the office. I think it is an old Pontiac, not sure. Joe Mac?