Volume 17 - Day 90/275, 2025 - Monday

So, this is the last day of the first quarter of 2025. Probably the worst first quarter of all time, speaking politically. Just my opinion, and I expect it may be the same opinion of lots of other people. IYKYK, and I expect most of you know. It was a good day for a walk, and when that was over, a good day for feeding the girls and fixing a bagel for myself. I got some work done, and did not have to go in to the office to do it. I did get the hibiscuses (hibisci?) planted in the two pots in front. The proof of one of them is included with this journal entry. I had one appointment at the Curious House this afternoon, and that went pretty well. The appointment went pretty well, but I doubt too much will come from it. I enjoyed some cold chicken fingers for dinner, with Ranch Dressing dipping sauce. I got the chicken fingers at HEB, and they were okay. I expect they would have been better if I had eaten them the day I bought them. Or maybe even if I had warmed them up before eating. Whatever. Tomorrow is expected to be a good day, and it will be the ROMEO breakfast day, and Total Stranger Tuesday. Lunch with Holly and Eileen on Thursday, and a doctors appointment on Friday, and then a PAC meeting in Austin. Not too much, not too little, just right.

Volume 17 - Day 89/276, 2025 - Sunday

It was a pretty good Sunday, and I'm not sure that anyone could ask for better than that. A good walk this morning, and then I went down for a nap after I fed the girls. I got up, did a bunch of little (and not memorable) things around the house. The irrigation guy came out and checked the sprinklers, and I think all is good, but not sure. He may need to come back and replace a head or two. Maybe. Maybe not. I took off for brunch with Val, Paulina and Oliver, and the fish tacos I had were really good. Messy, but good. On the way home, I stopped by Home Depot and bought two Hibiscus for the two planters in the front of the house. That should be it for a while. The Mexican Sunflower seeds I planted a couple weeks ago are shooting up nicely, and I am really happy about that. So far, the milk weed seeds have not sprouted, but I have my fingers crossed. Tomorrow, I will plant the Hibiscus, and maybe take a picture to share with you. I just got home from going to have ice cream with Linda and Jimmie. There was a line out the door, but it was worth the wait. I don't have a lot on my schedule this week, in fact, I don't have much of anything on my calendar that this week, not that there is anything wrong with that. I expect I will continue to complain about politics, and I also think I will be complaining about politics for the next several years, at least. The photo of roses I am using with this entry are the easiest roses to cultivate, bar none. You din't need to really do anything, just dig a hole, put them in, and walk away. And they thrise in central Texas. Not that there is anything wrong with that, either. 

Volume 17 - Day 88/277, 2025 - Saturday

James and Richard and I had a nice walk this morning. After the walk, I fed the girls. They don't seem to be having any issues with the store bought food they are being fed now, and I am delighted that it is much easier to serve them. I had a bowl of cereal and went down for a quick nap, and then it was off to estate sales; me, Marian, Judy, Diane and Margie. Four sales. I spent $13.50 and brought home an old iron and a Dia de Los Muertos skeleton playing a trumpet. It was down for another nap after the sales, and I worked up the courage to go to HEB. I have sustenance for at least another three or four days, at which time I will likely make another trip. I have not needed to water outside plants since we had a nice bit of rain in the last couple of days. There is a rumor that we might have more rain tonight, I hope so, and I hope it will provide us with a nice lightning show, too. This orange was the best part of my dinner so far, the other dinner bits have been some Oreo cookies. I really need to work on my diet. Tomorrow is lunch with Paulina, Val and Oliver, and not sure what else might come up, but I am pretty sure something will. 

Volume 17 - Day 87/278, 2025 - Friday

By the time we were ready for our walk this morning, the rain had ended. Overall, yesterday my gauge recorded 1.13" of much needed rain. It dribbled just a little bit today, and not a lot is in the gauge, but we got enough to turn the sprinklers off. We had a good, but abbreviated walk this morning, and after a little while, I went in to the office. Deposited a few checks, brought a few things to the Curious House, stopped to check my (losing) Lotto tickets, bought more, bought a giant burrito, ate the burrito, read the paper, took a nap, fed the girls, checked the mail, complained about my 'toll tag,' made a couple calls, answered a few emails, deleted a LOT of emails, watched the news, ignored the news, and now I am composing this journal entry. There are four estate sales tomorrow, and we will make the best of those. The girls are now off their fanch-schmantzy food, and back on the store bought food. They are not complaining, and I am really happy with the convenience. I have learned that, the more expensive the food is, the more difficult it is to serve it to the girls. Lesson learned.

Volume 17 - Day 86/279, 2025 - Thursday

I has been a dribbly, rainy and cloudy day here at the Curious House. But that is okay! I checked my rain gauge about 3 hours ago, and we had received about .40". I had continued dribbling and is supposed to dribble through tomorrow, so we may have a pretty good bit of rain on the ground by the time it is over. For sure I can turn the sprinkler off for this weekend, and maybe there will be no walk tomorrow morning. Speaking of walks, Richard and I had a nice walk this morning, Paul is in Florida, visiting with his brother who is ill. He is expected back on Sunday. I did not get much accomplished today, and that is okay. I did a few things, and got a little bit of business taken care of. On this day in 2014, eleven years ago today, I was attending a meeting in NYC, and one of my colleagues bet me $100 that I would not have my picture taken with one of the speakers, Karl Rove. It is pretty well know that I have done a lot worse for a lot less, and the photo accompanying this journal entry is proof. Anybody want to bet me anything?

Volume 17 - Day 85/280, 2025 - Wednesday

When I predicted yesterday that today was going to be a long day, I was correct. It could have been longer, but I took off after my particular part was done. I have not been up at 4AM recently, but I was today. I left the Curious House at about 6:30 because you never know what traffic calamities you might face. Traffic was heavy, but I made it to the meeting point in plenty of time, and we took a bus to the Capitol. Today was REALTOR® day, retired state school teachers day, pharmacists day and a day for an unnamed group of pre-teens. I ran in to my pharmacist Jeff and his son, so that was interesting. I saw all the folks with white jackets on, but I thought it was loony-bin day, and I was trying not to draw any attention to myself. I did get home about 2 o'clock, and went down for a nap. I had a chicken pot pie for dinner, and I wish I had ordered pizza instead. We have our fingers crossed for some rain this evening, and off and on rain chances through Friday. There has been less than a quarter inch of rain at the Curious House this month, so we really need the rain. The rest of the week should be quiet, and that is always welcome. The photo accompanying this entry is on my bestie Holly and me, just outside the Capitol, getting ready to go inside and take care of business.

Volume 17 - Day 84/281, 2025 - Tuesday

Richard and Paul and I had a nice walk this morning, and then later, we met Rick for our ROMEO breakfast. If it's Tuesday, it must be Total Stranger Tuesday. After the trauma of being rejected once last week, I picked my victim more carefully this morning. This lovely lady was amenable, once I told her I woud not share any of her personal information with any Jehovah Witnesses. That seemed to make her more comfortable. She mentioned that she was cautious because, I think about a week ago, she locked her keys (and her dog) in her car and could not get in. Four men approached her and asked if they could 'pray over' her. Well, that will teach her, and I bet she doesn't lock her keys (and her dog) in the car again. Thanks for being a really good sport! As I embrace my retirement more and more, I find I am less motivated to get too many things accomplished on any given day. I was able to get a couple things done today, an that was plenty. Honestly, I got more than a couple things done, but I don't want to brag. Tomorrow will be a busy day; I need to be in Austin at about 7:30 to get on a bus with many of my colleagues and show up at the Capitol to visit our Legislators. An annual thing for the past fifteen years or so, and I am contemplating that this might be my last one. It's time to step back, and do even less. I also got Mike's and my room reserved at Heathrow for our return from Europe on July 1st. I think most of the arrangements are complete now, and now we are just waiting to leave. 

Volume 17 - Day 83/282, 2025 - Monday

The radar looked promising and the forecasters practically SWORE we would get some rain last night, but no, not even a drop at the Curious House. There was some pretty dramatic lightning and a couple good claps of thunder, but no rain. There was rain in Austin, but nothing here. Our next best chances are on Thursday and Friday. Richard and Paul and I had a nice walk this morning, and I did go in to the office this morning, too. Not sure if I will go back in to the office this week or not, maybe. I will be in Austin on Tuesday for Texas REALTORS® Day at the Capitol. That is always fun and interesting, but at my advanced age, it will also be tiring. I am almost out of left overs for dinners, I have enough for one more dinner of left overs, and I will be forced to go to the grocery. I still have not spied any hummingbirds in the area, and I am not sure if anyone else has, either. I have my fingers crossed. There are some more hints of life in the peach trees I planted last year, but I think it is going to be a struggle. I would be happy if they would at least look like trees and not sticks in the ground. This orchid is doing well, not bad what very little attention can do for plants, apparently this one just wants to be left alone.

Volume 17 - Day 82/283, 2025 - Sunday

I did half a walk this morning because I was meeting Paulina, Val and Oli for breakfast at about 9 o'clock. I don't really remember what time we met, but it was around 9 o'clock. Paulina's flight from El Paso, the airport closest to Las Cruces arrived in Austin about 7:45, which meant she got up at about 2AM. We ate at the Original Pancake House, one of my favorites, and we were there early enough that there was no wait. BUT...it was too early for a Sunday morning. After breakfast, I went back to one of the estate sales I wasa at yesterday, and bought the two things they would not discount for me yesterday. I was really kind of surprised that both items were still there, because a man was fondling one of the things when I put it back down. I told Marian that it apparently was not meant to be, but I guess it was. I went to another estate sale this afternoon, and bought nothing. I stopped at HEB on the way home and bought $85 worth of dog food. I am going back to 'store bought' dog food as opposed to the on-ling bought dog food, mainly because store bought is better portion controlled and more convenient for me. And I don't think the girls will care one way or the other. We are allegedly going to get some rain this evening, and more this week. I hope all the seeds I planted will not be washed away, but it will be the first rain we have had (measurable rain) in the last three months or so. We really need the rain. My week should be kind of calm, and I am liking that, let's see how long it lasts!

Volume 17 - Day 81/284, 2025 - Saturday

Here is something you have never heard me say before: We went to four estate sales this morning and I did not buy a single thing. I came close, but nope, nothing. There were five of us, and I think one or two others did not buy anything. It just wasn't my day. I could go back tomorrow, maybe yes, maybe no. I did have a nice walk this morning, fed the girls, had a bagel, and took a nap before we left for estate sales. After the sales, I don't think I did anything much. I trimmed some of the potted plants on the front patio, and I cleaned and refilled the hummingbird feeders. I have not seen a single hummingbird yet, but I am doing my part. Hummingbird is one word, I looked it up. Tomorrow, Paulina returns after two weeks in Las Cruces, and this afternoon Nancy and Dan got back to Las Cruces from New Zealand. It seems like everybody is going somewhere, and I am looking to doing the same thing in a couple months. Anyway...Paulina gets back to Austin at 7:45 tomorrow morning, and that must mean she has to leave Las Cruces (the airport is in El Paso) around 3 or 4 o'clock in the morning. Then, we are meeting for pancakes at about 9:30 or 10. That'll be fun. 

Volume 17 - Day 80/285, 2025 - Friday

I did half a walk this morning because I had a nine o'clock appointment at the dermatologist. As I was leaving for the appointment, I stopped and said hello to Richard and Margie's son Michael and his partner Sam(antha). They are moving from New Orleans to Portland, OR, so I am not sure the next time I will see them. I will probably see Sam in another month or so. It was my annual dermatologist appointment. The assistant asked me a few questions first, then told me to undress (leave on the shorts), and did I want a robe? I responded that nobody really wanted to see what was under my clothes, so I did not need a robe. Everything turned out okay, there were about another dozen pre-cancerous spots that she froze off, so I am good for another year. I had a zoom meeting at 10 o'clock, and I got back to the Curious House in plenty of time for that. I thought it was going to be a thirty minute zoom, but it ended up being an hour. After the zoom, I headed in to the office, and stopped at the pharmacy on the way to pick up prescriptions. I got stuff done in the office that needed to be done, and headed back home. I stopped and got the little white car washed, so I am proud of that. I have a few more seeds to sew in the back, and that will get done tomorrow. The photo accompanying this entry does not really look like much, but sooner than later this wall will be covered with morning glories. I did not get passion vines as I was thinking, but I will also supplement the morning glories with Alamo Vines, the seeds were given to me by Marian. 

Volume 17 - Day 79/286, 2025 - Thursday

Well, this is disgusting. I am home tonight (not at a meeting or out of town), and there is a basketball game pre-empting a television show I would prefer to watch. Crap! We had a nice walk this morning, and when I got home, I went back down for a little nap. But not before I trimmed back an Esperanza in the front yard. Thursday is our trash pick-up day, so I got those limbs trimmed back and got it in the can before the trash was picked up. After the nap, I did roust myself up to visit Costco for a couple things that were not in stock the last time I went. I also got some seeds planted, the Mexican Sunflowers, so I am happy with that. Tomorrow I will get the Milkweed planted in the back, so that will take care of all the seeds. I have an appointment at the dermatologist tomorrow morning then I have a zoom meeting, and then I will head in to Austin and see what is going on at the office. I need to do a little bit of straightening stuff up in the garage, one of my favorite things to do. Today is the first day of Spring, and the bluebonnets in the front are beginning to show some blooms, and I expect there will be a few more before too long. They should do a lot better next year, this is their second year. 

Volume 17 - Day 78/287, 2025 - Wednesday

After our walk this morning, I just hung around the house until early afternoon, when I had some errands to run. Tonight was book club night at the Curious House, so there was various things I needed to get done. We have gotten into the habit of, whoever hosts book club, we have food and refreshments relating to happenings in the book. I had to stop at the bakery, pick up a gift card, and a stop at HEB for a sandwich tray. This months book was Margo's Got Money Troubles, and only Marian and I liked the book. It was interesting, and I could relate to much of it, but I understand it is not for everyone. Next month, we are reading The Catcher in the Rye, written in 1951, the year I was born. It sounds interesting, and I know I should have read it years ago, but I didn't. Rumor has it that Audible does not have the book as a recording, so I may be actually reading this book. We'll see. I'm not sure what is on my schedule for tomorrow, but I will figure that out tomorrow. Note: the penis cake was a big hit!

Volume 17 - Day 77/288, 2025 - Tuesday

After our walk, I did make it to the ROMEO breakfast, it was the first time in 3 or 4 weeks, and it was lost of fun. I was rejected during breakfast. The first time I have been rejected for Total Stranger Tuesday. The original victim expressed she could not agree because she was there with her grandson, and she had to present him with a good example. Stranger Danger! I get it, maybe it is the hair. So, I recouped and went to the next booth and was greeted with open arms. Maybe the fact that this victim was a prison guard for 20 years had something to do with her decision, but we all had a couple good laughs. Whatever. I had intended to go to HEB on the way home, but there were some pressing personal needs that required I get to the Curious House, where I took care of that issue and then went down for a nap. After my nap I mustered up the strength to get in the car and do a little bit of grocery shopping. I spent a good bit of time changing my flight back from Heathrow, and got all that done. I have very little left on my chore list, and after dinner tonight, I watered plants in the front and the back. It is still VERY windy, and I am tired of the wind. Constant winds at about 25 miles per hour, gusts up to 40 miles per hour. It makes it difficult to do stuff out in the yard. Still supposed to be windy tomorrow, with a cold front coming in, and 9% humidity. That's crazy! But, life is good, I am a lucky man, and tomorrow will be another day.

Volume 17 - Day 76/289, 2025 - Monday

I got some stuff done today, and I am happy about that. After our walk this morning, and before I headed in to the office, I got my train and flight reservations done for the DC visit in June. Fly to Midway, train from Chicago to DC, and then fly home five days letter. I did get in to the office, and got a few things accomplished. I was in the office for about an hour, and I stopped at one of the local nurseries and got some impatiens. When I got home, I took the Buzz down the street and picked up a planter that a young man makes. I'll share a photo of the finished product in the next day or so. That's what the impatiens were for. I still need to change my ticket from Zurich to Paris, but there is always tomorrow. There are still 92 days before we leave, so I am pretty sure there is time. I think tomorrow I will plant the seeds I have been threatening to plant. Jimmie brought me some flags I can use when the seeds are planted, so I will know those things are coming up on purpose and they are not weeds. I have milk weed and Mexican Sunflower seeds to plant. Milk weeds for monarch butter flys and Mexican Sunflowers for humming birds. AND...tomorrow will be our ROMEO breakfast, and it has been several weeks since I have been able to attend, so I am looking forward to it. As we were nearing our houses this morning, Richard and I saw these ducks land on one of our neighbors houses. I think they are Mexican Whistling Ducks, but if anyone knows for sure, let me know.

Volume 17 - Day 75/290, 2025 - Sunday

Even though I did a lot less today than I did yesterday, it still felt like it was a busy day. We did get a good walk in this morning, and it was good to get that done. After the walk, I did a couple things, around the house, but nothing really of any consequence. Jimmie and Linda picked me up at 11 and we went to brunch, and that was very much fun and the food was good too. I don't remember the name of the place, but it was across from 2020 Scratch Kitchen. And, it is a buffet. After the buffet, we went to Costco, and I got a couple things, and then made it back to the house. Later this week, I have a bunch of seeds I need to get planted, and I keep putting that off. I expect I will get that done tomorrow or the next day. Now that Mike has been cleared for travel, getting things booked and changing flights is the chore of the day. This is going to be fun, all I really need to figure out right now is, who is going to house-sit with the girls. ninety three days away seems like a long time, but I expect those days will pass very quickly. This squirrel spends a good part of its' life harassing the girls. The girls have yet to figure out how to climb the wall, but they are working on it.

Volume 17 - Day 74/291, 2025 - Saturday

After yesterday, I got very little accomplished today. We did not even walk this morning. Shortly after I got up, I heard a couple rumbles of thunder, but I did not see any lightning. My weather alert said there was lightning in the area, but I did not see it. But, that was enough to cancel the walk, so I went back down and took a nap. We all took off for estate sales at 9:30, and there were four sales. I bought a few things, but the sales themselves were pretty underwhelming. For the rest of the day, mostly, I did little of anything. Paulina sent an email with all our flight and hotel schedules for June, and that is pretty exciting. Val and Oliver came over about 5 and we went to dinner in Georgetown, and then we took a ride over to Parkside on the River, where the Parkway will connect later this year, and we will have a straight show from Highway 29 to CR 2243. Then, maybe we will get a traffic light at the Parkway and 29. Tomorrow I have been invited to go with Jimmie and Linda for brunch, and then I am planning a trip to Costco and Home Depot. That should pretty much take care of the day.

Volume 17 - Day 73/292, 2025 - Friday

Holey Moley Cannoli! It was a full day of doing stuff. I got up and did my walk with Richard and Paul, and then back home to feed the girls and have some cereal for myself. We all got in the big chair, and took a quick, short nap. At a little after nine, I headed off with the girls to drop them off at the beautiful parlor. Heading back towards the Curious House, I made a stop at CVS to pick up a prescription. I was in line behind a lady cop from Georgetown, and she said she liked my t-shirt because it looked like me. I had not even paid any attention that it was an Einstein t-shirt I got in Maui about a decade ago. However, I am now on a mission to find more Einstein t-shirts! After CVS, I made a quick stop at the Curious House, and then visited a veterinarian that recently opened up not far from the Curious House. They are a non-corporate group of veterinarians, and hat is what I was looking for. I liked the vet and one of the staff I had been using, but I did not like the corporate philosophy. After that, it was on to the office, and got a few things done, and then I met Veronica and Taylor for lunch. That was great, at Matt's El Rancho, and in the 40 years I have lived here, I honestly don't remember if I have ever eaten there before. I guess I should go back again, it was great. On the way home, I stopped to get the little white car washed, but they said there would be a 45 minute wait, so I took a pass. When we were walking this morning, Richard and I stopped and visited with a young man about two blocks away from the house that builds stuff in their garage. It turns out, he is building planter boxes out of cedar, and I stopped back over there this afternoon and bought one for the front porch. I will send you a photo. I am thinking of geraniums, but I will ask Marian tomorrow what she thinks I need to plant there that will have a pretty good bit of shade. Estate sales tomorrow, and that is always a great time. Oh yeah, I talked with Mike this afternoon, and his doctor cleared him, so he is ready to go with us to Europe in June. It is going to be a lot of fun! 

Volume 17 - Day 72/293, 2025 - Thursday

After our walk this morning, Richard asked me my plans for the day, and there were at least a couple things I had on the list of chores. BUT, that would have meant getting in the car and going somewhere, and so I didn't. There is always tomorrow, and I will do my best to take advantage of that. I did a little more exploring about my train ride from Austin to Washington, DC, and I find out that the rail car rooms are not really sold out, but the train itself will not be running on the day(s) I want to travel. Track repairs are cancelling the train I wanted to be on, so I have another plan. Let me know if you think I am totally insane for this plan. I leave one day later, fly to Chicago, and then take the train from Chicago to Washington. I think it sounds like a lot of trouble, but I still think I can do it, what are your thoughts? I would land at Midway around 2PM and the train to DC leaves around 6PM, so there should be plenty of time to connect, and that train ride would only be about 18 hours, a lot of it at night. So, let me know your thoughts, but I am seriously considering it. Tonight was an HOA meeting, and it was not terrible. I think we are making progress, and things will get better from here. Lots of stuff to get done, though. Marian brought some milk weed seeds to the meeting, and I snarfed up on a lot of them, and I will get them planted this weekend. Monarchs are migrating now, but maybe the milk week will be up and going by the time they make their return trip in the fall. Hope so.

Volume 17 - Day 71/294, 2025 - Wednesday

Paul did not walk with us this morning, but Jay did, and that was fun. Jay left to go back to Vancouver early this afternoon, and I am not sure what Deb's plans are right now. It was fun having them visit, the visit was under really sad circumstances, but they did get to visit and we all had a good time. I took some clocks in to be repaired on my way in to the office, so I will likely not see those clocks for a couple months. I got in to the office and got some work done, got some checks deposited, and got some invoices approved to be paid. Overall, a pretty good bit of work done in the office. On the way home, I had a couple errands to run, and got home about 3 o'clock. The book I am reading, Margo's Got Money Troubles is fun, but I enjoyed The Perks of Being a Wallflower better. I could relate to that book, and that was interesting. I won't be going in to the office tomorrow, but I have a few things that I want to get done around the house. I am thinking of changing the Veterinarian I have been taking the girls to for about the last four years. I like the doctor and at least one of the staff, but they have too much of a corporate philosophy for me. I understand that is the way the world is headed, but I don't like it and I think it is time for a change to a small, local vet. We shall see how that works. I have dozens of more buds on the Meyer Lemon tree, and at least one lemon in the development stage. Hopefully, about the last of November or the first of December, I will be schlepping lemons to friends. Get your name on the list if you want to.

Volume 17 - Day 70/295, 2025 - Tuesday

I kind of took the day off today. Well, not really. Jay joined us for our morning walk, and we did solve a lot of the world's problems. After the walk, I got ready for a 9 o'clock zoom meeting, which caused me to miss the ROMEO breakfast. After the zoom, I really don't remember what I did, but taking a nap was not on the schedule. I know that I watered the outside plants, and took down much of the dead morning glory vines from the back wall. I didn't get all of them, but it looks better and is ready for spring vines. I am thinking of getting some passion vines to add to that wall, but the jury is still out on that. I am very disappointed in the fact that, I was trying to make my Amtrak reservation to go to DC in late May, but all the rooms were sold out. I am going to keep trying, two or three times a day, to see if any rooms come available. I was really excited to be taking the train, but I will just have to wait to see if it happens. Ugh. Deb and Jay took me to dinner tonight, and we went to Jimmy Vegas Smokehouse in Georgetown. Good bar-b-cue, and I like that place a lot. I will go in to Austin tomorrow, and I have a couple errands to run, and I am starting the book for book club, Margo's Got Money Trouble. I am hosting next week, so it would probably be good if I get the book read between now and then.

Volume 17 - Day 69/296, 2025 - Monday

It was really kind of chilly this morning when we walked, me, Richard, Paul and Jay. Jay and Deb came in to town to attend the memorial service for Pam yesterday, and they are staying a couple extra days. Jay was the original walker, then I joined him, and it kind of snowballed. Deb and Jay moved to Vancouver (WA) a few years ago, and we all miss them very much. Monday, not too bad. I went in to the office this morning, and then I had a lunch meeting with Rebecca and Toni, very much fun getting to know them both, and lots of information shared. Then I headed home and took a quick nap. The girls are always happy to take a nap, and I am always happy to join them. I'm also on Ombudsman duty for Texas REALTORS® until the 15th, and I worked to complaints today. I was not able to get one case settled, but I am still working on the second one. You learn a lot when you volunteer for these different aspects of our profession, and I enjoy it a lot. Later on, Deb and Jay invited me and Richard and Marge for dinner, and we had a great dinner in Liberty Hill at Dahlia's. That make two REAL meals for me in one day, and that is something that rarely happens. Tomorrow will start with a walk, like almost every morning, and I will miss the ROMEO breakfast because I have a 9 o'clock zoom meeting. Dang it...I am trying to be better at NOT schedule things for Tuesday mornings, but I missed this one!

Volume 17 - Day 68/297, 2025 - Sunday

Evans. Party of one! I made it to brunch this morning, and I was the only one there. It could have been the time change, it could have been they fell back to sleep, but it was okay. The chips and guac were really good, and I had it all to myself. Of course, we started the day with a walk, and then I had a couple things to do around the Curious House. I'm pretty sure I watched Sunday Morning, but I don't really remember what it was about. After brunch, I stopped at the HEB and bought a few things. Then I cancelled my Nom Nom subscription. That dog food is really more trouble than it was worth, and I kind of think it was too riche for Callie. Later in the day, Paul hosted the memorial service for Pam (today would have been her 74th birthday), and there were lots of people there from all over Texas and parts that are not Texas. It was a very nice memorial, and Pam is very missed by a lot of people. Deb and Jay are here from Vancouver (WA), and they are my house guests for the next couple days. Jay will walk with us in the mornings, and he will join us for ROMEO breakfast on Tuesday. Mike called this afternoon, he is threatening me with an intervention if I don't curb my clock buying. I have tried three of the four clocks I got yesterday, they don't work. Two more to go, but I will be visiting the clock shop later this week. Wish me luck!

Volume 17 - Day 67/298, 2025 - Saturday

The logical thing would be that I just quit going to estate sales, but I am pretty sure that is not going to happen. Next on the list of logical things for me to do, would be to quit buying clocks. That is a possibility, for sure. I have no more room for clocks in the Curious House. This happened today: I was doing just fine at the first three estate sales we went to, I had spent $6 and I was feeling pretty good about everything. Then we got to the last sale, and there were a bunch of clocks. And everything was half price. I figured out what the half price would be on the four clocks (three wall clocks and one mantel clock), and made them an offer for less. The lady did not bat an eye, and she said okay. PLUS, she knew who I was, which kind of freaked me out. She is also a REALTOR®, but she also said she worked at the Holiday Inn I worked out when I transferred here from New Orleans. I think it is weird that she remembered me after 40 years, but I guess that stuff happens. I do not remember her at all. And then, she asked me if I wanted the 'grandfather' clock, and if I did, she would give it to me for free. Well, hell, I couldn't pass that up, and I am pretty sure the grandfather clock and the three wall clocks will live a happy life in the garage, where I have expanded my collections of 'stuff.' Yes, we did have a nice walk this morning, and a cold front has settled in now. Strong winds from the north. I do have some bluebonnets coming up in the front bed, so I am happy about that. After the estate sales, Judy, Marian and I went to a water conservation meeting in Georgetown, and I came away with a few more bluebonnets that I will plant tomorrow. I also need to clear the dead morning glories from the wall and get that area ready for passion vines. Brunch is on for tomorrow, and that will be fun. But first, I will need to get that clock out of the Buzz.

Volume 17 - Day 66/299, 2025 - Friday

The weather cannot make up its' mind about what it wants to do. It was a lovely morning for a walk, and I think we got up into the 80s this afternoon. The high tomorrow may not make it out of the 70s, 60s on Sunday and a possible light freeze one day soon. I'm kind of confused about which day that might happen. I did go in to Austin this morning, I am waiting on a couple things to be delivered, but the trip a waste, maybe next week. Tomorrow there will be four estate sales, and that is always a fun time. Tomorrow I will be putting out the humming bird feeders, and I hope there will be more hummers this year. I have two pieces of King Cake left from Jimmie and Linda, and I am pretty sure there will only be one piece left after tonight. Listen up: If you are one of my colleagues that is going to DC around the first of June, consider this...I am taking the train (The Texas EAGLE) from Austin to DC and flying back when the meeting is over. What could be more fun? The trip will take about 51 hours, including a 5 hour layover in Chicago and a train change. I'm reserving a bedroom on the train that includes a sofa and chair (transforms to two beds overnight) a sink, toilet and shower, a dedicated attendant, lounge access, priority boarding and complimentary meals. The cost of the room is for two people, so if you want to join me, I will be taking applications and conducting interviews beginning next week. I think it will be nothing but fun, and I have nothing better to do with my time. 

Volume 17 - Day 65/300, 2025 - Thursday

I just can't figure out why I am not losing any weight. Well, I guess maybe it is just old age. Probably. Yes, we had a walk this morning, and we solved a lot of the problems of the world. The walk was one of my better accomplishments of the day. Okay, I did get a few things done around the house, did a little cleaning in the garage, adjusted the cameras outside the house (so I get a better view), took an inventory of lock boxes, and apparently a couple other things that I can't remember. I did register for a meeting in DC, June 1st and return June 5th. I'm thinking about taking a train up there and flying back. I think that would be interesting. I did logon to a zoom meeting this afternoon, and after that, I made a stop at the bank and went to the post office. Tonight will be all about television, and I think Callie is feeling better. She ate breakfast and dinner today, but I think I am stuck mixing their food with scrambled eggs. We shall see. Tomorrow they go to the beautiful parlor, and I can't decide if I will go in to the office or not. The first weekend of SXSW starts tomorrow, and my annual complaint of 'the city if full of freaks' will be felt by congestion and tourists. I am a little disappointed...I found out that a couple of the prescriptions I am no taking disqualify me for donating Platelets. They said I could donate if I did not take the prescriptions 48 hours before donating. I think that might defeat the purpose of the prescriptions.Comments?

Volume 17 - Day 64/301, 2025 - Wednesday

Yes, of course, the day started off with a good walk with Paul and Richard. It is good to be back in the groove of my daily habits. After the walk, I left the house about 9 o'clock, intending to be at Paulina's by 9:30. I did not get there until 10:30. Traffic was totally screwed up, but suddenly, it opened up and (once again) there was no obvious reason why traffic (on the Interstate and the service road heading south) were so terribly backed up. That was the end of my traffic issues for the day, and I did get Paulina to the airport in plenty of time for her flight. I headed in to the office and got a few things done, and then headed back to the Curious House. Callie is still not feeling well; she did not eat any breakfast this morning, but when I mixed her food with scrambled eggs, she devoured that for her dinner. Tonight was our monthly neighbors dinner, and I count 17 neighbors in the photo accompanying this journal entry. It was great, and my newest neighbors Gena and Billy joined us too. Back home, and it is almost time to call it a day. Tomorrow should be a relatively calm day, I have a few chores to take care of, and maybe a couple zoom meetings...I really cannot tell if there is one zoom or two for tomorrow, and maybe I have duplicated the entries. I will get it all figured out, and let you know tomorrow.

Volume 17 - Day 63/302, 2025 - Tuesday

It was Raining this morning, so there was no walk. I was only planning a half-walk anyway, since I had an appointment with the cardiologist at 8:30. That also meant no ROMEO breakfast, too. I walked away from the cardiologist appointment with two different prescriptions (net zero), and four new appointments for this or that. I am consciously NOT making appointments for Tuesdays anymore, since that interferes with the ROMEO breakfasts. I might also be able to start donating platelets again, all I have to do is find out if any of the prescriptions I am now taking would make me ineligible. I also had a quick zoom meeting today, and that might be the end of stuff for the rest of the week. I am on Ombudsman duty until the 15th of March, and that is always fun, interesting stuff. I plan to go by the office tomorrow (after I take Paulina to the airport), and I will stop at the blood bank on the way home. Fingers crossed. It has been windy as hell today, although I am not sure how windy it is in hell. Sustained winds of about 35 miles an hour, and gusts of about 50 miles an hour. The wind did knock a table on the back patio over, but no real damage for me, so far. The winds are supposed to die down throughout the night, we will see. Lots of roof damage, fences down, power lines down, brush fires, all of that. I will check the roof on the Curious House tomorrow, and I feel like everything should be okay. Tomorrow night is the neighbors dinner, and those are always fun. 

Volume 17 - Day 62/303, 2025 - Monday

I'm not sure if I had a good day or not. Nothing terrible happened to me physically, but emotionally I am kind of a puddle of mush. That may be a little strong, because when all is said and done, I know that I am a really lucky man. I should quit watching the news, but I can't. In the meantime, I bought myself a 'banana stand,' after seeing one at Mike and Norma's house during my visit. Plus, I just kind of like saying 'banana stand.' Try it, say 'banana stand' five times as fast as you can. About the third time, it sounds like a foreign country that we could insult because they did not thank us appropriately. But I digress, and I understand there is a thin line separating entertainment and politics, and I think I may be erasing it. Sorry. But, how do you like my banana stand? It's a purty one fer shure! We are expecting some weather overnight and into tomorrow, and I have a doctors appointment at 8:30. That means I will only be doing half a walk tomorrow, and no ROMEO breakfast. There will, however, be a total stranger Tuesday. Stand by.

Volume 17 - Day 61/304, 2025 - Sunday

Yep, I am back home...it seems like a while, but that is all in my imagination. What is fact is, I have been gone two of the last three weeks. But, I will be home for about the next 90 days, and I am glad for that. The girls may or may not be glad for that, because I am pretty sure they get spoiled when they stay with Val, Paulina and Oliver. It was an early day, Mike got me to the airport about 9:30, the plane was scheduled to leave at 10:40, but there were delays. Oliver and Paulina picked me up at the airport, and I got home (with the girls) at about 3. Even though I would have preferred to stay in, I did get up and go to HEB for some provisions and I put gas in the white car. I did not have to worry with dinner, because Val made goulash and sent some home with me...delicious. Tomorrow I expect I will be walking, my steps has fallen off badly over the past week, but it will all work out. 

Volume 17 - Day 60/305, 2025 - Saturday

We got up this morning and took Mike's truck in to get two new tires, and then we headed off to the Lion Country Safari in Loxahatchee. Mike and Norma had been before, many years ago, and they were kind of disappointed that the animals were so sparse, but it was fun. After we did the driving part, we walked around the different exhibits. On the way home, we picked up Mike's truck, and then it was nap time. After naps, we went downtown for a little bit of shopping and then had dinner at DECK 84. I had fish and chips (two days in a row), Mike had the same, and NOrma had something delicious looking that was shrimpy and ricey. Not sure what it was. The restaurant was on one of the Intercoastal waterways, and it was great. Everything is SO green here, it will be fun, though, to get back home tomorrow. Paulina and Val and Oliver have been taking care of the girls, and she sent pictures this afternoon. After the debacle yesterday, I checked to see how many friends I had on Facebook, and so far it looks like only about 30 people unfriended me. I guess that is one way to cull the herd.