Volume 17 - Day 212/153, 2025 - Thursday

I turned today in to a busy day, even though it did not need to be. Walking with Paul this morning was good, and I have decided that, unless I mention that I DID NOT WALK, you should assume that I did. I think mentioning it every day is likely too repetitive. Remember. Anyway, I did a couple things around the Curious House, just little things that are totally inconsequential. What took the most time was, learning a couple phrases in Nepalese. I go to the same convenience store to get my lottery tickets a couple times a week, and a couple of the people working there are from Nepal, so now I am working on learning things about Nepal, and trying to learn just a couple conversational things. Namaste! Then, I decided to renew my passport on line. It is not expiring until July of 2026, but I got a notice from the gummint that I could renew on line. It takes about six weeks to be processed, and I have about 14 weeks before I need it, so I went ahead and did it. Parts of the on-line process was not particularly intuitive, but I got it done. Which also meant I had to go to Walgreen's to get a new passport photo. For that occasion, I tied my hair back and just in case I make substantial follicle changes in the future. I figure I can likely cut my hair in the future, or not, but the passport pic shows the hair puled back. You can see the photo several lines up from where you are reading now. Tomorrow I am going to hit estate sales, and on Saturday I changed my platelet donation to the morning instead of the afternoon, so I won't be stressed about getting to the concert on Saturday night. Everything is working out just fine!

Volume 17 - Day 211/154, 2025 - Wednesday

Just to be clear, there is no such thing as TOO MANY hummingbird pictures. I was sitting on the back steps this afternoon, and this guy was hovering about two feet from my head. He then went to the feeders, and for a brief time, there were two or three arguing over who owned the territory. I am not sure if anyone really won the disagreement, I really don't think so. It was a lovely morning for a walk, which translates to the fact that the humidity level is really low. I think that will end tomorrow, but it was lovely today. I even sat out on the back deck this morning and read the newspaper. Ye, I still have a subscription to three (3) newspapers, I am that old! I had some errands to run...Home Depot and Target, and I got that done by about three o'clock, and then I went to dinner with Linda and Jimmie. They may be leaving for Tennessee tomorrow or the next day, one of their close family is ill, and they want to go for a visit. I don't think there is too much for me to accomplish for the rest of the week, I will check out estate sales tomorrow, donating platelets on Saturday with Paulina, and going to a concert on Saturday evening. Interesting how everything gets clumped up together.

Volume 17 - Day 210/155, 2025 - Tuesday

This is what my neighbors, Gina and Billy, brought me last night. Mississippi meat balls, mashed potatoes and fresh green beans. If they ever move, I need to sue for possession of the pie plate. It's interesting, I return the pie plate and a couple days later, they bring it back filled up with food. I like the way that is working out! I had a nice walk with Paul this morning, but we decided to not have a ROMEO breakfast. I think we need to get back in that groove pretty soon, or we won't know how to do it. I did some paper work at the Curious House today, and that was a good thing. The Piglet is not happy that she got her face washed, and I trimmed the hair on her ears. I have no idea what she had done, but they were kind of botch3ed on the ends, and brushing did not clear the tangles. The scissors did a fine job. We had another 100 degree day today, just the fourth one this year. We have a couple more expected in the next week or so, but so far it has not been a bad year, weatherwise or otherwise. SO, I just finished dinner, it was really good Gina, and I think I will go and finish off the half-an-apple-pie I bought last week. Somebody has to do it.

Volume 17 - Day 209/156, 2025 - Monday

So, if it is on the Internet, it has to be true. Accurate? Whatever. I checked with Mrs Google about canned tuna, and how long past the 'best by' date is still okay. Here is what she said: Canned tuna fish in water can often be eaten indefinitely past its 'best by' date, as long as the can remains intact and properly stored... The 'best by' date primarily indicates peak quality, not saety, and canned foods are designed to be shelf-stable. Whatever, but I am still undecided about what to do with the canned tuna fish (in water) that has a 'best by' date in 2012. If you feel strongly about this, let me know. If I wake up dead, ask the coroner to look in the pantry. It was a good morning for a walk, but the walks are very warm and very humid. We will think fondly of these days in December and January when we are very cold. Otherwise, I did not do a lot today. There were several items on my chore list that I got finished, and there are a few more still to be done, but nothing major. I did go to UPS this afternoon and sent Dick and Marge some mail, and that was about it. Tomorrow is the ROMEO Breakfast, and it has been a while since I played, but as of now, I am in. I paid full price for this person ($44), not sure who she is, not even really sure if she is a she, but I apparently thought I needed her, and now I need to find the perfect spot. Or just a spot.

Volume 17 - Day 208/157, 2025 - Sunday

If you know me at all, or if you follow this journal for any length of time, you know that I really don't pay attention to the 'Best By' dates on stuff in the pantry. BUT...even I paid attention to this date on cans of tuna (packed in water) in the pantry today. Nope. Not gonna do it. Wouldn't be prudent. As much as I hate it, I think I will discard these items this week so I am not further tempted. Overnight, we received 0.02" of rain, little more than a trace, and there is a little talk on the local news tht we might get a little more shortly, but it does not seem promising to me. We did have a good walk this morning, and after that, I watered plants outside, changed the faulty smoke detector (I don't think that was the issue), and did a few other things around the Curious House. I did participate in a couple naps with the girls, and took a trip to HEB as well. I made reservations for going to see Lady Gaga late in August. I am flying in and taking the train home. Why not? I don't think I have a lot on my schedule this week, but I might be wrong. I usually don't know what I am doing until the day before, and that has been working for me, so no reason to change it up now. I just took a peek, and there is nothing terribly important on the calendar, so I think it will be kind of a calm week. Lucky ne!

Volume 17 - Day 207/158, 2025 - Saturday

It was a n ice morning for a walk, and James joined me and Paul. The clouds were really pretty, and I hope you enjoy this photo I am including with this journal entry. I spent a little time with my calendars this morning, making sure I have everything that needs to be on the calendars ON the calendars. Miami in late August, Antarctica in November, Playa over Christmas, and a cruise in February. I still have a few spots to fill for house sitting, but I think it will all work out. When I return from Miami, I am trying to decide if I want to shut up and book the four day train ride from Delray Beach to Austin or fly home. To be practical would be to fly, but I think taking the train will be fun, but expensive. I am close to making the decision. We had seven estate sales this morning, and by the time we were finished, we were all tired. I got home, had some pizza and went down for a nap. There was a little bit of rain this afternoon, nothing to get too excited about, so the sprinklers will run tonight. I ordered three smoke detectors from Amazon the other day, and they arrived this morning, so I expect I will replace the bad one tomorrow. I don't think it will be any big deal to replace it. At least I don't think it will. Otherwise, there is nothing on the calendar for tomorrow, I do think I may go back to a couple of the estate sales, 75% off is kind of interesting. I'll let you know. Paulina, Val and Oliver went to see Eddington this afternoon, Paulina thinks it was a satire, I am still thinking about it.

Volume 17 - Day 206/159, 2025 - Friday

Today was one of those things that I decided to do stuff, and it all worked out okay. After the walk, I had a ten o'clock appointment, and that went with no issues. I had thought earlier that I would go see a movie, and so I did. I get free movie tickets now and then for donating blood/platelets/plasma, so I used one. Several that I had were expired (last year) but I still had more left that were still good. I went to see Eddington, which was nothing like an earlier review that I had read. Here is the most accurate review I have seen, During the COVID-19 pandemic, a standoff between a small-town sheriff and mayor sparks a powder keg as neighbor is pitted against neighbor in Eddington, NM. That is pretty accurate, and an earlier review said the movie was a 'comedy/western.' No. It. Isn't. But it was good, critically acclaimed, and I would recommend it, if you were to ask. During parts of the movie, I decided I was not old enough or smart enough to understand it, but now I am pretty comfortable with it. After the movie, Paulina and Oliver came over and we went in to Georgetown for dinner, and then made a stop at Costco. Now I don't need to go to Costco for another month, and I am okay with that. I don't have a lot of stuff planned for the weekend, but there are seven estate sales tomorrow, and that will be fun. The second half of the Billy Joel documentary comes on in 15 minutes, and I am happy that Paulina mentioned it earlier, because I had already forgotten about it. The first half was on last last Friday. I expect it will be worth remembering.

Volume 17 - Day 205/160, 2025 - Thursday

I love it when nature defies all the odds and wins out. This pretty flower is growing from a little bit of an expansion joint in the middle of one of Moe and Yo's (pronounced Jo) garage doors. I did not notice it yesterday, but there it was this morning during our walk. I'm not sure how I could have missed it until today, but I did. After the walk, I had a nice o'clock zoom meeting, and then I chilled out for a while before my 1 o'clock dentist appointment. I thought today would be my last day of all the major stuff I am in the middle of, but no, at least two more appointments. Things are seeming to go a lot slower than they used to, but it is okay. I have another appointment in three weeks, and then at least one more before I get on the twice a year routine. After the dentist, I went and got a pizza and some cheese bread at Little Cesar's. I should have gone to Domino's, but I thought Little Cesar's could use the money more than Domino's. I am kind of disappointed with my craving crashing. Dang it! So, not a lot more to talk about, I have only one appointment tomorrow, and nothing much planned for the weekend. Paulina is coming over tomorrow afternoon and we will go somewhere and have dinner. Val will be working, not sure if Oliver will be joining us or not. It hit 100 degrees here in central Austin, the first time this month, and the first time since May. It has been a relatively mild summer season, and I have no problems with that. There may actually be a little bit more rain over the weekend, fingers crossed.

Volume 17 - Day 204/161, 2025 - Wednesday

Today was kind of a busy and a productive day. Yes, there was a walk, and then I had an 8:30 appointment at the house, and that went well. I changed the batteries in all the smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors, there are eight of those in the house. I think I need to replace one of the smoke detectors, it just does not seem to be working, and I have tried a couple different batteries, so I know it is not that. Home Depot will get a visit from me later this weekend. Late afternoon, my neighbor Billy came over and we trimmed the tree in front of the house, all that is done now, and I can mark that off my list. Tomorrow, I have a couple appointments, a zoom at 9 o'clock, and the dentist at 1. Hopefully that will be my last visit to the dentist other than just the ordinary six month visits. I need to get back into that groove. The photo accompanying this journal entry is what was left of the carrot cake I bought last week, and what was left is no longer left. I needed to finish it off so I could put the container in the recycle container, even though recycling will not get picked up until next week. Whatever. BUT, that makes at least three things I finished today. Not too bad!

Volume 17 - Day 203/162, 2025 - Tuesday

I really can't express how excited I am at the chance to be chosen for jury duty. I'm not kidding. In all my years, I have been called twice, never been chosen, but now is my chance. When following the directions 'by completing the questionnaire,' the wilco.org eResponse site complained that my email address was not valid. So I tried another email address. Nope, not valid. I guess I will make a phone call tomorrow, because I am pretty clear about what my email addresses are. I will report more tomorrow. Paul and I had  nice walk this morning, but no ROMEO breakfast. I had a lunch meeting at the Austin Board, so I thought it best to take the breakfast time to make myself beautiful for the lunch meeting. Sorry to say, it didn't work, but I did make it to the luncheon, and got to hang out with a bunch of my friends, most were Past Presidents of the Austin Board. I was chair in 2014. After the lunch, I headed home and stopped for a few errands, and got home about 2 o'clock. I have an early appointment tomorrow, and maybe after that I will get the tree in the front yard trimmed off the house. Maybe.

Volume 17 - Day 202/163, 2025 - Monday

Not a bad day at all, I started with a nice walk with Paul, and then after some breakfast and (maybe) a nap, I went out and trimmed the suckers off the Crepe Myrtle. I have to trim the tree on the other side of the house in the next day or so, it is on my list. I did get a few errands taken care of, including a stop at the bank, but nothing serious or excruciatingly difficult or physically challenging. I do get a few things done now and then, and nothing as critical as before the last week. Looking back, I am not too sure that anything I did was that critical, and I am pretty confident that no one will recall anything I have done in the past several years. True dat! I do have a couple appointments tomorrow, and one or two for the rest of the week. I keep threatening to go to a movie, I have heard a lot of interesting things about Eddington, and it is being advertised as a comedy/western. Hmm. I doubt it is the next Blazing Saddles, but I am planning to see it this week. I have heard reviews on NPR and there were a lot of good comments about it in the New York Times yesterday. I will let you know what I think of it after I see it. I think the hummers like the home made syrup over the store bought syrup, and I am proud that they are hanging around more since I made the change. I actually saw three of them fighting over the feeders the other day, and I think that is a good sign.

Volume 17 - Day 201/164, 2025 - Sunday

I don't think the sun was visible at all today, not sure, but if it was, it was early this morning. Paul and I had a good walk, and after that and a little breakfast, we settled in to watch Sunday Morning. Before I did anything else, I potted a sweet potato vine that one of my neighbors brought me yesterday, and I think it is going to become happily rooted in its' new pot. I decided to go to the two estate sales I didn't go to yesterday, and did not buy anything. That was okay, it was a nice ride out in to the country, places I drove to regularly when Jody and I lived in the country. When I got home, I did a little of this-and-that, but nothing overwhelming. I think tomorrow, I will go in to Austin and investigate some volunteer opportunities, starting with the blood bank. I already feel comfortable there, I already know many of the people there, so I think it will be a good fit. I am thinking I could volunteer two days a week, maybe one in Austin and one at an organization in Georgetown. I used to do Meals on Wheels, but not sure if I want to go that way right now, but I will think about it. 

Volume 17 - Day 200/165, 2025 - Saturday

It was a good morning for a walk, and James joined me an Paul, and it was good to see him. After the walk, I fed the girls and myself, and shortly after that it was time for estate sales. It was just me and Judy H, and we hit three sales. I think Judy spent a total of $5, and I spent $21. I am now the proud owner of a 'throbbing heart' which sounds much better than it is, but I also got a couple other things, including the pup that is the photo of this journal entry. In addition, I am apparently now a collector of Eiffel Tower models. I bought one a couple months ago at a sale, and I bought a very similar one today. Not an exact duplicate, but close. It was one of three or four at one of the sales, and now it is mine. We decided against two other sales in Weir (too far away), but I may go to them tomorrow. After the sales, I was down for a nap, and the girls invited me to join them. Once I stirred myself up, I made a visit to HEB and checked the mail. No rain again today, and I am not sure there was any expected, so the sprinklers will run starting in about 45 minutes. I need to take the girls out before the sprinklers start, because they are not really fans of getting their feet wet. I watched the Billy Joel special last night and I liked it a lot. The second half will air next Friday, let's hope I can remember it. 

Volume 17 - Day 199/166, 2025 - Friday

Let's talk about plungers. Do you have one? I thought I did, and I do now. I could not see any scenario that included me asking a neighbor to borrow their plunger. Nope, just could not comprehend doing that. SO, I went to HEB, put a plunger and some skim milk in my basket and went to check out. While in line, I saw my friend Janis, and we had a nice shake-and-howdy, and then I was on my way back home. The plunger ($17) did its' job, and if you ever find yourself in need, feel free to ask. After walking with Paul this morning, I headed in to Austin, where it was my day to donate platelets. My platelet count remains low, so I am only giving single platelets, no plasma or double platelets. I have not made my next appointment yet, I think Paulina and I are going to start going together, but in the meantime, I am going to start trying to raise my platelet levels. It means eating foods high in iron content. Red meats, leafy greens, stuff like that. And eggs, I will eat lots of eggs. I will let you know how that has all worked out next time I donate. I stopped at Upper Crust in Austin this morning, too, and got another piece of carrot cake. $4. I won't let go of the $8 piece of carrot cake for a while, just letting you know. Tomorrow will be an estate sale day, and I think it will be just me and Judy H going. Hopefully, it will be fun, and, speaking of plungers, hopefully I won't be needing that for a while. And if I do, I hope Ican remember where I put it.

Volume 17 - Day 198/167, 2025 - Thursday

Let's talk about carrot cake. The survey says, I should not have paid $8 for the carrot cake slice. Understood. I went to the web site of the place I bought the cake slice, and their on-line menu says a slice of carrot cake is $5.25. I still think that is kind of high, but I am not sure I have any fight in me for $2.75 plus tax. Probably not. However, I will not recommend the place to anyone...well, the cake was not awful, so I will probably tell peeps to just pay attention to the menu. Whatever. It was a beautiful day in central Texas, no rain, just a lovely, sunny (and warm) day. The girls enjoyed their time outside, and I am working on my list of chores for the weekend. There is a tree in the front that needs to be trimmed back some, and that is the most important thing on the list. I may do a little bit of this and that, but nothing overwhelming. I will be going in to Austin tomorrow. I have an appointment to donate platelets at 10:45, and I expect to be done with that by 1:30 or so. Then I may make a couple stops here and there, before heading home. I am pretty sure the girls think I am a permanent accessory to them now, and we all take plenty of naps. There are three, maybe five, estate sales for the weekend, depending on how adventurous we want to get. We should get those knocked out by about noon. 

Volume 17 - Day 197/168, 2025 - Wednesday

Once again, I find that I am fiscally out of touch with reality. More about that further into this journal entry. I was up a little bit earlier than usual, I needed to get some things done before I headed in to Austin. I had a series of chores to get done, and I was on a mission. I had a 10:45 appointment to notarize a couple signatures, and that went with no issues. I stopped to pick up prescriptions, and then I was on a mission to make arrangements for a luncheon on Friday. That took a while, but before I could get it done, I had lunch with Holly. She is one of the busiest people I know, and busy people always seem to get everything done. That is always the case with Holly. After lunch, I did get the luncheon details taken care of. and I am happy with that. I got home about 2:30, and took a litle nap, and then this evening, there was an HOA meeting at 6:30. I am pretty sure that takes care of everything on my calendar until Friday, when I have an appointment to donate platelets. That is always fun, and I like the folks there. Oh yeah, the fiscally out of touch with reality piece. While I was working on lunch details, I saw several pieces of carrot cake at one of the places, so I decided to buy one and take it home. EIGHT DOLLARS. $8 for a piece of carrot cake. When did that happen? First I said never mind, then I said what the hell, maybe that is how much a piece of carrot cake costs these days. Is it?

Volume 17 - Day 196/169, 2025 - Tuesday

I think it is pretty interesting that, other than walking in the mornings, I have not left the Curious House for the last couple of days. Okay, I have gone outside with the girls, and I have gone to check the mail on both days, but that is it. Tomorrow, I will have a couple chores to take care of in Austin, so that will be an adventure. I am also looking in to volunteer opportunities in the Georgetown area. I used to deliver Meals on Wheels, but not sure that is still a good fit for me. I will find something. In the meantime, naps are frequent, and there is lots of food that I have been consuming. I need to work on the balance. I was chastised by the Georgetown Water Department, accused of watering outside the parameters they have laid out. Actually, I am watering according to the schedule, but one of the watering periods starts late in the evening and goes into the next day. SO...even though it makes me nervous as a cat, I think I have successfully adjusted the start time so that should not happen again. Time will tell. There was no more rain today, and I don't really think there is any more rain in the seven day forecast. It is what it is, and we will cope with whatever we get. 

Volume 17 - Day 195/170, 2025 - Monday

Even though I 'sort of' retired on January 1st, I kind of think of today as my first real day of retirement. As of today, I don't have an office in Austin anymore. Carrie and I still 'have' the office, but it is leased out to another business (effective date tomorrow), and I won't be stopping by just for this or that. Plus, I am associated with another real estate company in Austin, and they have an office I can go to if needed, but I don't think it will be terribly often. I basically have everything I need to run my 'down sized' real estate business from the Curious House, and that is perfectly fine with me. I may actually be turning in to a miniature Schnauzer or a Malti-Poo, I'm not sure. Pretty much all I have done all day is to sleep with the girls, and I am pretty sure they don't mind me being here, they get lots of pets and cuddles. I was conscious for a quick zoom meeting this morning, and that was good. I also did a whole walk this morning, and that was good, and so far we have not had any more rain, but there is a possibility for some going in to the evening. My neighbor Gina brought me a home made chicken pot pie this afternoon. I have not eaten any of it yet, but it smells really good! She is on the cusp of spoiling me, and that is perfectly okay with me. Tomorrow will be the ROMEO Breakfast, which I have missed for several weeks, and I will probably take some stuff out of the house to storage. Wednesday, I have an appointment in Austin, so I will get about three or four things off my to do list while I am there. Life is good.

Volume 17 - Day 194/171, 2025 - Sunday

It rained a pretty good bit at the Curious House today. It started about 6:30 this morning, and quit about 3. The gauge at the Curious House is just over an inch, but I am not complaining about that. It was raining when Paul and I should have been walking, so there was no walk. I did make use of that time to get a few things done here and there, and then at about 9:15, Judy and Marian and I hit three estate sales. There was nothing exciting to be seen, I spent zero dollars, and I think Marian and Judy each spent $5. Val and Paulina came over right about noon, and the rain was like a monsoon. We went in to Georgetown for lunch, and I had liver and onions. After lunch, I had a nice nap, and then when the weather cleared, I went to Target (dog food, shampoo and conditioner) and Home Depot (landscape rocks). I remembered that I have bought a bar-b-cue chicken and a pound of pork ribs ten days ago (for the Fourth) and forgot about it. That was all still in the refrigerator in the garage, but I had some of it for dinner this evening. Nothing at all wrong with it, nothing anyway, that some bar-b-cue sauce won't fix. I don't have a lot planned for the coming week, I do think I will take a few things to the storage locker now and then, a little of this and a little of that. No hurry, really. The hummers seem to prefer the nectar that I am making (just sugar and water) better than the store bought stuff, so I am glad there are more of them hitting the feeders. I like seeing them. Otherwise, I just relish in the fact that I am a really lucky man...I have nothing to complain about, and so it goes!

Volume 17 - Day 193/172, 2025 - Saturday

I am extra tired this early evening as I write this, and I did very little of anything today. I did stay out for a pretty good while in the heat, so I think that is the challenge. I did half a walk this morning, I wanted to be at the subdivision amenity center at 8 o'clock to meet the We Are Blood people for our blood drive. I got there at a little before 8, and left at a little after 1. We had 37 people show up for the blood drive, and 3o of those were approved to give a blood donation. Some neighbors were too light (don't weigh enough to give blood), some had high or low blood pressure issues, others had low iron counts. My personal goal for the drive was 26 donations, so I am happy with the final number. Our next drive will be in November, and next year, hopefully, we can do this on a quarterly basis. Otherwise, the most important thing I did today was to hydrate and take a couple naps. Tomorrow we will catch up on estate sales, and at noon Paulina and Val and Oliver will come over and we will take off for lunch. Getting back in the routines is always good for me.

Volume 17 - Day 192/173, 2025 - Friday

Well, after 25 years in the office, it is vacant, ready for a new tenant to take possession on Monday, and we are all starting on a new chapter. Everything has come together, and we have two days extra to do nothing. I got stuff moved to the Curious House, to my storage locker, and even a lateral file cabinet that is in the storage locker. It is incredible how much stuff we had in that office, and where it was all hiding, I am not sure. But, it is done, and now we will all see what the future brings. I did a full walk this morning, and that is good. My knee continues to be less of a problem, and I am no longer having trouble sleeping or walking comfortably. I was in the office this morning at about 9 o'clock, and I needed to move quickly so I could be back at the Curious House for a zoom meeting at 11. After that, I took a nice nap, then took stuff to the storage locker, then a quick trip to HEB. I think I am set for a little while, grocery wise. I expect I will go somewhere this weekend and buy some dog food, and do a few things around the house. Tomorrow will be a walk, and then I will participate in a blood drive in the neighborhood, that I hope will be a big success. There are a lot of people that have worked really hard to make sure it is. Not sure about estate sales, maybe Sunday. We will see.

Volume 17 - Day 191, 174, 2025 - Thursday

Following the recent floods and damages, including loss of life and over a hundred persons still missing, a local hamburger stand, P. Terry's, chose to donate ALL profits from today's sales from its' 36 locations in Texas. I went twice today. At lunch, I waited 52 minutes in line to get my order, and then for dinner, my neighbor Gena and I went, and we were in line for two hours and 11 minutes. It was a pretty good wait, but it was worth it to support P. Terry's, and the conversation was good, too. Oh, and the fries are great. I am going to have to go more often. I did another full walk this morning, and I am pretty proud of that. The cortisone shot has really made a difference, and I am happy about it. After walking, and a raspberry scone from Galaxy Bakery (Hi, Ike!), I took off for the office. I did drop a few things at the storage unit, and then got a few more things from the office and headed back home. We are on target to have the office space ready for new tenants starting on Monday. Tomorrow I plan to be at the office at 10AM, and whatever is left, we will have hauled off the the dumpster, taken to Habitat for Humanity, of donated to an electronics salvage place. We are on target, I think. Fingers crossed. I'll let you know more tomorrow! 

Volume 17 - Day 190/175, 2025 - Wednesday

So, I did a full walk this morning, and I am glad of that. I got my ten thousand steps in for the first time in a long time, and that makes me glad, too. I went in to the office for a little while, put some stuff in the Buzz, and then I went to lunch with Michael and Lynda. It rained like crazy in Austin, and by the time I got back to Georgetown, there was not a drop to be seen. We may be in for a little rain overnight, and I hope that comes true. No matter what, I will likely never turn away rain from at or near the Curious House. I hope I am not dooming myself. I am still delighting on telling stories to my friends about the recent trip to Europe, and I expect I will be talking about it for a good well. I will likely be going back and forth to the office for the next couple days, getting a little of this and a little of that. We have new tenants moving in on Monday, so it has to get done. Overall, I am a happy man, and I know that not everybody can say that. Have a good evening!

Volume 17 - Day 189/176, 2025 - Tuesday

Still having some knee issues, so I have been doing only half-walks, but that is okay. I had an appointment with a 'bone doctor' this morning, and I was fully expecting to be told that I needed a left knee replacement. Mainly because I have been told that by the medicos for at least the last thirty years. I have been told it would be inevitable. Let me share with you some things I learned today about 'corporate' health care, and the caveat is my experience was a 90% positive one. Here we go. When I am directed to go to an appointment with a doctor (actually a PA-C) in a four story building, I need more direction than the street address. A suite number of the PA-C would be considered helpful. After determining where the PA-C in particular could be found, I stood in line for a while at 'check-in.' That seems to kind of contradict the 15 or twenty minutes that I spent doing the on-line check-in, but...whatever. On the bright side, while I was standing in line, I was able to get my 'Wordle' puzzle done, start to finish. In three tries. Once I checked in, I was directed to a spot to go sit and wait. There was a sign there that said I should be called within 15 minutes, and I was. I also think when someone comes to fetch you, they should introduce themselves. I am not opposed to asking 'who are you,' but shouldn't I know who is leading me into the bowels of this facility. The same should be said of the PA-C that came in to talk to me. I would like to know that that person is whom they said I should meet with. It is not my fault that everyones name tags are located in an inconvenient place to stare. Whatever. So, after some discussion and some poking and prodding, I was given some options, and the chosen option was just to get a steroid shot, and to see how that does. I was also told by a few friends that the steroid shot was not at all painful, but I prepared the PA-C for a high pitched scream. Didn't happen. I still have a little bit of discomfort, but not at all like I have been experiencing, so, so-far-so-good. Who knows what tomorrow will bring.

Volume 17 - Day 188/177, 2025 - Monday

I had a dentist appointment this morning at 8 o'clock, so I did not walk with Paul. I assumed the dentist scheduled my appointment so early so there would be fewer people in the office listening to me scream like a junior high school girl. Interestingly, at my advanced age, I no longer seem to be anxious about dentist appointments. For the last three visits, I have had no anxiety at all, so I hope to keep that streak running! After the dentist, I had a couple errands to run, and Mateo came by at about noon to hook up the printer I bought from the office. Total overkill, but I love that printer. A little later, I checked the mail, put up a couple flyers about the neighborhood blood drive this weekend, and then took some mail to UPS for Dick and Marge. I hope you are sitting down, because when I got home from that errand, I actually did a couple loads of laundry, so most everything in the house is clean now. Clothes I mean. We had a little bit more ran today, nothing to really speak about, and there may be a little bit more overnight. We need the rain badly, bit everything in moderations is best. Last year, we were plagued by vols, and they were certainly not welcome. This year, the bun rabbits are here and there, and this photo was taken from inside the office at the Curious House. Many people don't like the buns around, but I don't mind them a bit.

Volume 17 - Day 187/178, 2025 - Sunday

Well, it waited until late afternoon to start raining today, and that was nice of Mother Nature. It allowed me to get quite a few things done before chilling out with the girls. I got a few things straightened around in the garage, and then I headed off to my storage place. I got a few things straightened out there, and then headed in to Austin, and took a load of stuff from the office to the storage room. I met Val for lunch, and then got home and decided I did not need to do too much more, but I expect I will have another burst of energy before the day is over. A little of this and a little of that, and hopefully all the moving of stuff will be over soon. I am expecting a delivery from Amazon of a cord to connect the office printer to my stuff at the home office. That will make a big difference for me, I think. Time will tell. In the meantime, I think I will go back to the big chair, turn on something stupid on tv, and chill with the girls. More later!

Volume 17 - Day 186/179, 2025 - Saturday

Well, it rained for much of the day, but as I have said many times today, to many friends, if the Curious House gets flooded, the end of the world will be in about twenty minutes. There were evacuations at the bottom of the hill, and I think many of the people down there have returned. We were expecting more heavy rain this evening into tomorrow, but the radar shows that system may be going west of us, where they have already had plenty of rain...about three months of rain in a couple days. In the last four days, the gauge at the Curious House has recorded almost 6 inches of rain. We'll take it. This morning, I did a few things around the house, and then Diane, Marian and I made it to one estate sale. We kind of had to rethink the plan because it was raining so hard, but it was not terrible when we got to the actual house where the sale was. None of us bought anything. The photo of the South Fork of the San Gabriel River, which is at the bottom of the hill, was pretty well out of its' banks this morning, and that is the reason for the evacuations. After the estate sale, Val came over and we went in to Austin to move the copier from the office to the Curious House. Now I am set...I have a HUGE copier in the home office, but I love that copier. Tonight, Jimmie and Linda and I went to dinner, and we went to a Chinese Restaurant in Leander than none of us had tried before. I had sesame chicken and egg drop soup. Very good. Not sure what tomorrow will bring, but I expect more rain. Do you think this entry was kind of rambling? I think you're right!

Volume 17 - Day 185/180, 2025 - Friday, The Fourth of July

Happy Fourth of July to you! I spent much of my day doing things around the Curious House, including rearranging the home office to accommodate the printer from the office that I am taking over. I love that printer, and the way I have reconfigured the office will work out just fine, with the minimum of moving things around. I even vacuumed parts of the office as long as I was doing stuff. I may vacuum more another day, not sure. Around 9 o'clock, I headed in to Austin, and it was raining crazy. I expect many of you have seen news reports of all the flooding, devastation, deaths and missing people just about 50 miles west of us. That is not an uncommon occurrence here in central Texas; Nothing Breaks a Drought Like a Flood! I messed around the office for a little while, seeing if there was anything I could bring home with me (we are clearing out the office, we have leased it beginning July 15th). I move a little piece at a time, no reason to get all worked up about it. We have been in that office for 25 years, and I am not sure where all that stuff was hiding, but it will all get done. After the office, I had an appointment to donate platelets, and that is something I really like doing, and I left there about 1 o'clock. Once I got home, it was still raining, and as much as I tried, I could not get a nap in. My neighbors brought me home cooked food over, last night they brought me a quart of ice cream. I need to keep those neighbors. They either like me or think I am too ald to fend for myself. Whichever, it is okay with me.

Volume 17 - Day 184/181, 2025 - Thursday

We are getting some welcome and appreciated rain. Not a lot, but a little over a long period of time. Again, this was a busy day, beginning by being my own advocate for me. I was scheduled to get a blood draw this morning, and I was hoping to see someone about the pain I am having in my left knee. So...I went to the Georgetown office and WOW, the receptionist was nice and helpful, I got the blood draw (and the results, all within accepted ranges, and there was a doctor there that would see me about my knee. The doctor was very nice, explained tings, ordered three x-rays, and decided I had 'moderate knee osteo arthritis and bone on bone' challenges with my left knee. He gave me five days worth of Prednisone, and I have an appointment with a 'bone doctor' next Thursday. I expect I will be told that I need a knee replacement, and I have known that would be suggested for about the last three decades. Now, the only thing not figured out, is the timing of the replacement. But, maybe I am getting ahead of myself, maybe I need to wait until after the appointment to start making plans. Whatever. After that, I went in to Austin to get some things done and to pick up the prescription, and on the way home, I picked up some bbq ribs and chicken ($17.76 Special), so I am set for the Holiday. Jimmie and Linda and I went to dinner again, and I had some really good catfish. Now we are planning our next visit to Taylor for more catfish. My Holiday will include donating platelets, and doing some work to get stuff out of the office and into storage. Fun!

Volume 17 - Day 183/182, 2025 - Wednesday

I got quite a bit of stuff done today, my first day back in a couple weeks. Lots of mail to go through, lots of stuff to get sorted, lots of calls to make, and I am happy with the way the day went. I got a good nights sleep last night, so I especially enjoyed that, and I am looking forward to a repeat tonight. I did half a walk with Paul this morning, I am still having issues with my knee. I'm kind of waiting on my doctor to tell me if he thinks a cortisone shot will help, or what the alternative is. I went in to Austin for a 10 o'clock meeting, then I went by the office. We need to get everything out of the office by the 15th of the month, so there is a work session planned for Monday. I think. Whatever. I stopped at HEB on the way home, and picked up some basic groceries, and then it was about time for dinner. Jimmie and Linda and I went in to Georgetown for dinner, and Linda went through all 1,090 photos that I took in the last two weeks. Tomorrow I have an appointment to have some blood drawn, that will take a few minutes, and I am doing platelets on the 4th of July. That will be my celebration. According to the photo of the clouds that I am posting with this journal entry, they can't really decide whether it is going to rain. OR NOT!

Volume 17 - Day 182/183, 2025 - Tuesday

Okay, I am back home, and all is well. The girls seem to remember me, but you never know about these girls. I have been up since midnight-30 (Austin time), and I am going to try and get my sleep pattern back to normal. I don't think it will be too much trouble. Self-medication always works. Fingers crossed. Just to recap, we all had a great time. Five countries, more than that in the number of friends to got a chance to hang out together, and a few new friends to add to the list! I am really not going to do anything much except to watch some tv and pet the girls this evening, there is plenty of time to do other stuff tomorrow. So, for now, this is it, I will talk to y'all later!