Volume 17 - Day 243/122, 2025 - Sunday

Okay, this was another crazy busy day, but it was also good and fun. We were all up by about 9 o'clock, and shortly after that, Mike and I tool Val and Paulina to the beach, where they spent several hours. We went and picked them up (not sure what time), and then it was time for a nap. After naps, we all got ready to go in to Miami, but before we left, it poured down rain. I let up while we were going to Miami, but because of the rain, everything started taking us longer than we expected. Mike had reserved valet parking at the Kaseya Center, which took us a while to figure out. Once out of the car, we walked a couple blocks to the restaurant where Paulina had made reservations. It was raining, but not raining very hard, but enough to get us all a little wet. We dried out a bit during dinner, and then we walked back to the Kaseya Center, and stood in line, in the drizzle, for about a half hour to get in to the building. We made it through security with no issues, but then we figured out the Stub Hub did not send me the tickets that I had paid for in March. The Lady Gaga concert was excellent, but I was disappointed that the seats were not those that I bought. I will take that up with Stub Hub later this week. The concert was supposed to start at 8, but I expect that since the rain was delaying everything, Lady Gaga started an hour lat. It was worth the efforts on all parties, and we had a great time. Happy to have made it back to Mike's house, and now getting ready to call it a night. Or a morning. Happy September everyone!

Volume 17 - Day 242/123, 2025 - Saturday

Today was a busy and fun day. I was surprised that I slept as long as I did, I did not get out of bed until about 9AM Eastern. We rallied and headed in to Miami. On the way, the rent car decided to threaten us with overheating, and we stopped at a Shell station to add coolant. We were at the Shell station for about 30 minutes. Apparently, the Shell station had the only operating men's room in a five mile radius, and there was a line for that. We (Val and Mike) got the coolant, Paulina called the rental company to complain (it didn't work) and I was in and out of the store part of the station buying Diet Cokes and Lottery tickets. Then, we were off again. We drove around Miami and many of its' various parts, and I enjoyed doing that. We drove past Mike's former houses that was also next door to Dick's grandfather's house on Alton Road. We got in to Little Havana for lunch, walked around, Val bought three cigars, Paulina bought some stuff, and, so far, I have only bought Diet Cokes. When we got home, it was time for a nap, but before the nap, I finished my piece of carrot cake from last night, THEN went down for a nap. It rained off-and-on, but the thunder was the best part. We had pizza for dinner, and, are you sitting down(?), we have watched football. I never watch football, but here I sit. Tomorrow will be another fun day, more about that tomorrow. 

Volume 17 - Day 241/124, 2025 - Friday

Well, it has been a pretty long day. I accidentally got up about 3 o'clock this morning, and Val and Paulina were at the Curious House at 6 and we all headed off to the airport. Several hours later, we arrived in Ft. Lauderdale, and headed off to see Mike and Norma in Delray Beach. It took us a while to try to change the language on the rent car from Spanish to English, and we actually never did figure it out, but the guy at the rent car place pushed two buttons and off we went. After we were at Mike's for a while, we headed to the beach for a few minutes, and then stopped a couple places so Paulina could buy t-shirts. After that, it was time for naps, and then we were off to a very nice dinner at a seafood restaurant. Of course, there was dessert, which I did not finish...Mike bought a giant size carrot cake, it was very good, very sweet and my requested 'small' piece was not properly translated by Paulina that was doing the serving. The rest of my piece is residing in the refrigerator. Tomorrow will be busy as well, maybe Miami, Little Havana, the beach, more t-shirts, probably all of the above. Stay tuned...

Volume 17 - Day 240/125, 2025 - Thursday

Well, the weather did not repeat today, it was 102 degrees today, and we are looking forward to cooler weather, and maybe some rain, over the weekend. I really can't think of too much that I accomplished today, but I did have another appointment with the chiropractor, and I have not had any neck pain since my first visit on Monday. I am pretty sure that I got the talent taken care of for the house concert on September 27th, so that is something. The Piglet is unhappy with me because she got her face washed this afternoon. She always looks so much better when she gets her face washed. I was going to do some laundry this afternoon, but I decided against it. When I got back from the chiropractor, Jimmie and Linda and I went in to Liberty Hill for lunch at Dahlia's. I had a turkey and avocado sandwich and onion rings. I brought half of the sandwich home with me and I am planning to finish it off later tonight. I am watching Hoarding: Buried Alive and I can tell you, that is depressing. OMFG. 

Volume 17 - Day 239/126, 2025 - Wednesday

Well, the good news is, the temperature stayed below 90 degrees today, the bad news is there has still been no rain. Spotty showers here and there, but nothing at the Curious House. I did an extra lot of nothing today, and I am totally okay with that. There was a little bit of activity today with my November flights from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia. From Ushuaia I board a boat to get to Antarctica, and it is the flights from AEP to USH and return to AEP that are all crazy. The flights have been cancelled, new flights are going to and from different airports, but I think everything has been worked out. All that did not really take a lot of time, but there was a lot of thinking involved. Thinking is not really one of my strong points. Whatever. I cooked dinner for myself tonight, too, if you think turning the toaster oven on and putting a chicken pot pie in it for 65 minutes at 400 degrees is cooking. I do. Oh, and I did finish the piece of cake Linda bought me last week in Temple (or Belton). It was delicious, but it was really a large piece of cake. But now it is no more. I went down to Jimmie an Linda's after the pot pie, and we watched the last installment of the Yogurt Shop Murders on HBO. Now I am watching something on Discovery about Spike Island in Ireland, allegedly the most haunted place in Ireland. I love all that haunted crap. 

Volume 17 - Day 238/127, 2025 - Tuesday

The photo accompanying this journal entry does not really give an accurate impression of the day I had today. Here goes... I do well to stay in the bed until 5:30, which is really more difficult than it sounds. The girls go out, and I do a few things in the office, and get ready for my walk. After the walk, the girls get fed, and on Tuesday's, I go with other ROMEOs for breakfast. Our breakfasts have waned several weeks, but I am going to do my best to revive them. For breakfast this morning, it was just me and Paul. After breakfast, I had a zoom meeting at 11, and then it was off to Austin for a couple things. First, a stop at the Austin Board to drop off some stuff, and then to the airport to pick up Paulina, who has been in Eugene, Oregon for a couple days. I dropped Paulina off at her house, and then I got 'close' to the Curious House, close enough to check the mail. After checking the mail, to see if there was anything for Richard and Marge, I headed off to the UPS store in Georgetown, to send the mail I have gathered up over the last few weeks to Richard and Marge in Illinois. On the way to the UPS store, there was a wreck on 29, so it took a LONG time to get there. That done, I DID make it to the Curious House, and soon after, Jimmie and Linda took me to my second appointment with the Chiropractor. The neck pain I have been experiencing was gone when I woke up this morning. It was really bad last night, but no pain at all today. My next appointment is Thursday. After I got cracked, the three of us headed north to Jarrell for some Mexican food...Enchiladas Verde, but the Verde was missing. It was probably my fault. At the Curious HOuse now, and it is time to call it a day... 

Volume 17 - Day 237/128, 2025 - Monday

I forgot to mention a couple things yesterday when I was doing that journal entry: My new passport was waiting for me in the mail box when I got back from Houston. That was nice, and today's mail held my passport card, so I am all set. On my way to Houston on Saturday, I used the GPS in the little white car to guide me. I used it on the way home, also, but the two routes were different. Not just a little bit, but a lot different. That makes no sense to me. I mentioned it this morning while we were walking, and the rationale I was given made even less sense, so I have no idea why, but I doubt that it was because of traffic patterns and things, it would just make more sense to me if the going and coming were the same. Remember when we used to use paper maps? The way we went was the way we returned. Whatever. I have been suffering (not too much, but) from a sore neck for the last ten days or so. I visited a chiropractor this afternoon, and, as expected (and warned by the chiropractor) it is worse after that visit. I have another appointment tomorrow afternoon, so we will see how it is then. I had a difficult time sleeping last night, but finally got to sleep. I hope it is better tonight. Here is a pitiful confession: I went looking for some plastic coat hangers this morning, I went to two different places, they did not have the hangers I was looking for. I have ordered coat hangers from Amazon, they will be here on Wednesday. Duh!

Volume 17 - Day 236/129, 2025 - Sunday

Okay, I am back from Houston, and I have attended my last BOD meeting as a Texas REALTORS® Director. I have (maybe) a couple decades as a volunteer servant for various REALTOR® associations, and I am happy for the service I have provided, but it is time to step back and watch other colleagues pick up the reins and go forward. I doubt that I am totally done, I will still serve on a committee or two here and there, but probably no more leadership roles. Probably. Kyung stayed overnight with the girls, and she goes WAY over what pet sitting entails (tails, get it) and I came home to a Curious House that was freshly vacuumed and dusted. I try to explain to her that, dust only gets so thick, but she likes doing it, and I am not one to argue. I am not sure the girls were too excited to see me return, but they became friendlier when it was dinner time. Since my jury duty was called off, I don't have a lot on my calendar this week, and I am totally okay with that. It's just fine to hang around without a lot to do...but I am pretty sure I will find something to fill up the time.

Volume 17 - Day 235/130, 2025 - Saturday

UGH...I just did d pretty good paragraph about getting my hair cut, and somehow I accidentally erased it, so now I am starting this journal entry all over again. SO...it seems that I will be getting my hair cut next week. Honestly, no one has ever told me that they liked my long hair, and honestly, no one has been afraid to tell me that they did not like it. SO...I really have no strong opinion about it one way or the other, so having no strong opinion makes it clear that I don't care if I get it cut or if I don't get it cut. Bottom line, I expect that by mid-week coming, I will again have a lot less hair than I have now. Stay tuned. I am in Houston right now, I got here this afternoon, my last Texas REALTOR® BOD meeting is tomorrow, and I will be there, finishing my job. The conference started on Thursday, but I had no duties, so I did not get here until today. I have had a nice time getting to see friends and colleagues, and Holly and I had dinner. Lots of people socializing, and that is always fun. I am back in the room, getting ready to call it a night, and hopefully, I will be back on the road before noon tomorrow, headed back to the Curious House.

Volume 17 - Day 234/131, 2025 - Friday

I had a nice morning, did a little bit of this and that, and threatened to do laundry, but I came to my senses before I jumped off that cliff. At about 1 o'clock, I took off with Linda and Jimmie to Belton to have barbecue at Miller's. That is the second time I have gone with them to this restaurant, and it is always good. Next stop: Bucee's. I did not need anything at Bucee's, but Linda was looking for a pair of flannel sleep pants for their grand daughter. I think. Not sure. Then we stopped at a bakery (can't remember the name, but it starts with the letter P). I tried to Google it, but nothing came up. Then, we were headed home. My lunch will take care of me for the immediate future, so I am not worried about dinner. At 3:30 this afternoon, I got an email about where to report for jury duty on Monday, and then at 4:01 I got an email that said my jury duty had been cancelled. Whatever. I have been called for jury duty probably four times in my life, and would like to serve on one eventually. We'll see. We did get a trace of rain this afternoon, and literally, you could count the drops on the sidewalk. 

Volume 17 - Day 233/132, 2025 - Thursday

The devil is beating his wife. Have you ever heard that expression? That is what my grandmother used to say when it was raining and the sun was shining. This morning, I attended a continuing education class not far from the Curious House, and then I went in to Austin to pick up prescriptions. On the way in to Austin, it was raining pretty hard, but the sun was shining. After I picked up the prescriptions and was heading back to Georgetown, it rained REALLY hard, and the sun was NOT shining! Anyway, I got to Georgetown, and stopped for scones at Galaxy Bakery. When I got to the Curious House, the rain slacked off, but continued to drizzle for a little while. It ended up with 1.02" in the gauge, so that is a good thing. There may be a little more overnight, we will see. Tonight was book club night, and we all like the book, I See You've Called in Dead. Book club in September will be at the Curious House, and we will be reading The Faculty Lounge. I just finished Darkenbloom, and I will read something else between now and the September book club. I have a few things in mind, but kind of looking for humor instead of tragedy.

Volume 17 - Day 232/133, 2025 - Wednesday

Oliver came over at noon and took me to lunch in Georgetown, that was very nice. We went to Gold Burger, I was not that hungry because I forgot he was taking me to lunch, and I had a generous breakfast. He also showed me his new car, and nice, red Honda Civic. He is heading off to Galveston on Saturday (I think) for his first semester at Texas A&M. He will transfer to College Station for his second year. He is a very smart man, he will major in Electrical Engineering. I think. I should pay more attention. We got back to the Curious House in time for me not to be terribly rushed to get to my 2:45 piano lesson. I did not do too badly, considering that I practiced very little since my last class. But, I still did pretty well, and I am actually learning a few things. One of the things I am learning is that the likelihood of me becoming a concert pianist is not very high. But, I am taking the lessons and I am having fun. On the way back to the Curious House, it rained a little but, not enough to inform the media, but it was a little bit of rain. I will let the sprinklers run overnight as they are scheduled, that is how much rain we got this afternoon.

Volume 17 - Day 231/134, 2025 - Tuesday

Neither one of the girls has ever shown any concern over thunder or lightning, but this afternoon, we were getting ready for a little storm, and the Piglet was not acting frightened, but she was acting oddly, and was very clingy. The three of us got in the big chair, and she calmed down. We got a little rain shower, a little bit of lightning, and a little bit of thunder. AND...a little bit of rain. 0.05" of rain, to be more accurate. It is still dribbling a little bit, but I doubt we get anything much more measurable. The only thing I accomplished today was, a little bit more work in the office, and a trip to the HEB. I had a variety of gift cards with a little bit of money on each one, so now I am down to only one gift card remaining, with a little bit of money remaining on it. Apparently, this journal entry is about a 'little bit' of a lot of things. I'm pretty impressed with this years' lemon crop. There are only three, but they seem to be ripening much earlier this year than they have in the past. I have a few things on the list for tomorrow, and I am even planning to take a quick class on Thursday.

Volume 17 - Day 230/135, 2025 - Monday

Have you ever heard of a 'rain crow?' Me either, but Jimmie mentioned it the other day, so I thought I would look it up. The yellow-billed cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus) is  member of the cuckoo family. Common folk names for this bird in the southern United States are rain crow and storm crow. These likely refer to the bird's habit of calling on hot days, often presaging rain or thunderstorms. Proof that you can learn something every day, all you have to do is to remember to investigate something you heard. I had a relatively calm day today, I did have a dentist appointment at 10:30, so I got that done, and James came over at lunch time and helped me with a video a friend of mine asked me to do. I got that sent off, and then I had a zoom meeting at 1 o'clock that I was 15 minutes logging on to, but I was there for most of it. I had a dinner from HEB (steak and potatoes that had a best by date of August 11th), but I am still here, not sick or anything. Linda and Jimmie invited me down, and we watched the third (of four) installment of The Yogurt Shop Murders on HBO. I remember a LOT about that actual crime, and it is interesting to see an interpretation of it over three decades later. Tomorrow will be calm, but I am sure I will find something to fill up the day.

Volume 17 - Day 229/136, 2025 - Sunday

I had brunch today with Candy and Terry, and that was fun, I have not seen either of them in a couple months. Schedules just get complicated. After brunch, I went to two estate sales. The first sale was not even there, the website said today from 11 til 3, but they must have sold out yesterday. I hate that. I went to the other sale, and there was nothing there that caught my fancy, so I left with nothing. On the way home, I stopped at HEB and bought a half gallon of low-fat chocolate milk, some orange juice and some cranberry juice. That's all. Once I got back to the Curious House, I did a couple things, but mostly just sat around and watched tv. I did do a few officy things, and I do have a jump on the coming week already. I have a dentist appointment in the morning, and a zoom meeting tomorrow afternoon. In the meantime, I think I will do a couple more things in the office tonight, and then go pile up with a couple girl dogs in the big chair. I have about 42 more minutes before anything interesting will be on tv, so I have plenty of time. The photo accompanying this journal entry is from one of our walks this week, not sure which day, but we have been having some pretty clouds, but still no rain. Now that I am thinking about it, maybe the photo was of a sunset, not a sunrise. I don't think it is really that important, it is pretty.

Volume 17 - Day 228/137, 2025 - Saturday

Even though it is Saturday, it has been kind of a busy day. I did half a walk this morning because I was scheduled to pick Paulina up at her house to go in to Austin for platelet donations. On the way, we stopped at Upper Crust just because we were in the neighborhood. I got cinnamon rolls and a piece of carrot cake, and Paulina got an apple cranberry pie and a cinnamon roll (I think). We both got our platelets done and I got home by about 1:30. I did go down for  nap, and I think maybe that lasted about 20 minutes. I went and picked up Paulina, Val and Oliver and we went to dinner at Maggiano's at the Domain. Very good, the calamari was excellent, and I had lasagna for the main course. No dessert, we all have plenty of dessert at home, plus Paulina sent me home with a piece of the pie. So, there is plenty of sweet stuff here for at least a couple days. No rain again, which is really disappointing, but there is alway September. Brunch tomorrow, then I may hit a couple estate sales after that. We will see.

Volume 17 - Day 227/138, 2025 - Friday

Well, I am actually kind of happy with myself today. There was a zoom meeting at 10, then I did a few things around the Curious House. About 2 o'clock, I checked the radar, and it was supposed to rain starting about 4:30, which motivated me to dig up the (allegedly) dead peach tree in the back yard, and plant the replacement peach tree. Two o'clock was not really the best time to be digging holes in the back yard, but I got it done. I even fertilized all the trees that I planted last year and today, and watered the fertilizer in a bit. I am not yet giving up on the tree that I think may be dead. I put it in a pretty good sized pot, added some potting soil and some fertilizer, and maybe it will revive with a little extra care. I hate it when plants die, but that is all part of it. I had some eggs and some salmon for lunch and dinner today, getting the bod ready for platelet donation tomorrow. Following up on the third sentence above, it never did rain, but the tree got planted anyway. The sprinklers will run overnight, so that will be good for watering the fertilizer in a little better. After the platelet donation tomorrow, I expect to come home, take a nap, and then go off to dinner with Paulina, Val and Ollie. Then Ollie heads off to college next week.

Volume 17 - Day 226/139, 2025 - Thursday

I think I am getting more used to this 'retirement' gig as I go along. I really believe the 'retirement' was not effective until July 15th, which is when the office was totally cleaned out and our tenant moved in. Now, I do not really need or have any reason to go in to Austin, except for social or volunteer things, which is pretty nice. Jimmie joined us for our walk again this morning, and I think he may join us as we go now, which is fun. After that, I got the girls to the beautiful parlor at 10 o'clock, then I came home and called Marian to get the name of the nursery I bought three trees from last fall. The two peach trees really have not thrived, so I went and got some advice, and another peach tree to replace the one I suspect is dead. I am not actually going to give up totally on the 'dead' tree, but I am going to replace it in the ground. We shal see how this all works out. Then it was time to go and get the girls, and Jimmie and Linda invited me to go to Bon Aire for shrimp and pork kabobs. After the shrimp and kabobs, we kind of wandered around north Austin for a while, and now home, got the girls fed, and getting ready to call it a night. I have a quick zoom tomorrow, and I might (or might not) think about planting the new peach tree.

Volume 17 - Day 225/140, 2025 - Wednesday

We have a new walker with us...Jimmie joined me and Paul this morning, so that was fun. He is just a little bit concerned that we walk seven days a week, but I think he enjoyed the walk. The zoom meeting that was originally scheduled for this morning was cancelled yesterday, so that was good. The window washers were here just before 8, and they were here until about noon. All the windows, inside and outside, all the screens and the solar panels. All clean. After they left, I went and ran errands in Georgetown, but before I left, Gina called and said she was at Burger King, did I want anything? Whopper, minus pickles and tomatoes, cut in half. Please. I ate the fries (lagniappe) before I left to run errands, and I had the Whopper for dinner tonight. I took a couple prints to be framed, stopped at Galaxy Bakery, put gas in the little white car, and made a quick stop at Academy. Jimmie and Linda invited me down for bits and bites, and to watch the second installment of The Yogurt Shop Murders on HBO. Half-way done, two more episodes. Tomorrow the girls are going to the beautiful parlor, plus, I will set the trash and recycling at the curb tomorrow morning. These Queen butterflies look like Monarch's, but they aren't. They like milkweed (which I have planted and potted in the back and front), and they are plentiful. Fun seeing them, usually there at least a half-dozen in the back when I go out with the girls.

Volume 17 - Day 224/141, 2025 - Tuesday

Well, I had a really, REALLY good, productive and rewarding committee meeting today at the Austin Board of REALTORS®. The meeting started at 8:30, and ended about 2 o'clock, but honestly, it was one of the best meetings I have participated in this year, all the members of the committee worked hard and long, and we did some really good work. and yes, I am bragging about it. If any of the committee members are following this journal, thanks for everything, we did good today. I ran one errand on the way home, and that leaves me with a couple errands to get accomplished tomorrow. Tomorrow is the day I am having the windows washed at the Curious House, and the zoom meeting that was scheduled for tomorrow has been cancelled. SO...I just found about three or four hours that I did not have earlier today. Perfect! That leaves me with just one zoom meeting on Friday, and I can handle that. August 12, 2013. On that date, Joy and I were legally married in Glastonbury, Connecticut. We had lots of friends with us, and Bruce and Melody outdid themselves hosting us. I cannot put into words how important that date will be to me for the rest of my time. Thanks for letting me share that with you. 

Volume 17 - Day 223/142, 2025 - Monday

My latest compulsion is to eat more red meat and green vegetables. The reason is to try and eat some foods that will promote my platelet production. Last week, I went to HEB and bought a few different fresh green things; spinach, Brussel sprouts, asparagus. I am not a wiz in the kitchen, and I almost killed myself eating the Brussel sprouts raw, even though I had cut them up into quarters. I thought I was going to die. Relating that story to Linda and Jimmie, Linda wondered why I had not just bought frozen vegetables. Well, the answer to that is, I never thought of it. SO...today I went to HEB and bought some frozen vegetables, and I will explore how to 'cook' some of them tomorrow. I am not sure I am up to the task. Other than going to HEB, I did a few things around the Curious House today, trimming some bushes in the front yard, repotting a plant that lives in my bedroom, and making another list of what I need to be working on, just so I will know what I need to do without actually doing it. I have a full day meeting tomorrow, I'm having the windows cleaned, inside and out, and the solar panels cleaned on Wednesday, the girls are going to get beautified on Thursday, and a zoom meeting on Friday. That pretty much covers it.

Volume 17 - Day 222/143, 2025 - Sunday

When paul and I were walking this morning, we passed a lady walking her Great Dane. A while later, we crossed paths with her again, and there were two loose dogs with her. We got the owners name off the dogs tags, and called, and she eventually came and retrieved the dogs. That is the short version of the story, there is a longer version, but the longer version even bores me, so I won't bother you with it. One interesting thing is, the lady with the Great Dane is here from Ukraine. I hope I see her again sometime, she was very nice and I would like to talk with her at some point. After the walk, I did a few mundane things around the Curious House, and did not really get motivated to do much of anything until abot 3 o'clock, when I decided that my urges for jelly beans was stronger than my desire to stay in the big chair with the dogs. I ended up going to three different places, looking for jelly beans, but I have two packages now, and have yet to open them. I doubt I will make it through the night with both packages still sealed. I scrambled eggs tonight for me and the girls, and then Jimmie and Linda and I went for ice cream. We are in discovery mode, because our ordinary place to go have changed owners, and it is not the same as it was. We ended up in Leander for ice cream, and it was very good, home made (store made). There is always Baskin Robbins. Nothing at all on the calendar tomorrow, and Paul is not walking, but I expect everything will work out just fine.

Volume 17 - Day 221/144, 2025 - Saturday

We (Marian, Diane and Paulina and I) hit five estate sales today. They were not particularly exciting, but I bought a few things. I don't think Paulina bought anything, and that is always kind of unusual. Usually, we all walk away with something. This morning, Mike sent me a photo of a print he had framed that we got while we were in Europe. That has motivated me to get my copy and one other print (from Paris) framed, but I was not motivated enough to drive in to the frame shop in Georgetown to start the process. That is likely something I will do Tuesday or Wednesday of next week. I may check out estate sales this coming Friday or Sunday; Paulina and I are doing our platelet donations on Saturdays now, so we do that every two weeks or so. Are you following politics in Texas? It is just as bad as politics nationally, just more personal. Okay, well, I don't know how I cannot consider national politics personal, maybe the word I am searching for is, Texas politics are just more _________. Feel free to fill in the blank for me. Maybe more personal because I actually know some of our elected officials personally. I know for sure, I would be much better off if I could just turn off the news channels, and not pay attention, but it is all like a car wreck, and I just can't turn away from it.

Volume 17 - Day 220/145, 2025 - Friday

Yes, I am relatively certain that today is Friday, I figured that out yesterday. I had a couple bursts of energy today, and got the morning glory vines cut back, and what is left up in the tree are wilting and won't be a threat to the tree any longer. I expect I may need to cut the vines back one more time this year, but that is okay, I like the flowering of the morning glories. I did a couple other things around the Curious House today, registered for a meeting in Las Vegas for next February, and made a hotel reservation for that meeting. I will fly in to Las Vegas, and the plan will be to take the train back. Las Vegas to Denver to Kansas City to Austin is the route, I think. Oliver figured that out for me. This afternoon, Paulina and Oliver came over and we went in to Georgetown and had burgers, and he figured out the route home from Las Vegas on the train. I thought I might have to go from Las Vegas to Dallas and then to Austin, but the route Oliver found sounds more interesting. And, trains are all about interesting, in my opinion. The Piglet is not happy with me right now, she is never happy with me when she gets her face washed, but that is just the way it is. Today was another hundred degree day, our ninth of the year, compared with 32 last year of of this date. Honestly, we have had a pretty mild year, heat wise. We could use some more rain, but we can always use more rain.

Volume 17 - Day 219/146, 2025 - Thursday

I just figured out that today is Thursday, not Friday. Dangit! I did a little bit of paperwork this morning, and then took a little drive to CVS to pick up a prescription. I have really, REALLY been wanting to stop at either What-A-Burger or McDonald's for a couple burgers, but so far I have resisted the temptation. I am not sure how long I will be able to resist, but so-far-so-good. I did look at estate sale listings earlier, and it looks like there are five in the area. I may stop by a couple tomorrow, but for sure on Saturday. I was invited down to Jimmie and Linda's for dinner; she had home-made soup and cornbread, there is not much better than that. After soup, we watched the first installment of The Yogurt Shop Murders. I remember them very well, it was back in 1991, and I had lived in Austin for about five years. It was something unimaginable to happen in Austin, and it is still hard to think about. The documentary is putting stuff out there that I was not aware of, but it is well done. Three more episodes. If you have a Trader Joe's close by you, you need to make a special trip to pick up some of this ice cream. Billy and Gina introduced me to it a couple weeks ago, and I am spreading the ice cream gospel. You won't regret it. And look at the Google reviews! Crazy!

Volume 17 - Day 218/147, 2025 - Wednesday

I had a ten o'clock meeting in Austin this morning, and it was a good, fun, informative meeting. Always nice to see peeps that I don't see often enough any more. After the meeting, I stopped at the blood bank to redeem the coupons that Paulina and I got last week for a quart of Blue Bell. We did not take them last week because they would have melted on the way home, so I took in a cooler and some ice packets to help them survive the trip. I took them both and dropped them off with Oliver, since I really don't need MORE ice cream in the Curious House. Once I returned to the Curious House, I piled up with a couple girl dogs, turned on the tv, and took a nap. I got up after the nap, went and collected the mail, and made a quick trip to the bank. While I was eating a banana for my dinner tonight, Gina (my neighbor) texted me, asking if I was home and if she could bring me some pizza. The answer was 'Hell, yes!' and now I am set for at least the next three days. I just scrolled through the channel guide, and it looks like tonight will be yet another televised wasteland; hundreds of channels and nothing really worth watching. I was reviewing the invoice from the VW place, no charge for anything, and I notice they also completed the second recall issue. Interesting, because when I made the appointment last week, they told me they could only make one recall repair, and did not have the parts for the second recall. But, I guess they found the part but did not think it was important enough to tell me. Or, the other possibility is that they just faked it.

Volume 17 - Day 217/148, 2025 - Tuesday

Today was another busy day, but it was busy with fun stuff. I have been working on a list of chores, and I got a few things marked off; I rescheduled a cardiologist appointment in September, printed out a list of things I need to pack for my trip to Antarctica, ordered several things that I can 'rent' for the trip and don't have to buy, picked up the Buzz with no fanfare (don't ask), went to Costco, Home Depot and had lunch at Garbo's in Austin, all those last three things with Linda and Jimmie. After lunch, and trying (but not really succeeding in taking a nap), I was able to order the running boards for the Buzz. They are finally available, the European versions were available, but not the US versions. The US versions a longer, the US Buzz is bigger. Anyway, the running boards are made in Italy, and they should arrive in the US in early September. And, they are subject to tariffs, so there is that extra expense. Ugh. Lunch was relatively substantial, and it was Cod, very similar to the last dinner Mike and I had in the hotel we stayed in at Heathrow before returning to the US a few weeks ago. Very good. 

Volume 17 - Day 216/149, 2025 - Monday

So, Paul was not able to walk this morning, so I did a solo walk. It was interesting, there was really nothing new to see, a couple new people to chat with, and just an overall nice walk. After the walk, I had an appointment to take the Buzz in for a recall. There are actually two recalls, the dealer (not where I bought the Buzz) does not have the parts to correct one of the recalls, and the other recall is a software update. My appointment was at 9:30, I was there by 9 o'clock, and I still don't have the Buzz back. There are three possible scenarios working here: Volkswagen is incompetent and can't get their shit together, (2) the dealer is incompetent and can't get their shit together (that is who gets my vote), or (3), I expect more than mediocrity from products that I buy and that is an unreasonable expectation. Whatever. Once I got home this morning, I had a nice meeting and I think it was very productive. Most recently, Jimmie and Linda and I just got back from having ice cream, and that is always fun. Tomorrow is the ROMEO breakfast day, and I am looking forward to that. I am really good at eating!

Volume 17 - Day 215/150, 2025 - Sunday

Today, for (at least) the third time in my long and very interesting life, I signed up for piano lessons. I have played clarinet (third grade), drums (ninth grade) and trombone ( tenth and eleventh grades). I never did learn how to read music, but I was always good at faking it. I have often said that I was not denied very much as a kid, but for some reason, I was never able to convince my parents that I wanted to take piano lessons. I took my first lesson when I was living in Memphis in the 1970s. Then, in 2020 at the start of Covid, I bought a piano and took on-line lessons. That did not last long, but I still have the piano. So, today I took a thirty minute introductory class for 'adult' beginners. I think that is code for 'old people.' SO, beginning in a couple of weeks (because of previous commitments and instructor vacations) I will take a 45 minute in-person class every week, for at least six weeks. I actually learned a couple things today that I had never known before, so...so far so good. Paul and I had a nice walk this morning, it wasn't too hot but it was about 3000% humidity, which made things a little uncomfortable. After the piano lesson, I did a couple things around the house, including a load of laundry. Then, I took off to pick up Val and Paulina, and we went to have dinner at an Indian restaurant in Round Rock. The food was good, the service was horrible! The morning glories seem to be blooming very nicely at the top of a tree across the stone wall in the back yard, but, sadly, I will have to cut those vines back, I don't want to take a chance of these vines suffocating the tree. Dang it!

Volume 17 - Day 214/151, 2025 - Saturday

Okee-Dokee then... Today turned out to be kind of a full day of stuff. I only did half a walk this morning, because I needed to be in Austin at 10:15. Paulina and I are doing platelets together now, so we had our appointments at 10:15. I left the house about 9 o'clock and went to pick her up, and we got to Austin with a little extra time, so we stopped at Upper Crust for take-home cinnamon rolls. I set for breakfast for the next couple days, anyway. After platelets, I made it home in time to take a quick nap, and I was surprised that we got a nice little afternoon rain, about four-tenths of an inch, and we will take what we can get. After that, a bunch of us went to the ConcertDome in Austin (kind of by the airport, Billy), and I rode with my neighbors Billy and Gina. It was fun, interesting, not as expansive as the Sphere in Vegas, but fun. The program tonight was Beatles on Strings, and I think we all enjoyed it. I'm (almost) always ready to try new things, and this one was fun. I was amazed a few times that four instruments (2 violins, a cello and a viola) could be so full of music. It was good, you should try it. Now, home, journaling and waiting on my pizza to finish in the toaster oven. I have a couple things on the schedule tomorrow, but it won't be as packed as today.

Volume 17 - Day 213/152, 2025 - Friday

I cannot think of too many times (I can't remember any) that I have gone to estate sales on a Friday. Even more confidently, I cannot think of a single time that I have paid full price for anything at an estate sale. Generally, I will go on Saturday, scope things out, and then go back on Sunday when stuff is half-price. Whatever I had my eye on, it will still be there, or not. No big deal. I spied something at an estate sale the other day (on the preview page), and it was something I was very interested in buying. See the photo accompanying this journal entry. The carving on the right is something that came in to my life from Jody. It is actually a music box, and the figure whistles Ach Du Lieber Augustin. The one on the left is what I saw on-line, and now it belongs to me. It is not a music box, the lamp does not light, but I am happy that it was there when I got to the estate sale 30 minutes after it opened. It did not have a price tag on it, but I paid the $28 they asked for it, and was very happy. On the way home, I stopped at HEB for a few things, and decided I was close, so I might as well go by the donut place. Later in the afternoon, I had a couple errands to run, and it sprinkled a little bit, but nothing at the Curious House. Tomorrow morning I will go and donate some platelets and plasma with Paulina, and tomorrow night I will check out the ConcertDome in Austin. It looks kind of like the Sphere in Las Vegas, I will report back tomorrow evening.