Volume 17 - Day 304/61, 2025 - Friday

Okay, Happy Halloween everybody. I sat out on the driveway from 5:30 until 7:15 and there were three kids that stopped at the Curious House. The FedEx guys got some candy, too, but I think there were ten or twelve kids last year. I just looked out the front window, there is NOTHING going on...so Halloween is just not as popular here as it was when I was growing up. Yes, I know, everything was different six decades ago. Whatever. Dick and I did another half-walk this morning, and I did a few things after that. Marian and I hit four estate sales, they were unremarkable, I spent $16. I took it easy for the rest of the day, and I did run a couple errands this afternoon. I am pretty sure I have everything under control to leave on my trip next week, not really concerned about any of it. Tomorrow, I will pick up Paulina in the morning, and we are going in to Austin to donate platelets. It is the first of the month tomorrow, so we are both eligible to donate. I won't donate again until about the 20th. Then it will time for me to worry about Thanksgiving dinner. Val, Paulina and Oliver are going to be here, and it will be fun. Maybe a movie or something after dinner, it is still early. And it seems like trick-or-treaters are getting more mature looking every year!

Volume 17 - Day 303/62, 2025 - Thursday

It was in the 40s when I got up this morning, Dick and I did a short walk, I am not wanting to push the envelope with my back right now. I found out something absolutely terrible today; if you hurt your back, you should NOT use a heating pad on it, you should use an ice pack. Who ever heard of such a thing? Well, I have, now, and I don't like it! After walking, I had a few chores to do; I went to HEB twice, got my hair cut, and had a chiropractor appointment. More bad news; HEB is no longer selling Thanksgiving turkey dinners, so tomorrow, I will order my dinner from Costco. AND...you have to order the dinner on-line. After that, there were naps and this-and-that, and then a bunch of us from the Curious House neighborhood went in to Austin and attended a show at the ConcertDome. It was a Halloween theme, Dome of the Dead. It was my second time at the Dome, and I enjoyed it both times. It is good (IMHO) to kind of promote local musicians and local artists. The Dome is similar to the Sphere in Las Vegas, but smaller in stature, but not less professionally done. I think this should be a quarterly thing for me. They have one more night at this location, and then they will more to a new location, and they will open again on November 21st. If I'm not there on that night, maybe I will be there on Thanksgiving Eve, we will see. But it was fun, and a TREPAC event at the same time.

Volume 17 - Day 302/63, 2025 - Wednesday

So, I was up in the middle of the night, buying a heating pad from Amazon. I was at Walgreen's at 7 o'clock this morning when they opened, buying a heating pad. When I got home, I cancelled the heating pad from Amazon. Too late, it was already out for delivery. SO...at some point, when I find the heating pad that I already own and is in the Curious House, somewhere, I will have three heating pads. I told Jimmie I may go in to the wholesale heating pad business eventually. I can return the heating pad from Amazon, so that will leave me with only two. I have been sitting in the big chair with the girls most of the day, with the heating pad on my back, and I think I am better today than I was yesterday. I will try to keep it on my back overnight, just to see if I can actually do it. So...that covers most of my day. Tonight was book club night, and since it was October, we read Dracula. We are skipping November (it's a busy month), so we will do December, and the book for December is Demon Copperhead. You may have heard of it, it is a retelling of David Copperfield, set in Appalachia. The book also won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 2023. It's a LONG book, 21 hours on Audible. I think it will be a great 'listen!' Tomorrow will be a busier day, and I am getting things done for leaving on Tuesday. It's going to be a great trip, but there are still some things to get done before I leave...

Volume 17 - Day 301/64, 2025 - Tuesday

Ugh. I bent over this morning to pick up the girls bowls and threw out my back. It has happened in stranger ways that that, but I can't believe it. If it is not better by Friday, I will call the chiropractor. Can a chiropractor help with a bad back? Whatever. It was a big day for phone calls today. I spoke with ADT about when a light was flashing on both the key pads, I spoke with the newspaper people about why they said I owe them money, and I spoke with my insurance agent about plans going forward with Medicare (Part Whatever). ADT fixed something on their end, so the lights have quit flashing. The newspaper people credited my account, and the insurance agent basically just confused me. I think I settled on keeping everything the same, and expecting a rate increase of about 18% next year. At least that is what I think happened. My neighbor Gina sent me (via Billy) a great big delicious salad for dinner. I still have enough for at least one more dinner, maybe two. Okay, one. We had a cold front come through today, dry and cool. Right now it is 68 degrees outside, and I have windows open. I love having windows open. I only have about 10 more items on my list to get done before my trip, and they are pretty easy things to get done. So far, I am just piling stuff up on the bed on one of the guest rooms...it is working for me, it just doesn't look very pretty. 

Volume 17 - Day 300/65, 2025 - Monday

I have placed about nine orders with Amazon in the last 24 hours, and nothing over $25. Do you know how difficult it is to find 'pee bottles' in Georgetown? Not easy, but Amazon does not even flinch when you ask for 'pee bottles,' and they have them is dozens of styles and colors. Mine should be here tomorrow. You cannot find 'high spf lip balm' just anywhere, either. But you can on Amazon. I am of the opinion that I don't even know why I bother anymore. I refuse to buy groceries from Amazon, but that may change. I am fond of fondling the bananas, so I will still be going to HEB for the near term. My friend Nancy surprised me with a great t-shirt this afternoon, it was the only thing in my mail today that I did not shred. And then, there was a spam call from a health care provider. I was on the phone with him for 4 minutes and 43 seconds. I would not confirm who he was speaking with, because I will not say 'yes' to solicitors. Whatever, I finally tired of him, and called Nancy instead, to thank her for the t-shirt. I started the day with 22 things on my chore list, and I have 8 of them crossed off. I still have a few things to do. 

Volume 17 - Day 299/66, 2025 - Sunday

Paul and I had a nice walk this morning, it was 60 degrees, and I am all over that temperature like a hobo on a ham sandwich! The girls and I had breakfast, and then a short nap, and then I started getting things in order for my trip to Antarctica. I still have a week before I leave, but I really don't want to much anything up. I rewatched the webinar that was a couple weeks ago, started getting things together that I will pack, made a list of things I need to buy, double checked the itinerary and printed my final travel documents. I am pretty sure I will be ready when I leave. I think it is going to be a lot of fun, and I expect to meet a bunch of really neat people. I did a load of laundry as well, I will do another load before I leave. Val and Paulina will be glad to know that I washed the sheets on the bed they will have...they are staying at the Curious House while I am gone, taking care of the girls. Speaking of girls, they are doing fine, I was going to stop giving them their pain pills, since I don't think they are in any pain, but I will call the vet tomorrow and check it out with him. I don't have a lot on te calendar next week, but I am pretty sure I will fill up the days. The morning glories are doing very nicely with the cooler temperatures, and I even trimmed them back some last week, now you can see that there are rose bushes and pampas grass in that back bed. Morning glories are a little bit like kudzu when it comes to creeping and taking over. But, I like it, I just need to pay attantion to it.

Volume 17 - Day 298/67, 2025 - Saturday

We did get rain overnight, but so far no more during the late morning or afternoon. There is gossip that we might have more at the Curious House later this evening, and I hope that will be the case. I emptied 1.39" of rain out of the gauge (and that was the Wordle for today as well), and I hope to record more later tonight. Judy and I went to two estate sales today, she bought a couple things, I bought nothing. To be fair, there was something I noted that I wanted when I previewed the sale, so I went on Thursday, and bought it, so I guess that counts as one thing. After the estate sale, I did not do a lot. I am about to get serious and make sure I have everything done for my trip to Antarctica. Flights, airport transfers, hotel rooms, proper clothing, stuff. I still have ten days, so I think I still have plenty of time. The girls are doing fine, I will keep giving them their pills until they run out, but they are not having any issues after their visit to the vet last week. For some reason, I am watching the beginning of a football game on tv, and they are in Michigan, and they are all wearing heavy winter coats. I am just kind of proud that I don't have the air conditioner running. Different strokes...

Volume 17 - Day 297/68, 2025 - Friday

I am going to have to move plants onto the patio and deck deck. Deck deck is the 'floor' of the deck. I will also need to move a few things down on the front patio, just to be careful. We are expecting some wind in addition to the rain, so that is just what I do. I did a good walk with Paul this morning, and I am done trying to do ten thousand steps a day. I was watching a program earlier this week, and the doctor that was being interviewed said that, anything over seven thousand steps (two or three times a week) does not necessarily gain you anything. He said that walking 7,000 steps gives significant positive benefits including a lower risk of all-cause mortality, cardiovascular disease, dementia and diabetes...it can also improve your mood, energy levels, sleep and bone and muscle strength. That bold and italicized part was taken straight from the Googles. Complain to them, not to me. As I write this, I have already done over 9,400 steps today, but I am no longer going to stress to get more than 7,000 steps. My morning walk is about 6,600 steps, so that is not too shabby. The girls are doing fine, all is good with them. I was so worried about making sure they got their pills yesterday, I forgot to take mine last night. Whatever. I will let you know if we really get any rain overnight.

Volume 17 - Day 296/69, 2025 - Thursday

The local weather prognosticators are practically guaranteeing that we will have rain late tomorrow evening and into the morning on Saturday, ending about 7 or 8 o'clock Saturday morning. I am going to turn the sprinklers off, which I expect will jinx any rain that was expected at the Curious House, and that is but one of my many talents! It was a good walk this morning, but it was warmer than I would like, and really humid. I am making a little bit of progress getting ready for my trip...ten days from now, but I still have ten days, so I can cover a lot of territory in ten days. The girls are doing just fine, I am giving them their pills right on schedule. They have one more pill for today, at 10 o'clock. I am pretty sure I will still be coherent at 10 o'clock, but you never can tell. Tonight was our Neighbors Dinner, and we went to the Walburg Restaurant...October Fest and all... There was a private party going on in the back, and my friend Avis was there. So...for about three minutes, we got to see each other and I got a good hug out of the deal. I miss seeing her A LOT. Do you hear that, Avis? 

Volume 17 - Day 295/70, 2025 - Wednesday

Oh, Lort! I got the girls to the vet this morning right on time, and I went and picked them up at 3:30. They are not happy, I am frustrated, it's all a mess. They are wearing cones, they are still kind of groggy, Lexie is less groggy than Callie. They have three different prescriptions to take, some twice a day, some three times a day, some for seven days, some for ten days. I had to make myself a chart just to try and keep it all coordinated. They got half of their normal amount of food tonight, and they both ate, there were no problems with that, and I think that is a good sign. I am just a little bit stressed, trying to make sure I do all the stuff that needs to be done. Don't forget, I am retired, so I am not supposed to have responsibilities. Other than getting the girls to and from, I did very little of anything else, and I have no plans to be doing anything else for the rest of the night. Tomorrow I have an afternoon appointment, and the neighborhood dinner is tomorrow night, and that is always fun. That is it for this entry...

Volume 17 - Day 294/71, 2025 - Tuesday

I forgot to tell you all yesterday about the man with the scuzzy penis. When I was called in to the little curtained room to have the blood draw, there was an elderly man that walked in after me. The curtains really do not give any impression of privacy, that's how I know he was an elderly man. I'm not sure how much more elderly than me he could have been, but I think he was either older or in really poor shape. Whatever. Less than four feet away from me, just beyond the curtain, the medical person was giving him instructions about how to provide the urine sample. We were listening intently (me and the phlebotomist) to the directions about how to take the sanitary wipe and clean his penis. That is when we discovered that he was not only 'old' but he was apparently hard of hearing, too. Raising her voice, she once again gave the directions about how to rub the wipe over his penis before he urinated in the cup. I am not sure how it turned out, but he was in the restroom when I walked out. Pretty entertaining to say the least. It was warmer this morning, but supposed to cool off again overnight. It was a good walk this morning, Jimmie joined us, but the weather will be better tomorrow. Jimmie and Rick and I also met up for the ROMEO breakfast, and I actually saw a friend of mine (named Romeo) having breakfast with some of his family from out of town. Tomorrow morning, there will be no walk for me, the girls have to be at the vet at 7:30, and I hope to pick them up in the late afternoon, giving them time to get over the anesthesia. Time will tell... 

Volume 17 - Day 293/72, 2025 - Monday

I was about 60 degrees when I got up this morning, perfect weather for a full walk. Still paying attention to my knee, but it is getting better. I had a doctors appointment this morning, and we settled that he has been my primary physician for 25 years. Then he told me he is retiring, officially as of January 19th, but he will stop seeing patients before that. So, I am developing a plan of action in my little pea-brain. I am going to check with Julie about Concierge Medical stuff, and see if I can find a good fit. Whoever I find to be my new Internist, he will have a few qualifying questions before I make them leap. All this crap, UGH! Early voting started today, so I went and voted...there certainly was not a line, and there are 17 Propositions on the ballot. I was prepared, so I just had to go down the list and mark the yes or no bubble. I have nothing on the calendar for tomorrow, and on Wednesday, I have to take the girls to the vet by 7:30 for their dental work. I still have not heard from the guys retrofitting my running boards, so maybe I will hear from them soon.

Volume 17 - Day 292/73, 2025 - Sunday

Today was another half-walk day, but my knee is feeling better, so I hope to do a whole walk tomorrow. The low temperature overnight was in the 60s, which was very nice, and I am glad I left the windows open. The moon (a waning crescent) and Venus were also in attendance, and they were both pretty close together. I did get a bunch more piddly things done around the Curious House this morning, after a nice nap. Val and Paulina came over around noon, and we headed to Walburg for linch at the Walburg German Restaurant. Very good. After that, we drove past the farm, then in to Bartlett, and then back to Georgetown. Sight seeing is always good, and there was some conversation about our trip to Italy in April. It is going to be fun, and the most fun part is, I am not involved in any of the planning. Just point to where I am supposed to be and I will be there. So...since I had a big lunch, there was not much of any dinner for me, which is fine since I'm not hungry. The problem is, I will be hungry in about an hour, and it will all be junk food for the rest of the night. I have an appointment with my primary tomorrow, nothing too exciting about that, and hopefully I will get the running boards for the Buzz back sometime this week.

Volume 17 - Day 291/74, 2025 - Saturday

I only did a half-walk this morning, my knee was bothering me from the steroid shot yesterday, but as I write this, it is feeling much better. I took off for estate sales with Marian, Diane and Judy M; there were three estate sales, none of them we really very exciting, but I did find about $20 worth of stuff that I could not live without. Okay, $22.20 and I could have lived the rest of my life very comfortably without the two things I bought. After estate sales, Paulina and I went to Art From the Streets. This was the second time I went to this event, and it is a sale of artwork produced by unhoused/unsheltered persons. And, this is the second time I bought nothing except for a t-shirt. The last time I went it was with Deb Seaton, and she and Jay moved to Vancouver two or three years ago. The photo accompanying this journal entry is one of the pieces I was interested in, but I could not justify it. So I didn't. On the way home, we stopped at We Are Blood to get t-shirts from Marian and Ronnie. They give whole blood, and they could not give in October, so they did not get a t-shirt. I whined and plead my case, and they gave me the t-shirts just to get me out of the place. Marian was happy to get them, too! The newspaper (yes, I still get the newspaper) said we have gone 40 days with no rain, and there is really no rain in sight, BUT the low overnight temperature is supposed to be 62 degrees, so I will open the windows before I crash for the night. I like it! Val and Paulina are coming over tomorrow and we will go to the Walburg German Restaurant for lunch. Our neighborhood dinner is Thursday, so I will take that opportunity to give them the latest count. I'd rather do that in person than via a telephone call, and they are closed on Monday and Tuesday. I'm not sure what else is on the schedule for tomorrow, but I expect I will stay busy.

Volume 17 - Day 290/75, 2025 - Friday

It was another busy day, and I still don't have the running boards back on the Buzz. Next week? I hope so. Overnight, the weather was nice, we have not had any rain in 37 days, and the temperatures are going back up for the next several days. No windows left open tonight. Of course, there was a walk. I had an 11 o'clock appointment for another cortisone/steroid shot. Is cortisone the same thing as steroids? Yes, yes, they are the same thing. I learned that today. I also learned that the problem with my knee is arthritis. I have not been aware of that since the beginning of my knee problem, but, it seems to be so. But anyway, I got the shot, and we will see how it goes. Apparently, knee replacement should not be on my top ten list anymore, and I have been thinking I would need my knee replaced for decades. Oh, and every staff member on the second floor of the medical facility was at today came in to the room where I was waiting today. I was offered 'home ultrasound therapy' followed by the words 'it is covered by your insurance' which I declined, and made one of the people exit unhappily. Whatever. Then I picked up Paulina and we headed in to Austin for our platelet donations. We stopped at the pharmacy and I picked up prescriptions, and then got to the blood bank (We Are Blood), about 30 minutes early. Everything went well, we both donated, and now I am back home, kind of tired, and needing to rest up before hitting the estate sales tomorrow.

Volume 17 - Day 289/76, 2025 - Thursday

I was kind of busy today, so I didn't even pay attention that the truck place that is modifying the Buzz running boards did not call to tell me they were ready. I hope they do call soon, I am anxious to get them back. There was a good walk this morning, a very nice sunrise, as witnessed by the photo accompanying this journal entry. I took the girls to the beautiful parlor this morning, and I went to pick them up about 2:15. FIRST WORLD PROBLEM: They put little Halloween themed scarves around their necks, so I was practically home before I realized neither one of them had their collars on. SO...I did a few things at the Curious House, then turned around and went back for the collars. First world problem, inconvenience, and a waste of time. I bet you a dollar I won't have that happen again. I slept with the windows open again last night, and I will likely do it again tonight. Then it starts getting warmer. But anyway...there was a skunk somewhere in the area, I could smell it when I woke up, and just glad that nine of the dogs that I am aware of got into it. Callie got skunked TWICE a couple years ago. Just about the time I thought she and the house no longer smelled like skunk, she got it again. I was totally frustrated, but she didn't seem to mine too much. Now I have skunk smell reducer stuff, hopefully I will never have to use it. Mainly because if I do need to use it, I won't be able to find it.

Volume 17 - Day 288/77, 2025 - Wednesday

I consider the wifi service at the Curious House to be good and reliable. I have been here five years, and it has failed a time or two, but nothing really worth complaining abut. My first zoom call today was about what to expect on my Antarctic trip coming up in about two weeks. During the zoom, my wifi failed TWICE. I think I got most of it, and the tour peeps will send a copy of the meeting in the next couple days, so I will watch that a few times before the trip. I had another zoom call after that one, and there were no problems at all! As usual, the day started with a good walk, and I eventually got up and took a couple checks to the post office. Tax checks for the farm. I just take stuff like that to the post office, just to know that I got them in the mail. The vet called me this afternoon, and gave me the results of the girls (everyone at the vets office refers to them as 'the kiddos') blood work, and they are both doing well for their ages. After that call, he called back and asked what I would want them to do if something bad happened while they were anesthetized next week. I answered the question, but I am not feeling good about that possibility. Tomorrow, they have appointments at the beautiful parlor, so they will look all pretty for their dental work next week.

Volume 17 - Day 287/78, 2025 - Tuesday

The day started, as usual, with a nice walk. After the walk, I met Paul at Monument Cafe for the ROMEO breakfast. I left after breakfast, and stopped at Galaxy Bakery for some scones. Yummy, and it was nice talking to my friend Ike, too. The girls had appointments at the vey, so we did that at 11:15, and we got home about noon:15. I have been in the mood for a new chair for my office, so I went to Costco, and they did not have what I was looking for, so I went to Office Depot, and found, in my opinion, something even better than I was looking for, and I am happy with my new office chair. The DIY part of it only caused one bloody knuckle, and that might actually be a record for me putting things together. Tomorrow, I have two zoom meetings, back to back, starting at noon. With any luck, the first one won't run overtime and cause issues for the second one. Fingers crossed.

Volume 17 - Day 286/79, 2025 - Monday

Without trying to be snarky about it, today was kind of a pretend Holiday. In my opinion, the best thing about it was that was that the traffic was very light. After our walk this morning, I got motivated about 11 o'clock and went to Michael's, Office Depot, the UPS Store, the girls vet and HEB. I had an estimate for the girls dental work that I wanted to discuss with the vet, and now the girls have a check up appointment tomorrow. Next Wednesday I will take them in for dental work. I expect they will not be happy. They are also going to the beautiful parlor on Thursday, so they will look pretty for their dental work. Paulina and Oliver came over this afternoon, and brought me a hot chicken dinner. Hot with spice, not heat. I think they got me a 'medium' spicy chicken, which was good, but I am not all about spicy foods. Oliver wanted to see the Crocs I bought last week, but none of the three of us could find them, but as soon as they left, I found them, just where I put them. Tomorrow is our ROMEO breakfast and there are a couple other things on my list; a couple phone calls to make and a little bit of this and that. I have to get up from here and go buy lotto tickets before I forget!

Volume 17 - Day 285/80, 2025 - Sunday

I had another good day, even though I did not go anywhere at all. I did walk with Paul this morning, and after that, I did a hundred little things around the Curious House. Things that no one will ever even notice, and things that I will forget by tomorrow. But, a lot of the little things I have been meaning to do, are now done. There are a couple things I will get done tomorrow, but nothing too great. I am going to have a couple conversations with the girls vet, and see what needs to be taken care of, and if both girls should have his attention at the same time. It was a really pretty day in central Texas, weather-wise, and I expect it will remain so for the next several days. The girls are happy to go outside and lay in the sunshine, and I was really glad to see this adolescent female cardinal (I think) at the seed feeder. I took the hummingbird feeders down for the season a week or so ago, but kept seed in this feeder (see photo). I'm not sure how much longer it will be before most of the birds are gone for the season, but I will appreciate them as long as I can.

Volume 17 - Day 284/81, 2025 - Saturday

I left the windows open last night and when I got up this morning, I think it was about 60 degrees. It did not cool down that much in the house, but the air conditioner was not running. Well, it wasn't running because I turned it off, but still, it did not need to be running. I will do the same thing tonight and hopefully for the next several days, even though the low temperatures will be rising through next week. James and Paul and I had a nice walk, and then Marian, Judy and Paulina and I hit six estate sales. I spent about $80, paid full price on a few things, but it was cheaper than planning to go back tomorrow. A little while after I got home from estate sales, Jimmie and Linda and I went up to Temple for Italian food at a place called Pignetti's. It was the first time I ate there, but I have had their chocolate cake in the past, delicious. I had a pizza (I still have a LOT of the pizza in the refrigerator) with a cauliflower crust. Very good, and I have at least a few pizza dinners left. While we were there, I texted my friend Devin to see if he and William were holding any open houses. I thought we would drive by. They weren't, but Devin came to say hello at Pignetti's, and that was fun. I think we will be going to see some of his and William's renovated houses in the next few weeks, too. Okay, yes, after all that, we went to Buc-ee's, where I bought nothing, but Linda and Jimmie bought some flannel pj's for their grands, and a couple pieces of funde. It was time for me to take a nap, and pretty soon it will time for another nap. Not sure what will be going on tomorrow, but I expect it will be fun!

Volume 17 - Day 283/82, 2025 - Friday

It was another good day today. Not for everybody, and not for everything, but taking everything in consideration, it was a good day for me. To be honest, there were a couple things that happened that I would have preferred not to have happened, but, overall, it was a good day. It was cool-ish and not so humid-ish when I got up this morning, so I opened several windows just to get some fresh air in. Paul and Sam (Samantha) and I had a good walk, and I had an 11 o'clock meeting to attend in Austin. After the meeting, a few of us (4) went and had lunch together, where we basically continued the meeting, but did drift off to interesting stuff before lunch was over. I drove the Buzz in to Austin, hoping I would get a call that the running boards were ready, but I didn't. It would have been nice, but. Patience is not one of my virtues. Val and Paulina came over, on their way to HEB, and we had a nice visit. Tomorrow is estate sales, and that is always fun. Oh yeah, before I forget...I put down a deposit today for a trip to South Africa next September. It includes a three night train ride (Rovos Rail) from Pretoria to Victoria Falls. I think. Anyway, they sucked me in with the train ride.

Volume 17 - Day 282/83, 2025 - Thursday

I had kind of a busy day today, and I got a lot of stuff done. I did not walk this morning, because I had a meeting in Austin at 8:30. See photo. After that meeting, I came home, and then went back in to Austin for a 1 o'clock meeting. In between these two meetings, I did a load of laundry and got it all dried and put away. After the second meeting, I stopped and got gas in the little white car, and at about 5 o'clock, I went to dinner with Billy and Gina. It was great, thanks, at the City Post (former Post Office) in Georgetown. After dinner, we went downstairs and listened to some music, and then headed home. I think it was a pretty full day. Tomorrow, I only have one meeting, and then I am meeting up with friends for lunch after that. It will be estate sales on Saturday, and then Jimmie and Linda and I are going to Temple for an Italian lunch. SO, whether it seems like it or not, I had a busy day, and plans are in motion for the next several days. Hopefully, the weather prognosticators are accurate, and it will cool off some over the next several days.

Volume 17 - Day 281/84, 2025 - Wednesday

I got free nitrous at the dentist today...it was only for a cleaning, but I got it. Basically, they forgot the rules to their own little office game, and I won the game, and the prize was free nitrous. NEVER PASS UP FREE NITROUS! Take a deep breath, put that knob on high, and have a good time! Whatever. My next dental appointment is in May, so that was kind of my reward. We had a good walk this morning, and later in the morning I took the Buzz in to drop off the running boards and have them tweaked. I hope I can go back and get them reinstalled on Friday, but it might be next week. On the way home from the dentist, I was admiring the clouds (I really like clouds) and decided to stop by Lake Georgetown for the phot that is accompanying this journal entry. Tomorrow I have two meetings, which I was too stupid to schedule properly, one is at 8:30 (until about 10) and the other one is at 1PM. So, it looks like I will be going to and from Austin twice tomorrow. Tomorrow afternoon, I am going to dinner with Billy and Gina, and then listen to some jazz at City Post in Georgetown. Jeans, collared shirt and closed toe shoes. I think I can do it.

Volume 17 - Day 280/85, 2025 - Tuesday

Apparently, girdles for men and women are now referred to as 'Shapewear!' I'm not sure if the store is called 'Snatched,' or if the Shapewear is shaping the snatches. It is kind of confusing. And what if you pick up someone in a bar, won't they be surprised when you disrobe and there is more of you that they thought? And what if you pick up someone in a bar, you get home, you both disrobe, and you are BOTH wearing snatch shapewear? It seems to me there are too many variables, so I will just continue to be 'not small.' That seems so much simpler. This whole subject came up because I was on a mission to buy a couple pairs of Crocs, and I went to the Round Rock Outlets, and walked by this store. I did get the Crocs though, so that is what I remember. There was a good walk this morning, and then three of the ROMEOs met for breakfast. after Croc shopping, I went home and that was the total of my day. Tomorrow, I will take the Buzz in to have the running boards adjusted, and then in the afternoon, I have a teeth cleaning appointment. The weather prognosticators are forecasting slightly cooler weather and lower humidity beginning on Thursday. I will let you know how it works out.

 

Volume 17 - Day 279/86, 2025 - Monday

Around the Curious House, this is how you know that Halloween is getting near. Leisa and Greg out-do themselves with the decorations, and we always have a good time seeing what they come up with year after year. I want to play on the teeter-totter, but... We had a nice walk this morning, it was comfortably cool, but we are expecting sea breezes to return tomorrow, which means the humidity will be n the way up. I had a dental appointment this morning, and that was no big deal. I will go back on Wednesday for a cleaning, and then I am going to throw the address of the dental place in the trash. I'm up to here with the dentist. Whatever. My neck has been hurting since Friday, so I went back to the chiropractor this afternoon. So far, no change. It was difficult trying to sleep last night, I hope it will be better tonight. Tomorrow is the ROMEO breakfast, and then there is nothing on the calendar. I may go to the Round Rock Outlet Mall, I am in the mood for some Crocs. Be very afraid. The biggest and brightest full moon will happen at 10:43PM CDST. Go outside and look. It will still be great tomorrow!

Volume 17 - Day 278/87, 2025 - Sunday

My streak of great days continues. Today started with a good walk with Paul and Jimmie, and at 11 o'clock, Jimmie, Linda and I headed off to the Schwertner Community Center for a BBQ lunch. Brisket, pork, fixin's and dessert. Excellent. On the way, we circled the farm, just because it is there. It was fun seeing several people that we knew from living at the farm, and I was surprised how many I got to hug in the short time we were there. After lunch, we went through Bartlett, down past Holland and to Little River Academy. We came home down the expressway, and I went down for a little nap. I made an appointment yesterday for my vaccinations, but apparently I made the appointment at the Walgreen's in Round Rock. I don't really think that was my fault, I think Walgreen's app did not want me to go to the one in Georgetown. BUT...I got my flu and Covid vaccines as a 'walk-in,' so that is done. As I was sitting waiting to be called, I was sitting next to a little refrigerator with waters in it, and behind the refrigerator was filthy dirty. After the lady gave me the shots (two shots in one arm, she wanted to do one in each arm, NOPE), I told her that, if she had a broom, I would pull the little refrigerator out from the wall and sweep the crap out from it. People working in Walgreen's have no sense of humor, but I was happy I waited until AFTER I got the shots. Now we will see if I get tired and crabby from the shots. Hope not. I have one last dentist appointment tomorrow, and that should all go well. I will report back tomorrow.

Volume 17 - Day 277/88, 2025 - Saturday

I am enjoying a streak of good days lately, and today was another one. Paul and James and I had a good walk this morning, and I had an appointment to donate platelets at 10:15. I made it in to Austin and made a stop at Upper Crust for cinnamon rolls and carrot cake slices. I got to We Are Blood at 9:22, just a little bit early for my appointment, but they took me early, too. Paulina drove in by herself, and we had adjoining beds for the donation. I think we were both done before noon, and when I got home, I was tired, but I could not really get a good nap in. James borrowed a chain saw on a long extension pole, so he came over in the late afternoon and he trimmed the branches off the house on the garage side and one at the back of the house. After the limbs were down, I pruned them down and got all of it into the trash can. No evidence! Not a lot on the list for tomorrow, I need to make a run to Target, and Jimmie and Linda and I are going to the Schwertner Community Center for a BBQ lunch. Jody and I used to go when we lived at the farm, the community center is about a mile or so from there. I will be fun and really good food! 

Volume 17 - Day 276/89, 2025 - Friday

This was another really good day. Paul and I had a nice walk, and after that, Marian and I hit three estate sales. We both bought a couple things, and we made a side trip to check out the new HEB. It is WAY out there, but the parking lot was full, so I guess they know what they are doing. I did a little bit of business after I got back home from the estate sales, and I wanted to go to a truck accessory company that Val and Paulina referred me to. As I was pulling out, I decided to go back to the first estate sale we went to, because I had my eye on a round, oriental style rug that was there. That sale today ended at 1PM, and I got there with two minutes to spare. I had measured my space and took a tape measure with me. It would fit in the space with about six inches to spare, and I got it for 50% off, even though this was the first day of the sale. Some money is better than no money. I then made it to the truck accessory place, and they believe they can modify the running boards I got last week that I am very unhappy with. I just don't like the way the running boards FIT, not the running boards themselves. Anyway...I have an appointment on Wednesday to begin the process of modification. On Wednesday, they are going to remove the running boards and I will go away. They will modify them, and I will go back maybe on Thursday or Friday to have them reinstalled. Hopefully, that will make them much more workable for me. Fingers crossed. On the way home, I stopped at a new Southside Market in Leander. I used to go to the one in Elgin when we lived at the farm and when we had the little farm in Red Rock. Very good BBQ, happy that I stopped. 

Volume 17 - Day 275/90, 2025 - Thursday

It's getting warmer and more humid, but it should cool down by (about) the 11th. That is my theory and I'm sticking with it. Paul and I had a good walk this morning, and I went in to Austin to have lunch with Jetta and Julie. That was much fun, and traffic was not as problematic as it was yesterday. I have not seen them in a couple years, and we sat and cut up, shared improper jokes, and basically reinforced in my little pea brain that I need to make a better effort. I got back to Georgetown in plenty of time to make it to my appointment and Galaxy Bakery (for scones), and Ike and I had a fun time bantering back and forth. Ike is usually in the back of the house, but today he was in the front. The other day, Paulina commented that Costco had totally skipped Thanksgiving, and went straight to Christmas with their decorations. I think she said Costco. Anyway, while Paul and I were walking this morning, one of the houses we pass is already displaying their Christmas tree. A little (or a lot) early for my liking, but they didn't ask me. So there. I did go to an estate sale this afternoon; interestingly, it started today at 4PM. I found that odd, but there was something I had my eye on, so I went. And I got it. And something else as well. I spent $38.97. Ful price for two items. There are a few more estate sales that I will hit tomorrow, donating platelets on Saturday, so I can't go then. 

Volume 17 - Day 274/91, 2025 - Wednesday

Well, welcome to October, it is hard to believe we are almost through with this year. It has not been a particularly bad year for me (there is still time), and I like to think that I am in charge of the good or not-so-good that happens to me. I actually think I am in control of myself. I understand that I may be the only person that thinks that, so there you have it. After our morning walk, I got ready and headed in to Austin for a 10 o'clock meeting. I left at 8:45 and thought that would be plenty of time. Nope. I got to the meeting at just about 10:15. Returning to the Curious House after the meeting was not quite as bad, but it was not really a piece of cake, either. Gina and I went to Trader Joe's, leaving at about 1:15. There were no terrible traffic issues going or coming, but I was just a little anxiety prone after the morning challenge. The photo accompanying this entry was on our way home, it did cause some backups, but nothing terrible. Speaking of cake (see a few sentences above), I did finish a piece of carrot cake that I got at Upper Crust on September 20th. If something gets put in the freezer in the kitchen, or in the refrigerator in the garage, I may never remember that it is there. Does that mean I am not as in charge as I think I am?