Volume 18 - Day 294/71, 2026 - Wednesday

Paul and I walked this morning, then I had a couple appointments; first was to get the carpet cleaned in the front bedroom (it looks like new), and then to get pictures hung here and there. There were 34 pieces of art sitting here and there, and everything is now hung on a wall...here and there. After all that, I'm not too sure what I did until it was time for our neighbors dinner. Oktoberfest! That means Walburg German Restaurant. We made a good crowd, 15 of us, and I think we all enjoyed it. Tomorrow is going to be a busy day; I have an 8 o'clock appointment in Leander, platelets at 1 o'clock and then a Civilian Police Academy class. At least I won't have any time to get into any trouble.

Volume 18 - Day 293/72, 2026 - Tuesday

Paul didn't walk this morning, so I did a piece of a walk. This headless Chinese guy was something I found at an estate sale a while back, and he was standing on the rock wall at the Curious House. Either the wind blew it over, or a squirrel was not happy that he was blocking seed access, but he ended up on the other side of the wall. The area behind the wall, along with parts of this subdivision, are designated as 'natural' areas, which is code for no maintenance, full of burrs that prefer to stick to socks of intruders. BUT, I did retrieve him, and he is now sitting on a table at the front door. After our ROMEO breakfast, I made a stop at Home Depot and HEB, and then I had a 1 o'clock meeting in Austin. That went well, thanks Cass and Megan. I had a few phone calls to get done after that, and I have a few more phone calls to make tomorrow, as well as a few other chores. Tomorrow night is the neighbors dinner, this month at the German Restaurant in Walburg (it's Octoberfest), Thursday will be a platelet day, and Friday the girls go to the beautiful parlor.

Volume 18 - Day 292/73, 2026 - Monday

It was a little bit warmer this morning when I got up, and it will get warmer and warmer as we go through the week. Nothing terrible, so far the forecast high temperature will be 87 degrees, that is tolerable even for the last part of October. I did early voting this morning, in-and-out in about 20 minutes. There were about 20 people in front of me, and there were more than that in line when I was leaving. I think it is a good sign that people are not taking these mid-terms for granted. Personally, it has been a long time since I missed an opportunity to vote, but I am just OCD that way. Doing little things around the Curious House give me a certain feeling of satisfaction. Little things that I have been meaning to do, and finally get around to it. I like that! I could not be happier that I gave Callie her final pill tonight. Now all I have to do is to remember to feed them. Simple.

Volume 18 - Day 291/74, 2026 - Sunday

Today was a different kind of day, but really a pretty darned good day. Yes, Paul and I walked this morning, I think it was in the lower 40s when I started the walk. Then, I chilled out for a while, and got ready to go to Lakeway for an open house we were doing from 1PM until 3PM. It was a slow day for an open house, I think mainly because it was such a lovely day, let's go to the park, not an open house. Val and Paulina did come to the open house, mainly to see the view and to meet Maggie. I am really a lucky man that Val and Paulina are my neighbors. Really! I got home and Val and I were just talking on the driveway, and there was a French Bulldog just wandering around. No collar, no person. I retrieved the dog, put a note on Facebook and Nextdoor, and we found the owner within an hour. That is for sure a way to relief stress. There is nothing on the calendar for tomorrow, and that is just the way I like it!

Volume 18 - Day 290/75, 2026 - Saturday

There are lots of photos and comments on the Interweb this afternoon, about this interesting cloud formation seen over central Texas. I did not do the research, but others did, so I thought I would share with you. It's likely a 'fall streak hole,' also called a hole-punch cloud. Naturally occurring weather phenomena, and they're fairly rare to see. A layer of clouds contains tiny water droplets that remain liquid even though they are below freezing. Something triggers those droplets to freeze into ice crystals, sometimes an airplane passing through the cloud layer. The ice crystals grow while nearby water droplets evaporate, creating a large opening. The formation in the center is made of falling ice crystals. Class dismissed! So, there was a walk this morning, estate sales, and I showed houses for sale this afternoon. Some dinner and now done for the day. If you are looking for me tomorrow, come visit at the open house I will be working with Maggie. It'll be fun!

Volume 18 - Day 289/76, 2026 - Friday

Well, the prognosticators got it right this time. When I got up this morning, it was 61 degrees outside, and when I finished my walk, it was down to 60 degrees. I am not sure, but I don't think we got out of the 60s today, and it is really breezy. REALLY breezy. I considered getting a haircut today, but the lady I liked is no longer at that place, and I didn't have an appointment. I could have gone to another place as a walk-in, but I decided the whole idea was fraught with too much trouble. SO, I went back to the Curious House and did nothing much for the rest of the day. This afternoon, Jimmie, Linda, Paulina and I went to Georgetown and walked around, it was the 'Fall Art Walk.' That was at least the second time I have done it, and I have come to the conclusion that I don't have to do it again. We all then went to Laurie's for dinner, and now I am back, and getting ready to call it a night. I have closed all the windows except for one, and it is supposed to be around 49 degrees in the morning. Then, there will be a warm up for the coming week, and back to what should be normal temps for central Texas in late October. 

Volume 18 - Day 288/77, 2026 - Thursday

A note about being mostly retired: Fridays are no longer something to look forward to. Even though they never were that important (I had worked seven days a week since 1976), there was always the chance that the 'weekend' would be better than the week. Being 'mostly' retired, almost every day is like a Friday, because there is very little that I have to do 'tomorrow.' Today was a pretty calm day, I did not have a lot to do, with the exception of taking the girls to the vet. When I got there, no one knew why I was there, so we left and there was no charge. Whatever. I am really looking forward to the 'cold front' that is supposed to be arriving overnight, and I am expecting the temperature to be in the 50s when I wake up, not in the 70s. tonight was another of the Civilian Police Academy, and the two subject were Digital Forensics and Victim Services. The victim services information was much more interesting to me, but all the information was good. There are three more classes, and that will be that. I thought the moon was interesting this evening, but I think I need Essie to tutor me on taking moon photos.

Volume 18 - Day 287/78, 2026 - Wednesday

We just had a little rain shower...about 15 minutes or so, and I waalked out to check the gauge and we got about 6/10 of an inch. We will take it. I also turned the sprinklers off, so that will save some water overnight. Perfect. One more sleep and the temperatures should become more seasonable. I am really tired of the heat and humidity; one or the other I could do, but not both in the middle of October. Expect that this time next week I will be complaining about the temperature being too cold. You have been warned. I did go in to Austin this morning for a very quick meeting at the Board. I got gas in the little white car on the way back to the Curious House, for a total of $66.66. I am in the middle of reading The Exorcist for this months book club. Coincidence? I think not! Today was a day of excellent cloud sitings, very impressive!

Volume 18 - Day 286/79, 2026 - Tuesday

It is not really HOT outside, but it is definitely warm and muggy. It being close to the middle of October, we should not be experiencing 'feels like' temperatures of 102. But we are, and the weather prognosticators are saying that we will have some relief overnight Thursday in to Friday. I cannot wait to complain about it being too cold outside. And in the Curious House. Paul and I walked this morning, and then I met Rick and Bob for our ROMEO breakfast. I did stop on the way home at Galaxy Bakery and got Paulina some cannoli. They look really good, and I am sure I have enjoyed a cannoli or two in the past, but I can never be sure. I tried to think of something that needed to be done after I left the bakery, but there was nothing I thought of. Tomorrow I will be driving in to Austin for an 11 o'clock meeting, and maybe I will find some adventures after that. Thursday afternoon, both the girls are going to the vet, and that will be an adventure...

Volume 18 - Day 285/80, 2026 - Monday

It has been a pretty lazy day, mostly overcast and cloudy until about 4 o'clock this afternoon. That did keep the temperature down too, so that is always appreciated. I walked this morning, and once again did a number of little things around the Curious House. All the plants got a drink of water, and I did some busy work in the office. I threatened to vacuum but did not quite find the time to get that done. There is always tomorrow. It is getting closer to my trip to Spain, so it is coming down to finalizing tours and hiring drivers to take me here-and-there. I know for sure there will be a camel ride in Morocco, so I think that will be pretty cool. These plumeria that I got this year at HEB (three of them) are kind of making a big statement with their blooms, and I like that a lot.  

Volume 18 - Day 284/81, 2026 - Sunday

To be honest, before this, I don't think I have ever bought mandarin oranges. I have always been a large navel orange kind of guy. The last several times I have bought oranges, they were less than adequate. Way less. So I bought these the last time I was at HEB, and they are good. Easy to peel, and kind of portion controlled. What could be better? Today was one of those days that I do lots of little things around the Curious House, and nothing anyone will even know I did because they were all little, inconsequential things. But I know I did them, and I am happy with that fact. It was a really nice day, and a nicer evening. We sat out on the front patio for a while, and now it is almost time to call it quits. Tomorrow will be interesting; it's a Holiday, but I don't think too many people will have the day off. I will report my findings later.

Volume 18 - Day 283/82, 2026 - Saturday

Today did turn out to be a busy day, but it was also an overall good day. There was the morning walk, showed a property for lease, did three estate sales, went to Temple/Belton to have frozen yogurt, cupcakes and a pecan pie, and then went in to Austin for dinner with my cousin Janet and her husband Lou. I had never met Lou, and that was nice. We had dinner at Hyde Park Bar & Grill, chicken fried steak, and I made it back home before it got too dark, and now I am finishing this journal entry before I call it a day. The photo with this entry is of the Wyandotte Main and Annex movie theaters that I spent many weekend days at when I was growing up in Michigan. I can vividly remember one day that I was supposed to go to see Dumbo, but there was a line and I have never been one to stand in a line. SO...I say North By Northwest, and I don't think I have ever seen Dumbo. I don't think I have lost anything of my childhood by not seeing it, either.

Volume 18 - Day 292/83, 2026 - Friday

Fake fall for this year is almost over, and the temperatures and humidity are both on the increase between now and this time next week. Maybe then, it will bring us the REAL fall, there is a cold (haha) front expected overnight next Thursday. Time will tell. Today was a good day, I stayed in bed a little bit longer than usual, but now that I am (kind of) really retired (for the most part), there is not that much I need to do in the early mornings. So, just take it as it comes. I did get all the plants watered after our walk, and I have turned the sprinklers back on, so I won't have that much to water in the morning. I did have an errand to run, so I headed in to Austin late morning, and got back home around 1PM. Before I left, I sent an email to to Christopher in Paris, letting him know of the two places I would like to visit during the short time I will be there, and can he arrange to take me. I could do both things (Versailles and Chateau de Lesigny) in the same day, or I could break it up into two days. I also have a couple pubs I would to visit while in Paris, but we will see...I may be trying to spread myself too thin. There are three estate sales tomorrow morning, and before that I am going to show James a lease property, and after that Paulina and I are going to Belton to have Frozen Yogurt and to pick up a pecan pie. Val and Paulina just want to 'test it out' to make sure they like it before they order more for Thanksgiving. Tomorrow evening, I will head back in to Austin to have dinner with my cousin Janet and her husband Lou. Tomorrow is turning out to be kind of a busy day! Oh, and the grapes were courtesy of Paulina.

Volume 18 - Day 281/24, 2026 - Thursday

I did not sleep well at all last night, I am hoping for a better nights sleep tonight. No reason, just sometimes I toss and turn. BUT...I did sleep later than usual, yet that was no real compensation. Once I got up, there were things to be done before meeting Paul for our walk, but everything worked out okay. After the walk, I decided this would be a good day to get my Covid Booster and my Flu shot. I have always taken the Moderna Covid vaccine, so I had to go to two different Walgreen's to get the Moderna. Not a bit of discomfort, and (fingers crossed) I have never had any negative reaction to vaccines. Once again, I did a few busy-work things around the Curious House, watered front and back, Tonight was my Civilian Police Academy class, the subject tonight was Criminal Investigations; Interviews and Interrogations. It was an interesting class, there are four more classes and then a graduation, which I won't be around for. But, so far, so good.

Volume 18 - Day 280/85, 2026 - Wednesday

Wonderfully, I got to sleep again last night with the windows open, and I am headed in the same direction tonight. I think it should be cool overnight, when I let the girls out this morning, it was 61 degrees. Perfect sleeping weather. I went in to Austin this morning for my monthly meeting, and I got home about 12:30. I did make one stop on the way, and then it was nap time. This morning, I watered plants in the front, and this afternoon was time for the plants in the back. I had a message a while back, when I was in San Antonio, from my cousin Janet. She and her husband Lou were planning to be in Austin for a couple days, and Janet and I got together tonight for a quick dinner in Georgetown. Lou had a business dinner (I think), but the plan is for me to go in to Austin Saturday night for dinner with the two of them. It has been more than three decades since we had seen each other, and it was nice, talking about which one of us had the most dysfunctional family. I think it was a tie! There is not a lot on my calendar tomorrow, until tomorrow night for my Civilian Police Academy class. Life is good, I am a lucky man.

Volume 18 - Day 279/86, 2026 - Tuesday

Overnights are lovely right now, and the days are not too terrible, either. I slept with the windows open last night, and I really like being able to do that. When I got up this morning and let the girls out, it was 63 degrees. Wonderful. I think the high temperature today was somewhere in the mid 80's, not too awful. Paul and Bob and I enjoyed our ROMEO breakfast, and then for much of the day, I did nothing. I wonder where I was supposed to be this afternoon at 3:40PM? If you had asked me, I was supposed to be at my doctors office (the GP), but when I got there, they knew nothing about it. Whatever, I guess that just appeared on my calendar by itself. Callie is doing better today, she is eating better, and that is good to know. We spent some time out on the back deck earlier, until the mosquitos found us, and we came back in. The photo accompanying this journal entry has no reason to be here, but I think it might have caught your attention.

Volume 18 - Day 278/87, 2026 - Monday

I did fill up my day with a lot of this-and-that after our walk this morning. When I let the girls out this morning, it was 68 degrees, and the high temperature today was in the mid-80s. Lovely. I called the vet, and I took Callie in at 8:30. She still did not eat anything. The vet ran all kinds of tests, they did some this-and-that, and I picked her up at 4:30. Now I have two different kinds of medicines to give her, and she actually did eat a little bit once I got her home. The photo accompanying this journal entry was sent to me by the vet, and you can believe it is likely the MOST EXPENSIVE photo that has ever been included in this journal. I pulled more of the weeds from the rocks this morning, so that area is weed free right now. I did a little real estate stuff, and did some more office stuff, and James helped me with some computer stuff, so, all-in-all, I feel good about the day!

Volume 18 - Day 276/89, 2026 - Sunday

Paul and I did about a half walk this morning, it was still kind of dribbly, that kind of dribbly where the windshield wipers never quite get the rhythm correct. Whatever. I came back to the Curious House, and watched some of Sunday Morning (boring!) and decided to get up and do some stuff. I did dozens of little things around the Curious House that no one will really ever notice, except me. One of the big things was, pulling the spurge (weed, look it up, thanks Don), that has been invading the rock area in front. It looks much better, but again, no one will even pay attention to it. I also did one of my favorite things; straightening stuff up in the garage. I also made a vow that, every time I come in from the garage, I will bring in one thing that should be in the house, not in the garage. So far, it's working. Val and Paulina and I went to Fish City Grill for lunch, then we went to Bath & Body Works (my first time ever) and Target. I was looking for some pulled chicken for Callie, she still has not eaten in three days, and some pumpkin baby food. I found turkey lunch meat, but she won't have any of that or the pumpkin baby food. She is still drinking water and peeing, so I will decide tomorrow if I am taking her to the vet. We also went to one of the local nurseries where Paulina got some chrysanthemums for her front porch. So, very happy for the day, nothing on the calendar for tomorrow, but I will find something to fill the time. 

Volume 18 - Day 276/89, 2026 - Saturday

There was a threat of rain this morning, so there was no walk. I don't think there will be much more rain in the near future, so hopefully we will walk in the morning. Judy and I went to the one estate sale in Sun City; Judy bought nothing, I bought a gargoyle to go up on the back wall. Callie is still not feeling well, this is two days in a row that she has not eaten. She is drinking water and peeing, so that is something. She doesn't look skinny, and she is full of pep when Paulina comes over, so... I hope she will start eating soon. I spent a good bit of the day deleting political stuff and ads from my Facebook accounts, and now I am seeing more posts from friends. I think it will be an on-going practice. One of the t-shirt quilts I ordered arrived today, and it looks pretty cool. This on is the king size quilt with mainly travels and political t-shirts. I have another one coming with mainly t-shirts from the blood bank. I will use that one when I go make platelet donations. I think tomorrow I will hang out with Val and Paulina...a little shopping, a visit to a nursery for autumn plants, and maybe some lunch. Hopefully, there will be a little bit of sunshine.

Volume 18 - Day 275/90, 2026 - Friday

It rained most of the day today, so that is enough right there to make this a good day. In the last two days, I emptied a little over 4.5" out of the gauge, yippee! Also, there was no walk this morning, and that is always a good day! My cardiologist called me this morning at 7:30, which got my attention. She said the test results from yesterday were all good, that she is very happy with the results, no blockages and the heart is strong. Of course, that means the end is near, just FYI. She also sent the reports, but it is 38 pages of graphs and things, so I have not paid too much attention to that yet. I forgot to mention yesterday, that one of the two women that were in the 'waiting' area with me, between tests, had only four toes on each foot. When I mentioned that to her, she seemed unwilling to discuss it, and I thought, if you don't want people to know you only have four toes on each foot, you should; 1.) not paint them very bright pink, and 2.) not wear sandals when waiting in a very small room with other people. Whatever. I drove in to Austin this morning, picked up yet another prescription, and then went to the Hunger Fighter and Sine Die Smokers BBQ Party. My friends son, Mace, started this work when he was seven years old, and wanted to provide 1,000 meals to the (now) Central Texas Food Bank. I think that first year, he raised enough money for over five thousand meals, and his efforts have grown since then. He is now a freshman at Tulane, and I know everyone that knows him is very proud of him. I am! The photo with this entry is me and Holly, Mace's mom, this afternoon...in the rain. That is the least of my first world challenges. Congratulations to all for another successful year!

Volume 18 - Day 274/91, 2026 - Thursday

There was no rain overnight, and this morning when I walked out the door to start our walk, it was raining pretty briskly. So...I turned around and walked back in to the house, and piled up in the big chair with the girls. Since this morning, I have emptied 2.09" of rain out of the gauge, and it has been dribbling since then. Once I got up this morning, I got ready to head in to Austin for my 'nuclear stress test.' I have had these tests before, no coffee, nothing to eat before the test. I have had this test before, but they crammed so much stuff in my veins, I did get a bit queasy for a while, maybe 10 or 15 minutes. On the way home, I was in a torrential downpour. I already drive like an old lady, and the drive back to the Curious House made me drive like three or four old ladies, but I made it. It was a nice rainy afternoon, and everyone enjoyed it. Tonight was my Civilian Police Academy class, and the topic was Animal Control and Code Enforcement. Not the most interesting of all the topics so far, and I'm looking forward to the Digital Forensics class in two weeks. Tomorrow will be a little bit more calm, I have two things to get done in Austin, and then it will be the weekend eve, and that means estate sales! YAY!