Buyer's Remorse

One of the things I dread most is now over.  Searching for and purchasing a new vehicle.  We spent ALL DAY Thursday at one car dealership.  We had an appointment to see a particular vehicle.  However as you might have guessed they didn't have it.  It sold the night before.  We opted not to go that day due to the rainy weather.  Even so, they had plenty of others of similar style but just the wrong color.  After driving several others we opted for one a little plusher than we had planned on.  We traded in my 14 year old Ranger.  I know I will miss having a pickup.  But a new pickup an option at all.  They are much more expensive than the route we took.  It has been 9 years since we shopped for cars so a lot has changed.  Mainly the prices, sheesh.  I have bought houses for considerably less.  And all the electronic features tend to boggle my mind and intimidates my bride.  We may never learn everything that it is capable of.  This keyless system is just weird to me and it  is taking some getting used to.  And, yes, I have buyer's remorse.  I was getting that before we even signed lol.  But that is very typical of me.

We spent that evening at Son#2's and had supper with his in-laws that come into town.  I hope to take #2 and his father-in-law to the range sometime today.  Burning powder is a good way to get to know each other and I haven't been in quite some time, so I know I am rusty.  I have been curious about a new indoor range near me and this will give us a chance to see what it is like.  Never have been to an indoor range.

Right now I am going to go out and sit in this new SUV and try to learn some of the toys it has.

Happy Trails

Over Oh So Quickly

Christmas was here and gone.  With all the work we put into it this year, it was over much to soon.  I am like Clark Griswold of National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation Movie.  I want it to be perfect for everyone and I rarely can relax and enjoy it.  I try to make it good for everyone so I work at it, the wife as you might expect does so much more than I do.  This year was pretty good.  Especially since last year we weren't able to have it so soon after both our surgeries.  At least that is how I remember it.  They are all starting to run together now that I am older than dirt.  I saw some pictures from several years ago and over several christmases and I had forgotten so much of what I saw in the photos, and they are MY photos LOL.  

Anyway, we spent Christmas day at home, alone and quiet.  Due to other obligations to 'in-laws' the kids had other plans for Christmas day.  I don't like it much, but I have no say.  Neither of us ever imagined being completely alone on Christmas day when were were younger.  This isn't something new either.  It has been at least 6-7 years it has been this way.  Son #2's in-laws arrive sometime this afternoon from Phoenix.  So they will be occupied with them for the next few days.  Although we are to have supper with them Thursday evening.  His Father-in-law and I may go to the range while he is here as he likes to shoot.  We may also try to take in the Museum of the Pacific War in Fredericksburg sine we had planned to do so last year and my surgery killed that idea.  It depends on the plans the ladies have of course.  We will find that out when He and I try to make plans lol.

Spent today quietly too except for a trip to the post office and UPS.  Had to get the property taxes mailed along with a couple other items and a return of K's gift.  

Oh, almost forgot, our gift to our Granddaughter apparently was a huge hit.  She told me it was 'perfect.'  Evidently we can do something right occasionally.  When she was born, I was going to build her a 'hope chest.'  I assumed that would be good long term gift for a little girl and on into her older years.  It is if you are a carpenter.  I am not a carpenter, at all.  So this idea languished until now.  We found one that we thought would work very well.  I would add leather embellishments to personalize it.  So here are a couple pics:

The horse really means nothing other than her love affair with them.  She fell in love with one at a dude ranch a couple years ago.  Her Dad still hasn't gotten her one.  So what if they live where it's

to have one.  

Happy Trails

Merry Christmas

Hope Y'all have a great one, from deep in the Heart of Texas.

Happy Trails

Scoundrels

Since Buster, my fur buddy and protector, has gotten a bit feeble in his old age he isn't quite the watch dog he used to be.  We don't let him out the back anymore as he can't go up or down the steps.  We take him out the front where there are very low steps and only two.  We do this on a leash multiple time a day.  No more letting him out to do his thing on his own.  He has also gotten quite deaf.  He no longer even hears the UPS man walk up on the front porch or even ring the doorbell.  

Yesterday I took him out and we went around the back so I could let him off the leash.  He will sniff around his former domain and roll in the grass and maybe even eat some grass.  Just doing dog stuff in familiar territory.  It perks him up.  When we left to go out the gate he was all excited (for him) and was pulling the leash and trying to run a little, very little, and little leaps.  It's great to see him feeling so good.  That little moment distracted me enough I forgot to close the gate.  I never gave it another thought.  Until this morning on his first trip out to do his business.  I noticed the gate was open and knew right away what I had done.  

We continued on with our little walk out by the street and I noticed that there may be a couple scoundrels in the backyard.  So we made our way back down to the open gate to see what was up.  I counted five of these scoundrels.  Then another, and another and another.  Eight of these pooping everywhere, eat every living thing in sight Does.  They had found the gate open, or one did and called all her friends.  They ate all the decorative plants my wife loves.  There weren't many and they are cheap, so we will replace them.  All those deer resistant plants they tell you to get, no such thing.  If they are hungry enough they will eat anything.  Except purple sage, ceniza.  That is the only shrub/plant they totally avoid.  Oh and Rosemary.  They eat the heck out of Lantana, one of the deer resistant plants like it's candy.  Especially the blooms

Buster and I gradually made our way around them and gently herded them back out the gate.  I was afraid one or two would get really frightened, like I have seen them do, and run hard into the fence.  but that didn't happen.  The stayed pretty calm and found the open gate right off.

Buster is now enjoying his first morning nap knowing he did a good job doing what he is supposed to do.  

Happy Trails

My Cousin Has Prostate Cancer.

More Prostate Cancer.  No, not me this time as far as I know.  I get checked again in January.  My Cousin, the one I am probably closest to as we pretty much grew up together, had surgery to remove his prostate yesterday.  He lucked out that he got the same surgeon I had.  He is supposed to be released today if there are no complications.  I had complications as far as pain control.  I got to stay an additional day.  His cancer was/is less aggressive than mine fortunately.  I spoke with him a couple days ago to see how he was holding up.  He said he was OK but was getting a little nervous.  I tried best I could to ease his concerns.  He already knew he had cancer so that worry should be less.  The surgery IMO was a snap and not to be worried about that and he had the best surgeon out there.  His main concern was whether it has spread or not.  He won't know that until he goes in for his follow up a week or so from now.  I told him worry about that is useless.  He can't change it by worry, just wait until you know something before you get all worked up.  I know, easier said than done, but it is possible if you have the proper Faith.  I told him that his cancer was less aggressive than mine and I am still OK.  That the outlook statistics are well in his favor.  If it has spread, you can still live a fairly long time and be productive.  He is well familiar with this scourge of men.  His Step-Father had it and passed away from it eventually, after many years.  His Step-Brother has had it.  I have had it and a friend at work has had it.  Hopefully he can draw on our experiences and gain some peace.  But the mind can play funny tricks on you.  As far as I'm concerned, my Faith sustains me.  I have the Peace that passes understanding.  I am blessed and more than grateful.  

We have been pretty much stay at home folks this last week of so.  I haven't been anywhere except to the church house and maybe a trip to the grocer.  Finishing up christmas shopping and waiting for packages to be delivered.  There is a rash of porch pirates pillaging shipments and christmas just adds to their booty.  See what I did there?  So we are paying attention to when packages will arrive and try to be home.  However one package was delivered and we received that notice but no package.  At least not where every package gets delivered to, out front porch.  I went to look and it was propped up on the mailbox post out at the street.  An open invitation to theft.  The notice even said it was handed to a person at our address.  I complained and hope that driver gets fired.  Evidently it happened at quite a few other addresses in my neck of the woods the same day.  Probably the same idiot.  It made the social media rounds here and quite a few contacted the carrier to complain.  I just hope they get this corrected.  

Son #2 got huge attaboy this weekend.  He surprised his bride big time.  He flew her in for their first baby shower this past weekend.  It was a huge gift to his bride.  It was great to see her and she and her husband will be back just after christmas.  She couldn't stay until that time due to work and her father is ailing.  There is a chance they may not make it at all if her father doesn't improve.  We will pray for the best.

All I got...Happy Trails

Quiet and Cedar Fever

I have been MIA on the blog for a little bit.  I really have nothing worthy to talk about lately and the brain is just not working well enough to come up with some random post.  I have been trying to stay busy with various things around the house.  K is down with her back and has gone to the chiropractor for her first of several treatments to get her back to normal.  Along with that she is suffering from the onset of cedar fever.  She is highly allergic and the cedar pollen is apparently off the charts and it has just started.  I can last 2-3 months depending on the weather.  They say it will be worse this year due to all the wet weather we had at the opportune time for it to develop into what it is today.  So she stays inside to try and avoid it as much as possible.  She just feels miserable at times.   

I have been trying to come up with some ideas for K for christmas presents.  She is no help in that department in letting me know what might be a good gift.  I have a couple small things for her but that's it.  The coat she got at Costco that was to be a gift just didn't cut it and she took it back.  So the pressure is on to find at least one more gift or two.  At least shopping online keeps me from wandering around stores and malls.  Like I would do that anyway lol.  

I have finished the leather that will be part of the Granddaughter's gift.  Now to get it 'installed.'  We are way behind on gifts for everyone else too, not just each other.  I gave K a spending limit yesterday, that didn't go over well at all.  She will pretty much ignore me.  

The first baby shower for the new Grandchild is this Saturday.  K has to get out in the cedar pollen to go to that.  No way will she miss that.  I am glad that is a lady thing.  Unfortunately the timing isn't so great.  A close friend's mother passed away this past week and her funeral is the exact same time-in Lampasas.  There is a visitation on Friday evening.  That might be possible to attend, yet the cedar fever would even be worse going there.  It also means traveling in the dark on a non-lighted highway.  I don't do well driving that type of road at night and especially for a drive that may be near two hours.  We are also having some minor issues with our vehicles.  We will have to make our apologies and visit with them at their home a few days later.  They are close enough that this weighs heavy on us.

Buster, my fur buddy, is over 14 years old now.  He has been slowing down over the last couple years.  This year it is much more apparent and things are getting harder for him.  He now has to have help to stand up and falls when he gets off balance or trips over something.  We can see him get a little confused by some things when he first gets up from his many naps.  We have to take him out the front door all the time now since he can no longer climb the steps out back.  Consequently we have to go out with him every time for his bathroom breaks.  No accidents in the house yet thankfully.  The other day he was very anxious and we could tell he wanted something and we did everything we knew to do, but his smile was gone and he looked in distress a little.  The last thing we hadn't done was give  him a pain pill.  It seemed to be what he wanted, us to make it stop hurting.  We can usually tell when he is pain.  This was different, he was asking for help.  I guess the day when those pills no longer work will be the time a decision has to be made.  Not one I am looking forward to at all.  We don't want him suffering and will do what is necessary.

Rehash

This day last year was an extremely rare but welcome snowfall for this part of Texas.  So you get a rehash of the photos I took from that day last year.  This year it is on the cold side and damp, but not snow.

Happy Trails

More Preparations and Pics

We still are working on things for Christmas, although K has mostly finished her decorating of the inside of the house. It looks really good as usual.  She has a talent for that, no doubt.  It took her a little longer this year despite having help from the Grandkids, mostly the Granddaughter.  She love doing this stuff just like her Nani.  She wasn't at all interested in decorating the tree, she can do that at home.  It was the other things around the house she was all about as that isn't as big a deal as it here.  The Grandson, helped me outside with a few lights and then we grilled burgers.  He had never been shown anything about grilling/cooking but he was game to learn.  He wasn't too sure about smashing the burgers down with his bare hands but once he did the first he was all in.  He learned about seasoning and then starting the fire in the pit and how the coals were supposed to look when they were ready.  He actually seemed interested which surprised me.  

Here a few pics of the inside.  It is dark to show off how the lights look.

Today I will continue the leather accent pieces for the Granddaughter's gift.  I have the two corner pieces cut and tooled and awaiting color.  The big centerpiece will be today's job.  Carving it and tooling it should be fun, it is really different than anything I have done before.  Pics after Christmas.

We are working on the menu for our Christmas eve get together.  I am pretty sure we are deviating from K's great Chicken Fried Steak to Chicken fajitas.  One reason is that it will be easier and quicker than all the things it takes to make Chicken Fried Steak.  Plus we have a ton of chicken on hand already so there's that.  You might think I will be grilling the chicken fajitas, but you would be wrong. (Oh, btw, something that bugs me, just where is a fajita on a chicken? There is no such thing.)  Why no grilling?  K developed this new way of using the skillet.  The chicken is cut up in small chunks, seasoned and pan seared with a little olive oil.  But here is the secret:  BACON! yes, bacon.  Of course onion and bell pepper are added and it is all cooked together.  The kids have had our fajitas many times before, but not like this.  We will have a pot of my beans, a ton of guacamole (necessary) and if someone can come up with a decent Mexican Rice we will have that.  I make it occasionally but it just ain't what it should be.  I don't think either of the Daughter-in-laws have made it as they haven't spoken up after my inquiry....chickens.  This will get a bit more refined as we get closer to the day.

I have been trying to get a little Christmas shopping done, online of course.  I have a special gift to my sons this year and a DNA test kit for my mother.  She has been reluctant to get that done so I am getting it for her.  She says she knows what her DNA is.  Not even as mine was a pretty big surprise to her.  K has been the hardest to shop for as usual.  She is no help.  We went to Costco and she bought a lightweight jacket said that was her gift.  SMH.  I did find a couple cheap things online I think she will think are fun.  Hopefully since I spent very little.  We just don't go all out for gifts for each other anymore.  We already have too much stuff.  Plus we try to focus on the Kids and Grandkids as it should be.

Happy Trails

Put 'em To Work

The Grandkids.  They are coming over today.  Just for the day this time, no overnite like we usually do.  The Granddaughter asked to come whenever we (K) was going to decorate for Christmas.  The Grandson always goes where big sister goes, so he is coming too.  I think they think they are just decorating the Christmas tree.  They have no idea what's in store.  While the tree is the main focus, I don't think she realizes how much 'other' decorating that K does for this.  She does a fantastic job and I actually hate to see it put away it is so great.  She will spend almost all day on decorating the inside.  I make myself scarce.  I had in the past put lights on the outside of the house along the roof eaves.  I think that has has ended for me.  It's getting pretty hard for me to get up that high and try to reach the upper peaks.  Last year was a no go.  The trees in our yard also block almost all of the lights I put on the house from being seen at all.  So I will hang a few from the a couple trees out front where they can at least be seen.  Nothing major, just a couple strands of lights.  I will take the Grandson out to help with that, holding the ladder and handing me things, maybe even get him on the ladder a little.  He's gotta start somewhere...amiright?

I will grill some burgers for sliders for lunch using some of the venison we got a couple weeks ago.  They really like those, so Poppy will oblige.  Yeah, I'm Poppy.  So this will be another very busy day trying to get all this done before we have to meet their Mom late afternoon.  Then it's off to the church house this evening as I have to open/close.

Happy Trails

The Pace is Picking Up

This will be a busy week as we head into the Christmas season.  I already have done some shopping...online of course.  I ain't going shopping in any store if I don't have to.  I have to work out a pattern for some leather work I plan I doing for the Granddaughter.  These will be accent pieces I plan to add to 'something.'  I can't reveal that just in case by some weird happenstance they (the people she lives with) read my blog.  Not likely but you never know.  So a lot of today will be going through my saved patterns and trying to come up with something, then actually laying out (drawing) the pattern and tweaking as needed.  Not sure that I will start putting it on leather or even cutting leather.  She and her little brother are supposed to come over tomorrow and help with the decorations for Christmas (her idea).  So I don't want something laying around that she might see accidentally.  

We also need to make a much needed run into town to get some groceries.  K also has another small 'show' at a Ladies Brunch she was invited to.  So there is some work she needs to do to prepare for that.  I have to drag out all the decorations from storage to be ready when the kids get here.  I will try to wrangle my Grandson into helping with hanging some minimal lights outside.  I know that there are a few other things I that need to do this week but can't remember them right now.  The problem with that is, I may not remember them later either LOL.

Yesterday I had planned on starting on some of these things, after we got back from waiting with a friend at a hospital in another town.  His wife was having a procedure on her heart and it took almost the entire day.  That pretty much kept us from anything else.  I did make a quick run to the meat market I like that is there in that town for some dried beef sticks.  I love those things.  They are a great snack between meals and keep me from snacking on something that has way too many carbs.  They aren't very expensive, 1.99$ for one, I get a dozen.  I have to be careful, I can eat those non stop so I try to ration to make them last.  

We are trying our best to avoid the a hospital stay this December as we have, it seems, almost every other December for the last few years.  It has become somewhat of a running joke between us.  But believe me, K gets a little more nervous now when she has a small intestinal issue.  That is totally understandable considering.  I just try to support her and be a voice of calm.

Happy Trails

TG Results

Our Thanksgiving meal etc. went off without a hitch.  Although Mom was getting very tired and was ready to leave earlier than we would have liked.  Generally this isn't much of an issue, however, Son#2 brought them out so they wouldn't have to drive that far.  That meant they left much earlier than they had planned.  They usually stay the latest.  Son #1 had to head to his in-laws about that time. 

Everyone was in agreement that the Turkey from here on out should be smoked by yours truly.  That made me feel pretty good since I wasn't sure how it would turn out.

Before and After.

I did not add any seasoning, just chunks of butter stuffed inside and rubbed on the outside and sprinkled with kosher salt.  Then smoked on the pit for 7 hours, and finished off in the oven for one hour to insure the meat deep inside was done enough.  Almost 17 pounds of goodness right there.

We spent a little time singing some hymns, everyone picked their favorites.  I had to lead, which I never do, I usually sing bass.  So I got off key a few times.  Just powered on through LOL.  I asked my Grandson (8 years old) which was his favorite since he didn't pick one earlier.  He picked and he and I sang it together since we had only 2 books that had that song in it.  The Battle Belongs to the Lord.  He wasn't shy about singing and he came and sat with me and we did OK.  His Mom videoed it and I will treasure that.  NO! You ain't seeing it (mostly the hearing it LOL).  

Hope yours went well also.  Today we will just chill here at home.  Next week I have to get into the washing machine and see if I can fix the leak.  I have been putting it off much too long.  

Happy Trails

Preparations

As usual we are having our family, (our kids and my parents) out for Thanksgiving.  I will try smoking a turkey again.  It turned out really well the last time I tried it so I want to smoke a bigger one.  It is taking a long time for that bird to thaw out with the much cooler weather we are having.  I need it thawed by Wednesday.  That is when I plan on smoking it.  I may have to try some other measures today for it to get thawed completely by tomorrow.  I am worried about it thawing too soon and getting some sort of bacteria growing (what is it, Salmonella or Botulism?)  That would really be horrible.

We will be trying to get things cleaned up and presentable in the house and I will try to get my yard cut one last time until next Spring.  It is looking a little unkempt at the moment.  But it's pretty chilly out today, but we will have a chance of rain tomorrow and smoking turkey will get in the way.  So it is today or never.

I see some of the invaders from Central America have made it to our border near Tijuana just south of San Diego.  They were a thousand miles away and on foot a week ago and they covered that in no time.  Hmmmm, they walk really fast if you believe the news media.  I think it hilarious that the locals in Tijuana are upset they are 'invading' their country and wanting them to obey their laws.  What?  Selective justice is what I call it.  (but I don't blame them) Never mind that their own countrymen and government want to come into our country illegally and unhindered.  Will this be a wake up call?  LOL not even.  This is a perfect example of 'do what I say, not as I do.'  This is going to get ugly.  At some point these 'wannabe refugees' are going to try to get into our country, similar to how they did Mexico's Southern border.  They breached it and overwhelmed the guards with pure numbers.  There are 10,000 more on the way.  Are they just going to all sit there and be happy?  Mexico is aiding them to get them out of their hair and into our country as fast as possible.  But You won't see the regular media admit this.  

This invasion may also have ramifications by causing major conflict in our own government.  Trump, like most thinking Americans want this invasion stopped.  Those that want to open our borders to everyone don't care that all those invaders can't be cared for adequately.  If they get across en masse by swarming our border, how will we react?  Rollover like the Mexicans?  I pray for no bloodshed but I am afraid it may happen.

Happy Trails

Aggravation and Fried Green Tomatoes

The wife and I are applying for our SSI this month.  Well, we are trying.  I have gotten mine done online.  The wife is trying too.  However, every time she tries to login, there is some sort of issue and it doesn't recognize the login info.  EVERY TIME.  Then she is suspended for 24 hours.  I managed to get in for her once a few days ago and updated her pw so we would have it correct the next time.  She wrote it down.  Today, same problem.  She can't get in and we are locked out, again.  Her application is almost complete, she had one question she needed answered.  The wait is 1.5 hours, well that is what the robot voice tells her.  I would assume they will answer that question but someone else will need to fix her account so she can get in.  Frustrating and aggravating.

We are headed over to a friends from church to take them a plant and a card, one of their relative passed away.  We also did that yesterday.  (We will do this once she gets off the phone with the SSI folks.)  I feel bad for them and hope we can bring at least a smile to them in this trying time.  

My tomato plants are a wilted dead mess due to the very early freeze we just had.  I pulled all the green tomatoes off and hope we can get some of them to ripen inside.  I took a bag of them to a friend that really likes fried green tomatoes.  I am hoping to fix some soon too.  Maybe that is the answer as opposed to waiting for them all to ripen in several weeks.  They take up a lot of room since I have around 80 or so.  I only tried them once a very long time ago and messed them up.  I know more about cooking now so maybe I get it right this time.  That friend did clue me in on how they do it.  Not really any different than I thought I should do.  So we will see how this goes.

Happy Trails

Weather, Really? and What's Up With Florida?

The weather here is the news of the day.  It has been cold, blustery and wet.  Much more wetness on top of the extremely wet Fall we have already had.  Now they say another very cold Cold Front is on it's way to this part of Texas.  We live just on the Southern edge of the Texas Hill Country.  We are a few hundred feet higher in elevation than that big city to our South.  About twice as high.  So some of the weather gets significantly cooler at various times, even at just a few hundred feet.  Sometimes there is no difference and sometimes we are even warmer.  Nothing predictable.  I can't explain it.  This affects my garden.  I have tomato plants in the ground currently with loads of green tomatoes.  The first freeze is usually around the end of November so I can harvest tomatoes by that time.  Apparently Mother Nature has some very different plans for us.  They are predicting our first freeze to be possible by Tuesday morning.  It's touch and go as the say maybe 31*.  My plants can survive that.  However, the 25* predicted for Wednesday morning will kill them dead.  No tomatoes unless I pull the green ones and let them ripen in the house.  They are usually less than ideal when I do that.  Not sure I want to mess with them.  Most likely I will harvest at the last minute sometime Tuesday.

I got the call to come get my processed venison Saturday.  Less than a full week after I took it in.  Picked it up today and them split it with Son #1.  We got over 80#'s of hamburger.  Had them add some tallow to it.  Plus the back straps we kept whole.  That will last us a good while.  The kids aren't real familiar with cooking it and so I gave them some tips.  They had not had a good experience with the little he had from last year.  He had some of the ham's made in to steaks, like a rib eye steak, about 1" thick.  They didn't care for how that turned out, LOL.  Too dry and tough on the grill.  I think I got him where he can enjoy this a little more.  The wife and I have plenty of experience as we only ate venison for a few years when the kids were very young and we were very poor.  We developed some pretty good recipes out of necessity.  Adapt and overcome.  

On another note, Why? Why is it always Florida?  Election garbage and vote counting fiascos seem to be the norm for the last twenty years or so.  Ever since 'W' and the Supreme Court 'stole'  the election from poor ole innocent Al gore.  Are the people there really that incompetent that they can't avoid some sort of controversy? Nah, don't answer that.  I just need to rag on those goof balls.

Happy Trails

Bonus!

Things are quiet but busy.  Since I am in charge around here while the wife is working her short term job things have been going resoundingly well.  I get dishes done everyday and supper is ready early.  Took her car and got the oil changed and inspected, she is ready to go now.  Yes, I'm whipped.  

I mentioned we were kicking around the idea of getting a new vehicle next year.  That we were settled on an SUV as opposed to the truck I want to replace mine.  That was until I drove my brother's new truck yesterday.  Wow, they have really made some nice changes in the 14 years since I got a new one and makes it hard to not really consider one anyway.  I'm sure practicality will win out in the long run even though she says get what makes me happy.  That is dangerous territory right there.

This one week job K has gotten may turn into a part time job through December since they need extra help.  But there are some drawbacks.  This place is a 25 mile drive one way.  Not too bad, but if you only work a half day she won't really make any money.  Most of it will go into the gas tank.  If they can adjust it to full day a couple times a week or so that would be better.  They are extremely flexible so we will see how that goes.  She gets pretty bored though as this is not a challenging job at all.  She has never been a clock watcher, but she is with this job.  It will be nice to have the extra $$ with Christmas coming.  Another bonus, the owner gave us a deer.  125#s' of venison, from one deer.  It was a from a managed ranch in South Texas.  It was killed for the horns, the hunter didn't want the meat after paying an exorbitant price.  I get the benefit of that.  Took it over to get made into hamburger, all except the back straps.  That is more than twice the amount of meat I get from those little Hill Country deer.  I usually net only 25-30 lbs.  This one should net 80-90 lbs.  Since I don't have room for that much meat, I am splitting it with my Sons and I will still have a good amount.  Bonus.  It's things like this that our friends are so great about.  

Now if we can just stay healthy this year as opposed to the last couple (especially last year) we will be good to go.  We have had some really bad Decembers the last 5 years.  We approach this December optimistic it will be better than last year. 

Happy Trails

The Election Can't Be Over Soon Enough

I will be more than happy when this election is over.  The television has been inundated with attack ads more than I have ever seen and for a midterm election.  It just shows how desperate the left is and they have spared no expense getting their garbage and outright lies and obfuscation onto the airwaves.  I don't watch a lot of TV so when I do sit down to watch, it gets me tight in the jaws since I can't escape it and I have to sit through that.  It seems it is even creeping into the cable shows.  I hate it.  They are very stupid ads aimed at those voters that only decide to vote for the one with the best catch phrases or twist that appeals to them.  Do these ads really work with someone that has grey matter?  I hate these things.  

My BBQ turned out pretty well although a little drier than usual.  I bought this brisket with the fat cap trimmed.  I had never done that before and was trying something new.  While it was still tender and flavorful, it had almost no moistness when cut into.  It didn't taste too dry on the tongue, but it just wasn't what I prefer to present.  We had a good time visiting and the folks we had over were of the younger crowd so they brought a passel of kids.  It was a delight to see all those young'uns running around and having a great time. A three year old little girl ran the show.  I paid more attention to what they were doing than I did their parents.  I sat and listened to the parents (early to mid 30's, younger than my kids) and felt a bit lost on some of the things they talked about.  But I was glad they had that time to get to know each other better as that is what we were hoping for.  I think it was very successful all in all.  I need to keep an eye out for briskets on sale as I like to keep one on hand to give to those that may be going through a tough time or we get the urge to have someone over.

K got a call from a friend that runs a tool distributorship about coming and working at his place for a week making calls telling clients about his big christmas sale.  She jumped at the chance.  She will earn a little and that will go a long way toward gifts for christmas.  So I am running things around here.  I hope I can do it right.  Note to self: remember to wash the dishes.

Big milestone or me.  I applied for social security.  K will also as soon as we can get her log in issues corrected.  We will then start shopping for a new vehicle to replace my truck.  I would really like a new truck but common sense tells me that is just not as practical as an SUV would be.  I really don't haul anything anymore and K would have trouble getting in and out.  We have even kicked around the idea of going to one vehicle.  I just don't think that would work out very well right now.  Maybe once we are older.

Happy Trails

October Surprise(s)

I generally refrain from commenting/posting about what goes on with politics etc. but I have ventured there on occasion.  This is one of those occasions.  

Living where I do we are affected by what goes on with immigration and the border situation more than most other cities of any real size except maybe San Diego that is right on the border.  We are roughly 175 miles give or take from a very long border.  We are the first big city North of the border with Mexico (in Texas), so we get our share of news from there.  Our area is greatly influenced by the closeness to the border and also since we were part of Mexico at one time.  The population is decidedly blue in regard to politics.  This is just a some general background info to give you an idea of why I pay attention to what is going on South of us but especially with the 'caravan' (or whatever you want to call it) that is heading for our border.  I call it an invasion.

If this caravan heads this way, I have no doubt, if they get across, most of them will arrive at our city expecting handouts or whatever else is in their heads.  I know that there are militia groups poised at the border.  They are there almost continually 'helping' the Border Patrol with reports.  Yes, I know this doesn't make the regular news but it is a fact.  They are planning on bolstering their forces the closer this caravan gets to the border.  Then there are our own US military forces that are there.  The National Guard ist already there and has been and will get larger too.  I don't see good coming from any of this.  Those that have organized this (yes, someone is behind this, it's not a random thing at all) seem to not care what will happen.  Well, yes they do.  They want it to be a disaster only to gain from it politically.  Someone needs to be held accountable.  Let's get the FBI to investigate this.  Oh wait, never mind.

Then there is this nut job that has sent bombs via mail to almost every prominent left wing political figure.  I ain't buying it that this isn't something that was also more organized.  I don't remember how many of these mail bombs were sent, there were a bunch.  All the news readers have been wondering what the motive behind this is and a lot of folks, not just news readers, but every sort of person is blaming the hateful rhetoric of the right, especially President Trump.  One question no one seems to have asked is....with so many bombs being mailed, why did none detonate?  Don't misunderstand me, no way no how would I want that to happen to anyone.  However, was this guy that inept that he really didn't send workable bombs?  To me this points to another political scheme to cause mayhem to make others look bad.  It makes no sense.  Look at his background.

You have heard of the October surprise in election years?  I think we are having orchestrated surprises at an accelerated rate.  The sad thing is, that people's lives are at stake with these events.  I hope I am wrong, I pray I am wrong.  Evil exists though, and I believe man has a huge capacity for evil.  

May the Lord have mercy on our country.  

Prostate Cancer and BBQ

My cousin, who is 3 years younger than me, recently had a prostate biopsy.  Almost exactly my age and time of year 4 years ago that I had the same.  He has gotten the results and he too has prostate cancer.  We talked a bit, he told me everything his doctor told him, he had some questions for me which I answered as best I could.  I sent him links to articles I have written here and one other hoping to give him more information to help him gain a perspective from someone that has been through this and chose surgery.  The links also included a link to someone that opted to do nothing which I shared here also.  His doctor told him the cancer was totally contained and hadn't spread.  What?  From a biopsy?  I didn't even know that was possible.  They couldn't tell that from mine even during the surgery.  They had to do the usual after surgery pathology to determine if it had spread, they couldn't tell by just looking and wouldn't even guess.  Maybe they have some sort of new biopsy tools available to them they didn't have 4 years ago.  They also did only half as many samples as mine, he had 6, I had twelve.  

Evidently he finally met with the doctor about the results and he decided to opt for surgery.  I am glad that he went with this choice.  He has seen 3 of his family members (includes me) get this disease.  His step father passed away from it (he was in his 80's), his step brother also had it.  So he has a lot of experience to draw from.  His step father opted for radiation.  That did not go well at all.  His step brother had the surgery, but it wasn't robotic like mine.  He and I talked quite a bit during my ordeal and he answered a lot of questions for me.  So I guess you could say we have our own family support group.  His cancer, from this initial biopsy, is not as aggressive as mine, for that I am very thankful.  His chance of surviving are very high, well into the 90% range.  He seems to have the same attitude I had and isn't worried and is very positive about what lies ahead.  I will be there for him every step.  If you want to know why I chose surgery over radiation, let me know and I will get with you about this.  What the doctor told me about the radiation and results left me with no doubt to go for surgery.

Friday we are having some folks over to eat some of my BBQ Brisket.  We are having the new preacher we hired over, along with some other couples, to get to know him better welcome him and his family and let him see what real Texas BBQ is about.  He is from Oregon and then Utah, so I have no idea what the BBQ situation is there.  They never come up in the conversation about best BBQ like Texas, Kansas (they don't even have trees to get wood so how...) Memphis and North Carolina do.  Seriously, how does a place that has no trees get smoke from wood to make BBQ?  Just putting sauce on meat and throwing it in the oven is NOT BBQ!  (OK yeah, there is charcoal from the store but wood is the key.)  If that is how you do it, we don't even consider you a worthy BBQ aficionado.  Yes, yes I am a BBQ snob.  If your BBQ needs sauce and doesn't have a smoke flavor, it ain't done right.  Fact.  

Happy Trails

Bust

K's show did not go well at all, didn't even make her fee back which wasn't very much at all.  Oh well, that happens on occasion. She had only one sale and one other that turned away since she no longer has the credit card swiper for her phone.  She let the one she had expire since she had no prospects of more work and it cost way too much to get it activated again for a one time show.  So there was no real loss there as the lost sale would not have covered that expense.  She did get several folks that told her they would contact her after the show but that rarely ever pans out.  Disappointing for her since she had spent so much time getting ready for the show making new items.  Funny thing she tells me is that my leather holsters always draw a lot of attention, more than anything else, yet they rarely ever sale.  Part of that is those folks don't have their pistol or revolver with them or can't bring it out at the show to try it out.  We offer to let them take it to their room or wherever to try it out for fit (without a deposit) yet they never accept.  Just tire kickers I suppose.  Although one person I know personally said they would talk to me about making a holster for the gun they have.  He says it is one that is no longer made and he has had trouble finding a holster for it.  I am very curious what it may be.  

Today I will try to get out a clean up more of the tree debris I have laying all over the yard.  There is quite a bit but I won't try to get it all done in one day.  A little at a time is how I plan to do this.  I don't want to hurt anything lol.  Yeah, OK, I admit it, I am very lazy when it comes to this sort of thing.  It's not at the top of my list of fun things to do and when you are retired, fun things are at the top.

Happy Trails

Roof and a Small Show

I climbed up on the roof yesterday morning in order to trim the branches that were rubbing against my chimney.  I thought this would be a quick fix, just clip a couple branches and be done.  I was kidding myself.  There was much more that needed to be done and still more than I actually did.  There are a many more limbs/branches that I should take care of.  That would reduce the amount of tree debris that falls into the roof valleys.  The very same that got backed up and leaked into my house.  However, some of the limbs are larger than my equipment can handle.  I will need a proper chainsaw to get the other stuff.  Maybe I can borrow one of get my friend to come over and help as he has offered before.  It will most likely be put on hold 'til another more convenient time.  Like when I am more in the mood.  I really hate climbing up there so any excuse will work.  Now I have to clean up all that I cut down.  It looks like a very big amount, almost as much as I cut from all the other trees and this was from only one.

K has a show this evening.  The only one that she has on her schedule.  It is only for 4 hours so it should be to taxing no her but she has put in a lot of work to get ready for it.  Way more time and effort than the results may be at this type venue.  It is a fundraiser for an elementary school, so if none of the parent show up....Luckily it only cost her a 50$ fee.  It won't take much to get that back. She is putting a lot of pressure on herself and really feels the need to do very well.  She's like that.

Happy Trails

Trimming Trees

Monday morning I got out early to try and get some trees trimmed before more rain hit us.  Yes it is raining again here and is predicted to rain the rest of the week.  I was in a hurry to get them done as we have a brush/bulky pick up for our area on Nov. 3.  I don't want to miss this, my truck isn't big enough to haul much without doing multiple trips of over 30+ miles round trip.  I managed to get more done than I had expected.  I ran out of gas and had to go rest.  

This is just a little of what I had done.  The deer didn't wait for me to get it picked up before they were eating it.  There is still some laying out there since it is now raining.  I hope I have a chance to get it stacked in time for it to be hauled.  I still need to crawl up on my roof to trim some limbs away that are much too close.  Some are actually touching the chimney.  Not looking forward to that, it's hard for me to get up there.

Today I had an annual physical and all my numbers were good.  Got a flu shot and have to get another pneumonia shot.  They don't do those at the doctor office anymore, have to go to a pharmacy.  I don't really understand that but OK.  Since we have another Grandchild on the way I asked about the whooping cough vaccination we were told we need.  It was included with the tetanus shot I got 4 years ago so I am good to go.  Those are now done at the pharmacy too.  Glad to get that visit out of the way.  One more to go for this year and that is with the opthamologist for my diabetic eye exam. 

We will try to get to the early voting location soon.  Maybe the threat of rain will keep the lines short this time.  

Happy Trails

The Rut

I'm just gonna leave this right here.....

This is a Big Boy for this part of the State.  Most points I have ever counted in my neck of the woods.  13 and they are heavy, not real wide like some we have had here.  I got within about 25' Saturday morning when I saw him he was lying down.  There was a doe  lying down just outside these photos.  I guess they just got finished and were resting up.  He eyed me pretty good but was pretty much unconcerned with my presence and gradually walked away.  Oh, and he stunk, bad.  If you have ever been close to a buck that has been in rut a while they get pretty ripe with the smell of urine and all the hormones that are driving the stupid.  He was 25 foot away and I could smell him, he was very strong in that department.

I have seen him a couple other times walking around and the other bucks steer clear of him.  Watching the wildlife here, mostly deer, is one of the things I never get tired of and thankful we have the chance to see these things since I don't hunt anymore.  We have seen a lot of things that most folks never get to see deer do.

Happy Trails

Wet

I seems to stay wet here almost constantly these last few weeks.  We have gotten over 33 inches of rain since Sept. 9.  That is way more than we got the entire previous 8 months.  I haven't totalled those numbers yet but my guess is we had less than half this amount in the previous months. There have been plenty of jokes/comments on the book of faces about the wet conditions here.  The long term forecast for my area predicts more rain at least until Monday.  The flooding has been especially bad a bit farther North of us.  We have friends that have a house on the Llano River that was all over the news this last week and previous.  They haven't gotten in it yet but I saw pictures that showed they had completely flooded lower floor along with their Son's new boat having been floated off it's trailer.  No telling where it is now that the water has receded.  I am also sure my Road Hand Brethren have been very busy and will continue to be for the foreseeable future.  Prayers for the safety.  They work a lot of hours and get little recognition for the job they do.  They usually only get recognition when they have inconvenienced someone.

With the wetness and almost constant rain it has delayed me trying to get out and finish up some yard work.  I really need to trim some branches on the 47 Oak Trees we have.  Our neighborhood is have a 'pick up' of brush and such on Nov. 3.  We don't have these very often, a first in fact, and I really need to take advantage of this.  I usually have to haul it to them, not far, but it takes almost all day to haul what I need to haul in my small Ranger.  I have the step-side bed, it is even smaller than the regular bed.  I pack it tight and make trip after trip, but it all has to be done at one time.  I am worn out by the time I finish.  This time I can stack it in bundles or bags and they will pick it up.  They limit us to 2 cubic yards.  I doubt I will have that much. 

Since we are waiting on better weather, we are hitting a couple closets and drawers to get rid of stuff we have held onto much too long.  I am amazed at some of the things we have found I forgot we even had.  I have/had a ton of old gimme caps I had picked up over the years. You know the kind, those with some sort of logo of the business you dealt with.  I had quite a few from over the years, from railroad contractors and railroad companies and various other places.  Yeah, out they went.  I know some were at least 20 years old.  As much as we are getting rid of you would think we have much more space.  No, not near as much as we had hoped.  This is only one room and we need to get in two more.  And then there is the garage.  What a disaster that is.  It has been a 'catch-all' since our surgeries last December.  I hate even think about what I need to do in there.  Ugh.

Happy Trails

Nighttime Fears

K is having her first issue with her gut(diverticulitis) since her exploding intestine last December where she spent 11 days and surgery in the hospital.  Around midnight she got scared and said to take her to the ER.  I had her call her GI doc first and he responded immediately.  He assuaged her fears somewhat about having to go to the ER.  We are supposed to call him this AM and see if we can get in or if he wants to send her some antibiotics.  This condition will be with her her entire life.  But his was the first time since since her surgery and some fear is to be expected.  Being night time just compounded that and she has admitted that.  I wasn't really worried about her health, but I was worried about her mental and emotional state.  Consequently she wasn't planning on calling her doctor for instructions.  Fear does funny things to you and night time just makes it worse it seems.  If you have ever spent time in an ER, they always seem to be busier at night.  I won't postulate about the psychology of fear and night.  I just know it happens.  In the meantime we wait to see what happens with the doctor.

Most of Texas is feeling the brunt of the first real cold front this morning.  I hear there is even snow in the panhandle, that is pretty rare for this early in the year.  It is about 10 degrees colder than the weather guessers predicted.  It's about 42* and extremely windy as I write this at 8 AM.  Oh and it is raining again.  Already have had 1.5 inches.  I'm glad it's cooler but this makes it hard on the dog and with all the issues he has.  It is really hard to get him in and out of the house in the rain when he needs to go out.  His weakness makes him stumble and fall easily and this is not good when it so wet, it is even easier and he gets really soggy with all that hair.

The bucks have been pretty active the last couple weeks.  I think they may be in full rut this morning with this colder weather.  I saw this big boy this morning while trying to get Buster outside.  

I only had my phone so it doesn't do him justice.  he has 10 points and they are very heavy horns.  heaviest I have seen in a long time.  When it is this windy we don't usually see any deer.  They will lay up as the wind plays havoc with their senses, detecting motion (everything is moving) smell is being blown away.  This guy was more interested in the doe you could just barely see in the video.  The rut makes them nuts and lose their good sense.  

K just got off the phone with the doc's office.  They took her information and will either call her to come in or send her a prescription to the pharmacy.  Her fever is now down and she isn't anxious at the moment.

Happy Trails

Thursday and Great Weather

The weather here has finally turned cool.  In fact, on this morning's walk with Buster I was a bit chilled.  It was only 59* which really isn't all that cool, but the air is finally dryer and there was a slight breeze, and with me refusing to wear anything but shorts until the heater in the house is needed I was cooler than I expected.  Also for the last couple weeks the bucks are getting frisky and have been seen showing interest in chasing does.  That means the bigger bucks have been around, the ones we don't normally see until they start chasing does.  

This is one like that, that will show up only this time of year.

Hopefully today (Thursday) I can get out and finally cut the grass in my yard that has gone nuts with all the rain.  We had rain earlier in the week along with a couple other things that put it off farther than I wanted too.  Then we will head of to the depot of homes and get a few things.  I need to replace a flood light fixture for the front of the house.  The current motion detector one has quit on me.  With all the rain I now can see some fire ant mounds that need to be treated and I am out of Amdro.  There are a couple other things also that I can't remember as I write this but I have them written down.  I have to write them down as I have gone so many times to pick up a few things and have left without one or two I intended.  It is much too far to go to make two trips.  Hey, I'm old.

We finally got around to visiting my parents yesterday.  It had been a longer stretch than usual for our trip over with all the treatments we both were undergoing along with the usual life things.  It had been so long that my Mother even called us about it, which she never really does.  The only issue we had was that this is a pretty long distance, almost 30 miles one way, to get to their house.  Normally that isn't too bad but yesterday all the jack wagons were out driving on that same highway we were on.  And there were a lot of them.  Traffic bugs me more and more, more than I ever expected it to since I used to drive through heavy traffic when I was working.  

Happy Trails

Great Weekend

What great weekend we had.  Everything still has a decided burnt orange glow.  If you have been out somewhere like Outer Slobovia you may not be aware that my favorite football team won the big game against the hated land thieves from that place north of the Red River.  That was a great game.  Yes, I know I probably would not have thought so if it had turned out any different.  However, this one will go down as one of the all time greatest in the long history of this rivalry.  Part of what made this a great weekend is that my oldest son and his son (my Grandson) came to watch the game with Poppy.  I had forgotten that the previous year we had decided to get together to watch this game.  We used to watch every game together when he was at home.  He is just as big a fan as I am and now we have already indoctrinated his son.  He is only 8 and probably doesn't really understand all that goes on in football, but every time Texas scored he would yell 'in your face sucker.'  No idea where he got that but it was funny the first time he said it.  Neither of us went to UT.  I am just a sports fan, and don't really care about what comes out of the college there since they are one of the most liberal of all the colleges in the views of the world.  I became a football fan at a very early age, due to my Uncle and Aunt that met there back in the late 40's early 50's.  Even though they lived in Denver they came to Austin to almost every game and were a big part of several organizations there.  My Uncle was Captain of the Golf team that won the conference championship every year he was there.  His only personal loss was to some guy named Arnold Palmer.  There is so much more I could tell about him but I will cut this short for now.  When that Uncle and Aunt got older they weren't able to attend as often.  By that time my Son was old enough to go with me to a couple games a year on their season tickets they sent us to the games they didn't plan on seeing.  What great memories those are for both of us.

We were also able to spend some time with some great friends from church at a small party.  Our parties aren't really parties and we mostly eat, visit, and then sing songs and the singing is great.  That is one of our favorite things to do.  Yes, I can sing a little.  Usually the bass part.  No I can't really read music but can follow notes and the rest is by ear.  That all just added to a very fine day, although I did miss what was surely a burnt orange sunset.

For the first time in over a month we have no real appointments requiring us to be somewhere, mostly doctors.  We aren't quite sure what to do with ourselves.  I do need to get some yard work done and we will probably go see my parents.  We haven't been over to see them in over two months and we have been reminded of that by my Mother.  Maybe Wednesday will be the day for that.  

We are just going to enjoy the week as it comes and try not to get to busy.  We may make a short day trip to the outlet malls.  I need to replace some old worn out clothes and we have always had good luck there.  And it is near the Cabela's store that I like to go to.  I don't need anything from there but it is fun to look around.

Happy Trails

Finally-IT'S GAME DAY!

Trolling The land thieves

I have some for post game too-when we win

Hook 'em

It's FRIDAY

One more day til the big game and another trolling of the land thieves.

Hook 'em

HappyTrails

Trolling the sooners for Thursday

It's Texas vs ou week

Hook 'em

Happy Trails

Trolling oklahomely for Wednesday

Hook 'em


Happy Trails