Back to Normal?

Hope y'all had a great Christmas.  The kids came over Christmas Eve as usual.  We ate wings.  They seem to be very popular with everyone and we don't have to worry about the one that doesn't like beef.  We make a lot of wings and we did it in the oven since it was to cold for me to grill them.  They must still be pretty good the way they got scarfed down.  We use the Party Wings from Costco.  We made 5 packages, I am just guessing that there is about 1 lb in each.  The number of wings vary due to size.  The ladies can hold their own in matching the guys on how many get eaten.  There were only 5-6 wings left over and I got those for lunch the next day.  We really need to expand our menu and come up with something else next year.  

There was no need to call the plumber for my clogged toilet.  You Tube University solved the problem.  I checked there in case there were some other tricks I didn't know.  And of course there were multiple.  Fist off, I found out I was using the plunger wrong of all things.  It has to be angled in and then a tight seal formed and short strokes.  That way it works in both directions with a suction and pushing.  But the main thing was using Dawn dish soap of all things.  It cuts the clog down like it would grease.  About a cup and then let it sit about an hour.  Sometimes you don't even need to plunge.  I did and it cleared out really quick.  I am still amazed at the long list of things Dawn can be used for other than it's intended use.  I may make a list and post it hear but I know I would miss some.  

The hard cold snap is finally over here in my part of the woods.  No precipitation which made it more tolerable.  Just unusual cold for a longer than normal time.  That's three years in a row.  I have never seen that in all my years.  Climate change, global warming...I can't say what I really feel.  I saw the Gov of New York blaming the latest national cold wave on 'climate change'.  They use that word now instead of Global Warming to not sound even stupider than they do.  It's all part of their agenda to make life harder for all of us.  If you believe something else, I don't care, just don't bring it here and we are good.

I am heading out to clear the dead tomato plants out of the garden.  The cold finally did them in.  I cleared all the tomatoes that had any amount of red/orange color and we have more than I would have guessed.  The bushes will go over the fence for the deer to eat.  They seem to love them and any tomatoes I toss.  Sometime this week I need to make it back to my Mother's to shut of the water I dripped at her faucets outside.  The dogs will also be happy to get back out walking today.  

In case I don't post again, Y'all have a Happy New Year.  

Happy Trails

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all that come by here.  Hope Y'all have a great one.  Stay warm.

Christmas is Upon Us

I have gotten all my Christmas shopping done.  Just a couple deliveries I am waiting on.  Not a big deal.  I only shopped for 'K' this year, which is true most every year.  No special leather projects for anyone either.  The last thing on the list is getting the house squared away for our family Christmas Eve gathering.  'K' hasn't said a thing about it to me this year.  Usually we discuss the menu as I may have to cook most of it or at least the meats.  This year...crickets.  I will not ask either.  I guess I will let her surprise me.  I may regret that.  Maybe I will ask when I finish here.  I don't like those type of surprises.

I am dealing with a stopped up drain line this morning.  It's not the main drain line thankfully.  It's the toilet and it seems to be isolated.  Plunge plunge plunge....hot water hot water hot water.  Little to no movement.  I have a tool that is supposed to clean out a toilet but I can't seem to get it past the bend.  I feel nothing up to that point I just feel it scraping around the porcelain.  It needs to make one more turn.  UGH.  So my day will be dealing with that until it opens.  After that the plumber will be called.  

I am doing some minor preparations for a coming arctic front that will send temps well below freezing.  They expect several days where temps will not rise above freezing.  I have had my fill of that type weather over the last couple years.  We have had more than usual.  They don't predict any snow or ice this time thankfully.  It's hard for us Texans to function with that added to the mix.  

Where has the year gone?  It seems to have zipped by faster this year for some reason.  They always seem to flash by but this one was even faster.  This coming year I turn 70.  My Mother says I will 'officially' be old and I won't care about being old.  I thought I was old way before that.  At least my body's aches and pains tell me I'm old.  I feel cheated then.  

Happy Trails

Housebound

Things have been pretty quiet around here the last week.  Various illnesses seem to be making their rounds too.  I came down with what I think was a cold and was pretty much housebound and immobile since Wednesday.  I thought it best to stay home from church even.  Still have a lot of residual issues but feel fine.  We had to say no to the youngest Granddaughter coming for a couple days.  This has been probably one of the longest stretches we have not had her, since before Thanksgiving.  We had a family Christmas 'party' scheduled for this past Saturday.  It got cancelled due the the host's kids coming down with something.  I would not have gone anyway.  I hope to get out some this week but it seems the weather is interrupting that idea.  It's damp and foggy here and will be to start tomorrow too.  It just isn't a good thing to take the dogs out in.  Their legs are so short that they get pretty messy if there is any dampness at all on the streets.  Since they are mostly inside dogs, puppy tracks become a problem.

I hope to get over to see my Mother this week.  I haven't been in some time.  She has been down in her back and hasn't wanted visitors at all.  I think it's been almost two months since I have seen her.  Even her girl 'K' hasn't been by much since she was sick for several weeks.  We really need to get over and see how she is faring.  She has hired her house cleaner for two days to help out with things around the house.  That relieves a lot of pressure in her mind about several things.  

I won't ramble on today.  I am bereft of any thought process this last week.

Happy Trails

Been Busy

I realized I hadn't posted much in a while the other day.  Nothing much to talk about anyway.  We have been running errands here and there that even took us over to the next town (New Braunfels).  There is a meat market there we like to go to.  They had beef fajitas on sale.  By on sale, they were less than anyone else at 8.99/lb.  I just shake my head at that.  It is some of the worst meat to buy and I usually refuse to pay the price.  Either that or I have to swallow more chicken.  We checked at Costco too.  10.99/lb. is outrageous for that type meat.  Rib eyes are 10.99/lb.  I didn't think about it at the time but I can get decent sirloin for much less and is a better cut of meat and I can make fajitas from that.  We won't purchase it at those prices ever again.  If you aren't familiar with fajitas, it's flank steak.  Very course meat, not tender without much work, i.e. marinating forever, pounding it with the tenderizer or knife and trimming the tough skin off.  It was a very cheap meat until it was appropriated from the Mexican Restaurants and became very very popular.  Now we all have to pay the exorbitant rates.  But I digress.

I don't know much about Kanye West or Ye.  But why do they keep giving this guy a platform?  He is obviously in need of some help.  Or he just says stupid things to get publicity and sell more records (CD's?).  Everyone is shocked by what comes out of his mouth and everyone gets upset.  Well stop paying attention to the guy and he might go away.  I know a politician (more than one)that says some really dangerously stupid things and it usually gets glossed over.  The media never gets upset for some reason.  Then the story just quietly dies.  Take a hint, stop covering the guy.  Yes, I know he is befriended by their target and try to link them etc.

Today is the first day 'K' seems to be finally much better.  She had been in touch with her FNP and they sent her for a chest XRay finally.  It was clear surprisingly.  She had been coughing quite a bit again.  Now it seems to have finally stopped.  This has been probably 4 weeks.  It appears it is something a lot of our friends have or had too.  They don't call it anything other than a respiratory infection.  But finally she is getting some relief, along with me and the dogs.

Happy Trails

Got the Slows this Morning

Weather here has been much colder than usual for this part of Texas.  And it has lasted much longer too.  We usually get about 3 days of cold weather then it returns to normal.  Not this time.  We are entering our second week of below normal temps.  Below normal by as much as 25*.  Plus we have some strong winds along with it at times.  Today it's wet on top of that.  I really don't mind it after the Summer we had.  

The dogs hate it.  I have not walked them for a full week.  And if it doesn't dry up some they won't get their walk today either.  They are going a little stir crazy.  Every time I stand up they swarm me thinking it's time to walk.  I don't mind walking them in cold weather unless the wind is pretty sharp or it's wet.  It has been that way for a while now.  It never got above 39* yesterday which is unheard of without it being a deep into winter storm.

'K' is still down with her respiratory crud.  It kept us home from church.  Yesterday her throat started hurting again.  She's into 3 weeks of this.  Last night my throat started getting scratchy and other parts were acting like I was coming down with something.  This morning I seem to be OK except for some exception tiredness. It's amazing that I haven't caught it from her.  A lot of close friends have got this same bug too.  We are hoping this won't affect our Tgiving plans.  Son #1 and his family will be here.  Son #2 and his family have traveled to visit the in-laws in Arizona and my Mom refuses to get out even if I come get her.  So it will be a shorter than usual time too since Son #1 will have to head to the in-laws after us for an evening meal.

I slept much longer this morning by 2 hours.  Wish that was a regular thing.  I know I don't get enough sleep.  6-7 hours of fitful sleep is the usual with 5 being more common.  That's not good.  I have some serious lethargy today.

I hope all y'all have a great Thanksgiving this year.  

Happy Trails Too.

Warning Political Rant

This all my opinion, and you know what they say about opinions.  

And again the elections seem confused in some states.  Why is it always the same ones?  Those that say our elections are secure, well I don't think they really believe that.  I know I have doubts, suspicions, etc.  The Republican party is mostly at fault by just standing by and letting these things happen.  Can you imagine how loud the left would be if this was going against them?  The left has the cajones to at least stand together to get what they want.  Even if it's wrong or immoral.  No I am not condoning doing things wrong to get what you want.  But doing the right thing and being united and aggressive is bound to be better than sitting on your hands while we watch the dumpster fire that our elections have become.

No, not all I voted for won.  I voted against my RINO representative and another I didn't vote at all since there was no viable alternative, he still won.  First time ever I did anything like that.  No I didn't vote for anyone on the left.  I could NEVER do that.  I have voted for the RINO's in the past to prevent a leftist from gaining office and then regretted it very often afterwards.  That won't happen ever again.  Tell me I am wasting my vote and I will tell you you wasted yours, voting for a leftist in disguise.  I have voted Republican 99% of the time, voting for the Republican platform, hoping the candidate will tow the party line.  It rarely happens.  Just look at Texas.  We have a speaker of the house who masquerades as a Republican then appoints Democrats to the committee chairmanships.  This kills the Republican stated agenda.  Yet, Republican legislators elected this guy and probably will again.  All this while our grandstanding Governor stands on the sidelines and keeps his hands clean doing photo ops yet nothing of real substance.  He stays away from the really tough decisions, i.e. the mutilation of children with gender 'dysphoria' and parents that enable this along with money hungry doctors.  His idea was to send a letter to HHS to ask them if it was child abuse.  I just can't.

Do I know all the answers.  Not a chance.  But I do know if I follow my faith in voting 100%, I shouldn't be able to get crossways with the Lord.  He will hold us accountable.  This drives EVERY vote I make.  That should explain how I think to you.

Happy Trails, regardless of how I may sound.  

Harvest Bust

It was time to check out how the potatoes turned out.

That's it.  Six bags of potatoes I nursed for 3 months.  I had suspected they wouldn't do as well as the earlier 2 lb. harvest.  I used Russets this time, last time Golds.  I'm sure the extreme Summer heat played a huge part in this failure.  Weeks of unrelenting 100+ temps most likely was the culprit.  Admittedly I am not a garden expert and am only guessing.  I will try again this Spring.  The Tomatoes are doing pretty well.  We eat one or two at nearly every meal.  'K' says they taste sour to her.  My taste buds aren't that sensitive, they taste like tomatoes to me although not as juicy as the Spring or as big.  These are of the very same plants from Spring.

I will leave them up until the first freeze.  I may be pulling through Thanksgiving.

We are socked in this morning.  Fog and high humidity and 73* this morning.  That will delay my morning walks with the dogs if not cancel.  I hate to miss that.  I feel much less stiff and sore the rest of the day.  Maggie will be bugging me to go off and on all day.  She will follow me around bumping her nose against my leg as I walk through the house.  Her herding instinct is very very strong.  Also this type weather puts a 'damper' on completing the Honey Do list (see what I did there?).

If you haven't already, vote.  'K' wanted to vote early.  I declined.  There are very limited early voting places out here and the parking is not to be found when the turn out is so high as I have heard.  Plus I don't really trust voting like that anymore.  So we will vote tomorrow.  Unfortunately my RINO congressman will most likely be re-elected.  For the first time I will vote independent.  That candidate appears to be a true conservative.  But you never know until they get in and then start voting with the Democrats which my congressman has done multiple times.

I am very concerned about who will be elected Speaker of the House for the State legislature.  The current speaker has sandbagged almost every conservative attempt to pass legislation or get it even on the calendar to be heard.  Dade Phelan is the dude who has allowed democrats as committee chairs,  He uses them to kill legislation he doesn't like.  Then he can point fingers when asked why something didn't pass.  He's a snake.  He is running opposed this time at least.  But games are played.  

Happy Trails

It Was a LONG Week

'K' has been sick with a respiratory infection since last Wednesday.  It really messes with things when that happens.  Groceries were running low too.  My cooking skills were being challenged with many of my regular things missing key ingredients which would only be solved by a trip to the grocer, which I had not been looking forward to.  But she had gotten a video doctor visit and he prescribed her some meds that I would need to pick up-at the grocer anyway. 

Also, things were needed if I was going to be able to cook a few things.  Wouldn't you know it, the store had reshuffled their aisles.  The changes were made but they hadn't changed the signs at the end of the aisle that told you what was there.  That messed up my list so I had trouble finding things.  I left without a few things since my list was messed up.  I had to make a return trip lol.  Let me explain my list.  I had learned shopping from 'K' telling me what we needed and me forgetting half.  Then she would write it down.  Well that was a real trip.  What ever came to mind she just listed it in the order she thought of it.  Not a good way in this giant store.  It's one of the top 2 or 3 in size in Texas when it was built about 10 years ago.  I was wandering all over the place.  I would get to one side and then have to backtrack to the other due to how the list was written.  My mind works so much differently than hers, so I made the lists from then on.  I listed everything in order to where it was located in the store.  Start on one side or the other and follow the list through the store.  It also keeps you from buying things you don't really need.  Obsessive?  Maybe so.  I just think it's more efficient and I don't wander around near as much until they mess it up every 6 months or so.  They call it marketing.  I call it something else.  I also left a pair of my reader glasses in a case in one of the carts.  Not sure I will make a trip back for that.  

Anyway 'K' is finally starting to feel a little better but she is now coughing so much I am afraid she it going to cough up something she may still need.  

Happy Trails

The Never Ending Project

It's finally complete.  Woohoo.  Painting the exterior of the house is now off the Honey Do list.  The 3 year part time project is over!  I did get some help from a friend that has a much taller/nicer ladder than what I have.  Still wasn't quite tall enough for the highest spot but he rigged up and extension to the roller and paint brush and got it done while I pretty much stood around.  I was actually busy painting the lower parts I could reach while he did that, or before he got here.  I am still pretty sore from all the up and down ladder climbing.  Especially my calves and feet.  Oh my.  His help made sure it got done in two days and no one was injured falling off my make shift scaffold which will now be disposed of.  I am so very thankful for his help.  And we actually had a good time. 

Now on to other Honey Do projects like the yearly trimming of the whiskers on the Oak trees.  Then my garage will get a major overhaul.  My plan is to get rid of tons of stuff I have been a pack rat with.  That means some things may get tossed I may need later...you know how that goes.  There is just no room to really do anything I want to do in there and everything gets lost.  And someone else thinks that when there is no room for her stuff, just set it somewhere in the garage-that has no room.  Ugh.  We just have to get in the mindset to toss it.  That's easy for 'K,' when it's my stuff lol.  She has a whole wall of things left over from her jewelry business.  I have been after her for years to thin it down.  Her craft room is even worse.  She hasn't been ready to think she is finally done with it.  She does fiddle with stuff on occasion by making a piece of jewelry for someone as a gift.  It's gonna be tough to get her to change her mind.

HAPPY TRAILS

I'm Baa-aack

We are back from our short road trip.  We got back Sunday just past noon.  Where were we?  Glad you asked.  We were in Farmers Branch (Dallas) for the Bloomin' Bluegrass Festival.  It was great.  Lots of big names I hear on Sirius radio all the time.  And of course the main attraction for me, Del McCoury.  He is now over 80 years old and still sings just as good as ever.  It was 93* when he hit the stage wearing the traditional full suit.  I don't know how he does it.  The heat with no shade almost sent me back to the hotel.  But there was too much great music to come and I didn't want to miss a note.  I tool precautions.  

I haven't been to many festivals but I have seen their line-ups and none match this one.  This may be the best festival in the country due to that fact and it is run very well.  Folks come from all over because of the great line up.  Most festivals have just one or two headliners, all of these folks could be a headliner at any festival.

I have a few pics of most every band that played.  So you get to see those.  

Texas and Tennessee

Donna Ulisse

Alan Bibey

The Queen of Bluegrass-Rhonda Vincent

Breaking Grass

Kenny and Amanda Smith

Seldom Scene

Del McCoury

Balsam Range

Dan Tyminski

I could go on and on about each act but I couldn't do them justice.  I understand that Bluegrass isn't for everyone but I have loved it since I was a kid when I heard the Osborne Brothers on the Country and Western Radio back in the 50's.  The musicianship of these folks is top notch and for that alone they can be appreciated.

Now I will go out and check my rain gauge-yes, we are finally getting some good rain and hope there will be more as predicted.

Happy Trails

Range Time etc.

I was moving along pretty well with the painting and then I ran out of paint.  I have used more paint this time around than I have any other time.  I assume that is an indication of just how bad I needed to paint.  It seems the siding is sucking up the paint pretty well.  I am almost finished.  I even have an option for the remainder if it gets too hard for me.  I have an offer of help.  I may just accept it.  I will need to get more paint first but that will have to wait a week or two.

I made it to the gun range this past week after I ran out of paint.  Man was I rusty.  I have never claimed to be a good shot, but I was competent.  But the first couple mags were pathetic.  Then I switched over to the 1911 and moved the target in a couple yards.  That was good for my ego.  A few more mags from both pistols and I felt much more confident.  I will need to go to the range more often than I have been.  Shame on me.  I have always had issues with those short barrel guns like my carry gun, M&P Shield (the smaller one).  The 1911, not so much.  I shoot much better with it but it's too heavy to carry everywhere.  It behooves me to be more capable a shooter if I am going to carry.  

We are off to visit with my Mom today.  It's been a while for me due to various things.  But we want to go by before we are out of pocket on our road trip for a few days.  We will take the youngest Granddaughter along.  They both enjoy each other and it will be uplifting for Mom.

The drier is on the fritz and so is the microwave.  The repairman came out Saturday and didn't have the part and had to order it.  He will return Tuesday.  We will just replace the microwave, but it appears there are few to be had in the paces we have looked.  Supply chain issues I'm sure.  

I saw a video clip of the President of Ukraine asking the US for a preemptive nuclear attack on Russia to prevent a tactical strike on them.  Keep poking the bear, that always helps.  The world has gone insane, literally.

Ok, I gotta hit it.

Happy Trails

Busy Days and Great Weather

I have been trying to knock out more things on the Honey Do List, taking advantage of this great weather.  I've gotten past some of the harder painting.  Some of it included me having to climb on the roof and lay down on my back to paint under the eaves.  I would say I have about 3/4 complete now.  It should go pretty fast from here.  The only hiccup are the two highest peaks of the roof and the areas there that need to be painted.  I don't have any ladders that tall.  I have done it before, multiple times, the last being 15 years ago by my estimation.  I used a home made scaffold with two ladders on the very top (high-about 8') and managed to reach those areas.  Now, this much later in life, I find I am not as stable up there as I used to be.  I've fallen off one of those ladders before and broke a bunch of stuff.  Don't want that to happen again at this point in my life.  But I think I may have it figured out with an extension and a couple rollers.  Once I get this finished I won't be doing it again if I live long enough.  And yes, I am very sore and have been all week.  By the way, CBD oil apparently is working for me.

I took down a small Hackberry tree that was growing between my fence and the neighbors along with a lot of other undergrowth.  The previous owners of the house next door placed a fence right up next to mine.  They never said anything (like I did with mine) just did it and I am left fighting all the grass and hackberries that grow up in there.  They never saw it as they built a privacy fence.  Out of site out of mind I guess.  I actually had to cut my fence to get at that junk.  But it's gone now and it will get treated with plenty of herbicide.  

It's getting closer and closer for our mini road trip.  I got a new battery put in the vehicle we will be going in.  It left 'K' stranded the other day.  She got it jumped and home without further incident.  I had one of the portable battery pack jumpers but it was dead too.  It had been in the car a couple years.  I will remember to check the charge on it ever so often now.  I thought that Lithium battery would hold a charge longer than that.  It did, but not enough to start an SUV.  Glad that dead battery didn't happen on our trip.  I just had the car serviced last month and they checked the battery and it was good to go.  It just didn't have enough amps to turn over.  Anyway, we are both chomping at the bit to get out and about for a bit.  Now if 'K' can relax enough leaving the dogs alone for a few days (for the most part).

Happy Trail

Glorious Morning

The cooler weather has finally arrived.  I got out on my walk with the dogs a little earlier since I was anxious to enjoy the coolness.  We have 63* and very dry air with a slight breeze.  My hands actually got cold on the walk.  This is chamber of commerce weather.  Clear as a bell too.  

We didn't get far before we came across two Whitetale Bucks stalking each other.  Suddenly the fight was on and it was a good one.  Lasted a good minute.  The smaller buck was giving it his all and was pushing the bigger one around a bit until the end and then the bigger prevailed.  I have a video of it but since Blogger doesn't like my phone videos I won't try to post that until I can get it figured out if at all.  Try videoing with a phone with  one hand while two dogs are going crazy on their leash pulling you.  A little farther along in our walk a pair of Gray Foxes ran across the road.  They were beautiful.  One of the reasons I love living where we do is we have an abundance of wild life.  It does have it's drawbacks at times.  But we deal with it.

We have a close friend in the neighborhood that has offered to come by and care for our dogs when we go on our future road trip.  She will come by today and start the process of letting the dogs become familiar with her.  This will be better for the dogs all around.  What a blessing this will be.  We will make it worth her while.  

The search for a new 'place' for my Mother is ongoing.  It's not easy at all.  She changes her mind hourly and forgets much of what has already taken place.  If it weren't for 'K' handling it I don't know what we would do.  She is about the only one she listens to.

I've got to go cook breakfast so 'K' can get out of here to her Ladies Bible Study.

Happy Trails

More Heat

It seems this whole next week will be more of the same old heat we have endured all Summer (I typed Simmer at first lol).  It will include significant humidity also.  I come in from my pre-dawn walk pretty wet with sweat.  The dogs are pretty warm too, especially Maggie.  It's the humidity.  Her furry fluff makes her pretty warm.  They both get ice chips as soon as we get home.  'K' thought of that and they really like it.  They plop on the cool tile and she feeds them to them LOL.  What a life.  Feed me ice chips and tell me I'm pretty.

Our first choice of dog sitters for the up coming road trip has nixed the idea.  We had indications that it would go that way.  One of them doesn't care for Maggie.  No idea why.  I have gotten word that most all kennels in the area are full up for months.  I don't know, we have never used one and don't really like the idea at all.  Lo and behold a good friend that lives in the neighborhood has offered.  She actually does dog sitting.  We will go with her.  It will be better for the pups to be able to stay in their own home.

I have started some of my Fall Honey-do list.  I tried this morning on another one but my pressure washer would not start.  It may have to wait a few more days.  My neck and shoulder issues have been very prominent the last couple days.  Not sure what set it off this time but it's not good.  It makes it hard to hand crank that motor and it has always been hard to crank.  It has a lot more compression than any other I have had.

We did stop in and get some CBD oil.  It seems to help some but we are still working out the dosage.  Apparently with my neck it isn't enough.  We shall see.

Happy Trails

The Pups

Today we woke to temps in the 60's and dry air.  It made for a great walk with the pups.  They were even a bit more frisky.  It will still get into the mid 90's today but with much less humidity which makes it much more bearable.  

Speaking of the pups. We have renamed Abby (the new pup) to Maggie.  We have never liked that name and we both agree it just isn't a good fit for her.  We called her a lot of other names than Abby anyway so we felt a change was in order.  We knew that changing her name may present difficulties, so choosing a name that sounded similar was our goal and we came up with Maggie.  She doesn't notice any different.  We sometimes call her Abby anyway out of habit.  So far so good.

We are going on a short road trip in October and can't take the dogs.  Our first choice is Son #1 and his family.  They love Snickers to death so they are a natural pick but adding Maggie to the mix they seem a little reluctant.  She is very timid and stays hidden when they have been around.  I understand and don't want them to feel pressured.  The other alternative is a commercial kennel near us.  This has it's own issues that gives great concern to 'K.'  We need to get this resolved this week so we have time to make reservations there or somewhere else.  I don't want to cancel our plans but we have done that in the past too.  

Today or at least this morning will be spent cleaning the house, once I get off this.  With two dogs now, the house gets much dirtier very quickly along with the youngest Granddaughter being here for two nights.  Lots of vacuuming and mopping is in my future and then a trip to get groceries.  I'm tired already just thinking about it lol.

Happy Trails

Wacky Weather, the Garden and CBD

This morning was the first cool morning since Spring.  A sure sign Fall is coming and very welcome my walk.  We had 70* but with 90% humidity with a very clear sky.  Weird.  Usually with 90% humidity we have very cloudy skies.  We missed most of the rain that has been scattered around the area for the last week.  But the cloud cover has keep the heat way down.  Unusual for August which is traditionally the hottest month here.  It seems May and August switched roles this year.  

Not a lot been happening here, I did get started on the Honey Do list since the weather was a bit cooler.  Trimmed a bunch of limbs that were hanging over my fence in the back.  There is a vacant lot behind us that has quite a bit of foliage.  I also hammered down nails in the fence that work their way back out and then took some linseed oil to very small parts of it.  Hope that helps it resist the water a little more and it brightened it up some and it is not the dull grey it had been.  

I am having some issues with my tomatoes.  The few tomatoes I get are very spotty, mostly on top.  In the past I tell it was stink bugs.  They would get on the tomatoes and sting them and leave those spots but all over, not just on top.  I sent a pic to one of my friends that has more experience than I with tomatoes.  First thing he said was stink bugs.  There are no stink bugs, at all.  With that info he said he had no idea.  So we have been cutting the top half off the tomatoes before we use them.  I will try to do some research soon to see if there is something I can do about it.  The potatoes I planted have sprouted.  Very pleased with that.  I hope there is enough warm weather they can do their thing and have a decent harvest.

If you know what this is please let me know.

I am hoping to find some heritage tomatoes for next year.  None of the nurseries sell them so I need to find a source.  I don't really want to try growing them from seed.  But I will start looking around and see what I need to do.  

I have been considering CBD gummies for my chronic pain in my shoulders caused by the crushed discs in my neck.  It has been really bad lately.  I know nothing other than the advertisements that have all the BS.  I take mostly ibuprofen and acetaminophen or both most nights in order to sleep a little.  I need an alternative due to the worry about the damage those pain relievers can cause.  Today I think I will visit a store near me that sells that CBD stuff and see what they have to say.

Happy Trails 

Honey Do List Grows

I started making a list of things I have been putting off until cooler weather comes along.  It started out with just 3 things and has more than doubled in as many days.  Most of the things on the list will take multiple days of work.  So even though the list may be short (but it keeps growing) they will take some time to accomplish.  Hopefully we won't have as cold of a fall/winter as we have had the past two years.  That way I can get most of them done.  Number one on the list is to finish up painting the house.  Yes, it's been at least 3 years since I started but I don't have a lot left to do, it's just that the areas needing the paint are the hardest to do physically for my old wore out body.  Most will be high up on an extended ladder around 16'.  It will require many many ups and downs of the ladder.  But once it's done I should be good for a few years.  Then I will hire it done if it even needs it again in my lifetime.  I just don't want to fall off the ladder again being much older now, so I have to have a spotter and there is only one available...my lovely wife.

I still marvel at my laziness.  I never used to let things sit due to weather/heat/cod issues.  I was the type that if I had something that needed to be done it gone done in short order if I could afford it.  Age creeps up on us all and affects us all in different degrees.  I have an Uncle that is ten years older (pushing 80) and I know he can outwork me and most men half his age.  I feel older than he looks.

Mom's 90th Birthday Party went pretty well and she seemed pleased but tired early.  We went over Monday to set up her Life Alert we convinced her to get.  She was still pretty tired from the party and I could see some of the instructions were confusing her.  All the attention just wore her out evidently.  She seemed better later in the day but I could see she was spent before we left.

She is talking more and more about moving somewhere.  She will go with 'K' and my sister-in-law to look at some places.  So the ball is rolling but we still have some obstacles that are mostly things that really are no issue but to her they are huge.  She is saying it will take a year for her to move.  That may kill us all.

Happy Trails

Plumbers

Over the last couple weeks we had been experiencing water pipes knocking inside our walls when we would run water or flush.  Sometimes it was really bad.  So bad you would think they were going to rattle loose from their connections.  I have grown up with that happening a few times in other houses and was always told it was air in the lines.  I got on the www to see what I could do about that.  Drain the lines and let the water run for a bit.  After 3 tries it was still doing it to varying degrees.  Some info I read said to wait a couple weeks and it 'might' correct itself.  But it was pretty bad and things I read said it could cause leaks at connections plus 'K' was more worried than I was.  A call was placed and they showed up early on the same day.  When does that ever happen?  They diagnosed it pretty quickly.  A faulty PRV.  They got it changed out and also found a leak in the pipe next to it.  It took less than an hour for them to get it changed out and fix the leak.  No more knocking and 'K' is happy.  

That makes three times I have had a plumber out this year.  I haven't called a plumber out that many times in my entire life.  A water heater, a leaky supply line I couldn't get to and now this PRV.  The PRV cost me half of what another company would have charged me.  I didn't have to dig or bend over and stress my wore out back.  Plus I found a great plumbing company that is very close.  I hope I don't need them any time soon but I know I can rely on them if and when.  

OK, we're off to get the Granddaughter and groceries and probably Whataburger.

Happy Trails

90 Years Old

Today is my Mother's birthday.  Ninety years old.  We were planning to go see her but she has other plans with her sister and niece.  That's OK, we are having a birthday party for her on Saturday at my nephews home.  She is very healthy but she does have some issues with confusion and memory.  It is not just long term memory.  She has no trouble remembering people.  

She doesn't drive much anymore.  She probably shouldn't drive at all.  She mentioned to us the other day she didn't recognize where she was one day and kept driving until she got someplace she did recognize.  This was in an area she has been in most of her life.  But since she doesn't get out much and hasn't for years now that was understandable to me.  Things have grown and changed in her area, in fact all over town, to the point I don't recognize areas anymore.  I don't get lost since I am aware of where I am, it's just not like it was the last time I was there a few years ago.  However, I can see this being an issue in the future.  I am placing a device in her car that will allow me to see where it is.  Her living so far from us makes it even harder to stay on top of things.

An assisted living facility is in the very near future.  She and my Dad did that once a few years ago and it was a fiasco.  So she has very definite opinions that make it difficult for us.  Same as last time.  We hope to move her nearer my brother and I if we can get her to understand why her choices aren't the best.  

There is much much more I could say and I may have said too much already.  I start writing and things come out that maybe shouldn't.  To me they complete the story and I don't quite know how to put it all down without intruding on her privacy.  Just know this is more complicated than it sounds here.  But the sooner we get her somewhere the better IMO.  

My Garden and Something for you to Read

We woke up to the end of a rain shower surprisingly.  It delayed my walk with the pups about an hour.  I checked the gauge when I got back, only 0.20.  The results sure looked like more than that.  But we did a get another 0.50 a day or two earlier.  Not near what we need but it sure helps and I am thankful.  

The garden is crazy.  All I have are tomato plants now.  They are not producing a lot but I get one or two every day or so.  That's great.  The plants themselves are doing much too well.  There is so much foliage there isn't enough sunlight getting in and then there is the heat, so production suffers.  Most everyone I know has already pulled theirs out.  I will let mine go into Fall and I'll hope to harvest more then.  I will probably have to prune a bunch.  This is how they look now:

That's a little over 7' at the tallest.  

On to something else.  This should give you something to think about.  I think the writer hits it out of the park.  Please take a little time to read this article in the American Spectator by Melissa McCarthy.  https://spectator.org/does-donald-trump-have-jeffrey-epstein-client-list/

Happy Trails

The Wild Life

Actually just wildlife.  We have an abundance of wildlife in our neighborhood.  There are Whitetail Deer, Gray Fox, Raccoons, Ringtail Cats, Possums, Coyotes and numerous birds including birds of prey, Great Owls, various hawks.  These are the ones that I have actually seen.  Others here have taken and posted photos of Bobcats, Mountain Lions and porcupines.  Sorry no Chupacabras yet.  Oh and at least one wild Turkey many years ago in my back yard, beautiful.  

We live next to the Camp Bullis military facility.  It is huge and has many acres of undeveloped land that harbor a lot of this wildlife.  I am not sure how they get through that fence though.  

Deer are the most dense.  We could do without a few hundred and you most likely wouldn't see much of a difference.  As beautiful and fun to watch as they are they do present their own problems.  They will eat everything you have growing.  If you want a lush yard with lots of shrubs and flowers it will be a battle.  The deer will win.  Even the deer proof stuff gets eaten during years like this.  Then you feel sorry for them so you feed them 'deer' corn.  FYI, deer corn is just corn.  It's not formulated especially for deer.  They love it, yes.  But it is basically just candy to them.  It attracts them and you get to see them and feel good about helping the deer when they are hungry because, 'well gee, they were here first'.  Well guess what, you aren't helping them at all.  They get no nutritional value from corn.  You also make them less fearful of humans.  This is dangerous for the deer.  You'll have to think bout that, I won't spell that out for you here.  They also leave us a lot of presents in the yard.  You can't walk around out there watthour stepping in it if you're not careful.  With the yard as dead as it is now, it really shows up.  Taller grass at least hides it.  Luckily there is no smell most of the time.  Sometimes it's not so great.

This morning I found this little one, just born last night or this morning.  Can barely walk yet.  Don't ask how I know.

We have also had some issues with hawks in the trees in our yard.  They perch there and wait.  The feathers of their victims are there for us to see.  There were at least 3 running together when I saw them first.  Probably an adult and two young ones.  One was huge.  So we have to go outside with the dogs so they don't become a quick easy meal every time they want out.  I have no doubt that the big hawk could carry off Abby at 12 lbs.  Maybe not but I'm not ready to live with the idea she got eaten by anything.

Abby trying to boss me around:

Abby not happy I am trying to ignore her

Then there is the family of foxes I have seen the last month.  They have been seen playing in the front yard.  They are probably the ones marking the top rail of the fence with their scat.  Probably at taunt to the dogs barking at them.

Sorry no hawk photos they are too keen of eyesight for me to get close enough.

This is getting long so I will stop today.

Happy Trails

Lot of Things Running Through My Noggin

We have been cleaning house all morning.  We had been slacking lately and there were dog fur balls every where.  We could have made another dog.  Still have some to do but lunch slowed everything down.  Not sure what the rest of the day will hold for us.

As for the dogs, they have gotten to the point they really like each other and will play quite a bit.  Abby holds her own for the most part but is smaller, not as fast nor strong enough to hold off Snickers.  She will finally get enough and hide out if not jump in our laps.  She is feeling confident enough with us she tries to boss my around lol.  We took her to the groomer last week.  It wasn't near as expensive as I thought it might be for such a little furball.  So we will try to make it a regular thing.  They remove a lot of the undercoat on her (she is a double coated dog) and that helps keep the shedding down.  

My mother will have an arteriogram tomorrow.  She has been having some weird things happen with her hands and finger.  They turn blue.  The doctor is concerned but no real diagnosis yet.  He did mention one thing that was concerning.  Mom didn't hear him and we are glad for that.  We don't want her to have any additional concerns until there is something to be concerned about.  Her anxiety might really increase with that info.  We will just wait for the results.

I am very confused by this fight inflation bill the dems are pushing through.  (I'm not really)  How does spending more money you don't have fight inflation?  All they say is, it will but can't explain it.  There is a lot of pork in there too, a huge portion of it going to green energy.  If green energy is so great, why can't it support itself?  I have no issue having it supplement our energy grid but if you have to fund it to keep it going and especially at the expense of the rest of the 'reliable' grid it's just insanity.  Obviously legislators have their hand in someone's pocket.  Yes, I'm looking at you Manchin.  But he's not the only one, there are a lot of local and state legislators that do it too.  Yes, this is a very simple view of it.  I am aware it gets much more complicated but only in a bad way.  You and I are paying the price.  

'K' is telling me she thinks we need a generator.  I don't know if she has thought it out at all or any details.  We discussed it a while back.  I have never used a generator or ever really been around them other than seeing a few construction guys using them to power saws etc.  I've learned a little about the conventional generator versus an invertor generator.  But still am pretty ignorant about them.  I do have some friends that have gotten either a whole house generator or have a potable one that can be used to power most thing in their house.  Thanks to some of y'all I know about the dual or tri fuel ones that are available.  Ugh.  I keep putting it off.  I may regret this.

Happy Trails

Blood Work Results

Finally got blood work results from my recent doc visits.  First off, no detectable cancer.  Always glad to hear that.  This makes the eight year since finding my cancer.  The Urologist says 2 more years of monitoring.  That will be great, one less doctor appointment.  He also moved me out to one a year instead of every 6 months for checks.  I am certainly blessed.  

As for the regular doctor visit.  My diabetes blood work wasn't near as good as I wanted it.  The last 6 months I have struggled with blood sugar numbers.  It's been worse since COVID.  From way too low to way to high.  For those that know what A1C is, my latest was 6.4.  The doctor was very happy with that.  Me, not so much.  I was 5.9 last time.  That's a significant change.  The doc doesn't like it below 6.0.  To much risk of low blood sugar which can be fatal.  I watch it pretty close and can detect the signs and make adjustments.  My preference is to be below 6.0 due to my diabetic neuropathy.  It keeps it at bay.  With the bouts I have had with it, I would rather take a low blood sugar risk than live with neuropathy 24/7.  The lower my A1C is the less I feel it.  But I have to keep it there for a period of time to notice any effects lessening.

K and I are headed out for drive, despite gas prices.  No idea where to, just get in and go and see where we wind up.  It won't be long, maybe a couple hours.  We just need to get out.

Happy Trails

USPS Inattention or Incompetence

Rant Warning

About a month ago I had an issue with USPS.  I did not receive a package.  This one contained my diabetes meds, very expensive.  I sent them an email since they never answer the phone, notifying them that the package was either misdelivered or stolen.  I also notified the pharmacy.  Canned message from USPS stated someone would contact me in 1-2 days.  Four days later and still nothing.  I send another message and same response.  That very same day the neighbor across the street brings my package.  Four days later?  Did he have it the entire time or did USPS find it and redeliver and get it wrong again?  I advised the pharmacy.  They wanted me to check with USPS.  LOL.  A month later I get a email from USPS wanting me to file a claim.  Then I get an email wanting to fill out a survey on the resolution of my missing package.  It centered mostly on how they responded.  Of course I ripped them.  Oh, I did not file a claim since I got my meds.

The very next day I get the neighbor nextdoor's to me mail.  The next day, same thing, all of it.  It's not unusual to get his mail on occasion.  In fact it happens a lot.  So they got another nasty email calling them out.  I did receive an apology the next day.  

I don't like calling out working folks trying to do a job, we all make mistakes.  But this had gone on to the point I wasn't as patient and kind anymore.  Yes, I got an excuse about staffing shortages etc.  But that isn't what caused this.  It was just inattention or something worse.  I know they have the mail all sorted and in a line ready to go and don't really look at the mail they put in the box, I've seen it.  They certainly don't verify the mailing label to what's on the mailbox, I've seen that too.  It slows them down.  They are always in a hurry out here.  I follow the Nextdoor app and it is full of threads about bad mail delivery and stolen packages.  It's pretty common out here it seems.  At least I got my meds thanks to the neighbor even though it was four days late.

Happy trails

Doctors etc.

Went for my annual physical (or wellness as they say now) today.  Went pretty fast for a physical.  He was late coming in so he was in a hurry to catch up.  I was the first appt. and he showed up 27 minutes later.  SMH.  Not much in the way of a physical.  Mainly grilled me about my diabetes control.  Then sent me off for lab work.  I would rather they do the lab work prior so we can talk about it at the physical.  They used to, not sure why the change.  Maybe it's a medicare thing.

'K' is over staying with my Mom tonight.  Mom just loves it so much when she does.  She will take her to Costco to get new hearing aids that we have been trying to get her to do for a couple years.  I need to do the same.  My old ones are worn out and aren't doing the job anymore.  I checked with them about the new models that they usually get around September.  They have no idea when they might be in.  They say that one day they just show up.  So I will probably go ahead and just get them anyway.  I know it's frustrating for 'K' but it is for me too.  You tend to get a little isolated by not being able to hear everything.  So you get left out of some conversations.  While 'K' is there she will be making me an appointment.

I will also have a follow up with the Urologist to check my numbers for any return of my prostate cancer.  I don't foresee any issues.  Seven and a half years since it was removed.  They tell me the longer you go without a return the more likely it is it won't return.  I believe at 10 years they will cut me loose and I can eliminate one of the many doctor visits I have.  Yes, prostate cancer can come back even if you have no prostate.  It will grow in the area where the prostate was if not in the bones.

Not a lot else is going on and I don't see anything changing in the near future.  We did reserve rooms for the Bluegrass Heritage Festival in Farmers Branch in October.  Unless gas gets too outrageous will go again.  No Ricky Skaggs this year it seems but they have Rhonda Vincent coming.  My favorite Del McCoury will be there again.  This is a really good show and it's done right.  Looking forward to it.

Still hotter than ever here.

Happy Trails

Heat and Breakfast Tacos

The teenager stay was pretty OK, not much conversation but she didn't seem too disgusted by my antics.  So I guess that's a success.  Today the other Granddaughter, the 3.5 year old comes to stay through Sunday as her parents have a show at a convention.  

'K' is having another bout with her diverticulitis but it doesn't really slow her down this time.  We thought at first she had food poisoning.  It was just different than previous times.  Having fever made her think otherwise.  She is getting some antibiotics to get that fixed up.  It's just that they mess up other things that need other meds.  What a mess.

I had 'breakfast tacos' yesterday.  They weren't all that unique to me, just an every day thing here.  What were they thinking when they wrote that speech and how did she not realize how stupid it sounded.  I guess when you are surrounded by stupid it permeates everything.  Yet the press is letting it quietly die.  Now if Trump or Elon said that...If you've been up with the news you know what I'm talking about.

The weather here is the really only news anyone cares about.  It just keeps getting hotter and in the next couple days more of that African dust will hit us.  I was reading a prediction for weather in July for the Central Texas.  It will continue the hot trend and continue to increase in temps.  They even had a specific day and place for one area just north of Waco, it would be 116 degrees on July 28.  Not a typo.  The record in Central Texas is 114.  I still haven't heard anyone venture to give a reason for this long stretch of record heat.  We had 105 yesterday, then a few clouds moved in and it went down to 103.  Ugh.  Only good thing is, NO yard work when it's this hot.  But my yard is looks bad.  It would look worse if I was passed out in it from heat stroke.

Happy Trails

Teenagers and Garden Update

Sunday afternoon our oldest (14) Granddaughter will come stay with us until Wednesday.  She normally would be heading to camp with her brother.  She doesn't spend much time with us anymore, her choice.  We just aren't fun enough I guess, and I get it.  And puberty has made some major changes in interaction.  It's been at least 3 years maybe 4 since she has stayed over.  I'm a little anxious about how to interact with her for an extended time.  Don't get me wrong, we speak the usual one word greetings and the obligatory hug when we see each other but I can see they want to move on and I don't detain them.  

I used to teach that age quite a bit years ago and could always connect.  I attempted to teach again a couple years ago and it was not as I had hoped/expected.  The kids are different.  In my opinion, they want to be entertained by a screen of some sort, i.e. social media or electronic games.  They are rarely forced to actually communicate face to face.  It is extremely rare to get one to actually speak more than one word answers and a lot of times I get a blank stare.  Yes, my boys were one word answer kids too at times like most parents complained about their teens, but this has gone to the extreme.  I used to be able to draw them out.  Not anymore.  Hopefully I will be surprised.  Yes, I know others will say well that's just kids and I agree to a point, but it is different than just 15 years ago.

The garden isn't producing much right now.  The Potatoes were harvested last week and I got about 2 lbs. of very small potatoes.  Golf ball size to a bit larger.  These were the gold potatoes that are small anyway.  I will plant Russets in about a month.  The carrots totally failed.  I don't know how to grow them apparently.  The onions were also pretty small.  Fall is a better time for onions plus the heat didn't help.  The tomato plants look fantastic and have a ton of blooms but not many green tomato starts.  The heavy rain we got a little while back ruined a lot of the tomatoes I had hanging.  Just too much water to fast that caused splitting or 'second growth.'  Lost some big ones.  We are still having record heat and will at least through the next week.  I'm hoping the tomatoes will survive and continue to produce a little more.  It's funny I have one tomato plant about eight feet tall and one little scrawny one about two foot tall planted at the same time.  Guess which one produced the most tomatoes and still is.  Two different varieties.  The small is a Roma and has done just super.  The larger is a Better Boy and the tomatoes are fantastic but it doesn't produce many.  I may need to prune them more to reduce foliage and concentrate on fruit.  But dang that thing is beautiful and it's hard to bring myself to cut those big branches.  

Happy Trails

Rain

Hallelujah we got some rain.  Over two days 2.5 inches.  That helps a lot but doesn't break the drought.  Some areas of the yard greened up pretty well, but they had some green already.  The toasty parts not so much.  They are still toasty.  Now that we are in July rain becomes ever more rare.  Of course there are exceptions.  But generally July is very dry.  Temps have cooled significantly.  Highs in the mid 90's only.  I can live with that.  But again it's now July and the temps usually start getting higher but not as high was what we have had already.

We seem to be fully healed from Covid.  I think we will venture out tonight for supper and a quick stop at the grocery.  Going a bit stir crazy.  Monday, July 4 is our 47th anniversary.  And they said it wouldn't last.  We will head over to some friends from church since they put on a big get together for everyone.  If we wanted to see out kids that's where they will be.  It's more fun than sitting around looking at each other asking 'what do you wanna do?'  Yup, we're just boring old people.

Hope y'all have a great 4th.

Happy Trails

Getting Better

We are well and we seem to be over Covid.  It's difficult to really determine when we can get back to normal operation of running errands and such without infecting the world.  Our main concern is exposing my Mother.  There is a ton of information out there and none of it is written in stone.  I tested positive yesterday again but from what I read that really doesn't mean I can still spread it.  At least the place I read it from says that.  It seems those rapid tests can detect the virus but can't tell if you're still infectious.  So we will stay isolated through next Sunday most likely.  Any groceries that we will need by then will be done via order and pick up.   

We are seeing more of just how unhinged the leftists are.  They try to rationalize their beliefs yet can't see how dumb their arguments are.  Several people I follow on You tube and Instagram have made statements that if we don't have the same beliefs they have they don't want us to be part of their community.  No big deal.  I wasn't there for you political or religious beliefs but they decided to make their 'statements.'  I don't follow them anymore.  I am sure there may be more.  I was there only for dog training tips etc.  There are plenty of others.  Do they really think their twisted logic will sway my beliefs?  

After a week of Covid and more scorching temps here my yard looks really bad.  It's literally toast.  I missed my water day, I just wasn't up to it.  With the temps ranging up to 104 nearly every day last week, missing a water day has hurt.  I did keep the garden alive though.  They say we may get rain today.  That would be more than welcome.  But I won't believe it until I see it.  I feel a little overwhelmed with all the outdoor work I need to accomplish and haven't due to covid and the high heat.  The residual effects of covid (tire very quickly) are still evident.  Took the dogs for a walk for the first time in over a week and it took it out of me.  The dogs were happy though.  Broke my streak at 71 days straight.  My 82 day record remains intact.  The streak starts over today.

Happy Trails

Quick Update

The pup did well at the vet.  They removed the tooth so no further issues with a repaired tooth.  Sent her home with pain pills and antibiotics and we also got her some anti-anxiety meds for the upcoming fireworks.  We don't know how she is going to react but all indications are she will be very frightened.  Better to have them on hand and not need them than to find out we did need them after the fact.   

I missed wishing everyone a Happy Fathers day in my last post and I apologize.  I was not feeling up to snuff.  I had started feeling a little off  Sunday eating lunch with all the kids and grandkids.  By Monday morning I was pretty bad.  'K', the two  daughters in law and Son#2 also were feeling out of sorts by then.  I tested for Covid Tuesday and results were negative.  Feeling even worse I tested again Wednesday morning, Bingo.  It turned very quick.  Both of us have been pretty under the weather and as of today no real change.  I finally lost smell and taste today.  Taste has returned mostly.  Hopefully that is a sign this is ending.  Son#2 and his wife not sick but no one tested positive.  Got no help from my doctor's office with a message to the portal they encourage us to use.  Not even a response.  Just asked for advice or should we come in.  Nothing.  Aggravating.  I may have a conversation with him about that when I see him next month.  It's a major hassle to change doctors and he is very good.  It's just that his staff answers all the messages and they have huge turnover.  Not a good combo.

So we are riding it out on the couch most all day and my focus is off enough to not want to engage in any reading.  Surprised I can get this far with this post lol.  

Oh and happy Fathers day :)

Happy Trails

Vet, Tomatoes, and Eye Update

We took the new pup (Abby) to the vet last Friday.  I was anxious to get her in so we could get her flea and tick meds.  I had found a flea on me the other day and you sure don't want them to get a foothold inside.  We had a couple concerns too.  Her breath is pretty bad and I was suspecting a bad tooth or something else.  Also she seems to be a little overweight, which can be really hard on dog, especially with the excessive heat and her long black floof.  Yes, she is overweight.  Last January the previous owner told us she weighed 11.5 lbs.  Friday she tipped the scales at 13.2 lbs.  That's a huge increase on such a small pup.  The Vet wants us to get her back to 11 lbs.  She also has a bad tooth.  The wide tooth on the back is cracked and food is getting in there causing the bad breath and possible other issues.  So 'K' is getting ready to take her back to the Vet this morning for a teeth cleaning.  X-rays on the tooth to check the root.  It may have to be removed if the crack is down into the root.  Yeah this was/is a very expensive Vet visit. Who knows of that tooth bothers her at all, dogs are great at hiding pain.  Maybe getting it fixed up will help with some of her timidity.  I don't know, we just want her to be happy and well.  She is growing so much(presonality) and is actually playing with Snickers.  Neither seem to know how to play with another dog but they can make their own way.  I know Snickers is smitten.  And she follows him around and is learning the ropes around here by watching him.  She even protects us from the Amazon guys.  

As for me, I have another appointment for my previous cataract surgery next month.  They have been very disappointed with my progress or lack of on my right eye.  It has actually gotten worse over the last three check ups.  Everything is still out of focus.  They have determined that I have developed scar tissue around the area of the new lens.  This scar tissue is pushing on the lens causing it to be out of focus.  They will make some cuts all around that new lens in the scar tissue and even where there is none in order for it to fall back where it needs to be.  Hoping this works well and I can finally move along with getting the prescription readers and my drivers license adjusted.

Tomato plants have really slowed production but look very healthy.  I blame the excessive heat we have been having and continue into this week.  I tried canning a few using a method I found on You Tube.  I takes whole lot more tomatoes than I had to make it worth the time.  Next year Tomato plant numbers will double hopefully.  I think I will be pulling up potatoes around July 4.  They say 100 days and that should be right.  The greenery is turning yellow which is to be expected.

This was a lot of tomatoes, maybe 20 and I got 2.75 pints.  Ugh.

It's been fun watching her grow and play and see some of her personality

Happy Trails

Appraisal Protest

I protested my property appraisal (online) and they offered a 5K reduction.  Surprised I got that much.  I have nothing to fight them with when everything in the neighborhood is selling fast and is very overpriced IMO.  So that affects any comparables they use to come up with my appraisal.  

I have fought them numerous times in the early years of living out here but I had plenty of ammo being it was a newly constructed house, I had the documentation of actual costs.  I won every time.  Even one appeal that flabbergasted the appraiser.  I knew then I wouldn't have much to go on any other time.  'K' tried once and lost so we didn't fight it any more, until this year with it's exorbitant values.  Unfortunately we live in a highly desirable neighborhood and with all the migration things don't stay on the market long at all, even at these inflated prices.  I'm sure the prices still look attractive to folks from Cali.  I accepted.  Otherwise I would have had to go downtown to the appeal board with no real evidence.  

I sure hope the state legislature does more this next session regarding elimination of the property tax.  They always talk about it but never do anything.  There has been some movement in that area this past year.  The one thing they would try that would most likely pass would only lower the tax a few hundred dollars.  Far short of eliminating it.  But it's a start.

Happy Trails