Still Doing Nothing

Well, the boring couple continue to be boring, so you can probably just skip reading this.

We continue with the routine we've developed here at Rio Concho West. We attend events at the clubhouse whenever we can. Donna plays games once or twice each week, and we both play bingo on Saturdays. I walk as often as the weather allows. I was fortunate last week in that I was able to walk several times. One day, I even drove over to walk the Red Arroyo Trail. Donna and I walked this trail a couple of times when it was completed almost 4 years ago (see "Red Arroyo Trail"). I enjoyed my afternoon there; I really should get over there more often. It's nice to walk a trail where you don't have to worry about traffic. In fact, I enjoyed the walk so much that I returned there yesterday for a 3.5 mile walk. The weather was great, with the temp reaching the upper 70s. You can't beat that.

Red Arroyo Trail is paved and wide. It's an easy walk.

It's easy to see why it is called Red Arroyo.

The neighborhood next to the trail has a nice little lake.

The trail runs along the Red Arroyo from Sherwood Way to Knickerbocker. It's a nice open area amidst housing developments.

This egret was looking for some lunch in one of the holding ponds along the trail.

Numerous spurs provide access to nearby neighborhoods.

I also try to get to the library on a regular basis. The clubhouse has a nice little library, and I use it frequently. Lately, I've been reading the Navajo detective series by Tony Hillerman. The series features the characters of Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee. I read all of the books of this series in the clubhouse library, so lately I've been going to the public library downtown. I also have some magazines there I try to read when I get the chance.

Our turkeys are really becoming aggressive. When we first moved to RCW almost 4 years ago, they kept away from people. Now they come into yards, roost on houses, play on patios, and make a general nuisance of themselves. They are fun to watch, though.

Close up of the yard invaders.

On the last day of this month, Donna and I will complete our 9th year of retirement. I can't believe how quickly those 9 years have passed, but I think the old girl and I have done quite a bit of living in that time. And we ain't done yet. We have several trips planned in the months ahead. Nothing huge, mind you, but little ventures that will amuse us. We are learning that we don't like the long trips we once took. I don't like staying behind the wheel for 12 or more hours at a time anymore. Today, we think of 6 or 8 hour drives as our limit. To be honest, I could do shorter than that. And we enjoy making short stops along the way.

Another early morning turkey jam in RCW. Notice two toms at left displaying their tail feathers. 

The kids are coming this weekend. They felt that I wasn't punished enough at Christmas, so they are returning to finish me off. I'm good, though. Stopped at the liquor store on Saturday and stocked up on survival supplies. I think I'll make it.

We Are Boring People

I guess we are becoming boring people. Of course, many who know us would probably argue that we have always been boring. True enough.

We simply haven't done anything worth writing about lately.

I guess we are reaching a point in our lives where we don't travel as much. As a result, there isn't much worthwhile to post on this blog. As a result, I may reduce my posts. I try to publish something at least once a week, more often if we are doing something. But with the slow pace of our lives right now, I may start posting only once or twice a month. I've even considered removing the blog altogether. But I'll continue for now and see how it goes.

The good news is that we are receiving rain as I write this (early Friday afternoon). The rain moved in sometime early Thursday before daybreak. It was that gentle soaking rain that many native Americans call a "female rain." Most of the rain was able to go right into the soil, and our very dry soil desperately needed it. As of right now, we've received just over an inch, and I think the rain is about to move out of our area. It's been nice to get a slow, easy rain without all the thunder and lightning that we often have. Yep, I like those female rains. We need more of them!

We continue to stay active here in our little community. In fact, Donna started a new thing yesterday called "ladies' time out" or something to that effect. It's where a bunch of ladies gather together at the clubhouse to plot how to take over the community. The old woman seemed to enjoy herself, though, and she has plans to go back to the next get together in a month or so.

It's cold outside right now, in the 40s, I believe. Yesterday was a bit cooler. That is a result of the rain system that moved through. I like to stay in when it's cold. I don't seem to be able to handle the cold like I once did.

So, that just about catches you up on our boring lives. I'll crawl back in my boring hole now and wait for the cold and rain to move through. I'd really like to get out and take a walk.

Back to Normal

Things are gradually returning to normal following the holidays. I, for one, am glad. It's nice to have these little breaks of one sort or another, but I'm always happy to get back to normal. I'm really glad that area schools resumed their classes this week. Get those little rascals back in the classroom where they belong so they don't get in my way in the restaurants, grocery stores, and movie theaters!

Donna and I made an overnight trip to nearby Midland. We lived there about 20 years ago for 5 years, and it was an enjoyable time for us. It was the first larger city we had lived in, and there was so much to do. We loved the restaurants, civic theater, shopping, and other things to do there. Son-in-law Michael started a new job about a year or so ago just to the west of Midland. As soon as grandson Xander graduates from high school (spring 2021), the kids will move to Midland. They have already started plans to build a home there.

Boyhood home of President George W. Bush in Midland

For some reason, the old woman and I think we probably need to be near the kids as we grow older. We think that will make things easier on all concerned. So, we have been looking at housing in the Midland area for the past year or so. Well, I guess we're just too poor; things haven't changed much for us in all these years, Trish. Housing prices there are very high compared to where we currently live. That's what happens in a boom area. I think we have finally given up on finding anything affordable there. Besides, the town has just changed so much since we left in 2002. Traffic is bad, and the personality of the town has changed greatly. We really didn't enjoy our visit there, and I don't think we would enjoy living there again. Perhaps Tom Wolfe was right -- you can't go home again.

Weather is fairly mild right now. Temps during the day are consistently climbing into the 60s, which makes for some great walking weather. Nights are chilly, of course, usually hovering around the freezing mark.

We have in the midst of a somewhat busy week. In addition to routine things like hair cuts and stuff, Donna has 2 medical appointments, just routine stuff. This afternoon, the good folks from Bilbrey Tours will make their annual visit to San Angelo. Each year, they make a stop in town to tell us what trips they have planned for the year. Hopefully, they will have some trips we are interested in.

Early morning traffic jam in Rio Concho West.

Donna and I, along with 2 other couples, are hosting the birthday dinner at the clubhouse tomorrow night. That really sounds like more work than what it actually is. Each month, different folks host the birthday dinners. We serve drinks as folks come in, check them in at the food line, and greet them at the door. It's really all about community fellowship. This will be our second time to host in the 3½ years we've been here.

I hope all of you are off to a great 2020!