A Little Snow and a Cancelled Trip

Yeah, as noted, we've been a bit boring lately. We had plans to rectify that situation, but things did not go as planned.

We had made reservations to take a cruise with Vanishing Texas River Cruises over on Lake Buchanan near Burnet, Texas. In fact, we had already purchased tickets for the Scenic Wilderness Cruise. But the weather did not cooperate. A winter storm blew through the area on the date we had scheduled the cruise, so we wisely cancelled a couple days ahead of time. San Angelo was on the low side of the storm, and we only received a trace of snow. But daughter Courtney and the band of assassins she is training to the north of us received a great deal more snow. Because the public schools closed due to the weather, Courtney was able to provide some special snow training for her young assassins.

As you can see, most of the snow we received stayed on the rooftops, though a patch or two of light snow did settle on the ground.

Looking out our front door, snow is mostly on the roof and the top of our brick wall.

 It did get quite cold here. The low one night touched 20, and the high did not get above 35 or so on Tuesday. I'm glad those cold spells do not linger long.

Well, my phone has died on me. Guess I'll have to replace it. I hate that I have become so dependent on that thing. Now, I don't use it while driving, or while I'm walking, or any time like that. To be honest, I rarely use the phone feature; anyone who knows me knows I hate talking on the phone. But I do like the convenience of picking it up while watching a travel show and researching a destination being discussed. And Donna and I both rely greatly on the calendars on our phones. And when we are large grocery stores, at casinos, or otherwise apart, the text feature is a handy way for the old woman and me to keep tabs on one another. Donna has a bad habit of wandering off and making me look for her. She often won't even respond to my texts. Guess she just wants to get away from me sometimes.

So, I'm in the process of securing a new phone. I believe I've found one through my provider that I like, so hopefully I'll be up and running soon.

Another note on the weather. It is raining here today (Monday). We haven't had much rain, less than a quarter inch, but we should get more today and tomorrow. We've had a decent amount of moisture so far this year.

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!

Bad Santa

Well, Bad Santa did not bring me the camera I asked for. So, I'll have to continue to punish you folks with bad pictures. Even though that fat rascal doesn't bring me gifts I ask for, he does a great job of drinking my milk and eating my cookies and fudge.

Otherwise, we had a good Christmas. The kids came Christmas Eve morning and stayed about 24 hours or so. We enjoyed one of Donna's great meals (ham, baked beans, potato salad, etc.), and enjoyed the fellowship.

Now it is time for life to return to normal. Next week, schools will resume. I like that. And Donna and I need to start planning some trips. We've been talking about some; we just haven't set any dates or made any definite plans.

We were fortunate to receive a half-inch of rain Saturday morning. That is always a blessing for us. But the rain brought the cold. I was still able to get out yesterday afternoon and take down our outdoor Christmas lights, and Donna cleaned up most items inside. Yep, getting back to normal.

I'll wish all of you a Happy New Year. I wish you all the best for the new year. May each and everyone of you realize your hopes and goals.

I'll leave you now with some bad pictures, compliments of Bad Santa.

Sunset, Christmas Eve.

The turkeys have been out in force now that Thanksgiving and Christmas have passed. These were in my neighbor's yard a day or two ago.

This bunch was across the street at the same time as those above were next door. Enjoy the next 11 months or so, turkeys!

Merry Christmas 2019

Merry Christmas to all of you. Remember this is the season of good will to all. It is a time of giving, a time for being grateful for all the many blessings we enjoy.

I wish joy and happiness for all of you.

'Twas the Week Before Christmas

We're counting down to Christmas here. The kids will come down, but we don't know when or for how long. All we know is that they will come down and they will be hungry. 'Nuff said.

It's been a bit cold this week. a few nights have gotten down to the lower 20s, and that is cold for us. The days have not warmed as much as we like; partially, that is due to cold winds that seem to always blow. Yep, it's been pretty chilly out there. But next week looks good. We should have plenty of sun and daily highs in the 70s. Not exactly typical Christmas weather, but it surely is nice for getting out and doing a bit of walking and yard work.

We got out Wednesday night to view the lights. We have done this every year that I can remember, no matter where we have lived. Since retiring to San Angelo in 2011, we have made it a point each year to follow the Christmas Tour of Lights, which takes a route along the Concho River and through downtown San Angelo. If any of you ever visit San Angelo during the holiday season, I urge you to make a point of seeing the lights. It really is a unique display as the lights are set up along the south bank of the Concho River while the road winds along the north bank. The reflection of the lights in the water is lovely. It's like seeing 2 display of lights, with one upside down from the other. We also add in a few other areas around town we have learned about, especially the Santa Rita residential section.

We had our beloved front bur oak tree trimmed. The lower branches were attacking the crew who mows our yard, and they were trying to poke our eyes out as well whenever we walked around the front yard. The guys really trimmed it back, and it will take a few years for it to fill out, but it has a nice shape to it now. Our acorn crop will be greatly affected for a few years, though.

Today is the official start of winter, which means it is also the shortest day of the year as regards daylight. So, beginning tomorrow, the daylight hours start getting a tad longer each day. For me, the next 2 months are the coldest of the year.

I worked in the yard a bit this week. We have lots of leaves, and I've tried to keep them in check. However, with our winds, leaves from other yards quickly blow in to replace what I rake up. Donna cleaned up the beds in the front and side a bit, so everything looks pretty good right now. The older section of RCW is where the leaves really pile up, and our crew has to work almost daily to keep things looking good down there.

No pictures this week. I'm waiting until Santa brings me that new camera with powerful zoom. I know he won't let me down. So, once it arrives, I'll start snapping pictures again. We hope to take a short trip sometime in January, and that will give me a good opportunity to try out that new camera.