New Win

 I finally won another contest - for my daughter this time. It is a Cusinart Portable Tabletop Patio Heater. My daughter and her partner love to go camping and this will be perfect for their little pop-up camper. 

This may not be the exact heater but it gives you an idea. They are actually leaving for a camping trip right after Christmas so it would be great if it gets here in time. 

Interestingly, I believe this is a contest I entered through Facebook. I have just started using Facebook to enter contests but because they share so much of your info with everybody in the world, I am very careful which ones I enter.  

I've been trying to win my son a trip to the Super Bowl. One chance in a million, I know, but somebody has to win. Right? 

More later ... 

Coffee and a Chat

I finally figured out how to make good coffee in my Keurig. My morning cup is one of the highlights of my day, so when I switched from my old Mr. Coffee and Folger’s Black Silk ground coffee to the Keurig with Black Silk K-cups, I was not impressed. It just didn’t taste the same. I even threatened to haul Mr. Coffee back out of retirement.

Then I discovered Community Coffee’s Signature Blend Dark Roast. Yay. No one in my family likes dark coffee, but I love it. I didn’t start drinking coffee until my mid-20s, after I moved to Louisiana—so yes, dark roast is definitely my go-to.  Just FYI for any dark coffee drinkers out there. 

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Thanksgiving & Family

How was your Thanksgiving? Mine was lovely. We all went to my sister’s house. All of the children and grandchildren were there with spouses or dates, except for the Grand Girls, who were with their other grandmother. LOL. Learning to share the grandkids on holidays is… a fact of life. 

A cold front rolled in, and temps dropped to around 44° this morning. I told Marie that for a Texan, this feels just like the icy, snowy winter scene she posted.

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Bonnie Rae’s Update

Bonnie Rae is doing wonderfully. As you may remember, she’s a rescue, and I’m convinced she must have lived in a cage because she spends nearly all her time in her bed—except when food might be involved. If I even think about walking into the kitchen, she trots right behind me.

She knows how to walk to the dog park to do her business and understands the puppy pad, though she sits right on the edge instead of in the center. And she has become a little food thief, so nothing can be left on my side table anymore.

On the positive side, she enjoyed a carrot I gave her the other day—took it straight to her bed like a treasure. She’s so quiet and truly a pleasure to have in an apartment. 

A New Doctor & A Sad Observation

I tried out a new doctor at a nearby health care center. Even though many doctors accept Medicare, finding one close with afternoon appointments has been tough. Long story short: I loved the doctor, even if the building itself was very utilitarian.

What struck me, though, was how many teenage mothers I saw there. I’m not judging them—just feeling sad for what they’re missing in what I’ve always thought of as the normal teenage season of life.

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Giving in a Different Way This Year

Since I don’t go to the big box stores much anymore, I probably won’t be dropping anything into the big red cauldrons this year. Instead, I made my first donation of the season to a homeless woman pushing her life in a grocery cart.

All I had on me was a $20, and these days that is a lot to me. But I knew it would feel like even more to her. I used to give all I could at Christmas—especially when it meant toys for children. I can’t do that anymore, but I was grateful to be able to help that woman, no matter how she used it. You know what I mean.

More later ... 

Just for a laugh

Facebook has different gimmicks where they put your face in various poses.  Check out this one of Facebook's 1980s version of me and one of my oldest grand girl. I had been thinking she looked like me but it wasn't until this FB picture that I could see the resemblance. Neat. 

And no, I know I don't look like that anymore. Hahaha.

How I Accidentally Became the Thing That Annoyed Me

Lately, I’ve found myself in a bit of a conundrum. I’m at the stage of life where peace and kindness matter more than ever—and yet, that seems to be in short supply sometimes. The habit some folks have of talking over one another, teasing until someone reacts, or pushing buttons just to get a rise out of people—it wears me down.

More and more often, I quietly excuse myself and slip back to my apartment. I’ve even tried speaking gently, one-on-one, with a few people to let them know how their behavior affects others. As you can probably guess, that hasn’t made much difference.

When I moved into this apartment community, I imagined friendly chats, laughter, and the easy company of people my age. Instead, I often feel like I’ve landed back on the playground—just with older "kids.” It’s disheartening. I’ve known people who turned into those “grumpy old men and women,” and I’ve always promised myself I wouldn’t be one. As they say, good intentions.

The other day, I was visiting my sister. She goes all out for Halloween—think yard inflatables, lights, skeletons, the works. Me? I decorate a little for each season, but not for specific holidays. After years as a single parent doing all the buying, setup, teardown, and cleanup, I was perfectly happy to scale back once the kids were grown.

My dad was a big yard decorator, too, so I can see where my Sister gets it. Still, I couldn’t help but say something about how over-the-top it seemed—and I hurt her feelings. She truly loves it and believes people who drive by or stop to look enjoy it too. I wanted to roll my eyes. 

But later it hit me that her Halloween joy is the same as my joy in tending my flower beds. I spend money and energy on plants, dirt, and garden knick-knacks because it makes me happy. It soothes me. It’s my thing.

So last night, I asked my daughter to drive me over to my sister’s house (I try not to drive far at night). I made a point to tell her how wonderful everything looked. I took pictures, admired the lights, and said every appreciative word I could think of to compliment her work. It was my way of saying, “I get it now.”

Funny how life has a way of showing us our own reflection. The same behavior that bothered me around the Talk Table—the teasing, the judging, the little unkindnesses—was exactly what I’d done to my sister.

I’m learning that peace doesn’t just mean avoiding chaos; it also means catching myself before I add to it. I still wish my neighbors would be a little gentler with each other, but for now, I can at least make sure I am.

More later ... 

A Trip to the Tax Office (and Other Adventures with the Prom Queen)

Yesterday I took the Prom Queen to get the window sticker for her car. She turned 90 last month (yes—ninety!) and had been beside herself for weeks because she lost the statement from the Tax/License Department. According to her, this meant she’d surely be arrested and shipped straight to Siberia for driving with an expired sticker. 😂

We all get like that sometimes, don’t we? There’s something small we need to take care of, but the more we think about it, the harder it becomes to just do it. After hearing about this lost paper for a couple of weeks—and despite already telling her how to handle it—I went outside yesterday and found her still fretting.

So, I decided to take matters into my own hands. “Let’s go,” I said, “we’re getting this done today.”

First stop: the emissions test. (That’s what replaced the old “inspection sticker” here in Texas.) I took her to the place I usually go, not far away but outside her usual circle of travel. They were short-staffed that day, and since patience has never been one of my strong suits, I had to get out once to gently remind them that their “fast service” wasn’t exactly living up to its name.

Next stop: the Tax Office—the land of titles, tags, and license plates. I’ve only been there a couple of times in my life, but I knew it was going to be a long wait. And boy, was it ever! Two and a half hours later, we were finally done.

About an hour in, my blood sugar started to dip, so I asked the attendant if I could sit down. There were plenty of chairs—about 30 or 40—but most were occupied by young, able-bodied folks who didn’t seem too eager to give up their seats. The attendant did ask one couple sitting near the disabled seating sign to move to other available seats and the Prom Queen and I got to sit for the rest of the wait. But that’s a rant for another day.

Here’s where it gets funny (and a little old-fashioned): I came prepared. I had my water bottle, wore comfy clothes, and most importantly—I brought a book. While waiting, I looked around and realized I was the only person in the room reading an actual, physical book. Everyone else was on their phones.

I always keep a book in my car for “emergencies” like this—doctor’s offices, long lines, unexpected waits. Sure, I listen to audiobooks and read articles on my computer, but there’s still nothing like holding a real book in your hands, one you chose because it sparked your curiosity. There’s a richness to printed pages that screens just can’t match.

It’s a bit like going to church on TV while lounging in your recliner versus sitting in a pew surrounded by stained glass and familiar hymns. You might get the message either way—but one experience feeds your soul, and enables that Sunday-after-church nap that is your reward for getting up and getting there.  😄 (I'll save the formal religion rant for another time.) 

Anyway, we survived the Great Sticker Crisis of 2025, and the Prom Queen can now drive guilt-free. Mission accomplished with the help of a Book.

More later ... 

Sweepstakes Season and Fall Feelings

Sweepstakes season is in full swing now, and I feel the excitement - the thrill of the chase. Things kick off in late summer with contests that wrap up by the end of September—usually themed around Back to School. Think new clothes, supplies, a little extra cash, and all those essentials that are make-ready for the school year. Since I’ve got my Grand Girls still in school, plus a future granddaughter-in-law who’s a teacher, it’s extra fun to enter those giveaways with them in mind.

Now we’re rolling right into the Holiday, Fall, and Winter contests. The past couple of days I’ve been busy, busy, busy entering as many as I can. The trick is balancing your time—because honestly, it takes just as long to enter for a little trinket as it does for a dreamy trip somewhere fabulous.

On the home front, I keep daydreaming about decorating with pumpkins in my little garden patch, but the thought of critters and bugs helping themselves has held me back. For now, I’m enjoying my indoor fall decorations—my cozy fall coffee cups, family photos, pinecones, and a sprinkle of autumn touches here and there.

I’d love to go thrifting this weekend to peek at all the fall and Thanksgiving treasures that have hit the shelves. But truthfully? I don’t have room for one more thing! Decorations are like long-sleeve shirts around here: I love them, I sometimes buy them, but in this Texas weather, I don’t exactly need them.

Cozy, colorful, and just a little bit lazy—that’s fall around here. 🍂

More later ... 

Table Talk and two Small Wins

First little happy dance moment: I scored my first win for my daughter in a sweepstakes! 🎉 Coca-Cola–Dansai was giving away FIFA prizes, and while she didn’t snag the grand prize (an all-expense-paid trip to New York for the Women’s Soccer Finals), she did win a team scarf and a small item. Since J&M sometimes go to Dash games here in Houston, I know they’d have loved that trip, but hey—it’s still a win, and in her name for the first time. She was thrilled, and that made me happy too.

On my end, I won a Christmas food-and-craft book from Goodreads. Looking forward to flipping through that one!

Now, Table Talk updates:

The Chef packed up and left. Long story short, the management company misplaced his certified rent check and tried to charge him $250. He showed them proof, and instead of apologizing they dropped it to $30, claiming it was still late. 🙄 Shirley, if you’re reading this, I know you’ll get a chuckle (or an eye roll) at that “management style.” I’ll miss him—he was a good one.

But I’ve got a new neighbor on the other side now! I’ll just call him NN (for “new neighbor”). He still works but has joined us at the table once, and he fit right in. Quiet, polite, easygoing—I think he’ll be a great neighbor.

The Mechanic, poor guy, has been through it. After months of not feeling well and endless doctor visits, he was finally diagnosed with stomach cancer. They tried treatment, but it’s Stage 4. He’s still up and moving around, but it breaks my heart. Such a nice man.

As for the Marine Lady… whew. She continues to test everyone’s patience except the Prom Queen and King. She recently found three kittens on her doorstep, and because she doesn’t drive, she’s been leaning heavily (i.e. demanding) on others to solve the problem. I’ll admit it—I ducked out when she asked me to drive her across town. I told her to call shelters, but they were all full. One by one, people tried to help, but she made it difficult. Wouldn’t give the kittens to one couple because they already had pets, made demands of the volunteer who tried her best, and on and on. Eventually, Prom Queen found someone who could take at least one. I’m not sure if all the kittens are placed yet, but at least some found homes. We probably sound like a pack of heartless witches, but honestly—Marine Lady hasn’t exactly charmed the crowd. Still, the kittens deserve care, and it reminded me of when I found Buddy 14 years ago. The shelter told me to “come back in three weeks.” Yeah, right. He was mine for 14 years.

I’ve also decided to rename another neighbor. I used to call her the Talker, which she is, but now I’ll call her Detroit—since she just moved back from there, and she’s become such a wonderful friend. She, Prom Queen, and I spend hours chatting outside. She’s always cooking (so good!) and feeding us. I think I’m gaining weight, but people tell me I look thinner—probably muscle loss, who knows? Either way, I love her cooking.

Meanwhile, Prom King is wrapped up in not one, but two “romances” with women he met through accidental phone calls. He swears he checked them out through some service, but I worry he’s being scammed. I’ve seen it happen before, and it’s hard to join in his happiness. To make matters more complicated, his dog Tiger (the same one who once bit me) has been growling and charging at people again. But then this week, he got a haircut from a neighbor, and suddenly Tiger seemed calm and subdued. Go figure. Prom King’s been busy sprucing up his apartment for a visit from one of his “ladies.” I guess we’ll see how that plays out. Part of me hopes she’s real and kind, but… an 83-year-old man and a 38-year-old “rich, beautiful” woman? Hmm.

As for me and Bonnie Rae, we’re doing fine. Trying to live within our means and eat well. Except for the one time I left a plate of red beans and rice with a piece of chicken on the side table. A neighbor called me for a ride, and halfway there I thought, “Nah, she won’t touch it.” Well… she did. Poor girl got so sick—threw up and had diarrhea for days. She’s better now, thank goodness, and back to her happy self. And she’s nearly doubled in size! 

More later ... 

Newsweek on Powerball Winning States

 I just thought this was interesting. States with the most winners from Newsweek: 

Current TimeÂ0:07

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DurationÂ1:14

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What Is The Powerball Lottery And How Do You Play?

By Andrew Stanton

Weekend Staff Writer

Newsweek Is A Trust Project Member

news article

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The Powerball jackpot has climbed to an estimated $1.7 billion after no ticket matched all six numbers in Wednesday's drawing. Here is a look at which states historically have had the most winners.

Why It Matters

The surging jackpot is now the third largest in history, with an annuity of $1.7 billion or a cash value of $770.3 million. The drawing is completely random, meaning anyone in an eligible state could win, but some areas of the U.S. have seen better luck than others in past jackpots.

A Flourish map

What To Know

Here is a look at the states with residents who have won the highest number of jackpots.

Indiana tops the list with 39 jackpots since the lottery began, according to Powerball Net, an independent group that compiles data and results from the lottery across the globe. Missouri and Minnesota follow at 31 and 22 jackpots each.

The Upper Midwest and Great Lake States continued their streak of luck, with Pennsylvania having 20 jackpots, while Wisconsin and Kentucky have 19.

California, despite being the most populous state in the nation, has 17 jackpots in its history.

Four states with Powerball have never had a jackpot winner—Maine, Mississippi, North Dakota and Wyoming.

Texas Powerball

Dang. I did not win the Powerball tonight, which was worth $1.8 billion. Nobody won all the numbers the website said, so Monday's drawing will be $1.95 billion.  

If I won, I was going to give Elon a run for his money. I read that he is expected to be the first Trillionaire.

More later ... 

Learning to Write Children's Books

My latest project is to write a children's book for ages 3 to 6. I've started several before, but I never focused long enough to finish one. Hahaha.  

This time, I started by searching online for the latest favorites, also known as bestsellers, for audiences in that age group. I found about five that I personally liked, and I will study them to see if I can understand exactly why they worked for me.

I took notes on the authors and illustrators of the books I liked, since the art styles can vary greatly. Some, I just didn't care for. I wonder how publishing houses decide which illustrator to choose.

Next, I started researching the requirements for the number of words and pages. The rules for each age group differ regarding word count and length, and these rules must be followed. 

Right now, I'm still trying to come up with rhymes that match the number of words and pages. I hope to make more progress on my quest this time. 

More later ... 

I Need Suggestions

I picked up this huge bag of Brunschwig & Fils long fringe samples from a lady on Freecycle. There are all different colors and combos. I'm guessing 30-50 samples about 6" wide and 8" long. 

I had to research Brunschwig & Fils (parent company Kravet). B&F is an exquisite French company, and these samples appear to be from the 1990s. The newer fringes run $100+/yard. 

Upholstery isn't one of my craft skills, but I could try making a pillow with fringe. However, I don't think there are enough of them in one color to go around, even for a small pillow. 

Does anybody have any suggestions?  

Why do I do the things I do

I started a TikTok page tonight (see link on left).  Why? I guess because my next-door neighbor, the Talker, was showing me hers. She is the baby of our group at 61. She records herself lip-syncing, and she is really good at it. I laughed at her trying to get a kazillion followers so she could make money from it.  It wouldn't surprise me if she succeeds. She is also a great cook and feeds me all the time.  She is a great neighbor. 

Speaking of which, my neighbor on the other side moved out. He was another one of those grumpy old men who never talked to anyone. So how do I know he was grumpy? Just looked that way. Anyway, hope my new neighbor on that side will be as much fun as the Talker. 

Back to TikTok. So I was sitting outside looking at my little flower area as I do every evening, and I decided to take a couple of pictures. One led into twenty, and then I thought about Talker's TikTok, so I posted my plant photos. That's all I'm going to share on there. Just plants. 

I do have another TikTok page that I use for contests, but I don't share anything on it. All this social media stuff is so silly. Why share everything said the Blogger? 

More later ... 

Neighborhood news

We have some new neighbors, and I am starting to feel like an old-timer here. 

One lady I like doesn't live here but comes over frequently to take care of her mother-in-law. Her MIL speaks only Spanish and doesn't come downstairs. This friendly lady, we'll call her the Spanish Lady, speaks only a little bit of English, but she always makes an effort to be pleasant, even when she can't really stop and chat. 

Also upstairs over me is a lady we'll call the Romanian. She's been here a kazillion years, speaks perfectly, and is so lovely. Unfortunately, the tensions between neighbors are starting to come out. Romania has plants outside her window.  When the Prom King would walk by with his dog (the one that bites), he, the dog, not the Prom King, would often lift his leg on her plants, and so she complained to the office. Prom King has complained about her to the Talk Table, and he acts like it happened only once or twice.  Having had Buddy for so many years, I suspect it was much more often than that. Once a dog finds a spot to relieve himself or another dog has, it frequently becomes a doggy stopping point. 

Another lady I met once before has come by several times to the Talk Table. I'll call her the Birthday Lady because she enjoys collecting everyone's name and birthdates and has taken charge of ensuring everyone receives birthday cards.  I don't really celebrate my birthday except to be amazed at how I continue to get older, but the thought is nice. 

I met a guy at the Talk Table who was deep in conversation about travel with the Prom King, so I didn't really get to speak with him. I'll call him Mr. Probate because he is involved in a significant probate matter with the second younger wife of his father. Since that was in my area of work, I'd love to hear more about who the lawyer is and what stage of the litigation they are in.  If I ever find a quiet moment alone with him, I'll breach the subject. 

Next to move in is a lady I'll call the Army lady. She was in the Army for 6 years, but I don't know when or where.  She is in her early 80s, so I suspect Vietnam, which would be my era, so I'd be interested to learn more. Unfortunately, she is very unstable on her feet and walks using a big trekking stick instead of a walker.  It is making us all uncomfortable for fear she will fall.  An interesting piece of news about her: Her sister moved all her boxes into the apartment. Her sister, who is a tall and very attractive athletic woman, told us that they are 20 years apart. Sister tells us the story of how her mother went to the doctor thinking she was going through the change, and he said yes, but not the change you are thinking about.  Good golly. 

Finally, there is the lady I will call the Hippie.  I first noticed her sitting out in the common area with her headphones on, smoking a cigarette. There is no smoking in the common area, and supposedly, there is a $250 fine for doing so. Smokers have to hang out along the fence line. Management has set out tables, chairs, and umbrellas, but most of these areas lack sufficient shade, and many smokers are getting very dark, which isn't healthy. Anyway, the Hippie just doesn't look like she belongs here. She wears her hair in a turban, and I suspect there are dreadlocks under there. I have only seen her in smallish shirts that reveal her stomach and belly piercing, paired with low-slung, long skirts. She doesn't look like 55+ from a distance, but must be. I took her to be a visitor at first. I don't know why she bothers me. Maybe jealous because she still has a flat stomach? 

I guess the strangest of all happenings is the tension developing between neighbors. We've had to add extra chairs to the Talk Table. The Talk Table is right outside of Army Lady's apartment, so she often comes out when we're there.  She has a grumpy vibe (IMHO), and there is a little bit of tension between her and some of the others. 

Also, tension is seriously building when Prom King brings his dog to the Talk Table with him, even though he ties him up under his chair. Remember, his dog is the one that bit me. Everyone seems to take a wide pass around the dog, and most of us are getting irritated at his continuous barking and growling. I understand the desire to take your dog out for a bit of fresh air, but I have the feeling that any day now, someone is going to tell him to leave the dog at home, and that will hurt his feelings. 

There seems to be this underlying snapping/snide aggression going on between the vast majority, even the Prom King and Queen.  Is it the heat? Are we old people set in our ways, who don't want anyone to comment or make personal suggestions to us? If they were my children, I would tell them to be nice and not talk like that to their sister, etc. 

As for myself, I have had enough tension and anger in my life and don't want any more. I stay out of it or go home. I would call myself the Daycare Director, except I don't want to tell the children to behave. 

We'll see. I suspect something will happen. 

The oldest Grand Girl spent the weekend for the first time in a long time. 

More later ...  

One of my Favorite Oldies

Billy Joel and Jimmy Fallon - The Lion Sleeps Tonight 

A Little Laugh

 Debra, this one is for you. 

Settling In

Settling into life here in the new apartments. Meeting more people and losing some I like. 

First, there's my new next-door neighbor, whom we'll call The Talker. She is a chatterbox, but very sweet and a pleasant neighbor. There has been so much discussion at the Talk Table about management's actions that I have been hesitant to take any action that might be against the rules. Not The Talker. She is making this place her home with plants and outdoor furniture. So, I decided to put my two folding chairs outside beside her setup, and if Management complained, they would think it was her. I did tell her that too, but she said Don't worry.

Next, there is The Chef. He is the one who invited me, the Prom King and Queen to supper recently. He cooked enchiladas, and they were excellent. I really like him. Nice Guy, but he is moving next month because they tried to evict him when Management lost his rent check, but still wanted him to pay a late fee.  I wish he weren't going, I'll miss him. An interesting story about him is that he has never missed a day of work in 24 years. Wow. 

There is also a great guy in a wheelchair. We'll call him Roger's Dad because he has the sweetest dog, Roger, who Bonnie Rae loves, and the great sidewalks in our courtyard allow him plenty of access to come to the Talk Table or just wheel around with his dog. An interesting thing about him is that he has lived here for 20 years. He said he moved in when they first opened.  He invited me over to have coffee any morning, but since I don't get up until 10:30 or so, most of the folks at his impromptu coffee meetups are past coffee and head towards lunch.  Still, it is nice to be included. 

Another nice guy, but pretty quiet, we'll call The Opera Singer because he has a similar name. I don't know a lot about him yet, but we were discussing games at the Talk Table one evening, and I mentioned that I was looking for a dominoes partner. He told me recently that he had found someone, and I gave him my number to share with them. I'm looking forward to that. 

I met a lady yesterday who was at the Talk Table with the Prom Queen. She had her new cat with her in a carrier, much like the ones you take along for babies to sleep in. What was so amazing was that the top was totally open, but the cat never tried to get out, and we were there at least an hour. 

I haven't seen much of the Prom King. I guess we've been on different schedules. I understand he has a girlfriend in one of the other courtyards who is quite a bit younger than he, being around 20-30 years his junior, to his 83. I don't care. More power to them, but he has been bringing up politics at the Talk Table a little too much for my liking, as he is a Trump supporter. As far as I know, I am the token Democrat, at least in our courtyard, so I try to slip away before I open my mouth on those occasions.  Democrats, like domino players, seem to be in short supply at this senior complex.

One of my upstairs neighbors shares the same name as one of my sisters, so we'll refer to her as Sister2. She has a medium-sized dog also named Bonnie. Her Bonnie is Bonnie Louise, but her dog doesn't like female dogs. So we don't share the sidewalks when they are out, but since she is a smoker, we often see her coming or going to the smoking area, and she'll join us at the Talk Table. She is one of those who has told me about Management. 

Now for my Bonnie Rae. She is doing great. Adapting so well.  Still startles at sounds, but now she will walk past the AC units on the way to the dog park without being carried. She knows to sit by the front door if she wants out, but if she doesn't want to walk, she will stay in her bed and refuse to come. She still never barks, which I love after my old barker Buddy.

 

More later ...

A Dirty Little Laugh

 A man boarded an airplane and took his seat. As he settled in, he glanced up and saw the most beautiful woman boarding the plane. He soon realized she was heading straight towards his seat. As fate would have it, she took the seat right beside his:

Eager to strike up a conversation, he blurted out. "Business trip or pleasure?"

She turned, smiled, and said. "Business. I’m going to the Annual Nymphomaniacs of America Convention in Boston."

He swallowed hard. Here was the most gorgeous woman he had ever seen sitting next to him, and she was going to a meeting of nymphomaniacs!

Struggling to maintain his composure, he calmly asked. “What’s your Business at this convention?"

“Lecturer." She responded. "I use information that I have learned from my Personal experiences to debunk some of the popular myths about sexuality."

“Really?” He said. “And what kind of myths are there?”

“Well.” She explained. “One popular myth is that African-American men are the most well-endowed of all men, when in fact it is the Native American Indian who is most likely to possess that trait. Another popular myth is that Frenchmen are the best lovers, when actually it is men of Mexican Descent who are the best. I have also discovered that the lover with absolutely the best stamina is the Southern Redneck."

Suddenly, the woman became a little uncomfortable and blushed.. "I’m Sorry." She said, “I shouldn't really be discussing all of this with you. I don’t even know your name."

"Tonto." The man said. "Tonto Gonzales, but my friends call me Bubba.

#Margaret #Rick

Making Friends

Making friends, as an adult, is just as difficult, uncomfortable, yet as desirable as when we were young. 

I've told you about the Prom King and Queen, who are so friendly. The Prom Queen especially makes it her business to introduce everyone who stops by the evening talk table to each other. I appreciate this so much. They are both so friendly and welcoming that they know almost everyone I have seen walk by.  I'm fortunate because I'm not that outgoing, and making friends would be slower. Also, because I tend to be an introvert, if it weren't for meeting up at the table in the evening, I would rarely venture out. The table: 

One of the neighbors I met last night loves to cook, and they were discussing the meals they had shared at the table.  He decided it was time for another get-together and invited the three of us to dinner Sunday evening.  How nice. 

I was also introduced to the man who parks next to me.  We had waved before, but had not been properly introduced.  Apparently, he is a super mechanic, and we discussed the non-working air conditioner in my car.  I had just put it in the shop again that day, but if it isn't fixed right this time, I'm going to give him a try. By the way, as an attestation to his skill, he has over 600,000 miles on his BMW, and he does all the work.  Wow!

Bonnie Rae had her first official vet check-up, and it went great. She has a dermatitis, which I knew, but I was worried about parasites, etc., that she might have been exposed to. They ran extra gut tests, and she was clear. They thought she just had a bit of a nervous stomach getting used to her new life.  She never barked once at the vets, and several dogs were waiting.  My girl. Yay. 

 More later ... 

The Rain in Texas

It's raining again today. We have had lovely soft rain on and off each day for about two weeks.  I have enjoyed it as only a retired person can.  My plants are looking beautiful, and I don't have to fill my bird bath each day.  The Doves are enjoying it. 

I won't discuss what the rain did in the Hill Country and the resulting loss of life.  It is too horrible to think about. My son took his family on vacation to Galveston over the 4th, but he had looked for an Airbnb in the general flood area and couldn't find one that fit his needs.  So grateful. It is a warning, though, that we have organizations in place to protect the public for a reason, even if they don't seem to serve a purpose every day. Had the Weather Station been fully staffed, word would still not have reached most of the people in danger because it was the middle of the night, but it might have reached a few. So, so sad.  

On to happier subjects. Bonnie Rae is still scared all the time. Since we don't know anything about her previous life, being scared is just something we will have to work through. We have just about finalized the feeding and outside schedules. She goes to her first vet visit this week, finally. I guess the 4th made everybody's schedules crazy, and I couldn't get an appointment without a long wait.   

Sad news for J&M. They took their older rescue cat in for a teeth cleaning, and she died under sedation. Since Buddy had so much trouble with his teeth, J&M were being extra cautious with their pets. She had been in for her shots and check-up not long ago, so it was a shock, but we know this can happen. 

I thought I won a trip for my daughter last week. An announcement on the website said a person with a very similar name had won.  I kept waiting for a confirmation email, but it never came. Darn. I was so excited. 

J wants me to make some more tie-dye bandanas for her so she can use them to make curtains for their new/old camper. Glad to use up the rest of my supplies so I can have more room in my extra closet. You can expect to see bandana photos in the near future. However, I confess that my left thumb joint has become so painful that tying the bandanas up with multiple little rubber bands before dying has become very difficult. It may be my last tie-dying project.  

In the meantime, I've finished another scarf and started on the next one.  You'll notice I'm using very short needles. These are the needles I bought for the artist Grand Girl, who wanted to be able to knit with Nana. It was too hard for her at the time, but the needles work great if you are sitting in your recliner watching TV. LOL. 

More later ... 

Bonnie Rae

I have a new best friend, Bonnie Rae, named after singer/songwriter Bonnie Raitt. One of her big hits was Something to Talk About, which is true of this little lady. She is 4 years old, designated as a Chihuahua, but I think she looks like a Whippet-Chihuahua mix. Holy Moly, what a combo.

Something to Talk About Video.  I love the couples of every age dancing in this video. 

She loved me from the first moment I picked her up. Just licking me and trying to climb up on me. I, on the other hand, was having a bit of a rough time. 

I left for the dog adoption site with trepidation. When I walked in the door, I knew I wasn't ready.  All those dogs looking longingly at you.  I started crying, and by the time I reached the back, where the small dogs were, I completely lost it and had to leave.  I got all the way home, and I told myself, Just go back and look.  

I drove back to the site and, since I had learned the shortcut on my previous trip, went straight to the small dogs.  I looked at one really cute black dog with spotted socks, but then realized he was 4 months old.  No.  No puppy for me.  Then I saw Bonnie Rae, and as soon as I saw how quiet and calm she was, but alert and wanting my attention so badly, I decided to take her into one of the visitor rooms.  

I knew she was a diamond in the rough, but I was still hurting so badly for Buddy and feeling guilty about getting another dog.  However, I bit the bullet and, because I was one of the first 15, I received a free adoption. Yay.  

So, we got home, and she just wants to be right next to me all the time.  I am lucky. J&M love her. My son came over, but she took two days before giving him a chance, which is surprising because all dogs love him. So we expect that there might have been some mistreatment by a male.  

She's not puppy pad trained I don't think but she did pee on the pad today. Usually, when I start putting on my shoes, she runs for the door.  The harness is strange to her. However, she goes straight out to the grass and does her thing, so I'm not sure exactly what her previous environment was.  

I'm feeling less guilty with each passing day.  She is fun, and I think I will enjoy her a lot. 

More later ...