Good Morning All. Partly cloudy and 72°, on the way back up to at least 91° like yesterday. Another couple of high wind days still, with winds in excess of 20 mph. At least it blows the mosquitos away from my wife. They don't bother me.
The clouds will hinder the re-warm up of the pool. I had three days of above 82° water temperature, and then it turned cloudy, rained 3.25" and remained cloudy for four more days with the nighttime temperatures dropping into the 50's. The water temperature dropped to 72° and has only gotten back to 77° yesterday. With two more sunny days, it will be tolerable for two more days before the next wave of clouds and rain hit on Thursday. It does take a bit of time to heat 14K gallons of water up regardless of the air temperature. Sunshine warms and keeps it warm, not air. Fun Fact: That 14K gallons of water weighs 112,000 lbs, or 56 tons, spread over 76 sq ft! I am also listed with the local VFD as an emergency remote water supply if needed.
Yesterday morning, I mowed, and mowed some more. I am beginning to get a handle on the savanna that developed while the tractor was in the repair shop. Didn't help that we had 11" of rain during that time and the week after I got it back. Nor does it help that I limit myself to two 45 minute sessions a day out of age and safety considerations. I'll get more done in those sessions now that is at a manageable level.
Spent a pleasant evening in the North Dallas suburbs of Richardson and Addison yesterday, celebrating the twin birthday's of my two grandson's; one was 13 yesterday and the other is 15 today. They spent the morning with their mother at a local cemetery placing "stick-up" flags on veterans graves, something that they have done for over ten years now. Went to an Olive Garden restaurant which was just OK. The little family owned Italian place near me is much better and less expensive.
The restaurant is only a mile from Discount Model Railroad, so naturally I had to make a stop. I only bought the missing chains that I needed, a couple of Oxford vehicles and some flex track to add another passing siding on the upper level. Actually since it really connects two existing passing sidings, it will make a nearly 80' double main.
I did not visit the train shed yesterday, but I hope to make up for it today after mowing and other yard work. I am doing a quick load of laundry before Mass this morning. I think that after that we are meeting with some friends from church to go to a German eatery in Muenster TX nearby. Back before the Texas liquor laws were changed last year, they would serve beer and wine before noon on Sunday, which they bypassed the liquor regulations by not ringing it up on the cash register until after 12:00. Sports bars statewide followed the same practice. The new law is now 10:00 on Sunday; still 6:00 the rest of the week.
From the archives, comes the Stallings Horse Ranch. It commemorates some close friends of ours who raise horses and used to train them.
Curt - Thank you so much for the comment regarding the nature pictures that I posted.
Mikey - That reads like quite a feast at the lake.
John - I also do not miss getting out of Dallas, but at 65 miles away I am close enough that it's not a long haul to get there if needed. I also remember having multiple hobby shops there, as well as the Silver Spike in Denton. I've been on my "ranch" for 41 years now. Wayne was the only one running the shop (Discount Trains) yesterday, but I was the only customer. He and Jim (the owner) have been there since I first started going there in 1992, when Bob and Barb Wilson owned the place. Back then it was smaller and entry was through a back door in the limo detailing/rental's garage that was behind them. I don't even know if the limo place is still in that space.
There is an Olive Garden much closer to me in Denton at 25 miles away, but we rarely go there.
Karl - I am with you on trimming those lower branches on the trees. Mine got away from me this past season as I spent four months dealing with the extra duties when my wife had those back to back knee surgeries, and then I got pneumonia. Fortunately most of my issues are with Hackberry trees which respond quickly to "out of season" pruning.
John F Kennedy would have been 105 today. He was President before I even really understood politics. Today is also as someone already mentioned, the day of a couple of car races. Indy 500 used to be held on Monday though.
Everybody have a great Sunday.