tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84367872024-03-07T10:34:54.781-08:00LONE STAR BUNKERTime to step back and watch the country circle the chitterUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger225125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8436787.post-4047118409870910882020-06-19T14:32:00.002-07:002020-06-19T14:32:25.291-07:00Give meter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmdFIgk7nWyKHSIYKFugIJFMKKLX-i3ENSdxE2Sst9nCpQf6GXLHUBK1e76dlqOXO3I8_yTKzGMUDlmSRdjlGMJEfceR7VE5qHJe2kNC6ZdHD4tXJbdAc0ExXrxm4x6xFUDTpb/s1600/IMG_0813.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="310" data-original-width="400" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmdFIgk7nWyKHSIYKFugIJFMKKLX-i3ENSdxE2Sst9nCpQf6GXLHUBK1e76dlqOXO3I8_yTKzGMUDlmSRdjlGMJEfceR7VE5qHJe2kNC6ZdHD4tXJbdAc0ExXrxm4x6xFUDTpb/s320/IMG_0813.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
Trying to revive the blog one day at a time. My meter is not going up at all.<br /><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8436787.post-69843880080718875792020-06-08T13:32:00.002-07:002020-06-08T13:32:52.542-07:00Place holder 6/8/20Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8436787.post-69221847494460901352019-11-19T06:48:00.002-08:002019-11-19T06:48:34.045-08:00Back on the airThis blog has been neglected for a long time, do you want to continue or would you like to sell the address.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8436787.post-20933663575164567102018-06-20T14:46:00.001-07:002018-06-20T14:46:54.465-07:00I'M BACK<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWyAr7OtHXGCWNMIyzZtX1-DiuHrFgrgGOh__gCW-B1rivvtUeZCypKR8hu4agVNjq5RLIWTVWAyAK-hnj0SUKtNNbTKCGDg3LkLFe-hjD0k_oaWrVb-B2F4k3ToLSCem7qF4B/s1600/IMG_0206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="452" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWyAr7OtHXGCWNMIyzZtX1-DiuHrFgrgGOh__gCW-B1rivvtUeZCypKR8hu4agVNjq5RLIWTVWAyAK-hnj0SUKtNNbTKCGDg3LkLFe-hjD0k_oaWrVb-B2F4k3ToLSCem7qF4B/s320/IMG_0206.jpg" width="241" /></a></div>
My hair has been restored (partially) and I've taken up a hobby.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8436787.post-47340082676417112472016-11-04T06:31:00.000-07:002016-11-04T06:31:02.085-07:00Where is this siteTrying to find youUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8436787.post-8261126502038028712014-09-29T17:23:00.000-07:002014-09-29T17:23:28.177-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ONOStsHN-13jnPZq2RX0jeaVHj15ZuqOTRQNrmSfqtnL9zuKn1-URyEhHtSnMhBfU6bBnbAQC6cOpyKV1D9fA78n_vfvxkYSgLLWd17dxh5npN_GN01JMxJF0KK7mlLbt2L1/s1600/Sold_NEW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ONOStsHN-13jnPZq2RX0jeaVHj15ZuqOTRQNrmSfqtnL9zuKn1-URyEhHtSnMhBfU6bBnbAQC6cOpyKV1D9fA78n_vfvxkYSgLLWd17dxh5npN_GN01JMxJF0KK7mlLbt2L1/s1600/Sold_NEW.jpg" height="225" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEittTJge8zZF-4Xdz_FUQF3k2PXHGynFn6CyR76lS711e_pxse9fdJMxhEc5RLaLwH8kqeOG23xIJsRSqvWsXvO9gJnV7wZxDHIgYbPrSab2AK1QBjcopJPZ-OKnBM6DqYswIim/s1600/Sold.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
For several years the XO and I have been working and enjoying the bunker less and less. Many things have to be factored in but they all served to restrict us to Austin. We made the decision to sell a few months ago and acted on that decision. The result is that someone who can carry on with the growth of the bunker and enjoy it will be taking over October 2. I wish him good luck.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8436787.post-83316330002875760142014-03-20T17:04:00.001-07:002014-03-20T17:04:52.602-07:00Wow. Last post September 2013I have really been lax in my updates to the Bunker Blog. The XO and I have been tied down pretty close for a while with her mother. She's 96 and frail and we can't leave her by herself very long.<br />
I am going out to the bunker next week for a look around. Maybe I can knock down some weeds and spiff the place up a little. We'll have more later, when I get backUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8436787.post-55788814036419755602013-09-13T16:50:00.001-07:002013-09-13T18:19:50.166-07:00Just sitting here tonight wishing I could be at the bunker enjoying the cool rain rather than being here in Austin with the air conditioning on max. TV is an alternate reality exercise between MSNBC/FNC & CNN. So far Fox is winning because I'm watching a DVR'd show called RED EYE. What a riot. If you can get a twelve year old to set the recording device please do. Topical discussions in a totally irreverent manner. It comes on about 3AM (hence Red Eye) and they have the fox trade mark "legs chair" and a panel of strange people that made the mistake of being in the hall before taping time. Don't take my word for it tape it for yourself.<br />
<br />
Syria, Syria, Syria. I think this must be a "<u><b>shiny thing</b></u>," to keep our minds off of the real problems we're having in this country. I am still waiting for answers about Benghazi and how one u-tube could have caused so much trouble. Could it have been about Syria and the CIA. Way beyond me. What's worse is the IRS looking over my shoulder with the power to stomp me into dust if I say anything about...What do you mean they will be in charge of my health care. They will start a file on me...Oh.oh..The NSA already has a file on me from when I...Oh No. I almost spilled the beans. Dang Nab It. What can a guy say. I'm already on a watch list for believing in the Constitution and a possible terrorist for having a .22 caliber rifle. What, the ATF wants to talk to me. Oh, oh I spilled the beans again.++++<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
l<img alt="Brace yourself for Pivot to Job Creation Number 20" class="attachment-large wp-post-image" height="175" src="http://Www.humanevents.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/sisyphus.png" title="Brace yourself for Pivot to Job Creation Number 20" width="320" /> Ever feel like you're rolling the rock of "your fair share" up hill while the 49% that contribute zip sit by the side of the road sipping their free bubble-up and eating their "Rainbow stew" (thank you Merle Haggard). Well I feel like that guy. For 65 years I have played by the rules, got up every day and went to work-paid my taxes and generally kept my head down. I woke up one morning and found that my own government had called me a terrorist. I supported the TEA party (<b>T</b>axed <b>E</b>nough <b>A</b>lready) ca-ching, I bear watching. I believe in the Constitution of the United States of America, ca-ching, put me on the IRS's list. I call outside my own area code, ca-ching, NSA has a recording of the call in UT.<br />
<br />
What if I get tired of pushing that rock? Can I count on my representative government to come to my aid. I don't think so.<br />
<br />
What if we all got tired of pushing the rock and just stepped aside and let it roll back down the hill. Who would stop it? Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8436787.post-31703080431846364132013-08-04T19:00:00.002-07:002013-08-04T19:00:27.327-07:00Two-ferTrying to kill all the birds with just a few stones. The XO's birthday is the 7th so I loaded her into "her" new car and made a road-trip. Spent the first night at the bunker because with all the rain we wanted to see if there had been any damage. The top half of the road was washed really bad and the driveway had a cut across it a foot deep. Both are fixable when the dry season comes and the weeds die.<br />
Day2: bunker to Santa Fe via Roswell (I thought we might see some of her relatives but just a green alien or two). The Genesis is a joy on the road. Hard to keep the speed down, more on that later, and it's spooky quiet. We stayed at a fancy Hotel ( the one where Gardunos moved) and it was worth every cent. They kicked us out Saturday because we had only reserved one night so we had breakfast at a neat place called Tecolote (<oo>wise owl) and wandered around the plaza looking at stuff at a street fair. </oo><br />
Day 3: We headed for Albuquerque the back way. Down the mountain through Madrid where every bike rider in NM loves to go on Saturday. Didn't count them but there must have been at least 200 Harleys alone. Had to tie a knot in her seat-belt to keep the XO from showing off her tats. Made ABQ early and roamed the shops for a while before trying a new place called the Church Street Cafe.<br />
Wonderful place on Church street, duh.<br />
Day 4: Tried to waste time so we could arrive at out favorite steak-house in Fabens (East of El Paso) after noon. We tried to catch the balloons at the balloon park. Got there as the crews were packing up, who knew they took off at sun up. Oh well, headed for El Paso and made it there right on time. Shared a steak with all the trimmings and split for the bunker. Made really good time once we got on I 10 (80mph speed limit) and it felt so good the Sheriff had a talk with me just West of the Bunker where the speed limit is 55. Whoops,,,,<br />
Day 5: Just a routine 6 1/2 hour trip back to Austin. <br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8436787.post-15731516826834378192013-07-31T07:40:00.002-07:002013-07-31T07:40:36.515-07:00What's Going On?<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">The
most dangerous man, to any government, is the man who is able to think
things out for himself without regard to the prevailing superstitions
and taboos. Almost inevitably he comes to the conclusion that the
government he lives under is dishonest, insane and intolerable, and so,
if he is romantic, he tries to change it. And even if he is not romantic
personally he is apt to spread discontent among those who are.”</i><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;"> – </span><b style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/0394752090/ref=as_li_tf_til?tag=thebur01-20&camp=0&creative=0&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=0394752090&adid=08TGWT5HFW4Z4C0A08WP" style="color: #666666; text-decoration: none;">H.L. Mencken</a></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">I had a few paragraphs written about the above but </b></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">I'm not a romantic and I have tried to stay away from political posts so I will just let you think about the dishonest, insane and intolerable government we live under. Note: <u>we live under</u>, a major change in how I was raised.</b></span> </b></span><br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8436787.post-65794560423256244432013-06-30T18:29:00.000-07:002013-06-30T18:30:12.781-07:00Notes from MeWell I've done it. Ditched the Buick and went over to the dark side, that's right I bought a rice burner. Well really a thousand year egg burner. A Genisis, a Lexus look alike on the inside and a Mercedes under the skin with the Full Monty electronic package just to make it tick. The Buick was faithful for over ten years (I don't buy often) and 150K+ worth of + comfortable travel. Tires and brakes were the only maintenance outside of a plastic water joint which was problematic on Buicks for years. So I figured to upgrade and stay in the Luxury cars. The major upgrade item was the interactive Cruise control system. Dynomite, set it and forget it. I was running up I35 from San Antonio to Austin and had the CC set to 77MPH and as traffic slowed in front of me my CC applied brakes to keep me 138 feet behind the car in front. This was done over and over again as we passed an accident in the ditch. It controlled my speed down to a complete stop and back up to 77 without me having to touch the brake or the gas at all. Really spooky, but I like it. The only problem is the 138 feet is more than enough room for someone to swerve into my lane and slam on their brakes at which time my computer would slam on my brakes to keep the spacing. Neat anyway.<br />
<br />
The grand kids are coming down next week for a few days and as usual I'm at a loss of how to keep them entertained. It doesn't help that the weather is a string of 100+ days and a trip to the bunker is out of the question. We may go down to Galveston for the cool and to see what they've done for the Pleasure Pier. It was destroyed in one of our hurricanes and rebuilt and reopened so we shall see. On the way down we will go by NASA to see what they have done for their displays. The GKs have been to the Smithsonian and the sights around DC so this may be wimpy but they have been raised well and should not complain. (too much)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8436787.post-41687974357206698842013-06-10T10:35:00.000-07:002013-06-10T10:38:30.331-07:00Going, Going, not gone.No posting for the past couple of months because the bunker was being looked at by a prospective buyer. I had mouthed off in a line at a BBQ during the cowboy poetry gathering about maybe selling it and Dang, someone said, "How much?" Well there I am, on the spot again. I know that my plans for finishing the bunker will never be realized and it's getting harder to make the trip. The odds of finding a buyer are pretty slim so I gave him a price that was low enough for the XO to spin around and say, "What???"<br />
Long story short we agreed to meet the guy and his wife at the bunker in a few weeks. They liked it and could see its potential. We didn't make a deal on the spot but he kept the deal open and we left it there. Weeks later they called asked to see it again as they were traveling to Arizona so I told them where the keys were and waited for them to call back. One week, Two, no call and it occurs to me that I should drive out and see if everything was still there. It was. So we are back where we started and no-harm no-foul.<br />
While we were in the neighborhood we ran down to Study Butte to see an old friend that has a neat <a href="http://thefieldlab.blogspot.com/">mostly off grid</a> place. John Wells is a new pioneer from New York and like a lot of us loves the desert. Spend some time on his blog for a look at how life can be out here. His latest avocation is silversmith. We bought a couple of his bars to help him buy feed for "the boys". Be sure to go back in his blog at least a couple of years to read the story of Benita and Ben.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8436787.post-20095516609557432092013-01-09T17:44:00.000-08:002013-01-09T17:44:29.122-08:00OK, OK, may as well pay the ransom. Hard to explain why I've been AWOL for the past months. Nothing terrible, just nothing to talk about. The XO and I have had to to stay close because of her mother. G'Maw is 95 and you can't in your wildest imagination understand what that means unless you have been through it. We really need to make the trip and finish up some things.<br />
I have been watching the weather this week and it looks like the bunker has had a bit of snow. Seems to happen around Christmas every year. <a href="http://thefieldlab.blogspot.com/">John Wells</a> down at Study Butte has pictures on his blog of how it hit him. Take some time and browse his site, he has built a minor empire in just over five years and he is a really nice guy.<br />
Next big project for me is to set posts for a large carport on the West side. The materials have been laying there taunting me for years and its time to "get-er-done". I've got enough deep W aluminum roofing material to cover the total West side of the bunker out 20 feet. I installed the anchors last summer and all I need to do is raise the posts and install the cover. There are some more small jobs too but they'll have to wait.<br />
We've been working on the bunker for 10 years now and in actual work days less than a year. Some week ends we could only work one day and at the most three days. But the place is livable and very comfortable and I long for the time I can spend more time there. I'm really amazed how the ten years has worn on me, I have noticed the last couple of years how my body is giving out. Natural I guess, my mind hasn't given up yet but over a glass of wine recently we talked about letting someone else have the place. We laughed when we tried to envision who would want it. It would have to be a major prepper or at least a do it yourself'er. <br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8436787.post-9913256729351624982012-10-15T17:04:00.002-07:002012-10-20T05:37:52.236-07:00Quick trip to the bunker<div style="text-align: left;">
Made a quick trip. Just because. While the XO and I were there I finished the wiring on the wall lights. The pictures don't do them justice even though they do look good. They give a soft bounce/light to the courtyard and I carried the light circuit up to the deck and around to the back wall. Next time I'll finish (parts, parts, parts) the project and add a 50amp sub-panel for future needs.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile back on home base I hired a real electrician to add a new service drop to the old panel for the house. The weather head that was originally on the service was very close to burning and the main disconnect was burned and weak. While I was at it I had him install a buried plate style ground system and a surge protector for the whole house. Before we headed for the bunker the city came by to inspect the job. FAIL! I can't believe it but the inspector was one of those guys who are so insecure they have to find something to gripe. I'm paying after all so I expect the job to be finished and passed. I should have done it my self.<br />
<br />
G'maw was feeling pretty good so we thought we would chance a trip to the bunker. We called her Friday morning and she had a story about the lights being on all over the house (just blaring) and the electrician being at the house at midnight making noises. Same story Saturday so we finished up and came on home. Might as well come on home, the Longhorns were losing badly.<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcLqLcZXowGzqEUgLdHwjYvIIklVhoWS3M4VpgAwILfXcVulsk4UVB7r9Y0honmLx11_jwKC4ZA6QPzCMdRXUwgJHG0ZUIRXuz8zbArTTIr_fBCWbe14ApVgw22eHHva3ORGWP/s1600/Patio3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcLqLcZXowGzqEUgLdHwjYvIIklVhoWS3M4VpgAwILfXcVulsk4UVB7r9Y0honmLx11_jwKC4ZA6QPzCMdRXUwgJHG0ZUIRXuz8zbArTTIr_fBCWbe14ApVgw22eHHva3ORGWP/s320/Patio3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFIJwJt-f1eDizMcMG05SQmegZuvdXzqH9h3g32ZlBl71JpmG9K40zEbhqhKCU6t8crNKG2k1MXC4vbjEKEoWafMrssk7NJFWPhVQTyT2_B0m1Eh3OEk78gxSl-3CPn-rGt22o/s1600/Patio2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFIJwJt-f1eDizMcMG05SQmegZuvdXzqH9h3g32ZlBl71JpmG9K40zEbhqhKCU6t8crNKG2k1MXC4vbjEKEoWafMrssk7NJFWPhVQTyT2_B0m1Eh3OEk78gxSl-3CPn-rGt22o/s320/Patio2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI7zljFu34MB4Q8rJKvmjLDlnXBL6_NAZqvRcOmauHZSPkJLjUPolvdWBfUOnRKGQgP9FyvCnBWMZjcoBj4m1tWAl9boqdOmm2Ynj8zWOV9NUKC12eFGn9WwVYBEdS5ef4-Fp-/s1600/Patio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI7zljFu34MB4Q8rJKvmjLDlnXBL6_NAZqvRcOmauHZSPkJLjUPolvdWBfUOnRKGQgP9FyvCnBWMZjcoBj4m1tWAl9boqdOmm2Ynj8zWOV9NUKC12eFGn9WwVYBEdS5ef4-Fp-/s320/Patio.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8436787.post-77692990048204429932012-08-25T17:43:00.000-07:002012-08-25T17:43:05.610-07:00Marking Time<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5P5JJLjIFJNd9Vl74pFRuTsn2uo9yn2CiOP4F6n-1gE2u9mh7Yqn86Tud4z1HL4B_kC8FrshgPBQSK2XiCn9Sw_x5OOvn4xy91XZ7oIxrD6aEvpfzkmLVi_VSfZXscgSU2gVk/s1600/DSC03089_1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5P5JJLjIFJNd9Vl74pFRuTsn2uo9yn2CiOP4F6n-1gE2u9mh7Yqn86Tud4z1HL4B_kC8FrshgPBQSK2XiCn9Sw_x5OOvn4xy91XZ7oIxrD6aEvpfzkmLVi_VSfZXscgSU2gVk/s320/DSC03089_1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
The way things have been going I'm not sure when we'll make it back to the bunker. The last time we went we just stayed for the night and had to boggie back Austin to take G'maw to the emergency room. She swore she had a shoulder out of joint or something. Nothing.<br />
<br />
Driving through the neighborhood tonight I found one of the guys "cooling his wort". Sounds kind'a nasty don't it, Well he was making beer and asked me to have a glass. WOW, better than the kind of stuff you find at the store. He's a tinkerer and has built a complete brewery on wheels and has a fermenting vat built into a freezer with a valve to save the yeast for the next batch. Go, Tony.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5P5JJLjIFJNd9Vl74pFRuTsn2uo9yn2CiOP4F6n-1gE2u9mh7Yqn86Tud4z1HL4B_kC8FrshgPBQSK2XiCn9Sw_x5OOvn4xy91XZ7oIxrD6aEvpfzkmLVi_VSfZXscgSU2gVk/s1600/DSC03089_1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
Scott and Shelby (the youngest grand daughter) flew down from Maryland for the XO and G'maw's birthdays. Really had a good time including the Roller Derby Saturday night. What a trip that was. These poor old eyes are not up to the number of really weird girls that were there and that's just the stands. The roller derby teams were just as weird and lots of fun. <br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8436787.post-43487729953381749152012-08-25T17:42:00.000-07:002012-08-25T17:42:34.704-07:00Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8436787.post-69992606508899979792012-07-17T16:55:00.001-07:002012-07-17T16:55:08.101-07:00Aww Duck<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtCCcDuEe4p9FqJbcanTedpCcP0CUCXSWRDdNzCDUWj698ggVpkQwCR79N1BJMXc1yh7XrMfcJMlDt9B60BpLb5OYAt10vStkGqFRkfcV-8drvrHMd9lkE9hfutdjddZEsVr_c/s1600/ducks2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtCCcDuEe4p9FqJbcanTedpCcP0CUCXSWRDdNzCDUWj698ggVpkQwCR79N1BJMXc1yh7XrMfcJMlDt9B60BpLb5OYAt10vStkGqFRkfcV-8drvrHMd9lkE9hfutdjddZEsVr_c/s320/ducks2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Mom and the kids stopped traffic on the highway and access road. They
walked as if they owned the six lanes. Maybe they do. No one seemed to
mind and a few of us jumped out to take pictures.<br />
The XO and I had to spend some time at the coast and this is just one
of the adventures we got involved in. The other was the XO trying a
Texas Martini at the Lighthouse Inn. We decided to eat at the bar at
our hotel (mostly because they were allowing $40.00 bucks off the bill)
and the bartender was a friendly sort. The martini was 3parts
tequila-2parts orange liquor-sweet and sour mix. Deadly. We each had
one and were having a nice chat with others at the bar. When we ordered
dinner we decided to have another-wrong move for the XO-by the time the
steaks came she was having trouble holding a conversation and didn't
realize we had moved from the bar to a table in the dining room.
Needless to say we turned in early and she slept with one foot on the
floor.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8436787.post-39752692171249845522012-06-12T17:52:00.001-07:002012-06-12T17:52:43.519-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdJd2O3g2IHsJaRj38qOCydimwIrfOn_OUfyllIJGor0cTVFh8iJbmZ1AvTPBlCEoJT9-LS2oB_CCz19AWjAsQDyctvnGngXno1pv4HBD1t8DN39kk1wcKn78FKuUPyl4nb2rX/s1600/DSC03052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdJd2O3g2IHsJaRj38qOCydimwIrfOn_OUfyllIJGor0cTVFh8iJbmZ1AvTPBlCEoJT9-LS2oB_CCz19AWjAsQDyctvnGngXno1pv4HBD1t8DN39kk1wcKn78FKuUPyl4nb2rX/s320/DSC03052.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9d658ZOz-xr3j89NDpeti82Lsm93IDZrFTT_xPiitE7NDnWl_0A5WtnTkzKSdJclDU2dQhGvVg7kT5bz7i_w6dyV-BFclThIG6yzScbwjsrfkN8MWvlsLUlxGZl8rTYIX0qeL/s1600/DSC03057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9d658ZOz-xr3j89NDpeti82Lsm93IDZrFTT_xPiitE7NDnWl_0A5WtnTkzKSdJclDU2dQhGvVg7kT5bz7i_w6dyV-BFclThIG6yzScbwjsrfkN8MWvlsLUlxGZl8rTYIX0qeL/s320/DSC03057.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Made a quick trip to the bunker over the weekend because the ROT (Republic of Texas) MC rally was going on in Austin and it's a good time to get out of town. If the local TV heads can be believed there were 50,000+ bikes and 100,000 supporters and hangerson in town. The gay pride bunch was also in town so it's time to leave. Yea I suspect there is some overlap but don't ask don't get your a$$ smashed is in effect.<br />
I did a bit of lighting finish on the porch and installed some eyebrow lights down the courtyard wall. Pictures above. I only have one hooked up for the pictures but there will be three and another will be put on the roof where the stair landing is. It is designed to give a soft, reflected light to the courtyard. Judging from last night it is a success.<br />
On the way back the XO and I stopped in Llano to let me try out my new teeth. Four ribs, three slices of white bread and two bowls of beans passed the test. The best BBQ in Texas is still Cooper's and they were not as busy as the had been over the weekend and treated us like royalty. Oh, by the way it was 105 degrees in Llano.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8436787.post-5025730291726712732012-06-02T19:05:00.000-07:002012-06-12T17:30:02.678-07:00Still here but not thereDoctors, Dentists, and Barbers have ganged up on me so I have let another month get by without a trip to the bunker. The Barber is the worst. I have to be bled every few weeks because I make way too many red blood cells and even though that seems to be a good thing it tends to clog me up. It also affects every organ in my body. I can't just go down to the blood bank and make a donation because my blood is considered diseased. The other doctors have their boats to pay for and kids in college so I have to see them to keep the payments up to date. I now have more crowns in my mouth than real teeth. The dentist is pretty cool though. For the past 20+ years he has worked on me without pain meds and his soft touch has worked fine. It tends to freak the girls out but I have been doing it since the 80's when I was taught how by a dentist in California and it has some carry over in all that I do. I have had both knees and both shoulders replaced with minimum pain meds and none, post op. Not that there is no pain it's just that I can compartmentalize the pain and keep on functioning. Now that the gas price has gone down a little it's time to make a trip. I'll let you know.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8436787.post-77092001808344162372012-05-07T17:39:00.002-07:002012-05-07T18:12:15.481-07:00Fire on the MountainI saw the news last week about another fire in the Fort Davis area. It had started Southwest of town and the wind was variable so there was no telling where it will end up. The XO and I ran out to spend a few days an make sure everything was safe from the fire. Well there was no cause for alarm and the trip turned into a nice low pressure vacation.<br />
We did a few things that needed to be done and ran down to the "<a href="http://www.thefieldlab.blogspot.com/">Field Lab</a>". Check out the blog that he keeps. He has worked very hard for about four years and it shows. We had lunch at the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnxtV-YCS-o">Grub Shack</a> and that's an experience you can't pass up whenever your within 200 miles of Study Butte, Texas. We had a BLT that rivals anything you can find in the big city and then we went over to the Field Lab. John Wells is a great guy. Here is an <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCYx0T15BRs&NR=1&feature=endscreen">interview</a> I found of his thoughts about the way we live.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8436787.post-49354269023234658962012-04-23T16:11:00.000-07:002012-04-23T18:06:03.002-07:00Going CoastalThere are times when the salt air and wind just feel good. The XO and I slipped away for the week end to one of our favorite destinations. Rockport. We have a small, <strike>upscale</strike> expensive hotel. The place is great and seems like something out of the teens or at least the thirties. When they say free breakfast they don't mean toast and cereal they mean <u><b>breakfast</b></u>. And they have a full bar and steak house. It was built about '03 though so it just appears old. I'd tell you the<a href="http://www.lighthousetexas.com/"> name</a> but you know how it is: "no one goes there any more, it's too crowded". There are hundreds of boats in the marinas and I want every one of them. It's funny, every one is for sale and if the owner is nearby you can really make his day by acting interested. For the past two or three years we have been watching one get outfitted and overhauled. Today they mounted the new props and floated it. It was too tall to be handled by the gantry there in the yard so the had to haul it down to the ramp and tow it back to the boat yard. It is 45 or 50 feet long and almost that tall. From the waterline the flying bridge is about 30 feet and there is an other platform 10 feet above that. The name on the fantail was "Semper Fi", probably owned by an army retiree.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8436787.post-40304332447191770762012-03-29T15:22:00.003-07:002012-03-29T15:59:38.936-07:00Gas Mileage<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGtHEK4laPclyBzC2bb681h92Z4DW561Qt2tfXsvv843Kut4mQ9xnCY2HYYKpANSJ6qBTUAbTCqeFjLJANMf9je-qhF70y1OOeYtl9HzcVB8xdw7ekLGBI5Pp8UHbKllIFul4B/s1600/skewed11671-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 271px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGtHEK4laPclyBzC2bb681h92Z4DW561Qt2tfXsvv843Kut4mQ9xnCY2HYYKpANSJ6qBTUAbTCqeFjLJANMf9je-qhF70y1OOeYtl9HzcVB8xdw7ekLGBI5Pp8UHbKllIFul4B/s400/skewed11671-1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725448406643547026" /></a><br />Been trying to find a replacement for my old gas guzzler. This looks just the ticket. It will look good down on the drag too. My only problem will be the ride out from Austin.<br />I have been looking at a CNG truck but the closest station is in Midland and I think it's owned by the city and would be out of bounds in an emergency. There are only two stations in Austin. So much for alternative energy, it's obvious that Washington has never heard of West Texas. I've done the math and I guess I'll stay with what I've got. I have given up thinking of the price of gas and moved into cost per trip. It costs about 180 dollars round trip. Three years ago it was 60. It's not really too bad but it sure makes you look at those one or two day trips, I'll need to stay a week at a time or more to make it more cost effective. As a prep-per I have a stash at both ends and could last a few months wherever we end up.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8436787.post-69842025473133331532012-03-19T15:47:00.004-07:002013-09-15T16:31:15.643-07:00Now we're talkin<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOK2GvWL0oOCIpwHhozqa_ey62nB-sEd_PAEZQJgHPxcpxLcdlpKKae1S2uYOqRMYvDLAVfykqq7aO4dM-Swv8W-iq5TngwhVEYbSZopOE3j2is0OyV9mptLzieBPVn8ar5mgE/s1600/2012-04-01+08.33.27+am.png"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726425724718928530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOK2GvWL0oOCIpwHhozqa_ey62nB-sEd_PAEZQJgHPxcpxLcdlpKKae1S2uYOqRMYvDLAVfykqq7aO4dM-Swv8W-iq5TngwhVEYbSZopOE3j2is0OyV9mptLzieBPVn8ar5mgE/s400/2012-04-01+08.33.27+am.png" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 219px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<div id="pageCatalogPhoto">
<img alt="" class="CatalogLargePhoto" height="348" src="http://sigsauer.com/upFiles/catalog/product/938-AG-detail-hero.jpg" width="633" /></div>
After Barb got her Sig Sauer Lady I had to have one. Not the red and silver like hers but a manly stainless like above. Went by the gun shop to see what they had and this one winked at me from the corner of the display case. Well you know how easy I am I said, "I'll take it!" Barb said, "Don't you even want to touch it?" Time enough for that later we have to beat the weather to the range. <br />
The range was deserted for the most part and we set up at 20 yards and had a shoot off. Crap my arm hurt or something because she beat me hands down. I used the excuse of 'new gun' and grumbled all the way home.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8436787.post-25374476935367978012012-03-04T09:12:00.002-08:002012-03-04T12:48:48.406-08:00New Year for Texas and me<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqXWNkYo0XJ_5WxzKOAM2VCIbcPJjvruHG2WZhupPGZ7zoVxlCGZ7dfwLbeUXHIxLLSZuE0QV5CmjpgbA992EkcR1E0AC1KW5z1kL91gFI7u0ezivqVLPCkpqeLBaeF1pUYcgk/s1600/greetings-from-texas.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 253px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqXWNkYo0XJ_5WxzKOAM2VCIbcPJjvruHG2WZhupPGZ7zoVxlCGZ7dfwLbeUXHIxLLSZuE0QV5CmjpgbA992EkcR1E0AC1KW5z1kL91gFI7u0ezivqVLPCkpqeLBaeF1pUYcgk/s400/greetings-from-texas.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708630223268658610" /></a><br />Had to wait an extra day to celebrate my birthday because of leap year. Worse, the great state of Texas had to wait an extra day too. I always figure that Texas Independence day (2nd of March) is just a continuation of my party. I was born 1 day early an d 190 years too late. I like to think I would have been at the Alamo with all my heros like Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie. (John Wayne?) We may have lost anyway but what a way to go.<br />My older brother was born on the third of July and they had parades for him too.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8436787.post-55164545335521898402012-02-27T14:58:00.003-08:002012-02-27T15:39:52.681-08:00Spring Break<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfm2iKCx5NqADPioTnZo32Qm69op3Jx934gsHAFMbZ8mvHtlDinaM_AzBjIxgoFm4Hhit3JHTgC7vch1M-4N-vYv4eIKb3w1a9yNLU0KU97KVITe7p0feB0gTUvCfGrfYzLbBB/s1600/cowboy.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfm2iKCx5NqADPioTnZo32Qm69op3Jx934gsHAFMbZ8mvHtlDinaM_AzBjIxgoFm4Hhit3JHTgC7vch1M-4N-vYv4eIKb3w1a9yNLU0KU97KVITe7p0feB0gTUvCfGrfYzLbBB/s400/cowboy.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713964268107937586" /></a><br />Made a quick trip to the bunker this weekend mostly to drop off a really big water tank that's been taking up room in the truck and to go to Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Alpine. What a neat thing for anyone to see. One of the best recitals was from a lady from Alberta who embodied the Texas spirit like a native. She closed her presentation <br />by saying that her next of kin card in her billfold lists the Lone Star.<br /> So many new citizens have moved to Texas in the past four years that you can see the spirit draining away in a city like Austin. One of the things you hear from a newcomer is that everyone is so confident and open. Well that is true unless you are in a group of newcomers who start every sentence with "back in (wherever) we did it this way.<br /> You don't have to be born in Texas to be a Texan, you are recognized as a Texan by your actions. You can tell if a man is a Texan by the way he walks and how he tips his hat and looks you in the eyes whether he speaks to you or not. How he pitches in to help without needing to be asked and then gets embarrassed when you try to thank him. The newcomer begins to feel these things and one day he knows he is home. He feels the pride swell in him when another Texan acknowledges him without a word being spoken. We have a lot to be proud of here in the Lone Star state and we are willing to share it with another Texan, no matter where they came from.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0