Fbg, TX

I am at a borrowed computer posting this. I just won a used Dell laptop on ebay since my other laptop is in intensive care at Circuit City. They predicted up to 3 weeks which probably means a lot longer and I can't do without a computer that long. The withdrawal is awful.
So I will post when I can and read a lot of books.

Happy New Year to all.

Fredericksburg, TX

Well, my computer screen died two days ago, major bummer.  So, yesterday (Thursday) I left on a mission to find a Circuit City to see if my extended warranty is worth the money I paid for it.   I ultimately found a Circuit City about 65 miles away, not the one my sister gave me an address for (I called her when my screen went blank for her to look up on the internet the closest one), but with the help of a couple of filling station clerks where I stopped and asked for directions, yes I do stop and ask directions, I found a Circuit City!   After finding the store,  I had to wait 30 minutes for a service tech to return from delivering another computer to leave mine.   It took him a few minutes to look up my extended warrantly in their computer, but they did have it. Yea!  He said that they would look at it within 48 hours and then I will know what is wrong and how long it will take to fix.  So you will have to wait for the rest of the story.

The internet reception in the RV has been really bad for a couple of days. I think everyone is bored and spends all their time on the internet, plus the wind is blowing. I am now sitting in the recreation room where the WIFI connection originates so I can get on and do this post. I have a couple other pictures but it keeps telling me that page is not available - after I've waited a few minutes - so those pictures can wait until the connection improves.

We had a great Christmas dinner at Linda & Bob's and then opened presents. Then I had a personal tour of the Combat Zone part of the museum. It wasn't open so we had the place to ourselves. Conducting the tours on Thurs, Fri, & Sat. is what Linda and Bob do for their volunteering. For that they get free space to park and learn a lot of interesting information so they can answer questions. A tour becomes special when there is a WWII veteran in the group. They have a lot of original items from the Pacific theater of the war from both the Japanese and American sides. A rare, original PT boat is one of the most interesting items. I learned a lot that I didn't know before. The outside part is set up like a beach with bamboo or cane growing all around and sand spread out. It's a little eerie to peek thru the growth and see the tiny opening of a pill box. You feel like you are "there".

Today I cleaned house, much to the dog's dismay. They get tied outside while the work goes on as they are no help at all. I have to be careful to tie Scoobie where there are no pecans on the ground as he crunches them up and eats them, even some of the shell, which can't be good for him. I have been cracking and picking out some pecans, they are really tasty.

This afternoon Linda and Bob are coming over to try to fix a couple of things on my RV, like the pull out for the battery. Also try to figure out why my fresh water tank thinks it is full when it isn't.

While here in the rec room a nice lady and I chatted and she turned out to be the recreation director. She has suggested that I bring my denim shirts and jackets up here to the rec room tomorrow at 10:00 to see if anyone here is interested. Sounds like a good plan to me. I'll let you know.

Fbg., TX

Today this museum was only open till noon and was free so we went. They had an old film of George Bush Sr. being rescued from the ocean when his plane went down.

This is a piece of a hatch from the Arizona that was cut off at Pearl Harbor, probably looking for survivors. There were a lot of artifacts from WW II from the Pacific area. This is the home town of Admiral Nimitz. That explains why the museum is here. Sorry about the fake smile.

This is me at an afternoon Christmas Eve candlelight service. They use the top part of plastic throw away champaigne glasses to hold the candles. Pretty ingenious.

This is Bob and Linda at the same service. We sang just about all the Christmas Carrolls. Church 2 days in a row. WOW. They served communion a little different than I ever saw before, but then I don't go to church a lot. The ministers stood at the front and tore off a bit of the bread and handed it to each person who then dipped it into a goblet of "wine" (actually grape juice). This was a United Methodist church.

Tomorrow I am driving over to Linda & Bobs for Christmas dinner.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL.

Fbg., TX

These are my Christmas decorations. The angel was made by my neice and her children out of hot glue and spray paint. I'll have to write down how it is done as it is really nice.

This mini creche is a flea market find made in Mexico. It's about 3 1/2 inches tall and the doors close. It is very south western.

Yesterday the wind blew 35-40 MPH and my internet connection wasn't working very well. So I took a day off. Today it is cooler but not windy so everything is working

Today I went to church with Linda and Bob and had lunch at their home. Now I am cooking up a sweet potato salad for Christmas dinner. I got the original recipe from Linda & Bob's website (http://www.because-we-can.net) but I have varied it a little so I hope they like it. I'm going to try horse radish in it this time. I didn't know I liked horse radish until I've been trying it lately. It's good on a sandwich mixed in with mayonaise.

A call from a daughter about a popcorn ball recipe brightened my afternoon.

Fredericksburg, TX

Not much happening today. I couldn't get my battery slide unstuck so I added water as best I could. I refuse to crawl under the RV, wouldn't fit anyway. I also have been having trouble filling my fresh water tank. A little valve on the side is supposed to let the air out as the water goes in but the handle broke off that valve. I can't even get hold of it with the pliers. Today I tried leaving a faucet trickling while I added water and that worked pretty good.

I took a video of the dogs playing this morning. You just click on the little arrow at the bottom to view it. It looks like Silly is checking now and then to see if I'm still taking her picture. This was taken in the dog play park, an fenced area where you can let dogs loose. There is a bench and a garbage can. The dogs got their pills today and Red almost bit me. A small piece of cheese finally finished the job. As usual Scoobie is the only one with an upset stomach.

I worked on the geneology stuff some today. We are having some problems knowing about the kids of one Thornton McKnight who was born in 1825.

I am enjoying my cable TV. My brother-in-law, Bob, looked at my hook-up and explained it to me. My antenna was doing no good at all before. Now I have it so I just push a button on a box and switch from antenna to cable. I am amazed I got anything at all before.

It is nice to relax for a while.

Fredericksburg, TX

The sign I wanted to show picked up the reflection of my flash but you can read it. "USED BEER DEPARTMENT". That arrow points to the restrooms.

We ate at a German Restaurant. I had Weiner Snitzel with bean soup, sweet & sour potatoes, spiced noodles and red cabbage. Needless to say I brought home a large "people" box. Very good but just too much to eat all at once.

Today I picked up dog worm pills and dumped my waste tanks. I also got the oil changed on the RV and bought some light bulbs and a turkey baster. No, I'm not cooking a turkey. I need to add water to my marine battery and the best way to do it is with a turkey baster. My "pull out slide" that holds my marine battery isn't pulling out due to dirt and gravel thrown up from the road. Maybe I'll try to clean that up tomorrow. Doesn't that sound like fun?

I got my oil changed at a Ford dealership service department. They wanted to drive it from the parking area to the back to do it. I offered to take the dogs out, or drive it myself but they said that would be okay, they wanted to drive it and leave the dogs in it. Red didn't take that well, she bit the man. I guess I have a good guard dog. She didn't break the skin but the man was upset. I think I'll give her 2 treats tonight instead of 1.

Fredericksburg, TX

This live oak tree is estimated to be 500 years old. It has seen it all. The only way you can tell it is an oak tree is by looking on the ground for acorns. The leaves are very small and shiny. The wood is very hard and difficult to work with. That's probably the only reason it is still standing.

Fort Martin Scott was an active U.S. Army outpost for five years, from 1848 to 1853. It was used to house, train, and supply soldiers working on scouting and patroling missions in the area. It was abandoned because the need was further west. Acording to the guide the people here had made a treaty with the Comanches already. (Government waste that long ago?) It is said to be the only treaty that has been kept to this day. They reenact it in May each year and the Indians come to celebrate. That would be something to see.

The picture above is one of the original buildings. The wagon is an old chuckwagon from the cattle drives they used to make from this area to drive longhorns north. Would you call that a chuckwagon port rather than a carport?

Another of the original buildings was a court room and jail and officers quarters. It was used as a home for a large family for several years.

I wonder how many prisoners were in this jail cell when it was in use. There were only 4 cells and they are all the same size. The guide said they were sometimes used to house Indians who had stolen white children.

After the government left the fort the townspeople dismantled the rest of the buildings to build homes in Fredericksburg. I hope to see some of those buildings. The guide explained why the streets of the town are so nice and wide (4 lanes plus slant parking on both sides). They planned to allow for teams of oxen to turn around since oxen won't back up. I didn't know that.

Today I did a load of laundry, took dog poop to a vet's office, and cracked a bunch of pecans.

Linda and I also visited a couple of thrift shops, it must be hereditary. I found a hand made rag rug to put on my floor and a Luckenbach , TX, shirt that would have cost about $25.00 at the shop we visited yesterday. This one was $1.00.

The dogs have worms so tomorrow I go pick up pills for them. Whoopeee.

Fredericksburg, TX

Caught him in mid-crow. He was one of many rooster hanging around, even high up in the trees, in Luckenbach, TX. Linda and I went there today. It's in a country-western song, I think by Willie Nelson. So we had to see it.

They once had a post office there. Now it is a store displaying some antiques and selling souviners. They have country-western concerts there sometimes.

This is a Luckenbach yard stick, which actually makes you look shorter than you are rather than taller. Each inch is longer which makes the "yard stick" about 4 feet long.

This is a picture of inside the store. No explanation necessary.

We also stopped at Fort Martin Scott but I will save those pictures for tomorrow. I did such mundane things today as a load of laundry, walked the dogs, etc. A nice relaxing day.

Fredericksburg, TX

Dog logic: If we walk on her and lick her enough she will get up, take us for a walk, feed us, and then WE get the bed.

Monday and Tuesday night I stayed behind the museum where Linda & Bob are volunteering. It was a tight squeeze getting thru the gate backwards and leaving room for vehicles to get between my RV and the building but I had a lot of advice - such as "back up 6 inches and turn the wheel to the left." We only tripped the circuit breaker once. I was invited to eat dinner with them both nights. Yaaaah. Wed. I moved to the Trade Days grounds. The weather was terrible. It rained off and on all day Friday. Twice I uncovered stuff and had to cover it again. I pulled out my new awning but there was a mist that blew in under the awning. So then things were wet even under the awning and had to be dried before they could be covered again. Then Sat. the wind blew all day at 30 to 40 MPH. I was up at 6:00 a.m. pulling in the awning. A lovely lady nearby helped me get it down (I gave her a decorated denim shirt). I wasn't really awake and had trouble remembering how to do it. With the awning out this RV is kind of like a plane with only one wing, it feels like it is trying to take off. It even blew over my clothing rack.

On Sunday the weather was chilly but no rain and no wind, just a chilly breeze now and then. Sales were a bust but watching was fun. Plus Linda joined me Sunday which let each of us run around a little. I found a pair of alpaca gloves which are wonderfully light and warm. There was a freeze Sat. and Sun. nights but it will warm up this week.

This fellow won't be cold.

My dogs got really excited every time the mule came by with the shuttle. The mule was wearing Christmas bells and sounded nice.

A looker - not a buyer.

Now I am parked at this RV park near a pecan tree. I picked up a lot of pecans off the ground. The wind over the week-end probably brought them down. I'll be here a month. Linda and Bob work Thursday, Friday, and Saturday each week so we will plan things to do on their days off. Linda and I are comparing our genealogy stuff.

It sounds like I sold more at the Butter Street Barn than I did on the road in December.

Fredericksburg, TX

Today Linda and I went riding around. She needed to mail some ebay packages and I needed a few items at the grocery store. We also wanted to check out the Trade Days grounds and the local campgrounds. We happened upon a candle factory that had a showroom. As you can see I was having trouble making up my mind so I ended up buying both candles. After you smell about 50 different scented candles you can't tell the difference. Hope I like the ones I got.

We couldn't get into the Trade Days grounds as there was a gate closed and locked with a key pad to put in a code to get them open. So we drove along a country lane beside the grounds and saw some exotic animals. This is a goat, a very regal fellow. He had a family and soon took them away from that strange vehicle.

There was also a group of long horn cattle. Amazing horns. They couldn't go in the some barns with those horns.

We checked out the Lady Bird Johnson Memorial Park campgrounds and it was very nice and a bit woodsy. On the way back we saw a campground sign and went to check it out. It has cable TV, WIFI, and a fenced dog run plus it is closer to town. Guess which one I wanted? I reserved a site for a month there starting next Monday night. It is a bit more expensive but worth it. When I run away I want to do it in style. They have a website that I haven't checked out yet. It is www.fredericksburgtexasrvpark.com. It will work out that my month there will be up just in time for January's Trade Days.

It was very hot and muggy today but tonight a cool front came through with a little rain and some thunder. It's supposed to be very cool tomorrow, high of 44.

Fredericksburg, TX

I came straight through Houston -- that in itself is amazing. Traffic going east was backed up for miles so, of course, the traffic going west had to slow down to see why. It was an accident in the car pool lane. There was fog all the way.

I am parked right up next to my sister, Linda, and my brother-in-law's RV. I will probably stay here for a couple of days and visit. They work Thursday, Friday, and Saturday and I'm setting up at Fredericksburg Trade Days on Thursday so that works out perfectly.

We have to both talk at the same time to catch up since we haven't seen one another for over a year and a half.

Still Winnie, TX

My poor car is still in Ohio and isn't happy with me for leaving it behind. Hope it all is gone by the time I get home.

Today was a slow day at the Trade Days. Sunday usually is slow. One dealer had quilts for $10.00 so I had to get one since I forgot the dog beds. These places are dangerous as there are some really good deals and I'm supposed to be watching my own stuff. Everything is soooo dusty. I need a laundromat badly. I shook everything out as I packed it and the dust just flew. The shower tonight was wonderful but now I don't want to touch anything.

Tomorrow it is on to Fredericksburg. I'll probably stay at their Walmart tomorrow night and then see if they will let me stay at their Trade Days grounds until next week-end. 3 week-ends in a row is all I want to do. I'm ready for a good break.

Hope everyone up north drives carefully in the mess.

Winnie, TX

Cowboys,

cowboys,

and more cowboys.

And then there was big mama with reindeer antlers and her go cart. As you can see it was a good day for people watching. It also wasn't a bad day for sales. The weather was good except for a thick fog in the early morning. It always windy in TX and with the gravel roads the dust flew about as thick as the fog. I will need to wash the RV soon, for sure the windows before I move on. One more day here and then Monday I move on.

They have nice showers here and I am enjoying them after a hot dusty day.

Winnie, TX

All day the sun tried to come through and sometimes won. It looked like it would rain, the wind blew, the clouds rolled by, the price of gas, it's only Friday - all reasons why sales were low. I heard all the excuses dealers use to explain away bad business. I sold a little more today than I did on Thursday, which isn't saying much. Of course I bought a couple of things also.

This is how my space looks when I am set up. I spread out to try to fill the space allowed. Some people can fill their space and need more room. I met some very nice people and chatted with some bored dealers. A lady visiting here from Chicago is going back to the snow tomorrow.

Today is my daughter's 5th wedding anniversary. Congratulations Tim and Susan.

Here's to a better tomorrow.

Winnie, TX

Set up today and even some sales. Not many but it is a good omen. I had never counted the shirts and jackets I have decorated this summer until today when I was hanging them up. There are 30 of them, plus 5 Harley Davidson t-shirts that I got at a garage sale. Sure hope they sell, otherwise everyone is getting 3 of them next Christmas, whether they fit or not, also for their birthdays.

Scooby is in the doghouse again. He gets on the table when I'm not looking, which shows he knows he isn't supposed to. I left a glass of water on the table and he got excited about another dog walking by and jumped on the table and spilled it all over the seat. Luckily the computer escaped the water. I need some mouse traps to put on the table. Maybe I'll find some soon. He is getting better about walking on the leash, it only takes about 10 minutes of choking before he slows down to my pace.

I tried to look around a bit at other people's stuff they have for sale as I won't be able to when we are open. Trade Days are Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Saturday is the big day, of course. The Trade Days I plan to set up at next week-end is in Fredericksburg, TX. They returned my call today and will reserve me a space outside. They said if I get there early they charge $15.00 a day to camp. That isn't bad and I will probably take them up on it. After that sale I'll have to find somewhere else to camp for a couple of weeks as that is where I will meet my sister and brother-in-law. There is a Lady Bird Johnson park nearby that might be promising.

Sorry, no pictures today but I hope to get some people watching pictures this week-end.

Winnie, TX

This is my new clothing display rack. It has 4 sections hinged to a post in the middle. All the 4 sections swing around together when you move it or carry it. It should stand up to wind. I found the touch up paint for the RV and painted my initials on it and a stripe at the top. Sure don't want it to walk away. You can also see the back of the Holiday Inn that is providing my internet connection.

People are already starting to gather and set up for this week-ends Trade Days. The first time I came here was on a Thursday afternoon last January and it was almost all set up. There are a lot of cowboy hats and pick-up trucks. It is very dusty as all the roads are gravel.

Today I went to the grocery store and the Family Dollar store and the laudromat. I found a shower curtain liner for the extra dew-proof cover I needed. When you can't find what you want you improvise.

Tomorrow will be set-up time.

Relaxing day

I now get 4 TV channels, all snowy and none of them very interesting, but at least the antenna helped and they are all in English.

I bought a clothing display rack today from one of the vendors who stays here all the time. I'll get a picture of it when I am set up. I found it difficult to display the shirts and jackets I have to sell. This should show them much better. I might even sell one. (that is sarcasm)

I took the dogs for a couple of long walks today. After about 15 minutes of pulling on the choke chain to the point of gagging Scooby slows down to my speed. By then I am ready to take a rest. I also vacuumed out the RV. Somehow leaves and bits of grass and mud get tracked in.

Tomorrow I plan to go shopping for some plastic table clothes or a small tarp to cover the new display. The RV spaces available filled up today so it is a good thing I came yesterday.

I see from the yahoo weather that it is snowing in Ohio which makes the frost here last night seem like nothing. It is supposed to be in the 70's this week-end.

P.S.

My missing rocks. As you can see they were obviously very valuable. That is why someone took them.

This is Scooby. If you have a clue as to his breed let me know. Sometimes when he barks he sounds like a hound. He can jump a 1/2 door or a fence without much effort and really really wants a squirrel of his own.

Texas here we are.

There won't be any pictures here as I am using a "borrowed" wireless connection. It is borrowed from the nearby Holiday Inn. I can't send emails but I can read them and it is too slow for uploading pictures.

First of all, I didn't find any diamonds but I did find some pretty rocks and some tiny clear crystals. The first day I saved some rocks and then left them on my picnic table the next day to go look for more - when I came back they were gone. I do have a picture of them but that is all. With all the rocks in the world why would someone want to take mine?

Red and Silly are seasoned travelers but Scooby is new to this kind of life. The first day he barked and growled at the windshield wipers, then at cows in a field, then he went to find the only spot on the floor not protected by plastic runners and threw up. He is getting better at the traveling thing. He likes the front passenger seat, so does Red. If Scooby is standing up in the seat Red sneaks under him and lays down so he has to leave. He is learning to sit down so she can't get under him, he stands up - then looks around quickly and sits back down. I have plenty of entertainment on the road.

Last Friday I was on the road from Arkansas to Texas when I remembered that Canton Texas has a Trade Days on the week-end before the first Monday each month, so I headed there and set up. I was there one week-end last year and didn't sell much so I wasn't surprised when I didn't sell much this time either.

Now I am in Winnie, TX in their Trade Days grounds at their campground waiting to see if they can find me for a site to set up next week-end. Their Trade Days are the week-end AFTER the first Monday of the month. If they can't find me a spot to park the RV and sell from that site they will let me stay here and set up just across the street from where I am parked now. They remembered me from last year when my dear daughters arranged a birthday surprise for me.

It is now 55 degrees at 6:45 p.m. All 3 dogs are napping. I can get only 1 TV channel without the antenna up, it is a Spanish speaking channel. Maybe I'll try putting the antenna up.