In for a nickle

Well if you can't win one lottery, should you try another?   Of course, especially when the total is up in the millions or was it billions.   I get confused.   I decided to buy some tickets for the latest lottery, yet did not buy as many as last time.   Then I forgot to watch the evening news to learn about our winning and start the whole anticipation thing.   So this morning I checked the paper and did have the first number but that was it.   I think this result was as bad as the first one.   So, what to do?

Mr rational self thinks I had better give up on this lottery thing.   It makes as much sense to throw the money out the door and let the wind blow it away.   I have repeatedly told Foxy that I do not really have  fun at a casino since our money is too hard to come by.   I might as well give it to the first person I meet and be done with it.  Then again I might need to get a lottery ticket tomorrow.   Just kidding. Happy travels.

Texas Lottery

Yesterday was the last day to buy lottery ticket before the new winning numbers were announced last night.  This lottery is called The Mega Millions Megaplier and hasn't been won since sometime in January.  I have thought about winning the lottery but you can't win if you do not purchase a ticket.  Once while we were living in Omaha we thought about saving our quarters and going in with kids Kristy and Tim and sharing the profits equally.  We bought our ticket and lost, or rather, did not win.

A year ago we drove the motor home to Seattle to visit our friend Arthur in Friday Harbor on San Juan Island and again talked about lottery tickets while having dinner at Herb's Bar.   You cannot play if you do not pay again decided us to try this lottery business and we bought several and were to share in the winnings.  Again we lost, or rather, did not win.

Not too long ago, Foxy happened to listen to a lottery winning guru on the television explain that you could increase your chances of winning if you bought several tickets in a row.   He even demonstrated to his audience how this might work by buying each of them a ticket and showing them how there were more winners than normal using his methods.

My third attempt to crack into the winners circle of lottery winners was yesterday.  I went to Albertson's and talked with the young lady who would sell me the winning ticket.  First I had to find out how much each ticket might cost.  " $1.00", was the response.   "I will take 20 tickets, in order of course,"  I replied.  "You know that your are selling the winning ticket right now," I told her.   She assured me that she was delighted to have sold me the winning ticket.  I looked at the two strips of paper she handed me and asked her where were my twenty tickets.   She patiently explained that ten sets were on each slip.  I hurried home to share with Foxy our lottery tickets with the winning number somewhere among the twenty.

Last night we stayed up to watch the late news with tickets in hand.  Finally at the end of the news came the announcement of the winning numbers.  The first number was a nine. I had that!  The Mega Ball number was 24.  I had that!  My excitement grew!  The problem was that these numbers were not on the same ticket.  My winning dreams were dashed.  I guess I will have to return the red Camero Convertible I bought with my anticipated winnings.  Happy travels.

Cooking

Foxy signed us up to deliver dinner to the young adults, a church group that meets on Tuesday evening starting first with dinner.   We decided to give them a meal that started with ham and scalloped potatoes, broccoli with lemon sauce, rolls and brownies topped with green coconut flakes and small Easter egg candies.

We cooked at the kids house since out kitchen is so small and watched the boys when home from school and left them the same dinner as a thank you for letting us use their kitchen.  We started this endeavor shortly after 2 pm and took the partially cooked dinner to church around 5 pm where we met Brandon, the Associate Pastor.  He opened up the kitchen there and we left the food to finish cooking on low.   Hopefully the dinner was not overdone and enjoyed by all.

We came home to our dishes of the same menu and relaxed after a busy day.   Happy travels.

Music and family

Yesterday after church we drove to Ft. Worth to enjoy the symphony. which included Stravinsky's Firebird Suite.  It is such a pleasure to be able to enjoy such glorious music.  On the way home Foxy had a chance to talk with brother Herb who appreciated our concern about his serious illness.  We felt that we made a real connection.   Herb needs our prayers and care as does his entire family.  His cancer is a category four which means it has metastasised elsewhere.  

We also talked with Kim and Chuck who invited us over for dinner.  Once home, we asked Max if he wanted to also go and visit their dogs Rose and Violet.   He practically jumped out the door with delight.  We all had a wonderful time, the food was excellent and being together, the best.  We also got to see the square yard gardens that Chuck and the boys were putting together.   Soon they will enjoy fresh home grown vegetables.  Happy travels.

Wonderful spring day here

Saturday dawned crisp and clear.   When Max and I went outside you could still see the planet Mars and a bit of Orion.  Once Foxy was up we got it together and went garage sailing and found a few things for the shop and took other recent finds out there.  We always think the shop is full and yet find a way to stuff some more in without the booth exploding in disgust.  We then drove home and took a late morning walk about our RV park looking for possible sites to change to for the summer when it will likely get very hot.   Our present site is a good one but gets too much sun all day to really enjoy it in the summer.   Last summer we had the air conditioners on most of the time day and night with a corresponding high electric bill.  So far we have found three or four sites that might do and when we move for a propane fill up will try to see if we can move the rig.

The entire Denton area has greened up after the recent rains.   The lakes are full and the spring flowers are in full bloom.  We particularly enjoy seeing Blue Bonnets along the roadside.   This year they are quite plentiful and very pretty. Oh if spring weather could last all summer and not get so hot.   Happy travels.

Max goes to the dog park

Jon called us this noon and wanted us to bring Max over so that we could take their two dogs and Max to the dog park.   First we had to go out for lunch and finally settled on Red Robin.   They have onion straws which I really like.  We left quite filled and returned home for the three dogs.   They have Violet a husky German Shepperd cross and Rosie partly Rottweiler.  Max is a Westie but thinks he is a big dog too.

We drove to a nearby dog park and let the three dogs loose.   Max loved it and enjoyed every dog and kid there.   He nearly ran his little legs off.   After about a half hour we returned home and Max passed out on the floor exhausted but extremely happy.   He is a fun little dog but really met his match when a Saint Bernard came to the park.   Max could not even reach that dog's head.   Happy sweet dreams Max and happy travels.

A friend passes

A friend of ours and brother of a really close friend has died.   He discovered two years ago that he had pancreatic cancer.  He was given originally six months but survived two years and had excellent care as well as family support.  I guess when you get to our age this becomes a common event.   Somehow that does not make it any easier.   We have recently learned that Foxy's brother Herb has cancer as well and that it is inoperable.  Herb says, "It is what it is."   He seems closed off to all of us and does not want our support.   We find solace from a pastor who says, "Lord, wrap this family in your arms and give them peace."   We do so and find peace.

Chinese buffet for lunch

Foxy tries to humor me once in awhile  and today she did so when I wanted Chinese food for lunch.   I had taken her to Kohl's for some necessary shopping.   She had coupons and a store credit and could hardly wait.   While she was in the store, I walked the parking lot and then a bit of Sudoku.   Finally Foxy returned with two outfits and a a happy smile.   That was the time to suggest lunch - Chinese buffet.   She agreed.

We really did not know of a good place so drove around a bit until we found a buffet in Lewisville.   Perfect!  They even had a senior discount.   What could be better?   I really like orange chicken in all of its forms and this place had General Tso's and another.   I tried both, of course, and lots of other entry samples.   Foxy ate lots of fish things and we both left fulfilled.   In fact I felt about three months pregnant.   Hopefully not!   Happy travels.

Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge

Recently we drove to Dallas to enjoy walking on the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge.   This lovely bridge will provide a roadway over the San Antonio River and a splendid addition to the Dallas skyline.  It provides an accent to Dallas much like the Arch does for St. Louis.  A few years ago we walked on a new footbridge that spanned the Missouri River between Omaha, NE and Council Bluffs, IA.  That bridge was named after Senator Bob Karrey.   Both bridges were suspension bridges with unusual designs.   The Arch for the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge has been painted white which really draws your eye toward this spectacular design.  It has been fun to be present when these bridges were inaugurated.  I think if you learned of a bridge that fits these types we would love to visit them as well.   Happy travels.

Lots of rain

It has rained and rained here.  We are thankful for the rain and think that our long drought might be over.  Yesterday we drove to a mall to get our walk in and then on to Cost Co.  On the way there we drove by Lake Louisville, a big reservoir, which seemed to be full.  We received about three inches of rain and other places nearby had up to six.  Spring is really here and it is nice to see new leaves on the trees and lots of spring flowers.  We do wonder whether the early advent of warm weather bodes ill for hot temperatures later in the summer.  Happy travels.

We vacation in Kerrville

On Thursday we left Denton about 10 am to travel to Kerrville where we had previously been living.   We went to see friends as well as take a vacation for the weekend.   Ron and Julie, Linda and Dick, and Jan and Vince greeted us with open arms and a great meal when we arrived.  There was a fruit salad, tossed salad,  and chicken from a rotisserie on the grill.  Lots of vegetables and potatoes cooked in a casserole topped off the meal.   Of course somehow we managed to talk non-stop and eat too.   Paula and Bob and Pam stopped by to say hello.   This vacation was off to a great start.   It was so nice to meet and greet these wonderful friends.   Ron started a campfire and the talking continued until we bid all good night and returned to our motel.

On Friday Ron and Julie took us to a new place for lunch up Harper Road.   It was excellent.   The ladies had a tomato basil soup and I had tuna on a salad and Ron  enjoyed a Chicken BLT.   Afterwards we parted for an afternoon break and rejoined the friends at Don's Guadalupe RV Saloon for a drink and snacks. 

Saturday turned out to be quite a fun day as we all drove to Bandara to go to the Wild Hog Explosion.   What fun this turned out to be.   It was a fund raiser for the local library and this was the tenth year.   It was held in a rodeo atmosphere and various age groups competed to touch or catch feral wild hogs.   The cute group was the 2 - 4 year old kids who lined up and when the baby hogs entered tried to touch them.    Some of the kids needed help but each child finally left with a ribbon in hand and much excitement trying to run after the baby hogs.  I was sure one two year old would run out of his shorts before he managed but finally he also touched his hog and left happily with his ribbon in hand.

As the age group became older they had to actually catch the hog (also bigger) and drag it over a finish line.   By the time we got to adult competitors some of the hogs were 75-100 pounds and some tried to bite the contestants.  Winners got either ribbons or  fancy belt buckles.   Each event was timed with the shortest time winning the event.   The contestants that snuck up on their hog seemed to do better than those that chased them.   It was quite fun for all and something new for us.   We had never been before but the others had been to past contests. 

On Sunday we enjoyed brunch together and then headed back to Denton.    We manged to see some other good friends from church and other guests at the RV Resort.   A wonderful vacation for us and great to be back together with close friends.   Happy travels.

Vacation. much needed

I took a self imposed vacation from writing regularly on my blog. I did not think that I had anything to say and was running out of good ideas on which to comment. I needed a break and took one. Now I am ready to get back to commenting on my blog and want to thank several of you readers who strongly suggest that I get back to work. A nudge in the fanny was exactly what I needed. Thanks and happy travels, of course.