Showing posts with label OSIRIS-REx sample return. Show all posts
Showing posts with label OSIRIS-REx sample return. Show all posts

Saturday, August 12, 2023

Day 4979

I had a long list of things to get today and most of them weren't groceries. I needed bug spray, WD-40, dishwasher detergent, Swiffer dusters, and blue shop towels. There were food items too, but it seemed like I visited way too many stores this morning. When I returned home with the groceries Dawn didn't get excited at all. She didn't even get off the bed this morning.

They are still tearing up the streets in the neighborhood to put in new water mains. Inevitably when the city paves a street, some other department tears it up again within six months. I'm not sure why we need new water mains in the neighborhood, but it seems like a major undertaking. 

The weather hasn't gotten any better. When we took our early walk this morning the temperature was almost 90 degrees. This was before sunrise too. I keep looking every day to see if there is any rain in the forecast. Nothing so far. It's kind of ironic that after we got a brand new roof, we haven't really needed it. It's been hot and dry ever since the roof was installed.

I went to the gym after I finished my errands this morning. The place is usually fairly empty on weekends, but I didn't get to shoot baskets today because there were other people using the court. I did my three miles on the indoor track, lifted a few weights, and came home again. I was slow again today. I still have no idea why some days are better than others.

I treated the western side of the house for spiders when I returned from the gym. Hopefully this will keep the webs from returning. It's so hot outside that I've given up on mowing the grass or doing other yard work. The grass isn't growing a lot anyway. It's all starting to turn yellow. Leaves are starting to drop from the trees way earlier than they should as well. This heat is bad for plants and animals alike. I keep wondering what happened to the rabbits we used to see every morning. We haven't seen any bunnies in almost a month.

Dawn's lab results came back today and she appears to be in good health. Her blood work actually looks better than mine. Although Dawn was already an older dog when we adopted her, she seems to be quite healthy. If she has any problems they all appear to be mental. To be fair, Dawn has actually adapted quite well to her new life. She was born in a puppy mill and spent her first ten years as a breeding dog. Life with us is probably still pretty new to her.

I'm still having trouble getting excited about anything. It's probably the weather. I'm not even sure I want to go to the OSIRIS-REx event at Johnson Space Center now. I'm probably getting ahead of myself though. I haven't even been approved yet. Until then I'll keep following my regular routine. I'll go mall walking tomorrow morning and then we'll take Dawn on her Sunday outing. It will probably be too hot for a walk, but at least we'll get ice cream cones.

Ellis is today's Dalmatian of the Day


Watch of the Day


Thursday, August 3, 2023

Day 4970

I think this heat has fried my brain. I can't think of anything I want to do. Basically I just get up every morning and repeat the previous day. Our sunrise walks are getting warmer and warmer. It was almost 90 degrees when we left the house this morning. These early walks are still the only time it makes any sense to go outside. I spend the rest of the day inside, hoping that the air conditioner keeps working.

I applied for the OSIRIS-REx astroid sample return event at Johnson Space Center this morning. Hopefully my application will be accepted. The astroid sample hasn't even returned to earth yet, so I guess everyone is being optimistic. I've been to Johnson Space Center before and the place is amazing. It doesn't cost much to fly to Houston either. We'll see what happens. I won't be returning to Titusville very soon anyway. The launches I am interested in attending have all been delayed.

In lieu of traveling I guess I'll just keep going to the gym every day. It's not very exciting, but it beats doing nothing. I'm getting a little faster going around the indoor track and I actually did pretty well shooting baskets today. I've added a few upper body exercises to my routine, but I could do a lot more if I had any motivation. These trips to the gym are still just a substitute for my walks in the park. The way the summer is going, it may be October before I can resume my long walks though. This has been a very hot summer. It could be worse though, although I'm not exactly sure how.

They are still knocking down the house up the street. There is not much value placed on older homes here in Dallas. I've seen some really nice places disappear in our neighborhood over the years. Our house will probably be knocked down when we're gone as well. The place is supposed to be architecturally significant, but that's not going to stop anyone. The house is small and people want big these days.

As usual, the afternoon was uneventful. I'm beginning to understand why Dawn spends so much time napping. What else do you do on a hot day? I took the trash out to the curb this evening, but that was about it. I wonder what I'm going to do with myself when I finish this blog? I've only got about a month left before I reach my goal.

Puppies are today's Dalmatians of the Day


Watch of the Day