Day 4983

It was actually a little chilly this morning. I was amazed. We had a very pleasant walk with Dawn today. I think we were all surprised at the cooler weather. Unfortunately this isn't going to last. It's going to be 108 degrees again tomorrow. There's a chance of rain next week though. One can always hope.

The weather was so nice today that I didn't go to the gym. I ate my breakfast and for the first time in ages decide to take my long walk in the park again. It's been a while, so I noticed a few changes. Stone masons are rebuilding the park restrooms that got destroyed when a guy lost control of his car and crashed into the building several months ago. 

New grass has been planted in several bare areas. I didn't see many people though. Even though it was much cooler than yesterday, it was still pretty warm. I was surprised to see that all the ducks at Sunset Bay were gone. I wonder where they went. The water level in the lake was lower as well. These were all small changes though. The walk was pretty much the same as it's always been. 

I think walking outdoors is better exercise than walking at the gym. I certainly felt more tired when I returned home. Oddly, my Fitbit didn't agree. It says I actually burn more calories per mile while walking indoors. It's definitely more interesting walking outdoors. This is probably going to be a one day event however. The rest of the week will be just as hot as it's always been.

I got another invitation to attend a launch at the end of August. I'll think about it. I probably won't go though. I'm still feeling poor. There will always be other launches and Florida will be more pleasant later in the Fall. The fact that I'm not terribly eager to travel anywhere is a bit troubling. Ordinarily I'd have figured out a way to return to McDonald Observatory by now and would never turn down an opportunity to see a launch.

Maybe a few more weeks of fighting the heat here in Dallas will have me thinking differently soon. Driving to the gym every morning and then spending the afternoon wondering if the air conditioner was going to keep working is not very exciting. There are other things I could be doing but most of them involve work. I really don't feel like fixing things around the house.

Dawn got to go to her training class again. The temperature was finally cool enough for class. Dawn seemed really excited this evening when she realized she was going to go somewhere. Janet said she did well in class although she didn't bring home any ribbons this week. Dawn enjoys this class. Hopefully she will get to go again next week.

I need to remember that I've got a dental appointment tomorrow. I get so used to my never changing schedule that it's easy to forget these things. I don't think I have any cavities, but you never know. I go to the dentist regularly now, probably to make up for the many years when I never went at all. Dawn has her own dental appointment next week. She probably spent many years not going to the dentist as well.

Pogo is today's Dalmatian of the Day

Watch of the Day

Day 4150

What a beautiful day. This would have been a good day to do yard work, but by the time I changed the sheets on the bed and did several loads of laundry I was too tired. Somehow putting a fitted sheet on a low platform bed is a lot harder than it used to be. I had my normal smoothie for breakfast, checked my messages, and got ready to walk Dawn. We walked Dawn early today because Janet was going to be away during the afternoon. Dawn was fine with the change in schedule. She liked the nice Spring weather too.

I knew there was going to be a Starship launch today, so I checked the computer from time to time to see how things were progressing in Boca Chica. The launch didn't take place until late in the day, but it was worth the wait. The fifth time was the charm for the Starship. It didn't blow up this time and made a perfect landing. It's impressive how quickly things are moving down at Boca Chica. I still think Elon might make it to the moon before NASA. I've really got to get down to Boca Chica and see one of these launches for myself.

There was plenty of time for a long walk while I was waiting for the Starship launch to take place. I made pretty good time today even though I was unusually tired. I think I didn't get enough sleep last night. The wildflowers are looking good this season. Somehow they weren't affected by our big freeze this winter. The Rhododendrons and Azaleas in Dallas didn't do so well. Most of these popular plants died. Usually in the Spring, I spend a day or two photographing all the wildflowers before the Summer heat dries them out. I've got plenty of flower pictures now, but I ought to schedule another photo day anyway just for old time's sake. 

I shouldn't have bookmarked the page of that telescope I'm interested in. I found myself going back to the page today and trying to justify purchasing the little telescope. It's really just a telephoto lens that has been optimized for astrophotography, but it's pretty cool. It even has a cool name: Redcat 51. I'll probably wish I'd ordered it when I return from the observatory and discover that the telescope is out of stock again. If this thing was available three weeks ago I probably would have ordered it instead of the telephoto lens I got recently. Oh, well. Maybe next time. I'm sure this won't be my last trip out to the observatory.

I still can't decide whether to apply from some June launch opportunities at Kennedy Space Center. I feel like I'm jinxed now and it hardly seems worth the effort, but if you don't apply you're never going to get accepted. I wish I knew why my applications were being rejected now. I've gotten a press pass before and I can't figure out what has changed. Maybe it's just one more thing to fret about. I'm not good at going with the flow. I'd like to have the rest of my year mapped out in great detail and then I'd just follow the schedule. 

I do have something on my schedule for tomorrow. I get a haircut. A haircut isn't a big deal but it fits in with my one activity a day philosophy. A haircut and a long walk. That ought to take care of the day.

Dolly is today's Dalmatian of the Day

Watch of the Day