Day 4943

During the past week I've gotten three invitations to apply for launch credentials. So far I haven't replied to any of them. This isn't like me. I'm a little worried about the malaria mosquitos in Florida. I always get eaten alive by bugs when I'm down there in the summer. Airfares keep going up as well. It's getting ridiculous. I keep hearing that Southwest pilots are threatening to strike as well. Instead of looking for opportunities, I'm looking for excuses. This same thing happened the last time I had an opportunity to go out to McDonald Observatory. In that case the excuses won and I didn't go. I've always been a bit reclusive but I need to watch this. Pretty soon I'll be just like Dawn and be reluctant to leave the bed.

Truthfully there isn't a compelling reason to get up in July. It's terribly hot outside and a relaxing walk in the park is out of the question. Outdoor chores like mowing the grass have to be done very early in the morning. Summer has never been my favorite season, but this summer is even worse than most. I've been driving to the gym every day to avoid the heat, but getting my steps walking endlessly around the indoor track is proving to be very boring. When I got my new phone I accidentally broke my multi-year move streak too. The default settings for the Apple activities app were different than they were on my old phone and I failed to close all the rings on the first day I used the phone. This kind of took the wind out of my sails. When a long streak has been broken, the whole idea of tracking everything starts seeming a little silly.

We got up earlier than usual this morning because Janet had an appointment. The earlier we get started on our sunrise walk, the nicer it is outside. It was pleasantly cool this morning and there was a nice breeze as well. Dawn had a good time smelling things and we all arrived home in a good mood. I'll try to keep giving Dawn walks while Janet is on vacation but this has never worked in the past. Dawn immediately goes into panic mode while Janet is away and hates to leave the house. She'll make a brief trip to the edge of the park behind our house to poop in the morning but that's about it.

I usually watch the news while I'm eating breakfast, but I left the TV off today. I'm getting sick of the dismal state of the world. It really seems like we are living in some sort of dystopian science fiction novel. I don't think we're heading in the right direction. Maybe I'm imagining things but it feels like we're living in some modern day version of the fall of Rome.

I try to go to the gym around the lunch hour because it is the least crowded then. There were very few people on the floor today, but there were still two guys playing Pickleball on the basketball court. Luckily they finished their game before I finished my three mile walk around the indoor track. I always like to finish my trip to the gym by shooting baskets. There's really no reason I couldn't walk four miles around the indoor track. That would bring my Fitbit stats closer to my walks in the park. I've got the time to do this, but I don't think I could stand the boredom. It's a lot more interesting looking at things in the park while I walk. Sadly, it's going to be a while before I return to walking in the park during the day. We're in the middle of a long hot summer.

It was an ordinary day for me, but this was grocery day for Dawn. I don't know why she gets so excited helping Janet put away the groceries, but it's become one of her favorite things. I'm glad there are still a few things than make Dawn happy. She doesn't like to fetch a ball and won't play with toys. She spends way too much time sleeping on the bed, but in her defense it is a nice bed. I wouldn't mind spending a little more time napping there myself.

Delaney is today's Dalmatian of the Day

Watch of the Day

Day 4942

I fixed the screen door this morning. Well, I kind of fixed it anyway. I bought a roll of new aluminum screen wire, but I discovered that it was a lot easier to just tighten and reattach the old screen. It won't last forever, but at least the screen isn't flapping loose anymore. This job used to seem a lot easier. The heavy duty staple gun I've always used to attach the screens to the door seemed a lot harder to squeeze this time. I had to use both hands. Have I really lost that much strength in my hands? Maybe so. I'm just not as strong as I used to be.

Today was almost identical to yesterday. It was pretty similar to Monday as well. We had a pleasant early morning walk with Dawn. She ambles around and smells everything. They say letting a dog smell things is relaxing for them. When we get near the lake there is always a nice breeze. I keep wishing it would stay this way so I could walk in the park, but as soon as the sun rises you immediately know that it is going to be a hot day.

I've been hearing thunder off and on all day, but there is still no rain. We could use some rain. It's been so hot lately that the grass and everything else is starting to look dry. Rain might cool things down a bit too. It's nice that I don't have to worry about leaks ever time it rains now. The roof still doesn't drain as well as it should, but hopefully the days of constant leaks are behind me. I've really gotten tired of climbing up on the roof every time it rains. 

I went to the gym again after fixing the screen door this morning. I keep thinking that the same people are there every day, doing exactly the same things. Of course that's what I'm doing as well. Maybe we are all creatures of habit, just going through the motions over and over again. A three mile walk and a little time on the basketball court seems like a decent workout to me, but Fitbit doesn't agree. It keeps reminding me that I'm not taking as many steps or burning as many calories as I used to. I guess a six mile walk was more serious exercise than I imagined. I'll get back to my long walks in the park eventually, but not right now. It's way too hot outside.

Now that I'm going to the gym earlier, I don't really know what to do with my afternoons. I haven't been feeling like doing much of anything lately. This afternoon I looked at the 2023 launch schedule and tried to decide which ones I really wanted to see. Realistically, I can only afford two more trips to Kennedy Space Center this year. Maybe three if I want to splurge. There are lots of opportunities, but many launches are almost identical to events I've already seen and written about. I have to be careful what I apply for because if I'm accepted, it's more or less a commitment to make the trip.

Mosquitos keep getting into the house. This is another annoying aspect of living in Texas. Mosquitos are everywhere. Hopefully these aren't the malaria mosquitos I keep reading about. The city used to come down the alley behind our house and spray once a month in the summer but they don't do that anymore. A garbage truck use to come down the alley twice a week too. Now I have to take the can out to the street for once a week pickup. Hmmm. All I've really done is trade my winter complaining for summer complaining.

Tomorrow is Dawn's grocery day. I'm glad she doesn't realize that Janet is leaving on vacation soon. She would be sad. Dawn and I will do fine while Janet is away, but she is definitely a one person dog. 

Cisco is today's Dalmatian of the Day

Watch of the Day

Day 4922

The weather was a little better today. When we took Dawn on her early morning walk the oppressive humidity was gone. There was a nice breeze and the temperature was in the mid 70's. Of course this didn't last long. By 10 AM it was just another hot summer day. At least Dawn got a nice walk. She's only been getting one walk a day lately since it is too hot in the afternoon.

After breakfast this morning I hauled some brush out to the curb for bulky trash pickup. I wasn't outside long, but it was enough to convince me not to bother with my long walk. Oh, well. I need to make a habit of going to the gym anyway. I'm not good at making resolutions, but I really need to work on improving my upper body strength.

I feel like I'm getting a decent workout at the gym, but both my Fitbit and Apple Watch say that I'm actually getting more exercise on my long walks. It's probably just the amount of time I spend walking. Twenty minutes on a treadmill really doesn't equate to several hours on the trails. I like walking, but I'm probably going to be spending a lot of time at the gym for the next several weeks. According to the weather forecast, the temperature is going to be in the high nineties for the next ten days.

Walking is probably better for me. The rowing machine is hard on my shoulders. When I'm using the treadmill I worry that one of my knees might go out. I'm not terribly strong at this point. Whenever I use a machine, I usually have to subtract some weights from what the previous person used. At the time of day I usually go to the gym it feels a lot like a geriatric physical therapy center. Most of the people on the floor seem even older than I am. Some of them do pretty well though. I've got a long way to go before I could keep up with some of these old codgers.

My editor at SpaceFlight Magazine wants me to attend a media day for the Orion Spacecraft program at Kennedy Space Center. I told him I'd think about it. There is no launch involved, but media would have access to the Neil Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building where the Orion capsules for Artemis II through IV are in the process of being assembled. I applied for credentials to this event, but NASA hasn't set a date for the Media Day yet. We'll see what happens. I guess I'm always looking for an excuse to go back to the space center.

I also keep looking for an excuse to avoid mowing the grass. It's definitely time to mow again. I'm going to have to do this very early in the day, because it's just too hot once the sun is high in the sky. Maybe sometime next week. Tomorrow I do my grocery shopping and Sunday I always go mall walking. Monday isn't good either. I don't like the idea of mowing grass on my birthday. 

Janet does her grocery shopping on Friday and Dawn spends the entire morning waiting for her to return with the groceries. The ritual of putting away sacks of groceries seems very special to Dawn. She only gets excited about Janet's groceries though. When I return from my own grocery shopping Dawn doesn't even get off the bed.

My trips to the gym must be working because I feel sore in brand new places. My goals in life are simple now. I've just got to keep moving.

Hershey is today's Dalmatian of the Day

Watch of the Day

Day 4866

Another day where I had trouble remembering what day it was. We got a lot of rain last night, but no severe weather. This morning there were very few signs that we'd even had a storm. The sky was clear and blue with a light breeze. It looked like it was going to be a good day for walking.

I accomplished very little today. After our sunrise walk with Dawn, I ate my breakfast and started reading other people's accounts of the Starship launch down in Boca Chica. I'm still glad I didn't try to go down for the launch. It's a long drive from Dallas and if I flew to Brownsville, it is often next to impossible to find a rental car. There is only one good hotel on South Padre Island and the bridge connecting the island to the mainland can be a huge bottleneck when things get busy. You'd have to be pretty dedicated to stay for any length of time. I think the photographers who went down there are still waiting to retrieve their remote cameras because Highway 4 is still closed. I'd still really like to see a Starship launch, but maybe I'll just wait until Space X finishes the facility they are building at Kennedy Space Center.

I called the guitar store to see about retrieving my unsold gear, but the owner said they still haven't found the mixing board I consigned. I'm in no hurry. I haven't even thought about this equipment for several years and the storage warehouse is getting full anyway. I still need to pick up the stuff though before I forget about it. I've lent out things before and forgotten about them. Often when you eventually do remember, it's too late. If the person has moved or the store has gone out of business, you're usually out of luck. I'll probably never use the mixing board again, but I do have a fairly decent synthesizer on consignment. I'd still use that. All I need is a place to put it. 

I looked at the long range forecast for Titusville and there's a good chance for rain next Wednesday. That's not a huge concern at this point because it rains almost every day in this part of Florida. I'm still going to go, but I do feel a lot better when there is no chance of rain in the forecast. Usually when I've had to stay an extra day or two at a launch, the delay has been weather related. Viasat-3 will launch around sunset, so that's a good thing. Often even if it rains during the day, the skies often clear around sunset.

I wish I'd gone ahead and signed up for TSA Pre before this trip. I've been meaning to do this for ages, but have never gotten around to it. Love Field usually isn't a problem, but having TSA Pre would save me a lot of time on the Orlando side of the trip. That airport is always crowded. Oh, well. One more thing on my to-do list. I think you have to do something in person to enroll in the TSA Pre program. Maybe they fingerprint you or something. At any rate, I should make an effort to do this. I hate standing in long lines.

I didn't see a lot of birds on my long walk today, but the park was pretty busy. In one part of the park workers were building a new sidewalk and in another part they were resurfacing and painting a tennis court so people could play Pickleball. I'm still not sure what Pickleball is, but apparently is is quite popular. I wonder where the Muscovy Ducks went? They are the laziest ducks in the park and usually just hang around Sunset Bay waiting for people to feed them. I haven't seen them for several weeks though.

This week has really gone quickly. It's time for me to make a grocery list again. I need to write my editor at SpaceFlight and see what he wants me to write about this time. Maybe if I get my grocery shopping done early, I'll swing by the guitar store and pick up that synthesizer. I'm sure there will be a long walk tomorrow as well. There's always a long walk.

Joe is today's Dalmatian of the Day

Watch of the Day

Day 4840

Another beautiful day. I hope this weather lasts for a while because it sure is pleasant. I didn't do anything out of the ordinary today, but that's OK. My Sunday routine is fairly relaxing. Dawn got a nice early walk before breakfast and then I got ready to go to the mall and walk some more. This mall is built around a large outdoor courtyard, so you basically walk in a huge half mile circle. I always make five circuits around the perimeter and then I come home. Although I think I'm walking at a brisk pace, I'm always slower than I am in the park. Very little changes from week to week, but it is still interesting to look in the windows. I have no desire to buy anything and actually prefer visiting the mall when the stores are closed.

On the way home from the mall I stopped at the REI store to use a 20% off coupon before it expired. All I got were some socks. How did socks get to be $24 a pair? I used to be able to get a decent pair of pants for that. Not anymore. Most of the pants I saw started at $89. Some brands were over $200. Good thing I don't really need any new clothes.

Dawn seems to have recovered by now, but we are still taking her on shorter walks. We found a new park to take her to on Sundays and she seems to enjoy the variety. I sit in the back seat with her these days so I can hold on to her harness and keep her from falling when we go around corners. Maybe we'll resume our old schedule at some point, but these shorter Sunday outings seem fine for now.

We didn't forget the ice cream. The ice cream store has raised their prices again. This increase isn't a big deal, but it makes you wonder if this is ever going to end. It's been a long time since anyone actually lowered prices. People still seem to be buying though. The mall was packed as opening time approached and even the ice cream store had a line of cars at the drive up window.

The paper ID cards that wound up in the washing machine yesterday seem to have dried out enough to put them back in my wallet. They look a bit wrinkled now, but so do I. Oh, well. The information on the cards is still readable, so I guess we're OK. I think I'll be more careful now about checking my pockets before I do a load of wash. People used to want to see the Medicare cards, proof of insurance cards, and even my gym membership card. Now all this information is on my phone. I probably don't even need a wallet full of paper ID cards.

Although this would have been a perfect day to mow the grass, I didn't do anything productive all day. I took a shower, napped a lot, and kept wondering whether I really need a new printer. I still want to get the large format printer repaired, but it's too heavy for me to move. How did I ever get it into the office in the first place? There are so many things in the office that I don't use anymore, but they remind me of a time when I was super busy. I used all this stuff back in the day. I think I picked a good time to start a business. It wouldn't be nearly as enjoyable now.

Tomorrow it's back to shredded wheat and fruit for breakfast. I need to call the guitar store and check on the missing gear I consigned before Covid hit. I also need to reply to a letter from my sister. I'm sure I'll contemplate future trips I may or may not take. Imaginary travel planning is something I always do.

Bubba is today's Dalmatian of the Day

Watch of the Day

Day 4818

I got a lot done today. Well, I got something done anyway. In addition to grocery shopping and my perpetual walks, I washed the car and defrosted the little refrigerator. The little refrigerator was a spur-of-the-moment purchase when we were having problems with the big refrigerator. I can't remember whether there was a power outage or a mechanical problem, but we needed a temporary way to keep things cold. It was never meant to be permanent, but here we are. Now the little refrigerator is essential. We need both. This small dorm room refrigerator doesn't have an automatic defrost cycle, so every once in a while I have to unplug it and let all the ice melt. I transfer the food to the big refrigerator, stuff some old towels in the empty refrigerator to soak up the melting water, and wait a few hours for all the ice in the freezer section to disappear. Usually I only have to do this about every three months.

Usually I only wash the car about every three months as well. It doesn't get very dirty because I don't drive much. The car definitely needed some attention today. West Texas dust and Spring tree pollen were making it hard to see out the front window. It takes longer to clean the wheel rims than the rest of the car. The front wheels get dirty quickly and I have to clean them with soapy water and a rag. Like just about everything else these days, this chore is hard on my knees.

The stores were crowded again today. I guess this is the new normal. I got what I needed and headed home without going to the gym. I would have had to go to the gym first so food wouldn't spoil sitting in the car. It just didn't seem like it was worth the trouble since I can always take a walk in the park. I know I'd been planning on working on my upper body strength, but I think climbing up on the roof and sweeping all the standing water away with the big push broom is all the upper body exercise I need. I know I'm getting a good workout because my muscles feel the same way they do when I'm lifting weights at the gym.

The park was really busy today. I guess that makes sense because was a warm, beautiful day. People of all ages were jogging, roller skating, cycling, and walking their dogs. So much for solitude and communing with nature. Today's walk felt more like I was at the State Fair. I still had an enjoyable walk, even though I was quite slow. Foot pain was pretty bad today. I still can't figure out why some days are better than others. I walk the same route every day, wear the same shoes, and am walking using he same pair of feet. I guess I should just be glad that there are still good days.

Dawn seemed a little painful in her rear end today. She wasn't limping, but was definitely moving slower and seeming to have trouble lying down and getting up on the bed. I hope there's nothing wrong. I don't think she's torn an ACL or has hip dysplasia, but something isn't normal. We gave her a Rimadyl and will take things easy tomorrow. Maybe we'll skip the Sunday outing walk and just go for ice cream.

I'll probably still go mall walking tomorrow. Why not? Even though the weather forecast looks good for Sunday, I've done enough walking in the park this week. It looks like next month might be a good time to go back to the space center. There are several interesting launches scheduled for April. Dark Sky week is also in April out at the observatory, so I ought to start making plans to go somewhere. With my luck April will be when the roofers want to put on the new roof. 

In other news, we've started seeing ants around the house again and the Crane Flies are back. Even though these are both signs of Spring, they are not welcome. I'll try spraying around the exterior of the house to control the ants. There isn't much I can do about the Crane Flies. Whenever I open the back door they fly inside.

Orion is today's Dalmatian of the Day

Watch of the Day

Day 4766

Another unseasonably warm day. It got up to 80 degrees again and the air conditioner kicked in during the afternoon. This is very strange for January. It was a pleasant day though. The sky was clear and there was very little wind. Dawn definitely enjoyed her walk this morning.

I've finally managed to catch up with almost everybody I've been trying to reach. SpaceFlight is sending me author copies of the issues with my Falcon Heavy and Artemis articles. My editor has contacted me with article suggestions and I now have all the info I need from Space X for the upcoming Falcon Heavy launch. I still haven't heard back from the contractor I'm trying to reach about fixing the house, but that's an entirely separate matter.

I think the older I get the stupider I get. I had real problems today transferring information from my desktop computer to the laptop. I always do this before I travel. I recently updated all my passwords on the desktop computer to more secure versions, but I forgot that I hadn't updated the laptop. Initially, I couldn't check mail on the laptop or open several websites. I can never remember these new passwords because they are long and complex. Some passwords were easy to retrieve, but others were maddeningly frustrating. All I could see in the password field was a series of dots. Janet says I should write these things down, but I never do. I just depend on password managers. I eventually got everything on the laptop to work, but I ended up having to change a few passwords. I miss the old days when you could just use one simple password for everything.

When I was trying to print out all my travel information I discovered that both of our printers were out of ink. I hate it when the printer won't work just because your Cyan cartridge is low. Printers ought to have a black and white mode where you can just bypass the low colors. Now I've got to go out and buy more printer ink in the morning because I have to have all my contact and reservation information printed out so I can put it in a little manilla envelope that I carry with me everywhere. Just a quirk. I could probably find most of this information on my phone, but I prefer paper.

I was actually hot on my long walk this afternoon. I just wore shorts and a t-shirt and it felt like summer. We might have set another record today. I think it's colder in Titusville than it is in Dallas right now. I shouldn't complain though. 80 degrees is very pleasant even if it happens to be January. At least we aren't having torrential rain and flooding like they are in California now.

Tomorrow is going to be a busy day. I need to pack, go get the printer ink I need, make sure all my photo equipment is working properly, wash the clothes I will be taking with me, and take my long walk. I'm sure I will forget something important on this trip. I always do. I don't think Dawn will miss me while I'm gone, but hopefully she will be glad to see me when I return.

Pepper is today's Dalmatian of the Day

Watch of the Day

Day 4754

Janet is back and Dawn is a happy camper again. She was actually very good with me while Janet was away, but it's nice to see the tail wagging again. I think that Dawn has been in kennel mode all week. She was very obedient and did everything she needed to do, but it was clear that she wasn't happy. Now Dawn is happy again and all is well. Janet had a nice trip, but I don't think that meant much to Dawn. Dogs don't hold grudges though. As soon as Janet opened the front door, Dawn was immediately back to her normal self.

Janet's plane didn't arrive until late this afternoon, so for most of the day Dawn and I went through our familiar routine. Dawn got her last breakfast in bed for a while. She will go back to eating in the kitchen with Janet now. We never did take a walk. I was actually lucky that she would go down to the park with me every morning, but as soon as she did her business, she wanted to go straight back to the house. She didn't want me to brush her teeth either. I couldn't get anywhere near her mouth unless I had a treat in my hand. Dawn was probably just playing me the entire time because she knew she could get away with it. She is a very smart dog.

I continue to take my long walk every day. These walks are frequently boring, but it's hard to argue with their benefits. Long walks are some of the best exercise a person my age can get. It's great low impact cardio that helps to build bone density. The effort must be working because I'm in great shape for my age. Even my doctor is impressed. I wish there was an easier way to stay in shape, but few things worth doing are ever easy. To be a good writer you need to keep writing. Ditto for being a good photographer.  I don't think I'm a good web developer anymore because I don't build many websites these days. Practice makes perfect, or so they say.

The refrigerator was getting pretty empty, so I went to the grocery store this afternoon so Janet would have some food when she got home. I was surprised at how crowded the stores were. Was everybody out shopping for New Year's Eve parties, or are stores always crowded on Friday afternoon? I am totally unaware of what goes on in this town unless it is on my regular schedule. I did pick up a bottle of champagne for New Years Eve. Our celebration mostly just consists of watching the Times Square ball drop on TV and then going to sleep. We love dogs but we are definitely not party animals.

This year has gone quickly. There were a few surprises, but the year was largely uneventful. At least I didn't wind up in the hospital like I did last year. I did get to see the Artemis-1 launch and several others as well. Titusville is getting to feel like a second home now. I'd attend more launches if I could, but it's just too expensive. I kind of envy my launch photographer friends who live in the area. I'm glad that Dawn remains healthy. She did have bladder stones removed this year, but there have been no serious medical emergencies. After all the problems that Dot and Dash had when they got older, I'm always waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Hopefully Janet and I will stay healthy in the year ahead. So far, so good, but I've learned not to take anything for granted. I'm looking forward to returning to Kennedy Space Center. I have no idea when my next trip will be though. It all depends on getting press credentials. Maybe I'll go back to McDonand Observatory next Spring. I still wonder about that long drive though. For now I'll just concentrate on taking a long walk every day.

Penny is today's Dalmatian of the Day

Watch of the Day

Day 4708

We found out what was wrong with the furnace today. Unfortunately it needs a special order part to fix the problem. The furnace is still not working, although it does come on occasionally. The technician tried to explain why the fan motor was making strange clunking noises and wouldn't always engage the fan, but I didn't really understand. I bet if the furnace has a simple single speed electric motor instead of this sophisticated variable speed gizmo, it would still be working. 

 I keep waiting for someone to call off the Artemis launch at the last minute. With my luck they won't postpone the launch until after I get down there. The countdown has already started, but some engineers are still worried about a piece of insulation that got blown off by Hurricane Nicole. Time is running out, but I don't think everyone is in agreement yet. Oh, well. At least the weather looks favorable. I'm going to go ahead and go to the launch, but if this thing gets scrubbed one more time I'm about ready to give up on Artemis. It's already too late to cancel reservations without a penalty. I guess we'll just see what happens. This is a historic launch, but it could also be a huge waste of money. I don't even know what the furnace repairs are going to cost yet. One way or the other, I'm pretty sure that this will be my last launch trip of the year.

It rained most of the day and the HVAC technician took a while to diagnose the furnace problem, so I didn't end up taking my long walk until late in the afternoon. As soon as I got my 10,000 steps I headed home. It was a miserable day and I felt cold and wet after only two miles. Dawn had a good walk this morning though. We managed to take our sunrise walk before the rain started.

I haven't packed yet, but there's nothing new about that. I always seem to wait until the last possible minute. The cameras and computers are charged though, so all is good. It probably won't take me very long to finish things up. I wish there were more direct flights to Orlando. I usually have to leave very early in the morning because this is the only flight that works. I hope the flight isn't late. I have only a few hours to pick up my credentials. For some unexplained reason, the Press Accreditation Office isn't open all day tomorrow.

I hope that the furnace is an easy fix and that the weather stays warmer until the part arrives. I hope the Artemis launch succeeds. Third time's the charm, or so they say. I'm already tired and I haven't even left Dallas yet. It would be embarrassing if I fell asleep at the Press Site waiting for the rocket to get off the ground. It could happen. I'm not much of a night owl anymore.

Puppies are today's Dalmatians of the Day

Watch of the Day

Day 4707

The house was very cold this morning. Luckily we had lots of blankets on the bed. I wish the furnace didn't decide to break on a weekend, but it is what it is. It actually got below freezing last night, so after we got finished taking Dawn on a chilly sunrise walk, our cold house seemed a lot warmer. 

I tried without much success to get the furnace running again. At one point the blower kicked in for a few minutes and warm air was flowing through the vents but it didn't last long. Something is seriously wrong with the fan and it doesn't take long for a circuit breaker to shut the furnace down. I really hope that I can get someone out here to fix this tomorrow morning. I hate being cold.

After breakfast I went walking at the mall. The car started easier this morning, so that was encouraging. I'm still a little nervous that it won't start when I need to go to the airport. The mall is already in full Christmas mode. Christmas trees are everywhere. The house where people bring their kids to see Santa is up. And most of the stores already have Christmas themed window displays. It's almost like Thanksgiving has been completely forgotten.

I walked my 2.5 miles and came home. Dawn was waiting for her Sunday outing, so off we went again for another walk. I kept falling behind on this third walk of the day. I was tired and my feet hurt. It was a nice day for walking though. The temperature rose quickly once the sun came up and it felt like a brisk Fall day. By the time we finished our ice cream cones, I was ready for a nap.

I tried without any success to find a better hotel for my Artemis trip. I finally gave up and confirmed my reservations at the hotel I've been trying to avoid. So far, it appears that the launch will take place on schedule. I still wonder why I am doing this. I don't really like night launches. If I stayed home and the launch was successful, I'd be kicking myself though. I guess I'm still going because I can. Press credentials for this thing were hard to get.

I should have started packing today, but I couldn't get motivated. It will be a busy day tomorrow. I hope the furnace repairs aren't too expensive. Who am I kidding. Of course they will be expensive. On a more positive note, I don't think there is anything left in the house to break. Maybe it will be smooth sailing for a while after this. One can always hope.

Puppies are today's Dalmatians of the Day

Watch of the Day

Day 4702

I didn't see the lunar eclipse this morning. We would have had a good view on our early walk with Dawn, but it was quite foggy outside. It did see something interesting much closer to earth though. On my long walk right after breakfast, I saw Nick and Nora, our two resident bald eagles, arriving at their nest. The nest has already survived two storms, so maybe the eagles will be luckier this year.

I walked earlier this morning than usual, because I had a doctor's appointment later in the day. I made good time and my feet held up pretty well. It would have been easier to just skip today's walk, but I can't do that. I'm closing in on a full year of getting more than 10,000 steps a day. You've got to have goals. It doesn't really matter if the goals are stupid.

My yearly visit to the urologist was uneventful. The drive to the clinic took a lot longer than the exam. I'm still in pretty good shape for my age. I have an appointment to see the eye doctor later this month, but my mandatory exams for 2022 are just about finished. I'm a little nervous about the eye exam. I'm still hoping to postpone my cataract surgery a bit longer. Any type of surgery makes me very nervous.

Janet and I finally found a place to have our Thanksgiving Brunch. It wasn't the place we wanted, but it sounds interesting and the restaurant has great reviews. We've never had Thanksgiving dinner in a Mexican restaurant before. The Thanksgiving menu is quite a bit different, but it actually sounds delicious.

The date for the Artemis launch has changed. What a mess. I just got finished changing all my reservations. I couldn't get a better hotel, but luckily I was able to keep my room at the first hotel I reserved. My airfare costs more now. This always happens when I change a reservation on Southwest Airlines. I still wonder why I'm going to this launch. The launch happens in the middle of the night and there's a good chance that something will go wrong and it won't get off the ground anyway. I still don't know why NASA decided to leave the rocket on the pad with a hurricane approaching. Maybe they secretly want the rocket to be damaged in the storm so they won't have to take responsibility for a failure. Hopefully, everything will go smoothly. I still wouldn't be terribly surprised if the launch date changes again. A lot could change as Nicole gets closer to shore.

Sometimes I wish that people still used travel agents. It's a lot of trouble to change travel plans yourself. I knew I had to act fast this afternoon because as soon as NASA changed the launch date, the entire press corps would be changing their hotel reservations as well. Half the time my attempts to make or change reservations on my computer fail. Maybe it's my older computer, or maybe people don't bother to update their websites anymore. I usually end up having to make reservations on my phone. The phone works, but I still prefer using the computer. I like a real keyboard and a large monitor. I guess I'd better get used to using my phone. Even though I rarely use mine, the rest of the world is glued to their phones.

I can't say that I'm all that interested in today's election. Despite what some say, the world isn't going to end no matter who wins. Politicians are all hat and no cattle. I don't believe any of them. If you have to put a label on me, I guess you'd call me a libertarian. As far as I'm concerned, the less government the better. The best outcome in an election is a divided government where nothing gets done. If one party controls everything, they usually end up making a mess of things. I do think we ought to have an age limit on our elected officials though. The folks who pull the strings now are way too old.

I don't think much is going to happen tomorrow. I got everything done today. We'll see what happens. I find that life is still full of surprises.

Spot is today's Dalmatian of the Day

Watch of the Day

Day 4692

I voted this morning. I doubt that my vote will curtail inflation, bring crime under control, or end the woke insanity, but maybe there are other people who agree with me. We'll see. I always vote these days even though at times I feel it's pointless. When I was in my 20's and 30's I never voted. I jokingly told friends that I preferred a monarchy as long as I was a member of the aristocracy. My Mom always implored me to vote, but it was Janet who finally turned me into a voter. I'm convinced that the true believers in either party are a small but very vocal minority. They mostly just want to control things. I think they've forgotten that it is the ambivalent people like me who really control elections. For the most part we just want to be left alone and are more than willing to live and let live. If you political types make us mad enough to actually come out and vote, you're toast.

I was supposed to be packing for my trip today, but as usual I'm way behind schedule. I spent most of the day just doing my regular Saturday stuff. We walked Dawn a bit later this morning because we were waiting for the rain to stop. Dawn was fine with us having breakfast before her walk because she smelled bacon cooking. We always have a big traditional breakfast on weekends. Shredded wheat and fruit is only for weekdays. We eventually had a nice morning walk with Dawn and then I did my grocery shopping.

I continue to be amazed at today's prices. Inflation is real. I've bought the same things over and over again for many years and almost everything costs double what it did a few years ago. Something is very wrong here. They say we are dealing with 8% inflation but food prices are up way more than 8%. It's not just food either. The cost of everything has gone up dramatically. 

I thought about going back to the gym today, but decided to take advantage of the cool weather and walk in the park instead. I was actually a little cold on today's walk and I probably should have worn a jacket. The birds must have liked today's weather. Hundreds of White Pelicans were soaring overhead while the very vocal Monk Parakeets were flying from tree to tree at a much lower altitude. There were a group of artists making large wood block prints using a steam roller as a press. The spectacle attracted a large audience, but I didn't stop walking. I had ducks to count and was well on my way toward a 20,000 step day.

Although I haven't packed my suitcase yet, I did finish some of my pre-trip planning. I did a load of wash so I'll have clean clothes. I printed all the documents I'll need and put them in my familiar manilla envelope. I charged the batteries on all my devices. Now I just need to pack my bags while trying not to forget anything important.

I'm still having second thoughts about attending this launch. Are rocket launches really this important? Probably the important thing is that I continue to stay busy and active. Being a space journalist gives me something to do. I don't enjoy traveling that much, but I do enjoy my time at Kennedy Space Center. There will still be time to take Dawn on her Sunday outing tomorrow. I won't have time to go mall walking, but I'll get my steps by walking up and down the concourse while waiting for my flight.

Dakota is today's Dalmatian of the Day

Watch of the Day

Day 4683

I got up early to take my car in for service this morning. They told me that if I was the first customer, I could wait while they did the work and I wouldn't have to leave the car for the day. The service appointment didn't take long because one of their machines broke and they couldn't do everything they'd planned. I did get an oil and filter change though and they turned off the annoying "service required" light on the dash. I was back home again before 9 AM.

I got an unpleasant surprise this morning when my hotel in Titusville called and told me that they had to cancel my reservation. What? Apparently they had a severe plumbing problem and an entire floor of the hotel had flooded. This left me in a bad situation. I'd made my reservations early to make sure I had a room for the next Artemis launch attempt. Now it was several weeks later and I had to scramble to find anything that wasn't already completely booked. All the convenient Airbnb's in the area were gone. I eventually found a hotel in Cocoa Beach, but it was a lot further away than I would have liked. Even worse, I will have to leave Dallas on launch day just to get a room. This won't really be a problem since the launch is at midnight but it is cutting things a little close. I kept looking and finally found another hotel that was closer to the space center but it was kind of run down. I booked this one too. I'll think about it for a few days and cancel one of the reservations. Since I'm leaving a day later now, I had to change my airline and rental car reservations as well. All this kind of makes me wonder why I do this. Attending a popular launch is so much trouble to arrange and it's all over in just a few minutes. It's amazing how quickly these rockets disappear in the sky.

Janet took Dawn on her sunrise walk while I was getting my car serviced, but I did get to take a walk in the park later in the day. I didn't do well today at all. My feet hurt for the entire walk and I was pretty slow. At least the weather was nice. It was a lot warmer than yesterday, but it was still a very pleasant Fall day. The walk itself was fairly boring, but not as boring as going to the gym.

It took me so long to find another hotel and reschedule everything that I didn't have much time for anything else today. I liked my original plan a lot better, but I guess this will have to do. I've always hated surprises and this was a big one. I'll still get to see the launch though, assuming that it doesn't get canceled or postponed again. I still can't decide whether to try to attend the upcoming Falcon Heavy launch as well. I haven't heard anything about my credentials yet, but this launch is happening pretty soon. Why are they waiting until the last minute to approve credentials? Oh, well. It is what it is. Realistically, it's too expensive for me to go to two launches so close together anyway, but I'll wait to make a final decision until I hear whether I've been accepted. 

Since my service appointment wasn't as expensive as I thought it would be, I can probably go ahead and get the dryer fixed this month. The machine still dries clothes just fine, but it's started making an ominous noise. I can't realistically ignore this much longer because the belt that turns the drum is starting to fail. The last time the appliance repairman was at the house I asked him how long the belt would last. "Maybe you've got a week. Maybe you've got a year," he told me. That wasn't much help at all.

It seems like it should be Saturday tomorrow, but we've still got another day to go. I've taken this weeks trash out to the curb and am still fretting about my change in travel plans. I hope tomorrow is a better day.

Emily is today's Dalmatian of the Day

Watch of the Day

Day 4676

It's feeling like Ground Hog Day again. Every day seems exactly the same. I have no one to blame but myself since I have no real desire to change. I did try to change things up a bit by going back to the gym this morning instead of walking in the park again. The gym is pretty much the same as well. I always have the same routine even if there are dozens of machines I have never tried. All I can say is that it's a good thing I handle boredom well.

The park was quiet this morning. There seems to be a lot more activity on the weekends. I'm always surprised that so many people do things together before the sun comes up. Some run in groups and cyclists often ride in groups. I have trouble just getting up in the morning. I'd never be organized enough to join a group activity before I've had breakfast. All this is just idle speculation though. I tend to avoid group activities at any time of day.

I've been wondering why the grass and other plants have been so sticky this Fall. Even the roads under trees are getting sticky. It turns out that we have an infestation of aphids in Dallas. The clear, sticky liquid if basically aphid poop. I wish I hadn't learned this because it is kind of gross. The stuff is not harmful to dogs or humans, but it can kill plants. The plants are having a tough time this Fall. First it was the little green web worms and now it's the aphids.

I was terrible on the basketball court when I was at the gym this morning. I wonder why I am so inconsistent? I've been shooting free throws at this gym for so many years now that I should have perfected the process by now. Shooting baskets is basically just hand eye coordination. I must not be terribly coordinated because I'm all over the place. On a good day I can sink seven or eight baskets in a row. On a bad day all I do is embarrass myself. I used the vibration plate again today. It doesn't even seem like exercise, but if it can help improve my bone density, it's worth spending ten minutes on the machine. I still don't like the drive, but going to the gym was a nice change of pace. I didn't have to walk through any aphid poop either.

It's surprising how many launches I get approved for at Kennedy Space Center. I got invited to another launch today. Some of the approvals are automatic and I don't have to apply for credentials. The Space Force is usually a lot more consistent with approvals than NASA. I'm glad they don't check and see whether I actually show up for the launch. If they checked I'd have been crossed off the list by now. I'd really like to go to all of these launches, but I can only afford several trips a year. I'm already looking forward to my next trip. I still feel like a pretend journalist, but I do enjoy the experience.

Dawn's been avoiding me all evening because Janet is out of the house. It's disappointing that we haven't become buddies, but there isn't a lot I can do about the situation. It seems like she ought to be able to tell that I really like dogs. Maybe I look or smell like one of the men who mistreated her. Dawn is probably glad when I go to Florida.

Puppies are today's Dalmatian of the Day

Watch of the Day

Day 4627

Today was uneventful. The weather was a bit warmer this morning, but it was still a welcome relief from the heat wave we were having just a few weeks ago. Maybe the worst of this summer is finally over. I could definitely live with no more hundred degree days this year.

I'm still making slow, steady progress getting ready for the trip to Kennedy Space Center. So far this mostly involves checking equipment and making sure that it works. I renewed a prescription that might run out during my stay, but I haven't gotten around to packing clothes yet. This usually doesn't take long. I travel light.

It was quiet during our sunrise walk with Dawn. Some days the park is empty on our early morning walks and other days there is lots of activity. I still haven't figured out what draws people to the park on specific days. There are a few people we see every single day. They are obviously on a schedule, just like we are.

I probably should have gone to the gym today, but I decided to take another long walk in the park. The outdoor walks aren't any easier on my feet, but they are more enjoyable. Today was humid, but it was still quite pleasant. 80 degree days are much nicer than 100 degree days. 

My Airbnb hosts told me that it would be OK to extend my stay if the Artemis rocket fails to launch on Monday. This was good news, but I'm still not sure if I would want to spend an entire week in Titusville just waiting for another launch attempt. Mostly it's the additional cost that bothers me. The magazine I write for doesn't pay any travel expenses and the bills add up quickly. I still can't decide whether I have a second career or an expensive hobby. I guess it doesn't really matter. I enjoy covering these rocket launches and in a world where joy is a rare commodity, I guess this counts for something.

Sometimes I envy the rocket photographers who actually live in Titusville. There are quite a few of them and many seem to be at every single launch. Would this get boring after a while? I'll probably never find out. It does feel like you are witnessing something important when you are at the space center. History is being made. The actual photography is just a task though. It isn't that different from photographing dogs or the night sky out in West Texas.

I told my magazine about the interviews I set up with the two European astronauts and my editor wants me to do an article about them as well. It's a good thing I enjoy writing. Print writers seem to be a dying breed. Almost everyone I've met out at the space center seems to have a podcast, works for a TV station, or has some connection with a website. There are very few writers.

I've already taken this week's trash out to the curb, which always marks the end of the week for me. I guess I'd better pack my bags tomorrow. I'm running out of time.

Pinky is today's Dalmatian of the Day

Watch of the Day

Day 4626

I made some progress with my travel plans today. I didn't make as much progress as I'd like but at least I've checked a few more things off my list. I'm not a great traveler. I procrastinate. I overthink things. I concentrate on cameras and computers and forget to take the clothes I need. I'm sure I'll be ready in time, but I'm equally sure that I'll forget something important.

We had a nice cool day again today. There was a beautiful sunrise on our early walk with Dawn and the park was pleasantly quiet. Dawn really loves these sunrise walks. I'd prefer to sleep in a little longer, but the walks do help to wake me up. I'm usually ready to start the day when we return to the house.

It was cool enough to take another long walk in the park after breakfast. I don't think summer is over yet, but it's great to get some relief from the constant string of 100 degree days we've been having. It kind of irritates me that my Fitbit doesn't think I'm exercising enough when I take these long walks. It doesn't think you've had a real workout unless your heart rate becomes elevated. I walk at a nice steady pace and my heart rate is very low. Who cares what Fitbit thinks. I think I'm doing pretty good to walk six miles a day.

I printed out all the documents and maps I think I'll need for the Florida trip and put them in a manilla folder. I do this every time I travel. Most of this information is available on my computer or phone, but it seems so much easier to just pull a piece of paper out of my folder. I did add the Airbnb app to my phone though and saved my destination in Google maps. I need to remember to copy the NASA e-mails to my laptop. I may need those as well.

I got another message today saying to arrive very early for the launch and any pre-launch activities. These messages always end with a disclaimer saying that NASA can't be responsible for journalists missing an event because of bad traffic or congestion on the roads. They are still expecting huge crowds for this event. Now there is a chance of rain in the forecast as well. I read an article yesterday about all the hundreds of things that could go wrong with the Artemis rocket from now until the launch. It didn't sound promising. It will be a miracle if this launch takes place on schedule. The only thing that would guarantee a perfect launch is if I wasn't there. I can't take that chance, so I'll go. I'll probably stay up all night on launch day, get eaten alive by mosquitos, and end up watching the launch get scrubbed at the last minute by an unexpected morning thunderstorm.

I wish I could be more positive about this trip, but I'm not very positive about anything lately. Traveling makes me nervous, but I usually end up being glad I went. Let's hope this continues. I don't want to end up being one of those old people who never leaves the house. Dawn didn't win any ribbons at training class tonight, but Janet said she did well. Tomorrow we'll take another sunrise walk and I'll continue getting a little closer to being ready for my flight. I'm so slow these days, but luckily I still manage to reach the finish line.

Hero is today's Dalmatian of the Day

Watch of the Day

Day 4610

Well, the rain disappeared from the forecast overnight and now it shows no chance of rain for the next week. The yard is looking pretty dry right now. We still take our sunrise walks with Dawn, but they are only nice when there is a breeze. Maybe I got spoiled by last summer's cooler than normal temperatures, but I'm really getting tired of this.

There isn't a lot to write about lately. I don't like talking about politics or current events and I don't have many irons in the fire myself. Every day is so similar to the previous day that I could save a lot of time and just write one post for the entire summer. Maybe this monotony will eventually force me into doing something more substantial. Time will tell. For now I'm just treading water.

We didn't visit the rescue Dalmatians today. The new kennel doesn't have a space for us to play with the dogs and they are very busy. The dogs are well cared for, but it is very different from the previous kennel. Things may change in the future, but for now we just hope that they all get adopted soon. Janet and I are meeting someone who wants to look at one of the dogs later this week. Maybe someone will get lucky and find their forever home.

I went back to the gym after breakfast this morning. I still think it's strange that the same people are always there doing the same things day after day. They probably think it's strange that I'm doing the same things day after day as well. Who knows. Maybe it's Groundhog Day for all of us. 

I'm wishing now that I'd snapped up one of those Special Viewing Nights on the Otto Struve telescope. I'm so bored this summer that the long drive out to West Texas doesn't seem quite so bad anymore. There's still the Artemis-1 launch at the end of the month, but I have a strong feeling that this launch will be delayed or postponed again. The program is already years behind schedule. What's a few more months at this point. I just hope they decide what they are going to do before I get on the plane. There have been a lot of big bills this summer and I can't really afford a trip to Florida for nothing.

Janet cleans the house on Monday. Cleaning makes me uneasy because I feel like I'm probably the one who made the place dirty in the first place. We each have our chores around the house, but I'm probably a little behind on mine. I have a feeling that I should get out the vacuum cleaner tomorrow. Vacuuming the rugs is easy. The other things that need attention are a lot more difficult. I need to repair the trim around the windows. Paint is starting to peel away in places but to get a smooth finish I would need to sand all the trim down to the bare wood and start over. Since the trim moulding is a bit ornate, it is a lot of work. There are cracks in the sheetrock that need to be spackled and patched. Once I did that I would need to paint though. Painting is such a mess. The dryer hose needs to be cleaned but it's hard for me to get behind the dryer now and remove it. I could go on and on. Basically, I'm just tired of fixing things. We've lived in this house too long.

Maybe something interesting will happen tomorrow. I wouldn't count on it though. These are the dog days of summer.

Lilly is today's Dalmatian of the Day

Watch of the Day