It's Junior Olympics time again

When Katie went to her first JO meeting, I was blown away!  I didn't realize the Texas teams consist of any athlete who is still breathing.  If you are from California, you have to MAKE the team, and the competition is stiff.  But regardless, it is a great event.

They are in San Jose again this year.  The competition alternates between Southern California and Northern California.  So events other than the games will be those around the San Francisco area - like Muir Woods.

This year there is a bit of a change.  Since this is the year of the Olympics, the USA Women Water Polo team played a game there.  They played Russia at the Standford Natatorium.  That was exciting for the JO girls.

Katie had the experience of her young life last night.  SHE got to play in the main pool at Standford.  And they won!!  It is unusual for a Texas team to beat a California team.  Water Polo is just beginning here in any strength.  There it is a way of life!

It was an exciting night for grandma too.  A couple of people were live-streaming the game.  It didn't go without a hitch.  My computer kept spooling the feed, and for some reason, the entire fourth quarter didn't come through.  But it was so great watching them.  The Texas (Viper Pigeon) girls played well.  If they had played like this at our state competition I really believe they would be state champs.

So those of us here, it is babysitting one of the dogs.  We have Princess,  the first Boxer rescue I got them.  She is about 11 now and has a condition that affects older large dogs - Boxers in particular.  We lost my Simone to this condition.  It is a nerve disintegration in the spine and they lose control over their back legs.  It ends with the dog not being able to walk.

They were concerned about her being in boarding.  They didn't think she would do well.  Before we got her here, they said she pretty much just laid around.  I was worried about Shadow because she did try to attack some kittens last year.

At first, she didn't move a lot.  THEN she got comfortable.  She does run.  When it's potty time, she is running at full speed!  She will falter a bit, but she is full out.  Shadow had been fine until last night.  He tried to get around the dogs but attracted their attention.  EVEN  CLYDE!  The next days may not go as easily as the previous ones.  She is getting way too comfortable.

But we will see.  Meantime - go Katie!

And the saga goes on

Monday, we killed two snakes in the grass.  There was one other, but we would have gone to prison for killing that one.  That one was the neighbor who used to be so helpful.  Have you ever heard the term he was so sweet that "sugar wouldn't melt in his mouth?"  Well - that was/is this guy.  Until he decides he is going to screw you.  Sorry but that's the best descriptor I can think of at this point.  Yes, he is at it again.

When he knew no one, he was so helpful and kind.  He was the interloper in a county of family members.  The first one he drew down on was his neighbor to the south.  Reggie was fairly young at the time, and he had gotten a huge chunk of land from his dad.  He didn't really know much about cattle and didn't handle that situation well.  We had his cattle when we first put up the house, and I swore I would NEVER let him lease again.  His cattle ate all the grass, and they were starving.  When you have a herd of cattle staring at you in the house and their mouths are full of prickly pear thorns, it breaks your heart.  So Gene went after him.

His latest is that he is trying to deny easement to everyone through his property.  Our big problem is that when my FIL bought our property from Reggie's dad, they didn't draw up a formal easement.  It was just understood.  Then came in big city trouble.  Our attorney says we have no problem because we have been using the road for way too many years for Gene to revoke our right.  He is even going after Reggie however who does have a 30-foot easement.

At our cattle guard, the road is only about 20 feet.  Gene has put stakes at the side of what he is giving.  He is really trying to force us into putting in a new road by limiting our turning space.

This all came to a head this weekend when the guy came to pick up Rusty.  He couldn't swing his trailer into the cattle guard.  So the stakes were taken down, and he did go on to Gene's property.  This is where the hogs rooted it up last year.

Gene called us Monday about it.  He was upset (mild term), and said "he drove into my pasture.  That ground has grass burrs and cactus.  Nothing. Else.  Then he said he would "let it go THIS TIME,

At one time, this snake in the grass, when he knew no one else, would have even helped.  Now he is just a jackass.

His legal fight with Reggie is still in the hands of the attorneys.   This is a year that the attorneys were going to "talk about it."  This is going to cost them $$$$.  Gene should just give it up.  Reggie was just elected County Commissioner.  If it goes to trial, a local boy, relative to most, and recently elected County Commissioner is going to prevail I really believe.  But in the meantime, he is driving us mad.

And Gene wonders why the folks up there don't sell to outsiders.  Sure wish they had followed suit with this one.

Becoming an old grump

We are midway in the stay at the SSB.  In this heat, G, in his glorious wisdom, had decreed that we will stay only as long as absolutely necessary.  That term is five days!  He must have heard me remark that he can read a book at home as easily as he can here!  And the pool is at home.

We sold the old farm truck.  We bought Rusty a number of years ago to use around here for odd jobs.  He came by his name for a good reason.  He was very rusty when we bought him, and certainly not gotten any better.  We haven't used him in several years.  In this hilly terrain, you don't want to use a vehicle that has poor to no brakes!  And we bought a Kawasaki Mule to do the chores Rusty was to do.  The Mule can go where a 1967 Ford F-100 just couldn't.

Brian is the one who sold Rusty.  The buyer is with the band he sings with, not his band.

The guy finally got headed in the right direction (GPS sent him to Austin not Mason, but at least it was the right direction),  and arrived with the family.  I really wasn't expecting a 10-month-old and about a 3-year-old!  And this is where my title of this post originated.

I must have been a very controlling mother with my kids, and even the first three grandchildren.  When we went someplace, I didn't let them just roam about.  These days, that seems to be what parents do.

I first noticed this when we went to visit one of G's aunts that lives up here.  Brian and family were here, and we all went over.  As soon as we were in the door, William and Delaney headed for another room - uninvited.  G and I  haven't been in that room in ages! But off they went!  I was mortified.  They weren't stopped by their parents.  When they came back with some items (I don't remember what they were now), I wanted to drop through the floor.  And nothing was said to them.  They were allowed to continue to play with them. Of course, William will do that everywhere.  He will open drawers, cabinet doors, etc.

As I said I wasn't expecting children yesterday.  The first thing the three-year-old did was to pick up a book from the bookshelf.  She did have to put that back, but then it was on to the dog toys.  Now, she had toys of her own, but it was the dog toys.  Then both she and the baby took to the vertical blinds.  I thought they were going to be broken for sure!  Nothing was said to them.  Then it was off to the fireplace tools.  She took the broom out and started to play with that.

I just sat with a fixed smile on my face and tried to not scream.  I guess I just don't understand parenting today.  My kids would never have been allowed to act this way.

To get my mind straight

Last night we went with the family (minus SIL and Reagan) out to dinner to celebrate my son's (Brian) 40th (!!!!!) birthday.  An aside here - I cannot believe my baby is 40!!!  I. AM. SO. OLD!

This wouldn't be cause for much discussion with the exception of my feeling ancient, but I went against something G always says.  If you go to a restaurant that specializes in something - order that something.

We went to a restaurant that I guess is Texas in origin and is only here.  It is Saltgrass Steak House.  Hence - they specialize in STEAKS.

I spent quite a while pouring over the menu.  All of their steaks were large.  I usually like the 6-8 ounce filet.  The smallest steak they had was a 10 oz something.  Too big.  I know there wasn't much of a difference, but still...

So after a long deliberation.  I saw they had a chicken breast stuffed with artichoke hearts, spinach, and mushrooms (and some other stuff).  That was my order.

We arrive at this restaurant at 6.  We got our drinks at 6:45, along with salads for those of us that ordered them.  At  7:15 the entrees came out.  There were 10 of us.  Nine got their entree.  I didn't.

The waitress said that mine came out "blue" instead of "black."  Now, I was rather shocked at BOTH colors - chicken is brown.  Anyway, it was being refired.  The manager came out and profusely apologized asking what else they could do, and he was sorry for the wait.  I started to say he could comp my meal!

By that time - I was no longer hungry, but realized that I would still be charged for the meal.  It finally arrived at 8.  I ate about half.  We got Brian a HUGE piece of carrot cake (as you can see) which should have been free anyway since it was his BD (I didn't ask G about it - I knew the bill was as huge as the cake anyway!).  We shared this cake, and the evening was over!  Now we are gearing up for his surprise party on Saturday.

Moral of the story.  When in a steak house - order steak!

This is a rant

I have deleted the words here.  I will only say "all lives matter."  This is upholding my decision to be non-political as possible here.  I am devastated by recent events.