Purple Sage / Governors Landing / New Battery

While I keep all records that have to do with the upkeep of our cars it is another matter to be able to find them in the many boxes that I have. I try to document important items like when I purchase tires and batteries, when I take the cars in for service, etc., etc. I am somewhat forgetful at adding labels to my posts to make them easier to locate on my blog.

Something kept on nagging at me but with my CRS it is hard to remember things. I believe the last time I replaced my tires a short time later I bought a new battery for Midnight. Sunday, August 28th I drove to town early to go pick up our mail. The car was sluggish to start and I panicked since being Sunday and early in the morning auto parts stores were closed.

The only thing that came to mind was what my late mechanic told me...Belinda, anytime the car starts acting up take a drive to the lake and floor it...and that is exactly what I did. 

That is when I noticed that the recent rains had made the purple sage bloom all over the city both at businesses and homes alike.

I, therefore, expected to see this beautiful shrub in full bloom on the way to Lake Amistad but sadly that was not the case. I drove to my favorite campground that being Governors Landing but there was only one campsite in use by a young couple car camping. The sites here have been cleared to make them larger and they also set up tent sites about two years ago while only increasing the fees by two dollars to $10.00 per night.

The effects of the drought were evident and it is so sad to see the low lake levels. There is some good news though the boat ramp they closed two weeks ago is once again open to the public though there were few boats at the unloading parking lot (not sure that is the correct term).

I parked the car in the front driveway rather than the garage Sunday night but barely slept since I had a doctor's appointment Monday morning and was afraid the car would not start. Lucky for me it started and as soon as I got out of the doctor's office I made a beeline to Auto Zone where they tested it and sure enough it needed to be replaced.

While I have no idea what I paid for the last one, I was surprised that it now costs $199.99 before tax. Much like the tires, it is the peace of mind that I am purchasing. Let's hope this is the last I have to spend on Midnight for a while.

I was correct the Del Rio area received 3 inches in 3.5 hours yesterday morning. The creek that separates us from the county road overflooded and the road was closed for several hours. School did not start until ten o'clock and it goes without saying I found out about this thanks to El Zócalo. https://www.zocalo.com.mx/caen-3-pulgadas-de-lluvia-en-tres-horas-y-media/

Good night.  May you all have Terlingua Dreams.

Aunty Acid

Dollar Tree / Library / San Antonio

I am having a hard time finding anything but the new spiral energy efficient light bulbs even in Mexico. While I like their low watt consumption I have never found that they live up to their supposed longevity ranging from 7 to 11 years. The most I have ever had one last me is two years. It is a shame that I have a bunch of the old fashion ones in Houston that I could sure use here.

Went to Dollar Tree hoping to find some to no avail. While there I noticed an older couple loading their shopping cart with what seemed to be like 20 or more 18 count egg cartons.  Asked the gentlemen if those also sold for a dollar and he replied: " Yes, Sweetheart...you better get you some before they're all gone"...I must admit that put a smile on my face...it has been a long time since someone called me "Sweetheart." I had no idea Dollar Tree sold eggs. I did buy them but only one 18-count carton.

I am so tired of the Val Verde County Library not being finished after more than two years of renovations, at least not on the inside.  The new computers have not been installed and they have no control as they did previously on how long people use them.  I do not have a printer and needed to get directions to the new installations where the former Uvalde doctor and associates have moved to.

The one positive about the library is that it is always nice and cool. It was 98 degrees outside but a refreshing 69 degrees inside.  I almost did not want to leave!

After Googling the directions,  I decided that they were too complicated and I wanted no part of I-10 West or US 87.  My comfort zone is I-410 North going to the Medical Center and I-410 South returning to Del Rio. I inputted the former address as a starting point and got directions that even I could follow without ever having to go the route they wanted me to.  All I had to do was stay on Fredericksburg Road.

Monday morning we left early as I gave myself five hours to allow for traffic or other mishaps. The new facilities are beautiful, the patient drop-off/pick-up area was better than the former site and best of all I did not have to go up four levels to park in a very congested parking garage.  This location has ample parking space and best of all it's free.

Mother was ushered early to get her labs done and we only had an hour wait which in and of itself is amazing for this doctor.  I sometimes whine about long waits but I want to say that in his case, he is well worth the wait or we would not have followed him to San Antonio.  Of all the doctor's my mother has seen over the years this doctor, as well as her Primary Physician (who is not a doctor but a PA), are our favorite.  She hit the jackpot with both.

I was glad to see that gasoline prices are holding steady.  Hondo, Texas had the distinction of having the lowest gas price between Del Rio and San Antonio today at $1.93 per gallon for regular unleaded. I filled up in Uvalde since I like to stop at Stripes at $1.95 a gallon.

On a side note the only place I saw blooming purple sage was in Uvalde, Texas.

Good night.  May you all have Terlingua Dreams.

Late blooming purple sage

A year ago in the latter part of May 2012 the purple sage in the area had some beautiful blooms http://terlinguadreams.blogspot.com/2012/05/sage-is-blooming.html   not so much this time around.  Only the sage by Walter's corral where I dump the water he refuses to drink has blooms of any significance this year.

The on going drought, lack of rain and red ants have taken their toll on the trees as well.  Mother has lost three pecan trees...even though I might have had a hand in that when I decided to prune them when I was not supposed to last year.  But Shhhhhhhhhhhhhh....let's keep that little secret to ourselves :-(

Got up at 7:00 a.m. to put out the trash and decided since I was already up might as well water the trees even though I watered them last night.   Yesterday (Tuesday) we got to 104 and today we reached 103 degrees so I wanted to make sure the trees, shrubs and plants had plenty of water.

Decided to make an early run to town before the heat of the day set in.  Tonight I watered the trees as well... as I might not be able to get to them...what with the NBA finals starting tomorrow.  GO SPURS GO!!!!!!

Good night.  May you all have Terlingua Dreams.