I was lucky as a young parent. Our first house was built by my father-in-law, the second husband of my late wife’s mother. They then built a house about seven houses down and around the corner, because that’s what developers do.

Episode 1: I get the kids into the car. We’re going to breakfast. The oldest is having trouble buckling her seat belt. No one rides in my back seat.

Its difficult to fathom the energy put out by two small children when they’re glad to see you.

The temperature fell again last night. If old man winter keeps this up, he’s going to break a hip.

I am back in the kitchen appliance game. After more months than I care to remember hand washing my dishes, I did my bit yesterday to keep the American economy spinning, I bought a dishwasher.

Starfleet command was right to tell me to take some time off after my extended trip to Red River New Mexico. I was tired.

Captain’s Log, Stardate 2022.2.8 We loitered, we lollygagged, we laid about yesterday morning. We took our own sweet time getting ready to leave.

Captain’s Log, Stardate 2022.2.6. The final day of the festival is in the books.

Captain’s Log Stardate 2022.2.4. At last, we are in Red River arriving in midafternoon yesterday.

Captain’s Log Stardate 2022.2.3. We made slow but steady progress yesterday. Left Santa Fe in a slight snowstorm, heading toward Alamosa in the San Luis Valley close to the headwaters of the Rio Grande.

Captain’s Log Stardate 2022.2.2. The trip is underway. We made good progress yesterday. Ate lunch at Fort Stockton.

Captain’s Log Stardate 2022.2.1. A new adventure begins today. We launch an expedition into the territory of New Mexico.

The other day, as I drove in down the drive, a burst of wind tore across the yard. It hit the last of the Lacy Oaks to still have its leaves.

Breaking news. The big red bull in the pasture is an interloper.

On Tuesday it was cats. On Friday it was cows. Love is in the air. Or, more precisely, a bull is in the pasture.

I took a friend’s advice yesterday and avoided hard work. I went shopping instead. Actually, I went buying.

Kennels are down. Heat lamps are on. The cats are cuddled up. The cold is here, major league stuff. Low 20s.

I plumbed and carpentered yesterday.

Lots of things running around in my head these days, some pleasant, some not so. This one is pretty ordinary and might be considered a late in life thought.

It’s really hard to beat a day at the cotton gin. So, I didn’t even try yesterday.