I had myself some stressful aggravation early today. This eventually led to me having a rare headache. I used to get headaches all the time when I lived in Washington. Moving to Texas cured me of that particular woe, but added several new ones.
By mid morning I had consulted with my therapist, Dr. L.C., who told me I needed to do some heavy duty hill hiking, which the good doctor said should cure me of my head pain.
Due to the deluge of downpours pouring down on Monday and Tuesday I did not think the Tandy Hill's trails would be dried out.
I was wrong. I had no mud issues whilst hiking the hills today. And Dr. L.C. was right. Hiking the hills cured my head pain. I returned to my abode in a hugely improved frame of mind.
The only odd thing I saw on the Tandy Hills today was crime scene tape laying on the ground near the washed out Tandy Highway bridge across Tandy Creek.
Is this yet one more Tandy Hills Art Installation?
Is the person trying to artfully say that it is a crime how many times this bridge has to be re-built by the City of Fort Worth Water Department engineers?
One of Jim Lane's ex-girl friends sent me a link to an online quiz today. It being the World's Smallest Political Quiz.
I took the test and was shocked, shocked I tell you, to learn I am a left-wing liberal. I would have thought I was a reactionary right-wing nutjob. Shows how politically ignorant I am.
Speaking of reactionary right-wing nutjobs, I've not heard from Elsie Hotpepper in a few days. Has anyone seen Elsie lately?
I've also not heard from Eunice Lovers in awhile. Last I heard from Ms. Lovers she was doing some undercover sleuthing and was going to get back to me with what she found. If anything.
Anyway, I'm glad I listened to my therapist today, rather than ignore her prescription, which is what I usually do.
Showing posts with label Tandy Hills Natural Aea. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tandy Hills Natural Aea. Show all posts
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Monday, May 16, 2011
The Short Shadow Of The Tandy Hills Thin Man Pondering The Rut He Is In
The sun directly overhead at noon made for a Short Shadow of the Tandy Hills Thin Man, which I am stepping on in the picture.
Today I realized the extent of the rut in which I've fallen.
Ever since I discovered, about 4 years ago, the Tandy Hills trails, less than 4 miles from my abode, it became my default hiking location.
Even after the discovery of the Tandy Hills I used to go to locations like Rockledge Park in Grapevine to hike along Lake Grapevine. Or Bob Jones Park in Southlake. Or Cedar Hills State Park in south Dallas. Or Dinosaur Valley State Park down by Glen Rose.
Or even drive as far as Waco to hike or bike around Cameron Park. Or all the way down to Austin to head west to climb up Enchanted Rock.
But then going to other locations began to taper off. I did go to Bob Jones Park in Southlake on New Year's Day, or maybe it was the day before New Year's Day.
It is 25 miles from my current location to Cedar Hills State Park. 50 miles roundtrip. I don't remember at what point I decided it was ridiculous to drive 50 miles to go on a hike.
I can not remember the last time I went to Dinosaur Valley State Park. I think it was the time I remember getting gas in Glen Rose for $1.50 a gallon and calling my mom to tell her I got gas and how much it cost.
I don't know what I'm going to do to get out of this Tandy Hills rut. I really don't feel like burning 3 or 4 gallons of gas and an hour of time, driving just to go to Cedar Hills State Park just to hike their many miles of very nice trails.
Not when the Tandy Hills is pretty much in my backyard. Maybe I will take up bowling to get me out of my rut.
Today I realized the extent of the rut in which I've fallen.
Ever since I discovered, about 4 years ago, the Tandy Hills trails, less than 4 miles from my abode, it became my default hiking location.
Even after the discovery of the Tandy Hills I used to go to locations like Rockledge Park in Grapevine to hike along Lake Grapevine. Or Bob Jones Park in Southlake. Or Cedar Hills State Park in south Dallas. Or Dinosaur Valley State Park down by Glen Rose.
Or even drive as far as Waco to hike or bike around Cameron Park. Or all the way down to Austin to head west to climb up Enchanted Rock.
But then going to other locations began to taper off. I did go to Bob Jones Park in Southlake on New Year's Day, or maybe it was the day before New Year's Day.
It is 25 miles from my current location to Cedar Hills State Park. 50 miles roundtrip. I don't remember at what point I decided it was ridiculous to drive 50 miles to go on a hike.
I can not remember the last time I went to Dinosaur Valley State Park. I think it was the time I remember getting gas in Glen Rose for $1.50 a gallon and calling my mom to tell her I got gas and how much it cost.
I don't know what I'm going to do to get out of this Tandy Hills rut. I really don't feel like burning 3 or 4 gallons of gas and an hour of time, driving just to go to Cedar Hills State Park just to hike their many miles of very nice trails.
Not when the Tandy Hills is pretty much in my backyard. Maybe I will take up bowling to get me out of my rut.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Hiking The Tandy Hills On Easter While CatsPaw Explains Today's Holiday To Me
I had not been on the Tandy Hills in hike mode for a few days. As you can see via the Easter noon view from the top of Mount Tandy, looking west at the stunning skyline of beautiful downtown Fort Worth, Easter is a bit overcast in North Texas.
I was erroneous when I said earlier today than no predicted t-storms had arrived yesterday. I was later informed that thunder was clapping quite loud around 10pm and then again in the wee hours of Easter.
On the way to the Tandy Hills I saw a lot of blown down tree limbs.
Apparently I slept through a couple storms. I was exhausted from being worked like a pack mule at the Prairie Fest. And on top of that that Caraway lady was plying me with some sort of intoxicating beverage from Rahr's Brewery that seemed to have the same effect on me as a sleeping pill.
This morning, in addition to saying there'd been no t-storms I asked if anyone knew why Easter was called Easter.
CatsPaw kindly alleviated me of my ignorance, telling me...
Again, we have a mixing of Pagan and Christian beliefs and practices ... the name was probably taken from the spring fertility goddess Oestre who brought the end of winter and new life at the vernal equinox.
Spring. Fertility. Now we know why those "umbrellas" were at Prairie Fest! (Interestingly, "oestre" is also the root word for estrogen, the female hormone.) Eggs, bunnies ... umm hmm.
Easter is celebrated on the first Sunday after the full moon that occurs after the spring equinox which is why the date changes each year.
It took me a second or two to get CatsPaw's "umbrellas at the Praire Fest" reference from an earlier blogging.
I wonder if I am going to be conscious and sober for today's predicted t-storm?
If lightning bolts aren't striking I think I will go swimming again, after lunch. This morning's swim was quite salubrious. I won't be working on my tan this afternoon though, unless the wind blows the cloud cover away.
I was erroneous when I said earlier today than no predicted t-storms had arrived yesterday. I was later informed that thunder was clapping quite loud around 10pm and then again in the wee hours of Easter.
On the way to the Tandy Hills I saw a lot of blown down tree limbs.
Apparently I slept through a couple storms. I was exhausted from being worked like a pack mule at the Prairie Fest. And on top of that that Caraway lady was plying me with some sort of intoxicating beverage from Rahr's Brewery that seemed to have the same effect on me as a sleeping pill.
This morning, in addition to saying there'd been no t-storms I asked if anyone knew why Easter was called Easter.
CatsPaw kindly alleviated me of my ignorance, telling me...
Again, we have a mixing of Pagan and Christian beliefs and practices ... the name was probably taken from the spring fertility goddess Oestre who brought the end of winter and new life at the vernal equinox.
Spring. Fertility. Now we know why those "umbrellas" were at Prairie Fest! (Interestingly, "oestre" is also the root word for estrogen, the female hormone.) Eggs, bunnies ... umm hmm.
Easter is celebrated on the first Sunday after the full moon that occurs after the spring equinox which is why the date changes each year.
It took me a second or two to get CatsPaw's "umbrellas at the Praire Fest" reference from an earlier blogging.
I wonder if I am going to be conscious and sober for today's predicted t-storm?
If lightning bolts aren't striking I think I will go swimming again, after lunch. This morning's swim was quite salubrious. I won't be working on my tan this afternoon though, unless the wind blows the cloud cover away.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Hiking The Tandy Hills Natural Sanatorium Before It Rains While Thinking About Bank Robbers
In the picture you are standing on a Tandy Hill looking west towards the stunning skyline of beautiful downtown Fort Worth under a stormy sky.
I hit the hills earlier than the norm today. I had need of the Tandy Hills Natural Sanatorium. And wanted to make sure I took the cure before rain fell.
I believe Severe Thunderstorms are scheduled for later today. So far the main weather action has been wind. And it's 74 degrees out there, so my windows are open.
I'm being aggravated at myself for not doing any Googling for info about First Convenience Bank before I got an account there because I thought it would be so convenient with its Wal-Mart location. Til I solve the problem of the missing Google Direct Deposit I am going to be in aggravated mode.
MLK, former Fort Worther, currently exiled in Tacoma, pointed me to the Fort Worth Community Credit Union. A branch is near my abode. So, I think I will be getting out of this First Inconvenience Bank and going to FWCCU instead.
Who do you call when a bank behaves badly in Texas? Anyone know?
I hit the hills earlier than the norm today. I had need of the Tandy Hills Natural Sanatorium. And wanted to make sure I took the cure before rain fell.
I believe Severe Thunderstorms are scheduled for later today. So far the main weather action has been wind. And it's 74 degrees out there, so my windows are open.
I'm being aggravated at myself for not doing any Googling for info about First Convenience Bank before I got an account there because I thought it would be so convenient with its Wal-Mart location. Til I solve the problem of the missing Google Direct Deposit I am going to be in aggravated mode.
MLK, former Fort Worther, currently exiled in Tacoma, pointed me to the Fort Worth Community Credit Union. A branch is near my abode. So, I think I will be getting out of this First Inconvenience Bank and going to FWCCU instead.
Who do you call when a bank behaves badly in Texas? Anyone know?
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Hiking The Tandy Hills Thinking About Fort Worth's Corruption With Its Dis-Connect From Paradise & Gestapo Goon Squads
The Tandy Bamboo Teepee was still standing tall, and unoccupied, today when I saw it around noon.
Such a perfect day and yet I saw no one but myself out enjoying the Tandy Hills Natural Area.
I've been making up for all those days being snowbound. This morning I was in the pool for around 45 minutes. Today's Tandy Hill hiking was over an hour.
I'd really been missing my endorphins.
I'd gotten myself all twisted up this morning, obsessing about a Google/AdSense/Feedburner feed confusion, that was having me confused and annoyed.
I was also obsessing about an Inconvenience Bank problem that arose yesterday, that I'm going to wait to blog about when I'm not quite so obsessive about it. The bank problem was not exactly mine. But I sort of got blamed for it.
So, as I hiked the hills today I was continuing to obsess. But as the aerobicizing continued and the endorphins started having their desired effect I found myself slowly sliding into my preferred mindset of living in the moment and not letting things bug me.
Sort of.
No further word on the fate of Fort Worth's Paradise Center. This morning I remembered the bizarre incidents of the Fort Worth Gestapo raiding Steve Doeung's house to intimidate him at various times when he'd appear in the press, using ridiculous strong arm tactics to scare Fort Worth's Lone Ranger into giving up his fight against Chesapeake Energy and their Henchmen on the take in the City of Fort Worth.
Steve Doeung was featured in an article in FW Weekly last week regarding State Bill 18. A bill that supposedly was supposed to reign in eminent domain abuse in the eminent domain abuse Capital of America.
Texas.
But instead the bill was written in cahoots with those who do the eminent domain abusing.
Which has had people like Steve Doeung and Bill Mitchell criticizing it.
And then Thursday bully thugs working for Tarrant County used Gestapo tactics to shut down the Paradise Center. And what is Steve Doeung's connection to the Paradise Center? Well, it was Steve Doeung's wife who was the object of the Gestapo this time.
I really think it is time to use Twitter and Facebook to organize protests on Sundance Square, demanding Fort Worth Regime Change and the arrest and prosecution of the Fort Worth Gestapo and those who give the Fort Worth Gestapo its orders.
Did you know that the Paradise Center is very close to the Rainbow Lounge? With the Rainbow Lounge being another Fort Worth location that was subjected to a Gestapo Raid. That raid injured people and made news world-wide. One of the many reasons Fort Worth is the Envy of the World.
Now, how can we get the story of what Fort Worth and Tarrant County has done to the Paradise Center to be a national story? I suppose protest signs could be made in support of the Paradise Center, to wave in front of the TV cameras covering the thousands of Fort Worthers holding Sundance Square hostage until we get Regime Change in this sadly corrupt city.
And let's add a total sweep from their jobs of those who are the administrators of the Fort Worth schools, starting with Superintendent Melody Johnson. Read this week's FW Weekly cover story "Dis-Connects" and you'll see why I think total regime change of the Fort Worth school administrators is needed.
And then send a task force to observe how a successful school district is run. It ain't rocket science. But, in Fort Worth, apparently, it is.
Such a perfect day and yet I saw no one but myself out enjoying the Tandy Hills Natural Area.
I've been making up for all those days being snowbound. This morning I was in the pool for around 45 minutes. Today's Tandy Hill hiking was over an hour.
I'd really been missing my endorphins.
I'd gotten myself all twisted up this morning, obsessing about a Google/AdSense/Feedburner feed confusion, that was having me confused and annoyed.
I was also obsessing about an Inconvenience Bank problem that arose yesterday, that I'm going to wait to blog about when I'm not quite so obsessive about it. The bank problem was not exactly mine. But I sort of got blamed for it.
So, as I hiked the hills today I was continuing to obsess. But as the aerobicizing continued and the endorphins started having their desired effect I found myself slowly sliding into my preferred mindset of living in the moment and not letting things bug me.
Sort of.
No further word on the fate of Fort Worth's Paradise Center. This morning I remembered the bizarre incidents of the Fort Worth Gestapo raiding Steve Doeung's house to intimidate him at various times when he'd appear in the press, using ridiculous strong arm tactics to scare Fort Worth's Lone Ranger into giving up his fight against Chesapeake Energy and their Henchmen on the take in the City of Fort Worth.
Steve Doeung was featured in an article in FW Weekly last week regarding State Bill 18. A bill that supposedly was supposed to reign in eminent domain abuse in the eminent domain abuse Capital of America.
Texas.
But instead the bill was written in cahoots with those who do the eminent domain abusing.
Which has had people like Steve Doeung and Bill Mitchell criticizing it.
And then Thursday bully thugs working for Tarrant County used Gestapo tactics to shut down the Paradise Center. And what is Steve Doeung's connection to the Paradise Center? Well, it was Steve Doeung's wife who was the object of the Gestapo this time.
I really think it is time to use Twitter and Facebook to organize protests on Sundance Square, demanding Fort Worth Regime Change and the arrest and prosecution of the Fort Worth Gestapo and those who give the Fort Worth Gestapo its orders.
Did you know that the Paradise Center is very close to the Rainbow Lounge? With the Rainbow Lounge being another Fort Worth location that was subjected to a Gestapo Raid. That raid injured people and made news world-wide. One of the many reasons Fort Worth is the Envy of the World.
Now, how can we get the story of what Fort Worth and Tarrant County has done to the Paradise Center to be a national story? I suppose protest signs could be made in support of the Paradise Center, to wave in front of the TV cameras covering the thousands of Fort Worthers holding Sundance Square hostage until we get Regime Change in this sadly corrupt city.
And let's add a total sweep from their jobs of those who are the administrators of the Fort Worth schools, starting with Superintendent Melody Johnson. Read this week's FW Weekly cover story "Dis-Connects" and you'll see why I think total regime change of the Fort Worth school administrators is needed.
And then send a task force to observe how a successful school district is run. It ain't rocket science. But, in Fort Worth, apparently, it is.
Friday, February 18, 2011
It Is Hot In Fort Worth With A Tandy Bottle Hanging Mystery & Texas Girls Packing Heat
Why is someone hanging bottles from branches along the trails of the Tandy Hills?
A couple days ago it was the Mystery of the Tandy Bamboo Teepee. And now the Tandy Bottle Hanging Mystery.
A week ago I was having trouble getting warm, suffering through blizzards with sub-zero wind chills.
A week later I'm getting too HOT hiking which forced shirt removal.
And this morning I had my first real swim of the new year. I was in the water for over a half hour. It felt good. I think it was the loss of swimming that caused my gain of weight.
The pool will be even warmer tomorrow with today's degrees being in the 80s for the first time of the new year. I think that's true.
My current temperature reading is 82, with the Heat Index making it feel like 83. I think I like the Heat Index better than the Wind Chill.
I have not turned on the A/C. But I do have my ceiling fan spinning above me.
Denise finally checked her gmail, so we can quit worrying about not hearing from Denise. Now Denise must complete her undercover assignment.
I learned yesterday that a person I frequently mention on this blog, but who I won't mention right now, by name, got her license yesterday. License to pack heat. Now armed with a six-shooter. Which is why I don't want to raise her ire by saying who it is who is now armed and dangerous.
I will say it is not the Wild Woman of Woolley, Betty Jo Bouvier. Betty Jo is well over 2 thousand miles away, so really can do no harm to me with bullets. Same with Carlotta Del Rio. Carlotta is closer than Betty Jo, but not close enough to be dangerous.
I just heard from Carlotta Del Rio. Telling me how beautiful Washington is being today, with Mount Baker making an appearance, after being shrouded in clouds for awhile.
I can't remember the last time I saw a mountain.
A couple days ago it was the Mystery of the Tandy Bamboo Teepee. And now the Tandy Bottle Hanging Mystery.
A week ago I was having trouble getting warm, suffering through blizzards with sub-zero wind chills.
A week later I'm getting too HOT hiking which forced shirt removal.
And this morning I had my first real swim of the new year. I was in the water for over a half hour. It felt good. I think it was the loss of swimming that caused my gain of weight.
The pool will be even warmer tomorrow with today's degrees being in the 80s for the first time of the new year. I think that's true.
My current temperature reading is 82, with the Heat Index making it feel like 83. I think I like the Heat Index better than the Wind Chill.
I have not turned on the A/C. But I do have my ceiling fan spinning above me.
Denise finally checked her gmail, so we can quit worrying about not hearing from Denise. Now Denise must complete her undercover assignment.
I learned yesterday that a person I frequently mention on this blog, but who I won't mention right now, by name, got her license yesterday. License to pack heat. Now armed with a six-shooter. Which is why I don't want to raise her ire by saying who it is who is now armed and dangerous.
I will say it is not the Wild Woman of Woolley, Betty Jo Bouvier. Betty Jo is well over 2 thousand miles away, so really can do no harm to me with bullets. Same with Carlotta Del Rio. Carlotta is closer than Betty Jo, but not close enough to be dangerous.
I just heard from Carlotta Del Rio. Telling me how beautiful Washington is being today, with Mount Baker making an appearance, after being shrouded in clouds for awhile.
I can't remember the last time I saw a mountain.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Back On The Tandy Hills While Green With Envy Thinking About How Fort Worth Impresses America
I parked on top of Mount Tandy today to go do some cross country hilly trail hiking. I figured the trails would still be muddy, and they were, but making my own mud-free trail worked out fine.
In the picture we are to the south of the top of Mount Tandy and the Fort Worth Space Needle, looking west at the stunning skyline of beautiful downtown Fort Worth.
I have not viewed the stunning skyline of beautiful Downtown Fort Worth from the Tandy Hills since before ESPN arrived on one of the Sundance Square parking lots to broadcast Super Bowl coverage to the world to change the world-wide image of Fort Worth forever.
Unfortunately that did not quite work out the way Fort Worth boosters hoped it would. Unless the hope was to change the world-wide image of Fort Worth to being a snowy, icebound location.
This morning, it was in the news that polling showed that the national image of Arlington went from 73.7 percent of America having no impression of Arlington, prior to the Super Bowl, to having even less of an impression, at 74.4 percent, after the Super Bowl.
That is not impressive.
I can't help but wonder if the same polling company that polled about the Super Bowl city, Arlington, also polled about Dallas and Fort Worth.
I really don't think any reasonable person would argue with the proposition that a much higher percentage of Americans have some impression of Dallas than they do of Fort Worth.
When I am on the road, out of Texas, and asked where I'm from, I say Dallas, because people know about Dallas. When I lived in Washington and was on the road, and asked where I was from, I usually did not say Mount Vernon, or the Skagit Valley. I'd say I was from Seattle, because people know about Seattle and where it is.
I'd guess a very high percentage of Americans have an impression of Dallas, J.R. Ewing, JFK, Cotton Bowl, a recognizable skyline, among other things.
I'd guess, if polled, the percent of Americans who have an impression of Fort Worth would be closer to the percentage of Americans who have an impression of Arlington.
Or lower.
Afterall, Arlington has Six Flags, the Ballpark in Arlington and the Dallas Cowboys Stadium. Those 3 things would seem likely to have left an impression on some Americans as being associated with Arlington.
But, the only thing in Fort Worth that is remotely iconic and is associated with Fort Worth is the Fort Worth Stockyards. The Stockyards would seem to be the only Fort Worth thing that might give Fort Worth a possibility of having made more of an impression on America than Arlington.
Methinks Fort Worth could do some work on making itself more known to the rest of America. Like the town could arrest its mayor on corruption charges. Or have big protests on the Sundance Square parking lots demanding Regime Change.
I am constantly appalled at my bad memory. I'd forgotten that Fort Worth was recently the Envy of the Nation because a Fort Worth school won the Rose Bowl. I'm sure that really amped up the national impression of Fort Worth as being a very impressive place.
I think Fort Worth's best hope to make a national impression may be through the good works of the Fort Worth savior, J.D. Granger, and his Trinity River Vision.
When the Trinity River Vision finally opens for business I am sure it will be the talk of the nation.
If not the world.
The Fort Worth version of San Antonio's Riverwalk will likely once more make Fort Worth the Envy of the Nation, with cities and towns, far and wide, Green with Envy.
I'm done now.
In the picture we are to the south of the top of Mount Tandy and the Fort Worth Space Needle, looking west at the stunning skyline of beautiful downtown Fort Worth.
I have not viewed the stunning skyline of beautiful Downtown Fort Worth from the Tandy Hills since before ESPN arrived on one of the Sundance Square parking lots to broadcast Super Bowl coverage to the world to change the world-wide image of Fort Worth forever.
Unfortunately that did not quite work out the way Fort Worth boosters hoped it would. Unless the hope was to change the world-wide image of Fort Worth to being a snowy, icebound location.
This morning, it was in the news that polling showed that the national image of Arlington went from 73.7 percent of America having no impression of Arlington, prior to the Super Bowl, to having even less of an impression, at 74.4 percent, after the Super Bowl.
That is not impressive.
I can't help but wonder if the same polling company that polled about the Super Bowl city, Arlington, also polled about Dallas and Fort Worth.
I really don't think any reasonable person would argue with the proposition that a much higher percentage of Americans have some impression of Dallas than they do of Fort Worth.
When I am on the road, out of Texas, and asked where I'm from, I say Dallas, because people know about Dallas. When I lived in Washington and was on the road, and asked where I was from, I usually did not say Mount Vernon, or the Skagit Valley. I'd say I was from Seattle, because people know about Seattle and where it is.
I'd guess a very high percentage of Americans have an impression of Dallas, J.R. Ewing, JFK, Cotton Bowl, a recognizable skyline, among other things.
I'd guess, if polled, the percent of Americans who have an impression of Fort Worth would be closer to the percentage of Americans who have an impression of Arlington.
Or lower.
Afterall, Arlington has Six Flags, the Ballpark in Arlington and the Dallas Cowboys Stadium. Those 3 things would seem likely to have left an impression on some Americans as being associated with Arlington.
But, the only thing in Fort Worth that is remotely iconic and is associated with Fort Worth is the Fort Worth Stockyards. The Stockyards would seem to be the only Fort Worth thing that might give Fort Worth a possibility of having made more of an impression on America than Arlington.
Methinks Fort Worth could do some work on making itself more known to the rest of America. Like the town could arrest its mayor on corruption charges. Or have big protests on the Sundance Square parking lots demanding Regime Change.
I am constantly appalled at my bad memory. I'd forgotten that Fort Worth was recently the Envy of the Nation because a Fort Worth school won the Rose Bowl. I'm sure that really amped up the national impression of Fort Worth as being a very impressive place.
I think Fort Worth's best hope to make a national impression may be through the good works of the Fort Worth savior, J.D. Granger, and his Trinity River Vision.
When the Trinity River Vision finally opens for business I am sure it will be the talk of the nation.
If not the world.
The Fort Worth version of San Antonio's Riverwalk will likely once more make Fort Worth the Envy of the Nation, with cities and towns, far and wide, Green with Envy.
I'm done now.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Fun Hotpepper-Free Hiking With Illicit Assignations Today On Top Of Mount Tandy
You are looking north on the Tandy Highway in the picture. As you can see it is a nice clear blue sky day today here in my zone of North Texas.
I was overdressed for hiking the Tandy Hills today. Long pants and a long-sleeve shirt were way too much clothing material covering way too much skin.
In other words I overheated just a bit in the balmy mid 60 degrees temperature.
Elsie Hotpepper so enjoyed our walk around Fosdic Lake yesterday that she asked to go Tandy Hill Hiking today.
But, the Hotpepper Hiking Time Frame was way past my scheduled hike time.
Yes, I could have time shifted, but the truth is, I don't know how much I'd enjoy Hotpepper Hill Hiking. I think I already mentioned Elsie talks fast and walks slow. I could see where the steep Tandy Hills would likely very quickly Overheat the Hotpepper.
I entered the Tandy Hills today from the top of Mount Tandy. I was semi-pleased to see that the Tandy Shrine is back under construction again. Semi-pleased I say, because it is so disheartening to see the Tandy Shrine grow back to its former glory, only to see it destroyed yet one more time.
I think some people are under the erroneous assumption that the top of Mount Tandy is an isolated parking zone. As in, when I returned to my vehicle, I saw two more vehicles had arrived.
The drivers of those two vehicles appeared to have no interest in hiking, but were instead involved in some sort of strenuous looking activity in the smaller of the vehicles. The frequency of what appear to be illicit assignations seems to be increasing in this location.
I was overdressed for hiking the Tandy Hills today. Long pants and a long-sleeve shirt were way too much clothing material covering way too much skin.
In other words I overheated just a bit in the balmy mid 60 degrees temperature.
Elsie Hotpepper so enjoyed our walk around Fosdic Lake yesterday that she asked to go Tandy Hill Hiking today.
But, the Hotpepper Hiking Time Frame was way past my scheduled hike time.
Yes, I could have time shifted, but the truth is, I don't know how much I'd enjoy Hotpepper Hill Hiking. I think I already mentioned Elsie talks fast and walks slow. I could see where the steep Tandy Hills would likely very quickly Overheat the Hotpepper.
I entered the Tandy Hills today from the top of Mount Tandy. I was semi-pleased to see that the Tandy Shrine is back under construction again. Semi-pleased I say, because it is so disheartening to see the Tandy Shrine grow back to its former glory, only to see it destroyed yet one more time.
I think some people are under the erroneous assumption that the top of Mount Tandy is an isolated parking zone. As in, when I returned to my vehicle, I saw two more vehicles had arrived.
The drivers of those two vehicles appeared to have no interest in hiking, but were instead involved in some sort of strenuous looking activity in the smaller of the vehicles. The frequency of what appear to be illicit assignations seems to be increasing in this location.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Hiking Through The New Tandy Canyon Looking At A New View Of The Envy Of The Nation While Thinking About Guarding Donuts & Gas Drilling
Today when I accessed the Tandy Hills via the View Street Trail I was pleasantly surprised to see a cool new Tandy Hills feature. With that feature being a canyon of cut brush rising from both sides of the trail.
And then when you exit the canyon you are treated to a new view of the stunning skyline of the beautiful downtown of the city that is currently the Envy of the Nation.
An awful lot of brush was bashed to expose this new view of downtown Fort Worth that you see here, looking across Texas prairie freshly rendered back to its pristine state free of invasive plant species.
Yesterday I mentioned that I did not remember the last time I worked as hard as I did this past Saturday. I did not say what it was I was working hard at. And then today someone calling him or herself Anonymous asked, "Does being in charge of dozens of donuts count as hard work, Mr. Tandy Hills Hiker?"
Well, in answer to that Anonymous question, yes being in charge of dozens of donuts can count as hard work.
An hour or so later, after my arrival on the Tandy Hills, as I headed back to View Street, I heard motorized racket. When I saw what was making the racket I was appalled to see a bulldozer dismantling the cool new Tandy Brush Canyon and depositing it piece by piece into a dump truck.
If you look closely at the picture of the bulldozer, above the bulldozer you will see the latest addition to the scenery you can view from the Tandy Hills. A Chesapeake Energy Barnett Shale Natural Gas Drilling Rig looking as if it is sitting on top of a Tandy Hill.
Monday, January 24, 2011
The Return Of The Short Shadow Of The Tandy Hills Thin Man Thinking About Litter Chain Gangs
I was on the Tandy Hills shortly after noon today. The sun was fully exposed with no clouds impeding its brightness.
Which made for a very bright, very short shadow.
I saw some of the results of Saturday's Brush Bash today. Along the main trail from View Street the view to the west is now much more viewable.
On the way to the Tandy Hills I saw a highway crew on Interstate 30 picking up bags of litter.
Yesterday I mentioned seeing what I thought to be a Litter Chain Gang picking up litter on the other side of the freeway from where I saw litter being removed today.
I got a few comments and emails about the subject. The Envy of the Entire Universe thought these litter pickers might have been something called Super Clean 2011 Volunteers, cleaning up for the Super Bowl.
More than one person was of the opinion this was being done for the Super Bowl.
Trouble with that theory is the Super Bowl takes place about 2 weeks from now. That is plenty of time to freshly coat the sides of the freeway with litter. Texans are astonishingly adept at littering.
I am also fairly certain that those guys in green, that I saw on Sunday, were not part of any volunteer group. First off the bus that transported them to the location was the same type prison bus I've seen transport Litter Gangs to pick up litter along the Trinity River's banks.
And, yesterday there was more than one man acting like a guard, watching the Litter Gang slowly pick up litter.
Anonymous, if that is her or his real name, told me that inmates are used to pick up litter in Washington. I've never seen this happen. But, I do know one convicted Washington felon who would greatly benefit, exercise-wise, if she were made to spend weekends picking up litter.
On a totally different subject, yesterday, or the day before, Betty Jo Bouvier mentioned a goofy thing regarding her town of Sedro Woolley, that being that a Washington radio station was having a contest called "Are You Smarter Than Sedro Woolley?"
Naturally, some Sedro Woollians are taking umbrage. Meanwhile down in Portland, that's the biggest town in Oregon, Some Portlanders are taking a little umbrage at a TV show called Portlandia on some obscure cable channel called the Independent Film Channel.
You can read more about being smarter than Sedro Woolley and Portlandia on my Washington Blog, and watch an amusing video of Portlandia.
How come no one makes a funny comedy TV show using Fort Worth for material? It would seem this town would be a gold mine of comic material. Trinity River Vision, Moron Mayor Mike Moncrief, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Lancaster Avenue, the Stockyards, Shanty Towns, thousands of natural gas wells, the Stock Show, Sundance Square, TCU.
And all the other marvelous wonders that make Fort Worth the Envy of the Nation....
Which made for a very bright, very short shadow.
I saw some of the results of Saturday's Brush Bash today. Along the main trail from View Street the view to the west is now much more viewable.
On the way to the Tandy Hills I saw a highway crew on Interstate 30 picking up bags of litter.
Yesterday I mentioned seeing what I thought to be a Litter Chain Gang picking up litter on the other side of the freeway from where I saw litter being removed today.
I got a few comments and emails about the subject. The Envy of the Entire Universe thought these litter pickers might have been something called Super Clean 2011 Volunteers, cleaning up for the Super Bowl.
More than one person was of the opinion this was being done for the Super Bowl.
Trouble with that theory is the Super Bowl takes place about 2 weeks from now. That is plenty of time to freshly coat the sides of the freeway with litter. Texans are astonishingly adept at littering.
I am also fairly certain that those guys in green, that I saw on Sunday, were not part of any volunteer group. First off the bus that transported them to the location was the same type prison bus I've seen transport Litter Gangs to pick up litter along the Trinity River's banks.
And, yesterday there was more than one man acting like a guard, watching the Litter Gang slowly pick up litter.
Anonymous, if that is her or his real name, told me that inmates are used to pick up litter in Washington. I've never seen this happen. But, I do know one convicted Washington felon who would greatly benefit, exercise-wise, if she were made to spend weekends picking up litter.
On a totally different subject, yesterday, or the day before, Betty Jo Bouvier mentioned a goofy thing regarding her town of Sedro Woolley, that being that a Washington radio station was having a contest called "Are You Smarter Than Sedro Woolley?"
Naturally, some Sedro Woollians are taking umbrage. Meanwhile down in Portland, that's the biggest town in Oregon, Some Portlanders are taking a little umbrage at a TV show called Portlandia on some obscure cable channel called the Independent Film Channel.
You can read more about being smarter than Sedro Woolley and Portlandia on my Washington Blog, and watch an amusing video of Portlandia.
How come no one makes a funny comedy TV show using Fort Worth for material? It would seem this town would be a gold mine of comic material. Trinity River Vision, Moron Mayor Mike Moncrief, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Lancaster Avenue, the Stockyards, Shanty Towns, thousands of natural gas wells, the Stock Show, Sundance Square, TCU.
And all the other marvelous wonders that make Fort Worth the Envy of the Nation....
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Sunday Hiking On The Tandy Hills With Dogs, Humans & Waterfalls
I parked on top of Mount Tandy today, not knowing if the Tandy Trails were hikable.
Upon arrival at the mountain top I saw a pair of hikers with a canine passing the Fort Worth Space Needle. This was to be the first of many human and canine Tandy Encounters today.
A short time later I came upon 3 guys who I thought, at first, were homeless people, possibly scouting out a new Shanty Town location. One of them asked where I was parked. I pointed back towards the road that leads to the Fort Worth Space Needle. The spokesman told me they'd hiked from "way over there," pointing towards View Street.
For some reason they wanted to get a look at the Fort Worth Space Needle and did not realize they could drive right up to it. This trio did not have the look of regular hikers.
A short time later I found myself facing a German Shepherd type dog, who was in a pack of two, with another dog of a brand not recognized by me. I don't think the dogs were rabid and they were not too menacing. I never did see a human to match with these dogs.
About a half hour after that dog encounter I was hearing the rushing water sounds of the Tandy River as it roars over Tandy Falls. I'd not seen water flowing over the falls in a long time.
As Tandy Falls came in to view, to the south of the falls I saw 3 more humans, with 3 dogs. These dogs were leashed. I did not have a close encounter with this particular human/dog combo, because they took a different path at the next junction.
This was my first successful Tandy Hills Hiking Day in a couple weeks.
As you can see in the view to the right, looking west at the stunning skyline of beautiful downtown Fort Worth, it is a gray, wintry day this Sunday in Texas.
Looking at that stunning skyline, I wonder if Fort Worth's Moron Mayor Moncrief thinks that skyline is yet one more reason Fort Worth is the Envy of the Nation?
This afternoon I am more than a little worried about Elsie Hotpepper. The last I heard from Elsie was yesterday, with a very cryptic message that really made no sense to me. All the message said was "I landed the eagle."
What can that possibly mean? I hope Elsie Hotpepper is not out somewhere shooting eagles. I'm fairly certain this is not legal to do.
Upon arrival at the mountain top I saw a pair of hikers with a canine passing the Fort Worth Space Needle. This was to be the first of many human and canine Tandy Encounters today.
A short time later I came upon 3 guys who I thought, at first, were homeless people, possibly scouting out a new Shanty Town location. One of them asked where I was parked. I pointed back towards the road that leads to the Fort Worth Space Needle. The spokesman told me they'd hiked from "way over there," pointing towards View Street.
For some reason they wanted to get a look at the Fort Worth Space Needle and did not realize they could drive right up to it. This trio did not have the look of regular hikers.
A short time later I found myself facing a German Shepherd type dog, who was in a pack of two, with another dog of a brand not recognized by me. I don't think the dogs were rabid and they were not too menacing. I never did see a human to match with these dogs.
About a half hour after that dog encounter I was hearing the rushing water sounds of the Tandy River as it roars over Tandy Falls. I'd not seen water flowing over the falls in a long time.
As Tandy Falls came in to view, to the south of the falls I saw 3 more humans, with 3 dogs. These dogs were leashed. I did not have a close encounter with this particular human/dog combo, because they took a different path at the next junction.
This was my first successful Tandy Hills Hiking Day in a couple weeks.
As you can see in the view to the right, looking west at the stunning skyline of beautiful downtown Fort Worth, it is a gray, wintry day this Sunday in Texas.
Looking at that stunning skyline, I wonder if Fort Worth's Moron Mayor Moncrief thinks that skyline is yet one more reason Fort Worth is the Envy of the Nation?
This afternoon I am more than a little worried about Elsie Hotpepper. The last I heard from Elsie was yesterday, with a very cryptic message that really made no sense to me. All the message said was "I landed the eagle."
What can that possibly mean? I hope Elsie Hotpepper is not out somewhere shooting eagles. I'm fairly certain this is not legal to do.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
The Shadow Of The Tandy Hills Pinhead Startling Scurrying Fort Worth Police Cockroaches
I was late in the afternoon today, making it to the Tandy Hills for my daily main dose of aerobicizing.
You can sort of tell I am late on the hills due to the lighting. And somehow that lighting made the Shadow of the Tandy Hills Thin Man into the Shadow of the Tandy Hills Pinhead.
The trails on the hills are in great shape, totally recovered from their recent bout of mud and totally ready to be trampled on by hundreds of Manly Men/Wild Women Feet this coming Saturday.
The temperature was nearing 60 when I headed for the hills this afternoon. So, once more, back in shorts and t-shirt.
Whilst moving fast today I snagged a stick and this somehow ripped a big tear in my favorite cargo shorts. These were my last remaining undamaged cargo shorts. This is nothing short of a minor tragedy.
Now, let's back up in time a bit to the point where I arrived at the Tandy Hills. Today I decided to hike from the top of Mount Tandy. When my usual parking place, underneath the Fort Worth Space Needle came in to view I saw two Fort Worth police cars.
Oh oh, this can't be good, I thought.
So, I parked far away from the cop cars, since they were blocking my access to my regular parking spot. As I began walking towards the cop cars one started towards me.
I had instant deju vu of last year's confrontations with white Express Energy pickups.
The cop car reached me. His window was down. He was talking into his microphone, but he stopped where I stood. I asked is there a problem? Is it safe to go hiking?
The cop said there's no problem. He continued on. So did I. Then the second cop car started moving. He drove right by me, driver's window closed. Passenger window open.
I reached in my pocket and got out my camera, turned it on and turned around to snap a picture. The first picture only showed the second cop car, blocking the view of the first one. I waited for the cops to turn to the left so I could get both in a picture.
Well, they drove past my vehicle and then pulled up beside each other again..
Now, why, when I showed up and started walking towards them, did the cops scurry like a pair of cockroaches when a light is turned on?
And why, after they thought I was gone, did they pull up side by side again? To continue talking through those open windows?
Were the two cops parked in this isolated location because they thought they could pass some of their duty time unnoticed? Was there no donut stand nearby?
It was all very very odd.
You can sort of tell I am late on the hills due to the lighting. And somehow that lighting made the Shadow of the Tandy Hills Thin Man into the Shadow of the Tandy Hills Pinhead.
The trails on the hills are in great shape, totally recovered from their recent bout of mud and totally ready to be trampled on by hundreds of Manly Men/Wild Women Feet this coming Saturday.
The temperature was nearing 60 when I headed for the hills this afternoon. So, once more, back in shorts and t-shirt.
Whilst moving fast today I snagged a stick and this somehow ripped a big tear in my favorite cargo shorts. These were my last remaining undamaged cargo shorts. This is nothing short of a minor tragedy.
Now, let's back up in time a bit to the point where I arrived at the Tandy Hills. Today I decided to hike from the top of Mount Tandy. When my usual parking place, underneath the Fort Worth Space Needle came in to view I saw two Fort Worth police cars.
Oh oh, this can't be good, I thought.
So, I parked far away from the cop cars, since they were blocking my access to my regular parking spot. As I began walking towards the cop cars one started towards me.
I had instant deju vu of last year's confrontations with white Express Energy pickups.
The cop car reached me. His window was down. He was talking into his microphone, but he stopped where I stood. I asked is there a problem? Is it safe to go hiking?
The cop said there's no problem. He continued on. So did I. Then the second cop car started moving. He drove right by me, driver's window closed. Passenger window open.
I reached in my pocket and got out my camera, turned it on and turned around to snap a picture. The first picture only showed the second cop car, blocking the view of the first one. I waited for the cops to turn to the left so I could get both in a picture.
Well, they drove past my vehicle and then pulled up beside each other again..
Now, why, when I showed up and started walking towards them, did the cops scurry like a pair of cockroaches when a light is turned on?
And why, after they thought I was gone, did they pull up side by side again? To continue talking through those open windows?
Were the two cops parked in this isolated location because they thought they could pass some of their duty time unnoticed? Was there no donut stand nearby?
It was all very very odd.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Hiking The Tandy Hills Today Wondering If Global Warming Is About To Warm Us In North Texas to Zero While Enjoying Avgolemono Soup
I decided to see if the Tandy Hills had been de-muddied by today, after staying away after last Friday's muddy stickiness.
Today, I was pleased to find nothing sticking to my hiking boots.
It is good the hills have decided to dry up.
Because they are scheduled to be trampled on this coming Saturday during the second annual Manly Men/Wild Women Hike.
I do not know if I will be able to be a Manly Man this year due to the news of this year's Manly Men/Wild Women Exhibition coming after I'd already made other plans for this coming Saturday.
However, plans can always change.
It is good the Manly Men/Wild Women Hike is this Saturday and not the Saturday following this Saturday, because, according to Fort Worth Weather Prognosticator, Bud Kennedy, reporting in his Facebook weather report, next week we are scheduled to get cold.
Real cold.
And the week following next week the projections are currently projecting the possibility that we could get down near zero here in North Texas.
I think I need to check the anti-freeze in my vehicle.
Let us change the subject from freezing to food.
I must say the Avgolemono Soup I made for lunch turned out way better than I thought it would. Lemon soup? How could that be good I thought? My mom and dad shipped me an awful lot of lemons. I needed to come up with some good way to use some of them. A classic Greek soup was a classic good solution.
I got some good stuff at Town Talk today. A lot of Roma Tomatoes. And a humongous container of Gorgonzola. Anyone need some Gorgonzola?
At times I wonder if former Fort Wortherite, current Tacoman, MLK, is right when she opines that Town Talk has made me fat. However, today I did buy 2 bags of Guiltless Gourmet Blue Corn Chips, in addition to all that cheese. Then again, those Guiltless chips will likely end up having an awful lot of cheese melted on them.
It is truly a wonder I am not fatter.
Today, I was pleased to find nothing sticking to my hiking boots.
It is good the hills have decided to dry up.
Because they are scheduled to be trampled on this coming Saturday during the second annual Manly Men/Wild Women Hike.
I do not know if I will be able to be a Manly Man this year due to the news of this year's Manly Men/Wild Women Exhibition coming after I'd already made other plans for this coming Saturday.
However, plans can always change.
It is good the Manly Men/Wild Women Hike is this Saturday and not the Saturday following this Saturday, because, according to Fort Worth Weather Prognosticator, Bud Kennedy, reporting in his Facebook weather report, next week we are scheduled to get cold.
Real cold.
And the week following next week the projections are currently projecting the possibility that we could get down near zero here in North Texas.
I think I need to check the anti-freeze in my vehicle.
Let us change the subject from freezing to food.
I must say the Avgolemono Soup I made for lunch turned out way better than I thought it would. Lemon soup? How could that be good I thought? My mom and dad shipped me an awful lot of lemons. I needed to come up with some good way to use some of them. A classic Greek soup was a classic good solution.
I got some good stuff at Town Talk today. A lot of Roma Tomatoes. And a humongous container of Gorgonzola. Anyone need some Gorgonzola?
At times I wonder if former Fort Wortherite, current Tacoman, MLK, is right when she opines that Town Talk has made me fat. However, today I did buy 2 bags of Guiltless Gourmet Blue Corn Chips, in addition to all that cheese. Then again, those Guiltless chips will likely end up having an awful lot of cheese melted on them.
It is truly a wonder I am not fatter.
Monday, January 3, 2011
2011 Tandy Hills Manly Men & Wild Women Hike
Yesterday I mentioned that it was a year ago yesterday that I went on my first Manly Men/Wild Women Hike on the Tandy Hills.
And that the Queen of Wink and Princess Annie came all the way from their West Texas realm to participate.
I was then informed by the Leader of the Manly Men, Don Young, that details of this year's Manly Men/Wild Women Hike would be forthcoming.
And so, those promised details came forth today.
This year's Forced March will occur on Saturday January 8, 2011.
At 10 AM.
The Hike will start from 3400 View Street. You know, the spot where the Prairie Fest takes place.
After the Hike, a group lunch, details to be announced, will take place.
I am a bit hazy regarding last year's group lunch. I seem to remember being some place in Arlington having lunch after the Manly Men/Wild Women Hike.
If you feel the need to RSVP your participation in one of Fort Worth's top annual events you may email Don Young.
Mr. Young is adding a bit of a teaser to this year's Manly Men/Wild Women announcement in that he is saying a side trip "might" be taken to the Witchey Tree of Tandy Hills. There have been some aspersions cast as to the legitimacy of Mr. Young's Witchey Tree Tale by some local skeptics.
I do not believe the well known Wild Woman of Woolley, Betty Jo Bouvier, will be able to make it to Fort Worth on January 8 to demonstrate her brand of Wild Womanliness.
I also do not believe Elsie Hotpepper will be able to hike the hills, even though she is pretty much the Wildest Woman I currently know.
I am fairly certain the Queen of Wink and Princess Annie will not be Wild Women this year. The Realm of Wink has been going through some regime change issues. There are some reports of a Queen Consort. And other reports that the Queen of Wink is in some sort of Eleanor of Aquitaine situation, kept under strict control, virtually under house arrest.
Anyway, the 2011 Tandy Hills Manly Man & Wild Women Hike is next Saturday.
And that the Queen of Wink and Princess Annie came all the way from their West Texas realm to participate.
I was then informed by the Leader of the Manly Men, Don Young, that details of this year's Manly Men/Wild Women Hike would be forthcoming.
And so, those promised details came forth today.
This year's Forced March will occur on Saturday January 8, 2011.
At 10 AM.
The Hike will start from 3400 View Street. You know, the spot where the Prairie Fest takes place.
After the Hike, a group lunch, details to be announced, will take place.
I am a bit hazy regarding last year's group lunch. I seem to remember being some place in Arlington having lunch after the Manly Men/Wild Women Hike.
If you feel the need to RSVP your participation in one of Fort Worth's top annual events you may email Don Young.
Mr. Young is adding a bit of a teaser to this year's Manly Men/Wild Women announcement in that he is saying a side trip "might" be taken to the Witchey Tree of Tandy Hills. There have been some aspersions cast as to the legitimacy of Mr. Young's Witchey Tree Tale by some local skeptics.
I do not believe the well known Wild Woman of Woolley, Betty Jo Bouvier, will be able to make it to Fort Worth on January 8 to demonstrate her brand of Wild Womanliness.
I also do not believe Elsie Hotpepper will be able to hike the hills, even though she is pretty much the Wildest Woman I currently know.
I am fairly certain the Queen of Wink and Princess Annie will not be Wild Women this year. The Realm of Wink has been going through some regime change issues. There are some reports of a Queen Consort. And other reports that the Queen of Wink is in some sort of Eleanor of Aquitaine situation, kept under strict control, virtually under house arrest.
Anyway, the 2011 Tandy Hills Manly Man & Wild Women Hike is next Saturday.
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