Incoming Arizona Photo From Spencer Jack's Girl Friend Brittney

Incoming, tonight, from Arizona, from Spencer Jack's girl friend, Brittney, confirming that Spencer Jack, on Day 3 of his Arizona visit, has met up with his Great Grandparental Units, also known as my mom and dad.

On the left we have Spencer Jack, then his dad, Jason, then Jason's dad, my brother, Jake, then my dad, Jack, then my mom.

I do not know where they are in Arizona. My best guess is all are at Spencer Jack's grandpa's place in Scottsdale.

I wish I was there. Then again, if I were, I would be missing inclement weather. Everyone knows I really like inclement weather...

FW Weekly's Liquid Power Got Me Thinking About The Tarrant Regional Water District Scandals

I am such a big fan of Texas politics, Texas elections and just about all things Texan.

On May 11 some voters who live in the Tarrant Regional Water District will be allowed to vote for TRWD board members.

The Tarrant Regional Water District, and this upcoming election, are classic examples of the Texas type things I find so interesting.

By interesting I mean bizarre and just plain wrong.

For example, only people who live in certain areas of the TRWD are allowed to vote.

If you live in Haltom City, with that town greatly effected by TRWD actions and in-actions, well you don't get to vote, even though things like flash floods flood through your town, killing people.

This week's FW Weekly has an article about this upcoming election, titled Liquid Power. The article is illustrated with a photo of Layla Caraway standing in front of a TRWD sign, with the caption saying, "Water activist Layla Caraway is among those wanting new leadership on the Tarrant Regional Water District board."

However, Layla Caraway lives in Haltom City, so this water activist will not be allowed to vote in this election.

It is very difficult to un-elect a TRWD board member. The process is sort of stacked in their favor, even to the point of arbitrarily adding a year to their 4 year terms. Imagine the uproar that would rear up if Barack Obama did that. But, in Texas, nary a peep.

The TRWD is being sued, currently, for being in violation, over and over and over again, of the Texas Open Meetings Act. This part of the TRWD scandals is also covered in the FW Weekly article.

The three people who hope to get elected to the TRWD are John Basham, Mary Kelleher, and Timothy Nold.

One paragraph in the FW Weekly article stood out to me....

The three like-minded challengers are not running on an anti-TRV message. That project is inevitable. The challengers characterize themselves as watchdogs ready to provide more transparency and steer the water district back to its original mission.

The TRV is inevitable?

For those reading this who are don't know what "TRV" in the above paragraph refers to, TRV is the Trinity River Vision. That being this really bizarre public works project the public has never voted on, a bizarre project which will remove flood control levees, which have worked well for over a half a century, replacing the levees with a humongous flood diversion channel, plus an ever shrinking lake, along with a wakeboard pond, drive-in movie theater, restaurants and other nonsensical things thrown in, all of which cause me to refer to the TRV as the Trinity River Vision Boondoggle.

Oh, and Fort Worth Congresswoman Kay Granger's unqualified for the job, son, J.D., was given the job of running the Trinity River Vision Boondoggle, which I suspect may be part of the reason the Vision has seen such bizarre things as the Cowtown Wakepark and the Woodshed Smokehouse. And that aforementioned, soon to open, drive-in movie theater.

The FW Weekly article mentions a San Antonio-like Riverwalk as part of the TRV Boondoggle. I may be wrong, but I think the Riverwalk left the Vision some time ago, along with those really cool signature bridges across the un-needed flood diversion channel, which will now be crossed by 3 not so cool, non-signature bridges.

I have been told that the 3 TRWD challengers are not running on an anti-TRV platform because most of the voters don't know what TRV is, and polls show that most of the voters, who do know what TRV is, think it is a super wonderful thing that will make the rest of the world even more Green With Envy when people think of one of the Greatest Cities in the World, that being Fort Worth.

Well, methinks perhaps, if the majority of the locals are ignorant regarding Fort Worth's latest, and likely, Greatest boondoggle, that being the Trinity River Vision, with its big price tag, with the money actually being spent on a dubious economic development project, propaganda-ized  as being a much needed flood control project, well, educating voters regarding the idea that it might be in their interest to un-elect the buffoons who initiated the un-voted for Trinity River Vision Boondoggle, might be a way to motivate voters to go to the effort to vote the scoundrels out.

But, what do I know? I'm just a cranky person who knows GOOFY when I see it.....

I Was An Angel Of Mercy Before I Walked Over Fort Worth's Fosdick Falls In Oakland Lake Park

Very early this morning, sometime around 4am, thunder boomed and rain poured down. This storm was of short duration, but of long enough duration that water fell in amounts sufficient to cause Fosdick Falls to still be roaring from water falling out of Fosdick Lake by the time I walked across Fosdick Dam, a short time before noon on this 3rd day of April.

Early April has brought a hint of a return of winter to my location in North Texas. As in the outer world at my location is currently being chilled to 47 degrees.

When I went swimming, this morning, the air was being chilled to 49 degrees. With the air chilled to 49 degrees the water in the pool was warmer than the air. Hence I had myself a real fine time in the pool this morning.

I suspect tomorrow morning's swim will have me back cycling between the hot tub and the pool due to the outer world being too cool for an extensive pool bout.

On my way to Oakland Lake Park I stopped at a Circle K to get gas. I talked to my mom yesterday, so I did not call my mom to tell her I got gas today.

An amusing incident occurred whilst I was getting gassed. Right after I swiped the debit card and entered the PIN I saw a generously sized, stylishly dressed, African American lady struggling with a big bag of stuff she'd bought at the Circle K. She opened the door of her cool looking car and got sort of pinned between the door and the bag.

I quickly zipped over to the lady and grabbed the bag. She did not see me coming, but was instantly relieved to find her struggle over. She looked at me and said, "Thank you Lord, you have sent me an Angel of Mercy."

What happened next is a little embarrassing to repeat. The lady looked at me, up close, and said, "Oh my God, you are so handsome. Just look at you. You're an angel."

More words were uttered about wanting to take me home or take my picture. The words were coming at me real fast, so I am a bit blurry remembering what was said.

Regarding the lady saying I was so handsome and an angel, I noticed that before she started her engine and drove away, she put on eyeglasses....

Spencer Jack Is Sliding In Arizona With Free Taco Bell Tacos

Photo confirmation from Spencer Jack's girl friend, Brittney, arrived this morning, confirming that Spencer Jack is now in Arizona having himself a mighty fine time, in water, in the Valley of the Sun.

I called my mom and dad on Easter but did not talk to them because at the point in time when I called my mom and dad were letting their answering machine pick up incoming calls.

I called my mom and dad this morning and this time my mom answered.

Apparently mom and dad were at church when I called on Easter. My mom seems to think I purposefully call when they are at church. I plead not guilty due to ignorance, on my part, of what time it is in Arizona when I call, what with the time zone difference and Arizona's not going along with the Daylight Savings Time concept, except for the part of Arizona that is north of the Grand Canyon.

Today my mom and dad have a full schedule, so they most likely won't be seeing Spencer Jack today. Apparently when a baseball team called the Razorbacks or Diamondbacks, or some other back, wins a baseball game by 6 points one can get oneself a free taco at Taco Bell. So, mom and dad are having dinner at Taco Bell tonight.

The Second Day Of April Expecting Wind, Rain, Hail & Thunder Booming

The weather predictors predicted that a Big Storm would roll into my current location sometime after midnight, last night.

No Big Storm rolled into my current location sometime after midnight, last night.

The weather predictors are now predicting that at some point in time, on this second day of April, there will be some storm action moving across the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex in the form of wind, rain, hail and lightning.

So far, this morning, there has been some slight drippage, no hail, no wind and no thunder booming.

When I went swimming this morning the outer world was heated well into the 60s. As the morning has progressed that outer world has chilled, currently no longer in the 60s at 59 degrees.

As you can see, via the photo taken a couple minutes ago, of the view from my patio viewing platform, of the pool and the sky above, it does appear that a storm is busy brewing.

I have not yet gone into batten down the hatches mode. My windows remain open.

I don't know if I will be going on a bumbershoot enabled walk today. Bumbershoots can be lightning rods.

A Happy April Fool's Day With Wildflowers & Turtles

This morning I was in Arlington, which is the town where the Village Creek Natural Historical Area is located.

Since I was in the neighborhood, and even though I'd biked with the Indian Ghosts on Easter, I decided to walk with them today.

As you can see, via the photo, the Village Creek Blue Bayou was looking particularly blue today. Blue and green. Swamp foliage appears to be over proliferating.

Today is the first day of April. Also known as April Fool's Day.

April Fool's Day is the holiday celebrated world-wide where one tries to fool people. Usually the fooling takes the form of making up some somewhat plausible story. For instance, every year, previously, since I've been writing this blog, on April Fool's Day, I make up some scenario that has me moving from Texas.

I saw something today that reminded me of the first time I drove from Washington to Texas. That being the wildflower you see below.

I believe this particular wildflower is called an Evening Primrose. I only saw one instance of this flower blooming today. Usually there would be a big patch of these wildflowers. Back in early May of 1998, when I drove to Texas to see if it was feasible to move here, south of Amarillo I began seeing delicate looking flowers. Eventually I stopped to check out these flowers close up.

Texas being so colorful, from wildflowers, was the first of many unexpected Texas surprises.

I don't remember if it was an unexpected Texas surprise to find out that so many turtles thrive at this location on the planet.

The Village Creek turtles were having themselves a mighty fine time basking under the sun today.

I went swimming early this morning. Methinks I may go for a rare afternoon swim and do some turtle-like sun basking.

If the weather predictors are correct with their predicting, some time around midnight tonight some heavy duty storming should begin banging, blowing and dropping water, with the banging, blowing and water dropping continuing through Tuesday's daylight hours.

A Happy Easter Village Creek Bike Ride

Those are my handlebars on the Village Creek Blue Bayou Overlook, looking over the Village Creek Blue Bayou on this last day of March of 2013, which also happens to be Easter.

A lot of people were in the Village Creek Natural Historical Area today getting exercise in various forms; biking, walking, roller blading, jogging, playing volleyball, soccer and sitting at picnic tables engaging in the endorphin inducing activity known as eating.

I called my mom and dad on the way to Village Creek to wish them a Happy Easter. At that point in time my parental units were not available, so I left a voice mail.

Earlier today I mentioned that I'd not heard from Spencer Jack's dad confirming that Spencer Jack was going to go to Phoenix to visit his great-grandparental units tomorrow.

Spencer Jack's dad read the blog and then emailed me to tell me that he had emailed me earlier in the week to tell me Spencer Jack was visiting Arizona, April 1 through April 6.

Changing the subject back to riding my bike.

I'd not been in bi-pedal mode for quite some time, not since an incident at Gateway Park where I saw something unseemly the likes of which I'd never seen before whilst on my bike. Or off my bike.

I was feeling real strong on wheels today, zipping up the inclines. I think I will be adding way more bike rides to my exercise mix.

Happy Easter

In my mailbox this Easter morning I found a "Happiest Easter Wishes!" card from my mom and dad.

Happy Easter, mom and dad.

If my information source is correct, with that information source being my favorite ex-sister-in-law, Spencer Jack's grandma, Spencer Jack should be arriving in Phoenix tomorrow.

I tried to confirm, with Spencer Jack's dad, that he was going to be in Phoenix tomorrow, but I got no confirmation.

I have not called my mom and dad since I learned that Spencer Jack was going to be in Phoenix tomorrow, to find out if my parental units were aware of this. My mom always tells me about any expected incoming visitors. The last time I talked to my mom there was no mention made of Spencer Jack's upcoming visit. An incoming aunt was mentioned, but no Spencer Jack.

I will make a Happy Easter call to my mom and dad later today. I suspect I will then be told that Spencer Jack is arriving tomorrow.

Changing the subject to something else.

I had myself a long swim this morning, with some slight drippage adding some water to the pool. The clouds looked as if they were about to deliver a downpour, but no downpour poured down. And now, a  couple hours later, the sky is mostly blue.

I have not been on my bike for well over a month. I think I will put an end to the lack of bike time today.

Periwinkles & Crayon Castles Pre-Easter Blooming At Fort Worth's Oakland Lake Park

A Crayon Castle has been erected in Oakland Lake Park since I last visited this location a week ago. There appeared to be one person trapped inside the Crayon Castle, bouncing up and down, as if trying to escape.

The number of people walking around Fosdick Lake was way above the norm. I suppose this may be caused by this being Easter weekend.

Tomorrow, on Easter, parks like Oakland Lake Park and River Legacy Park, in Arlington, will be seeing a lot of people having Easter BBQ picnics.

I remember last Easter going to Oakland Lake Park and seeing all the picnic tables being used, with some people bringing their own "furniture" to set up a home away from home.

At Oakland Lake Park the Easter picnickers do so with no running water available. Or restroom facilities. Unless one counts an outhouse as being a modern restroom facility. This in one of the Greatest Cities in the World.

Last year by the time I was done with my Easter walk around Fosdick Lake rain began to fall, putting a quick damper on all the Easter effort that multiple families had put into having themselves a fine time.

Today, in the vegetation that surround Fosdick Lake I saw my first non-yellow wildflower of the year. A colorful bluish purple bright wildflower who I think may be known as a Periwinkle.

After I had myself enough wildflower gazing I drove on to Town Talk where I had an interesting conversation with a guy in a Smart Car. That and I got 8 loaves of Ezekiel Bread, Orange Peppers, Rutabagas, Asian Pears and a lot of other good stuff.

So far, none of the predicted rain or lightning strikes has rained on or struck me at my location since this morning's 3 AM bursting flashes of light and big booms.

I suspect the current peace and quiet is only a temporary respite, with fresh booming and downpouring happening at some point in the coming hours.

A Thunder Booming Night Before Easter Looking For Chocolate Bunnies

Coming up on 11 in the morning on this next to last day of March the outer world, at my location, is currently heated to 64 degrees.

When I went swimming this morning, a little before 8, the outer world was chilled to 55 degrees.

Overnight a couple inches of water were added to the pool, courtesy of Mother Nature.

About 3 in the morning thunder started clapping and rain started pouring down. The thunder clapping and rain pouring did not last too long.

As you can see, via my computer based weather monitoring device, more sky-based electricity is being predicted for Today, Tomorrow and Monday.

Currently I am seeing no clouds that seem capable of generating electricity and loud booms.

Since it is Saturday, and I am a creature of habit, I will be going to Town Talk.

Before Town Talk, just like last Saturday, I will be walking around Fosdick Lake in Oakland Lake Park.

With tomorrow being Easter I'm thinking today should be an interesting day at Town Talk. I suspect a big box of chocolate bunnies may be in the warehouse....