On The Tandy Hills Witnessing The Eve Of Destruction & Getting Chased By A Panther

It is starting to seem like utter chaos every which way I turn. I'm starting to feel like I am sitting right on the edge of the eve of destruction.

Stenotrophomonas had forewarned me about the shocking sight I was to see today on top of Mount Tandy.

But, words can never prepare you for the eye witness experience.

Mother Nature may have had some hand in the destruction of the Original Tandy Hills Shrine.

But. I am almost 100% certain that Mother Nature does not steal golf balls.

I am thinking that maybe the Tandy Shrine is now an abstract free form piece of guerrilla art, rather than the more structured sculpture it was before falling victim, again, to vandals.

Further down Mount Tandy I found the mysterious long cable has now migrated from the base of Mount Tandy and is now sitting at the end of the trail that leads to the top and the Tandy Shrine.

As I neared Tandy Highway, today, and the end of my hike, dogs that live behind a tall cyclone fence, high up the hill, let off a cacophony of barking the likes of which I have seldom heard. One of the dogs was barking in that way that sounds as if was really scared, almost crying.

A prowling panther crossed my mind. I picked up a big rock and hurried on my way. When I got to Tandy Highway the barking was louder and almost seemed violent, with the crying dog now adding a whimpering aspect.

And then, totally suddenly, the barking and crying ceased.

I thought, either the panther got its prey and shut the dogs up. Or it sniffed fresh meat on its side of the cyclone fence. So, I made like a road runner, out of there.

Why Bother Caring That It Is Yet One More Sunny Day In Texas?

October 26 is starting out as another sunny day in Texas. Sunny does not match my current disposition, which is cranky.

I am in a heavy duty why bother mood.

I thought maybe going swimming would lift my spirits back to a more healthy state of mind.

It didn't

It was in the mid 50s when I hit the cool pool. But the cool pool was not as cool as the air temperature.

I swam for a very long time.

I just heard from Elsie Hotpepper, inquiring about tonight's Gala GASLAND affair. Why would Elsie consult with me as to what she should wear to something? That's just silly.

I learned this morning that Gar the Texan has made it safely back to Texas from his beer-fueled, wobbly jaunt all over Europe. It seems there are large parts of Gar the Texan's jaunt that are not well remembered, but documented with cell phone photos.

I must try and do something constructive now, but I don't know if I can, because to do so I'll need to be past this "Why Bother?" mood I am in.

GASLAND Tonight In Fort Worth With Josh Fox

Be at 217 E. Broadway in Fort Worth, tonight, for a Reception at Lander's Machine Shop Art Gallery, where you might meet me, Elsie Hotpepper and Josh Fox, the director of GASLAND the movie.

GASLAND will be shown at 7:00.

Never before seen footage, shot in Texas, will be screened.

There is an after the screening party which Josh Fox will attend and at which there will be snacks and beverages.

Hiking The Tandy Hills With A Fallen Shrine, Yellow Flags With Theodore John & Ruby Jean

Today I was shocked to find that Tandy Shrine II is yet one more victim of Saturday's wild, windy, wet storm. It appeared Mother Nature lifted the Shrine from its foundation and carried it about 30 feet. I probably should have rescued the Shrine from its watery grave, but that seemed like an awful lot of bother.

On the way to the Tandy Hills I drove west on Boca Raton and saw the wind damaged Woodstock Apartments. I don't know if has been determined if this was done by a tornado, or not. I saw several roofs ripped totally off.

Back to this morning and talking to my mom. I forgot to mention that mom told me the names of my incoming new relatives. Twins. I thought it was a pair of boys. But it is one of each variety. I'm not quite sure if, technically speaking, I will be these twin's uncle, with the twins being my nephew and niece. I'm sure, somewhere, there are rules and regulations and guides to determine such things.

What I do know is, according to my mom, the boy's name is Theodore John, with the girl being Ruby Jean. It might have been Rudy Jean.

Back to the Tandy Hills. The last time I hiked the hills I came upon a pair of very un-natural blue plastic flags stuck in the ground in the Natural Area. Today I saw several more, with these new flags being yellow.

Felt-penned in black on the flags is a number and the initial "TWU."

Texas Weather Underground? Texas Water Users? Texas Wesleyan University?

This is not the first time flags have mysteriously been planted on the Tandy Hills.

It was just about perfect hiking the hills today. A good wind blowing, temperature in the 80s. The hills mostly dried out from the Saturday deluge.

In Fat Fort Worth Texas With Durango Obese & Banning Cheese

Yes, it is true, as you can clearly see, I have put on a few pounds.

Am I happy about that? No.

Am I on a diet? Not really.

Am I considering getting lapband surgery? No.

Am I going to start getting more exercise? Like going on really long bike rides? No. Swim more? No. Hike more? No.

Will I lose the extra weight? Yes.

Will it take long to lose? No.

What am I doing to lose all the extra girth? I quit buying cheese at Town Talk.

Cheese is the source of all my blubber.

A really nice benefit of carrying extra heft is I no longer need a belt to hold up my cargo shorts or jeans.

I almost forgot to mention the actual reason I'm fessing up to being a fatty boy. I started yet one more blog. I don't know how this one is going to go. It may be a dud like my Roadtripping Blog. Or it may be a non-dud like this one you are reading now and my TV Blog.

The new blog is called DurangObese.

When I thought of the name, I thought it amusing. Now, not so much.

In Texas Working With A Dying Asian In Dubai To Build Orphanages

Every few days I get an email plea for help. With me getting millions of dollars if I help.

I like to be a helpful person. But how many more millions of dollars do I need?

It started off only being Nigerians that I'd help, but now the needy have spread all over the world.

With people in the wealthy nation of Dubai lately sending me a lot of needy pleas for help.

I wish I could reply in a positive ways to all these pleas, but I am being selective about helping. The pleas has to have a really high pathos level combined with a healthy dose of altruism in order to get me to accept those millions of dollars.

Like the plea I got this morning from Mr. John Lalwani, dying of cancer, wanting me to help make his dying wish of funding orphanages come true. Of course I will help with this one. I love helping orphans.

Below is John's plea for help....

My name is Mr. John Lalwani, a real estate agent in Dubai. Am Asian and am dying of cancer. I have been on medical treatment after which it was confirmed by my doctor that I have cancer in 2009. I want to donate the sum of 24.5 Million Dollars to you in which 80% will be for helping me achieve my final wish on Earth by funding orphanage homes, help the needy and widows of your choice. I saw a profile of you on the net. After praying to God to make you the one for this assignment, I decided to contact you.  I want you to respond back to me only through my personal email address lalwanijohn@yahoo.com.hk as soon as possible for more information if you are interested. 

God Bless You
Mr. John Lalwani

If you are an orphan in need of a home, let me know. I'll try and get you a place to live as soon as I get my money from John.

October 25 Mom Call Talking About Texas Tornadoes & Taos

It is the morning of October 25. You are looking out the bars of my patio prison at a nice clear semi-blue sky day in Texas.

I just got off the phone with my mom. No. I did not get gas. Mom called last night and left a voice mail. I did not hear the phone ring due to it charging due to Elsie Hotpepper talking to me til the battery went dead last night.

My mom and dad have an incoming aunt of mine arriving in Phoenix today at 3. Tomorrow they are heading to New Mexico, to Albuquerque, where all my dad's siblings, except my favorite aunt, will be.

I asked my mom why Albuquerque? She did not know. I asked why not Taos? Mom did not know anything about Taos. So, I told mom about Taos. They'd already planned on going to Santa Fe on their way back to Phoenix. Now Taos has been added.

The news of our Saturday tornado action had reached my mom. Which is why she called. I was surprised the news of my stolen bike had not reached Phoenix.

The pool was quite pleasant this morning. I see a Tandy Hill in my future today.