Texas Spring/Summer Thread

blueriver · Mar 28, 2014

I decided I wanted a drag harrow type of unit to put behind my disc .. So I built this .. The chains are adjustable so it also lifts with the disc .. I'll give it a run tomorrow

houstonscott · Mar 28, 2014

Got half inch of rain, a little hail here today. Still dry though, going to take a lot more to overcome 2011, 2012, 2013. Not starting off good either. HS

txdon · Mar 28, 2014

Got home just in time to be pelted with 5/8" size hail and .28" rain. I was just 1/2 mile from the garage, helpless feeling, I'll look for damage tomorrow.

robbyr · Mar 28, 2014

I live four miles east of the Bucees in Madisonville. I almost never go there although they do have a lot of interesting stuff. The store is clean. The main reason I don't go is its a madhouse. It wasn't that long ago that there were no red lights at the intersection of I-45 and Tx 21. The traffic is horrible. They don't advertise their gas prices but it's nearly always jam packed. Happened to stop at one in Waller couple weeks ago. It's a bigger store but nowhere near as many customers.

bindian · Mar 29, 2014

robbyr said:
I live four miles east of the Bucees in Madisonville. I almost never go there although they do have a lot of interesting stuff. The store is clean. The main reason I don't go is its a madhouse. It wasn't that long ago that there were no red lights at the intersection of I-45 and Tx 21. The traffic is horrible. They don't advertise their gas prices but it's nearly always jam packed. Happened to stop at one in Waller couple weeks ago. It's a bigger store but nowhere near as many customers.

I try not to stop at Buccees in Giddings. Lots of restrooms and lots of line for the restroom. It definitely is a madhouse.
I stop at the competitions next to Buccees.
hugs, Brandi

Buppies · Mar 29, 2014

farmgirl19 said:
Property within 3 miles of me now has been zoned commercial, even though it is county, not city. I breaks my heart to see this sort of "progress". When I moved here, it was RURAL. Then there was the mass exodus from the bigger cities to get away from it all and move to the country. Only problem was, they wanted all of their city amenities. That brought in traffic, shopping centers, a less than country friendly type atmosphere, etc. As much as I hate the thought, (and never would have considered it 10 years ago), I may have one more move in me. I know a couple of areas still rural enough that they don't even have their own schools! Sounds perfect for me! A trip to a larger area, every 2-3 weeks, and I would be happy! The rest of you can have the higher taxes, and increase in traffic.

We moved last time because to many rules. When we lived there from 1986 to 2007 it started out very private and rural, closest store one hour away then people moved in for they liked its rural setting but wanted street lights sidewalks trash pickup stores etc. then cows were not supposed to moo after 9:00PM no barking dogs, loud music,tractors running etc after 9:00PM. We got to where we did not enjoy living there so moved to 21 acres and hopefully can stay here. Understand where you're coming from

houstonscott · Mar 29, 2014

Yeah, all the same things that make an area good are the very things that make it bad. It's not hard to cross the line. HS

txdon · Mar 29, 2014

The question with moving out is when to move back in. When will you need the Doctors and hospitals to be closer than an hour away, when will you not be able to maintain your property, when will you not be able to drive 70mph. Luckily my 80+++ parents have me around, but If I also did not retire in the same vicinity they should have moved back in about 5 years ago. It's tough to think about moving at 75 so maybe 70, before muscle degeneration and eyesight start to go.

What are your long term plans to move back in, or get help with maintenance and driving?

blueriver · Mar 29, 2014

The secret to privacy ... Buy enough land !!!

mikim · Mar 29, 2014

Don - good points -- I'll be 70 when Trevor graduates H.S. so I'd like to stay out here 10 years after that. At that point I'll be looking at having kids that are near retirement and maybe joining us here or selling it all and use that money to buy into a nice retirement community of some sort. Hoping to stay away from needing assisted living for another 5-10 years after that. Bernice is 7 years younger so kinda hoping for her assistance.

FG - experienced the influx of people once before so this time I bought 20 acres in an area where I have the small lot...and the road looked more like a pasture track. Unfortunately the road got improved for the school bus because somebody with a kid moved in ....(me)...but otherwise it's still very much "boonies" and I see no way for it to change in the 20 years I hope to stay. It's 15 miles to shopping in any direction.