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.

Lou66 · Mar 29, 2014

I live within 8 blocks of 4 Buccee.. Here in Lake Jackson,, I use them sometimes,, they are cleaner than most places I've been to..
Country living,, I have 75A.. that is now almost down town Angleton.. with all the new roads.. new housing.. I will have the biggest yard in town.:laughing:. I will sale before long.. because that land will become to expensive to ranch.. Lou

jinman · Mar 29, 2014

mikim said:
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.

Mike, I still think your realtor was an Indian guide. How else could you find that place?

houstonscott · Mar 29, 2014

Lou66 said:
I live within 8 blocks of 4 Buccee.. Here in Lake Jackson,, I use them sometimes,, they are cleaner than most places I've been to.. Country living,, I have 75A.. that is now almost down town Angleton.. with all the new roads.. new housing.. I will have the biggest yard in town.:laughing:. I will sale before long.. because that land will become to expensive to ranch.. Lou

We loved going to that farmers market near you, forget it's name. Great veggies during summer. HS

Western · Mar 29, 2014

Lou66 said:
I live within 8 blocks of 4 Buccee.. Here in Lake Jackson,, I use them sometimes,, they are cleaner than most places I've been to..
Country living,, I have 75A.. that is now almost down town Angleton.. with all the new roads.. new housing.. I will have the biggest yard in town.:laughing:. I will sale before long.. because that land will become to expensive to ranch.. Lou

Yeah, but you have a golf course!!:thumbsup::laughing: Just have to bale it once every month or so.

robbyr · Mar 29, 2014

It's tough to think about moving at 75 so maybe 70, before muscle degeneration and eyesight start to go.

Dang, Txdon. I'm 48 and I think that has already started happening.

farmgirl19 · Mar 29, 2014

I have more than 20 acres, but even if I had 300, urban sprawl would be getting too close here now.

I guess that I do not have the fear of needing hospitals, etc. I hope when my time comes, I drop and no one finds me until I am really dead! I have a bigger fear of sitting around one day, wishing that I had done the things I wanted to do, when I could do them. The old saying, make good memories now, so you can enjoy reliving them later!

Or, as a friend of mine so often says, "The cost of not following your heart, is spending the rest of your life wishing that you had."

My original home town hasn't had a hospital in 30+ years. The hospital was converted to a nursing home, long ago. When I can no longer work the land, and do what is needed, then, IF I have the desire, I'll move back someplace closer to a metropolis. If I am lucky, I'll find someone else to help me work the land, and tend to livestock.

Maybe it is just all of the time I spend with my animals, but I have learned from the critters to live in the moment, and that it is quality of life, not quantity, for me and them. That philosophy might not fit everyone, but it is how I see things in my own life.

foreman Etexas · 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.

Been there couple times but it wasn't bad,use to go into the hunting store until they closed it. About time to make a trip to Stanley's

NativeSon · Mar 30, 2014

Have to go to Carrollton this morning. I'm not looking forward to the trip, but we're looking forward to seeing our New Grand Daughter, "Avery Jaye".

Denise was up late last night making Baked Ziti......Italians can't show up without bringing food. At least it looks like a pretty day for a drive, till we hit the Dallas Mess, starts about Terrell now.

Charlie

Bird · Mar 30, 2014

Charlie, at least the traffic shouldn't be as bad on Sunday as it is on weekdays. I'm sure you'll enjoy that granddaughter, and that's certainly an unusual and distinctive name. I've only personally known one "Avery" and that was my paternal grandfather, Avery Lund.

bindian · Mar 30, 2014

NativeSon said:
Have to go to Carrollton this morning. I'm not looking forward to the trip, but we're looking forward to seeing our New Grand Daughter, "Avery Jaye".

Denise was up late last night making Baked Ziti......Italians can't show up without bringing food. At least it looks like a pretty day for a drive, till we hit the Dallas Mess, starts about Terrell now.

Charlie

Congrats Charlie. How many Grandchildren does that make now?
hugs, Brandi