Meanwhile in Texoma........

Volkonski · #1001

Younger daughter and SIL have arranged for a rental van and moving service to move stuff into their new condo before we will get back to Texas.

They will get a very nice condo warming gift from us.

Maybenaut · #1002

Volkonski wrote: ↑Wed Aug 23, 2023 7:27 am Younger daughter and SIL have arranged for a rental van and moving service to move stuff into their new condo before we will get back to Texas.

They will get a very nice condo warming gift from us.

So you’ll be empty nesters in Texas once again?

It’s a wonderful feeling to be able to provide a spot for your kids in time of need - our daughter’s family stayed in our cabin for nine months when they moved back east. It was really great having them around so we could reconnect with the grandkids who are now teenagers.

Volkonski · #1003

No, younger daughter and family have been living in Dallas for some time.

We share a house in Wichita Falls with our older daughter and her husband.

Maybenaut · #1004

Volkonski wrote: ↑Wed Aug 23, 2023 11:30 am No, younger daughter and family have been living in Dallas for some time.

We share a house in Wichita Falls with our older daughter and her husband.

Ah. Enjoy your time with them

Volkonski · #1005

Adoption of son of our younger daughter and her husband became official yesterday.

No more hoops to jump through.

#1006

#1007

Volkonski wrote: ↑Fri Sep 29, 2023 3:28 pm Adoption of son of our younger daughter and her husband became official yesterday. No more hoops to jump through.

Maybenaut · #1008

Congrats, Grampy!

#1009

That might be the only really fun thing you can do in a court appearance.

#1010

HHHHHHOOOOOOOOORRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAYYYY!!!

Uninformed · #1011

Volkonski · #1012

As we get ready to return to Texoma the water levels continue to drop. Despite a fair amount of rain the high air temperatures have evaporated the water faster than the rain can replenish it. Good thing cooler weather is coming.

Volkonski · #1013

In Chambersburg PA heading to Knoxville TN this evening which is halfway.

#1014

Volkonski wrote: ↑Wed Oct 18, 2023 8:06 am In Chambersburg PA heading to Knoxville TN this evening which is halfway.

I'm gonna miss the North Fork. Did you leave earlier because Mrs. V didn't have any music obligations?

Volkonski · #1015

That and the living room gas stove needed repair but the repair guy couldn't come until November.

Maybenaut · #1016

Volkonski wrote: ↑Wed Oct 18, 2023 8:06 am In Chambersburg PA heading to Knoxville TN this evening which is halfway.

Wave to me as you travel down I-81 by exit 263 in New Market, VA. We’ll be just over the top of the mountain to your left.

Then wave to my brother as you travel I-40 west out of Knoxville. He’s in Farragut, at the extreme western edge of Knox County.

Volkonski · #1017

Back in Wichita Falls where the fall weather is a chilly 91F.

#1018

Welcome back. I hope the trip was a good one.

Volkonski · #1019

We have gotten our mail ballots for the November 7th election. Texas has 14 Propositions on the ballot! Going to take some studying to sort those out.

Was 91F Friday. Was 94F yesterday. Will be 90F today. Gotta love this cool Autumn weather.

Chance of rain Monday-Thursday. We need it. Lake levels continue to drop.

Volkonski · #1020

Lake levels are getting lower still but now we are having 2 days of rain which should help along with lower temperatures.

Volkonski · #1021

Yesterday morning Mrs. V and I worked our way thru the 14 Propositions on the November ballot. Then we searched online to figure out who the Democrat was among the 4 candidates for mayor since mayoral candidates aren't identified by party.

I suspect that many voters faced with a long ballot like this in an off year election just give up.

Of course the Proposition descriptions on the ballot are often misleading.

Volkonski · #1022

Prepping for unseasonable weather in Texoma

https://www.newschannel6now.com/2023/10 ... er-texoma/

A cold front is expected on October 28 could bring us down to the 30s, so now is the time to prepare.

Local experts share the steps you can take over the next few days can save your plants, pipes, and property.

While October might seem a bit early, we’re at the mercy of Mother Nature.

This weekend, she’s calling for much colder weather.

“That’s what we need to be cautious about and we need to plan for it because when it hits around Wichita Falls it hits overnight.” President of Brian’s Plumbing Brian Walser said.

Temperatures will drop 20 degrees from the average this time of year.

“We’re not prepared for it, we don’t even think about it even though we know it’s coming. Just be prepared, it seems like we’re starting early because it has been so hot lately, but it’s not. You know November and December are right here and were not ready.” Walser said.

You want to make sure to grab insulated barriers for faucets, spigots, and sprinklers.

Volkonski · #1023

https://www.newschannel6now.com/2023/10 ... ster-kids/

Our daughter's employer is holding a "Trunk or Treat" event in their parking lot for the foster children they serve on Friday.

Our daughter will be the popcorn lady, popping and serving fresh popcorn to the kids.

Carefully vetted folk will be handing out candy from the trunks of their decorated cars. There will be hotdogs and drinks, games and a bouncy house.

"Trunk or Treat" events are something new to me but they have become increasingly popular as a safer (no traffic, etc.) alternative to traditional Trick or Treating.

Some info on how Halloween has changed over the years-

Volkonski · #1024

Wichita County- The drug smuggling crossroads of Texoma.

Drugs in Wichita County making huge impact

https://www.newschannel6now.com/2023/10 ... ge-impact/

The impact that drugs have across the community of Wichita County is huge and the effort to prevent them from entering is non-stop.

US highways 287, 281, 82, and I-44 all run through North Texas which makes it a central hotspot for drug traffickers.

“Wichita Falls has four major highways that come through here. There is US-287, US-281, US-82, and I-44. Everywhere in North Texas from the Dallas metroplex and Fort Worth metroplex back to the panhandle can merge back up to this area and hit any main artery going in any direction across America,” Wichita County Sheriff, David Duke said.

The Wichita County Sheriff has made several large busts this year including four in just the past month with one being 55 pounds of methamphetamine valued at 2.5 million dollars.

“For different vehicles, what type of vehicles, different states or countries that they come from there are a lot of different variables in there that they can use to actually look and pick up information of the car itself,” Sheriff Duke said.

Fentanyl has seen a major influx in Wichita Falls. In 2022 alone, it was responsible for more than 20 deaths.

This year in Wichita County, the first-ever trial was held for someone who was connected to a fentanyl-related crime.

“My son was Kaysen Villarreal the 13-teen-year-old that passed away from fentanyl poisoning last September,” Assistant Director of Sober Living Inc. Brandi Melow said.

#1025

They do the trunk or treat here, too.