Thursday, April 15, 2010

Beer Cans And Pine Cones...!


That's just a little of the "compost" left on the garden spot behind my Mom's house.

Now, contrary to popular belief, neither one of these things will make a good compost...at least not in my lifetime. Just thought I would throw that out there in case you are considering such a thing.

Oh, and by the way...I was NOT the one to leave this odd mixture on the said garden spot!

While taking the beltway to the V.A. yesterday, I couldn't help but wonder about some things. Everywhere you look around the once empty fields along the beltway, someone is building more apartments! I'm talking about 3 and 4 story apartment buildings here!

My main question is WHY...?

Why would anyone in their right mind want to live here in Houston? Is it because of the really tight job market? Maybe the really diverse mix of populace? Is it to learn another language other than English? Is it to afford themselves the adrenaline rush that comes from driving on the freeways? Or perhaps just to be able to partake in the almost daily gunfights around different parts of town...who knows?

I, for one, if I had a choice, would move to another place! Far away from the petro-chemical plants, the ship channel, the 3RD largest port in the states, the close proximity to the hurricane alley located around the nearby Texas coast, and the many other fun things associated with this area!

But that's just me! And I know that I don't have the same likes and dislikes as everyone else!

So, for those thinking of moving here to this area...come on down! They are building an apartment or a new house just for you. The paper said that home loans are easy to get right now...so it must be true, RIGHT?

All I can say is...GOOD LUCK!

Now, my friends, let's get some coffee and sit outside for a bit. Oh, and just move that saddle out of the way! It's for the 'skeeters!

17 comments:

Catman said...

I have a good idea of who was responsible for the beer cans and pine cones. LOL!

I haven't figured it out, Jim. Here in Cali, they've started building single family homes in new developments again. EVEN though there are developments that have unsold homes that have been there for over two years (some still uncompleted), not to mention all the empty foreclosed homes.

Something ain't right. I suspect we're going to be seeing many new "vecinas" if Obama gets his way with immigration. Maybe that's why they're building. 5,000,000 new people in the first year will need somewhere to live on your tax dollar.

HermitJim said...

Hey Catman...
Probably right, my man! Gotta make some new classy places to start some more colonies, I guess!

Lord only knows what's going on for sure. If the truth be known...we probably don't want to know!

I reckon we'll at least be able to watch our tax dollars at work...even if it's for someone else!

hey, thanks for coming by today!

The cottage by the Cranelake said...

I moved away from my old home town for much the same reasons. Today it´s a town filled with ganfights and even if they "just" wants to eradicate each other other people risks to get killed too!

Even though the town is just by the ocean the air is one of the worst in the country and all that stress!!

Thankfully the house prices were very low when I bought my cottage and I could get a job here in the country side :-) :-) (well the prices are still rather low here, but the work situation is a bit worse nowdays)
Have a great day now!
Christer.

Momlady said...

I think I know who left the "compost" pile.
There are plenty of places here on the market if you ever think you might want to move this way instead of Missouri. As for the 'skeeters, I think Alaska has you beat on that.
Enjoying the coffee and have plenty of bug spray.

Ben in Texas said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Ben in Texas said...

Morning Sir, ( yes, I deleted my first comment, try this again)
Morning Sir . You description of Houston is exactly the reason we left there back in 1983 for the wide open spaces of Alpine Texas.Never considered for a minute moving back , or even to another large town!!

Anonymous said...

We vacation in Houston many times just for the sights and shopping - really enjoy that Trader's Village on North side of I10. But living there full time - no, I'll pass on that, thanks.

If you have to stay near the Houston area (close to family - friends), Victoria which is about 1 1/2 hours southwest of Houston on US59 might be worthwhile. Or one of the many small towns between there and Houston.

Caddie said...

Why do you not have a choice, Hermit Jim?

I believe as long as my heart is beating I'll have choice and thus the reason for getting away from the city, although it is only about 60k.
The peace, solitude and no irritable neighbors is such a blessing. Come on up and find it yourself.
I don't think today I could tolerate trying to visit Houston. Whew! And we taxpayers better ready our noses tighter to the grindstone - 5,000,000. Everything sure is in a mess - the daily dose. It scares the hell out of most people...maybe that's the point of it all.

HermitJim said...

Hey Christer...
Nice thing about being retired...I am not worried about finding work.

My Mom's health is the only thing keeping me here right now. But things will get better! Looks like you got out just in time!

Thanks, buddy, for coming by today!


Hey Momlady...
I'll bet you can, too! I've heard that the 'skeeters in Alaska are pretty big! I don't really want to find out for myself...I'll just take your word for it!

I've considered looking at some land in Georgia. Beautiful state! Folks are pretty friendly7, also!

Hey, thanks for coming by today!


Hey Ben...
I was living in East Texas when I moved back to Houston...and that was supposed to be for a short term while I was in the V.A.

So, here I am after 9 years...still locked in. Alpine is a pretty town and the whole area is beautiful to me!

Thanks, my friend, for coming by today!


Hey Anon 7:12...
Houston is like the old saying "Nice place to visit, but I don't want to live there!"

There is certainly a lot to do and great shopping, if you like that sort of thing.

I think I'll eventually get gone again...just a matter of time.

Thanks so much for coming by today!


Hey Sissy...
Tennessee is for sure a pretty place! I found some land there with waterfalls on the property! What a great looking picture that would make! I could see a little cabin there, where I could here the water!

I really appreciate the visit today!

JoJo said...

Good Mornin My Special One,
Beer cans and pine cones,hmmmm I bet I know where the beer cans came from too. Pine cones I don't about them, But if you have a bon fire they sure do burn good.
I know you will be able to live your dream someday. You have the drive. We have to do what we have to do first. :)
Now for some great coffee and a story about this saddle and skeeters.
HUGS

HermitJim said...

Hey JoJo...
We'll get there sooner or later! Is the weather holding up for you? Hope that it stays nice in your area for a bit!

Come on out for some coffee and story telling, sweetie!

Mechanic in Illinois said...

Alot of us don't move because of our handmaidens. There's two kinds of married men,the one's that their wife is the boss,the others are liars. If it wasn't for my wife,I would be out of central Illinois in a heart beat. I would probably go to either eastern Kentucky or Tennessee. Thanks for another great lesson.

HermitJim said...

Hey Mechanic...
I hear ya on that I was in the married position before...and I know what you mean!

Sometimes we just have to do what we have to, in order to preserve peace on the home front!

Lord, I'm glad I'm single...!

Hey, thanks for coming by today, my friend!

Bob Mc said...

Humans are funny critters. Few have real hermit ways. Most like to flock together like birds of a feather. The same reason some people like to camp in a KOA campground, shoulder to shoulder with other campers, and with a convenience store on the grounds, instead of heading for the outback where they only have birds and 4 legged critters for company. They want to get away from it all, but they don’t want to get away from EVERYTHING. Some people are trapped in cities due to the circumstances of making a living. Others wouldn’t have it any other way. A sometimes internet buddy comes to mind. He has been a city boy all his life; living in an apartment. Doesn’t even own a car. He is within walking distance of everything he needs. Put him out in the country and he would be a basket case within a month!

Personally I quit the rat race 34 years ago, almost to the day. I lived in a city once, and can’t even stand a small town today. I hate to even go shopping, but I limit that to once every month or two. I hope they fill those apartment buildings up with people. Keep them there in the cities where they won’t interfere with my peace and quite in the country.

Selous Scout said...

I only drink from bottles (unless someone else buys) so it wasn't me that left them! Maybe the new housing is for our Chinese masters. Perhaps soon, we may all be toiling on the farms growing food for them as they are in some african nations!

(more coffee please!)

HermitJim said...

Hey Bob...
I think your choice was a wise one, indeed! For some reason the song "Don't6 fence me in" keeps coming to mind!

Hey, thanks for the visit today!


Hey Scout...
Hadn't thought about the Chinese thing ! That could indeed be the answer!

I do appreciate you coming by today!

Kyddryn said...

Hey, Mister Hermit, sir? We have a spare room at Casa de Crazy. I'm just sayin'. I bet the beer cans were from the cats. Crazy boys, out partyin' all night, didn't think the evidence would be discovered. Hah!

Shade and Sweetwater,
K