The Adventure Continues …

Still liking it here!

A lot is happening in what seems like a short time; however, when I look at the calendar I can hardly believe that it has been almost 7 months since we escaped from CrazyFornia on August 12, 2019. Since arriving here we have been to Annapolis, MD, to visit Victoria; Waco, TX, to visit with John; and San Antonia, TX, to visit with Jenny, Ryan and the grand kids. We are starting to feel at home here, connecting with the local fire chief, home owners association officers, ham radio club members, knitting group (Sue, not Larry), and others. Several Texans have invited us to dinner and we have graciously accepted, as part of our indoctrination experience.

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— Texas and 2A —

Both of us took the necessary training courses, applied for, and received our License To Carry (LTC) in Texas. Texas is a “shall issue” state; as well as an open / concealed carry state. Local businesses have some flexibility with proper signage to restrict; however, generally speaking, carrying open or concealed (with an LTC) is permitted in most places, including the state capitol in Austin and all public meetings.

Settling in …

We also updated the vehicle registration addresses, then followed up with new Texas driver licenses. With these updated documents, We filed the homestead exemption (similar to California’s homeowners exemption) as well as Larry’s senior citizen exemption for property taxes. The senior citizen exemption freezes the property taxes at today’s rate for qualifying old homeowners like me (Larry).

Next on the list was to get a specialty license plate for the pickup with Larry’s new vanity call sign. In Texas these plates are free, can be issued for up to three owned vehicles, but only on vehicles registered to the amateur radio operator and only if there is an amateur radio in the vehicle. Now, just waiting for them to arrive in the mail.

Keep Texas Red!

Now we are getting ready to vote in the Texas primary elections. Texas is, and has been a very red state; however it is in danger of being over-run by blues, so we are doing what we can to keep it red! Here one has to be not only registered to vote, but one must also show ID at the voting booth. Imagine that! ‘Ballot harvesting’ is prohibited, and vote by mail is restricted to voters with valid reasons why they cannot physically get to the polls. Even with these controls, voter fraud is likely in the larger cities like Dallas, San Antonio, Houston, and even Austin, the Capitol.

Up next — The Joys of Home Ownership (subtitled: Sometimes Renting is Better)