A group of eagles strayed from traditional nesting sites and built a nest in an old pecan tree just outside the town of Llano in the Texas Hill Country. We took a day off from Saturday chores and drove out to see them.

It was quite remarkable. Two were visible in the nest, and one was flying up and down the Llano River. I had never seen a bald eagle in the wild. They are graceful and majestic at the same time.

We spent a couple of hours watching eagles, and then realized we were all starving. Someone recommended a restaurant called Acme Dry Goods. It is in the same building on the town square that for years housed the old dry goods store. It has now been converted into a sandwich shop.

The owners are doing a nice job with antiques and signage to create a unique atmosphere. The As found more to eat on the menu than I did. I finally settled on a bowl of chili and a salad. The salad was very good - a mixture of greens and no iceburg lettuce. I forgot to say "no cheese" on the chili, but a sprinkle of cheese doesn't usually give me trouble in a restaurant.

The chili tasted good, but there was something about the texture that made me suspicious that it had not been made with all natural ingredients the way I make my chili at home. Now, three hours later, I know there were multiple avoids in the chili. I'm burping a lot. When I ordered, I didn't consider how many ingredients detrimental to Os can be hidden in chili - ingredients like pork and corn meal.



Two years ago I would have had no clue why I felt bad. I would have taken an antacid and wrongly concluded that I was getting too old for spicy food. Today I've already taken bladderwrack and DGL licorice. I'll make sure to have an extra-beneficial dinner. Tomorrow my stomach will feel fine again.

I come away from today's adventure with two memories. One - I remember how bad I felt before the BTD when my stomach was inflamed most of the time. Two - I can close my eyes and see an eagle flying high in the sky.