Monday, July 4, 2022

Happy 246, Y'All!

 Well, Campers, it's the 246th anniversary of a moment when the people in this country got fed up with their rulers and told them to piss off!  Then made it happen!

Were I in a governmental position these days, I think I'd give that event some serious thought as I went about my job.

I'd also think about something I (and an awful lot of others) once said "I, juvat, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God."

Just sayin'. Those two words right before the first semicolon have meaning.

'Nough politics, turns my stomach it does.

 Happy Independence Day, America! 

So...juvat, how was your week?  Last week's post mentioned some desirable goals to accomplish this week.  How'd it go?

Well, Sarge...It started out well, then I was presented with an opportunity to practice something I'd learned 44 years ago in pilot training.*

So, there I was...** All set up on the cabin's front porch with Chop Saw, Pocket Hole Jig, two fully charged drill batteries, bits and other things to screw with . (Beans! Mind outta the gutter right now!).  I've just made the first piece and taken it into the cabin to check the fit.


Perfect Fit! You know the gods are gonna punish me for the hubris, right?

Take it back outside, drill the pocket holes in it, then cut the two cross supports that will go at 90 degrees to this piece.  In addition I cut the two risers that will go on the opposite end of this piece and provide the support for the top piece that covers the rest of the water softener hardware.  I'm doing this on the front porch to minimize the sawdust inside the cabin.  

Now the cabin's front porch is about 3' off the ground.  Which almost makes it a decent workbench.  I have to bend over a bit to make it work, but it's not too bad.  I cut the two risers and the two cross pieces. Step up onto the porch, pick them up and start looking at them as I'm begin walking to the door.

The entirety of my brainpower is invested in making sure that the two riser pieces are exactly the same length.  Little did I realize that my right foot was actively tracking the cinder block I had used to support the 2 x 4 I had just cut.  The impact was startling and my center of gravity significantly altered.  (Beans, that's flying talk for falling.)

As my body was being pulled by gravity towards the Earth's core, I realized that if I fell off the porch, that extra 3' might just be enough to cause my head to be the first thing to hit the ground.

I was reasonably certain I wouldn't like that result.  I bent at the waist and rolled my torso towards the cabin so it wouldn't go off the side.  That worked! I stayed on the porch. But, I'd forgotten I usually have something in that pocket.

My leg, hip and then shoulder hit the porch pretty hard.

My pocket knife didn't absorb much of the shock. In fact, I think it had an additive power.  I have a nice, knife shaped bruise on my hip.  No, I'm not going to post a picture, You may thank me at your leisure.


I might have uttered a bad word or two at that point.  Didn't move for a moment or two.  Then started the check list.  Head?  No pain, moves fine.  Neck? Same.  Arms, Back, Toes, Feet, Knees?  All same.  Hip?  Seems OK.  Alrighty then... let's try and get up.  Hmm  Right leg doesn't seem to be taking any pushing orders.  So I pull myself into one of the patio chairs and sit there for a while.

Feeling was starting to come back to my leg, but not the good kind.  Sat there a bit longer and could now move the leg and but not put weight on it.  A while later, I could move it and even put weight on it.  It just hurt quite a bit when I did.   Went home and had Mrs. J have a look.  She did and said it was unlikely anything was broken (except for my pride) and prescribed Ice and taking weight off it.  

No argument there.

So, while it is better now, it still aches, and the only time it hurts is when I try and stand up.  Which means my upper body strength is improving since I must use that to lift myself into position.  

But, I dodged a pretty big bullet. In answer to your question, Sarge? No further progress has been made on the cabin project.  The cut boards are in our garage and we're now awaiting our next multi-day vacancy to complete.

On a happier note, we've just received travel arrangements for LJW/DIL and Youngest Granddaughter to be.  They'll be arriving in a little over 2 weeks.  Due date is still the last week in October.  We're very excited.

Off Subject, but has this been a terrific week or two vis a vis the Supreme Court or WHAT?

Powerline's regular "This week in Picture's" is my normal Saturday "Must Read".  This week was no exception, and the following was voted "Best Internet Meme in Forever!" by me!

Took me a minute, but....SPOT On!

* What I executed was called a parachute landing fall, the transfer of the energy of hitting the earth to a larger portion of your body where it dissipates minimizing your risk of injury.  I didn't realize I'd done that until afterward and was awed that the training was that deep in my brain.  Thanks Sergeant whoever you are, well done!

**  A Fairy Tale begins with "Once upon a time" and a War Story begins with "So, there I was" 

 

***Per STxAR request.  '51 Red Pickup.  Pretty sure it isn't Cletus's as I started having phone problems shortly after this one came through.


 

61 comments:

  1. Looks like those fighter pilot reflexes paid off to prevent serious injury. Good to know you're gonna still be around to keep us updated on your projects. :-)
    FWIW, like you, I can still perform a proper PLF 41 years after Airborne training. Amazing how much motivation those Airborne NCO instructors could instill in a trainee...

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    1. Barry,
      Wish the Fighter Pilot Situational Awareness would have been better and issued the order to raise the right foot about 6", but...Yep. Fortunately, my interaction with NCO's was pretty much always positive. There were some however...Pretty much like everything else in the world. Good and Bad. But thanks to those of you that wore the stripes.

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  2. A Sea Story begins, This Is No Schiesse!

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    Replies
    1. I'd always heard that. And I do have a bit of time at sea and at staffs commanded by USN Stars. So, Maybe I'll update the SJC label. If Sarge approves, of course.

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    2. StB is usually pretty quick on the quip. One must rise early to beat him to the keyboard.

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    3. That's how a sea story starts!

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    4. But a Pirate Sea Story starts with "ARRRRRGGGGHHHH, Matey!"

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  3. Juvat, old Sergeants teachings and sayings are sometimes remembered fondly as we mature, although when taught at a younger age we took them with a grain of salt.
    Glad you made the drop without major injury. Just as info., across from "our" ENT's office are some good bone and joint guys...I highly recommend them as I had a bone on bone knee experience about 3 months ago...cartlidge must'a slipped back in place as all is well currently.
    Today we'll celebrate the 4th of July by driving the 51 Chev'y Pickup in the Fredericksburg parade, cooled by the winds of single digit speed wafting through the open windows (2) and side/hood vents. Later activities are planned to include sipping ice tea and eating cold watermelon while sitting on the back porch and watching the wildlife shade up under whatever shade they can find. I'm sure that during the very quiet moments I'll reflect on how the dismal leadership messes in D.C. came about, and what one man can do about it.
    Best regards to all and Happy Independence Day!
    Cletus Valvecore

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    Replies
    1. Cletus Valvecore needs to use spell check more frequently...cartilage.
      Cletus

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    2. Every dumb valve related pun started popping up in my head. I'll do my best to LASH them back down. Happy Independence Day!

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    3. Cletus,
      We'll be sitting across the street from FBG Winery by a Blue Transit. Looking for you.

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    4. Cletus, Sorry. Yeah, I'm VERY familiar with the Joint Doc. Last visit he said "no more repairs, next time we replace" . Trying hard not to revisit him. But that was one of my big concerns as I sat there waiting to be able to move again.

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    5. STxAR,
      I thought of a few of those myself.

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    6. Juvat, didn't get the reply regarding FBG Winery till I got back...we were a solid red 51 Chev. 5 Window with US & Texas Flags flying.
      Sorry I missed you.
      Don't blame you regarding the revist...too many stories from friends who have gone the replace route.
      Cletus

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    7. Saw you! You were the second Red 51 pickup weren't you? I was the guy wearing the blue T-shirt with a Bacon saying on it and a white straw fedora. You were looking my way so you might have seen me.

      Nice truck, BTW! Very nice.

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    8. STxAR,
      You'd have liked his truck. Very nice!

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    9. Juvat, I did see you even though I missed your reply to my comment eariler. My thought was, the Bacon statement represents my kind of people!
      Cletus

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    10. For the Record the T-Shirt says
      "That's too much Bacon!"

      Said no one
      Ever!

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    11. Bubble trucks are really cool. Back when style mattered. I'd love to have seen the '51... I still remember how to change canister oil filters, maybe I can be on the pit crew someday!!! She still have a flat head six?

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    12. STxAR, Ask and you shall receive. Added at the very end.

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    13. StxAR, she does....216.5 screaming cubic inches, babbit bearings. Drives well, but I try to keep at 55 mph max. Have a 235 on standby if needed, but rather stay as original as possible. Juvat, didn't catch all of the statement, but when I see the word Bacon or smell bacon being fried, I'm in big time.

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    14. Juvat, just saw the picture you added and that is my....oooooppppps "our" 51 Chev. At this point my left leg was about to give out from riding the clutch to keep from running over the folks in front of us at idle...truck has a strong clutch spring. Juvat, I'm posting this through my gmail address, so if you can pick the gmail address up using the blog tools, let me know as I'd like to send you the finger 4 picture of the Con...uhhh Commemorative AF Formation Flying Clinic privately. I'eve been unable to find a way to successfully post it for you to pick up on line
      Cletus

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    15. Cletus, send it to juvat1980 at gmail. I'll get it and send you a better address to reach me. The spambots are all over that one.

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    16. Done.
      Cletus

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  4. I did one of those tuck and rolls coming out of the tub once upon a time. The floor was cleaner after I was done, so it was back in the wash for me. Head injuries are right out. Not giving permission for anyone to have one of those. I'll shoot you a picture of a device called a "saw horse". They are pretty cool, very helpful for working on site. You might even consider lashing together a tailgate workstation for cabin projects. I think we're both pushing the porch envelope at our advanced maturity. Happy Independence Day!!!

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    1. STxAR,
      Saw Horse? Now there's a concept! I was trying to minimize logistics as I figured it would only be a dozen cuts or so. Lesson Learned. And some lessons are learned more painfully than others. I can stand up ok now, but the leg still aches a bit and I'm not ready for any kind of work on the lower regions of the project yet. But the cabins are occupied now, so pretty much a moot point.

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  5. I don't like ladder work, and about a year ago some outside ladder work involved encountering some angry stinging insects, I thought I was at the bottom of the ladder when I ejected but I missed being there by about two rungs.
    I laid there for a short time doing the exact checklist you described and ended up with only some bruises.
    The ladder job is not yet done.
    Amazon provided the beekeeper's gear, but Amazon did not send along the motivation to climb the ladder and do the work.
    More than one person has being killed by a ground level fall, and I'm thankful that you are OK.

    I think more and more about those two words before the semicolon.

    John

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    1. JiP, Had my fall from a ladder, early on. Painting houses during the summer while in college. Not really a big fan of ladder work anymore either.

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  6. Uh, that's not what they mean by "falling on your sword ..."

    Just kidding, glad you're okay. Now let's be careful out there!

    None of us are getting any younger.

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  7. Juvat, had a similar experience. I was coming down a ladder at the rabbit shelter when the cross arms of the ladder failed. I was about the same height, 3', above a concrete floor. In my case it was martial arts training but the result was the same: tuck the head and roll on my shoulder. There was a brief moment where I honestly thing my shoulder started to separate, but it pulled back in. Weeks of not being able to get my left arm much to the side of my head, but lived to tell the tale.

    Happy 246th indeed.

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    Replies
    1. THBB,
      Yeah, I can get around, but it still lets me know it's not happy with me. But...Some lessons need to be learned the hard way.

      On a separate note, the wine cruise has been authorized by the cruise line, Mrs. J will be emailing details shortly.

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  8. Glad you're OK. Falls are not good for experienced humans. I was struggling with ice on my (steep) driveway months ago, and slipped and fell several times. Ouch. Saw a neighbor the next day, who d seen that, and said that I fell like his toddler grandson;, it was like I'd just bounced off the ground. I had noticed that, and don't know if it was the weight loss, taiji, or USMC training.

    Ladders, I do not like ladders. I don't know why. I don't remember any falls from them (I remember several by others long after I became afraid.) I'm more comfortable flying at an altitude of six feet in an airplane than six feet off the ground on a ladder.

    Work safe, Stay safe!

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    1. HTom,
      I've got similar attitudes towards ladders. I really don't like the ones that lean on something. I'm slightly more comfortable on 4 legged ones. But you're right about airplanes and ladders.

      "Experienced Humans" I like that, gonna add it to my vocabulary. Thanks

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    2. HTom, I have the same experience. Unsteady surfaces not that high up are far more disconcerting and alarming to me than something like an airplane much farther up.

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    3. TB. I think you've nailed it. I used to say that I was afraid of heights, but neither air travel, nor stepping out onto the now gone part of the World Trade Centers Observation Deck where you can look down through a clear floor ever bothered me.
      I now think it's not the height, it's what you said about unsteady surfaces.
      Going out on a limb, (snort) I would say I am more sensitive to situations that I perceive as an increased chance of falling. ("sensitive" covers the range from frightened to terrified.)

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    4. JIP, Sensitive is the right word in those situations. I don't think most people realize that the Male use of the word is much different than the Female use.
      Don't tell Mrs. J that though. I might get a bit sensitive.

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    5. htom-- I have a one word recommendation for you regarding walking on steep/slippery outdoor surfaces: YakTrax. Cost about $30. Worth every penny to prevent hitting the ground. Trust me on this!! Everyone who has winter should own a pair. Even ya'll who live south of the Mason-Dixon line as you seem to get more ice then those of us "up North".

      Suz

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    6. Suz,
      Not a bad idea. It snows occasionally down here, but it's usually gone by lunch. But, Ice lasts for a long time. found them on Amazon for less than $20. You don't need 'em til ya need 'em, then you need 'em BAD!
      Thanks for the Rec.

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    7. Suz,
      Thanks for the good advice and info on what to expect. Had the Primary Care scheduled visit today. Pretty sure he read your post comments in what he advised and did. He didn't think there was anything seriously wrong that time and ice packs wouldn't help. He did check for hematomas but didn't find any. So I've got that going for me. Thanks again.

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  9. Glad your OK Juvat. Reminds me of my 1st motorcycle accident. Doing 90, wiped out (short version) landed on the ubiquitous Buck 110 folder and had a bruise on my right hip for months.
    Happy 246th may we see 247

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    1. Anon,
      Glad you're ok. AAR of the parade will be my next post. Two things happened that were very reassuring..

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  10. Owie... And yes, knives DO leave a bruise... Happy Independence Day!!!

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    1. Thanks, OldNFO. Due to the drought, the county cancelled fireworks, but the parade was fun. Hope your Independence Day went well also.

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  11. Yep, we don't bounce nearly as well as we did when we were younger.

    I did the ladder misstep a few days ago when I was on the second rung but thought I was on the first. Twisted a little but didn't fall.

    About a year and a half ago, my toe found the edge of the 5" step up on the sidewalk going into work one morning. I fell face first and hit the wall of the building head first. Knocked me out for several minutes. I came to and started the above checklist, concerned that there might have been a neck injury. Thankfully no neck injury or concussion. My face looked like I had the crap beaten out of me and my glassed were heavily damaged. The wall won. After a trip to the emergency room, I finished out the day at work. Sometimes it pays to be hard headed.

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    1. FF,
      No we don't, do we?
      Several minutes? and nobody saw you? That could have been REALLY bad. But, you did have the right to say "You shoulda seen the OTHER guy!"
      Glad things worked out ok.

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  12. Juvat, thank goodness you tucked in and didn't break anything! Reading all these comments made me laugh a little, and cringe a lot! I fell last October rushing to meet my Uber to the airport. Face down on a tile floor! Bled all the way to the airport. Got great service there, ice pack and wheelchair straight thru security and onto the plane. I don't recommend. My first concern was for my new right knee, which was undamaged! Had it replaced in August 2020. The first month post-op was brutal, but after that I recovered well. I'm witing for the left knee to get bad enough to be replaced. I love my new right knee! Don't hesitate when it's time to get yours done!

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    1. Mary,
      I don't think I'd have been able to avoid saying "Man! Getting through TSA is brutal these days!" (Once I got on the airplane of course.) Glad things worked out for you and you actually got treated well.
      I think the Knee Replacement is inevitable and when the Doc says it's time, I'll probably do it as quickly as possible. Just not looking forward to that time. However, Thanks, it's good to hear a success story once in a while.

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  13. Don't be surprised if you aren't VERY sore tomorrow--2-3 days after are usually the worst. Apply ice x 20-30 min every 3hours the first 24-48 hours day after injury, and then use a heating pad--on for 20-30 min x every 4-5 hours. DO NOT GO TO SLEEP WITH THE HEAT ON!!! You will make it worse. And could cause a burn on an already bruised area. Just don't do it!! And go easy with the ibuprofin--take with LOTS of water and a snack...or, if not allowed because of coagulation issues, take some tylenol to help with the pain.

    And if you aren't feeling a bit better every day, go see your favorite primary care provider person, sooner rather than later. No insult to Mrs J, but I'm willing to bet her x-ray vision glasses are "in the shop"....just saying...
    You are lucky you didn't break a hip!!
    Be careful!!!
    Ok, I'll quit yelling at the 'puter now ;)

    Suz

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    1. Suz, Thanks,
      I have been feeling better each day. I've got a regularly scheduled Primary Care visit for late next week, that unless something goes south should be soon enough. But, Yes, Ma'am, if that changes. I'll head in.
      Breaking something was very much on my mind as I was falling. It was kinda weird, in one sense it seemed time slowed, and I processed a lot of thoughts. Yet between losing balance and impact was milliseconds. or seemed that way.
      I also thanked my Guardian Angel several times for his help. But told him "No, you can't go on vacation!"

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  14. I'm also getting less confident in my balance on narrow beams and ladders. Sympathies on the fall, glad you seem OK. Had a similar experience about 2 years ago - was out for a walk in the neighborhood, the roads had just had new asphalt applied so the road surface was about three inches above the adjacent yards. Going up a slight incline, a really nice looking pileated woodpecker flew by, and I turned to look at it without stopping my legs. I stepped halfway off the road edge and turned my ankle, pitching me forward and to the left. I rolled onto my side square on my left thigh, which was good and bad. Good that I avoided a face plant. Bad that I had a metal flashlight in my left front pocket and fell directly on it. I did the same systems check that you describe, since it really hurt, and I thought I might have broken my femur. Gradually was able to move a bit and get to my feet and limp the half mile back to the house. Nothing broken and no immediate bruising. In fact no real surface bruising at all. But goodness, what a deep bruise I had. The impact, coupled with me being on blood thinners, caused a big hematoma under the top layer of muscle, which came to the surface on my lower thigh and around my knee, remote from the impact site.

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  15. Tom,
    Glad you mentioned blood thinners, that would explain the residual pain inside the leg. I'm gonna bring that up with the Doc tomorrow. Thanks.

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    1. The Doc said he couldn't feel any hematomas in my legs, just a bruised thigh and a bit of swelling. So that's good news. But it was good info to have and check on. So...Thanks

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  16. Juvat: You gotta practice your landings!

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    1. Heck, Proof, I STUCK that one. I think the Russian Judge gave me a 10.

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  17. Hey Juvat, love that meme. Been scarce 'round here recently- COVID for me, then I shared to MBW, then our daughter.

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    1. Tuna,
      I was getting a tad concerned with you NORDO for so long. I trust you and your's are better or at least getting there?

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    2. Wife and I are recovered- daughter has it stubbornly, but mild.

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  18. I’m late for this party but I’m going to share anyway.
    Week ago and more on last Saturday of June I was Car packed and loaded for road trip to visit wheat harvest country and see mother in law for 90th birthday. The Mrs had been after me to replace old kitchen window blinds. New blinds have been bought and lying around for more n a week, sheesh. So I learned an important 65 years lesson.
    *All of my ladders are for my children to use when they are here.*
    I fell backwards while perching amongst kitchen step stool and kitchen sink. Rather than fall straight back and risk spine or pelvis damage I did a midair twist to the right and made a soft bounce on hard floor with a half slab of my back ribs (4).

    My Breath was fully exhausted from my lungs but fortunately no punctures. As a sideshow I had my first EMT visit and ambulance ride as a patient.
    At the hospital I was told I was the fourth ladder/ fall case of the day. It was only 8am when I got there. Refer again to my ladder rule above.

    Franknbean
    PS: prognosis is I’m going to be sore a long time.

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    1. FranknBean,
      Well...Glad you're doing OK. Yeah, I'm not big on stools and chairs to stand on. The folding stepstools are in our house, my sister's house and both guest cabins, so I don't have to do that. Their high enough for 90% of the things I have to do. A 6' folding ladder is available for the rest. I do have an extension ladder, but Mrs. J is going to have to be VERY persuasive in order to get me up on that one.
      Thanks

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