Monday, Monday

First and Foremost, Happy Birthday, Sarge!

Well....It's Monday.  The start of another work week. Unless you're retired.  Then...

This past week was definitely "Spesh-Ull!", enough so as to warrant a musical salute.

Last Monday, I had my annual cardiologist appointment.  Didn't think too much about it, I mean, he's just going to listen to my heart.  I mean, it must be still working, I'm still alive aren't I?

Well...

Suffice it to say within a few moments, I'm scheduled for several follow up appointments.  One a stress test ASAP.  He also wants me to wear a heart monitor for the next two weeks.  Once those results are back, he wants to see me again.  The earliest I could get the stress test scheduled is the Tuesday after Memorial Day and even then I have to go to Marble Falls for it.  So...I've got that going for me.  

Why the hurry?  Well, apparently the AFib I was told I have at the last appointment with him a year ago is still around and may have gotten worse.  Oh...Goody!

So, suffice it to say I've been a bit distracted lately.

What have you been doing to distract you from those distractions, juvat?

Well...as I've mentioned before, Casa Juvat is about 5 miles SW of our local airport.  Being out in the country, there are few structures around.  This makes the area around me an excellent piece of airspace for flight training.  There's a low level route that uses a bridge over a highway as a waypoint.  That bridge is about 3 miles south of me.  A couple of evenings ago (sun was still up, but approaching the horizon) a couple of T-38's flew over our house.  Apparently they missed seeing the bridge.  That's unfortunate as it's a way point for a turn in the route.  Missing the turn meant they exited the designated low level airspace.  One should avoid flying over populated areas and airports.  Unfortunately the local airport is about 5 miles away from us, and their prior heading was pointed at it. That seems like a long way.  But at 420 (7 miles/min), you're going to overfly the airport in 43 seconds. 38 seconds if you're flying a more tactical speed of 480.  So, I'm sure the pilots got a stern talking to upon landing.  However, this pilot wannabe (again), thought it was cool.  He also was pretty jealous.

Another aspect of the distance to the airport was reported by Lt Fuzz last week.  In order for Civilians to participate in an Airshow, they have to practice the maneuvers they're going to perform on a regular and frequent schedule.  There are several T-6's in Civilian hands.  For whatever reason (I suspect airspace and sparse population on the ground), they come to our airport frequently to practice.

What's a T-6 you ask? Well...Both of the below as a matter of fact.

No, Beans, this not the one I'm discussing

Source

This one. Source

Now, I gotta say, it's pretty cool to have your own fly-over.  Unfortunately, this last one was (I think) basic formation school, so a lot of two ships and rejoins and not a real low altitude, so...Pictures were somewhat well....

Look immediately above the top wire.  It's a cell phone, not a telescopic high end camera!

Still, it is nice to sit out front of Casa Juvat, with an adult recreational beverage in hand, and critique the flying skills on demonstration.  

Yes, Beans, I'm quite jealous.

Update: The local news had a pretty good story and pictures about the training session. Oops forgot the link. Sorry.

So, juvat, to change the subject, didn't you have a formal activity to attend recently?

Why yes, Sarge.  The Rev's Sister got married, Black Tie affair.  MG also had a starring role.  She was one of her Aunt's flower girls.

Mother and Father of the Bride assisted her in her responsibilities.

The Rev conducted the ceremony.  I haven't witnessed him at work, so was interested in what he would say.  Suffice it to say, his Homily was awesome!!!

Since LJW and Miss G also attended, we sat at the back, just in case.  Miss G did wonderfully.

Speaking thereof, She's getting quite close to mastering "Sitting up".

On the health update side, she's discovered that the NG tube is relatively easy to pull out.  Unfortunately, she hasn't realized that pulling it out results in very shortly thereafter an unpleasant re-insertion.  Which is decidedly "Not Fun" with a howling, squirming, crying young child.  Her doctors have advised a "G Tube", basically it does the same function as the nasal tube except it's inserted into her belly.  We've been assured that it is more comfortable and more secure.  LJW and Little Juvat have decided to take that route.  It won't change any of the requirements for travel to Honk Honk, but should make life a bit easier for all involved.  

Breathing on her own is the obstacle for travel.  She is making quite a bit of progress in that arena.  She started out at 50% supplemental x 24 hours.  She's now down to 1/8 supplemental O2 for 6 hours then back up.  If she can get to that level for 24, she can get off supplemental and travel.  So...That's the goal.

On a different note, I got a call from MBD this week, asking if I had any skills in replacing flooring.  Seems their new house requires a bit of rehab. Mrs. J and I are going to visit next Monday and provide some help with projects.  Their floor being one of them. The Rev and her were taken aback at the estimate for removing and replacing the existing floor by professionals.  I've never done it, so was somewhat stumped for answers.  I then had a moment of divine intervention.  I asked her if she had any friends in the area she could talk to about that were involved with a similar project and maybe even offer to help to learn a bit about the process.  

A true moment of brilliance on my part.

She called back that evening and said that her friends told her that the vast portion of the cost was in materials, so she wouldn't be saving much money.  They also mentioned that it was hard work and required a bit of precision.  All of a sudden, the estimate didn't look so bad.

Thank you, Lord!  Although there will still be quite a bit of options requiring Ben-Gay after the fact.

I'm going to leave you now with a vision of Springtime in Texas.

 I just liked the picture.  The button opens the gate to our property.

Cheers, Y'all!