Indiscriminate Thoughts (or a shotgun approach to blogging*)

 Well, Campers, another week under our belt.  The highlight of the week was that it appears that our Beloved WWII storytelling Scribe has gotten over his funk and started feeding his story starved audience again.  

So...We got that going for us. But... on with the show.

For those readers interested in statistical meteorology,  I read somewhere this week that this summer, our area of Texas had 58 days that reached at least 100 degrees and 20ish that had reached 105 or better. Unfortunately, after a frantic search I could not find that source again.  So, the best I could do is this.

Source

That's Austin and only through the end of August.  We've had several days above 100 in September also.

However...

Things have changed a bit recently.

The sucking sound from the ground absorbing the rainwater was nearly deafening.

A Noah like sign from The Big Guy? Or a sign that Lisa's taking care of watering the lawn at her house?  Who knows?  We'll take any rain we can get and say "Thank You".

Headed into Church yesterday at dawn.  The temperature on my highly accurate truck thermometer read 62^o and 94% humidity.  Significantly cooler than the previous Sunday at the same time with the temp then being in the 90's already.  So yesterday, we had to resort to turning the defroster on after Bambi's family ran in front of me unseen til just short of the last possible moment.  The wipers weren't keeping the condensation off the windshield.

Yes, Beans, it was a touch "sporty".

But the weather has made for some spectacular atmospheric color palettes.

The camera didn't do it complete justice, the reds and pinks were much more vibrant than were captured.

In the "What the heck are you doing to stay busy?" category and as I mentioned last week, we are entering the Birthday/Anniversary/Holiday season around Rancho Juvat.  The last week in October is a critical one for my health. Forgetting it could be "unhealthy".  Not only is Mrs J's Birthday (I think it's her 25th ;-), I could be wrong) that week, but Grand Daughter #1 aka MG has hers also.  Additionally, Grand Son #1 is expected to make his grand entrance that week to top things off. 

So...The transitioning of good lumber into sawdust must occur with great regularity.  MG will be turning two and since she has at least 1/4 Fighter Pilot blood in her (No Beans, I didn't want to do the math on how much of my Dad's blood would be there), she has discovered she likes to be high up on things.

This was discovered when a ladder that had been being used in the living room  (work on the book shelf perhaps) was climbed by MG with out the assistance, or even the knowledge, of her mother.  At that point, MBD requested a Birthday Present that fulfilled that climbing curiosity, but wasn't 7' tall.

Mrs J did some research and found something called a Pikler Triangle. So it is written, so it shall be.

Still needs paint on the legs, but came together pretty well.  Part of the package is a climbing ramp.

This will be that.  Needs a coat of paint and then some half round dowels will be attached horizontally to be grips/steps.  The intent here is to lower the angle of the climb so MG can learn the ins and outs (alternatively ups and downs) at a more sedate pace.  

It's been a fun build.  I only had to trash one leg that the dowel holes were out of alignment with it's partner on.  I got cocky. 

 "I don't need to use a ruler,  I'll just eyeball it."

Good thing pine 2 x 4's are inexpensive.  Gas to go back to Lowe's however....

And to wrap it up.  Sarge and the gang have had several good discussions lately on the blog about whether or not he should retire and what to expect when he does.

I stumbled across the perfect description of the reality of being retired at breakfast yesterday. Presented for your education, all you, still working stiffs, you!

Am I wrong?

Peace out y'all

*A modern day shout out to Blaise Pascal.