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Praetorium Honoris

Monday, January 22, 2024

Updates on WX and Chems

 For those of you still working stiffs, let me warn you about an aspect of retired life that I hadn't known about until I pulled the handles.  If you're not very careful, it becomes very difficult to determine what day of the week it is.  One day just seems to be like the next or the day before or two months ago.  

My workaround is Sunday church.  Mrs J and I go to the early mass and then go have breakfast at a nice diner nearby.  Some of my former students work there,  which kinda helps you keep track of your own age.  "Geez, she had just turned 16 when she was in my class, now she's got two kids in elementary school!"

Ages ya, pretty quick!

Stay on Target, juvat!

On Target, aye, Sarge!

Where was I?  Oh yeah, Mass on Sunday.  The rest of the week is defined as one, two or three days since Sunday and three, two or one until Sunday.  Keeps me sane (-ish).

However,  my good friend, Winter Storm Heather, arrived a week ago (Sunday before last).  Freezing rain was the forecast, and since sunrise this time of year is ~0730, seeing any icy spots is problematic.  Ergo, we asked for papal dispensation for Mass that morning.  

Same weather forecast was announced for today, so we decided to go to Mass last night.  All is well and good, temps didn't really get much below freezing, and little to no rain.  

However, I am writing this a little later in the day as my usual Sunday schedule is Mass, Breakfast, Blog.  Since neither of the first two happened and therefore were not marked in my brain, I had a sudden realization later in the day, that "Aww, Crap!  It's blogging day and I'm behind the power curve."

But, here goes.

Managed to survive Heather's best.  The weather itself wasn't too bad where we live, thankfully.  We managed to avoid power loss and had no snow.  It did get a tad icy in places, but nothing horrible.  Monday and Tuesday the temperature didn't get above freezing and Monday it was in single digits.

Yeah, I hear ya!  "Here in (Insert Northern State name here), We go skinny dipping in single digit weather!"

Good on ya, Mate!  We don't.

We stayed home.  Mrs. J was able to take several long naps, more to follow.  I did a lot of research on turning things on the lathe.  As I said last week, that pen with the excellent finish didn't make it through the final couple of steps and, while functional, isn't going to leave my desk.  But, I did learn quite a few techniques on YouTube, so not a wasted period of time.

But, Heather did have two unfortunate effects on Rancho Juvat.  

First, we did have one busted water line.  Tuesday, I was driving to the mailbox to see what there was to see.  No ice/snow/water of any form on the road, so no big deal.  I was passing by one of our fields and noticed that there appeared to be ice out in the middle of it.  Stopped, got out and went to look.  Sure enough, there was ice in the middle of the field.  At that point, I couldn't figure out where the water had come from.  

The ice that's pointed at the top is the tire track.  The ice in the top left is where the crack is.  Neither of which I knew at the time.

 

I'm looking around and see a couple of tire prints in the dirt around the area.  A couple of months ago our "Hay Guy" had cut and harvested our coastal hay.  I suspected that the tire marks were from that event.  But, where did the water come from.  I'm looking around, see our old house (where LJW and Miss B live now.)  I had called earlier and checked that they still had heat and water and were doing ok. They were, so no answer there.  I continue looking around and our two guest houses still have water, so...Continue to sweep my view and next thing I see is our original well house.  I do a quick 180o and low and behold, in an extended direct line from the well house to the ice is the old house.

The Well House is at the right end of the green line, the line break is the left end

 

So, I got back in the truck and drove back to the house and called our plumber.  I politely asked the lady taking calls that I knew they were probably busy, but I wanted to get on their list.  Explained the issue and my suspicions of what had gone wrong.  She said she'd get with the boss and see what he could do.  Not an hour later, I get a call from a strange number.  I say "Hello" and get a reply "Hello, Mister juvat, this is Thomas, I was one of your students when I was in HS.  I understand you've got a water problem and need my help."  

"Why yes, I do.  When do you think you'll be able to get here"

Wait for it....

"I'm on your property right now, where do I need to go?"

"Give me thirty seconds I'll be right there."

Have I ever mentioned that living in a smallish town definitely has its advantages?

I show them the problem area and they commence to digging.  About an hour later they say they've found the problem, but would need to shut off the water to the old house completely.  I call LJW and advise her on the situation.  She's OK with the water being shut off. So, I head back down and take a look at the pipe.  

I still don't understand why the old house still had water if the pipe was broken.  Thomas and his helper were still digging around the pipe as I drove up.  He explained that it was just a hairline crack caused when the tractor went over it, but it had been leaking for a couple of months and so the ground was pretty soft and providing little support for the pipe.  And the freezing temps hadn't helped.

So, cutting out the bad section and replacing it was the thing to do.  I gave him the go ahead.  I get another call about an hour after that, saying that the repair is done, but the glue needs a couple of hours to dry and they had another call.  They'd be back, turn the water back on, check for leaks and bury it again.

Which they did.  

 I asked if they did new projects.  They said they did, what did I need done.

Well, when we inherited the horses and built the barn, it was summer and we just dragged a hose over to the barn and attached a float valve to the hose end in the trough.  Worked like a champ for 4 years now.  

Until Heather.  

I'm braving the weather to go and feed the horses.  I happen to glance at the junction of the two hoses.  (It's about 200' from the house faucet to the barn, so 2 hoses.)  At the junction of the two, I see a large chunk of ice.

Aww, Crap!

Walk into the barn and look at the trough.  It's almost dry and the horses are looking a tad thirsty.  I happen to have a 5 gallon water bottle nearby, so dump that into the trough.  Fills it about a quarter of the way.  

So, I go back to the house, and google "How much water does a horse need to drink per day?"  5-10 gallons, more if the weather is too hot or too cold.  A gallon of water nominally weighs  8.33 Lbs.  So my 5 gallon jug weighs 40 Lbs+.

Carrying that about a hundred yards, while 40 years ago might not have been difficult, now and in freezing weather, not so much, and, at least 4 times a day, makes it even more fun.

We also learned that we had to portion it out into 4 or 5 trips spread over the day so we didn't cavitate the well at our house.

After explaining all that, Thomas asked if we wanted to install a pipe from our house well to the barn.  I told him that when he was in my class, I thought he was a very astute individual and that hadn't changed.  I asked him when he thought he could come take a look.  He said given Heather's impact it might be a couple of weeks.

Fortunately, the weather is a tad warmer and the hose plan is working again.  Although I do disconnect and drain it in the evening, so it doesn't freeze again.  

See, Sarge, old Fighter Pilots CAN learn from their mistakes.  

But....I am looking forward to a little construction between the well and the barn.

As are the horses.

To end with some Good-ish news.

Mrs. J had her 4th of 6 infusion sessions this past week.  Part of that process involves drawing some blood and doing the voodoo magic on it to find out the "numbers".  Well, when this whole cancer thing started a few months ago, her main indicator number was 12. (No, Suz, I have no idea what the name of that indicator is or what they're measuring.)  This visit it was 7.  Based on that, I assume Oncologists (AKA Cancer Doctors) take their golfing serious, because in this case, lower is better.  So...Thank You, Lord.  

Apparently, as I've never personally experienced it, just seen it in action, Chemo takes a lot out of you.

 Not out of the woods yet, but two more Chemo treatments, then a couple of months of Radiation and then see what's what. 

I/We really appreciate all the prayers all y'all are saying.  Please keep them up. At this point, they seem to be working.

Peace out, y'all!


46 comments:

  1. Good that The Numbers are going the right way.

    "Carrying that about a hundred yards, while 40 years ago might not have been difficult," No, it was difficult then, we were just young enough to shrug it off. Which is one of the reasons so many of us have aches and pains now that we are no longer immortal an unbreakable. Also why our ancestors came up with a yolk to help the poor sod tasked with hauling water make the job a bit easier. https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-il5WtFCnHZg/VUZxWvC-voI/AAAAAAAAJUo/J1w8rCd8k7o/s1600/shoulder%2Byoke.jpg padding on the cutout for the neck helps.

    When I was doing reenacting one of my duties was camp cook. I was constantly harping on people to take a bucket with them when they went to visit the necessary so they could bring back water from whatever the fresh water supply for the event was (privies were alway by the spigot or water buffalo). Still ended up saying "Who the blazes used the last bucket of water and WHY didn't you go get more?" way too often. Same for firewood. Get up at 0330 to get the fire going for breakfast and, 'Where's all the firewood I carried over last night?"

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joe,
      I feel your pain. I've become aware in my various careers that there are two types of people. Team Players and "It's all about me". They seem to come in all sorts of categories, Race, Nationality, Gender, Religion. I could go on and on, but you get the idea. Team Players make things easier for all concerned. The other group doesn't.
      I try (Hard) to avoid the latter and try even harder to be one of the former. Sometimes I fail.
      I think that's pretty much how life is.
      I could be wrong, but I don't think so.
      As to firewood, did you check for termites?
      ;-)
      juvat

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    2. I did. Not only did they go through the firewood, but left beer and wine bottles on the table. We got an early morning talking to by our brigade commander.

      Why is it so hard to convince people that it's not much effort to carry two or three chunks of firewood back with them when they come back from the necessary? Or that it's common courtesy to refill the water bucket if you've used almost all of it? Or....real peeve out of my menagerie of peeves.. you use a clean cup or bowl to dip water out of the bucket over the fire and into a separate container, you DO NOT wash your hands, dishes, etc. in the main bucket?

      Delete
    3. Joe,
      Some People! Well...People come in all shapes, sizes and manners (or lack thereof).
      juvat

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    4. A excellent funny little book "The Specialist" by Chic Sales on the siting and building of outhouses recommended locating it on the path to and just on the far side of the woodpile. Back in the day modest ladies did not want to disclose where they had been. After their business was completed, they usually would bring an armload of firewood back to conceal the purpose of their trip.

      Delete
    5. Don,
      I can see that!
      juvat

      Delete
  2. Juvat, as soon as you mentioned "where the tractor was operating", I got a sinking feeling about what the potential cause was. Any point/value in putting the line in deeper overall, or just "Do not drive the tractor over yonder?"

    (He thinks for a minute - as far as I am aware, we have never had an issue with a line freezing at my parents' place, although I am not sure how deep those lines are buried. Makes note to self).

    A banana box (just as it sounds, a box loaded with bananas) also weighs approximately 40 lbs. I do not have to carry them 100 yards (they are on wheeled carts), but they are still a bear to pick up/move, so you have nothing but my sympathy.

    There are many, many advantages to living in a small town.

    Fantastic news about Mrs. J. Prayers Up!

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    Replies
    1. THBB,
      The pipe was about 18-24" down, so I don't know if putting it any deeper would do any good, but I'm not a plumber. I will point out not only the problem area, but the pipelines path to the Hay Guy, next time I see him, but as the photo shows, the line pretty much goes through the middle of that field. So, we shall see what options there are.
      Thanks
      juvat

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  3. Hey! Very good to hear that number lowered juvat, Mrs. J and the rest of your clan are still in the prayer rotation. Just for the record this retiree doesn't dip during Hard Water season even for Polar Plunge charity. Treating people the way you'd like to be treated paid off with Thomas, what was that Rule called again...........:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nylon,
      Thanks. While I never did the plunge, being stationed at Kunsan AB ROK for my first assignment discouraged me from ever enjoying being both cold and wet.
      As to that Rule, I believe it might be "What goes around, comes around." Or something of that genre.
      juvat

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    2. Polar Plunge? Look up "Theophany in Russia" https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12982445/Brave-Orthodox-Christians-plunge-icy-water-Epiphany-celebrations-Europe-despite-temperatures-low-41C.html

      https://www.rferl.org/a/ice-swims-orthodox-epiphany-russia/31052079.html

      Delete
    3. Joe,
      The expression on their faces gives a pretty good report on what that feels like. At -41C, I wonder how they keep it from immediately freezing back up. As well as freezing on their bodies.
      juvat

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    4. And walking barefoot on the ice!
      Re facial expression. I've seen photos of everything from the shocked faces in these, to no change, to pleased surprise, to almost ecstatic.

      Almost as interesting is what people wear. From fully vested priests, to cassocks, to the swimwear wit or without a coverup, to the occasional nekkid as God made them, which nobody seems to bat an eye at.

      Delete
    5. Joe,
      More power to them and faith is a wonderful source of power isn't it?
      juvat

      Delete
  4. I always knew I would get old, I just didn't think it would happen this fast.
    for me, now that I am retired, the week has two days, Monday( trash day) and not Monday.
    i started something yesterday and didn't finish it, so i will work on it today, and maybe finish it tomorrow. what am I working on??
    nothing.
    i finally bought a pair of memory sole shoes. no more forgetting what i walked into the kitchen for

    prayers for Mrs.J

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cannon,
      Welcome aboard.
      Yeah, your calendar is quite similar to mine. As to projects, after screwing up that pen, I'm having a hard time getting back in the workshop. I'm using the cold as my excuse, even though Mrs J knows it's well insulated and the mini-split does an excellent job of maintaining a comfortable temp. Maybe today...or tomorrow...
      Let me know how those shoes work out for you. I think I need a pair.
      Thanks
      juvat

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  5. I bought a day of the week clock off Amazon because it helps! My prayers & positive thoughts are with you in your wife's battle with the cancer...

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    1. Rob,
      I've got one of those directly above the computer screen I'm looking at. It tells me it's Thursday. I didn't know that "one day after Sunday" is Thursday but I'm ok with that.
      Thanks, prayers are much appreciated.
      juvat

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  6. "cavitate" your well"??

    Filling a couple of 5 gallon containers?
    Doesn't sound right.

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    1. B,
      Cavitate may not be the right word, but while filling up the second 5 gallon jug, the water flow significantly reduced about halfway through. Easily about 1/4 of the previous flow. When we first moved onto the property, we had a similar situation where we needed water. I don't recall what the problem was, but we left the water on for an extended period of time and after a while,the water stopped running. Took quite a while for it to come back. Learned a couple of lessons from that. Not the least of which is there are a lot of things that you need running water to accomplish. So we went with the "Caution is the better part of valor" method to help insure we had water if we needed it.
      juvat

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  7. Cold weather and water pipes can be a real pain, glad yours wasn't.

    Good news on Mrs. J, prayers continuing.

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    Replies
    1. Sarge,
      Yeah, me too! (The horses were also!)
      Thanks
      juvat

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  8. Speaking of turning wood... I have access to a wood lathe and was thinking I need a wooden mallet, any suggestions on a good first timers how-to book? Or is this one of those just jump in & figure it out things?

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    Replies
    1. Rob, I've got a couple of Idea books, but I've found that YouTube with "wood turning" as the search term tends to bring up a lot of good info. I found this one looks pretty good for building a mallet.
      juvat

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    2. Thanks.. I still think of "books" & reading when I have these types of questions and usually end up on youtube anyway... but this time I never even thought of youtube...
      I appreciate the help.

      Delete
    3. This is what I was thinking of... https://www.youtube.com/shorts/_gyIg6mIh-Y

      Delete
    4. Rob,
      Yeah, the books are nice, because you can bring them into the shop and refer to them as needed. YouTube is nice as I can see how the person in the vid does his turning. I've corrected a lot of my turning methodology by watching others. So...Both is nice.
      juvat

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    5. Rob,
      Speaking thereof. That's a nice mallet, I wonder how he hardened that wood up to make it strong enough to pound on something. Or even if that was needed. I also think those were pretty sharp chisels he had to turn that so fast. I'm jealous.
      juvat

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  9. When living in a rural area, here are a couple of issues that make your ears perk up and you think of a four letter word(s)...The double header-"Did you know your (name your favorite type of livestock) are out on the county road and they're close to the water gap"; and the one that puts fear in the bravest soul- "there's no water pressure". Restraint is putting the four letter word out of your mind and taking care of the issue(s) at hand. Learning you've burned up your water pump motor teaches humility. The most dreaded issue is-"when was the last time you pumped your septic tank?"
    Glad to hear Mrs. J has attained some "lower numbers". Prayers continue!
    Cletus
    Cletus

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    Replies
    1. Cletus,
      Well, they're not cattle, but the two Great Pyrenees are just about that big. About a month ago, they discovered that if they pushed against the driveway gate, it would move enough for them to...well "Born Free" comes to mind.
      As you probably know, they are herding animals. Our fence sharing neighbor has cattle. The dogs started to perform their in-bred training. The cattle didn't like it, but started to follow orders. Unfortunately, our neighbor was in disagreement on which way the herd should be herded. We managed to get it all straightened out, no blood no foul. However, we did modify the gate with a chain and a strong clip. Works like a champ. The downside is I have to get out of the car, take the chain off, come inside the fence and get the gate closed before the GP's rush through it. It's especially fun when it's cold, rainy and windy and your hands are slightly numb. Waiting on a couple of contractors to give me their bid on modifying our fence to solve the problem.
      As well as the plumber and the horse barn's bid.
      Thanks, Prayers are always appreciated.
      juvat

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  10. Prayers continuous (every AM) for Mrs. J; from my wife as well
    Keeping track of the days - easy-peasy: those 14-box/section pill containers are labeled by day (and AM/PM should you forget which - A for "get airborn" and P for "plotz" in bed)

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    Replies
    1. Boron,
      Rats! I thought I was the one that discovered the pill box calendar! The only problem with it is if you forget to take them for some reason. Then you're screwed for the remainder of the week.
      Prayers are very much appreciated. Thank you.
      juvat

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    2. I use the Pill Box Calendar to keep track two week chunks, the days of the week are there to remind me that I missed one. I take my pills after I turn the shower on, while I'm waiting for the water to get warm. That's a habit that works for me.
      Sometimes when I go to fill it again I'll stop and think about the two weeks that just passed...

      Delete
    3. Rob,
      Between the multiple prescriptions I'm on and the vitamins and other supplements the Doctor encourages, I'm only able to get one week out of the calendar. If I miss a day, the meds sit there and flash their annoyance at me every time I pass. That has encouraged me quite effectively not to miss a day.
      juvat

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  11. Congrats to Mrs J on her great job on the numbers racket. Chemo sucks, but it works and results are worth it when you look back on it some years in the future.
    JB

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    Replies
    1. JB,
      Thanks for the encouraging words. Much appreciated.
      juvat

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  12. Minus 5 on those numbers is trending the right way. I take it we want zero? I'll redouble my efforts. Turns out one of my dedicated decades is no longer needed due to answered prayers so I have an opening anyway.

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    1. Tuna, Yeah, her oncologist was very happy with the results. She started in with the gobbledy gook and I stopped her and asked "Bad or Good?" She said "Very Good". My vision kinda got a little blurry there for a bit. I appreciate your prayers, thank you.
      juvat

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  13. Congrats to Mrs. J, and continuing prayers.

    Animals and their requirements. I'm not a farmer, or a rancher, and while I worked a lot of gates as a kid, I loved the ones where you reached out, pulled down on the "strap from the sky", and the gate opened; drive through, pull on the other strap, and it closed.

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    Replies
    1. HTom,
      We've got a couple of fence contractors preparing bids. We're going to put 2 x ~25' sections of fence from the inside of the current fence on either side of the driveway from the current gate. There will be a people gate on one side so any (very rare) visitors can get to the front door. We go in through the garage almost exclusively. So the dogs won't be able to get to the current gate and the people gate will have a latch on it so they won't be able to push it open. But they are smart dogs. Hopefully, I'm smarter. We'll see.
      Thanks, I appreciate the prayers.
      juvat

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  14. Glad there is good news on her treatment! Prayers will continue!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Old NFO, much appreciated.
      juvat

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  15. As a prostate cancer survivor (knock on wood), I can relate a bit to what you're going through with the Misses. Scary stuff whether you have it or a loved one does. Stay strong, keep healthy, for her sake and yours. Prayers and our best to you and yours.

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    1. Anon,
      You ain't wrong. This is very scary. I'd give anything to save/cure her!
      juvat

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  16. Cracked water pipe in a hay field--Ugh!! My suggestion is bury it deeper, maybe 3-4 feet instead of 2? Ask your plumber dude what his recommendation is since ya know you will continue to need to drive tractor/baler/wagon over it, at least until you no longer have horses that ya need to feed.
    A well that cavitates doesn't sound healthy either! Is it a shallow well? Could you be pulling enough water out of the bottom of the well such that you are getting air into the pump? Or pipes? Ask the plumber dude...he seems to know his stuff.
    Do you have a small wagon or sled that you can pull filled water buckets into...I used to water the garden by filling six 5 gallon buckets, putting each one into a small wagon which was hitched to a small lawn tractor. The trailer/wagon would hold 6 buckets...and if I put the lids on first before driving away, the water would even mostly stay in the buckets. Cause carrying full 5 gallon buckets in the summer is a drag, never mind in the winter!

    And speaking of hard water season--I figure if it's hard, I'm not supposed to go swimming in it. Because I have been wet and cold--not a good combo at all!! Don't recommend it--took me two days to warm back up. Polar bear clubs are full of crazy folks in my opinion.

    Keeping prayers up for Mrs J...not sure what the indicators are either...my specialty was diabetes, am pretty good with CHF/COPD/A-fib and wound care. But have had lots of cancer folks along the way. Doing a fair amount of in-home chemo these days.
    But if the indicators make the oncology docs happy, that makes me happy.

    Suz

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Suz, good to have another point of view, which follows along the lines
      juvat

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