Well, Campers, another week in the books. I don't know about y'all, but I did enjoy Tuna and Sarge's reminiscing posts. Lot's of pictures and personal history that made them into the men they are.
'Splains a lot, doesn't it? (Yes, Beans, we're waiting for your version of the posting subject with bated breath). But, truthfully, one can read those and see how they got where they are.
All I can say is "Well done, Gentlemen!"
So, that outta the way, a quick update on the biggest thing in my life right now. Mrs J will get her next to the last chemo treatment this Friday. I think she handling it like a trooper, but each one gets a little more difficult to handle and some of the side effects are, well, difficult and not to be discussed in public.
Her Doctors are pleased with the results so far and we will be transitioning from chemo to radiation mid-March.
Again, Thanks to all y'all for the prayers and the kind words you've posted. They are very appreciated. While things are going well, we ain't out of the woods yet, so please continue.
We did get a bit of good news, or at least the starting point of good news, recently. Little J is, in fact, going to be assigned to Great Britain the summer. While, not officially approved yet, the probability of Miss B joining them is starting to look better and better.
She really is doing well on a lot of developmental fronts. Her vocabulary is improving daily, and while it's not really quite accurate ("Gog" being her version of a Canine but she does use it on all 6 or ours, so there's progress there).
Again, we're hopeful and prayerful that things will work out.
On the woodworking front, I got The Rev's birthday present finished this past week. His birthday isn't until mid-April, but it was a fun, yet, challenging project and I wanted extra time in case disaster happened. It didn't, Thank You, Lord!
No, Beans, he reads this blog, I'm not going to show pictures or give any hints. At least not until mid-April.
But, since it's done, I've got some time on my hands and, as the adage goes "Idle hands are the Devil's workshop." I've been researching other project ideas.
One of which is "Inside Out Ornaments". This looks like it might be pretty challenging, but since I won't need to produce a product until Christmas, I may (emphasis on "MAY") be able to pull it off
As has been written about before, when my Sister passed, we inherited her 3 dogs, a Golden Retriever and two Great Pyrenees. That brings our menagerie up to 6 dogs, 2 cats and 2 horses. Unfortunately, the two GP's, being herding dogs, pretty much think they rule the roost. The two cats haven't left our bedroom since the GP's moved in in July. The three oldest dogs, the golden, the dachsund and Transylvanian Wolfhound are pretty much afraid of them. When they don't act the way the GP's seem to want them to, The GP's bark, snap and have bitten holes in ears.
I've had blood drawn trying to get them off their target. 2 minutes later, the GP's are meek as lambs. I've escorted them outside (which has resulted in a bit of bleeding on my part), and as long as the weather's ok, that's where they stay. We've put feelers out to some ranchers in the area as our Vet says they are bred specifically for herding and protection of the herd missions. Hopefully, some solution will present itself.
Please, Lord!
And another Milestone has been reached.
My 2016 Ford F-150 turned 130K Saturday. Still running great (Knock on wood). Think she's a keeper. (Yes, Beans, I know. It was a straight, flat, country road with no traffic. A scene in one of my groaner movies1 comes to mind. "...There was no danger...And broke a major rule of engagement..." Mea culpa!)
But, one final bit of good news and the reason this post was written Saturday is MBD, MG and León are coming for a visit. They should be arriving Sunday afternoon and will be staying for a few days. Really looking forward to that visit. Hopefully, it will restore some feeling of normalcy in Mrs J and my life right now.
Other than that...it is what it is and will be what will be.
I leave you with this. I like their music although they were some pretty screwed up folks back in the day.
Peace out, y'all.
1. Top Gun, of course. HollyWOOOOD!
We have two Great Pyrenese on the ranch. Jupiter, and his six month old daughter, Lilyana. Jupiter is a complete gentleman, except to coyotes, whom he deals harshly with. Lilyana's hobby is, on the other hand, to come and try and climb on my lap, and getting overly excited, and biting me.
ReplyDeleteI am exceedingly fond of both of them. Jupiter is larger than a pony, and Lilyana is already pushing 70 pounds.
I'm glad you have two of them, as well.
StB,
DeleteUnfortunately, while they are likeable dogs most of the time, they're a bit more than we can handle, especially when they get into the "herding" mode The four other dogs are in varying degrees of old age/EOL issues. We really don't need the GP's snarling and nipping at them. I've been bitten several times and given the blood thinners I'm on, I tend to look like someone in a slasher movie. We're trying the "Free to a good home" process right now.
I'm open to any suggestions/recommendations you might have.
juvat
I hope you find good homes for them. My experience with them is only from late October on, so I am no expert, alas.
DeleteStB,
DeleteWorking on it. I think you're doing it right though and giving them a job. Based on what I've heard, that should keep them occupied and happy.
juvat
They are superb Livestock Protection Dogs.
ReplyDeleteI've heard that, we'd have to invest in some fence fixing and rearranging some gates in order to do that. I've thought about doing that for a while.
Deletejuvat
Monday Monday... what an old song that is! I can remember hearing that song at a slot car track (remember those?) in the early 60's.
ReplyDeleteFunny how memories work...
Good luck with rehoming the two LGDs!
Rob,
DeleteYeah, I listened to it a lot when I was a kid. That tale might be worth a post. We'll see.
Thanks
juvat
Good to hear that Mrs. J's doctors are pleased with the result of chemo so far and family arriving this coming weekend will perk up Mrs. J a bit.... :) Those Inside Out Ornaments.....wooof! Lots of time there juvat, good luck.
ReplyDeleteNylon,
DeleteThanks, as can be expected, so are we. But...The game ain't over yet.
Yeah, I think I'm going to give the Inside Out Ornaments a shot shortly. But...I'm going to do the first one with a pine 2 x 4. Why? It's cheap and it's much softer wood than walnut and maple. Easier on all concerned to include tools. We'll see.
juvat
...a good wrap.
ReplyDeletePrayers...always!
Thanks BBC. Haven't heard from you in a while. Hope all is going well.
Deletejuvat
While in the medium and large livestock business we had two Great Pyrenees and an Anatolian Shepherd as guard dogs. The three dogs worked well together, but we added a rescue Llama to the group. Llama took a couple of months to determine the dogs were allies, then they decided to have a truce and worked together to protect the herd. I say worked together, but it was more like a amicable standoff.
ReplyDeletePrayers continue for Mrs. J and trust Little J's assignment comes to fruition. Hope the LDG dispersal goes well.
Cletus
Cletus,
DeleteWe brought it up with the vet at the clinic over on your side of town. She has 4 GP's. We asked her advice and she had some bad news. She said the GP's bond with the herd/flock/whatever group they're put in with. It takes a month or so, but then it's pretty much a lifelong bonding. Given that they're both most likely bonded with my Sister, we may or may not get through this transition to us. They're pretty good most of the time, but have yet to understand that Mrs J and to a lesser extent, I are the boss and they'd better start taking orders.
We appreciate the prayers. We're highly optimistic about assignment together.
Thanks
juvat
Well, good news is still good news, and a pleasure to read, especially on a Monday morning. Continued prayers for both Mrs J and LJ and family. And hopefully, visits from the other side of the family will help to lift her spirits and help her deal with the side effects.
ReplyDeleteThose wooden ornaments are very cool!
Suz
Suz,
DeleteYes it is, and I'll take all the good news I can get. Thanks for the Monday Morning compliment, I appreciate it and glad you like it.
Mrs. J has been holding León all morning with a big smile on her face even when he fusses. So, good therapy.
I'm sure the video did not show the first attempts by the wood turner in it. That having been said, I'm gonna give it a shot.
juvat
Good news on Mrs. J, prayers for a complete recovery will continue. Prayers for getting her (and the rest of you) through this trying time will also continue to be offered.
ReplyDeleteShame about the GPs, hopefully you can find them a good home.
Love that ornament, it's pretty cool.
Hope Little J gets the assignment and all can go along.
Best wishes for a good (and uneventful) week.
Sarge,
DeleteSorry for the late reply. Yesterday was Family day and a blast, so got a bit behind the power curve.
Thanks,
juvat
Whew, good to know. You stopped commenting at a certain point and I began to have dark thoughts. Praise the Lord all is A-OK down Texas way.
DeleteSorry 'bout that, had too much fun with the grand kids and time got away.
Deletejuvat
Compared to you three, or John Blackshoe, or Larry Lambert, well, my life story is pathetic. That I am alive and still married is the greatest achievements of my life. Whooo. So, maybe my tale of woe and strife might be written, just not now.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, glad Mrs. Juvat is doing well. And, apparently, the host of medicos is treating her well and communicating well. Good luck on the radiation. Just don't get her mad, we don't want to see her mad.
As to Little Juvat and the formerly Great Britain, what part is he potentially being posted to? Because that matters a lot. Londonium? That could be skeevy. But then again, I have noticed that places we have consuls and embassies always tend to be skeevy places. At least Great Britain is an easy potential visit from the Texas branches of Clan Juvat, and vice versa, so there's that, no 24 hour flights or serious passport garbage or things like that.
Weird question, since he's diplomatic side, does he have access to US bases for food and medical? Always wondered about that, never thought to ask.
Personally, I think being still alive, being still married to a lovely lady for quite a number of years "in sickness and in health", and providing a loving home for The Wonder Dog are 3 very impressive accomplishments!!
DeleteBut that's just me.
Suz
Suz,
DeleteAgree completely. Besides he's got a humorous way with words, so...Beans, Get to Work!
juvat
Speaking as the Inhaber of this place, I concur. Just to be clear, let me make that directive in nature.
DeleteGet 'er done, Beans.
In the immortal words of Aubrey from "Pitch Perfect 3"... "Aw, Crap."
DeletePrayers up for Mrs J, and others fighting the Big C, and their caretakers. Chemo sucks, especially the later sessions, but it works, so the long term cost/benefit is a big plus, even though the recipients may not be as enthusiastic at the time.
ReplyDeleteOn the GP problem, do what you gotta do, whatever it turns out to be.
JB
JB,Thanks. Mrs J is a pretty tough cookie and is doing ok. But, I don't usually need to ask if she's not feeling spiffy at the time.
DeleteHaven't given up on the GP's yet, Still looking for adoption options.
juvat
Happy for the news on the health front.
ReplyDeleteWe are "blessed" with a GP as a granddog. I say blessed because it means we don't have to deal with him but occasionally. He's a bit undersized for his breed and mostly all bark, but lots of that. The poor thing lives in a house with four teens and, thus, gets conflicting information much of the time. He is far from aggressive unless he is behind a close door or a fence, then you might believe you were in grave danger.
Skip,
DeleteThat sounds like a remarkably similar description of ours, except for the undersized bit. They're LARGE! Agree, the they're not usually aggressive, until they are, then, well, lets just say the price of bandaids goes up.
juvat
Big state- big miles! I'm blessed with a short commute so my 2017 Mustang is still under 10k per year. Sorry the gogs aren't working well with others. They will be happy if you find a ranch for them I'm sure. As for that music, I just recently discovered this song (again?). Not sure if I heard it back in the 70's (released in 69), but I heard it on the movie "Free Guy" last year or so. It's a good one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQ7dTMPwUi8
ReplyDeleteTuna,
DeleteGreat song, thanks. I was in my teens. Sarge might have been too old for it though. Hopefully, in his dotage, he's mellow'd a bit, we'll see.
:-)
juvat
Not to say juvat is old (because he is and he isn't, all at the same time, if'n you catch my drift) but I too was a teen when that song came out. Sixteen years of age, to be precise.
DeleteCarry on ...
Sarge, did you say sixty?
Delete;-)
juvat
Glad to hear about Mrs. J's progress. I keep your family in my prayers. Seems that you have had a lot of issues befall y'all in the last few years.
ReplyDeleteAs to your dogs, my neighbor from 16 years ago in Hill County, TX, had two Great Pyrenees/Anatolian Shepherd mixes to guard his goats. They were very effective at the job of guarding his livestock; local varmints were kept away, but they were not pets. . That is a common problem with working dog breeds.
BillB,
DeleteYeah, the last 6 months have been a real slog to get through. Things seem to be getting better though. Finally got some motion on my sister's estate. (Yes, I'm mad at USAA right now). My best friend (the winemaker) passed 2 weeks after my sister. His wife looks like they finally got a reasonable offer for their winery and should be closing on it soon. And, while those are important to me, Mrs J continuing to improve is doing wonders on my BP as well as ability to sleep at night. So....Thank You, Lord!
Your neighbor wouldn't be Cletus, would he?
juvat
Good news is always good to hear!
ReplyDelete