Well...Let's start with the good news. LJW got a video call from Little J this past week. . (Ain't life great? A video phone call from the other side of the world. For Free? What a world we live in!)
They speak regularly, so when LJW mentioned at dinner Wednesday that she had spoken to Little J, I asked how's everything going. And...
Thank You, Lord!
There's a lot more smiling going on around here lately.
Speaking about Hong Kong, Our last guests at one of the Cassetas (our name for our BnB's) mentioned that they couldn't get a signal on the TV. I went down to take a look at it after they had left.
Using the Top Secret methodology I learned as a Fighter Pilot for fixing anything, I gave it a try, (Yes, Beans, I turned it off then back on.) Unfortunately that did not solve the problem. Since Little J had set the system up when he was last in town, I would've liked to telephone him, but it's a 14 hour difference in time between CST and HK time. So one must be careful not to call at say 1PM Texas Time.
Fortunately, I realized that before I actually hit send. Instead I went home and sulked until 5PM CST. He was in a much more helpful mood.
To shorten this longish story a bit, he could not see the TV via the network, so there's a problem somewhere between the Network radio antenna and the TV. I could see the network on my phone (Ain't modern technology grand? Internet in the middle of a field in Texas. Imagine!) so it wasn't a problem with the network.
Futzed around with the TV for a couple of hours but never could see the network. Mrs J then authorized the purchase of a new TV. So, we head to Wally World and purchase a new TV, a Vizio. On RTB, Mrs J decides on a nap, so I go down to the Cassetas and set up the TV.
Three hours later, I finally get the directions (written in the Swahili dialect of Chinese) and got it set up. Yes, I did call Little J a couple of times with questions. It's a wonderful thing to have an experienced computer professional at the touch of a button. Still...setup was a PITA!
Again on the Miss B front, she's making great progress on the standing and walking stage. LJW reports that she's able to stand and only needs one finger to hold on to. While holding hands she's able to take a couple three steps. You go girl!
She also likes to pull herself up on things, chairs mostly. Which brought about a request from LJW. She asked if I could build Miss B a Pikler Triangle. What's a Pikler Triangle, you ask?
Well, it looks like this.
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| Source This was also where I got the plans |
Kids climb on it, gaining strength in arms and legs while learning balance and other motor skills.
So, how near am I to completion? Well...
 |
| Four legs cut on the bandsaw then sanded into shape. Lot of sawdust on the floor. Took a couple of hours sanding also. |
Hey, it keeps me off the streets at night.
The other project, the doll house, is also nearing completion. Mrs. J will play a significant role in the completion. MG is going to like it I'm pretty sure.
On one of the nicer days this past week (High for the week was 92, but lows were in the 30's and windy. Frankly, I like warm better) Mrs J and I sat out on the front porch enjoying a bit of Zinfandel. Life is good. We're chatting a bit and I happen to glance down to my Left.
What to my wondering eyes do I see?
Well...
One of the Great Pyrenees is taking a nap with his nose shoved into a rain downspout! Now THAT's funny, I don't care who you are!
No, Beans, I didn't spew wine through my nose. Mrs J however....
There was some discussion in the comments here a few days ago about what retirement was like. While I'm still in single digit years in that category, I have something that might answer some folk's questions. I had to laugh as there's a bit of truth there.
Finally, given that Tuna had a lot of good "Fiery" (if I may use the word even as bastardized as it has been by the Press recently) pictures in his post last week, I thought I'd end with this one.
Peace out, y'all!
*I'm using the original wording for the acronym i.e. "Situation Normal, all fouled up!" instead of a more recent version that uses another word with an "F". Just sayin'.
Yowza! That IS good news about Miss B juvat, she'll be clocking mileage before you know it. There was something that pup really liked in that downspout. As to retirees, the fewer times you dredge up phrases like "I remember when" or "When I was working" the longer smiles will stay on other folks faces when you're around........ :)
ReplyDeleteNylon,
DeleteYes, it is good news and it takes a lot of pressure of a bunch of folks. As to the downspout, agreed, there had to be something, but I don't know what. When he woke up from his nap, shortly after the laughter started, he just pulled his nose out and nothing came running or draining out. Something smelled good to him perhaps? Good advice on the last, so far haven't used either...much.
juvat
That last picture recalls to my mind what General Sheridan said about Texas. Good news on the other fronts though!
ReplyDeleteAnon,
Delete"If I Owned Hell and Texas, I Would Rent Texas and Live at the Other Place" is the quote (for those not in the know). But that gives me an idea for next week's post. Thanks
juvat
Seeing "The Alamo" helped me understand all the Texans I'd met while I was in the service...
DeleteRob,
DeleteWorking on a post along those lines
juvat
Story I heard was; "go West until you smell it, then hang a left and go South until you step in it. Always reckoned "It" to either be chili, brisket or even that scrub weed "mesquite". Be that all as it maybe, Juvat's story is another lesson gratefully learned on these pages.
DeleteAnon,
DeleteWell, as I am frequently reminded. you will undoubtedly know when you step on a mesquite thorn. Especially if you, as I am, are on blood thinners. Even a close pass can turn you into a victim role in a slasher movie. Their only good point is they add a lovely flavor to brisket when used to smoke it.
juvat
In Hawaii Mesquite is called Kiawe and it's thorns are memorable!
DeleteRob,
DeleteYeah, while we were stationed at Camp Smith, we used to hike the hills above it to keep in shape. I had wondered about the similarities between the two trees. Asked my Hawaiian partner Scout Leader about it and he filled me in.
juvat
I am reminded of Gen. Sherman's comment on AZ when told by a proud local that all this country needs is more water and a better class of people. Sherman's reply was along the lines of "So does Hell".
DeleteTrue 'Dat!
Deletejuvat
Great news on the killing!
ReplyDelete"(written in the Swahili dialect of Chinese) "
Every now and then for laughs I'll take online directions or product descriptions in the original, run them through various online
translators and compare the results to the website English version. If I'm really bored I might wash it through 4 or 5 other languages first. Or take the English, back translate to the original, then back to English with a different program.
That red sky photo gives me the whillies...too many skies like that, way too close, and the air full of Calfire assets.
Great photo of the pup.
Joe,
DeleteNot sure I understand the first sentence, but it early yet.
I may have to try your translation model a bit, just to see what turns up. Sounds like fun.
The photo was of the sunset, fortunately, for us, the wildfire in Texas is a few hundred miles away. Although it may have contributed to the colors.
Thanks
juvat
I typed "kidling" and as I hit "Enter" Otto must have changed it. I'd had to retype it several times and THOUGHT it had taken.
DeleteI typed "kidling" and as I hit "Enter" Otto must have changed it. I'd had to retype it several times and THOUGHT it had taken.
DeleteJoe,
DeleteOne must be very careful nowadays with AI in play. Who knows what you may be confessing to .
juvat
Oh! and that's only partially in jest.
Deletejuvat
Great news for Miss B and family!
ReplyDeleteWhat's your source for the "original" meaning of SNAFU? All mine say the opposite.
I figured the use of the word "fouled" was for the family aspect of this blog...
DeleteRob,
DeleteZackly!
juvat
I know why you used "fouled" here, but this sentence (emphasis mine)...
Delete"I'm using the original wording for the acronym i.e. "Situation Normal, all fouled up!" instead of a more recent version that uses another word with an "F". Just sayin'."
Made me think that "fouled" was the original.
Sarge,
ReplyDeleteThat would be the always reliable Wikipedia!
Thanks, yep, we're excited.
juvat
Which in this case (hey, they're not always wrong) is correct.
DeleteTrue dat!
Deletejuvat
Juvat - Such wonderful news on all fronts for Miss B! Huzzah! I am certain that will relieve a lot of stress on many fronts.
ReplyDeleteThe positions that dogs will take in sleeping continues to stun me. In no world would stick my mouth in anything seem comfortable, let alone something I could sleep in.
Now looking forward to the Texan/Alamo post!
THBB,
DeleteYes it (all of the its) are wonderful. Been thanking the Big Guy quite a bit lately.
I don't get it at all, maybe it was such an easy way to scratch his nose that he relaxed and fell asleep scratching his nose. He woke up when we went in to fix dinner, pulled right out and went about his domain barking at the cows as if nothing had happened.
Our paper had an interesting insert in it this week. Got to digest that and build from that info.
juvat
Miss Jeanie and I are so happy about Miss B. We have prayed and thought a lot about her over the past months. So good to be a close-up witness to God’s great power. He is omnipresent and omniscient, and we can rejoice in His revelation of Himself through answered prayer on occasions like this.
ReplyDeleteD4,
DeleteCouldn't agree more, all I can say is "AMEN!"
juvat
Great news concerning Miss B and her mother getting to accompany LJW to the UK!
ReplyDeleteThe humorous side of dogs and running livestock results in very few dull moments as they can get into some situations that no one can explain how or why they did it. A cow going bonkers in a pasture with a feed bucket covering her nose and eyes and the bail over her top knot is one of my remembrances. The Great Pyrenees showing little concern at having the down spout over his nose is another prime example.
Cletus
Cletus,
DeleteThanks and agreed.
I gotta admit the GP's are kinda growing on me. The outside living seems to be working. (Although we did bring them in during that humdinger of a TStorm earlier this week, Holy Mackeral!). They do bark at a lot of things that go bump in the night, but at least they're outside and the house muffles that a bit.
juvat
You sure that photo isn't facing NW Texas and that's actual fire? Thanks for the good news on the B front.
ReplyDeleteTuna,
DeletePositive, had it been, we'd be outta here.
Thanks
juvat
Yay for Miss B!!
ReplyDeleteSanding...I actually enjoy sanding. It's so nice to take rough wood and make something nice and smooth out of it.
Time differences...I have a hard time remembering is it 3 hours or 4 hours between NY and CA...and then we go and change the clocks again and I get all bollixed up again. Texting is so much easier sometimes...folks can answer it when they wake up and read it.
Continuing prayers for Mrs J...
Beautiful sunset! And, based on experience from last summer's Canadian wildfires, yes, the smoke from wildfires do create interesting effects with the sun rises and sunsets.
Suz
Suz, I don't mind sanding to finish a project, but the bandsaw wasn't cooperating and I finally stopped using it to get "close". The last 4 ends were strictly the belt sander and me. I was wearing a black dust mask when I started. It was pretty much solid white when I finished as was most everything else I was wearing. But, the "not fun" part is over, so the rest should be "fun".
DeleteYeah, I just happened to be walking through the living room and saw that, the picture turned out better than I hoped.
juvat
Happy to hear Miss B has the all clear.
ReplyDeleteOur nearest granddog is a GP. That behavior seems typical. He does all kinds of things for no apparent reason.
Nice to see your woodworking shop is getting plenty of action.
(NNYU) Skip
Skip,
DeleteYeah, getting to know them was a bit of a challenge. Our two cats finally this last weekend ventured out of our bedroom. Evidently, my sister's Golden Retriever and they signed a peace accord. And since the GP's are outside dogs, things on the inside of the house are quite a bit quieter.
Woodworking keeps me slightly sane.
juvat
Such good news about Miss B!
ReplyDeleteStill praying for Mrs.J.
Keep up the good work on the projects.
Thanks, Mary, much appreciated.
Deletejuvat