Manic Monday*

 Ok, Campers,  still not a lot going on at Rancho Juvat.  Weather has been beautiful, not too hot (mid 80's), not too cold (low 60's).  Just about perfect.  The good news is, my leg seems to be getting a bit better.  I can walk a bit more comfortably, most of the time.  I think I've been to virtually all the Doctor's in town, none seem to know what to do about it, but, as I said, it does seem to be getting better.  We'll see.

My favorite travel agent (AKA Mrs Juvat) is planning vacations left and right.  Mid-November, she's set up a wine cruise for the "gang" from our friend's previously owned winery.  The Husband, the winemaker had passed away.  The Wife, the Business Manager decided to sell the winery.  The folks who bought it,  well, they're not really personable.  So, the "gang" has kinda gone out on our own.  

 

This is pretty much the group going on the cruise, as I said, "The Gang"

In any case, about 14 folks are going on a riverboat cruise in Portugal on the Duoro River which runs through the Portugese Wine Country.  The boat holds about 100 passengers, so, it won't be too crowded.

And...They provide wine on the boat.  So....We've got that going for us.

This is where we'll be.

Should be a lot of fun

One of the many reasons I married Mrs J is she is a very kind hearted person and goes way out of her way to try and help folks having "difficulties".  As I mentioned a couple of weeks ago, Little J and LJW had a miscarrage.  Mrs J and I went through a few of them between Little J's birth and MBD's, so we (especially she) understand the feelings.  So, we're sitting out on the front porch enjoying a nice glass of Sauvignon Blanc a couple of evenings ago (temperature was about 75 with about 5K of wind, quite delightful), while watching Axis Deer transit our property.  (Drives the Great Pyrenees bat-shit crazy.  I like to laugh at the looks the deer give the dogs, since they're on another side of the fence.  Yes, it's a great life we live here!). 

Anyhow...we're sitting there when Mrs J, out of nowhere, asks if I'd like to go on a cruise sometime around Christmas.  Since we'll have come back from a cruise less than a month before, the cash register bells in the back of my head started going off. So, I hemmed and hawwed a bit.  Then she ran over our out of pocket expenses for the Portugal trip.   Hmmmm!  Seems our trip was covered by her commission with quite a bit left over.  

She then mentioned that since Little J, LJW and Miss B would be coming home for Christmas, it might be a good opportunity to get them in a family adventure with us, them and MBD, the Rev and their two kids.  Take their minds off of things.

She's a smart cookie, way smarter than me (not that that's too hard), so I said "Great Idea!" and gave it my blessing.  Just a 5 day cruise, get's back on Christmas Eve. It's a Disney cruise ship which pretty much ensures it'll be a very Christmas and Kid oriented cruise program.  I mean, they've even got a Pirate Knight Night.  ARRRGGGHHH, Mateys! So, it should be a blast. The whole gang is excited.  Which is good!

Beans, I think they've got room for one more (Big) kid if you want to tag along.  I'd pay big money for photo evidence of you in an elf costume.  Yes, I would!  (And I'd have subject matter for several future posts, which'll keep Sarge happy.)

So, as I said, a lot of ups and downs lately, but it looks like the more prominent vector now is a 90 degree Afterburner Climb.  Thank You, Lord!

Much like this!

 

 Damn, I miss that! And, that's with 2 external tanks,  You should try it with a clean jet!  Gotta get the landing gear up REAL fast.

Peace out, y'all!  

*Just in case you want to listen to the Bangles