Progress, even though slow, is Good!

 Apparently, Sarge is on an Military Art Binge and has used his VAST editorial powers to decree that Paintings Week shall continue this next week.  Being the loyal minion that I am, (Beans, you keep silent, hear?) I shall thus conscientiously endeavor to comply with said decree.

Ergo.

Click here for Larger Scale picture and description

So.... ;-)

Think I'll start with a bit of updating on the day to day rhythm here at Rancho Juvat lately.  Miss B and LJW are ensconced in one of our guest houses.  It's a bit smaller and less populated than our house (8 beings reside in our house, two in the guest house), so equipment is easier to reposition and since it's smaller, the connections don't need to be as long, the requirement to move the equipment is reduced.  Much easier to get around if you don't have to move both an infant and equipment at the same time.  Also, Mrs. J goes down there regularly to help with the feedings.

Speaking of feedings, consuming all Miss B's food through the mouth rather than through a cannula is one of the key markers for getting released from house jail, which will do wonders for the mental health of all concerned.  No longer requiring Oxygen supplementation is the other.  Progress is occurring in both categories.  Not there yet, but Progress IS progressing.

So...as the saying goes "Every day, in every way, we get (a little) better and better."  Thank you, Lord.

That notwithstanding, Mrs. J and I had a very enjoyable breakfast Sunday morning.  It's been our tradition since before we got married to go out to breakfast on Sunday's after Church.  TDY's, Illness and/or Weather have been the only excuses allowed for skipping, prior to Miss B's arrival.  However, as mentioned above...well, let's just say health and welfare of a Grandchild and her Mother take precedence.  But, this week, we were granted Papal Dispensation for a good reason.

I mentioned last week, that we had a potentially complicated problem with a Winter Storm, potential Power problems and Miss B's support equipment.  That problem was rendered solvable with the kind invite of one of our local Blog Readers, Cletus Valvecort.  His home has a whole house generator which would (probably literally) be a lifesaver should power go out in the area.  He invited us to come stay with he and his wife if that should happen.

Fortunately, that option did not need to be exercised as our power never went out.  Other folks in the general vicinity were not so lucky.  But, somebody upstairs was looking out for the juvat clan.

Thank you.

However, given the reduction in blood pressure that occurred on receiving that offer, Mrs. J and I felt we needed to show our gratitude as well as meet these folks Friends face to face.

So, we treated them to breakfast at our usual, pre-conundrum*, restaurant.  Arrangement was made to meet at 8:30ish (depending on the Sermon Verbosity of our Priest) yesterday.  Rendezvous went off without a hitch and shortly after sitting down we were swapping war stories as if we'd been friends for years.

Regular Blog Reader and Commenter, John Blackshoe had commented last week that he bet Cletus was a Native Texan.  As Cletus stated in his reply, he is a fifth generation Texan.  Upon querying him for more details, he related that the original two sides of the family had arrived and settled in the South East corner of the state in the late 1830's, early 1840's.  For those not willing to do the research that would be a couple of years after the Alamo, but before it became the 28th State.  In other words, when Texas was an independent Country.  His family were cattle ranchers and fishermen.  He shared the family stories that had been handed down from the time...I found them fascinating. Brought my High School Texas History to life.  Really wonderful. His own career was in the oil industry and he had spent some time in Germany where he met his bride.  Very nice folks with good stories.  We spent quite a while sipping coffee after breakfast.

Don't worry, Beans, the waitresses were (more than) adequately compensated.  

All in all, a wonderful morning.  Hope yours was as well.

*Pre-Conundrum.  Started sometime after the Covid BS started  and seems to be ending with LJW and Miss B requiring less and less close assistance.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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PZL-P.11C "For Pawel" Source

 

 

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Been There, Done That ...

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Okay yeah, I've calmed down a bit since the last cuppla posts. Something in the air / water / food, I dunno. Yes, I can get a bit "grumpy" when The Missus Herself isn't around to keep me "in line." (The daughters always worry that when Mama ain't home, I'll get a bit feral. As it's kinda true, I laugh, but also endeavor to not do that. Sometimes I even succeed.)

Anyhoo, John Blackshoe made a comment the other day that I should just post cool paintings and let you, the readers, interpret them. Beans seemed a bit troubled by that, so of course, I decided to do just that.

Today's painting is actually part of a larger painting which is contained in that round building in the opening photo. There is a lot going on in this painting fragment (you should see the whole thing) and it reminds me of a time when I could just hop in the car and in less than two hours be standing on the field where Napoléon lost his last gasp effort to remain on the throne of France. Which The Missus Herself claims we went to "every damned year we lived in Germany." Well, not really, she didn't go on three of the trips, but yes, I went every year. Sometimes twice.

Looking back on it, there is so much that I missed. So, someday I need to go back. Not sure if The Missus Herself will go, but ya never know.

One last thing before we get to the painting, I have been to the top of the "Lion's Mound" (la Butte du Lion, en français) and it's quite a climb, doubt I could make it these days (what with me rapidly approaching my dotage). I like the view from the top but am annoyed that they destroyed one of the most interesting features of the field to build it. (The famous "sunken lane" being the most cited feature. It wasn't as significant a "ditch" as Victor Hugo made out, but it did annoy the French cavalry trying to cross it. We'll never know, as it's long gone.)

Anyhoo, the painting, study it carefully then regale us all with your thoughts, pithy comments, and observations in the comments below.

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"Have at you!" (As the Black Knight of Monty Python fame might say.)