She will fly again!

The Grumman Guardian undergoing restoration at Toco TX.  I spoke to a woman who was cleaning one of the aircraft there at the airfield.  She told me that yes, the Burchinals are restoring the Grumman to flight status!  Once done, it will be the only flying example of the Guardian in the world.

As seen above, the air frame has been stripped and primed, and the prop remounted.  I was told the plane was trucked to Toco in several large pieces, as it was not flightworthy at the time.  As you can see, it has been reassembled.  I can't wait to see how this project comes together!

The SNJ is still flying apparently too!  I got these nice pics of it at Toco.  It was parked just across from the Grumman.  I am pretty sure it is the same SNJ referenced in this blog post by someone who took lessons at Toco back in the 1970's.  Soloing the Mustang.

Not So Laborious Day

Today was Labor Day, but we didn't labor much!  DH spent a lot of time on a call-out ticket that took two days to resolve, and that thrashed most of his weekend.

So, when our dear friend from the Metromess and his beloved Hairy Monster dog arrived yesterday, we simply took it easy.  Burgers and sausages were grilled.  Tasty beverages were consumed.  And the Hairy Monster got groomed...lots!

First though, Monkey3, my dessert chef in training, decided to make the Ghirardelli Chocolate Crackle cookies.  DH had found the recipe online that my mom had been raving about.  It was simple enough.  It was also insanely tasty, especially with my cuppa coffee at breakfast!

Then today, we headed out to the range for some fun.  There were a lot of butterflies around.  This one took a liking to our friend's rifle!  It must've sat there for 20+ minutes, just hanging out.

 Eventually, we packed up and headed home to cool off, and let the pups outside.  All in all, a fun way to spend the last big weekend of summer!

High 'n Dry for now, up here.

We have been blessed to not be in the active rainfall zone for H/TS Harvey.  We have clouds from it, but no rain.  At least not until later in the week.  Then it might rain a lot.  Time will tell.

We have been watching the activities in the affected zone with interest, as we have friends who live there.  So far, they are safe, if not totally dry.  It could be much worse for them.

Much has been made of the conflicting advice in the media, from Gov. Abbott, and the Mayor of Houston.  Abbott advocated "get outta Dodge if you can", and the Mayor advocated "shelter in place".  Initially, I would side with Abbott, if you can evacuate safely and early enough, do it.  Pack your $h/7 and get moving.  But the Mayor also pointed out the last time they tried to evac Houston all at once, it didn't go very well!  H. Rita, again, anyone?  Yeah, that evac killed 100+ people, just through the evac process.  Folks stranded for hours and days on the flooding roads...and this event with Harvey is worse.  Much worse on flooding.  I suspect far more than the 5 thus recorded fatalities, would have occurred during evacuation.  I can see wisdom in both approaches.

I would like to thank, though, all the first responders, the Cajun Navy, the tree cutters, linemen, telco guys, the ham radio folks, the various formal disaster services, Texas Guards (National and State), the neighbors helping neighbors, the internet folks trying to coordinate aid and assistance, the weather folks for getting it real damned accurate this time (Steve McCauley!) Red Cross, Salvation Army and anyone else who is helping those in need whom I have failed to mention in specific.  Thank you!  This is what makes America great.

Canine adventure, and goodbye

Some of you may know we have been fostering a dog for our local shelter.  His name is Sarge.  He is a Harrier hound mix, and very good natured.  He has been with us nearly 6 mo, with no adoption prospects in sight.

Yesterday I got word, on short notice, that a place on the Rescue Wagon had been secured for Sarge, and he would be going to a shelter (no-kill) in Cheyenne WY.  Apparently they have a nice community program, and a much larger adoption pool for Sarge to find his Forever Home from.

It would've been very easy to foster-fail him.  He fit into our pack and routine so easily.  He's very gentle and loving, and not a big barker either.  We had a good handle on his separation anxiety.  But...if we had kept him, we would have to opt out of fostering any other dogs.   We are maxed out at 4 dogs (3 Ridgebacks and 1 foster).  As is, with DH's probable hip surgery coming up, having one less dog in the house should make it easier for him to navigate whilst recovering.  We are planning on helping walk dogs that have been pulled for rescue groups, that are housed offsite.  It's a way we can help out, without bringing another dog home after DH's surgery.  Once all that is cleared up, we may well do short term fosters.  That makes space and pens available, for intake, and helps reduce the euthanasia risk.

Sarge, I will miss you!  I wish you all the best, in finding your forever family.  It was hard to let you go, but I have to trust the process.  I hope you love the change in climate, and discover snow!

It never fails...

 

Yep, more rain is on the way.  It even rained yesterday on us, up in Kansas, ruining our eclipse viewing.