Running errands yesterday while listening to Pete Fountain - good way to spend the morning. Bank, grocery store, Dollar General, library, car wash, and most importantly, got the header for the jitney sent off in time to get the 20% off Black Friday pricing.
The trip to the Dollar Store was to pick up another 8x10 picture frame for my Billy Goat Tavern photo - that's the one on the lower right. That one was shot with the old Franke Jr, handheld in low light. Came out better than I expected. Lower left is a big lathe at The Henry Ford I was able to take when I had behind the ropes access. Top left is brother Johnny "riding" the bicycle that was hanging from the top of the garage. Top right is a mill at a state park in Kentucky. Click on the photo for a bigger view.
Did a little layout work on the rear axle for the jitney. I'm going to have to move the car before I can do much else. The one end of the axle is hitting the milling machine when I tried to get it lined up. I'll have to move the car over and forward a couple feet before I can get started in earnest on that. Definitely time to move the operation inside - it'll be December in a couple of days - three months of cold weather at a minimum, now.
I did a 5k yesterday with Surly and a few from the boxing gym. I looked around at the start for the guy I used to work with who's a pretty fair race walker. I didn't see him but did spot him when he was right at the 1 mile mark. I told Surly we might be able to catch him if we really hustle - and we almost did. In fact, Surly caught him right at the finish line. However, he let the other guy go ahead. I was about 20 yards behind due to my back tightening up. As it turns out, the other guy was the first male walker, Surly was #2 and I was #3. If I had spied the other guy before the gun went off, Surly and I might have had a 1,2 finish. And Surly was wearing a rucksack with about 40 pounds in it. Probably the only reason I could stay with him. Great day for the race, on both levels.
I got the little bracket made up for the new metric deepwells. They're not in the handiest spot, but I doubt they'll get much use, so it's not a bad choice of locations.
I boxed up the jitney header yesterday. Jet Hot is having a 20% off sale, so time to send it out. I'll call them tomorrow and make sure the price they quoted me is still valid. If it's in the ballpark, I'll get it to the UPS place in the afternoon. It needs to be at Jet Hot by Dec 7th, so not much time to dilly-dally.
I've got some cleaning to do and then it's back on the jitney project and a couple more of the loose-end jobs I've been trying to get done.
I received a Christmas card in the mail from my new financial advisor yesterday. Included in the card was a schmaltzy letter and some information about the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program. The program was started in1947, so even a guy like me who's oblivious to many things, was aware of the Toys for Tots program, but I wasn't very familiar with the details. First of all, I didn't realize there was an actual Toys for Tots song that was recorder by both Peggy Lee and Nat "King" Cole. After being on this earth almost as long as the organization, I probably heard it a time or two but just didn't realize what it was I was hearing. Most importantly, I learned the financial office has a drop-box for toys.
Like most of you with a phone or a mailing address, you probably get bombarded all year long with people asking for money. I've decided to limit my giving to people and organizations that will have a direct impact on people close to home. I'm not a big giver by any means, but the Missus and I are truly blessed and can afford to share a little of those blessings. I normally give a few bucks to the local food pantry, a shelter and "Shop With a Cop" this time of year. Now that I'm aware of the drop-box for toys at the financial advisor, I'll get a couple of toys for the Marines to distribute. There is no reason that any youngster in this country should be "food insecure" or not get a couple of toys for Christmas regardless of their religion or financial situation.
Some friends lost their house to a fire Tuesday. What didn't get burned up was probably lost to smoke or water damage. I don't know their financial situation, how well they were insured, or if they had the mattress stuffed with "C" notes, but short term they're going to be hurting, no doubt about that. I'll kick a few bucks their way, also.
I mention my giving not to make myself look like a great philanthropist, but to point out that there are lots of people in need, especially this year. The covid, with the governmental response and their irresponsible money printing, has put the squeeze on a lot of people. Foreclosures are up, car repossessions are up, the housing market's heading down hill, layoffs, it all is adding up to a really tough end of the year and next year's not looking any better.
If you wish to make a donation to Toys for Tots and don't know where to drop off your toys or make a cash donation, click here and get the straight dope. They do a lot more than just the Christmas toys also. And if you are in need of toy, there's a spot to request one. Even if Santa can't find you because you're living on the street or in your car, the Marines will.
It's been a tough couple of years, let's all pitch in and do what we can to help the less fortunate.
Another beautiful day yesterday, so I finished screwing down the trailer floor. I was going to bolt the D-rings down but sticking my finger inside the tubing to put a lock washer and nut on the bolt just wasn't going to work out well, so I made back-up plates with the nuts welded on. Much easier with these.
I did a few other outdoorsy things, got the blade on the tractor along with getting all the fluids topped off. Nothing much on the agenda today. We'll be dining at home today, due to one of the grandsons running a fever. There's still plenty to be thankful for, however. Life's pretty much back to normal around here after a couple of years of covid seclusion.
I've been working on some photo stuff as part of the tidying up loose ends thing I've been working on as of late. The shot above is my gallery wall in the woodshop. Most of the photos are portraits I've done along with some other things, most of them out of view to the left. I've about run out of room except where the speed bag platform is. I'm going to take that down. Even though I've got it cross-braced and tied into the wall, it vibrates too much and kills the action of the bag. Might as well take it down and make room for a few more photos.
I've got a couple of negatives I was going to print up recently, but the developer had gone bad. I need to decide if I'm going to shoot anymore black & white film. I enjoy fooling with the old cameras, but I need to do something with the negatives. I might tackle some alternative process stuff. I bought a tintype kit, and I made a couple of albumen prints once upon a time. Hard to find any incentive these days when my phone takes such nice photos, and the images can be manipulated easily enough on the computer without any special software. I still like my old cameras, though.
Another beautiful day yesterday - temperature was about 50 - just right for working on the trailer again. Productive day. I've almost got it whipped.
Just have a couple of things left to do. I need to finish screwing down the floor and the "D" rings and then it's useable. I'm not too concerned about the sides at the moment. I'll work on them one of these days as a fill in project. I did take it for a little shakedown run. Lights all work, tires hold air and the wheel chock is bolted down. It's about ready to put into service.
Beautiful day yesterday - temperature was right at the average for this time of year. I got the gutters cleaned, put the cover on the air conditioner, a couple of other piddly-ass things, put the shocks and the acorn nuts on the trailer, installed the new rope light, and finished the day off with a trip to the gym.
Today and tomorrow are supposed to be seasonally warm again, or a bit warmer. I'll get a bit more done on the trailer while it's nice - try to get the floor down and the wheel chock installed. I need to box up the header for the jitney. I received an e-mail from Jet-Hot and they've got a 20% off thing going on. Time to get that sent out. I'll keep working on some of the loose ends and then get back on the jitney hot and heavy.
I went to Indy yesterday for a hockey game - Indy Fuel. It's been at least 10-12 years since I've been to a game. Last time I was there the team was the Ice, not the Fuel. The inside of the Coliseum has been remodeled since then as well. Nice place to watch a game. Good, fast action. Reasonable ticket prices, also. They had a special deal for $69.00 - 4 tickets, a hockey puck and a coupon for four sub sandwiches. The only problem is the sub coupons were for a franchise that wasn't in the coliseum. They're good until May of 23, though.
When I came home from the game, I got a chance to see the new post lights lit up. They look pretty good up there and actually put out quite a bit of light. If I get a railing, I can get my telescope set up out there without worrying about falling off. I did a trick like that once before - damn near killed myself. I'd rather not do that again.
The weather this week looks to be a bit more seasonal, thank goodness. Hope to finish up the trailer, keep picking away at some stuff around the shack and make a little more progress on the jitney.
