April 22, 2025

Yesteryear
One year ago today: April 22, 2024, a golden ratio box.
Five years ago today: April 22, 2020, rescue pot.
Nine years ago today: April 22, 2016, 50th look in Lakeland (area).
Random years ago today: April 22, 2011, I took a sewing class.

           You can’t see what’s different about this box. It was taken apart and put back together three times. The plan was to find out why it does not fit together well even with the most careful measurements. My conclusion is that I’ve exceeded the size limit of what I can accurately produce. There is the chance the thickness planer would help, however this is a tool box so it does now warrant a lot of fussing. The thing is, each board measures right and square, yet when assembled, the panels and ends never quite line up. Frustrating.

           This box is so much trouble, I can’t remember what tool it was for any more. Guess we’ll just find the one that fits. It’s the biggest box so far made with panels. This one is solid, with 28 screws holding the corners. You may be able to make out the clamps on the back. There is no undue strain on any of the lumber, yet they splay outward when the clamps are removed. Take the planks off, and they are flat.

           The number of credit-worthy Americans who refuse to use credit cards is up by 1% to around 17% of the population. They pay for everything with cash. They know something the rest don’t. And 90% is the ratio of US military drones that use components made only in China. High US labor costs make it impossible to open such factories here. Democrats have formulated “Operation Dark Woke” as they scramble to stop their all-time plunge in the ratings. My prediction is they will resort to the same old foot-dragging as ever, confident they can swing the next election.
           Here’s a letter written to Marion today. I have not spoken with her in years, I have asked my estate lady to check in on her. I know there is computer service at the home and Marion knows how to operate it, meaning there is some crazy rules or whatever. The lost art of the hand-written personal letter. I’ve a mind to send one to President Trump concerning my passport. They still squawk because I don’t have the exact format of birth certificate they demand. Fine, there is no money for travel out of the country anyway, and it is not like there is any place left to go.

           Welcome to the third consecutive day I can’t get under steam. But I did get a single sale, my cut being $2.22. Mind you, not only is that more than most people will make extra today, the money is plugged into a comparatively vast system where it contributes totally to investment income. It will earn around 7% but the nice part is that is $2.22 that is invested painlessly, that is, I don’t have to take it out of my pocket.
           Why mention this how? Ah, because last day I pointed out the long term goal from my youth was $5 per day. And the say this are set up, this counts as part of that. So the entire rest of the apparatus only has to produce $2.78 for today, which is done mostly while I sleep. And I sure feel like sleeping today.

           Drones are changing the nature of mountain climbing. They are being used to deliver supplies and remove refuse. The top of Mt. Everest is polluted with garbage and dead bodies. The government of Nepal has been using drones to remove some of the average 1,100 pounds of trash the average expedition leaves behind. Of course, the climbers, not the public, should bear the costs. The lastest model cargo drones can only carry around 40 pounds each.
           Don’t be surprised if you have not heard of the Ising Model. You may soon hear of its use, as a company in Singapore is ready to produce switches that use light (photons) rather than electricity (transistors). I’d buy one instantly if they are cheap, which could be as they are made on the same assembly lines as microchips. Photons can cause certain magnetic materials to have opposite spins, commonly known as up or down rather than 1 or 0.

Picture of the day.
Largest lily species.
(Cardiochrnum gianteum)
Remember to use BACK ARROW to return to blog.

           Other than Festus Tuesday, which turned out to be another soap opera, today was deadsville. Festus has to lookout for this slow-minded friend he can’t bear to put in the asylum. The dude’s violent streak shows up when he’s protecting animals. No pretty women this episode, which would have at least helped. They wind up foisting him some orphanage. This is the neighbor’s big screen TV. He knows how to record or save the movies but you are reading a blog by a man who has no idea how this is done. I can record off the Internet and that is good enough for me.

           This episode was the worst. No gunfights, no chase scents, Matt had a couple bit parts as the cool rationalist. Doc was the lively character on this one. It’s drama, but hardly the type you want in a western re-run. I’ve live in small western towns and things just don’t take anyone by surprise often enough to stay believable. There is a chance we will look at Wagon Train after this.

           Last evening I hunkered down a went over the latest box I built to my usual design. I found eleven defects attributable to my workmanship. This was at the old club, where Wilford was on duty. Yep folks, they’ve killed the small town atmosphere which was the main draw of that location. Here are the boxes I was checking. It is coincidence they fit inside each other. The give a good view of how the strength increases when the size decreases Both boxes are built from the same lumber, but the small box (with the lid off) gives the illusion of thicker wood.

           These represent the ends of the range of boxes that I can build with any degree of finesse. As seen, these boxes are relatively shallow. That dimension can be easily changed as it is no more that a standard lumber size. I will buy wider lumber if its on sale and if something is needed as in the case of tool boxes, I have the biscuit joiner. Um, that joiner system does not bear up well for tool boxes, which have to be reinforced to the point of becoming rather heavy. I don’t mind, as tools are expensive. The larger tools, like chain saws, edge away from portable toward transportable.

           Prices are dropping. The bunch that was blaming Trump has fallen deathly silent. I tanked up for less than $3 per gallon. It’s too complicated to identify causes but with billions saved by choking of USAID, there is bound to be this sort of effect. A ban on cadmium and lead has made almost all car keys illegal in Minnesota.

Last Laugh