October 11, 2025

Yesteryear
One year ago today: October 11, 2024, inside my papaya tree.
Five years ago today: October 11, 2020, nothing particularly Texas.
Nine years ago today: October 11, 2016, birds are messy eaters.
Random years ago today: October 11, 2008, they are morning glories.

           Six years ago I decided I needed to find me a hands-on hobby. So today, look for me in the shed. I never found that calling, it kind of found me. It has also displaced other things I should be doing, but you’ll get your own turn at that someday. You know those little adaptors that let you use your 1/4” sockets with a 3/8” rachet? Yep, $11 each. I saw some old stock at the Winter Haven Wal*Mart, and it doesn’t cost $11 to drive there. For more “senior” budget data, see addendum. This morning I’m having corn on the cob for breakfast. Told ya, I don’t believe in “breakfast food”. There are reports out of Europe silver has traded above $50, but no source yet.

           I got e-mail from the guitarist, explaining it is “wedding season” and they have him doing major overtime. That remains the only prospect these days, the musical wasteland of Florida remains the same as the day I arrived here. Which was December 24, 1999. It was a much nice place to live back then. This morning, we get that final wing off the table saw. Even if I have to cut the bolts.

           Hours it took, to remove those wings off that saw. Grimy, mechanic work, hunting for wrenches and sockets that trade never settled on any universal standards. I still have my knuckles intact and there should be a pic of the saw in working form later today. There I’m pointing to a DIY spacer made from my dandy collection of used washers. The original got lost as I dismantled this saw on the grass. That yellow rule has to stand off from the table.
           Sure, I’d rather be playing bass and hitting on babes half my age (oddly, I’ve never found age to be much of a barrier), but failing that, it’s yard work for today. Tell you what, let’s play bass until the sun comes up. The satellite view shows a cloudy day, which could mean an excellent afternoon for getting outside.

           By early afternoon, this turned into a major job. But I got it done, here’s a clip of removing bolts that were not mean to be removed. This makes it look easy. Many of the screws had carriage heads, that’s why you see me clamping them with vise grips. The work reminds me of an article I once read of this German mechanic who repaired Tiger tanks. How each tank required 36 different size wrenches. Mildly damaged tanks often had to be abandoned because a wrench got lost. I had to raid the toolboxes in the vans to find solutions. I’m using a 5/16th and an 11mm in these scenes.

           We have a winner. I tackled the Croce tune “Operator” to discover the bass line is really a lot of arpeggiated scale tones. Somebody got a classical guitarist to improvise and it is bass sleeper. That is, if the guitarist is strumming, the entire tune is carried by the bass. After 40 minutes, I have the first 15 notes ready. Talk about a show-off tune, but it would clash if a guitarist played the riffs. There are lots of chintzy versions on-line so I searched until I found a guitar tab and adapted it.
           It is only a matter of time until I find some bassist playing a tab I can copy. Copy? Yes, I openly admit I do not play jazz guitar or jazz bass and have no intention of going there. So let somebody else do the work, I’m sure they enjoy it. Of course I now like the tune, it relegates the guitar player to his proper place as bass accompanist.

           News, if any. That FCC rule that ISPs must list every fee may have to be rescinding because there are too many. Far too late in the game, the first anti-database law has been passed in, of all places, California. Previously, users could block data collectors, but it meant going to each individual site and clicking thousands of buttons. And you could never be sure you got them all. Data brokers are now required to register, but I predict they will just move out of state or find some way to remote access the data.
           I don’t know the full implications, but other clauses of the bill have real bite. One requires, that when customer cancels an account, subscription, or membership (don’t quote me on this), the company must cause full deletion of all that customer’s data. Not just deactivation and leave you on the mailing list intact. What a boon that would be—click one button and you cease to exist for these people. Major opponents predictably include Google and MicroSoft, who else.

Picture of the day.
Missouri Mountain.
Remember to use BACK ARROW to return to blog.

           Mid-afternoon and the saw is ready for testing. Here’s a view of what is now known as the albino box. Three layers of used paint and it is hard on the eyes. It’s a good box, you want it? Later, I’m testing the saw and I found what I think was the reason I got it so cheap. The fence is somehow bent and probably cannot be fixed by regular means. Ah, but that is why we have a robot club, to explore new repair frontiers. I’ll have the Texan weld angle iron if need be. I test cutting a number of pieces.

           That explains the picture of the four boxes, all done in a few minutes. Those custom-fit bottoms don’t always behave, so I’ve learned to cut them a bit proud, the trim. But that meant a trip to the neighbor’s shed, usually several times per box. With the grey saw, the distance is reduced from 60 steps, three doors, and a gate, to just 14 steps, no doors.
           What happens is I generally have up to five boxes that lack one slat on the bottom, but I’m waiting to do them in a batch, as I also have to set up the other saw, I have to vacuum the work area clean since he does his painting in the next room and sawdust is not his chosen medium. Cutting that final bottom slat is likely to be the main occupation of the saw for a while.

           All four of these boxes are different as I seek a winning design. Because of the grey saw, this took no more time than the other pieces. Day 11 of the government shutdown and a pattern is emerging. The Democrats seem to have a hard time admitting Trump has anticipated ever more they make—and they are making the same old moves. Relying on the shutdown to disrupt the country isn’t working. It seems Trump, probably with tariff money that they cannot access or control, is guaranteeing payment to the military, the needy, and the food programs.

           Ha, so the shutdown is only hurting themselves. I’m not affected at all, as I’m not a member of the parasite class. Trump is canning thousands of the worst civil servants, the ones the left was counting on to slow-walk like they did during his first term.

           Off to the old club for a Saturday night. Karaoke was so amateur that my show brought down the house. That gorgeous gal from the downtown coffee shop (the one I don’t like to afford even though I can) was there, not a bad singer. But same as my bass-playing, it is mostly presentation that makes the show and what a hoot it was.
           Only two tunes all night (Folsom and Boots) but I had them eating out of my hand. There was a nice one by herself, I chatted her up but it was evident she was playing tag. Sure enough, her boyfriend showed up a half-hour before closing. I was not about to stay but somebody out there kept buying me drinks. I was there until midnight. Now where is that saw picture I mentioned this morning. Ah, here it is. It's a nice saw.

           There is a little gossip. Remember Sandi, who I thought should run for mayor? Her little girl, the one I played piano with, is now a 17-year-old knockout. So “wow” that you have to be careful just saying so. I did not recognize her. She graduates next year, Sandi has put the building up for sale, which would make her an instant millionaire. It has something like four rental units besides both businesses. We don't know her plans but I hope she stays in town.
           And that singer who can’t play guitar was around, the handyman. I’ve engaged him for a half-day next week to get my kitchen floor done once and for all. Same price as the hillbilly but with more experience. He’s got a small workshop of his own, I think I want him to take a peek at my sheds. There is plenty of space here for two, or even four/five people, to work. I want my kitchen fully functional by October 31.

           Why the rush? Because I see the potential for several things going wrong between now and March ’26. Don’t get caught unready like everyone else. I’m juggling a government shutdown, a condo in France, and a music contract that has already bled me dry. I cannot risk my cabin. This could be the last place to crash no questions asked.
           My fiscal year closes soon and that flags some gloom in the next while. One aspect that is totally my fault is general neglect of my cozy cabin. I know I need new shingles and siding, but what’s there works just fine, so I'm ignoring it. I take inventory and today, for instance, that sink trap is leaking again. It was mickey-moused at some earlier time and the plastic fittings spring leaks every other year. But compared to slogging one’s life away for 30 years, fixing a $25 drain once in a while is nothing.

Last Laugh