tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90642782265810614562024-02-29T05:25:35.885-08:00Voices Inside My HeadStuff I just need to get off my chest.heresolonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00461382067580153600noreply@blogger.comBlogger1165125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064278226581061456.post-77266110073592034352024-02-25T06:48:00.000-08:002024-02-25T06:48:50.914-08:00Uncommitted delegates?<p> In Washington state, in the current Presidential Primary, you can vote in the Democratic Primary for "uncommitted delegates". Forty years of voting and this is the first time I have ever seen this.</p><p>Makes me wonder how much confidence the WSDP has in President Joe Biden.</p>heresolonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00461382067580153600noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064278226581061456.post-40689482908381110442024-02-20T05:55:00.000-08:002024-02-22T05:01:31.688-08:00Projects<p> <a href="https://wilderwealthywise.com/">John Wilder mentioned </a>that he was going to forego blogging this week in order to get a project done.</p><p>That made me think about starting and not finishing projects, a failing of mine. Usually because halfway through I realize that I am either missing something or don't know how to do something and have to figure it out, which figuring will take more time than I have.</p><p>So here's yesterday's project as illustration:</p><p>Yesterday I decided to finally rebuild the front forks on my Harley. It's about a three hour job but I had the day off. I have new chrome fork sliders and covers, plus a new handlebar clamp that holds the bars better. It's also time to change that fork oil as the spec on the Progressive monoshocks is about 50k.</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Move the shop trailer over nearer to the garage.</li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Move the bike to the pavement behind the trailer (can't do front end on the lift)</li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Jack up the bike, remove brakes, wheel, fender, cowling, left fork.</li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Disassemble fork and discover that I am out of the correct size fork seal, which I thought I had lots of because I keep them in stock. Instead I have 25 of the next size down which I won't use up if I work on bikes for another ten years.</li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Spend twenty minutes digging through the trailer to see if I might have a bag of overstock seals somewhere (spoiler alert: I don't)</li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Realize that the new (second hand but still in the box) fork slider covers I bought are clamp on covers, not replacement. They look terrible so I wouldn't have bought them if I'd realized.</li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>So now I have motorcycle with no forks or front wheel suspended on a floor jack in the street and it's going to rain. Can't get parts because it's Monday and motorcycle shops are generally closed Monday around here, especially in the winter.</li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Put the fork back together without seal or oil and reinstall on bike. Put the wheel back on. Take the bike off the lift and run it into the garage. Pack all the other parts in a bin, put the tools away, clean up the shop trailer, put the shop trailer back in its spot.</li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Now I have to drive three hours round trip to the nearest Harley shop, after working all day, to buy fork slider covers and seals (assuming they have the fork slider covers in stock, they'll definitely have the seals but that doesn't really help as I'd have to take it all back apart again when the covers came in) so that I can get the bike done this weekend as the next weekend I have a memorial ride to attend.</li></ul><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Update</b>: Not only are they not in stock, but they are back ordered til the end of April. Sigh. I've ordered aftermarket and the likelihood is that they won't be as good quality.</div></blockquote><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Second sigh. This is why I don't start projects. There wasn't a damn thing wrong with the bike.</li></ul><p></p>heresolonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00461382067580153600noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064278226581061456.post-91610127253039324902024-02-18T07:04:00.000-08:002024-02-18T07:04:25.336-08:00Those who cannot remember history...<p> </p><h1 class="node-title" style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(147, 197, 253, 0.5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty,/*!*/ /*!*/); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: white; border: 0px solid rgb(229, 231, 235); box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Söhne; font-size: 3rem; line-height: 62px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;">AAUP Joins Labor Union Call for Ceasefire in Gaza</h1><div class="node-lead" style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(147, 197, 253, 0.5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty,/*!*/ /*!*/); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-text-opacity: 1; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: white; border: 0px solid rgb(229, 231, 235); box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(134 134 134/var(--tw-text-opacity)); font-family: "Tiempos Text"; font-size: 1.5rem; line-height: 2.25rem; max-width: 982px;"><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(147, 197, 253, 0.5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty,/*!*/ /*!*/); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(229, 231, 235); box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 18px;">“We cannot bomb our way to peace,” the statement from the association of professors says.</p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(147, 197, 253, 0.5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty,/*!*/ /*!*/); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(229, 231, 235); box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 18px;"><br /></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(147, 197, 253, 0.5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty,/*!*/ /*!*/); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(229, 231, 235); box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 18px;">Germany and Japan could not be reached for comment.</p></div>heresolonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00461382067580153600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064278226581061456.post-19287857594998330582024-01-25T05:50:00.000-08:002024-01-25T05:50:25.047-08:00Canadian authoritarianism<p> https://www.cato.org/blog/canadian-court-trudeaus-use-emergency-powers-crush-protests-was-illegal</p><p><br /></p><p>One judge. Keep that in mind. One judge. This will probably be overturned by the higher court. That is my prediction based on a fairly comprehensive knowledge of Canada and its politics.</p><p><br /></p><p>I'd be pretty happy though if we could get a judge in Washington to agree that the emergency powers used by the state's governor to clamp down on freedom here for two and a half years. That is not a typo. September 2022 was when he relinquished control. And our one party state government did nothing to try to rein him in. Why? Because they were perfectly happy to have a totalitarian state, so long as it was run by one of their own. </p><p><br /></p><p>Might be worth pointing out that the Washington State Attorney General spent most of his taxpayer funded time between 2016 and 2020 suing the Republican Trump Administration. Not once did he attempt to rein in his own governor.</p>heresolonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00461382067580153600noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064278226581061456.post-28560890533184689522024-01-18T07:13:00.000-08:002024-01-18T07:13:37.135-08:00And why I still read Cato in spite of it all<p> Fiscal reform reporting</p><p>https://www.cato.org/blog/34-trillion-debt-house-budget-committee-debates-fiscal-commission-act</p>heresolonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00461382067580153600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064278226581061456.post-76523555606069654842024-01-13T07:42:00.000-08:002024-01-13T07:42:42.924-08:00Running out of patience with libertarians<p>Cato, which I have been reading for years, now thinks that protecting shipping from pirates isn't a good idea.</p><p><a href="https://www.cato.org/blog/us-military-role-red-sea-now-turning-offensive-bad-deal">https://www.cato.org/blog/us-military-role-red-sea-now-turning-offensive-bad-deal</a><br /></p><p>Sometimes they do write good articles:</p><p><a href="https://www.cato.org/blog/argentinas-javier-milei-slashing-big-government-we-can-do-same-america">https://www.cato.org/blog/argentinas-javier-milei-slashing-big-government-we-can-do-same-america</a><br /></p><p>On the Middle East: Their complete lack of recognition regarding just who was and wasn't effective (note that this article is about "Washington" and "United States" but completely fails to mention, for example, the Abraham Accords, plus dumps all over "Israel's war in Gaza" where they actually cite Hamas as evidence of all the bad things Israel is doing</p><blockquote><p> <span style="background-color: white; color: #1a1714; font-family: "Inter Variable", sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.142222px;">According to the Hamas‐controlled Gaza health authorities</span></p></blockquote><p><a href="https://www.cato.org/commentary/us-middle-east-policy-has-failed">https://www.cato.org/commentary/us-middle-east-policy-has-failed</a><br /></p><p>I've just about stopped paying attention to them given their strident opposition to any border controls and their lack of any recognition that President Trump may have done anything good in his four years, especially compared to what we've seen from the Biden Administration, but I think this is probably the end for me. Unless, of course, I just keep the link on the sidebar to see what they are ranting about next.</p>heresolonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00461382067580153600noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064278226581061456.post-88899012003544119412023-12-21T06:58:00.000-08:002023-12-21T06:58:17.273-08:00LtCol Bob Pardo (USAF Ret), famous for Pardo's Push, dies at age 89<p>Inspiring and well worth a read:</p><p><a href="https://theaviationist.com/2023/12/20/bob-pardo-has-died/">https://theaviationist.com/2023/12/20/bob-pardo-has-died/</a></p>heresolonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00461382067580153600noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064278226581061456.post-17035897331187108382023-12-19T07:49:00.000-08:002023-12-19T07:49:22.906-08:00Minnesota chooses a new flag<p> Here it is:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi_PqE0cE0DcI2NY73W0-JHKePnNpmgWnsLJSpYDzX15c4-Q-rxhptxnU_UxXUy2BzErZk4i0b-SivNubuJfeUCQzdkCw-wPViIyd-F-m-p9E9oeBcaWyk1CCBtD_9hTjbLy8x9UnlaX5e0E0mmDQ3GDtsVO0S5RmpoCg3uHd0jlBxwAwtZGLlO3_vp0c/s1280/Flag_of_Jubaland_(Somalia).svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi_PqE0cE0DcI2NY73W0-JHKePnNpmgWnsLJSpYDzX15c4-Q-rxhptxnU_UxXUy2BzErZk4i0b-SivNubuJfeUCQzdkCw-wPViIyd-F-m-p9E9oeBcaWyk1CCBtD_9hTjbLy8x9UnlaX5e0E0mmDQ3GDtsVO0S5RmpoCg3uHd0jlBxwAwtZGLlO3_vp0c/s320/Flag_of_Jubaland_(Somalia).svg.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>Whoops, sorry, my mistake. That is the Jubaland, Somalia flag. Here's the actual new Minnesota flag.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuwAfwMGD68OxdiPTs4IX4mIB3rcpEUg1_HlF17Cc2KvY53alAWmidXHWPpkVn6aYWogWjFirIRKzSnJH264UY4_SQfRhqC6Fb6VzxEPY89vlmpuQ5oVNy0RHphiwpKlBeWxdMDgs6ABGuepuxN-ULtVM7r88HUPZE_rSc-SWSMSTQXLhGH8YSWl5JGac/s932/F1953.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="524" data-original-width="932" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuwAfwMGD68OxdiPTs4IX4mIB3rcpEUg1_HlF17Cc2KvY53alAWmidXHWPpkVn6aYWogWjFirIRKzSnJH264UY4_SQfRhqC6Fb6VzxEPY89vlmpuQ5oVNy0RHphiwpKlBeWxdMDgs6ABGuepuxN-ULtVM7r88HUPZE_rSc-SWSMSTQXLhGH8YSWl5JGac/s320/F1953.webp" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Totally different. Can't imagine how I got those mixed up.</p>heresolonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00461382067580153600noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064278226581061456.post-42778966300265452462023-12-16T07:45:00.000-08:002023-12-16T07:45:28.184-08:00Necchi BF Mira<p>Necchi (pron. Nekki) BF Mira</p><p>Date: 1955-ish</p><p>BF stands for Bobina Famiglia (Family model). The other option from Necchi, introduced later, was the Bobina Universale (Universal model) which had zigzag.</p><p>Why did I buy this? It isn't what I collect, I already have two modern (a Japanese Fleetwood and a Brother Select-o-matic) sewing machines for doing work I need to do. It was, however, $18.75 at the 75% off, going out of business, thrift store sale. And it is immaculate. Necchi's are supposed to be a joy to sew on so why not?</p><p>Also, those more knowledgeable than I mentioned that it looks like the pedal has been re-wired, which is a good thing, because the original wiring was generally sketchy after all these years.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdxoBQBLgo-pU3Ki-YcDp_S-Lxeu_5VFWDbVma0VjxlgqfiziQTZ1ghMUPmWXPWPCfxN1iqOzKA5Afs0Il1H3ueuEILT6s-aJpe-EkE7dSXIHyW2HBMyKFvsT9OWYuRU-wEizZqM2yGNpOR_NKkCB-p2efslx6pzp911eFNntSjB1C-UrtquJveQotFO8/s4032/Necchi%20BF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdxoBQBLgo-pU3Ki-YcDp_S-Lxeu_5VFWDbVma0VjxlgqfiziQTZ1ghMUPmWXPWPCfxN1iqOzKA5Afs0Il1H3ueuEILT6s-aJpe-EkE7dSXIHyW2HBMyKFvsT9OWYuRU-wEizZqM2yGNpOR_NKkCB-p2efslx6pzp911eFNntSjB1C-UrtquJveQotFO8/w400-h300/Necchi%20BF.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>heresolonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00461382067580153600noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064278226581061456.post-31252184399877188092023-12-16T06:27:00.000-08:002023-12-16T06:27:38.170-08:00Collection: Singer 29-4 Patcher<p> Singer 29-4 Patcher</p><p>Serial:15419810</p><p>Date: 1898</p><p>Treadle stand: cast iron</p><p>Summer 2022, $200</p><p>Picked this up two years ago as a surprise acquisition. These usually go for $750 plus but I was down in Sedro Woolley and saw the ad pop up on Craigslist. Called and discovered that the original purchaser wasn't able to make it due to back problems and it was newly available. Told the seller I could be there in about 30 minutes and headed up Highway 9. Took two of us to load but got it home and inside with the help of a neighbor. Seller bought it to do some sails, never got around to using it, and was getting a divorce and needed stuff to go away. I've already sewn some patches onto leather motorcycle vests and am building a table for it. They came with wooden tables but those have often been lost or destroyed over the years as they aren't fixed to the stand but put into place when needed.</p><p>The shaft may be slightly bent at the end (you can see the hand wheel is canted slightly although it's not as bad in real life as it looks in this picture) but the machine sews flawlessly. The only time this has been a problem is in winding bobbins as the bobbin winder tire doesn't press against the handwheel consistently.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7aFKygEbAKXDwTfTAvlc8eZ7sjvlDSoCzkUYwjCXTsztxotvBWAqHpzwF8AzNN04sbos-hLgKkeTj-49li0FWBlz21BfwPK-7Sy-tXnakPyrg1AwGJtrZ86qNQf7BPjImbyUAdeozpwrSTetZNweUpm_zsvcHVHD-btfEvl_0f2Y10XY1mvBUX8_yuUQ/s4032/20220807_173958.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7aFKygEbAKXDwTfTAvlc8eZ7sjvlDSoCzkUYwjCXTsztxotvBWAqHpzwF8AzNN04sbos-hLgKkeTj-49li0FWBlz21BfwPK-7Sy-tXnakPyrg1AwGJtrZ86qNQf7BPjImbyUAdeozpwrSTetZNweUpm_zsvcHVHD-btfEvl_0f2Y10XY1mvBUX8_yuUQ/w300-h400/20220807_173958.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>heresolonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00461382067580153600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064278226581061456.post-56446819395733845092023-12-16T06:15:00.000-08:002023-12-16T14:33:06.237-08:00Oughts, A tribute to E.B. White<p>Christmas break officially started yesterday. So I ought to get my Christmas decorations up now that I have time. I'll need to unpack some containers onto the dining room table so I ought to clear that off. While I'm taking care of the contents of the table I ought to solder that power wire that goes to the Empire Troubador turntable as it's been sitting there for quite some time and then the turntable would finally be useable. I need to pop into town to pick up Christmas tree but I ought to clear the front porch first to make room for that tree. Some of the furniture will need to be moved into the shed, so I'll need to clear out the shed a bit first. I should call a couple people who wanted some of the sewing machines and cabinets in the shed and then they could pick them up, making more room in the shed. I should pull out the Singer 306 from the back of the shed and see what parts it needs to put it in good running order, since I'll be out there organizing and moving anyway. If I'm working on the front porch, today would be a good day to do a little maintenance so I ought to put linseed oil on the two cabinets that are sitting out there exposed to the sunlight. I also ought to see if there's a place in town that does paper shredding so then I could take the bin of old documents and drop it off to be shredded.</p><p>I ought to stop by the neighbor's and see if he remembered to bring that saw blade home with him that I need to finish the pergola center post, and if he did I ought to install that post, the cross beams, and the lattice, so that the pergola will be usable this winter. I ought to stop by the hardware store and see if they have burner elements for the stand heater, because otherwise it will be too cold in the pergola to use it this winter.</p><p>I ought to clean out the garden beds and spread the bags of manure that are stacked back by the garage, and that might be a good time to turn the compost pile. If I'm turning the compost pile, I probably ought to rake up the rest of the leaves and windfall apples and add them to the pile. Since the step ladder will be out for the Christmas lights I ought to get up into the apple trees to trim down some of the upper branches. </p><p>I probably ought to either throw away or bag up and store the packing materials and boxes that are sitting on my kitchen floor.</p><p>I ought to clean out the guest room which has become full of piles of stuff. Some of those things are sewing machine waiting to be displayed so I ought to set up the ladder shelf I bought. I think that will best fit in the upstairs hall where the old dresser that holds towels and sheets is currently sitting so I ought to find a place to put towels and sheets. I ought to take the old pile of towels and sheets and either donate them or throw them away. I should also bind the manuals and books that I have piled here so that they can be put away which would allow me to put away the binding machine which is taking up space on the workbench in the guest room, then I probably ought to put that Singer 66 back together. If it were back together it could go back into it's treadle cabinet which is in the shed, then I should call the individual that wanted a Singer 66 Redeye treadle so that he can come pick it up.</p><p>Today I ought to print out raffle tickets for the veterans raffle. I'll need to get more raffle tickets so perhaps I can do that while I am in town getting the Christmas tree. Glancing over at the printer I notice that there's a pile of receipts by it that need to be filed so I ought to file them.</p><p>If I'm going to run to town I ought to package up these clock keys that need to be returned so that I can drop them off at the FedEx place. I ought to call the fellow I talked to yesterday at the record store about meeting up to give him $20 and pick up the Sugar album he is getting rid of.</p><p>With the ground soft after the rains we've had I ought to dig a trench out next to the front walk to install the wiring for a lamppost down by the street.</p><p>I ought to call my parents and see if they want to have supper tonight so that we can eat the turkey soup I made. </p><p>Well, I've been sitting her at the computer for a while and getting a bit tired. Perhaps it's time to sit and read for a while. Maybe listen to my latest Blind Willie McTell acquisition.</p><p><br /></p><p>Update: I accidentally attributed it to C.S. Lewis, not E.B. White</p>heresolonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00461382067580153600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064278226581061456.post-57867876911144484142023-12-15T07:59:00.000-08:002023-12-15T07:59:54.533-08:00Canadian forest fires, belated thoughts<p>Reading some essays by E.B. White, most famous for his children's books. In June of 1940 he commented on the smoke from the Canadian forest fires. Discussion with the neighbors ensued about the extent of the fires. One neighbor opined that "the whole of Canada is on fire". </p><p>So apparently the recent spate of fires is neither recent nor a spate. And perhaps not caused by global warming.</p>heresolonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00461382067580153600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064278226581061456.post-8423294006814701052023-12-02T06:31:00.000-08:002023-12-02T06:31:57.792-08:00Jones Serpent Neck model<p> Jones Serpent Neck model</p><p>Serial No:</p><p>Date: 1893 - 1901 <a href="https://www.fiddlebase.com/british-machines/jones-co/">Fiddlebase Jones page</a></p><p>Acquired: Fall of 2023</p><p>Needle: 29x3</p><p>Purchased from Trevor (OldSewingStuff13) for $350 because I saw he had it for sale and had to have it.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj65IlmnCyCeQtzHxXMeCOld-oeJPO5I14lLvJiPeU7Et9LzbD2BdKiuReS8MeIrwfCZ0gvCcN3FL1ERiqvjFLvjas7DACA0cRPYokRtZFTKhedaIbdSvhcPk_XOmf5kPO7lfluOQ57gOYnNA0HYhgh7GZ9pmsxhuoafkv45sP1q6AmvuIXcj1T7mRIs_U/s1894/Jones%20serpent.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1665" data-original-width="1894" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj65IlmnCyCeQtzHxXMeCOld-oeJPO5I14lLvJiPeU7Et9LzbD2BdKiuReS8MeIrwfCZ0gvCcN3FL1ERiqvjFLvjas7DACA0cRPYokRtZFTKhedaIbdSvhcPk_XOmf5kPO7lfluOQ57gOYnNA0HYhgh7GZ9pmsxhuoafkv45sP1q6AmvuIXcj1T7mRIs_U/s320/Jones%20serpent.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>A couple videos that Trevor made when he was cleaning it up.</p><p>Bobbin winding: <a href="https://youtu.be/fqfGQFTrxL0">https://youtu.be/fqfGQFTrxL0</a></p><p>Stitching: <a href="https://youtu.be/jybq2eR4Bl4?si=y3OqHDTtlmHO-UG0">https://youtu.be/jybq2eR4Bl4?</a></p>heresolonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00461382067580153600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064278226581061456.post-23885703178548977492023-11-21T19:58:00.000-08:002023-11-21T19:58:43.160-08:00Wilcox & Gibbs Automatic electric<p>Wilcox & Gibbs Automatic</p><p>Serial: <span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">A669877</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Date: 1920/1</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">A gift from a friend, she thought I'd enjoy it more, as a collector, than she had, as a user of old sewing machines. Much appreciated and I look forward to doing a bit of rewiring as it's a shade sketchy, so that I can do some sewing.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSIXS3MrWgAJGPd4f4dUXksL7PyU90yOdY08M80nZXu9N4FAtv2kBTcjsiJR7qBYJPxF4w904dBwXTDUBGiIpPq-tWBWg21sNEdQSjHQcUf2fbFwl53rxWj46Cytds9AuitdHLPP3GIM4s2baoCbC8eeOZg3yejdenr4Of_mycJqKdl0PCZEg6FdKsA8A/s4032/20231105_191945.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSIXS3MrWgAJGPd4f4dUXksL7PyU90yOdY08M80nZXu9N4FAtv2kBTcjsiJR7qBYJPxF4w904dBwXTDUBGiIpPq-tWBWg21sNEdQSjHQcUf2fbFwl53rxWj46Cytds9AuitdHLPP3GIM4s2baoCbC8eeOZg3yejdenr4Of_mycJqKdl0PCZEg6FdKsA8A/s320/20231105_191945.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span><p></p><p><br /></p>heresolonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00461382067580153600noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064278226581061456.post-56467935252529801312023-11-21T19:45:00.000-08:002023-11-21T19:45:50.341-08:00Singer 128 Blackside<p>Singer 128 Blackside</p><p>Serial AG869428</p><p>1946</p><p>Purchased for $CDN25 at a garage sale in Ladner, BC. Locked bentwood case so didn't know what was in it.</p><p>Actually saw it when driving by the week before but garage sale was closed by the time I got back. The next week my mum was driving by and it was still there. So she bought it. Happy Christmas to me.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKxUJ65Oyss3-et7KjlJndUGsjpGrwZV1PwsORo-QEEBnedxFnz4ldaTZySJgQ_lMx8PrBnBpcsNeB6wUuXbaeBBr_MkmuyJ99I4rzIe9C9kDzvNIg7yosYb0LWyQW_YcUdd385Nic5957JEshylmC5FesYp57wI-cFNlSJp34Pk-QQdPn7_EQVjxqD0E/s4032/20231121_194348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKxUJ65Oyss3-et7KjlJndUGsjpGrwZV1PwsORo-QEEBnedxFnz4ldaTZySJgQ_lMx8PrBnBpcsNeB6wUuXbaeBBr_MkmuyJ99I4rzIe9C9kDzvNIg7yosYb0LWyQW_YcUdd385Nic5957JEshylmC5FesYp57wI-cFNlSJp34Pk-QQdPn7_EQVjxqD0E/s320/20231121_194348.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>heresolonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00461382067580153600noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064278226581061456.post-63341878769892740822023-11-21T05:40:00.000-08:002023-11-21T05:40:12.314-08:00Gritzner R badged Nicholls' Enterprise handcrank<p> Gritzner R badged Nicholls' Enterprise (also Ntapryze)</p><p>Serial:</p><p>Year: approximately 1923</p><p>Price: $CDN100, Vancouver, BC, summer 2023</p><p>Came with instruction manual which told us that it was sold by Nicholls' in Rochdale, a small industrial town just outside of Manchester. After a fair amount of research I identified it as a Gritzner Model R. Sees reasonable as that's a lot of what Gritzner did, sold machines for badging.</p><p>The decals are in spectacular condition. Really the whole thing is.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj66-g9wqqUY8IOEmuHA7namfsyyVTezcMF9zzJub6nKC29uiiIAK3ITTE6adoe09W9V_VnRkekq-ubHdZ8aeoMzsNBWN1nZqQZ_kzUBNGFqX4Sxn8hdZXVYCE1juZUbWam72_5ALu-y8LwCz_1_weeYCIY3YqMaIVpljBj5naz4sxJ4eHTzvR7tUzgDkU/s1440/IMG_0674.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj66-g9wqqUY8IOEmuHA7namfsyyVTezcMF9zzJub6nKC29uiiIAK3ITTE6adoe09W9V_VnRkekq-ubHdZ8aeoMzsNBWN1nZqQZ_kzUBNGFqX4Sxn8hdZXVYCE1juZUbWam72_5ALu-y8LwCz_1_weeYCIY3YqMaIVpljBj5naz4sxJ4eHTzvR7tUzgDkU/s320/IMG_0674.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3dVXWkwKY6BYuJRHC3mq8MQZnma6k29_yS6UGPbxIZQiBFBbNAgiYGD_PU3r4GMA-Dq33mZeXX9slC3NQELU-MNTTZaN0o5fBg9F105uS88f80TOyi9cuiwGP0r2RyByv2g3XUTl7lO75MvY20XXPBTC8ApEoQXcjX3MZ_1C0DQeHq2B95ubFzesg5xs/s1440/IMG_0677.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3dVXWkwKY6BYuJRHC3mq8MQZnma6k29_yS6UGPbxIZQiBFBbNAgiYGD_PU3r4GMA-Dq33mZeXX9slC3NQELU-MNTTZaN0o5fBg9F105uS88f80TOyi9cuiwGP0r2RyByv2g3XUTl7lO75MvY20XXPBTC8ApEoQXcjX3MZ_1C0DQeHq2B95ubFzesg5xs/s320/IMG_0677.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2i_NEYghsVZc5u58HFSe-iJ36gboy7VqG1a2KVWDEPdLJpesRkncAq-NA-7TSe5YTDNLfysXhia7QbidZAHk1h-F0qy7hg5AX5RjmhIXVXWNSJkER6DBtwu8FWh4O7Q4bRscMvwcGZnPli8ysoPALoMMEIgJqVFYKEdZ8Ey7cVNXpOaMSfbyOgc2kQyk/s1440/IMG_0678.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2i_NEYghsVZc5u58HFSe-iJ36gboy7VqG1a2KVWDEPdLJpesRkncAq-NA-7TSe5YTDNLfysXhia7QbidZAHk1h-F0qy7hg5AX5RjmhIXVXWNSJkER6DBtwu8FWh4O7Q4bRscMvwcGZnPli8ysoPALoMMEIgJqVFYKEdZ8Ey7cVNXpOaMSfbyOgc2kQyk/s320/IMG_0678.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>heresolonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00461382067580153600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064278226581061456.post-3713810776621936002023-11-21T05:35:00.000-08:002023-11-21T05:35:15.653-08:00White VS Model IV<p>White VS Model IV</p><p>Serial: 763220</p><p>Date: 1890</p><p>Bonnet top treadle</p><p>Can't stop myself from rescuing things I don't have. But $30? OK it was $50, but I'm getting better at the "offer less and see what happens" game. So $30. I had to pick it up that day as I was down towards Seattle, and so was the machine. It will need work. See that antique-ee looking cream colored paint with olive and gold tones? Gach! I've been told it will be a nightmare to strip it all off and save the wood underneath, but what else will I have to do in my retirement. When I don't have two jobs, a business, and two organizations to run.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrCSoiFroaN6ea-eXn1AANtdHDB68PA7NB2MaBcfCpFfKIiiMca_WhE0n_vH96qM_MBkG4WCWIW__vFHVK-Ekzcshd29Z3K6wEGh3s3SDOcEsaxtyavI3vUkSbV93ZRlmAfPX4WszkTqbVWObEjXCfoRHq1QZzT7zuci7oVLZwk50RxQ6uOM0tCawIO1c/s4032/20231112_163327.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrCSoiFroaN6ea-eXn1AANtdHDB68PA7NB2MaBcfCpFfKIiiMca_WhE0n_vH96qM_MBkG4WCWIW__vFHVK-Ekzcshd29Z3K6wEGh3s3SDOcEsaxtyavI3vUkSbV93ZRlmAfPX4WszkTqbVWObEjXCfoRHq1QZzT7zuci7oVLZwk50RxQ6uOM0tCawIO1c/s320/20231112_163327.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY4L6Z_w0PCZLA_8LSlLmtMA2PBEkXilKjN5VoComDBxlZKiFKoLW_IpIVerOf2GXyEyaf715PhXHADY8jl1cT2-FOfmJWz6HpB16T4bWr7R76W6hholwKz51bS3Dg0zIAIvyvQ2rFtCfu_Xy0-dMKr28k245eRN5h5T0JbJeAX2AoA3lFooZd3WLdP-M/s4032/20231112_163411.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY4L6Z_w0PCZLA_8LSlLmtMA2PBEkXilKjN5VoComDBxlZKiFKoLW_IpIVerOf2GXyEyaf715PhXHADY8jl1cT2-FOfmJWz6HpB16T4bWr7R76W6hholwKz51bS3Dg0zIAIvyvQ2rFtCfu_Xy0-dMKr28k245eRN5h5T0JbJeAX2AoA3lFooZd3WLdP-M/s320/20231112_163411.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZy8W_Y2RXJ_U3RG7yhJ00JIAviSWRa_rr0-b0Kn5ipWpHgBkbPYzGYre50GcheCQ4XIKardk0KKlRgAsQ7FisO7LZ7i4kJTW02kmqo06he9GniB0YoHUQ5CBngdlxNkBx3ML1xW1SHkeGrxzborcdVhK_jPln0mQqVmay2gjfapSEpk64sv4NhKVkTWg/s960/342840494_6044641475620558_2358078011116799742_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZy8W_Y2RXJ_U3RG7yhJ00JIAviSWRa_rr0-b0Kn5ipWpHgBkbPYzGYre50GcheCQ4XIKardk0KKlRgAsQ7FisO7LZ7i4kJTW02kmqo06he9GniB0YoHUQ5CBngdlxNkBx3ML1xW1SHkeGrxzborcdVhK_jPln0mQqVmay2gjfapSEpk64sv4NhKVkTWg/s320/342840494_6044641475620558_2358078011116799742_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>heresolonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00461382067580153600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064278226581061456.post-90486032445002327202023-10-25T05:40:00.000-07:002023-10-25T05:40:08.990-07:00Thought it worth repeating<p> It (The Shire) has been saved, but not for me. It must often be so, Sam, when things are in danger: some one has to give them up, lose them, so that others may keep them.</p><p><br /></p><p>Frodo, Lord of the Rings</p>heresolonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00461382067580153600noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064278226581061456.post-71779504699027460822023-10-10T06:09:00.004-07:002023-10-10T06:09:26.239-07:00Because I needed more to do<p> Visited a local museum yesterday at the invitation of the curator. They have sewing machines. None of them work (or they don't know how to work them). Would I come by and take a look.</p><p>Thing 1: Lots of really old sewing machines, at least five that I saw plus a sock knitting machine. I was not aware that a sock knitting machine was even a thing. I now need one and I need to make it work. If you are curious:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7N7hsho4Sjg" width="320" youtube-src-id="7N7hsho4Sjg"></iframe></div><br /><p>Thing 2: A WWII vintage Harley Davidson Flathead. No idea how long it's been since it ran but it's been sitting inside for years. I know this because even though I'd never been in the museum I remember seeing it in the window when I drove by 25 years ago.</p><p><br /></p><p>Thing 3: A basement full of old cars in various states of repair and disrepair. Not my thing, restoring old cars, but also, two Indian Chiefs.</p><p>Not sure of the ownership setup of many of these items as often with these small local museums things are loaned but I'm willing to spend some of my free time tinkering. The curator is fairly new to the museum and apparently the previous director wasn't much for paperwork or keeping track of what they had, so she has her work cut out for her.</p><p>Anyway, here's a couple quick samples of sewing machines to pique your interest, if that's your thing. I'll have more as I spend some time there. A Wheeler and Wilson Number 1:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://d28lcup14p4e72.cloudfront.net/thumb/197085/8395623/20231009_160357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="267" data-original-width="200" height="320" src="https://d28lcup14p4e72.cloudfront.net/thumb/197085/8395623/20231009_160357.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>And a German made handcrank transverse shuttle. This is a Singer 12 copy but had no identifying info that I could find in the initial quick tour.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://d28lcup14p4e72.cloudfront.net/thumb/197085/8395624/20231009_160243.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="150" data-original-width="200" height="240" src="https://d28lcup14p4e72.cloudfront.net/thumb/197085/8395624/20231009_160243.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>All pretty dirty, all need oiling, but everything I touched has the potential to live again. </p>heresolonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00461382067580153600noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064278226581061456.post-38060956025379170302023-09-17T08:54:00.000-07:002023-09-17T08:54:33.375-07:00The Motorcycle Diaries (maintenance and repair)<p> Last October I rode the 92 Fatboy to Wenatchee, about a 450 mile round trip. One day. A bit of a hammer but not too bad. Got back and discovered that the front base gasket had blown, however. Since I have other bikes it sat til now.</p><p>Finally time and enthusiasm. Got it all apart and decided that the heads and cylinder needed repainting. So did that and put them on. </p><p>Then decided that since I had a brand new S&S oil pump that I got for free with a couple bins of stuff I should put that on, plus the cam cover and pushrod covers had some flaking chrome/rust respectively, those should be replaced as well. Of course those required ordering parts.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIFTg9RDOyqNUjsJ-RzhG1kHiCcE0rTjxdVP6rjbMPC1Kxm3gRfRYBCLkDnIH1BXjUBpbpmkaiHUCNzwbOFhXdH5l1uXjxly6B6WHPHVJV-SqeA9l43EJZcRllUAOoE2GGGas4kgvN3ldx5MJ6stwIFKlNVM4-u49mqxF1T2YJLGzu2KtGip3DgUv-Ngs/s4032/20230916_143501.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIFTg9RDOyqNUjsJ-RzhG1kHiCcE0rTjxdVP6rjbMPC1Kxm3gRfRYBCLkDnIH1BXjUBpbpmkaiHUCNzwbOFhXdH5l1uXjxly6B6WHPHVJV-SqeA9l43EJZcRllUAOoE2GGGas4kgvN3ldx5MJ6stwIFKlNVM4-u49mqxF1T2YJLGzu2KtGip3DgUv-Ngs/s320/20230916_143501.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Scored brand new Harley parts still in the original packaging for both and on they went yesterday.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZsZfFPF_Q2WzvSaiXuLfc73VcpFnapXt289cpb0yCkRwCbDw1Yg5RCofJnsWklyeU80tslH8SiYNjQvszMSx_NPuAe6hA6t9OyEuL4wzp-RHhKOImo8VaOKGANIAiqsE4U2cMVtAoWzC19PLUr7UV9R1fmA_yqrN8g0QfhWPbuRTCj5lTAxLX4goTb8o/s4032/20230916_183646.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZsZfFPF_Q2WzvSaiXuLfc73VcpFnapXt289cpb0yCkRwCbDw1Yg5RCofJnsWklyeU80tslH8SiYNjQvszMSx_NPuAe6hA6t9OyEuL4wzp-RHhKOImo8VaOKGANIAiqsE4U2cMVtAoWzC19PLUr7UV9R1fmA_yqrN8g0QfhWPbuRTCj5lTAxLX4goTb8o/s320/20230916_183646.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Did have an S&S steel breather that I'd bought some time ago so that went in too. I carefully marked the timing but then realized I'd put on a new cam cover. So much for my careful marking but I think I was able to get it pretty close by just staring at the old cover. I'll probably retime but I do that by feel, not with a timing light.</p><p>Still to go, rockers, exhaust (front pipe brackets both broken so I have to manufacture something), tanks back on. I don't think there's anything else I need to do so hopefully it'll be back together today.</p><p><br /></p>heresolonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00461382067580153600noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064278226581061456.post-54319460786814413822023-09-10T08:12:00.002-07:002023-09-10T08:12:18.313-07:00My first motorcycle<p> With hesitation from my mother and support from my father, he and I went to the Department of Motor Vehicles and got Learner's Permits to ride a motorcycle. I would have been 17 or 18, so 1982ish. I bought the bike pictured below for $850. Paid too much, it never really ran right, one time when I got it running the RHS mirror fell off when I got to 50 mph, I had to push it all the way back up the hill by our house when it wouldn't jump start by the time I got to the bottom, sold it for $300 when I left to join the Navy.</p><p>Looking back it was only 9 years old so it can't have been cared for very well to be in such horrible shape but I didn't grow up working on vehicles. My dad was a firm believer in the philosophy that you do what you are good at and pay others to do what they are good at. So we never worked on cars together. When I got a bike, I had no idea what I was doing. Youtube was not a thing.</p><p><br /></p><p>Anyway, this popped up on FB Marketplace this morning and brought back memories. That was the year, the bike, the color. I'm not going to buy it. I have no use for a 350cc street bike and my garage is already full enough with four other bikes. But it's fun to look at the picture.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRmwhRbvDO8QfPnLG85cdJZkzkKNnO2OeH7l7WCagalpaZHtZOwiKCJHW3lmvpdhyT-mmX9INFRDscgWcjreEOk8H7IHX4fil13zLp-IwE8s9lnP2o-WCHhOioW_3m0y6Rvd9lu46LlcqtVYdNrSD-_1brNTeSA8sYhceIQ2stV26YsbjvoTxVVRZ-JkY/s960/370849571_9948595405212265_1672179453768134685_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRmwhRbvDO8QfPnLG85cdJZkzkKNnO2OeH7l7WCagalpaZHtZOwiKCJHW3lmvpdhyT-mmX9INFRDscgWcjreEOk8H7IHX4fil13zLp-IwE8s9lnP2o-WCHhOioW_3m0y6Rvd9lu46LlcqtVYdNrSD-_1brNTeSA8sYhceIQ2stV26YsbjvoTxVVRZ-JkY/w400-h300/370849571_9948595405212265_1672179453768134685_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>heresolonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00461382067580153600noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064278226581061456.post-40131235858326155212023-08-30T05:58:00.001-07:002023-08-30T05:58:00.142-07:00Waffle iron update<p> It's been a long time, but that's because I decided that there was a limit to the number of waffle irons that one person could reasonably have. I know, sounds a little crazy looking back on that decision, but six was enough. I'd even gotten rid of one, rehoming a square GE waffle iron because a) I had too many, 2) it had come to me for free and just never really settled in as a part of the family and iii) who really wants to eat square waffles, I mean seriously. So anyway, six waffle irons. Each with either a personal story or just really cool.</p><p>I moved on. Because if six waffle irons is enough, then I can collect a few of something else. Oops. Click the button for sewing machines at the top of the page. That's just a small sample. Too be fair, there's a lot more variety in sewing machines, plus you have different tables and cabinets, plus transverse shuttle, vibrating shuttle, oscillating, rotary, well I could go on but I can tell that I'm losing you.</p><p>So what's this about a waffle iron update?</p><p>Just around the corner lives an old widower (can I say old? My mum doesn't like the word, she prefers older.) OK. Just around the corner lives an older gentleman who is a widower. He walks his dog pretty regularly so we have chatted. A few months ago he was clearing out some stuff and I bought a Singer 28 handcrank that had belonged to his wife. <a href="https://heresolong-voices.blogspot.com/2022/12/collection-singer-model-28-handcrank.html">You can read about it here</a>. One of these days I'm going to clean it up a bit and give it a new coat of shellac, just to preserve it for the next 112 years.</p><p>I'm headed out a couple weeks ago on the bike and who should be sitting out in his driveway with a table but same fellow. I stop to say hi and "a waffle iron". OK, I'm going to buy that. He only wanted $10 so I gave him the money so no one else would grab it while I wandered next door to look at their sale, which had nothing of interest.</p><p>So what does $10 get you? A Royal Rochester with the Red Poppy design. Dated from the late 20s to early 30s (just like most interesting waffle irons). Didn't have a power cord but those are readily available from the local hardware store so I already have one. Haven't tried it out yet but one of these weekends it will be waffle time.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://d28lcup14p4e72.cloudfront.net/thumb/197085/8312250/signal-2023-08-12-15-47-47-318.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="355" data-original-width="200" height="400" src="https://d28lcup14p4e72.cloudfront.net/thumb/197085/8312250/signal-2023-08-12-15-47-47-318.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><br /><p>Turns out they made a lot of accessories with this particular design. Coffeepot, cream and sugar, syrup jug, waffle warmer. I'm going to chat with the neighbor to ask if he remembers having any of them, if not I may do a little ebay shopping as I'm thinking this would be a fun set to have. Not sure if I'd get everything, probably just the syrup and cream and sugar. I don't entertain a lot so having a bunch of extra stuff that wouldn't ever get used might not be a great investment.</p>heresolonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00461382067580153600noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064278226581061456.post-46307700107651490452023-08-29T05:58:00.000-07:002023-08-29T05:58:14.792-07:00Are we safe yet?<p>Was on Facebook the other day looking for information on a childhood acquaintance who apparently passed away. A family from our neighborhood and church who I spent time with, but whose kids were just enough older than me that we weren't really in the same social groups. Instead found this from my cousin Paul who passed away a couple years ago of cancer. Knowing he was going, he spent the last several months of his life writing. This is a topic that I find extremely important. Dennis Prager has had thoughts on the matter also, stating that if the question is "When it is safe" then the answer is "Never". </p><p>I thought this one was worthy of being re-posted here. I hope you enjoy this and that it gives you something to think about.</p><p><br /></p><div class="xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">FB52 – Are We Safe Yet?</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Dr. Paul Brand grew up the son of missionaries in the “Kolli Malai” (mountains of death) in southern India where he spent his boyhood climbing trees and roving the wilds of Southern India. He met his wife, Margaret, at medical school in London during World War II where after a long day dealing with casualties, they might be assigned to spend the night on the hospital roof to give warnings for incoming bombs. Ultimately the Brands returned to India <span style="font-family: inherit;"><a style="color: #385898; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit;" tabindex="-1"></a></span>where they raised six children and became the world’s leading experts on leprosy. They fully expected to die of the disease, but felt the risk was worth it if they could help. After their retirement, the Brands became members of our church in Seattle, where Paul once confided to me that he would rather his children embrace the risks of life and not survive, than survive while avoiding the risks.</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">I am reminded of this surprising observation in our present obsession with safety at any cost. Let me go on record to say I do not believe in safety at any cost; in fact, I believe it may be detrimental to virtually everything I know and cherish about life. Indeed, the truth is: Life is risk. And the corollary is the realization that avoiding risk is avoiding life. When I reflect on my life, I cannot think of one single example of finding delight in avoiding risk. I am not advocating living carelessly or recklessly. I always wear a seatbelt, and I’ve limited social contacts during this Corona virus plague. But I cannot avoid risk and I don’t want to. Virtually everything that has brought me joy and delight, everything which has deepened and built my character, everything which has enriched my life has involved risk.</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">I’ve spent whole summers in the Middle East (Israel, Jordan, Egypt) when rocket attacks and suicide bombers were always a possibility. Climbing Mt. Rainier, hiking the challenging Washington wilderness coast, finding myself alone on a rickety dock in Africa surrounded by hippos when the warning sign had only mentioned crocodiles, driving 2000 miles across the United States through a series of winter blizzards; shoot, learning to ski or rappel down a vertical cliff face, or ride a motorcycle. Everything that I have truly loved and savored in my life has involved risk. Marriage is a risk, having children is a risk, really growing up is a risk – building tree houses, building our own raft to take out on a nearby pond, taking my Dad’s rifle, at age 12, after a “Hunter Safety course” to go rabbit hunting. My folks, bless their hearts, understood that intuitively. “Can I take my bicycle (or my horse) and spend the day in the Badlands?” “Sure honey, just be back in time for supper. Watch for rattlesnakes.”</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">By contrast, my grandchildren are growing up in a world where you are not allowed to run on the playground or play on a high bar, or even (this is serious!) not touch nature! I’m trying to remember how many times I “bailed out” of a 12’ high swing! Our children may be members of the “safest generation,” but it surely is not one to build their confidence, or their physical skills, or their sense of responsibility, or even their sense of compassion for others. The Brands were risking everything to bring hope and opportunity to lepers, which, by the way, they did very successfully.</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">I’m sorry, and I really do understand the current risks, but they have never been absent from life. If you are going to wait for anything until it’s safe, you’ll never do it. Be careful out there, but don’t stop living! Currently I’m not only in the highest risk category for Covid-19, but also from my cancer which is increasingly gnawing at my body. But here’s the thing: If you learn to live with risk, you’re going to die someday, but life will have been an incalculable delight. If you can successfully avoid risk, you’re still going to die someday, and you will have missed the whole adventure!</div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">And may I also say, the God who risked everything to show up on earth is the same God who promises to walk with you through risk, and ultimately through death itself. I sure hope we can still take risks in heaven!</div></div>heresolonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00461382067580153600noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064278226581061456.post-30655276283070209082023-04-17T06:00:00.001-07:002023-04-17T06:00:00.180-07:00Inclusivity<p> Good quote from Charles C. W. Cooke in his latest newsletter:</p><p><br /></p><blockquote><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "book antiqua", palatino, serif; font-size: 16px;">In practice, “diversity” means people who look different but all think the same thing; “equity” means equal outcomes achieved by government force; and “inclusion” means prioritizing and protecting groups that progressives like. So it is here. In its modern context, “inclusive” has begun to resemble those “COEXIST” bumper stickers that you see on Subarus: Nominally, the message applies to a whole host of disparate groups; practically speaking, it’s aimed at just one.</span></p></blockquote><p><br /></p><p>Boils it down quite nicely. </p>heresolonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00461382067580153600noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9064278226581061456.post-39259389885445133702023-04-16T07:38:00.000-07:002023-04-16T07:38:03.737-07:00Hit and run or lazy journalism?<blockquote><p><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; color: #4b4b4b; font-family: source-sans-pro, sans-serif; font-size: 1.3rem;">– A XXXXX woman critically injured in a hit-and-run crash last month has died from her injuries.</span></p><p style="background-color: #f3f3f3; box-sizing: inherit; color: #4b4b4b; font-family: source-sans-pro, sans-serif; font-size: 1.3rem; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 0rem; margin-top: 2.1rem; overflow-wrap: normal; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">The State Patrol says that 33-year-old XXXXXXXX was driving with her daughter on XXXXXX Rd March 7th when a motorcycle tried to pass her.</p><p style="background-color: #f3f3f3; box-sizing: inherit; color: #4b4b4b; font-family: source-sans-pro, sans-serif; font-size: 1.3rem; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 0rem; margin-top: 2.1rem; overflow-wrap: normal; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">XXXXXXXXX ended up hitting two concrete barriers and was ejected from the car.</p><p style="background-color: #f3f3f3; box-sizing: inherit; color: #4b4b4b; font-family: source-sans-pro, sans-serif; font-size: 1.3rem; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 0rem; margin-top: 2.1rem; overflow-wrap: normal; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">The motorcyclist left the scene and has not been identified.</p></blockquote><p>This is pretty horrible for the family and I feel bad for her but thought I'd make some observations on the standard of journalism I see here.</p><p>1) It's not a hit and run if no one hit you before they ran. Having ridden a motorcycle for many years I think we can be relatively confident that if the motorcyclist had actually hit the car, the rider would be the one with injuries, not the car driver.</p><p>2) In support of item 1), the motorcycle tried to pass here, she hit two concrete barriers. How exactly did the motorcyclist force her to hit two concrete barriers? My guess is she panicked and swerved. A friend of mine swerved to avoid a car that suddenly moved into his lane and hit someone else. Another friend swerved into the commuter lane when a driver cut in front of him and jammed on the brakes. Another friend swerved to avoid a car which cut him off and dumped his motorcycle. In each and every case my friends were found at fault because there had been no contact between them and the vehicles that actually caused the accident.</p><p>3) How was she "ejected" from the car? Not wearing a seatbelt? </p><p>Without more details hard to tell but this just seems like sloppy and/or lazy journalism. Print what the state patrol tells you and don't ask questions. I wasn't even sure that I wanted to post this since the family lost their mother, but it was really bugging me just as an exercise in definitions and good journalism.</p><p><br /></p><p>And maybe I'm wrong. So there's that.</p>heresolonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00461382067580153600noreply@blogger.com0