The stock market seemed frazzled after Fed’s 1/2 point rate cut

Posted By on September 18, 2024

Investors and traders on Wall Street started today in a pensive mood as all impatiently waited for the much telegraphed first rate cut since 2020.” Market journalists debated if Chairman Powell and the Federal Stock Market 9/18/2024Reserve board members would see the slowing economy as a sign that their tightening polices had stifled inflation enough to managed a “soft landing” … or if the U.S. economy is tipping towards a recession. The jury was split as to whether the slowing economy warranted a 1/4 point or a full 1/2 point rate cut to start the cycle … or if the bigger cut might indicate we need to be more concerned.

As an amateur when it come to economics, I’m not sure if inflation has been whooped enough, or if it might cycle back? Are we in for a recession … or did the Fed step in at the right time with a big enough cut to prevent a collapse? Time will tell … but the markets ended the day Thinking emojia little fickle with today’s 1/2 point cut. 

Winter 2024-25 forecast for the country – Old Farmer’s Almanac

Posted By on September 18, 2024

When thinking about seasonal weather forecasts, it is enjoyable to check in with The Old Farmer’s Almanac. It has become a regular habitalthough I can’t say how accurate year to year how close they are to what really happens?  

Old Farmer's Almanac Winter 2024-2025 forecast

I’d venture a guess that they are probably more accurate than hurricane forecasting.

Researchers predict a hyperactive 2024 hurricane season

On April 29, the Colorado State University Tropical Weather & Climate Research team released their forecast for the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season. They are expecting this season to be one of the most active in history.

They are predicting 23 named tropical storms or hurricanes, meaning the storm has reached a development stage with sustained winds of at least 39 mph.

From those 23 storms, they predict eleven of them will reach the status of hurricane and five will develop to at least category 5 with sustained winds of 111 miles per hour or more.

LINK

EDIT add: Buzz Aldrin mentioned that last Saturday 9/14/2024 was International Observe the Moon Night, so I took the the time to enjoy the south sky view from our backyard. It was nice. 

Moon over the pool

An anxious Tech on Tuesday iPhone Pro 16 Max update

Posted By on September 17, 2024

Most “guys” I know can get pretty anxious when waiting for a pre-ordered tech gadget to arrive (or perhaps even a new tool).  I ordered a new iPhone Pro 16 Max last Friday, which was the first day it was available to order … and besides wondering about having buyers remorse, I am anxious for it to arrive.

iPad Brydge Keyboard iPhone Case updating iOS18

This afternoon, while updating my iPad to the latest iOS18, the Apple Silicone Case fitted for the new iPhone Pro 16 Max arrived (note the bigger size). Eyes open emojiAfter opening the box, I was a bit concerned that it is going to be too big for my pocket. The size compared to the Apple iPad and to the borrowed iPhone XS that I’m using, seemed considerable larger. Thankfully though, when looking at it compared to my old waterlogged iPhone 7 Plus (in new case below)a phone that I’ve comfortably used for 7 years … it doesn’t seem quite as overwhelmingly large.

iPhone 7 + in Pro 16 Max Case

Still … I’m anxious for the phone to finally arrive … and impatiently waiting. 😊 

Protecting our rear asphalt driveway by sealing it before winter and finishing the Bame Utility Trailer refresh with Oostra Oak

Posted By on September 17, 2024

Black Dawg Sealing Rear Driveway

It has been a couple years since we added new thin layer of asphalt on top of the existing base layer and it was starting to show signs of cracking at the edges … nothing major, but weed roots are never good. So while it is dry and before winter this year, I decided it might be a good idea to seal it. The quotes came back high and we probably could have comfortably gone another year, but talked to the owner about petroleum prices dropping and he was able to tweak the price for me. So … we’re doing it in 2024.

Deks Olje on the sides and stakes of Bame trailer

While finishing up the Bame Utility Trailer refresh, I decide to add a couple coats of leftover Deks Olje that I had on the shelf from years ago (might have been from our first boat, but that doesn’t seem possible?)

Oostra Oak

Anyway, it should help the pressure treated lumber … and Oostra Oak shorty drop-in tailgate to to last for the rest of my life? FYI, the first presure treated sides and stakes lasted about 25 years without any finish! 

Oostra Oak tailgate

It did seem a little overkill to build a NICE drop-in tailgate out or 3/4″ Oak for a utility trailer, but it was a fun mini project. 😊

Music Monday: Linda Ronstadt and “When Will I Be Loved”

Posted By on September 16, 2024

Linda Ronstadt on SiriusXM the Bridge

It has been a longtime since I’ve turned up the radio louder than normal in the car (my Menieres issues)actually I can’t remember when; it has been that long. Anyway, over the weekend I was running Linda Ronstadt in 1976out to the hardware store and picking up Brenda’s Sweet Sour Chickenfavorite takeout, Chinese “Sweet and Sour Chicken” while listening to SiriusXM channel 27 The Bridge. Linda Ronstadt’s memorable version of Phil Everly’s (Everly Brothers) 1960 top ten hit, When Will I Be Loved came on. I loved Linda Ronstadt’s harmonies that begin the song so I turned it up … and kept it playing louder than normal (do senior citizens still do that?) While listening it triggered a radio display photo for a Music Monday post.

Instead of the version off of her Heart Like A Wheel album, here’s and overseas live performance from YouTube in Offenbach, Germany back on November 16th, 1976 … and back then, I was still in high school! 

The last garden tomatoes and a workshop bar clamp rack idea

Posted By on September 15, 2024

Last tomatoes of 2024

The summer growing season is over and I’m eating the last of the tomatoes that KDAE brought from NW Ohio. They were a real treat and “all for me” since I’m the only one in the family who loves and eats tomatoes. They were so much better than store bought.

Jorgensen 6

Also, I know I sort of promised not to archive more snippets from woodworking magazines, but because I’m staring at a couple of clamps on my workbench, I might need to build this (below). (more…)

Once again, added a coat of Zip Guard to the garage workbench

Posted By on September 14, 2024

Added more Zip GuardIt really hasn’t been that long ago that I’ve recoated the garage workbench with Zip Guard. Since 2020 (4 years), there has been enough scraping and dripping of liquid on the work surface to make me think, “a little more protection won’t hurt.” Besides, the last of my Zip Guard in the jar was looking a little yellow.

Workbench in 2017
Zip Guard on workbench in 2017 (above)

So while cleaning off the junk piling up, I added another coat over Labor Day … the last of the well loved and used finish.

Edit Add: Worked to replace the old pressure treated wood sides of the Bame Utility Trailer last weekend. The old ones lasted 20 years so it made sense to invest $85 in materials to see if the same new sides will last? So far, the new stakes were cut the same, 1/2″ sides are on (this time with exterior grade wood screws) and have yet to work on the rails and removable tailgate (would love to improve on that component??)

Tech Friday: Planning to pre-ordered iPhone 16 Pro today

Posted By on September 13, 2024

iphone 16 pro

Although I haven’t quite decided as to what Apple iPhone 16 Pro to pre-order, it will likely be a big jump from the current “borrowed” iPhone XS that I’ve been using since drowning my iPhone 7 Plus. It has been fine, but it is time to move past the smartphones of 2017 and 2018. 😊 

Brenda has been very happy with her iPhone 14 and after tinkering with it, I could live with the physical and screen size and vastly improved camera from what I’m used to using. On the other hand, when one is going to spend $1000 for the nice sized iPhone 16 Pro with 128GB … it doesn’t seem all that crazy to double the storage capacity, battery and get a bigger display, the iPhone 16 Pro Max (256GB), for an additional $200 (compare)? That said, I find it difficult to believe that I’m willing to spend as much if not more for an iPhone than a MacBook Air M2

iPhone 16 Camera Control

Stay tuned as I’ve already put both phones in my pre-order shopping cart

Base pricing as of 9/9/2024 

  • iPhone 16: $799 – 128GB
  • iPhone 16 Plus: $899 – 128GB
  • iPhone 16 Pro: $999 – 128GB
  • iPhone 16 Pro Max: $1,199 – 256GB

Our regular Red Fox is looking much healther on the Fox Cam

Posted By on September 12, 2024

Meatball with IvermectinBack in July, the Red Fox who regularly is spotted on my Wyze Cams was looking unhealthy. I  did some research and diagnosed that the fox likely needed to be treated for mange.

The treatment was to inject a small amount of ivermectin into meatballs and see if I could get him or her to eat them. Unfortunately a feral cat who kept eating them was likely dosed a few time too … but a recent video does seem to show a much healthier looking fox. 
 

Remembering 9/11 … with the help of artificial intelligence #AI

Posted By on September 11, 2024

Reuters 9/11 image from my 2006 postIn trying to do something a litte different in remembering September 11, 2001, I saw the help of AI just to see what today’s tech tools can offer.

Most of us have certain memories seared into our minds of where we were and what we were doing. I found it interesting to see what artificial intelligence had to say on the subject.  It is not the most personal way to honor the 2,753 people … and countless others who died from the fallout either do to our military actions or the health-related issues, but it is nevertheless interesting.

9/11 Events and Facts

On September 11, 2001, a series of coordinated terrorist attacks were carried out in the United States, resulting in the loss of nearly 3,000 lives. The attacks were perpetrated by 19 militants affiliated with the Islamic extremist group al-Qaeda.

Planning and Execution

According to accounts, the idea of 9/11 was conceived and developed by Osama bin Laden, with Khalid Sheikh Mohammed identified as the architect of the attacks by the 9/11 Commission Report. Bin Laden stated that the planning began when only a few individuals, including Abu Hafs and Abu al-Khair, were aware of the operation.

The Hamburg cell in Germany, comprising Islamists including Mohamed Atta, Marwan al-Shehhi, Ziad Jarrah, Ramzi bin al-Shibh, and Said Bahaji, played a key role in the attacks. Some hijackers received passports from corrupt Saudi officials or used fraudulent passports to gain entry into the United States.

The Attacks

Four commercial airplanes were hijacked:

  1. Two planes (American Airlines Flight 11 and United Airlines Flight 175) were flown into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, causing massive damage and fires that ultimately led to the collapse of both towers.
  2. A third plane (American Airlines Flight 77) was crashed into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, just outside Washington, D.C.
  3. The fourth plane (United Airlines Flight 93) crashed in a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, after passengers attempted to overcome the hijackers.

Aftermath (more…)

Desultory - des-uhl-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee

  1. lacking in consistency, constancy, or visible order, disconnected; fitful: desultory conversation.
  2. digressing from or unconnected with the main subject; random: a desultory remark.
My Desultory Blog