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I sure enjoy summer. We have finally escaped the icy grip of winter and can live again... I have started working on the second half of the shed. Before I can construct anything on the ground, I have to "build" it in my mind. The actual project is going slowly because I have encountered problems in the mental portion of the project... |
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| The foundation for the shed, that was in place when I bought this property 41 years ago, has shifted. Two bad decisions on my part precipitated this problem. First, the year after we moved here, heavy rains caused flooding inside the foundation (it was then the goat's pen). I dug a hole in this corner under the foundation, allowing the water to drain. Over the years water draining though this route further undercut the foundation. Second, two years ago I stacked stuff (lumber etc.) against a fence supported by posts anchored to the foundation. This constant pressure against the long lever arm of the fence posts, and caused the foundation to rotate. A little bit of digging and a come-along allowed me to realign the foundation (more or less) and I hammered some rocks under the downhill side for support, but keeping it in place over the long term is one of those aforementioned "gedanken experiments" that is giving me trouble... |
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For a number of years, I have wanted to build a wall using tires. My idea was to cut out the side walls, then form the tread into a rectangle using wire stays. This form could then be filled with adobe and, at least in theory, make a cheap, but extremely durable, wall. I experimented with the concept at Nathen's house, but the results were equivocal. Where to go from here is another of those "gedanken experiments" that are impeding the construction of "THE SHED" phase II. |
| In casual conversation with Barbara, I made the mistake of suggesting that after I retire, I might think about getting another dog. Pictured here is the result. Being a typical puppy, Compton (aka "Fang") is all wagging tail and sharp little teeth. He has changed considerably in the 5 weeks we have had him, but he still hasn't outgrown the stage where he loves to bite. Not that I really wanted it but, (thanks to him) I now have one of my ears pierced. Do you think a gold or silver earring would look better?... |
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Jon and Marie visited, and Marie talked of a course in photography she was taking. The conversation turned to stereo photography, and this photo is the result. Can you visualize it in 3-D? |
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Nella Hatch, who was my mother's sister and my father's brother's wife, passed away 16 April 2013. Her funeral was the 20th, and she was buried in the Woodruff cemetery. Funerals are odd things... Everyone is sad that a relative or friend has gone, but at the same time it is fun to visit those who came to be sad with you. |
| I have had difficulty reconciling these kinds of emotions ever since my teen years when my grandparent's generation started hosting these kind of parties... |
 Denise, Lindella, and I attended BYU at the same time. Note that I'm the only one who has confronted enough of life's problems to have earned hair grey... |
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Then again, emotions are not logical, and any attempt to coerce them into that mold, is doomed to failure. It took many years for me to admit, that although I am over ridden and under girded by logic, a small (but definitely significant) part of me is ruled by emotion. Actually, I'm still not completely comfortable with that conclusion... |
| We (Barbara and I) had a chance to become acquainted with Tyas, our newest grandchild. |
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We also got to see many family members--some of who we rarely encounter although they don't live far from us. |
| Tyas seems to like to sleep alot. This behavior is typical of newborns. It would be nice if they saved some of that behavior for when they became teenagers... |
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For some reason that I now don't remember, I visited Nathen two weekends in a row. The second time, Fred and Laura were there, and Fred brought his ice cream maker. It is a Maytag washing machine engine (that he has restored) geared down to turn a (previously hand cranked) ice cream freezer. These engines were last manufactured in 1937, which gives you an indication of its age. I have an affinity for old machinery, and was quite impressed by this contraption. The ice cream wasn't bad either... |
| While we were there, Ethan showed off a paper rifle he had made following instructions he found on U-tube. I was also impressed by this endeavor. (Part of me suspects that the video was sponsored by the paper manufacturing industry.) |
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Another major change is looming in my life. I am scheduled to retire May 31st--about three weeks from now. It was always my plan to die in the harness, but then I also thought I would be self-employed... I discussed the possibility of becoming a "per diem" employee, but my boss was not inclined to go that route... So, retirement here I come, ready or not. Half as much money, twice as much wife. Hmmm... Who planned this, anyway?...
This photomicrograph of a urine sediment shows a yeast infection. I captured the image by placing my Fujifilm camera against the microscope eyepiece. I have always enjoyed using a microscope, and will miss this small part of my job. |
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I have had more adventures with my electric bikes. The easiest way to recount them is to include a series of emails... As Shakespeare named one of his plays: ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL It looks like that might also be applicable here...
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I wrote to Busettii (4-6-13): |
They replied (4-7-13): |
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I wrote back (4-10-13): I am pleased to learn of your warranty. I will return the controller to you for your evaluation. The failure occurred at the end of a round trip of 96 miles... I loaded both of the batteries on the bike, and when the first one quit (about mile 68), changed to the second. The outbound leg of this ride was almost all downhill, and I did not use battery power. Conversely, the inbound leg was uphill, with the steepest portion being at the very end. Since I was trying to completely discharge the battery, I used full throttle for the last 0.6 miles. When the motive force ceased, I assumed the battery was discharged... I did not realize that these controllers had a weight limit. In retrospect, I calculate that the loaded bike, including both batteries and the rider, weighed about 264 pounds. I don't know if you consider this to be "abuse" but in any case, I want the bigger controller... Alan |
They replied (4-10-13): Thanks for the mail ! Please send the controller to--- Busettii Repair 9864 E. Grand River ave. Suite 110-265 Brighton Mi. 48116 We will be able to tell if the controller shorted out OR if it was from weight overload. Because you only went 14 lbs. OVERWEIGHT we will not blame you for that overload... Alan at Busettii |
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I wrote back(4-30-13) I entrusted the burnt out controller to the tender mercies of the USPS on April 4th (and included in it a copy of our correspondence to that point). Has your company received it yet, and if so, have you finished your evaluation? In any case, I want to replace the non-functional controller with it's heavier incarnation... Let me know what I owe you for these upgrades... Alan |
They replied (4-30-13) Yes, it looks like your controller did burn out. And, its under warranty so if you want to upgrade to the bigger controller it will cost $35.00. There is some slight difference in the type of male/female connections but you can choose to fix that your self or have us do that for $13.00 each... Alan at Busettii |
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I wrote back (5-3-13) I'm comfortable splicing wires, but have some concerns about choosing which wires to connect together... and if I guess wrong, I've just shorted out the controller... If you are willing to label the wires with where they go, I can handle the rest... Alan |
They replied (5-3-13) We will mark all the wires clearly for you... Alan at Busettii e-bikes |
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I wrote back (5-6-13) This morning I will post a package containing two control panels, a controller, and a check... Alan |
Stay tuned for late breaking news... Who want to go e-biking with me? |
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Dave Elliott tired of waiting for me to retire, and decided to repeat the ride we took in 1969. He undertook to ride by himself, and much to my surprise, HE MADE IT! He looked kind of rough when he arrived, but somehow managed to ride all the way. |
| Prior to the trip, he purchased this $3000 bike. Note the absence of motors, electric or otherwise. |
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At 17 lbs, it is the lightest man powered machine I have ever ridden. Dave continues to amaze me. I have difficulty even imagining repeating that ride... |
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There are a couple more tidbits that I might mention: 1. I am finally on facebook. Denise has a brother (Arlen) who is posting the Hatch Family book (that Denise has been working on for circa 20 years) on his facebook page, and I want to see it... 2. The Geo has risen again... Braxton has taken a job in Winslow and is commuting two hundred (plus a few) miles each day. I gave the wreck to them, and if he can nurse it along for 60 days, he will save enough on gas to purchase another Geo of the same vintage. But just for the record, I have my doubts about the 60 days... 3. Phil Stamps passed away May 7th, on the twin's birthday. I'll miss him... 4. I am attempting to incorporate audio/video into my Sunday School lessons. This is a classic "old dog/new trick" scenario, so wish me luck... |