Your Argentina adventure is fascinating. Thank you for sharing with us. I learn a lot from your writings, life lessons. I am glad your computer is fixed! Safe travels to Dublin.
Thanks for the entertaining read, Bill! Your essay today reminded me to continue my quest for a pre-1989 pickup. Everything in it can be fixed with a wrench...no processing required lol.
Yessir, the good old days. I just sold my Rustified’70 Chevrolet C-20 to a buddy for $500. I was tired of paying the insurance bill and only driving it a weekend or two per month.
One great thing about the trucks from that era - you can set up shop and sit INSIDE the engine compartment when you work on them. :)
I have a 1967 car in the garage, the value has rocketed in the last 6 years. I'm probably going to sell it for a nice 1951 era Ford or possibly older pickup truck. Not really much to go wrong with either vehicle, back in high school lacking any real means of steady income we all became backyard mechanics. Laws were a lot more lax, my older brother was caught driving a 1935 Ford down the road without the body just a seat bolted to the frame.
As a Boomer I often think of what all this technology has done to our world, my world. As you described the car repairs of yesteryear - the ‘citizens cars’ I now call them for the very reasons you describe, I recalled fondly the time my older brother tried to drop a 4 barrel carburettor in a stock Ford Pinto. Recall that a Pinto had a sewing machine engine. I know because I inherited this car. My brother said he couldn’t get the Pinto to idle below 4,000 rpm with the new carburettor, so out it came.
Today the auto mechanic is an extinct species, gone the way of the California Grizzly Bear, and for much the same reasons. But even the new Certified Technicians, I have learned, don’t know how to fix anything. They are gadget rich and knowledge poor, a byline for our world. They know how to connect the diagnostic equipment and read the codes. If something must be replaced they are careful to follow the manufacturer’s “protocol” for doing the job, all high tech recipes and expensive equipment. They are as helpless as I am but for their access to high tech equipment and on-line instructions, all superficial.
And we all have become disabled, all too dependent on “them” for all things electronic or mechanical, for nothing works without the omnipotent microprocessor. And what of this world of dependence. I don’t like it, but have a sneaking suspicion that they do, that it was somehow part of the plan, a feature not a bug.
The operative word here is "Technician" they are not mechanics, they are computer repairmen, all they can do is replace the parts the diagnosis tells them to. Just recently I had to rebuild the differential in our Toyota Tacoma, Toyota wanted $3,500 for the diff. I rebuilt it for less than $300 in bearings and seals. Going to get another 300,000 miles on it!
Love the Stories from the Calchaqui Valley. If all we listened to was the Markets i would go insane , get depressed and probably by more Gold. Are you arriving back in Dublin to Meet President Joe Biden who arrives in Dublin on Thursday, he could do with your Advice . Driving around the Back of Dublin Airport today i couldn't help noticing the Dozens of Police at every Roundabout and Junction around the Airport. They where out today in Pouring Rain and Strong Winds as i was returning home from Work. Theyve apparently been there over the Whole Easter manning Checkpoints 24hrs a day getting ready for Sleepy Joes arrival . Every Viewing point and manhole has been sealed off. Hes here for the 25th Anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, and to catch up with some distant relatives in Mayo and Louth.
Why all the coppers I wonder? We are told repeatedly about how much our Resident is Loved and Respected (chocking down the sad laughter) around the world…
If they are honey bees, Please don't kill them, just move them and put them in a hive. I'm sure there are beekeepers around who could do this for you. I put over 200 handmade hives in the rainforest in Guyana while working there, the honey made a nice micro-enterprise for a few people I trained. And just a FYI these are probably "Africanized" bees, and while more aggressive, they are also much more productive. Trick is to work them in the cool of the morning and to use a smoker.
It sounds like you were chased off by a swarm of bees. I've kept bees for most of my life and if it is a recent swarm, it's almost impossible for them to sting you.
When the queen gives the swarming signal, the bees rush to the honeycomb and drink as much of the honey as they are capable of cramming in. Then the swarm follows the queen, lands somewhere and sends out scouts to find a good place for a new hive.
If a bee is just standing on you, the sting is parallel to your skin. Naturally, to sting you, the bee must maneuver its sting to aim at your skin. The only way that it can do this is to lift its waist up so that the chest is at right angles to your skin, then double itself so that the sting is aiming at your skin.
Have you ever tried to touch your toes after taking a big drink? Not very easy - was it?
The bee has crammed more honey into itself than your largest drink, so it is impossible for it to bend double and sting you. You can still get stung if you crush the bee, and that happens to push the sting into you. And if the bees have been unable to find a good home in two weeks, they will have used up all the honey so can sting you.
In South America, killer bees were released many years ago. They will sting anything that moves, even balls of cotton wool. But they have been cross-bred so much that they don't want to sting because they die when they sting you. The fact that you didn't get stung proves that these were not killer bees.
Bill I am a commercial beekeeper bees not in the place you want them are like a weed. Get rid of them by mixing one cup of dishwashing soap to one gallon of water and spray them at night. Best to get rid of them especially if they are Africanized bees. Not worth the trouble. Enjoy your comments on all subjects.
Forget about the financial advice (which I follow with success) these people all write like Pulitzer prize winners, maybe on par with a Hemingway or other magnificent authors. Come to think it, I recommend Nobel prizes all around. Cheers guys
70 more years than Anna Kim, and I have the same comments. You can advise on finances, but (or because?) you stay connected to the real world. I'm blessed to have found you.
Last October I was sitting on the Golden Bay Beach on Malta with a couple of friends. As I was taking in the warm sunshine, my friend handed me a mini beer and a hot dog..'thank you very much!' as I take a bite and a drink..we chat about how lovely the place is when I take another bite of the dog while looking out over the scene...I notice quite sharp sensation and thinking 'this is quite a spicy hot dog,' until I open my mouth and a wasp flies out of it...stung on the inside of my lower lip... it was off to the bar for some ice...at least Bill got a little exercise in.
The rough floor in the chapel is prefect for doing penance. With a few rumors of an appearance of Mary, you might in fact create a tourist attraction. Start building that hotel.
Bill, great to hear you escaped the bees, I wasn't so lucky in India some years ago but felt much better after a large intramuscular shot of phenergan/promethazine !
Don't want to rain on your parade of reconstruction but the Reduviid bug aka kissing disease bug (which is the vector for Chagas disease) is in Argentina so you will want to make sure the construction is adequate. Here's a few articles to wet your appetite. Regards Ben
Your Argentina adventure is fascinating. Thank you for sharing with us. I learn a lot from your writings, life lessons. I am glad your computer is fixed! Safe travels to Dublin.
Thanks for the entertaining read, Bill! Your essay today reminded me to continue my quest for a pre-1989 pickup. Everything in it can be fixed with a wrench...no processing required lol.
Hi Aaron -
Yessir, the good old days. I just sold my Rustified’70 Chevrolet C-20 to a buddy for $500. I was tired of paying the insurance bill and only driving it a weekend or two per month.
One great thing about the trucks from that era - you can set up shop and sit INSIDE the engine compartment when you work on them. :)
I have a 1967 car in the garage, the value has rocketed in the last 6 years. I'm probably going to sell it for a nice 1951 era Ford or possibly older pickup truck. Not really much to go wrong with either vehicle, back in high school lacking any real means of steady income we all became backyard mechanics. Laws were a lot more lax, my older brother was caught driving a 1935 Ford down the road without the body just a seat bolted to the frame.
As a Boomer I often think of what all this technology has done to our world, my world. As you described the car repairs of yesteryear - the ‘citizens cars’ I now call them for the very reasons you describe, I recalled fondly the time my older brother tried to drop a 4 barrel carburettor in a stock Ford Pinto. Recall that a Pinto had a sewing machine engine. I know because I inherited this car. My brother said he couldn’t get the Pinto to idle below 4,000 rpm with the new carburettor, so out it came.
Today the auto mechanic is an extinct species, gone the way of the California Grizzly Bear, and for much the same reasons. But even the new Certified Technicians, I have learned, don’t know how to fix anything. They are gadget rich and knowledge poor, a byline for our world. They know how to connect the diagnostic equipment and read the codes. If something must be replaced they are careful to follow the manufacturer’s “protocol” for doing the job, all high tech recipes and expensive equipment. They are as helpless as I am but for their access to high tech equipment and on-line instructions, all superficial.
And we all have become disabled, all too dependent on “them” for all things electronic or mechanical, for nothing works without the omnipotent microprocessor. And what of this world of dependence. I don’t like it, but have a sneaking suspicion that they do, that it was somehow part of the plan, a feature not a bug.
The operative word here is "Technician" they are not mechanics, they are computer repairmen, all they can do is replace the parts the diagnosis tells them to. Just recently I had to rebuild the differential in our Toyota Tacoma, Toyota wanted $3,500 for the diff. I rebuilt it for less than $300 in bearings and seals. Going to get another 300,000 miles on it!
Love the Stories from the Calchaqui Valley. If all we listened to was the Markets i would go insane , get depressed and probably by more Gold. Are you arriving back in Dublin to Meet President Joe Biden who arrives in Dublin on Thursday, he could do with your Advice . Driving around the Back of Dublin Airport today i couldn't help noticing the Dozens of Police at every Roundabout and Junction around the Airport. They where out today in Pouring Rain and Strong Winds as i was returning home from Work. Theyve apparently been there over the Whole Easter manning Checkpoints 24hrs a day getting ready for Sleepy Joes arrival . Every Viewing point and manhole has been sealed off. Hes here for the 25th Anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, and to catch up with some distant relatives in Mayo and Louth.
Hey Stephen -
Why all the coppers I wonder? We are told repeatedly about how much our Resident is Loved and Respected (chocking down the sad laughter) around the world…
This more interesting than financing stuff. Travel safe. God bless.
If they are honey bees, Please don't kill them, just move them and put them in a hive. I'm sure there are beekeepers around who could do this for you. I put over 200 handmade hives in the rainforest in Guyana while working there, the honey made a nice micro-enterprise for a few people I trained. And just a FYI these are probably "Africanized" bees, and while more aggressive, they are also much more productive. Trick is to work them in the cool of the morning and to use a smoker.
Your adventures remind me of our 14 years in Southern Baja on the sea of Cortez, six miles north of Los Barilles.
Did not know you were friends with Doug Casey. He does not know me, but I have been reading many of his financial comments since the 80s.
Just recently subscribed to your Bonner Private Research.
All the best to you and family in your adventures.
It sounds like you were chased off by a swarm of bees. I've kept bees for most of my life and if it is a recent swarm, it's almost impossible for them to sting you.
When the queen gives the swarming signal, the bees rush to the honeycomb and drink as much of the honey as they are capable of cramming in. Then the swarm follows the queen, lands somewhere and sends out scouts to find a good place for a new hive.
If a bee is just standing on you, the sting is parallel to your skin. Naturally, to sting you, the bee must maneuver its sting to aim at your skin. The only way that it can do this is to lift its waist up so that the chest is at right angles to your skin, then double itself so that the sting is aiming at your skin.
Have you ever tried to touch your toes after taking a big drink? Not very easy - was it?
The bee has crammed more honey into itself than your largest drink, so it is impossible for it to bend double and sting you. You can still get stung if you crush the bee, and that happens to push the sting into you. And if the bees have been unable to find a good home in two weeks, they will have used up all the honey so can sting you.
In South America, killer bees were released many years ago. They will sting anything that moves, even balls of cotton wool. But they have been cross-bred so much that they don't want to sting because they die when they sting you. The fact that you didn't get stung proves that these were not killer bees.
Ian McAllister
Bill I am a commercial beekeeper bees not in the place you want them are like a weed. Get rid of them by mixing one cup of dishwashing soap to one gallon of water and spray them at night. Best to get rid of them especially if they are Africanized bees. Not worth the trouble. Enjoy your comments on all subjects.
You don’t think it would be best to try and relocate them?
Forget about the financial advice (which I follow with success) these people all write like Pulitzer prize winners, maybe on par with a Hemingway or other magnificent authors. Come to think it, I recommend Nobel prizes all around. Cheers guys
Hopefully, Bill, you will remove the bees humanely...they are indispensable.
Brian...this is the loving man who told a 'murder' of crows "I am sorry I set your friend on fire. It was an accident". LOL
70 more years than Anna Kim, and I have the same comments. You can advise on finances, but (or because?) you stay connected to the real world. I'm blessed to have found you.
Mr. Zoltan, thank you! I am still laughing.
Last October I was sitting on the Golden Bay Beach on Malta with a couple of friends. As I was taking in the warm sunshine, my friend handed me a mini beer and a hot dog..'thank you very much!' as I take a bite and a drink..we chat about how lovely the place is when I take another bite of the dog while looking out over the scene...I notice quite sharp sensation and thinking 'this is quite a spicy hot dog,' until I open my mouth and a wasp flies out of it...stung on the inside of my lower lip... it was off to the bar for some ice...at least Bill got a little exercise in.
The rough floor in the chapel is prefect for doing penance. With a few rumors of an appearance of Mary, you might in fact create a tourist attraction. Start building that hotel.
Bill, great to hear you escaped the bees, I wasn't so lucky in India some years ago but felt much better after a large intramuscular shot of phenergan/promethazine !
Don't want to rain on your parade of reconstruction but the Reduviid bug aka kissing disease bug (which is the vector for Chagas disease) is in Argentina so you will want to make sure the construction is adequate. Here's a few articles to wet your appetite. Regards Ben
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35405643/
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20220425-the-tropical-disease-have-ignored-for-too-long
https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/chagas/epi.html
https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/chagas/gen_info/vectors/index.html