NYC Journal

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The average price of a home in Westchester is $778K.

This is the suburban county just north of the Bronx.

Our Baby-Victorian in in the upper north west corner of Westchester on the Hudson River where just across the Bear Mountain Bridge are two mammoth State Parks. Peekskill is considered “The Gateway to the Hudson Highlands,” a mountain valley.

The Hudson Highlands are the inspiration for the “Hudson River School of Painting.”

In Peekskill the Hudson River is wide, and just north a few miles is West Point where the Hudson becomes both narrow and deep. The upper half of Westchester is NYC watershed, so further development is very limited. Peekskill in it’s heyday was an industrial city.

Peekskill is an hour’s train ride to Grand Central in NYC.

Location-location-location they say are the three reasons to buy a house. We did very well.

I am originally from Lawn-Guy-Land. Long Island now is very much like Queens where crowds and congestion are awful. Traffic is really bad, and I’m so glad I escaped.

We got really lucky… I kinda see our home as being tariff and recession proof. The housing shortage here in the Hudson Valley is bad because it has been discovered as a wonderful place to live. HGTV had a small town Reno show that fully displayed the charm of historic homes that are gems in the rough.

Then we live in a city with the advantages of having a local motor vehicle office, a Social Security office, and a New York Columbia Presbyterian branch hospital right here, as well as sewers and natural gas.

Most homes are 40x100 though, but our property is 40x200, a corner lot, and borders on public land. Nearby, two blocks away is Blue Mountain Preserve, 1500 acres that is nearly twice the size of Central Park.

Although we live in a city, our neighborhood is a maze of dead-ends that is out of the way and private.

We are so lucky. BTW our home is modest, but the bonus is having a detached two car garage, and a second building lot that I call our back-backyard.

We kinda have a sanctuary from the madness going on…

Cal
 
Yesterday, in my digging I uncovered a small antique glass bottle. Somehow I did not break it with my shovel, and right now it is soaking in water to clean it up.

I kinda found buried treasure…

One reason why we got a good deal on our Baby-Victorian is the abandoned house on the opposite corner of our dead end. This tiny home is perhaps 1,000 square feet, but when renovated will be a $500K home.

The interior is already gutted, the house has a brand new roof, and just recently the entire hip roof on the two car garage has been replaced. A trashed cedar fence has been removed, several dead trees cut down, and there is a brand new front stoop.

So pretty much the eyesore of the street is changing form in a good way. Our equity will grow vastly.

Cal
 
A big accomplishment is 9-8-7 pull-ups in three max sets. Later I might do more to help me get the explosive strength to get to 10 pull-ups in a max set.

Lots of shopping errands today: Adam’s Fair Acre for whole been coffee and to look at their garden stuff; Tractor Supply for belts I can convert into guitar straps; Home Cheapo; Trader Joe’s; CitiBank…

We are also Keen to check out Stormville the airport flea market, and Elephant’s Trunk in Connecticut. Up in Hudson also is a big craft fair. This is part of spring fever in the Hudson Valley.

Later push-ups…

I’m going to soak some starter soil to start some seedlings. “Maggie” likes to talk about it in a “virtual work” manner. I tend to do the work. Then it is the “collective” we…

I think the grandson has it right, he associates the Baby-Victorian as my house and not Maggie’s.

Cal
 
Just what I need: Jury Duty. This is for a Trial Pool. I’m hoping I can escape this Civic Duty.

In our shopping, I was very surprised at the inflation I saw. $49.95 for a galvanized watering can made in Mexico. I can live without one… Clay pots increased a lot, so today we shopped for price and did not buy.

Seems like Adam’s Fair Acre had the best quality plants, best selection, and also best prices. Home Cheapo and Lowes were no bargain.

At Tractor Supply the leather belts I wanted were gone. Oh-well.

So I see inflation in advance of tariffs. The stores on this Good Friday though were crowded, full parking lots, Easter and Passover shopping…

I snagged a dozen large eggs at Trader Joe’s. Limit one dozen per customer.

I have CVS coupons that expire today. One is a 30% off a single full priced item. I need some “D” cell sized batteries, and at Tractor Supply they were priced at $10.00 for two Duracells. I think I might do better at CVS, and I have that 30% off coupon… Might load up and bulk up.

So things are getting crazy with inflated prices. You really have to price check. That is what we did today.

Earlier I did a 9-8-7 three max sets of pull-ups. Then I did another 7.

Will do a max set of push-ups, and then maybe see if I can do another 7 or 6 pull-ups.

I’m looking like a skinny bitch because my waist is small. My chest is big also. I have a feeling that the exercise is killing the lower energy level I have been feeling lately.

Off to CVS.

Cal
 
Bought an 8 pack of “D” cell Duracells 30% off.

I made the batteries a separate purchase to ensure they got applied to the Duracells.

Also bought “B” complex for mostly the Folic Acid. Between the B complex and my multi-vitamin I get 300% of the daily value. The Nature Made brand was buy one get one free, and basically I got 140 doses for free.

Folic Acid helps prevent my anemia by promoting red blood cell production.

Pretty much went to CVS to use coupons and get stocked up on consumables. I don’t see how CVS makes money on me. I only buy stuff on sale sold as loss leaders, or I exploit rewards and coupon discounts. Now I’m loaded with coupons.

Tuesday I go see my old geezer primary hematologist. The D-Dimmer blood test is in the normal range, indicating probably I don’t have an active blood clot anymore. We will discuss all the test results, and also my new anemia.

At Adam’s Fair Acre I bought the Wall Street Journal. I guess I need the news feed.

Cal
 
An expected 85 degrees today in Peekskill in the Hudson Valley. I expect spring to really pop today.

Interesting just north of use by West Point spring lags with few trees budding. We are only talking a few miles on Route 9.

Today I will roast a turkey breast, and also load up with cow manure compost.

No reason not to jump on a bike. I’m going to roast that turkey now.

Cal
 
The turkey without wings and legs weighs 6 pounds. Suppose to cook for 2 1/2-3 hours for 5-7 pounds, but the plastic popper popped at an hour and 45 minutes.

Understand that the Bertazzoni has a convection oven for even baking. Basically there is an internal fan to circulate the heat. I ended up baking for 2 1/2 hours, but then just turning off the oven to do some “coast-cooking” with the residual heat.

The turkey has bones, and generally we buy and eat these whole turkey breasts that are 3 pounds without bones. So today was like developing a new film.

I’m letting the turkey cool before thinly slicing it using a serrated bread knife.

No hormones or antibiotics, and of course no nitrates. Other benefits are saving money, taste, and quality.

Today I did a 10 pull-up max set. This is a big jump.

Looks like a cloudy day and the rain will hold off until this evening. A good day for a ride. The Home Cheapo load-up might not happen today. Oh-well…

Cal
 
I think I like the 3 pound whole breasts better than the amputated turkey I just baked.

Less cooking time, and easier to carve into thin slices. I also think the yield is higher. There is a lot of waste on the entire turkey.

BTW my photo development skills ended up with a fully cooked moist turkey.

I have a theory that many good photographers are also great cooks. Pretty much just chemistry…

It is almost 11:00 AM and the day has warmed up. I’m thinking some long slow distance on a bike.

I have a retro IBIS SS that I secured by mistake. It was advertised as a small frame, but it actually is my size (extra-medium). I have the 7 speed set up with mustache bars so it looks muy retro. The paint is still fresh even though the bike dates Bach into perhaps the late 80’s, blue and purple.

I have it set up with narrow crossover sized tires.

Being able to do 10 pull-ups is a lot of intense strength. A really big achievement, and it seems like I’m breaking out of a rut of sorts. The old man still has something.

Loaded up with 4 soft boiled eggs without the yokes, two English muffins with a healthy doll-up of humus, and the turkey pickings for mucho protein dose.

By me there are rolling hills. I’ll stop by and see if AJ is around. I’m also considering getting a single speed wheel built for this IBIS SS to save the 7-speed XC Pro drivetrain. I have a White Industry ENO hub, and luckily a recycled matching retro rim that matches exactly the old retro wheel set. How cool is that?

Seems like meant to be…

Cal
 
Next weekend is Stormville.

On my bike ride I stopped by to say hi to AJ. He told me that he will be closing shop. An electrician is interested in buying the building, but there are some complications.

Pretty much AJ will go art mode, he builds these constructions, and he will work on his Porsche collection. His wife does not know yet, so don’t tell her.

AJ gifted me two Selle Italia saddles: one is a SLR TT that dates back to 2010 that is carbon fiber with Titanium rails that weighs 125 Grams. Came with the packaging and is brand new/unused. The other saddle also is a Selle Italia SL XC, also in original packaging, weight is 230 grams which is very light for a gel saddle.

Also gifted me a Mavic sleeveless windbreaker, a Demarchi hand made Italian contour jersey, a mountain bike Titanium rigid fork, Ti handlebars and two 7-speed freewheels: a 12-21T, and a 14-28T.

Sad to see him close, but he will likely move to the Berkshires.

I did a ride of rolling hills and rubberized my legs. The IBIS SS after the ride got some maintenance. The grease guard weeped grease from the ride, so I cleaned off the excess grease from the hubs and crank. I also retorqued the crank bolts.

Some of the hills were twisty, and twice I had to brake hard to stay on the road.

I used the handlebar bag that I use on my Ti IBIS. I think I will get another/second one from AJ.

Thinking of getting some single speed wheels built before AJ closes and moves.

I really love the IBIS SS. A fun bike that is lively. Something about the feel of the shifts of XC Pro that is so solid and positive. Today on the hills I would downshift two gears to stay on top of the gear. I lacked both wind and strength.

I have a spare retro Mavic rim that matches the OEM original rims, and I have on hand another White Industries ENO elliptical hub. Thinking of making the IBIS SS a single speed to use on the Empire State Trailway.

Made a new friend Chris, who brought an expensive Randon-ure bike with a generator hub, that I guessed correctly was a $5K bike. Cris also is a guitar player. He took my number and E-mail…

AJ says from here in two weeks I’ll be doing 12 pull-ups in a set. He says with pull-ups you build up fast once you can do 10 in a max set.

The low energy level I suffered has dissipated. I feel kinda energized from the exercise, although I did get winded on the hills. Anemia is to blame.

We went into the downtown to listen to some Jazz and have a light dinner. Met up with some friends, and got introduced to others. It was a small venue of perhaps 40-50 people.

I liked the upright bass player a lot, and the guitarist had a sound like Pat Methenie. I inquired how he got that Methenie sound, and he pointed to a $150.00 synthesizer pedal. I thought it might of been a delay or flanger.

Tomorrow is Easter with the kids. Going out to some restaurant in Mahopac.

Cal
 
I don’t feel beat up after yesterday’s ride.

My torso is flatter today, and more cut to the abs and three fingers like Bruce Lee. Don’t know if I’m officially a skinny-bitch, meaning under 155 pounds. I figure I might be getting close.

I really love the IBIS SS. Very clean and fresh for a bike from perhaps the early 90’s. That 7-speed XC Pro shifts so positively.

Kinda crazy all the brand new free gear that AJ gifted me. Somehow the Ti handlebars got left behind. I will use the Ti bars on either the steel IBIS Mountain Trials or the Fat Chance Yo Eddy.

I was eyeing those two saddles for a long time. The Ti SLR for the Yo Eddy, and the SL XC for “Maggie’s” tricked out Yo Betty. The problem is Maggie likes the bloated mucho heavy gel saddle on her bike now. Oh-well… not a bad thing to have a more appropriate seat on hand.

BTW don’t tell Maggie, but her bike is so small and has such a short wheelbase that when I ride it it feels like a Stingray style bike. It is a thrill to ride and because the frame is so small it is under 20 pounds.

AJ is a White Industries dealer, and pretty much he will order the 28 hole hubs. I’ll get an insider deal.

I also have a spare Paul’s Components “Melvin” to create a 2X1. This I’m thinking on the IBIS SS.

The Ti SLR could go on the Ti Basso Road. As a single speed it would be a weight weenie bike. Bead blasted with a dark blue fade that is clear coated. I have an old grey Titanium Flite saddle on the Ti Basso Road now that could get recycled to the Yo Eddy, perhaps more period correct.

I can see using a 75 gear inch single speed on the Empire State Trailway.

Cal
 
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My personal opinion (and the opinion of a lot of riders,) but that SLR saddle is the worst @$$ hatchet ever put on a bike. They work for maybe 10% of riders at most and are a serious dedication to get used to. The saddle doesn't break in, the rider does. Super expensive and never a top seller, possibly one reason it was given away. As for the missus' bike, there is a reason that Terry saddles are renowned for comfort for women; because they are designed for women.
The Flite is a much better saddle all round, but if it's more than 10 years old, then it's junk too, simply because of the breakdown of the foam. I thought my old Flite from 1994 was awesome, until I got back into working at a shop in 2008 and discovered that science had progressed the design of saddles a great deal. And also I sat on a new Flite and realized that the old saddle was trash at that point.
I ride all my bikes and I certainly didn't put a saddle from 1949 on my Rotrax, though if there was a great condition leather saddle that wasn't too dry, I'd definitely ride it. The BIM 39 on it was NOS and probably from the 70s. That said, it's NOT made of foam, so it hasn't turned into concrete or lost its cells and degraded to powder.
Phil
 
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I’m looking into my inventory, and trying to future proof things before AJ closes up shop.

I have a highly rated Suntour XC Pro front hub with Grease Guard and a spare White Industries ENO hub. I’m thinking of having some single speed 26 inch wheels built, and I also have a set of welded Ringley/Sun polished rims. Everything is 32-hole.

Then I’m thinking of getting those Wobler road rims that AJ gifted me built out too. They are 28-hole though.

I’m kinda freaking out on the price inflation on hubs. Hopefully AJ has some 28 hole hubs laying around.

I think he has a spare NOS Hope disc front hub left that I will buy just to have on hand.

I re-installed the sun screen on the pergola. Also wove in the climbing roses.

Cal
 
Gold’s new Intra-Day High after the three day Easter weekend is $3409.30.

That didn’t take that long to breach $3.4K, and the next level will be $4K.

Outflows of bonds is happening due to “duration” risk, but short-term bonds are being bought, $18.1 billion dollars worth. Pretty much short-term bonds are approaching the long-term rate, as one bond gets bidded up, and the other is sold off.

Pretty much “deleveraging.”

Some of those dollars gained from long-term bond sales is bidding up gold.

Something is broken pretty badly for the gold price increases is such short time. Investors and funds are now trying to preserve wealth.

Meanwhile a red screen…

Cal
 
Gold’s new Intra-Day High is $3419.34.

How crazy is that? Remarkable short timeline, and how soon will gold breach $4K?

Tomorrow I see my old geezer Hematologist. I’m on a watch and wait twice a year lookout for my Cold Agglutinin Disease (CAD). The bloodwork was taken by the other hematologist earlier appointment and the results just have to be discussed from those lab tests.

I am a bit disturbed and unsettled by AJ’s closing shop, but I am also happy for him. Been obsessing about my bikes. I guess I am a bit OCD.

Cal
 
Gold’s new Intra-Day High $3422.90.

It seems like it is another one of those days where Gold made a huge jump. It is happening again.

Something is very broken, and pretty much it could likely be the U.S. Dollar being dismissed as the reserve currency. Interest costs will increase, so rolling over the deficit will be a painful headache.

What we are really seeing though is not a run at the bank, but a run on the dollar. A devaluation is underway.

“Look out below.”

Again any household burdened with debt is in deep trouble. Our government because of the massive debt is also in trouble.

The what if is what if no one buys out debt?

Cal
 
Not a good day for the dollar or dollar assets. Both bonds and equities lost ground today. The DOW ended down over 900 points.

Meanwhile Gold got bid up and still is trading above $3.4K. New Intra-Day High $3442.20.

You do realize that the value of the dollar and all your assets is being devalued, unless you hold gold. Suddenly we are all poorer.

I’m doing a bike part inventory to see what I have and what I can do. Pretty much an organizational event. I am finding lots of nice surprises. Didn’t realize I had all these parts because they are kinda scattered and unorganized.

Went to Walmart to buy some cheap string lights for under the pergola. Also hit Home Cheapo and loaded up the Audi with 20 cubic feet of cow manure and two bales of peat moss.

Some of the composted manure is to refresh my garden beds, and I make my own potting mix of 50% peat moss, 50% manure. Pretty much good nutrition and good hydration for the plants.

The Audi gets kinda maxed out with the payload, but it is only a 6 mile ride home.

Did another 10 pull-ups today in a max set.

A surprise is we have to babysit the grandson tomorrow after my hematologist appointment.

Lots of gardening to do.

Cal
 
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