Turn around Tuesday: Gold $3,500, Silver Lags, E Rolls 82

by

There is little economic news today, except to note that after a crappy Monday open, the early Futures were pointing to a partial recovery today.  With early Dow futures up +328 and the S&P’s up +55, it will be some pain relief after losses of -971 and -124 Monday.

But we’re not out of the woods – yet.

In our Aggregate Index work, seems like the way is still open to a Second Depression.

Tomorrow is Bank Settlement Day which comes every other week.  As always we will be alert to rumors.  which so far have been floating about “someone big being in trouble” but never with enough specifics to crater markets.

Onm the other hand, a retest of the lower trend line in the chart above (right) could get…um…interesting.  A lot will depend on whether the ADCC (attention-deficit commander in chief) can go in one direction long enough for the world to regain confidence.  We recall the Pied Piper was successful  at “leading the children away” with a single pass in one direction through town.

OK, so the town wasn’t the District of Confusion, but there are some historical legs:

The Pied Piper story originates from the German town of Hamelin (Hameln), Lower Saxony, and is tied to a historical event from around 1284. The earliest references appear in Hamelin’s town records and a stained-glass window in the town’s Market Church, dated around 1300, depicting a piper leading children away. The tale likely draws from a real incident, possibly involving a migration, plague, or recruitment for a military campaign, where many children or young people left or disappeared.

The story was later popularized in the 16th century through the Brothers Grimm’s fairy tale collection and earlier German folklore compilations. Chronicles like the Lüneburg Manuscript (c. 1440) also mention a piper leading 130 children out of Hamelin, never to return. Theories suggest the tale could reflect historical events like the Children’s Crusade (1212) or colonization efforts in Eastern Europe, but no definitive evidence pins it to one cause. The legend spread through oral tradition and literature, evolving into the familiar tale of a piper hired to rid Hamelin of rats, only to lead the town’s children away when unpaid.”  (Pedo’s?)

The question Markets are asking is “Where are the children and will they have any money left to prop up this house of cards built on a totally debt-logged currency?”

Our favorite calculation is that in 1913, $10 would have bought a very nice dinner out for four people. Couple of drinks and so on.  By 2024, this was up to  costing $318.17 per the Minneapolis Fed inflation calculator.  But that doesn’t get us to current dinner pricing; there’s the matter of an addition 3.3 percent (all-items) inflation to be considered.

The real $10 dinner is up around $328 and change now.

And the U.S. Dollar has, therefore, retained only 3% of its purchasing power.

Which means what?  Devil’s in the details:

To calculate the average annual inflation rate given a 97% decline in the purchasing power of the dollar from 1913 to 2025 (112 years), we can use the compound interest formula. A 97% decline means the dollar’s value is now 3% of its original value (0.03).

So, the average annual inflation rate is approximately 0.02475, or 2.475% per year.

Answer: The average annual inflation rate is approximately 2.48% (rounded to two decimal places).

Which means (gimme a hallelujah and put your credit card in the machine there…) that if you are NOT making about 2.5 percent on your money every year, you’re losing purchasing power.

And know who was the worst recent president when comes to taking care of Seniors?  You work it out…

OK, put the wallet away.  We have other fish to fry.

Barbarians at the Gate

Oh boy: all the gates, huh?

NY Times is selling the newest lefty-wing con: What Is ‘Dark Woke’: How Some Democrats Push Back Against Trump – The New York Times

Next gates where there’s a gathering being organized by media:  Under Hegseth, Chaos Prevails at the Pentagon .

Then there’s the personnel issues with the Federal Reserve:  Investors flee US assets as Trump attacks Fed’s Powell and calls for rate cuts.

Then there’s the little matter of giving public money to fat-cat schools with how much in their “trust funds?” Harvard sues Trump administration to stop freeze of more than $2 billion in grants : NPR  Try to remember our view of NPR is that it’s “state media” and not controlled by Trump.  Context of CPB Funding: The CPB was allocated $535 million in federal funding for fiscal year 2025, with about 25% ($133.75 million) directed to public radio.

Unable to connect the dots: Gov. J.B. Pritzker, Chicago leaders celebrate reductions in gun violence. Well, except they didn’t mention the crackdowns on illegals and more border focus….oh, but don’t mind us.

And the Barbarians go to nice restaurants: US Homeland Security Secretary’s purse stolen at Washington restaurant, say officials. “Same Secret Service detail as in Pennsylvania?” asked a reader.

Hype-o-Matic:  Bitcoin ETFs Draw $381 Million in Inflows.  Call that Piper dude.

Actually Worth Knowing

Win11 is going upscale – for the monies few:  Microsoft is working on some seriously exciting Windows 11 improvements – but not everyone will get them.

Lost in Space Dept: NASA spacecraft zooms by strange asteroid, beams back images.

And check out: Alzheimer’s Might Start Shaping Your Brain in Your 20s, Study Shows. If it doesn’t, there’s always democrats and liberal media…

Around the Ranch: Elaine’s 82nd

Care to guess whose birthday?

See why most people don’t think Elaine’s 82?

Yep…didn’t even “doll up” for the photo – she looks like this every day (including the earrings).  That’s the natural hair color, too.

Yes, unretouched, too.  See, we are actually living that anti-aging longevity stuff in my book on topic.  Somewhere on Amazon.

Grumpy at 76

There are lots of things people can do to extend their lives, yet a surprising number of people don’t take advantage of all the improvements in medicine.  There are three research “hot zones” that we are very keen on.

  • GlyNAC – the combination of glycine and N-acetyl cysteine was something worked out by Baylor College of Medicine several years back.  There is a paper on PubMed you ought to read: Supplementing Glycine and N-Acetylcysteine (GlyNAC) in Older Adults Improves Glutathione Deficiency, Oxidative Stress, Mitochondrial Dysfunction, Inflammation, Physical Function, and Aging Hallmarks: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
  • Next is the TRIIM-X study.  Fahy, et al did this one in 2019 and found telomeres could be extended (they are a marker of aging, right?).  That study used a blend of the diabetic drug metformin, DHEA, and human growth hormone.  Our OTC riff uses berberines, 5-HTP+melatonin, and liposomal low dose DHEA at night to achieve (we hope!) similar results. GlyNAC and TRIIM-X are both related to improving health and longevity, but in different ways. GlyNAC is a supplement that boosts the body’s production of the antioxidant glutathione, which can improve muscle strength, cognitive function, and overall health. TRIIM-X is a clinical trial focused on thymus regeneration, which is important for immune function and longevity  And yes, NIR red light on the chest 17-minutes a day.
  • Then NMN.  Which you can read about here, but it may be hard to get hold of, since the “fooled and drugged” administration has gotten involved: NMN’s status is currently undergoing scrutiny by the FDA in the United States. While initially marketed as a dietary supplement, it is now classified as an investigational drug, meaning it cannot be legally sold as a supplement due to the drug preclusion clause. This is because NMN has been previously studied as a potential drug, and the FDA’s drug preclusion clause prevents ingredients studied as drugs from being marketed as supplements. (Red Yeast Rice fiasco with statins being replayed, eh?) Despite these restrictions in the US, NMN remains available in various other countries.”  We advices Peoplenomics readers at the time and we stocked up on years worth.  But it may be worth doing: Advancements in NMN biotherapy and research updates in the field of digestive system diseases gets into additional work ongoing.

On that, off to make us a (rare, high-sugar) breakfast.  We seldom eat sugar, anymore.  But today, I’m making us Bavarian creme pancakes and ham for breakfast.

Health food?  Well, no, not exactly.  But she’s going turning 82 once.  And like a good hubby, I’m already getting preps out for the BIG ONE (which is just three years away).  In fact, I’ve been putting hints on gas pumps all over the country.  That’s what those E-85 stickers mean…..OK, or not…

Write when the sugar rush hits,

George@ure.net

50 thoughts on “Turn around Tuesday: Gold $3,500, Silver Lags, E Rolls 82”

  3. Elaine is as beautiful as ever. George, you look younger than the last picture you posted of yourself. You both are definitely doing something right. Breakfast sounds devine!. Have a great Birthday. Elaine.

  4. George,

    Nonlinear Events. Coronary occlusions, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions are nonlinear events. The incipient valuation crash of 1929 was a 1807 36/87 of 90 year 90 year 2nd fractal nonlinear event. The incipient crash of 2025 will be a 1982 13/32 of 33 year 33year 2nd fractal nonlinear event. The crash will jar unemployment numbers as the US service based economy has a reverse wealth effect and tariffs only make matters worse. The final SPX/QQQ 13 day 4th fractal of the 3 Feb 2025 8/19/20/11 of 13 day fractal series is coming to an incipient nonlinear conclusion.

    • I don’t pretend to understand the math of Fractal Economics beyond the general concept, but I certainly can relate to non-linear and disruptive effects. They Pope dying was a predictable event, though MTG’s venomous political comment on the man was not.

      It seems that the current state of confusion in all things economic and geopolitical precludes any predictability at all. Too many moving pieces for any to suss out a trend except possibly a fully informed AI. It would seem to be a good time to snap up obvious bargains when they come by and otherwise go to a very conservative and liquid position while spending time and energy creating real (non-taxable event) value on your own.

    • I regard the 4/22 market action as a frantic bear market rally.
      The hedge funds love Powell because he opens up the doors to the mint and provides liquidity when the hedge funds make class-threatening bad bets.
      This love affair between the Fed and the hedge funds will end badly. The assurance that the Fed will step in and provide liquidity to bail out increasingly reckless investment strategies by the hedge funds and their large institutional investors is a recipe for a disaster of epic proportions.

  5. Awesome, and a wonderful day, Cheers Lady E !
    yes sir, there’s E-85 stickers everywhere,, Ure been busy

  6. Thanks for the picture of the beauty and the beast.

    Happy birthday Elaine.
    You are living proof – it’s only a number.

  7. Turn around Tuesday indeed..Sell sell sell the Rip!

    ..always a good idea when afield Hunting the ever elusive Spring Gobblers.. to turn around and check Ure Six.
    Happy Birthday to Lady E, cutie patootie doesn’t look a day over 60.

    Time for turkey call tune ups – that is correct -practice makes better. Hang a sheet down Ure gun range and check Ure Shotgun Pattern as well – muy importante, unless of course Ure a truly skilled Hunter and Archery hunt with Gobbler Guillotines..nerk nerk gobble gobble-https://youtu.be/e1gSjcL8ZIE?

    Opening Day- May 3rd- 1 bronze burd per license.
    Last year Pennsyltucky hunters harvested 39k burds. This year will be harder as the state wide flock has grown and matured. Many more 3 year old and older burds, much harder to fool the wizened burds, no?

    PAGC estimates the state wide flock population to be around 200K.

    ? Do you know the Gobble Wobble ? Its easy, even old white Guys can do it..

    https://youtu.be/EhxVexWtE-4?

  9. I’ve been taking DHEA since 1984-along with many other concoctions.
    Nearing 75,my latest landlord thought that I was around 50.In the summertime,my hair resembles that of Troy Donahue.
    These preventions work.

    • Which brand supplements do you use?

      For basics I use Nature Made.
      – Made in USA
      – High-quality ingredients
      – 3rd party tested
      – BOGO at the local, regional big box making them cheaper than $AMZN

      I’m migrating to Life Extension over Revenue by Science for some.

      Specific brands for specific specialized stuff, as example:

      HumanN SuperBeets Beet Root
      NeoCell Collagen Tablets With Vitamin C and Biotin

  11. George,

    Elaine has a beautiful face. Was she blonde before turning white? That is what happened to me. You do appear younger in your most recent photo.

    Happy birthday to Lady E!
    May the day be wonderful for you both.

    What are you preparing in the kitchen for this special day?

  12. Happy birthday E…
    (“Grimm’s fairy tale collection and earlier German folklore compilations. Chronicles like the Lüneburg Manuscript (c. 1440) also mention a piper leading 130 children out of Hamelin,”)

    there are some theories similar to the downfall of the Egyptian empire and the Mayan empire..Throughout history, there are stories and legends of several civilizations that have faced similar events and collapse due to climatic and economic instability, often compounded by social and political factors. “The Curse of Akkad” is an ancient poem that tells the story of the Akkadian Empire’s fall, attributing its demise to the goddess Inanna’s anger. Once a prosperous and powerful city, Akkad loses divine favor, leading to devastating consequences. The poem describes barren lands, widespread famine, and the complete desolation of the empire. It serves as a cautionary tale about the hubris of rulers and the catastrophic impact of losing harmony with the gods. A similar story for all else. take the story of the Levites tribe associated with moses. The Levites were set apart for religious duties, assisting the priests (descendants of Aaron, Moses’ brother) in the Tabernacle and later the Temple they were known as the temple keepers the banking and prominence . They were responsible for tasks like carrying the Ark of the Covenant, singing Psalms, and maintaining the sanctity of worship the financial balance between spiritual missions and material wealth. what basically brought the demise of the levites tribe of Israel was this very position they held as being the temple keepers. when economic and climatic situations split the tribe apart.
    I see this happening to the present LDS community. they teach the right things.. but haven’t followed the original view of the reformation.
    Joseph Smith’s restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) was influenced by the religious landscape of his time, which included groups like the Puritans and Quakers.Early Mormon communities and Amish colonies share some similarities, particularly in their emphasis on faith, community, and self-reliance.
    as time rolled by the church separated from the original concept. turning back to what the original levites tribes were. they are the temple keepers. last summer I got the slap of reality in getting some cucumbers. the colony..all the families were non stressed..kids playing each had purpose..no threats of loss no stress over economic situations. I went to a meeting and everyone in the meeting was stressed.. the messages of faith and morals are good..but.. the division is wider. in a similar situation of past histories in collapse of civilizations the temples built would be lost to be rediscovered again one day like the thousands of lost civilizations of the world.
    the legends of old the fairytales created..one of my favorite revolves around a story I read years ago when I was eleven or twelve. there was a talk by one of the archeologists that discovered tuts tomb. dead men do tell tales.. there was another news story at the time the discovery of The process the woman behind the legends of sleeping beauty fame and snow white and the seven dwarfs..the seven knights buried with her to protect her and her carriage and horses..at that age it was an exciting tale and descovery

    • re: Procul Harum (‘Far from These’)
      feat: Adam’s Apple

      Folks,
      Would you care to pied piper down a rabbit hole? Yesterday The First Couple did not accompany the Easter Bunny onto the Blue Room Verandah and launch the White House Easter Egg Roll. Instead a usurper, Peter the Rabbit, appeared at their side in lieu of the Easter Bunny. The rabbit character company supplier to the event is seen to offer an Easter Bunny for the same hourly rate on their website. Here is a link to the blog entry made by the head of “Fairytale Entertainment” headquartered in Auburn Hills, Mi. regarding Monday’s appearance of their Peter the Rabbit representative at the White House. One imagines a play of light has altered the First Lady’s coat in the supplier’s included image from eggshell porcelain to a ‘whiter shade of pale’ blue.

      https://www.fairytaleyourparty.com/blogs/peter-rabbit-at-the-white-house

      “The Tale of Peter Rabbit” was the first of several adventures authored by Beatrix Potter in 1903. Peter’s misadventures in the vegetable garden contrary to advice of higher authority is said to be a children’s fairytale parallel to The Fall of Man in the Garden of Eden. Towards the end of the story, Peter is comforted with (roman/nobile?) chamomile (‘earth apple’) tea. As an aside, Beatrix Potter is related via a cousin on her mother’s side who was a great-great-great aunt of the Princess of Wales. While the Princess’s parents did manage a party planning enterprise at the time of Prince George’s first birthday in 2014, a low-key family party was held featuring a Peter the Rabbit theme. London landmarks were lit up with blue light for minion celebration.

      The vestal virgins sung about by Procul Harem are said to perhaps point to the Roman goddess Lucina (Light) who paired with the powerful queen, Juno, wife of Zeus. Legend has it that Juno’s temple was founded on Esquiline Hill by the first king of Rome, Romulus. Following an intermediate period as land allegedly purchased by Judas for betraying Jesus known as Potter’s Field, the Hill has featured a Santa Maria Maggiore basilica since rising power of the faith in the 5th century ad. It houses a revered painting Salus Populi Romani (‘Salvation of the Roman People’). Our Lady is portrayed holding an auburn-haired Child Jesus against an orange-tinted background. Shortly the remains of Pope Francis I will be interred in the basilica.

  14. Sleeping beauty…in ancient folklore, and its original versions are far darker than the romanticized tales we know today. One of the earliest known iterations is Giambattista Basile’s “Sun, Moon, and Talia”
    the Tisulsky Princess, a mysterious discovery in the village of Rzhavchik, Tisulskago, Russia, in 1969 (often mistakenly cited as 1968). During coal mining operations, workers unearthed a marble sarcophagus containing the body of a woman who appeared to be perfectly preserved, as though she were merely sleeping. She was described as having delicate features, blonde hair, and wearing a white lace dress. The coffin was filled with a pink-blue liquid believed to have contributed to her preservation.
    In 1969, workers in Tisulsky, Siberia, reportedly unearthed a marble sarcophagus containing the perfectly preserved body of a young woman.
    She appeared as though she were simply sleeping, dressed in a delicate white lace gown, and surrounded by an odd pink-blue liquid.
    The burial site was supposedly located over 70 feet below the surface in a layer of Carboniferous coal, estimated to be around 300 million years old.
    Having read the story of her discovery back then then have the privilege of being able to visit with one of the archeologists that entered tuts tomb.. wow.. A highlight for a little boy..

  16. Today Kilauea Volcano lit off a fountain for Elaine’s birthday! These episodic eruptions like to blow off on Tuesdays for some odd reason. It may only last a day, so look now!
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lw0w7Rz1lRc
    Eruption confined to summit crater, so no danger or destruction, but it’s blowing off 1,000 ft fountains this morning.
    HAPPY BIRTHDAY, E!

  17. Happy birthday Elaine! You are stunningly gorgeous and definitely winning against the effects of aging . May this day bring you sunshine, clear skies and humor in your world.

  18. In ’71 after I returned from ‘Nam I attended Romanian language classes for 9 months at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey. Most of the instructors had fled Romania after the commies took over. One of them told of one of the many Germanic villages in a remote Carpathian Mountain valley that spoke a dialect of German almost unchanged from that of medieval times Hameln, Germany. It was thought remnants of a childrens’ crusade settled it.

  19. Happy Birthday E-82! I’m glad to see success in life, as G&E have found for the last 1/4 century! Best wishes to both, and the cats too! Please keep posting the pictures – there’s lots more than 1000 words value there!

  20. We can add to the April list.

    BREAKING…
    At least 20 tourists killed after gunmen open fire at Kashmir resort in ‘devastating’ terror attack: officials

    https://nypost.com/2025/04/22/world-news/at-least-20-tourists-killed-after-gunmen-open-fires-at-kashmir-resort-in-devastating-terror-attack-officials/

    JC
    April 11, 2025 at 08:16
    “My point? Simply that it’s looking (again) like the Easter Rally will be along as we have been yammering about. And just in time to fish the BTFD crowd into the markets ahead of Israel popping Iran which seems likely this weekend.”

    https://urbansurvival.com/ppi-om-and-oobs-easter-rally-back-on-brain-amplifiers

    Bad things happen in April!

    Mark Leibovitz: April is a treacherous and difficult time… a negative month…

    The San Francisco earthquake in 1906
    The Bay of Pigs Invasion
    The Boston Marathon Bombing
    Assassination of Abraham Lincoln
    The Oklahoma City Bombing
    The Columbine High School Massacre
    Assassination of Martin Luther King
    The Sinking of The Titanic

    And more..

    https://www.howestreet.com/2025/04/markets-some-see-red-others-see-opportunity-mark-leibovit/

    • Are all NMNs created equal or is there something to liposomals and precursors?

      The New Science TMG indicates it should be taken with co-factors B6, B12 and Folic Acid which happen to be in the multi-vitamin so….?

  22. Toyota and Mazda responded to my coupon requests. LOL

    Toyota Says, “At this time we are unable to provide any manufactures discount or coupons.”

    Mazda says, “In regard to any manufacturer coupons, discounts, or incentives, I recommend reaching out directly to your local Mazda dealership. Since all Mazda dealerships are independently owned and operated, participation in promotional offers can vary by location and is at the discretion of each dealership. Mazda Corporation does not determine or manage dealer-specific offers.”

  24. “NY Times is selling the newest lefty-wing con: What Is ‘Dark Woke’: How Some Democrats Push Back Against Trump”

    “Dark woke” is simply “woke, with lots of cuss words.”

    The Dems are fake, phony, and inauthentic. Think back as far as anyone can remember, or as far back an anyone’s studies of politics goes. The Democratic Party has NEVER been able to honestly tell its policy goals to the American people. At least as far back as Wilson (which is as far as I’ve actually studied), Dems have lied WRT their policy and their intentions, in the ramp-up to every single election, because if they told the truth, they would have ceased to exist, before FDR became da Prez.

    The single biggest thing that attracts people to Donald Trump is he’s a WYSIWYG personality. He is genuine and authentic. People may like and dislike certain facets of his personality, but everyone is fully aware of their presence.

    Democrats are liars, by nature, because they daren’t tell the truth when on the campaign trail. The function of “dark woke” is to “put an edginess” to their speech. They are attempting to find a way to fake “authenticity” in such a way as to make it believable by their core voting blocs, and because Trump drops a colorful word every once in a while, somebody in the Dems’ strategy tank has come up with the idea that swearing will make them sound authentic.

    Like all fads, this too will pass…

  25. “Next gates where there’s a gathering being organized by media: Under Hegseth, Chaos Prevails at the Pentagon .”

    Pete must be doing something right, since so many of the Obama imbeds want him gone…
    __________

    “Then there’s the little matter of giving public money to fat-cat schools with how much in their “trust funds?” Harvard sues Trump administration to stop freeze of more than $2 billion in grants”

    Government funding of private schools engaged in (allegedly) “higher education” is a privilege, not a right or a “cast-in-stone” entitlement. The thing which makes schools like Hillsdale and Liberty so attractive is they accept zero Federal funds.
    __________

    “And the Barbarians go to nice restaurants: US Homeland Security Secretary’s purse stolen at Washington restaurant, say officials. “Same Secret Service detail as in Pennsylvania?” asked a reader.”

    I would NEVER trust my attaché case or backpack out of my sight or control, no matter how many bodyguards I had. Like Ronald Reagan and the six-shooter he often carried, I would trust the Secret Service, but not entirely cede my personal responsibility for controlling my safety or my possessions to them. Hopefully, Noem is both humbler and wiser, today…

  26. “And check out: Alzheimer’s Might Start Shaping Your Brain in Your 20s, Study Shows. If it doesn’t, there’s always democrats and liberal media…”

    There’s a new study/treatment upcoming, on Alzheimer’s. I just saw it in passing. Somebody (might be Mayo) is looking for people in their 60s, 70s, and 80s to act as guinea pigs. Can’t remember where I came across it, but a search would probably turn it up…

  27. Congrats, Elaine!

    You guys look like you’ve been hitting the collagen. When I did, it took less than a month for my wrinkly arms and crow’s feet to go away.

    • ..a big piece of demonrats funding mechanizations/machine. not as lucrative as human trafficking..see ukraine, but it still pays the bills.

      Too bad they didnt have one of those rogue Treasury computers DOGE guys keep finding during their agency audits. Unaccounted for/unaudited USD’s to pay the contractors..

      USD is completely FUCKED now and will need precious metal infusion (backing) to survive going forward..See GOLD, cold, soft, heavy ass GOLD.

      • the same guy who posted , told ya it was, he was drawing attention to how some led by the nose leftards are, also RINOs are part of the leftard coalition,,,

        “Philip
        @criticallyme92
        ·
        Here’s the twisted irony: we’ll get on here tearing each other apart over a fact-check label on this AOC or any post, while mainstream media spins unchecked fairy tales we gobble up like obedient little sheep. Isn’t that double standard a bit… curious

        When did we decide to lobotomize ourselves, handing our brains over to arbiters of truth instead of seeing a post or a news article and figuring it out for ourselves
        6:23 PM · Apr 22, 2025
        ·
        6,380
        Views”
        https://x.com/criticallyme92/status/1914822493547979119

      • re: “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels”, 1988

        truth,
        “The Guardian” and “France24” offer interesting facts about the person contriving the escapades that rile you. According to them, Mr. Christopher Blair is a left wing resident in Maine, USA, and leader of Alod (America’s Last Line of Defense). Apparently he as “Busta Troll” derives a more comfortable income from his literary false flags than a prior career in “renovations”. Of the latter, a person could well imagine a crooked house outcome should Mr. Blair draw a straight line as poorly as he writes one.

        I hope Mr. Blair will see the light and begin to speak truth.

  32. Good Grief! I’ve seen women half Elaine’s age that looked ready for the crematorium. Good job there, both of you!

  33. George, I just had the most awesome dream I had to document this. I’ve been taking microdose lithium and having dreams again. I never used to remember them, but now I have some, usually in the morning before rising. Today, Elaine’s birthday, I arose early to get some Tylenol in me with my hip transplant aching, posted the volcano eruption, and went thru my morning stack of vitamins, breakfast, and meds. Besides Tylenol, I had Celebrex and Gabapentin for the day. After reading Urban, I laid back on the bed, elevated my bad leg, and applied the cold pack to my hip. This was approx. 9 am and I dozed off. At the risk of the BCN calling me “The Flying Hawaiian” yet again, here’s the dream.

    I was a pilot in training for the Space Force, learning a new craft called the ‘Global Hawk’ and going for my first ride with a Chief Pilot. The top secret craft was a long tube with an enlarged head with a cockpit for two, and small squid-like fins that articulated for maneuvering. Long body tube was mostly fuel tanks, and the rear enlargement contained an advanced turbine/rocket motor with a V-tail. The body was advanced heat-shield composites developed by Space-X. We were attached to a large lift aircraft that took us off the ground and up to high altitude where we were dropped and ‘launched’. Then the fun began. We went hypersonic and I was learning to maneuver this thing at speed. We did simulated attack runs and I learned we had two attack rockets. We could come in from above at speed and take out any airborne or ground targets, and return to base. Fuel was limited, so the Global Hawk had a limited operational range under power like this, but the capability was beyond anything known now. When we landed back at base, I asked the Chief Pilot why it was called the Global Hawk, as it had a limited range. He just smiled and told me to report back tomorrow for more training.

    Next day we went up again. We set a heading and climbed, and climbed. I got nervous about the fuel consumption and asked the Chief if it wasn’t time to turn around and head back home. He responded by shutting down the engines! We had left the atmosphere and gone sub-orbital! We coasted for a long time like this, surfing off the atmosphere with the heat shield body flaring around us. Minor course corrections were still possible and being made as we sank back into the atmosphere. Checking navigation, I found we had sailed halfway around the globe! We restarted the hyper-engines and headed for another top secret space-base we had on the other side of the globe. We had a bit of extra fuel, so we had some fun maneuvering attack runs around the base before dropping in for a landing. On the ground, the Chief told me “And THAT is why it is called a Global Hawk!”

    My leg ached and I woke up then. Time 10:30am. I had two days of flying in the past 1-1/2 hour… perfect REM sleep session. And I was NOT on Opioid drugs! It was a dream, so I hope the men in black don’t need to come visit me.

  34. Wow, George, what a fabulous dream Hank had! I loved the part about surfing the atmosphere with the heat shield body flaring around us. Way cool. Giving sailing a new platform.

    Hank, please be diligent about performing your physical therapy and stretching. Going up and down flights of stairs helps, as does walking. Best of luck on your convalescence.

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