March 9 is the 68th day of this year,  and 297 days remain until the end of 2026. Going back through known history, what in the past happened on March 29? 1044:  The people of Constantinople rioted against emperor Constantine for preferring his mistress over the empress. 1766:  Scottish philosopher Adam Smith publishes  The Wealth of Nations . 1796:  Napoleon Bonaparte married his first wife, Josephine.   Annulled in 1810 for no children.   So he then married Marie-Louise of Austria, who gave birth to Napoleon II in 1811. She was the first child of Maria Theresa ( photo to the right ), my selection as the  Most Extraordinary Female in History.    Never heard of her?   Read my posting . She had 16 children, and her youngest daughter, Marie Antoinette, became Queen of France and guillotined. While all that was happening, she became the first female empress over the Austria-Hungarian Empire at the age of 23.  She wa...

The local  Star-Advertiser  today carried an article that headlined: Gold hits record $5,311 as dollar falls ahead of Fed decision First of all, the  Federal Reserve today held interest rates steady for the first time since July .  Fed Chair Jerome Powell ( will stay on as governor until the end of 2028 ) said that economic activity and business fixed investment have been expanding at a solid pace, while consumer spending has been resilient.   However, even though the housing market continues to show weakness, it has begun to show signs of recent life.   Mortgage rates have been at a three-year low. Yet, 6% for 30-year fixed is not exactly low. 15-year fixed is around 5%, also not so good. On the other hand, it was 7% last year. A good low interest rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage is anything below 4%. In January 2021, a record low of 2.65% was reached. This rate hovered between 3% and 4% in the 2010s. However, and this surprising to me, the hist...

 Woke up on our final Tokyo day to a resplendent Mount Fuji. Final breakfast in the Tokyo Westin Hotel. This hotel is a popular place for wedding parties. Took the Airport Limousine Bus to Narita International Airport.  Over Rainbow Bridge. You might wonder why that name when the bridge is all white colored.  At nights, lights change the color to rainbow hues, especially during the holiday seasons. Got to the ANA Business Class Lounge with almost 3 hours to enjoy the food and drinks there.  This is one of the best in the world. Sat so that we could see the 14th day of the Tokyo Sumo Tournament.  Tomorrow is the final day.  Started with curry rice, Suntory AO whiskey, beer and sake. Second course of ramen, chicken and lasagna. On the way out of the lounge, saw these turtles. Asked Google AI what they were. The "turtles" are ANA’s (All Nippon Airways)   "FLYING HONU" Airbus A380s , featuring special liveries of Hawaiian sea turtles (Honu) to symbolize go...