Investing: Bull Markets and how long can they run?

| May 31, 2015

If you’ve been watching the “easy money” policies from central banks around the world (following the U.S. Fed’s lead), you may being wondering just how much money can be infused by government without suffering an economic calamity? So far, those investors “borrowing” at low interest rates in order to participate heavily in the stock market […]

A spare Racor 500FG diesel fuel filter and water separator

| May 30, 2015

My good friend Mark replaced his old Racor 500FG fuel filter on his boat last year with one of the newer versions with a heat shield around the bowl (although Mark and Dar recently sold Zola).   From what I can tell the heat shield” was about the only change Parker Hannnifin has made to […]

TechFriday: Slowly transitioning business storage to AWS S3

| May 29, 2015

As some point in business, we need to know when it is time to throw in the towel. I’m not talking about going out of business, selling or retiring just yet, BUT “giving up” on competing when it comes to data storage. In my personal life, I’ve been using cloud based storage for years… be […]

What is the Twitter’s plan for Flipboard?

| May 28, 2015

It looks as if Twitter is getting a head start in taking social media into the publishing realm by going after Flipbook. Facebook is working deals with news organizations and consolidating into users streams, but $TWTR has decided to buy their way into the publishing business – undisclosed price but some speculate it is close […]

Better kitchen knifes: Appreciating a sharp blade and good steel

| May 28, 2015

Shortly after Brenda and I were married, I commented that I was going to write an advice book for new couples that included the good and bad decisions we made when buying things for our home, yard, kids and our life. After all this time I’ve yet to write the advice book, but continue to […]

A few thoughts on the movie American Sniper

| May 27, 2015

Brenda and I finally watched the Clint Eastwood directed movie about Navy Seal Chris Kyle titled American Sniper this Memorial Day weekend. It was worth the price of a DVD purchase, although I’m not sure emotionally I’ll want to see it again. The movie left me with gut wrenching sorrow and little solace that the […]

Video: A Great White Shark is not a puppy

| May 26, 2015

A veteran who hates hearing Happy Memorial Day

| May 25, 2015

It’s not Veterans Day. It’s not military appreciation day. Don’t thank me for my service. Please don’t thank me for my service. Here’s how it was outlined in General Orders No. 11, Washington, D.C., May 5, 1868: The 30th day of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating […]

Nicki Bluhm and the Gramblers Waiting on Love music video

| May 24, 2015

Once upon a time I use to listened to music records, tapes and CDs. Now with hearing loss, I usually prefer silence or just “voice/talk/news” coming from speakers or the occasional online ditty … but there are a few exceptions. I still enjoy old favorites — from the best music decade, aka: 1970s, usually on […]

Appreciating the time we have to spend together

| May 23, 2015

Being sentimental or overly reflecting on each day really is not in my nature, but because my prayer list growing for those who have health issues, I’ve spent a little more time “trying” to appreciate “the moments.”  The focus this winter/spring has primarily been on my dad (and my mother-in-law), and I’ve made a priority […]

Reading The Wright Brothers by David McCullough

| May 22, 2015

Out of sight, out of mind. Unlike a hard copy book sitting on my reading table, ebooks are easy to forget about … that’s one of the disadvantages of receiving the gift of an ebook (as is having multiple e-reading apps). My friend Jeff gave me David McCullough’s new book The Wright Brothers for my […]

Gov Christie questions Democrat vs Republican media treatment

| May 21, 2015

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie isn’t someone who personally appeals to me … perhaps because I see him as an “in your face east coast loud mouth” (my problem as a mild-mannered Midwesterner). On the other hand, I do appreciate the fact that he is not afraid to speak his mind unlike most flip-flopping, finger […]

Making it feel better than home

| May 21, 2015

My wife and I have been preoccupied this week with helping our son Taylor get settled into his East Walnut Hills (Cincinnati) apartment after his move back from Williston, North Dakota. Each time “I” think we are getting closer to finishing, the “mama-bear” (aka: Brenda) adds a few more items to the list … but […]

Fed Minutes indicate little reason to raise interest rates in June

| May 20, 2015

The Federal Reserve officials doubted they would be ready to raise short-term interest rates by midyear, according to minutes of the meeting released Wednesday. Fed officials, along with most economists, are struggling to make sense of a first-quarter economic slowdown. The normal pattern of post-recession growth has been non-existent as job growth has been tepid […]

Norwegian Dawn gets hung up on a Bermuda reef

| May 20, 2015

I'm remembering the tight entries and snake like departures from Bermuda a few years ago … it was just a matter of time. In this photo provided by the Royal Gazette, the Norwegian cruise ship Norwegian Dawn, lies aground near Bermuda's North Channel Tuesday, May 19, 2015. The Norwegian cruise ship Norwegian Dawn, lies aground […]

New Study: Vitamin Pill could reduce risk of skin cancer

| May 20, 2015

Looks like we may be onto something here … People who took a single vitamin pill twice a day cut their risk of the two most common forms of skin cancer by nearly a quarter, Australian researchers reported Wednesday. (Tweet This) The vitamin is a form of vitamin B3 called nicotinamide, and it’s sold in […]

A new beginning and a welcome home to Taylor

| May 19, 2015

My “prodigal son” returned to Cincinnati Monday night. Taylor is only home for a day and we will be moving him into his own East Walnut Hills apartment as he gets ready for his new position as a Clermont County Planner. He is excited to be back in southwestern Ohio after nearly two years in […]

Archiving: Landscaping, mulching and pool tile repairs

| May 18, 2015

  Just a little archiving after working in the yard this past weekend … that BESIDES cleaning the swimming pool and repairing the tiles (past repairs). Mulching this year is not going to be inexpensive since we really didn’t add any last year … but it does really improve the look of our “less than […]

Spring pool opening has turned into pool repair season

| May 18, 2015

In the heat of a Cincinnati summer, owning a pool is great … but when closing and opening an “aging” pool that needs a bit of TLC, I begin to wonder if the extra work is worth it? This year has been the latest we’ve ever open our pool here in Cincinnati (perhaps we were […]

Building a Carpenter Bee Trap — Thanks Tim!

| May 17, 2015

Here are instructions for a simple, but effective carpenter bee trapLINK

New Invention – Easiest Drawers Ever!

| May 17, 2015

Now this would be a great Kickstarter project.

Contemplating sailboat anchors and anchor chain options

| May 17, 2015

  I’m looking for some anchor chain advice and before posting to a sailing/cruising forum and figured posting the links to my blog might be a good first start. In April I cut off a rusted link from Encore’s anchor chain and brought home a 4 foot length to measure, inspect and contemplate re-galvanizing (also […]

Sailor Donna Lange prepares for her Sail Twice Around

| May 16, 2015

  One of my sailing acquaintances, Donna Lange, is preparing to sail around the world for the second time (news story) beginning in late-July. She’ll leave Rhode Island planning to solo circumnavigate non-stop via Cape Hope (South America), the southern oceans south of New Zealand and Australia and then around Cape Horn (Africa) back to […]

Simple security is often overlooked on WordPress

| May 15, 2015

Check out these five security points if you use a WordPress website: Don't Use “Admin” or “Administrator” as a Login Name Use a Highly Secure Password Keep WP and Its Plug-ins Up-to-Date Backup Your Site Install Security Plug-ins Source: Envisionitsolutions  

Happy 29th Birthday to my daughter Katelyn #TBT

| May 14, 2015

Since my daughter’s birthday falls on a Thursday this year it offers me a perfect excuse (as if I need one) to reminisce  a little and post a Throw Back Thursday (#TBT) video … this one from 1996. Love you Katelyn — Happy Birthday!

An interesting way to park your car and VW Golf TDI decision

| May 13, 2015

Besides having a chauffer park your car for you, the Porsche owner above has invested in a pretty cool CarDok. Not to be out done, my friend Tim Hunter has found an even better way to park his Volkswagen … (kidding) photo right. We were both somewhat distressed seeing his old TDI (now his daughter’s […]

Video: The heel lock or lace lock when tying athletic shoes

| May 13, 2015

Hmm … I learned something new today. Q: Have you wondered about those extra lacing holes were for that seem out of place on athletic shoes? A: They are used to prevent blisters on your feet when running by keeping your shoe tightly on your foot. (Illumiseen)

A nautical goodbye for Taylor in North Dakota

| May 12, 2015

It is nice to know that my son Taylor connected and is well-liked by his co-workers in Williams County, North Dakota … liked enough to receive a potluck goodbye (although I’m not so sure they know just how land-locked Cincinnati is???) It is a happy time for him to be growing in his career, but […]

Anchor from Blackbeard’s ship raised

| May 11, 2015

The nearly 3,000-pound anchor was raised from the Queen Anne’s Revenge, the flagship of the notorious pirate that he intentionally grounded off the North Carolina coast in 1718. It is the largest artifact yet recovered from the wreck. Source: Anchor from Blackbeard’s ship raised after 293 years off North Carolina coast

Happy Mother’s Day to moms

| May 10, 2015

A great weekend after traveling this week. We enjoyed the first “ribs” of the season and celebrated Mother’s Day with Brenda and her mom by working in the yard. Spring clean-up and “finally” opening the pool — the latest we have ever opened her in Cincinnati (might have been later in Hudson, OH 20 years […]

Fire and coffee – do we need a psychiatrist or an intervention?

| May 9, 2015

Those who know my wife’s family heritage, KNOW she has the firebug in her DNA. Spring clean up around the yard this year is no exception. Once again … the bonfire is blazing (click for larger image). While Brenda has her issues with fire, I have mine with coffee. I know I’m getting extreme when […]

Top 20% of Earners Pay 84% of Income Tax #WSJ

| May 8, 2015

The bigger the federal government grows and the longer the tenticles reach into business and personal lives, the slower our country grows. What will it take for Americans to recognize that our country grows and lifts every citizen when the ambitious and innovative are not thwarted by Uncle Sam at every turn?  Besides limiting the […]

Celebrating my birthday with some great #TBT memories

| May 7, 2015

   Another year older and hopefully wiser (birthdays seems to happen too often) and am still trying to live and love life to the fullest. On this ThrowBack Thursday (TBT) I’ll include a couple photos and even an Elton John YouTube song from “just”  a few years ago (cough, cough). The Brenich photos were from […]

Will investors keep selling in May … and go away until autumn?

| May 6, 2015

Equity markets are struggling to make any positive headway this month as each time there is a sliver of optimism that the economy will improve, another round of negativity takes the wind out of sails. Wednesday, after what looked like a positive start to the trading day, a “triple whammy of a pullback in energy […]

Congratulations to Ben and Emily on the birth of Liev

| May 6, 2015

Congratulations to my nephew Benjamin Skinner and his wife Emily on the birth of their son (their first child). Liev Frederick Skinner was born this morning, May 6, 2015 at 5:51AM in Cincinnati, Ohio. He’s a cute little guy at 6 lbs. 13 oz and 20.5 inches … so relays his proud grandma … my […]

A pre official hurricane season storm would be named Ana

| May 6, 2015

I usually don’t start monitoring the Atlantic hurricane season until it “officially begins June 1,” but this year there is a early “sub-tropical” depression ignoring the calendar. There’s a 40 percent chance the Atlantic may churn out the season’s first storm along the U.S. East Coast by May 10, according to the National Hurricane Center […]

New Fixes for Worn Knees

| May 6, 2015

Millions of people damage their knees. Scientists are testing implanting an artificial meniscus or inducing the body to grow a new one. Source: New Fixes for Worn Knees

SUV pinned between two trucks but the driver walks away

| May 5, 2015

This is the kind of story that has has one appreciating the the focus on design and safety going into the cars and SUVs being built today. Amazing … the driver, David Grimes, walked away with only a slight burn from the SUV’s air bag. A man’s SUV was pinned between two tractor-trailers, yet he […]

Four Delrin bearings from Rig-Rite, Inc. – $81

| May 5, 2015

Last week the traveller on Encore started to shed a few pieces of plastic when we were out sailing and I knew this meant a few new bearing were in my future. What I didn’t know is that the IYE Traveller is no longer made and that the parts are a bit scarce. Unfortunately being […]

Personal: My dad is back in the hospital

| May 4, 2015

Besides the “lighter” personal oriented items I’ve been posting on my blog lately, I wanted to archive a few details about my dad struggling with getting older and being back in the hospital. This past Sunday the nurse at Lane Park where dad is now living told us dad had a high fever and was […]

Added a gas powered wood splitter to my list of man-toys

| May 4, 2015

With the piles of new firewood in the woods after the latest “big expense,” what’s a few more dollars? So I bought a wood splitter.      Instead of borrowing my dad’s small electric splitter as usual, I “had” decided to rent a larger gasoline powered splitter so I could haul to where the logs […]

My son Taylor accepts a position and is moving back to Ohio

| May 3, 2015

Brenda and I knew the good news when we were on vacation last week that Taylor received an offer from Clermont County, Ohio … although Taylor didn’t yet returned to Williston North Dakota to submit his resignation properly (therefore no public blog post). On Friday, Taylor submitted his letter and verbal resignation to his superiors […]

A dead tree, or two, or three, makes for a big expense

| May 2, 2015

] It is pretty easy to tell that we had a little tree trimming done … but what is not as as easy to tell is how many dollars a few dead and dying trees cost to have cut down … $4000 plus tax! OUCH! I’m usually the ambitious sort when it comes to tree […]

Video: A 30 year old Westerly Corsair II sailing at 6.5 knots

| May 1, 2015

Sharing and archiving a little left over video from our recent trip sailing on Encore with our son Taylor last week. He stretch out a week using some of his vacation time (wisely … more later) while coaxing Brenda and me to do the same for a few days. We had great spring weather (80s) […]

Desultory - des-uhl-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee

  1. lacking in consistency, constancy, or visible order, disconnected; fitful: desultory conversation.
  2. digressing from or unconnected with the main subject; random: a desultory remark.
My Desultory Blog