Prior to installing OpenCore my aging “tweaked” Late 2012 iMac was becoming worthless as the MacOS wasn’t updatable from Catalina, now with Sequoia it has a new lease on life … at least for a little longer.
It is running flawlessly and doing nearly everything I need it to do … nice big iMac 27” display with a second 27” Apple Thunderbolt Cinema Display next to it. It has been a great Intel-powered MacOS setup for 14 years. Yes, it does occasionally glitch and slow, but for the most part, it is still a preferred computer to use when it come to having screen real estate. So if you are married to an older Mac and would like to continue using MacOS rather than trying a Linux install or mothballing due to it being beyond the Apple support years, give OpenCore Legacy Patcher a try, you won’t be disappointed.
Last week I re-tweeted this video of a toy that “I wished that I had,” but that my cousin Bobby had back in 1972. It was one of the greatest flying toys and thought it would be perfect for Throwback Thursday #TBT.
A few years later, I had a variety of balsa wood rubber band powered and Cox gas powered models and string controlled airplanes, but I think I broke nearly every one of them. This “Vertibird” was one of the few toys that could be flown in the house and well before video games or the radio controlled planes, vehicles and quad-rotors “toys” we have today. It is still a pretty great toy IMHO!
While attempting to type out a couple of thoughts at the request of TheHustings editor (an email to all contributors), I semi-addressed the topical requests listed (all critical of the Trump administration) … but decided to add my two cents, being the political “elephant” in the room: The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) are taking over the Democratic Party … and the November 2026 midterm elections should be making the sane and moderate Democrats nervous.
President Trump is juggling more plates than most administrations manage in a full term — and somehow keeping them all spinning. One day its massive military strikes on Iran, paused just as quickly for talks. The next it’s Patriot missile production for Ukraine, offered then pulled back. Even domestic distractions like the reflecting pool damage and the “86 47” carved into the lawn get handled without derailing the larger agenda. Trade, energy, border security, the economy, foreign policy resets—the pace is relentless. Pundits are still chasing yesterday’s headline while he’s already moved on to the next one. The on-again, off-again news cycle isn’t chaos. It’s the sound of actual governing at speed, unlike the prior Biden administration.
I’m left questioning, what is the platform from what’s left of the sane moderate Democrats? With the midterms approaching, even Bill Maher and James Carville are openly warning that the DSA’s takeover of the Democratic Party is putting their side on a path to self-destruction.
Bill Mahr: “I’m not voting for anyone who thinks the wrong side won the Cold War, or cheers for the Intifada like it’s the World Cup.”
James Carville: “One of us is going to leave — it might even be me.”
It has been a strange summer weather wise, at least compared to normal summers for this part of SW Ohio. We’ve had hot days in July (which is normal) … but stronger than usual summer storms ripping through now that it is August. I’ve never noticed so many “tornado warnings” in one evening pop up on my phone … and our local siren came on several more times than in prior warnings Saturday evening. Thankfully no tornadoes touched the ground, but the heavy rain is continuing throughout the weekend.
As for the rain, I removed my normal summer “sump pump bypass to the pool” piping as this may be the first time in a long time that our pool as remained full. I even had to pump a bit of water out last week … and it is now August. The grass is still green and continues to grow … amazing for this late in the summer.
Part of my Sunday afternoon was spent prepping some Oostra Oak for a “Squirrel Picnic Table” project for when my granddaughters arrive. We’ll see just how many years I can keep “girls” interested in traditionally boy projects — so far, they love working in the workshop with me (Oma has an interesting idea too … along with her yearly tie-dye T-shirts fun).
Sometimes listening to SiriusXM triggers me to thinking, “have I’ve posted on this before?”In this case I did … and not that long ago. Hm .. to post or not to post again? ☹️
Since I’ve already snipped the iPhone screenshot and started this Music Monday post, I guess I’ll continue. Besides, its an memorable enough Albert Hammond song (co-written by Mike Hazlewood) to include a second time. As I was prepping the audio recording from 1972 and checking on my previous comments, I decided instead that the YouTube video offered a little visual … so I’ll include it instead.
It was great to catch up with each of my nephews and nieces … and their now many children … during last week’s family reunion at a Hocking Hills lodge. The cousins gelled as if they were never apart … almost as if no time elapsed.BUT … they are now the parents of the next generation of our family. For me, it was eye-opening to see my oldest granddaughter (9) entertaining her younger cousins (almost a babysitter)OR to realize my nephew Justin’s daughter was on a summer mission trip in Africa!
Speaking of Justin(photo above), he had just finished up an interview with Minnesota Public Radio for NPR and answered listener questions on gastrointestinal issues and other medical concerns. I was thankful to have him put me at ease after my surgery and “seemingly slower than expected recovery.” He was able to “ok” our canoeing (Brenda and I didn’t dunk) and short hiking in Hocking Hills. We are so proud of him as a father, husband and great doctor (Dr. Justin Howard, MD).
*** The interview might be worth listening to if you experience or have been diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, colitis, IBD or IBS — way too many of us (IBS for me). 😉
This past week our family on my wife’s side was fortunate to be able to almost ALL get together for a summer family reunion here in Ohio at Hocking Hills State Park. It was a semi-centrally located so that those from Minnesota, New York, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Georgia and a few locations in Ohio could drive to with their families. By my count we had 38 of us under one LARGE roof (a lodge with enough beds and amenities).
There were few if any complaints and everyone had a really good time with pleasant summer weather for a canoe trip, hiking and most men golfing while the rest of us were hiking.
The dinner meals were split up between primary families and were excellent — nobody went hungry. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a bigger pile snacks. Perhaps the only items we ran low on were bottled water and cans of soda/pop?
The kids were of all ages and did great on hikes and even getting to bed on time which helped with the next day’s activities — having great parents helps. Katelyn and Drew brought their waterslide and Aaron and Lauren brought karaoke too … which were both big hits.
For me just a few days after my robotic inguinal hernia repair surgery left me pretty sore as there were just a few more complications than expected. Nevertheless, I still was able to enjoy canoeing and hiking … but no golf (thanks to the the little ones who kept our hikes short — whew!). And it was great to have Sarah too (photo with Taylor above).
