Weekend chores, a bonfire and iRobot pool cleaner fixes


June 8, 2021

It was a “work around the yard” weekend for me and besides power washing the patios on Saturday, I cut down honeysuckles in preparation for the new concrete driveway project later this summer (if it is still scheduled and affordable )? Along with sawing trees and hauling limbs, I started the old dried out honeysuckle […]

Bonfire leftovers and starting a new pile for another fire


June 14, 2019

After the weekend bonfire for Taylor’s birthday party … without burning down the woods or catching any trees on fire … I told myself, “I’m never going to let the pile get that big again.”  From now on the fires need to be of a “reasonably” safe size. Now, what that size is … I’m […]

How should we light our next bonfire? #TBT


April 25, 2019

We’ve had many bonfires and parties in our backyard over the years and once again the spring clean-up is building up another pretty good sized pile. An interesting “how to light it” video gave me a ThrowBack Thursday #TBT post idea (photo from a YoungLife party in 2007). Hm … not sure this looks like […]

Big Bonfire Tonight


June 5, 2006

The weather here in southwest Ohio has really been terrific lately. We’ve enjoyed warm days, sunny blue skies and cool dry nights … although I know the humid weather is probably only a few weeks away. While cleaning up the yard we’ve been piling up debris and building a monster pile in the backyard. My […]

Number of shots or gun salute for Independence Day celebration?


July 4, 2022

According to a little American Revolutionary War reading this past year, our Declaration of Independence was celebrated on July 4, 1777 with a 13-gun salute in the morning and 13-gun salute in the evening (13 for the 13 colonies). Interestingly, many historians suggest that the Declaration of Independence was actually signed on July 2, 1776 and […]

A couple weekend family photos – spiders, movies and art


July 20, 2021

Figured I would archive a couple leftover photos and an animated gif from a nice weekend working out in the yard. Since the concrete crew has not started the driveway project yet, I am continuing to clear brush and cut low branches (contemplating large concrete mixing trucks). Once again, the bonfire brush pile is starting […]

Preparation yardwork for upcoming concrete driveway project


June 29, 2021

Beautiful Panarama iPhone7 Evening Sky photo – 6/28/2021 In preparation for the driveway demolition crew to arrive (neighborhood driveway work needs to be done before road repaving), I spent the weekend working to get access around the garage ready for the workers. I’m not exactly sure where our driveway fits into the schedule, since several […]

Small item Alligator Forceps tool tip thanks to Adam Savage


June 17, 2021

After repairing our iRobot pool sweeper last week and figuring out how to hold a “behind the riveted new screen” tiny nut in place (after I dropped it!) … I happened to see Adam Savage’s model building recommended tool (mention him an his testedcom before) and “just had to have it.” In the photos above, […]

Where’s the strangest place to find wild mallard duck eggs?


May 22, 2020

I know it seems like a strange question, but our annual pair of ducks spend a lot of time in and around our pool. It doesn’t matter if it is covered or not, these mallard ducks do enjoy the relative safety of sleeping on the pool cover in the spring. My guess it provides them […]

Archiving Taylor’s 30th birthday party with photos and video


June 11, 2019

We had a great 30th birthday party for Taylor and his friends on Saturday in the backyard … just as we have many times before. As a parent it is nice to know he has always enjoyed bringing friends to our house rather than going someplace else … and seemingly his friends are okay with […]

Happy Birthday to our son Taylor. He is 30th this year.


June 10, 2019

From 3 years old (photo) to 30 years old this year in 2019 … the years of watching Taylor grow up have zipped way too fast. I suspect every parent and grandparent has said that at one time or another? Birthday “year” celebrations, become “decade” celebrations, and we no long even contemplate the candles on […]

Never too old for a Birthday Bash


June 12, 2016

Taylor‘s Birthday party this weekend brought back memories of past pool parties when our kids were younger. Kids no more … these were all late 20s adults … but had fun acting like kids again for a day. The above photo include most from their group … click for full size! The birthday was really […]

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 […]

Archive: The much-loved western NY Farmhouse – SOLD


June 23, 2014

Chris (my “hard working” sister-in-law) and I spent a few more days in Jamestown, New York and stretched out a weekend to work on my in-law’s beloved “Farmhouse.” It looks like we are finally making headway in getting it ready to show … ready or not it will be on the market. I hope whoever […]

The “firebugs” were active at our house last night!


August 2, 2012

With low wind and all the debris building up on our bonfire pile, it was time to add to our carbon footprint. (ADDED: video below)

Clean up on this unseasonable 80 degree first day of spring


March 21, 2012

The unseasonably warm weekend prior and first day of spring brought a bit of clean up to the Corbett yard and with that our semi-annual bonfire (we have one spring and fall – or kid gatherings). While we are probably burning the dead wood and yard debris in violation of some kind of local township […]

Winter weather has just arrived, but I’m ready for spring


January 9, 2010

It is good to be in a warm home after a challenging week. The weather has been less than perfect for driving and most of Ohio has received a little snow. Click image for larger In our house, the family Christmas cheer has given way to winter doldrums; one of my two children is back […]

Goodbye to friends …


August 20, 2008

My son had an end of summer cookout and bonfire (sorry for the lack of focus above) this week for he and his good friends head off to college this fall; most will be parting ways and heading in different directions. As a parent, its been great to know my sons core group of friends, […]

A little history on Independence Day


July 4, 2007

David Johnson’s short piece does a pretty good job of filling in some missing details pertaining to America’s Independence Day. I needed a refresher. America celebrates July 4 as Independence Day because it was on July 4, 1776, that members of the Second Continental Congress, meeting in Philadelphia, adopted the final draft of the Declaration […]

Kodak filter to improve low-light photography


June 15, 2007

As a amateur photographer and someone who enjoys improving technology, a new development coming from Eastman Kodak could provide a huge leap forward for low light photography (article link). Imagine being able to take clear and sharp photos without having to resort to flash units? Although I’d love to have it on my ‘big lens’ […]

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