Phases of life – early retirement travel and in school already
RichC | November 8, 2018
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Autumn chores and dinner for our Red Tailed Hawk
RichC | November 5, 2018
It seems later in the season that usual to be just starting to rake leaves and get in a final mow before winter, but the weather was dry after a long stretch of rain, so chores for me it was. My back is now sore and contemplating taking an Advil as the muscle tighten. There […]
A couple last minute condo update improvements
RichC | October 28, 2018
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Enjoyed a great week in Florida with Katelyn, Drew and Annalyn
RichC | October 27, 2018
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Two years seems too fast to be replacing burners in the grill?
RichC | October 22, 2018
In 2016 my friend Jeff gave me his old grill as I finally gave up on our well loved and well used old aluminum shell grill. His was a 4 burner Charbroil propane model that I was able to cleaned up, converted to natural gas and add some new internal parts. It has worked great […]
Learning about the odd hood ornament on my Packard Hawk
RichC | October 18, 2018
For years I’ve known the odd hood ornament on my dad’s Packard Hawk (above) was not accurate or something that was original to the car, but had no idea where it came from? Last week after an online chat and a little digging with a car-loving friend of mine, we did a little digging and […]
ISS & FaceTime with Annalyn brightens an otherwise sour day
RichC | October 11, 2018
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Annalyn visiting with her Oma and Bompa – part two
RichC | September 30, 2018
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Happily busy with our granddaughter Annalyn these past few days
RichC | September 29, 2018
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We are looking forward to a couple days with Annalyn
RichC | September 22, 2018
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Catching up with archiving several family weekend photos
RichC | September 12, 2018
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Running a meeting based on Robert’s Rules of Order – condensed
RichC | September 5, 2018
Although reading the full Robert’s Rules of Order is helpful, following this short quick reference version will get you through most meetings. For Fair and Orderly Meetings Robert’s Rules is a time-tested standard, providing common rules of parliamentary procedure for deliberation and debate in order to place the whole membership on the same footing and […]
Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the “furthest” of them all?
RichC | August 30, 2018
Of course perception is everything, but here’s a pretty good indicator regarding the media and their reporting/stories bias. About the political L and R split you expected?
Chasing vacuum leaks in the Mercedes Benz 300D Turbodiesel
RichC | August 22, 2018
It is probably something one should get use to with an older Mercedes Benz, but it can be frustrating and tiring to say the least — that is fixing vacuum leaks. The 1982 MB 300D Turbodiesel is a great car and has a limited number of electrical components compared to newer vehicles. That in turn […]
Margot Claire – 8/17/2018. Congrats to my niece Jackie and Ben
RichC | August 18, 2018
Good news or more like great news! My niece Jackie had her first baby – a girl they named Margot Claire. Congratulations. Daddy Ben and Grandma Lynda probably have bigger smiles than Jax after just giving birth (at least that is what I’m imagining). So happy for them and to welcome a new healthy baby […]
A couple of old Mercedes Benz diesel vehicles for the garage?
RichC | August 15, 2018
As much as I enjoy working on, owning and driving my inexpensive W123 diesel 300D project car (swapped junk for it in May of 2013), I’d love to have a Mercedes Benz diesel of the same 1970s-80s era with a little more collectability? I spotted a couple cool MBs this week, although I am not […]
We all surprised Brenda to celebrate her 60th birthday
RichC | August 13, 2018
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Distracted driving and a step closer to finishing the condo update
RichC | August 11, 2018
Likely I’m not the best driver when it comes to not glancing at my phone in the car, but I am improving and in recent years am trying not to "read" or "text anything." Unfortunately we still have drivers who are "comfortable" (leg up???) with multi-tasking while driving. Ugh. I spent a few more days […]
Brilliant yet simple idea for reaching loads on your car roof
RichC | August 7, 2018
I just love good ideas. Here is one that I grabbed off of an ad on my iPhone that uses the car door pillar “loop” to hold a machined aluminum hook attached to a step. The simple step is used to reach items strapped to a roof rack or car top carrier. It would be […]
Yardwork, jury duty and enjoying the July 2018 night sky
RichC | July 26, 2018
We been enjoying summer and mostly great weather around the house and yard so far this year in 2018 and Brenda’s growing landscape mounds are all flowering and looking really nice (she has been working on them although her current Grand Jury duty is cutting into her free time). The last few days of slightly […]
A new pair of Sperry flip-flops and kitchen knife sharpening
RichC | July 24, 2018
Having owned a several pairs of different branded sandals and flip-flops over the years (decades), I’ve settled on my boatshoe brand of choice, the Sperry brand, as the flip-flops I prefer. Some of the more inexpensive brands wear out too quick, others, like the ones I really like from Eddie Bauer, are slick when the […]
Our granddaughter is growing too fast and a shopping list
RichC | July 17, 2018
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Stretched out another weekend to work on the condo kitchen
RichC | July 5, 2018
Well finishing the kitchen upgrade at the condo was my goal, but since Brenda was with me, more than the condo kitchen was worked on! The guest bathroom’s minor vanity update grew into a MUCH larger project. One thing lead to another and before I knew it, my wife had me doing more tile than […]
Taylor and his friends are pretty creative for July 4, 2018
RichC | July 4, 2018
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A great idea: Who hasn’t lost a part when working over water?
RichC | June 23, 2018
I think I’ll archive that idea as a reminder since I always have an umbrella in the back of my Van, 300D or BMW X5 35d … one of those cars is generally at the marina with me! This might be the perfect post to archive my Father’s Day gifts from my kids! A new […]
Treaty makes prosecution possible for the downing of #MH17
RichC | June 12, 2018
Archiving a video segment (Dutch but Jerry’s comments are in English) from my brother-in-law Jerry Skinner talking about Malaysia Airlines MH17 and Russia (previous posts). The case is still moving forward and Tuesday the Dutch MPs approve Ukraine treaty on MH17 trial. The “treaty sets in stone that the prosecution of suspects will take place […]
Happy Birthday Taylor – What a difference 4 years can make
RichC | June 10, 2018
It is hard to believe that my son Taylor is 29 years old today!?!?!? It doesn’t seem possible that he has been pretty much living on his own now for third of his life? He has certainly made us proud at the way he has grown up and handled a difficult decade that faced him […]
Archive: Project idea to replace rusting in-wall medicine chest
RichC | June 8, 2018
We have a disliked old style medicine chest in the Florida condo and after the kitchen project is finished, Brenda and I wouldn’t mind updating the bathroom. We have picked out some floor tile (while looking at kitchen backsplash tiles) and intend to us a credit with IKEA for the new sink and cabinet. (BTW […]
Archive: Last day of condo kitchen photos for a while, I promise
RichC | May 31, 2018
Since the Quartz countertops were finished early and I was still available for the install, it was time to move on it now. Better to have them installed than stored somewhere until my next trip to Florida (a few more photos for the Condo1718 archive below).
Added a Nest thermostat and a ceiling fan to the condo kitchen
RichC | May 30, 2018
Adding a few more gadgets to the condo update this weekend as we are one step closer to getting it looking as if we’ll have a kitchen again … or at least a livable abode for the winter renters (or next owner). Hopefully the few extra upgrades I have opted to add will not go […]
Archive: Kitchen range delivered and a few other condo updates
RichC | May 29, 2018
Spent a little more time working on the condo kitchen over a stretched Memorial Day weekend since a replacement range needed to be received (gas version was shipped by mistake on first order). Thankfully was also able to get the templates made for the countertops after adding the stub wall support and some final cabinet […]
Sailing Archive: A knot from Captain John’s Skipper Tips
RichC | May 27, 2018
There is always a need for "another knot" when sailing. Here’s one for joining lines together with a few pointers from Captain John’s Skipper Tips. Anytime you join one line to another, you want a knot that will hold under a shock load. Think of any line like a rubber-band. Boat wakes, tidal rise and […]
Tech Friday flashback: A technology blog post from 12 years ago
RichC | May 25, 2018
Noticed a blog post from 12 years ago discussing “portable” computing and how things have changed. In 2006 the average laptop weighed about 7 pounds with batteries, compared to 20 years prior where my Compaq was 28 pounds … and required 110VAC power. LINK to post Now an iPhone or iPad can run circles around […]
Wishing my brother Ron a Happy Birthday and great retirement
RichC | May 21, 2018
It is hard to believe that my YOUNGER brother Ron is retiring at 56 years old?!? Shocking, but I’m sure welcomed after a long career with the US Air Force working first in Ogden, Utah and the last 30 years at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio. We were very close brothers when […]
Archiving a few shared photos from mid-May 2018
RichC | May 20, 2018
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Archive: A few more photos from our days with KDA
RichC | May 15, 2018
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Archiving photos and getting together with my brother’s family
RichC | May 13, 2018
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Spoiling our granddaughter by taking her to The Cone!
RichC | May 12, 2018
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Archive: A couple more photos from the condo kitchen update
RichC | May 5, 2018
Just a couple more panarama catch-up photos for the archive from the updates to the condo kitchen. Brenda has been a great help and we both "enjoyed" working together.
Archive: A couple new updated condo kitchen photos
RichC | May 2, 2018
The new Hitachi miter saw put to use on the condo kitchen crown molding … and a little paint finally being applied by Brenda. Wanted to get these couple new Ikea kitchen photos archived before they are lost.
New 12-inch Hitachi miter saw. An early birthday present to me.
RichC | May 1, 2018
New tools are my jewelry when it comes to presents … and Brenda agreed to buy me a new 12" Hitachi sliding compound miter saw so I could more easily work on a couple of projects (after promising to do them this year). Hm, what have I gotten myself into??? The first project is to […]
Congratulations to Taylor’s friend Alicia and Laureano
RichC | April 18, 2018
I have teased my “good humored” son far too long about his “girlfriend” from Wayzata Minnesota a few years ago (click here for old photo). So with that “old joke” aside, I think it is about time to officially include his friend Megan on the blog and mention we are excited to see them spending a […]
Remotes, remodeling and a day leftover for Encore
RichC | April 14, 2018
This past week has been a busy one for me. I was off to Florida for a few days to check on the condo in Delray Beach after our winter renter and to start the demolition of the kitchen. It is a project that is way past due and I’m not sure I know exactly […]
Wishing Katelyn and Drew a very Happy 5th Anniversary
RichC | April 13, 2018
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New amateur radio plates for the MB 300D Turbodiesel
RichC | April 12, 2018
Since I needed to replace the “metal” plates on the old 1982 Mercedes Benz 300D Turbodiesel this year, I’ve opted for the amateur radio registration. It did require submitting my General Class K4RDC call license, and $20 (??) extra, but figure it was a nice way to support both ham radio and my love for […]
Congratulations to my niece Madison and husband Nathan
RichC | March 29, 2018
It is exciting to share the happy moment of a birth … especially when it is a member of our family who really has wanted a baby. Brenda and I are SO very happy for Madison and Nathan … as well as grandma and grandpa Skinner (Brenda’s sister Chris/Jerry). Riley Howard Kling did not arrive […]
When it comes to kiddos, ours were the cutest … until now!
RichC | March 10, 2018
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Information on the collusion-Russia-Trump investigation
RichC | March 7, 2018
The long time investigative correspondent for CBS, Sharyl Attkisson did an excellent job of “fairly” building a timeline in the “Collusion against Trump” details on her website. If you really want to understand what we know so far regarding the Russian connections, it is worth at least skimming the points below. On a separate note, […]
Happy Birthday Annalyn – my granddaughter is ONE already!
RichC | March 4, 2018
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The crystal pendant lights, china and big knobs are growing on me
RichC | March 3, 2018
The new kitchen décor favored by Brenda is growing on me. Initially I fought the oversized glass crystal cabinet knobs (more expensive) and three rather than two crystal oriented pendant lights (I had already wired for two and had to add a third – $$$), as well as the excessive number of cut glass drinking […]
Archiving a famous portrait (cough, cough) and #TBT photo
RichC | March 1, 2018
I’m chuckling at the “famous portrait” subject line, but then again, how many people actually have a portrait of themselves painted by an artist? (might as well make this a ThrowBack Thursday #TBT post) My grandmother, Ruth Walker Bluhm, was an artist and painted a portrait of her first grandson in the 1960s. She was […]
Archiving a couple Red River Gorge photos from Taylor
RichC | February 27, 2018
As mentioned before, it is great to see my son Taylor enjoying a couple of my interests or hobbies like hiking and photography when I was younger (actually I still enjoy them). Ignoring the lousy weather (we had a lot of rain and flooding), he ended up hiking with "a friend" (?) at a […]
The flight of MH17 – National Geographic #video
RichC | February 22, 2018
Previously I’ve detailed a bit about the shooting down of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 and some of what I have learned … here is a National Geographic channel video that summarizes what we know in 44 minutes.
Finished covering the risers while watching the Daytona 500
RichC | February 18, 2018
Sunday was the perfect day to finish up “covering” the lifts for the rear row of our new home theater seats. Now all 8 seats have a great view … even in recline mode. After building the “boxes” a week or so ago, I picked up some closeout brown polyester outdoor furniture upholstery material at […]
The week that was – Encore is back in the water
RichC | February 17, 2018
To the non-boat owner, having a sailboat sitting out of the water "on the hard" might seem like an inexpensive way to "park" a boat for a while? Well let me tell you that is not even close to being true, at least at a working yard. Several months ago I had such grand plans […]
Finished assembling seating for our home theater – almost done
RichC | February 11, 2018
iPhone panoramic of home theater from the rear Finally the correct seat came in and I was able to assemble the last of our eight home theater seats for the home archive. The sizing and spacing is near perfect and even without the riser that I am planning to add to the rear row, the […]
Trash collectors have a tough job in more ways than one
RichC | February 6, 2018
There is good money in collecting garbage, but I don’t see many high school guidance departments "guiding" students into choosing it as a career aspiration. Perhaps owning or managing the company isn’t too bad, but the hours and pitfalls facing those doing the grunt work isn’t all that appealing. Monday morning our trash collector cut […]
So much for new home theater seating for Super Bowl 52
RichC | February 4, 2018
This is what I get for procrastinating until this weekend — TWO right hand seats! The boxes containing the long delayed leather home theater seats (ie. basement flood of 2013) arrived a couple weeks ago but I waited until this weekend to unpack since I was out of town last weekend. I unboxed them and […]
Who is this revered and famous American President? #TBT
RichC | January 25, 2018
Throwback Thursday #TBT photos usually have to do with oneself or at least something from our own lifetime. I’m archiving a unique photo of this great American leader (the first known of him in 1840), as I wanted to save it to my blog. Most of us study our US Presidents in school, but usually […]
An old wooden ladder and memories good and bad
RichC | January 14, 2018
As my son Taylor said, “ladders will be our family’s downfall.” So true … The old wooden ladder I inherited from the late Harry McKee when we bought our first sailboat Brenich in the early 1980s is still in active service. It is no longer chained to the old boat cradle we kept in Huron, […]
Desultory - des-uhl-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee
- lacking in consistency, constancy, or visible order, disconnected; fitful: desultory conversation.
- digressing from or unconnected with the main subject; random: a desultory remark.