Corbett Christmas Letter number thirty-one — 2013

| December 16, 2013

Merry Christmas to those who regularly read my “desultory” daily posts or may have just stumbled onto my blog. It has been a busy year and although my Google Analytics stats are no longer growing (they are actually down), the AdSense revenue is up? That aside, I am including more archival information “for me” than […]

How not to overpay for airfare — 4 tips

| October 14, 2013

Since I’m looking to bring my son home from North Dakota over Christmas, I figured it might be time to archive a list of shopping tips I copied and saved in a document a few years ago … can’t remember where I found them? I can’t vouch for the current accuracy, but I’m using the […]

Archive: A Packard documentary from the History Channel

| October 8, 2013

I ran across a “Packard: An American Classic Car” documentary on You Tube the other day and know it is something my dad will enjoy watching. I downloaded a copy to my iPad (using McTube Pro) and am archiving the 44 minute clip to my blog — might purchase the DVD as it would make […]

Taylor moved to Williston North Dakota this past week

| September 28, 2013

This past week I flew up to Williston, North Dakota to help my son Taylor move into his new apartment. My expectation were low and so the brand new apartment with easy access to everything made for a very positive first impression. Taylor drove his late grandfather’s “loaner vehicle,” a Chevy Trailblazer, from Cincinnati to […]

Sending Taylor off to North Dakota to start his first real job

| September 20, 2013

Taylor left at about 6AM this Friday morning with a U-haul trailer full of belonging to start his new job and make his mark on the world. The drive to Williston, North Dakota will take him to his halfway point in Minneapolis tonight where he will meet-up and stay with his long time friend Alicia […]

Sailboat projects are always in the thinking stage

| August 17, 2013

  It is not time to start another sailboat project, but I wanted to archive a site from Marshall Design while I’m thinking about it. The site has some great looking fiberglass and aluminum hard enclosures which could be used on Encore (1/8/2011). The original design on our Encore is still functional, but I can […]

Wedding weekend: Congratulations Keira and Ben!

| July 29, 2013

My brother’s daughter Keira was married this weekend to her “ONU Sweetheart” Ben Ankrom at a nice ceremony and reception in Dayton Ohio – Engagement Announcement (FYI: Sweethearts = Ohio Northern University’s name for alumni couples who marry – which includes Brenda and me). We enjoyed the entire day on Saturday and the friends and […]

Recession Remedy: Do something different with your life

| July 26, 2013

These are the kinds of stories that I need to keep away from my job-seeking son … but that I would have used as “dream material” when in high school or college! ESCAPING THE RECESSION BY BOAT When the Great Recession hit, young people found a million different ways to cope with their battered job […]

I’ll take European countries that end in “a” for $100

| July 9, 2013

EDIT: Once again a postie post that didn’t post when it was suppose to yesterday. Hmm??

Interesting products and the Earhero Pro

| July 8, 2013

I’ve recently started to follow the product launch and shopping site called The Grommet as a few of the recent product introductions are intriguing. The One Log Fire and Sun Mullet were both interesting project ideas for the do-it-yourselfer and the Lazy Bunz for … well … just being lazy in the pool or while […]

Archive video: Oh how he enjoyed the garden!

| June 12, 2013

My sister-in-law shared some of her cellphone video with me last week at the funeral and I enjoy remembering Brenda’s dad working in the garden at the farmhouse. This one is a few year old, but he was doing what he enjoyed. Great clip Chris!

A happy birthday to Taylor and my new diver certification card

| June 10, 2013

My son Taylor and I celebrated his 24th birthday today since we were both at home. We went to Chili’s, a favorite spot of his (well mine too) and they treated him to a birthday desert … on top of ribs and of course chips and salsa. Mail call was also interesting today as my […]

Well done, good and faithful servant – Matthew 25:23

| June 7, 2013

Life returning to “normal” doesn’t feel right after being with family and friends for the funeral and burial of Dr. Frederick Howard, Brenda’s father – I’m not sure when I will realize that he is gone. We remembered dad’s life through stories and humor this past week and as Christians, knowing he is now truly […]

In need of a smile? #video

| June 3, 2013

With funeral preparations underway for my father-in-law, it has each in the family working to celebrate the extraordinary life of Frederick Howard (obiturary). I’ve been searching through some old photos and video … and getting plenty distracted. I came across a short segment of my daughter Katelyn in 1989 and couldn’t help but smile.  

Quite the legacy my father-in-law left behind

| June 2, 2013

Some of us are fortunate to have wise men in our lives … someone that mentors and shapes us … someone who is an example for patterning our day to day lives. I was fortunate to have one of these wise men, that being my wife’s father, Dr. Frederick A. Howard – August 24, 1925 […]

Archive: A video project for a Planning class by Taylor

| May 16, 2013

As Taylor wrapped up his senior year in college and reviewed his posted grades for the last time, he read me his 20-some page capstone paper and showed me a video he did for another class. I enjoyed the history lesson …

A Miami University graduation milestone for Taylor

| May 12, 2013

We proudly celebrated my son Taylor’s Miami University’s college graduation this weekend at Yager Stadium in Oxford Ohio and later with more family downtown Cincinnati for dinner. Brenda and I enjoyed seeing our son and his fellow college graduates in their caps and gowns enter the stadium, even if the weather was on the cooler […]

Archive: Great tips on getting the most meat out of a lobster

| April 30, 2013

I appreciated a video from America’s Test Kitchen on Lifehacker and thought it was worth archiving and sharing … not that I fix lobster everyday.    Twist off the tail, split the shell on the back, pull legs apart, push meat out with small tools, use a rolling pin to squeeze meat from legs.   […]

Simple carburetor for Volkswagen aircraft conversions

| April 25, 2013

This is really just an archive of a message to the guy who purchase my project. He indicated that the parts have successfully been permitted into China and inquired on what carburetor he should put on the engine. The Aerovee kit was tested with an Ellison but it was my intent to use an AeroInjector […]

Aerial slideshow from Katelyn and Drew’s Wedding day

| April 23, 2013

After the big wedding weekend (4/13/2013), my daughter Katelyn and husband Drew, no longer fiancé Drew, left the Savannah Center in a helicopter for a short flight looping counter-clockwise from West Chester, Ohio. They circles south over downtown Cincinnati, the Ohio River and then looped back north over Kings Island, Mason, our house in Liberty […]

Photo booth image, although the subjects are questionable

| April 21, 2013

The photo booth at Katelyn and Drew’s wedding was a lot of fun … and very well done.

The Big Wedding: Introducing Katelyn and Drew Oostra

| April 14, 2013

The day was perfect for Katelyn and Drew’s wedding and the evening before was equally as nice for the rehearsal … and the most appreciated rehearsal dinner, hosted by the Oostra’s at Jags. I can’t speak highly enough of Barb and Randy … and Drew’s two brother’s Carson and Tyler (right); Katelyn is very blessed […]

Archive: Reminiscing with Katelyn before her wedding

| April 6, 2013

It is a busy spring weekend around our house trying to get a few thing in order before the big day next Saturday … 4.13.13 – Katelyn and Drew’s wedding. Lots to get done before I put on the tux (picked it up already) and walk my daughter down the aisle; it is hard to […]

Archive: Whipping a line from Mike and Yachtpals

| March 7, 2013

Archiving content (link below). Whipping is the traditional method for seizing the end of ropes against fray, and it has become a rather generic term in that respect.  It looks salty, permanent, and difficult, but it’s actually only the first two.  Proper whipping isn’t much more difficult than lacing a shoe, and if done right […]

They don’t make them like they used to: Electric clothes dryers

| February 18, 2013

When we were first married, we had an old hand-me-down clothes dryer from my in-laws … along with an electric “Maytag ringer washer” that came with our first house. The dryer was about 20 years old when we first started using it and lasted another 15 years or so and could be easily self-repaired. When […]

Archive: 40 year old photos of our house and dog Skippy

| February 13, 2013

I’m on a roll in posting a few old photos and still in the reminiscing mood, so figured I’d archive a couple more black and whites. These are from my home darkroom when I started photography as a hobby in junior high school. We’re starting to pack things back in boxes again so the boring […]

Finding a few photos of an old friend, his canoe and VW Bug

| February 12, 2013

It’s not fun drying out our basement, but I am enjoying finding long lost photos. Here’s one of a canoe trip (one of many) taken during a 1977 spring trip to the Whitewater River in Indiana with Charlie “Kamakaze” Matthews. We spent our free time both canoeing and sailing when we were in high school […]

A subdued Christmas for 2012, but it is not over yet

| December 26, 2012

We drove up to Columbus and enjoyed “catering” a Christmas dinner at Katelyn’s fiancé Drew’s house. The two of them (both in their residency) were working the night rotations … Katelyn just off a 24 hour stint at Nationwide and Drew his week of 13 hour nights at OSU.  We have postponed our family gift […]

Merry Christmas 2012

| December 13, 2012

Ah … we’re finished with this year’s Corbett Christmas Letter … they are in the mail! (click for a PDF copy) One of my favorite things about celebrating Christmas is the reminiscing — especially when putting up, or just looking at, the decorated tree in our house. We have a mish-mash Christmas tree with decorations […]

Planted and marked a few flower bulbs using the Notability app

| December 2, 2012

I finally finished planting all the new bulbs Brenda purchase a few weeks ago as the weather on Saturday was in the high 50s and dry. I also decided to mark the locations using a few photos then marking it up on my iPad using Notablity … an excellent PDF app, by the way. Marking […]

Engagement proofs for Drew and Katelyn are ready

| November 15, 2012

In keeping with the last couple days of family and personal posts, my daughter and future son-in-law shared their engagement photo proof pages (slide show) from their recent photo session with Shuey Mill Photography. The weather on Sunday afternoon was perfect for the shoot and it helps that the two of them are photogenic. Katelyn […]

Bringing Mom and Dad Howard back from New York

| November 14, 2012

I tuned out for a couple days since wifi is scarce at my in-laws farmhouse in western New York. Brenda and I made our annual pilgrimage to pack up her mom and dad and are bringing them to Cincinnati for Thanksgiving and then on their way to Florida for winter. They take the a slow […]

Archive: Hurricane Sandy: a collection of photos

| October 30, 2012

A missed high school reunion and scanning old negatives

| October 7, 2012

Vintage Converse All-Stars from 1977 – note the untied shoelace before it became the style! I was a “geek” before there were “geeks” … if being a  photographer for my hometown newspaper and for my high school yearbook counts? Friday nights were spent shooting games and then zipping to the darkroom to “soup” the film […]

Is the U.S. the best place for small business?

| October 4, 2012

I started a post on the Presidential Debate last night, but figured if I’m tired of tweeting, reading and hearing about it, others may be too … so will pass on opining. I will say that  Mitt Romney looked well prepared and was able to comfortably manhandle President Obama on the subject of the economy, […]

A few thoughts on the senseless killing in Aurora Colorado

| July 21, 2012

As I contemplated the senseless killing early Friday morning at a theatre in Aurora Colorado, I wondered just what I should focus on. I thought maybe the much maligned second amendment right of a citizen to own a firearm or perhaps the possible influence of movies … but neither more restrictive gun control or a […]

The music of Buffalo Springfield and triggered memories

| July 12, 2012

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Archiving thinkering and items for insurance purposes

| June 25, 2012

Archiving a few Encore “thinkering” photos so as to begin searching for upgrades. The four smaller reading lights are currently halogen and draw too many amps and create too much heat for the boat. I’m hoping to be able to replace them with warm-white LED bulbs as they improve and come down in price. ( […]

Happy 30th Anniversary Brenda – Great Memories

| June 5, 2012

I’m “archiving” a few old photos and want to thank my wife Brenda for 30 wonderful years (our 30th anniversary is today June 5); I’m looking forward to another 30 years with her and watching our children build their lives and memories. As many family and friends will agree, 30 years goes by pretty fast […]

Memorial Day respect, Patriotism 101 and archived posts

| May 28, 2012

I would be remise not to mention Memorial Day and our nation’s honoring and remembering those who paid the ultimate price for our freedom. It is a day that many of our citizens tend to blend with honoring all veterans … not a bad thing … but in some respect causes confusion over the purpose […]

Personal: An update on my mom …

| May 27, 2012

My mom would not like this personal post talking about her, but since I’m archiving partially for my own journaling I wanted to write down what was buzzing around in my head this past year. Between my dad, who is with mom almost all the time, my brother Ron (thankfully able get to Sidney regularly—he […]

Archiving: Friends Mark and Dar had their cushions recovered

| May 16, 2012

Very nice job … I’m going to have to get the name of the boat upholstery shop.     click for larger images

Archive: Lunchtime update for our front porch project

| April 24, 2012

I finished wire brushing, sanding and painting the black iron railing last night and greeted the masons over lunch to see how the progress of the thin pavers is coming along. Sort of glad I hired them and am not tackling this project myself. (I was actually was up on the roof yesterday – birds […]

Archive: Homemade cleaning concoctions put to the test

| March 24, 2012

We have a few homemade cleaners around our house, but are too quick to buy others at the store without thinking about them. Here are a few greener options that Elizabeth Kwak-Hefferan of Grist that she put to the test. Of course these are organic and earthy for those leaning “hippy,” but nothing wrong with […]

Archive: Getting hit in the face is a good day to forget

| March 17, 2012

Friday was one of those days I would rather forget … and I know Taylor would say the same. For me, it was a day of running around to hospitals, dentists and doctors with my son … for Taylor it was a obviously more painful. He was Uptown in Oxford (Miami University-Ohio) on a Thursday […]

Archive: History of aviation video

| February 28, 2012

My EAA friend Steve posted this aviation history video to his site and I wanted to share and archive it on my site too. Probably should make a copy in case it disappears from YouTube …hmm?

Archiving sailboat bottom paint information for Encore

| February 25, 2012

Ahh …  love that full flavored and steaming cup of coffee on a Saturday morning. While sifting through my pile of magazines and deciding what to toss and what to keep, I’ve clipped a few items I want to keep … but am just not sure how to archive them? Sometimes I still toss stuff […]

Just archiving a doodle while holding on the phone

| February 20, 2012

Who doesn’t spend their time on hold doodling whatever is on their mind? Today I found myself contemplating Mark’s comments this weekend regarding forgoing the Kingston davits I posted on the other day and considering a custom  for Encore and our existing Zodiac … as well as the eventual AB inflatable. I started to think […]

Having a last minute Magical moment before heading home

| February 12, 2012

Although we had a relaxing week “on the boat” … we opted to spend our last day in Orlando and visiting the Epcot center and dinner at the California Grill atop Walt Disney World’s Contemporary Hotel (thanks Gary!)      

Enjoying the day sailing and looking for sun on the beach

| February 9, 2012

Just archiving a few photos from our wind blown day on the beach Wednesday and rough day sailing on Thursday – winds were a bit strong from the NE and 4-6 foot waves not all that much fun. Cloudy mornings – sunny early afternoon turning back into overcast and clouds later. We had a good […]

Video: Birch bark canoe – C’SAR ET SON CANOT D’CORCE

| January 20, 2012

Could help but sharing this pretty interesting (long) video illustrating traditional Birch bark canoe building … who knew so much went into building these boats.

Archive: Vintage 1978 memories from “the good ol’ days”

| January 19, 2012

My college friend Dallas on Marco Island BEFORE it was developed – 12/1978  Who doesn’t enjoy reminiscing a little bit about “the good ol’ days” after looking through a couple of old photos? Here are a few from a trip to Florida over Christmas break back in 1978 … whoa, we were young.   This […]

Trivia tidbit associated with my pick for person of the year

| December 31, 2011

In tying up loose ends in closing out the year, one story that made a big impact on technology followers was the death of Steve Jobs. He was an inspirational and creative marketing wizard with oddities all too common with those we associate with the “genius” label … and would have been my pick for […]

Reflecting on our changing lives this Christmas 2011

| December 23, 2011

Can I sail through the changing ocean tides Can I handle the seasons of my life?  Landslide – Stevie Nicks in 2007 (originally 1975) We didn’t put that much time or effort into including a thoughtful letter with our Christmas cards this year, instead we merely included a collage of photos (below). That said we […]

Archive: According to Google, winter is here … and cookies!

| December 19, 2011

Fun new winter Google Easter Egg similar to the partial archived list from an earlier post … “Let it snow.” Also thought I’d include the tasty looking Christmas cookies my daughter made … unfortunately she is taking them to work and not bring them too me!

Archive: Reminiscing continued

| November 19, 2011

As mentioned before, I’m not an active Facebook user but I do check in on my account whenever I receive the cursory email (too many from FB BTW). After noticing an incorrectly tagged photo …twice ….yesterday I made a couple wisecracks to my nephews about it. At about the same time I was sorting through […]

Archive: This Google meme has been around …

| November 16, 2011

…but it is still worth sharing and archiving on my blog. Do a barrel roll – http://bit.ly/uT7a9E Google Sphere – http://bit.ly/uXfgyO Epic Google – http://bit.ly/uGANwB Google Gravity – http://bit.ly/nLGzd1 *Tilt/Askew* – http://bit.ly/vNtlSn Google Loco – http://bit.ly/urU8vW Google Gothic – http://bit.ly/v2VhZm Google Pacman – http://bit.ly/s1nNin Google Guitar – http://bit.ly/uiJKH1 Google Pirate – http://bit.ly/tNQmEa Google Rainbow – […]

Archive: Caring and pruning Raspberries

| November 4, 2011

via youtube.com Excellent tips for growing and maintaining a raspberry patch (row). Posted via email from RichC’s posterous

Xtreme Shooter Patrick Flannigan still impresses me

| November 2, 2011

Five year ago I did a video post about Xtreme Shooter Patrick Flannigan (wow, has it been that long?)… and today he still impresses me and about everyone I know who has ever handled a shotgun just as much. Check out the old 2006 link (and a follow up posts) as well as a new […]

Archive: Worth reading as a way to reset your political compass

| October 30, 2011

Every once in awhile a writer captures with clarity what I’m politically thinking — I wish I could communicate this clearly. Peggy Noonan. She is a very talented speech writer and opinion columnist and wrote a superb column for Saturday’s WSJ worth sharing and saving to my archive. The content referenced current politicians, but is […]

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