Call me paranoid, but it feels impossible to secure computers

| June 16, 2019

My good friend Jeff Pitts, a network and IT expert, and most recently IT cybersecurity expert, constantly update me with the latest threats to computer servers. He manages the computers and networks for a Cincinnati-based international company that is constantly under bombardment from hackers. Most of the attacks are directly from China and according to […]

Good times and memories with a great friend for #TBT

| March 21, 2019

My friend Jeff Pitts has been my closest friend ever since our college years at Ohio Northern University (also the only guest blogger so far). Besides college, he was on my bachelor party trip, years and years of hiking and camping … including a great trip to the Canadian Rockies with my son Taylor, who has […]

Music Monday: Average White Band – Pick Up The Pieces

| February 25, 2019

This content is restricted.

Spent time chatting rather than finalizing the days work

| February 2, 2019

One never knows who you will offend and who you will connect with when posting on an open social network, but Friday I had an enjoyable back and forth with Troy from Missouri. He is a like-minded political conservative, a patriot (a Navy veteran who served on the USS Stonewall Jackson) and seemed to also enjoy […]

The Super Bowl and tech humor shared by a Facebook friend

| January 29, 2019

Just another "Patriots are in the Super Bowl" year again. Whoop-de-do.  Scott Bilik and I have been Internet “tech” friends for a long time … and humorously is my Twitter “Godfather.” He has suffered his share of heartache having lost his wife Michelle to cancer in 2013, but remains strong in his faith and marches […]

Make someone’s day, give them a compliment, plus some advice

| September 17, 2018

None of us likely compliment others enough, but being on the receiving end of an unexpected compliment feels pretty good. It is past due that I do the same for someone else. Last week I connected with a friend that I don’t see as often as I use to, but he mentioned he keeps up […]

Tis the season for tropical weather – Hurricane Florence nears

| September 13, 2018

We are into the heart of hurricane season and 2018 will likely be one Carolinians remember as both North and South Carolina brace for impact of Hurricane Florence. The powerful hurricane is currently moving towards the coast in a perpendicular fashion and is likely to pick up energy as it nears the warm waters of […]

Oh happy day – a FaceTime with Annalyn and Katelyn

| September 6, 2018

This content is restricted.

Taylor and his friends are pretty creative for July 4, 2018

| July 4, 2018

This content is restricted.

Music Monday: Jet Airliner recorded by the Steve Miller Band

| June 25, 2018

This content is restricted.

The pressure of saying the right thing or old person #advice

| February 21, 2018

There are a few things in life that can really make someone feel good … one of them is in receiving a respectful complement. Really it started as a question, but a younger father of teenagers asked me how Brenda and I "balanced our lives" when our kids were growing up.  I’m not sure if […]

Hospitality of good friends and a Bundt Cake Breakfast #recipe

| February 1, 2018

It sure is nice to have friends like Mark and Dar to impose on when traveling … although I KNOW they would say I was invited and was not an imposition (the mark of true friends!) They put me up at what I now refer to as the "Jones B&B" as they always feed me […]

It may be winter in Cincinnati, but better here than in Savannah

| January 4, 2018

The new year has certainly started out cold in Cincinnati. We’ve been below zero every night this week and now that the frozen pipe is behind me (I hope), I was able to get back to some sense of a normal routine since I put off meetings and a pile of work until after the […]

Once in a while I can still find a super cheap flight on Southwest

| January 3, 2018

Before sending another check to the guy I have doing some bottom work on Encore, I really need to inspect the work. I don’t want him to stop working, but I don’t want bottom paint slapped on the new epoxy fiberglass repair before double checking the layers, fairing and keel work and epoxy barrier coats […]

Another memory with friends of our 1st Christmas together #TBT

| December 21, 2017

Although my memory is a little bit foggy, Brenda and I probably saw each other a couple of Christmas’s prior our first Christmas? We were dating in 1980 and engaged in 1981 and likely celebrated with each other close to the day, but were home with our families for Christmas Day. Anyway, when scanning the […]

Getting life in perspective by focusing on the positives

| September 27, 2017

Brenda‘s dad lectured her sister Ann a decade or so ago about constantly having a “woe is me” moment. To be fair, she has a needier personality than Brenda that has a tendency to share one negative thing after another. I remember listening to him on the phone in frustration asking, “Do you have your […]

Obit: The passing of an old friend and customer, Larry G Hart

| September 10, 2017

Larry G. Hart, 81, former longtime resident of Cuyahoga Falls, passed away on Friday, September 8, 2017, at Copeland Oaks Crandall Medical Center, in Sebring, after a lengthy illness. Larry graduated from South High School, earned a bachelor’s degree at the University of Akron, where he was a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity, and […]

Thinking of a college roommate and his family today

| June 11, 2017

It was one short year ago (6/11/2016) that the the news shocked me that one of my college roommates collapsed and died while cycling near Columbus Ohio. My college orientation roommate and one of three 4th year roommates, Bill Gordon was an avid cyclist and was probably in far better physical shape than most, but […]

Free grill needing a little TLC. Good thing I can haul and weld!

| November 15, 2016

My good friend and old college buddy lives in an apartment which as been visited by the fire department — they tagged his door regarding the grill on his patio. Bad for him, good for me. All I had to do was go pick it up … glad I put the hitch on the BMW […]

Tim Ellison, a Christian entrepreneur that Walks the Talk

| September 24, 2016

We are humbled to call Tim Ellison of Mr. Godwrench our friend. A few years ago when he started his automotive repair business I knew his unabashed and outspoken Christian "modus vivendi" was attractive to me, so I quickly promoted his automotive services and did as much business with him as I could. Due to […]

Very sobering, Bill Gordon, a college friend collapsed and died

| June 13, 2016

The death of an in-shape friend and someone who is my age, really hit me when I read Bill Gordon had died on Facebook Sunday afternoon. He was one of my Ohio Northern University roommates and according to closer friends, he was on a ride Saturday morning and collapsed. How can that be??? He was an avid […]

With friends like this, who needs to eat out at a restaurant?

| January 24, 2016

Not much can top the great hospitality, enjoyable conversation (TV trivia talk) and great breakfast fixed by my friends Mark and Dar — or just having lunch at our favorite sandwich shop.  As Gomer, Mark’s fellow Marine would say, “thank you … thank you … thank you.”  BTW, the Jones really should open a “Bed and Breakfast” someday, it would […]

Obit: Rich Newsted, our neighbor died unexpectedly

| November 13, 2015

Our condolences to Dawn and family on the sudden passing of Rich. It sure came as a shock to us. Richard E. Newsted, 58, of Liberty Township, Ohio, passed away unexpectedly Thursday, November 5, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. He was born on October 28, 1957 in Valparaiso, Indiana, the son … Source: Richard NEWSTED’s […]

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 […]

Archive: A short video history clip on Sidney, Ohio

| April 7, 2014

I don’t necessarily call Sidney, Ohio “home” since I only spent the last couple years of high school there and then was off to college, but I do returned regularly to visit my dad who has been there over 30-some years.  I’m not really sure exactly what I should call a “hometown” … something my […]

Human frailties and the need for our Father’s hand

| December 2, 2013

While messaging my friend Scott last night, I realized just how painful relationships amongst humans can be … be they casual friendships (caring for one another) or intimate bonds between family members (parents, spouses, children). In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray […]

Obit: Earl Gerber (1921-2013) — part of my extended family

| September 6, 2013

When I first started my company, I had the privilege of learning about “taking care of customers” from Earl Gerber who was a long time business and sales professional in northeastern Ohio. Earl passed away at 92 in Cleveland this past week, and even through all his age related ailments, I never heard him complain. […]

Sailing south for the hurricane season, but cutting it close

| July 8, 2013

It’s the perfect time to share a short shared video from Brittany, Scott and Isla, a couple Internet sailing friends, on their way south in order to be out of the track of most hurricanes this time of year. They are without a doubt one of the most envied young sailing families with a strong […]

Should plan a trip home to Sidney for the movie Jimmy

| June 17, 2013

The movie Jimmy made its début in early June and will be screened in my hometown with a high school classmate of mine introducing the movie and answers a few questions (it shows at 3PM and 9PM at the Historic Sidney Theatre for those interested or in the area). It would have been great to […]

Why doesn’t this vinyl music thingy fit into my CD player?

| August 28, 2012

Facebook comes through again and offered a connection to the past (1, 2, 3). Recently I received an invite indicating my “XX” year Sidney High School reunion was being planned (35th if you must know). A Facebook URL was given so I dutifully plugged in my lightly used FB account and ended up adding a […]

High School Football Homecoming win

| October 5, 2007

We had a great time tonight watching both an excellent high school football game and see my son’s close friend Katie crowned homecoming queen. Congratulations Katie! (and Anthony) My wife and I enjoyed the game with friends on a warm October evening. Our Lakota East Thunderhawks scored in only two plays after a strong initial […]

The Canadian Rockies last night …

| January 3, 2007

Wow … what a beautiful sunset. (click for full size) A friend mine is in the Canadian Rockies for a week and sent this photo just to be cruel. 😉 Actually, he is staying in Canmore, Alberta with his family, enjoying skiing and taking a photography course. I assume he’ll come back with a few […]

Canadian Rockies 2005

| August 2, 2005

I had planned on updating our trip to the Canadian Rockies daily, but as with most vacations, the time went by way too fast, besides that, the days were long and tiring. My son and I flew into Calgary, Alberta the last week in July and were picked up by Jeff, a long time friend […]

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