Archive: Hardly artwork but memories with my granddaughters
RichC | January 15, 2022
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Playing the vision insurance game and probably losing
RichC | January 13, 2022
“Eye” do it every year (a very Dumb Dad Joke #DDJ) … I make my eye appointment to get my updated prescription from my optometrist (OD) and contemplate ordering contact lenses from them or a less expensive retailer … just as I’ve been doing since the days of the “cooker” (only those of a certain age […]
It was time, but just hate having to toss my favorite cup
RichC | January 12, 2022
Truly a “desultory” post today … as I reflect on the demise of my favorite insulated plastic 16 oz cup. The screw-on lid has long ago disappeared, but I have continued to use this plastic cup to keep my ice cubes and Diet Mountain Dew cold (my favorite soft drink for 40 years). I bought […]
Tackled office painting and a minor winter weekend project
RichC | January 11, 2022
The past weekend projects consisted mostly of trim painting and then roller painting the long and drawn out office update project. Part of it is due to other things getting prioritized … like Christmas and family … and some of it out of my dislike for painting. BUT, I finally “cut” or trim painted all […]
Movie night: Watched a good one called “The Big Year” from 2011
RichC | January 9, 2022
It might not be a current movie (it’s 2011), but it was one neither Brenda or I watched over this past decade, but it was an excellent comedy. “The Big Year,” with Steve Martin, Owen Wilson and Jack Black (several others), was exactly what the “doctors” (Katelyn and Drew) ordered over our family Christmas. They […]
Archive: The folding Dollhouse Christmas project for Ellerie
RichC | January 6, 2022
The scratch-built & designed (from a photo Katelyn sent) folding-case wooden Dollhouse for Ellerie was a success for Christmas this year. I was pretty sure Katelyn would like this sort-of heirloom toy, but I was unsure if a little granddaughter used to blinking gadgets and modern plastic toys would take to it, but she enjoyed […]
Archive: Our 2021 Family Christmas over New Years
RichC | January 5, 2022
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Goofy New Year’s resolution? Improve my hand cut dovetails
RichC | January 1, 2022
Happy New Year. Let’s hope 2022 will finally be the year that we can return to normal life after 2 years of struggling with COVID19 and the precautions and restrictions. One of my woodworking skill improvements for 2022 (maybe I’ll make it a New Year’s resolution?) is to improve my competence, speed and accuracy in […]
Boxing Day update and our Christmas yet-to-be family rotation
RichC | December 26, 2021
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Wow, the Backporch 14 years ago! Where do the years go? #TBT
RichC | December 23, 2021
While posting to the blog yesterday, I noticed a “Year(s) Ago On This Day” post archiving the stamped concrete was being pour/stamped for our backporch – 14 years ago). And even more shocking is that we were building our house back in the winter and spring of 1996! (click on house photo below of Katelyn, […]
Finally added the notch to the table saw outfeed table
RichC | December 22, 2021
It has taken me a long time to cut into the outfeed table that I added to my Delta table saw in 2019, but I’ve finally added “the notch.” The spacing between the often used Shopsmith band saw and my lumber rack has always been tight … so tight that I’ve found myself angling it […]
Merry Christmas 2021 and Happy New Year from both of us
RichC | December 20, 2021
Perhaps the days of our yearly-update annual Corbett Christmas Letter stuffed into a Christmas card are in the past? We have succumb to the popular printed photo card and figured that those who might want to know more about our year might just read my blog (a shameless plug). This year we decided not to […]
Messages on the Echo and crazy-faced granddaughter photos
RichC | December 19, 2021
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A purposefully belated Happy Birthday to Drew! #TBT
RichC | December 16, 2021
The years go by quickly and I’m not sure how to keep up with the time anymore, except maybe by watching our granddaughters grow up … or noticing gray hair and elbow wrinkles. UGH! The 8 years and 8 months our son-in-law Drew has been married to Katelyn and part of our family have been […]
We are thinking about retirement … in a few years!
RichC | December 15, 2021
As Christmas cards arrive and the 15th of December hits, it is time to start winding down my business year and thinking about 2022 (BTW, we mailed our cards this week). One thing I have noticed this year is that more cards are from people who are now retired or are retiring. Hm … does […]
Small storage containers in my workshop hold memories
RichC | December 12, 2021
After years of collecting a variety of tools and “tool” parts (bits, blades, etc), I’ve noticed that the mish-mash of storage containers have become even more interesting as the actual items being stored and saved (click photos for larger). Here are a few photos with a variety of storage items in a Where’s Waldo (or […]
The “fuel surcharge model” for TV cable content delivery?
RichC | December 11, 2021
It is a sneaky way to increase what I thought was a customer to Cincinnati Bell “contracted-each-year” cable TV and Internet monthly bill? Nope, according to @CincyBell … after being mislead by customer service that the below increases were “government related fees” and “out of their control” … the increases are negotiated contracts with content […]
Tech Friday: Surprised at the recent increase in blog traffic
RichC | December 10, 2021
The surprise increase in blog traffic corresponded to my taking a few more security measures such as locking down more of the personal content to only logged in readers … but I’m not sure that had anything to do with increasing earnings? Still, I noticed upward change (more than doubling) of Google Adsense earnings and […]
A couple days of photos leftover from the weekend: Part 2
RichC | December 9, 2021
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A couple days of photos leftover from the weekend: Part 1
RichC | December 8, 2021
Since part one of a couple of blog photo posts will be pubic and not include family, I’ll archive it first. I finished (hopefully) the NINE trailer loads of leaves I mulched and raked in the front yard this year. Oh for the pre-Global Warming and now Climate Change days of burning leaves rather than […]
Stargazing on a cold and crisp evening out the back door
RichC | December 6, 2021
I took a quick photo as the Moon and Venus are lit up by the sun well down in our evening sky in the Cincinnati, Ohio area. Cold, clear and beautiful. Be watching for Saturn and Jupiter!
Advice: Consider replacing the wax ring seal on your toilet
RichC | December 5, 2021
It might be a good idea to replace, or at least check, the wax ring seal on your toilet … as the line goes, “ask me how I know.” It seems ours was fine for 25 years, but at some point decided to drip when flushed. Slowly but surely the drip turned into a wet […]
Sagging elbow skin: When did I get this Grandpa Skin?
RichC | November 30, 2021
Who really spends time looking at themselves in the mirror … at least the men that I know? BUT … I noticed my elbows when getting dressed last weekend … there is some disturbing sagging “grandpa skin” … “when did this happen?” On the other hand, I’m not alone and I suppose this is to […]
Thanksgiving with my brother and a few wrap-up photos
RichC | November 28, 2021
Having Thanksgiving at my brother’s house with our family (minus Jaben who recently had COVID19) was one of those photo days that I should have packed my Lumix camera. The lighting was a bit dark and into window light for an older iPhone … and without a tripod was challenging. I propped it between some […]
Music Monday: An Ohio State Football win and the Sloopy Girl
RichC | November 22, 2021
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A quick trip to Florida so as not to waste an expiring ticket
RichC | November 20, 2021
Brenda and I flew to Florida with a “use it or lose it” expiring Southwest Airline ticket …and hopefully as a way to earn a future companion-pass ticket (we’ll see how that goes). We were there for a long weekend and to enjoy a couple days at the condo and the beach. Unfortunately I wasted […]
Ugly sweaters? Jerry, Gary, Mark, DadH and RichC for #TBT
RichC | November 18, 2021
Every once in a while a memory gets triggered … and it happened while looking in my closet for a fleece or sweater with the weather turning colder. The photo below is from Christmas in 1990 and it seemed apropos for today’s Throwback Thursday #TBT. For the record, it was taken in Jamestown, NY at […]
Spent a couple days in Perrysburg with our granddaughters
RichC | November 11, 2021
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Hopefully the new driveway drain will correct puddling?
RichC | November 10, 2021
It may not be pretty, but hopefully the “fix” for the segment of driveway concrete that was poured when our driveway was replaced, without the proper pitch, will prevent puddling where the old and new concrete came together. We were not home to see the work, but after a cursory look (photos) on Wednesday morning, […]
Making Monkey Fist ornaments and a fire on the back porch
RichC | November 9, 2021
After learning to tie a Monkey Fist knot this past year, I decided to make a couple Christmas ornaments for my granddaughters. I was planning to attach them to their presents in December, but Brenda suggested they should have them before Christmas so that they could hang them on their tree. Yikes, now I need […]
Archive: Our Halloween Trick or Treating Goblins for 2021
RichC | November 2, 2021
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The WorkerB Power Pack for the Sailrite LSZ-1 sewing machine
RichC | October 31, 2021
A new upgraded motor is now offered by Sailrite for their line of portable sewing machines (called the WorkerB Power Pack). The lack of slow speed control has been one of the only issues that we have had sewing with the LSZ1. A few years ago I upgraded the Balance Wheel when working on the […]
Our October 2021 vacation with KDAE to Delray Beach, Florida
RichC | October 30, 2021
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Halloween gremlins creep in to finish off our Florida vacation
RichC | October 26, 2021
Let’s start with "we had a great time in Florida" this past week" (more to come) … but the cleanup weekend ended with a couple gremlins. I blame it on the "uncarved" pumpkins left by the granddaughters. HA! Actually there were no unexpected problem while they were in Delray Beach with us, but after they […]
The many political ‘ISMs’ discussed in our culture today #TBT
RichC | October 21, 2021
Every time I use political term with an “ism” these days, I sense I need to clarify the meaning as much as for myself as to the person I’m talking too. Often I’ll refer to an online resource in order to be sure that I’m not misspeaking … but usually its because the terms have […]
Our first Mercedes Benz sedan, but not the oldest #TBT
RichC | October 14, 2021
Although I’ve highlighted our 1987 Mercedes Benz 560 SEL before (see photo in front of my parent’s house in Sidney) and this fall photo at West Branch State Park reminds me that autumn is the perfect time to take my current 1982 MB 300D Turbodiesel out for a drive. The ‘87 was one of those […]
Tidbits: A favorite kitchen product – Glad Press’N Seal
RichC | October 13, 2021
When it comes to tools in the workshop, there are a few of them that I keep at arm’s length or in a small toolbox. The same goes for kitchen utensils and products. One of my favorites, if not thee favorite, is GLAD Press’n Seal® wrap (mentioned year’s ago when I still had a Keurig). […]
Archive: Weekend chores, family photos and a drip distraction
RichC | October 10, 2021
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How do you prevent birds from hitting picture windows?
RichC | October 7, 2021
… Boom … Our new windows are really not that clean, but obviously the reflective quality is not helpful and looks painful for birds flying into them. I’m starting to wonder if we should rig up some kind of netting or thin sunshade? The latest bird to hit the window left a “dust” imprint clear […]
Logging in and adjusting to new My Desultory Blog security
RichC | October 5, 2021
I received an email from a regular blog reader questioning the new Sign-In feature that I implemented last month; it hinders anonymous viewing on My Desultory Blog for some posts. Yes it is a restrictive change, but it is not all that cumbersome once you are “Sign-In.” The WordPress security is minimal and the only […]
Catch-up Tuesday personal blog posts are becoming a habit
RichC | October 5, 2021
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The cooler weather has us enjoying working in the backyard
RichC | October 2, 2021
As summer turned to autumn, Brenda and I found ourselves enjoying a few more evenings and weekends walking around and working in the backyard. Last week it was cleaning up “the mound” (although we have a few) and getting it ready for winter. I dug out some deeper rooted plants that had spread and planted […]
Lunch with Jeff, the economy, inflation and more nukes in China
RichC | October 1, 2021
What once was a weekly or at least bi-monthly lunch with my friend Jeff, has shifted to once every 3 months or so since COVID19. It’s not all due to the pandemic as changes in work habits and eating out habits has contributed to neglecting getting together. Nevertheless, it was enjoyable to spend an hour […]
Archive: Weekend catch-up with a few family photos
RichC | September 23, 2021
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Office project patching update photos and banana bread #TBT
RichC | September 16, 2021
Here are a few leftover project photos from the weekend for Throwback Thursday #TBT to add to the personal archive. Normally we make banana bread in the full-size Bosch oven when our bananas go soft and brown, but I keep trying to get the convection baking setting correct on our toaster oven – not bad […]
Home video memories from September 9, 1989 for #TBT
RichC | September 9, 2021
Last month when we were together with the kids, they were talking about enjoying trips to Michigan for long weekends during the summer (Drew’s parents have a house on Lake Michigan). It brought back memories for us and I mentioned that once-upon-a-time we thought about buying cabin property in the Upper Peninsula on Lake Huron […]
Archive: Labor Day 2021 Iron Fence and Gate Painting
RichC | September 7, 2021
It was a home maintenance project that has been done before, but I’m still not fond of wire-brushing and repainting railings, our iron fence or rear gate … but since there was time at home this past Labor Day weekend, the project was started and finally finished. Besides digging out the rock at the base […]
Archive: More Sod Webworm damage and a few family photos
RichC | September 4, 2021
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Driveway update and too late for Sod Webworm damage?
RichC | September 1, 2021
Who knew we would be having so much rain in late August? It has been a pain for the crew trying to finish our concrete driveway project … but the “big pours” should be done for now and “I hope” they will be back to address a puddling issue in the rear (something I mentioned […]
Driveway project: Day 1 of the planned 2 day concrete pour
RichC | August 28, 2021
Friday was Day One, of what is the longest day of the planned two day driveway pour (Day 2 on Monday). The crew was at the house before 5:30AM with spot lights, last minute prep and ready for the first truck of concrete which was scheduled to arrive at 6AM – was here at 6:15. […]
Central AC and final driveway prepping for the concrete pour
RichC | August 27, 2021
Now that I’m spending more time working from my home office than ever before, I’m shock that I didn’t improve the comfort in my south west corner office before this year? The mini split AC unit has made a world of difference in controlling the temperature … and started me thinking about growing up without […]
Continuing with the driveway project and downspout drain #TBT
RichC | August 26, 2021
In continuing in my effort to document the driveway project, here is another photo (below) that is likely to make the kids smile and Brenda frown, due to our long running “turtle” jokes. The workers painting a turtle made me smile … at least more than the swimming snake I dipped out of the pool (video […]
After a few stressful issues and some additional charges, our driveway project is moving forward and back on track
RichC | August 25, 2021
We finally got the final grading, under the concrete pipes and extra gravel ($) issue semi-resolved and have the driveway project back on track while the weather is good … although very hot. Thankfully I was able to get the stumps taken care of since our contractor did not want to risk damaging the underground […]
Driveway project woes, “Big Rob” and stump grinding
RichC | August 24, 2021
Our driveway project has been nothing but one problem after another. “Grr” … and my granddaughter Annalyn’s buddy Daniel the Tiger would say (ah, memories)! If replacing an existing concrete driveway isn’t challenging enough on the financial budget, running into cost overruns once the demolition is done kind makes one sick the stomach. The crews […]
Over the Moon … for my granddaughter Ellerie
RichC | August 21, 2021
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The “replacing our driveway project” is finally underway $$
RichC | August 18, 2021
It is a month and a half late, but concrete companies and for that matter most construction companies are very busy this summer. The COVID19pandemic has put most projects behind and perhaps we should be thankful to be on their schedule. Tearing out (video from Canary Security Cam) and re-concreting a driveway is one of […]
A birthday celebration and fun family weekend in Cincinnati
RichC | August 17, 2021
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Happy Birthday Brenda. Where have the last 12 years gone? #TBT
RichC | August 12, 2021
Today is my wife’s birthday and I do my best to remember and marked the day on MyDesultoryBlog.com. This year I remembered one of my favorite photos of Brenda from one of our cruises (actually an ani gif … wait for it) – this one is west of Gibraltar back in 2009. Since it’s from […]
Will this pair of Sperry boat shoes last for the rest of my life?
RichC | August 7, 2021
Besides making one of those “senior moment” gaffes by switching my mini split HVAC unit accidentally from AC to “HEAT” (I was roasting in my office), I bought a new pair of shoes after being disappointed in the cheaply made pair that I bought last year. Those that read this blog know that I’ve been […]
Reflecting on our backporch addition and landscaping #TBT
RichC | August 5, 2021
In making this a Throwback Thursday #TBT post, it is interesting to look at a blog post from 2007 when we added our backporch and stamped concrete and as it is now while contemplating how to cut back our landscaping and trees. At one point we were thinking it was taking so long to mature […]
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.