April 1 is no joke this year, yet I am counting our many blessings
RichC | April 1, 2020
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Woodworking crosscut sled discussion and bookshelves update
RichC | March 29, 2020
This is a two-purpose post: A woodworking (sort of) bookshelves project archive update and shared information on a jig I made. First, the bookshelves and music room/ library painting coming along slowly. I’m bogged down with putty, sanding and painting after adding a strip light shield (wood to hide the LEDs that I’m planning to […]
Monitoring the COVID19 while working on bookshelf project
RichC | March 24, 2020
It has been good to be distracted with a painting and bookshelf project while "staying at home" these last few days. Unfortunately the COVID19 Coronavirus doesn’t look to be disappearing or dissipating as quickly as we were all hoping … so it looks as if we’ll be struggling to figure out how to not only […]
The “Stay-at-Home” plan for COVID19 will continue for a while
RichC | March 22, 2020
We are definitely not the only ones praying a little bit more that usual nowadays while listening to those who are trying to help the country and world manage and get through the Coronavirus threat. I reluctantly worry about the elderly and less capable of fending for themselves especially if they have underlying health issue […]
The weekend (weekdays) bookshelves and painting project
RichC | March 21, 2020
The painting projects continue without a need to rush or complete anything quickly. Finished the ceiling paint, some patching and trim area and “might” paint the first coat of paint that Brenda has picked on Saturday – “Bermuda Sand” (which is more yellow than the pink sand color that comes to mind – see below). […]
Annalyn’s artwork and Ellerie is already 4 weeks old!
RichC | March 20, 2020
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Has it been 4 years since we donated the beloved Toyota Rav4?
RichC | March 19, 2020
Every once in a while MyDesultoryBlog’s “Year(s) Ago On This Day" script pops up something that shocks me. It is hard to believe we donated Brenda’s 1998 Toyota Rav4 back in 2016? It does not seem that long … but "life moves pretty fast …" as the Ferris Bueller line goes. So I’ll repost one […]
Who really wants a plugged tire on their BMW X5 35d?
RichC | March 14, 2020
A little over a year ago I replaced the run-flat tires on the 2010 BMW X5 35d with a relatively economical set of Vercelli NON-run flat tires. This necessitated adding a temporary spare in my underfloor storage area … but besides price, the ride quality is much better. Unfortunately this past week nail found its […]
Workshop weekend after a miserable week of COVID19 contagion
RichC | March 14, 2020
It was a tiring week with the drip, drip, drip Coronavirus news and highly-reactive financial markets. Although frightening, investors rightly or wrongly responded with a selloff of historic proportions. The entire meltdown seemed more like hysteria and panic and had me wondering how our country and nation ever faced plagues, a weak economy due to […]
All things RMS Titanic … now you know the rest of the story
RichC | March 11, 2020
My friend Jeff gave me a couple “used” books for Christmas this year after we talked last year about our favorite authors and books over the decades. Sloan Wilson, of “Man in the Gray Flannel Suit” fame, also wrote several World War II US Coast Guard and Merchant Marine novels that both of us read […]
Music Monday: That sorrowful bluegrass sound from Alison Kraus – Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s “Catfish John” for the slew of bad news
RichC | March 9, 2020
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Granddaughter Annalyn celebrated birthday number 3 yesterday
RichC | March 5, 2020
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A great time visiting our NEW and almost 3-year old granddaughter
RichC | March 1, 2020
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As My Desultory Blog grows, it is becoming increasingly difficult to search and find archived information #TBT
RichC | February 27, 2020
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Not much snow in Cincinnati for 2019-2020, but it is pretty
RichC | February 26, 2020
We haven’t had much snow in SW Ohio this year .. so before it is totally gone for 2019-2020, I’ll share a few flakes above … after the “BIG FLAKES” bickered last night in South Carolina (a list of Democratic Presidential Candidates debating in 2020). Democrats jockey for support ahead of S.C. primary The Democratic […]
A little disappointed in my new New Sperry Topsiders
RichC | February 26, 2020
Old verse New Sperry Topsiders for 2020 Although I’ve needed a new pair of Sperry Topsiders for quite some time now, I was disappointed in that the shoe was not made the same as a previous version. I’ve had over a dozen boat shoes in my lifetime, but only the Sperry brand in recent years. […]
Accidents, newly stained fence damage and insurance pains
RichC | February 23, 2020
Everything seems to happen when we (or I) am out of town. From the power out and a flooded basement to accidents in our backyard (well for a couple I’ve been home). The latest happened when I was in Florida working on the boat and a sheriff deputy came knocking on the door at 5:30AM […]
Our second granddaughter was born on February 20 2020
RichC | February 22, 2020
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While waiting for our 2nd granddaughter, here’s #1 for #TBT
RichC | February 20, 2020
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We’re anxiously waiting for BO#2 (Baby Oostra Number 2)
RichC | February 19, 2020
Although I have not sought Katelyn’s approval to include her rounded “personal coffee table” or her pregnancy photo (cough, cough – one in the same) to MyDesultoryBlog, but I’m boldly going out on a limb by posting it. The longer I post daily, the more I find myself wanting to archive family milestones … as […]
Leftover photos: A lousy Valentine’s Day gift & antique miter box
RichC | February 18, 2020
Here’s a Twofer Tuesday archive from a couple weekend photos on my phone: First, I tried to use Brenda’s grandfather’s handmade, and well worn, antique miter box to cut a couple pieces of trim .. but ended up using my powered Hitachi sliding miter saw to clean up the cut instead (I did use his […]
When is it time to say goodbye to family pets? #PumpyUmpy
RichC | February 15, 2020
While emailing my daughter this week about taking her “long living” bunny, Pumpy Umpy to the vet (injury and can’t move his leg), I mentioned that I eventually had to take Tootsie to the Butler County Humane Society as a way to prep for her eventual decision. I ended up seeing this “Keep in touch” […]
A personal family photo (and video) from 30 years ago #TBT
RichC | February 13, 2020
Last week, a Jasper, Alberta family photo near a glacier for a ThrowBack Thursday #TBT post, had me sharing a few of my thoughts on climate change. I should have included another photo that had a few more from our family (especially since my sister-in-law, Lynda, just returned home from the Cleveland Clinic). The trip […]
Winter weather, driving and fun babysitting Annalyn
RichC | February 8, 2020
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A 1989 family glacier photo and thoughts on climate change #TBT
RichC | February 6, 2020
It has been a shockingly mild winter, at least in Cincinnati this year. Generally I don’t put the snow blower on the John Deere 330 tractor until it is needed, yet this year I prepared early … and may have frightened the snow away? Having a winter without much snow is not totally unheard of, […]
The state of our union is “stronger than ever before” declares President Donald Trump to Speaker Pelosi’s distain
RichC | February 5, 2020
Without going into the 90-minute State of the Union speech detail, the economic and overall strength of the United States is incredible compared to history or any other country in the world. The numbers and confidence sure look good for President Trump’s reelection campaign. Add to that the overall disfunction of Democrats (Iowa Caucus) with […]
Woodworking worktable and new machinist’s square follow-up
RichC | February 4, 2020
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A trip to Florida so that Encore could function on 12 volts again
RichC | January 30, 2020
Encore has battery power again, Alleluia! After fiddling around with dying and dead batteries on the boat for the past year, I finally broke down and yanked out the 3 deep cycle AGM 105 Amp Hour batteries. I did a little rewiring and strapped down 2 new DEKA-made batteries this past weekend ($253 ea). The […]
What car guy didn’t/doesn’t dream of owning a Porsche 911?
RichC | January 28, 2020
As a German car guy from way back (VW, Mercedes, BMW), there was time I really wanted to also have a Porsche. When I was looking for my first car, it was an economical 914 with a Targa top … but ended up with a 1974 Mercury Capri (probably a smart move). Later in life […]
Music Monday: Jackson and Buffett – It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere
RichC | January 27, 2020
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Keeping woodworking bench dogs handy but out of the way
RichC | January 23, 2020
It has taken years, but I’ve finally decided to move my woodworking bench dogs from the tool tray (see below). A bench dog is an accessory used on a woodworking workbench to allow clamping of wooden items while being worked or planed. Ever since building my work table and vices with bench dogs back in […]
Sesame Street has Big Bird … but Africa has the real thing
RichC | January 22, 2020
Just how big is an African Crowned Eagle’s talons? BIG!!! A wider-view photo below …
The World’s Best-Selling Car makes car enthusiasts smile
RichC | January 21, 2020
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Tech Friday: The subscription models and the 180K threshold
RichC | January 17, 2020
Back in the late 1980s when I was starting in the commercial printing and eventually ‘small time’ publishing business (Consolidated Printing and Publishing Co), I didn’t realize how far ahead of the game we were when focusing on the subscription model. Early on we were able to capitalize on few people in the printing industry […]
An old photo triggered an “almost happened” memory #TBT
RichC | January 16, 2020
While soring through my office file cabinet to make room for more current folders, I ran across an old lease contract and photo from an “almost happened” business decision. It would have been a decision and a location move that may have changed our future and had ripple effects even for the lives of my […]
Testing Amazon Prime deliveries using Key for Garage #video
RichC | January 15, 2020
A year or so ago, I “was” planning to give the Amazon Key service a try by having shipments delivered to the condo in Florida when we are not there. So I purchase a smart lock and then realized that Amazon didn’t offer Key delivery services in Delray Beach. I sent it back as I […]
There are safer ways to use a ladder
RichC | January 12, 2020
Being young, and someone who looked to be vying to be listed in this year’s Darwin Award, had me telling this worker, on a questionable set ladder, that he may not be as invincible to injury as he thinks? (he said to me, “oh, I’ve done this before”) We noticed a bit of water seeping […]
Archive: We had a great family Christmas 2019 on New Years Day
RichC | January 4, 2020
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Automotive history photo and story that got attention last year
RichC | January 2, 2020
Every once in a while, a story about cars and history (my memories) catches eyeballs. One such story in Hemmings Motor News last year did that for me in part because my dad had a 1972 Ford Pinto and because the Mt. St. Helens eruption in May of 1980 was a big deal news story. […]
For 2020, how about less focus on self and more on others?
RichC | December 29, 2019
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What do you do when you don’t feel like cleaning? Tinker instead.
RichC | December 28, 2019
Instead of cleaning the workshop as I was planning, I ended up sidetracked. Nothing new about that. Since each time I pull the plywood box full of “short cuts and scraps” out from next to the miter saw, it is as if I’m dragging a 100 pound box with sandpaper on the bottom across the […]
Merry Christmas Eve: Twas the night before Christmas
RichC | December 24, 2019
For some reason, the full text of this post and photo of our 2019 family Christmas tree went missing … or maybe it didn’t post to the blog? Oh well, at least here’s the archived photo of our tree:
Shocking – how could this hang here for over 24 years?
RichC | December 24, 2019
While putting the snowblower on the John Deere this past weekend, I notice the instruction/warranty booklet for our garage door opener hanging on the unlatch rope. I’ve unlatch dozens of times, repaired the door, the opener and sensors more times that I can count … yet have never removed the booklet. It just hangs and […]
A peaceful quiet surprise snowfall and quality steel in tools
RichC | December 16, 2019
December is here … and the snow arrived last night (snow 9 years ago), although it isn’t anything drastic, just peaceful and quiet. Actually the heavy snow surprised me considering Sunday afternoon was relatively pleasant and I was in the home theater watching Sunday Night Football (Bill beat the Steelers). When the game was over, […]
New Windshield … but the Facebook advertising is too timely
RichC | December 15, 2019
I’ve often questioned just how much data is being collected by Facebook, Google, Amazon, etc … but considering I’m a relatively light user of FB … getting push timely advertising is a bit creepy. I called my insurance company last week for a windshield repair/replacement for our 2010 BMW X5 35d and handled the entire […]
Windshield chips become ugly cracks when it is cold
RichC | December 14, 2019
Don’t you just hate this! Earlier this week I was driving home through construction and traffic as I headed south from Columbus to Cincinnati on I-71 (road construction is not done yet!) and I heard a rock hit the windshield. It sounded pretty nasty, but after looking around carefully from the inside, all was fine […]
Wishing my son-in-law Drew a Happy Birthday #TBT
RichC | December 12, 2019
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TSA air travel rules continue to frustrate pocketknife people
RichC | December 11, 2019
Pocketknives have been part of my life since I was a 5 year old … yes, you heard that right, FIVE YEARS OLD. My grandfather gave me my first 1-inch semi-toy pocketknife when my family was still living on Spencer Street in Toledo – which means I was likely still only 4 (it was a […]
Finally, a crosscut table saw sled jig for my woodworking shop
RichC | December 10, 2019
After posting a photo of a table saw crosscut sled a couple weeks ago, I finally decided to finish the one I had been planning. In part because I had some extra 1/2” white finished plywood (I didn’t want to use the heavier 3/4”) and in part because I needed to cut a bunch of […]
Remembering the 2403 who died on December 7, 1941
RichC | December 7, 2019
One of the most impactful photos for me on Pearl Harbor Day is one we took while watching the oil still rising to the surface from the USS Arizona while visiting the memorial. It was a solemn visit and moving time for us, decades after the surprise attack by Japan on December 7th 1941. As […]
Archive: Once upon a time, I owned a Bobcat 743 #TBT
RichC | December 5, 2019
While searching for a photo of an accident when a helicopter landed in our backyard, I ran across a photo of one of the “tools” I miss the most: a Bobcat 743 purchased when we built our house back in 1995-96. I did the same thing with a more powerful tractor besides our John Deere […]
Updates: Mudroom painting, steps treads and a coffee warmer
RichC | December 3, 2019
The more time I spend in the basement workshop, the more I enjoy having my coffee with me and “warm.” Usually I just use an insulated stainless steel coffee container, but lately I’ve gone back to a ceramic cup so it can easily go into the microwave for warming. When sidetracked by projects or working […]
Archiving: Our Corbett Family Thanksgiving photo for 2019
RichC | December 2, 2019
Thanksgiving dinner with the Corbett, Oostra and Ankrom familes (click for high res) It is nice to have a few holiday rituals and for us, it is a Thanksgiving family feast with my brother and his family. Brenda, in particular, has now fully taken over the setting of a nice decorative table with all the […]
Sunday Filler since the long weekend has been busy with family
RichC | December 1, 2019
Likely too busy to post something … but this is mesmerizing (I wish I had this kind of TIG welding skill!)
Archive: A couple great Ohio State Buckeye filler photos
RichC | November 30, 2019
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Finally, dedicated 220 volt power to a couple workshop tools
RichC | November 27, 2019
When we remodeled our kitchen in the spring of 2017, I disconnected the 40 amp 220 volt electric range that we originally had in the island, and dropped the capped wires through the floor and ceiling of my basement workshop. My intention was to eventually “drop” a 220 volt line so I would have a […]
Milestones of manhood and a Boy Scout memory
RichC | November 26, 2019
Most men I know can rattle off a few milestone moments in their life as they bumbled their way through being a child, then teenager and finally an “on-your-own” adult. One of the organizations that once helped young men learn responsibility and integrity (and hopefully still does) was the Boy Scouts. With good leadership, most […]
Archive: Reorganizing my workshop and a new outfeed table
RichC | November 24, 2019
While I was suppose to be cleaning up and throwing away junk that has taken over some of my basement woodworking shop, as usual ended up sidetracked in making a few jigs for my upcoming projects AND reorganized a couple of cabinets that were buried under boxes and clutter on a back wall. I moved […]
A little Computer Mouse history … and then some #TBT
RichC | November 21, 2019
Hello World! It is frightening to think that I’ve been using computers for FORTY years and have used and have seen the slow evolution in input devices clustered around a device called the Computer Mouse. So for ThrowBack Thursday #TBT this week, the above is a photo of the original “mouse” in 1964 by Douglas […]
Archive: Why this antique Ogontz Jack Plane is special to me
RichC | November 19, 2019
I spent the weekend wasting time reorganizing, sorting and cleaning up my woodworking workshop this past weekend and realizing I have a few older “semi-collectable” tools that I really should comment on … or as Brenda says, write my notes down in a book while I can still remember things. Now as I mentioned to […]
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.