Great Yachting World tip for anchoring near coral heads
RichC | September 24, 2017
Part of a 12-part sailing advice series by the UK Yachting World site is worth archiving.
It might be time to update to Apple iOS11 on your iDevice?
RichC | September 20, 2017
If Joanna Stern (WSJ) moves too fast, check out this longer list of iOS11 features by David Pogue at Yahoo.com.
Music Monday: Dream Weaver and Love Is Alive by Gary Wright
RichC | September 18, 2017
Shifting back into the "oldies" mode, here’s a Music Monday song that practically everyone knows from Gary Wright. The Dream Weaver is a 1975 hit recently being used in an insurance advertisement. I still think the decade of the 1970s produced the best music? In 1972, my friend George Harrison invited me to accompany him […]
Enjoyed babysitting Annalyn in Perrysburg for a couple days
RichC | September 16, 2017
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An interview with Dr Francis Collins triggered a book order
RichC | September 14, 2017
While driving this week I had a opportunity to scan through a few SiriusXM stations and picked up on part of a Bloomberg interview between philanthropist David Rubenstein and National Institutes of Health director Dr. Francis Collins (looked up the video so I could listen to the entire interview later – below). Dr Collins seemed […]
A couple doctors back to the hospitals that cared for me
RichC | September 12, 2017
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Tired of reaching for that illusive dock cleat?
RichC | September 9, 2017
There I times the Robship boat hook would make docking a whole lot easier …
The Apollo 14 mission and a long distance technical support call
RichC | September 3, 2017
What a great story told by YouTuber Scott Manley about the early days of NASA, their Apollo 14 computing problem and a "tech support call" to a programmer (video below). The story is longish and likely only of interest for those on the geeky side who work with computer or are programmers — it would […]
How to tie a cleat hitch video by APS Advisor #sailing
RichC | August 28, 2017
Good visual video advice on How to tie a cleat hitch from APS – three different options and reasons for each. Half Wrap Cleat Hitch Full Wrap Cleat Hitch Multi Wrap Cleat Hitch
Quick time-lapse attempt to photograph Solar Eclipse 2017
RichC | August 22, 2017
For the good photos check in with NASA (above) or a professional photographer who travels to the optimal locations and spends more than 5 minutes taping a welding filter to his camera … for a less than perfect “time-lapse” solar eclipse attempt, check my photos below. It was at least fun to mark the occasion; […]
Music Monday: Want-to-be politician Kid Rock – Born Free
RichC | August 7, 2017
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As mention before, James Garner is a favorite of mine
RichC | July 23, 2017
One of the more interesting aspects of social networking is that one never knows who they might connect with. I’ve been a fan and have posted before about the late James Garner (1928-2014) for most of my life and noticed his daughter Gigi (MavrocksGirl) actively keeps his memory alive on Twitter. I’m not sure what […]
TechFriday: Playing with new iPhone 7 plus camera
RichC | July 21, 2017
While learning a little bit more about the improved camera on the iPhone7+ (was the reason I opted for the "plus" was the camera), I tested the macro and zoom features while shooting a video of my "Little Praying Friend." It has been vastly improved over the iPhone 5 in several areas … particularly stabilization […]
A stop in Georgia with friends Mark and Dar Jones
RichC | July 19, 2017
A bit of a catch-up and thank you post to a sailing friend and loyal blog reader Mark Jones for giving me an overnight rest stop outside of Savannah, Georgia last weekend on my drive home from Florida; your hospitality and friendship is very much appreciated. Actually I have been looking forward to seeing Dar […]
A quick visit to Perrysburg Ohio to see Katelyn, Drew and Annalyn
RichC | July 6, 2017
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Music Monday: Fire and Rain. James Taylor Live in 1970 (and it triggered a personal memory and story from 1980!)
RichC | July 3, 2017
As is all to frequent … the YouTube video has been removed. When it comes to music, I’ve always been a James Taylor fan and have posted a few times about him. This past weekend I ran across a YouTube clip from The Late Show with Stephen Colbert from a year or so ago that […]
How it works: An in tank fuel pump YouTube video
RichC | June 25, 2017
Well done … don’t forget to use your “brother’s sock.” 🙂
ElioMotors public image is still showing a stiff upper lip
RichC | June 21, 2017
With financial concerns looming for Elio Motors, they continue to put out positive PR remarks to their "All In" reservation holders, prospective buyers and investors. Everything from their perspective is positive is a series of questions/answers posted on their website. One Q & A indicates that Elio Motors is "targeting 2018" to be the year […]
Taking a BMW X5 35D to the track – Thanks Andrew!
RichC | June 20, 2017
My Volkswagen TDI and BMW Diesel friend Andrew (proprietor FixMyVW.com) to his BMW X5 35D to the track in Atlanta this past weekend. He posted the run on YouTube and since his “tune” and exhaust is what I put on my 2010 BMW X5 35D … it did getting me pretty excited. Published on Jun […]
Music Monday: Back In The High Life Again by Steve Winwood
RichC | June 19, 2017
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Excellent weather, great fun and good food
RichC | June 11, 2017
Not too many photos, but Taylor’s friends all seemed to have a great time celebrating his birthday this weekend in the backyard. The Knockerballs were a hit … and Taylor even showed his love for his mom Ha! (video below).
Great Balmar Altmount kit to Convert To Serpentine Pulley
RichC | May 30, 2017
Not that I have a Yanmar diesel on our sailboat, but love the kit from Balmar to convert an auxilary diesel from V-belt to Serpentine belt and pulleys.
Sad to see such talent pass away- Gregg Allman dead at 69
RichC | May 28, 2017
The news on Saturday was depressing as that it was announced Gregg Allman passed away at 69 … I was just commenting about a few of my Music Monday posts that included Coyotus Maximus (his self-described nickname) and the Allman Brothers Band since our politics did not mesh. A talented and musically influential force not just for […]
How do mothers keep their babies safe in the world today?
RichC | May 25, 2017
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Houston, we have a problem – a SKUNK problem
RichC | May 24, 2017
As less developed areas evolve from rural to suburban, many homeowner and the critters who call the area home, are faced with figuring out how to live together or struggle to set boundaries. We have never lived in urban or fully developed areas so dealing with Ohio’s variety of wildlife is normal. In the early […]
Birthdays, baby Annalyn, mothers, grandmothers and LOVE
RichC | May 17, 2017
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Mellow Music Monday: Down in Belize with Jerry Jeff Walker
RichC | April 24, 2017
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TechFriday: Lenovo Yoga 710, my everyday carry notebook
RichC | April 14, 2017
Last week someone asked me about my large screened notebook, the 15.6″ Lenovo Yoga 710 with an Intel i5-7200U CPU (2.50GHz), 8 GB memory and a rather smallish 256GB SSD. The question was whether I would recommend it. The answer is yes … if you can live with a couple small nits that I have […]
Happy Anniversary Katelyn and Drew, plus drone video below
RichC | April 13, 2017
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A creative solution to washing hair with sparse facilities
RichC | April 12, 2017
Although this seems a tad bit goofy … as a backpacker, cruising sailor, vagabond traveler … there are occasions where water is limited or a proper bathroom facility is non-existent that this could come in handy.
Music Monday: Shambala, 1 of the top 10 Three Dog Night tunes
RichC | April 10, 2017
While listening to background music this past weekend (working on taxes), it became an easy decision post something on music. Next … decide which group and song to include without repeating something mentioned before on My Desultory Blog? How about Three Dog Night??? The rock band was not necessarily in my record (or cassette tape) […]
Testing the stabilized Lumix GX8 on a noisy woodpecker
RichC | April 8, 2017
As happens every year, a "not so bright" woodpecker decides to wake us up by pecking on our chimney cap. The noise resonates down the flue and can be pretty loud in the house. Crazy Woody! But since I’ve been wanting to experiment with my relatively new Lumix GX8 and long lens (a 100-300mm zoom), […]
Distracted by our granddaughter and the kitchen project
RichC | March 30, 2017
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It would be hard to throw this water heater robot away …
RichC | March 29, 2017
Music Monday: Rocket Man recorded in the bluegrass sound
RichC | March 27, 2017
What do you get when you mix 1960s space history, some classic 1972 Elton John music and a twist of Bluegrass flair? Rocket Man with banjos and country harmony! Good stuff.
Every Vloging sailor needs a friend and a schtick
RichC | March 25, 2017
Just when you think you’ve heard and read it all when it comes to sailing and telling the story … Guirec Soudée and his chicken Monique goes one step further. Crazy. The adventure of Monique & Guirec Our adventure is going global! Thank you all for your support! Notre aventure se mondialise! Merci à tous […]
A Music Monday Two-fer – but still out of the 1970s
RichC | March 20, 2017
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Forgotten and leftover from Christmas 2016
RichC | March 19, 2017
My son Taylor is geography and map kind of guy so I gave him a mag-lift spinning globe for his desk for Christmas 2016. His interests and innate sense of direction is probably why he pursued “Urban Planning and now coordinates development for Clermont County Ohio as a county planner. Anyway, I had forgotten that […]
Hammock time on a sailboat from Sailing Britaly
RichC | March 17, 2017
Cute video of Annalyn with a little bit of snow
RichC | March 16, 2017
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It is never too early for Annalyn to start reading a GOOD book
RichC | March 15, 2017
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We are so blessed to have such a beautiful granddaughter
RichC | March 12, 2017
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It does not get much better than being a grandparent
RichC | March 11, 2017
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FoxBusiness is growing because of talent like Maria Bartiromo
RichC | March 2, 2017
This kind of interview and polite exchange with Jason Furman is what make Maria Bartiromo one of the best in the business … and why FoxBusiness is beating CNBC. They are now the business news powerhouse … not to mention their sister channel FoxNews had more viewers than any other network during President Trump’s speech […]
It looks like there is hope for America #Millennials
RichC | February 28, 2017
Spotted this on my Facebook feed (was posted in 2016).
Music Monday: Ketchup, Anticipation and Carly Simon
RichC | February 27, 2017
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Spoke too soon – it is back to snow and winter
RichC | February 25, 2017
Last night while posting about the shockingly mild February 2017 and “hinting” at the front rolling in, the change came. Nothing major, but definitely not 77 degree! After the sunrise, the gray sky move from west to east brought a late morning snow shower just to remind me that it is still winter — put […]
Sailing Archive: Emergency Steering Drogue set-up and training
RichC | February 15, 2017
Video training on setting up a speed limiting drogue for emergency steering on a sailboat. 33 minute training video demonstrates two popular approaches that give racers and cruisers more than one option when steering a disabled vessel with a damaged or lost rudder. Each drogue is deployed according to the manufactures recommendations with lots of […]
Tech gadgets add a new wrinkle to Cat’s in the Cradle message
RichC | February 13, 2017
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Testing your car battery with only a simple voltage meter
RichC | February 10, 2017
Great how-to YouTube video from ChrisFix on testing your car battery with a simple voltage meter.
A final goodbye to a grandmother and mom – Frances Howard
RichC | January 25, 2017
Memorials, funerals and burials can be emotionally draining and it is hard to know just how they impact each of us … but “to the person,” those that knew mom – grandma – Frances Ann Louise Howard (Holmstrom), were without question happy and celebrating. Fran and Christians who have placed their faith in Jesus, and […]
Who knows, there may still be a Range Rover in my future
RichC | January 23, 2017
Great visual look at the evolution from 1969 thru 2017. The first SUV to wear the vaunted “Range Rover” badge came in 1969 with the development of 26 individual prototype vehicles. Each “Velar” prototype wore special badging ahead of the production debut. The first Range Rover to trundle across craggy landscapes arrived in 1970, claiming […]
TechFriday: New to me IoT High-Power 110 volt AC Relay
RichC | January 20, 2017
A friend of mine has been brainstorming the components and options for a project that I’m tinkering on for both the sailboat and improving my back up power at the house. Basically the idea is to use a minimalist single board computer like the Arduino, Raspberry Pi, Pine64 or maybe just the new IoT Photon. […]
Grandfatherhood is sinking in, MY Lttle Girl is having a BABY!
RichC | January 18, 2017
It was a Baby Shower weekend, and what a wonderful one at that. Terrrific family and friends … and a beautiful mother to be and a “Babygirl” shower a few notches above (well my opinion). My wife Brenda and two of Katelyn’s friends from medical school put on a classy baby shower and turned our […]
Tool Tips: Screwdriver hacks [video]
RichC | January 13, 2017
A few of these screwdriver hacks are not necessarily new, but could be helpful if you are ever caught shorthanded for the right tool. I’m particularly fond of using the wrench and screwdriver together (above left) as even with a full set of wrenched and sockets, there are a few oddities preventing wrenches from […]
Thoughts and a video on a rigging bag from Lin Pardey
RichC | January 7, 2017
While contemplating complexity vs simplicity in life and on sailboats, I once again stumbled on a precious morsel by Lin Pardey who has been land-based in New Zealand. Taleisin was sold to a young couple who now enjoys Lin and Larry’s “home” for over 30 years (mentioned before). Lin continues to write, appear at boatshows […]
Quick snowfall test video from Panasonic Lumix GX8
RichC | January 5, 2017
A little snow arrived today (maybe 2-3″), so while waiting for the follow-up call on our new furnaces in the afternoon, I shot a 10 second video and encoded with Handbrake to cellphone size for web streaming. Quality is still decent, but not the HD video that the Lumix GX8 is capable of.
Peak Design Messenger Camera bag TEST video
RichC | January 3, 2017
I’m feeling guilty about receive a Christmas present from my daughter and son-in-law after realizing the price ($$$). I mistakenly admired a bag Drew’s brother demonstrated to me when they had the baby reveal … and although I knew is was above average in price, I never took the time to do the research as […]
Christmas in Minnesota as a family
RichC | December 27, 2016
After a bit of a delay in maintaining daily blog posts, Brenda, Taylor and I returned from our family Christmas with Katelyn and Drew in Wayzata, MN on Monday night. It was a whirlwind trip and thankfully without incident. First thing first … our growing granddaughter is definitely noticeable as a “babybump” (an overused word). […]
Merry Christmas and God bless all of us on the good Earth
RichC | December 24, 2016
The Apollo 8 Christmas Eve Broadcast Apollo 8, the first manned mission to the Moon, entered lunar orbit on Christmas Eve, December 24, 1968. That evening, the astronauts; Commander Frank Borman, Command Module Pilot Jim Lovell, and Lunar Module Pilot William Anders did a live television broadcast from lunar orbit, in which they showed pictures […]
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.