My Desultory Blog

Posted By RichC on August 24, 2023

While visiting with my extended family at my Uncle Sonny’s Celebration of Life earlier this month, a few of us exchanged phone numbers so we could better stay in touch. My cousin Dan forwarded a paper that highlighted my Grandfather Corbett’s Sinclair gas station and Earl’s Auto Service in South Toledo. It was interesting to see a photo of the corner that I mention on my blog before … but “looking so much nicer.” It is depressing to see our once great American cities crumbling without many residents taking pride in their homes and communities.

Thankfully there is a revival in some areas (proud of Taylor for doing his part in Walnut Hills / Cincinnati), but without getting too “left vs right” political, it is going to continue to be a tough go without a change in government, families, enforcement of law and order … and some traditional respect and moral values that were once common traits for being an American citizen. It’s not always about more taxes and and throwing money at problems.

Back to the ThrowBack Thursday #TBT part of this blog post. The paper did not have dates on them, but it did have a few hints from some of the photos and events included on the pages. This did make at least the year decipherable: 1937.

The clue that attracted my attention was aviation and nautically related … of course. The Pan American Clipper III was making test flights across the Atlantic with one of the stops at Foynes, Ireland on July 6, 1937 — and here’s a photo from that day (Vanderbilt Cup Races). 

This PanAm plane, a Sikorsky S-42B, eventually the Bermuda Clipper had an accident report and was removed from service on July 27, 1943.

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Category: AI, Archive, Automotive, Aviation, Business, History, Memories, Personal, Photos, TBT, Tidbits | No Comments »
Tags: 1937, auto service, boeing, chatgpt, clipper, earl corbett, family, ohio, pan am, prouty, sikorsky, spencer, toledo

Posted By RichC on August 23, 2023

Just filling up some space and using these photos as excuses to post a cicada “live photo” (saved as anigif) AND a cute “smiling dogs” photo from the social network “X” … formerly known as Twitter. I’m enjoying the nice warm weather as long as it lasts — August is disappearing fast.

Category: Misc, Photos, Social Media | No Comments »
Tags: anigif, cicada, filler post, smiling dogs

Posted By RichC on August 23, 2023

This content is restricted.

Category: Archive, Education, Financial, Personal, Photos | No Comments »
Tags: annalyn, ellerie, family, housing, inflation, property, school, taxes, zillow

Posted By RichC on August 22, 2023

I really did have the best of intentions to used the new knobs from Rockler to upgrade my existing router table fence, but after putzing around with my 40 year old angled aluminum non-adjustable fence, decided that an upgrade from the Amazon Warehouse (Outlet) for $133.64 made sense — although I could be wrong? 

The dust and chip collection from either the very large (original) or the very small (modified taller fence) was really never really very good. Although I have never used a width adjustable two-part fence like the PowerTec, let alone one with the ability to offset the following fence (jointer-like), it is a feature that intrigues me. Beside I’ve aways wanted to have a track to fit hold-downs, stops or feather boards and “might” even try to adopt using the finger guard (again another feature I’ve never had on the old fence that might save a finger)?

A final item that I added to my Amazon cart was a set of cam clamps to use to quickly adjust the sliding fence halves. I still intend to lockdown the fence to the router table with my new Rockler knobs, but can see how flipping the cam clamps would make sliding the two-halves of the fence back and forth easily to keep the gap for the bit as small as possible. Stay tuned. 

EDIT add 8/22/2023: Well that happened fast as the parts arrived as did the fence from Amazon.com.

So I spent the evening in the workshop tinkering with the new fence and decided to drill new 3/8” holes in the aluminum fence base to use the existing bolt with the new Rockler Knobs instead of returning (PowerTec kit included 5/16” slots and wimpy knobs – a little disappointed). I then fitted the “acceptable quality” adjustable fence on my old router table while using the Rockler feather boards rather than cheaper PowerTec version. Yes, you get what you pay for. I do love the adjustable flipdown aluminum stop and the chip collection works better than my old setup. The true test will be trying to delicately tweak the setting as I really do like the idea of being able to dial in the fence with some kind of micro adjustment … still thinking about this —> see photo. 

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Category: Shopping, Woodworking | No Comments »
Tags: amazon, featherboard, powertec, rockler, router, router table, tinkering, upgrade, workshop

Posted By RichC on August 21, 2023

William Royce “Boz” Scaggs “recalled:

“Lido Shuffle” was a song that I’d been banging around. I … took the idea of the shuffle [from] a song that Fats Domino did called “The Fat Man” that had a kind of driving shuffle beat that I used to play on the piano, and I just started kind of singing along with it … (Wikipedia)

This is a great summertime song for Music Monday. “Lido Shuffle” is from the same 1976  Silk Degrees album previously mentiioned … and even more successful on the charts than the song “Georgia” mentioned last year.Take a listen below from his YouTube channel.

Category: Music, Video | No Comments »
Tags: boz scaggs, georgia, lido shuffle, music monday, musicmonday, silk degrees, wikipedia, youtube

Posted By RichC on August 20, 2023

One of the frustrations in setting up tools of any kind is to get the settings precisely adjusted quickly and accurately on the first or at least close to the first try. For years I’ve struggled with my old questionable router table (35 years old) and dislike a few of the set up items. I continue to work on it as it is solid, but leaves me wanting when it comes to making micro-adjustments. Last month I added a Jerry Rigged lift and it works surprisingly well … then an inexpensive cyclone chip-collector …  but now it is the fence that needs some improving.

I’ve looked at the impressive fences from Woodpecker, Rockler, JessEm, PowerTec and others but already have a fence that fits the slots on my odd-ball sized router table. Perhaps I can just modify what I have and make it easier to adjust?

With that in mind, I am going to save a couple of ideas (Photo 1 and Photo 2) and besides adding a fence T-track that would make using my existing fence, these small items would make setup a bit more accurate and easier.

EDIT add: Well so much for my patience in waiting. Rockler sent me a $10 off coupon and had one of the items at 1/2 price so I just ended up order them!

Also “looked” … but did not buy … a micro-adjustment add-on in order to adjust my current router table fence, but since I might opt for a better fence in the future, I decided it was not worth spending on my old one (although perhaps I could Jerry Rig something???).

Category: Ideas, Productivity, Shopping, Tools, Video, Woodworking | No Comments »
Tags: jerry rig, knobs, rockler, router fence, router table, tools, workshop, youtube

Posted By RichC on August 19, 2023

Those who have spent any time with me, or reading my blog, know that I’m a big fan of Sperry Boat Shoes. I’ve been a steady buyer of their Topsiders, sandals, water shoes and flip-flops over the years (first post about them in 2006?).I often comment on their wear, insoles and occasional issues (all minor) and probably wear them way too long. 

Earlier this year I used a discount coupon to replace a pair that I was disappointed with (see post) … but disappointed only because it was a cheaper version of my previous shoes. Over time, this cheaper Topsider “still” became my go-to slip-on boat moc, but now the newer Sea Kite Sport Moc Boat Shoe above is my favorite. I know that it will not last as long as my “less comfortable” dressier shoe, but then I wear it nearly everyday.

Fast forward to this week: Brenda and I talked shoes and are contemplating new athletic shoes this fall and I mentioned to her, “I’d rather try one of Sperry’s higher end sneakers like the Harbormaster 2.0?” She gave me the go-ahead to use my 25% coupon and an 11% back link from Capital One Savor credit card so I did … and am looking forward to updating this post when they arrive. 

FYI: I only recommend the Capital One CC card linked above IF grandfathered with “no annual fee.” Also, I do not receive any referral credits from Sperry .. but should! 😉 

Category: Advice, History, Misc, Personal, Shopping | No Comments »
Tags: boatshoes, capitalone, sperry, topsider, topsiders

Posted By RichC on August 18, 2023

Obviously this is a first world problem, but it is frustrating that with all the computer power and connected technology in the shipping and delivery business, FedEx can’t tell me when to expect a package. It was scheduled to be delivered on Thursday, August 17th. It’s not like this is the first time FedEx has been a problem — see link1 and link2. The other delivery services … “in my opinion” … have been a bit more reliable with at least the information and updates, not to mention their driving skills and ability (although Amazon does occasionally find it difficult to stay on our rather large driveway).

Thankfully this package isn’t priority or a big deal … and I wouldn’t have bothered to be looking for it except for being sent an an “out for delivery” update. Now the tracking system, chat and person on the phone can’t give me an indication as to what is going on and when to expect delivery?

Edit added on 8/22/2023: A package is “Out For Delivery.”

Category: Computer, Misc, Technology | No Comments »
Tags: delivery, fail, fedex, frustration, problems, updates

Posted By RichC on August 18, 2023

Proton Mail offers a free email service with limitations … as expected. There is a paid version which over time I’ve contemplated switching to for both the enhanced privacy and ability to use my old original business email domain: whatevername@cppnet.com. The monthly (yearly) subscription price is reasonable, but since I already run several Linux servers with email, I use RoundCube Webmail 1.4.12 as my preferred open-source software. I’ve been reluctant to update anything at this point.

That said, my primary “business” email with a usa.net domain preceded hosting servers, or even Google’s gmail or Microsoft’s live.com for that matter and was initially offered to American Express small business clients as a perk of using them with a POS credit card reader. That perk disappeared decades ago, but I’ve continued to use the non-transferrable email address as my primary. 

As I inch towards retirement and my Consolidated Printing and Publishing Co.business grinds to a close, a two step approach in switching my usa.net address to a cppnet.com address in my control makes sense. I could probably do everything on one of my servers, but like the idea of using Proton for the encrypted emails, iPhone and iPad apps and for overall security.

I’ve been using ProtonMail for a couple of years now and besides being a “different” web interface, it has been pretty good. It is less expensive and offers far more storage and security (encryption) that does my current email … AND permits alias email addresses AND my custom email domain. That last point is something I’m looking for when handling business communications.

As for the elephant in the room, Gmail … I’m not fond of their business practices, politics or even their scanning emails and marketing … but will probably keep using it as a personal email address. It is already helpful to be able to separate business and personal.

That leads me to a tip (or tidbit) that is not published that I know off and I didn’t see it in online forums. BUT … eventually trash builds up in the Proton mailbox and the only way to delete it using the web interface is 50 messages at a time (someone DID write a script to automate). The point being is there isn’t an “empty trash” button at least with the free web interface version … as there is with Gmail. Since I’ve used an alias address to collect a variety of feed emails, it does fill up the free mailbox. What I did noticed was the ProtonMail iPad app (assume iPhone app too?) has an “empty trash” button (below) and it saved me a lot of time and clicking when trashing the pile of miscellaneous email in the trash. 

Category: Advice, Business, Computer, How-To, Technology, Tidbits | No Comments »
Tags: cppnet.com, email, gmail, live.com, netaddress, proton, protonmail, tips, trash, usa.net

Posted By RichC on August 17, 2023

My friend Jeff and I regularly talk about the books we are reading over lunch or on the back porch (too infrequent though) and he sent me one to read last week.  I told him I would start as soon as I finished Pappy Boyington’s “Baa Baa Black Sheep” that I’m thoroughly enjoying.

“Conservatism, A Rediscovery” by Yoram Hazony isn’t necessarily a book I would pick up without a recommendation, but noting the direction of our country, it it as least one that I hope will reinforce my political values and ideology. According to the intro text, “Hazony describes the rise and fall of Enlightenment liberalism after World War II and the present-day debates between neoconservatives and national conservatives over how to respond to liberalism and the woke left.”

No matter where the thought process eventually goes, I do appreciate the rationalization behind my personal views when it comes to politics. It should be interesting to read … and even more interesting to discuss with Jeff.

Jeff’s Ford Explorer and my 1994 Toyota 4-Runner at a campsite

The ThrowBack Thursday #TBT component to this post were a couple of photos he sent me from one of our trips around the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests (map) and the many trails outside of Ashville NC in the 1990s. I’m not sure which one of the trips this one was … but I do appreciate the fond memories and photos. Thanks Jeff! 

Rich enjoying the sun on a North Carolina Mountain

Category: Archive, Books, Friends, Personal, Photos, Recreation, Travel | No Comments »
Tags: camping, conseratism, ebook, friend, hiking, jeff pitts, jeffp, kindle, north carolina, TBT, Yoram Hazony