Archive: A great time in Perrysburg with our granddaughters
Posted By RichC on July 8, 2023
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Tech Friday: Ridgid 9Ah lithium battery claim for failing latch
Posted By RichC on July 7, 2023
One of the TWO reasons that I’ve opted for the Ridgid brand of cordless power tools is their LSA … which 
I’ve used once before on a couple of early batteries. Besides the minor hassle in registering and filing a claim, it seems to be the right way to go considering the problems with tools in the past (mostly Sears and Craftsman pre-Lithium cordless drills — although still have one “lithium” powered one that still works fine). I personally prefer the Makita, DeWalt and Milwaukee branded tools, but the fact that Ridgid is supported by Home Depot stores and has the LSA “warranty” … they are my preferred for home duty.
A few years back, I purchase ONE larger than normal Ridgid 9Ah Octane battery (may not be available anymore?) for a few uses while in the car or for a power emergency (batteries, therefore the Tech Friday subject). 
I’ve found that it is really great for the Ridgid Job Site Blower that Katelyn and Drew gave me for Christmas. I use it constantly for light blowing like garage cleanout, patios sweeping and sidewalks after mowing … and the extra weight of the 9Ah is no big deal. It is not really enough for leaves or autumn clean-up in our oversized yard, but it is perfect for all my light duty needs.
This brings me to my latest warranty or LSA (Lifetime Service Agreement) claim. I’ve tinkered over an over with the latching mechanism on this my largest battery — the 9Ah — and even filed down the latch a little bit as it will not fully retract when taking it out of the tool. In other words, it gets stuck and is nearly impossible to get unlatched. So .. I’ve sent in my request to see what Ridgid will do about it, although the cells are perfectly fine and the Ridgid app records the battery as in “Excellent Condition.” I’m hesitant to file the latch down any further over concern that it will not hold the battery in the tool?
It is not overly concerning as I currently have a few extra batteries … some covered under the LSA and other from the earlier days that were not covered under the LSA ( I think all batteries purchased separately are now covered???) Oh … on a side note, I’ve purchased the Ridgid Inverter mention before to used for an LED lamp in our great room so that we do not have to run a cord … although Brenda is not impressed (the orange and black device will need to be hidden!)
Reminiscing about a couple of my favorite iPhones #TBT
Posted By RichC on July 6, 2023
While finding 
links for a blog post last week, I stumbled across a couple photos of my iPhone5 while upgrading to my current, but aging, iPhone7plus. Although the bulky protective case on the iPhone7+ did not last long, it was interesting to remember it. I quickly switched to the thinnest case I could find and settled on a nice but inexpensive Oribox from Amazon (under $10).
For a look back to 2017 and a free Apple iPhone deal with the defunct Virgin Mobile, today’s Throwback Thursday #TBT are just photos and memories (granddaughter too).
While babysitting this week in Perrysburg (photos to come), Drew showed me his new Peak Design case for his Pixel phone. It was really nice and has an excellent attachment setup. The price didn’t seem ridiculous … so when it is time for me to upgrade my iPhone, I’m going to consider it. … unless I’m seriously going to wait for this?
Pros and Cons for dividend investors using closed end funds
Posted By RichC on July 5, 2023
For investors and retirees desiring an income stream from their investments, Closed-End Funds can be pretty attractive. That said, there are advantages and disadvantages
… with some help from ChatGPT. 😉
Advantages of Closed-End Funds (CEFs):
Market Pricing Efficiency: Unlike open-end mutual funds, CEFs trade on stock exchanges, allowing their shares to be bought and sold throughout the trading day at market prices. This feature provides investors with real-time pricing information and the ability to execute trades at current market prices, potentially leading to more efficient price discovery.
Active Management: CEFs are often actively managed by professional portfolio managers who aim to generate positive investment returns. Active management can provide the potential for superior performance compared to passively managed index funds, as portfolio managers have the flexibility to select securities based on their expertise and market analysis.
Potential for Discounted Purchase: CEFs can trade at a discount or premium to their net asset value (NAV), which represents the value of the underlying securities held by the fund. Buying CEF shares at a discount to NAV can potentially provide investors with an opportunity to acquire the fund’s assets at a lower cost, potentially enhancing their investment returns.
Income Generation: CEFs often focus on income-generating assets, such as bonds or high-dividend stocks. This makes them popular among income-seeking investors, as CEFs may distribute regular dividend payments from the income generated by their holdings.
Disadvantages of Closed-End Funds (CEFs):
Premiums and Discounts: While CEFs can trade at a discount to NAV, they can also trade at a premium. Investing in a CEF at a premium means paying more for the fund’s assets than they are worth. Therefore, investors need to be mindful of the premium or discount when buying CEF shares to ensure they are making an informed investment decision.
Limited Liquidity: CEFs have a fixed number of shares and can trade at low volumes, resulting in limited liquidity. This can make it difficult for investors to buy or sell shares at their desired price, particularly for smaller or less popular CEFs. Illiquidity can potentially lead to wider bid-ask spreads and increased trading costs.
Higher Expense Ratios: CEFs often have higher expense ratios compared to other investment options like ETFs. These expenses cover various costs, including management fees, administrative expenses, and marketing expenses. Higher expense ratios can eat into investment returns over time, particularly in the case of underperforming funds.
Leverage and Risk: Some CEFs use leverage to enhance potential returns. While leverage can amplify gains, it also exposes investors to increased risks. If the investments held by the CEF perform poorly, the leverage can magnify losses, potentially leading to larger-than-expected declines in the fund’s share price.
It’s important to carefully consider these advantages and disadvantages, along with individual investment goals and risk tolerance, before investing in closed-end funds or any other investment vehicle. Additionally, consulting with a financial advisor can provide personalized guidance based on specific circumstances.
The Declaration of Independence: Freedom isn’t free
Posted By RichC on July 4, 2023
Here’s an afternoon post for the 4th of July … our U.S. Independence Day.
Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence?
Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons in the revolutionary army, another had two sons captured. Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the revolutionary war.
They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor.
What kind of men were they? Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists. Eleven were merchants, nine were farmers and large plantation owners, men of means, well educated. But they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured.
Aliens or Lemurs if you see these bounding down your path?
Posted By RichC on July 4, 2023
No prepared post for today so click here for older 4th of July posts and just enjoy this short odd video.
Music Monday: Kenny Loggins and “Keep the Fire” (1980)
Posted By RichC on July 3, 2023
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Woodworking: Made the push sled for the router table
Posted By RichC on July 2, 2023
While contemplating a previous idea for a router guide (photo) … and waiting for paint to dry (it was raining on Saturday), I made a push sled for my router table. I’m not sure the hold down will really do much, but added it with a couple spare parts from my drill press table.
Edit: Sunday afternoon Octagon Side Table painting update
Added based-coats on Saturday and first of two top-color off-white paint (matching kitchen cabinets) on Sunday before sanding back to base and raw woods “rub through” look. Final two spray coats of clear to come next weekend perhaps?
Workshop tips and project ideas, with no particular need
Posted By RichC on July 1, 2023
Before I archive clipped workshop tips and ideas to a computer folder (saved in a place I will never look again => #humor), ideas that I’ve snipped from a variety of library borrowed woodworking magazines, I’m going to save them to my blog.
If I were sharing and posting correctly, I would footnote or at least credit the source, but alas I’m not that ambious or efficient enough. So for my own reminder, here are a few tidbits in no particular order.
- A router “sub-base to groove at detail in a cabinet door panel
- An interesting outdoor shower (no need for one, but I like it)
- Workbench groove to catch small rolling items (this would be nice)
- Micro adjustments using a screw for stop cuts after clamping stop (use them in throat plates for micro-adjustments)
- Router table two-sided fence idea for clamping with vacuum hose port
- Router table crosscut sled with clamp (not unlike the Rockler one, but a bit simpler to the one for my tablesaw and bandsaw)
- Walrus Oil for cutting boards that I recently mentioned to Katelyn
… and no, it doesn’t come from Waluses (cutting board oil tidbit below). 😊
Tech Friday: Adding a date to the search results
Posted By RichC on June 30, 2023
Such a simple fix; why did it take me so long to add a bit of code to the “non-supported” WordPress theme 
that My Desultory Blog has been using since nearly the beginning in 2005? Ugh, well it is finally good to have a “DATE” listed when using the search box.
Also while checking my server logs, I noticed excessive loads and that the CPU use was higher than normal? So updated, backed up and “screenshotted” the server for a restore point and once the server was restarted, the graphs returned to normal. Hm?
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.