Annalyn and Ellerie with Oma and Bompa Summer 2023
Posted By RichC on June 26, 2023
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The Hadley, Polar and Ferrel Cells and Surf Dancing #video
Posted By RichC on June 25, 2023
Someone shared a National Geographic map on climate from a “years ago” issue and I found the discussion of the Hadley, Polar and Ferrel Cells interesting … I even had to look them up.
The atmosphere transports heat throughout the globe extremely well, but present-day atmospheric characteristics prevent heat from being carried directly from the equator to the poles. Currently, there are three distinct wind cells – Hadley Cells, Ferrel Cells, and Polar Cells – that divide the troposphere into regions of essentially closed wind circulations. In this arrangement, heat from the equator generally sinks around 30° latitude where the Hadley Cells end. As a result, the warmest air does not reach the poles. If atmospheric dynamics were different, however, it is plausible that one large overturning circulation per hemisphere could exist and that wind from the low-latitudes could transport heat to the high-latitudes. As an explanation for equable climates, Brian Farrell presented this idea in 1990 and advocated that during equable climates, the Hadley Cells extended from the equator to the poles (Farrell, 1990). LINK
Although those who study climate, “without a political bent and grants money on the line”, undoubtedly understand the science far better than readers like me, I still find it interesting to learn about.
As for beauty when it comes to nature and the oceans, there aren’t too many scenes better than watching the waves come in at a beach … except maybe someone surfing those waves and turning it into a dance (below). Wow!
Just how long is the South American country of Chile?
Posted By RichC on June 24, 2023
Most of us know from Geography class that the country of Chile in South America is a narrrow but l-o-n-g country … but may not have a perspective as to it’s entire length. A “map website,” BrilliantMaps, that I follow on Twitter posted a couple photos illustrating just how long (or tall) it is. It would take a while to “hike” or even drive the full distance of 2,653 miles.
Tech Friday: It could be time to upgrade our home network?
Posted By RichC on June 23, 2023
A couple of weeks ago, our our mostly flawless fiber service with AltaFiber (was Cincinnati Bell) was upgraded to a faster speed. Our Internet service has been as fast as we have needed and relatively stable for the last couple of years. Personally, nothing needs anything to change …
except perhaps a lower monthly price?
That said, I’ve known the weakest link in our home network is an inexpensive Mesh (4-mesh points) in combination with a wired hub, an additional router and 39 mixed wireless and 7 or so wired devices. Although I’d like to see the speed … I really don’t want to rock the boat.
At some point we may decide to cut the cord and eliminate our cable TV and DVR service (half the monthly cost) and just opt for streaming everything … but I’d miss recording sporting events to watch later and having access to live cable news.
Since we have a second wireless network router still running in the basement (ISP supplied) .. I bypassed the Mesh set-up to see it that was the slowdown — the opposite! It was even slower (Orca – Mesh on left and Zy – Alta Fiber supplied on right).
Adding a test from a VPN connection:
Contemplating the phrase: “Have a good ONE!”
Posted By RichC on June 22, 2023
Using the pronoun “one” seems out of place and too casual when using the common phrase … “Have a good one.” It is heard all the time in day to day conversation (even on television business news shows 
— you know who you are Lauren Simonetti — HA!) and at least for me, the phrase is over used (I know, get over it Rich)!
Someone posted that the phrase is far more useful than “Have a Good Day” … which requires a little more thought as to “morning, day, night, etc,” but is also overused.
Still these well wishes are a way to end a conversation and brighten up the day for someone else … whether its a TV interview, a spouse, a friend or the kids on the way to school.
So …
Have a Good One … or Good Day! 🙃
A Vincent van Gogh’s “Starry Night” that moves
Posted By RichC on June 21, 2023
Who doesn’t enjoy mind benders … especially when it comes to well know art such as Vincent Gogh‘s “Starry Night“ … mentioned in a previous Meniere’s post.
Look at the center dot in the top image and press play until the short video ends. Then look at the Vincent van Gogh artwork below it. Mind bent. 😜
My 40 year old bicycle is now rideable again
Posted By RichC on June 20, 2023
Around the year Brenda and I were married (1982), we bought a couple of bicycles to ride around Aurora, Ohio where we bought our first house. Her 10-speed has long since disappeared (perhaps garage sale) but we kept mine through the years. It is a bit on the heavy side, 
but my Jamis bike was well built and sturdy … and still rides well even with the additional 20+ pounds I’ve added over the last 40 years!
As mentioned over the weekend, the original tires were cracked and would no long hold air (although I have replaced the tubes a couple of times in the past). Recently I’m hoping a little TLC will help me fulfill a promise I made to my granddaughter: “I’ll fix my bike so we can ride around the lake together.”
It was difficult to find the narrower gum-sidewall original 1.5” tires, but after measuring, it looked as if I could install a 26” x 1.95 tire on the rims that were much more reasonably priced. So with a little fender adjustment, some cleaning and repacking the crank with new grease, the old bike rides well … and doesn’t look bad either (except for sore legs) … that was until Brenda commented, “it looks like an old man’s bike.”
Music Monday: “Kung Fu Fighting” (1974) and Carl Douglas
Posted By RichC on June 19, 2023
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Happy Father’s Day with a few leftover garage sale photos
Posted By RichC on June 18, 2023
It was an end of the week “Safety Town graduation” and garage sale for Katelyn, Brenda and the girls (and Saturday sale for Drew) as they “unloaded” some stuff before having to move it. They did well and on top of it was a great time to be together (from what I’ve heard).
All in all financially, it is challenging to weigh the time/effort vs money aspect of doing it, but from the numbers still worked out in their favor. Great job … especially instilling the time honored “Lemonade Stand” entrepreneurship lesson by my granddaughters. Love it!
I’m spending Father’s Day getting a few old toys from our kids ready for my granddaughters this summer. Cleaning, repairing and hoping they might be enjoyed by the next generation (probably should have just sold them in a garage sale!)
Woodworking: Restarted the Octagon Side Table project
Posted By RichC on June 17, 2023
Since the Cornhole game project for Taylor’s birthday is finished … and because we had a little bit of rain … I decided to restart work on the Octagon side table. The challenging eight-sided top was finished a couple months ago, but not the legs.
The legs need to be sturdy enough to hold the sand dollars, shells or whatever is in the display area under the round beveled glass … but not be so bulky to look like it was built by a general carpenter rather than furniture maker (this is a building trade joke usually comparing rough carpentry to finished carpentry … but it applies to design too).
The new part for me are a couple of crossing fitted lap joints to keep the legs in position with tenons on the ends that fit into mortises — keeping with my mortise and tenon practicing (previous project). The top will be held on by fairly large notches and dowel pins rather than screws. The entire table will be fitted joinery without any metal fasteners … just tenons and dowels. So far so good.
Adding a photo from Father’s Day gluing up and adding dowels.
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.