Archiving: A trip to NW Ohio to see our granddaughters
Posted By RichC on October 22, 2022
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Changing the 2010 BMW X5 35’s oil is getting very expensive
Posted By RichC on October 21, 2022
With inflation raging and oil prices sky high, opting for the most premium synthetic oil is no longer and option for my aging 2010 BMW X5 35d diesel. I’ve been using Ravenol and usually do my own oil and filter changes and although self-changing the oil on a premium diesel model is still better done at home, but adding 7 or 8 quarts and a filter still costs me $100 for even another European full-synthetic brand – Eurol. Previously, the Ravenol and filter was $86.38, but that same order is now $171.95 (Oct 2022 price bottom right) plus shipping.
After a frustrating few minutes of Internet shopping, diesel focused site, Blauparts, offered a recommended oil for a bit less … plus if I double
ordered, it was another 10% off … plus free shipping. Still $15 more per self-change, 
but better than $90 more (w/ shipping).
Things that were better in the “Good Old Days” … free air! #TBT
Posted By RichC on October 20, 2022
Now, I’m not quite old enough to have regularly used this kind of service garage air station to fill car tires for FREE, but I have used them AND it still triggers memories: Do you remember the “bump, bump, bump” surging as air filled the tires?
As I’ve mentioned twice before, one of my first real jobs was as a pump jockey at a Shell Oil service station. I wore the full uniform, did windows and received a 25 cent commission for every quart of oil I sold. At 16 years old I was shock at how many packs of cigarette we had to stock in the overhead bins and then sell to motorists … 
I want to say it was 50-cent a pack, but can’t be certain as inflation was raging in the 1970s just as it is today. I do know that $2.35 was my hourly wage and that I felt very fortunate to have the after school and weekend job while still in high school. Since I was also a stringer photographer for the local newspaper (usually sporting events), the manager would schedule me around the the high school games.
Looking back, it was a pretty nice job and offered those who preferred “service and a smile” a nice place to fill up and top off.
With the first freeze in SW Ohio … I’d rather be on the beach
Posted By RichC on October 19, 2022
There was a leftover beach flyover video on my phone from our late September – early October Florida vacation so with a private family post creating registered only viewing and the first real cold weather of the season, this makes for an envious filler. I’m looking forward to warm weather and the beach again. Why again aren’t we moving south or going cruising???
Katelyn and Drew’s pile of drying lumber gets a tarp
Posted By RichC on October 19, 2022
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Do state/city/local taxes impact interstate migration?
Posted By RichC on October 18, 2022
As a former GOP VP hopeful would say, “You betcha.”
In catching up on my Tax Foundation reading, one of their recent emails highlighted what internationally we have seen in off and onshoring is that businesses go to where they are treated best. It most often has to do with a companies lowest cost of doing business which includes the tax bite where they chose to locate.
Individuals are no different … especially with remote working arrangements, pandemic shutdowns, economic bust and boom cycles and avoiding the heavy hand of local and state government, from restricting personal freedom to taxation; it sure looks to impact interstate migration.
A glance at this 2019 state population map in a Tax Foundation article by Katherine Loughead, highlights a trend. “Americans pack up and move from one state to another.” Each year the IRS releases migration data showing movements of income taxpayers based on changes in their mailing address and data highlights what most of us instinctively know: People prefer lower taxes and less bureaucratic intrusion in their lives.
More Americans Moved to States with Lower Taxes and Sound Tax Structures
With this in mind, one observation from the 2019-2020 IRS migration data is that a strong positive relationship exists between state tax competitiveness and inbound migration. Overall, states with lower taxes and sound tax structures experienced stronger inbound migration than states with higher taxes and more burdensome structures.
Music Monday: “La Bomba” from the 1958 and 1987
Posted By RichC on October 17, 2022
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Midterm elections could not be more important this year
Posted By RichC on October 16, 2022
It’s simple: between the Federal Reserve spewing out more than $4 trillion in cheap money over the past year, and Congress signing off on “relief” packages totaling an unprecedented $3 trillion, there is too much money chasing too few goods.
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Inflation will only get hotter if Biden and congressional Democrats press ahead with even more grandiose spending, attempting to insert the federal government into every nook and cranny of Americans’ lives.
From The Hill (7/15/21 – @LizPeek) back in the summer of 2021
For those who are unhappy with political leadership in the United States, the midterm election couldn’t be more critical. We’ve had rising inflation since President Biden took office in January 2020 and with Democrats in full control of the House and Senate, our political leaders have driven our country to the brink of crisis in every area they touch. Spending is out of control as they shovel tax dollars into pet projects and buying of votes and even once fiscally responsible Democrats are blindly going along with the progressives leftists in their party. Our country has overnight given up energy independence for the green agenda, gone soft on crime by attacking law enforcement and border patrol. They entice millions to illegally cross our southern border thwarting US immigration law and send billions of taxpayer dollars overseas, to their union buddies and are forgiving student debt without addressing the cost (or educational quality) of a college education.
Now it would be great to believe that just voting Republican would solve the leadership problem, but we’ve all been there and disappointed before. 
On the other hand, if we don’t change course right now and put someone else in charge, it is clear Democrats aren’t planning to change course … and we’re not even talking about the pitiful foreign policy under the Biden administration.
I’m doing my part and voting absentee this November … yes, a straight Republican ticket. There is not a Democrat I can trust to think independently or disagree when the party leadership is off track. I only hope that “when” the GOP take control that they stick to their “Commitment to America” agenda like Newt Gingrich did with President Clinton back in the 1990s. Let’s save America!
How to dispose of household batteries property
Posted By RichC on October 15, 2022
Disposing of household batteries could use some clarity since not everyone knows which ones can be tossed with everyday trash and which ones should be recycled or taken to a collection site. Do you dispose of them correctly?
Batteries are broken down into two broad categories: Single-use and rechargeable. How you dispose of them is quite different.
- You can usually throw away standard alkaline batteries (AA, AAA, 9-volt and the like) that power your remote control, flashlight, and other everyday household items in the trash.
- Button cell or coin batteries — the kind you’ll find in calculators, watches, hearing aids and car key fobs — may contain silver and mercury and should not be thrown away in the trash. Bring them to a battery recycler or participating retailers that provide battery takeback services
- Lithium-ion and nickel-cadmium batteries are most commonly found in cellphones, laptops, tablets, digital cameras, power tools, and toys. These batteries should never be tossed in the trash or placed in the recycle bin. They must be taken to separate recycling or household hazardous waste collection centers.
- Small, sealed lead acid batteries are found in emergency devices, security systems, mobility scooters, and other special-use items. These also need to be taken to special disposal centers.
To find more recycling and disposal information, go to this resource page at Earth911. Select a type of battery from the left drop-down menu and enter your ZIP code. Note that stores like Staples, Home Depot, and Best Buy have battery drop-off programs.
Tech Friday rant: I’m not excited about MLB’s postseason
Posted By RichC on October 14, 2022
Besides enjoying some minor league Toledo Mud Hens baseball this year with family, I have not been focused on MLB or the postseason playoffs. Being a Cleveland Indians Guardians fan, I am sort of pulling for them after they won the Wild Card series against Tampa Bay … but as always, beating the New York Yankees makes it a difficult path.
For now, I’ll just keep ignoring the evening games since the TBS network is not on my AltaFiber/CincinnatiBell Fioptics cable and Internet plan anyway. There’s probably a GOM post (Grumpy Old Man) in all the new streaming subscriptions required to watch content these days … and don’t even get me started on split NASCAR season FOX/NBC and moving races to their sports channels or USA Network, which is not on our cable subscription … GRR… or Thursday Night Football that is “only” on Amazon Prime that streams questionably even with our Prime membership. Why do I even bother anymore?
MORE: How to find USA Network | How to find FS1 | Get FOX Sports App | Watch on USA Network | Get the NBC Sports App | Watch on Peacock | FloRacing | How to watch NASCAR International
I am so glad I don’t have to explain all of this “streaming of sports” to my father or father-in-law … who didn’t have computers, smartphones or even Internet connections … and didn’t want them!
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.