Posted By RichC on October 4, 2022
The Lockheed F-117 was one of the most specialized and sophisticated aircraft to
ever enter USAF service. Purpose built to defeat radars, it was all square and
flat, a fact, reflected in the aircraft’s boxy cockpit. (@realairpower1)
Posted By RichC on October 3, 2022
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Posted By RichC on October 2, 2022
While out mowing the lawn this week … I “think” I may have brought a spider in the house with me? In any case, it was on my shirt and 
I felt something crawling on my arm. After an instinctive swat and swipe of the hand, I notice it landed on my glass chair mat in my office so before squashing, I took this photo (left).
Now to try and identify: It is commonly referred to as a Jumping Spider, but think this one belongs to the genus Marpissa, in the family Salticidae.
According to SpiderID.com, it looks to be a Marpissa muscosa (Fence-post Jumper) … but who really knows?
As for the phobia call arachnophobia, the treatment is “exposure therapy.” Yikes!
Posted By RichC on October 1, 2022
Another interesting story tied to scientific development during World War 2 has crossed my email inbox from WSJ+. This one is about the virtually unknown Mary Sears, “the first oceanographer of the Navy.” Her groundbreaking oceanographic research led the U.S. to victory in the Pacific theater during World War II, according to the summary. I’m looking forward to the nearly 12 hours of audio – maybe on my next long drive or trip?
“In "Lethal Tides," Catherine Musemeche weaves together science, biography, and military history in the compelling story of an unsung woman who had a dramatic effect on the U.S. Navy’s success against Japan in WWII, creating an intelligence-gathering juggernaut based on the new science of oceanography.”
Posted By RichC on September 30, 2022
Our Cincinnati Bell Fioptics Internet service has been acquired by Altafiber. 
I’m not sure there has been much more than a logo change in service “so far,” but whenever our cable TV isn’t quite right or the Internet acts up, the blame is now on AltaFiber.
Speed has been a problem this week and “might” be my internal home network? I’m testing from the existing Mesh router (above) and also the supplied wireless router (below). Neither is high quality, but have worked well for years.
The test to the right is my Mint wireless service on my iPhone7 Plus.
Posted By RichC on September 29, 2022
Really, this is just an excuse to include #TBT images of the sales brochure for our 1999 Chrysler Town and Country that we affectionally called the “Goobermobile.” While going through the boxes of collected junk and deciding what to keep and what to toss, this brochure reminded me how much I enjoyed owning this minivan (the 2006 Honda Pilot replaced it after 235,000 miles).
If I were raising a family again, I’d probably pick the same or similar minivan … not that I mind still owning a Honda Odyssey as our Florida vehicle… although it is getting old and needs to be maintained a little better.
Posted By RichC on September 28, 2022
From way up high, Hurricane Ian is a much more attractive (ani-gif above) … but suspect those Ian left under water and in its storm ravaged path in western Cuba … AND has nearly everyone in Florida chewing their nails while they brace for impact. (residents need a “Miracle on the Hudson” moment)
Governor DeSantis of Florida laid out the preparation plans in place and gave a final piece of advice when I watched him over lunch today: “We can’t unring the bell if you stay and you end up getting washed away.”
Posted By RichC on September 27, 2022
After fixing “Arthur Avenue Pork Sausage and Pepper Heroes with Melty Mozzarella Cheese and Garlic Potato Wedges” … as the recipe card states on Sunday night, which was the last of our subscription meal for a while … my son Taylor called at 8PM after getting himself “in a pickle” (a perfect place for a 
Shakespearian idiom … or perhaps not)? It seems being split between moving into his condominium and still sleeping at his apartment, he decided to try to move his king size mattress all by himself. Shockingly he was able to move the mattress down the stairs from his apartment to the street and then up on to the top of his VW Alltrack. He commented … “I was proud of the way I slide the mattress on a moving blanket and strapped it on top of the car.” I’m hoping he will send me a photo.
Posted By RichC on September 26, 2022
If you live in the southeastern US, you are likely watching Hurricane Ian this week. The likely path of this strengthening storm will bring it ashore somewhere on the western coast or panhandle of Florida, but the heavy rain and wind will be felt well inland.
Posted By RichC on September 26, 2022
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