My Desultory Blog

Posted By RichC on July 11, 2024

Those of us following the stock market and managing investments can’t help but smile at the strong U.S. financial markets on Wednesday and so far this summer. For some who “sell in May and go away” (as the idiom goes) … they are are not smiling quite as much.

As a long term value investor, I’ve been surprised at the continuing strength in the stock market, although employment is still reasonable strong, company earning have not disappointed and all signs point to the Federal Reserve easing rates later this year. 

There isn’t any certainly to the political winds, but conditions are improving for the Republicans after the poor debate performance of President Biden and concern over his aging. Conservatives are hoping for a less restrictive and business friendly Federal government if they can make gains in Washington DC. Donald Trump remains a bit more of a quandary, even though we know what he has been like from 2016-2020.  He’ll likely be a little more protectionist (tariffs and sanctions) and likely focus on tighter immigration policies (enforce them). This should in turn should be good for American workers (higher wages), but could in turn push up prices for goods and services (inflationary). Hm … and we all know what that has been like these past few years. 

For now, if you are invested for retirement, etc … the strong move in U.S. stocks and easing inflation should be helpful for your college savings plans, 401-Ks and IRAs. 

Category: Financial, Idioms, Politics | No Comments »
Tags: biden, Financial, investing, markets, rally, stocks, trading, trump

Posted By RichC on July 10, 2024

For those of us living in the Liberty Township, Ohio area for nearly 30 years now, the development map above  probably doesn’t come as a surprise. This once rural township is far more densely populated that it once was. With that growth comes challenges of keeping the heavy traffic and commercial growth from changing what attracted some of us and what we’ve enjoyed. 

I’ve shared the removal of an older farmhouse and barn to the rear of our 4+ acre property earlier this year (above) and suspect this 2+ acre parcel is not going to be “just another house.” It doesn’t come as a surprise, but I suspect a medical/therapy office building and parking lot is being planned (watching for my township notice). This is commercial use space one step closer to us. That said, a “light use” office would be better than retail or restaurant … and far better than a 24/7 kind of business like a gas station or convenience store! Nevertheless, I’m keeping an eye on it.

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Category: Archive, Human Interest, Local, Weather | No Comments »
Tags: development, interesting, iowa, japan, liberty township, maps, mt fuji, ohio

Posted By RichC on July 9, 2024

Usually workshop tinkering is saved for rainy days and shorter days, but I decided that there were too many jigs and router table components just laying around. When I had fewer items, I could stick them under the table, but now I’m accumulating a few too many jigs, hold-downs and push stick type items that I needed them up and out of the way.

So … I added the shelf we once had in the laundry room and hung up a few of the jigs on the back wall so that they are accessible but out of the way. I’m sure they’ll get plenty dusty, but then that’s what my cordless Ridged Job Site Blower is for. 😊 

Category: Photos, Tools, Woodworking | No Comments »
Tags: blower, filler, jigs, light, ridgid, router, router table, shelf, workshop

Posted By RichC on July 8, 2024

Today’s Music Monday is a redux of a previous post regarding the popular 1973 song “Kodachrome” by Paul Simon song (of Simon and Garfunkel and solo fame). The song came up in a conversation on Sunday afternoon with Megan and Taylor as they were showing a “slides” wall display of hundreds of old transparencies all mounted in the original 35mm processed slides. I pulled out a box of my dad’s slides and they were both impressed as the wheels started spinning — a possible use for them in some kind of artistic decor???

Anyway the conversation lead to Kodak’s Kodachrome film as the the 35mm film of choice for most color photographers “back in the day” … my dad included.
   

Unfortunately the day was not without a disaster. I foolishly slipped into the swimming pool to cool off and relax with the kids only to realized I had my iPhone in my pocket. Ugh! So much for holding off until September’s iPhone 16 announcement to replace my aging 2017 phone. 

The above selfie was the last photo with the “free” iPhone 7 Plus (relaxing and reading in the pool). After slowly drying and late evening attempts to dry in out …  including opening it up and drying it with my shrink wrap gun … the damage had already been done. Time to shop for a new smartphone! ☹️ 

Category: Apple, Cellphone, Music, Personal, Photos | No Comments »
Tags: iphone7plus, kodachrome, music monday, musicmonday, paul simon, richc, taylor

Posted By RichC on July 7, 2024

Although we don’t eat out very much these days, having a breakfast of scrambled eggs, bacon and hash browns is still a favorite of mine — OJ is an extra treat. Back when I would make more appointments with customers, meeting at Bob Evans or even picking up a “foam box breakfast” at the Silver Swan next door to my office was a real treat.

Taylor and I did it when studying his spelling words and dropping off and waiting to pick up Katelyn practice at the skating rink. When I was taking my dad out after mom passed away, we would almost always go to the Bob Evans in Sidney, Ohio — he’d order the senior breakfast and me the “Mini Sampler” … and I still do it to this day.  I still occasionally meet my buddy Jeff there, although less frequent these days. When exchanging granddaughters, Bob Evans is a favorite stop … just as we did last month with Katelyn and Drew (BTW, thanks guys for the Father’s Day meal, balloon and card … it’s still floating).😊 

But these days I’ve turned to fixing breakfast at home once in a while. It’s probably not the healthiest Saturday morning breakfast … but it sure tastes great. 

Category: Human Interest, Memories, Personal, Photos | No Comments »
Tags: bob evans, breakfast, dadc, map, silver swan

Posted By RichC on July 6, 2024

Reading “view from the right” on TheHustings.news this week has me wondering if our presidential candidates are getting too old … or if age is not the factor, perhaps having candidates pass the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) would be helpful? 

Retirement Ages — by Stephen Macaulay

Here’s something for your July 4th distraction, a list of the presidents of the United States and their ages when they left office:

Category: Medical, Politics | No Comments »
Tags: alzheimer's, biden, campaign, congnitive, debate, dementia, president, thehustings, trump

Posted By RichC on July 5, 2024

After repeated malfunctions with a Zoeller sewage pump in the pool house, I’ve started the process of evaluating what might be wrong. I did have a couple plumbers come out under the Angi “free estimate” home repair.

They were both expensive and wanted to replace the current “still running” 230VAC pump with a new one (WD 820-D pump replacement cost alone was over $4000). 

I suspect it might be the switch, so decided to find and replace that part first. By the time I dug into the pit and starting the cleaning process (I’m not messing with sewage sludge again — deathly sick replacing a condo toilet one year), I thought I might opt to cut the cover, de-rust and paint … then plan for a hinge to access in the future (image at bottom).

After looking around online for options to the $4000 pump, thought perhaps a lesser branded grinder pump from Schraider might solve the problem (image above). It was clearance priced so I’m taking a chance. Perhaps the older Zoeller can be cleaned up and salvaged as a backup pump?

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Category: Repairs, Shopping, To-Do | No Comments »
Tags: grinder, plumbing, project, pump, repair, schraiber, sump, zoeller

Posted By RichC on July 4, 2024

Five or so years ago while working in the garage, I damaged the oak banding edge on my workbench. It continued to bug me until I tried some car body filler as a repair. It has been fantastic ever since and continues to remind me that there’s a simple, economical fix for nearly everything.

To this day, all the scars on my benches and stools are great memories … and even work as a “filler – filler” for today’s ThrowBack Thursday #TBT. 

Wishing all my patriot friends an enjoyable Independence Day.

On this day, we gather round, To celebrate freedom’s sacred ground, The 4th of July, a day so bright, A beacon of hope, a shining light.

The echoes of the past resound, As patriots fought for freedom’s crown, Their bravery and sacrifice we hold dear, And honor their legacy, year by year.

The stars and stripes, a symbol true, Of liberty and justice, shining through, The red, white, and blue, a color scheme, A representation of the American dream.

We celebrate the birth of a nation, A land of the free, where all can participate, In the pursuit of happiness, we’re free to roam, And chase our dreams, under the stars at home.

So let the fireworks light up the sky, And the sound of freedom’s anthem, echo by, Let us remember the sacrifices made, And the courage of those who paved the way.

On this Independence Day, we stand tall, United as one, we celebrate it all, The freedom, the liberty, the justice we hold dear, And the American spirit, that’s always near.

Happy 4th of July, America!

Category: Memories, Repairs, TBT | No Comments »
Tags: 4th of july, independence day, repair, scar, TBT, workbench, workshop

Posted By RichC on July 3, 2024

Although it was not a surprise, another long time friend and our EAA chapter president Bob Luken, passed away in Dayton, Ohio last month. He had moved to a nursing home after a couple of falls and was having difficulty breathing. We talked earlier in the month regarding a few items for EAA284 and he sounded weak. By the time we ended our call, he was out of breath. 

Click image for EAA284 hanger cookout to remember Bob

The two of us worked closely together on many hanger projects since the late 1990s … and at yearly TailDragger Fly-Ins and Pancake breakfasts for our chapter. I was somewhat of a pain to work with, but every organization really needs a take-charge organizer to pull things together. We differed to the extreme on politics, but always had respectful conversations and “I think” enjoyed debating. I and our EAA Chapter will miss him.

Below is a video visit to Red Stewart Field from a couple of guys at PRA Chapter 40 about 15 years ago. It is a soothing way for me to remember Bob.
  

Category: Aviation, Obituary | No Comments »
Tags: bob luken, cessna, cookout, eaa, eaa284, pancake, red stewart, tdfi

Posted By RichC on July 3, 2024

Yes it is hurricane season … and yes, the water temperatures are above historic norms … but climate change alarmists pretending to be CNN journalists are blaming fossil fuels directly.  This isn’t factual or sound science. There are those who study climate change and global warming who hypothesize that the use of carbon-based fuels and agriculture contribute … but climate change is impacted by CO2 released in nature has significant impact. It is wrong to jump to the “world warming due to fossil fuel pollution.” (ie. look at Volcanic activity, forest fires, etc). Looks to me as if the media is ramping up the politically charge hype and reporting that as fact???

I’m personally far more concerned that a nuclear war or the earth getting hit by an astroid will change the climate than our raising cattle or using fossil fuels. Why is the media being so irresponsible?

Beryl has shattered numerous records and is a troubling indicator that this season will be far from normal in a world warming due to fossil fuel pollution. On Sunday it became the earliest major hurricane – defined as one that is Category 3 or higher – in the Atlantic in 58 years and the only one to reach Category 4 status in the month of June.

LINK

EDIT add 07/09/2024: The deadly former Category 5 Hurricane Beryl will impact our area shortly. It will be the first leftover storm to impact SW Ohio since Katrina and Rita in 2005, according to John Gumm. Expecting heavy rain, wind and possible tornadoes. Yikes!

EDIT update 240710: Following the previous prediction, the spin-up nastiness from Beryl ripped through our area last night. Rain and wind, but no “on-the-ground” tornadoes appeared. We were under a tornado warning as Doppler Radar picked up rotation that thankfully didn’t make it to ground level … but the sky was impressive to watch (not my photo, but from a farm to our west).

Category: News, Politics, Science, Weather | No Comments »
Tags: beryl, climate change, cnn, hurricane, political