An old tree in Mexico has trunk diameter of 60 meters #tidbit
Posted By RichC on July 26, 2022
The 2000 year old tree in Tule, Oaxaca, Mexico. It has the largest trunk diameter in the world. Its circumference is close to 60 meters.
Music Monday: Does Cincinnati still love Jimmy Buffett in 2022?
Posted By RichC on July 25, 2022
An especially “cool” Jimmy Buffett concert in Cincinnati, Ohio was enjoyed by Taylor’s Megan and her Parrothead father Dave. As usual (except thru COVID), they were at the annual Riverbend concert and enjoyed the up close and personal and more intimate side of the concert.
Dave Schnieder, a Cincinnati teacher and football coach all of his life, has worked concert security at Riverbend and over the years has established a fond relationship with Jimmy Buffett and Mac McAnally. He has also “corrupted” (humor) his daughter into enjoying Jimmy Buffett’s music and showmanship as 
have many parents … and now grandparents over the years (we are no long talking “Pirate looks at Forty” or 50 or 60 anymore).
And what fan wouldn’t like having Jimmy give you his wristband after the concert?
Megan was kind enough … or just loved rubbing in the evening 😉 … to share a few photos a a video (below) from the night. The photo below stood out as I can clearly remember buying the Coconut Telegraph vinyl album in 1981! Ah, Music memories!
Summer fill up of the #diesel 2010 BMW 35d in 2022
Posted By RichC on July 24, 2022
UGH! Gasoline may have dropped 40 cent per gallon as American consumers cut back on travel and driving due to inflation and the likely coming recession, but diesel prices continue to remain elevated. There are very few options when “you need to get to go, and need to be able to get where you need to go to do the work and get home .” (political VP Kamala Harris humor).
Video: Comparing a few different wall anchors for screws
Posted By RichC on July 23, 2022
Here’s a very short video highlighting several different kinds of popular wall anchors or mollies and how easy they are to use compared to each other. I saw it on social media and found it an interesting tidbit for woodworking or for those of us spending time in a workshop.
Art: “Tired” Elephant sculpture
Posted By RichC on July 22, 2022
Just a Friday filler post for today since I’m too “tired” to blog. 😊
Our 40th Anniversary trip to the Canadian Rockies (part 2)
Posted By RichC on July 21, 2022
This is part 2 (see pre-wrap-up and part 1) of our Canadian Rockies 40th Anniversary trip, but I can tell from the start that I’m not going to get very far (late and tired … and just WAY too many photos). Still, it is enjoyable to think about and remember the great time we had with our family in July 2022.
Since the previous post was primarily on our hiking and hanging out around Canmore, this post start with our trip to Banff and exciting gondola lift and primarily boardwalk hike up to the weather station almost in the clouds. It is July, but obviously snow is still can be an issue, hence my granddaughter behind the snowblower.
We also took our first real trail hike planned by Taylor to a great lookout … where the kids demonstrated this Ohio State pride (below).
What side and where do you mount a woodworking vice?
Posted By RichC on July 20, 2022
Some time ago I spotted a Rockler article with a couple of experienced woodworkers explaining the placement of a vice on a woodworking bench. Years ago (decades) I remember contemplating where to put “my” vice too (photo left) … so just stuck to tradition in the trade and put it on the left.
I’ve often thought though that the way I use it that it would be handier on the right side like I do for my normal Craftsman vice above. To each their own … but I am glad to have an explanation:
I’m getting ready to build a workbench for my woodworking hobby and was wondering if there was a reason that the front vise is installed on the left side of the workbench? I’m right-handed and it would seem more comfortable for me to have the vise on the right side, but I don’t want to cause any problems down the road by doing this. I’ve read articles and books about different types of workbenches, but have found nothing that addresses this question. Will I be making a mistake if I place the front vise on the right side? – Lee Nalley
Just an impressive “enhanced” astronomy related photo
Posted By RichC on July 19, 2022
This is what the Andromeda Galaxy would look like from Earth … IF it were a little brighter. Very impressive.
Music Monday: “Movin’ On Up” – Ja’net DuBois
Posted By RichC on July 18, 2022
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Our 40th Anniversary trip to the Canadian Rockies (part 1)
Posted By RichC on July 17, 2022
Well … this is part 1 of the Canadian Rockies 40th Anniversary wrap-up (a pre-post was made last week) and since there are just WAY too many photos and memories to recall for just one post (the curse of multiple smartphones with cameras that also shoot motion GIFs and video). It was much simpler 34 years ago when we took MomH and DadH (Brenda’s siblings and spouses) and had just one hefty video camera … or even on a father-son trip when Taylor, Jeff and I did in 2005!
First … let me say thank you to Katelyn and Taylor (Drew, Annalyn, Ellerie and Megan) for planning such a wonderful 40th Anniversary for Brenda and me. It was so much fun to be there with everyone and to enjoy the beauty of the snow cap mountains and great townhouse in Canmore, Alberta, time in Banff and many crazy hikes and dinners. It was capped off with a deluxe stay at the Chateau Lake Louise; too much beauty to absorb in one short week … but so appreciated. Thank you!
We began our traveling from three separate airports on three separate airlines, not necessarily on purpose, but due to the airline fiasco (the summer after the COVID pandemic). 
Brenda and I were suppose to meet KDAE in Toronto and fly Air Canada with them to Calgary, but our flight was canceled so we flew United through Chicago instead – all was fine. We arrived early and waiting only a short time at the Calgary airport ready for Drew’s “perfect” rental car, a privately owned Toyota Sienna minivan with roof box (not an easy task to arrange) arrived to meet us and worked perfectly for the entire trip. Thankfully it fit all our luggage and accomplished miles of travel in relative comfort for all 8 of us … 1 in a car seat and 1 in a booster! Taylor and Megan connected in LA and arrived in Canmore, Alberta by the end of the travel day well rested (showered and relaxed in the Delta lounge – they know how to travel. 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.