My buddy Jeff Pitts is my go-to source for interesting books to read. For my birthday this year (we had lunch last Friday … a Mexican restaurant, of course), he gave me an older 1950’s era book by Robert Ruark called “The Old Man and The Boy.” I passed on reading my other books and started in on this one since he mentioned it reminded him of my relationship with my Grandpa Bluhm … something I’ve shared off and on with him since college for the last 45 years (shocker … we’ve been friends for 45 years!).
While doing a quick search for the book, I noticed that there is a follow up on Amazon called “The Old Man’s Boy Grows Older” … so if I like this one, I might have a sequel to read. Thanks Jeff, and for the “one-plus” birthday reminder (and inside joke since I’m older than him by several months).
Read a February 2022 GoodReads review from Jaydn Asay, who is likely generationally much younger than me, and I enjoyed reading his take on a book. He commented that it was a “view into the world and era that just doesn’t exist anymore,” when “traditional masculinity was a given and not controversial.” The author Robert Ruark(1915-1966) grew up and wrote at a time when “views of masculinity, femininity and gender roles were not as problematic as they are in today’s world.”
Last week, I wanted to archive a video of one of the Falcon9Kennedy Space Center launches to mark their continued success to my blog. The cargo were additional Starlink satellites that provide high-speed, low-latency broadband across the globe (very helpful in Ukraine in staying connected while defending their country). The technology, success and expertise is very impressive … especially the landing and retrieval of their rockets.
It is likely an age thing, but once upon a time, I didn’t think twice about trenching and digging. Now, I’m tired out by lunchtime (this was a Saturday (5/21/2022) morning project) and I didn’t even finished the trench for drainage pipe (it is relatively soft after the heavy rain, but has a lot of rocks and roots). Thankfully though, this isn’t a “must finish today” kind of project, but it is noticeable just how much more challenging the physical work is to do nowadays.
The new grass along the driveway is coming in nicely this spring, although I’m using some of the dirt and sod to ‘try’ and build the edge back up after it settled a bit. I suspect this won’t be the last time it needs a little more topsoil and reseeding?
On a side note, Happy Birthday to my brother Ron! We had a nice conversation today.
The new Lorell brand glass desk floor mat for my home office arrived and so I temporarily set it up in the basement since the painting and last few modifications are yet to be finished before moving back upstairs. All in all I’m impressed with nice quality of the largest size (60” x 48”) tempered glass mat; it was half the price of a few other name brands that I looked at and therefore much more affordable. I’ve yet to stick the included “adhesive dots” to the bottom of the chair mat to protect our new hardwood floors as it is temporarily on carpet, but the quality looks to be decent.
While discussing the ever-changing way in which we use the “web” with a friend, he shared an “explainer“ video from Harvard Business Review earlier this month on Web3(Web 3.0). It is also on YouTube and offers a glimpse into what they refer to as “read/write/own” information.
As for the “1960’s bowling alleys” part … I remember going bowling with my parents and cigarettes being sold in a vending machines to whoever had the 50-cents and could pulled the lever (although recall there was a “minimum age” sign posted on the dispenser to “prevent” underage purchases – “wink, wink”). We lived in a much more self regulated and parent disciplined society back “in the day” … and I doubt Big Government’s heavy hand and regulating has made us any better?
When the weather finally warmed up and I was motivated to head outside to work in the yard and start cleaning things up around the house, it was good for my activity level. Let’s see if this will correspond with losing a few pounds and getting a little healthier – it certainly can’t hurt (a positive report after my April colonoscopy already mentally helped).
My Fitbit report noted I almost hit my 10,000 steps per day goal last week and even if the battery in my Versa isn’t lasting a full day (a lame excuse). Excuse aside, I’m going to stick with it and work a little harder to add some extra walking to my chores as the days get longer and see if I can hit my 10K/day target. I’d really like to get my weight down to under 190 pounds too. 😉
Brenda and I are also sticking with the Hello Fresh meal plans which definitely taste great and should be “healthier” than what we would normal fix. I’m hard pressed to remember our last meal out at a restaurant?
Testing Internet speeds on my end after struggling to upload to AWS servers this afternoon. All seems normal for both 4G and WiFi in my temporary basement home office due to painting and getting thing put back together after hardwood floors were done. It is S-L-O-W-L-Y coming together.
My buddy Jeff Pitts is my go-to source for interesting books to read. For my birthday this year (we had lunch last Friday … a Mexican restaurant, of course), he gave me an older 1950’s era book by Robert Ruark called “The Old Man and The Boy.” I passed on reading my other books and started in on this one since he mentioned it reminded him of my relationship with my Grandpa Bluhm … something I’ve shared off and on with him since college for the last 45 years (shocker … we’ve been friends for 45 years!).
