Katelyn found a new version of Lucky Charms for Annalyn
Posted By RichC on May 20, 2022
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My road warrior days and remembering 1960s bowling alleys
Posted By RichC on May 19, 2022
Posting a couple of memory photos as a Throwback Thursday #TBT filler post after a conversation with 
friends last week. One had to do with text messaging, “distracted driving” and remembering my road warrior days of driving back and forth from Cincinnati and NE Ohio while trying to remain connected and productive. Thankfully all ended up fine, but I had a questionable habit of making my office first in our Chrysler Town and Country minivan, then in my Volkswagen Jetta TDI (with Palm Treo and Pre phones) and eventually with a mounted iPad in our 2006 Honda Pilot (sold in 2019).
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?
Working towards my 10,000 step per day Fitbit Versa target
Posted By RichC on May 18, 2022
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?
A test post due to slow uploading. AWS server problem?
Posted By RichC on May 17, 2022
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.
Birding outing for Katelyn with the family for her birthday
Posted By RichC on May 17, 2022
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Music Monday: Slipping in an automotive-triggered 1990s country music song with “Backroads” by Ricky Van Shelton
Posted By RichC on May 16, 2022
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Refinishing home office desk project and cutting the lawn
Posted By RichC on May 15, 2022
My weekend chores and projects are in full swing as I cut the lawn longer than usual since it grew fast and thick while we were on vacation. Hopefully after a few cuttings, the thatch will disappear (I’m not fond of raking and hauling to the compose pile).
Early Saturday morning I put the final oil finish on my old antique desk after sanding the top and re-staining the walnut last month. I was purposely gentle with the sanding … just enough to get the old finish and most of the lighter dents and smaller scratches to a minimum. The top is veneer so too much scraping or sanding would be risky … besides, the dings will just be “antique character marks.” All in all it is much improved — after finish (below photo) and after waxing (photo above); this revived desk should last me the rest of my life. It would be interesting to know just how old this desk/table is since it was already and antique when we bought it 35 years ago!
Wishing the mom to my granddaughters a Happy Birthday :-)
Posted By RichC on May 14, 2022
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Stocks, bonds, crypto all down. What to do, what to do?
Posted By RichC on May 13, 2022
FoxBusiness/WSJ graphic
For the good or bad, whenever I’m away from my daily routine, it seems like the financial markets lose stability and investors go into crisis mode?
The past couple of weeks, those invested in stocks, bonds and crypto 
know that it has been painful; there have been very few refuges from the sharp selloff. I suspect most people planning for their future or saving for big purchases (homes, cars, college) are investing in one way or another … so their accounts will likely show loses. I’d like to say that it was a surprise, but those who have watched both the run-up after the pandemic lows … and ideological lunacy and the incompetent leadership coming from the 
Biden administration on nearly every issue … then you should have expected this drop. Add to this, the free-for-all spending in Congress and the slow-as-molasses behind the curve reaction from the Federal Reserve to deal with inflation … then you know we were overdue. 
The only question now is that can we “softly” 
find a market bottom and control inflation … or will we suffer through a 2022 or 2023 recession Inflation is definitely not “transitory” and is impacting everyone … especially those who can least afford higher prices in food, energy and housing.
U.S. stocks closed lower Thursday following sharp swings between gains and losses earlier in the session. The sell-off builds on a recent losing streak spurred by continued inflationary pressures and renewed worries the Federal Reserve’s price-mitigating efforts via monetary tightening may be more aggressive than anticipated and potentially stunt economic growth. MORE
Some have asked if the markets have hit a bottom? They wonder if it is safe to begin buying stocks and crypto … now that the prices have dropped significantly from their recent highs? They will get my standard Chinese Proverb answer:
“He who picks bottom, gets smelly fingers.”
That said, I did buy a little Apple ($AAPL) after selling my previous holdings after a run up earlier this year. Gulp … hold on!
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.