Reconnecting with old college friends visiting from Idaho

Posted By on July 2, 2024

Rich, Jerry, Pam and Brenda - June 27, 2024

Where have the years gone? My college friend and all 4 years roommate (the absolute best) from Ohio Northern University in Ada, Ohio were back from Idaho Falls, Idaho to visit with family … and this trip they decided to drive down to see us (the last time was in 1986 when we were living in Hudson, Ohio). Christmas 1982 - Pam Denton, Brenda, Jerry MoodyPrior to that, we did see each other a bit more often — see our first Christmas in Aurora, Ohio. Beside looking a little older now (ok, a LOT), we’re pretty much the same “young adults” we were back then. Brenda and I now have two grown children and grandkids … and Jerry and Pam Moody have four grown children and grandchildren … so perhaps we’re no longer “young “adults?

Our afternoon and late afternoon lunch (pulled pork, macaroni salad and Key Lime pie) was very enjoyable and we surprised Jerry by having Jeff Pitts (another college buddy) stop over for dinner. Of course the response was that of a typical mechanical engineer — practically zero reaction. “The Mood (obvious nickname) … as Brenda reminded me later … responded exactly as she remembered and suspected. although I still question if he actually recognized Jeff???

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Music Monday: Alabama and “Forty Hour Week (For a Livin’)”

Posted By on July 1, 2024

It is hard to believe that the country music band “Wild Country” from Fort Payne, Alabama, now known as “Alabama” has been around since 1969? I was surprised.

Alabama 2013 SiriusXM Alabama

The band’s popularity exploded in the late 1970s and early 1980s after 2 hit songs in 1977 and a record deal with RCA Records (about the time I started listening). Their mark was made in American music nationwide and continues to this day.

The bands story is one of many aspiring young musicians and their early history is worth reading. There’s a short quoted section below the break highlighted below, but the band’s recognizable 1985 hit  “40 Hour Week” is today’s Music Monday highlight.  A great band, excellent story and terrific music.  

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Connecting with family led to talking about “end of life” planning

Posted By on June 30, 2024

Corbett marker - Earl and Helen

Every once in a while my cousin Diane calls or text messages me to catch-up on our lives. She is a few of years older than me, but once you hit a certain age, those “few years” aren’t the same as when she was in high school or college and I was still in junior high or high school.

https://myarchive.us/richc/2024/2024-06/BluhmCementaryMarker240628.jpg

Our lives now are similar in that recent highlights are trips and travel, grandkids and medical issues. That last one, Diane and MomC in 2012and the fact she just visited the cemetery where most of my family is buried, triggered some conversation about … “have we planned for those end of life decisions?” Neither of us have finalized any of that yet. (my Corbett and Bluhm grandparents cemetery markers above – thanks Diane)

Corbett in Sidney marker in 2018We joked about my dad picking out a plot in a cemetery when my mom was in hospice care as she “needed” to know about it. We were not to speak that he only bought one plot and planned to be cremated and have his urn placed on top of her casket — something worth considering. Diane semi-joked that she was not comfortable with cremation and prefers burial, but that her husband Bert “thinks he wants to be cremated.” She said, “if he’s cremated, I’ll be in the ground all alone for the rest of forever” … but, “well, I know I won’t be there, but my body will!” 

In any case, I was nice to catch up on things … something we should all do considering we don’t know how long we have. It also gave me an excuse to post a photo of Diane and my mom from 2012 and an old video.
   

Watching President Biden struggle as he ages is difficult, even for those of us who disagree with his leadership and policies

Posted By on June 29, 2024

Debate 240627

This past week, I had the intention of blogging in a bit more detail on the first Biden – Trump Presidential Debate … but it almost feels wrong to be critical of President Biden in his current rapidly deteriorating condition. I’m not sure he will make a second debate no matter how accommodating it is for him in going toe to toe with former President Donald Trump? Someone in the president’s close circle needs to council him that four more years is not realistic and is dangerous for the country on the international stage (see WSJ link).

The last time our country faced this was when President Reagan was finishing his second term. No American wants to see “the leader of the free world” in a weak, lost and mentally struggling state. In my opinion … President Biden is not capable of competently finishing his first term, let alone a full second 4-year term. I’m not a Democrat, but those in this increasingly far left party of progressives should do some soul searching. Enough said. 

MORE blabberingon a couple other topics.

Males on LaddersBefore archiving a couple of workshop ideas, here a questionable use for a ladder that helps to bolster the “why women live longer” impression. Ladders are dangerous just ask Brenda, or does it have more to do with the user? Males tend to lack common sense when it comes to doing something risky Eyes Openand dangerous.

As for the couple of photos snipped from somewhere (???) to archive for my workshop and woodworking ideas … below is a small parts holder for the router table, an illustration on how to best cut lumber from a log and an interesting but relatively simple stool project.

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Tech Friday: Struggling with a questionable home network again

Posted By on June 28, 2024

It seems like it it about that time again … the aging and off-brand mesh router set-up we are running at the house is getting flaky. Somedays all is fine, other days it start to stutter and blackout on a few of the “way too many” devices we are using. Thankfully it usually comes back in a little while or with a hard reset of a node … but speeds aren’t what they should be — we are fiber by the way!  Hm??? ☹️ 

Mesh Router at house

And a test with using my iPhone 7 Plus Hotspot LTE-only speeds and one using the wifi connnected to the questionable supplied Alta Fiber router … all for today’s Tech Friday.

iPhone 7 Plus LTE Direct without Mesh system

Archiving photos: Our family busy doing “family stuff”

Posted By on June 27, 2024

Storm Clouds mid-June over Mankato MN Storm Clouds mid-June over Mankato MN 

After our enjoyable and busy week with our granddaughters, I wanted to archive a few photos that have been piling up in the “maybe” for the blog folder. Above are some of the storm clouds in Minnesota that caused flooding in the midwest in mid-June — ominous! For us, we pretty much just had a heatwave, but up in Whitehouse, Ohio, they had some nasty rain and wind.

Side of KD's neighbor's house Rear of KD's neighbor's house

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Bidenomics, Inflation, Moral Decay and the Cost Of Living

Posted By on June 26, 2024

Have you noticed that food, housing and energy aren’t the only things that have gone up in the three-plus years of President Biden and his Bidenomics (heavy government spending AND regulation — especially on energy)?

Insurance costs - WSJ

Recent reports have also detailed how insurance rates and property taxes have risen and are rising … by hundreds, if not thousands of dollars per year.

And how about Fast Food!?!? 

Fast Food prices 2024

I’m not sure about you … but incomes for most of us are not keep up with the pace of this kind of inflation … onWhy Trump top of the previous year’s inflation

Complaining aside, it makes sense to take a different tack and steer a different course come November 2024.

A person on X.com shared a “Why I Will Vote For Trump” graphic and it sums up most of the issues bothering at least half the country. If the economy, crime and the lack of a secure southern border isn’t enough, perhaps the radically changing values that most Americans just assumed were sacrosanct  until Progressive DEMs seized control of the Democratic Party.

Personally I’ve watch our society decay from within for decades, but the recent changes have been nothing but shocking. I was once entertained by George Orwell’s dystopian novel “Nineteen Eighty-Four” … but now I feel as if I’m living it!

It has often seemed like a cliché, but this year it really does appear to be “the most important election of our lifetime” (see Brave AI chime in below).

Income to live in each state

The most important election in our lifetime

The concept of the most important election in our lifetime is a recurring theme in modern politics. Many politicians, analysts, and citizens alike have described various elections as the most crucial in recent history. However, it’s essential to examine the context and significance of each election to understand why they are considered so vital.

Structural Factors

One reason why elections are deemed crucial is the structural context in which they take place. The United States’ two-party system, combined with its first-past-the-post electoral system, can lead to high stakes and intense polarization. This setup can make elections feel more consequential than they would in other systems.

Polarization and Expectations

The increasing polarization of American politics has also contributed to the perception that elections are more important than ever. When politicians and citizens are deeply divided, the outcome of an election can have a significant impact on the direction of the country. This polarization can lead to high expectations and a sense of urgency around election outcomes.

Recent Examples

Several recent elections have been described as the most important in our lifetime. The 2020 presidential election, for instance, was marked by unprecedented mobilization and high stakes. The election was seen as a referendum on the presidency of Donald Trump and the direction of the country. The 2022 midterm elections also received significant attention, with many considering them a crucial test of the country’s political landscape.

The 2024 Election

The 2024 presidential election is likely to be another highly consequential election. With the country still grappling with the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing issues like climate change, economic inequality, and social justice, the next election will have significant implications for the country’s future.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the most important election in our lifetime is a subjective concept that depends on individual perspectives and the context of the election. While some may argue that certain elections are more significant than others, it’s essential to consider the structural factors, polarization, and expectations surrounding each election to understand why they are considered crucial. The 2024 election is likely to be another highly important election, and it’s essential for citizens to engage in the democratic process and make their voices heard.

*** Brave AI-generated answer.

WordPress 6.5.5 security update and database backups

Posted By on June 25, 2024

Nothing like holding your breath while updating overdue Linux versions and WordPress to start the day. Whew … all is still well with a couple servers and WordPress installs. Good to feel like things are up-to-date.

Archive: Summertime with Oma and Bompa – 2024 edition

Posted By on June 25, 2024

This content is restricted.

Music Monday: Wings and “Band On The Run”

Posted By on June 24, 2024

The Bridge - Band on the RunAfter starting this Music Monday post, I realized the song “Band On The Run” has been mentioned a couple of times before. Once with Paul McCartney’s band Wings … and the other Nicki Bluhm and the Gramblers

Nevertheless, the song caught my ear when on SiriusXM’s station The Bridge, so I’ll include it again for the summer of 2024. 
 

  Band on The Run (remastered)
        — Paul McCartney & Wings

Lyrics …

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Desultory - des-uhl-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee

  1. lacking in consistency, constancy, or visible order, disconnected; fitful: desultory conversation.
  2. digressing from or unconnected with the main subject; random: a desultory remark.
My Desultory Blog