Spent a lot more time this past weekend picking up branches, pumping out the pool and even set up a pump in the backyard to prevent flooding the pool. Thankfully no tornadoes on the ground, but the lightning, wind and rain was wild. Below is a video snippet … turned animated gif out the back window on Friday night.
On Sunday, the day was a bit more relaxing as Taylor came over to wish me a Happy Father’s Day. We enjoyed ribs with angel food cake, strawberries and whipped creme (our mutual favorite). The conversation turned to movies, investing and a cryptocurrency discussion, as well as FOMO. He has a couple roller coaster-riding friends “investing/gambling” in their favorite crypto coin. I gave my “normal” dad lecture regarding investing vs gambling … and even thought to myself, “the lecture is getting old Rich, just keep your mouth shut and let people call putting money these different crypto upstart digital assets and NFTs what they want.”
Received nice photo from Katelyn and Drew last week and since I included one of Taylor and Megan last week, this is one that needed to be archived on my blog. Most most personal photos nowadays are of our granddaughters as Brenda and I have long ago moved past the stage of photos our ourselves … and even our kids?By the way Drew … Happy Father’s Dayand thanks for the photos.
To add a little humor to the week, Drew also updated us on the bluebird house that Annalyn and I made last year. As I mentioned to him, the bird that moved in obviously takes after the birdhouse builder when it comes to collecting and keeping stuff. I’m not sure there is even room for a bird in this house?
Generally, I don’t use a VPN connection at home, but since I’ve been having slow connections on my laptop and iPad with VPN connections (both TunnelBear and ProtonVPN), thought I was test at home. ProtonVPN has been working pretty well and doesn’t restrict as much as the “warm and fuzzy” Tunnel Bear, but I’ve not opted for the purchased service connected to my Protonmail encrypted email account. I’m convinced that I would pull the trigger and pay IF I were convince I could get consistent VPN speeds. The ping is always lousy, but speeds fluctuate between can’t connect to pretty good.
Of course it would have come in handy to have had the Alligator Forceps before I needed them … but I ordered and hung them on my workbench wall for the next time (might be great for sewing too?). BTW … (more…)
So why do I always end up trying to open the wrong end of a trash bag?
With human intelligence and adaptive learning being what it is, one would think knowing which end of the trash bag to open when pulling one out of the box or roll would favor me getting it correct? I’m here to tell you that this is not the case … even after a lifetime of doing it.
I haven’t scientifically tested this, so it is not possible to state it as a fact, but I’m convinced that statistically, I’m wrong more than I’m right.
Am I an outlier or is this “wrong end of the trash bag thing,” or is this one of those universal truths?
This past weekend I moved forward in getting the mini split AC unit installed in my home office. I started the planned chair rail and cork wall (insulation, sound deadening and a place to pin maps, etc). I’m not sure about the can of worms I’ve opened, but I spent half the day on Saturday hauling “junk” out of my office. From holiday décor and seasonal stuff “stuffed” in the closet to boxes of books, papers, magazines and gadget boxes. One has to wonder why I’ve kept so much stuff over the years?
Still though after tossing a lot, I’ve managed to keep way too much that I just moved into the guest bedroom for now. The big question is whether I’ll find the time and ambition to finish the cord wall, build the corner cabinet, fit the crown moulding and paint the walls and trim? If that were not enough, Brenda would like me to tackle some kind of laminate wood flooring rather than carpeting … then extend the look to a guest bathroom remodel and guest room.
The current pile of books to read is too high for my nighttime side table; I think I need to move a few to my office … or better yet, finish reading them!
Since Alistair Begg is a favorite teaching pastor of ours (Parkside Church was our home church when we lived in NE Ohio), I opted to include his new bookBrave By Faith in a pile of tiny gifts to Brenda for our anniversary last weekend. She really liked the “wooden” rose (petals made of woodshop shavings) and of course Good & Plentylicorice candy … but I think both of us will enjoy reading Alistair’s new 2021 book.
Those who know me are familiar with my double-duty gift giving so there’s no surprise in buying a book that we’ll both read.
Below is a video snippet … turned animated gif out the back window on Friday night.
