Jimmy Buffett in Delray Beach & automotive pandemic insanity
Posted By RichC on June 3, 2021
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Prepping for summer and admiring a porch view from a friend
Posted By RichC on June 2, 2021
Although I’ve enjoyed summertime on the beach ever since I was a little boy (we live on a beach), there is something relaxing about seeing the photo above that a friend sent me from his families 
rented beach house in North Carolina … it look very relaxing. The older I get, the more I enjoy the carefree “in the shade” porch or palm tree view of the ocean verses sitting under the sun in sticky sun lotion or covered with a hat and sun shirt.
But … the view walking through the path in the dunes at Delray Beach (it has been a month already) was … and is … hard to beat (video below is a segment from October 2019).
Weekend chores update: Robins, office cleaning and AC prep
Posted By RichC on June 1, 2021
The robin eggs in the back porch (earlier in May above) wreath Brenda made from her grandmother’s grapevines years ago, have hatched Below was day one (left) and day two (right) … as Brenda commented … “you should wait until they’re a bit cuter.”
The weather was “so-so” this past Memorial Day weekend, but since it was Brenda’s holiday to work, I figured it was appropriate to do a few home chores (although really it was too wet to mow).
The components for the office inverter mini-split AC/Heating unit came in came in the other day, so I started to prep the office by cleaning out junk (check out the old Palm Treo I found in one of my old computer bags- below), then measuring and marking for holes on the wall and climbing the trusses in the attic in order to route the high and low pressure copper, drain (with proper pitch) and electrical – I think I have it figured out, but it is more work than I thought.
When the rain stopped, and in-between sweeping out the pool, I disconnected and removed the old basement AC unit to make room for the Pioneer unit and wall mount. The circuit is already 220VAC so I’ll used the same electrical box for the new 22.8 SEER high efficiency AC; I’m anxious to see if it makes a difference in my comfort now that I’m traveling less for work and in our electric bill IF I can keep the main whole-house AC system thermostat a little higher?
Music Monday: Hard to believe Bob Dylan turned 80 last week?
Posted By RichC on May 31, 2021
This should have been a post for last week’s Music Monday, but here’s a belated 80th Happy Birthday to the legendary singer-songwriter-poet Bob Dylan. What a unique and talented musician.
So now they your 80 years old … Mr. Rolling Stone 🙂 … “how does it feel?”
Bob Dylan with the Paul Butterfield Blues Band and Al Kooper at the Newport Folk Festival on July 25th in 1965
Memorial Day: Honor those who gave their life for our country
Posted By RichC on May 30, 2021
Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day and was first observed on May 30th, 1868 to commemorate the sacrifice’s of Civil War soldiers. It was declared a General Order No. 11 by General John A. Logan on May 5, 1868.
The General Order stated:
“The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet churchyard in the land. In this observance no form of ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit.”
I heard a comment by this weekend by Taya Kyle, the wife of the American Sniper known as “The Legend.” Chris Kyle, who was killed in 2013 by a veteran suffering from PTSD:
“Remember those who paid the ultimate price in service of their country and enjoy Memorial Day by appreciating the life and the freedom they sacrificed to secure and preserve” (paraphrased).
Bought a high efficient HVAC mini split unit for the home office
Posted By RichC on May 29, 2021
A separate air conditioning unit has long been on my “want list” for my home office. I’ve contemplated adding a high efficiency minisplit inverter unit for years to better balance the southwest corner upstairs office in our house. It has never really been comfortable in the summer with multiple computers, printers and gadgets, especially in the afternoon.
So after hearing 2021 price increases were imminent as inflation rears its ugly head, I decided this year was right to bite the bullet and order and hopefully sellf-install a lower priced 10.50 HSPF heating and 22.8 SEER cooling Pioneer inverter heatpump minisplit. The home office remodel is long overdue, but now that I’m working from home nearly all the time, comfort is a priority.
I’m not sure when I’ll start the install, but when the pallet of components arrived last week, I opened things up to make sure there wasn’t any damage – it looks fine. Currently my weekends are a bit booked, but I am anxious to get routing the copper, drains and electrical lines. Hopefully I can plan the install so that I won’t have to disconnect or remove things when I do the full office remodel (some planning on my part). Stay tuned.
Back to Perrysburg for Annalyn’s dance recital and babysitting
Posted By RichC on May 28, 2021
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Woodworking: Love this simple table saw push-stick design
Posted By RichC on May 27, 2021
When I come across an item that interest me in woodworking, I either try to write them down, take a photo or save the plans.
In this case the idem is a simple shop helper … a table saw push stick, of which I have many … BUT, I really like the simple curves and handle idea which mine do not have and probably could make a thin 1/4” one with a slightly thicker handle for those “close to the fence” push cuts?
A Toledo Mud Hens game and Katelyn’s surprise birthday party
Posted By RichC on May 26, 2021
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Blood Moon, Lunar Eclipse and our new Half-Moon Window
Posted By RichC on May 25, 2021
The final new “half-moon” window was installed on Monday this week with the proper wagon-wheel spokes (photo below) .. which coincides 
with this week’s “Super Moon.” What makes this one somewhat unique is that there will also be a lunar eclipse where the earth shadows the moon. A total lunar eclipse completely blocks the moon, but a partial shadowed moon takes on a red tint that we refer to as blood moons. This time the eclipse coinciding with the closest approach to the Earth during it’s orbit (the moon’s orbit is not perfectly circular), so as to make the moon appear bigger and brighter. The close point in the orbit is called the “perigee” and is about 28,000 miles closer than the farthest point, which is called the “apogee.”
So if the sky is clear, be sure to be out looking at the nighttime sky for a partial lunar eclipse on May 26 … early in the morning like 5 – 6:30AM EST in the Ohio areas!
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.