Flowers, some Kubota service and waking up the Packard Hawk
Posted By RichC on May 11, 2021
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Music Monday: The Who – “I Can See For Miles” triggered by an astronaut Alan Shepard memory
Posted By RichC on May 10, 2021
The Who was never at the top of my music listening list, but like all who grew up in the 1960-70’s era, we all knew the music. This past Wednesday was the 60th anniversary of Alan Shepard‘s flight into space and as a boy who grew up mesmerized by our NASA space program (still am) and the pilots who once flew military jets and experimental planes were tested for “the right stuff” to become astronauts. Many in this elite group left the earth’s atmosphere on the top of very risky early rockets and some eventually walked on the moon; Shepard, Glenn, Armstrong and others were looked up to by me and most boys my age.
In later years I enjoyed the freedom of flight and building experimental airplanes, so the boyhood dream “sort of” came true for me as well. Then in the late 1990s, I had the same experience as Alan Shepard. I too was struck with Meniere’s Disease and the random attacks of vertigo which impacted my flight medical certification and ability to safely pilot an airplane. Thankfully, I eventually found someone who was trained to do the same surgery that Alan Shepard had for his Menieres in 1964 (a questionable procedure today). His positive recovery had him returning to space-ready and commanding Apollo 14 and a mission to the moon’s lunar highlands … making him the older person to walk on the moon. The story of him returning to space was portrayed in the HBO miniseries “From Earth to the Moon” in Episode 9, “For Miles and Miles” … hence today’s Music Monday YouTube music video.
Happy Mother’s Day: Revere, respect and honor your mother. Who knows how many days either of you will have.
Posted By RichC on May 9, 2021
I probably should be quoting from Leviticus 19:3, but I can’t help but remember Ferris Bueller commenting that, “Life moves pretty fast …” when thinking about respecting and honoring mothers today. So for Mother’s Day 2021, focus your attention on your mother before it is too late … because from experience, “life does move pretty fast.”
My mom in 2010 and Brenda and her mom in 2015 (MomC and MomH)
While working through a couple of “How to Honor Your Mother” devotionals this past week, I caught myself reflecting on my mom and mother-in-law (BTW, that link above is a good one). They were both worthy of far more respect and honor than I often gave them, especially when I was younger (I’m sure that thought isn’t all that uncommon). As age crept up on us, I appreciated they love, prayers and wisdom more and more … and thankful am able to lay my head down at night without any regrets. For that, I thank the Lord for giving me enough time to wise-up and return some of the love, time and compassion they gave to me.
Love Mother unconditionally. We are to care for Mom no matter how she carries out her maternal responsibilities. Women will respond in various ways to their God-given role. But all children are called to love their mother simply because the Lord has placed her in their life.
Be attentive to Mom’s needs. Starting in infancy, a child is accustomed to taking from his or her parents. So it can be easy to forget that they have needs, too. Stop and consider what your mother might appreciate. For example, household help offered cheerfully is usually welcome. As Mom grows older, she may need assistance for her physical or emotional well-being. Some women desire only that their children express gratitude or care.
Live righteously. The greatest gift we can give a godly mother is to surrender our life to Jesus Christ (Prov. 23:22-25). Even a mom who isn’t a Christian will no doubt take pride in a believing child whose life radiates love, kindness, and charity.
Pray for Mom. Nothing is more practical than prayer. Talking with the Lord about your mother, both privately and in her presence, reminds her that she is important and loved.
The specific ways you cherish your mom will depend upon her personality and yours. But Mother’s Day isn’t the only time to show her your love and gratitude. Honor her every day.
What do MMT economists theorize? “The Deficit Myth” #book
Posted By RichC on May 8, 2021
A few times before I’ve thought, and blogged about MMT or Modern Monetary Theory, when it comes to newfangled economics. Personally, I (nor many economists) can accept the thinking or rationalize the 
large deficits and debt path our country is on. In order to better understand the mind-set, I decided to read Stephanie Kelton’s book “The Deficit Myth.” She has become a leading advocate for MMT and I’m hoping to be able to at least understand the illogical to me logic of spending TRILLIONS of dollars that our country doesn’t have for every wish list item politicians keep adding – much of it political payoff.
At some point stimulus payments, health care, education, infrastructure, climate change and every other kind of pork our government is printing money to fund “wants,” is going to be too much for an economy to bear … at least I think so???
Currently we’re seeing spending on steroids coming from Democrats running the House, Senate and Whitehouse … and like an irresponsible teenager on spring break with his/her parent’s credit card … it will eventually get declined.
Although, I’m not sure the spike in prices that we’re seeing at the moment is the kind of 1970-80s inflation (or hyperinflation) that will stay with us (or crash us) … or is being triggered by government’s reckless spending, but it sure worries me. 
All I know is that prices are rising, people are being paid to stay home and the deficit and 
debt is growing. For those investing, just like every bubble I have lived through, the sugar high feels good .. until it doesn’t.
Unfortunately for those wanting to build this year, lumber prices have gone berserk (likely thanks to the pandemic shutdown, cheap money and pent up demand for houses). Question: Have you ever seen a long term price chart like this one below (well, besides cryptocurrencies!) HA!
Tech Friday: Would you consider buying this iPhone 5G slider?
Posted By RichC on May 7, 2021
If you keep your eyes open, there are plenty of interesting Android and iPhone concept videos floating around. As a Palm Pre slider user, I’ve always thought there might be another slider (or foldable) pocket friendly phone in my future.
Here’s an iPhone slider demo that has promise … although personally I think we’ll see a folding “flip-style” iPhone from Apple before we see a slider.
Speaking of flipphones, I can’t help but reminisce about my old PalmOS based Samsung SPH-i500 that to this day is probably the best quality and pocket friendliest smartphone I’ve ever owned … although the iPhone5 came close.
Selling my May Fly lures inventory came back to haunt me #TBT
Posted By RichC on May 6, 2021
Whoops … an interesting Throwback Thursday #TBT flashback and mistake on my part … 
I received an order for MayFly Lures that I posted back in 2018 and sold a few and then sold my entire inventory in one lump in 2019. Unfortunately I forgot to remove the original blog post and so received a paid order earlier this week.
Thankfully I kept a couple back for my own personal Walleye fishing (if I ever go) and so decided to offer to the buyer before removing the post … now marked as PAID. 
Archive: A few saved family photos from the week that was …
Posted By RichC on May 5, 2021
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Looking at New York City from the Empire State Building #pano
Posted By RichC on May 4, 2021
How many building top water tanks can you count? (you could spend hours zoomed in on this photo … and if that is not enough, there is a naked man somewhere in this “Where is Wally or Waldo-like” photo).
Music Monday: The Beach Boys, “Fun, Fun, Fun” and some R & R
Posted By RichC on May 3, 2021
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It was good to get away to sunny Florida for a restful beach week
Posted By RichC on May 2, 2021
Although I know much of the country has lived locked down for much of the year, Brenda and I have probably done a little more than most. She has worked in the pharmacy without much of a break and since the COVID19 vaccinations have started, has been very busy. We had planned a trip to Florida in March, but was asked to delay since Kroger Pharmacy was heavily involved in vaccination clinics. She complied and we moved our spring getaway vacation week to the end of April. So glad the weather was perfect for our vacation.
Nothing was on my schedule as far as condo or boat work since I was down in February and hauled since Encore needs new bottom paint, a new cutlass bearing and a new stuffing gland. If the weather would have turned lousy, I would have heading up to the boat since I need to get parts ordered … but the beach weather was too nice.
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.