Our granddaughter Ellerie has her first tooth … and big eyes!
Posted By RichC on September 17, 2020
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Filler post: Shade Sail Stick Insects and a couple idea photos
Posted By RichC on September 16, 2020
While brushing a few leaves off the new shade sails, this little guy caught my eye. It is amazing how different Stick Insects can change colors to fit their surroundings.
Actually this blog post is just a mid-week filler post and a collection of a few photos that I thought were interesting or at least somewhat creative ideas. I particularly like the sign for the classroom … bring back a little tough love discipline.
Top left: Stove top heat diffuser – Top right: Basket for power strip and cords
Bottom left: Power post pulling (go slow!) – Bottom right: Classroom Reality Check
Photos of a few new hardwood trees from my brother’s nursery
Posted By RichC on September 15, 2020
It has been eleven years since we last purchased a few trees from my brother Ron’s retirement avocation – a nursery dedicated to NativeOhioPlants. He started planting trees years before so after he retired from the Air Force in 2018, it was a natural to make it a part time business. It’s not too big or lucrative and doesn’t stop him from traveling (like COVID19), but it is far better than watching TV and turning into grumpy old man (he’s younger than me!) I don’t think either of us will ever be bored.
Another Jimmy Buffett 2020 stay-at-home video memory
Posted By RichC on September 14, 2020
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Apple iOS 13.7: Opt-in to COVID19 exposure notifications?
Posted By RichC on September 13, 2020
I downloaded and installed the new Apple iOS 13.7 update, but hesitated since I regularly prefer blocking location services information. Both Apple and Google announced the “tracking” in April 2020, but as expected, it was met with reservation.
Most users are naïve to the amount of personal data requested by apps and operation systems on devices, but enough users are hyperaware, especially after the attention being given to TikTok and China regarding online and device privacy.
.. the OS-powered contact tracing system is designed to inform someone when they may have been in contact with another person later diagnosed with COVID-19, primarily through a complex BLE Beacon protocol. Support for the protocol was first added to iOS in May with the release of iOS 13.5. But at the time, any given state needed to have an app developed by a public health agency that used the API. Now, though, states can simply provide Apple and Google with the necessary information and the auto-generated software framework will take care of the rest.
BMW X5 35d diesel fill-up for $1.39/gal with Kroger fuel points
Posted By RichC on September 12, 2020
With a few miles of driving this week (nothing like my years of back and forth to NE Ohio) … I kept an eye out for anomalies in diesel fuel price. prices. It just so happened that Sidney and Wapakoneta prices were a bit lower than either Toledo or home in Cincinnati, so I planned my stop accordingly.
For diesel fuel users, it is a bit more challenging to find lower prices along Interstate 75, unless you can find diesel where trucks do not have access. I seems like most truck stops are 30-50 cents higher than the auto-only stations?
Anyway, with Brenda being a front line worker throughout the COVID19 pandemic (pharmacist at Kroger), she was awarded additional Kroger fuel points – Nice! So I opted to fill at the Sidney, Ohio Kroger with 70 cent per gallon discount … making it $1.39 when I filled 19 gallons in the BMW X5 35d. Also, logged a decent 23.2 mpg on this trip.
The 19th Anniversary of 9/11 and thoughts on our current path
Posted By RichC on September 11, 2020
It seems like yesterday, but it was 19 years ago that the US was attacked by our own commercial airliners taken over by radical Islamic terrorists and orchestrated by Osama bin Laden. These evil men following a twisted ideology attempted to trigger an all out war between Muslims and who they perceived as the enemies of Islam with their 9/11 attack on NYC, Washington DC and thwarted attempt on the Capitol of United Flight 93 brought down by passengers in SW Pennsylvania.
(if you don’t read my commentary, DO skip below and read Alyssa Ahlgren’s article)
The “hatred” charismatic leaders are able to instill in followers is something we’ve seen throughout history and the ability to 
brainwash people is part of our human condition. Although most Americans sense we have a better handle on terrorist organizations and cells, our sleepy attitude towards threats dissipates over time and “likely” will open the door for another eventual attack (yes, depressing, but it is our human history).
Reflecting on this has me thinking about ALL threats to our country and our citizens. Currently, most of us can see the political unrest primarily within our borders, but as the world grows smaller .. everything seems far more interconnected than in the past. Some think it is only a racial thing or a handful of ANTIFA agitators … or a reaction President Trump. I’m not sure it is that isolated or disconnected?
Those who dislike our country, really disagree with our successful model of competitive capitalism and the freedom to work harder/smarter, ability to own property or build a business free from an oppressive government. Their view is not one of government protecting and serving the people so they can freely compete, but where people in government dictate their desires on the people.
Just as with those who build networks of terror, current groups within the US (often with help from abroad and sadly the Democratic Party) are slowly infiltrating the “hearts and minds” of many in the next generation and teaching them that America is and unfair or even a bad country. They highlight the wrongs of our past rather than teach the progress made in overcoming and improving. Too many young people are poisoned with hating success or those who pulling oneself up by their bootstraps … believing we live in an unfair country. Instead, just as in every failed state where Marxism has been tried, they concluded that it will work here (if they are even thinkers?) Just as with the ideology used to turn Muslims into Islamic terrorists, American-hating radicals on the left are using their influence in the education system. Marxist thinkers (even founders of BLM) are turning students into pawns, and in some cases anarchist criminals, that want to completely change, if not destroy, America as we know it.
I read this the other day … and have been thinking about it. There is no question, 26 year old Alyssa Ahlgren gets it in her passed around social networked article.
My Generation Is Blind to the Prosperity Around Us!
I’m sitting in a small coffee shop near Nokomis (Florida) trying to think of what to write about. I scroll through my newsfeed on my phone looking at the latest headlines
of presidential candidates calling for policies to "fix" the so-called injustices of capitalism. I put my phone down and continue to look around.
I see people talking freely, working on their MacBook’s, ordering food they get in an instant, seeing cars go by outside, and it dawned on me. We live in the most privileged time in the most prosperous nation and we’ve become completely blind to it.
Few photos of vintage racing match this Nigel Corner image #TBT
Posted By RichC on September 10, 2020
Nine lives, fate, stroke of luck, divine intervention? Here’s a Throwback Thursday #TBT shocker.
One never knows just how “forgetting to put on a safety belt” could be seen as the smartest thing someone would do when racing. On September 17, 2000 it would give racer Nigel Corner another day on this earth. After seeing this Jeff Bloxam photo of these vintage Ferraris wreck in the Goodwood Revival 2000 it is hard to forget – see narrated video below. It is amazing he survived … although he did break 20 bones, including his back, and punctured both lungs – (MotorSport link).
Archive: Brenda’s flowers, busy working bees and babysitting
Posted By RichC on September 9, 2020
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The trajectory of a bullet thru pipes is shocking! YouTube #video
Posted By RichC on September 8, 2020
It is disturbing that someone actually tried this, but “for science” (cough, cough) … the result is eye-opening. I don’t think I’ll ever look into the end of pipes when working plumbing projects again. 😮
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.