My Desultory Blog

Posted By RichC on August 1, 2020

My goodness, where have the years gone!?! I know that I’m not the only one who asks that question, but when it stares me in the face from 6700 blog post ago … it is a big reminder.

I’ve noted in this post that 15 years ago Taylor and I headed up to see my friend Jeff in the Canadian Rockies. It was actually a third trip their for me, as I went once at age 16 in 1975, then again in 1989 when we took my mother and father-in-law as a family for their 40th anniversary. Thankfully I was able to take Taylor in 2005 … and he again went in the winter with a couple of his friends in 2014.

The thought has me contemplating going back with Brenda some day or maybe as a family (the discussion has come up) has me wondering if we’ll ever be able to really hike there again.

This may just been the current medical diagnosis talking as Brenda has a few hefty medical concerns … which could partially be leftover from her 2015 accident? She really did have a remarkable recovering considering the damage, but this past years has been dealing with back and leg pain. The initial treatment for this since January seemed to have her on the mend, but the last few month has reversed what we thought were gains. After recent multiple doctor visits and for a “better than X-Ray” look at things the diagnosis may not mean that there will be a quick fix. 

(more…)

Category: Blogs, Health, Memories, Nature, Personal, Recreation, Travel | No Comments »
Tags: back problem, blog, brenda, canadian rockies, epidural, hiking, mri, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, pain, Travel, treatment, xray

Posted By RichC on July 31, 2020

It has been a while since reviewing the stats of My Desultory Blog, but realized that one Tech Friday post in particular was getting quite a few looks. It is obvious that I’m not the only Apple Macintosh Magic Mouse user to have scrolling issue when using the popular Google Calendar and stopping the infuriating scrolling with a Scroll Disabler is helpful. Since this is not a new problem, I’ve been surprised that this irritation has not been addressed internally, but continues to require a Chrome browser extension to “fix” (and now one on Brave for me). Anyway, from the traffic, it is a problem for others.

In keeping the the popular Google Products theme, there is Gmail tip that might be worth passing along just in case it may have been missed. Often times when doing email housekeeping, there is a need to selection list of messages. You can of course click the select-all checkbox or use the search features, but most people just highlight one email message at a time by clicking the checkbox in front of it or delete them one at a time.

Instead, try highlighting the first email in a list, then holding the shift-key down when selecting another one further down the list. This will check all the boxes and assist in quickly deleting … or moving the messages quicker than doing it one at a time.

How to Select Multiple Messages in Gmail

1. Click the checkbox in front of the first message in the desired range.
2. Hold the Shift key.
3. Click the checkbox in front of the last message in the desired range.
4. Release Shift.
5. Click the checkbox in front of any non-adjacent messages to select them as well.

Category: Advice, Computer, How-To, Productivity, Software, Technology | No Comments »
Tags: brave, browser, delete, deleting, disabler, email, gmail, google, Productivity, scroll, selecting, tech friday, techfriday

Posted By RichC on July 30, 2020

The NASA liftoff of Perseverance (7/30/2020) was a great sight this morning as was hearing that the new new rover “phoned home” an hour later. Those who grew up with the space program are fondly remembering the race to the moon days as well as the excitement in man probing space. This trip to Mars will take a while (until February 18th of 2021) and although this trip is not manned, is still a pretty exciting stepping stone. 

While watching the launch on YouTube this morning, I couldn’t help but remember all the Apollo launches I watch as a kid and all the Space Shuttle launches a grown-up.

Perseverance has quite the trip ahead. It will reach Mars on Feb. 18, 2021, touching down on the surface of Jezero Crater. The rover will search for signs of past microbial life and help scientists better understand the geology and climate of the Red Planet.

I am healthy and on my way to Mars, but may be too loud for the antennas on Earth while I'm so close. Ground stations are working to match my signal strength so that I can communicate clearly with my team. https://t.co/vLaRxcKomR

— NASA's Perseverance Mars Rover (@NASAPersevere) July 30, 2020

Category: Social Media, Space, Video | No Comments »
Tags: launch, mars, nasa, perseverance, space, twitter, youtube

Posted By RichC on July 30, 2020

We are a product of our youth … and I’ll never forget The Mustache Gang. After seeing my son Taylor’s photo in his Cleveland Indians baseball cap (after shaving off his beard, but keeping his moustache), I had a flashback to the 1970s and remembered the Oakland A’s of my youth. They were the World Series dominate champs in 1972, 1973 and 1974 … and pretty much all sported a moustache (so I sent him a Reddit photo to make the point). 

It won’t likely mean anything to those a generation or more younger than me … since sporting a moustache in Major League Baseball is almost as commonas getting a tattoo? Still, it made me smile and triggered a Throwback Thursday #TBT memory of the Big Red Machine known as the Cincinnati Reds (with a facial hair ban in those days). Unfortunately, in 1972, they lost to the “underdog A’s” with sensational pitching from Catfish Hunter and Rollie Fingers and without their power hitter Reggie Jackson (out with a pulled hamstring). The surprise came from the A’s catcher Gene Tenace who stepped up by hitting FOUR homeruns which tied the ”World Series mark set by Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and Hank Bauer.” (LINK) Great memories!

Category: Memories, Personal, Photos, Sports, TBT | No Comments »
Tags: 1970s, baseball, cincinnati, mlb, moustache, oakland a's, reddit, reds, sports, taylor, TBT, youth

Posted By RichC on July 29, 2020

I can’t say that I’m surprised, but after my Fitbit Versa failed after 11 months (and was replaced under warranty “without” a new watchband), now after 13 months, the original watchband faiedl. Admittedly I’m not Mr. Gentle when wearing watches, but considering the Fitbit is designed as an athletic watch, I expected more.

Besides the watch failing in less than a year (my daughter’s did too), I would have thought that the silicone rubber watchband would have been able to handle daily sweat, a few dips in a pool and some physical activity? It cracked not where I put the buckle clasp, but a couple of notches longer from that (wear it in 3rd hole). Also, I’ve never overtightened or put excessive stress on the band.

As for a replacement, I opted to order one for only $6.99 on Amazon and was attracted to the “multiple holes” design. Unfortunately where the strap meets the watch isn’t perfectly fitted and leaves a sharp edge exposed, unlike the better fitting original band. It is also a bit short and can’t imagine a guy will a large wrist being happy with this band … so buyer beware. Hopefully it will at least last as long at the watch?

Category: Gadget, Personal, Photos, Shopping, Technology | No Comments »
Tags: amazon, cracked, failure, fitbit, replaced, versa, watchband

Posted By RichC on July 29, 2020

If you spend much time on social networks, this is the kind of stuff you start to collect.

So before tossing it … why not force it on someone else?
😊

Category: Humor, Misc, Photos, Social Media | No Comments »
Tags: ani gif, anigif, dogs, filler, Humor, jumping, knots, ostrich, pig, tree, wood, yoda

Posted By RichC on July 28, 2020

I started long overdue “Pumpy Umpy” damage repair of the changing room in the pool house. Hopefully I’ll stay focused and get it finished up before the end of the summer?

Instead of using drywall, I’ve opted to use Greenboard even though it isn’t a wet room or floor. The area needed new drywall isn’t that large, but the painted wood molding are all well chewed up.

A rabbit is going to do what a rabbit does. Munch, munch, munch …

Category: Archive, Misc, Personal, Photos | No Comments »
Tags: changing, drywall, garage, mud, pool house, pumpy umpy, Rabbit, repair, room, sanding

Posted By RichC on July 27, 2020

… or maybe the hand of the Michelin Man (photo) if you are not a person of faith. 😉

Category: Video, Weather | No Comments »
Tags: clouds, Faith, god, hand of god, lightning, michelin, storms, tires, weather

Posted By RichC on July 27, 2020

This content is restricted.

Category: Alexa, Music, Politics, Weather | No Comments »
Tags: al stewart, Alexa, biden, echo, election, family, mp3, Music, music monday, musicmonday, Politics, siriusxm, the bridge, time passages, trump

Posted By RichC on July 26, 2020

This content is restricted.

Category: Archive, Personal, Photos | No Comments »
Tags: 5 month, annalyn, archive, drew, ellerie, family, grandparents, katelyn, pediatrician, Photos