Music Monday: Pandora streaming on the Brave Browser ad-free?
Posted By RichC on April 13, 2020
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The Good News – “He is not here; for He is risen..”
Posted By RichC on April 12, 2020
Although Brenda and I have been regularly listening to pastors share audio messages on their podcasts or watching church services online during these trying Coronavirus days, we like many 
Christians, 
are finding it challenging to be thinking and planning for Easter? Nevertheless, the calendar indicates it is Easter Sunday 2020, so a proper “He is risen” and a social-distanced, “He has risen indeed” is going to have to suffice. Let not lose “hope” for a better tomorrow and FAR better eternity … thank you Jesus.
“He is not here; for He is risen …”
— Matthew 28:6.
While talking with my friend Jeff earlier in the week about an early Pandora music blog post, I stumbled across a photo of my daughter’s OLD rabbit who is shockingly “still living.” Unfortunately Pumpy Umpy is not doing well. In a post back in 2012 with my mom and dad, I included an Easter egg and Pumpy Umpy photo and will use it again this year … 8 years later! At the time I “thought” he was a pretty old rabbit. Oh how I was wrong; I think Katelyn’s rabbit may be closing in on a record old age!
Bookshelves artwork display area update and spring flowers
Posted By RichC on April 11, 2020
The bookshelves have been on-again, off-again as the laborious painting and improved spring weather dictates my indoor verses outdoor activities. I did get a chance to finish the “art display area” in the center bookshelf section … and so far, so good.
My plan was to create a little depth perception by bring the art piece about 4-1/4” off the wall, thereby giving the framed (or unframed) artwork a shadow depth effect. It works , but the LED lighting has been challenging since it is either too bright – when the room is dark – or too dim if the room is bright. I could add a dimmer (and still might) but that would mean constantly adjusting the lighting which I doubt after the first few times will be worth it. Perhaps we will live with it as-is for a while and get some feedback our family and friends? Currently I’ve added it to the smarthome automation using the Amazon Alexa “sunset” and “goodnight” routines to switch it automatically. So far Brenda is very happy with the idea of rotating and accenting some of of the art we have collected. Each piece holds a special memory from at trip or time in our lives.
Since I pulled out the Lumix GX8 DSLR for the above photo, I decide to snap a couple spring flower snapshots as I seem to do every year. Below are the lilacs and phlox … after a 5-years-ago post (different camera) reminded me that those of us who enjoy photography should be taking photos with better cameras rather than our smartphones … at least once in a while!
(click photos for larger higher quality versions)
Tech Friday: A woodworking idea for those using laptops
Posted By RichC on April 10, 2020
Last week my son Taylor and friend Jeff both sent me their “homemade” stand-up or propped up (with books) notebook computers while working from home. I suspect they aren’t the only COVID19 “stay-at-home” workers trying to come up with comfortable ways to do their jobs?
I know Jeff once had a stand-up desk at work with a prior company, but thought to myself, “I wonder if there might be a woodworking project (or fabricated aluminum) in this idea?”
Of course after he saw this … he now wants the “add-on” below the video!
😊
A miter jig for cutting door frames and a #TBT feather board
Posted By RichC on April 9, 2020
Last week while continuing to s-l-o-w-l-y work on the bookshelves and painting project, in-between outdoor yard cleanup and cutting the lawn for the first time in 2020, I also used the frame cutting miter jib previously mentioned. It is amazing just how much more accurate this set-up for my table saw crosscut sled is over my Hitachi sliding miter saw! I’ll still used the miter saw for “construction grade” projects and moldings, but when it comes to frames or the rails and stiles of a cabinet door or picture frame, this jig cuts them perfect. Here’s the YouTube clip where I picked up the information on how to use geometry to be sure the jig is perfect. 
As for Throw Back Thursday #TBT, I need to work on my table saw hold down methods. I’ve used the “pinched wedge” method to hold down guides jigs or feather boards on my table saw for years. In fact, the “temporary” feather board (left) has been used in my shop for 35 years! It still works but is overdue for an upgrade.
Annalyn and Ellerie photos are keeping a smile on my face
Posted By RichC on April 8, 2020
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A simple breathing exercise can help with stress and anxiety
Posted By RichC on April 7, 2020
Likely I’m not the only one needing to de-stress or at least fall back on a few techniques to “Keep Calm and Relax.”
Here’s a Navy Seal technique to beat stress. With a little practice, you can l
earn “box breathing” or four-square breathing as a way to reduce anxiety.
Here’s how it works:
- Breathe in for four seconds.
- Hold air in your lungs for four seconds.
- Exhale for four seconds.
- Hold your breath, lungs emptied, for four seconds.
The Canary (cardinal) security cam alerts are driving me crazy
Posted By RichC on April 6, 2020
Thought I would add a late day animated GIF to the blog … partially because these Canary alerts have become a normal annoyance by sending text message alerts and partially this cardinal is cute. Hopefully he will grow tired of “looking at himself” and find a female cardinal who he can impress!
Also while sending this to Twitter, I ran across an interesting piece of artwork or woodworking project idea. If Taylor ever has a need for a table in his apartment, this would be a great idea in using the city of Cincinnati’s skyline.
Muzak Monday: The Pink Panther Theme – Henry Mancini
Posted By RichC on April 6, 2020
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A simple framing woodworking jig idea and bookshelves update
Posted By RichC on April 5, 2020
Snipped an idea for the woodworking workshop that I’m planning to add to my table saw crosscut sled .. nothing complicated, but a way to use geometry in order to make the perfect 45 degree jig for cutting frames. It is a way to use perfect squares to accurately cut the 45 degree jig. Check out the YouTube clip – it is interesting!
As for the painting and bookshelves projects, they are slowly coming along and until you’ve primed and painted A LOT of bookshelves, you do not realize how long it takes! UGH!
I’ve also been tinkering with the accent lighting above the bookshelves and making my own strip of LEDs with the leftover “tape” (currently way too many) that will highlight the artwork display area. If and when I head to the Home Depot to purchase some additional molding material, etc … the plan is to to add a shadow depth box to the art display area. In other words, the framed art will be off the wall 3 or 4 inches in order to create a little depth and shadow to the artwork … at least that’s my plan?
As for artwork, Brenda and I have collected paintings over the years. Some from our travel and others from a couple artists in our family. We are planning to rotate a few of the pieces we have hanging throughout the house in the Library/ Music room. Hopefully the highlighted viewing will make us re-appreciate each of the pieces 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.