A final 3-day Labor Day 2019 weekend photos update
Posted By RichC on September 4, 2019
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Productive home chores weekend while watching Dorian
Posted By RichC on September 3, 2019
The approaching hurricane kept my attention this Labor Day weekend (writing this for Tuesday on Sunday) as there was really nothing I could do to prepare the condo in Delray Beach or our boat Encore (in the water) in preparation for the approaching storm. Likely when this posts, we will either have dodged a bullet or be preparing to pick up the pieces. Yes, my stomach is currently knotted.
Nevertheless, here in Cincinnati the weather was nearly perfect for my home and yard chore list. The weather was pleasant, sky mostly overcast and fire piles both ready to be burned (Honeysuckle and variety of trees cuttings dry enough to burn). I spent most of Saturday hauling them from the back and front and tended the fire throughout the day. I attacked a dead and dying Hawthorn tree (wicked monster thorns) and added them to the fire. I received several painful thorn stabs and one in my thumb and wrist are now likely infected (and painful).
We had occasional thunderstorms so took that time to finalize some better "handy" storage in the workshop for a couple of my air tools – Long nose stapler, narrow gauge long wire stapler and my brad nailer. Although keeping them in my power tool cabinet made sense, they are much handier to grab next to the compressor hose.
EDIT: Labor Day weekend is also Cincinnati’s big fireworks day of the year as Western & Southern Financial Group and WEBN put on a great display. Below is the last minute of fireworks from WKRC Channel 12: (more…)
Music Monday: A WSJ article and Gordon Lightfoot memories
Posted By RichC on September 2, 2019
All too often lately I’m reminded that the memories I have as a boy growing up are seen as being from “the olden days.” An article in this past month’s WSJ highlighted the beloved Gordon Lightfoot, a 
Canadian folk singer and songwriter who’s work spans many decades. His music was enjoyed and listened to by young and old alike, a rarity nowadays.
The article offer a little bit of his early history and people/events that influence his musical path. The following YouTube video highlights some of his music from the 1960s and 1970s in a concert form. I enjoyed both the personal stories and watching/listening.
I liked going up to the attic to be alone and think of songs to write. It was an inspiring space but isolating. My first musical hero was Louis Armstrong. In 1956, he was replaced by Elvis Presley. That’s when my father bought me a guitar. I used to do Elvis impersonations. Later, Elvis recorded my songs “Early Morning Rain” and “For Lovin’ Me.”
My career took off in 1965 when Peter, Paul & Mary recorded my song, “For Lovin’ Me.” When it reached No. 30 on Billboard’s pop chart,
Albert Grossman, who managed them, Bob Dylan, Odetta and other folk artists, signed me.
From that point on, I didn’t have to worry about securing work permits in the U.S. I started traveling back and forth between Toronto and New York, and I’ve been touring ever since.
A few of his songs had me flashing back to hanging out with my friend Charlie Matthews and contemplating sailing and life as we looked for direction, 
knowing we would both be heading to college after high school (photo in 1984 after college). Both of Charlie and I had similar and a somewhat odd music taste compared to many of our rock and roll loving peers (they pinched their noses at folk music or anything with a twang). Just as with most direction-challenged teenagers, who pretended to have it all together, we stressed over our future … which was clearly BLURRILY out of focus (that doesn’t change no matter the generation). Charlie and I remained friends, but took decidedly different paths in life. He headed to China after college (his teaching VISA revoked after the 1989 Tiananmen Democracy Movement) Thankfully for me, I kept my options open, kept plugging away at school and work … got married and never strayed too far off the “acceptable path” … yet have always remained a gypsy dreamer in my head … which gets stimulated when listening to music like this from the past.
Working on the mirror bases for the condo master bathroom
Posted By RichC on September 1, 2019
Well they don’t look like much yet, but I’ve been working on the corner mirrors for the Condo1718 master bathroom update. The mirror will be 15” by 38” and will have a 1/2” beveled edge – Brenda’s request ($$). The planned framing will be 3/4” Mosaic tiles that my wife will be trying for the first time (crossing my fingers), but I think will look unique and add a bit of tropical color. Hopefully, all my measurements are correct and that the two matching mirrors will mount with the new special aluminum clips – I’m trying them for the first time.
I debated fully taping the entire mirrors, but the process of glue or Thinset mortar and then grout had me concerned … besides transporting them down to Florida scratch-free would likely be tricky if I didn’t tape them up. Stay tuned for the finished results above the new vanities, if the condo is still there after Dorian comes ashore. 😉
A workbench repair and a cool oil filter wrench idea
Posted By RichC on August 31, 2019
Last week I brought my old Poulan chainsaw back to life for a few dollars after giving away my newer one, but I ended up damaging my workbench while adjusting the carburetor jets. The saw was still in several pieces (without filter, the bar, chain or guard on) while making tune-up adjustments and I accidentally left the spinning clutch housing rub the front edge of my bench. By the time I smelled the burning wood, it was too late and a 1/2” gash had be cut into the oak face board. Really no big deal as it is a “work”bench after all, but the rough notch bugged me each time I stood in front of it.
So, while cleaning it off the other night, I decided to go a step further and patch it with some automotive body putty and then reseal the bench with leftover water-based urethane (it was getting old and I really need to use it up). I’ll still see the scar as a reminder to be a little more careful, but at least the front edge “feels” like it is back to normal again.
As for another workshop tip, here is on that I stumbled on in a group. Someone posted a video using an old chunk of gear chain with a box end wrench rather than a rubber strap or old belt that I’ve used before. Looks like a great tip if you can get the combination of wrench and chain into the often cramped quarters. I still thought it was worth making an animated GIF from the short video below. (more…)
Hurricane Dorian upgraded to Category 3, but Cat 4 is likely
Posted By RichC on August 30, 2019
As Floridians and those in the northern Bahamas prepare for Dorian, the first major hurricane to directly hit Florida’s Atlantic coast since Andrew (a Cat 5) in 1992, those of us with a vested interest out-of-state will not be sleeping well this weekend.
There isn’t much we can do besides check our insurance policies and hope our meager preparations will be enough to offer some protection. In hindsight, there is always more I could have done to prepare Encore … although not really much if there is a direct hit, since she is in the water. I could have added a few more lines, but that probably won’t make a difference.
Not being there before the storm hits, I feel sort of helpless in not being able to check on things or do anything to protect her from the surge, wind and other boats.
The latest strengthening and landfall projection from 8/30/2019 Friday 9AM forecast map
Interesting National Geographic articleas well.
Tech Friday: Screen Time and Classical Conditioning
Posted By RichC on August 30, 2019
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Mercedes Benz W123: The Greatest Car Ever Made? #TBT photos
Posted By RichC on August 29, 2019
Have I mentioned that I enjoy driving my old Mercedes Benz 300d Turbodiesel? 😉
“On January 29, 1976, Mercedes unveiled a new midsize car to replace its long-serving W115 model. Known by its internal designation as the W123, the car’s sober good looks and size seemed like a logical evolutionary step over the outgoing model. Mercedes invited a small group of journalists to the south of France for the occasion, and while the company had high expectations for the model, what no one could’ve realized is that Mercedes was about to trap lightning in a bottle.”
Source: Why Many Experts Consider This the Greatest Car Ever Made
Well it is hurricane season – so time to think about #Dorian
Posted By RichC on August 28, 2019
Florida declares a state of emergency to prepare for Hurricane Dorian https://t.co/z9sLuLmlxq
— Rich Corbett 🇺🇸 (@RichC) August 28, 2019
So you want to be a aerospace engineer? Get inspired.
Posted By RichC on August 28, 2019
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.