Music Monday: Ventura Highway – the mellow sound of America
Posted By RichC on May 27, 2019
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Preparing for Memorial Day: Sacred Duty: A Soldier’s Tour at Arlington National Cemetery – Sen Tom Cotton #Imprimis
Posted By RichC on May 26, 2019
Earlier this week I posted something frivolous for a Music Monday, which happens to be Memorial Day, so I’m going to include is post a day early on Sunday thinking others might read it as a way to learn a little more about those who make the ultimate sacrifice in service of our country. If you have never given much thought or just need a reminder as to why we remember and honor those who died, reading the book Sacred Duty: A Soldier’s Tour at Arlington National Cemetery by U.S. Senator Tom Cotton is worthwhile.
If you hesitant to purchase the book, take a look a the article adapted from a speech delivered on April 9, 2019 at Hillsdale College’s Allan P. Kirby, Jr. Center for Constitutional Studies and Citizenship in Washington D.C.
Every headstone at Arlington tells a story. These are tales of heroes, I thought, as I placed the toe of my combat boot against the white marble. I pulled a miniature American flag out of my assault pack and pushed it three inches into the ground at my heel. I stepped aside to inspect it, making sure it met the standard that we had briefed to our troops: “vertical and perpendicular to the headstone.” Satisfied, I moved to the next headstone to keep up with my soldiers. Having started this row, I had to complete it. One soldier per row was the rule; otherwise, different boot sizes might disrupt the perfect symmetry of the headstones and flags. I planted flag after flag, as did the soldiers on the rows around me.
Bending over to plant the flags brought me eye-level with the lettering on those marble stones. The stories continued with each one. Distinguished Service Cross. Silver Star. Bronze Star. Purple Heart. America’s wars marched by. Iraq. Afghanistan. Vietnam. Korea. World War II. World War I. Some soldiers died in very old age; others were teenagers. Crosses, Stars of David, Crescents and Stars. Every religion, every race, every age, every region of America is represented in these fields of stone.
I came upon the gravesite of a Medal of Honor recipient. I paused, came to attention, and saluted. The Medal of Honor is the nation’s highest decoration for battlefield valor. By military custom, all soldiers salute Medal of Honor recipients irrespective of their rank, in life and in death. We had reminded our soldiers of this courtesy; hundreds of grave sites would receive salutes that afternoon. I planted this hero’s flag and kept moving.
The full Imprimis article can be found on Hillsdale College’s website and I encourage you to read it as a way to reflect on Memorial Day.
For me, having visited Arlington National Cemetery a couple times (once on an honor trip with my dad), reading this article and learning about just how seriously the Old Guard (the 3rd United States Infantry Regiment) takes their duty was humbling. As Sen Cotton’s final paragraph reflects …
No one summed up better what The Old Guard of Arlington means for our nation than Sergeant Major of the Army Dan Dailey. He shared a story with me about taking a foreign military leader through Arlington to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Sergeant Major Dailey said, “I was explaining what The Old Guard does and he was looking out the window at all those headstones. After a long pause, still looking at the headstones, he said, ‘Now I know why your soldiers fight so hard. You take better care of your dead than we do our living.’”
Belated spring yard chores, pool opening and patio cleaning
Posted By RichC on May 25, 2019
It feels a late start to opening the “mudhole” … I mean “muddy” pool … this year as our trips to Florida have set me back on the usual spring chores. I think the earliest we have opened the pool as been March, but this year is about the latest that I can recall, although I’ve been working on the yard and Brenda on her mounds and plants.
We are also unfortunately closing in on having to drain and fully refinish the pool since replacing tiles (lost a few more this year) and patching can only happen so many times. I no longer have any additional tiles to replace those that have broken and Gunite is flaking pretty bad in several location. The refinishing $$$ number is not one that is appealing … let alone the summer downtime after draining in order to begin the work.
For now, the pump is running and cover put away (thanks for the hand Taylor). Patio and furniture cleaning this Memorial Day weekend and hopefully I can start the mulch next week?
EDIT 5/26/2019 – Pool is improving (at least cleaner), patios, teak and outdoor furniture is clean and ready for summer.
Question … (more…)
Political unrest is impacting economy and financial markets
Posted By RichC on May 24, 2019
The political tension around the globe, along with the trade battle between the United States and China, have put a damper on what was a relatively good economy here in the U.S. Add to those challenging international negotiations, the deepening divide between many Democrats still seeking to impeach President Trump in control of Congress are furthering their investigation into Trump’s finances, has added to investor’s concern.
On Thursday, the stock market took a big hit as money shifted from equities to fixed income and U.S. Treasuries. The oil market also took note as the sentiment shifted from a continued stronger world demand for oil to the possibility of a slowdown. The price of crude moved lower than the recent $60+/barrel number to $57+ as inventories build 
and oil traders question the recent economically positive news that pushed oil higher.
For traders … perhaps the volatility offers a chance to make money by trading… but for long term investors, the heavy selling on Thursday based on political wrangling and public animus is painful to watch.
My advice, if you are saving for retirement and have a longer time horizon, just don’t open your account statement this month.
Once upon a time when studying black and white photography …
Posted By RichC on May 23, 2019
I had several hobbies as a teenager, but photography was one that I thought might lead to a career. It “sort of did” since it opened the doors to eventually starting a printing and publishing company.
When studying photography, several names of recognized photographers were published in the magazines and books. One French photographer that I was reminded of in a tweet this past week was Edouard Boubat (website)who survived the Nazi work camps of World War II in France and started taking photos in Paris in 1946. As a photojournalist want-to-be, I was attracted to his black and white common street scenes and recall trying to emulate his style. My study of his work was triggered by winning summer tuition at Ohio University when I was in high school (summer of my junior year) and seeing his photo triggered a Throwback Thursday #TBT moment. Interesting memories, but it seems like lifetime ago.
Server updates, out-of-date WordPress plug-ins and a test video
Posted By RichC on May 23, 2019
It is time to work on a few long in the tooth server updates and one of them isn’t compatible with my “old” WordPress video plug-in – it is no longer supported. There are several options that I’m testing both for my site as well as customer installs so am testing one of them with a filler video in my post below the break.
A good economy, but we are dealing with other political issues
Posted By RichC on May 22, 2019
Yes … the U..S economy is in good shape … but if you are an investor, these last few weeks may not have felt like the stock market is responding as it should in a good economy? Enter trade with China … well primarily China. Yet there is also unrest in the Middle East with Iran’s saber rattling, Hezbollah firing rockets into Israel, Venezuela shaking their military dictator in South America, Britain with their Brexit dilemma and most of Europe in dealing with their sluggish economy and changing demographics (might as well add Russia into the mix too).
So with all of that, improving our trade agreements with China and others who have been unwilling to play fair for decades, doesn’t seem unrealistic 
of a request. Even our internal disagreements between Democrats and Republicans … or even deeper disagreements between the socialist left and conservative right … aren’t really unsolvable or unusual for an open country permitting robust debate and disagreement. Better to deal with all these issues when the economy is strong than when it is weak. So … all in all, let’s not get too down in the mouth in dealing with our issues. Let’s follow through with at least correcting years of intellectual property theft, unfair tariffs on US products and manipulation of currencies in order to favor China and move into the primaries and 2020 election with choices. I’d personally rather have clear cut candidates with issues to vote for rather the only differences being personality.
Investors ended last week hopeful for a quick resolution to the trade dispute between the U.S. and China. Those hopes were dashed after China said it would raise tariffs on U.S. goods and President Donald Trump signed an executive order banning telecommunications equipment built by “foreign adversaries.” Further talks between the U.S. and China seem to be off the table for now.
Happy Birthday to my brother and remembering his trees
Posted By RichC on May 21, 2019
An odd subject line to be sure, but several “Native Ohio trees” grown by my younger brother Ron were planted in the back of our property and they always makes me think of him. Today is his birthday and wanted to wish him a Happy Birthday. (photo from Raspberry Pi cam yesterday 5/20/2019 … reminds me that I have yardwork to do.)
Music Monday: Doobie Brothers – China Grove
Posted By RichC on May 20, 2019
Whenever I hear the Doobie Brothers, I can’t help but think about being back in high school and listening to my high school pep band at basketball games (while I was behind the basket shooting photos for the paper). Several songs were regularly played as I recall … China Grove, Listen to the Music and Long Train Runnin in particular come to mind.
Besides the upbeat tempo for spirit, the music was definitely a 1970s rock and roll sound, but as it was for many bands, it was difficult to keep all members happily playing together.
The Doobie Brothers had a big change near their popularity peak and in 1975 the lead vocalist Tom Johnston quit the group. He was replaced by Michael McDonald and so began the debate as to which Doobie Brothers you preferred. The first YouTube archived concert video is from 1974 with Tom Johnston.
https://youtu.be/DTCyO9MpGUM
The second below is with Michael McDonald in 1982:
Archive: Remodeling of the condo master bathroom continues
Posted By RichC on May 19, 2019
Working on remodeling projects away from home a few days at a time really seems to stretch a project out (photo – flying home from Fort Lauderdale FLL last night – I was checking out the FULL anchorage at Lake Sylvia from the plane). Thankfully both Brenda and I have always enjoyed the hands-on projects. From our early days, we have tackled projects be they updates to our first house in Aurora, Ohio, many projects in Hudson, Ohio and Liberty Township (Cincinnati) or even the remodeling of my Consolidated Printing and Publishing Co. commercial building in Cuyahoga Falls. One would think my skill level would be higher … but as with all projects, the guy planning knows where his planning and calculations needed to be tweaked and modified. No exceptions with this years master bathroom update (last years kitchen and guest bathroom were smoother … or perhaps that is just looking at it in hindsight?)
Updated the tiles and test fitting the vanities before closing up the wall and adding the beadboard backer. I was able to get the grouting finished before heading home.
Brenda went straight to work on her first attempt at re-upholstery … first the dinning room chairs and hopefully eventually the couch and loveseat cushions?
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.