Music Monday: John Mellencamp songs and my parents
Posted By RichC on March 11, 2019
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What’s the difference between a caiman, crocodile and alligator?
Posted By RichC on March 10, 2019
Personally I’m not fond of any of the water, swamp or land creatures with teeth and jaws that look prehistoric … but all crocodilian (photo left, caiman, crocodile, alligator) definitely keep me on my toes, especially those bigger ones when visiting areas where they 
live (in our case, the southeastern US).
My first exposure with an alligator was when my grandparents brought my brother and I taxidermized alligators from their winter in Florida back in the 1960s (I wish I still had them). A more memorable encounter was when stopping for a picnic outside the entrance to the Okefenokee Swamp with my parents as kids when traveling. My brother and I regularly enjoyed the 
chance to run around while waiting for mom to make lunch on the tailgate of the station wagon and enjoyed poking ponds with sticks to see if we could find small alligators. After eating lunch, we walked back from the picnic table around the side of the car and came face to face with a BIG gator … likely wondering why we were poking for her offspring (or more likely like all wildlife, looking for handouts). Whew … our hearts skipped a beat as we quickly jumped in the other car door.
But back to the difference between alligators, crocodiles and the smaller central and South American caiman.
Here are a three “glaring” differences:
- Snout shape: Alligators have wider, U-shaped snouts, while crocodile front ends are more pointed and V-shaped.
- Toothy grin: When their snouts are shut, crocodiles look like they’re flashing a toothy grin,
as the fourth tooth on each side of the lower jaw sticks up over the upper lip. For alligators, the upper jaw is wider than the lower one, so when they close their mouths, all their teeth are hidden.
- Home base: Crocodiles tend to live in saltwater habitats, while alligators hang out in freshwater marshes and lakes.
But here are 8 differences …
That final “home base” difference is why crocodiles can be a bigger concern for those cruising/sailing down-under and in areas of the South Pacific and Indian Ocean.
Lingual salt glands: Crocodiles and gharials also differ from alligators and caimans in having functioning salt glands on their tongue. Structurally, these are actually modified salivary glands, and while alligators and caimans also have these structures they appear to have lost the ability to use them for excreting significant amounts of salt. This makes crocodiles more tolerant to life in saline water, including sea water in some species. Moreover, it suggests that crocodiles have a more recent marine ancestry: the ability to migrate across wide marine bodies, and even live there for extended periods, would certainly explain their current wide distribution across different continents. If ancestral species could live in marine environments, this ability has not been completely lost in modern crocodiles. Species such as saltwater crocodiles (C. porosus) can survive for extended periods in tidal estuaries, around the coast, and even out to sea. Alligators and caimans have lost much of this osmotic ability to secrete excess salt through the tongue glands, and can only tolerate it for short periods of time, prefering to remain in freshwater areas when possible. However, it is not unknown for large alligators to find their way into tidal mangroves and very rarely into coastal areas.
A couple inexpensive suitcase packing tips for any kind of travel
Posted By RichC on March 9, 2019
We all see them, even if we are not using Pinterest or refuse to go to pages designed to generate click income … but still, there are some great ideas.
Here’s a packing tip that might help next time your putting liquids in your suitcase – put a little plastic wrap or any plastic over the top of your liquids and screw the top back on to prevent leaks (I also use this for storing liquids in my workshop … it might add a little life, especially if you tuck the plastic wrap into the can, jar or bottle removing as much air as possible).
The second item is to use the shower cap thingy from hotels to wrap around your shoes stuffed with pairs of socks before putting them in your suitcase … or just use a normal plastic grocery bag as I have done for years. The transparent and small shower cap idea does help you see what is in your shoes, especially if they aren’t too dirty or smelly. Great tips for traveling.
Have a “leaping” great weekend! (testing a new blog tweak)
Posted By RichC on March 8, 2019
Animated GIF of Dolphin pod jumping and leaping
Tech Friday: An update on the Samsung Chromebook Pro
Posted By RichC on March 8, 2019
Chromebooks are not my preferred devices, but they are excellent for those with more limited computing needs. For the most part, they are relatively inexpensive, easy to update, very reliable and frustration free. They boot/start quicker than most devices and data, apps and setting are easily backed up on Google’s cloud … so as long as you trust Google (cough, cough). Think of them as big smartphones with a keyboard.
As for personal experience, my wife Brenda has been using her original Samsung first-generation Chromebook for years. She actually still uses it even with this new model (go figure?) The operating system has only improved over time and most apps and websites have updated to support Chromebooks and the popular Google Android OS devices. I picked up this new to us Samsung Chromebook Pro at the end of last year primarily because it offers a much sharper and brighter AND larger “touchscreen” display. The faster processor and a stylus have made it all that much more attractive (I have enjoyed doodling on it). It is still limited in memory and onboard storage, but since Brenda primarily uses web-based browser apps, there isn’t much need for space.
Unfortunately the one negative is that with speed and a bigger, brighter display … the battery life suffers. You can usually get through a day, but a bit more like Windows-based notebooks, you’ll be plugging it in sooner than you really want. Even Brenda’s old Samsung will still outlast this new model.
So if you are a web-based Gmail user that is comfortable with the Chrome browser and spend most of your time surfing the net, sending email and watching videos … this is an excellent and fair priced lightweight computer for you. If I were not so comfortable using my iPad with the BrydgeKeyboard, this would be a great device to connect to my iPhone hotspot to use for daily sales calls and travel.
Ohio gas taxes and a book by Kristin Tate – How Do I Tax Thee?
Posted By RichC on March 7, 2019
I do miss browsing in bookstores … something our family would regularly do Sunday after church … and something my daughter and I would do “in the good ol’ days” when I would visit her in college. I suppose there are still a few bookstores around to enjoy, but nowadays I read what is recommended or what is given to me as a gift … or occasionally spot something online after reading a “free chapter.” The later is the case for “How Do I Tax Thee?” by millennial author, journalist and Fox News commentator Kristin Tate. 
I even highlighted a intro page from my iPhone’s Kindle app to send to my son … who often grumbles about trying to make his paycheck stretch (I figured reading this segment above would make him feel a little bit better?)
Current conditions as they are, Ms. Tate’s book, published last year, seems a bit more timely now considering the Democratic leadership in the House of Representatives are looking for more ways to tax (and spend, of course). They are certainly not alone since Republicans who regularly say they are the “party of fiscal responsibility” …but equally love to spend other peoples money. The takeaway of the book for me is in highlighting all the different ways government taxes people. From user fees and registrations on everything we own, to sales taxes, property taxes and income taxes. It certainly doesn’t stop with our Federal government either. Every area of government gets involve … one layer after another: city, county, regional, state, federal and when that list is do, how about a tax on each service and bill we receive? As much as we gripe, it is usually pretty easy to find someone getting hit harder … and if you’re in high taxed California or the East Coast … you can always look overseas!
So far this book is more of a reminder … a reminder to just how may ways our pockets are picked by those elected to serve us. I’ve seen the bloat and inefficiency grow in my lifetime, requiring each newly elected legislator to creatively come up with new ways to raise money. Cut publicly in one place, but raise the taxes 
(and borrow more from the future) in another area … government never downsizes or shrinks.
Which reminds me, Ohio Republican governor Mike Dewine wants to increase the gas tax substantially (to 46 cent per gallon!) to improve our deteriorating roads and bridges … sadly I voted for him. One wonders just how high this tax can go? This current proposal would move Ohio from the 29th highest gas tax state in the nation to the 5th highest. Besides being a flat out regressive tax, it has a lot to be desired as vehicles improve on efficiency. Also, as more and more of the middle to upper class (read … “wealthier” Ohioans) buy newer more efficient vehicles, EV’s or plug-in hybrids, or perhaps a Tesla they won’t be the ones paying the lions share of the gas tax. Personally I don’t see how raising the gas and diesel taxes are the way to go if we’re heading in that direction?
A dab of epoxy and a neodymium magnet can be like magic
Posted By RichC on March 6, 2019
Back on what would have been my dad’s birthday, I posted a photo of my new Ridgid work light hanging on his old toolbox. The toolbox was one of those items of my dad’s that both my brother and I wanted when we were going through our parents belongings – I ended up with it. 
I’ve repacked my tools in it several times now, just to get it sorted the way I like, but on thing has bothered me was the way the latch hangs down in front of the top drawers. I finally got around to adding a couple tiny neodymium magnets … which I’ve been using all over the place nowadays. Just add a little epoxy and voilà … they hold things in place.
Give them a try if you need to keep a tools from vibrating loose or a part where you can get at it easily. I may need to purchase a few more pretty soon!
(click images for larger)
Happy Birthday to our 2-year old Annalyn, the “Apple of MY eye”
Posted By RichC on March 5, 2019
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Music Monday: Vahevala from 1971 by Loggins and Messina
Posted By RichC on March 4, 2019
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The six degrees of separation theory strikes again
Posted By RichC on March 3, 2019
But before the “six degrees of separation” reference (see below), how do you stack up to the WSJ survey of “workers benefiting from a strong U.S. labor market?”
One thing that seems to remain consistent over the years is that an education benefits you when it comes to jobs and compensation in the long haul, so take advantage of this in high school, college or graduate school (but be smart about your field of study and how much debt you ring up). Here’s a “How America Works” special section in the WSJ.
Now for my “six points of separation” moment …
While reading through the Cincinnati Reds spring training news in preparation for the 2019 season, a single Reds tweet caught my attention (below) – “I recognize that players last name,” I thought to myself? Wouldn’t that be interesting if Kyle Wren was related to a minor leage baseball player that my wife dated. So I asked Brenda … “what was the baseball player name that you dated?” It was Frank Wren, and he is the dad of the player I noticed competing for a spot on the Reds roster this year … who also has a twin brother who plays baseball, Jordan Wren. Wow … what a small world.
Well, for now let’s hope Kyle gets a spot on the roster (although not sure we need outfielders). If he does, I’ll be following him a bit closer and maybe we’ll even make it to a few more of games this year. As Brenda commented, if he does make it, we should invite his parents to come to Cincinnati and watch a game (although from the looks of it, his dad may be a bit too busy with his Boston Red Sox duties. Who knew, he’s been in baseball his whole career!)
Nice recovery, @KwrenGT. #RedsST ⚾️ pic.twitter.com/wRpYYcQg8l
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) February 24, 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.