Happy Anniversary Brenda … has it already been 36 years?
Posted By RichC on June 5, 2018
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Coyotes still hang around in our Liberty Twp, Ohio backyard
Posted By RichC on June 4, 2018
It continues to surprise me how coyotes can continue to live in and around relatively populated areas like Liberty Township, Ohio … but as mentioned several times in the past, we continues to see them boldly hunting rabbits and other small animals (keep an eye on your small dogs and cats!). While mowing the lawn, this bold healthy looking coyote continued to pose for a photo after moving from our backyard to the neighbors.
Our list of house updates grows even as Brenda and I check off another home upgrade … this past weekend it was to move one toilets and replace another. We are hoping that the new slightly "less deep" toilet in the powder room will work better for the small-ish bathroom.
Retirement lunch for my brother after a career at WPAFB
Posted By RichC on June 3, 2018
Brenda and I enjoyed a retirement luncheon celebration on Saturday for my brother Ron (again) after his career working "mostly" at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton. We had a great time with some of his co-workers, friends and family (his granddaughter Teagan with Keira and Ben above) at the 571 Grill in New Carlisle (where his son Jaben works).
Congratulations on ending one career … and the continuing something a
little more personal … his Native Ohio Plants LLC business.
An Encore dodger repair with Tear Mender and Sunbrella patches
Posted By RichC on June 2, 2018
Although it rained constantly over the Memorial Day weekend and practically the entire time I was in Florida working on the kitchen update, I did squeeze in a couple of minor hurricane prep items aboard Encore.
The canvas (spray dodger and bimini) is starting to show signs of wear, but a little tear maintenance will hopefully stretch replacing a little bit longer? The genoa jib sheet winches rub the dodger and wear through the 2-layers of Sunbrella so I’m trying a product call Bish’s Original Tear Mender. I’m using it with some extra material from the leftover generator cover as patches to reinforce this wear zone … would be best to redesign the dodger or move the winches … and that’s not going to happen! We’ll see if the wear patches hold up and rethink on the next full dodger cover.
Will motion exercises on land aid in preventing seasickness?
Posted By RichC on June 1, 2018
Tom Hoskins wrote an interesting article on "Overcoming Seasickness by Habituation On Land" and although parts of it seems humorous (lamp shade and swings), the testing of motion sickness on land makes a good deal of sense … especially the testing the meds one might try when going sailing. Better to know in advance how they medically affect you than to be testing them as needed crew at sea. Check out the article on Currents or the PDF here.
Early on in my trials, I swapped reading with closing my eyes, but it was worse. A literature review confirmed my findings and mentioned that closing your eyes is the worst thing you can do. Another trial involved taping a page from a book inside a lampshade to totally block all peripheral vision, like when you are below deck reading. After about 9 days, I could swing 20 minutes or longer, either reading or with my eyes closed. I hoped to do this for several weeks and that I would be able to maintain my sea legs while sailing.
Archive: Last day of condo kitchen photos for a while, I promise
Posted By RichC on May 31, 2018
Since the Quartz countertops were finished early and I was still available for the install, it was time to move on it now. Better to have them installed than stored somewhere until my next trip to Florida (a few more photos for the Condo1718 archive below).
Added a Nest thermostat and a ceiling fan to the condo kitchen
Posted By RichC on May 30, 2018
Adding a few more gadgets to the condo update this weekend as we are one step closer to getting it looking as if we’ll have a kitchen again … or at least a livable abode for the winter renters (or next owner). Hopefully the few extra upgrades I have opted to add will not go unappreciated. The new ceiling fan is in and does a great job of quietly circulation air in the kitchen … and the Next Thermostat should help me keep an eye on the heat, humidity and electric bill when we are not able to check on things.
I’ve also installed the Samsung Smartthings hub that Katelyn and Drew gave me for my birthday … so far the motion detector and programable "smart" outlet works perfectly.
Archive: Kitchen range delivered and a few other condo updates
Posted By RichC on May 29, 2018
Spent a little more time working on the condo kitchen over a stretched Memorial Day weekend since a replacement range needed to be received (gas version was shipped by mistake on first order). Thankfully was also able to get the templates made for the countertops after adding the stub wall support and some final cabinet box firming up and “trim to wall pieces.” Instead of cutting and dust making inside, I turned the porch into my workshop between threats of rain … what a mess tho!
Another positive note is that the “Wind Mitigation Report” was updated required to keep an insurance discount; I noticed an interesting van in the photo included with the report. HA!
Memorial Day Music Monday – Star Wars theme song
Posted By RichC on May 28, 2018
It is not my ordinary Memorial Day post honoring those who died in service to our country, but I enjoyed watching a couple older Star Wars movies this weekend and couldn’t get the theme song out of my head. It has been a while since I enjoy watching the original 1977 Star Wars (IV – A New Hope) and will add the YouTube music for Music Monday.
Sailing Archive: A knot from Captain John’s Skipper Tips
Posted By RichC on May 27, 2018
There is always a need for "another knot" when sailing. Here’s one for joining lines together with a few pointers from Captain John’s Skipper Tips.
Anytime you join one line to another, you want a knot that will hold under a shock load. Think of any line like a rubber-band. Boat wakes, tidal rise and fall, and wind gusts push and pull on your line. You could tie two bowlines together…
But, this takes lots of line and you’ll end up with two bulky knots that can snag on shrouds or hatch lids. Your second choice may be the Becket Bend (also called a Sheet Bend). I like the extra security of the Double-Becket bend (vs. a Single-Becket). Use this knot to:
* Make short lines longer in just a matter of seconds.
* Double-up docking lines in a slip for heavy weather.
* Join two lines of unequal diameter safe and secure.
Grab two pieces of line and follow the steps below along with the illustration…
1. Form a Teardrop "Foundation"
Form an upside down teardrop (or raindrop) shape with the larger of the two lines–or one of two lines if they’re the same diameter. Hold the teardrop in your non-dominant hand with the fat part of the drop facing down (first illustration).
2. Make a Double Turn
Pull the other line (or the smaller line) through the back of the teardrop and bring several inches toward you. Form a loose loop on one side of the teardrop. Pass the line around the back of the teardrop and through the loop. Do this twice (second illustration).
3. Cinch Up the Sailing Knot
Make your knot tight and compact. Pull on both standing parts and bitter ends a bit at a time. You want the knot to stay put under surge or shock load (third illustration).
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.