Posted By RichC on May 13, 2017
A few years ago I posted an image of a sailboat having an encounter with a whale … just imagine swimming or paddling with something this big … there are truly giants among us. (The Fin and Blue Whale)
Posted By RichC on May 12, 2017
The "cheap" replacement Epson printer arrived on Thursday and I was very disappointed in the quality of the multi-function-device that replace the Epson WF 545. Unfortunately several years after the previous, the WF M-1560 is of even poorer quality and even slower as a scanner. It was surprising to me.
The positive is that it was a quick and simple network set-up and software download vs installing from the included CD (added for a "first scan" look at scan quality). It should be more economical as a copier since it only uses larger Black only cartridges which should offer inexpensive copies … if it were only faster.
I would not recommend this unit as I’m disappointed that the scan speed for both images and copies is so slow … even at low resolution.
Posted By RichC on May 11, 2017
The previous later evening blog update when the contractor left was a bit of a blurry photo, so I wanted to include a better photo and opted to give 
the Lumix GX8 pano-mode a try (above). Since I was not sure exactly how it would turn out, opted for a normal wide angle image as well (left). The "nearly finished" subject line has to do with some replacement components, touch up and my project of replacing the cool white under counter LED with warmer color lighting (Brenda’s choice). I’m also replacing the upper door of the corner kitchen cabinet with a wider opening beveled glass door and glass shelves to better display some of Brenda’s china.
Posted By RichC on May 10, 2017
Ah … so that’s why they add the picnic table to the trunk of so many Japanese cars!
Saw this cute photo shared by an automotive journalist friend on a social network and couldn’t help but make a comment and include.
Posted By RichC on May 9, 2017
Rarely do I endorse many establishments on the blog, but Spinning Fork in Fairfield, Ohio is not a problem for me. The casual family owned Italian restaurant has been our favorite since 1995, although it was in a different location a bit further north on Dixie Highway/ Route 4. Besides the excellent food, the friendly employees (and owners) always make us feel welcome and appreciated. The food is excellent, atmosphere comfortable and prices moderate.What’s not to like?
I suspect our "bond" began when my son was in grade school and one of their elderly family members from Italy took to him and called him Mr. Taylor. We enjoyed her for several years until she went back to Italy … but the others have been just as friendly ask about the family even with months between visits. Of course I really didn’t need an opening to pull out the latest photo of Annalyn. 
If you enjoy homemade Italian food in a VERY friendly setting, you cannot go wrong having lunch or dinner at Spinning Fork.
Posted By RichC on May 8, 2017
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Posted By RichC on May 7, 2017
Taylor and I joined in with a group from the Mercedes Benz Club of Cincinnati on a visit to the American Packard Museum in Dayton, Ohio on Saturday. The tour group was lead by an informative lecture from a long time Packard historian and lasted most of the afternoon. 
Surprisingly I never visited the museum with my Dad, although I knew he had visited a few years back with my mom. I wish I could have gone with him (post on the History Channel about Packard).
We learned quite a bit about the well known luxury car manufacturer that began in the beginning of the 19th century and was building some of the best and most expensive cars by the Great Depression in the 1930s. They struggled like all automotive manufacturers and even moved toward a mid-priced “ordinary” car model called the Packard One-Twenty with unique features such as hydraulic brakes and independent suspension. In World War 2 Packard joined the war effort and supplied their excellent engine building to power everything from PT mosquito boats to fighter aircraft.
Production after the war return to their cars, but the market no longer grew for their luxury cars and their 40’s and 50’s style saw more and more competition. Financially troubled, the company merged with the smaller Studebaker who eventually stopped building Packard in the late 1950s and the last mostly a Studebaker Golden Hawk with a few Packard badges and custom body panels … my dad’s, now my Packard Hawk.
Above is a slideshow from our afternoon at the Packard Museum. Below is a short video (before the battery in my camera died) of a “one-of-a-kind” convertible 1958 Packard Hawk that is either an aftermarket customer modification OR a factory concept car (rumor). All in all, a great day topped off by my son taking me out to dinner for my birthday. Thanks for coming along Taylor and thanks for my birthday dinner!
Posted By RichC on May 6, 2017
Our kitchen update is nearly finished and we only have a few touch up items, the correct under the counter LED lights and a freezer door replacement to go. The mounted TV is now working with everything self contained on the sliding mount and everything works off of a single power plug. I’m still having MOCA connection issues and will need to try and reroute a networking cable to try and centrally local in hopes of a stronger connection.
All in all the new pot filler over the gas range is a great addition and am loving the full slab granite work island and counter height eating area. Perhaps the most appreciated change are the three pendant lights over the eating area. This has been a great update and upgrade.
Posted By RichC on May 5, 2017
Ever since the switch from Time Warner to Cincinnati Bell Fioptics, the Raspberry Pi2 and Pi3 that I’ve been using for testbed Linux servers have been out of commission. I’m struggling to come up with a way to bypass the Port 80 block that CB and many ISPs put in place to protect users equipment (that is the theory). About the only option that might work semi-well is to use a different port and services from a company like no-ip.org. Currently the Raspberry Pi 3 is running on port 8080 so it looks as if it might work? (Still looking for self directed options tho)
Port 80 Redirect: This option needs to be used if your ISP blocks port 80 like most commonly do. It enables you to reach your server without having to type the port after the hostname.
Example: Without Port 80 redirect you would have to type in the following into your browser: yourhost.no-ip.org:8080.
Posted By RichC on May 4, 2017
The contractor that dented our Samsung refrigerator ask me to get a replacement freezer door so I called J & J International at 800-627-4368 and had to log a case #149782 and give them our model and serial number before they could research and price the part. Hopefully if I order it they will continue to honor my reimbursement?
Perhaps I’ll hold back the amount on my final payment as they are closing in on finishing up. Today they are grouting the backsplash subway tile, adding the final trim, staining the floors, touching up paint and installing the cooktop. We are nearly done after being under kitchen construction for 2 months.
Backsplash tile going in and the hanging of our crystal “birdcage” lights (don’t call them that around Brenda or I’ll have to replace them!!!)