Posted By RichC on December 8, 2016
The new matching dryer arrived, but missing the stack kit. We should have bought both the washer and dryer at the same time from Home Depot when they were really on sale, but I wasn’t ready for both. The cheapness came back to bite me as the sale wasn’t quite as good as last summer ($50 more).
Who needs a perfectly good electric dryer — I’m going to try and make up the $50?
Posted By RichC on December 8, 2016
Tis the season to be starting to think about a “Jolly Christmas” as Katelyn and Drew sent back a couple photos from Vienna, Austria this week … and from the looks of it, they are enjoying themselves. I sure hope little “Baby Oostra” likes 
long flights?
It just so happened that Dr. Drew was invited to present the lung cancer research that he has been working on in his UMN fellowship. Katelyn opted to tag along and stretch out a few days touring there way back from Vienna to Paris. It is so good to see Taylor enjoying his trip to Hawaii and now Katelyn and Drew in Europe … they obviously inherited the travel bug?
Posted By RichC on December 7, 2016
It has been a few years since our family visited the historic sites at Pearl Harbor … it was very sobering. Why do human beings continue killing each other — it is as senseless today as it was 75 years
ago.
I would like to think that we are wiser and could agree to inhabit this one planet in peace, but as with generations past, there seem to always be those who desire hate and war … to what end and for what positive outcome?
About all we can do as Americans is try to prevent another Pearl Harbor (or 911) and to be be vigilant and proactive with our defense and intelligence. We have also learned isolation is not a safe plan and as much as we dislike overseas involvement, it is prudent that threats be tempered prior to attacking again (talk first, but be willing to use force when necessary before the threat is too great). Current threats from North Korea, Iran and ISIS are inching towards the "too great" status as are the power hungry and ambitious China Communist leaders — and let’s not forget the Russian leader’s desire to rebuild the USSR (Ukrainians and Crimea).
The best way to honor those who died in Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor, and six other military bases on December 7th, 1941 is to never let another American die in such a surprise attack. I’m thankful for all who served in that "Greatest Generation" and save our country and the world from tyrants desiring to dominate … may such evil be put down before ever attacking America again.
Posted By RichC on December 6, 2016
I headed down to Florida to check in on Encore this past weekend and enjoyed the sunshine but not necessarily the long drive for a short stay. 
Primarily the in-water project had to do with getting the dodger and bimini back on the boat and getting the deck cleaned up after the harsh summer and brush with Hurricane Matthew in October. Thankful she was no worse for the bouncing around … it really could have been worse.
The Volvo diesel hasn’t been cooling properly ever since the engine was repaired … or maybe slightly after that when I replace the dripping waterpump? I doubt it is the pump, but am hoping that the small strainer that replaced the broken Volvo Penta original was reducing seawater intake? We’ll see as I replace it with a larger Vetus Strainer. I like the Vetus design with the larger transparent screw off lid and quality feeling plastic construction. While I was tinkering with engine cooling I did pull the water pump apart to check the impeller and "lid" wear. It seems a little too tight but then that is probably in the design. Unfortunately I do not have any thin oiled-paper gaskets and will give it a try metal to metal until I can pick up or make a couple spares.
A trip to Florida would not be complete with visiting my good friends the Jones… and a sandwich at Goodfellas (nothing special but the best Cheesesteak north, south or west of Philly!) Unfortunately for me, Mark and Dar dropped the news that they would be moving to Savannah in February … something that will be great for them (family close) but sad for me. I’m sure we’ll make a point to see each other, but it won’t be the same not having them taking such good care of Encore (and me). 
Oh … the photo above was the bike fix-it station at the Fort Piece Inlet park that I was mentioning to a bike riding friend and Katelyn and Drew who take advantage of the many bike trails in and around Minneapolis.
While including photos … I’m contemplating a replacement sink when I re-do the galley countertops. Getting a size and position. There’s not enough room for a proper deep twin sink, so I’m contemplating a 6-7" deep single stainless or composite sink that can hold a plastic dishpan with a single drain on the left (drawer under right sink).
Posted By RichC on December 5, 2016
The exuberance is everyway if you listen to the talking heads on cable business news shows as all but "one" component of Pres-Elect Donald Trump’s platform is good for business, jobs and the economy. Unfortunately it is the component that the media and Twittersphere is currently focused on … a 35% tariff on U.S. companies moving jobs and producing product overseas. For a Republican to use the heavy hand of government is a big deal … personally I’m hoping it is a threat that is needlessly being talked about IF a 15% corporate tax rate and reduced regulations get passed.
For now, the prospect is for U.S. growth since the climate for business and free markets is much better here than in Europe which continues their socialist drift and internal problems with refugees and ability to assimilate Muslims.
On of the more influential financial thinkers is the WSJ’s Stephen Moore, who is also on the Trump business and financial advisory panel on taxes. He comments that he could solve all of the above by "taxing on the consumption end rather than the production end." It is simple enough that it is worth giving it serious consideration since it would address a lot of today’s trade and monetary gamesmanship issues.
Posted By RichC on December 5, 2016
Sorry, but when it comes to Coast Guard boardings, you don’t have any rights. I’m surprised how many boaters don’t know this. The US Coast Guard can board your boat any time they want, and look anywhere they want, without probable cause or a warrant. They can do this on the open sea, or while or while you’re asleep aboard in your marina at midnight. They can look through your bedsheets, in your lockers, in your bilges, in your jewelry box, or in your pockets. They can do it carrying just their sidearms, or they can do it carrying assault rifles. They can be polite about it or they can be rude, but mostly they’re polite.
If you’re an avid boater you can expect to be boarded every year or two. –> MORE
Posted By RichC on December 4, 2016
One of the television shows I enjoyed growing up watching was Kung Fu with David Carradine. The program regularly flashed back from Carradine’s character Kwain Chang Caine in the old west to China where he grew up learning the Chinese martial arts from the monks at the Shaolin Monastery. When I saw this photo from 1971 of Shaolin Monks training, I thought of that show and the late actor … and Radames Perá who played "grasshopper."
Posted By RichC on December 3, 2016
The Wendy’s keychain tag promotion has been a favorite of mine for several years now as I’ll usually buy several and hand them out to friends and family. The fast food company is running the donation campaign again in 2017, so I’ll likely continue to be drawn to eating the occasional meal there in 2017 — the “free stuff” promotions works well to draw me into their restaurants.
Posted By RichC on December 2, 2016
I’ve heard of getting a straw stuck up your nose … but this is ridiculous. 
