My Desultory Blog

Posted By RichC on September 26, 2016

We already regularly “hang” spray bottle in our laundry room and in my workshop, but why not use a spring rod to take advantage of two layers of storage under the kitchen sink?

Another one from the same website was in dresser drawer storage. Instead of piling folded clothing flat, fold it so it fits vertically. The thought is that you can see everything when it is on edge rather than buried several layers deep. I’m not sure how it works, but a great organizational idea (below).  Great tips … I wish I remembered where I snipped it from to offer up credit. 

Category: Tidbits | No Comments »
Tags: bathroom, clothing, dresser, ideas, kitchen, sink, tips

Posted By RichC on September 26, 2016

Really just an excuse to post a beginning of autumn photo of roses from the flower beds … but for semi-straggly looking Knockout Roses, they add a bit of color to the greenery around our house.

Actually I was painting the natural gas pipes on both the house and poolhouse as they were starting to get a tad bit rusty. Every couple of years it is probably a good idea to touch up the pipes and meter in order to make them last long and look a little bit nicer.

Category: Misc, Photos, Tidbits | No Comments »
Tags: knockout, maintenance, meter, natural gas, paint, pipe, roses

Posted By RichC on September 25, 2016

A photo is worth a 1000 words — and this photo is a chilling reminder for those of us who travel regularly on the interstates.

I purposely allow for more buffer than many when following a line of traffic (a car length for every 10 mph) AND in particular give semi-trucks even more breathing room. This Chevy Silverado pickup truck crushed by an 18-wheeler is a frightening example of what can happen if there is not enough space between vehicles (I read that neither driver or passenger of the pickup survived).

Category: Automotive, Misc, Photos, Travel | 1 Comment »
Tags: 18-wheeler, accident, driving, highway, interstate, photo, trucks

Posted By RichC on September 24, 2016

We are humbled to call Tim Ellison of Mr. Godwrench our friend. A few years ago when he started his automotive repair business I knew his unabashed and outspoken Christian "modus vivendi" was attractive to me, so I quickly promoted his automotive services and did as much business with him as I could. Due to his integrity and excellent service (and perhaps blessed by evangelizing faithfulness), his business has flourished. Tim continues to do for others, especially for those in need. He regularly does a charity outreach seeking to make life a little better for those struggling. I knew about his "bikes for kids" during Christmas and helping widows and single moms with oil changes, maintenance and giving of vehicles … so instead of selling our Rav4 (we shouldn’t have waited so long), we asked Tim if he could give it to someone who needed a car. With a smile he took it and fixed and polished it up and let me know he would find someone in need. He recently sent me a photo and told me he was taking it to Jackson, Kentucky to give it to someone who needed a reliable car— and it "was" reliable for many years we owned it. I only wish it were in better shape.

So … if you live north of Cincinnati and need automotive service, call Tim Ellison at Mr. Godwrench (513-755-7146). He is a faithful man worthy of Matthew 25:21.

“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’

Category: Automotive, Faith, Friends, Local | No Comments »
Tags: car, charity, christian, godwrench, ohio, Rav4, repair, service, tim ellison, west chester

Posted By RichC on September 23, 2016

While Twitter shareholders seemed to like the rumor of Salesforce.com showing interest in $TWTR, those holding shares of $CRM are not quite as enthused. This has happened before so we’ll see if there is any real substance … OR if others might be interested? Google???

Salesforce.com Inc. is considering a takeover of Twitter Inc., according to people familiar with the matter, as the social-media company’s efforts to ignite growth sputter.

The exploration is in early stages, one of the people said, and might not lead to a deal. It’s unclear who else might be circling Twitter, which had a market value of about $13 billion as of Thursday’s close, down from its all-time high of $40.7 billion in December 2013, according to Thomson Reuters.

more at the WSJ

Category: Financial, News, Social Media, Technology | No Comments »
Tags: $CRM, $TWTR, investing, rumor, stock, takeover, trading, wsj

Posted By RichC on September 23, 2016

Volkswagen isn’t the only automaker skirting diesel emissions laws—many automakers build cars even dirtier than VW.
Source: Study Accuses Other European Diesels of Polluting More Than VW TDIs

A study concludes that Volkswagen TDI diesel are among the cleanest of all the European brands. That could be the reason the Paris Auto Show are showing fewer diesels and more EVs?

In a Switch for Paris Show, Automakers Turn From Diesel – @nytimes https://t.co/lLjEHqSAP7

— Rich Corbett (@RichC) September 22, 2016

Category: Automotive, Diesel, Volkswagen | 1 Comment »
Tags: diesel, emissions, study, tdi, volkswagen

Posted By RichC on September 22, 2016

First off, I am not a snob when it comes to coffee. I have my likes (and quirks) when it comes to coffee, but drink all coffees … even the cheapest boiled campfire coffee will do. That noted … I do enjoy a few of the specialty roasts like the Jamaica Blue Mountain and Kona bean coffees, but the price usually keeps me away. A decade or so ago I also developed a taste for a local Coffee Beans & Brew establishment as well as Caribou Coffee likely because I regularly met a friend or was killing time there waiting for my son to get off work at the Vietnamese restaurant next door — pre-driver’s license (now all are closed in our area). I regularly drive-thru and pick up McDonald’s basic coffee on my way to northeast Ohio or mostly make my daily Chock Full o’Nuts coffee in my one cup brewer. Whatever way you slice it … I’m  addicted to coffee.

BUT … on our recent visit to Wayzata, Minnesota (see posts one, two and three) to visit my daughter, husband and "baby in womb," they perked up my taste buds to flavored coffee. So I added the Dunkin’ Donuts Hazelnut coffee to our grocery list  — I’m going to blame Katelyn and Drew for this extravagant splurge (although I’m currently only adding a half-tablespoon to my cheapo grounds!)

Category: Misc, Personal, Travel | No Comments »
Tags: coffee, drew, family, hazelnut, katelyn, minneapolis, minnisota, wayzata

Posted By RichC on September 21, 2016

In a previous post, I sketched out a "Generator Cage," for the lack of a better term, for our sailboat Encore. The idea is to slip off a Sunbrella cover so we can use the Honda EU2000i Inverter Generator mentioned here on the aft deck when needing power at anchor to charge the batteries and power higher wattage devices. The aluminum cage permits the generator to be locked securely to the deck, but run with unimpeded airflow and moved to be stored below or onshore. 

The "cage" will have two matched keyed locks on each side that holds the "eventual" lid, step, seat, worksurface on top. The cage as mentioned will be thru-bolted to the deck and be fitted with a cover for sun and weather protection. It has been sized slip in from the front with the lid removed but locked in place if the lid is in place.  The final fitting with nylon washers for leveling might change a few things, but I’m planning a foam insert under the lid to semi-secure the generator from wiggling around. (yet to be seen)

Above — a few expendable items I need to replace from Lincoln as the previous eBay ordered part from last year were incorrect. Of course I didn’t check them until I tried to use them!

It is amazing how quick you lose TIG welding skills if you aren’t doing it everyday … from setting up and tweaking the correct power and equipment settings to the coordination between foot pedal, right hand torch movement and left hand filler rod feeding … all behind a darken mask!

Category: Energy, Misc, Personal, Sailing, Tidbits | 1 Comment »
Tags: aluminum, encore, EU2000i, generator, honda, inverter, tig, welding

Posted By RichC on September 20, 2016

Here’s  a last minute blog filler for those who have ever (or might) hit their fingers when hammering in a small nail or tack. For years I’ve used needle-nose pliers to hold the nail, but since we have a bunch of extra "bag clips" (it is what we primarily use clothespins for) laying around, I figured passing along this tip wouldn’t hurt. I’ve tried it and it works great.

It just occurred to me that most of our clothespins were left over from my photography darkroom days where I had them strung up on a coated wire line to hang up rolls of film and RC paper prints — prior to that we used a "print dryer" with a polished stainless steel plate in order to achieve a glossy surface — wow, I dug deep for those memories!

Category: Memories, Photography, Tidbits, Tools | No Comments »
Tags: clothespin, darkroom, dryer, Memory, nail, photography, tip, workshop

Posted By RichC on September 19, 2016

Good question: By ear, the slightly smaller and far lighter Honda EU2000i inverter based generator is definitely quieter than the less expensive, but larger in dimension, weight and power Predator 2200. Read on for a few more points.

I like both of inverter generators and each will serve a slightly different purpose. The Honda is as quiet as a generator can be made as far as I can  tell … and puts out an appropriate amount of power to use on Encore, our sailboat. With the correct plug (thanks to my buddy Mark Jones), the Honda plugs directly into the shore power plug and will power most of our electrical needs at anchor and charge the batteries … this reduces running the Volvo diesel engine when only charging batteries.

The Predator is of similar design, but noticeably heavier and louder. It can handle a largers loads with a maximum power draw of 2500 watt "surge" and 2200 rated watts. The lightweight and quieter Honda EU2000i only surges to 2000 watts and is rated at 600 watts less at 1600 watts. Again both serve a purpose and the price is most definitely different — the Honda is twice as expensive (and likely higher quality, but that’s just my assumption from reading, etc). In my case the Predator will replace the much larger full framed generator that overheated last year — cough, cough … I’m not pointing a finger at my wife …

As you can see in the photos in my side by side testing with exactly the same load, the Honda was 6 decibels quieter recording an 81dB on my iPhone meter at a distance of 4 feet … both units were in exactly the same location. I’m not an audio guy, but listening by ear at a distance of 45 feet, the Honda was barely noticeable while the Predator, which recorded a steady 87dB in my 4 foot test,  was definitely rumbling along and easily heard.

If it is quiet and reliable reputation you need, buy the Honda. If you need something just for emergencies and as a backup or want to save a buck, the Predator seems to be an excellent inverter generator. Time will tell. 

Category: Advice, Audio, Energy, Misc, Sailing, Tools | No Comments »
Tags: comparison, decibels, EU2000i, generator, honda, inverter, predator 2200