My Desultory Blog

Posted By RichC on November 14, 2015

Those who have lost a family dog probably know what the days are like shortly after a pet is gone. My daily routine is so engrained that I habitually look for our dog Tootsie at the door (I still think I see her peeking in sometimes) or to be at my side … usually waiting for a treat! A perfect example is my morning routine of peeling a banana knowing she is waiting for me to toss her a piece. She was always there waiting for a little niblet or just a simple rub under her chin.
 

About a year ago our veterinarian gave me information to start me thinking about the eventual day. I think she knew it would either happen naturally (and perhaps soon since we didn’t update her shots) or that we might need to make a decision regarding her comfort and safety (she has had a few close calls). We had many signs, considering Tootsie age, that life was becoming difficult for an outdoor active breed like most Australian Cattle Dogs. Her hip displasia made activity difficult, particularly getting up in the morning, going up stairs … or for that matter a single step or even in and out of her dog door on some days. Genetically, many Heelers or Cattle Dogs go deaf (as did Tootsie a few years ago). Add to deafness a loss of eyesight and normal aging, that made for challenging navigation around the house and yard … thankfully her nose continued to work. In recent months, problems started with her digestive track. We did our best to switch her food to puppy food for ease of digestion, but often, it would come uncontrollably from both ends … and not usually in a convenient “yard” location. (by the way, I can speak authoritatively on the “pharyngeal reflex”)

So after a phone call with the vet, I waited (and waited) and finally made an appointment this past week to have her help me decide if we should medically treat or consider euthanasia. It was probably one of the most difficult decisions I’ve ever been faced with making (yes, God has been good if “pet decisions” rank that high). So we decided, rather than put her (and me) through another cold winter, that it was time. It was not easy (and would have been more difficult if I were to discuss with the kids), but the compassion of the veterinarian, Animal Friends Humane Society staff and volunteers helped a lot. It was much appreciated. Thank you.

Category: Obituary, Personal, Photos | 1 Comment »
Tags: death, dogs, euthanasia, obit, pets, tootsie

Posted By RichC on November 13, 2015

It has been a rough day … week … for the financial markets. One has to wonder if the Fed will ever be able to move lending rates back to traditional levels? Sure doesn’t look like the economy here or abroad is able to support itself without the easy money policies. (charts and heatmap: www.finviz.com)

Category: Financial, Politics | No Comments »
Tags: fed, finacials, investing, stock market, trading

Posted By RichC on November 13, 2015

Our condolences to Dawn and family on the sudden passing of Rich. It sure came as a shock to us.

Richard E. Newsted, 58, of Liberty Township, Ohio, passed away unexpectedly Thursday, November 5, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. He was born on October 28, 1957 in Valparaiso, Indiana, the son …

Source: Richard NEWSTED’s Obituary on The Cincinnati Enquirer

Category: Friends, Obituary | No Comments »
Tags: friend, neighbor, newstead, obit

Posted By RichC on November 12, 2015

Unfortunately distraction is way too normal for me … and while in the middle of cleaning out the garage/ workshop, I started working on a “man-corner” that I planned well before the term “man cave.” The initial goal was to clean up my variety of “junk” after finalizing Brenda’s mom and dad’s farmhouse … and now having to do the same for my dad’s stuff. It is wrong to leave so much work for my kids – there will be plenty anyway even if I purge! 

One of the two stoves we heated our previous NE Ohio home in Hudson with has been stored in the garage for years with the idea of installing it for both heat and ambiance in my shop. The older I get, the less work I do so sitting around to read or talk is becoming more the norm … and a fire/stove will be just the ticket. I usually think “resale,” but in this case it is something for “me.” We’ll see how it move ahead this winter.

I did mention my new splitter in a earlier post with all the extra wood this year and a new woodstove project will be a great place to burn it … besides the outdoor fireplace we adding in 2007.

Category: Misc, Personal, Photos | 1 Comment »
Tags: burning, garage, heat, logs, man cave, woodstove

Posted By RichC on November 11, 2015

Category: Marketing, Sports, Volkswagen | No Comments »
Tags: andy dalton, bengals, FAST, gti, volkswagen

Posted By RichC on November 11, 2015

At exactly 11:11 a.m. every Veterans Day (Nov. 11), the sun aligns perfectly with the Anthem Veterans Memorial north of Phoenix, Arizona to shine through the ellipses of five marble pillars representing each branch of the Armed Forces. The desert sun illuminates The Great Seal of the United States in the shadow of the memorial. What an impressive tribute to all the men and women who serve to protect the citizens of the United States.

The first Veterans Day (Armistice Day):

On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, was declared between the Allied nations and Germany in the First World War, then known as “the Great War.” Commemorated as Armistice Day beginning the following year, November 11th became a legal federal holiday in the United States in 1938. In the aftermath of World War II and the Korean War, Armistice Day became Veterans Day, a holiday dedicated to American veterans of all wars.

Category: History, Holiday, Millitary | No Comments »
Tags: armistice, History, memorial, phoenix, tribute, veterans, veterans day

Posted By RichC on November 10, 2015

As a big fan of the Wall Street Journal and the FoxBusiness network, I’m looking forward to the next GOP debate tonight (9PM Tuesday 11/10/2015) and am hoping the moderators do a better job than last months CNBC hosted debate. I suspect Maria Bartiromo, Neil Cavuto and Gerard Baker will work particularly hard to avoid “gotcha” questions or ridiculing the candidates. Shamefully for CNBC. Hopefully they will be able to draw a few more details from the leading candidates regarding how they will govern, negotiate with congress to move the country forward and deal with our adversaries overseas (and at home).

There will also be an earlier 7:00PM showing with 4 second tier candidates – 3 governors and one senator: Christie, Huckabee, Jindal and Santorum. That one-hour debate will be moderated by Sandra Smith, Trish Regan and WSJ’s Gerald Seib.

I’m particularly fond of a tax overhaul and fiscal responsibility in Washington DC, but not confident that any “electable” candidate will be able to infiltrate the culture which rewards politicians who dole out entitlements, tax loopholes and promises benefiting their particular constituents. The system is broken. On the other hand, let’s not give up on a compromise in order to gain a little ground for the best interest of the whole.

I’m hoping moderators steer the conversation around the actual issues and avoids the personal attacks. It is bad enough when they come from candidates’ supporters, but really turns me off coming from the moderators and the candidates themselves.

The graphic above has to do with the “pop” in social media in the previous CNBC GOP debate. I think it is Twitter only, but indicates what kind of comment generates an public response from viewers … the Cruz blue spike was his chastising CNBCs’ moderators and the long stretch of red is a vocal base of Trump supporters. What will tonight bring?

Category: Politics | No Comments »
Tags: candidates, debate, foxbusiness, gop, republican, wsj

Posted By RichC on November 9, 2015

I’m in “sync” with Alan Macey and the minority when he says, “we find joy in those fleeting moments between ratios; the crescendo of rpm, the gentle click of the gate, the building inertia in our chest as the drivetrain becomes whole again.” Let’s save the manual transmission!

No matter how tightly the clutch, stick-shift enthusiasts can’t reverse trend toward cars with automatic transmission.

Source: Do You Drive Stick? Fans of Manual Transmission Can’t Let Go

Category: Automotive | No Comments »
Tags: cars, driving, manual, transmission

Posted By RichC on November 9, 2015

In November 2012, Salvador Alvarenga went fishing off the coast of Mexico. Two days later, a storm hit and he made a desperate SOS. It was the last anyone heard from him – for 438 days. This is his story

Source: Lost at sea: the man who vanished for 14 months

Category: Misc, Sailing | No Comments »
Tags: lost, ocean, sea, story, survival, theguardian.com

Posted By RichC on November 7, 2015

I took “Brenda’s” car on its first road trip this week without asking while making calls in NE Ohio – whoops?!?! It sure was an enjoyable car to drive … too bad it replaces her 1998 Toyota Rav4 and not my 2006 Honda Pilot.

Jealously aside, I was anxious to see just what kind of fuel economy this 2010 BMW X5 35d would return … finished the trip at about 24.8 according to the trip computer (will be checking the manual numbers on the next fill). So far it’s not going to hit 30 mpg, but “maybe” I’ll be able to figure out how to get it above 26 mpg (the top for my 1982 Mercedes Benz 300D Turbodiesel that I often drive in good weather) … but the driving performance is way better than I expected – nice!

Category: Automotive, BMW, Diesel, Personal, Photos | 1 Comment »
Tags: 300d, BMW, diesel, honda, mpg, pilot, Rav4, toyota, x5 35d