In the heat of a Cincinnati summer, owning a pool is great … but when closing and opening an “aging” pool that needs a bit of TLC, I begin to wonder if the extra work is worth it?
This year has been the latest we’ve ever open our pool here in Cincinnati (perhaps we were a little later when we lived in Hudson, Ohio?) Part of the delay was the extra goings-on with my dad and Brenda’s mom, part a extra couple of trips to the boat and some of it a bit of laziness mixed with rainy weather. Nevertheless, I am slow to get the pool cleaned up and opened this 2015 season as I’m just now working on a few tile repairs. These repairs are becoming far too normal as more and more rain/snow melt is seeping under the tile and freezing; the voids are noticable and pop the tiles (or break them) when the water freezes and thaws. I’m hoping to stretch these old tiles one or two more years before a full resurface and re-tile is necessary …. but we are getting close.
I’m looking for some anchor chain advice and before posting to a sailing/cruising forum and figured posting the links to my blog might be a good first start. In April I cut off a rusted link from Encore’s anchor chain and brought home a 4 foot length to measure, inspect and contemplate re-galvanizing (also to fit in a chain gypsy). My first dilemma is to decipher the imprinted code (click for larger above although I can’t read it?) and determine if it is even the correct anchor chain and worth re-galvanizing. Second, if I replace, I’d like to keep the current 75 feet of chain and 100 feet of nylon as a back-up. On previous boats we had shorter chain but twin anchors. On this boat I’d rather have a rock solid primary Rocna or Mantus and enough chain to do a 5 to 1 in 25-30 feet of water (150’ of chain) … plus snubber and extra nylon rode.
One of my sailing acquaintances, Donna Lange, is preparing to sail around the world for the second time (news story) beginning in late-July. She’ll leave Rhode Island planning to solo circumnavigate non-stop via Cape Hope (South America), the southern oceans south of New Zealand and Australia and then around Cape Horn (Africa) back to Bristol, Rhode Island. Her goal is to do this in 10 months. I’m looking forward to following and maybe “tweeting” about her trip … once again.
Some are do-ers … and some of us are dreamers (her prep video below).
Since my daughter’s birthday falls on a Thursday this year it offers me a perfect excuse (as if I need one) to reminisce a little and post a Throw Back Thursday (#TBT) video … this one from 1996. Love you Katelyn — Happy Birthday!
Besides having a chauffer park your car for you, the Porsche owner above has invested in a pretty cool CarDok. Not to be out done, my friend Tim Hunter has found an even better way to park his Volkswagen … (kidding) photo right. We were both somewhat distressed seeing his old TDI (now his daughter’s car) ”shoveled” around at the insurance claim lot after the accident. He decided that was not the best way to handle his “beloved” 2002 VW Golf TDI and is choosing to fix it rather than crush it – it made sense to me. Thankfully the damage to this well used little car (nearly 300,000 miles) was limited to “mostly” cosmetic parts and should be able to be self-fixed satisfactorily … at least enough for a commuter car. It is a good thing he choose to buy it back from the salvage yard because otherwise I would have added another diesel project in my garage. Whew, decision averted for me! (damage to the front “only” below)
Q: Have you wondered about those extra lacing holes were for that seem out of place on athletic shoes? A: They are used to prevent blisters on your feet when running by keeping your shoe tightly on your foot. (Illumiseen)
It is nice to know that my son Taylor connected and is well-liked by his co-workers in Williams County, North Dakota … liked enough to receive a potluck goodbye(although I’m not so sure they know just how land-locked Cincinnati is???) It is a happy time for him to be growing in his career, but I also know it will challenging leaving such wonderful friends. It’s the right move, at the right time … I only hope the next group of co-workers are as caring. A big thank you to all those who welcomed him “aboard” and made the past two years away from home easier.
It is always tough building friendships again, but I’m glad this time it will be a bit closer to home.
