New Invention – Easiest Drawers Ever!
Posted By RichC on May 17, 2015
Now this would be a great Kickstarter project.
Contemplating sailboat anchors and anchor chain options
Posted By RichC on May 17, 2015
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.
Sailor Donna Lange prepares for her Sail Twice Around
Posted By RichC on May 16, 2015
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).
Simple security is often overlooked on WordPress
Posted By RichC on May 15, 2015
Check out these five security points if you use a WordPress website:
- Don't Use “Admin” or “Administrator” as a Login Name
- Use a Highly Secure Password
- Keep WP and Its Plug-ins Up-to-Date
- Backup Your Site
- Install Security Plug-ins
Source: Envisionitsolutions
An interesting way to park your car and VW Golf TDI decision
Posted By RichC on May 13, 2015
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)
Video: The heel lock or lace lock when tying athletic shoes
Posted By RichC on May 13, 2015
Hmm … I learned something new today.
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)
A nautical goodbye for Taylor in North Dakota
Posted By RichC on May 12, 2015
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.
Anchor from Blackbeard’s ship raised
Posted By RichC on May 11, 2015
The nearly 3,000-pound anchor was raised from the Queen Anne’s Revenge, the flagship of the notorious pirate that he intentionally grounded off the North Carolina coast in 1718. It is the largest artifact yet recovered from the wreck.
Source: Anchor from Blackbeard’s ship raised after 293 years off North Carolina coast
Desultory - des-uhl-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee
- lacking in consistency, constancy, or visible order, disconnected; fitful: desultory conversation.
- digressing from or unconnected with the main subject; random: a desultory remark.