My Desultory Blog

Posted By RichC on September 28, 2024

It has been a few years since the last raccoon has found a way to get into the house again, but it looks like one has made an entrance again. 

I’ve tacked up heavy galvanized screens, screwed aluminum panels and trapped and trapped and trapped them over the years, but the raccoons that live in our area  can’t be deterred. This time we’ve only heard a noise once and I quickly set a trap, but the remnants o Hurricane Helene has set me back. 

I’m not sure once I trap this guy just how I’ll patch up the soffit this time, but might go with the vinyl soffit backed with some pressure treated plywood. Stay tuned. 

Category: Misc, Nature, Photos, Repairs | No Comments »
Tags: attic, critters, helene, house, hurricane, raccoon, soffit

Posted By RichC on September 27, 2024

Hurricane Helene hit the Florida Panhandle, Georgia and the Carolinas with a furry as a category 4 storm. The early damage looks heavy, not to mention the death count (22  from the WSJ article as I post this).

Currently in SW Ohio we are getting heavy wind and rain (not sure when I’ve seen this much wind), but it should hopefully be over quickly;  Helene does seems to be moving fast. Prayers and the Red Cross link as a lot of Americans have been impacted. 

At Least 22 Dead as Helene Rips Through Southeast

Storm surges and powerful winds knock out power to millions, cause catastrophic flash flooding

Helene swept across the Florida panhandle, Georgia and the Carolinas as one of the Southeast’s most powerful storms, knocking out power to millions and leaving at least 22 people dead.

(more…)

Category: News, Video, Weather | No Comments »
Tags: anigif, helene, hurricane, red cross, storm, tropical storm, wsj

Posted By RichC on September 27, 2024

Since the iPhone 16 Pro Max is the first Apple phone that I’ve had with induction charging capability, I’ve been curious how to best manage the longevity of the new battery. I’ve generally plugged my iPhones in to charge once a day (overnight) for the last decade or so BUT did use the induction puck with my Palm Pre … but it still was an overnight charge.

So far with the new iPhone, I’ve been using the MagFast Air Qi-wireless charger on my desk (not available anymore) to charge my phone. Because I put it on and off all day, it is important for me to know if it would be better to just charge overnight rather than a little here and a little there?

Ah … a perfect opportunity to let AI respond with a “best guess” answer. 😊 

iPhone Magsafe Charging Patterns

Based on available information, leaving your iPhone connected to an unplugged MagSafe charger throughout the day may not have significant negative effects on battery health. Here’s a breakdown of the key points:

• Heat generation: MagSafe charging does produce some heat, particularly during the initial charging stages. However, this heat is generally considered to be within a safe range for battery health.
• Constant contact: The constant connection between the charging coil and iPhone may cause some battery degradation over time. However, this effect is likely to be minimal and only noticeable after extended periods of use (e.g., months or years).
• Battery health: Apple’s MagSafe accessories, including the Leather Wallet with MagSafe, are designed to be connected at all times. This suggests that the company does not anticipate significant battery degradation from occasional or constant connection to an unplugged MagSafe charger.
• Charging cycles: The number of charging cycles, rather than the frequency of charging, is a more significant factor in battery health. As long as you’re not overcharging or undercharging your iPhone excessively, the occasional or constant connection to an unplugged MagSafe charger is unlikely to have a substantial impact.

In conclusion, leaving your iPhone connected to an unplugged MagSafe charger throughout the day is unlikely to be detrimental to battery health. However, it’s essential to maintain good charging practices, such as avoiding extreme temperatures, keeping your iPhone away from moisture, and updating your device regularly to ensure optimal battery performance.

Recommendations

• Use a high-quality MagSafe charger and cable to minimize the risk of electrical issues.
• Avoid overcharging or undercharging your iPhone, as this can affect battery health.
• Keep your iPhone away from extreme temperatures, moisture, and physical damage.
• Regularly update your iPhone’s software to ensure optimal battery performance and overall device health.

By following these guidelines, you can enjoy the convenience of MagSafe charging while minimizing potential risks to your iPhone’s battery health.

Brave Leo AI

Category: AI, Apple, Cellphone, Technology | No Comments »
Tags: ai, battery, brave leo ai, charger, charging, iphone 16 pro max, magfast, magsafe, tech friday, techfriday

Posted By RichC on September 26, 2024

Hurricane Helene (2024) looks to be big enough to pack a massive punch. Hopefully all in the  low-lying area of Florida’s big bend and gulf coast area are evacuating. 

From my perspective, my daughter and her family are on a Disney Cruise and will stay at sea at least 12 hours longer as they wait for the Port of Canaveral to reopen. Who knows what kind of flight they will find when it is time to return (although expect the Orlando airport and airlines already knows how they will handle the MANY delayed/changed flights)? 

In Ohio, it doesn’t look as if we’ll be spared some wind and rain … but hope the tornado watches Florida is already seeing will not make it this far north?

Category: Blogs, Weather | No Comments »
Tags: florida, gulf coast, helene, hurricane, tropical storm

Posted By RichC on September 26, 2024

Once again, a social media “what is it” post (on X.com) intrigued me enough to comment on the glass insulators that were used on phone lines for years … especially along the railroad tracks when I was a kid. 

The antique photo triggered a Throwback Thursday #TBT memory of hanging out in an area behind our house that I’m sure we were not supposed to be.  Part of the time we did nothing, but walk and talk … while other times we acted like hoodlums and both threw stones and shot slingshots at the glass insulators on top of the telephone poles (boys will be boys). Thankfully we were smarter than to be smoking, drinking or doing drugs. After admitting the previous “sling shot” behavior, it might be hard to believe, but we were “still pretty good kids.” 

Category: Idioms, Memories, Social Media, TBT, Tidbits | No Comments »
Tags: glass, railroad, slingshot, TBT, tracks, wrist rocket

Posted By RichC on September 25, 2024

A change of plans is something that can cause stress … but nothing like the stress of having a child with a medical condition, no matter their age.

Brenda’s younger sister Ann and her husband Gary have a grown daughter who has overcome hurdle after hurdle in living with a chiasmal optic glioma. It has not only impact her eyesight, but occasionally head pain — severe headaches.

Sarah was on vacation with friends this past week at their condo in the mountains of Utah and was taken to the hospital suffering from severe head pain. CT scans and MRI later have convinced doctors that the altitudes while hiking in the mountains could be the cause. 

In our case, we were planning to join Ann and Gary in a couple day along with Brenda’s older sister and husband for some family time together. But with this latest medical situation have decided to pospone our trip and get together … we’re now thinking 2025 (bummer, Annie had permits to hike Zion National Park’s Angel Landing hike too). ☹️

(more…)

Category: Health, Misc, Personal, Travel | No Comments »
Tags: family, gerbers, Health, hiking, medical, sarah, skinners, utah, zion national park

Posted By RichC on September 25, 2024

This content is restricted.

Category: Archive, Friends, Personal, Photos | No Comments »
Tags: annalyn, cruise, disney, drew, ellerie, family, friends, katelyn, lovebugs, oostra

Posted By RichC on September 24, 2024

Taylor and his newlywed longtime friend, Mike, were in Chicago for the weekend and they sent me a few photos of their time together … sort of a post-wedding bachelor get together. I’d did check the Chicago Cubs – Nationals score (they lost), but it did look beautiful at Wrigley Field.

I spent the weekend getting a few fall yard chores done. I started to put away the outdoor furniture (just some) and getting ready for a hiking trip with Brenda’s sisters to Utah. It should be nice. 

Also, I pulled out the Sailrite sewing machine and finished up the cover for the newly painted Bame Utility trailer. I’m hoping that having a cover will help in of season storage and protection, but also am wondering if it will hold up driving on the interstate while hauling a bookshelf to Katelyn and Drew’s house (and of course hauling back some more of their lumber to my workshop)? 

Category: Archive, Friends, Personal, Photos, Woodworking | No Comments »
Tags: bame, baseball, chicago cubs, cover, michael agler, taylor, trailer, utility, wrigley field

Posted By RichC on September 23, 2024

While out and about the other day, the song “Before My Heart Finds Out” popped on SiriusXM’s The Bridge channel.
I recalled the song from 1978, but not the artist Gene Cotton.

According to a Wikipedia post, it was from his 8th album, Save the Dancer and “became his greatest hit reaching number 23 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and spending three weeks at number 17 in Canada.”
   

So for this week’s Music Monday, below is the YouTube’s version of the song.

Category: Music, Video | No Comments »
Tags: 1978, gene cotton, music monday, musicmonday, siriusxm, the bridge, youtube

Posted By RichC on September 22, 2024

The number of times that the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 has come up in conversation recently had me interested to know just what is so good or evil about it. To even have Former President Donald Trump declare he “hasn’t read it or even cares to know what is in it,” yet it still has far-left progressives and the Harris/Walz campaign all up in arms about a think-tank policy proposal. It had me intrigued enough to research a little bit  … and also let AI do some light summary work.

Project 2025 Summary

Project 2025 is a comprehensive plan to reshape the U.S. federal government, established in April 2022. Led by the Heritage Foundation, the initiative aims to implement the agenda and ideologies of former President Donald Trump. The project’s primary objectives are:

• Dismantle the Administrative State: Eliminate the independence of federal agencies, such as the Department of Justice, FBI, Federal Communications Commission, and Federal Trade Commission, and place them directly under presidential control.
• Restore Family Values: Emphasize the importance of family as the foundation of American life.
• Defend National Sovereignty and Borders: Strengthen border security and national defense.
• Secure Individual Rights: Protect God-given individual rights to live freely.

The project’s flagship publication, “Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise” (2023), outlines policy suggestions from over 400 scholars and experts. Key proposals include:

• Eliminating the National Flood Insurance Program and replacing it with private insurers.

Placing the entire federal bureaucracy under direct presidential control, a concept known as “unitary executive theory.”

Brave AI

Category: AI, News, Politics | No Comments »
Tags: ai, heritage foundation, project 2025, summary