ddj | My Desultory Blog

Returning to nautical flavored child safety gates for the stairs

RichC | April 15, 2018

Now that our granddaughter Annalyn is walking, our THREE (ugh!) hardwood staircases are serious safety hazards. We thought about the normal commercial gates, but Brenda mentioned she really liked the nautical sailing ones that I made for our kids when they were little tykes in Hudson, Ohio (a lame attempt at a reference to the […]

Category: Misc, Personal, Photos | No Comments »
Tags: annalyn, ddj, family, gate, house, hudson, little tykes, ohio, project, safety

Most Recent Posts

10/15/18: Mm, Mm, Mm, Music Monday: Broken by Jack Johnson
It’s an on the road Music Monday … and I realized my OLD iPod Shuffle is loaded with almost all Jack Johnson songs. No problem picking one out … how about track two from Johnson’s 2005 Curious… »
10/14/18: Fox Business shuffles their TV talent and expands their live shows
As a business news junkie, I’ve been watching Fox Business since I "demanded it" (as Neil Cavuto would tell viewers in the early days of the expansion Fox network). They have steadily grown and have… »
10/14/18: The 4-cycle Troy-Bilt String trimmer is great, but …
Eleven years ago I replaced my noisy 1980’s 2-cycle John Deere brand "heavy" string trimmer with a much quieter 4-cycle Troy Bilt trimmer (Pony TB465SS). Both were, and are, used heavily as I’ve… »
10/13/18: What a good looking car – 1982 Mercedes Benz 300D Turbodiesel
A friend from a Facebook group posted a 1982 Mercedes Benz advertisement with a W123 beauty – I thought it looked pretty close to my ‘82 MB 300D Turbodiesel. Nice! When the W123 went out of production in… »
10/12/18: Hurricanes and the stock market – duh, it’s October
Q: Why am I not surprised to see U.S. stocks extend Wednesday’s ugly losses with more selling on Thursday? A: Because it is October! Well because the talking heads that “I listen to” point out just how… »
10/11/18: ISS & FaceTime with Annalyn brightens an otherwise sour day
With the stock market tumble on Wednesday and Hurricane Michael ravaging Florida’s Panhandle, I was in the mood to post something positive … but what? Dow Industrials plunge more than 800 points, Nasdaq… »
10/10/18: Fuel prices higher this year and Hurricane Michael nears
EDIT: Updated 14:00-14:30 ET – Landfall Mexico Beach, FL with maximum sustained winds clocked at 145 mph Previous 11:28 a.m. ET update Hurricane Michael has been upgraded to a “potentially… »
10/09/18: Practiced my first hand-cut dovetail #woodworking
One would think that will all the years that I’ve been tinkering with tools and woodworking that surely I would have made a few "hand-cut" dovetails? Nope, I’ve always used a simpler joint for hand… »
10/08/18: Set up the Wyze Cam Pan temporarily but have motion issues
The new low cost Wyze Cam Pan that I bought to put in the Delray Beach Condo arrived this past weekend and so opted to set it up temporarily at home. So far so good with the image and impressive panning control with… »
10/07/18: What kind of rodent and varmint traps do you prefer?
Each year about this time, rodents and varmints are looking at our garage and house as a place to call home when the weather cools. So I’m usually trying to stay ahead of them by sealing up and keeping the garage… »
10/06/18: "A Complete National Disgrace" – Where is our nation headed?
As we watch the Brett Kavanaugh hearing play out in the political circus that has become Washington DC politics, some Americans have lost sight that there are actual people and lives at the center of these hearings.… »
10/05/18: Tech Friday: The Amazon Echo will soon have Whisper Mode
The Amazon Echo has been a fun gadget to use and have in our home since Katelyn and Drew gave it to us for Christmas. After having our granddaughter Annalyn with us for a few days last week, I realized we don’t… »
10/04/18: IF Elio Motors builds my car, what about trim levels?
Yes … I’m still waiting on my Elio. I can’t say that I’m confident they will ever roll off the factory assembly line, but since my deposit is likely already gone one way or the other, I’ll try… »
10/03/18: More compliments for Ridgid Gen5X lithium powered tools
If you use your battery powered drills as much as I do and are suffering with something a bit older than a couple of years, it is time to check out the new lithium powered tools. I can’t tell you how pleased I am… »
10/02/18: Beautiful artwork by someone with TIG talent
FYI … not my work, as I’m nowhere close to having skills like this (although it may inspire me to practice!)… »
10/01/18: Air Force One “like” replicate being moved by barge
Air Force One is parked at Joint Base Andrews in Prince George’s County. Want to board? Run for the highest office in the land or join the White House press corps. Or, for a slightly easier route, visit National… »
09/30/18: Annalyn visiting with her Oma and Bompa – part two
As "warned," here’s a follow up post to archive the special time Brenda and I had with Annalyn this past week. We have been looking forward to having our little 1-1/2 year old granddaughter stay at our… »
09/29/18: Happily busy with our granddaughter Annalyn these past few days
Brenda and I had a few days this past week to enjoy Annalyn “alone” at our house for the first time. It is different than babysitting just a day or so at a time at Katelyn and Drew’s house and was a… »
09/28/18: Facebook Security Flaw Affects almost 50 million accounts
Facebook Inc. discovered a security flaw affecting almost 50 million accounts, the company said Friday. Attackers exploited a vulnerability in Facebook’s code for its “view as” feature, which lets users see what… »
09/27/18: The TV sitcom Last Man Standing returns at 8PM on FOX
Can’t wait for the return of Tim Allen and Last Man Standing cast to FOX after being cancel on ABC — my DVR series is set for Friday night at 8PM (yes, I know about streaming services … but I just… »
09/26/18: Google is doing their part to remind citizens to vote
Although I suspect Google management and most of their Silicon Valley employees are of a left-leaning tilt, there reminder and LINK to "register to vote" is a great universally welcomed message.… »
09/25/18: Final touches and cleaning after condo kitchen remodeling
It has been a slow condo1718 updating and remodeling process with spending only a week here and there in Florida … but after driving down to Delray Beach one more time last week, I was able to install the new… »
09/24/18: Porsche is ditching diesel for good
Porsche announced Sunday that it would focus on hybrid and electric technology and will no longer make diesel-powered vehicles. The announcement comes five months after a senior manager at Porsche in Germany was… »
09/23/18: Volkswagen will be keeping one customer and making new ones
According to my very pleased Volkswagen driving daughter, she’ll likely stay committed to the VW brand IF they continue to appreciate her as a customer. She was one of the first owners of the new 2018 Tiguan last… »
09/22/18: We are looking forward to a couple days with Annalyn
Brenda and I sure enjoy our FaceTime moments with our granddaughter Annalyn, especially when she is eagerly looking at the screen when we answer her call. There is a part of me hoping it is her anticipating talking to… »
09/20/18: DJIA, S&P 500, Nasdaq closing strong and political pontificating
If the stock market is worried about another round of China tariffs, it sure doesn’t show it. Thursday saw the DJIA back to its record high from earlier this year. The S&P 500 did the same and even the Nasdaq… »
09/19/18: The Perfect Wave to make a mental escape
Just escaping for a moment in my mind and eyes … Beautiful Ocean The Perfect Wave #Surfing #Surf #Travel #TuesdayThoughts #Australia pic.twitter.com/W0mhqB44p6 — Tom Hall ☘ (@TomHall) September 18,… »
09/18/18: Tool talk: A little bit more regarding my Ridgid tool choices
In recent years, I’ve added a few corded Ridgid tools to my workshop or traveling trunk. I’ve owned a favorite reciprocating saw for about 10 years now and still find it my absolute favorite (also have an… »
09/17/18: Make someone’s day, give them a compliment, plus some advice
None of us likely compliment others enough, but being on the receiving end of an unexpected compliment feels pretty good. It is past due that I do the same for someone else. Last week I connected with a friend that I… »
09/16/18: Is being creative with credit cards and banking worth the risk?
I hate seeing any of my friends borrow money … especially when the borrowing is at high rates as it often is for those struggling with bills and living month to month. It is particularly frustrating when they… »
09/15/18: Twitter is still my social network of choice for interacting
A shocking number of Twitter impression for a simple Volkswagen Beetle update I posted yesterday – well over 100,000. I do use Twitter regularly to share and comment a variety of topics, but rarely have tweets… »
09/14/18: Hurricane Florence is dumping FEET of rain on the Carolinas
It is and is GOING to be a mess cleaning up after the flooding in a lot more than coastal cities and beachfront towns in North and South Carolina. I’ve watched the slow moving Florence come ashore on TV early this… »
09/14/18: Tech Friday: Never shopping again at Jet.com – $WMT owned
In recent years, we’ve grown accustom to DOTcom retail companies delivering on their promises. Thanks to Amazon and their outstanding efficiency and reliable fulfillment and delivery services. Perhaps I’ve… »
09/13/18: Tis the season for tropical weather – Hurricane Florence nears
We are into the heart of hurricane season and 2018 will likely be one Carolinians remember as both North and South Carolina brace for impact of Hurricane Florence. The powerful hurricane is currently moving towards the… »
09/12/18: Apple introduces their new iPhone Xs line-up and new Watch
The biggest awaited tech news for most Apple lovers took place yesterday as they introduced their latest Watch Series 4 with "heart monitoring" capabilities and improved everything. From edge to edge larger… »
09/12/18: Catching up with archiving several family weekend photos
Keeping track of photos with so many JPGs archived on SD cards, phones, computers, cloud storage services and a never-ending variety of social media platforms makes archiving a challenge. I regularly post a few… »
09/11/18: A way to remember what “sacrificing everything” means on 9/11
“We’re Going to Do Something …” After a week of total disgust over Nike selecting Colin Kaepernick as their new spokesperson suggesting he "sacrificed everything" when he knelt during… »
09/10/18: Music Monday: Falling back on a favorite from Jackson Browne
Once I started listening to music and heard Jackson Browne in the 1970s … I was hooked and have not really stopped enjoying his songs and his long spanning music career. So, after a rainy weekend, here’s a… »
09/09/18: Occasionally an exchange on Twitter can surprise people
Social networks like Twitter"can" be interesting places for people who have opposing views to debate and exchange views … or they can be just a bunch of haters. BUT … because I participate in the former, I… »
09/08/18: The lawn is cut just in time for remnants of Gordon
Since we are just north of Cincinnati and smack dab in the middle of the heaviest projected leftovers of Gordon, I made sure to finish up the lawn cutting chores before the expected "very heavy rain" this… »
09/07/18: Obit: Actor, director and "Bandit" Burt Reynolds dead at 82
Of course my reference by including "The Bandit" in a tribute post to the passing of Burt Reynolds has a lot to do with how I remember him; he died after a heart attack on Thursday 9/6/2018 at age 82. The… »
09/06/18: Oh happy day – a FaceTime with Annalyn and Katelyn
The greatest thing about being a grandpa, or Bompa, as Annalyn called me on her own for the first time, is that I had a permanent smile the rest of the day. She had a great time showing me a few new things and a really… »
09/05/18: Running a meeting based on Robert’s Rules of Order – condensed
Although reading the full Robert’s Rules of Order is helpful, following this short quick reference version will get you through most meetings. For Fair and Orderly Meetings Robert’s Rules is a time-tested… »
09/04/18: Building a couple of toddler vanity/toothbrushing stools
Since it was a hot 3-day holiday weekend (nearly 90 each day) and was both a work weekend and work holiday on Monday for Brenda, I opted to spend a little time in the basement workshop. Besides being cooler during the… »
09/03/18: Music Monday with The Band from 1969 – Happy Labor Day!
Have a great Labor Day! Let’s kick back and celebrate the dedication of all the workers (hopefully some of us) who contribute to the social and economic strength of America by working hard all year long.Although I… »
09/02/18: Remembering Sen John S McCain – he left an imprint
The nations’ citizens, Washington DC elites and the news media devoted significant time to honor and mourn with Senator John S. McCain’s family last week and especially on Saturday. I watched the funeral… »
09/01/18: Human-Induced Climate Change – Take it with a grain of salt
Some interesting results using my birth town and the "number of 90 degree days" in a New York Times "tool" which I interpret as wanting to alarm us into action over the "human induced climate… »
08/31/18: Tech Friday: Yahoo and AOL sift through your emails
Tech news this week highlighted Yahoo and AOL brand email services. There are still plenty of users still using them and unknowingly being spied on (including me since I still use Yahoo for "junk" mail —… »
08/30/18: Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the “furthest” of them all?
Of course perception is everything, but here’s a pretty good indicator regarding the media and their reporting/stories bias. About the political L and R split you expected?… »
08/29/18: The never ending quest to make my Sperry Topsiders last longer
Those of you who regularly read my blog know that I love wearing boat shoes (and flip-flops) and have gone thru great lengths to make them last and keep them "semi" odor free. From insoles to epoxy mixes for… »

October 2018
S	M	T	W	T	F	S
« Sep
	1	2	3	4	5	6
7	8	9	10	11	12	13
14	15	16	17	18	19	20
21	22	23	24	25	26	27
28	29	30	31

October 2018

« Sep

Most Recent Posts

Desultory - des-uhl-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee

Search

Year(s) ago on this day

Archives

Categories

Most Used Tags

Contact

Meta