RichC | June 1, 2021
The robin eggs in the back porch (earlier in May above) wreath Brenda made from her grandmother’s grapevines years ago, have hatched Below was day one (left) and day two (right) … as Brenda commented … “you should wait until they’re a bit cuter.” The weather was “so-so” this past Memorial Day weekend, but since […]
RichC | May 28, 2021
Our family has been burning up the highway this past month, but it has been great to get together again with our granddaughters and of course Katelyn and Drew. We’ve had this dance recital planned for a while now, along with an extra day to help out with babysitting … and didn’t want to ruin […]
RichC | May 25, 2021
This past weekend was a busy weekend and won’t likely let up for a little while – full schedule … and I’m not even really back to traveling for work! It started with getting the mowing finished up on Friday night so that I could spend time on getting the initial pool cleaning and pump […]
RichC | September 19, 2020
It has taken me most of the second half of the summer, but I’m finally finishing the poolhouse changing room … more work than I thought. The damage done by Katelyn’s “late” pet rabbit Pumpy Umpy was significant enough to require lower drywall (greenboard) and all new casing and baseboard trim. Part of my slowdown […]
RichC | August 19, 2020
Since I spent most of the weekend outside again doing chores and projects as the weather has been great … I spotted a couple of insects enjoying summer as well. The normal bugs don’t grab my attention, but the brightly colored and unusual ones are worthy of photos (still impressed with the camera on my […]
RichC | August 11, 2020
With our family in town last week, it was a busy time. We enjoyed several outings, good food and plenty of pool time. Annalyn has really grown to enjoy swimming and playing in the yard. She loves the swing (Bompa needs to work on a bigger one) and riding the bike with training wheels to […]
RichC | August 8, 2020
Although I’m looking high and low for some material to replace the clearance foam bead filled pool floaties I bought a few years ago, I continue to re-stitch and reinforce the old product with “Brenda’s” Sailrite Ultrafeed LS-1. The new stitching holds as long as the old fabric holds up, but sooner or later I’m […]
RichC | July 10, 2020
It has definitely been sunny and warm this past week or so, but this kind of pool temperature is ridiculous! Whew, 89 degrees! I’ve been trying to keep up with brushing half the pool each evening in hope to stay ahead of any wall growth. Chemical balances look decent so far, but after my trip […]
RichC | June 9, 2020
Today’s blog update is really just to archive a couple grandkid photos from this past weekend. We see our family enough not to have to post something every time we get together, but those with grandchildren know how fast babies grow from week to week and month to month. I’ll start the post with a […]
RichC | June 4, 2020
The “to-do” list is slowly being chipped away at as last weekend Brenda and I enjoyed the nice weather at home to work on yard chores. She is still struggling with a back issue, but felt good enough to use the Kubota (against my advice BTW – bumpy lawn) to mow the front lawn. I […]
RichC | May 26, 2020
It is never as easy as expected? I’m accustom to opening the pool each season now that I’ve been doing it for 20+ years in Cincinnati and another 5 or so in Hudson before that. Each season it should get easier, right? Nope. There always something … and the job is MUCH more challenging to […]
RichC | October 2, 2019
Although they are not venomous, the people I know don’t like to go swimming with snakes … Northern Water Snakes in this case (I think – see screen grab below). After being away for a week, once again the local wildlife has decided to make our pool their home – it has been dry. I […]
RichC | September 16, 2019
A quick post to the blog archive with a few photos from this past weekend. Katelyn, Drew and Annalyn came down to go to the Cincinnati Zoo with Taylor and Megan on Saturday. They had a great time. Of course Brenda and I enjoyed having Annalyn around for a couple days too! She is growing […]
RichC | July 23, 2019
The weather has been super hot and humid so far this July over most of the eastern half of the country. It is pool and grilling weather to be sure … although when the pool water temperature is 90 degrees, it really doesn’t feel all that refreshing anymore. Since I was clearing off the porches […]
RichC | July 9, 2019
The holiday weekend at our house in Cincinnati was fun for all as I enjoyed my kids stretching out my birthday celebration with a Saturday Indians – Reds baseball game (posted on Saturday). We all had a great time together and enjoyed the hot weather, pool, having ice cream at The Cone and plenty of […]
RichC | July 5, 2019
So far the Fitbit Versa “watch” that I received for my birthday has been great … and I’m using it far more than expected. It has already encouraged me to be a little more active as I work hard to hit the 10,000 step goal each day. Thank you Katelyn and Drew! This past weekend […]
RichC | June 18, 2019
With steady rains (and downpour storms) over the past week, the ground was soft enough for even this 60 year old guy to trench. I’ve been wanting to work on the “sump pump to pool” bypass ever since testing it with a temporary pipe to 2” roll up hose a few years ago. The water […]
RichC | June 10, 2019
From 3 years old (photo) to 30 years old this year in 2019 … the years of watching Taylor grow up have zipped way too fast. I suspect every parent and grandparent has said that at one time or another? Birthday “year” celebrations, become “decade” celebrations, and we no long even contemplate the candles on […]
RichC | May 25, 2019
It feels a late start to opening the “mudhole” … I mean “muddy” pool … this year as our trips to Florida have set me back on the usual spring chores. I think the earliest we have opened the pool as been March, but this year is about the latest that I can recall, although […]
RichC | January 15, 2019
With a “heavy snowfall” that amounted to about 10 inches before melting a bit, I was thankful to have put the snow blower on the tractor last week. It was about the wettest snow I’ve ever tried to blow and that’s saying something since I’ve been removing snow with the John Deere 330 since the […]
RichC | September 3, 2018
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 no longer work as hard as when I was younger, it is still nice to be enjoy the […]
RichC | July 26, 2018
We been enjoying summer and mostly great weather around the house and yard so far this year in 2018 and Brenda‘s growing landscape mounds are all flowering and looking really nice (she has been working on them although her current Grand Jury duty is cutting into her free time). The last few days of slightly […]
RichC | July 17, 2018
It is shocking to see our granddaughter Annalyn growing and maturing so fast. I remember hearing that same thing from my parents about Katelyn and Taylor, but never really gave it much thought besides “it is probably what all grandparents say.” Just watching her dexterity and skill at “blowing bubbles” has me realizing she will […]
RichC | July 9, 2018
It may only be my music taste … or due to heading of to the music listening college days … but the Fleetwood Mac album "Rumours" album was probably the best of 1977 — I still think every cut was excellent. While cooling off in the pool this weekend after outdoor chores (and some sunburn), […]
RichC | July 4, 2018
My son Taylor continues to enjoy photography and for the 4th of July this year made an impressive time lapse “USA” photo with his friends in our backyard behind the pool (after enjoying it, I might add!). I am continually impressed with his creativity and enjoyment of a hobby I have tinkered with my whole […]
RichC | May 12, 2018
Spending a few days with the family and our granddaughter Annalyn has got to be one of the best things about our stage of life. We had a good time spoiling her by doing a few "local to Liberty Twp/West Chester, Ohio" thngs like getting ice cream at The Cone and trying out a "new […]
RichC | December 4, 2017
It is hard to believe, but I finally winterized the pool and in the same weekend brought home a Christmas tree, put the wreathes up and modified the lighting we use on the house in December. The first years we used 150 watt incandescent floods (also had halogens at some point), then I switched to […]
RichC | September 23, 2017
About the only replacement parts I’ve had to purchase for our iRobot Verro pool sweeper/ cleaner were the filter bags that go inside the housing. It has been the best of the pool cleaners we have had. Originally we started our pool ownership with a hopping Kreepy Krauly gizmo for our first pool back in […]
RichC | August 20, 2017
Dar Jones, an out of state friend of ours regularly checks my blog and mentioned that I’ve been lax in my grand-parenting duties in updating photos of my granddaughter Annalyn … at least as a new grandfather. Personal items and photos are likely the only items of interest to her on my blog (HA!) Since […]
RichC | July 31, 2017
I could get use to this … having our granddaughter Annalyn (and Katelyn and Drew) close enough to comfortably drive up and visit! Brenda and I drove up to Perrysburg "again" this weekend and enjoyed helping a little more with the unpacking and moving in process that likely will take another month. I’m not sure […]
RichC | July 29, 2017
It is that time again … the pool pump motor is chattering and popping breakers. That is a likely indication that the bearings are worn and it is time to recondition or rebuild the electric motor. I’ve had pretty good luck the last couple of rebuilds, but this time I’m opting on ordering a new […]
RichC | October 25, 2016
The weather this time of year can be very pleasant for chores outside, but morning and evening chill is definitely hinting that cold weather is around the corner. So it is time to start closing up the pool and prepping the outdoor living furniture for the nastiness of winter. I enjoyed the warmer afternoon in […]
RichC | August 23, 2016
While “looking up” and relaxing in the pool on a near perfect August 2016 weekend, the clear blue sky and beautiful white clouds had me appreciating life. If I would not have just posted the Joni Mitchell song “Both Sides, Now” (aka: Clouds), I would have included it with these photos … oh, why not: MP3 […]
RichC | June 12, 2016
Taylor‘s Birthday party this weekend brought back memories of past pool parties when our kids were younger. Kids no more … these were all late 20s adults … but had fun acting like kids again for a day. The above photo include most from their group … click for full size! The birthday was really […]
RichC | May 29, 2016
The spring cleaning chore in getting the pool desking and patio furniture cleaned after a winter and heavy pine pollen season never gets any easier. I’ve almost got it down to a full, long day and I’m convinced the heavy teak adirondack chairs are getting heavier? The weather was for the most part perfect for […]
RichC | May 24, 2016
As with previous years, the ducks have adopted the pool as a safe place to learn to swim. One would think a pond would be better, but danger lurks beneath the surface for ducklings (snapping turtles). Unfortunately once the mom leads them into the pool, they can’t get out … so I fished them […]
RichC | September 21, 2015
It was a beautiful late summer (barely) weekend to hang out around home. Brenda continued her rehab exercises while planning a mid-October return to work, while I enjoyed working around the yard. We both took one more swim in the pool for 2015, watched the Bengals win and enjoyed a gorgeous Sunday evening with a […]
RichC | July 17, 2015
As much as I want to dislike shopping at Amazon rather than supporting a local business, their Prime Shipping option makes getting a part too easy (thanks to Katelyn and Drew). They are becoming the go-to choice for parts nowadays. I needed a new O-Ring for our pools chlorinator and ordered it within a few […]
RichC | June 3, 2015
We have a few of these crawdad fellows in our yard and small lake, but this guy was closer to lobster size (well not quite) and found his way into the swimming pool. As the 2006 Honda Element ad goes … “I pinch.”
RichC | May 18, 2015
Just a little archiving after working in the yard this past weekend … that BESIDES cleaning the swimming pool and repairing the tiles (past repairs). Mulching this year is not going to be inexpensive since we really didn’t add any last year … but it does really improve the look of our “less than […]
RichC | March 20, 2015
One of our resident and noisy Mallard ducks woke me up early this morning. He thinks it is time for us to uncover the pool so he can take his partner for a swim as in years past (Link one and two). It’s still early since snow is still being seen across our latitude.
RichC | February 16, 2015
On a personal update, my Dad is doing a better with a bit of supervision and improved eating and sleeping habits … thanks to my brother Ron and his wife Claire. The last couple weeks instead of living alone at home, they have moved him in with them temporarily (we’ll see?) in order to get […]
RichC | May 4, 2014
There was a day when Tootsie (now 15 years old) would not have approved of ducks in the swimming pool … but nowadays she doesn’t even put in the effort to bark, let alone give chase. How times have changed.
RichC | September 2, 2013
RichC | July 6, 2013
Whoa! Lots of summer rain this morning and used the excuse to try a couple more panorama photos with the iPhone 5. I’m not sure how much came down or how fast, but from the water shedding off our back acreage (and neighbors) was significant, at least in Liberty Twp. Ohio. The morning was spend […]
RichC | March 24, 2013
I took advantage of a nice Saturday afternoon to open the pool before the snow started on Sunday. I’m adding water at the moment and am watching the snow at the moment … maybe I should take a swim? I’ve finally got the hang of closing with the right chemistry which makes turning things on […]
RichC | May 5, 2012
A late in the evening couple of photos to mark Cinco de Mayo. First, the warm winter and spring … and late opening of the pool for us … gave a bit more growth to the pool water than what I find inviting. Yuck. But it has already improved with a little cleaning, pumping […]
RichC | July 27, 2011
After an evening mowing the backyard grass on Tuesday night, a cooling dip in the pool was in order. The 90 degree water was a bit warm, but still felt refreshing. Besides cooling off, I “launched” (chuckle, chuckle) our hard dinghy we call Trinka and “moored” it in the pool. It is out of place, […]
RichC | June 2, 2011
I felt a little guilty talking about my daughter’s new ‘digs’ yesterday since my son has settled into his new shared house (3 guys) while taking summer classes Miami University in Oxford Ohio as well. In fact, he had us over and grilled brats, dogs and burgers – quite the host! Thanks, Taylor! We had […]
RichC | February 9, 2011
I didn’t put the cover on the pool this winter and so I’m able to see the damage to the ceramic tiles as it happens. With all the snow, rain and freezing temps, the winter weather is having fun snapping off tiles more than usual. Looks like I’m in for some work and pool repair […]
RichC | December 14, 2010
I started to clear a little snow away from the pool skimmer lids this evening and fitted my compressor to blow out the water lines … but it’s just too cold to continue on. It might be better to wait a couple days and keep the pool from freezing by running the pump. I was […]
RichC | December 13, 2010
Just in case your wife complains that you are a procrastinator for putting off all the Christmas decorating and shopping this time of year, all you have to do it point to me. After realizing that Rich hasn’t even closed the pool yet this year, she should appreciate you far more and forgive your minor […]
RichC | April 20, 2010
It was a pleasant spring evening on the back porch after opening the pool on Monday. We are a bit late this year in getting the cover off and I expected to see some pretty grungy water … but was pleasantly surprised; I think it’s the best it has ever looked after pulling the cover […]
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