We are aware that it is actually now the first of February. Somehow, we never got this posted.

This week certainly is getting away from us...

So is the first month of the year. Here's hoping it went well for you. All I can say for certain is that it's going real fast.

There were a couple other things I wanted to touch on, but it may have to wait until next month. As I'm sure you are aware, the Super Bowl is tomorrow -- there goes a big chunk of that day.

It's pretty nice today -- so, no sense sitting here.

Jan. 28, 2009 Wed

A reminder-- the wiki page hasn't been edited by anyone except Ann.

Have you looked at it? Do you see the possibilities?

Finally - more or less normal temperatures, with the expected results~~

The Tug, Valor, in town from San Fran

Usually don't see the work at Dakota from this angle...

Partial Eclipse

Honey, you left the door open,again...

Jan. 27, 2009 Tue

20 some degrees again this morning - yikes.

Let's talk about something pleasant.
As mentioned, the hard drive failed on my number one faithful computer. And although I back up regularly onto external hard drives (trying for once a month) when the moment of truth arrived -- alas -- I hadn't backed up since sometime in November of '08. So, about two months of files appeared to be lost to me. Carbonite   to the rescue.

Carbonite  is a service that offers online backup. For a few dollars a month, the service continually monitors which files you would like backed up and performs that chore in the background.

I signed up in March of last year, and when my hard drive failed and I realized I didn't have my stuff for parts of November, all of December and most of January - I logged onto Carbonite,  clicked 'restore' and crossed my fingers. I could have just asked to have the relevant files restored, but in my haste and trepidation I clicked restore all -- which took until this afternoon. The good news -- everything is back! Carbonite.   Money well spent. I urge you to backup your files regularly. If it's too much trouble -- consider a service such as Carbonite  that will do it for you, automatically, in the background. Tell them that Dave sent you.

Here is the failed hard drive in an external hard drive reader -- one of the hoped-for cures. One of the others was running the hard drive on a different computer -- that didn't work either. Nor did tapping with a hammer...

Here's the computer that coughed up the failed hard drive. It was assembled around 2001 for about $2000. It would cost almost twice that today to put together a top-of-the-line computer out of state-of-the-art parts. This, in spite of the fact that computers in general are less expensive than ever. A decent quad core chip can run $1000 and up. Fortunately, most people -- myself included -- can make do without state-of-the-art. The advantage of building, or overbuilding, in 2001 was that it lasted about three times longer than one might expect -- and was a solid machine right to the end.

So, if you believe things happen in threes -- you're going to like this.

A couple days after the main computer dropped off the charts, the Linux computer hung up. That's about the third time that it's crashed, making me wonder about the stability of Ubuntu, the Linux 'distro' I've been using. I might add that by crash, I mean failed to the extent that it needed to be reinstalled on the hard drive. If I would have stored anything of value on that computer, it would be lost. In fairness, it could be a number of things, including the fact that I've been moving it from here to there. Further -- my Samsung laser printer started making some pretty loud clicking noises itself, so -- pictured below are three failed electronic devices...

I'm looking forward to building another computer at some future time -- like when I can afford it. In the meanwhile, I'm thinking of another refurbished computer, like this one. Duo core computers are now available on the refurbished market-- I'll let you know. This one is a Pentium 4 with a 3.2 gig chip, a gigabyte of RAM and was just over 200 bucks. Nothing fancy, but it's fast and works fine. Burns CDs and DVDs.

The quartet rehearsed today, minus Tim, who is on vacation. Bellingham tomorrow to see the Wiz.

On these slow blogging day's I invite you to visit the drop-down links at the top of the page and see what everyone else is doing. If you have any interesting websites you like to visit regularly, please let me know by sending me the link.

Jan. 26, 2009 Mon

What a cold winter. The last few years we joked each morning as we awoke to gray skies, 'Well, it must be Winter -- it's damp and 40, just like spring in Michigan.' Another 20 degree morning greeted us this day -- however bright and sunny.

Whenever I run into people they always ask, What projects are you working on, now? Well, it has been like that for the last several years. However, I am able to say that I have been successful in sticking to my guns about loafing for awhile. Which actually translates to: I seem to be busy every minute, but no big things are happening. Life, living, seems to be like a gas -- it expands into whatever time and space happen to be available.

We went over to Dick and Laura's yesterday, where we met Barb and Paul and Richard to practice for a couple hours. Barb and Paul had their grandson, Gideon with, them. I forgot to take any pictures.

It occurs to me that if anything happens to this computer I will have lost all my software and programs -- the heart, guts and soul of my computer that failed, which I had cloned into this computer using software by LapLink. An example would be the voice recognition software I'm using at the moment, as I speak these lines and the computer types them.

Evie was up late in the kitchen. We found a tray of brownies on the stove this morning -- yummy. She seems to have invented the recipe -- it's a good one.

Carbonite is on day three of downloading my backed up files. Hoping to recover what I hadn't backed up locally for December and January.

Sometimes, you get what you pay for when you go with the lowest estimate...

This was around when I was a kid -- Times have changed~

Jan. 24, 2009 Sat

All the tricks in the world aren't going to save that hard drive.

In some ways, it's like losing an old friend that I've talked with every day for the last seven or eight years. A friend whose quirks I'm familiar with, and who has worked with me on all sorts of projects. It makes me very glad that when we got this computer for Ann I took the time to clone my computer onto it. All my software and programs are here -- everything's just a little off, is all. It will get better.

The hard drive that failed was installed in 2001, and replaced a hard drive that had failed in only a few months. From that experience we had learned the value of backing up our documents and pictures. This hard drive had been showing symptoms of its age -- hanging up, making weird noises -- so we weren't totally surprised.

Over the intervening years I have been in the habit of backing up once a month -- so I was a bit disappointed to find that I hadn't backed up since November of '08, thereby losing anything that went on the hard drive in December and January. Following the theory that one is none and two is one we backed up three times on two external hard drives and one off-site Internet backup. I'm hoping the Internet backup picked up the pictures that I didn't for December and January. Carbonite, is the name of that service.

The city made good on their threat to tear up the street. Of course, the selected spot for digging was right in front of the house. They marked out a square and started right in.

They went down about 4 feet to expose 25-year-old one inch plastic pipe. This pipe had not held up as hoped -- that is, for a hundred years.

From across the street where there was another access hole they fed cable through the leaky pipe, then pulled a piece of 3/4" flexible copper tubing through it. This they adapted with fittings to the existing plastic pipe, effectively bypassing the leaky section.

They used this one legged jumping thing to tap everything back down - the whole thing only took a few hours.

Thanks to Jim Val. for the following ~ rather sad pictures of the sunken plane being raised to put on a barge.

Jan. 23, 2009 Fri

Houston, we have a problem.

It would appear that my computer may have failed. Using Ann's, at the moment.

It is the dreaded hard drive clicking symptom - woe is me.

Been threatening to start building another machine for about two years. The time may be upon us.

There are a few tricks to try, to get it going one more time in order to retrieve those last few weeks documents, etc, that are not backed up.

Jan. 22, 2009 Thu

Signage and other oddities from around the internet this day -

Riding in the near future~~ just as soon as we master that anti-gravity deal...

Travel times around the globe -

Jan. 21, 2009 Wed

Cass came over for cake, with Phyllis. We lit the candles, sang Happy Birthday, and he made the traditional wish.

Caroline and John attended the inaugural convention and she posted some pictures to her Facebook page. I don't really care much for Facebook or Myspace because they are closed communities -- one must join. It flies in the face of open source and the freedom of the World Wide Web. Anyone should be able to see your Facebook page. I gather it is possible to e-mail your Facebook photo album -- a small step in the right direction. None the less - many thanks, Caroline!

It also bugs me that these online social networking communities try to prevent you from ever leaving. You know, give someone a big enough fenced yard and they might even think they're outside. Far from it. Fortunately, it is possible to check-in and checkout without doing the quizzes, tests, etc. I mean, I'm retired and I still don't have time for all that...

Thanks to Linda for this picture of her dog Cody -- he's the guy in the lampshade -- not a happy camper. The good news is that he's going to be fine...

Considering her aversion to all things buggy we are somewhat surprised that Ann took this picture of a spider having lunch... Great shot, though~~

Jan. 20, 2009 Tue

Happy birthday to Cassady - 28 this day~~    photo by his mom

Thanks to sister Mardi, who sends these phone cam pix of her neighborhood, driveway and self - taken while out cross country skiing -

Holly made Ann an ecard using JibJab - very well done - see it here:

While getting in the car, noticed that the city has been doodling on our street - right where water has been seeping up from some subterranean cavity - probably one that contains a leaking water pipe. We're guessing that the appearance of trucks and backhoes should not come as a surprise...

Train oops - thanks to Eddie.
There's a video of the train collision here:

Played with the Quartet today.

Jan. 19, 2009 Mon

Bill L was laid to rest this day. Ann and I attended. In fact, a few members of what is now becoming known as the Senior Uke Ensemble played at the service. A recording of us rehearsing in the church is on Richard's Vimeo site, which is available from the drop-down links menu at the top of this page -- or by clicking here.

The high-pressure continues off the coast and we've had a week of clear skies - enough to at least begin drying things out. There is still quite a ways to go, but at least the back gate will close. It swells up so much in a constant rain that it becomes fully a half inch wider than normal.

Yesterday we made the most of the sunshine ~~ Riding the Loop Road

Roma and Jasper - cat update~

A Train oops - thanks to Jack

Jan. 18, 2009 Sun

Ann has an ongoing project -- (mentioned previously) pursuing our genealogy, our family tree. Over the years she has managed to trace our family back five generations with pictures, and about 12 generations on paper! Organizing and translating that information into a picture that makes sense is one of the goals.

Here is an early peek at just a small part of the recent past:

Richard's travels took him to a glass blower/artist - thank you for the pictures~

The aforementioned skeet shooting game, a bit harder but quite fun. Thanks to Jim - click to play

T. J. posts some interesting things and great photos as well on his Wildwood website

Due to space conflicts of one sort or another the Youth Group met at our house last night. A good time was had by all. The youth graduated from board and table games to that old standby -- Twister.

The boys had a turn at it -

the girls gave it a shot -

followed by a combined effort -

Jan. 16, 2009 Fri

There is something chilling about crash landing in the water, no pun intended. This incident has been all over the internet, as well as your TV, I'd imagine. This was the first picture I saw~

Waiting for a (water) Taxi -
Not the way you would prefer to exit your aircraft, I'm sure...

Always one person not clear on the concept... Although if I was in that situation, I'd be lucky to find the door, let alone put on my life vest.

On a different note, here is someone begging for an OSHA violation~

Two games come our way this day - we'll run the other, tomorrow - This one is Thanks to Kurt
This one was the easier of the two

Mom, Tizzy - daughter, Lily and son, Leo

Jan. 14, 2009 Wed

Oddities abound~
beginning with signage for today - Picnic? Oh, yeah - fun in the sun...

of the 'Down Under' variety~

Although the actual Sun poked through for a few minutes this day, things are still pretty damp. But not as bad as a few days ago, when this was taken on the main road to Samish Island. Thanks to Joan and Remit~~

Yes, but is it Art? See more of this fellow's work, HERE

Not Art, perhaps, but certainly artful - the Caddy of the future.

Speaking of the future - here's a peek at a 100 percent 'green' vehicle ~

And, this is punishment for which sin, exactly?

A house (moving) OOPS -

Finally, for our friends to the south - this is LA, only 110 years ago... thanks to Jack

Jan. 13, 2009 Tue

There has been a high pressure center sitting off the coast for three days. It is giving our barometer the highest readings we've yet seen (Since Ann got it for me, a couple years ago)- 30.4 inches of mercury. The weatherman keeps saying, it's going to clear up! The sun will shine again!

Hasn't happened yet.

But the streets did dry off a bit, and that was all I needed...

It would seem that it's almost time for the Pilot House to be lifted onto this boat. Usually, one gets delivered ready made, so to speak - prefabricated by an outside contractor. Not this time - it looks as though Dakota has made it themselves. The pre-fab ones are all white.

Not the slight clearing in the clouds overhead - not enough to let any sun through, but it isn't raining, and that's something.

We wonder what this could mean? Are they finally coming? Read more...

Jan. 11, 2009 Sun

Another rainy day. Mild, but very damp. I haven't gone this long without getting the scooter out of the shed in five years. It takes so long to dry it off after riding in the rain, and I'm so lazy. If this rain keeps up I guess I'll have to face the music and ride on wet pavement.

I meant to take a picture today of the small river that runs down the hill next to the curb. It's been running there for several weeks now -- sometimes a torrent, sometimes a stream. We are lucky to be on a hill -- others, not so fortunate, have suffered severe flooding.

The constant dampness is having an effect on many things - green mold is growing on my convertible top. The Earth itself, front and back yard, is very soggy. How long can this go on?

Here's a picture from drier times-- yours truly at the lake about 1959. I can't believe the matching shirt and swim trunks...

Speaking of earlier times, we ran across these business cards. They are somewhat outdated, as sister Mardi has long left the EPA and also parted ways with Ms Kohler, although she continues to practice law somewhere back there in Michigan. We are sincerely hoping that one day she gets the hang of it. It has been some years since Jake worked for Tek Systems, too, though thankfully he does remain employed. Frances claims to be retired -- but continues to see the occasional client -- at 85.

I had a bunch of these cards printed back in the 70s. When I needed work (which was most of the time) I would scribble estimates on the back of the card and drop them in mailboxes. Since I didn't know which of my many handy man job descriptions  I would be using -- I didn't put one on the card.

Over the intervening years I have handed out cards right and left, still scribbling on the backs -- usually a current phone number, since the ones listed are of course many years out of date. I still have quite a few left -- it takes a long time to hand out two thousand cards. For awhile it was a handicap that no job description or current phone number was on the card, not anymore -- these days I just hand out the card and say, Google it.

I might add that my darling wife printed me out a bunch of brand-new current personalized cards - which I plan to start using as soon as the old ones are gone. Waste not -- want not.

Big stuff seems to be the order of the day. Kurt sends along this picture of a rather large motorcycle~~

Mr. C's blog featured the world's most powerful handgun --

Also this day, thanks to Jim - a game!
Turkey Shoot - here's my score

Jan. 09, 2009 Fri

Richard has said it very well: Bill - a frequent contributor to this blog - will be missed.

"I was shocked and saddened to hear that our colleague in music and song, Bill Larson, passed away this afternoon. After dining with Dick and Laura Smock last night, he told them that he would see them "tomorrow at 1:00." It was Bill who requested that I add "Bill Bailey" to our playlist. I was only recently acquainted with Bill because of the ukulele group. Like it does to us all, I know it gave him pleasure to sing and play. Dick Smock revealed that Bill was very enthusiastic about learning to play the uke and had a wonderful voice. I can't help believe that you and I were a small part of his life, and that it gave him enjoyment and purpose.
Bill was a retired engineer and 81 years old.
Our thoughts are with him and his family." Photos thanks to Richard

Perhaps you have run across the Darwin Awards in past years? Well, the awards for 2008 are in, and may be seen HERE:

Here's a website that lets you upload a picture, then add that 'blurred background' effect! Here's an example:

Jan. 07, 2009 Wed

When I first moved out here (2001) it was mentioned that it might start raining and not quit for a month. I got a good chuckle out of that idea...

Over the next few years, it was hard not to notice that it did rain a lot in the winter. But not for thirty days straight. In fact, the rains usually split around us, and this area got 'sunbreaks'. Not the case, this time.

This time it has been raining (at a minimum) since early last month. Oh, it might let up for a few minutes. But the streets have been wet (when one could even see them) for a very long time.

As I write, local rivers are flooding. And still it rains. Temps in the fifties, is the only plus. Riding is a distant memory.

Found this on the Schwulst Family page -
Barbara, Paul, Eric and Debra and Anna - and Gideon, all a-hiking - overlooking Campbell Lake.

Jan. 05, 2009 Mon

Here's a doggie story:

Hey! Dad's getting ready to nap - everybody pile on!

Man, that's some noise...

Might as well join him -

One sleep, all sleep.

Here's a fun thing - got it from Jack and from Jim - thanks! Just observe the dots and click on them - check your brain age! Here are the full instructions...

1. Click on " Start"
2. Wait for the countdown (3, 2, 1.)
3. Memorize the number's position on the screen, and then click the circle from the smallest number to the biggest number. Remember, click on the numbers in ascending order.
Give it a try!

Jan. 04, 2009 Sun

Well, we got the WIKI to run on this page - but only using Internet Explorer - and that won't do. Back to the drawing board. Even using IE, although the Wiki could be manipulated somewhat it couldn't really be edited while running inside another webpage.

We are also still waiting for the 'comment' folks to re-instate the administrative aspect that will allow me to edit (delete the old) posts. If that doesn't happen early in the week, expect to see a different comment script.

Thanks to Paul (who scored much higher than I - in the eighties!) for this quiz~~

Thanks to Steve R - a great picture collection, that included this one:

Ann has redone the Fridge - as in, removed the older pictures. Here's what's left:

Although it barely got above freezing today, the giant snowball is nearly a thing of the past!!

It was cold enough to get me to change my mind about scooter riding, even though the streets are dry. Dang.

Jan. 03, 2009 Sat

You may recall various attempts in the past to make the blog more interactive, i.e. The Forum  - (and the tagboard, of course.) And currently, the Comment thingy - for which I seem to have lost the option to delete old posts...  temporarily.

One had to click on a link to go to the Forum, and then one had to have something to voice an opinion about, IN the Forum. It never really took off.

That's what I'm afraid might be the fate of the Wiki  - IF we can't get it to run on this page - which has so far proven a challenge. The difference between the Wiki and the Forum is a much slicker interface and the fact that the Wiki can be manipulated by anyone, in terms of posts and editing. One need merely register once, with an email address, which is kept private. Whereas only I may post to this blog (anyone may comment, of course), anyone can post to the Wiki, is the idea. I don't know - it may be superfluous.

This map represents the caldera, or far reaching extent of the volcano that underlies Yellowstone - a very geologically active area, as it turns out - and one that is about a million years overdue to cut loose again...
"From: U.S. National Park Service Website, Geology Fieldnotes - Yellowstone National Park, April 2008
At the heart of Yellowstone's past, present, and future lies volcanism. Catastrophic eruptions occurred here about 2 million years ago, then 1.2 million years ago, and then 600,000 years a go. The latest eruption spewed out nearly 240 cubic miles of debris. What is now the park's central portion then collapsed, forming a 28- by 47- mile caldera (or basin). The magmatic heat powering those eruptions still powers the park's famous geysers, hot springs, fumaroles, and mud pots. The spectacular Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River provides a glimpse of Earth's interior: its waterfalls highlight the boundaries of lava flows and thermal areas. Rugged mountains flank the park's volcanic plateau, rewarding both eye and spirit."
This is the are that would be effected by another large scale eruption~

Oh, THAT hi definition...

Signage of the 'We speak a well english' variety. (and in my old hometown, too)

of the, 'If you insist' variety

Jan. 02, 2009 Fri

Welcome to January, 2009

It must be a temporary return to the comment thingy. Attempting to get a 'wiki' to work in that spot - so far no luck. You may at least check out the wiki, HERE 
The idea behind it is that anyone can view, edit, add to or delete from the wiki page - rather like that original Wiki, Wikipedia. So, if I can get it to run on this page, it would be a rather grand improvement on the overly well spammed Tagboard.

The Tagboard was good in that you could see it directly - no clicking. The 'comment' thingy will require a click, but it has improved some since the last time we used it. Feel free to give both the Wiki and comment option a try.

Enjoyed some time at Dick and Laura's (and some fine vittles, too). Sorry not to get Aunt Barb in a picture -

Have you checked the Flickr pix?

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