Bad Dreams
Published for Sunday - March 16, 2025
Written Thursday - 03/14/25 02:30 PM
I shared with my wife that I had a bad dream last night. I rarely dream at all but this one was one of those bad dreams that didn't have a purpose.
I had written a computer routine that, when started incorrectly, gave a bad result. Now the catch is that there's no reason for such a routine even existing much less being used for anything positive and productive.
But in my dream, I'm a victim of having started this routine and trying to stop it without hurting anything, which in my dream I didn't know was impossible.
Why would I dream something so sinister and why would I go through all of the stress to try and do something impossible? Worse yet, why would I not clearly understand that it was an impossible task an unimportant in the grand scheme of things?
Dreams are odd things and I've had my share of stres sful events in my dreams over the years. Some have been work-related and some not, but in the grand design all have been stressful.
I even knew that I had written the routine and I know how it was supposed to work and that it would be an impossibility to derive any benefit by using the routine. Yet I went through all of the stress to try and do he impossible! Go figure!
More Rain On The Way
Published for Saturday - March 15, 2025
Written Thursday - 03/13/25 05:10 PM
Jim Span's weather forecast website is going back and forth with regard to the possibility of rain tonight (Thursday.) A bit earlier it showed a cell that was going to pass just North of us. Now it looks like it's going to head our way and leave a little water with us. We'll see...
Jim Span is also calling for a more serious weather event and the possibility of tornados. For us that event is supposed to start somewhere around lunch time, Saturday, but possibly as early as sometime that morning.
For Ohatchee (our location) the highest probability for the forecasted event doesn't even start until around 4 PM (90%+ probability) and runs all the way until 8 or 9 PM when the probability starts to drop.
I guess we'll have to wait and see if the forecast holds up and confirm an accurate start and end time for the weather event.
Jim Span's Forecast
Written Frriday - 03/14/25 06:40 AM
Well, Jim Span must have had the right idea about the weather leaving a bit of
rain. In fact, and based on the picture directly above, there was plenty of
lightning and a soaking rain.
Lily was freaked out and went dashing for cover under our bed. That's her usual
hiding place when a vigorous light show with thunder accompaniment shows up.
PI Day and Mom's Birthday
Published for Friday - March 14, 2025
Written Monday - 03/10/25 07:00 PM
I need to find a picture of my mom. She passed quite a ways back and it's clear I haven't uploaded her picture to my blog.
She passed at the young age if 69 and about 15 years before dad. I would be unable to count back that far to see what year she passed. I should know that, but unfortunately I don't. I'm going to try and figure it out and post it here.
Anyway, her birthday happens to have fallen upon Pi Day. I wasn't into celebrating it back when she was around. Oh, and I think I have been able to offer a reasonable year for the loss of mom.
I believe it would have been 26 years ago and now that I think about it I do indeed remember and 26 years would be accurate since it was the year before Y2K or 1999. If a family member reads this and corrects me, or confirms, I'll add an update.
Oh, and one more thing about Pi Day, I ran the Pi Day race on the Ga Tech campus and throughout parts of Atlanta. It was only about 3.14159 miles so it didn't include that much of Atlanta and was mostly known for the campus.
I ran the race about 11 years ago in April of 2014. I'm not sure why it was run in the month of April. It probably had to do with avoiding an event at the school. I still (often) wear the shirt that was awarded for running the race, and that shirt is holding up very nicely.
Oh, and one other thing. I guess to be able to claim Pi Day, one has to
memorize the digits in Pi out to an impressive extent. For me, that was out
to 50 digits and I still remember those digits many years later. I hope you
are impressed! (LoL!)
Movies
Published for Thursday - March 13, 2025
Written Wednesday - 03/12/25 07:25 AM
I watched a movie last night that I have seen a couple of times before and the name of it was Coach Carter.
It's definitely a sports type of movie but that is not what interests me about the film. In fact, the story runs pretty deep as do some of the characters.
I particularly like a scene toward the end of the movie. Coach Carter has been asking Tito Cruz what his greatest fear is. Throughout the movie Tito Cruz has no response to the question. Instead he always looks at his coach like he has lost his mind.
Later in the story, the basketball team (inspired by their coach) decides to follow the actions of their coach. They forgo their games in favor of their school work.
Then near the end of the film, Tito Cruz responds with the famous line:
'Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate; our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.'
I love that line and the scene from which it is taken.
Band Conditions
Published for Wednesday - March 12, 2025
Written Monday - 03/10/25 04:00 PM
I'm really not sure what is going on anymore with the band conditions. It seems like I'm hitting a wall trying to reach 15 contacts each morning (or afternoon sometimes.)
Because I'm trying to make these contacts on weekdays (in addition to weekends) I'm wondering if I maxing out (trying to look for new contacts) on days when it just a lot of old retired guys like me - and in particular folks with which I've already made a contact before.
As many ham operators as there are scattered throughout the world, I've never taken that idea very seriously. But it seems based on my inability to find new contacts that perhaps this is the case and it's time to consider it.
Nah, that just can't be the case. Some days I'm able to find 15 new contacts very fast. And other days (for reasons which I can't explain) such is not generally the case.
Weather
Published for Tuesday - March 11, 2025
Written Monday - 03/10/25 08:20 AM
Last night we got a good, all night long, soaking rain. With Patty's garden that's what we need and are looking for.
On my to-do list are building the entry ways for the two entrances to Patty's garden area. I like the design she picked out and hope it won't be too difficult to build. It doesn't look like it should be.
Tomorrow, I'm going to get back to my normal routines. Based on the schedule from the dentist, I've taken some extra time to let things sort of heal up.
So, hopefully everything is good and ready for the next step. I hope so!
Todd
Published for Sunday - March 10, 2025
Written Saturday - 03/08/25 06:40 AM
Todd owns and runs the Ohatchee Hardware Store. That's him seated on the front right with a grandson in his arms.
Todd also runs an operation out of his store for glasses. It's by far the best deal in town.
Even with my perscription for prisms, he can handle them. And like I said, he offers a great deal on all of that. I'm to meet him this morning to place an order since I obtained my new perscription from Dr. Hill yesterday.
I should also mention that Dr. Hill knows Todd and said to tell him hello! Nice to live in small town, America where everyone knows everybody.
Dr. Hill (Our Eye Doctor)
Published for Saturday - March 09, 2025
Written Friday - 03/08/25 03:05 PM
Well, it was good for Patty and I to meet up today with Dr. Hill for our eye checkup. He gave us some good news about my prism prescription.
He indicated that we had quite a ways to go before reaching the end of any prism benefit. He also said to come in when it starts getting hard to see, rather than waiting a full year.
He told us that after we run out of prism benefit (which is apparently a long way off) I could go through some surgery to readjust the eye muscles and start over with the prism benefit.
I'm glad that's a long way off. I think with my tooth extraction that I've been through all of the surgery that I care to undertake anytime soon.
Dr. Hill also mentioned that we are both probably a year of two away from the cataract surgery that will be good to both of us. I've already had it done on my left eye and the benefit was amazing and the cost was literally nothing.
Oh, and it was good to get our doctor visits out of the way for a while. I think I've enjoyed about all of those I can stand.
Weather On The Way
Published for Friday - March 08, 2025
Written Tuesday - 03/04/25 11:35 AM
This post has been bumped out more than once and is paying the price for it. Weather related posts were supposed to receive a high priority on the bumping scene, but not this time. Happy (late) reading about this past incident. The post also contains a more current update.
Looks like we have some serious weather approaching this week.
I think we escaped the high winds for the time being but it also looks like we have a front that is going to move in later this evening and it looks like it is going to explode as it moves in. I'm guessing it will bring those forecasted winds with it. We'll see.
The weather map (at the top) shows what the front looks like right now as it approaches Mississippi. The second image shows the explosion I mentioned as the front draws closer to us just before 7 PM and as it departs Mississippi and moves across and into Alabama.
Update: - 03/07/25 03/20/25 PM - The forecasted rains and winds did arrive. I heard the warning shot on my phone which was plugged in by my bedside. It woke me up and I was cognizant enough to hear lots of rain and commotion from the storm outside.
Dr. Bailey (Dentist)
Published for Friday - March 07, 2025
Written Friday - 03/07/25 06:45 AM
I'm not one to delay or altogether forgo a visit with the doctor or dentist just because I think there might be some pain associated with the visit.
There has been no pain associated with the reason for my visit, but I have come to realize that there are problems beneath my gold crown on the lower right back of my molars.
This was discovered using floss. I floss regularly but the problem has created a space that made flossing easy and painless despite the problem. Now when I push down hard on the floss in that gap, I feel the pain.
I'm guessing the crown will have to be removed. That is unless there is some type of medicine I can swish around the tooth. From there I have no more guesses as to what the dentist might have to do.
Up to this point this post was written much earlier. However, the timing is right to convert this post to a more current writing.
I had my dental appointment yesterday (Thursday the 6th) and Dr. Bailey did indeed extract the crown. Because it is a deep (second) molar he does not recommend replacing it. I agree, so far.
Dr. Bailey had to spend some time digging out the infection which was located in the extraction spot. In fact, he commented that he was amazed I had no pain associated with the tooth, based on what he had to do.
I had no idea what I would be up against with the extraction but a stoppage of the bleeding was the big thing. Oh, and no running or workouts for a while and with the lighter eating I'm losing weight.
Today, Patty and I have an appointment with the eye doctor. We'll see what he has to say.
System Problems
Published for Thursday - March 06, 2025
Written Wednesday - 03/04/25 02:25 PM
We had a crazy night last night. And it's time to push up the posts so this one can move to the head of the line for publication.
That's because I had some system issue caused by our power outage. I was not able to publish until a short while ago. I have no idea what went wrong but it started out as not being able to use my 2 monitor system at all.
I finally got that fixed. However, I feel like I'm living on borrowed time since things look a bit strange here using my two monitor system.
Anyway, I started this post talking about how crazy things got last night. And they did indeed get crazy. Late afternoon yesterday (Tuesday the third) we lost power and a fire moved in the back. I have no idea how or why our water kept up but it did so Patty and I were out back doing the best we could to fight the flames.
I'm thinking without power, our water should have not been available. But it was and I was grateful for the blessing. I have yet to discover how that was possible.
We were told that the fire started due to a tree knocking down power lines which caused sparking and that caused the fire. It looked to Patty and I like the fire started in multiple places, but that's a debate for another time.
I'm going on the record to say that the Ohatchee Fire Department was about as much help as I expected, and believe me when I say I wasn't expecting much. They left with us and our neighbors confused. They refused to put our the remaining fires telling us that everything was now good. They told us to watch the remaining fires and to call 911 if we have further problems.
This angered most of us who felt we had sort of had to fight the blazes and help the fire department out. So when they started looking at their watches and left quietly, there was nothing left to do except become a bit frustrated.
They left about 6 PM and fortunately for us the power came back on and later heavy rains moved in (about 9 PM.) Earlier in the day I was able to secure a third appointment. Now I was covered for a dermatologist, dentist, and eye doctor visits (the last for Patty and I both.) What a night it was!
I went to the dermatologist this morning (Wednesday the 4th) and all was well.
NOTE: The 2 monitor problem seems to be tied to the availability of the internet.
Getting Old
Published for Wednesday - March 05, 2025
Written Monday - 03/03/25 07:00 PM
I guess I never thought it would happen to me. Getting old!
But, it did. So now what do I do?
My turn at getting old involves some undesirable side-effects. Balance issues, processing issues, voice issues, hearing issues, and eating issues among others.
I'm not the young and spry guy I used to be. What happened to all of that?
Running has taken a major shift. The background bounces as I now jog. So, there's no option except the treadmill (aka the 'Dreadmill.')
Being careful is pretty much the name of the game in all things - especially with my weight training. The more I lift, the heavier those weights seem. And, the more able I seem to be at losing my balance carrying those heavy weights.
Things that have not changed include ham radio and blogging. I suppose that's because I can do both sitting down and without most of the challenges I face.
Actually, ham radio has changed for the better in most ways and has also gone in the wrong direction with others. For example, I used to be able to climb up on whatever I needed to climb up on to install or tune up and antenna. Now I have to turn that over to my number one (and only) son.
But on a much more positive note, I'm able to afford the things I couldn't afford previously, including a modern beam and rotor. I have a sweet and supportive wife in that arena, and that's something I can never take for granted.
As my dad used to say and as I now can confirm, getting old is definitely not for sissies. I know, I've said it too many times before. But it's so true!
Josh
Published for Tuesday - March 04, 2025
Written Saturday - 03/01/25 07:55 AM
Speaking of our Germany trip, I can't wait to catch up with Josh. We're informed that he is working on a spiritual degree from Liberty University.
It will be a delight to catch up on that front. No telling what it involves or what studies are included and the formal or official name of the degree. All of that will be interesting to discover.
About the picture of Josh located above. I'm guessing that was taken somewhere in Germany. The beach is too wide for it to have been taken at the townhouse in Florida and I don't recognize that piece of (wood?) in the background but it doesn't look like anything I have ever seen before.
I need to go back and see the post that originally contained that picture and see if I find any clues. As lazy as I tend to be (now that the idea has been mentioned) I'll probably skip that effort.
Coming Soon - The Germany Trip
Published for Monday - March 03, 2025
Written Friday - 02/28/25 04:35 PM
Patty and I are really looking forward to our trip to Germany. To see Allie, Josh, and the two grandsons (Noah and Gabe) will be a treat beyond anything we can imagine.
And Allie is the hostess with the mostess. She is like her mom, always thinking of others and putting them first.
What a wonderful treat it will be to put Patty first on this trip. I'm not quite sure what it is going to be like, but of one thing I'm confident, it will be a wonderful and memorable trip.
I know Patty has some things she wants to see and I know Allie is tuned in on those things. What a delightful opportunity it will be to see it all unfold right in front of our eyes.
I'm really looking forward to some quality time with Josh, not to mention those incredible grandsons. I'm hearing a lot of great things about all of the Snow Men (LoL!). I wouldn't expect anything different either.
It sure is going to be fun to catch up with everyone. The trip holds a lot of promise! Bring it on! We're ready and can't wait.
Documentation
Published for Sunday - March 02, 2025
Written Friday - 02/28/25 11:25 AM
I created documentation for the month-end process. I also used the documentation for the new month.
I had to make some adjustments along the way. And I had to clean up both the process and the documentation.
So, I guess next month will be my official first trial of the documentation for the month-end process. That's after all the touch-ups have been performed.
Creating the documentation for the process was more difficult than I thought it would be. Just another reason I needed to do this.
When I was verifying the documentation (as noted up in paragraph 2) I incorrectly typed a file name and could not see it because everything in FileZilla was so/too small. The debugging took an inordinate amount of time. As I said before, just another reason I needed to do this.
My Icom 7300
Published for Saturday - March 01, 2025
Written Wednesday - 02/27/25 08:05 AM
A while back I gave up my Icom 7600 that had a bad digital port (which also just happens to be an expensive fix) for an Icom 7300. It's a smaller rig overall with fewer enhancements but I really like the features it has that you won't find on the Icom 7600 such as the touch screen for changing bands and frequencies.
One of the things that concerns me and it's a software issue happens to fall upon WSJT-X. I don't care for the fact that a band change can be made accidentally by clicking directly above the 'Enable TX' and 'Halt Tx' on screen buttons.
I probably use those buttons far too often and have accidentally clicked upon one of the other bands only to find myself untuned for that band and frequency and worse yet away from any operator with which I might be conversing or attempting to contact.
Overall, I still think the Icom 7300 is a better rig for digital work. Like I said, I really like the touch screen for band and frequency changes.
QRZ.com only shows the 15 most recent contacts, so my goal is to make 15 contacts each day. Another goal is to have all 15 contacts out of country. That adds a bit to the challenge since stateside contacts are easily made in comparison.
Copyright © 2025 Hutch DeLoach