: Flying Dutchman G, H, & I. I’m in a bit of a weird state right now with the Flying Dutchman build. In Step G, I needed to build …
: I made these five grates for step G. Now I’m supposed to frame each one in mahogany like that one …
: Flying Dutchman: Step F Step F is complete! Wow, some of these steps go by quickly. Next up, in Step G, I get to build lots …
: A preview of things to come. Many, many months down the road.
: Flying Dutchman: Step E Step D is complete! I added several upper-deck-like things and a few walls. Not entirely sure …
: All trimmed and sanded and dots poked in them. Now to varnish and stain and put them on the boat.
: Even the desert can be full of foliage.
: Planked up several sections of deck. Here is what they look like front and back. Next step, clean …
: Putting my copy of LOTR to good use weighing down some planking while the glue dries.
: Flying Dutchman: Step D Step D is complete. For this step I had to attach cross-pieces to the bulkheads (you can see them …
: Flying Dutchman: Step C Wow, step C completed. I’m moving along quickly here. Got the entire lower deck glued in place and …
: Flying Dutchman: Step B Step B is complete. This is going to be the lower deck of the ship. Those five pieces are of plywood …
: From Terri Kanefield’s blog: Here’s the thing to remember about democracy in America: We’ve never …
: Flying Dutchman Step A The instruction book for the Flying Dutchman model has steps labeled A through X. Here is a picture …
: And so it begins... Toward the end of my Bluenose build, I was swearing I was done building model …
: A Bluenose Retrospective As a bit of a retrospective, here are a variety of picture of my Bluenose model over time. This is …
: Finally Finished It’s finally finished. It’s actually been done for a while. I finished it up just before Christmas …
: How the Chicago Bears are Run A SHORT PLAY IN 2 ACTS ACT I HALLAS HALL GEORGE MCCASKEY TALKING TO NEWLY HIRED GM RYAN POLES DATE …
: Latest Bluenose Update Been a bit. Finished up the topping lift and topping lift tackle several days ago. Today I just …
: What Could Have Been I’ll start by saying I don’t think Justin Fields will ever be a top-tier quarterback. I think he …
: More Work on Main Sail Main throat halyard and main peak halyard rigged. Also rigged up the main boom sheet (the triple …
: Hoisting the main sail in progress.
: Reef bands and points completed on the main sail and sail attached to the main boom. getting closer!
: Fore sail is finally finished! Three down, one to go.
: Mast Hoops! Got all the mast hoops on the fore mast tied to the fore sail.
: I made a giant hoho for dessert. Its very yummy.
: Started reading this the other day: Democracy Awakening by Heather Cox Richardson 📚. Interesting so …
: Knowing When Not to Fix Something As professional software engineers working on large code bases, there are always things that are …
: I told my wife not to go too close to the edge but she wouldn’t listen. ;-)
: I think this is a red Alpine Rose at the Idaho Botanical Gardens in Boise.
: Packers @ Bears Week 1 Game Prediction I don’t really like doing game prediction posts because usually I don’t have any …
: That’s Clingmans Dome overlook at Great Smoky Mountains National Park over yonder!
: View of a cypress forest in Congaree National Park
: An orange house in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia CA
: 2023 NFC North Season Predictions Training camp is over. Teams have been pared down to 53 and the bottom of the roster shuffling has …
: Running Lights The ship gets red and green running lights on the sides. I ended up losing the die …
: Third Time’s a Charm Once again the jib is done and rigged! My wife and sailmaker was unhappy with …
: Thoughts on DEI Today I was asked a question about how important Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is in the …
: Finished the Jib Got the jib sail back on and completely rigged. We discovered we messed up the …
: And the in haul and down haul at the front of the sail.
: And the topping lift and sheet
: Close up of the halyards at the top
: Jumbo Jib is Finished Brief hiatus while Dena and I were off on a little vacation for the last …
: Sunday 9th of July 2023 Working on the jumbo jib. Had to remove the jumbo jib boom so I could lace the sail to it. Now I get …
: Working on the jumbo jib. Had to remove the jumbo jib boom so I could lace the sail to it. Now I get …
: Tuesday 4th of July 2023 Up top showing the blocks for the jib halyard. I think this is so cool looking. Source: Micro.blog …
: Tuesday 4th of July 2023 Where it attaches to the bowsprit. Source: Micro.blog Feed
: Tuesday 4th of July 2023 Jib in place I got the jib all “hung”? My wonderful seamstress wife made it for me and I just got it …
: Up top showing the blocks for the jib halyard. I think this is so cool looking.
: Where it attaches to the bowsprit.
: Jib in place I got the jib all “hung”? My wonderful seamstress wife made it for me and I just got it …
: Friday 23rd of June 2023 **I got my flying backstays untwisted! ** I had such trouble with them. As soon as I put a little …
: **I got my flying backstays untwisted! ** I had such trouble with them. As soon as I put a little …
: Thursday 8th of June 2023 And behind all those templates you saw the main sail. It’s huge! Over 14” at the base where it’s …
: Thursday 8th of June 2023 Then comes the fore sail. It goes between the fore mast and the main mast. Source: Micro.blog Feed
: Thursday 8th of June 2023 Right behind it is the jumbo jib. Why jumbo when it’s smaller then the jib? I don’t know. Source: …
: Thursday 8th of June 2023 Jib. This one is all the way at the front close to the deck. Source: Micro.blog Feed
: Thursday 8th of June 2023 Starting on the sails! I finally realized I don’t have to fully rig things up just to measure up the …
: And behind all those templates you saw the main sail. It’s huge! Over 14” at the base where it’s …
: Then comes the fore sail. It goes between the fore mast and the main mast.
: Right behind it is the jumbo jib. Why jumbo when it’s smaller then the jib? I don’t know.
: Jib. This one is all the way at the front close to the deck.
: Starting on the sails! I finally realized I don’t have to fully rig things up just to measure up the …
: Monday 5th of June 2023 Main boom topping lift belayed to the boom by the main mast. Source: Micro.blog Feed
: Monday 5th of June 2023 Main boom topping lift. Source: Micro.blog Feed
: Main boom topping lift belayed to the boom by the main mast.
: Sunday 4th of June 2023 Fore mast rigging is about done (for now). Source: Micro.blog Feed
: Sunday 4th of June 2023 Fore gaff rigging Source: Micro.blog Feed
: And the fore gaff is rigged. Things are getting messy at the base of the fore mast. To lift the fore gaff lines start here at the …
: Fore mast rigging is about done (for now).
: And the fore gaff is rigged. Things are getting messy at the base of the fore mast. To lift the fore gaff lines start at the base …
: Saturday 27th of May 2023 Fore boom topping lift and sheet. I still don’t know how I’m going to stop them from being all …
: Fore boom topping lift and sheet. I still don’t know how I’m going to stop them from being all …
: Tuesday 23rd of May 2023 Jumbo jib boom sheet. I’m keeping things loose right now because I’m going to have to un-rig all …
: Jumbo jib boom sheet. I’m keeping things loose right now because I’m going to have to un-rig all …
: Friday 19th of May 2023 Guess it’s been a while. Got the flying backstays done. They’re twisting up on me when I try to …
: Guess it’s been a while. Got the flying backstays done. They’re twisting up on me when I try to …
: Tuesday 9th of May 2023 After a bit of a pause for some travel I’m back at it. Main top mast shrouds and ratlines are done. …
: After a bit of a pause for some travel I’m back at it. Main top mast shrouds and ratlines are done.
: Saturday 29th of April 2023 Main mast shrouds and ratlines are done. Looking good if you ask me. Next up, main top mast. Source: …
: Main mast shrouds and ratlines are done. Looking good if you ask me. Next up, main top mast.
: Saturday 29th of April 2023 Moving on up. Another section done. Source: Micro.blog Feed
: 2023 Bears Offensive Line The Bears offensive line is starting to take shape. They picked up a likely right tackle and given …
: Moving on up. Another section done.
: 2023 Bears Offensive Line The Bears offensive line is starting to take shape. They picked up a likely right tackle and given …
: Friday 28th of April 2023 First of the starboard ratlines done. Source: Micro.blog Feed
: First of the starboard ratlines done.
: Thursday 27th of April 2023 Main mast port ratlines are done! Source: Micro.blog Feed
: Main mast port ratlines are done!
: Wednesday 26th of April 2023 Another section of ratlines done. Source: Micro.blog Feed
: Another section of ratlines done.
: Tuesday 25th of April 2023 Starting ratlines on main mast. Source: Micro.blog Feed
: Starting ratlines on main mast.
: Hiking to Wave Cave Today, being what Christians call "Good Friday" I had off work and decided to go for a hike. I …
: Saturday 4th of March 2023 My dream scenario: Bears trade with Texans to go to #2, then on draft day trade down again. End up …
: My dream scenario: Bears trade with Texans to go to #2, then on draft day trade down again. End up …
: Tuesday 28th of February 2023 The more I listen and read the more I think the Bears will not only trade the first pick but will …
: The more I listen and read the more I think the Bears will not only trade the first pick but will …
: 2022 Season Review and 2023 Predictions Been wanting to write this post for a while, finally getting around to it. Let's review what I …
: Saturday 24th of December 2022 For a team with as many injuries, rookies and practice-squad level players they have, the Bears sure …
: For a team with as many injuries, rookies and practice-squad level players they have, the Bears sure …
: Sunday 18th of December 2022 Eagles at Bears game prediction: Bears lose. It’s that simple. I think Fields will continue to …
: Eagles at Bears game prediction: Bears lose. It’s that simple. I think Fields will continue to …
: Final Four Games The Bears finally had their bye week and have four games remaining on their schedule. The things I’m …
: Monday 12th of December 2022 Late Bears on bye prediction: Bears are off this week then have four more games to end the season: …
: Late Bears on bye prediction: Bears are off this week then have four more games to end the season: …
: Saturday 10th of December 2022 Good old Cox communication. After being on hold for 15 minutes I get transferred to collections for …
: Friday 9th of December 2022 And the cable internet industry wonders why people hate them and are fleeing in droves. Trying to …
: Good old Cox communication. After being on hold for 15 minutes I get transferred to collections for …
: And the cable internet industry wonders why people hate them and are fleeing in droves. Trying to …
: Sunday 4th of December 2022 Packers @ Bears game prediction: This is going to be ugly. Rodgers will simply torch the Bears all …
: Random Bears Thoughts Rebuilding All I keep hearing about is how bad the current Bears roster is. No building blocks for …
: Packers @ Bears game prediction: This is going to be ugly. Rodgers will simply torch the Bears all …
: Sunday 27th of November 2022 Bears @ Jets game prediction: I think Bears fans will see how unwatchable this team would be without …
: Bears @ Jets game prediction: I think Bears fans will see how unwatchable this team would be without …
: Sunday 20th of November 2022 Bears @ Falcons game prediction: My prediction is more of the same. The Bears on offense, and Justin …
: Bears @ Falcons game prediction: My prediction is more of the same. The Bears on offense, and Justin …
: Elon Musk Isn't Stupid Since the purchase of Twitter, Elon Musk has done a lot of things that sure seem stupid, and plenty …
: Sunday 13th of November 2022 Lions @ Bears game prediction: Little late posting this today, but still holds. I think the Bears …
: Lions @ Bears game prediction: Little late posting this today, but still holds. I think the Bears …
: Sunday 6th of November 2022 Dolphins @ Bears game prediction: Don’t know what the over/under is for this game but I predict …
: Dolphins @ Bears game prediction: Don’t know what the over/under is for this game but I predict …
: Bears @ Cowboys Game Prediction: Not a prediction this week as much as a desire. Last week the Bears …
: Bears @ Patriots Game Prediction: Bill Belichick is the best head coach in NFL history. He spent …
: Thursday 13th of October 2022 Commanders at Bears game prediction: I think the Bears a .500 team and will hover at +/- 1 game of …
: Commanders at Bears game prediction: I think the Bears a .500 team and will hover at +/- 1 game of …
: Sunday 9th of October 2022 Bears @ Vikings game prediction Unfortunately, I think this week’s prediction is pretty easy …
: Bears @ Vikings game prediction Unfortunately, I think this week’s prediction is pretty easy …
: Sunday 2nd of October 2022 Bears @ Giants game prediction This is my annual pilgrimage game seeing the Bears play against every …
: Bears @ Giants game prediction This is my annual pilgrimage game seeing the Bears play against every …
: Sunday 25th of September 2022 Texans @ Bears prediction These are two not good teams but todays game might tell us something about …
: Texans @ Bears prediction These are two not good teams but todays game might tell us something about …
: No Good Reason Sometimes on Saturday mornings I like to sit and watch what I call my "Saturday Morning Cartoons". …
: Sunday 18th of September 2022 Bears @ Packers Prediction I sure would like to see the Bears beat the Packers today. I don’t …
: Bears @ Packers Prediction I sure would like to see the Bears beat the Packers today. I don’t …
: Sunday 11th of September 2022 49ers @ Bears game prediction: In a low-scoring affair (fewer than 40 points in total) the Bears …
: 49ers @ Bears game prediction: In a low-scoring affair (fewer than 40 points in total) the Bears …
: Predictions & Thoughts for NFL 2022 We're on the eve of the 2022 NFL season (well, OK, it actually started on Thursday, but we all know …
: 2022 Chicago Bears Season Prediction OTA's, mini-camps, rookie camps, etc. are all over, the Bears are in hibernation for a brief period …
: Bears, Jekyll, Wordpress and Stuff I've been bothered by my Jekyll setup for my blog posting. I post so infrequently I found I'd forget …
: My Frustration Continues Unfortunately, my frustration continues. Today I read this article wherein the author says, …
: My Frustration Continues Unfortunately, my frustration continues. Today I read this article wherein the author says, …
: I'm Tired of the Lame-Stream Media I’m so angry at our (I hate to use the term) “lame-stream media”. I tried …
: I'm Tired of the Lame-Stream Media I’m so angry at our (I hate to use the term) “lame-stream media”. I tried …
: Thursday 26th of May 2022 Misoyaki Butterfish Ok time to get off that topic. Last night on Oahu, last night of our vacation. …
: Misoyaki Butterfish Ok time to get off that topic. Last night on Oahu, last night of our vacation. …
: Wednesday 25th of May 2022 What can be done? I think we need to elect people who commit to passing responsible gun ownership …
: What can be done? I think we need to elect people who commit to passing responsible gun ownership …
: Wednesday 25th of May 2022 The Republican Party has consistently opposed any actions that would reduce the epidemic of gun …
: The Republican Party has consistently opposed any actions that would reduce the epidemic of gun …
: Waikiki Beach Made it to Oahu the other day on the last leg of our trip. We’re pretty much just …
: And finally made our way up to Waimoku Falls. That’s a really tall waterfall!!
: Spent today at Kipahuna which is on the south end of Haleakala National Park. This is a bamboo …
: View of Haleakala crater This was the view of Haleakala crater from partway down. We walked a couple …
: View from my Bedroom Window In Maui. Staying at a Honey Bee Sanctuary and this is the view out the …
: Off to Maui! Embarking on the second phase of our trip, heading to the island of Maui for 4 days. See that lump …
: Luau Dena and I at a luau on our last night on the big island.
: Lava Tubes And before the sunset we walked through some lava tubes.
: Sunset from our balcony On vacation on the big island of Hawaii. Pretty
: Hike in the San Tan Mountains Today Dena and I went for a hike in the San Tan Regional Park. It was a nice easy hike. About 4 …
: The 2021 Chicago Bears Here we are heading into the start of the 2021 football season and somewhat uncharacteristically, …
: Staying at the Wigwam Motel. But not in one of these unfortunately. 🙁
: A cool double rainbow in Holbrook, AZ.
: Something I’ve wondered about for a while. Nagy always seemed like a coach who wanted to run “his” …
: What is “ready”? On the eve of pre-season game 2 and I’m so tired of this. I listen to several Bears podcasts, read …
: Setting up admin I learned jekyll has an admin plugin that lets me create and maintain my site via a web-based GUI. …
: It’s unconscionable that the richest country in the world is unwilling to provide healthcare to its …
: Ear worm of the day: King Herod’s Song from Jesus Christ Superstar.
: Bears at Rams Prediction I don’t have a good feeling about a “prediction” per se, instead I think I’m writing more from a …
: Bears at Panthers Post Game Well, that went almost as I expected, except for the offensive line looking awful. I mean, c’mon, …
: Bears at Panthers Prediction I just don’t have a lot to say this time and I missed last week’s prediction, so first let’s go back …
: Bears vs. Colts Prediction The Bears come into this game as the hometown underdog but take an early lead and hold on to it …
: Bears at Falcons Post-game I couldn’t be happier to have been more wrong. Though you have to admit, I was pretty spot on for …
: Bears at Falcons Game Prediction This is the week the wheels come off the wagon. The defense doesn’t pressure Matt Ryan and he picks …
: Bears vs. Giants Post Game Analysis Shoulda written this last night but life intervened. Frankly, I wanna say I nailed it. Sure, I …
: Bears vs. Giants Game Prediction I’m going to wimp out on this one and not actually predict a winner. Allow me to explain. It’s hard …
: Bears vs. Lions Post Game Wow. Just wow. For three quarters I was spot-on in my prediction for this game. Trubisky looked …
: Bears at Lions Game Prediction Let’s start this off right from the top: Hate to say it, I don’t see the Bears winning this game. …
: LOL, learning something every time I post here. I just assumed my “replies” would be threaded …
: Guess I should have looked at my timeline before I posted! I’ll be honest, I’m not used to being …
: Well, lookit that Well, lookit that! I can now publish to micro.blog straight from iA Writer. Nice.
: Day 2 of microblogging. Next step, figure out how to connect this to jimdab.com, my “real” blog that …
: Hello world! My first micro.blog post.
: It is done!! Finally OK, I’ll be honest, it’s been done for a few weeks now, I’m just finally getting around to …
: Bears week 4 - Post game I finally get my boring game I recently said to my wife, I wanted to watch a boring Bears game. By …
: Bears week 4 Can they move to 3-1? The Bears started a somewhat surprising 2-1 this season. Most of that on the …
: Kitchen Remodel Day 98 No. They’re Still. Not. Done. We’re giving up. Coming up on day 100 of the Great Kitchen Remodel and …
: Kitchen Remodel Day 87 Putzing Along I’ve been slacking a little bit lately. They’ve been here doing things in bits and …
: Kitchen Remodel Day 82 I Got a Hole in One! Yep. Let’s see, last post was Day 74, this is Day 82. So in 8 days they were …
: Kitchen Remodel Day 74 Let there be light! And there was light. There it is. I think we’re entering the final stretch. …
: Kitchen Remodel Day 72 I’m Exhausted Came home today after work to this. Looking nice. Got the range hood in today. Heh, …
: Kitchen Remodel Day 70 I’ve Plumbed the Depths OK, so I’m getting a bit silly with the titles on these posts. Shoot me. …
: Kitchen Remodel Day 67 Lien on Me! Heh, so on the third, we got a notice in our mailbox of a certified letter waiting for …
: Kitchen Remodel Day 60 Countertops! We gots the countertops! I’m lying here again. This all happened Friday, but we took …
: Kitchen Remodel Day 59 Appliances, Trim & Trees Well, today was a busy day. After a couple of weeks of nothing and a …
: Kitchen Remodel Day 59 Appliances, Trim & Trees Well, today was a busy day. After a couple of weeks of nothing and a …
: Kitchen Remodel Day 45 Finished up putting handles on all things and re-did the island. I guess they think the countertops …
: Kitchen Remodel Day 44 I Got a Handle on this! Back to being clever (or so I think). Looks like cabinet folks spent the day …
: Kitchen Remodel Day 43 Cabinets are in Yeah, no clever titles this time. Not feeling it. Got home yesterday and saw …
: Kitchen Remodel Day 42 I am Grout! Before. After. I think we need to mop. And we have the beginnings of cabinets. Take …
: Kitchen Remodel Day 39 We Have the Tile Now I’m really cheating. I’m writing this two days after the date on this post. But …
: Kitchen Remodel Day 38 Orange is the New Green Tile guy came today. Bright and early, 7 a.m. there he was knocking on the …
: Kitchen Remodel Day 37 It’s Not Easy Being Green I’m slacking again. Sure there were a couple of days of inaction lately …
: Kitchen Remodel Day 31 Drywall, Venting & Lessons Learned I’m always amazed at what professional plasterers can do. And …
: Kitchen Remodel Day 30 Drywalling Today the dry wall people came and patched things up. You can see they got the left-over …
: Kitchen Remodel Day 24 Guess the city of Janesville is satisfied with their work. Yep, that’s all that was done today. JIm …
: Kitchen Remodel Day 23 Electricity, E-lec-tricity Today we got some electrical work done. How about that. Let’s look at a …
: Kitchen Remodel Day 22 Yep. That’s it for today. Seriously. They capped a couple of pipes. JIm
: Kitchen Remodel Day 21 What?!? Day 21! Yeah, I reconsidered my day numbering convention. At first, I was going to go by …
: They Want This to Happen Another day, another senseless school shooting, and another round of politicians offering their …
: Kitchen Remodel Day 6 Well, today we got some good news and some bad news. The good news: Got a call from the lead guy, …
: Kitchen Remodel Day 5 More walls coming down and beams going up. So, I missed Day 4. That was last Friday. I got home from …
: Kitchen Remodel Day 3 And the walls come tumbling down—well, sort of. Continue to make slow but steady progress I guess. …
: Kitchen Remodel Day 2 I’m shocked. I honestly think never before in the history of home remodeling projects has a project …
: Kitchen Remodel Day 1 Here it is! Day 1! The start of our kitchen remodel. I hope to post every day about how the changes …
: Kitchen Remodel Part V Almost ready to start! So we had our “final walkthrough” a couple of weeks ago, which really wasn’t …
: Kitchen Remodel Part IV Eh. Had our “final walk-through” with the builders. The lead guy came here with the lead builder-guy …
: Kitchen Remodel Part III Signed the contract today. Sent off 25% downpayment. We’ll see what happens next! JIm
: This is a Test This is test of the emergency blogging system. If this had been an actual blogging emergency we …
: Kitchen Remodel Part II Today we met with our project manager, Jerry, for our kitchen remodel. We went over the final …
: Kitchen Remodel Part I We decided to remodel our kitchen. Mind you, our kitchen looks fine the way it is… but there are …
: Back to Boating I’m back to boating! Got off my butt recently and got started on it again. From the last blog post …
: Why I'm OK with the Mitch Trubisky Trade Thursday night I said to my wife I thought the Bears were suddenly 5+ years away from being …
: That Ben Franklin Quote Hmm. Lately again I’ve seen this quote floating around on Facebook and other social media sites: …
: Well, that was embarrassing Well that was embarrassing. I wanted to post something here yesterday, fired up my computer, looked …
: We Killed Our Cat Yesterday We killed our cat yesterday. Well, more accurately, we had him killed yesterday. Such a blunt way of …
: It's the Little Things It’s taking pleasure in the little things in life that helps keep me happy. My dad was an …
: I think I'm a Jogger OK, I think I’m a jogger. Over a year ago, my wife decided she needed to exercise more. Unlike most …
: Blog Reboot Welcome to my blog reboot. This blog has completely languished for a long time. No, I haven’t been …
: May the Fourth... OK, I succumbed to the whole “May the 4th” thing and decided to get my geek on and watch Star Wars …
: The Nibbing Strake You may recall, when we last left off I was about to embark on making the nibbing strake. To refresh …
: Planking the Fore Deck Now it’s time to move on to planking the deck! I’ve decided to start with the fore deck (the front …
: Sanding & Priming Just a minor update here. I’ve been working steadily on the boat actually, but there just isn’t too …
: Making Little Sticks As promised, here is a little tale of how I made all the little sticks I needed for the trenailing …
: What’s Wrong with this Picture Below is a picture of my boat work area. What’s wrong with this picture? Notice the garbage can …
: Trenailing Yep, it’s pronounced tree-nailing because that is what I am doing. The planks on a ship are usually …
: Before & After Update Well, I’ve been working on my boat some, just not posting here very much. Thought I’d give you all a …
: Before & After Before: After: It’s been what, 4 months since I last posted here. A variety of things interfered …
: Planking Complete Yay! I’ve finished planking the boat! I’m pretty excited that I’ve been able to complete what many …
: Seven-Eighths! I’ve completed one entire side of planking! Pics below. This last belt is sort of weird in that I …
: 3/4 Done I’m three-quarters of the way done with planking the boat! It’s been a while since I’ve been able to …