The Mallard Ducks are back

RichC
The Mallard Ducks are back
Seeing Mallard Ducks show up in the spring “like clockwork” had me wondering just how long this particular pair has been showing up at our pool (still covered) and landscape pond … and how long they live (see below)?  For years ducks show up in the spring, have been chased by our dog Tootsie (for the 17 years of her life), and usually find a place to nest — it is sometimes odd where eggs show up?

Artemis 1 and the moon

RichC
Read the full article in Phys.org Ok … so it is not “manned,” but check out these physics facts from Discover Magazine anyway 😉 Q: Why does the moon always present the same face to us? I find it impossible to believe that this could happen by chance. — Michael Connelly, Toronto A: Nope, not by chance — it’s pure physics. For starters, the moon is not stuck in place with one side facing us.

Is a Costco membership worth it?

RichC
Is a Costco membership worth it?
After one year of Costco Executive membership it was time to ask the “is it worth it” question. Thankfully for us, after one year, it did pay for itself for the first year. For us, at least for the first year, being an Executive Member vs Gold Star Member at Costco did pay off, but we also bought too much stuff! So how about in 2024? After my back of the envelope calculations came up with a net gain of $26 for 2023, it was time to think about 2024; Do we upgrade or downgrade?

October has made investors nervous for nearly 100 years

RichC
What is there about October that upsets people and financial markets? For nearly a century investors get nervous this time of year. Unfortunately watching the market as closely as I do, one would think I would have sold stocks at the first sign of trouble in October. Nope, I expected better from a few of my conservative holdings , but they are not immune ($CVX, $XOM and utility CEFs and ETFs).

Replaced the Brydge keyboard on the 10.2 inch iPad

RichC
Replaced the Brydge keyboard on the 10.2 inch iPad
This is really nothing new … it is just an exact replacement of the Brydge 10.2 inch keyboard for my iPad (new above and 2020 photo below). After a few years of heavy use, my second Brydge Keyboard, now out of warranty, was starting ot show some age. This well made keyboard has a couple design flaws that I’ve been able to overlook, but they are still annoying. First, the stick-on rubber skid pads fall off after only a few months of use.

Investing thoughts, but HTML testing

RichC
Investing thoughts, but HTML testing
My financial and investment musings have been few and far between lately, but while reading Barron's Magazine article this past week, it reminded me that we investors often can look to history for insight. Listen: ElevenLabs Audio reading Most of us recognized that inflation rocketed as the world attempted to return to normal … it was unnecessarily high. Way too many decisions were made by the Biden administration that amplified the already heavy stimulus checks and spending … and particularly by their attacking the American energy industry (higher energy costs inflate everything).

Hurricane Tips for 2023

RichC
When is Hurricane Season? Though tropical storms and hurricanes can form year-round, most brew during the six-month Atlantic hurricane season, which officially runs from June 1 to Nov. 30 each year. Inexpensive ways to prepare before hurricane season. Install a surge protector. Power surges are common during a storm and can damage appliances or electronics. Adding a surge protector will help protect your electrical panel at a low cost. Cover your air conditioner.