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?
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?
After 5 or 6 years, a car batteries no matter their indicated warranties, lose some of their cold cranking amps (CCA). If I were a “maintenance-focused only kind of guy," I’d probably just replace batteries every 5 years rather than waiting forthem to fail. BUT… as usual … I wait until the winter when it is near zero degrees!Since it is early February, it is of course cold. Brenda’s 2010 Acura RDX has been sitting for a month due to Brenda’s hip replacement (in the garage at least) and it failed to start this past week.
You would think that after 60+ years that I would comfortably remember which spelling of for the past tense of ‘cancel’ was the common American English version and which was British English version. When it comes to a few words that I stumble over, I still need to check with Merriam-Webster.
British vs. American English
Another fine example that has answers of varying degrees of complexity is the question of how many Ls one should use in the past or present participle form of the verb cancel.
Here’s a tool tip that isn’t widely known:
If you need a little more screwdriver leverage … or your hands are slippery … check to see if a hex socket or wrench will fit on the handle of your screwdriver to give you a little additional torque (a 1” socket works for my standard Craftsman screwdriver). Just be sure you have enough down-pressure on the screwdrivers as with all the addition torque it is easy to strip out the fastener heads … be they straight blade or Philips heads.
