Snow in Battle Ground

It snowed pretty good on Saturday.  We ended up with 10 inches when it was all done.  On Saturday afternoon, I picked up my grandson at work to give him a ride home.  Afterward, I was on my way home and I came across a guy with a Ford F150 stuck in the ditch.  I'm not to sure how he did that but his left rear tire was pretty deep and his front end was almost off the ground.  I pulled up along side, rolled down my window and said, "Looks like your stuck!"  I had a new towing strap under the seat that I have been itching to use so I offered my help.  He was a bit skeptical but agreed to hook it up to the front of his pickup while I attached the other end to my tow hitch.  He did not seem to think that my little ole Jeep could pull his big pickup out of the ditch.  I didn't tell him that I was packing a diesel under the hood.  He was just going to stand there and watch, but I told him he had to get in the truck and try to drive out while I pulled.  The road had 10 inches of snow and was mighty slippery but my Jeep 4x4 pulled him right out with very little effort!  He was grateful and a little more humble.

WD MyCloud Works with Linux

I decided to replace my old backup device with a new Western Digital MyCloud Duo.  I wanted to use it as a network backup device BUT, the directions say that it DOES NOT work with Linux.  It will work with just about everything else.  I am happy to say that it DOES work with Linux.  In fact it works good, but it is not plug and play.   You have to take steps to make it work.  Here is how to do it.  

I use MX Linux 19 which is Debian.  Other versions of Linux may vary but the principles are the same.  

1.  You must have cifs-utils installed in your system.
Open a terminal and type:  sudo apt install cifs-utils
You will have to enter your system password for this.

2. Next, you must make a "mount point" in your file system.  To do this, you must make a folder inside the "/media" folder of your file system.  You have to do this as a root user.  In MX Linux it is pretty easy.

Open File manager and click on "File System"

Scroll down and open the "/media" folder.

RIGHT click in the folder and select "Open Root Thunar Here"  (Thunar is the name of the file manager app.)

In the top menu, click on file then "Create Folder" and make a folder called "MyCloud".  You can use some other name if you like but keep it simple.  Exit the Root Thunar.  

Note:  A "mount point" is just a folder.  That's all.  There is nothing mystical about it, but you must have it.  Your "/media folder" may have some other stuff in it.  If so, leave it all alone and just make the folder.  Some Linux systems use "/mnt" instead of "/media".

3. Next, plug your new WD MyCloud into your router and turn it on.  Wait for it to spin up. You must now find out what the ip number of the MyCloud device is on your network.  I use "arp-scan" to do this.  If you do not have "arp-scan" you may need to first install it with package manager.  Then you can open a terminal and type:

sudo arp-scan --interface=wlan0 --localnet

This will show you a list of all devices on your network along with all their ip numbers.  On my network, the WD MyCloud is 192.168.0.113 yours will be different.  When you determine the ip number, write it down.

4. You must now make an entry in the special file "fstab" located in your /etc folder.  Use file manager to navigate to the "/etc" folder and find the file called "fstab".  RIGHT click on the "fstab" file and then select "Edit as Root".  You will have to type your password. Leave everything in the file alone but add a new line at the bottom like this.

//192.168.0.113/Public /media/MyCloud cifs guest,vers=1.0,uid=1000,iocharset=utf8 0 0

(The above is all one line.  It must be done correctly, letter perfect.)

Save the "fstab" file and exit the root editor.

5. Open a terminal and type  sudo mount -a

If all is correct, you should not get an error message and the MyCloud device should be mounted.  You can make lots folders and sub-folders. Use it as any other disk drive.  You can use the device for network attached storage. You can use your favorite backup app to backup to it, etc etc.  If you purchased the single unit rather than the Duo, the setup is the same.  The Duo unit gives you the extra protection of "RAID."

In the screen clip below, notice that MyCloud appears as a network drive on the left, the right window shows the contents so far.  Your iPads, iPhones, and Mac, will not show here.  They have their own setup.  If you also have a Windows computer, you can mount this device as a network drive and it will be included too.  In the example below, don't be confused by the word "Partition".  These are just folder names I chose to use for my own reasons.

What Really Happened in Genesis One

When I was doing my post-graduate studies at Florida Bible College, working on my ThB degree, I wrote a book as part of the required work.  I guess it was more of a thesis than a book but at the time I owned an offset printing press.  It was a Multilith Model 80.

  So, after typing the book on paper several times, I also typed it onto the thick paper printing plates that the press used.  Using these plates, I printed 100 copies of my book, bound them with staples, and distributed them to fellow students and friends.  

All of this was a very large task that I accomplished in one semester of work.  During that time I was taking 20 credit hours of school work, and working part time as a Medical Records Technician in a local hospital.  There were no computers.  All I had to work with was a wide carriage Remington typewriter, 3x5 cards, lots of paper and my printing press.  I look back on it now and wonder how I did it.  I was married too and must have driven my wife crazy with all the time I spent on this project.  She was a freshman student that year and also working part time as an RN at the hospital.

Years past and all of the copies of my book vanished, even my own copy.  Then one day a few years ago, an old friend sent me a package.  He said he was cleaning out his files and found a copy of my book and he thought I would like to have it.  He had kept it all those years.

I am re-typing it all now using LibreOffice Writer because it is too faded to scan and use OCR.  When I am done, I will probably post it here or maybe publish it on Kindle, who knows.  It is interesting to see the things that I wrote once again.

Valentine quilt for my honey

This week I worked on this little "throw" type quilt for my honey.  It has a valentine theme and measures about 50x32.

Rough Layout using 8" Blocks

All stitched together

Finished product

I ironed the hearts on using a light fuser then stitched around them using a applique stitch.  For border, I used 4" strips cut from an old sheet folded in half to two inches and then sewn on using the standard binding method.  We have and old double recliner.  The purpose for this quilt is to drape over the back of the recline for a decoration.

 

Sumps pumps. The Good and the Bad

 We get a lot of water under our house and for the last 40 years we have pumped it out almost daily using a sump pump.  Since sumps pumps seem to only last 1 to 5 years we have gone through a lot of them.  Of the last three that I used, one lasted 2 years, one lasted 3 months, and one lasted 3 years.  All of them failed having the same problem even though they were different brands.

When you look at ads for sump pumps, they often brag about having an "engineered thermoplastic bottom".  THIS is the problem.  It is not a plus.  The problem is that they don't engineer enough screws to hold the plastic bottom in place.  It doesn't take long for the plastic plate to warp a tiny bit between two screws and then the water shoots out the side instead of going out the discharge pipe.  

The other day I had to replace the pump again and this time I paid a little extra and bought one that has a cast iron bottom with no "engineered thermoplastic" plate on it.  We will see how long it lasts.  It is made by Warn.  Their chart claims that this pump with a guarantee of 3 years should last 6.  We'll see.

Water Under the House	Engineered Plastic Bottom
New Warn Pump	Cast Iron Bottom

Una DeBee's Fruit Cake

When I was in college, two of my room mates brought fruit cake from home that was left over from Christmas.  Terry brought his favorite "no bake" fruit cake which was a disgusting rectangle of smashed fruit.  Ed brought some of his mom's fruit cake.  She claimed that she had researched it for years and tried many recipes before settling on one that, with some of her own modification, she really liked.  It was plenty fruity, baked like a cake, held its form nicely, and was not dry.  An argument ensued.  Terry said he liked "FRUIT" cake, whereas Ed said that he like fruit "CAKE."  I was the official taste tester and I immediately became a big fan of Una DeBee's fruit cake.  Ed was definitely right.  Terry returned to his bunk with his gob of goo and after a few days, all of the fruit "CAKE" was devoured.  I managed to get at least one piece every year all of our college days.

More importantly, during a visit with the DeBee's, I asked Una for her recipe.  I told my wife that she would have to make one of these fruit cakes every year.  Una copied it out for her and told her a short version of her fruit cake research.   My wife complained a little the first year that she made it, but after eating some, she changed her tune and we have made it a Christmas tradition at our house ever since.

After 48 fruit cakes, my wife announced that this year will be the final year.  We have enjoyed the 2020 fruit cake as always, but this may be the final piece.  We'll see.

Una DeBee's Fruit Cake

Cream 1/2 cup butter and 1/2 cup shortening together with 1 1/3 cup of sugar.  Stir until creamy.

Warm 2.5 cups applesauce, a #2 can, a good thick brand.  Add it to the mixture and blend.

Dissolve 1 heaping tablespoon of baking soda to 2 tablespoons of warm water then add it to the mixture and beat well.

Sift together: 2.5 cups flour, 2/3 Tsp ground cloves, 2/3 tsp Allspice, 2/3 tsp Cinnamon, 1/2 tsp Nutmeg, and a pinch of Salt.  Add all this to the mixture and mix well.

Remove from the mixer and stir in:

1 pound of mixed candied fruit (the colorful cubed kind that stores sell at Christmas)

1 cup of chopped nuts, walnuts or pecans, more if you like.

2 cups of Raisins - more if you like

Prepare a tube type baking pan using pan spray, or light grease, with waxed paper or parchment on the bottom.  Pour in all the ingredients.  Garnish the top with whole walnuts or pecans.  

Preheat oven to 350 and bake the cake for 1.5 hours.  After 45 minutes, place a piece of brown paper over the pan so that the cake does not brown too much on top.  

How to defeat Eramis in Destiny 2

 The ultimate enemy in Destiny 2 "Beyond Light" is a female warrior named Eramis.  If you are working through the campaign, eventually you will be given the task to hunt down and defeat Eramis.  Fight your way through typical scenes until you get to her throne room...then the battle begins in two phases.  I'm not into all the Destiny 2 lingo and lore so you may have to translate a little.  But if you follow this simple procedure and are a slightly above average player you should be able to defeat Eramis without much trouble.  Most players use speed, luck, shooting skill and lots of tries to win this level.  I use cunning.  Brains wins over brawn.

Eramis

Phase One:  You will first discover Eramis in her throne room.  When you enter, the battle begins and she will summon lots of goons to take you down while she shoots at your with her freezing stasis blast.  There are lots of small objects to run and hide behind, none of them very good. Do your best hiding as you fight off wave after wave of goons.  In between each wave take some shots at Eramis.  When you finally wear her down a litttle, she will freeze you, disable your ghost, steal your shard, and give you a lecture.  Then she will depart to the outside decks.  This phase is not too hard, but there is no big secret to it.  Tough it out.

Phase Two:  When you go outside, you will see Eramis on a round deck with one smaller deck on each side.  All around them is a long fall into the abyss and certain death.  When you exit the throne room a shield descends behind you so you cannot go back.  You must face the enemy.  Notice that there is on semi-circular railing around the deck on which your are standing.  You have time to look it over.  Take a close look at the two extreme corners of the deck.  If you crouch in either corner, you are protected pretty good from the enemy.  Eramis cannot get a direct shot at you because of the railing, but the goons can still rush at you.  You have time for one stasis shot at her and then the battle begins.  Run immediately to one of the deck corners, crouch low against the railing, and wait for the 1st wave of goons.  Shoot them with whatever you like but remain crouched down because Eramis will be trying to hit you with stasis.  

Wave after wave of goons, and shanks will come.  Just keep blasting them.  In between each wave, stand up and take one or two quick stasis shots at Eramis (it is your new super power).  Use the faint sighting ring to aim your shots.  Duck down and wait for the next wave of goons.  Eramis will also make a lot of those big blue "Servitor" balls to shoot at you.  If you hit them right in the center, they are easy to destroy.  Goons seem to come in groups of two or three, but there are lots of Servitors.

When you are low on ammo, wait for the end of a goon wave and then jump up and run to the other corner collecting ammo as you go...crouch down again.  Remember to take a shot at Eramis in between waves. If she succeeds in freezing you, break out, kill any nearby goons, and return to your crouching spot.

Repeat the process long enough and Eramis will wear down.  When she gets below 1/4 strength, you win.  After a long cinematic, she will disappear.  This is the easy way to defeat an enemy that seems impossible.

How to defeat Praxis in Destiny 2

When playing Destiny 2, Praxis is one of the more difficult villains to defeat.  Finding him is hard enough.  You have to hunt him down.  When you find him, defeating him seems impossible.  In your attempts you may die over and over.  Fortunately, in a video game you get extra lives.  Here is the secret to defeating Praxis.  Use this method and you will have good success and few deaths.

The room in which the battle takes place is rectangular and is wider than it is long.  A porch surrounds 3/4 of the room overlooking an abyss into which if you fall, you die. There are several platforms in the middle and their are all accessible with easy flying leaps.  Some of them are elevated on poles.  MOST IMPORTANT, there are four balconies, two on each side of the room.  These balconies are the secret to winning the level.

When you advance into the room Praxis will descend and immediately loose a wave of killer goons.  They will come at you viciously.  Praxis has the power to freeze you in place using Stasis.  Make one quick attack on Praxis if you want using your Super Power, then then run to either side of the room and make a flying leap up onto any one of the balconies.  When you land, back up into the balcony as far as you can and hide.  The goons cannot get you when you are on a balcony.

From the balcony, you can easily pick off all the goons.  In between each wave of goons, inch forward and take a few shots at Praxis using you heaviest firearm.  He/She is immune most of the time, protected by powerful shields.  Keep trying.  Praxis will summon another wave of goons..... repeat, repeat.  Sooner or later, the shields will go down and you have a few seconds to do some major damage to Praxis.  Continue in this fashion and defeat each wave of goons, shanks, and whatever else comes along.  Always back into the rear of the balcony after shooting at Praxis.  He will follow you around the room and will be out of sight, right below the balcony.

Soon you will run low on ammo.  Rest up, then leap off the balcony and run around the room defeating goons and picking up ammo as you go.  Go quickly to the other side of the room and leap up into a balcony.  Continue shooting goons and blasting Praxis in between waves.  

When Praxis' energy get down to 1/3, one of the stronger goons will drop an important stasis device.... pick it up on one of your runs around the room.  You will now have the power of stasis, the ability to freeze the enemy and your super power will recharge very fast.  Blast Praxis with stasis, it is now your super power. You can do this from a distance and you will see a faint targeting ring to guide your shots.  In between blasts, run to avoid the goons and blast Prixis with your heavy gun.  Continue this procedure until he dies.  You win.  Piece of cake.

If you have slightly above average skill, and you follow this procedure you can defeat Praxis without getting killed yourself.  If you do get killed, start over and try again.  Keep in mind that I am basing this guide on the fact that I play Warlock and had a power of 1205 at the time.

Note:  Instead of running around the room when you are out of ammo, you may be tempted to leap onto a platform, pick up ammo, and then leap on across the room.  This works fine, but if you miss a jump, into the abyss you go.

Happy New Year.... sort of

Last day of the year.  Most people spent the year in fear and trembling, hiding in their homes and shunning crowds and even small gatherings.  We ignored all of that and just lived our lives as normal as we could amid the panic.  We plan to continue doing the same until the panic is over if it ever is.

Today we went to the dentist for a check up and cleaning at 7 AM.  Then came home for exercise, a nice walk, and lunch.

This afternoon, I worked on a welding project outside in the cold and wind.  I have had this bird in mind for quite a while.  I'm using two brake rotors, part of a tow hitch, a brace from a railroad track, 6 railroad spikes and some scrape square stock, so far.  This picture shows my incomplete progress.  I decided today that I need to order a new welding helmet since mine is "flashing" quite a bit.  

An old friend from college sent me the words to a song that he and his buddy once sang in a college chapel service and brought the house down with laughter.

Oh me, isn’t it great to love a gal so big and fat, That when you’re lovin’ her You don’t know where you’re at? You take a piece of chalk in your hand, you hug awhile and chalk awhile to see where you began. Well, one day, I was a Huggin’ and a chalkin’ and askin’ her to be my lovin’ bride, When I met another guy with some chalk in his hand, comin’ ‘round the other side, He had a roadmap, comin’ ‘round the other side.

Meaning in life....

 I've been retired now for 12 years.  My how the time flies.  The more time you spend being retired, the farther you get removed from your purpose in life, or your identity in the community that you once had.  

Well, part of my purpose now seems to be working on my Grand kids' cars.  Today I worked on Ashley's Volvo.  I did an oil and filter change.  Replaced the air filter, cleaned the MAF sensor and ran a thorough electronic code scan.  Later I gave her a nice lecture about keeping your oil above the safe level and keeping your tires pumped up to the recommended pressure.  Time will tell if that had any effect. 

How to defeat Phylaks the Warrior

 I was having a very hard time defeating Phylaks the Warrior.  After getting killed over and over many many times, I consulted 4 or 5 blogs that claimed to have the secret.  All of them said basically the same thing, just keep moving and shoot when you can and move to each of the 3 levels as necessary.  This was not much help to me since I am 73 and a little slow.  I finally figured out how to to it.  I discovered a secret.  Using my method you can defeat Phylaks in one try without getting killed even once.....if your skill levels are average and you are a little lucky.

In this simple procedure, keep in mind that I play Warlock, and my power is 1206.  Things may work different if you play one of the other characters.  I don't know.   A power of 1100 is recommended for the level.

Before you start the level, war around on Europa until you can collect a full load of ammo for your three weapons.  Arm yourself with your best rapid fire weapons.  When you are ready, go to the Beyond Light Campaign marker and start the level.

Phase One:  When you start the level, you will be standing in a short hallway looking out.  You are safe in here, it is a "sweet spot".  Phylaks  (PW) descends when you step out of the hall way.  Step out, then backup into the hallway.  When PW descends throw a grenade then mow down the first wave of goons, sometimes called "Adds" by other bloggers.  They cannot easily get you because you are backed into the hall way.  When they are all dead, shoot PW in the face as much as possible.  Another wave will come, repeat.  If you run low on ammo, dart out of the hallway, pick up all you can and then go back into the hall and turn around to face the next wave.  When PW freezes you with a stasis blast, wait it out, reload, and be ready for an instant attack by the goons.  Continue until you have worn PW down 1/3 of her power.  You can see her power bar which it is divided into thirds.  The floor will then crumble away but you should be safe in the hall way.  It does not crumble.  Catch your breath and calm your nerves.

Phase Two:  PW jumps across the pond to a high platform to your right.  There is a lower platform beneath that has some short columns on it.  The platform is roughly L shaped.  In the corner of the L there is another "sweet spot" where you will be safe from any attack.  1st you need to "fly" over to the platform.  It takes me two flying jumps.  When you land you will be immediately be attacked by a horde of goons.  Blast as many as you can and quickly run to the corner of the L and jump OFF the platform....there is a ledge down there.....trust me, it is there.  You may miss it your first try and die.  You will soon become an expert at bailing out to the "sweet spot".  While on the ledge, they can not see you and you are safe from attack.  Fly straight up and blast the goons....land on the ledge again.  Repeat as much as you want.  When all the goons are expired you will be faced with waves of "shanks."  They are easy targets so if you want, fly up to the platform and hide very close behind one of the short columns.  Whenever you defeat a wave, pop out and shoot PW in the face.  Repeat until she is worn down another 1/3.  When this happens, the platform will dissolve and you have mere seconds to figure out which way to jump and then make the jump.  If you look to the left and lightly behind, you will see three platforms of different levels.  You can reach the lowest one with a single flying leap.

Phase Three:  You now need to jump or fly to the highest of the 3 platforms.  It is below a large battlefield platform where you will meet the enemy.  This platform is your third "sweet spot".  PW and the goons cannot see you here.  You an fly straight up and shoot and land again in safety.  You will see PW high in the distance.  When you are ready, fly up to the battlefield and run around killing the 1st wave of goons.  One of them will be extra powerful and require many hits spanning several waves.  When your health is low, run to the edge of the platform and jump off.  Land in your sweet spot and rest.  Reload and heal up.  Fly up and kill the goons.  Repeat as necessary.  When ready, fly up to the battlefield and defeat all the goons.  Go back to your sweet spot if necessary.  When you kill the powerful guy, you an pick up his stasis weapon.  It will work in place of your "super charge" weapon.  PW will come after you.  Use this new weapon along with your regular guns to defeat PW.  Go back to your sweet spot anytime you need too.  To activate the new stasis weapon, use your "super charge" feature.

Its all pretty easy and goes a lot faster than I faster can describe it.  Good Luck.

How to make home made yogurt

It is very easy to make your own yogurt.  I make 2 quarts at a time and put it up in 1 pint jars.  Here is how to do it.

You need:

1. Half gallon of your choice of mile (I use fat free)

2.  One small container of plain yogurt, cheap brand, Walmart is fine

3.  Thermometer and various bowls or pitchers

4.  Four pint jars with lids.  (Some plastic wrap - Optional)

Pour the milk into a large bowl and heat it in the microwave until it is between 160 and 200 degrees.  In our 1000 watt microwave, I heat it for 18 minutes.

Remove the milk from the microwave and skim the skin off the top of the milk using a wisk and discard it. (The skin not the wisk)

Place the thermometer into the milk and let it cool until it reaches 120 degrees.  This takes about 30 minutes.

Pour the plain yogurt into the milk and stir it for about 2 minutes until it is completely dissolved.  

Pour the mixture into the clean jars, place a small piece of stretch plastic wrap over the top of each jar and then screw on the lids.  The plastic is used to protect the lids so you can reuse them over and over.

Place the jars in a room temperature dark place for 48 hours.  I simply put them on the top shelf of a cabinet.  Write yourself a note so that you don't forget to remove the yogurt after 48 hours.

When the time is expired, remove the jars and place them in the refrigerator until you are ready to use the yogurt.  When served, add in some of your favorite fruit if you wish.

Note:  You can use a flavored yogurt as a starter but don't expect it to flavor the end result.  The difference is insignificant.  Fancy expensive starter yogurts may not work as well as a cheap plain yogurt.  I buy milk when it is on sale and try to purchase 4 half gallons at a time.  I use 1 half gallon jug and put the other 3 in the freezer.  I purchase 4 starter yogurts at the same time and keep them in the fridge.  Do not freeze your starter yogurt.

 

New Quilt is finished

Today I finished up this crib size quilt that I am making for my new great grand-daughter.

It was cold here today and foggy most of the day.  We ventured out a little bit but not too much.  I noted that there was lots of traffic today along main street.  There was a long line of cars lining up to get into the Lewisville school parking lot for some reason.

Jeep Cherokee Side Mirror and Door Handle

 I ordered a new passenger side mirror for my 91 Jeep Cherokee.  It came today and I put it on this afternoon. In order to put it on, you have to remove the window crank, the arm rest, the door hand and lock combo, and the upholstered side panel.  After that, replacing the mirror is pretty easy.  Three screws hold it on.  Remove the small triangle trim by unscrewing the single screw at the bottom, then remove the trim.  Next remove the 3 screws and replace the mirror. 

Now here is the catch.  Once you remove the inside door handle and lock tab, it is difficult to put them back on.  It is hard to hook up the rods.  There is a small clip that holds each rod in place.  Chances are good that  they are close to being worn out.  They may break with you disconnect the rod to remove the handle.  The secret to putting it back together is to snap the plastic clip onto the hole in the handle, then put the tip of the handle into place.  Using long needle nose pliers or hemostats, or some other tool, insert the wire rod into the clip and snap the lock over the side of the rod.  Do the same with the lock button.

Home made Christmas Quilts

I started making quilts back in 2009 after I purchased a new sewing machine for my wife and she wouldn't use it.  My first quilt was a disaster but I learned.  Here are three Christmas quilts that I made over the next few years.

Since we have all the quilts that we need, I have been making crib style quilts lately and giving them to the Options 360 pregnancy center.  They give free ultra sounds to pregnant women and encourage them to keep their babies rather than choose abortion.

A New Owl for the Yard.

This is an owl that I welded up the other day made of some scrap metal.  I used a shovel, two ball joints off of my Jeep, three square washers from a rail road track and two curly pieces of metal off of some shelf brackets.

I will hang it up on a post along with a "branch" that will pass through the feet.  The branch will be a piece of re-bar painted brown.

Cookies

Susie has been in baking mode for the last few days.  She works so hard and then complains about all the work.  She does make wonderful goodies.  We usually give away nice plates full of goodies to all the neighbors but this year I am wondering if anyone will eat them.  People are so full of irrational fear.

Today we will put the icing on the cookies.

The other day we went to the Dollar Store.  I was leaning on a column outside waiting for Susie to come out.  I was not wearing a mask as usual.  Some young woman came walking along, saw me and stopped short about 20 feet away.  She refused to walk by but started pacing around talking to herself (no she was not talking on the phone.)  After about 5 minutes of walking and pacing and giving me "stink eyes" she went into the store to mix with the big crowd.  Others walked by with no problems.  The walkway is only 12 feet wide.

If you look closely at the cookies you will see that some of them are wearing masks, especially the sugar cookie guys.

Some of the cookies have masks.
But no social distancing.

Today in the local paper there was some typical Covid propaganda.  It is all in the headlines.  Most people only read the headlines.  It said something like "Clark County Cases Exceeds 10,000.  Hospitals are 80% Full"  The implication is that there are currently more than 10,000 cases and that the hospitals are 80% full of Covid patients.  Not true.  The cases are counted from the beginning of the pandemic and the hospitals are mostly full of other types of patients.  

Surveyors in the field.

The surveyors are in the field today and it looks like they are laying out a roadway that will go through to the next neighborhood to the North of us.

My guess is that soon they will start work on putting a road through to it.

This morning I went to Walmart to return a diffuser that I purchased their two weeks ago.  I actually purchased it twice.  The 1st one did not work so I turn it back for a refund and bought another one.  It seemed to work for a while and then we just decided that it was real puny compared to our previous one that we bought on Amazon.  I obtained the refund our new diffuser from Amazon arrived yesterday.  It works great.  I also had to go to Napa and return some extra AT fluid that I purchased for my daughter's car.  Seems like today was a return day.

Shopping at Safeway, I picked up a NY Stripe Roast that was on sale.  When I got it home I cut it into steaks and sealed them using my Food Saver vacuum sealer then they hit the freezer. 

Susie is making Christmas goodies

New glasses. Here is my honey doing her thing baking Christmas goodies and she is sporting her new glasses that came in the mail today. 

My Daughter left her Volvo here last night with the check engine light active.  I used my MaxiDas DS708 to diagnose the codes, clear them and reset the light but this is not a permanent fix.  I also tinkered with some of the sensor wires to check for bad connections.

This evening we watched the new Mulan on TV.  It is not as good as the cartoon in my opinion but it was still good.

I sent this photo and some of this post using the Email method.  I just wanted to try it out.

Flew my drone for a few flights this afternoon.

Goofy Gift Card

 My sister sent me a gift card the other day so I could use it to buy some cheese to send to her.  She cannot buy Tillamook cheese where she lives.  I ended up paying cash for the cheese and just kept the card for my own use since I paid more for the cheese anyway.

Last week I tried to use the card and it was rejected, so I logged into the web site to check the balance.  Sure enough, it showed $60 available.  The next day I bought some diesel fuel for my Jeep and tried the card at the pump.  It worked fine and did not as for the required PIN number....hmmm.  I though OK that's nice.

The next day I went to Ace hardware to buy some stuff and used the card again and it worked great, again not asking for the required PIN number.  A few days passed.

We went to Walmart and had a large grocery bill to pay, a little over $100 so I asked the attendant at the computer check stand to help me with my gift card because I knew the balance was small and I wanted to use it up.  She helped me and made two tries.  Both times the card was rejected.  So I paid up with my regular Visa and we went home.

Yesterday evening I decided to check up on the card to see what happened.  Here it is....   The website claimed that I spent $23.80 at Ace, $42.74 for Fuel, and TWO payments of $36.28 to Walmart for a total of $139.10.  It then deducted the $60 value for the card and left me with a balance of $29.74 still on the card.  Using a spreadsheet I tried many combinations of the numbers and there is NO WAY to come up with $29.74.

I checked my paper receipts.... I actually only spent $41.34 for fuel, and $23.80 at Ace.  So.... how can you start with $60, spend $65.14 and still have a balance of $29.74?  And why did the card pay the whole amount at ACE when the sale exceeded the limit?

How is it that their records show $139.10 of purchases when in reality, the card was rejected?  I tried the card again today at an auto parts store and it worked fine, and asked for the PIN and since I was buying more that $29.74, I had to pay the balance with another card.

Is this just "New Math?"  Hmmm.  I think I figured it out.  The company that owns this card is probably owned by Dominion, the company that makes voting machines.  It is very plain to see why you should not trust a computer to count your votes for the most important office in the world.  Also, you should also never go to Vegas and play "video poker" against a computer.