Key and Lanyard

2016/09/092016/09/09 ruminator

I made this lanyard quickly because my key needed one. It's not the final step, I think. — I made this lanyard quickly because my key needed one. It’s not the final step, I think.

The key to my rig has been bouncing around in my pocket for a couple-three months now. I’m in the process of adjusting my EDC to better fit my lifestyle. It appears there are about three stages for my EDC. The first is the always carry and those things are on my person just about all the time. The key to my rig is one of those items.

So, I decided a month ago that my key needs a lanyard. Unfortunately, the lanyard hole was too small for standard 550 paracord. So I didn’t make any progress.

This morning, after walkies and getting my bite adjusted on the new appliance in my mouth, I had a few minutes and remembered putting a small triangular file in my portable toolkit. So, I retrieved some paracord from my kit, got the file out, did test fit to ensure my recollection was correct (measure twice, cut once) — it was — so I started to work with the file.

After about 15-minutes of cut-and-check, I was pretty sure I could pull a length of line through the lanyard hole in the key. so, I cut a piece of paracord, singed the new end, and pulled it through.

Then came the knot-experimentation phase. I tried a couple of times, then decided the project was good enough for the moment and quit. I needed to get the rig to the Toyota House for service and didn’t want to be late.

So this is my first shot at a short lanyard for my 4Runner key. I’m going to work up a finishing knot for the lanyard. Then I expect to use an S-biner or carabiner to clip the key into my new EDC kit.

I’ll get around to describing it and my other levels of EDC at some point. I’m still sorting all that out.

The Pulverizer

2016/09/082016/09/07 ruminator

This is a piece of heavy equipment. It churned up the asphaltic concrete paving like a rototiller does garden soil.

Tuesday evening the Girl and I went out for an evening walk. I mostly just wanted to be outdoors for a while, but also wanted to give her a chance to play, pee and poo, and to walk my regular circuit of Pokéstops.

As we rounded the north end of the Capitol Quadrangle, I noticed that Carson Street was closed and that there was heavy equipment working on the street. That was cool.

We walked a bit south, enjoying the evening air. The Girl was on the hunt for bushytails, although there aren’t many of them at the Capitol. As we exited the Capitol grounds proper, I noticed the machine. It was being pulled by a water truck (with a supply line to the machine) and was chewing up the asphaltic concrete like it was nothing. There was no bouncing, no change in the pitch of the engine to indicate an increased load — just the rumble of the cutters breaking up the pavement and chewing into the base material of the street.

The Girl rolled in the cool grass as I stood there watching the machine work. I made a short video (wished for a tripod) and shot some stills. The backlight was very strong, but I managed to pick up some of the bounce from the front of the Legislature Building. I was struck by the power of this machine.

After a few minutes, we moved on. We were both ready for supper and to settle in for the evening.

I returned in the morning to make the circuit again. Both of us needed walks. As I came around the corner, a worker greeted me. “Do you need to cross?” she asked.

“Nope… I was just admiring the grinder.”

“You mean the pulverizer?” she smiled, “that’s pretty impressive, isn’t it? After 18-years on this job I don’t notice it anymore, but it’s something how it chews up the pavement, isn’t it?”

I nodded as she petted the Girl. Then it was time to move along again, so we said “Good day!” and off we went, back to the room so I could get her vest and go find some breakfast.

What a wonderful encounter to begin the day. I’m truly thankful for such serendipities.

The Nevada Capitol Grounds

2016/09/072016/09/06 ruminator

The Girl and I love to walk the Capitol grounds. Part of the attraction is the attraction of the area. But, there are a lot of Pokémon Go pokestops on the grounds as well. — The Girl and I love to walk the Capitol grounds. Part of the attraction is the attraction of the area. But, there are a lot of *Pokémon Go* pokestops on the grounds as well.

I love Nevada. It’s fun to go walk the Capitol grounds in the morning and evening.

When Pokémon Go first came out, the place was crowded with players. Lately, however, there are not very many when we go walk. The pokestops are still there and we pick up materials from them. But the players seem to have lost interest.

Still, the grounds are beautiful. I want to do some photography of the memorials on the site.

Ten

2016/09/062016/09/05 ruminator

One morning, the Girl and I passed by this sign on walkies when the sun was just right to bring out the texture in the door.

I am fascinated by texture. When the light is right and the texture pops, I will work the scene. The Girl and I have been walking the old Nevada Children’s Home in the mornings and sometimes in the evenings. I passed this door dozens of times. But, one evening the sun was just right and the texture popped. I love serendipity!

Nevada Children’s Home

2016/09/042016/09/03 ruminator

Friday morning, the Girl and I were out early for a short walk. We crossed Stewart Street (always risky) and walked through the fire station parking lot. I turned her off leash so she could hunt the ground squirrels (which are far too clever for her).

The morning light was gorgeous, so I stopped to make an image of the main quadrangle. It’s a place where we play on many afternoons. There are sometimes other dogs who play too. It’s a great place and I love it.

Newport, Oregon

2016/09/032016/09/02 ruminator

On my way home from Washington, I drove down US 101 through Forks, Washington and on down to the Oregon coast. I spent one evening in Newport, Oregon. We arrived relatively late (I misjudged my ETA) and didn’t have much time before dusk.

But the next morning the Girl and I got out and walked down to the beach. It was cool and foggy that morning. There were a few hardy souls out on the beach, some surf fishing, others playing with their dogs or jogging, and a few just walking along the wet part of the sand, enjoying the sound of the Pacific Ocean.

I brought the Girl’s Chucker and we spent some time playing fetch in the sand. It was fun to throw the ball hard and watch her dig to chase it, then hockey-stop to grab the ball.

After a few runs, she got the knack of picking up the ball without getting too much sand in her mouth. Apparently, she doesn’t like the grittiness of the sand.

There was a bit of sniffing about the rocks as well. I know there were new smells for her there. After a bit, I chased her out of my frame and made a few captures.

Of all the oceans I’ve visited over the years, it’s still the Pacific Ocean that I like the best.

The Miner

2016/09/012016/09/01 ruminator

The tribute to Nevada miners on the Capitol Quad is one of the very cool statues there.

While I’m staying in Carson City, I walk the loop around the Nevada Capitol nearly every day. Part of the reason is to give both the Girl and me some exercise. Part of the reason is to collect some items for Pokémon Go.

When we walk through the quadrangle, I’m impressed by the serenity there. Even during the big initial rush of Pokémon Go players, the place has a sense of reverence. There are a number of statues there that I think would be excellent subjects for some evening photography and lightpainting. I might just have to do some of that.

This morning we passed by the Capitol Quad again on our morning walk. The morning was gorgeous, cool, calm, peaceful, and quiet. The construction on Carson Street continues, but the noise seemed abated this morning.

The Girl was engaged and calm.

We paused for a few minutes at the Nevada Miner Memorial, reflecting on the importance of mining to this state. I made a few captures in the morning mixed light. And then we moved on.

It’s a good day.

Davis Creek Community Church

2016/08/312025/08/31 ruminator

A lovely little church and stop for tired travellers.

On the way south from Bend, Oregon yesterday, the Girl and I needed a rest stop. Not long after crossing the California state line, I saw this little church aside the highway and noticed a picnic bench in the shade of the large trees. I spiked the brakes, startling the Girl, and pulled in.

Excitedly, she approved.

I got out, let her out, and retrieved my sandwich from the cooler, grabbed my waning bag of chips, and snagged the water bottle. The Girl asked for water and drank plenty. Then, while she sniffed about, I ate my sandwich and prayed appreciation for the gift of this little community to this traveling old man.

After a bite, we walked the area, peeked inside the church (it was NOT locked), and I made a few more captures. I’ll have to assemble them and make another post… or edit this one later.

This church reminded me of the one near my family’s home in St. James, Missouri. There, Wife and I attended services for a number of years. The pastor was a favorite old friend, who also was a professor of mathematics at the university I attended.

Sahalie Falls, Oregon

2016/08/302016/08/29 ruminator5 Comments

Sunday morning, I rose, made some coffee, and puttered with my morning stuff for a bit. It’s my wake-up routine. A text message arrived from an ex-student, whom I was supposed to meet in Eugene for breakfast.

Oops… it’s about 90 minutes from Newport, Oregon to Eugene. So, I thought that maybe brunch or just coffee would be better. But the word was, come on anyway. He also recommended the drive through Florence and along SH 126 to Eugene.

So, I took the Girl down to the beach, played with her hard for a few minutes, made a few captures, and off we went. We met my friend and his family for lunch and enjoyed some wonderful fellowship for a few hours at Hendricks Park in Eugene. He has such bright children (no surprise). They were a hoot.

On the drive from Eugene, Oregon to Bend, I stopped at Salhalie Falls (on recommendation). I was blessed to be the only person on the trail near the falls. So, I was able to capture some nice video of the falls. I love that sound.

Then it was back into the rig to find lodging in Bend, Oregon.

Here is a second clip, this one of the main fall and in slow motion.

Dismal Nitch, Washington

2016/08/282016/08/28 ruminator2 Comments

About two weeks ago I visited this very spot, the rest area at Dismal Nitch, Washington. I stopped here on my way (the roundabout way) to Spokane, wanting some cooler weather (from Portland) and to see the Pacific Ocean. I stayed a few minutes, relishing the absence of the heavy traffic on the south side of the Columbia River, spent some time playing with the Girl, and we moved on.

This time I’m on my way south, heading back to Carson City. I visited people I needed to see. I spent some time reflecting. Now I want to get back to Carson, work on some project work in front of me, and make some decisions about what will be next.

I wanted a break from the drive yesterday, so I paused here at Dismal Nitch once again. The weather was cool and drizzly, much different from the bright sunny day of two-weeks ago. But, what I really noticed is the change in the trees. They are beginning to show fall color.

Perhaps I should have waited for this trip. It would be wonderful to see the trees in full color at their peak. Maybe next year…

Random Ruminations

Category: photography