Kayaks on the Mind
I've been thinking about kayaks recently. And the limitations of age. I think there's some common
Category: Random Thoughts
A moment's observation and realization
I'm privileged to be able to vacation at the home I grew up in! This afternoon the dogs and I are
McGuire Library
We are re-configuring our bedroom for a new bed. Most everything has been removed from the room.
Edging Toward Retirement
I've been edging toward retirement since receiving my first pension check from Northrop Grumman
Conversation with a Stranger
Making the effort to greet strangers and have conversations is consequential and fun, so they say.
Visiting Posey Manufacturing - Virtually
I come from the woods of Western Washington. I work with wood. I am a piano technician. A few weeks
Unexpected treasure
An unexpected treasure in an unusual place.
Todoist - Alexa Integration
Alexa and I are getting along better now!
Working in the Second Quadrant
Found a round-to-it. Moved into the 2nd quadrant.
Reading Stephen King: A Memoir
Stephen King speaks to me!
Antelope Island Jazz
Ed Lueders, jazz and Antelope Island!
The Grandpa, The Piano, and The Goat
Of my numerous piano tuning stories, this one is always a favorite. That is, of course, because it also involves a great storyteller.
Radio Station KAPA
It's been a long while since I've woken to the sound of Sheb Wooley singing "It was a one-eyed,
Blog v. 2020
Welcome to Duane McGuire Blog Version 2020. If you've been here before, it looks a little different, doesn't it?
Giesy's Crossing
I grew up along the Willapa River in Western Washington, where I was born 100 years after the Utopian religious group of Bethel, Missouri began to plan their migration along the Oregon Trail to the Pacific Northwest.
A roof in a day
Our house was built 17 years ago. A look around the neighborhood will tell you that the roofing
Let's Eat Home
As Terri and I were enjoying another of her fine meals on the deck, we talked about how
Taking ownership
Over the years, I've created lots of content on Facebook. In the past few days, I've spent time
Quick Change Bit holders
I bought a collection of quick change driver bits: square, phillips, hex, torx, and straight. Some
Front Door Handleset Repair
Yesterday I got an oops text from my wife: I recognized immediately: These handlesets are
Can I borrow a cup of sugar
In 2019, a neighbor can appear at the door and ask to borrow a cup of sugar! It happened tonight.
The Ballad of Pearly Sue
It was just four notes that did it; my mind skipped a track from Shenandoah to The Ballad of Pearly
A once in a lifetime recipe
Chocolate Custard Ingredients: Left-over hot chocolate from your Christmas Piano Recital Eggs
Electrified Thoughts
Recently, my friend Terry Greene posted this evocative photo work on Facebook. This piece grabbed
Daffodils
It is spring. Daffodils should be here. But I am waiting and watching, as my daffodils are moving
Barbershop
The shop was right next door to Orville Ekman's shoe repair shop. It was somewhat smaller than your average Great Clips, and the configuration was much different. Mr. McCartney's "workstation", the barber chair,
Time Keeping Automation with TOGGL
For my piano rebuilding business, I do not work by the hour! I am working on spec projects, or on
Life at Steed Pond
My morning walk often passes by Steed Pond. It's a small bit of nature amidst my suburban
This is your brain
A theory on the learning of complex manual tasks suggests that we need 10,000 hours of practice to
Reveille
This morning, I got up at 5:20 am, then went downstairs to practice jazz improv for an hour at the
Horseback riding
I still haven't gone horseback riding. If I had a bucket list, surely I'd have to put it on my
New Tech meets Old Tech
I'm a technologist. And sometimes I have more fun with old technology than new technology. For
Where's the worst air in the U.S. today?
Where's the worst air? Oh. Right here. In the little known State of Utah. Also known, perhaps, as
Salt Lake City Parking - Month Decal Faded
Parking Enforcement Gone Beserk! Alert: Avoid Salt Lake City While enjoying some laughs at Wise
Life in the internet-enabled slow lane
Sometimes, the little joys in life just sneak up on you! And while reporting today's little joy, I
Why would hiring a carpet cleaner in Clinton UT be a challenge?
ACT I Brand X I thought this was a recession! I thought that carpet cleaners would be begging for
Woodturning 101 - homework
Admitting my amateur status, woodturning is new to me! I'm going forward boldly, and I can see that
Barn at Sunrise
December 31, 2008 - Plain City, Utah This photograph was a "team effort". I was the driver. My
Validation
I don't do movie reviews. Ordinarily. But, my family has just voted this film to be the best for
Google is my backup!
Good grief. I accidentally deleted the previous post, thinking I was deleting a comment. Where is
Duane re-surfaces!
Hibernation? Death? Disaster? None of the above. Distraction. Oh yes, I've been distracted.
Grandpa Henkel
My Grandpa Henkel was born in 1873. Yes. 133 years ago. Grandpa died in 1962 when I was 10 years
Golf Course Intelligence
I went off early to the golf course this morning. I talked Wade in the pro shop after I was done. I
Oblivious
My son, Ryan, a student at Southern Utah State University, said he was interested in getting a new
Back to school
A new branch campus of Weber State University sits just 600 yards from my office window. After the
Barn at Menlo
... the sight of a new barn at Menlo. It's a fairly modest structure, but truly sweet.
Conversations with my wife
She said, "I thought you'd like to know. I stopped at China Lily for dinner tonight." "NO!" "Yes,"
Golf as a metaphor for life
Recently, I've been reading The Inner Game of Golf by W. Timothy Gallewey. It has spurred some
Tenor Sax!
I play the clarinet. Well -- at least that was true from age 10 to age 18. In the several years
Mom’s comments on the chicken house at Frances
The building falling down was a chicken house. In about the 30's there were a lot of that style
Neil Simon: Brighton Beach Memoirs
I'm a theatrical guy. But a lightweight, I must admit. Driving down the road, and hearing that
Social Golf
Golf is a social sport. Course operators like to have foursomes on the course. It's the traditional
Automotive Maintenance 2004
The first car I worked on was a 1948 Plymouth. Technically it wasn't my car. It was Dad's car. But
Rhapsody - Online tunes all the time
Music has always been a huge part of my life, but for the most part I've done my programming work