Modern Anachronist

Welcome (back) to the Smoke Show

It’s been a long time since I’ve used the smoker, but Thanksgiving next week has me dusting it off.

I purchased a new grill thermometer and tested it out on some turkey tenderloin in the oven.

I got the ThermoPro TP25 which comes with four probes and a grate clip. Bluetooth connectivity to your phone lets you remotely monitor the cook.

Sometimes it’s just your fear holding you back.

I’ve often considered making nicer projects in the wood shop, but up till now, I’ve pretty much limited myself to camping equipment.

Mostly it’s been fear that I can’t make something perfect. Add in the fact that I’m good at sourcing things that are pretty close to what I really want and then modifying them.

And it really kills me when people ask me if I built the cabinets in the dining room.

But it’s been itching at me. I keep kicking around ideas for custom cases for some older tools that don’t have them. And I keep coming up with excuses why I can’t do it.

It’s called finish for a reason.

Where’s my soapbox?….

I’ve come to the decision recently that applying finish is the difference between a project and something I just slapped together.

Garage Door Openers (pt.3 – the digital install)

I installed Chamberlain’s MyQ app so I could use the “smart” features of the GDO’s and I was completely underwhelmed.

Garage Door Openers (pt.2 – the physical install)

I (mostly) installed both garage door openers (GDO) in a single day.

Trailer Brake Controller

I bought this controller years ago but never got around to installing it in the Excursion. Given how much lighter the Ridgeline is, I’m more concerned about being pushed about by the trailer.

I opted for the Liberty (highway) model over the Elite (off-road & highway) for the two obvious reasons – price and the fact that I don’t take a trailer off road. That being said install for the two should be identical.

Garage door openers (pt.1)

We’re getting to the point where buying a house from a flipper is catching up to us. (It didn’t help that the flipper got the house from an addict.)

It’s time to start replacing things that have been neglected for years.

Up next, the garage door openers. (I’m pretty sure the water heater is next. Good times.)

More Input!

When towing with the Excursion, I never really thought about the “extra load” on the engine, because I never towed anything heavy enough for the 7.3 to notice.

But if I’m going to tow with the Ridgeline, I’m going to have to monitor the engine a bit more closely.

Ain’t tech grand!

Yet another way that 23 years of technology have made trucks easier to manage. Yesterday morning, I had to move the trailer around the yard.

Normally, I ask my wife or son to direct me as I back up to the coupler.

The downward view on the backup camera makes hitching up a one man operation.

First scratch!!!

Luckily it’s on the center display screen.

Honda was kind enough to include a “microfiber” cloth to clean the screen. One day, about a week into ownership, I was cleaning fingerprints with the official cleaning cloth & it dug into the screen & scratched it.

🤬😡🤬😡😡🤬😡🤬😡