Need to Know How to Paint Anything? There’s an App for That

Acting on the theory that a new coat of paint makes anything look better, Better Homes & Gardens has launched a new app for iOS devices that helps you paint anything better. “How To Paint Anything” (99 cents) is a nifty tool that tells you, step-by-step, how to apply paint to any surface you can imagine — door hardware, exterior doors, room divider screens, ceramic tile, and of course, walls and floors. If you’ve never painted before, the app has information and videos on must-have painting tools, brushes, sheens and the all-important prep. But even if you’re painting proficient, the app … Continue reading...

Exterior Paints and Stains: A Guide to the Options

To choose the best exterior paint or stain for your job, match the coating to your house, the Oklahoma climate, and the look you want. One key to how long an exterior finish lasts is how well the surface is prepared. But equally important is the choice of the paint or stain itself. Using high-quality materials, matching them to your house and climate, and conducting regular maintenance will extend the time between recoatings. Expect to pay $35 to $45 per gallon for conventional premium paint or stain. "Green," or zero-VOC, products run $45 to $55 per gallon. A gallon covers 350 to 400 square … Continue reading...

Flying a Sailplane?

My wife Kay is what I call a "white knuckle flyer". I have owned several airplanes over the years and she has flown thousands of miles with me in small airplanes, but she never was downright comfortable in the cockpit. She has always been a trooper and went a lot of places, including back country grass strips in the Idaho wilderness, but when things get a little bumpy I could always see her knuckles turning white as she gripped the armrest. So I was pleasantly surprised last week when Kay agreed to go up in a sailplane. You know, one of those flimsy spindly wing things that weighs about … Continue reading...

Mangum Rattlesnake Roundup

I woke up on a Sunday morning and unexpectedly had the day free. What to do that costs very little and is fun? Mangum Rattlesnake Roundup! I have heard about this festival for many years and saw in the newspaper the previous day that it was going on this very weekend. Free day, 40 mpg BMW motorcycle, and rattlesnakes. Let's go! Unfortunately Kay wasn't able to go with me for this trip. I hit the superslab out of OKC. My GPS said to follow I-40 way out west, then turn south. But what fun was that? I have been to Mangum many times, both in my airplane and by car, so this time I cut … Continue reading...

Coffee and Cars OKC North Park Mall

Friday night rolls around with no plans for Saturday morning. Work? We do that all the time. Mountain biking? Love doing that, but it is supposed to be pretty cold and windy. We would go ride our motorcycles since it has heated gear, but front wheel is off my R1200GS awaiting a replacement tire. Up pops a notice on my Facebook page from an acquaintance and Mini car owner, Dean Wilhite, inviting me to the Coffee and Kars gathering on the first Saturday of each month. Oh yea. I forgot about that. Sure sounds fun as long as I dress warm. I had followed Dean’s rebuild of his Mini over … Continue reading...

Cloud Chief – Oklahoma Ghost Town

Cloud Chief - Oklahoma Ghost Town Cruising down Oklahoma State Highway 152 in western Oklahoma on my BMW enduro bike, a dot popped up on my Garmin GPS indicating one of my earlier marked Oklahoma ghost towns was nearby.  I was on my way to the annual Mangum Rattlesnake Roundup but decided to make the slight detour and explore this long lost Oklahoma ghost town myself. As I rolled into former town I first noticed the historical marker placed along the road by the Oklahoma Historical Society.  I love these granite markers. They provide a near permanent record of the history of the location. … Continue reading...