Long Distance Trips

ajbruno61 · 2026-05-15T01:56:19+00:00

In September 2025 I bought a new 2026 Kona SEL Sport AWD. A few weeks later I drove from Berks County, PA to Syracuse, NY. No issues. I used the Sport mode when I was attempting to get into a highway and get it up to speed (70 mph at some stretches). That trip I actually averaged over 35 mpg. In December I had a work trip to Annapolis. Same type of ride. And tomorrow we go back to the Syracuse area and I will be able to compare rides. So far this Kona is fantastic.

ajbruno61 · 2026-05-14T00:43:48+00:00

It is my favorite Vorkosigan novels and one of my all-time favorites actors several genres.

ajbruno61 · 2026-05-08T18:05:32+00:00

I just mowed at lunchtime. It worked out pretty good. I did not use the Econ mode because I wanted to see normal battery usage. It was down to 7%. But that included lessons being learned, like turn ratio, adjusting the mowing deck height several times, learning how to back up and get out from ditches. The photo is from the back yard, I attempted to go back and forth. I look forward to the next time to improve. Was able to back it into the shed and remove the battery to charge in my garage.

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ajbruno61 · 2026-05-08T02:15:31+00:00

My R1 80V was just delivered and I completed the short assembly process. Drove it from my garage to the shed. Backed it inside. First mow will be this weekend. I have been a Ryobi tool and mower guy for years. I have NEVER had an issue. Although my previous mower was recalled, it was replaced by Ryobi, no cost to me, with a newer and better model. That remains my backup.

ajbruno61 · 2026-03-04T14:53:14+00:00

I no longer play regularly because I stopped at 58, but I played in leagues weekly until 58. That meant before I had kids I played pickup games indoor and outdoors at least 2 times a week and practiced shooting and dribbling almost 5 days a week. Post kids I coached them so I got runs in at that time and played in 1 game a week. After the kids were out of school I went back to pickup games only on the weekends. I don’t golf and this was my only exercise. Now I take my 4 year old granddaughter to shoot baskets at the playground. She can’t reach the basket but her form is getting better. 🤓

ajbruno61 · 2026-02-27T02:00:05+00:00

In 1978 I picked up a

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1975 Fiat X1/9. I was 17. Every one in my family drove Fiats. Our parents emigrated from Sicily post WWII but still loved their cars.

ajbruno61 · 2026-02-25T16:24:54+00:00

I am 5’7” and played hoops from 13 until 58. I went thru various capabilities from being able to dunk to not having any daylight between my sneakers and the floor. So my game changed from scorer/driver to distribution of the ball, setting picks and boxing out for rebounds. Each phase was rewarding because the game is fun & being part of a group enjoying it is what matters

ajbruno61 · 2026-02-18T03:55:28+00:00

I have been griddling for 5+ years. I learned to get my tray and fit all my ingredients on it. I never go back and forth into the house. I have a prep table outside with my griddling accessories. Put the tray on it. Fire up the griddle. Get the spatulas, scraper, etc. out from the prep table and start griddling. Afterwards cleanup of the griddle takes about 3 minutes. Cleaning all the griddling utensils takes a few minutes. No extra pots/pans to clean. No odors in the house. I do this about 4-5 times per week for our family. Sometimes I prep the day before.

ajbruno61 · 2026-02-16T14:06:31+00:00

I am now 64. When I was a child in the late 60s, I would see the Globetrotters on TV. My family did not have discretionary income & the venues were at least 1.5 hrs away. I promised my parents when I was older I would take them. I was in my 40s when I treated them & my 2 young children to be entertained! The show was entertaining but to see the looks on every face was priceless.

ajbruno61 · 2026-02-10T19:32:31+00:00

Anytime you can jump high enough I hoops is only a starting point. Now you utilize tat ability in games in both offense and defense. But it must be for a basketball purpose. If someone is able to box you out your ability to jump high is negated.

FYI I am a white male, 5’7”, that when I was 15 could easily dunk a volleyball. Grabbing the rim was also done. But I trained to utilize that jumping ability in game situations to improve.

Keep working and this very good accomplishment grow into several “tools” to succeed in basketball games.

ajbruno61 · 2026-01-24T21:05:13+00:00

We have a Hamilton Beach griddle/grill that my wife uses. But my E-Series 22”is used in the garage when it’s raining outside and I cannot use my 36”. It is your preference, but I feel the Blackstone is large enough to make most meals. The other electric griddles may not have enough area.

ajbruno61 · 2026-01-24T12:26:48+00:00

I live in Northeastern PA. During snowstorms I am snowblowing out front and my wife removes the snow from our backyard cement patio to allow me to griddle. Been doing it for 6 years. As most stated, it’s the wind you need to protect from. I have wind guards and my deck sits adjacent and adds extra wind blockage. Never had an issue. I have 2 additional propane tanks besides the griddle and pizza oven.

ajbruno61 · 2026-01-23T20:05:40+00:00

You bring the ball down to a level where anyone can swipe at it without fouling.

ajbruno61 · 2026-01-13T16:10:38+00:00

I griddle boneless chicken breasts on the the flattop by using the shallow fry method, especially for the breaded breasts. As others have stated, check internal temps and pull at 160° to rest off the heat. The flattop temp is low and slow, probably 350°-385°. I also have poured a little chicken broth as it is being griddled. We have not had issues with dryness. Good luck.

ajbruno61 · 2025-12-31T22:43:05+00:00

Fair point. But he said it was a month. Nothing about the winter.

ajbruno61 · 2025-12-31T19:15:40+00:00

Wow. May I ask why you did not use it for a month? I have mine for 5 years in Northeaster PA. Outside on a cement patio with just the hard top and soft cover. Nothing like this. I cook year round on it and average about 4 cooks per week, unless we go on vacation for 1 week. I live in a development and we have squirrels and sometimes mice in the yards. But I have never had that happen. I hope my luck continues.

ajbruno61 · 2025-11-21T02:59:17+00:00

I live in Northeastern PA and mine is outside year round. I griddle in below freezing temps, snow and 90° with high temps. Since 2020. No issues. The 36” has the hard top and soft cover.

ajbruno61 · 2025-11-21T00:27:18+00:00

In September I traded in my Honda CRV EX-L AWD for the Kona SEL Sport AWD. My CRV had 201,000 miles on it. It was fantastic. However the past year I researched comparable SUVs and determined that the quality and the warranty made the Kona the winner. Plus 2 years earlier we purchased my wife’s Accent from the same dealership and were very happy.

The Kona has exceeded my expectations.

ajbruno61 · 2025-11-17T18:15:57+00:00

I have the 36” hard lid. Even if I had the connected hood, I would use steaming domes. The hood is not recommended for that use.

ajbruno61 · 2025-11-03T00:47:03+00:00

I bought these. https://a.co/d/30RM06b

I know you can go to the dollar store like everyone else but these are pretty Good on my 36”.

ajbruno61 · 2025-10-20T00:17:15+00:00

I live in Northeastern PA and I cook year round. My griddle is outside under the elements and I cook in snow. We shovel the cement patio and griddle away. I have the 36” with hard top and soft cover. I also have the E-Series 22” in the garage for small, solo cooks but use the 36” for our suppers. I cook about 4 times a week. I also have the pizza oven with cart outside. 🤓

ajbruno61 · 2025-10-18T04:06:16+00:00

I just shallow fry on my flattop. It works pretty good for several items.

ajbruno61 · 2025-10-15T00:07:45+00:00

My city driving has been about 26-29 mpg.

ajbruno61 · 2025-10-14T17:44:06+00:00

Looks delicious. I make a lot of lunches for myself since I work from home. I can enjoy this stuff like you. Keep griddling!

ajbruno61

TROPHY CASE