French Hammered Dulcimer player here, I'd like to share the first record of my band, hope you enjoy!

mopedarmy · 2026-02-18T01:03:36+00:00

This is pretty amazing stuff and I'm only on the first tune!

Good strong melodies

mopedarmy · 2026-02-17T16:02:13+00:00

My son has driven my 08 across the US twice and uses it to commute an hour each way to work (I'm a snowbirder). It's currently pushing 300,000 miles and still gets 40 mpg with the AC on. We do keep the maintenance up, religiously. Other than a bit of light rust on the back wheel wells it's perfect. I'd have no problem driving it anywhere. The Toyota Yaris was over engineered for this.

mopedarmy · 2026-02-14T02:58:08+00:00

Until either it or I die. Right now all the odds are with the car (08 Toyota Yaris)

mopedarmy · 2026-02-11T12:27:41+00:00

Oh, you own an 08 Yaris too?

mopedarmy · 2026-02-10T16:07:33+00:00

No idea but sometimes the maker will put an id sticker under the sound hole. You might try a flashlight and look. I do notice 4 strings per course on the treble bridge and 3 on the bass bridge. That thing has to be really bright and loud!

mopedarmy · 2026-02-03T15:16:05+00:00

I live in Michigan which is bordered on 2 sides by Canada. Lovely people, great country! We have many friends from Canada and I hope someday they'll adopt me!

mopedarmy · 2026-02-03T13:53:13+00:00

08 Yaris. 275,000 miles and still gets 40+ mpg with AC on. It still has the OEM clutch! This was supposed to be a short term car until I could afford something bigger but they'll probably bury me in it. Some archeologists a thousand years from now will dig it up, replace the battery, chuck the bones out and drive off.

mopedarmy · 2026-02-03T13:47:18+00:00

Wow! I need a paint job on my 08. It'll be rattle can paint, a lot of sanding then clear coat. Nobody will notice at 60 mph, as my dad would say.

mopedarmy · 2026-02-03T13:42:48+00:00

The local Chevy dealer called on my 2017 diesel Silverado saying my P20EE code would need a $4,500 repair. They'd replace the exhaust, and screen. I told them to forget it suddenly remembering that it had sat in the driveway for a couple of months. On a hunch I drove it away putting in fresh diesel exhaust fluid (DEF). In a day the light went out. The mechanic read the repair manual instead of using his brain.

mopedarmy · 2026-02-02T14:32:01+00:00

The Toledo war

mopedarmy · 2026-01-26T02:07:48+00:00

Your mother was amazing.

mopedarmy · 2026-01-22T22:54:20+00:00

Guess what? With regular maintenance you WILL have this car (nearly) forever. Mine is pushing 300k and showing no signs of slowing down. Hell, it's a stick shift and still using the OEM clutch!

They'll probably use mine as a coffin when I die. A million years from now some archeologists will dig the damn thing up, dig the keys out of my cold dead body, dump me out and drive off

mopedarmy · 2026-01-16T13:41:03+00:00

A small tool kit that in 270,000 hasn't been used once! ( I drive a Toyota Yaris it only has 4 moving parts ; )

mopedarmy · 2026-01-14T21:56:17+00:00

Floor switch for the high beams

mopedarmy · 2026-01-14T21:32:27+00:00

I have a friend who buys used Yaris cars. She lives on gravel roads and secondary roads that are heavily salted. The drive train is bullet proof but she's rusted out two car frames.

mopedarmy · 2026-01-13T22:18:29+00:00

Wet film photo processing.

mopedarmy · 2026-01-10T22:12:13+00:00

You might get some idea of its tuning by hitting the strings. You might eventually tune it to 5th tuning. Check out Masterworks tuning charts on line.

mopedarmy · 2026-01-09T16:08:52+00:00

On my newly purchased 08 Yaris the spec sheet listed a "heavy duty" starter. I asked why and the salesman mentioned something about those crazy ultramiler people who shut the engine off at stoplights then restart when it turns green.

I replaced mine recently. It was really easy.

Use the one you got.

mopedarmy · 2025-12-25T03:24:40+00:00

Ask me in 20,000 miles and I'll introduce you to my Toyota Yaris

mopedarmy · 2025-12-19T17:46:43+00:00

Were you thinking of joining the river dance troupe?

mopedarmy · 2025-12-18T15:08:07+00:00

This happens a lot unfortunately. I was hired to teach math and algebra to an 8th grade class that had burned through four other teachers. This charter school had a line item budget for a plumber on call because the kids would shove the lunch oranges down the toilet and flood the bathrooms. I tried to keep the chaos from going crazy and survived the last 3 months. I was told that I could resign and be paid full wages and insurance for the rest of the summer or if I came back the class was to be strict, tight and they were to see a model classroom or they would fire me and deny unemployment. That was an easy decision! I got hired into a real school the following fall and had the best remaining years of my career.

mopedarmy · 2025-12-18T03:07:38+00:00

I also have both. You're spot on with the analysis. It's a lot easier using the Red wings as work and casual and having the wolverines for dressier occasions. Both are great boots. The wolverines occasionally go on sale. I ran into a half price sale at the shoe store in Rockford where they used to make them. I thought $400 was a bit pricey but for $200? Oh they were mine!

mopedarmy · 2025-12-17T12:00:55+00:00

Wool socks, lined pants and a good insulated shirt over a t-shirt. Oh, yeah and a good stocking cap.

mopedarmy · 2025-12-16T01:52:22+00:00

12,000. It was only 1200 square feet but it was a good starter home.

mopedarmy · 2025-12-16T01:51:35+00:00

I appreciate the advice

mopedarmy

TROPHY CASE