My Desultory Blog

TheHustings: Are the Democrats on a path of self-destruction?

RichC — Wed, 05 Aug 2026 10:15:51 +0000

While attempting to type out a couple of thoughts at the request of TheHustings editor (an email to all contributors), I semi-addressed the topical requests listed (all critical of the Trump administration) … but decided to add my two cents, being the political “elephant” in the room: The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) are taking […]

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Summer storms and a granddaughters squirrel picnic table project

RichC — Tue, 04 Aug 2026 10:33:32 +0000

It has been a strange summer weather wise, at least compared to normal summers for this part of SW Ohio. We’ve had hot days in July (which is normal) … but stronger than usual summer storms ripping through now that it is August. I’ve never noticed so many “tornado warnings” in one evening pop up […]

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Music Monday: Albert Hammond and “It Never Rains ..”

RichC — Mon, 03 Aug 2026 10:33:16 +0000

Sometimes listening to SiriusXM triggers me to thinking, “have I’ve posted on this before?” In this case I did … and not that long ago. Hm .. to post or not to post again? ☹️ Since I’ve already snipped the iPhone screenshot and started this Music Monday post, I guess I’ll continue. Besides, its an […]

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Inflammatory bowel issues? MPR News with Dr. Justin Howard

RichC — Sun, 02 Aug 2026 10:33:12 +0000

It was great to catch up with each of my nephews and nieces … and their now many children … during last week’s family reunion at a Hocking Hills lodge. The cousins gelled as if they were never apart … almost as if no time elapsed. BUT … they are now the parents of the […]

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A couple of photos from the 2026 Hocking Hills Family Reunion

RichC — Sat, 01 Aug 2026 10:11:50 +0000

This past week our family on my wife’s side was fortunate to be able to almost ALL get together for a summer family reunion here in Ohio at Hocking Hills State Park. It was a semi-centrally located so that those from Minnesota, New York, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Georgia and a few locations in Ohio could […]

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Tech Friday: Five Apple iPhone 18 Pro Leaks and rumors

RichC — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 14:58:12 +0000

Apple’s upcoming iPhone 18 Pro lineup is already generating serious buzz. While the exterior might look familiar at a glance, early leaks point to some major upgrades under the hood. Here is a quick breakdown of the top five rumored features and what to expect. A Staggered Release ScheduleIn an unusual move to maximize revenue, […]

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A look back at our first starter home in Aurora, Ohio #TBT

RichC — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 10:43:57 +0000

Some of my fondest memories as newlyweds come from looking at these photos from 1982. The little red brick farmhouse was our first starter home in Aurora, Ohio ($54,900). It was unique in more ways that one: A one-lung pump (clunk, clunk, clunk, clunk) and heavy iron well-water that turned Brenda hair red (eventually we […]

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When do I update my Carly for BMW scan tool and software?

RichC — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 10:06:16 +0000

What’s a person to do with old OBD reader that no longer does what I need it to do? I have a Carly for BMW WiFi Adapter that was great for diagnosing, resetting codes, modifying options and replacing batteries. Unfortunately it is no longer supported and the scanner is subscription based and a bit more […]

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Anxiously awaiting our extended family reunion this summer

RichC — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 10:25:54 +0000

Back row: Chris, Dad H, Mom H, Ann, Jerry, Middle row: Mark, Brenda, Lynda, Aaron, Front row: Ben, Justin, David and Rich (1985??? click for larger) Brenda and I are anxiously awaiting getting together with our extended Howard family after a long stretch of not really seeing everybody. There was a time we were together […]

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Music Monday: Third Eye Blind and “Never Let You Go” (2000)

RichC — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 10:33:32 +0000

As promised last week, here’s another unusual pick for Music Monday: 3EB’s “Never Let You Go” from the year 2000 (non-music listening years for me — hint: Menieres). Also, Third Eye Blind isn’t a band I would generally pay much attention to … but accidentally flipping to the PopRocks channel over the 4th of July […]

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The Democrats are no longer soft-selling Socialism

RichC — Sun, 26 Jul 2026 10:33:44 +0000

This year’s midterm November’s election will slate candidates about as diametrically opposed as we have ever seen in the United States. If the news is to be believed, Democrats have candidates that aren’t just flirting with Marxism, Socialism and Communism … they are advocating for it!

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Recovery from surgery, the financial markets and more war

RichC — Sat, 25 Jul 2026 10:30:12 +0000

It has been a raucous week to say the least. First, it was a week of an up and down recovery for me after Monday’s robotic inguinal hernia repair surgery. Second, the energy/oil and financial markets that we all watch were in turmoil due to the events in the Strait of Hormuz (Friday’s Dow and Nasdaq […]

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Who was the first natural born U.S. President?

RichC — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 10:12:21 +0000

Interestingly, I haven’t really given all that much thought until pondering the wave of new socialist politicians making inroads in today’s Democratic Party. There is a clause in the U.S. Constitution (Article II, Section 1, Clause 5) that states “No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the […]

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Here’s a positive post since my Monday surgery went well

RichC — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 10:46:17 +0000

After putting things off for awhile now, it was good to finally get a robotic inguinal hernia repair on Monday . I have been laying low since the procedure and can’t say I’m feeling like doing much. Which is a good things since I’m not suppose to lift anything heavier than a gallon of milk. […]

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