My Desultory Blog

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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Pre-posting: Another Knot Tying video #filler

RichC — Wed, 22 Jul 2026 10:36:01 +0000

Likely I’ve added way too much on knots and knot tying in previous posts, but because “who knows how I’ll be feeling,” I’m pre-posting another knot tying video. “NOT” (groan) bad, if I can only remember them when they are needed. 😉

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Archive: Summer fun to escape the Canadian wildfire smoke

RichC — Tue, 21 Jul 2026 10:33:55 +0000

Thankfully we are south far enough to escape most of the smoke and hazardous air that extends from Dayton, Ohio north from the 2026 Canadian wildfires. The farther north, the worse it is … and it was pretty bad in the Toledo area where the Oostras live (neighborhood photo below). So on our weekly Thursday […]

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Music Monday: David Cassidy and “Cherish” from 1971

RichC — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 10:33:19 +0000

An oddity for this week’s Music Monday, but not quite what next week’s post will be (a teaser). 😉 David Cassidy and his music or The Partridge Family acting was never my “cup of tea” back in the 1970s, but he was a teenage idol/heartthrob (primarily girls) … just as was his younger half-brother actor/singer […]

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Buyer beware: These comfortable reader glasses scratch easily

RichC — Sun, 19 Jul 2026 10:48:32 +0000

Having to wear glasses or readers is just another curse of growing older … although a minor inconvenience compared to an other medical problems. For me, wearing glasses is nothing new, but as the years go by, they are now a necessity rather than an aid when reading or working on something close up. I’ve […]

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Scout Traveler: To reserve or not to reserve, that is the question?

RichC — Sat, 18 Jul 2026 10:33:15 +0000

While currently contemplating the idea of tackling replacing the front struts and suspension components on my 2010 BMW X5 35d, the idea crossed my mind that maybe I should replace my beloved diesel SUV instead? Hm, almost always a bad idea. If it were to happen, I would probably still want the long range ability […]

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