If you enjoy watching the night sky, this is a great chart
Posted By RichC on February 7, 2026
Just a bit more on the 19M Florida beach restoration project
Posted By RichC on February 6, 2026
Who as a little kid playing with Tonka toy trucks and tractors didn’t pretend they were pushing sand around like the above … or previous? Some of us would likely pay to drive those big Caterpillar dozers … including my late father-in-law! 😊
As mentioned previously, we have had some very cold weather in Florida for a couple of weeks. It has warmed up a bit, but is still struggling to hit 70 degrees — but then again, it is February. Thankfully we’ve had some sunshine and we try to time our walks when the sun is out. When it is not, it can feel chilly even while walking fast on the beach. I laughed at Brenda wearing gloves … until my hand turned white and got numb!
Still we haven’t missed a day of walking 8 miles and I have noticed an improvement when checking my Apple Watch heart rate stats. Initially my walking pace was slower (over 20 minutes/mile) and my heart rate would regularly hold at over 130-140 beats per minute. After few weeks of walking, we’re up to 19+ minute miles and my heart rate rarely is rising above 130 … while Brenda’s continues to remain under 120, likely due to her dedication to daily “treadmill” walking at home.
Lesson: Daily exercise is a must!
I’ll include some additional Delray Beach restoration video featuring the dozers:
Once upon a time, I really wanted Datsun Lil’ Huster Pickup #TBT
Posted By RichC on February 5, 2026
When I was 16 years old, I ogled the Datsun Lil’ Hustler pickup truck and would dream of traveling around the country camping and sleeping on a mattress in the back. Oh … to be young and dreaming 
again. 😊
Social media automotive friends has me remembering growing up in the 1970s when they posted this vintage looking but obviously new ad (or fake ad?) of the Datsun 620 reborn and “Built in America” by Nissan. Who knows if we’ll ever see something like this on the road again … but if we do, I’ll likely take a look.
On the other hand, “life is good” and I’m pretty happy with not putting a mattress in the back and camping around America … although I suspect I could talk my buddy Jeff into going if Brenda declined — FYI, she would!
A NOAA image of the Arctic Blast that chilled most of Florida
Posted By RichC on February 4, 2026
If you live anywhere from the Rocky Mountains to the eastern seaboard this month, you know it has been cold and wintery. If you’re in Florida (often immune to winter) … you’re freezing too. Here’s a NOAA X.com post with a satellite view of the “Arctic Blast.”
The #ArcticBlast that put much of Florida into a deep freeze also created these mesmerizing #CloudStreets caught by @NOAA's #GOESEast.
Learn more in our #SatelliteSnapshot: https://t.co/2aMxM9PwnV pic.twitter.com/DvIr8voZwz
— NOAA Satellites (@NOAASatellites) February 3, 2026
Followed by a video of Crystal River in Florida where you can swim in warm water where the Manatees gather.
Taylor’s Volkswagen Alltrack should be in a VW commercial
Posted By RichC on February 3, 2026
Taylor’s 2019 VW Alltrack next to Katelyn’s 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan
We had over 12 inches of snow after the January 2025 winter storm came through … and we didn’t have the driveway cleared when Taylor stopped by driving his 2019 Volkswagen Altrack. Brenda and I were both amazed as the little VW came through the snow pile at the end of our driveway and proceeded through the snow without a problem (WyzeCam video below).
Not only did it plow comfortably through, when he turned around to head back out, the little VW handled it as if it were a dusting of snow. What an amazing small, sporty and functional car … it is no wonder Taylor has no desire to replace it even as the odometer is getting up there. Let’s hope it continues to be as reliable and DEPENDABLE as it has for the last 7 years!
Music Monday: Thomas Rhett and “Die a Happy Man” (2015)
Posted By RichC on February 2, 2026
This week’s Music Monday song comes from my country music side of music listening. The song is “Die a Happy Man” and was country pop song co-written and recorded by American country music singer Thomas Rhett. It was released on September 28, 2015, it served as the second single from his second studio album, Tangled Up.
The song was inspired by Rhett’s wife, Lauren Gregory, and written in a parking lot in Arkansas with songwriters Sean Douglas and Joe Spargur. It became Rhett’s fifth consecutive No. 1 single.
The song’s heartfelt lyrics express a deep love for Rhett’s wife, with imagery of intimate moments and simple joys, declaring that even without grand adventures, holding her hand would be enough to “die a happy man.” It was also recognized with multiple awards, including Single Record of the Year at the 2016 ACM Awards and Song of the Year at the 2016 CMA Awards.
Maps always catch my eye: What about “Life after Death?”
Posted By RichC on February 1, 2026
The social media feed and blog BrilliantMaps.com has appeared a few times on MDB. I’m always drawn to maps as a way to visualize topics and information. Here’s one that surveys both the World and Europe and if they Believe in Life after Death.
(beside to click on each map for a larger view — surprising low percentages IMO)
Desultory - des-uhl-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee
- lacking in consistency, constancy, or visible order, disconnected; fitful: desultory conversation.
- digressing from or unconnected with the main subject; random: a desultory remark.