My Desultory Blog

Posted By RichC on May 27, 2026

My Tech Friday post for the last week of May 2026 has already been written and saved, so today’s Tesla Model 3 “techy” addition will be a mid-week “gadget” post instead.

We no longer pay for the Tesla “Premium” Connectivity since our older 2019 car is primarily used by Brenda for “around town” errands and not for road trips and travel (if it were my everyday and travel car, a “yes” paying the subscription would be an easy call). Unfortunately, with diesel prices now at $5.69/gallon, I’m not enthusiastic about taking our 2010 BMW X5 35d on road trips either. So … in order to have a few of the features without the added subscription, I’ve added a new magnetic charging puck to the side of the center display. I did this in a couple of steps.

First, I added the suction back hook system add-on sold on Amazon ($12.99 – seemed too cheap). After using it for a recent drive, running the ABRP app and SiriusXM app, this inexpensive tweak surpassed my expectations. The non-marring hook/suction cup system doesn’t look OEM, BUT it held my phone firmly and offered adjustability. My only issue was having to manually plug in a USB cord in order to keep the iPhone charged.

Second was to order a 17mm charging puck that would fit this setup … and not over-heat, or too slowly charge, my iPhone 16 Pro Max. So I ordered a COOLHOOD 17mm magnetic charging puck from overseas (recommended online) and waited 2-weeks for it to arrive. After spending and additional $17, I was really hoping this “cooling” charging puck would work … and it does. After routing the wires under the center console, it is reasonable out of the way and unless you’re looking too close, everything looks fine. 

Next up a longer test trip running SiriiusXM and the ABRP apps live and see if the iPhone 16 Pro Max maintains charge and improves navigating to non-Supercharger DC-Fast CCS EV charging stations … which might be critically important for a couple possible trips we have planned if the fuel prices don’t come down – although I’m thankful we’re not in California. ☹️ 

Category: Automotive, Energy, Gadget, Productivity, Technology, Tesla | No Comments »
Tags: abrp, apps, charging, iphone, Navigation, puck, siriusxm, Software, tesla model 3

Posted By RichC on May 26, 2026

We’ve spent decades focused on cholesterol and millions of dollars in treating it … but should that be the biggest concern? A Women’s Health Study (JAMA Cardiology) highlights diabetes and other high risk issues and compares them to what doctors seem to focus on.

This might be an eye-opening chart for those who monitor the heart health. Maybe the treatment priorities in the U.S. … or at least the amount of attention and dollars spent treating “cholesterol” aren’t where they should be?

Category: Health, Medical | No Comments »
Tags: cholesterol, diabeties, doctors, heart health, jama, medicine, women

Posted By RichC on May 25, 2026

Since we are in the middle of May’s graduation season, it seemed appropriate to post the commencement speech to the University of North Carolina graduates by Eric Church. For those unfamiliar with his “outlaw country music” (at least influenced by it), he does a great job of bringing together the struggle of living in today’s America and remaining grounded by his Christian faith. Even more than in previous generations, there seem to be more twists and turns to navigate in growing up being tugged by today’s culture – much of it counter to Christianity.

His music continues to reflect Christian themes; for example, his song “Old Testament Me” (2017) centers on the Bible’s “turn the other cheek” teaching. In 2025, he stated, “Faith’s a big part of my life and it’s always been a part of my life.”

I think his unique and impactful speech will be remembered by these Tarheel graduates … and perhaps others graduates in 2026?

Category: Advice, Human Interest, Music | No Comments »
Tags: commencement, country music, eric church, guitar, music monday, musicmonday, north carolina, outlaw country, speech, wikipedia, youtube

Posted By RichC on May 24, 2026

It was 16 years ago that my brother Ron and I went along as volunteers on an “Honor trip” to Washington DC with my Dad and veterans from Shelby County Ohio. It was a humbling trip to be with these older men who served our country, be it in World War II, Korea (DadC) or Vietnam (our group’s planner – also check out my Google Photos).

I can honestly say, it is a trip that I’ll never forget and never regret taking with my dad. Humbling to realize what bravery these men had and the sacrifice so many of them that didn’t return made serving our nation. Thanks to them, we live free. Make “particularly” those that gave their lives the focus of Memorial Day. 

Category: Archive, Holiday, Human Interest, Memories, Millitary | No Comments »
Tags: dadc, honor flight, honor trip, korean war, Memorial Day, ohio, shelby country, veterans, Washington DC

Posted By RichC on May 23, 2026

As a longtime NASCAR fan, few things hit harder than the news that came this week. Just days after watching Kyle Busch power his way to a dominant win in the Truck Series at Dover last weekend, I heard news of his sudden and tragic passing. At just 41 years old, one of the most fierce, talented and accomplished drivers in the sport is gone.

Kyle Busch was a generational talent. Two-time Cup Series champion, the all-time winningest driver across NASCAR’s national series with 234 victories, and a competitor who brought intensity and showmanship every single time he strapped in. Whether you loved him for his wins or loved to root against him in those heated rivalries, you couldn’t deny his skill behind the wheel. He was the guy who could win in anything — Trucks, Xfinity, or Cup — and often made it look easy (especially in his earlier years).

That Dover win felt like a spark. “Maybe the Kyle Busch is back,” I thought, just like so many other fans. It was a reminder of the driver who dominated for years, the one who fought through setbacks and kept pushing. A few days later, the news of his hospitalization with a severe illness (coughing up blood), followed by his passing on May 21, left the entire racing community in shock.

To his wife Samantha, son Brexton, daughter Lennix, the Richard Childress Racing team, and everyone who knew him — my deepest condolences. NASCAR has lost a giant and motorsports won’t be the same without that signature Rowdy energy on the track — and winning flag waving bow.

Rest in peace, Kyle. Thanks for the memories and those unforgettable moments of pure racing brilliance. I’ll miss watching you (tribute this weekend). Hug your loved ones tight tonight — this reminds us how fragile life can be.

What a heartbreaking week for the sport (respectful interview with rival driver and competitor Brad Keselowski below).
 

Category: Automotive, News, Obituary, Sports | No Comments »
Tags: death, kyle busch, motorsports, nascar, racing, rip, rowdy

Posted By RichC on May 22, 2026

Since we have a couple of Android users in our family, it will be fun to give this Quick Share feature a try … since most of us are iPhone AirDrop users.

Here are the devices that currently support AirDrop:

• Samsung Galaxy S26 series
• Google Pixel 10 series, 9 series, 8a
• OPPO Find X9 series, Find N6
• Vivo X300 Ultra

Google says the following devices will get AirDrop support later this year:

• Samsung Galaxy S25 series, S24 series, Z Fold7, Z Flip7, Z Fold6, Z Flip6, Z TriFold
• OPPO Find X8 series
• OnePlus 15
• HONOR Magic V6, Magic8 Pro

LINK

(more…)

Category: Apple, Cellphone, Technology, Tidbits, Video | No Comments »
Tags: airdrop, android, iphone, joanna stern, macrumors, quick share, sharing, youtube

Posted By RichC on May 21, 2026

My brother Ron and I generally celebrated our birthdays together since they were only a couple of weeks apart. It is our family’s birthday month, as it always has been.

Then came my daughter Katelyn’s birthday in May … as well as Ron’s son Jaben. Before that, it was MomC’s father, my Grandpa Bluhm, on May 18th … so it just seems like we go from one birthday to the other in the month of May: Happy Birthday Ron! 

The two of us had a little back and forth already this week with photos of more excavation (1960’s bomb shelter steel used for our dock and seawall) and the forms going up for the walls of his new house on Lake Erie … on the exact same lot we grew up on, by the way. It still seems surreal. Besides being excited for him, I do still find myself a little bit envious. Likely only the two of us … and our childhood neighbor friends who still have a cottage there … feel this way as our childhood there was idyllic. I hope he can unwind and rekindle those moments and build some new memories there.

For now though, I’m focused on wishing him a great day and I let him know that I am excited to see the progress.

On a related side note, I read the comments below and thought it would be an excellent birthday addition.

The best gift you can give your child isn’t more toys.

Not a bigger house.

Not even the best school.

 

It’s a sibling.

 

Someone who comes from the same place you do.

Someone who remembers the same kitchen smells, the same family stories, the same hard days when things weren’t easy.

 

One day, when parents are no longer around, siblings are still there.

They carry the memories.

They remember your childhood with you.

They know who you were before the world got to you.

 

A sibling teaches things no book ever will.

How to share without being asked.

How to forgive and move on.

How to stand up for someone just because they’re yours.

 

In a world that pushes people to be “independent” and alone, siblings quietly save children from loneliness.

They fight. They compete. They drift apart at times.

But when life hits hard, they almost always find their way back to each other.

 

Money comes and goes.

Status fades.

Friends change with time.

 

But a sibling stays.

Messy. Imperfect. Real.

And deeply precious.

 

Give your child a brother or a sister.

You’re not splitting love.

You’re giving them more of it.

Category: Archive, Human Interest, Memories, Personal, Photos | No Comments »
Tags: birthday, bomb shelter, building, dock, homebuilding, lake erie, ron corbett, ronc, seawall, steel