My Desultory Blog

Posted By RichC on June 12, 2026

I’m an Apple guys from way back, so I watched the WWDC 2026 conference this past week — as usual, lots of marketing hype, but is the same ol’ same ol’ promises. That aside, I did purchase scripting software from the developer who created MarsEdit, Daniel Jalkut at Red Sweater: FastScripts3.  😉 

The promises felt very familiar to the 2024 Apple Intelligence announcements, where Apple first hyped a smarter Siri with on-device/off-device hybrid smarts, personal context, app actions, and generative features—only for many elements to be delayed or rolled out gradually amid execution challenges. Critics and analysts noted it as a “do-over” or “long-delayed overhaul” to close the gap with rivals like Google, OpenAI, and others who’ve advanced faster in conversational AI. Apple emphasized privacy, on-device processing where possible, and practical integration over flashy demos, but skepticism remains until real-world use (beta feedback has been mixed-positive on polish but questions linger on depth vs. competitors). It echoes past cycles: big stage promises for Siri as a “profoundly more capable assistant” that finally delivers on ~15-year-old vision, yet framed as catching up rather than leaping ahead. Tim Cook’s last WWDC as CEO unfortunately didn’t leave with much of a big deal legacy moment.

Overall, WWDC 2026 was a software-focused event doubling down on AI as the future while addressing Siri frustrations head-on. It delivers many long-teased capabilities, but as with prior years, the proof will be in sustained performance, reliability, and whether it meaningfully differentiates from the competition once in users’ hands this fall. If you’re on supported hardware, the betas should give a taste soon.

Category: AI, Apple, Business, Marketing, Technology | No Comments »
Tags: $AAPL, apple, artificial intelligence, fastscripts, marsedit, promises, red sweater, siri, tech friday, techfriday, wwdc

Posted By RichC on June 11, 2026

An online “automotive and aviation enthusiast” friend on X.com shares what he calls “Useless Tweets” and posted one recently that might give away his age … and since I chimed in, mine too!

 Today’s Useless Tweet : Yes, I am THIS old… (JWRIII — image right)

An added tweet regarding car radios and other radios manufactured at that time added markings to their AM radio dials (see a previous post). I realized only after looking at the Zenith Transoceanic Shortwave radio that I had as a kid, that mine indeed has CD (Civil Defense) markings on the AM band too. 

CD stands for Civil Defense and refers to specific markings found on the AM dials of radios manufactured in the United States between 1953 and 1963.

The shortwave radio listening I did growing up was key to my interest in amateur radio and getting my license. I wish I were a bit more active, but computers and connectivity through the Internet has filled that interest … although I do keep my K4RDC vanity license and often contemplate getting my radios out again. 

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Category: History, Human Interest, Radio, Social Media, TBT | No Comments »
Tags: amateur radio, butler county, civil defense, conelrad, map, ohio, radio, voa, zenith

Posted By RichC on June 10, 2026

We really don’t need to “wish” Taylor a Happy Birthday this year, because he is already definitely having a fabulous birthday on an Alaskan cruise with Megan. Nevertheless, Happy Birthday Taylor!

They have been sending great photos already and his daily updates are making me a little bit envious. So glad they took this trip. 

Category: Archive, Personal, Photos, Travel | No Comments »
Tags: alaska, cruise, happy birthday, megan, taylor, vikings

Posted By RichC on June 9, 2026

It has been a tough few weeks for our niece Sarah and the Gerber family in Atlanta … and for those who pray, they could use some prayer.

Brenda’s sister, brother-in-law, and Jessica have been keeping the family up-to-date on Sarah’s recent hospital admission (for those who have been to the ER lately, you know the insanity and long wait).

Sarah has lived with and treated her chiasmal optic glioma since she was 5 years old. She has had several episodes requiring surgery, chemotherapy, and shunts to relieve the pressure, but recently had terrible headaches and made trips to the ER. After a recent MRI, doctors have decided that there was enough change/growth, possible brain bleeds, and have noticed the shunt is not properly relieving the pressure. This week, she is scheduled for brain surgery that could last 6 or more hours. She and her family could use as many prayer requests as possible.

My daughter Katelyn included the prayer below … and sister Jessica brought the only flowers permitted in the hospital room (Lego flowers).

FOR THOSE FACING INVASIVE, CRITICAL, OR HIGH-RISK PROCEDURES, AND FOR THOSE FRAUGHT WITH WORRY…

As I approach this procedure

I acknowledge my own fears at the possibility of outcomes I cannot control.

O God unshaken by any circumstance, be now my rock and my refuge.

Still my racing thoughts.

Speak peace to this gale-storm of my insecurities. In the midst of my concerns, give me grace to receive without bitterness the presence and support of friends who, seeking to ease fears they cannot understand, might utter unhelpful things.

Give me also grace to trust, to rest my trepidations in you, for your purposes and your presence transcend all possible outcomes.

Whether the end result of this procedure brings news that is good, bad, or uncertain, nothing that is essential or eternal will have changed;

My great hope is secure.

Let me rest in that.

At the end of this day,

I will still be your child, utterly dependent on you, utterly loved by you.

At the end of this day,

my life will yet be hidden with Christ, even as it now is.

I will remain an heir to the promise that this imperfect, mortal body, though it faces temporary decline, will one day be swallowed up in a glorious immortality.

We pray for good outcomes from this procedure, O Lord.

We ask for good outcomes,

pleading that you would be mindful of our mortal frailties,

but we know that regardless of the tidings to come, you are tender and present and sovereign over all circumstance, and what is more,

you love us fiercely and eternally.

Therefore I would trust you to lead me well along the paths of any wild and perilous country.

You are my shepherd.

This day will hold no surprises for you.

Let me rest in that.

Amen.

Category: Archive, Faith, Health, Medical, Personal | No Comments »
Tags: atlanta, chiasmal optic glioma, family, gerbers, hospital, prayer, sarah, surgery

Posted By RichC on June 9, 2026

Just like buying many pairs of boat shoes during my life, I’ve purchased and owned a number of sailing hats over the years too (and way to many caps to contemplate). In the early years I often cheapened out on both the boat shoes and the sailing hats by purchasing a discounted or knockoff brands. For the most part, they were all fine (and I still wear a knock-off branded Tilley around the pool – photo 2020).

In recent years (decades), I’ve opted for Sperry branded shoes (multiple posts) and migrated back and forth between the wider all-around brim sailor’s hat for the sun protection, but in recent years have been just wearing caps … except the comfortable ventilated wide-brim hat that I use when cleaning the pool. But for the most part it is a ball cap when working around the yard or walking … and depending on the weather, I’ll either wear the heavier caps or when it is really hot, a lightweight thin breathable cap (super cheap as I recall). 

This brings me to my mistake in replacing a Tilley-branded Endurable T3 classic hat (left) that has seen better days with a new Tilley TWS1 Rain-repellent hat (right).

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I replace it for a couple of reasons … primarily to test the lifetime warranty. The snaps were corroded. It has a couple holes and was “beyond floppy” but still comfortable. To test the lifetime warranty, I figure I’d go through the motions to see just how far gone a hat needed to be? First I sent them a photo and they came back, “no problem.” Put an X through the label and pick out the hat I wanted. They shipped me a new one for the cost of shipping … to which I added two 1776 American Flag premium caps for our country’s 250th celebration. 😊

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Category: Advice, Sailing, Shopping, Travel | No Comments »
Tags: hat, sailing, sun protection, tilley, yardwork

Posted By RichC on June 8, 2026

Do you remember the music group Gallery?

I can remember the song “Nice to Be with You” written by the band’s Jim Gold (see Jim Gold & Gallery), but did not remember the soft rock band or anything else they performed?

Nevertheless, while hearing it on SiriusXM it triggered my including it for Music Monday.
 

Band Members

• Jim Gold (born January 12, 1947, Detroit, Michigan) – lead vocals, guitar
• Brent Anderson – backing vocals, guitar
• Bill Nova – backing vocals, percussion
• Cal Freeman (born June 26, 1942 – died October 29, 2018) – guitar
• Paul Franklin (born May 31, 1954, Detroit, Michigan) – steel guitar
• Dennis Kovarik – bass
• Danny Brucato – drums
• Fred DiCenso (born January 23, 1950 – died 2021) – guitar

Category: Music | No Comments »
Tags: 1972, gallery, jim gold, music monday, musicmonday, nice to be with you, wikipedia

Posted By RichC on June 7, 2026

This content is restricted.

Category: Archive, Education, Personal, Photos | No Comments »
Tags: annalyn, drew, ellerie, granddaughters, katelyn, school