Closing out the month of August 2025 with signs of Autumn
RichC | August 31, 2025
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Filler post that meant more to me when I was younger #video
RichC | August 30, 2025
This may not be all that interesting at the moment, but back in the day I was all about these unique money (and water) saving hacks. From prepping, to Boy Scouting or college, early married and family years camping … or to sailing frugally for that matter … I always enjoyed and appreciated these kinds […]
The home networked Raspberry Pi 3 is up and running again
RichC | August 29, 2025
Finally with a little help from Grok one of my Raspberry Pi computers I use as servers, is up and running again. In 2024 after upgrading our home Internet to fiber and a new router, I realized all ports were blocked that I once used for three Raspberry Pi servers: Alpha, Bravo and Charlie. Charlie […]
Do you know what this is? A bulk 35mm film loader. #TBT
RichC | August 28, 2025
As often happens these days, the “friends/acquaintances” on the social media site X.com that I regularly chat with, brought up the subject of old-school film photography. Since it was my main hobby from my first darkroom in junior high through high school, and then college (and even graduate school), I felt obliged to chime in […]
Plan Roth conversions in early years of retirement if possible
RichC | August 27, 2025
For those of us of a particular age (or even younger) who are crunching their retirement income numbers should consider converting some of their Traditional IRA savings into Roth IRA savings. As a Barron’s Advisor practitioner, I’ve stressed planning in creating multiple income buckets in which to draw income from after retiring; in part this […]
The best U.S. president in the last 50 years? A Nobel Peace prize?
RichC | August 26, 2025
As a TheHustings regular contributor, I sometimes find myself being a little more provocative that I really am — likely because there is a lack of pro-MAGA content in the right-hand column. Part of this particular submission (posted below) is for the “shock value” … but Jerry Lanson’s left-hand column, Keep Your Eye On What […]
Music Monday: “Driftwood” by the Moody Blues (1978)
RichC | August 25, 2025
A bit earlier in the summer the Moody Blues song from 1978 called “Driftwood” caught my attention. Perhaps I was in a “mellow” mood while listening to The Bridge on SiriusXM, but it was noted as a appropriate song from my past for Music Monday. Moody Blues – “Driftwood” | 1978 While listen […]
As a tinkerer, I’ve save parts and pieces my entire life
RichC | August 24, 2025
The older I get, the more clutter I collect … yet I still can’t stop the habits that have stayed with me my entire life. After clearing out our parents homes a decade ago, it was obvious that genetically the depression era “can’t throw away” trait was passed down to me. I still find myself […]
The Old Farmer’s Almanac forecasts for the Autumn of 2025
RichC | August 23, 2025
As I have in previous years (as far back as 2015), I’m one to check The Old Farmer’s Almanac for the autumn … and occasionally winter weather. This year in our SW Ohio area it looks “cool and dry.” Perhaps that means and early fall and colorful leaves? If we decide to take a trip […]
Tech Friday: Are all USB-C computer cables the same?
RichC | August 22, 2025
Although this may be late to the game (YouTube video is 1 year old) this was impressive. I guess there is more to an expensive Apple USB-C Thunderbolt 4 cable than meets the eye?
A problem when using AI for research – 404 links
RichC | August 21, 2025
Flaw in AI assisted research (404 links). Artificial Intelligence generated segment below for a recent blog post — and all are broken/non-existent links: Record-low unemployment rates for most demographics, including native-born workers Historic median household income growth, reaching an all-time high of $68,703 in 2019 4.9 million Americans lifted out of poverty in a single year […]
A first for me — a foot fracture, tendon pull and walking boot
RichC | August 20, 2025
Well … I likely waited too long to address a nagging problem with my right foot after too much barefoot beach walking. I thought it would improve over time if I continued to work through the healing process, but month after month since April or so it did not improve. My PCP diagnosed it in […]
Commentary: When Government Becomes a Shareholder $INTC
RichC | August 19, 2025
Noticing that my name was mentioned in TheHustings right-column today, I felt it was imperative that I at least voice my conservative concern over the Trump administration wanting taxpayers to become non-voting shareholders in Intel ($INTC). Here are my thoughts; we’ll see if the editors include them? Intel: When Government Becomes a Shareholder The Trump […]
Could a lightning strike damage my surge protection power strip?
RichC | August 19, 2025
It is the time of years that summer storm whip through the area and occasionally the lightning gets pretty close. It happened last week and then I notice that my fairly new surge protector power strip wasn’t working (below). I reset the little breaker switch and the 110v ac plugs came back on, but the […]
Music Monday: “Come Monday” performed by Kenny Chesney
RichC | August 18, 2025
While enjoying the August summer sun and cooling down over the weekend the swimming pool, Jimmy Buffett’s old song “Come Monday“ came up on Kenny Chesney’s No Shoes Radio. He does a masterful job singing it (even better than Mac MacAnally) and I thought that even the live version from a Kenny Chesney Tampa Florida […]
It has been 10 years, but a father’s impact lasts a lifetime
RichC | August 17, 2025
The Little Critter book title reads … “Just Me and My Dad” (the photo above just a few years ago) … but as I mentioned a decade ago after DadC’s memorial service … he planted the wisdom of Proverb 22:6 in the way he lived his life. “Train up a child in the way he should go: and […]
Archive: School is starting, but a little more fun in Toledo
RichC | August 17, 2025
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Intensive or Intents: What is the world is an Eggcorn?
RichC | August 16, 2025
Earlier this month while sending a few quick text messages back and forth, I started to type the message “for all intensive purposes” to my brother when my iPhone started a predictive typing suggestion: “for all intents and purposes.” Hm .. so down the rabbit hole I jumped. According to Merriam-Webster … In a 1546 […]
Tech Friday: Should students do their work with or without AI?
RichC | August 15, 2025
Last month I had a discussion with a friend and we debated how much of what we read on the internet these days is being created by … or at least assisted by … artificial intelligence. It was more concerning to him since his children are old enough to be regular users of AI (unlike […]
Testing ChatGPT assistance in coding HTML for a MDB post: Charting a Better Future for Native-Born American Workers
RichC | August 14, 2025
Previously I added the chart below to a filler post and contemplated posting something to TheHustings.news … but instead wanted to test the “HTML coding ability” of ChatGPT. The AI was “so-so” … but required WAY too much tweaking on my part and ChatGPT adding 3-failed (404) links is unacceptable (highlight below). Of course when […]
The Peak Design charger has failed after an iOS iPhone update
RichC | August 13, 2025
Initially I blamed a “failing to charge“ problem on a recent iOS update from Apple (updated the previous night), but after a little trial and error testing, have concluded something isn’t working with my relatively new Peak Design wireless charging stand. Up to this point, it has been just fine and sits next to my […]
The CPI and Trump/Putin news saw Financial Markets Rally
RichC | August 12, 2025
If you are an investor or just someone wanted some good news as inflation held steady, the market gained and had added hope noting the upcoming peace talks between President Trump and Russia’s Vladimir Putin. You might even say, “America’s Future is Bright” … a reference to my TheHustings commentary today after my previous polite […]
Happy Birthday Brenda! Are we still counting the years?
RichC | August 12, 2025
As the saying goes, “better to have a birthday then not to have one.” Yet most of us watching the years tick by wonder, why do the years seem to tick by so much faster the older we get? So, Happy Birthday, Brenda – here’s a George Meredith quote to ponder. It has been a wonderful […]
Music Monday: Ringo Starr – “It Don’t Come Easy” (1971)
RichC | August 11, 2025
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The family is vacationing, I’m reading and saving a project idea
RichC | August 10, 2025
Today’s post is part photo archive, a project idea and a little on “what I’m reading this summer” — but I do miss the World War II history books of previous years. KDAE were off to Colorado on a family vacation this past week and were enjoying there time hiking and outdoors. They were with […]
How much should non-business people be spending for AI?
RichC | August 9, 2025
Since someone commented to me online, knowing that I’ve been tinkering with AI chatbots, “How much should everyday non-business users be paying for artificial intelligence?” I thought to myself and then decided to test the new ChatGPT4o … better known as ChatGPT5 … what “it” thought we should be paying (BTW, ChatGPT5 “really likes designing […]
Tech Friday: To cut ties or to continue with Google AdSense?
RichC | August 8, 2025
For years, Google-served ads have appeared in the headers and footers of My Desultory Blog. Each time removing them seems appealing, the realization hits that they generate enough income – though far less than in the early days — to cover server costs, so they remained. Early this summer, tweaks were made to lessen their intrusiveness, […]
Crazy thinking about kids and going back to school already? #TBT
RichC | August 7, 2025
It is crazy to realize we are now in August already and soon kids across America will be going back to school (some actually start in July)! Anyway, for a #TBT triggering post, I spotted this video on social media that reminded me of the Ironing Board reenactment post of Brian Regan‘s comedy. Whoa … […]
Sort of getting an itch to work on cars again. Long overdue!
RichC | August 6, 2025
My favorite vehicle: 1994 Toyota 4Runner and first solo-drive: VW Karmann Ghia A couple of automotive triggering discussions regarding “working on cars” came about over the weekend that triggered my thinking, “I should be working on cars in the garage again.” Maybe was the pleasant low-humidity weather or just seeing the Wyze cam videos of […]
A saved idea photo and jobs-related graphic July 2025 leftover
RichC | August 5, 2025
Since the previous post was a recap of Monday’s market rebound after Friday’s stock market selloff, I’m using this post as an excuse to get a couple of saved items out of the folder where I collect ideas for MDB. The first photo one is a bit nutty if you ask me, but because it […]
After Friday’s sell-off, Monday 8/4/2025 felt better for investors
RichC | August 5, 2025
U.S. stocks surged on Monday, August 4, 2025, with major indexes like the Dow industrials climbing over 500 points, a gain of 1% or more. From utilities to meme stocks, the rally was broad-based, catching some investors off guard after last week’s volatility. Markets faced turbulence late last week due to President Trump’s tariff announcements, […]
Music Monday: 1978’s SNL was definitely better than today
RichC | August 4, 2025
Who growing up in the 1970s or 1980s didn’t enjoy watching Saturday Night Live, or the program that just goes by SNL these days, once in a while? It is hard not run out of space to list the many talented comedians and actors that rose to fame while appearing on NBC’s unique weekly late […]
Archive: A few photos and chores from around home weekend
RichC | August 3, 2025
Look at the feelers on this moth (link). God’s creation in nature is amazing! It has been so much more pleasant this weekend compared to last — weather wise – and besides mowing, decided to remove a couple overgrown low-spreading bushes in our half-moon. We didn’t plant flowers as usual this year knowing it was […]
IPOs, Dotcoms, AI, $FIG, Awake OJ cans and my grandfather
RichC | August 2, 2025
It is interesting how certain things trigger long ago memories so clearly. I could see this can of Awake Orange Juice (with the orange lid) from the 1960s clearly in my mind. Likely I remember these cans from a container to store spare bolts and nuts or parts, but I also recall something else my […]
Tech Friday: A “desultory” lunchtime post highlighting Annotable
RichC | August 1, 2025
It has been too long between truly “desultory” posts, so I’ll add one on the topic of iOS photo editing and iOS apps. Ever since I updated my iPhone from the long-lasting iPhone 7 Plus almost a year ago, I’ve been missing the magnifier highlighting tool that was part of Apple’s previous iOS. Now that […]
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.