Tech Friday: A personal leftover for a spooky Halloween
RichC | October 31, 2025
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Senior Citizens are facing disappointment after the 2026 Social Security COLA announcement and Medicare Premium Hikes
RichC | October 31, 2025
If you’re a senior relying on Social Security to make ends meet, the latest cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) announcement might feel more like a tease than a relief. Last Friday, the Social Security Administration revealed a 2.8% boost for 2026 benefits, adding an average of $56 per month to retirement checks—bringing the typical payout to $2,071. […]
A couple older blog car photos triggered good memories for #TBT
RichC | October 30, 2025
Every once in a while, a link pops up in my blog from years ago (20 years in this case) and it amazes me just how fast the years go by (another link)? The photos here are back when I was regularly commuting back and forth from Cincinnati to Cuyahoga Falls and to Warren, Ohio. […]
A busy autumn for our family and leftover automotive items
RichC | October 29, 2025
It was a busy autumn weekend for the next generation in our family. Taylor and Megan were taking advantage of the nice fall weather to go to the Renaissance Festival while the Oostras planted tulip bulbs (how fitting) and tackled the huge “Back to the Future” corn maze in NW Ohio. It looks like the […]
Pray for Jamaica tonight as Cat 5 Hurricane Melissa nears
RichC | October 28, 2025
The Jamaican government said it had done all it could to prepare as it warned of devastating damage from the strongest hurricane to hit the island since recordkeeping began 174 years ago. “There is no infrastructure in the region that can withstand a Category 5,” Prime Minister Andrew Holness said. “The question now is the speed of […]
Quite the World Series Game 3: Dodger over Blue Jays
RichC | October 28, 2025
Normally I would not post an individual game results in this year’s 2025 World Series, but last night’s game went nearly 6 hours and 40 minutes ending just before 3AM eastern time after 18 innings. It was an incredible pitchers dual that exhausted nearly every relief pitcher each team had. The final straw was a […]
Our 2010 BMW X5 35d gets needed rear brakes and rotors
RichC | October 28, 2025
Last weekend was all about some needed maintenance on my 2010 BMW X5 35d. The ‘nag’ has been on for the last 500 miles or so and that the sensor on the rear brakes is making contact with the rotor. This usually means at least the right rear brake pads are worn pretty thin. What didn’t […]
The financial markets are riding high. Will it last through 2025?
RichC | October 27, 2025
The stock market in late 2025 presents an interesting picture as we approach the final two months of the year. Based on historical data from 2003–2024, we can assess the probability of significant market corrections during November and December. A severe pullback of 10% or more has been relatively rare, occurring in only 2 of […]
Music Monday: Redbone and “Come and Get Your Love” (again)
RichC | October 27, 2025
It was too late to search and realize that I’ve already posted “Come and Get Your Love” by Redbone several years ago for Music Monday. Oh well, Let’s do it again with a little “pre-song dance” after hearing it as bumper music on Fox Business. 😉 This time it is a 1974 Bert Sugarman’s Midnight […]
Democrats’ Cruel Calculus: “the few leverage times we have”
RichC | October 26, 2025
Last week I passed on the request to comment on the “No Kings” protest, as requested by TheHustings editor since we were busy. This week I’m taking the initiative in sending commentary on the ridiculous Federal government shutdown (quote below) after the “leverage” comments from Democratic House Minority Whip Katherine Clark. It does seem insane […]
The 2025 MLB World Series begins: Dodgers vs Blue Jays
RichC | October 25, 2025
The 2025 World Series is finally underway. Brenda and I have been watching the playoffs all autumn long, but unfortunately have watched each of our early picks (they were hopes really) drop like flies. The Reds, Guardians and Tigers all fell early in the playoffs, but we have settled on rooting for the Toronto Blue […]
A couple of important financial numbers for today: 3% and 2.8%
RichC | October 24, 2025
First up, the Consumer Price Index inched up a tenth of a percentage point in August from 2.9% to 3% on an annual rate (numbers were pre-government shutdown). This is ties into the second important number of 2.8% — the Cost Of Living Adjustment (COLA). This is key for Social Security recipients as it is […]
Tech Friday: A few days of Tesla ownership and charging
RichC | October 24, 2025
After a few days of owning/driving a “previously loved” 2019 Tesla Model 3, I’m learning a little more about it each day … and as the 2003 McDonald’s jingle goes, “I’m lovin’ it.” 😊 So far the Tesla has surpassed my expectation as for driving pleasure. It is solid on the road, very fast when acceleration […]
A sad end for a Connie Triple-Tail Constellation #aviation
RichC | October 23, 2025
Sent this to an aviation friend as he routinely posts a “Triple Tail Thursday” photo on X.com. Overview of the Connie Triple Tail The term “Connie triple tail” likely refers to the Lockheed Constellation, commonly known as “Connie,” which features a distinctive triple tail design. This aircraft is a propeller-driven airliner built by Lockheed Corporation […]
Archive: An enjoyable couple of days with our granddaughters
RichC | October 22, 2025
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Filler: A very-clean 2019 Tesla Model 3 is now in our garage
RichC | October 21, 2025
More to come, but a new to us 2019 Tesla Model 3 now replaces Brenda’s 2010 Acura RDX. We are as excited about having a Tesla, as is the seller for us “finally” owning a Tesla (aka: Drew).
Music Monday: Different releases of David Bowie’s “Changes”
RichC | October 20, 2025
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Salvidor Dali’s “Deux danseurs” (Two Dancers) drawing – 1949
RichC | October 19, 2025
Most of Salvador Dali’s artwork is not really my taste, but Brenda and I do own a couple of prints that I received as partial payment for some printing work I did for an art gallery when I was first starting Consolidated Printing and Publishing in the late 1980s. After admiring this drawing from 1949, […]
Thinking about beaches, turtle eggs and a Green Turtle victory
RichC | October 18, 2025
Brenda and I are beach walkers and when in Delray Beach … or any beach for that matter … we walk in all kinds of weather. A week or so ago we were surprised at the heavy erosion along Florida’s Atlantic beaches, which can be somewhat normal with storm surf, higher winds and tides. This […]
Tech Friday: Changing Handbrake video encoding for the blog
RichC | October 17, 2025
Not that this Tech Friday update is at all important … because it is not … but I’m thinking about changing the encoding of clunky video on MyDesultoryBlog.com … and perhaps elsewhere? The time it takes to re-encode, upload and save video to archive has improved as computers and internet connections are now faster, but […]
Beach Erosion, Postseason Baseball and Family in Western NY
RichC | October 16, 2025
Eventually I’ll get around to updating a back and forth trip to Florida to check on the Delray Beach condo’s lanai repairs (and the missing beach – erosion video above) … maybe more over the weekend (???) … but for now a little updating on our lack of excitement with MLB post-season baseball. Brenda and […]
Happy Birthday wishes to “middle aged” Megan (family joke)
RichC | October 15, 2025
What, another “middle age” birthday for Megan? The “middle age” joke has taken on a life of its own when it comes to our adult children. It is kind of fun when “we” are young and in our early 30s (Megan’s 30th Birthday), but I’m starting to think that it could be both an insult […]
A “here’s looking at you” filler photo
RichC | October 14, 2025
More on our quick trip to drop the van off at the Florida condo and check on the lanai update later.
Music Monday: The Moody Blues – “Nights in White Satin” (live)
RichC | October 13, 2025
With last week’s sudden death of John Lodge, the Moody Blues bassist, it seemed appropriate to include another song from the group. “Nights in White Satin” from 1967 (1968 live YouTube performance below) seems a fitting way to recognize him and a band that has spanned the decades.
How Inflation Indexing Shields Taxes and Entitlements
RichC | October 12, 2025
Inflation is like that sneaky friend who borrows your money and never pays it back—it erodes the value of your dollars over time without you even noticing. But in the world of U.S. taxes and government benefits, there’s a built-in defense mechanism called inflation indexing. This automatic adjustment ensures that tax brackets, deductions, and entitlement […]
Archive: A few leftover family photos from early October 2025
RichC | October 11, 2025
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The US Stock Market is priced for perfection, so it doesn’t take much to trigger selling: Trump’s NEW China tariff threat
RichC | October 10, 2025
As the long Columbus Day weekend approached, a little tariff news from President Trump was enough to trigger a day of selling on Wall Street. If I were a bit more willing to take a risks … and if it were not October after a strong stock market uptrend this summer … it might be […]
Archive: The Utah trip photos from yesterday were not enough
RichC | October 10, 2025
After posting our “trip to Utah” photos yesterday, Brenda commented that I left out her favorite from the top of Angels Landing in Zion National Park. Obviously navigating the chains was truly an accomplishment for “senior citizens” … so a few more photos and video seems justified. 😉
Back from an amazing trip to Solitude, Zion and Sundance, Utah
RichC | October 9, 2025
It is probably going to take me a couple of weeks to get my blogging bearings back, but let it be known, we enjoyed our week in Solitude, Utah with my sister-in-law Ann and her husband Gary. Thank you so much for inviting us to your condo and treating us to the great hikes, trip […]
Our Utah trip photos with Ann and Gary are coming … but first a couple pre-trip photos with our nieces
RichC | October 8, 2025
Our Utah trip is still fresh and the photos TOO many to sift through at the moment … so I’ll start by archiving a single photo of Zion National Park; the three peaks known as Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (photo above). This might at least start the ball rolling in getting the photos and my […]
Obituary: Daniel Phillip Glassman – 11/23/1949 – 9/28/2025
RichC | October 7, 2025
The news of our sister-in-law Lynda Howard Glassman losing her husband Daniel Phillip Glassman shocked us all last week while we were in Utah. Dan was always a “young” semi-retired kind of busy guy and someone that I never even gave a second thought about when he was working or playing hard. He seemed the […]
Music Monday: Linda Ronstadt and “It’s So Easy” – live recording
RichC | October 6, 2025
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October’s harvest moon will light up the sky
RichC | October 5, 2025
The first super full moon of the year is coming soon, and will be a special one for those living in the Northern Hemisphere ‒ it will also be what is known as a “harvest moon.” This visual spectacular will appear low on the horizon, making it ideal for taking pictures or just enjoying a […]
Book: 1929 by Andrew Ross Sorkin is on my library hold even before being released
RichC | October 2, 2025
Likely, Andrew Ross Sorkin’s new book, “1929: Inside the Greatest Crash in Wall Street History and How it Shattered a Nation,” is not on my “must buy list,” but the Bloomberg pre-release review below (see archive.ph) has it sounding relevant and interesting. So like my buddy Jeff, I’ve put it on my library hold list […]
Filler: Wrinkles, Grey Hair and Scars
RichC | October 1, 2025
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.