My Desultory Blog

Posted By RichC on July 15, 2026

A few days ago, the social networked car guys that I follow, commented back and forth about the “hidden gas cap” locations that were part of cars and trucks years ago. I remember the occasional stumper when I was 16 years old working at a Sidney, Ohio Shell station.

Full service gas stations were still a common place back then and I actually took pride in doing the job well. I even liked wearing the uniform, checking oil, filling tires and carrying around a wad of cash … not to mention an oil can spout in my back pocket. I was pretty good at responsibly filling customers’ cars even if they were always filled a “tick short of the next cent” – I also appreciated the extra fraction of a cent in my paycheck.  This was how gas station managers prevented employees from “giving away gasoline” … not really as an attempt to cheat the customer. 

Back to the “hidden fuel filler” locations on cars; perhaps it isn’t all that different today, at least on a Tesla! 😉 

Category: Automotive, Human Interest, Memories, Politics, Social Media, Tesla | No Comments »
Tags: ani gif, charge port, classic cars, filler location, gas cap, gas station, ohio, shell oil, sidney, tesla, x.com

Posted By RichC on July 14, 2026

The additional parts for the Kubota Zero-Turn mower (correct sized SS spacers) and replacement solid wheel (broken zerk) arrived last week, so decided to spend part of my weekend taking things apart and putting them together again. The new spacers fit much better but I did add a couple copper washer shims, which was probably a good idea anyway? 

Only time will tell IF this modification will last, but I do know that these new solid rubber wheels are not nearly as comfortable (harsh ride on a rough lawn) as the air filled originals … nor are they nearly the quality of wheels and bearings that have lasted 20 years. Nevertheless, so as long as I take the weight off the front when parked (flat spots), I think this will prevent the ongoing punctures and deflation problems. Big picture, it was a small investment and I can always buy the original $$$ parts and go back to air filled tires and wheels with premium bearings. 

I have a second solid wheel, but do I replace the other side … or wait until something fails on that side too? Brenda said I need to replace the other one so they match … because “it doesn’t look right.” 😉 

EDIT: Fixed the X.com MyDesultoryBlog posting credits that stopped working in June.

Category: Photos, Repairs | No Comments »
Tags: ani gif, kubota, mower, repair, solid tires, Zerk, zero-turn

Posted By RichC on July 13, 2026

Stumbled on a Tonight Show interview in 1989 with Jimmy Buffett. It was by the King of Late-Night Television, Johnny Carson where Buffett and the Coral Reefers also performed a new release, “Take Another Road” from the album Off To See The Lizard.
 

After making a note earlier this month, I thought it would make for a great summer Music Monday song (video quality is questionable and from “another road, another time.”  and place”). 😉 

Lyrics and YouTube clip Below: “Take Another Road” – 1989

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Category: Entertainment, Music, Video | No Comments »
Tags: jimmy buffett, johnny carson, music monday, musicmonday, off to see the lizard, take another road, tonight show

Posted By RichC on July 12, 2026

Senator Lindsey Graham, a steadfast friend to the US military, cherished his family and his beloved state, South Carolina. He dedicated his entire life to serving his country. His career spanned as a JAG officer in the U.S. Air Force, a US Congressman, and a US Senator.

Graham’s life exemplifies the exceptional opportunities and values that America offers. After the untimely deaths of his parents while he was in college, he adopted his 13-year-old sister, Darlene. Throughout his service in the US Air Force, he supported her through college and remained close to her family. His life was a testament to his resilience and dedication. Born from humble beginnings in a small town in Pickens County, South Carolina, as a Southern Baptist with a fiery passion, Graham’s journey from humble origins to becoming a renowned figure is truly inspiring.

Renowned figures from around the world, including presidents, prime ministers, kings, and queens, have extolled Lindsey Graham’s virtues. This recognition is a testament to the exceptional opportunities and values that America provides. Graham’s life embodies the very essence of the American dream.

*** Personal tidbit: Brenda and I don’t often financial support political parties or candidates, but after receiving a national personal appeal a decade ago, did contribute a token amount to Lindsey Graham’s reelection campaign.

Category: News, Obituary, Politics | No Comments »
Tags: congress, legacy, Obituary, politcs, senator lindsey graham, us senate, wikipedia

Posted By RichC on July 12, 2026

Each year when our granddaughters come to visit for a week, I try to do something in the woodworking workshop that keeps them interested in working with tools (and with their Bompa, although now that they are older, suspect that name will disappear). 😉  

Katelyn gave me the idea of a “squirrel picnic table” a few months ago — excellent. So I’ve been collection a few photos and contemplating a way to use some Oostra Oak and the girl’s level of patience and skill order to accomplish this. They seem to enjoy their outdoor birdhouses, feeders, birdwatching, etc – although I’m sure their mom and dad have a lot to do with that – and so this might be a great small project come rain or shine this August? 

Category: Archive, Ideas, Woodworking | No Comments »
Tags: birdfeeder, bompa, granddaughers, picnic table, project, squirrels, summer, woodworking, workshop

Posted By RichC on July 11, 2026

Who hasn’t noticed that a number of Democratic Socialist candidates elected or on the ballots in several American blue cities and states? It seemed like a good topic for the three column points-of-view on the TheHustings political discussion site, so I sent in an editorial (commentary) last month and sort of forgot about it.

The editor reached out to a couple of the left-leaning contributors for their opinion and made it a topic for this weekend. I’ll include my commentary below the break, but check out the center and left as well.

The conversation is probably as you would expect if you have been following politics at all. As someone who is a life-long Republican and leans conservative … with friends on both the political left and right … I expected most liberal Democrats (or perhaps the majority are progressive Democrats nowadays) to push back a bit more as the Democratic Socialist of America (DSA) candidates make inroads and seek to control the Democratic Party.

Now the same could be said of the Republicans by those pushing the MAGA agenda, I suppose? Nevertheless, a worthwhile and friendly exchange between “mostly older” contributors. 😉 

Young Conservative Leadership is Promising
Commentary by Rich Corbett

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Category: Archive, Politics | No Comments »
Tags: commentary, democracy, democrats, MAGA, Politics, Republicans, richc, socialism, socialists, thehustings

Posted By RichC on July 10, 2026

Front lawn cut before the rain starts. MyDesultoryBlog backed up. Linux server updated and installed WordPress 7.0.1 … and all is still working! 😉 

Category: Blogs, Software, Technology | No Comments »
Tags: blog, tech friday, techfriday, update, wordpress