My Desultory Blog

Posted By RichC on April 3, 2026

In searching for a way to include the small “baby bananas” growing outside our condo’s bedroom window (see 2021) AND a “Morning in America” graphic, I’ve finally decided to include it as a Throwback Thursday #TBT post — a very weak one.

As for the reason it resonates with so many from my generation, it was a political slogan after U.S. weakness and malaise in the 1970s. It may have started when exiting Vietnam after years stuck in a nightmarish quagmire, OPEC controlling energy prices which in my opinion helped ratchet up inflation … AND with Iran taking 66 Americans hostage and overtaking our U.S. embassy in Tehran. 

Fast forward to today. It once again feels like It’s Morning in America with a similarly strong leader (Reagan / Trump) helping America feel better about their future and gaining back the respect and strong leadership that seemed lost (Carter / Biden). Of course it is too simplistic to believe that’s the only difference … BUT one can’t help notice the confidence and swagger from those who wear the uniform and defend our country. It is higher than I’ve seen it in years. 

Hm .. stay tuned. I think I feel some commentary for TheHustings.news coming. 😉 

Category: History, Misc, Personal, Photos, Politics, TBT | No Comments »
Tags: bananas, hostages, inflation, iran, morning in america, opec, ronald reagan, TBT, throwback, vietnam war, wikipedia

Posted By RichC on April 2, 2026

Over the last few years, I’ve enjoyed being asked to opine on current events and politics for TheHustings.news. It is a congenial bunch writers, who at least outwardly, accept the opinions of others. The talented group consist of retired, or perhaps close to retiring journalists, political campaign PR writers/managers, editors and college professors, who come from different parts of the country. A couple of them were automotive journalists (including the editor), whose side interest is politics … which was how I was introduced.

As a non-professional writer, I’ve enjoyed contributing and have found it challenging. What has surprised me, was that I am one of the few (or only one?) who sees things from the MAGA point of view … even if my opinions don’t always align with President Trump. That said, I’m definitely more aligned with fiscal conservatives and Republicans than the others OR even where many Democrat voters have shifted these days (embracing socialism). 😉 

Yesterday’s request came late in the day … but since I’ve been following the SCOTUS oral arguments, added my two-cents. 

The Supreme Court heard oral arguments today in Trump v. Barbara, weighing President Trump’s executive order limiting birthright citizenship under the 14th Amendment’s Citizenship Clause. The administration argues that “subject to the jurisdiction thereof” excludes children of undocumented immigrants or temporary visa holders, aiming to curb what has become a modern “birth tourism” and an illegal immigration incentive industry unknown 166 years ago.

This view has merit. The Clause was ratified post-Civil War primarily to secure citizenship for freed slaves and their descendants—those born here fully subject to U.S. authority, not foreign diplomats, illegals flooding across the Biden administration’s open border or transient visitors owing primary allegiance elsewhere. Today’s expansive interpretation, granting automatic citizenship to hundreds of thousands annually from non-citizen parents, has fueled exploitative practices that strain resources and undermine sovereignty in ways the 1866 drafters never contemplated.

The Constitution’s text is broad and is open to judicial interpretation, which is the path the Trump administration is seeking. The preferred correction of these abusive practices would be through the amendment process. Unfortunately that is likely impossible in today’s divided and politicized Congress.

UPDATE: Posted today 4/2 with another right-column comment: Under Trump v. Barbara Arguments – “Birth Tourism” … and a previous submission was used in The Gray Area of TheHustings.news.

Category: Archive, Blogs, News, Personal, Politics | No Comments »
Tags: birthright citizenship, commentary, opinion, oral arguments, scotus, thehustings, trump v barbara, wsj

Posted By RichC on April 1, 2026

This might trigger a few who attend the No Kings rallies or find that their blood pressure rises at the thought of President Trump, but suspect those who are more tolerant and enjoy political humor might appreciate these two items on April 1st. 😉 

On the other hand, if you are like me, I’d prefer having elections that we can trust and be confident that people aren’t using questionable tactics when it comes to voting. Assuring our U.S. elections have integrity and that only legitimate voters are casting ballots would go a long way in making elections fair — in other words, Congress needs to pass the SAVE act. 

Category: Humor, Politics | No Comments »
Tags: America's 250th birthday, april fools day, elections, no kings rally, political, save act, trump, voting

Posted By RichC on March 31, 2026

It’s pretty expensive to drive, fly, ship or LIVE this past month as Iran has made the transit of oil and goods through the Strait of Hormuz nearly impossible. Is there an end in sight? 

The average price at the gas pump hit $4.02 Tuesday, its highest level since August 2022.

Here's where gas is most expensive and cheapest. pic.twitter.com/MOqntB6j1Y

— Yahoo Finance (@YahooFinance) March 31, 2026

Category: Automotive, Energy, Financial, News, Social Media | No Comments »
Tags: driving, economy, energy, finance, fuel, gasoline, x.com, yahoo

Posted By RichC on March 31, 2026

Shared with our kids last week and after watching Brenda laugh, decided this social media share was worth posting on the blog. We all had a good chuckle. 😊 

Category: Humor, Social Media, Video | No Comments »
Tags: clubbing, costco, Humor, mp4, social media

Posted By RichC on March 30, 2026

On Music Monday, I often highlight music by Kenny Chesney. This week is no exception as I enjoyed listening to the 2003 song “There Goes My Life” … and pondered “my life.” This isn’t the only song that has me looking back and realizing that everything happened way too fast.

As the years pass by, I’m very thankful as to how it all turned out, but I recognize that “my life” is going by too fast; it has me thinking about and remembering the French saying, “comme ci comme ça” (which translates as feeling “so-so”) and wondering if I could have been better or accomplished more?

And he said
There goes my life
There goes my future, my everything
Might as well kiss it all good-bye
There goes my life

In reality I – we – do feel extraordinarily blessed. We have our health, we are financially secure, our kids are doing great and we are both confident in our salvation and eternity. So I’ll try not to contemplate the song’s “comme ci comme ça” feeling too deeply and just enjoy the music. 😉  

The song is about a teen, who is blindsided when he finds out that his girlfriend is pregnant. He tells the audience that his dreams of skipping town after graduation and hanging out on the coast are ruined; in the chorus he sings, “There goes my life.”

By the next verse he is married to his girlfriend and their child is now a toddler. The boy discovers that it was all worth it in the end and that he loves his child more than anything. By the final verse, his daughter is grown up and going off to the West Coast herself. The father thinks as she drives away, “There goes my life, my future, my everything …”

LINK

Category: Human Interest, Music, Video | No Comments »
Tags: comme ci comme ça, french, kenny chesney, music monday, musicmonday, there goes my life, youtube

Posted By RichC on March 29, 2026

Palm Sunday brings to mind the joyful noise that filled the streets of Jerusalem as crowds welcomed Jesus with palm branches and shouts of praise. One of my favorite verses captures that excitement perfectly:

“The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David!’ ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’ ‘Hosanna in the highest heaven!’”

— Matthew 21:9 (NIV)

This year, our family has our own little reason to celebrate a “grand” entrance — the Oostra’s piano was delivered!

On Friday, Katelyn and Drew took delivery of their beautiful Boston grand piano and are transforming their “off the foyer” home office to a music room (déjà vu — very familiar).. After practicing on a keyboard, our granddaughters now have the real thing — an exceptional baby grand that looks right at home – we can’t wait to hear them play, as well as Katelyn.

Music has always been part of our family’s story — from my Grandmother Corbett on the organ, Mom Howard and daughter Chris exceptional on the piano, to Drew mom and Brenda (violin and piano) and our antique Brambach baby grand that helped Katelyn (and Taylor) learn to play piano when they were kids.

Have a blessed Palm Sunday. 🌿  May your days be filled with praise — and a little piano music too! 🎹

Category: Archive, Faith, Memories, Personal, Photos | No Comments »
Tags: christianity, delivered, drew, katelyn, oostra, palm sunday, piano