My Desultory Blog

Posted By RichC on April 18, 2026

Today’s update is a follow up from yesterday’s Tech Friday post on “Contemplating an Apple MacBook Air update” … done. 

I was able to convince Brenda that she needed to switch to an Apple computer since her Chromebook has reached end of life status. I suspect that she will continue to stick with her limited Google apps and email, but maybe she’ll start to appreciate a few of the apps that work better with her iPhone?

Nevertheless, I’ve updated my MacBook Air M2 (zero problems with it) to a discounted M5 that should have enough memory (16GB vs 8GB) to keep the out-of-memory problem from haunting me when running IB’s Trader Workstation. Besides, it is a great computer for $949 at Costco (plus whatever bonus cash back we are awarded). 😉 

Category: Apple, Computer, Shopping, Technology | No Comments »
Tags: apple, costco, macbook air m5, notebook, sale, update, upgrade

Posted By RichC on April 17, 2026

A recent drop in price for the MacBook Air M5 notebook computer has triggered my tech shopping interest. Earlier this year, my MacBook Air M2 started showing signs that the 8GB of memory is struggling to run the multiple browsers, tabs and 5 spaces/desktops.I also run an external USB-C powered display that runs my Interactive Brokers Trader Workstation (stock/options tickers and chart windows).

The other problem is that Brenda’s Samsung Chromebook is no longer supported by Google’s Android and so I “was” planning to convert it to a Linux notebook — I can guarantee she will not like that. So the thinking is to take advantage of the lower price for the M5 with 16GB of memory and set up the M2 for her, even if she’ll have to get used to not having a touchscreen. 

Perhaps it is time for me to “sell her” on the idea? 

MacBook Air M5 in Midnight color

Category: Apple, Computer, Shopping, Technology | No Comments »
Tags: amazon, apple store, costco, m2, m5, macbook air, tech friday, techfriday, upgrade

Posted By RichC on April 16, 2026

I might give this a try when my granddaughters come down for their summer visit. 😊

Category: Humor, Sports, Video | No Comments »
Tags: .mp4, baseball, fishing, kids, lazy

Posted By RichC on April 15, 2026

The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act – known as the SAVE Act or SAVE America Act – would require documentary proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections. It has already passed the House and is now before the Senate. Congress should approve it without delay.

The bill amends the National Voter Registration Act to ensure that applicants provide acceptable documents such as a U.S. passport, a REAL ID that indicates citizenship, a military ID with birth records or a birth certificate paired with photo ID. It includes provisions for name changes (like marriage certificates) and allows states to use the Department of Homeland Security’s SAVE database to verify records and maintain accurate voter rolls. Some versions also require photo ID at the polls for federal elections.

The goal is simple: make certain that only U.S. citizens vote in our federal elections.

Federal law already prohibits non-citizens from voting in federal elections, with penalties including fines, imprisonment and deportation. Yet registration currently depends almost entirely on self-attestation under penalty of perjury. That system leaves gaps.

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Category: News, Politics | No Comments »
Tags: commentary, congress, editorial, opinion, safeact, senate, thehustings, us law, voting

Posted By RichC on April 14, 2026

We had a good time “shelling” even though the beach winds were a little more challenging than the Delray Beach, FL spring break normal (sand was on every towel and in every orifice). 😉 

Brenda’s sister Chris and husband Jerry were down for a week … and are beach “diggers” (for shells) … unlike us – we are walking beach combers (and fast walking at that so I’m sure we miss a lot). Nevertheless, we all are happy with this years’ finds after the 2026 beach renourishment project. 

Besides the smiling photos of our mugs after a windblown day, I’ll include Brenda’s box of shells after our season walking the beach. It is hard to believe we stopped and picked up this many shells … although Brenda would clarify she did most of the picking up (FYI, I did most of the rinsing in the ocean and quality inspection). 😉  Good times! 

Category: Archive, Personal, Photos, Travel | No Comments »
Tags: beach combing, beach renourishment, brenda, chris, delray beach, family, florida, jerry, richc, shells, vacation

Posted By RichC on April 13, 2026

It has been a week of abnormally rainy and windy weather for the Easter spring break folks in Florida this week. Brenda and I have braved the elements (at least it is still in the 70s) and are keeping up with our beach walking now that our time down south is ending. Nevertheless, we are still enjoying it … and each other’s company. 😉 

Weather aside, I’ve been humming and singing a few lines of “My Girl” while walking … to a singing along with my wife adding the harmony. It was an ear worm all last week so for Music Monday, here’s The Temptations version of the song Smokey Robinson wrote thinking about his wife. It was The Temptations first number-one single back in 1964 (lyrics below). 
 

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Category: Music, Video, Weather | No Comments »
Tags: 1964, beach, earworm, florida, music monday, musicmonday, my girl, smokey robinson, the temptations, walking, wikipedia

Posted By RichC on April 12, 2026

There have been plastic snap on or wire paint can gadgets to eliminate dripping and prep your brush, but very few tips are as inexpensive and disposable as this painter tape hack. 

Category: Advice, Tidbits, Tools, Video | No Comments »
Tags: filler, handyman, paint brush, painters, painters tape, painting, tape, tictok, tips