RichC | February 14, 2012
Once again we are faced with the dreaded Saint Valentine’s Day … well “dreaded” for those of us men who fall short in the thoughtfulness category, or end up buying the cheesy and over-marketed box of chocolates, flowers or — gulp — jewelry. Thankfully I have a wife who isn’t all that difficult to please […]
RichC | January 16, 2012
There are only a handful of leaders that come along in one’s lifetime and for my generation, one of them is Martin Luther King, Jr (January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968). Most know the history of Mr. King and the civil rights movement around challenging the laws particularly in the south, but I enjoyed a […]
RichC | December 26, 2011
I’m really NOT depressed that Christmas is over … actually quite relieved … but the time with family did go fast, way too fast. We were fortunate that the Corbett side of the family was able to be together at our house on Christmas day. The weather held and gave all who drove excellent roads […]
RichC | December 25, 2011
Since I didn’t post anything on Christmas day this year, I’ll add this short heartwarming story from CBS a few days late (video below). It is a wonderful Christmas story and might just bring a few tears to your eyes.
RichC | December 24, 2011
Almost all companies have customer service issues and what separates the successful from the not-so-successful is how they are able to recover with the least amount of pain. One example this year is Best Buy who in the past was one of my least favorite retailers. During their pre-Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Cyber Monday store […]
RichC | December 23, 2011
Can I sail through the changing ocean tides Can I handle the seasons of my life? Landslide – Stevie Nicks in 2007 (originally 1975) We didn’t put that much time or effort into including a thoughtful letter with our Christmas cards this year, instead we merely included a collage of photos (below). That said we […]
RichC | December 19, 2011
Fun new winter Google Easter Egg similar to the partial archived list from an earlier post … “Let it snow.” Also thought I’d include the tasty looking Christmas cookies my daughter made … unfortunately she is taking them to work and not bring them too me!
RichC | November 30, 2011
Its good to archive a few photos from a family gathering … in this case Thanksgiving at my brother’s house last week. Besides enjoying the time with family, we checked out the new man-toy in Ron’s barn – a new John Deere mower. A few new markers for the 2011 Thanksgiving holiday: the “no […]
RichC | November 24, 2011
Who would have thought that we would adopt the folksy term Turkey Day for Thanksgiving considering the first pilgrims and Wampanoaq Indians most likely didn’t serve turkey. I figured there might have been Wild Turkey? Perhaps not according to most historians. The account we have of the feast — Mourt’s Relation by Edward Winslow and […]
RichC | November 11, 2011
My son made his father proud today by recognizing Veterans Day 11/11/11 in this way … he posted a nice note to his Facebook page.
RichC | September 5, 2011
It is odd how my “simple mind” works when contemplating a blog post on Labor Day. As I grappled with the history of the holiday, my thoughts drifted to present day directional changes our country is making – some reminiscent of the reasons that triggered our end of summer holiday. In reading about our nation’s […]
RichC | July 4, 2011
As we reflect on what it took to lay the foundation of our country and the courage so many have demonstrated over the years, let’s continue to celebrate and defend this great experiment known world over as American democracy. Happy 4th of July. Interestingly fact … On July 4, 1826, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson […]
RichC | May 30, 2011
I’m remembering the honor trip I took with my father and brother to Washington DC with WWII and Korea veterans last year this Memorial Day weekend. I hope you all enjoy a safe holiday and remember those who died protecting and defending our freedoms and this great nation. I’m including a little video below from […]
RichC | December 24, 2010
I’m a Christian and make an effort to keep “Christ in Christmas” … but I do my best to be sensitive to other religions going out of my way to send Hanukkah cards to my Jewish friends and ease off offending those that I know have strong objections to the Christian faith and our desire […]
RichC | December 13, 2010
This weekend got away from me partially because there were a few too many reminders that technology, computer use, business and the Internet often overtakes family and face to face time. First, my daughter was home after one of her many interviews for her residency next year. She was upbeat and positive about almost every […]
RichC | November 27, 2010
With Brenda’s dad’s rehabilitation coming along fairly successfully, our family was thankful to be able to be with both Mom and Dad Howard for Thanksgiving this year. Although the time was short, we made the most of it and celebrate a challenging year giving thanks for all the blessings. Beside being able to take him […]
RichC | November 11, 2010
While contemplating how to best comment on Veterans Day this year, I’ve decided that I would detour my trip home tonight and stop in to thank my dad in person for his service in Korea. Although in the past he generally avoided even acknowledging it, in recent years he and his fellow veterans have become […]
RichC | July 5, 2010
America’s Independence Day marks the day our family (well … me really) puts up a new flag. Usually the old flag makes it about a year, although a few of the cheaper ones have deteriorated much quicker. I’ve pretty much decided that the stitched and embroidered nylon flags hold up the best. The pile of […]
RichC | July 4, 2010
I’m a bit frustrated with myself for acting like a “doom and gloomer” lately. I think I’ve been spending too much time filling my head with the partisan personalities on the radio and TV who are focused on everything that is wrong in America. I didn’t like it for 8 years when it came from […]
RichC | May 5, 2010
As the population of the United States continues to expand, particularly with those of Mexican ancestry, Cinco de Mayo celebrations are becoming more and more popular in all parts of the United States. Not a single American I asked knew why May 5th has become such a popular day of celebration for all Americans (me […]
RichC | February 14, 2010
Men … how about a little humor from Tim Hawkins as we remember to wish those we love a Happy Valentine’s Day. Just to be clear — my advice is to avoid ‘all’ the pitfalls he sings about! 😀
RichC | February 2, 2010
After hearing that the meteorological groundhog known as Punxsutawney Phil woke to see his shadow for Groundhog Day and predicted 6 more weeks of winter, I decided to check with our visiting rodent “Pumpy Umpy.” Although he’s a rabbit and not a groundhog, and just visiting from NE Ohio while my daughter spends a couple […]
RichC | December 22, 2009
It’s not all bad news as we wrap up 2009. Americans have been criticized for their unhealthy eating habits and rightly so, but there are a few abused items that are getting a green light. The silver lining for those who drink, is that studies are suggesting that certain favorite drinks are medically helpful, some […]
RichC | December 18, 2009
The house is now decorated, the kids home (or almost home) from college, snow is in the forecast and Christmas is a mere week away. As we reflect on the scrabble to get everything right for the celebration this season, let’s not get so overly wrapped up in the preparation that we lose sight of […]
RichC | December 3, 2009
While doing a little research on the Advent Wreath for family devotions this past weekend, I came across an interesting article that I wanted to share and archive. Although I’m not Catholic, one would have thought I would have known a bit more about the pre-Christian and pre-Protestant history. I’ll include a couple paragraphs from […]
RichC | December 28, 2008
Once again my Treo smart phone ’email to blog’ didn’t post correctly while visiting family in New York state. A couple posts were missed, but I’ll quickly upload at least this one family photo for posterity sake. It is from the Howard Bowl 2008 and shows the well trampled field (my father-in-laws lawn) after our […]
RichC | May 26, 2008
Although I’m not rewriting my Memorial Day post (frustrated that it has been lost after I posted Sunday night — grrr), I will include the 11 minute clip from CBS telling the history of Arlington Memorial Cemetery. On Monday, President Bush paid tribute to America’s service personnel who died in service to their country at […]
RichC | May 11, 2008
This might seem odd, but a new Royal Star Magnolia (Stellata Magnolia) is a gift that made my wife happy on Mother’s Day — photo and post from Palm Treo. (EDIT: tweaked post Sunday afternoon) Happy Mother’s Day Brenda … and to all mothers reading this. (in fact I think I’ll give ‘my’ mother a […]
RichC | December 24, 2007
Last night my wife and I enjoyed reading the small Max Lucado coffee table book “One Incredible Moment” in front of our Christmas Tree. Although the book was published in 2006, the segment included below, Mary’s Prayer, was originally part of the Lucado book “God Came Near.” As you prepare for your Christmas celebration and […]
RichC | November 30, 2007
It is sort of a tradition in our family to add a few odds and ends to the Christmas tree — this year we’ll add some ‘cotton’ I picked up on my way back through Alabama on this past week’s trip. I’ll also include two quick photos as I spent a morning in Destin and […]
RichC | December 26, 2006
Christmas has been hectic as usual around our house. We’ve been entertaining and enjoying the festivities including time with our extended families. (which isn’t going to end until after the New Year!) This year was special for my son as you might have noticed above; Santa brought him a ‘car’ … I’m not sure how […]
RichC | December 23, 2006
To celebrate the Christmas season, Brenda (my wife) suggested (to my moaning) that we go as a family to see the Nutcracker performed by the Cincinnati Ballet. I’m probably the only ‘guy’ in America groaning about spending $50 a ticket to go to the ballet … right???
RichC | November 23, 2006
Happy Thanksgiving. Here’s a refresher story. The Pilgrims who sailed to this country aboard the Mayflower were originally members of the English Separatist Church (a Puritan sect). They had earlier fled their home in England and sailed to Holland (The Netherlands) to escape religious persecution. There, they enjoyed more religious tolerance, but they eventually became […]
RichC | September 12, 2006
I’ve been planning my comment regarding the 5 anniversary of 9/11 just like everyone else, but fear there is no way to do it properly. How does one respectfully acknowledge the murder of 3000 ordinary citizens without getting angry and showings one’s bias? Initially I was going to just do a somber reflection, but as […]
RichC | May 29, 2006
Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day and began to be observed on May 30th, 1868 to commemorate the sacrifies of Civil War soldiers. It was declared a General Order No. 11 by General John A. Logan May 5, 1868. The General Order stated: “The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose […]
RichC | April 16, 2006
The weather here in Cincinnati has take a sudden switch to summer this past week as both the temperature and humidity are as if it were July or August. As I left the VA Hospital complex in Dayton, Ohio I decided to drive the slowly through the cemetery and take the long way back to […]
RichC | December 20, 2005
Originally MyArchive.us was a place to archive documents, photos, etc but eventually became a much more public (yet personal) blog (richc.myarchive.us and finally MyDesultoryBlog.com). As the daily public shares grew, it became difficult to decide what to share and what to exclude. As our family grew older, it became easier to include them in “family” oriented posts […]
RichC | December 19, 2005