RichC | February 14, 2026
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner—February 14th—and whether you’re celebrating with a special someone, friends, family, or just treating yourself, it’s a day all about love and connection. But where did it all start? The holiday has surprisingly ancient roots. It began as a Christian feast day honoring Saint Valentine, a martyr (likely a […]
RichC | February 13, 2026
I don’t know much about Crustafarianism or The Church of Molt besides what I read in a financial newsletter, but decided to ask Grok to fill me in. Yikes … we’re living in a brave new world. Hmm … a reminder that I’ve never read Aldous Huxley’s dystopian novel from 1932, “Brave New World.” The […]
RichC | February 5, 2026
When I was 16 years old, I ogled the Datsun Lil’ Hustler pickup truck and would dream of traveling around the country camping and sleeping on a mattress in the back. Oh … to be young and dreaming again. 😊 Social media automotive friends has me remembering growing up in the 1970s when they posted […]
RichC | February 1, 2026
The social media feed and blog BrilliantMaps.com has appeared a few times on MDB. I’m always drawn to maps as a way to visualize topics and information. Here’s one that surveys both the World and Europe and if they Believe in Life after Death. (beside to click on each map for a larger view […]
RichC | January 25, 2026
Last week I was reading automotive journalist George Straton’s review (a friend on X.com) on the Ford F-150 Raptor and he used the term “dromaeosaurid” in his article. Assuming it had something to do with a dinosaur reference, I still needed to look it up in order to feel educated. Perhaps I’m not the only […]
RichC | January 24, 2026
In an era of political polarization, it’s crucial to examine how nations can swiftly embrace socialist or communist systems, and how hard it is to reverse course without robust democratic mechanisms like free, fair elections. Historical examples from the USSR, Cuba, and Venezuela show how quickly charismatic leaders who promise equality and prosperity can consolidate […]
RichC | January 16, 2026
Can you tell if this “Cow Jumped Over the Moon” image has been manipulated (Photoshopped), AI generated or is a real photo? You are exactly right. From the human eye alone, it is now often impossible to be certain, especially with images like this that sit right at the boundary between coincidence, editing, and AI […]
RichC | January 13, 2026
The WyzeCam came through in trying to figure out where a letter disappeared to. After tracking her steps, Brenda could not find a letter and check that needed to be delivered. She knew that she had taken it with her, but couldn’t find it (it happens to all of us). So after checking multiple times […]
RichC | January 11, 2026
The advantage of having a social media presence is that I’m never at a loss for posting something on MyDesultoryBlog! 😊
RichC | January 7, 2026
While this is not exactly a new map (1980-2014), the “Average Length of Winter in Days” in North America likely doesn’t change all that much. Still, the BrilliantMaps repost of it in December makes it interesting, at least to me, as we hibernate this January 2026.
RichC | January 6, 2026
I think about my granddaughters every morning when I go through a Seinfeld-like routine (“about nothing”) when I pick one of the three Kellogg’s cereal bowls out of the dishwasher or cupboard. It’s only a silent mental routine by me in “hoping” I pick “Tony the Tiger” bowl, the kids favorite bowl. The morning or […]
RichC | January 4, 2026
As someone who has spent most of their career dealing with “graphic design” in one way or another after 40 years working at Consolidated Printing and Publishing Co, this sign on the door struck me as humorous. We can only hope it isn’t real? On a non-humorous note, I found my K4RDC (amateur radio) U.S. […]
RichC | January 1, 2026
J.K. Rowling, born Joanne Kathleen Rowling on July 31, 1965, in Yate, England, is the acclaimed British author of the Harry Potter series, which has sold over 600 million copies worldwide and been translated into more than 85 languages. Inspired to write the series during a delayed train journey in 1990, she completed the first […]
RichC | December 31, 2025
I saw this on social media and thought it was worthy of archiving as we close out 2025 … and is a bit political … so beware. 😉 Larry Page: “Elon is one of the people who genuinely understands physics and applies it.” Sergey Brin: “Elon is someone who thinks extremely deeply about hard technical […]
RichC | December 27, 2025
Really just cleaning out my folder of “things I’ve saved” because at the time I thought they were interesting. First up, a newspaper clipping point to “Theodore Roosevelt’s ideas on Immigrants being American” from 1907. His point that “any man who says he is an American, but something else, isn’t an American at all.” I […]
RichC | December 23, 2025
A regular social media Ohio guy that I follow on X.com always posts and asks interesting things dealing with people who still clearly remember the 1970 and 80s. A question and photo asked: “Are you this old? Hmm 😒 🤔?¿” (followed by a can of “3-in-One” oil”) Fortunately or unfortunately … I am not only that […]
RichC | December 20, 2025
Democrats are suddenly discovering “affordability” as their new talking point now that Republicans control the White House and Congress. It’s a remarkable pivot—after four years of presiding over the worst inflation in four decades, they’re lecturing Americans about the cost of living. The record is unambiguous: consumer prices rose cumulatively by more than 21% during […]
RichC | December 18, 2025
It is interesting how when you are older, and as years pass, that items we have don’t age the same as they did when we were younger? Take for example clothes, I can put on a 10+ year old piece of clothing nowadays and still think that it is relatively new. Kitchen appliances are that […]
RichC | December 14, 2025
Have you ever tried to read (or listen to) the Bible in one year? Last year, Brenda and I started the process of “listening to” the Bible being spoken to us every night. We have been surprisingly consistent and good about it and are nearly finished … although I haven’t counted down the days yet […]
RichC | December 13, 2025
AFTER a photo from my daughter, who was very proud of her husband, and his “Teaching Excellence” award a few days ago (we are very proud of you too, Drew) … I’m going to comment on happiness in America (see previous personal post). First, and for the record, my family makes me happy, very happy. Perhaps […]
RichC | December 13, 2025
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RichC | December 10, 2025
A couple of automotive “oldies” crossed my interests this week. One of them was of course on my automotive social media feed, but another pulled from an old magazine in my workshop. First, the Earl Scheib sign and left me remembering the annoying voice and advertising from the 1970s and 80s: “Hi, I’m Earl Scheib, […]
RichC | November 27, 2025
Earlier this week, I heard Thanksgiving prayers and greetings from several with different backgrounds and religions … all were U.S. based, except the one from Israel. It struck me as somewhat unique in how those outside America respect our holiday of Thanksgiving. I’ve even heard that it is a growing trend for other countries to […]
RichC | November 26, 2025
The cost to live comfortably in Ohio varies by household size, but it remains among the more affordable states nationwide (see UpgradedPoints). The new study using cost-of-living data and the 50/30/20 budgeting rule shows what families and individuals need to earn to maintain a comfortable yet sustainable lifestyle across Ohio in 2025. What Does “Living […]
RichC | November 23, 2025
There was article regarding The Joy of Doing Nothing in the WSJ’s Lifestyle section on retirement last week … which forces the question “when to actually retire” and “how to actually retire?” One of the comments triggered a mental debate on slogan that get reversed, depending on who you are talking to: “It is better […]
RichC | November 15, 2025
You know that you are getting older when “your kids” send you slang “their kids” are using. Yikes! Well last week, Katelyn asked if I’ve ever heard the slang term “67” … just “six-seven” … not sixty-seven. It must be a “thing” since according to Dictionary.com it is their “Word of the year” for 2025. […]
RichC | November 8, 2025
In keeping with yesterday’s “a day behind” theme, the Tech Friday post for this week will be “a day late.” Instead of on Friday … it will be on Saturday this week; I’ll hopefully catch up and will try not to make this a trend. 😊 As the dawn of the automobile did to the […]
RichC | November 2, 2025
Brenda and I were “emotionally” invested in the very competitive 2025 World Series. Having watched nearly every game of the playoffs … and all 7 nail-biting World Series games, gave us time to learn more about the teams and players. We pick favorites and I even found myself nicknaming them. After the final pitch late […]
RichC | October 31, 2025
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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 […]
RichC | October 1, 2025
RichC | September 22, 2025
Even those who didn’t know Charlie Kirk, now know who he was and the impact he had particularly on young college age students through his Turning Point USA organization. As an outspoken Christian, he has inspired young people to challenge the secular direction of our society and his assassination illustrates how deep the political and […]
RichC | September 20, 2025
I saw a story being passed around on social media and because I enjoy Mike Rowe’s story telling AND tear drop campers short post made me smile (I could build one on my trailer someday?). Besides, it is a way to add some Markdown text to my hugo.brenich.com practice website and a link Mike’s Pretty Good […]
RichC | September 11, 2025
Each September 11th, we pause to remember. We remember the lives lost, the families changed forever, and a nation that was shaken to its core. For me, the memories are still vivid. That morning I was glued to CNBC while getting my son ready for the bus and off to Independence Elementary School. We both […]
RichC | August 24, 2025
The older I get, the more clutter I collect … yet I still can’t stop the habits that have stayed with me my entire life. After clearing out our parents homes a decade ago, it was obvious that genetically the depression era “can’t throw away” trait was passed down to me. I still find myself […]
RichC | August 17, 2025
The Little Critter book title reads … “Just Me and My Dad” (the photo above just a few years ago) … but as I mentioned a decade ago after DadC’s memorial service … he planted the wisdom of Proverb 22:6 in the way he lived his life. “Train up a child in the way he should go: and […]
RichC | August 16, 2025
Earlier this month while sending a few quick text messages back and forth, I started to type the message “for all intensive purposes” to my brother when my iPhone started a predictive typing suggestion: “for all intents and purposes.” Hm .. so down the rabbit hole I jumped. According to Merriam-Webster … In a 1546 […]
RichC | August 14, 2025
Previously I added the chart below to a filler post and contemplated posting something to TheHustings.news … but instead wanted to test the “HTML coding ability” of ChatGPT. The AI was “so-so” … but required WAY too much tweaking on my part and ChatGPT adding 3-failed (404) links is unacceptable (highlight below). Of course when […]
RichC | August 9, 2025
Since someone commented to me online, knowing that I’ve been tinkering with AI chatbots, “How much should everyday non-business users be paying for artificial intelligence?” I thought to myself and then decided to test the new ChatGPT4o … better known as ChatGPT5 … what “it” thought we should be paying (BTW, ChatGPT5 “really likes designing […]
RichC | July 28, 2025
Some collectors go for muscle cars. Others chase rare diecasts or obscure dealership brochures. But @Car_Guy_Tom? He had a more refined ambition: cornering the global market on Cordoba keychains. It all began on a lazy Sunday morning at a suburban Chicago area garage sale. Nestled between a box of spark plugs and a velvet Elvis […]
RichC | July 25, 2025
Really … there’s no comment or commentary needed. Just watching this baby (and mom) laugh is enough to brighten even the dreariest day. Have a great weekend!
RichC | July 20, 2025
The different Almanac forecasts have always interested me. They always seem to be part mystical science and crafty word selection? Who knows, but I still enjoy reading whatever version of almanacs that are available … but I do miss the paper versions. 😊 Generally, Claude.AI has not been my AI choice … but this question […]
RichC | July 18, 2025
The rise of AI in search and browsing is a double-edged sword. On one hand, AI-powered tools offer efficiency, delivering quick, synthesized answers without the need to navigate multiple websites. For users, this can feel like a leap forward—why sift through links when a chatbot can summarize the best information? However, this convenience comes at […]
RichC | July 17, 2025
I couldn’t help but remember a Memorex tape advertisement that ran in the 1970s for cassette tapes (above) … then in the 1980s for VHS tapes … when seeing the photo below: “Is it live … or is it Memorex?“ What do you think of when you see the shape of this island off the coast […]
RichC | July 16, 2025
After finishing the book “Kent State: An American Tragedy” by Brian VanDeMark last week, it occurred to me that the tensions in the U.S. aren’t all that different today than they were in the late 1960s and 1970s. Radicals on the political left today (we often see Antifa), just as some with like minds did […]
RichC | June 28, 2025
The “pet detected” (???) as the WyzeCam tells me everyday is likely not going to be long for the world. She is a young and a bit too bold in walking around the yard in the afternoon each day. Perhaps it is the heat or just no predators this time of year? Anyway, I enjoy […]
RichC | June 26, 2025
If we are to be honest … every once in a while we notice quirks in our own personalities and habits. I caught myself this past weekend while my son-in-law Drew and I were putting away the dishes from the dishwasher. He has been around long enough to know where we keep plates, bowls, glasses […]
RichC | June 18, 2025
Pulled this off of social media earlier this month and it made me smile. What a great way for a mom to introduce her daughter to a love of the ocean and surfing.
RichC | June 15, 2025
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RichC | June 10, 2025
Although this is a photo from “my” birthday with Taylor and Megan last month, I’m using it for his birthday greeting today — we’ll see him soon (and may add the photo later below?) Nevertheless, Happy Birthday, Taylor, another year has passed. The thought that you are nearly middle age is frightening. I am very […]
RichC | June 4, 2025
As mentioned a few times before, I enjoy the visuals of maps, charts and the globe. One of the social media accounts that I follow on X.com is Brilliantmaps.com. A couple years ago they posted a visual of the country Chile compared to the U.S. and to Europe. Chile is a long, LONG, country. 😊
RichC | June 3, 2025
Here’s a note-taking tidbit from “out in left field” for those of us who have been taking shorthand notes their entire life and have never asked the question — or at least thought about it enough to even ponder the question? When abbreviating the word continued or continue, do you scribble “cont, con’t, cont’d or […]
RichC | June 1, 2025
While Katelyn was home with her family over the Memorial Day weekend, she made a comment about Drew’s hairline while he was swimming in the pool; she used the term “Widow’s Peak“ and it stuck with me as something “desultory” enough for MDB. According to GrokAI (sketched an illustration too): A widow’s peak is a […]
RichC | May 16, 2025
Having tested and used ElevenLabs “text to speech” artificial intelligence software in the past, at newer “Voice Changer” (and clean up) application came available recently. I’m not sure where it might be useful, but I especially liked the “clean up” (removing background noise) and “speaker boost” filter … but unless there is a reason to […]
RichC | May 14, 2025
One never knows the connections that might be made online these days — and not all of them are of the negative variety. I had the pleasure of talking with Bill Rogers from New York who happened to run across my MDB post from 2016 on Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Ed “Too Tall” Freeman […]
RichC | May 13, 2025
Blue collar advocate Mike Rowe was interviewed on the FoxBusiness channel that I monitor daily and mentioned the ongoing crisis of “Men Without Work” … or capable men that have stopped looking for work. He mention the 2017 book by Nicholas Eberstadt and since I’ve always been concerned that since Industrial Education has been discounted […]
RichC | May 9, 2025
Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost on September 14, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois, was elected as the 267th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church on May 8, 2025. His election marks a historic milestone as he becomes the first American to ascend to the papacy. He succeeds Pope Francis, who passed away on April […]
RichC | May 6, 2025
Brenda and I are in the middle of watching a series that aired on PBS in 2017 (I can’t say enjoying) since it is now streaming on Netflix (I know, once upon a time in 2011 I was planning to stop paying for it). 😉 The well done program is a 10-part documentary on the Vietnam […]
RichC | April 22, 2025
RichC | April 12, 2025
Hm … I never realized the original quote was “had” vs the often quoted “have” from Apollo 13 and astronaut Jack Swigert 55 years ago – April 11-17, 1970. “Houston, we have a problem” is a popular phrase that originated during the Apollo 13 mission in 1970. The actual quote was “Okay, Houston, we’ve had […]