A dozen pool crashers after the heavy rain

| September 2, 2013

Happy Birthday wishes for Brenda via FaceTime video

| August 14, 2013

Before I’m accused of forgetting my wife’s birthday, I didn’t (Whew) … but am posting here a couple days late. I think this is the first time we used a video call instead of a phone call as a way to connect with someone for a birthday, at least with a photo (we used FaceTime […]

Met up with a high school/college friend after 30+ years

| August 11, 2013

Thanks to Facebook, I had a chance to meet up with a friend from high school (and grad school) that I haven’t seen in 30+ years. We had a mutual love for photography and both headed in different directions after school. She married and moved to Cincinnati and I married and started life in Cleveland. […]

A couple mid-summer house photos

| August 6, 2013

It has been absolutely beautiful weather with cooler than normal temperatures and sunny days. I’m shocked to be cutting grass that is still green and impressed how nice it looks for August. By this time of year the front lawn is usually a yellow brown and the stripes of our leech bed pretty obvious … […]

Enjoying a Nathan’s hotdog!

| August 4, 2013

Brenda and her mom enjoying a near perfect day in Cincinnati (West Chester) having a Nathan’s hotdog. EDIT: The original image was tinted so red from under the umbrella that I opted to go black and white for a change.

An update on my Sperry Topsider boat shoe insoles

| August 1, 2013

Last year I animadverted about the inserts in my boat shoes and recently noticed that my August 2012 post was a recent MyDesultoryBlog’s top five … according to Google Analytics. Considering it is a top 5, it might be time for a boat shoe update? Boat shoes are a go to shoe in our house […]

Branch trimming the easy way – send Taylor up the tree!

| July 30, 2013

I watched Taylor climbing pine trees in order to cut of a few dead branches and started to wonder if he was going to cut the ones below him … the ones he needed to climb back down. Besides the odds and end chores around the house and yard, we bought new tires for Brenda’s […]

Wedding weekend: Congratulations Keira and Ben!

| July 29, 2013

My brother’s daughter Keira was married this weekend to her “ONU Sweetheart” Ben Ankrom at a nice ceremony and reception in Dayton Ohio – Engagement Announcement (FYI: Sweethearts = Ohio Northern University’s name for alumni couples who marry – which includes Brenda and me). We enjoyed the entire day on Saturday and the friends and […]

Awesome photos from Saturn by Cassini probe

| July 26, 2013

It is difficult not to be in awe by the photos our space probe Cassini has sent back from near our solar systems second largest planet. The first photo shows the distinctive rings of Saturn and the tiny blip that is our planet Earth. The second is enlarged and shows our blue marble being orbited […]

Thinking about sending The Rodent to Columbus

| July 19, 2013

Over the many years Katelyn has had her rabbit, we (well “I”) have been both the temporary and semi-permanent pet-sitter. The little fellow has spent time in our basement (fortunately not when it flooded) and more recently in the poolhouse. I refer Pumpy Umpy affectionately as “The Rodent” and have actually grown somewhat attached to […]

The floor of the Mercedes Benz 300D is wet again!

| July 17, 2013

With the heat in the 90s and humidity high this week I noticed the driver side and rear passenger floor in the Mercedes Benz 300D Turbodiesel soaking wet again. A few weeks ago I thought that it might be due to a leak in the windshield gasket or possibly the drain in front as mentioned […]

Cleaned my gutters this morning

| July 6, 2013

Whoa! Lots of summer rain this morning and used the excuse to try a couple more panorama photos with the iPhone 5. I’m not sure how much came down or how fast, but from the water shedding off our back acreage (and neighbors) was significant, at least in Liberty Twp. Ohio. The morning was spend […]

There is a masked man in the garage!

| July 3, 2013

Having July 4th fall on a Thursday this week is creating chaos with my travel schedule. Each appointment scheduling call I’ve made is finding everyone taking a few days off … I should have done the same? Anyway, spending time in town gave me a chance to dust off my TIG welding skills or lack […]

A couple bolts and a couple volts

| June 27, 2013

Impressive super cell photo from Nebraska (www.tonightssky.com) about a week ago. The photo is a sandwich of 2 shots about 9 seconds apart at f/22, 2.5 sec and ISO 100 according to the tech info shared on G+.

An Oahu, Hawaii photo that was too beautiful not to share

| June 20, 2013

Karen Hutton of KarenHuttonPhotography posted a gorgeous photo from Makapu’u Lookout in Oahu, Hawaii yesterday that makes me want to return to Hawaii. (our 2006 trip) Her description was nice too: I could almost see the curvature of the earth on the horizon… it was dizzying! And wonderful, and blue, green, gorgeous and stunning. I […]

A couple crazy ladies are coming our way

| June 14, 2013

This content is restricted.

A happy birthday to Taylor and my new diver certification card

| June 10, 2013

My son Taylor and I celebrated his 24th birthday today since we were both at home. We went to Chili’s, a favorite spot of his (well mine too) and they treated him to a birthday desert … on top of ribs and of course chips and salsa. Mail call was also interesting today as my […]

Well done, good and faithful servant – Matthew 25:23

| June 7, 2013

Life returning to “normal” doesn’t feel right after being with family and friends for the funeral and burial of Dr. Frederick Howard, Brenda’s father – I’m not sure when I will realize that he is gone. We remembered dad’s life through stories and humor this past week and as Christians, knowing he is now truly […]

This Key Lime Pie photo was suppose to post yesterday …

| May 28, 2013

I still don’t have my Postie WordPress plug-in working from my iPhone, hmm?  So I’ll re-post the photo of the delicious Memorial Day pie that my wife made, since we still have one pie left for tonight. Mmm, it is THAT good  … and a long with the corn on the cob signifies that summer […]

The grave marker for my mom on Memorial Day

| May 27, 2013

Although Memorial Day is one where we remember and honor those who have sacrificed their lives for our country and our freedom, this year I’m remembering my mom who died 5 months ago since her grave marker was set in time for Memorial Day. I think spending a little time there with my dad helped […]

Hard to beat photos of aircraft landing in St. Maartin

| May 19, 2013

Great series of 13 photos from St. Maartin’s Princess Juliana International Airport on Weather.com this month where Maho Beach-goers get up close and personal with landing aircraft (one of many posted short videos below).

Removing too many parts from the Mercedes at one time

| May 18, 2013

  I’ve been taking too many things apart and not putting them back together fast enough, so before I go any further, I think I’ll put some new parts back on? (forgetting where all my parts are from and where they go) I’m okay with working on brakes, rotors and wheel bearing, although I’m having […]

ISS Chris Hadfield’s photo “A New Dawn” last week

| May 17, 2013

Happy Birthday to Katelyn, my married daughter

| May 14, 2013

Just saying “married” and seeing these photos is making me feel old! I’m posting a couple brother-sister photos from our family trip to Montana back in 1999 and this past weekend. That day was about Taylor so we purposely didn’t mention Katelyn’s upcoming birthday. This year, I won’t be seeing Katelyn for her birthday, but […]

A Miami University graduation milestone for Taylor

| May 12, 2013

We proudly celebrated my son Taylor’s Miami University’s college graduation this weekend at Yager Stadium in Oxford Ohio and later with more family downtown Cincinnati for dinner. Brenda and I enjoyed seeing our son and his fellow college graduates in their caps and gowns enter the stadium, even if the weather was on the cooler […]

Panorama of Miami Graduation (iPhone 5 attempt)

| May 11, 2013

EDIT: Attempted an iPhone5 panorama photo on Saturday and assume the photo size was too larger for the limited Sprint 3G service?)

Looking good — well at least the bride and groom were!

| May 3, 2013

The first 50 professional wedding photos from Shuey Mills Photography have trickled in to be reviewed. I know I’m not suppose to be sharing the previews, but can’t help myself and will include two, ok THREE since they are so good (but here were a few photos from our guests – thanks for sharing on […]

Visiting with Katelyn and Drew – the newlyweds

| April 28, 2013

We drove Brenda’s parents home to western New York last week and opening the farmhouse after a week or so of staying with us in Cincinnati. They were glad to finally get home from Florida. Brenda and I then hitched up the trailer and headed up to Columbus for Saturday. Our project was centered around […]

Aerial slideshow from Katelyn and Drew’s Wedding day

| April 23, 2013

After the big wedding weekend (4/13/2013), my daughter Katelyn and husband Drew, no longer fiancé Drew, left the Savannah Center in a helicopter for a short flight looping counter-clockwise from West Chester, Ohio. They circles south over downtown Cincinnati, the Ohio River and then looped back north over Kings Island, Mason, our house in Liberty […]

Spring as sprung and flowers are blossoming everywhere

| April 22, 2013

Although we were hoping the tulips would be in bloom for Katelyn and Drew’s wedding (tulips for the “Dutch” Oostra … not that it mattered), they didn’t quite start blossoming until the other day. In fact everything is now blooming and the smells are fantastic.       Even the less desirable “flowers!” (below)

Photo booth image, although the subjects are questionable

| April 21, 2013

The photo booth at Katelyn and Drew’s wedding was a lot of fun … and very well done.

Close accident call for me today – Liberty Township, Ohio

| April 20, 2013

While stopping at our local Tractor Supply today I felt I had a somewhat close call to an accident at the corner of Liberty-Fairfield and Hamilton-Middletown (Rt 4) today in Liberty Township – a few minutes sooner. I said a prayer for those being helped by the paramedics they were extracted from their upside down […]

Happy Birthday to my mother-in-law

| April 18, 2013

We still feel like we are in recovery mode and are trying to return to semi-normal life since the wedding. Katelyn and Drew are both back at work after their “mini-moon” to a luxury cabin here in Ohio … with eventual plans for a week long honeymoon as time permits (probably in the fall). Mom […]

What a great wedding photo!

| April 16, 2013

Monday is April 15th TAX day. I wish it wasn’t so.

| April 15, 2013

I had the best of intentions to update my blog regarding the special "wedding weekend," but between clean-up, wrap-up, rest-up and spending the weekend with family (Brenda’s parents staying with us) … AND of all things an April 15th TAX day Monday, I’m wiped out.  I’m way behind on the pleasurable post detailing my daughter’s […]

The Big Wedding: Introducing Katelyn and Drew Oostra

| April 14, 2013

The day was perfect for Katelyn and Drew’s wedding and the evening before was equally as nice for the rehearsal … and the most appreciated rehearsal dinner, hosted by the Oostra’s at Jags. I can’t speak highly enough of Barb and Randy … and Drew’s two brother’s Carson and Tyler (right); Katelyn is very blessed […]

The Wedding Wagon is done

| April 10, 2013

Well, the wagon was actually done last weekend but I’m short on time this week and figured that I would post this as a filler.

Archive: Reminiscing with Katelyn before her wedding

| April 6, 2013

It is a busy spring weekend around our house trying to get a few thing in order before the big day next Saturday … 4.13.13 – Katelyn and Drew’s wedding. Lots to get done before I put on the tux (picked it up already) and walk my daughter down the aisle; it is hard to […]

Closing in on Katelyn and Drew’s wedding – less than 2 weeks!

| April 1, 2013

With the weather improving and Katelyn and Drew’s wedding only two weeks away, expect fewer blog posts. Katelyn was home again for Easter weekend and we enjoyed our time together working on programs, etc. I’ve continued to plug away at my wagon project and am beginning to wonder what I was thinking waiting until the […]

Opened the pool this weekend … before the snow started

| March 24, 2013

I took advantage of a nice Saturday afternoon to open the pool before the snow started on Sunday. I’m adding water at the moment and am watching the snow at the moment … maybe I should take a swim? I’ve finally got the hang of closing with the right chemistry which makes turning things on […]

A new iMac, but losing a display shelf by retiring my CRTs

| March 23, 2013

Taylor’s ceramic artwork “given to me” from 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th grade One would think that I would look forward to replacing a couple old computers, the pile of wires and CRT monitors with a new 27” iMac 3.4ghz i7  computer … well yes and no. It certainly is well past time to retire […]

No offense intended – I skipped posting on Katelyn’s shower

| March 18, 2013

  Cupcakes | Madison and Katelyn with game board Well just because I didn’t include commentary or photos from Katelyn’s wedding shower this past Saturday, doesn’t mean it wasn’t important; I can take a hint and will include a few of Brenda’s snapshots over lunch today (sorry if I missed someone). As the subject line […]

A very fun bachelor party for Drew and Tyler

| March 17, 2013

Katelyn’s fiancé Drew invited both his dad and me to join his groomsmen to a full day of fun in Columbus for his bachelor party (it was also his brother Tyler’s bachelor party – almost the same guys. Left to right below: Colin, Tyler, Rich, Taylor, Drew, Randy and Carson). We started by meeting for […]

Can you tell which image was computer generated?

| March 9, 2013

    Do we need “real” models nowadays? All of these images were computer generated. Computer artists have the ability to generate realistic looking images that look as good as most retouched professional photos. (click for larger) LINK

Overnight snow is slowing down the morning

| March 6, 2013

We received a good 6 inches of wet snow last night proving it is still winter in March. I was able to beat the street snow plow and finish the driveway before the street was cleared making for a slow start to the day.

Thinking spring and about the good times hiking with the kids

| March 5, 2013

The weekend visit with my daughter Katelyn and her fiancé Drew left me scanning in a few more photos that they want to use in the wedding – yikes, a little more than a month away! The photo above, although not one that they are using, reminded me of the good times we had hiking […]

Are we ready to put carpet down again?

| February 27, 2013

The carpet for the basement was delivered today … are we going to stay dry? The whole wet basement thing has me a little nervous about putting it all back together before spring weather.

Home repair and wedding projects continue this weekend

| February 23, 2013

Although I’m not really accomplishing much this Saturday morning, I am working on a few projects. Little things like setting the type and printing the dinner menus (PDF) for Katelyn and Drew’s wedding and creating the type mask for a sign project are going ok, but without the basement workshop being back together, it is […]

Nice camping display at the local Honda dealer

| February 22, 2013

After enduring a month of idiot lights flashing on and off on my Honda Pilot and having my local mechanic shrug his shoulders, it was time to pay the $45 to have the dealer check it out. So this afternoon I diligently waited at the local Honda dealership while they pondered the problem. A couple […]

Let the basement repairs begin!

| February 20, 2013

I arrived home tonight to progress in repairing our finished basement. It was great to see such a speedy response from both my insurance company (Liberty Mutual) and the re-construction company (Paul Davis). Who knows, at this speed we may be back to normal by March?

Snow sculpture: a final Posterous post

| February 19, 2013

A few more photos are on my WordPress.com AliasMyDesultoryBlog Posted via email from closed blogging site Posterous

Mid-February flower bulbs and wedding invitation stamps

| February 19, 2013

I forgot to add a couple of photos from Katelyn and Drew’s visit this weekend in order to finish up their wedding invitations … of course we all forgot that the Post Office was close Monday — Presidents’ Day. I suppose one more day won’t hurt? Also noticed the new bulbs are popping up already […]

Archive: 40 year old photos of our house and dog Skippy

| February 13, 2013

I’m on a roll in posting a few old photos and still in the reminiscing mood, so figured I’d archive a couple more black and whites. These are from my home darkroom when I started photography as a hobby in junior high school. We’re starting to pack things back in boxes again so the boring […]

Finding a few photos of an old friend, his canoe and VW Bug

| February 12, 2013

It’s not fun drying out our basement, but I am enjoying finding long lost photos. Here’s one of a canoe trip (one of many) taken during a 1977 spring trip to the Whitewater River in Indiana with Charlie “Kamakaze” Matthews. We spent our free time both canoeing and sailing when we were in high school […]

Come on in, the water is fine! Can you say “feeding frenzy?”

| February 11, 2013

It’s nice sun filled and warm day in Cincinnati today … although I don’t think it is pool time just yet. Would you like to go swimming with these “fishies?” (Click for larger) Photo credit: Photographer unknown

My daughter’s wedding approaches – where does the time go?

| February 10, 2013

While drying hundreds if not thousands of photos after our basement flooding this past week, the memories have been both great … and have pulled my heartstrings. I’ve scanned a few photos this afternoon to share (they were pre-digital) and reminded me just how many years have past … and how fast those years have […]

My depressing and nonstop day going through wet boxes

| February 9, 2013

If you have ever experience a flooded basement, you know what I’m doing today … well this entire weekend and well into next week! It has been a busy, nonstop day hauling up soggy boxes and one of the few days that I’m sure Brenda is glad to be working! I’m kicking myself for the […]

Basement woes – we should just get a big dumpster

| February 8, 2013

   What a mess! As we continue the “dry out” process for the basement after the failed BlueMax water pipe, our piles of basement stored possessions is making me rethink the material lifestyle we live. From Barbie dolls to “antique” computer gear … why did we buy so much and why are we packing up […]

Beaches, sunshine and the Superbowl

| February 3, 2013

Sunday afternoon was another lazy day at the beach relaxing in the beautiful Florida sunshine before heading back to my in-laws for wings, pizza and the Superbowl. Since we are from the east coast and the Ravens are in our division (Bengals, Browns), we’re pulling for them. So far, we haven’t been disappointed as they […]

As Harold says, “You’re being watched” … and indeed I am!

| January 29, 2013

While packing my travel bag in the closet this morning, I had the feeling I was being watched … and no, not quite like CBS’s "Person of Interest," one of our favorite TV shows btw, but … Lo and behold, a couple of Brenda’s little "beady" eyed "beany" somethings were looking up at me from […]

Desultory - des-uhl-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee

  1. lacking in consistency, constancy, or visible order, disconnected; fitful: desultory conversation.
  2. digressing from or unconnected with the main subject; random: a desultory remark.
My Desultory Blog