RichC | July 15, 2025
Let’s start the archive of weekend photos with our immediate family selfies. Taylor, Megan and Gigi were over to cool off in the pool (before the strong storms hit on Saturday afternoon) while KDAE were up in Michigan for a extended weekend having summer vacation-ish fun. It would be difficult to find a much more […]
RichC | July 6, 2025
If you want to know what Brenda and I did to celebrate the 249th birthday of our country, my answer would be … not all that much. I ended up spraying our lawn for those sod webworms that has become a recent problem (the last 5 years) and then relaxed in the pool with my […]
RichC | July 1, 2025
When you’ve been in a house for 30 years (how is it possible that we built in 1995?), eventually you end up remodeling, replacing and repairing nearly everything. Although I “thought” our house was well-built compared to most, eventually things wear out (replacing plumbing fixtures and valves last month with my granddaughter’s’ help – below) […]
RichC | June 29, 2025
Here a few natural tips to try if you want to keep pests away — it is worth trying!
RichC | June 25, 2025
As a Father’s Day present, I received a very nice coffee table book about Gas Stations. Since I worked at a Sidney, Ohio I-75 gas station as a “pump jockey” when I turned 16 years old, it brought back some great memories of wearing the Shell uniform. I’ve commented a couple times before and still […]
RichC | June 23, 2025
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RichC | June 22, 2025
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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 17, 2025
In the past, dealing with a older dehumidifier seemed as if replacing it was better than repairing it … or dealing with a warranty issue. But this time I’ve opted to fight for a replacement with the manufacturer — ANDTE (in China of course). 😉 That snidely comment aside, they were responsive and polite by […]
RichC | June 9, 2025
A server test over the lunch hour to see if the Linux server is a bit more stable? Yes … it may have been mentioned for Music Monday in the Luke Combs song … “When It Rains, It Pours.” 😉
RichC | June 9, 2025
Let’s go in the country music direction for this week’s Music Monday. I heard a song by Luke Combs called “When It Rains, It Pours” about a month ago and sent myself an email since it immediately appealed to me. There’s not much in the song about Morton Salt, but it did trigger the memory. […]
RichC | June 2, 2025
Although I mentioned the song “When Will I Be Loved” before on Music Monday … with the Linda Ronstadt version and her 1976 live performance in Germany … but didn’t realize that Vince Gill recorded the Everly Brothers song about 20 years later in 1994. Gill’s version was used in the the movie “8 seconds” which […]
RichC | May 29, 2025
This is a blogging test of a MarsEdit feature to include content that is on a different server — a Memorial Day 8-plane backyard formation flyover (it didn’t work). ☹️ Also, an interesting bit of Area-51 “Skunk Works” Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk development trivia: The stealth bomber prototype secretly developed at Area 51 in the […]
RichC | May 27, 2025
FYI, I have zero understanding of climate science beyond knowing that it is a politically loaded topic. I’ve tried to remain balanced on pollution vs economic issues my entire life — advocating for saving the whales, birds and manatees and for clean water and air in the 1960-70s when human offensives were clearly noticeable … […]
RichC | May 26, 2025
Although Memorial Day posts have generally been focused on honoring and remembering on MDB, I’m breaking the tradition and will include a Music Monday song titled “18 Summers” from the Christian artist Matthew West. It so happened that my daughter sent his YouTube video and a comment regarding college and her girls (still a decade […]
RichC | May 15, 2025
Although I recall posting a “winter slumber” video of my 1982 Mercedes Benz 300D Turbodiesel a decade ago, it has been a while — don’t look at the dust! So … after noticing the battery had lost some of its charge while “sleeping,” I decided to put the solar charger to work my W123 after […]
RichC | May 7, 2025
Hm, remind me not to complain about driving a few miles in a heated or air conditioned car … on paved American roads that might have a couple rough patches. 😉
RichC | May 5, 2025
I downloaded a memory song social media from 1988 that brought back fond memories and calming thoughts. Jimmy Buffett was my “go-to” music back in the late 1970s and 1980s while daydreaming of sailing the islands and clear waters of the Caribbean — yes, a fantasy or a dream. 😉 “That’s What Living Is to […]
RichC | May 3, 2025
Just a helpful filler tidbit that might be helpful someday. I spotted this one on social media and am adding it to my blog.
RichC | April 30, 2025
While walking the Atlantic shoreline, Brenda and I often watched ships and tugs towing barges offshore pass by. We took note of the unique ones like the SS United States and more recently a specialized Express Marine hybrid barge with its companion tug. It was interesting enough to dig a little deeper. Express Marine, Inc., […]
RichC | April 22, 2025
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RichC | April 21, 2025
My daughter recommended the Christian band CAIN to me last month. She thought that I would enjoy their music … and remembered that I used the lyrics from “Landslide” in our Christmas 2011 Letter; also she knew Brenda and I both enjoyed Rumours of Fleetwood Mac in 2018 (music from our era). 😉 […]
RichC | April 18, 2025
When scanning my X.com social media feed, the handy short video tips often catch my eye. Most I’ll never need, but there are a few I wish I could remember when I need them. Saving them here likely won’t help, but who knows?
RichC | April 8, 2025
A new word for me: Marginalia — it is also a word that reminded me of Mom Howard’s books, especially her well marked up Bible! MarginaliaNotes written in the margin • The professor’s marginalia provided valuable insights into the text Also a shopping trip for the Oostra’s had them finding a couple of nice looking rocking […]
RichC | March 19, 2025
Going through my iPhone’s photos folder to see what I’ve missed posting about is becoming a habit. This past weekend I realized that the SpaceX Falcon9 rocket with the crewed Dragon capsule‘s launch contrails on Saturday evening were blogworthy as was a condo “parking lot” photo of the Blood Worm Moon on Saturday evening (click […]
RichC | March 17, 2025
While listening to Pandora’s version of 1970’s music last week, I picked up a song that “reminded” me of 1982, the year Brenda and I were married. The song was written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David’s and originally recorded as a demo by Dionne Warwick in 1963; it was “Always Something There To Remind Me.” […]
RichC | February 22, 2025
There was a north wind for our beach walk today, but we continue to add a few more steps to it each day. It is shocking to see Brenda able to comfortable walk ever day with her replacement hip — medical science is amazing. On our walks, we continue to enjoy briefly talking to others […]
RichC | February 15, 2025
We have been enjoying our time together in Florida this month. The weather has been near perfect after a little “expected” cooler, damp, jacket weather that Florida received in January. Next week could be different … according to my weather and tides watcher — report courtesy of Brenda. 😉 Our daily walks are getting easier […]
RichC | February 14, 2025
I’m not much of a TikTok person (actually anti-TikTok) and you might want to take this with a grain of salt, but it is interesting to contemplate where computer development is going in the next 75 years?
RichC | February 12, 2025
Excellent speech by US Vice President JD Vance on artificial intelligence in a summit in Paris, France. He told European and Asian leaders that the United States will dominate AI. Worth watching. NEW: JD Vance speaks at an artificial intelligence summit in Paris, France, tells European and Asian leaders that the United States will dominate […]
RichC | February 10, 2025
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RichC | February 9, 2025
Several decades ago we took Brenda’s father, Fred Howard, to the National Museum of the Air Force in Dayton, Ohio and seeing the Martin B-26 Marauder on display triggered an emotional response. Having flown 50+ bombing missions as a navigator in Europe during World War II and seeing his “ship” (similar) after so many years brought […]
RichC | February 4, 2025
Although I’m not recommending a discussion between Michael Horton, James Wood and David VanDrunen to all Christians, the YouTube conversation between theologians is still interesting for those who are politically active in society and the church. The panelists explored the significance of post-liberalism and how it contrasts with classical liberalism, particularly in relation to Christian theology […]
RichC | January 31, 2025
Each time I hear about an aviation accident I think back to the years I was flying small planes. The conversations by news people regarding the state of safe aviation in the United States … be it DEI hires, technology or congested air traffic control space … has me struggling to know what level of […]
RichC | January 27, 2025
“Reelin’ In the Years,” a song by American rock band Steely Dan was written by Donald Fagen and Walter Becker. The song features Fagen on vocals and is an early example of their easily recognized sound. I found it interesting to read that Fagen thought it “dumb but effective,” and Becker said it was “no […]
RichC | January 26, 2025
Here’s hoping this lifts someone reading my blog today … Micah 6:8 — New International Version He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
RichC | January 23, 2025
Spotted in the Florida Panhandle above and airboat video in Louisiana below 😊 Saw the photo below on social media as a Polar Vortex powered Arctic Blast pushes across the country … and I thought, “climate change” (so long as it is warmer weather) … isn’t coming fast enough!
RichC | January 13, 2025
While listening to a 1970 oddity song this week as the wildfires ravaged areas around Los Angeles California, a song by Albert Hammond (co-written by Mike Hazlewood) triggered Music Monday thoughts. It is an “oddity” in that “It Never Rains in Southern California” is the only hit I remember Albert Hammond recording (photo upper left […]
RichC | January 6, 2025
Winter has arrived in much of the heartland to the east coast for January 2025 … and here in Cincinnati too. It is a storm that is impacting travel on roads, by air and even the power lines since there was ice and freezing rain included with a significant snow. Taylor was out with Megan […]
RichC | January 6, 2025
A newly married friend recently returned from his honeymoon in a beautiful and tropical location. He sent a photo overlooking the turquoise water of a harbor filled with anchored boats. It definitely pulled at my “dream” strings and has me missing boats and the sailing life. As the cold weather continues to make me think […]
RichC | January 5, 2025
Before I add the humor (video below), I wanted to include a photo of the girls ice skating on their last day of Christmas break. It was so nice to have the extra time with “Mommy Katelyn” on Friday and doing something special (great smile and photo)! Spotted this on X.com and it made me […]
RichC | January 1, 2025
Television has made a lot of people famous, but only a handful of cars have tagged along with a show’s protagonist to lasting fame. One such example is the pairing that rose to a lasting stardom is the 1977 Pontiac Firebird Formula and James Garner as the stars of The Rockford Files. While Garner passed […]
RichC | December 18, 2024
I do enjoy checking the Farmer’s Almanac (above) and the Old Farmer’s Almanac for seasonal forecasts (below), but rarely go back to see how accurate they are (although have shared here before). That’s probably their assumption, although they claim to be 80% accurate? As has been true in every year since 1792, the newest edition features […]
RichC | December 12, 2024
Today’s archive post will be quite the Throwback Thursday #TBT stretch … as the photos and Christmas tree subject matter are from last weekend … even though “The Longest Game” podcast forwarded by my daughter Katelyn is a baseball story from years ago (she knows I enjoy baseball). Let’s start with the baseball story from 1981 […]
RichC | December 10, 2024
With early November and December winter weather showing up somewhat early, there’s no better time for Megan’s employer to have a holiday gathering at Kings Island. For their business, it is time to promote WinterFest with 7-million lights and some ice skating. Both Megan and Katelyn learned, and then taught, figure skating for the Queen […]
RichC | December 9, 2024
There’s no getting away from highlighting music from the 1970s on Music Monday — I can’t help myself. 😊 While listening to the segment-change music on a Fox Business show, KC and the Sunshine Band’s “Get Down Tonight” from 1975 caught my ear. I realized that Harry Wayne Casey and his band was highlighted before in […]
RichC | December 3, 2024
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RichC | November 30, 2024
Perhaps it is just me, but this leftover video of a press corp reporter begging for President Biden to make a comment on a recent trip to South America had me laughing. Rarely do I feel sorry for the media, but in this reporter’s case, I do. 😊
RichC | November 27, 2024
Here’s a quick video for a holiday shortened week, but picked up a few good ideas as this video flashed by on the social media site X.com.
RichC | November 25, 2024
Not that my daughter appreciated that her 2018 VW Tiguan left her stranded on the “highway” … but sometimes automotive breakdowns are a part of “life.” So it seemed somewhat appropriate to feature the catchy Tom Cochrane‘s “Life is A Highway” as today’s Music Monday song. Sorry about the water pump failure Katelyn! Tom Cochrane originally […]
RichC | November 18, 2024
Although I listened to a fair amount of “easy listening” music through the years and have posted music by Lobo years ago on Music Monday, I don’t recall listening to his 1972 song back in the day. According to Wikipedia, Kent LaVoie (Lobo) released the “Don’t Expect Me to Be Your Friend” on his “Of […]
RichC | November 14, 2024
After a great visit with Taylor in Florida last week for his planning conference, he’s right back into the hornet’s nest in trying to find the best way to navigate economic growth and housing development in his township. The battle lines are being drawn between fairly large housing developers and builders who are growth focused […]
RichC | November 12, 2024
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RichC | November 2, 2024
Here’s an eye-opening video chart from LinkedIn shared on social media (X.com). Although some might question the raw data, it is nevertheless interesting … particularly as people started meeting each other online!
RichC | October 29, 2024
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RichC | October 26, 2024
One of the biggest changes and needs now that our family of iPhones takes larger photos and video … and are now 5G capable … is the need for more data. I’m no longer satisfied with our “pooled” 6GB USMobile plan. I sort of knew this would be a problem, but for most of the […]
RichC | October 23, 2024
My daughter Katelyn forwarded me this impressive fireball image and earthsky.org article with a YouTube video captured by people from Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and even Western NY (she hinted that it was “blogworthy” … so what is a dad to do? Share it, obviously). 🙂 The meteor (??) was clearly seen streaking over Lake Erie […]
RichC | October 14, 2024
A quick song for Music Monday that is fitting for today. “On The Road Again” is from Willie Nelson in his prime … and one that everybody knows, probably by heart. If you don’t know the song or the artist, you haven’t lived long enough. 😊
RichC | October 6, 2024
In September, I read a couple of articles (1 and 2) in the Wall Street Journal talking about coyotes in our suburban and urban America and sent a copy to Drew and Katelyn (their camera just picked up a coyote walking by the girls playhouse – click for video). Anyway, we’ve been seeing them for […]
RichC | October 5, 2024
In case you are looking for guidance when it comes to who you elect to run your city, county, state or country … put this thought in the back of your mind when it comes to who has been putting their thumb on the scale (think lawfare) and which political party “might” … no guarantee […]