What would October be without our fall trip to Florida?
Posted By RichC on October 9, 2022
Brenda and I have been fortunate to almost always taken an autumn trip to Florida.
Years ago it was often to visit my parents who would go to Panama City Beach or take a trip with the kids. After Katelyn and Taylor were in college, it was often to visit Brenda’s parents and then to the boat. Lately it has been to our condo in Delray Beach with Katelyn, Drew, Annalyn and Ellerie … but this year it is just the two of us as in May.
For the first time in a long time, I didn’t have any condo improvement projects on the schedule. It was nice to not have any plans besides cleaning (amazing how much is needed each time down) and going to the beach. We were fortunate to be on the east coast and not the Hurricane Ian impacted west … and to be here after the wind and rain (and tornado in Delray Beach – below) and besides a little more wind on the beach, had great weather.
Filler Friday: Do you enjoy photos of our moon? #space
Posted By RichC on October 7, 2022
Not that I’m trying to promote astrophotographers (although have mentioned this photographer before) or the selling of things on my blog, but since I enjoy maps and space photography … check out this from Andrew McCarthy (see Sunrise on the Highlands).
Archiving a photo of our 1998 Toyota Rav4 for #TBT
Posted By RichC on October 6, 2022
The old Chrysler Town and Country Throwback Thursday #TBT post triggered my archiving of another old automotive photo of Brenda’s beloved 1998 Toyota Rav4. Having own that small ute with a surprisingly large interior for so many miles (265K) and so many years (18), it may be one of the best vehicles we have ever owned.
I’m not positive as to the year of the photo, but our now 33 year-old Taylor looks pretty young in the backseat … AND the Hollywood Video store from the West Chester, Ohio Meijer grocery store parking lot still looked operational.
Five healthier habits for Age-related Macular Degeneration
Posted By RichC on October 5, 2022
Occasionally an article triggers me enough to save a PDF version, even though I rarely go to the folder on the computer where I’ve saved them. I’m not sure why I bother? Anyway, here’s a medical oriented article offering up 5 habits for healthier eyes.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common cause of vision loss. As the name implies, it is associated with aging …
There are two types of late-stage AMD, wet and dry. With wet AMD, abnormal blood vessels develop beneath the retina and leak blood and fluid into the eye. About 10 to 20 percent of people with AMD have this type. The majority have dry AMD, where there is no leakage, but substantial vision loss can occur.
Imagine learning to operate the Lockheed F-117 #aviation
Posted By RichC on October 4, 2022
The Lockheed F-117 was one of the most specialized and sophisticated aircraft to
ever enter USAF service. Purpose built to defeat radars, it was all square and
flat, a fact, reflected in the aircraft’s boxy cockpit. (@realairpower1)
Music Monday: “I Don’t Want To Know” – Fleetwood Mac
Posted By RichC on October 3, 2022
This content is restricted.
Arachnophobia? How about some “exposure therapy?”
Posted By RichC on October 2, 2022
While out mowing the lawn this week … I “think” I may have brought a spider in the house with me? In any case, it was on my shirt and 
I felt something crawling on my arm. After an instinctive swat and swipe of the hand, I notice it landed on my glass chair mat in my office so before squashing, I took this photo (left).
Now to try and identify: It is commonly referred to as a Jumping Spider, but think this one belongs to the genus Marpissa, in the family Salticidae.
According to SpiderID.com, it looks to be a Marpissa muscosa (Fence-post Jumper) … but who really knows?
As for the phobia call arachnophobia, the treatment is “exposure therapy.” Yikes!
Audiobook: “Lethal Tides” by Catherine Musemeche
Posted By RichC on October 1, 2022
Another interesting story tied to scientific development during World War 2 has crossed my email inbox from WSJ+. This one is about the virtually unknown Mary Sears, “the first oceanographer of the Navy.” Her groundbreaking oceanographic research led the U.S. to victory in the Pacific theater during World War II, according to the summary. I’m looking forward to the nearly 12 hours of audio – maybe on my next long drive or trip?
“In "Lethal Tides," Catherine Musemeche weaves together science, biography, and military history in the compelling story of an unsung woman who had a dramatic effect on the U.S. Navy’s success against Japan in WWII, creating an intelligence-gathering juggernaut based on the new science of oceanography.”
Tech Friday: The home Internet seems to be sluggish lately?
Posted By RichC on September 30, 2022
Our Cincinnati Bell Fioptics Internet service has been acquired by Altafiber. 
I’m not sure there has been much more than a logo change in service “so far,” but whenever our cable TV isn’t quite right or the Internet acts up, the blame is now on AltaFiber.
Speed has been a problem this week and “might” be my internal home network? I’m testing from the existing Mesh router (above) and also the supplied wireless router (below). Neither is high quality, but have worked well for years.
The test to the right is my Mint wireless service on my iPhone7 Plus.
Desultory - des-uhl-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee
- lacking in consistency, constancy, or visible order, disconnected; fitful: desultory conversation.
- digressing from or unconnected with the main subject; random: a desultory remark.