Archive: An enjoyable couple of days with our granddaughters
Posted By RichC on October 22, 2025
This content is restricted.
Filler: A very-clean 2019 Tesla Model 3 is now in our garage
Posted By RichC on October 21, 2025
More to come, but a new to us 2019 Tesla Model 3 now replaces Brenda’s 2010 Acura RDX. We are as excited about having a Tesla, as is the seller for us “finally” owning a Tesla (aka: Drew).
Music Monday: Different releases of David Bowie’s “Changes”
Posted By RichC on October 20, 2025
This content is restricted.
Salvidor Dali’s “Deux danseurs” (Two Dancers) drawing – 1949
Posted By RichC on October 19, 2025
Most of Salvador Dali’s artwork is not really my taste, but Brenda and I do own a couple of prints that I received as partial payment for some printing work I did for an art gallery when I was first starting Consolidated Printing and Publishing in the late 1980s. 
After admiring this drawing from 1949, I will reconsider my thoughts on bizarre paintings and flamboyant surrealist artists. I like it.
“Deux danseurs” (Two Dancers) is a drawing by Salvador Dalí created in 1949, showcasing his surrealist style. The piece features intricate pen and ink work, reflecting Dalí’s technical skill and unique artistic vision.
Thinking about beaches, turtle eggs and a Green Turtle victory
Posted By RichC on October 18, 2025
Brenda and I are beach walkers and when in Delray Beach … or any beach for that matter … we walk in all kinds of weather. A week or so ago we were surprised at the heavy erosion along Florida’s Atlantic beaches, which can be somewhat normal with storm surf, higher winds and tides. This year the hurricanes haven’t really been an issue, but area beach flooding and erosion has been a problem (video from Thursday).
EDIT add: Re-testing the AWS Amazon Polly text-to-speech AI just in case you might want the text and article below in audio.
Tech Friday: Changing Handbrake video encoding for the blog
Posted By RichC on October 17, 2025
Not that this Tech Friday update is at all important … because it is not … but I’m thinking about changing the encoding of clunky video on MyDesultoryBlog.com … and perhaps elsewhere?
The time it takes to re-encode, upload and save video to archive has improved as computers and internet connections are now faster, 
but still saving bloated, rarely viewed, video take up space … and backup storage (one or two files is no big deal, but 9000 posts worth of stuff has become a bigger deal). So it still seems like a good idea to keep code efficient, photos smallish, audio compressed and video to reasonable web and device sizes with Handbrake. Part of me thinks it is “all for naught,” but I’m still thinking old-school and compressing or scrunching things anyway.
The latest video comes from a Wyze Cam video at our Florida condo that required a lanai repair. Now that the exterior concrete work is finished, the crews are busy putting up the screens on the porch and hurricane shutters. Not that I’m watching constantly, but it is still nice to know who is coming and going in and out of the condo.
I’ve been reluctant to upgrade to the newest version of Handbrake since I had issues with newer versions years ago … but I’m using today’s post and video encoding as an excuse to get up to date.
Beach Erosion, Postseason Baseball and Family in Western NY
Posted By RichC on October 16, 2025
Eventually I’ll get around to updating a back and forth trip to Florida to check on the Delray Beach condo’s lanai repairs (and the missing beach – erosion video above) … maybe more over the weekend (???) … but for now a little updating on our lack of excitement with MLB post-season baseball.
Brenda and I watched our hopeful teams lose (as we often do): Cincinnati Reds lost, the Cleveland Guardians lost and my recently RE-adopted Detroit Tigers lost (my team when I was a kid growing up in the Toledo area). Now we were hoping to cheer for the long dry spell Milwaukee Brewers … but they are down 2 games to 0 facing off against the LA Dodgers. We both sort of appreciated the Toronto Blue Jays beating the New York Yankees, but now they’re down 2 games to 0 against the Seattle Mariners. I’m only glad not to be fully invested in one team this year. 😊
Meanwhile, the Oostras are busy on a fall vacation to western New York. They enjoyed a few days at an Airbnb near Letchworth State Park (has it really been 17 years?), some beautiful autumn color … and currently are checking out Niagara Falls.
The stunning night sky photo they sent while looking up at the stars is truly amazing — can you count the stars? Wow!
Happy Birthday wishes to “middle aged” Megan (family joke)
Posted By RichC on 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 when younger, but become a more attractive complement once we’re “over the hill?”
Anyway, as is our family tradition (Brenda’s Howard side of the family) for us to call and sing Happy Birthday … or leave a voicemail … or in yesterday’s case, an audio text message. Hope you had a wonderful … and very Happy Birthday!
| Happy Birthday Megan | 10/14/2025 |
A “here’s looking at you” filler photo
Posted By RichC on October 14, 2025
More on our quick trip to drop the van off at the Florida condo and check on the lanai update later.
Music Monday: The Moody Blues – “Nights in White Satin” (live)
Posted By RichC on October 13, 2025
With last week’s sudden death of John Lodge, the Moody Blues bassist, it seemed appropriate to include another song from the group.
“Nights in White Satin” from 1967 (1968 live YouTube performance below) seems a fitting way to recognize him and a band that has spanned the decades.
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.