My Desultory Blog

Posted By RichC on May 30, 2022

This Memorial Day reflection is a bit different than previous posts. Instead of an overall encompassing remembrance on all those who died in armed service to our country, it is a combined Music Monday twist that is a little more narrowly focused on those who fought and died in the Vietnam War (1955-1975).

At the peak of US involvement and fighting, those serving (most conscripted) thought of one thing: “We’ve Gotta Get Out Of This Place” … a sentiment … but also a song recorded by The Animals in 1965. No doubt those who made it home and lost friends will remember them and hopefully at the time remember down time singing along when this song was played.

No one saw this coming. Not the writers of the song — the dynamic Brill Building duo of Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil; not the group who recorded it — The Animals and their iconic lead singer, Eric Burdon; not the 3 million soldiers who fought in Vietnam who placed extra importance on the lyrics. But the fact is that We Gotta Get Out of This Place is regarded by most Vietnam vets as our We Shall Overcome, says Bobbie Keith, an Armed Forces Radio DJ in Vietnam from 1967-69. Or as Leroy Tecube, an Apache infantryman stationed south of Chu Lai in 1968, recalls: “When the chorus began, singing ability didn’t matter; drunk or sober, everyone joined in as loud as he could.” – LINK

Category: Holiday, Millitary, Music, Video | No Comments »
Tags: Memorial Day, music monday, musicmonday, the animals, vietnam war, youtube

Posted By RichC on May 28, 2022

We are enjoying my late mother-in-law’s transplanted Buttercups (Ranunculus) that we brought home from the Jamestown, NY farmhouse (winter pics). Initially, Brenda’s sister Chris asked me to bring her some home for her since I was the one driving back and forth to western New York to clean out, take care of the property and sell the farmhouse, but after seeing the flowers take off at her house, I asked her for a “digging” too – they seem to be thriving, at least in the spring.

Perhaps the news that has overwhelmed everyone in America with emotion, anger and political debate is dealing with the Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde, Texas on May 24th. It’s the same old argument between those who want more firearm

regulation and focus on the weapon used (AR-15 variant) and those who see a society that has drifted from enforcing laws, prosecuting crime, a loss of morals, faith and parenting … let alone addressing those who have a mental illness or are profiled has someone needing intervention … or better securing soft targets (in this case schools).

Jack Brewer, a longtime online friend and retired NFL player who works with at-risk young men, had a few minutes on FoxNews last week that highlights what he sees: Fatherless homes and America’s shift away from faith, prayer and the teaching of Biblical instruction. I added 2nd Chronicles 7:14 which triggered an “Amen” and retweet (below).

(more…)

Category: Faith, Nature, News, Personal, Photos, Politics, Social Media | No Comments »
Tags: buttercups, farmhouse, flowers, jack brewer, jamestown, momh, new york, Robb Elementary, texas, twitter, uvalde

Posted By RichC on May 27, 2022

Although I appreciate the talent of artists in all mediums and have plenty of artwork in our home, I’m not sure where this Vincent van Gogh “virtual world” art fits in??? Maybe it is just fitting for the blog?
 

Category: Art, Video | No Comments »
Tags: Art, artwork, friday filler, mp4, van Gogh, virtual

Posted By RichC on May 26, 2022

I have put off buying diesel fuel for the Kubota mower and John Deere 330 as long as possible … but inevitably the reserve of 25 gallons stored in fuel jugs gets used up. It looks as if it is time to pay $$$ the inflated prices on fossil fuels — elections have consequences (pre-Russia invasion of Ukraine post). 

It is hard to believe President Biden (video below) and most Democrat politicians are “purposely” restricting domestic production (along with their ESG pals preventing capital from being used by US energy companies). Those in charge are at the same time turning to Venezuelan dictators, Iran and our Strategic Petroleum Reserve rather than helping the American energy industry meet our needs? Something has to change — Americans who can least afford high energy prices and the inflation that follows end up squeezed the most (everything is shipped and costs more) … and as interest rates rise, few will be able to finance a new $60,000 electric car and associated charging setup, even if they want a new EV.

And just to make this a Throwback Thursday #TBT post, here’s a presidential candidate Joe Biden campaign promise:

Do you think it has been a wet May … at least in Cincinnati?
Yup. Measurements taken at CVG by the National Weather Service recorded 8.13 inches of rainfall. That makes the first 21 days of May the wettest on record.

Category: Automotive, Diesel, Energy, Personal, Photos, Politics, TBT, Weather | No Comments »
Tags: biden, diesel, energy, fuel, grass, john deere, jugs, kubota, mower, mowing, mp4, rain

Posted By RichC on May 25, 2022

Generally I don’t rush to updated software or computer operating systems, but noting that WordPress 6.0 has “400 bug fixes” had me deciding to backup the current MDB install and updating. So far, all good.

WordPress 6.0 includes more than 500 enhancements and 400 bug fixes. This page highlights several key advancements aimed at making your WordPress content-creating and site-building experience more feature-rich and intuitive.

MORE

Category: Blogs, Software, Technology | No Comments »
Tags: backup, blog, bug fixes, mydesultoryblog, update, wordpress

Posted By RichC on May 25, 2022

Now that the desk and hardwood floors are complete, and floor finish has cured enough in my home office, it is time to tackle the trim painting, putting the closet and bookshelves back. Another project I’ve been contemplating is to revitalize my older well-worn corner computer desk. Having used it for a couple of decades made me understand the shortcomings and so I’m going to modify it slightly.

The deeper sides, not shown, will be slightly larger to accommodate how I use the workspace and the beat up top and plastic edge trim will be replaced with 1/4” oak banding. For the surface, I’m using leather desk mat material I purchase “on the cheap;” hopefully it will make for a better worksurface and double as a mousepad? I’ve been testing it on my  basement office setup with my Apple mouse … so far so good.

Category: Apple, Computer, Misc, Personal, Photos, Productivity, Woodworking | No Comments »
Tags: apple, Computer, corner desk, edging, home, leather, mouse, oak, office, project, workshop, workspace

Posted By RichC on May 24, 2022

My buddy Jeff Pitts is my go-to source for interesting books to read. For my birthday this year (we had lunch last Friday … a Mexican restaurant, of course), he gave me an older 1950’s era book by Robert Ruark called “The Old Man and The Boy.” I passed on reading my other books and started in on this one since he mentioned it reminded him of my relationship with my Grandpa Bluhm … something I’ve shared off and on with him since college for the last 45 years (shocker … we’ve been friends for 45 years!).

While doing a quick search for the book, I noticed that there is a follow up on Amazon called “The Old Man’s Boy Grows Older” … so if I like this one, I might have a sequel to read. Thanks Jeff, and for the “one-plus” birthday reminder (and inside joke since I’m older than him by several months).

Read a February 2022 GoodReads review from Jaydn Asay, who  is likely  generationally much younger than me, and I enjoyed reading his take on a book. He commented that it was a “view into the world and era that just doesn’t exist anymore,” when “traditional masculinity was a given and not controversial.”  The author Robert Ruark (1915-1966) grew up and wrote at a time when “views of masculinity, femininity and gender roles were not as problematic as they are in today’s world.”

Category: Books, Friends, Human Interest, Memories | No Comments »
Tags: birthday, book, goodreads, gpa bluhm, jeff pitts, jeffp, reading, review, the old man and the boy

Posted By RichC on May 23, 2022

This content is restricted.

Category: Music, Video | No Comments »
Tags: bridgerton, cat stevens, headphones, islam, mp3, music monday, musicmonday, siriusxm, tea for the tillerman, the bridge, youtube, yusuf

Posted By RichC on May 22, 2022

It is difficult to ignore the success of the private space industry and admire companies like Elon Musk’s SpaceX as it launches and re-launches rocket after rocket. From satellite launching to shuttling astronauts to and from the International Space Station, SpaceX definitely has the potential to land astronauts back on the moon and to be the first to put a person on Mars (Musk’s ambitious goal).

Last week, I wanted to archive a video of one of the Falcon9 Kennedy Space Center launches to mark their continued success to my blog. The cargo were additional Starlink satellites that provide high-speed, low-latency broadband across the globe (very helpful in Ukraine in staying connected while defending their country). The technology, success and expertise is very impressive … especially the landing and retrieval of their rockets. 

Category: Archive, History, Human Interest, Innovation, Science, Space, Technology, Video | No Comments »
Tags: astronaut, elon musk, falcon9, mars, moon, mp4, rockets, satellites, space, spacex, starlink, ukraine

Posted By RichC on May 21, 2022

It is likely an age thing, but once upon a time, I didn’t think twice about trenching and digging. Now, I’m tired out by lunchtime (this was a Saturday (5/21/2022) morning project) and I didn’t even finished the trench for drainage pipe (it is relatively soft after the heavy rain, but has a lot of rocks and roots). Thankfully though, this isn’t a “must finish today” kind of project, but it is noticeable just how much more challenging the physical work is to do nowadays. 

The new grass along the driveway is coming in nicely this spring, although I’m using some of the dirt and sod to ‘try’ and build the edge back up after it settled a bit. I suspect this won’t be the last time it needs a little more topsoil and reseeding?

On a side note, Happy Birthday to my brother Ron! We had a nice conversation today.

Category: Archive, Misc, Personal, Photos | No Comments »
Tags: backyard, digging, drain, driveway, physical, pipe, project, retention, water, work