My Desultory Blog

Posted By RichC on July 16, 2025

After finishing the book “Kent State: An American Tragedy” by Brian VanDeMark last week, it occurred to me that the tensions in the U.S. aren’t all that different today than they were in the late 1960s and 1970s.

Radicals on the political left today (we often see Antifa), just as some with like minds did 50 years ago, choose violence. They fan already red-hot embers of the anti-Trump liberal-left’s non-violent protests (probably half the active Democrats) into the destructive and dangerous protests/riots that include spray painting, damage to vehicles and public property and rock throwing at law enforcement. Those who may still remain non-violent, end up hiding the anarchist sect and camouflages those committing acts of destruction and physical violence.

Not surprising, this was a tactic 60 years ago by the “new left” SDS and the even more so the violent Marxist far-left Weather Underground; they tirelessly recruited and coerce anti-Vietnam War college students into campus unrest and sometimes college town community violence. Let’s think long and hard before we go down this “blood in the streets” path again. And although my “fearsome foursome” buddies may have looked like the “longhaired college radicals of the day” … we were thankfully insulated from the draft, violence on campus and the nation’s unrest (read/listen below or see my commentary on TheHustings.news — Right-Column of course).
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Category: AI, Audio, Books, History, Human Interest, Politics | No Comments »
Tags: antifa, artificial intelligence, commentary, elevenlabs, kent state, sds, thehustings, violence, weather underground

Posted By RichC on 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 beautiful place to visit in the summer, but staying in our backyard on a hot weekend wasn’t bad either. 

After taking a few photos of the family I realized that we rarely see the back of our house and before the “struggling with disease” Red Bud tree completely dies, having a photo with it might be nice. I’m not sure what we’ll eventually replace it with just yet. 

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Category: Archive, Audio, Computer, Personal, Photos, Video, Weather | No Comments »
Tags: drew, family, granddaughters, imac, katelyn, megan, michigan, microphone, oostras, rain, storms, taylor, testing, weather, wind

Posted By RichC on July 14, 2025

This content is restricted.

Category: Music | No Comments »
Tags: jack johnson, jimmy buffett, kenny chesney, mp3, music monday, musicmonday, somewhere in the sun, summer

Posted By RichC on July 13, 2025

Here’s some advice you’ve probably heard before: “Purchase the best quality tools that you can afford” … and I’ll add, “when young.”

I’ve found myself in this situation many times before. Likely the advice is simple, but in practice, stretching the dollar factors into our calculations. A couple weeks ago I went to my workshop plumbing drawer for a copper pipe or tube cutter knowing that it needed to be the small “restricted space” style. I’ve used it many times before and wondered why I didn’t purchase a better quality one the first time I needed it. Of course the larger one in my plumbing box is a little bit better, but I still find myself using the small one more often than not.

After replacing four valve last month with the assistance of my granddaughters and struggling with the old, dull and difficult to tighten lessor-quality cutter, I decided for $6.99 that it was time to upgrade (way too late in life). Point being, like a good quality lightweight step ladder (hint, hint), people should spend a few dollars more and buy the better one when they are young. 

Category: Advice, Tools | No Comments »
Tags: copper pipe, ladder, pipe cutter, plumbing, replacement, tool, tubing cutter, workshop

Posted By RichC on July 12, 2025

It might be a little concerning if I didn’t actually know my neighbors and neighborhood as well as I do … but another couple has decided the time is right to sell their home. The Groseth family has lived here for 30 years and we’ve watch our families grow up together. Both Marvin and Arlene have been perfect neighbors, and if I were not happy for them, I’d be depressed see them move (although I sort of still am since Marvin and I saw eye to eye on nearly everything).

Like Pam and Jim Miller earlier in the year, it was time to sell in a strong real estate market and find a place a little more fitting for a couple in retirement. I think we’ve all thought about it … especially since most of us living around our little lake neighborhood no longer have families at home or children in the excellent Lakota public schools. It would be hard pressed to find another community as perfect as ours for raising a family. That said, it is understandable that several couples have decided the time is right.

Occasionally Marvin and Arlene’s youngest son David brings his kids to fish and drive the John Deere Gator around the lake. I talked with him a couple months ago and he mentioned that his mom and dad spotted a nice house and property not too far away in Lebanon, Ohio — right next to their daughter and her family — so I knew that they were tempted. So when Marvin called me to let me know they bought a new place were going to be listing, I was prepared for the news — and will mention it to those who might be interested it their house (Listed by: Cory Keller 513-260-5023, RE/MAX United Associates 513-655-2300 – Source: Cincy MLS,MLS#: 1847294). 

It does have me wondering again …  “should we be doing the same?” Still, giving up so much would be challenging unless the perfect place existed … and I don’t think it does considering my workshops, car garage, pool and privacy (photo), back porch, comfortable home office, etc. 😉 

Category: Archive, Financial, For Sale, Local, Personal, Photos, Retirement | No Comments »
Tags: for sale, home, house, neighbor, real estate, zillow

Posted By RichC on July 11, 2025

The Bombardier beetle is a remarkable insect known for its unique and powerful chemical defense system. Belonging to the family Carabidae, these beetles are found on nearly every continent and are especially famous among entomologists and naturalists for the way they defend themselves from predators.

Key Characteristics:

• Chemical Defense:
  The Bombardier beetle can eject a hot, noxious chemical spray from its abdomen when threatened. This spray is not only irritating but also produced at near boiling temperatures (up to 100°C or 212°F) and delivered in rapid-fire pulses with an audible popping sound.
• How It Works:
  Inside its abdomen, the beetle stores two chemical compounds—hydroquinone and hydrogen peroxide—in separate reservoirs. When danger is sensed, these chemicals are mixed in a specialized combustion chamber along with catalytic enzymes (like peroxidase and catalase), resulting in an explosive chemical reaction. The force of the reaction propels the spray toward the predator.
• Accuracy and Control:
  The beetle can aim this spray with impressive accuracy, even swiveling the tip of its abdomen to hit specific targets. Some species can release the spray in multiple quick bursts rather than a single shot.

Additional Facts:

• Species: There are over 500 species of Bombardier beetles.
• Size: Most are small, typically about 1 to 2 centimeters (0.4 to 0.8 inches) long.
• Habitat: Commonly found in forests, fields, and near water sources.
• Diet: Generally predatory, feeding on other insects.

Fascination in Science:

The Bombardier beetle is often cited in discussions about biomimetics (mimicking natural processes for technological solutions) and is frequently referenced in debates on evolution and intelligent design, given the apparent complexity of its defense system.

ChatGPT (photo from Wikipedia) and an Apple Shortcut script from Notes test

Category: AI, Nature, Technology | No Comments »
Tags: artificial intelligence, beetle, bombardier beetle, chatgpt, insect, tech friday, techfriday, testing, wikipedia

Posted By RichC on July 10, 2025

It has been a “wonderfully” warm summer so far … at least in Cincinnati. I good with it since I like the heat, even if I could do without the humidity. So far though, even with the regular thunderstorms, the humidity has been okay.

Our granddaughters are up north with the Barb and Randy … Drew’s parents … for a couple of days before being joined by Katelyn and Drew. It is beautiful looking over Lake Michigan this time of year and know they will have a good time … despite missing mom and dad. Hopefully they will look back fondly on the times they were with their grandparents.

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Category: Archive, Personal, Photos, Weather | No Comments »
Tags: family, granddaughters, homebuilding, hot, house, michigan, oostra, pool, rain, summer, vacation

Posted By RichC on July 9, 2025

Although I’m not a big Hershey person, I do own a few shares and continued to write CALL options on $HSY. The surprising skid in stock price has me wondering why shareholders are selling just because a new CEO has been named? That aside, my CALL option has paid off today … just not as planned. Kirk Tanner must not have really been a first choice?  

The Hershey Company announced Tuesday that Wendy’s CEO Kirk Tanner will become the chocolatemaker’s new leader.

Tanner will take on the roles of president and CEO on Aug. 18, replacing Michele Buck, who announced her plans to step down at the beginning of the year, the company said in a press release.

Tanner has led PepsiCo for more than 30 years, where he served as the Chief Executive Officer, also held several other leadership positions at PepsiCo.

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Category: Business, Financial | No Comments »
Tags: $HSY, Hershey, investing, kirk tanner, stock

Posted By RichC on July 9, 2025

Sitting up in the pool house loft are a bunch of blue bins … leftover from a pharmacy remodel way back in the 1990s. I don’t really know the size of them, but perhaps they could be used for some pieces and parts storage if incorporated into a cabinet? 

The design to the right as it currently stands, pull from a woodworking video, looks as if it would collect way too much dust, but perhaps with a fabric stitched front flap to cover the bins (???) it might offer some dust protection?

Of course I probably don’t need any more pieces and parts storage to clutter up, because I’m always running out or ordering something new anyway. Still this would make for an interesting winter project.

EDIT ADD: Rockler is having a sale (still too much for plastic) on a spline jig for a router table that looks as if I could make to fit my Rockler finger joint cutting jig. Maybe or maybe not … but it is worth archiving the idea.

Category: Archive, Ideas, Woodworking | No Comments »
Tags: bins, project, storage, woodworking, workshop

Posted By RichC on July 8, 2025

I’m not happy about having to take apart and replace the icemaker in our Samsung side-by-side refrigerator again. The refurbished model I purchase in 2021 seemed to have lasted 4 years IF I’m being generous — it really it hasn’t worked since spring. 

Anyway, I’ve decided to spring for the new and not refurbished replacement this go around. Brenda asked, would it be cheaper to buy a new refrigerator?  I don’t think so … but I did notice that Home Depot 4th of July savings on a new Samsung that was tempting (this was also an excuse to test the archive.ph web page “with sale price” page archiving — it failed).  

So, take TWO on replacing the ice-maker again. I hope this one is better than the original and the refurb! 

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Category: Archive, Repairs, Shopping | No Comments »
Tags: amazon, homedepot, icemaker, refrigerator, refurbished, repair, samsung