Delray Beach nominated for “Best Beach in Florida”

| April 22, 2026

Here’s something both Brenda and I are voting on … and after another great winter agree on … “Delray Beach nominated for “Best Beach in Florida” again! One vote counted. 😊  Delray Beach is back in the spotlight, earning another nomination for “Best Beach in Florida” in the USA TODAY 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards. After […]

Last week we enjoyed some time on Delray Beach with family

| April 14, 2026

We had a good time “shelling” even though the beach winds were a little more challenging than the Delray Beach, FL spring break normal (sand was on every towel and in every orifice). 😉  Brenda’s sister Chris and husband Jerry were down for a week … and are beach “diggers” (for shells) … unlike us […]

Easter bunny community outreach and our family “goings-on”

| April 8, 2026

Once again, we were proud of Taylor and Megan for helping out Batavia Township with last weekend’s Easter Egg hunt. The kids (and parents) really had fun and I think “the bunny” and his helpers enjoyed it too. 😊  The Oostras returned from their week in Maui and from all accounts had a really nice […]

A lazy blog archive entry: My favorite path and a PufferFish

| March 25, 2026

If I were smart, I’d claim my favorite view would be “looking at my wife” … but what makes this all the better … is the scene; it is my favorite view in the morning, in the afternoon or even evening. All my worries and concerns disappear when I am walking to the beach on […]

Beach combing, a baby squid, a fossilized tooth and sea pearl

| March 24, 2026

Besides enjoying the company of Byron for several miles of our walk north on the beach yesterday (he and his wife Mary are from Iowa – we often chat with him) – our sea creature and shelling finds have been very interesting to say the least. Above is “another” baby squid … although this one […]

An unusual beach find: Ophichthidae known as a Snake Eel

| March 21, 2026

Snake eels are common in Florida waters, including along the Atlantic coast (although this dried up one was the first for us on Delray Beach, Florida). They have long, slender, snake-like bodies with mottled or brownish patterns for camouflage in sand/mud, and they often burrow into the seafloor. According to my reading, “when storms, red […]

More 2026 Delray Beach renourishment and walking sites

| March 17, 2026

Although we’ve walked in more questionable storms (kicked off the beach due to lightning), Friday’s weather was the wettest. We were totally soaked through our light rain jackets, but had a lot of fun “singing (and walking) in the rain.” 😉  The Delray Beach “renourishment” project is nearly to Atlantic Dunes where we usually start […]

Happy 9th Birthday to our oldest granddaughter ❤️

| March 4, 2026

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Archive: Saving the finished condo guest shower photos

| February 27, 2026

We stumbled upon Julio and his helper in our search for a plumber to fix a leak in our guest shower. The aging shower pan had just enough give to have cracked the plumbing in the drain causing a leak in the first floor condo of our neighbors. Thankfully they were there and called me […]

Unique beach finds as the Delray Beach FL restoration continues

| February 24, 2026

The pumping of sand on Delray Beach continues and the progress has been impressive before the next cold front arrived early this week — another photo or two. Brenda and I continue our long exercise-oriented walks of 17-20 minute miles (for 8-9 miles) … depending on the conditions (tides and sand conditions determined our speed). […]

More on our winter walking and Delray Beach restoration #video

| February 15, 2026

This could have easily been a technology post for a Friday, but it will be a holdover for the weekend.  Brenda and I have been thoroughly enjoying the improved weather in Florida for our walks on the beach. Amazingly my foot, which has bothered me for the past year seems to be getting better every […]

A Quick Look at Valentine’s Day ❤️ plus more beach erosion video

| February 14, 2026

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner—February 14th—and whether you’re celebrating with a special someone, friends, family, or just treating yourself, it’s a day all about love and connection. But where did it all start? The holiday has surprisingly ancient roots. It began as a Christian feast day honoring Saint Valentine, a martyr (likely a […]

Heavy beach erosion and a beautiful classic schooner

| February 10, 2026

This past weekend brought some extra extreme beach erosion … prior to the hopeful beach restoration in Delray Beach, Florida. We normally walk out onto at least “some” kind of beach but it is not a 10 foot drop-off when walking out our normal pathway. I suspect the city will close this due to a […]

Olympic Gold for Ilia Malinin — Men’s Figure Skating

| February 8, 2026

Although the Winter Olympics has taken a back seat to Super Bowl LX and kidnapping of Nancy Guthrie this week, I’ve still been semi-paying attention to the U.S. Figure Skating due to both Katelyn and Megan. I passed along a WSJ article last week highlighting the “Quad-god” Ilia Malinin and have been hoping for a […]

Just a bit more on the 19M Florida beach restoration project

| February 6, 2026

Who as a little kid playing with Tonka toy trucks and tractors didn’t pretend they were pushing sand around like the above … or previous? Some of us would likely pay to drive those big Caterpillar dozers … including my late father-in-law!  😊 As mentioned previously, we have had some very cold weather in Florida […]

The sand pumping restoration in Delray Beach, Florida begins

| January 31, 2026

The beach restoration in Delray Beach Florida was mentioned earlier this month as the equipment arrived. Each beach walk we see “some” progress until this past week most of the equipment just sat behind the fenced off area. Now the huge dredging barge was “tugged” to where the pipe ends offshore and anchored in place. […]

The cooler and eventual cold air is reaching us in Florida

| January 28, 2026

Just like in January last year, the colder air of winter from up north is reaching us in Florida again this year. The winds blew stronger from the north after the recent strong winter storm and brought with it some cooler air. Thankfully the sun was out (as we put on our windbreakers and layers) […]

Winter ice and snow up north, but we are hoping it stays away

| January 22, 2026

We are back to walking on the beach no matter the weather (like last year), but we’re still watching the weather to avoid thunderstorms … rain is ok so long as the temps are tolerable. Surprisingly, my foot seems to be improving with walking on the beach and so I will continue to pretend it […]

My endorphins are triggered when I’m in this “Happy Place”

| January 15, 2026

It is impossible to not smile when the sun is shining and the beach is calling me. Brenda and I are so thankful to have this time together and feeling free doing something we both love — walk the beach.  Yes, I wish my foot was back to normal, but surprisingly walking on the beach […]

Thinking about beaches, turtle eggs and a Green Turtle victory

| 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 […]

Our Lanai Condominium repairs in Florida are looking better

| September 16, 2025

I really thought that I posted a photo last month on the Lanai construction happening at our Delray Beach condo? Nope, can’t find it (photo right). But thanks to our super nice neighbor, she took a couple updated photos below for us in between the heavy rains they have been getting in south Florida (we […]

Music Monday: “The Morning After” by Maureen McGovern

| May 12, 2025

Before leaving Florida and driving back to Ohio this spring, we waited a little longer in able to update and install fiber for our Internet and TV at the condo in Delray Beach. Although Xfinity has been stable, the BlueStream Fiber combined services was newly contracted by the HOA — it’s actually a big improvement […]

Archive: We never tire of seeing this Atlantic Ocean view

| March 22, 2025

Seeing this view each morning as we head to the beach never gets old. To be sure, I’ve posted similar photos a few times before, but even as the wallpaper on my iPhone, I can’t get enough of it.  As our time in Florida for 2025 inches closer to a close, Brenda and I are […]

We stay on the lookout for different crabs on our beach walks

| March 9, 2025

While on our walk on the beach the other day, we spotted an unusual looking crab (posted a couple crab photos last month and this month too). After a little digging on the Internet, I think this crab appears to be a Florida Rough Box Crab (Calappa gallus) or a closely related species of Box […]

Semi-excessive Florida Beach Walking and the Snowy Egret

| 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 […]

Enjoying “The Life of Riley” … as the old phrase goes

| February 5, 2025

While sitting down after our long beach walk with a warm breeze on a sunny day while in Delray Beach, Florida, I commented to Brenda that we were living “The Life of Riley.” I assumed she would be familiar with the reference and meaning that we were living a comfortable and carefree life. She surprised […]

Walking Delray Beach each day, even in questionable weather

| January 25, 2025

The shoreline of the “Gulf of America” isn’t the only area impacted by cold weather this past week, as Brenda and I are feeling the cold a bit further south in Florida too. We’ve been walking daily in the cool north winds on Delray Beach and still enjoying it, despite the numb fingers and cold […]

Thoughts on owning second homes/condos and inflationary costs

| November 24, 2024

With all the expenses associated with owning a Florida condo these days (HOA monthly dues, large engineering related assessments, increases in insurance and real estate taxes, not to mention normal utilities and repairs) … I’m wondering if being an owner is worth it? Nevertheless, Brenda and I do enjoy the longer escapes these days as […]

Archive: Bananas and our granddaughter broke her little toe

| November 5, 2024

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The iPhone16, US Mobile auto top-off and bigger photos and video

| 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 […]

When the ocean gets churned up, what is this sea foam?

| October 22, 2024

Brenda and I have been working hard to walk the beach while on our annual October vacation to Florida. This year the ocean weather has been windy, a bit rainy … but warm. We’ve found the longer than usual walk challenging as the waves and tide has shrunk the beach and churned the water. We’ve […]

A leftover Spring 2024 Vacation photo from Delray Beach, FL

| May 7, 2024

The sunsets across rural Ohio never really get old. I’ve driven home to Cincinnati this time of evening more times than I care to remember while coming home from NE Ohio … but those days are now behind me. This time it was returning from a spring vacation in April and I realized that there […]

A trip to Florida has me pondering the future of my iPhone7+

| April 30, 2024

While uploading a late April 2024 peaceful looking Delray Beach scene from my “aging” iPhone 7 Plus, the distorted panorama photo has me wondering just when it will be time to upgrade? Since my 7 year old smartphone will no longer update a few of the apps due to an old iOS … I do […]

Contemplating and already missing our winter beach days

| March 10, 2024

I wish I could say that our winter Florida vacation was long enough, but to be honest, it flew by way too fast. Nevertheless, being “snowbirds” … as our son Taylor called us … suited us just fine. We thought our daily walks on the beach (10,000+ steps each day) and eating less were surely […]

Archive: KDAE February 2024 vacation to Florida Wrap-Up Part 2

| March 6, 2024

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Archive: KDAE February 2024 vacation to Florida Wrap-Up Part 1

| March 3, 2024

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Filler: Admiring a Lucid Air while driving in Florida

| February 25, 2024

Just a filler photo of a Lucid Air from Massachusetts that I was admiring while driving in Delray Beach, Florida last week.

What doesn’t belong here? Very Waldo-ellian! #DDJ #humor

| February 10, 2024

Ok … so the title of this post is questionable.  The twisting of the “Where’s Waldo” picture game with the Orwellian like doublespeak obviously shows that I was too tired in preparing to add this photo to the blog. My plan in putting this “snail shell” in a palm tree was to See if it […]

Walking the beach in Florida and a “Big Eye” #TBT moment

| January 25, 2024

A post from over a decade ago highlighted a beach find that was rather unique for the east coast of Florida … a BIG eye … so figure for this ThrowBack Thursday #TBT it would be a way to then comment on a Portuguese Man O’ War spawn this week along Delray Beach. Although there […]

Escape: It is not perfect weather, but better than Ohio

| January 20, 2024

The weather up north is … well wintery and cold … so we are not complaining this year in our escape to Delray Beach, FL. We are disappointed as usual to see the substantial amount of plastic washing up on the beach during our walks. It reminds me of growing up in the 1960s and […]

Archive: A shark on the beach and a toothless granddaughter

| November 29, 2023

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Archive: Rain showers and our growing granddaughters

| November 26, 2023

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Archive: “The Sea Was Angry That Day My Friends …”

| November 18, 2023

Just saving a couple photos after walking the debris covered walkway at Atlantic Dunes in Delray Beach, Florida after the “monsoon” of a November 2023 storm. The heavy surf wash away A LOT of sand beach and left a mess of branches and leaves on the trails we normally walk on. Thankfully the heavy wind, […]

Beach vacations are restful and a necessary recharge for me

| October 18, 2023

Although a new iPhone14 or 15 would make the quality of photos a little better, my old iPhone7plus is still chugging along. I haven’t taken a panoramic for a while, so rather than go the selfie route (Brenda veto-ed the photo we took) for today’s vacation blog post. So I’ll post a Delray Beach pano […]

Leftover Florida rain, condo window & banana trees photos

| April 26, 2023

It was impressive to watch weather moving across the ocean and while wrapping up our “new condo windows” trip, we saw a bit of impressive rain and “interesting” spring weather in Florida. The photo above captured nature’s impressive power and the 40 knots winds if caught out in this squall on a small boat would […]

Archive: Catch-up photos from April 2023 trip to Florida

| April 23, 2023

A trip to Florida would not be compete without at least one timeline marking photo of us … so this catch-up post with a few leftover photos from our “condo window installation” trip will start with a Brenda and Rich beach photo.  Between a few rain and heavy wind days, we had some sunny and […]

Archive: The new condo windows have finally been installed

| April 22, 2023

We have had our share of rain in Florida this April while in Delray Beach, but have finally finished the upgrade of new windows in the condo. I should have done it back in 2018 as I would have save a few thousand dollars, but as the saying goes … “better late than never” (they […]

Music Monday: Never knew I enjoyed Taylor Swift music

| April 17, 2023

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Archive: A few Easter weekend family photos and video

| April 11, 2023

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Archive: Leftover family and condo photos from the past week

| February 26, 2023

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A bit more on the Portuguese Man O’ Wars this past week

| February 18, 2023

Brenda commented that I didn’t link any information on the the large numbers of Portuguese Man O’ Wars earlier this week, so figured I would share a beach photo of a bourgeoning Portuguese Man O’ War spawn that were washing up all over the beach this past week (click above). The interesting colored spot on […]

Our shrinking kitchen counter space in the Florida condo

| February 16, 2023

Nothing like a big game, a bag of frozen Costco chicken wings and a desire to make them crispier than in a normal oven to talk us into a splurge buy! At home in Cincinnati, we enjoy our Breville convection toaster oven at home so much that really wanted one down at the Delray Beach […]

A few more family homebuilding photos and using rehab as an excuse to take a winter trip to Florida

| February 15, 2023

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For the record, we joined Costco with the rest of America

| December 4, 2022

With a new Costco store opening close to home in Liberty Township, Ohio (and one in Delray or actually in Boca Raton, FL), Brenda and I have finally decided to join. My buddy Jeff has been a Costco shopper for eons … and Katelyn and Drew are always telling us about their weekend trips to […]

Archive: Some family time with our granddaughters

| November 30, 2022

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Thanksgiving 2022: “Out of the mouth of babes …”

| November 24, 2022

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Our Chick-fil-A order was securely delivered with a smile

| November 19, 2022

Our Chick-fil-A order last week was “securely” delivered to our car by a law enforcement officer … and with a smile (wish I could have tipped him)! My kind of city and state. Community outreach does not get much better than this! #lawenforcement & @ChickfilA working together to keep the line moving. pic.twitter.com/oisMROLqLz — Rich […]

Weather watching as SubTropical Storm Nicole approaches

| November 8, 2022

The hurricane tracking cone is a little squirrelly, but SubTropical Storm Nicole does look at if it will hit the Bahamas as a hurricane and likely from our recent experience of enjoying the “WARM” water on South Florida’s Atlantic beaches (a couple of photos below the break from earlier this month). As of Tuesday afternoon […]

With the first freeze in SW Ohio … I’d rather be on the beach

| October 19, 2022

There was a leftover beach flyover video on my phone from our late September – early October Florida vacation so with a private family post creating registered only viewing and the first real cold weather of the season, this makes for an envious filler. I’m looking forward to warm weather and the beach again. Why […]

Red Baron Brick Oven Pizza and beach pigeons …

| October 11, 2022

With a lot of football watching in the evening last week while on vacation in Delray Beach, our appetite was for pizza. Normally we might have ordered it from a pizza shop, but since Target had Red Baron pizzas on sale for $3.99, we opted for their Brick Oven medium pizza. Shockingly, neither Brenda or […]

Desultory - des-uhl-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee

  1. lacking in consistency, constancy, or visible order, disconnected; fitful: desultory conversation.
  2. digressing from or unconnected with the main subject; random: a desultory remark.
My Desultory Blog