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 […]

Delayed SpaceX Crew-12 should launch today at 5:38AM

| February 12, 2026

NASA and SpaceX have delayed this week’s Crew-12 launch because of the weather, even though conditions at Florida’s Cape Canaveral launch site will be good to go. Check out the WeatherChannel page to see why weather below the rocket’s flight path is the big concern. LINK

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 […]

A “here’s looking at you” filler photo

| October 14, 2025

More on our quick trip to drop the van off at the Florida condo and check on the lanai update later.

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: Enjoyed beach time with the Oostra family last week

| April 22, 2025

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Palm Sunday afternoon, taxes and KDAE at Legoland in Florida

| April 14, 2025

Let’s start with yesterday’s Palm Sunday word of the day … or at least one that I learned from today’s TFL devotional “God’s Plan All Along” and the Hebrew word: “Tetelestai!”   The Hebrew word that Τετέλεσται (it is finished) best translates is שָׁלֵם, which is how the Syriac Peshitta* and modern Hebrew** translations translate […]

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 […]

Archive: A few leftover Florida photos and oddities

| March 19, 2025

Going through my iPhone’s photos folder to see what I’ve missed posting about  is becoming a habit. This past weekend I realized that the SpaceX Falcon9 rocket with the crewed Dragon capsule‘s launch contrails on Saturday evening were blogworthy as was a condo “parking lot” photo of the Blood Worm Moon on Saturday evening (click […]

Thinking the same thing already this year … #TBT

| March 13, 2025

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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 […]

Happy Birthday Annalyn! We wish you were here!

| March 4, 2025

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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 […]

There’s no place better for Valentine’s Day than on the beach

| February 15, 2025

We have been enjoying our time together in Florida this month. The weather has been near perfect after a little “expected” cooler, damp, jacket weather that Florida received in January. Next week could be different … according to my weather and tides watcher — report courtesy of Brenda. 😉 Our daily walks are getting easier […]

Enjoying the Florida Sunshine and started a new book: “Area 51”

| February 13, 2025

Brenda and I have been thoroughly enjoying the surprisingly nice early February weather and escape from winter up north — and we are living The Life of Riley (a previous reference that I can’t get out of my mind).   I’ve finished “Killing the Rising Sun” and have picked up a Annie Jacobsen book (previous […]

Competitive Super Bowl LIX? Nope, the Eagles crushed the Chiefs

| February 11, 2025

Brenda and I enjoyed watching Super Bowl LIX on Sunday February 9, 2025 in Florida this year (summary below) after a enjoyable sunny day and walk on the beach. It sure is a great way to escape the winter (see Oostras skating below the break)! One of the lowlights of our beach walk (my antonym for […]

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 […]

Books: “Killing the Rising Sun” by Bill O’Reilly (2016)

| February 1, 2025

When it comes to reading downloaded books on my Kindle, sometimes I need to pick up where I left off. Last year I started to reading Bill O’Reilly’s 2016 book “Killing the Rising Sun” and put it down to read something else. So this year, I’ve picked it back up again while spending some extended […]

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 […]

It is cold nearly everywhere and even snowing in Florida

| January 23, 2025

Spotted in the Florida Panhandle above and airboat video in Louisiana below 😊 Saw the photo below on social media as a Polar Vortex powered Arctic Blast pushes across the country … and I thought, “climate change” (so long as it is warmer weather) … isn’t coming fast enough!  

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 […]

Making a few measurements to fix our beach umbrella

| November 17, 2024

On our recent trip to Florida, we saw stronger than usual winds on the beach most of the trip. Unfortunately the excellent BeachBub umbrella broke, although I’m unsure it was due to the stronger wind (but likely). I’ve written an email to the company just to see if there is a new “frame” part even […]

Watching Hurricane Rafael this week as it moves north

| November 6, 2024

Keeping an eye on late season tropical storm, now upgraded to Hurricane Rafael this week, although it doesn’t look overly threatening … besides some wind and lot of rain. Let’s hope it remains in the Gulf of Mexico and doesn’t get any stronger?

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 […]

Filler: If you are having a bad day, dream about a trip to Alaska

| October 18, 2024

Photo is from the internet — not mine. ☹️

Cat 5 Hurricane Milton sets sight on Florida’s west coast

| October 8, 2024

Once again, the second half of the hurricane season is brewing up what looks to be another monster storm in the Gulf of Mexico (post after Hurricane Helene). This one is named Hurricane Milton and has quickly spun up to a category 5 storm as it starts moving from west to east across the gulf. […]

Watching as Hurricane Helene aims for Florida’s Big Bend

| September 26, 2024

Hurricane Helene (2024) looks to be big enough to pack a massive punch. Hopefully all in the  low-lying area of Florida’s big bend and gulf coast area are evacuating.  From my perspective, my daughter and her family are on a Disney Cruise and will stay at sea at least 12 hours longer as they wait […]

It has been HOT all this week in SW Ohio … but especially today

| August 30, 2024

Record heat all this week, but today was especially HOT! What’s wrong with this Ohio vs Florida summer temperature comparison???

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.

Sloothing a college friend, a shoe throwing incident and a seagull

| February 11, 2024

While on vacation and walking the beach, Brenda threatened a bird with her sandal who was boldly getting a little to close to her while we were snacking on a granola bar. I laughed at her as the thought about ONE of the Christmas break trips to Florida with my college and a memory came […]

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 […]

Who doesn’t enjoy looking up and seeing the Goodyear Blimp?

| February 4, 2024

Years ago while regularly making my weekly drive to and from NE Ohio and through Akron, I often saw Goodyear blimps like the “Spirit of Akron” hanging over the interstate and city. Most of us know the blimp either for their aerial coverage of sporting events or watching them leisurely pass along beachfronts — often […]

Better weather, eating less and more walking last month

| February 3, 2024

While Brenda and I apprecated the warmer weather while in Florida last month, we really focused on walking more each day after working half days from the condo. Our steady daily beach walks and healthier eating will hopefully pay-off with the shedding of a few pounds and improving our long term health (Brenda’s hip replacement […]

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, […]

Archive: Memories from our October 2023 beachy vacation

| October 29, 2023

Before the photos from our October 2023 vacation to Florida are buried too deep on my phone, I’ll use this weekend post as is an excuse to archive them. Brenda and I had great weather for most of our vacation and enjoy many days walking on Delray Beach. She has recovered from hip surgery impressively […]

The US financial markets finally take (start?) their October slide

| October 19, 2023

Those who are elected (or strong-armed their way to power) are failing miserably at keeping peace in our world as we teeter on the edge of yet another war. No matter how advance we think we are, human beings are unable to get along with each other.  Stock Market Indices market close 10/18/2023 Stock market […]

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 […]

Who else has tried to “pinch-to-zoom” a paper map? #humor

| September 23, 2023

I had to laugh at myself the while reading one of the World War II Pacific Island campaign history books then looking up at my cork wall and trying to “pinch-to-zoom” the paper map for more details. Oh, the tech habits we adopt! And since this is a random kind of filler humor post, below […]

Nothing to see: Sewing my cap and Beach Bub umbrella bag

| September 2, 2023

Really, there’s isn’t anything to see … just a little sewing. Last weekend I got out the Sailrite Ultrafeed in order to salvage a pair of shorts that had frayed … but I failed, so they are now in the trash (I miss my mom).  But since I hauled home the BeachBub.com beach umbrella bag […]

Hurricane Idalia slams ashore in the Big Bend area of Florida

| August 30, 2023

The good news is that Hurricane Idalia waited until morning to come ashore and did it in a less populated area of Florida, know as the Florida’s Nature Coast. The bad news is that it is low and ill prepared compared when it comes to construction (more manufactured homes and less hardened hurricane capable buildings). […]

Florida homeowners hit hard by insurance premiums

| August 8, 2023

Archiving an article from last week’s Barron Magazine which highlighted what I’ve been noticing with homeowner insurance rates on our condo in Florida. When I called the agent about the increase last year, she commented that I should be thankful for the increase as it was on the lower side compared to most. Yikes .. […]

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