RichC | December 10, 2025
A couple of automotive “oldies” crossed my interests this week. One of them was of course on my automotive social media feed, but another pulled from an old magazine in my workshop. First, the Earl Scheib sign and left me remembering the annoying voice and advertising from the 1970s and 80s: “Hi, I’m Earl Scheib, […]
RichC | December 8, 2025
Today’s “Freebird” for Music Monday by Lynyrd Skynyrd is a 1973 classic, but I also recently heard “Freebird!” being exclaimed as a joke Fox Business as a way to “break the monotony” of a conversation and humorously “make fun of” each other on the 12-2pm slotted “The Big Money Show.” So for today … here’s […]
RichC | December 1, 2025
A month or so ago, David Bowie and the song “Changes” was highlighted on Music Monday. It started me thinking about other hits, and I realized that “Rebel Rebel” was another one of the timeless classics that should be included. It was a 1974 UK release and big hit. It is likely known worldwide by […]
RichC | 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.
RichC | September 29, 2025
Here’s a song from The Bridge on SiriusXM that I held onto from this summer; I was trying to decide if I really liked it or not and so decided to save it for a slow Music Monday (that would be today). 😉 That said, I do remember listening to Todd Rundgren from the late […]
RichC | September 15, 2025
Dire Straits was a British rock band formed in London in 1977 by Mark Knopfler, his brother David Knopfler, John Illsley and Pick Withers, known for their unique blend of rock, folk, and blues driven by Mark Knopfler’s signature guitar style. Their breakthrough hit, “Sultans of Swing,” was released in 1978 and remains their one […]
RichC | September 8, 2025
Jackson Browne has always been on my go-to list when it comes to picking songs and listening to music. He was one of the first names added to my Pandora list back when it was just starting — Wow … that was 2006. For Music Monday this week, here’s “Boulevard,” released on his album “Hold […]
RichC | September 1, 2025
In keeping with the current summer of 1970’s music, I’ll add another one for this week’s Music Monday … as the summer semi-officially ends (Labor Day, right)??? This one definitely returns me to the ONU dorms and listening to music while studying in college (cough). I suspect most from my generation experience the same flashback […]
RichC | August 22, 2025
Although this may be late to the game (YouTube video is 1 year old) this was impressive. I guess there is more to an expensive Apple USB-C Thunderbolt 4 cable than meets the eye?
RichC | August 11, 2025
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RichC | August 9, 2025
Since someone commented to me online, knowing that I’ve been tinkering with AI chatbots, “How much should everyday non-business users be paying for artificial intelligence?” I thought to myself and then decided to test the new ChatGPT4o … better known as ChatGPT5 … what “it” thought we should be paying (BTW, ChatGPT5 “really likes designing […]
RichC | July 30, 2025
During the early years of World War II, few aircraft turned as many heads—or changed the tide of air power—like the Lockheed P-38 Lightning. With its distinctive twin-boom design and central nacelle cockpit, the P-38 didn’t just look different; it was different. This radical design, the brainchild of Lockheed’s legendary engineer Clarence “Kelly” Johnson and […]
RichC | July 28, 2025
Due to my college roommate Jerry Moody’s love for bands and brass instruments (he played the tuba and sousaphone in ONU’s marching band), we listened to plenty of Chuck Mangione on our stereo. During the 4 years we roomed together (three years in Founders Hall and then one in an off-campus apartment where we both […]
RichC | May 27, 2025
FYI, I have zero understanding of climate science beyond knowing that it is a politically loaded topic. I’ve tried to remain balanced on pollution vs economic issues my entire life — advocating for saving the whales, birds and manatees and for clean water and air in the 1960-70s when human offensives were clearly noticeable … […]
RichC | May 26, 2025
Although Memorial Day posts have generally been focused on honoring and remembering on MDB, I’m breaking the tradition and will include a Music Monday song titled “18 Summers” from the Christian artist Matthew West. It so happened that my daughter sent his YouTube video and a comment regarding college and her girls (still a decade […]
RichC | April 21, 2025
My daughter recommended the Christian band CAIN to me last month. She thought that I would enjoy their music … and remembered that I used the lyrics from “Landslide” in our Christmas 2011 Letter; also she knew Brenda and I both enjoyed Rumours of Fleetwood Mac in 2018 (music from our era). 😉 […]
RichC | March 17, 2025
While listening to Pandora’s version of 1970’s music last week, I picked up a song that “reminded” me of 1982, the year Brenda and I were married. The song was written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David’s and originally recorded as a demo by Dionne Warwick in 1963; it was “Always Something There To Remind Me.” […]
RichC | February 10, 2025
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RichC | February 4, 2025
Although I’m not recommending a discussion between Michael Horton, James Wood and David VanDrunen to all Christians, the YouTube conversation between theologians is still interesting for those who are politically active in society and the church. The panelists explored the significance of post-liberalism and how it contrasts with classical liberalism, particularly in relation to Christian theology […]
RichC | January 27, 2025
“Reelin’ In the Years,” a song by American rock band Steely Dan was written by Donald Fagen and Walter Becker. The song features Fagen on vocals and is an early example of their easily recognized sound. I found it interesting to read that Fagen thought it “dumb but effective,” and Becker said it was “no […]
RichC | January 26, 2025
Here’s hoping this lifts someone reading my blog today … Micah 6:8 — New International Version He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
RichC | January 13, 2025
While listening to a 1970 oddity song this week as the wildfires ravaged areas around Los Angeles California, a song by Albert Hammond (co-written by Mike Hazlewood) triggered Music Monday thoughts. It is an “oddity” in that “It Never Rains in Southern California” is the only hit I remember Albert Hammond recording (photo upper left […]
RichC | January 1, 2025
Television has made a lot of people famous, but only a handful of cars have tagged along with a show’s protagonist to lasting fame. One such example is the pairing that rose to a lasting stardom is the 1977 Pontiac Firebird Formula and James Garner as the stars of The Rockford Files. While Garner passed […]
RichC | December 9, 2024
There’s no getting away from highlighting music from the 1970s on Music Monday — I can’t help myself. 😊 While listening to the segment-change music on a Fox Business show, KC and the Sunshine Band’s “Get Down Tonight” from 1975 caught my ear. I realized that Harry Wayne Casey and his band was highlighted before in […]
RichC | November 18, 2024
Although I listened to a fair amount of “easy listening” music through the years and have posted music by Lobo years ago on Music Monday, I don’t recall listening to his 1972 song back in the day. According to Wikipedia, Kent LaVoie (Lobo) released the “Don’t Expect Me to Be Your Friend” on his “Of […]
RichC | October 23, 2024
My daughter Katelyn forwarded me this impressive fireball image and earthsky.org article with a YouTube video captured by people from Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and even Western NY (she hinted that it was “blogworthy” … so what is a dad to do? Share it, obviously). 🙂 The meteor (??) was clearly seen streaking over Lake Erie […]
RichC | October 21, 2024
After late last month’s Music Monday song from Simon and Garfunkel, it was difficult not to include the Side-A song at some point … and better sooner than too much later. “Cecilia” was first recorded by Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel for their 1970 album Bridge Over Troubled Water. It reached #4 in the US […]
RichC | October 14, 2024
A quick song for Music Monday that is fitting for today. “On The Road Again” is from Willie Nelson in his prime … and one that everybody knows, probably by heart. If you don’t know the song or the artist, you haven’t lived long enough. 😊
RichC | September 23, 2024
While out and about the other day, the song “Before My Heart Finds Out” popped on SiriusXM’s The Bridge channel. I recalled the song from 1978, but not the artist Gene Cotton. According to a Wikipedia post, it was from his 8th album, Save the Dancer and “became his greatest hit reaching number 23 on […]
RichC | September 16, 2024
It has been a longtime since I’ve turned up the radio louder than normal in the car (my Menieres issues) … actually I can’t remember when; it has been that long. Anyway, over the weekend I was running out to the hardware store and picking up Brenda’s favorite takeout, Chinese “Sweet and Sour Chicken” while […]
RichC | August 10, 2024
Not that I’m contemplating “doomsday” or ultra-paranoid, but the new book by Annie Jacobsen called “Nuclear War: A Scenario” is indeed frightening and does make me realize just how quickly the President of the United States must make nuclear decisions — 6 minutes. Our military interactions over the past 100+ years have all been quick-strike […]
RichC | July 1, 2024
It is hard to believe that the country music band “Wild Country” from Fort Payne, Alabama, now known as “Alabama” has been around since 1969? I was surprised. The band’s popularity exploded in the late 1970s and early 1980s after 2 hit songs in 1977 and a record deal with RCA Records (about the time […]
RichC | June 12, 2024
Great from Eastwood‘s “Mark’s Garage” in using a 4-fluke end mill in a cordless drill to remove “weld through” primer’s and coatings when making plug welds. Also appreciated the budget minded 3/16″ drill bit advice from a follower: “You don’t need to buy an end mill. Grind a drill bit flat on the end and […]
RichC | June 10, 2024
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RichC | June 3, 2024
Some “before my time” 1950’s music was triggered by this animated gif from 150 or so years ago. It’s “The Killer,” Jerry Lee Lewis (1935-2022), and his 1955 song, “Whole Lot Of Shakin’ Going On” that is today’s Music Monday song … which likely means I should mention, “Great Balls of Fire” from 1957 too […]
RichC | May 26, 2024
Here’s an interesting rainy weekend workshop project idea: A squeeze clamp drill press vice to hold smaller items securely. Hm … looks interesting and simple enough. I currently use a classic Jorgensen wood clamp called a Jorgensen Handscrew (above) to hold pieces while using the small drill press, but could use something like this. Check […]
RichC | May 4, 2024
Juliëtte Sterkens gave an excellent TedTalk on “What you don’t know about hearing aids” — check it out if you or you know someone struggling with hearing loss. For most people it’s not a matter of if, but when, they will lose some sense of hearing. Still, we don’t give hearing loss or hearing aids […]
RichC | April 22, 2024
In 1990s, well after I was focused on listening to whatever new songs were popular, the Irish band “The Cranberries” was making music that caught my ear. Previously, I posted on the alt rock song “Linger” for Music Monday, but today will highlight their music video for “Dreams” after hearing it as FoxBusiness segment music. […]
RichC | April 15, 2024
It seems like it has been a while since Music Monday has highlighted Kenny Chesney? Maybe it hasn’t been that long, but then again, it has been a year … and I haven’t been streaming the No Shoes Radio channel on SiriusXM for a while lately. That aside, I did listen for a while while working […]
RichC | March 26, 2024
As has become a routine, I’m archiving a couple family weekend photos. First, last week was Gigi’s rescue day (Taylor and Megan’s dog). It was in 2023 that they found her and after attempting to find the owner by posting signs etc … although they suspected she was abandoned after having puppies … adopted her […]
RichC | March 6, 2024
After recently visiting Sea World in Orlando with our family … and posting on Orcas and Sharks for years here on MyDesultoryBlog.com … this ABC Good Morning America YouTube video of an Orca attacking a Great White Shark was amazing:
RichC | February 24, 2024
A few of the history oriented books I read in 2023 were about World War II Naval Aviation in the Pacific … after the previous years studying Navy and US Marine battles. As much as I enjoyed the books by several aviators who flew Corsairs (1, 2, 3, 4) … I really enjoyed reading last […]
RichC | February 13, 2024
As a long time Volkswagen guy … I enjoyed the “An American Love Story” commercial (YouTube) in Super Bowl LVIII. Of course there were a lot of creative advertisements, but the VW one tugged at my heart-strings. Those who know me, know that I’ve had a memorable history with VW vehicles, from my high […]
RichC | February 6, 2024
While looking for an excuse to modify and add this automotive humor meme to a post … Below the break there’s an animagraff that details a front wheel drive manual transmission and clutch assembly on YouTube. It’s well done and rather mesmerizing.
RichC | January 11, 2024
All woodworkers making projects tinker with making joints and deciding on which ones are best for their drawers, frames and boxes. I’ve experimented with a variety usually based on traditional construction and visual appeal. BUT I also assumed certain joints were stronger an provided both glue and mechanical strength necessary (ie. drawers getting closed and […]
RichC | January 1, 2024
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RichC | December 31, 2023
After commenting back in 2022 on a favorite Babylon Bee parody video (added from YouTube below the break), this 2023 year year end New Year’s Eve favorite is another California oriented music video. Both parody clips highlight memorable songs as well as destructive policies from progressive Democrats governing a once idyllic state. It does seems […]
RichC | December 26, 2023
Have you ever wondered about taxes … and how many (or how much) is too little or too much? If so, here’s a short YouTube clip from the TaxFoundation:
RichC | December 25, 2023
Pre-posting a Christmas day blog update as I’m expecting to be busy with our family … and for the record … I am finally getting in the spirit and correct mood to celebrate Christ’s birthday. Since this is a Music Monday, it is appropriate to include the most popular Christmas song in America … BUT […]
RichC | December 4, 2023
The music I listened to in the early 1980s was in my opinion still leftover from the 1970s. I was still finishing up college and grad school … but growing up since Brenda and I were married in 1982 (although “grown up” would be a stretch)! So for me, Hall and Oates and their hit […]
RichC | November 27, 2023
“Come Sail Away” is today’s Music Monday song by Styx. It took me back to hanging out in the dorm room with my roommate and listening to music. Was life less stressful back then … or is it just the rose color glasses perspective of time (probably the later)?
RichC | November 6, 2023
Although I’m sure I’m not the only one, but today’s Music Monday song (and YouTube served music video) is one of those songs that after hearing it, I can’t get out of my head … in other words, an earworm. The “Best Day of my Life” from 2013 is by pop band American Authors and […]
RichC | October 23, 2023
While laying on the beach and watching the clouds drift over last week, Brenda stuck a granola bar in my mouth and I laughed, commenting that I was like a seagull … a Jonathan Livingston Seagull. She rolled her eyes as I headed down memory lane remembering and played the Richard Bach story (fable) from […]
RichC | October 9, 2023
It is hard for me not to enjoy almost any James Taylor music no matter who sings or plays the songs, but the music is especially enjoyable when it is the Lexington Lab Band (includes my schoolmate from high school, Rob Pottorf). For Music Monday this week, here’s the group’s YouTube video of “Copperline” that […]
RichC | October 2, 2023
It is still difficult to believe that Jimmy Buffett in gone and won’t be making new music or touring. I know I still hear his music in my head and wish there was a way to go back a few decades to enjoy a new albums and songs every year all over again. Jimmy […]
RichC | September 18, 2023
When I hear Peter Frampton, I’m transported back to high school and riding with a photographer friend Chris Carr in Sidney, Ohio … and istening to “Frampton Comes Alive!” in his first generation Chevy II Nova with an 8-track player (previous post)! So for today’s Music Monday‘s “flashback memory,” here’s “Baby I Love Your […]
RichC | August 28, 2023
While winding down the last of the lazy summer pool weekends (photo from 2016) this August 2023, there aren’t many better songs than those from the singer/songwriter Bertie Higgins. A few years back his “Just Another Day in Paradise” was a Music Monday selection and probably a favorite … but equally enjoyable is “Key Largo.” […]
RichC | August 21, 2023
William Royce “Boz” Scaggs “recalled: “Lido Shuffle” was a song that I’d been banging around. I … took the idea of the shuffle [from] a song that Fats Domino did called “The Fat Man” that had a kind of driving shuffle beat that I used to play on the piano, and I just started kind […]
RichC | August 20, 2023
One of the frustrations in setting up tools of any kind is to get the settings precisely adjusted quickly and accurately on the first or at least close to the first try. For years I’ve struggled with my old questionable router table (35 years old) and dislike a few of the set up items. I […]
RichC | August 16, 2023
Deep down … I think most people know that there is something corrupt when it comes to climate science, grant money and politics. Still we are hesitate to question anything because “who am I to question these complicated issues?” It has always bothered me that so many things become an immediate, high priority “crisis” when […]