My Cousin Cindy

A woman in a brown dress is standing and smiling indoors near a bathroom.

My mother told me today that my cousin, Cindy Shaw Rounds, passed away in her sleep in Jacksonville at the age of 63, either last night or this morning. I will miss her greatly. I often saw and spoke with her at funerals for my great-aunts, uncles, grandparents, and at family reunions. I also have fond memories of staying with her and my other cousins in Jacksonville for about two weeks when I was a preteen while my dad was working there. I will cherish the memories I had of her. 

Gadgets, Data, and Doubt

A silver ring is on the left, and a modern smartwatch with a minimalist design is on the right.

Technology can be amazing and frustrating at the same time. It kind of reminds me of the media—hold on, you’ll see where I’m going with this comparison. I have a Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 and an Oura Ring 3. I wear both to track my sleep and heart health because I have sleep apnea and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

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Beyond Politics: How to Build a Better Federal Government

I have a multifaceted plan to restore integrity to the U.S. representative governing system. While I am not naive enough to believe this could happen through Congress alone, I think it is high time the states called for a Constitutional Convention. Such conventions should likely occur regularly, perhaps every 150 to 200 years.

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The Road to Retirement

Beach during sunset with soft waves hitting the sand
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels

I was thinking the other day after my doctor said the colonoscopy went well. He removed one polyp, and it was likely benign. The pathology results confirmed that it was indeed benign. The doctor also mentioned that I won’t need another colonoscopy for seven years—just two years before I retire.

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Went to the eye doctor today in a city one county over—took about an hour to get there. The doctor was friendly & thorough. He agreed my prescription was bad, fixed it, & now I have new glasses on the way. 💵💵 My new glasses will come in a couple of weeks!

Finally going to the eye doctor tomorrow for new glasses. So glad I am about to go crazy with this prescription it has been pretty bad.

18 years ago, I was diagnosed with and had a basal cell carcinoma on my back it was fully removed. Now, I have a yearly dermatologist appointment for skin checks. It was done today, and still noting of concern. Except my Notalgia paresthetica adding Capsaicin creme in addition to Sarna. #thankful

If a Democratic president attempted to exert the kind of influence Musk has over government payment systems, Republicans would be up in arms, demanding impeachment hearings. Musk wasn’t elected to anything, and in my view, his loyalties seem to serve only himself.

I watched an old episode of Laverne & Shirley today, and there was one scene that had me laughing nonstop. They just don’t make lighthearted TV like that anymore. We especially need laughter nowadays. #ClassicTV #TV #Nostalgia

Already thinking of next week got a busy week. So glad it was a restful weekend.

Self Hosting

A visually engaging digital illustration of a person sitting at a desk, looking frustrated yet determined while working on a Raspberry Pi 5

Trying to self-host is a lot of work. I’m not a techie—just a wannabe techie with some computer skills. Mainly, I have enough knowledge to recognize patterns and handle simple tasks.

With the advent of ChatGPT (which I’ve found to be the best so far), I’m trying to step out of my comfort zone and learn new things. However, I’ve had to rely on ChatGPT for Portainer YAML files, Docker, Docker Compose, and setting up my Raspberry Pi 5 in a Pironman 5 case. I assembled the hardware myself, but when it came to the software, I needed ChatGPT’s help.

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Been busy working on my Micro.blog site lately, and I think it’s shaping up nicely. I only have a couple more things I want to do. I’m no coder or developer, but ChatGPT has been a great help! #Microblogging #WebDesign #NoCode #AIHelper #ChatGPT

Blogging today

Blogging today is both more complicated and less complicated than in the past. What do I mean by this? Technically, there are more choices than ever before, which makes things both simpler and more complex. Options like WordPress, Google's Blogger, Bear Blog, Micro.blog, Hugo, Write.as, Scribbles, and many more exist today.

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Currently reading: Who is Jesus– Really? by Josh McDowell 📚

Colonoscopy done for the next 5 years—only one polyp this time. The doctor is optimistic it will come back benign. Big thanks to the amazing staff at the TGH USF Surgery Center! 🙏 The best part? Being done and finally able to eat again! 🍽️ #Health #Colonoscopy #Grateful #Blessed

TGH USF Log

Throwback: A Hilarious Podcast Meme

Throwback: A Hilarious Podcast Meme

This meme first appeared on Twitter a few years ago, and it had me laughing non-stop.

If you’ve ever listened to podcasts, you’ll appreciate the humor—it’s just too good to keep buried in the archives.

The creative genius behind this meme is Jonathan Ogden, a talented Christian musician. His unique sense of humor shines in moments like this. If you’re curious about his work, check out his Twitter handle or explore his contact information.

Just finished watching. Not bad, seen worse. #TheWildRobot #Movies #Entertainment #Streaming

Reflections and Routines: Thoughts Before Monday

This week, I’ve been reflecting on an upcoming medical procedure scheduled for Monday—a routine colonoscopy. While the procedure itself isn’t bad, I truly dread the day before. Preparing for it is unpleasant, but I know it’s necessary for my health. Since I’m high-risk due to previously discovered benign polyps, I need to have one every 3 to 5 years. It’s an expense I’d rather avoid, but it’s essential for peace of mind.

I’ve also been contemplating blogging. Writing has always been a cathartic outlet for me, a way to process my feelings and reflect on life. It’s interesting to look back on how my thoughts have evolved over the years—some things have changed, while others remain constant. In a way, my blog posts capture my growth and maturing.

Even if no one reads my writing, that’s okay. Who knows? Maybe a hundred years from now, someone will stumble upon my words. Perhaps they’ll laugh, cry, or even pause to think.

Now, if only I could get back into reading this year.

#HealthMatters #BloggingLife #PersonalGrowth

Posted on Micro.blog

The #Samsungevent has great Jazz music very relaxing.

I don’t remember the whole day of the Presidential Inauguration being televised all day. You would almost think this is National Trump day. I just want some Local or World News not Trump News minutely. I been watching old TV shows all day.