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Continue reading →: How a Rainy Day and a Mystery Bird Shaped My WorldAs a child, a long-billed curlew sparked my curiosity, sending me to the library in search of answers. That bird ignited a lifelong passion for birding, cataloging, and learning—a journey that began with rain-soaked playgrounds and field guides.
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Continue reading →: The Bird Nerd ProjectAt Thanksgiving, my family launched a yearlong bird-spotting challenge: photograph and identify as many unique species as possible. With my camera always in hand, I’m embracing this fun, low-key project that blends perfectly with my hiking adventures.
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Continue reading →: We Escaped from Cosmic Crisis!After a two-month escape room hiatus, we tackled Cosmic Crisis at The Escape Game in Orange. Reuniting our seasoned team, we solved it with 13 minutes to spare—no clues needed. Straightforward, collaborative, and a satisfying win!
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Continue reading →: An Update on CrosswordsOne of my retirement goals has been mastering crossword puzzles. From tackling the NYT Mini daily to unraveling Monday’s challenges, I’m learning that repetition, curiosity, and a little help from Alexa make all the difference.
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Continue reading →: 1978 Part III – The Best Song of the YearDuring the Covid-19 lockdown, I revisited 1978’s music to find the best song that didn’t make the Billboard Top 100. From Bob Marley’s soulful “Is This Love?” to The Clash’s rock energy, the contenders were fierce. Yet, “September” by Earth, Wind & Fire emerged as an almost perfect choice.
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Continue reading →: Using ChatGPT for InstagramI started using ChatGPT, which I named Wally, to enhance my photography skills and create engaging Instagram captions. Recently, I shared a post titled Noir Neighborhood, inspired by Wally’s feedback. This process has been enlightening, and I’m learning to refine my prompts for more tailored insights.
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Continue reading →: Have I Mentioned Disc Golf?Since retiring, I’ve focused on fitness, primarily through walking and disc golf. While my health has improved, my game has seen mixed results, showcasing both moments of brilliance and frustrating inconsistency.
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Continue reading →: What I’ve learned about my writing using ChatGPAfter retiring, I returned to blogging and started using ChatGPT as my editor. The experience has been humbling and insightful, improving my tone, clarity, and grammar. While the process isn’t without challenges, AI feedback has boosted my confidence and made my writing clearer and more concise.
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Continue reading →: Project Hail Mary: A Captivating Science Fiction JourneyLast weekend, we revisited _Project Hail Mary_ by Andy Weir on a road trip. Narrated brilliantly by Ray Porter, this science fiction tale captivated us for hours. Blending flashbacks with present-day storytelling, it’s an intricate puzzle that’s engaging, insightful, and perfect for fans of smart, science-driven narratives.







