Returning to C2T Ranch: A Perfect End to Camping Season

We went on our last camping trip of the season and returned to a place we had only visited once before but loved so much that we had to go again. We stayed at C2T Ranch on the Saline from October 17 to 19. This is a HipCamp site we first visited in 2022, and we were excited to go back. This spot never disappoints. It is on a working ranch where we saw and heard cattle roaming the land. At night, after going to bed, we heard coyotes in the distance. It was a fun spot, and we ate well too.

We decided to rent a U-Haul so we could all travel together in one vehicle, which worked out great. We went with Erin and Greg, who joined us on our first trip to C2T Ranch in 2022, so we all had good memories to revisit. We left early Friday morning and already had plans for lunch in Plainville, Kansas, where we ate at The Handle Bar Tavern and Eatery. It is an excellent spot north of Hays, Kansas, where we enjoyed drinks and delicious food. The Handle Bar Tavern and Eatery has a large menu, and everything the four of us ordered was excellent. I highly recommend stopping by if you are in western Kansas.

Check-in for our HipCamp was at 2 pm, and we arrived right on time. It looked just the way we remembered from our first visit. We set up quickly and were ready for the evening with fresh hamburger meat delivered by the HipCamp host. We did this the first year and remembered how good the burgers were on the open range. Along with the meat, we ordered potatoes to cook over the campfire.

Since we had an early start Friday morning, we did not stay up very late that night. I think we were all in our tents by 1 am. It was getting rather cold, so we were ready to call it a day. It was a fun first day of travel, camping, and relaxing.

Saturday morning we all got up somewhat early to make pancakes. Waking to the sound of cattle far off in the distance was something I had never experienced before. We all talked about how, during our previous visit, we did not recall hearing any cows. We guessed they were in a different pasture in 2022, which is why we did not hear them then. This time they were loud throughout the night and most of Saturday. Mid-afternoon the winds started, just as we expected, and that helped drown out the cows, but then we had to deal with gusts up to 40 to 50 mph. Chairs were flying around, items blew off tables, tents came unlatched, and even a few tumbleweeds rolled through our campsite.

We managed to play some cornhole Saturday afternoon before the winds really picked up. We had a few tournaments, but as the wind strengthened, we realized the game had to end because the bags were turning in the air and landing in random directions. It was still a fun afternoon as we listened to the sounds of the ranch, played music, and enjoyed games.

Saturday night we planned to cook pork tenderloin for dinner over the campfire. Greg took the lead in preparing the pork, and we got the fire ready for cooking. The pork turned out juicy and flavorful, and everyone enjoyed it. Erin and Carrie made instant mashed potatoes that paired perfectly with the pork.

After dinner and cleanup, we sat around the campfire enjoying the warmth. Having an unlimited supply of firewood is a real treat at this HipCamp because it allows us to keep the fire going as long as we want without worrying about finding more wood.

When Sunday morning rolled around, we were all sad to pack up and head home. As we packed, we talked about how we need to do the Hays, Kansas trip again and stay for more nights. We will see when we can fit that into our camping schedule since this year was busy with multiple trips. We enjoy camping so much, and I look forward to doing it again next year.

Until next time, have a great rest of your Sunday and a wonderful week.

Blues, Friends, and Good Times at King Biscuit Blues Festival 2025

I’m behind on this week’s update since I was away camping over the weekend, so here’s another short recap of the prior week.

The 2025 King Biscuit Blues Festival took place over two days this year: October 10 and 11. That’s one day shorter than in previous years. After almost not having a festival at all, it was great to enjoy two days of music, friends, and blues.

Corrie didn’t attend this year, which meant Carrie didn’t either. Eddie and I headed down on Wednesday even though the festival was only Friday and Saturday. We planned to meet up with Tommy, Eddie’s childhood friend, Tommy’s nephew Eddie, and Bart, a family friend. We stayed together for four nights in a VRBO. Two nights on our own before the festival started gave us time to relax and get ready for the fun.

The house was in Dundee, MS, right across the river from Helena, AR. It was our first time staying there for the festival, and it turned out to be a great spot. We spent time relaxing by the lake, enjoying the sun patio, and watching baseball at the house while we prepared for the weekend.

Thursday is usually busy with the festival kicking off, but this year was different. We had a laid-back day with lunch in downtown Helena and plans for dinner at Kathryn’s that evening. We called ahead and heard their voicemail say they were now open Thursday through Saturday. Perfect! We left a message for reservations. But when we arrived Thursday night, they were closed. We were so disappointed because we had really been looking forward to that meal. Instead, we headed back to the house and had leftovers from the night before.

Friday, the festival began, and we had a great time. There were some solid acts, including regulars we see every year like Anson Funderburgh. The weather was perfect, not too hot, cold, or rainy. Ideal for a festival.

Saturday was another good day of music and catching up with friends. With the schedule changes and uncertainty about the festival, the crowd wasn’t as big as usual for a Saturday night, but it was still a fun day and a great festival overall.

Until next time...

Sunshine, Leaves, and a Little Dog Named Oliver

Our little Oliver has been loving the fall weather lately. Earlier this week, Carrie took him on a walk through the neighborhood. Although they couldn’t find a spot on the patio at Salute, he still enjoyed the outing. Trotting through the fallen leaves and soaking in the crisp air, he was the big dog on the block. A few times over the past couple of weeks, we’ve let him outside, and he just sits in the sun with a goofy look on his face, completely content and clearly enjoying life.

This is also the kind of weather where, on a typical weekend when I’m trying to watch football, Oliver insists on going in and out of the house a dozen times. Eventually, I just prop the door open so he can come and go as he pleases. Of course, he’d still prefer that one of us be outside with him to enjoy the weather together.

Seeing the leaves fall is a welcome sight as we hope for a long, beautiful autumn and an easy winter ahead.

12 Down, 8 to Go: The Reading Challenge Continues

I continue my reading routine, reading every day. I would normally read only in the evening before going to bed, but over the past few weeks, I’ve been reading during the noon hour while eating lunch. I can usually get about 45 minutes of reading in during the week at lunch, so I’m hoping this will help me meet my reading goal for the year of twenty books.

As of today, I’ve read 12 of 20 books for the year. I’m currently reading two books that will help me toward my goal. The first is Their Shadows Deep by Peter Golden, which is a free book I got from Amazon a few months ago. It’s been interesting and keeps me engaged. I typically read this one at night before going to bed. The other book I just started is The Secret of Secrets by Dan Brown. I’ve enjoyed reading Dan Brown’s books, so when I saw this was released in September, I knew I had to splurge and get it early. I’m still early into the book, but so far, I’ve liked what I’ve read.

Last year, I came up way short of my reading goal, so I’m hoping this year I can meet or exceed it. I recently finished The River Is Waiting by Wally Lamb, and I enjoyed it. Carrie told me after I finished that she had read another book by Wally Lamb, so I might have to try another one of his later this year.

Only a few months left in the year, so I have some work to do if I’m going to hit 20 books. The reading challenge tells me I need to read three books to get back on track. Gulp! I’m not sure I’ll get there, but I’m enjoying the process.

Carrie and me at Vita's Place Enjoying a Drink and Evening

To celebrate our twenty-third wedding anniversary, we made it a weekend trip to Kansas City. We had a wonderful time, ate at some great places, had drinks at fun spots, and enjoyed being on The Plaza for our anniversary weekend.

We left after work on Friday without dinner plans. Since the art fair was taking place that night, we thought we’d wander around, look at art, snack, and have drinks while we explored. It had been several years since we’d been to the area during the art fair, so we were a little overwhelmed when we arrived. It was a full-on party scene. After grabbing a drink and walking around, we got comfortable with the crowd and the vibe.

We took Oliver with us for the weekend. He had a good time at the hotel, though we were a bit worried we might get kicked out. Every time we left the room, we could hear him barking. Apparently, he settled down and slept while we were gone, because we didn’t hear anything from the hotel about a disruptive dog on either Friday night or most of Saturday.

After the art fair closed at 9 p.m. Friday night, we went to McCormick & Schmick’s, which is always a solid spot. We sat at the bar, had drinks, and ordered dinner. We didn’t think much about the time and were enjoying ourselves, but as other guests started receiving their checks and leaving, we asked about our food. There had been a bartender switch, and the new person didn’t realize we had ordered, so our oysters and soups had been sitting in the kitchen for a bit. They were still good, though the ice on the oysters had mostly melted. Still, it was delicious and a fun night.

After dinner, we headed back to the hotel bar. It was packed. There was a wedding and another event happening, so the bar was buzzing. We had a few drinks and then went up to check on Oliver. He wasn’t barking anymore and was curled up on the bed. He probably wore himself out earlier.

On Saturday, we had talked about doing brunch, but since we already had lunch and dinner reservations, we decided to sleep in a bit before starting the day. We met my brother Tim and my nephew Patrick at Grünauer, a German restaurant Carrie had been wanting to try for a few years. It was great to catch up with Tim and Patrick. Carrie was a little disappointed in the food, but I think we’d both give it another shot.

After lunch, Carrie and I went to La Bodega for coffee and then headed to the Boulevard Brewing Beer Hall. I hadn’t been before, so it was a lot of fun to sample some beers and hang out for a while before heading back to the hotel.

We made it back in time to enjoy some complimentary cocktails during happy hour. Our dinner reservation was at Aixois, but first we stopped at Vita’s Place for drinks. We took an Uber there. It’s a fun spot we’d heard about from Carrie’s boss. After finishing up, we walked around the corner to Aixois. Great atmosphere and the food was excellent. I had swordfish, which was delicious. After dinner, we went back to Vita’s Place for another drink. I really enjoyed both spots, and the staff at Vita’s Place were incredibly accommodating, making sure we had a good spot at the bar.

Sunday, September 21, is our actual anniversary, but we skipped brunch again. Instead, we hit the road and stopped at Summer Moon for coffee. We got back to Topeka early in the afternoon, and I think all of us, including Oliver, slept most of the day.

It was a great weekend to celebrate our anniversary. I’m glad we were able to bring Oliver along and that he didn’t cause too much of a disturbance.

From the Caribbean to Camping: 23 Years of Us -- Happy Anniversary, Carrie

Sometimes it’s hard to believe that Carrie and I have been married for 23 years. Yes, I know — I’m getting older. It feels like just yesterday we met on a cruise somewhere in the Caribbean. Somehow, our paths crossed 24 years ago, and that chance meeting brought us together. So many great memories stem from that cruise back in 2001. It’s one of those moments that feels both distant and fresh, like it just happened. I still vividly remember our first meeting.

Recently, I revisited the website we created to announce our wedding — and yes, it’s still available at https://www.haverty.net/projects/wedding. Back then, it was hosted at wedding.haverty.net, but the domain wasn't carried forward in new site design. The site still exists, and it’s a nostalgic trip to revisit it and read both my version and Carrie’s version of how we met. Note: some links on the site, such as guestbook and gallery, no longer work.

Like any couple, we’ve had our share of ups and downs. I choose to focus on the good times and look forward to many more ahead. We love to travel, attend sporting events (well, Carrie tolerates them), read, hike, watch shows, and — most recently — we’ve gotten into camping. Over the past four years, camping has become a shared joy, and I’m looking forward to the day we can get a travel trailer and explore the country together. Retirement is still about 12 years away, but I know those years will fly by before we know it.

Looking back at the wedding website I created, I can’t help but laugh. The design was simple — not fancy — but it got the point across. Some of the links, like the photo gallery and guestbook, no longer work, but the core details are still there. It makes me smile to see how basic web design was back then and how far things have come.

Reflecting on the past 23 years, I’m filled with gratitude. We’ve traveled more in recent years, and I’m excited for the adventures still to come. I think back to our first anniversary trip to Costa Rica, where our friend Javier was our tour guide. What an incredible experience! Since then, we’ve taken numerous cruises together and discovered a love for Virgin Cruise Lines. I can’t wait to take another cruise with Carrie.

There are so many reasons I’m thankful to be celebrating our 23rd wedding anniversary. As we move into our mid-to-late fifties, it’s hard to believe how quickly time has passed and how much life we’ve shared. I love Carrie deeply and wish her a very happy anniversary.

Here’s to many more years of love, laughter, and adventure.

Spontaneous Saturday: Sports, Sunshine, and Pizza

The weekend started without many plans. By Saturday morning, though, we had decided to attend the first home game for Washburn volleyball. We had a great time going to the early match and watching Washburn win. No sports had been played in Whiting since the 1983–84 academic year (according to SID Gene Cassell on X).

Back in the early 2000s, I spent a lot of time in Whiting doing exercise classes, so it was fun to be back in the gym watching Washburn play. They were scheduled to play again at 6 p.m. Saturday evening, but we only attended the early game.

After volleyball, we headed to lunch at TaCo Topeka. While we were eating, we came up with a plan to visit a home owned by Erin’s aunt that has a pool. It turned out to be a fun evening filled with pool time, music, pizza, and laughter.

It’s always great when a weekend turns into something unexpected, and that’s exactly what happened. I’m planning for a more low-key Sunday—Royals on TV at noon, followed by NFL football for the rest of the day. My favorite kind of day!

Short post this week, but a lot packed into Saturday made for a tiring day. I’m ready to relax and enjoy watching sports on this beautiful day.

Kicking Off Another Season with the Ichabods

Sports season has started, and we’re already two weeks into the Washburn football season. We kicked things off with both games played at home. We won the first game but lost the second. We've attended both home games and plan to make it to all but two games this season. The weather has been fantastic—yesterday’s game was played in the 60s to 70s. Hard to believe, and definitely no complaints. This is great!

We started the season against Truman State University, winning 20–17. Our tailgate group was smaller at first, but a few more people showed up throughout the game. We've decided to set up our canopy for every game, regardless of the forecast. It helps keep the sun off us and provides protection in case of other weather.

We’re in the same tailgate spot we’ve had for the past fifteen-plus years, and it’s great to be next to our longtime neighbors. We always have a good time, and it was fun to see Washburn get the first win of the season. At one point, my friend Javier and I tried to figure out when we started going to football games and tailgating. We think it was around 2004 or 2005, when Carrie and I were living in Lawrence—but we’re not entirely sure. That would make it about twenty years of Washburn football and tailgating.

Yesterday, we attended the second game, and Washburn lost 34–7. As the game was ending, we were discussing whether the opponent had returned to their former level of greatness or if Truman State, who we beat the week before, just wasn’t very good. It’s still too early to tell, but we had a good time at the game despite the loss.

Carrie had a nice spot to “watch” the second half of the game yesterday. Now, Carrie doesn’t really like football—she goes because I enjoy it, and she loves tailgating. We brought a lounge chair for her, and during the second half, she was relaxing along the wall at the back of the tent, reading and enjoying the day. I’m thankful she’s out there with me for both the tailgate and game time.

With two home games behind us, Washburn will be on the road for the next few weeks. We won’t be back home until September 27, when we play the University of Nebraska–Kearney. Hoping we can get another win—or two—before we return home at the end of the month.

It’s fun to be back at the stadium cheering on the Washburn University Ichabods. It’s an exciting season with a new head coach, and we couldn’t ask for better weather. Until next time, have a great week—and see you at the game!

Labor Day: A Moment to Pause, Reflect, and Appreciate

It’s hard to believe that Labor Day is already upon us. Despite the calendar turning to September, the weather in Kansas doesn’t quite signal the end of summer—Sunday brought a pleasant 78 degrees, and we've been enjoying mild temperatures in the 70s and 80s for weeks. Still, Labor Day marks a seasonal shift: the NFL season kicks off, MLB nears the end of its regular season, and pools across Topeka begin to close. It’s a subtle reminder that summer is winding down.

But beyond the barbecues and long weekend, Labor Day carries a deeper meaning. It’s a time to honor the backbone of our nation—the hardworking Americans whose dedication and resilience have shaped our country’s prosperity. From the earliest days of our history to the present, a strong work ethic has been woven into the fabric of our society. It’s a legacy that continues to inspire and drive us forward.

Whether you're spending the weekend with family, enjoying some well-earned rest, or gearing up for the busy months ahead, I hope you’re finding time to recharge. If you're fortunate enough to have Monday off, may it be a moment of reflection and appreciation for the labor that builds our communities and sustains our future.

Here’s to hard work, continued prosperity, and a meaningful Labor Day.

🏈 Think You Know Football? Prove It in This Year's Pigskin Pick'em Challenge!

Football season is officially here, and it's time to show off your NFL smarts in the weekly challenge that keeps fans coming back for more: Pigskin Pick’em on ESPN!

Whether you're a seasoned football guru or just love the thrill of competition, this free game makes every week of the NFL season more exciting. All you have to do is pick the winners of each match-up. Sounds easy, right? But don’t get too comfortable—miss a week and you’ll drop to the bottom of the leader board faster than a blown coverage!

Why You Should Join

• ✅ It’s Free – No cost, no catch. Just football fun.
• ✅ Weekly Picks – Stay engaged all season long.
• ✅ Bragging Rights – Finish on top and earn the ultimate prize: the right to talk trash until next season.
• ✅ Community Fun – The more people in the group, the more competitive (and hilarious) it gets.

How to Join

Click the link below to hop into our group and start making your picks. Feel free to share it with friends, family, coworkers—anyone who thinks they’ve got what it takes!

https://fantasy.espn.com/free-prize-games/sharer?challengeId=265&from=espn&context=GROUP_INVITE&edition=espn-en&groupId=e8d267a5-6915-3038-8988-1e67b6452246

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So what are you waiting for? Join now, make your picks, and let’s see who really knows their football. 🏆

Greg’s 50th: A Surprise Weekend in Tulsa

Last week, I shared a bit about our trip to Tulsa and some music highlights (see post). This post is all about the trip itself—and what a weekend it was!

We had a great time surprising Greg for his 50th birthday. He had no idea where we were going when we left Friday morning. All he knew was that he needed to pack a suit. Leading up to the trip, Carrie and I kept the surprise alive by pretending we had a long day of work ahead, along with weekend plans and Sunday commitments.

Carrie and I got up early so we could head over to Erin and Greg’s place. We wanted to hit the road early, and Greg still had no clue what was happening—or that we were even coming. After dropping Oliver off for his staycation with Joan and Eddie, we made our way to Erin and Greg’s. We told Greg we were just dropping something off from Joan, but he saw through it pretty quickly and was excited to see we were joining the adventure.

We loaded up the car with luggage and snacks and hit the road, heading north on Gage and then onto Highway 75. Greg was still in the dark and commented that it was an interesting direction. When we turned off onto a side road, he thought we were stopping at Love’s for snacks—but we drove right past it and continued on toward our friends Laura and Jason’s house.

Laura had been in Dallas that week, and while Greg knew Jason was home alone, he had no idea we were picking him up for a road trip to Tulsa. Once Jason joined us, we finally told Greg we were heading to Tulsa for a birthday weekend celebration. He still didn’t know where we were staying or what we’d be doing for meals, which added to the fun and suspense.

Our first stop was Ron's Award Winning Hamburgers and Chili. We’d eaten at a Ron’s a few years ago with the Shirron family on our way home from Texas and loved it—so it felt like the perfect place to kick off the weekend. The chili was just as good as we remembered!

Since we couldn’t check into our VRBO until 4 p.m., we needed a place to hang out. We landed at Crawpappy’s Bar and Grill—an interesting spot! None of us realized smoking is still allowed in some Oklahoma bars, so that was a surprise. Once we got used to the smoky air, we settled in with a beer. After that, we headed to Big Whiskey’s, which was a great place to relax until check-in time.

Greg still didn’t know the full plan until we pulled up to the house where we’d be staying for the next two nights. The house was fantastic—great layout, a pool, and plenty of space to enjoy the evening. We chose to stay in that first night so we could relax by the pool. Laura arrived later from her road trip from Dallas. Greg had a hunch she might be coming, but it wasn’t confirmed until she walked through the door.

Saturday was all about the pool. We spent the day relaxing, listening to music, and splashing around. We had dinner reservations that night at Mahogany Prime Steakhouse. While we originally planned for a 7 p.m. reservation, Greg suggested moving it earlier so we could get back to the house and enjoy more pool time and games. We were able to adjust the reservation and had a fantastic dinner in a private room. Carrie and I had never been to Mahogany Prime before, but the others had visited different locations. It lived up to the hype—dinner was amazing!

After dinner, we returned to the house for more pool time and then played games into the night. It was a packed and fun-filled weekend.

Sunday morning, we had to be out of the house by 11, so we hit the road and headed home. Once back in Topeka, Carrie and I were in bed well before 10 p.m.—we definitely needed to catch up on rest after such a great weekend.

Weekend Road Trip to Tulsa with SharePlay and Apple CarPlay

We went on a road trip to Tulsa, OK for the weekend to celebrate Greg’s 50th birthday, which was last Thursday. The trip was a surprise, and we hit the road Friday morning, picking up our friend Jason along the way to join us.

Once the queue started playing, it was cool to see who added each song displayed on the CarPlay screen. That added a fun, social element to the music experience.

We did run into a few hiccups when driving through areas with poor cell signal. When the signal dropped, everyone was disconnected from SharePlay. Once the signal returned, each person had to reconnect to continue adding or viewing songs in the queue. That felt a bit clunky, especially since I had read that SharePlay supports Bluetooth sharing. Oddly, Bluetooth didn’t seem to keep the connection alive when the cell signal dropped. It seems like Bluetooth should have been able to maintain the session, but that wasn’t the case for us.

Despite that, we had four people in the car all sharing songs, and it was a blast letting others take control of the playlist while I drove. SharePlay also lets passengers skip or replay songs, which came in handy. At one point, someone was sleeping, and we wanted to replay a song that had played earlier. With SharePlay, it was no problem to go back one or multiple songs so they could hear what we were all talking about.

What a fun way to have full car participation what to listen to while on a road trip. I highly recommend giving this a try. I did read that this is also available on Apple TV, but I have not tried that process yet.

242 Sundays Later: What Weekly Blogging Has Taught Me

The Commitment

I have been blogging regularly since Sunday, January 3, 2021. I’ve posted at least one entry each week since that date. Some weeks are easy, while others make it difficult to think of what to write. Trips provide easy topics, and tech-related events often lead to straightforward posts. But weeks like today—when I’ve waited until Sunday afternoon and nothing comes to mind—are more challenging.

I initially started blogging to drive traffic to my website. Over the years, I’ve made a few changes. Now, everything going to https://www.haverty.net redirects to https://blogger.haverty.net. Although I secured the main site about a year ago, it still redirects to the blog.

I’ve had my website and blog since before Carrie and I were married. I used it to host our wedding site, a discussion forum, and various sub-sites focused on family, site design, and more. Over time, the site evolved into a testing ground, but its primary purpose is now blogging.

My first blog post was in 2006 on Blogger. After years of inconsistent posting—sometimes going months without an update—I learned that building a consistent audience requires weekly posts. As I mentioned earlier, this can be a challenge, but somehow I’ve managed to keep it up since 2021.

Each week, I spend time thinking about what I’ll post. I usually start early in the week, though I often forget to write down my ideas, which means I revisit them later. If I have something in mind, I start writing on Saturday. Otherwise, I begin Sunday morning.

This process is part of my routine, whether I’m busy, on vacation, or out of the country. If I know a week will be hectic, I write ahead and schedule the post to maintain my Sunday cadence. Occasionally, I’ll post additional entries for holidays or special family occasions.

I genuinely enjoy posting regularly and being able to look back over the years. I try to use consistent keywords so I can easily revisit related topics.

Today, I reflect on my process—and the reasons behind it.

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Discipline Over Perfection

Some weeks my writing is brief; other weeks, the posts are longer. It depends on how much time I have and what’s happened. It can be challenging to show up each week and write something engaging enough for someone to click on when it appears in their social media feed. I find it interesting to watch the metrics—some posts get lots of clicks, while others I expect to perform well barely get any.

Posting consistently has helped build a following. I get regular visits and interactions on social media. Before I started posting weekly, I read that consistency is key—if visitors don’t know when to expect new content, they’re less likely to return. Posting every Sunday helps keep people coming back.

I also believe that consistent posting has helped me grow as a writer. Each week, I brainstorm the topic, title, keywords, and how to promote the post. I’ve automated social media sharing for platforms like Facebook and LinkedIn. Occasionally, I manually post to other platforms if I think a post will attract high traffic.

When I struggle to find a topic, I aim to write something short—around 250–300 words. It may not be perfect, but it keeps the habit going. I work hard to avoid spelling, grammar, or usage errors, and I appreciate it when someone points out a mistake.

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Capturing Life in Real Time

Blogging has become a digital journal of my weekly life or focus. Whether I’m writing about a trip or looking forward to a camping weekend, it’s a way to review my year—or even revisit earlier years to see what was on my mind. It’s fun, and I enjoy the process.

I’ve used the site to post about sporting events—from the Royals and Chiefs to Washburn sports. It’s a journal that helps me remember where we were or what we did on a particular date. It’s come in handy more than a few times.

Beyond sports, blogging helps me capture personal events—changes at work, losing a parent, or saying goodbye to a pet. It’s a way to reflect on life’s moments, both joyful and difficult.

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Finding Your Voice

Over the years, my writing has evolved—or at least I think it has. Early on, I posted sporadically and kept things light. Back then, posts were often just text—playlists, random thoughts, or sports updates. These days, I try to include images, even if they’re shared visuals that match the week’s content. Lately, I’ve used AI to generate images based on the post’s theme. Images help keep readers engaged and break up the text.

If I’m going to ramble, I try to call it out in the title or early in the post. Some weeks, that’s the easiest way to get my thoughts down when I don’t have a specific topic. I just have to be careful not to ramble too long.

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Connecting Through Stories

It’s fun when people tell me they read my blog or connected with a post—like a camping trip they saw on social media. I’ve met people through work who mention they enjoy my site. Sometimes the conversation is about exercise (or the struggle with it), and other times it’s about the places we visit and the summaries I share. It’s rewarding to know others are reading and connecting with my posts.

I try to write as if I’m speaking directly to the reader. Sometimes I tell a story, recounting each day—what we ate, what we did, and the sights we saw. I’ve received positive feedback on those posts. I wish there were more interaction on the site. While I do get comments, many are spam. Occasionally, I get meaningful comments and have a fun discussion with someone, which I really enjoy.

Posting helps me stay connected—with family, friends, and even strangers who find my site through a Google search. They might land on a post that matches something they were looking for and then explore more.

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Lessons Learned

Each week offers a new opportunity to reflect on what happened—what to highlight, think through, or share in a way that might interest someone. Writing doesn’t come easily, and this year especially, I’ve found myself frequently struggling to come up with something to write.

Writing consistently on the same day each week helps build a steady stream of visitors. Having something to post not only attracts regular readers, but occasionally a post will resonate widely and spike in traffic—which is fun to watch as it gets shared and revisited. I’m not a great judge of which posts will be popular. Some weeks a post gets hundreds of clicks, while others barely get any. That unpredictability is part of the fun, and I enjoy collecting my thoughts in this electronic journal.

I’m not afraid to try new things or explore new topics. Over the years, I’ve reviewed new products and shared how they worked for me. I’ve also written about new blogging tools and continue to look for fresh ways to enhance my posting process.

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Looking Ahead

I plan to maintain my regular cadence of Sunday postings. Watch for new entries each week, and feel free to leave a comment—I do read and reply to them. I enjoy interacting with readers and hope to see more engagement in the future.

One of my goals this year is to post more frequently. In addition to my regular Sunday posts, I’d like to add one or two extra entries during the week—focused on topics that interest me, such as technology, politics, or sports. While I’ve occasionally posted more than once in a week over the past few years, those extra posts have usually been tied to holidays or celebrations. I’d like to expand beyond that and share more spontaneous content.

If you’ve made it this far, I’d love to hear from you:

• What have you enjoyed about the site?
• How long have you been following?
• What would you like to see more of?
• Is there anything you’d prefer to see less of?

This is a fun process, and that’s what matters most—I genuinely enjoy doing this each week. I hope you have a great Sunday and a fantastic week ahead!

Networking in Philly: Conference Highlights & Local Flavor

Last week, I was in Philadelphia, PA for a conference. The event was fantastic—packed with meetings and sessions. I didn’t plan as well as I should have; going up a day earlier or staying an extra day would’ve given me time to explore Philly. Still, it was a fun trip, and I made some great connections.

I managed to try some Philly food, although it was mostly through the hotel hosting the conference. The Philly cheese-steak and pretzels were surprisingly good! Some locals at the conference recommended I walk down the block for fresh pretzels, but I never made it. I filled up on the ones provided, and they hit the spot. Overall, the conference food was excellent. Having breakfast, lunch, and dinner all day Monday was a treat. Each meal doubled as a networking opportunity, and we were joined by another conference group focused on banking and finance, which added an interesting dynamic.

The conference kicked off Sunday afternoon when I arrived and ran non-stop through Tuesday at noon. Sunday evening’s social event was a highlight—it was held on the 33rd floor of the hotel, offering a great view of the city.

After returning home to Topeka, I was back at work on Wednesday. Before I left, I had read that B&B Theaters would be showing live Royals games in their theaters Monday through Wednesday that week, free of charge. Watching the Royals on the big screen was a fun experience, especially with all the concessions open—I definitely indulged. The Royals won, and it was a blast cheering them on with others in the theater.

While I was away in Philly, Carrie took Oliver out to dinner at Salute. She sent me a picture of him enjoying the patio life. Carrie said Oliver loved watching people come and go, greeting everyone like the social pup he is. Silly guy!

Until next time, have a great rest of your Sunday and a wonderful week!