Starting Over, One Run at a Time

I went on my first run this morning. The last time I exercised was in June or July of 2025. The last time I actually ran was in June of 2024. Wow. I knew it had been a while. I have not been exercising at all, so I was pleasantly surprised that it felt fairly easy to get out and run this morning. I felt good and honestly felt like I could have gone longer than the 28 minutes, but it was a good start for me. No, I was not running the entire time. I am working back into it gradually with walking and jogging to build up my endurance. I also made sure to stretch before and after.

As some of you know, I have lost weight over the past year thanks to Mounjaro, which I have been taking for a while now. I have lost around forty-five pounds since October 2024, and that is without doing much at all over the last year or so. I have been fairly stagnant with weight loss for the past six to eight months, so I am hoping that starting up an exercise routine will help jump-start things again.

I was doing well riding my bike on a regular basis, but I got out of the habit after traveling and never really got back to it. I enjoy running and I enjoy biking. This morning was beautiful, with a slight chill in the air, which had me wearing long pants for my run. It was perfect. My hands were a little cold at the start, but after running, I warmed up and felt great. I enjoy the whole process, from running when it is chilly to running when it is hot out.

After a workout, I still enjoy seeing our dog, Oliver, get excited for his walk. He knows he is getting walked. Even after not feeling well over the past few months, he did not disappoint this morning. He was excited and waiting for me at the door when I returned.

I took Oliver out for his walk, which ends up being my cool-down. Oliver had a great time, although I did have to pick him up and carry him home for the last block or two. He definitely enjoyed himself, and he is now spending his Sunday afternoon sleeping. Granted, that is pretty normal for him whether we go for a walk or not, but he does seem a little more sleepy this afternoon compared to most days.

All of this is to say that I am trying to get back into a regular exercise routine. For now, my plan is to run at least three times a week. Those days will likely be Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday, although I can always move things around to accommodate other events. I am putting the workouts on my calendar to help lock them in and avoid excuses. I know Oliver will also enjoy me being on a more consistent workout and walking routine.

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

Proud to Be Part of the Best Class Ever: Leadership Greater Topeka 2026

TK Magazine Article

I am honored to have recently been featured in a local Topeka publication, TK Magazine. Along with 35 other community leaders, I am participating in the Leadership Greater Topeka (LGT) class. The program began in January, and we are now approaching graduation in May. We proudly call ourselves the Best Class Ever, and I have truly enjoyed getting to know so many incredible people throughout this experience. Being surrounded by engaged leaders in our community and the outstanding 2026 class has been both inspiring and rewarding.

Posing in December After
Being Notified I am part 
of LGT 2026 Class

Back in December, I shared a post about being surprised by an LGT alum with the news of my selection. Classes officially started in the second week of January and have been held every other week since then. Gaining behind-the-scenes insight into how our city operates, from neighborhoods and city government to technical and operational areas, has made this an incredibly valuable experience. It has been a privilege to participate in a program that offers such a comprehensive view of Topeka.

The connections formed through this class, both with my fellow members of the 2026 LGT cohort and with graduates from past years, have been fantastic. Building relationships with leaders across the city has been one of the most meaningful aspects of the program. We have three class days remaining, followed by graduation on the final day.

I am already thinking about people I would like to nominate for the program next year. Prior to being selected, I had not really been familiar with Leadership Greater Topeka until my father-in-law, Eddie, nominated me in 2025. He reached out to see if I would be open to being nominated, knowing it would require approval from work due to the time commitment. I am incredibly grateful that he did, and I am thankful for the opportunity to be part of Leadership Greater Topeka.

If you would like to read more about me, you can visit https://tkmagazine.com/blog/2026/3/7/john-haverty-lgt-class-of-2026. To learn more about the entire 2026 Leadership Greater Topeka class, including all class members, you can visit https://tkmagazine.com/blog/2026/3/3/leadership-greater-topeka-class-of-2026.

Carrie’s Birthday Weekend and Easter Reflections

Happy Easter to all!

We spent the weekend in Kansas City to celebrate Carrie’s birthday. She wanted to get away, so we stayed at our favorite hotel in Kansas City, the InterContinental on the Plaza. We arrived Friday evening and have had a wonderful time. We did a little shopping, but mostly focused on relaxing around the hotel. We brought Oliver with us, and he has been enjoying the many walks we have taken.

On Sunday morning, Easter morning, we are headed to Lawrence to spend the afternoon with Mom. We picked up a dessert from Costco for everyone to enjoy. Everyone will be there except the Browns. Carrie and I keep talking about making a trip to Wichita to see them. We need to get that planned and just do it one weekend.

I am looking forward to spending the afternoon in Lawrence. Tim will be bringing his Bloody Marys for all to enjoy. I am sure I will overeat with all the Easter food. It will be good to see everyone, and we will miss our sister, Jen, who is in Wichita.

May each of you have a fantastic Easter. Have a great week, and know that spring is happening, with trees starting to bloom.

Hope Springs Eternal on Opening Weekend

The year is flying by, and somehow we are already at the start of baseball season. It feels like we just wrapped up spring training, yet here we are. The opening of the season has been a little odd this year, with teams starting play on different days. Only two teams kicked things off on Wednesday, a handful more played on Thursday, and then everyone else finally got going on Friday as they begin their 2026 run.

The Kansas City Royals opened their season Friday night, and it was not the start we were hoping for. We lost and did not score a single run. We left multiple runners on base, which has unfortunately become a familiar storyline over the past few seasons. The pitching was not great either, as we gave up six runs while putting up zero of our own.

It feels like expectations are higher for the Royals this year, at least in my house. I’ll admit I always start the season optimistic, but this year feels a little different. My expectations are higher than they have been in a while. Last season we finished 82-87, and there were some games that were tough to sit through. Most projections have us right back in that same 82-87 range again this season, and honestly, I would take that without hesitation.

This season also brings something new to the game with the introduction of the Automated Ball-Strike Challenge System. Players can now challenge strike zone calls, with each team getting two challenges per game. If the call is overturned, the team keeps the challenge. In Friday night’s game, Salvador Salvy Perez wasted no time showing that he plans to use this new system. It will be interesting to see how teams decide when to challenge calls and how strategic they become with it. I’m also curious to see what this does to pitch framing. It did not look like Salvy was framing pitches Friday night, so I will be watching to see if that continues and whether other catchers follow the same approach.

Getting ready now to watch the second game of the season, with first pitch set for 6:15. Hopefully tonight brings our first win of the 2026 season and kicks off our march toward an 82-87 win year. Let’s go Royals!

A Quick Update on the Site

If you had any trouble accessing the site recently, that should now be resolved. There was an issue on Wednesday where the routing expired and the site was still pointing to an old IP address used during DNS registration. After a bit of back and forth, I believe everything is now working as expected.

The site was down for most of Thursday, but I was able to get it back online Thursday night. I spent Saturday morning cleaning up DNS records and double-checking that everything is routing correctly.

I also went back through older pages and cleaned up links that were pointing to sites that no longer exist. Some of those pages previously lived on their own domains, like wedding and family pages, which are no longer part of the current setup.

If you notice anything that looks off or is not working correctly, please let me know. Thanks for your patience.

Discovering Little Rock One Meal at a Time

Carrie and me walking across the bridge

We took a vacation this past week while Carrie was on Spring Break at her work. I took a few days off so we could all go on a trip together. We traveled with Erin and Greg, and while we had originally planned to go to Florida, those plans did not work out. Instead, we threw a bunch of destinations into a virtual hat and voted.

From that list, we narrowed it down to Chicago, San Antonio, and Little Rock. We do plan to go to Chicago at some point, likely by train, but decided now was not the right time. While we had all passed through Little Rock on various trips, none of us had ever spent any real time there. With the voting finished, we started researching places to stay and, more importantly, places to eat.

We reviewed several Airbnb options and selected one. About two weeks before our trip, the owner reached out to let me know they needed to cancel. What? There was some mix up on their end, and they said they could no longer host us. The host asked us to cancel the reservation so they would not lose their preferred host status. Instead, I contacted Airbnb customer service and asked them to assist with the process. The host was not happy about it, but they ultimately had to cancel, which allowed us to receive a full refund. Airbnb's FAQ clearly states that if a host asks a renter to cancel, you should not do so and should contact customer service, which is exactly what we did.

Lunch at Torchy's Tacos on our Way

We scrambled to find another place since several of the spots we had originally saved were no longer available. We did find one that had been on our original list, but it was outside of Little Rock. The house was in Alexander, about twenty minutes from downtown. It turned out to be the perfect spot. The host was excellent, kept us updated on everything, and provided great recommendations on where to eat and drink.

We stayed in the Little Rock area for five nights, leaving on Saturday, March 14, and returning on March 19. We could not take Oliver with us, so Joan and Eddie watched him while we were gone. We figured he would have a better time with them than traveling with us, and the Airbnb we selected did not allow pets anyway.

Between friends, Reddit, vloggers, and our Airbnb host, we had no shortage of recommendations for places to eat, drink, and visit. We had a great time exploring the area and even managed to fit in some cultural stops along the way.

Some highlights from our trip included the following.

• George’s Little Rock is an upscale Italian restaurant in the Heights neighborhood of Little Rock, located on Kavanaugh Boulevard. The menu focuses on classic Italian dishes, along with house made desserts and a thoughtfully curated wine list.
  
  

  

  Lasagna at George's

  
  
• Brave New Restaurant overlooks the river and is located in a business area. The food was delicious, with a menu that includes seafood, wild game, and locally sourced ingredients. It was a perfect spot for lunch or dinner. We went for lunch and sat outside.
  
  

  

  Shrimp for Lunch at Brave New Restaurant

  
  
• The Oyster Bar was a place we discovered while searching for local spots. It was a great find, offering oysters, Cajun options, and other seafood selections. It worked well for either lunch or dinner.
  
  

  

  Oysters and Lobster for Lunch

  
  
• Dust Bowl Lanes was another spot we found when we decided to go bowling on Sunday. It is a retro location where we bowled on old school lanes, drank local beers, and had a great time.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Brood & Barley was recommended by vloggers Kelly and Cody, whom I follow. We stopped in for drinks. While we did not eat there, the food coming out of the kitchen looked amazing. We almost went back before we left town but decided to try something else. It is definitely a spot we will visit again on a future trip.
  
  
• Local Lime was another place we came across while researching. It offers Mexican inspired street food done very well. They also had some of the best margaritas I have had in quite a while. A great spot overall. No pictures from this visit.
  
  
• Scoops was one of the ice cream places we found that had not been on our original list. We each ordered two scoops, which turned out to be a lot of ice cream, but I finished all of mine. It was a great stop and one I would highly recommend if you are in Little Rock. We almost went back again before leaving the area. No pictures from this visit.
  
  
• Delicious Temptations was the one breakfast spot we visited. It is family owned and was very busy, with about a twenty five to thirty minute wait, but it was well worth it. This was a recommendation from our host, and I would absolutely suggest stopping in if you are nearby. No pictures from this visit.

Bill Clinton Presidential Library

Those are just a sampling of the highlights from the trip, covering breakfast, lunch, dinner, drinks, and dessert. We all want to go back again, as there was so much more to do beyond eating and drinking. We also did some sightseeing to expand our cultural experience. We visited the Bill Clinton Presidential Library, which was interesting to see, and stopped by the Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site, a key moment tied to the Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court ruling and one that connects directly back to Topeka, Kansas.

Sunset in Little Rock

It was a fun trip, and we all hated to leave and head back home. I cannot wait to visit again. Hopefully next time we will be camping, as we scoped out several locations for a future camping trip. After all these years of driving through Little Rock without stopping, I am glad we finally did. It was well worth the trip, and I look forward to going back.

Join Me for March Madness Fun in the Annual Bracket Regret Society

It is that time of year again. Brackets. Buzzer beaters. Questionable picks. And absolute chaos.

March Madness is back, and once again I am running my annual ESPN Tournament Challenge group. It is completely free to join, takes just a few minutes to set up your bracket, and makes every game way more fun to watch.

This is not about being an expert. It is about bragging rights, surprise upsets, yelling at the TV, and realizing by Saturday afternoon that your “perfect bracket” is already toast.

Whether you watch every college basketball game or only tune in during March, you are welcome. The more people who join, the better it gets. More brackets, more trash talk, more drama as the tournament unfolds.

Here is how it works:

• It is free
• You fill out one bracket
• You watch the madness unfold
• You spend the next few weeks checking scores way more than you planned

If you have joined in past years, you know the deal. If this is your first time, now is the perfect year to jump in.

Click the link below, join the group, and get your bracket in before the games tip off:

Join the ESPN Tournament Challenge Group

Feel free to share this with friends, family, coworkers, or anyone who enjoys a little March Madness chaos. Let’s make this year’s group the biggest one yet.

Good luck. You are going to need it.

Listening for Tappy Toes

Short post this week… I think. As I start writing this, I am struggling to think of something to write, so I will provide an update on Oliver.

As you may recall, he was struggling a few weeks ago with coughing. He is taking medication on a regular basis, and while he sometimes fights taking it by spitting it out, he is doing well. He coughs some during the day, but not nearly as bad as it was.

We take each day as a blessing when he is not coughing or appearing uncomfortable. He sleeps through the night and is in good spirits, especially with the nice weather, where he has been running and playing with the neighbor dogs. It is good to see.

Oliver will be 15 in June. I know the life expectancy for a Japanese Chin is 14 - 16 years, so I am hoping we can go the full 16 years, or more. He fights us when it comes to taking his medication, as he is on three different medications multiple times a day, but he is doing so well. I love hearing his tappy toes on the hardwood floors as he walks through the kitchen. I want that to continue, and I want him to be comfortable, which he appears to be at this point.

Thank you to those who have been asking how Oliver is doing. Until next time, have a great rest of your weekend and a wonderful week ahead.

Coming Back to Gaming After All These Years

I am going to write about something that is not necessarily new to me, but something I had not done in a long time. I grew up with the Atari game console when I was little. In 2002 or 2003, I got back into gaming after not having played for years and spent a few years playing games on the PlayStation. After that, I went through a long stretch where I did not play games much at all.

Well, this past week, for some reason, I felt the urge to play games again. We have been using an Apple TV as our primary device for entertainment, and I knew it could support a PlayStation game controller. Over the years of having the Apple TV, I have played a few games here and there, but it was never ideal using the Apple remote. Because of that, I decided to buy a game controller specifically for the Apple TV. It arrived this past week, and I have been playing games each day since.

It is amazing to see the graphics in the games I am playing now compared to what I experienced growing up with Atari and even later with the PlayStation. My favorite games to play are sports games, and the first one I tried with the controller was PGA Golf. I also enjoy action role‑playing games, so I downloaded a few of those and have been spending time playing them as well.

I had forgotten how quickly time can fly when playing games. Granted, I am still learning the controller and how it works with the Apple TV, but there have already been a few times when I completely lost track of time. Before I knew it, it was past my bedtime and I was still playing. It has been a lot of fun, but I realize I will need to set a timer to make sure I do not play too late.

Through this process, I also realized that I can use the Steam app on my computer and play games from my Mac on the Apple TV using the controller. I am still working through this setup and have downloaded a few free games, but nothing too exciting yet. My home Mac does not have a lot of storage space, so I need to try out each game to decide whether to keep it or remove it to make room for something else.

For now, I am enjoying a renewed appreciation for gaming consoles and the ability to use a game controller with the Apple TV. I am sure there will be more games for me to download, learn, and test as I continue this process. I look forward to improving my skills and continuing to learn along the way.

Until next time, I hope you have a great rest of your weekend and a wonderful week ahead. This was a slightly different post for me, but I wanted to share my refreshed enjoyment of gaming and learning something new.

Washburn Basketball Clinches the Regular Season Title

Team Celebrates MIAA Title

Another successful season for the Washburn basketball team this year. We clinched the regular season title with only one loss on the season, finishing with a 28-1 record. Wednesday night, the team cut down the nets and celebrated another win. It has been a fun journey, with still some work to do ahead. The MIAA Tournament starts this week, and Washburn plays on Thursday.

I made it to the majority of the games this season, though I did have to miss a few. With the newly renovated Lee Arena, it is a great place to be to watch Ichabod action. I considered making the trip to Kansas City for the MIAA Tournament, but with other events happening those days, I decided to watch from home instead. A friend of mine attends the tournament every year and makes a fun weekend out of staying in the area. It sounds like a great time, and I hope to do that one year.

Below are a few pictures I captured Wednesday night of the team celebrating the conference title and cutting down the nets.

I look forward to following the tournament starting this week and continuing to cheer on the Ichabods as they begin their postseason.

Go Bods!

Our YouTube TV Bill Keeps Climbing. Here’s Why We’re Still Subscribed

As many of you know, we have been a YouTube TV household for a few years now. I was trying to remember exactly when we signed up, and I think it was four or five years ago, though I do not recall for sure. We moved to YouTube TV after trying out other streaming options and have not paused or canceled our subscription since we first signed up. Overall, we enjoy the benefits YouTube TV provides, especially its viewing experience and DVR capabilities.

We have certainly seen price fluctuations since we first started using YouTube TV. I believe our bill when we first joined was around $50. We are now at $82.99 per month, and we also have HBO Max and NFL Sunday Ticket, so my monthly bill is around $145. I have NFL Sunday Ticket broken out to charge throughout the year so it does not hit all at once, which was a nice change made last season. Still, that is a lot to pay for watching TV. Plus, like many others, we have subscriptions to Netflix, Apple TV, Disney/ESPN, and more. We spend a significant amount of money each month on streaming entertainment.

Recently, with the MLB season starting and YouTube TV not carrying MLB games, I subscribed to Royals.TV. This also gives me access to watch games from around the league, or I can listen to games through their radio broadcasts. That added another lump sum of money just to watch MLB.

YouTube TV announced different tiers, although we have not seen them show up on our membership yet. They shared that they are gradually rolling them out to their user base, and I believe the full rollout is scheduled by the end of March.

• Sports Plan: $64.99 per month
• Sports and News Plan: $71.99 per month
• Entertainment Plan: $54.99 per month
• News, Entertainment, and Family Plan: $69.99 per month
• Base Plan with all options: $84.99 per month

Customers have been asking for different tiers for a few years. I do not think I will be changing plans, as I use many of the channels. I was hoping for more of a price break with the different packages. It will be interesting to see if they offer future options that allow customers to select individual channels for their package. I know some other streaming services offer this. YouTube TV has been resistant to providing options until recently.

The future looks promising as YouTube TV plans to include ESPN content that is currently streaming only. This will be really nice, as I currently pay separately for ESPN to watch games that are only available on ESPN Plus. From what I understand, once this is integrated into YouTube TV, it will be possible to watch directly within YouTube TV without having to switch to the ESPN app. It will also be possible to record games that previously aired only on ESPN Plus to the YouTube TV DVR. My hope is that once this is introduced, it will allow me to cancel a subscription that is currently billed through Disney and ESPN.

Happy streaming, and enjoy your weekend.

Seeing Our Community From a New Perspective

Ride Along with Officer Hoffman

The Leadership Greater Topeka (LGT) experience is going well. We are a number of classes along and not yet halfway through all of the meeting times. I am learning so much about my community. As part of LGT, Saturday I went on my first ever ride along with the Topeka Police Department. I was a bit nervous about going, but Officer Hoffman was great answering all of my questions. We did not have any crazy calls while I was on the ride along. Well, at least not crazy calls as compared to some of the other stories he shared with me.

I have wanted to do a ride along for a few years, but never had the energy to start the process. Thanks to the LGT, I was able to accomplish this goal. Officer Hoffman asked me about the LGT and what I get out of the process. I shared with him it is learning about our community, having us involved, and helping to lead in our community is the goal that I see from being involved in LGT. I further shared that doing the ride along is providing a better understanding of what our fellow citizens are doing to protect are city.

A few weeks ago at LGT, we did a tour of the Topeka Public Library where they shared the process of a book return to the library. Something most people do not see. What happens when a book is returned that does not belong to the library? Well, they have a process for that and it automatically drops into a bin to transport to the correct library. I also did not realize that they have years books for most schools in Topeka.

Returning to the day I just had and the ride along, I found it interesting learning the process of the officer for which I was riding with today. The view of traffic stops and how to deescalate an issue was interesting to hear how he goes through the process. How he enters a situation can directly impact the outcome. I often times think of this as I go into different situations whether those be personal or work. Sometimes I do not go in with the right attitude and the issue escalates needlessly. 

Thank you for the ride along Saturday, Office Hoffman, and the Topeka Police Department. It was shared with me that ride alongs happen throughout the week and they are booked out weeks in advance.

From Flowers to Final Scores A Valentine’s Weekend

Happy Valentine’s Day. We had a low key weekend to kick off the holiday. I sent some flowers to Carrie at work and got them to her on Thursday. She brought them home from work on Friday so we could enjoy them together. They look pretty and smell really good. Friday night, we went out to White Linen, which is a fancy place here in Topeka. They were offering Valentine’s dinners all week, and it was fantastic.

Saturday was a day of basketball, with Washburn playing at home. The women tipped off at 1 and the men at 3, and Carrie and I made plans to go to both games. We had a fun time cheering on the Ichabods. For the women’s game, we sat in the comfy chairs, had a few drinks, and talked with some friends. For the men’s game, we moved to our season seats to watch. Both the women and men won their games.

The games were broadcast on WIBW Channel 13 out of Topeka and were also shown in Kansas City, Lawrence, and Wichita. I was hoping for a sold out crowd, but it was still a good turnout.

Saturday night we watched movies. There was not a lot planned for the rest of the evening or for Sunday. We needed a quiet weekend, so it was good to relax by watching basketball during the day and movies at night. I am hoping to get some reading in on Sunday and finish another book. I still need to read two books a month to meet my goal for the reading challenge.

Winding down for a Valentine’s Day Saturday. I hope you had a good Valentine’s Day and an enjoyable weekend.

A Better Week for Oliver

Oliver Sleeping in my Lap

Last week I shared an update on Oliver, and I wanted to provide another one since many people have been asking about him. He does seem to be doing better overall. His enlarged heart, heart murmur, and coughing will obviously be ongoing issues, but there has been noticeable improvement.

He still has coughing fits, but they are no longer happening throughout the night. He is currently on three different medications and will be for at least another week. Two of them help with his coughing, and the third is a liquid medication for his enlarged heart.

His spirits are much better, and he has been wanting to play even more than before. He enjoys every walk we take him on, even though walking can sometimes trigger a coughing fit. Despite that, he seems better rested. Evenings are still the most challenging time, as he often coughs then, and he will sometimes wake us up during the night with a coughing fit. Overall, he truly seems to be doing much better.

We are enjoying having him feel more like himself again and are grateful for this time with him. Even if he needs to be on medication for the rest of his life, we are thankful to see him feeling better. We recently took him on a trip with us, and he had a great time. With everything going on, including his cough and the number of medications he takes, we are not able to leave him with anyone, so he travels with us.

I have really enjoyed taking him on walks, letting him sniff out new spots, and going on new adventures together.

When Your Dog’s Heart Needs Extra Care

Static Hair After
Playing in the Blankets

The Saturday before Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Oliver started hacking and coughing out of the blue. Since that Saturday afternoon, he has continued to cough throughout the day. As reported in my January 18 post, he has had that awful sound happening. We took him to the vet twice the following week, had x-rays done, and he has been on medication since. He is currently taking three medications. He was diagnosed with a heart murmur and an enlarged heart.

Oliver will be 15 in June 2026. It is hard to believe, as I can still remember him as a little puppy and having to take him out in the middle of the night to do his bathroom duties. We have been fortunate that he has not had any major health issues. He did lose most of his teeth over the years, which is common in the Japanese Chin breed and in smaller dogs, but he has had no other major issues since we have had him.

It has been tough watching him struggle with breathing over the past few weeks. There is no cure for congestive heart disease, but the medication is supposed to help slow the progression. He sounds pitiful with his hacking, coughing, and the small whimpers he makes when he cannot breathe. If I put my head against his body, I can hear the heart murmur.

I am hopeful that we can get the coughing under control, and if we do, we may have more time with him. He continues to be interested in food, treats, and water, just as he has since this started. He keeps me up during the night, and in turn, he is up through the night as well. I know he is exhausted from the hacking and coughing. Some nights are better than others, where he, and we, are able to sleep most of the night.

The latest medication he was prescribed includes a syringe that we fill with liquid and give to him by mouth. He hates it. He snaps at us and actually got me pretty good on Saturday morning when I was giving him the medication. We give this one, along with another medication, every twelve hours. On Saturday night, I tried putting the liquid on a spoon, and he ate it with no problem. That will now be the new way we administer the liquid medication.

The average lifespan of a Japanese Chin is 12-14 years, so I know we are getting bonus time with a very special little guy. It is strange how this started so suddenly. My hope is that we are able to have him in our lives for another year. Other than the coughing and occasional shortness of breath, I do not believe he is in pain. When he is not having breathing issues, he wants to play, rub his head in the blankets, or run around in the backyard, even when it is freezing cold outside. We will rely on our vet to guide us and make sure he is not suffering.

We love him so much, and it pains us to watch him struggle to breathe. I am praying that the cough goes away and that we are able to keep him in our lives for a while longer.

Simple Thoughts from a Snow‑Covered Weekend

Carrie and me at the
Washburn Game Wednesday

A snowy weekend here in Topeka. The weather forecast for most of last week warned that a big storm was coming, and it arrived Friday night, snowing throughout Saturday. The sun is out today, but it is still cold and will be for the rest of this week. We have been lucky here in Topeka, as this is our first big snow of the year, and it was not that long ago that temperatures were in the 60s.

Not a lot has been happening for us this weekend with the weather. We have stayed inside and only went out once Saturday morning so I could get a haircut. I have done a lot of reading over the weekend, which is good, and I hope to get more reading done throughout the day today.

Oliver continues to have his nagging cough even though we are giving him medicine every eight hours. On Monday, a new medicine is arriving that should help his heart, and the vet said we could stop giving the other medication once we start him on the new one. Hopefully it helps and suppresses his cough, as he still wakes me up throughout the night. He is such a pitiful little guy when the medication wears off. He whimpers as the cough starts to build. Sometimes I can get him to stop coughing by rubbing his ears or the side of his face, as it almost seems to make him forget for a moment that his throat is hurting. Poor guy.

Another not-so-long post for a Sunday, but I wanted to make sure to get something written this week. Until next time, have a great rest of your Sunday and a wonderful week.

Secret Santa Whiskey and the Case of the Coughing Dog

Whiskey Exchange Bottles
Sampled on Friday Night

I am in a Secret Santa whiskey exchange with some friends and have been part of it for about four years now. It’s a fun tradition that lets me sample new whiskeys. The first two years, the friends who originally invited me to the group happened to draw my name. The past two years, though, the people who drew me were folks I didn’t know—and both times I didn’t receive my gift until well after the holiday season.

On Friday night, a few of us got together to meet, share, and talk about whiskey. It was a great time!

I took a Lyft to and from the event. When we did the gathering two years ago, Carrie was my designated driver. I told her I could easily take Lyft this year so she didn’t need to go. It worked out great—I had a fun time and got to connect with friends through a social activity I really enjoy.

Haverty Cousins in
Kansas City for Dinner

Last Thursday, Carrie and I traveled to Kansas City to meet up with some Haverty cousins. My brother was there too. We met at a new spot for us called J. Alexander’s Restaurant. It was really good! I’d definitely like to go back and try some other dishes. It’s a chain with locations in different cities, and I’d recommend it if you have the chance to visit one.

It’s a long weekend with the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday on Monday. I’m spending the weekend watching sports, reading, and knocking out a few things around the house. I watched Washburn basketball on Saturday afternoon, where they won and moved to 17–0 on the season. I also caught some of the NFL games, even though my Chiefs are no longer playing.

Oliver Coughing

Oliver hasn’t been feeling well since Saturday afternoon. Out of the blue, he started coughing, hacking—just something nasty sounding. He’d been perfectly fine before that. He kept Carrie and me up all night with the coughing. We’re not sure what to do since it’s very similar to what he had about two years ago. When I took him to the vet back then, they said there wasn’t much they could do. It seems like he’s trying to get something out of his throat.

He’s still drinking water, eating, and asking for snacks, but the cough is rough. We were supposed to head to Lawrence to meet Erin and Greg for lunch, but we canceled so we could stay with Oliver.

After being up most of the night with him, I fully plan to take a nap or two today—possibly during the afternoon football game, which will make for good background noise while I snooze.

Another short and choppy update this week, but that’s how things go sometimes. I hope you have a great week!

Sunday Ramblings: Goals, Sports, and BBQ

Nothing specific to talk about in this week’s post, so this will be a bit of a meandering of topics and discussion as I begin writing on Sunday morning. We’ll see where it takes us and try not to go on too long on any one topic. Here we go...

Exercise Plans

In an earlier post, I mentioned plans for exercise. Well, here we are almost two weeks into 2026, and I still haven’t started my exercise plan. I intended to begin last week, which was my first full week back at work after the break, but it turned out to be tough to get going. So, I’m planning to start a routine this week. My first night at the gym will be Tuesday, January 13. I’ll be going to the gym at work where we have a free membership, something I should have taken advantage of all these years, but that hasn’t happened. I’ll report back in a month or so on progress in this area.

Reading Goals

My reading goal for 2026 is to read twenty-five books throughout the year. This means I need to read at least two books each month. I’m off to a good start for January. I’m currently reading three books, two of which I expect to finish before the end of the month, meeting my goal for January. Of course, this will get more difficult as the year goes on, but I’m feeling good so far. I read whenever I can: over lunch, some evenings after work, and every night before bed.

Washburn Basketball

We only have six home games left for Washburn basketball. The season seems to be flying by, but the team is doing great! We’re 16-0 and ranked #1 in NCAA Division II nationally. I’ve had to miss a few home games, but I’m hoping I won’t miss any of the remaining six. I’ve watched all of their away games and usually catch other teams in the league when they play, just to stay on top of things. It’s been fun!

Chiefs Season Recap

Closing out the NFL season for the Chiefs, it was a frustrating year to be a fan after a decade of dominance. The Chiefs finished 6-11. We couldn’t win the close games as we had in previous years, and then Mahomes was injured and is now recovering in the offseason. We’re still waiting to hear whether Travis Kelce will return. My hunch is that he’ll want to finish on a strong note, but that’s just a guess.

Kansas Jayhawks Update

Meanwhile, the Kansas Jayhawks are having some struggles. We’re 11-5 on the season. The talent is there, but getting it to gel during games has been tough. We had a surprise come-from-behind win last week that we probably should have lost, and then we dropped a game on Saturday that we could have won. Unless something changes, it’s going to be a short postseason.

BBQ Tour Follow-Up

I shared that we went on a BBQ tour in Kansas City the day after Christmas. I still owe you the winner of each category! The group of us hasn’t had a chance to meet, discuss, and compile the overall ratings yet. I should have those posted in the next week or two after we connect. We had scoring sheets, and each person (six of us total) ranked and recorded comments on why each place was the winner. I’m excited to see the overall report and reconnect with the group.

Political Environment

The political environment continues to be of interest to me, as it has been the past few years. I try to read and watch stories from both sides of the aisle. A year into the current administration, the tension from both sides still feels thick.

Closing Thoughts

Closing out this rambling Sunday post, I hope you have a great rest of your Sunday and a wonderful week! What goals are you working on for 2026? Any book recommendations or favorite BBQ spots? Drop them in the comments—I’d love to hear from you.

From Autobiographies to Fiction: My Year in Books

The year 2025 has concluded, and 2026 is already a few days into the new year. Every year, I participate in the Goodreads Reading Challenge, and I’m happy to report that I met my goal of 20 books for 2025. In fact, I read one additional book, bringing my total to 21. As of November, I was three books behind and unsure if I would meet my goal, but I powered through November and December and got it done.

I discovered that I really enjoy reading autobiographies and memoirs. I read a total of five in that category this past year. I expect I’ll read about the same number in 2026, along with other fiction I enjoy. Today, I want to highlight a few books from my 2025 list that I particularly liked and would recommend.

The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara

One book that had been recommended to me many years ago by my Uncle Michael was The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara. I finished it early in the year. It was one of my longer reads, but I enjoyed the story. It’s one of those books where, as you read, you can vividly picture the events unfolding like a movie.

The Spy Coast by Tess Gerritsen

The Spy Coast by Tess Gerritsen was a book I discovered through Amazon’s First Reads program. I liked it so much that I bought the second book in the series and finished it over the summer. The story follows a retired spy trying to enjoy a peaceful retirement, only to be pulled back into the world of espionage when a murder occurs next door. It was a fun, fast-paced read.

The River Is Waiting by Wally Lamb

Another book I picked up through Amazon First Reads was The River Is Waiting by Wally Lamb. I enjoyed both the story and the writing style, and I’ve already placed a hold for another one of his books.

Autobiographies and Memoirs

I started diving into autobiographies during the summer, beginning with 107 Days by Kamala Harris. I enjoyed it so much that I moved on to Becoming by Michelle Obama. From there, I read Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis by J.D. Vance, followed by Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah. I finished out the year with a quick read by Carrie Fisher called Wishful Drinking.

Those are the highlights from my 2025 reading, and I’m looking forward to the 2026 challenge. I’ve increased my goal from 20 to 25 books this year. To meet that goal, I’ll need to read about two books each month. It might be tough, but I’m excited for the challenge.

What were your favorite books in 2025? What are you planning to read in 2026? Feel free to share your list in the comments—I’d love to discuss them with you.

Have a great week, and I hope 2026 is off to a fantastic start for you!

Looking Back on 2025: A Year of Growth, Adventure, and Connection

As the year draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on the moments—big and small—that shaped 2025. This year was a tapestry of personal milestones, professional growth, outdoor adventures, and cherished family traditions. Here’s a look back at the highlights that made this year unforgettable.

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Health and Wellness: A Journey of Transformation

One of the most significant chapters of 2025 was my health journey. Since October 2024, I’ve lost about 45 pounds thanks to Mounjaro, and I’ve been able to eliminate CPAP use entirely. December brought a new focus: building an exercise routine. My goals for 2026 include adding cardio, weights, and even running—something I haven’t done in years. I’m curious to see how my body responds now and excited to take this next step toward a healthier lifestyle.

Family and Holidays: Traditions That Ground Us

November and December reminded me why Thanksgiving and Christmas are my favorite times of the year. From grilling turkey breasts on the Big Green Egg to savoring Mom Shirron’s sweet potato pie, these moments were filled with warmth and gratitude. We gathered in Topeka and Lawrence, shared laughter, and honored traditions—even as we felt the absence of loved ones who couldn’t be with us. Christmas Eve brought its own quiet magic, a time to pause and appreciate the blessings of family and home.

Outdoor Adventures: Nature’s Reset Button

Camping continued to be my sanctuary in 2025. From summer weekends that offered a break from routine to October’s grand finale at C2T Ranch, each trip was a reminder of the restorative power of nature. That last outing was unforgettable—winds gusting up to 50 mph, coyotes calling in the night, and cornhole tournaments under the open sky. These experiences weren’t just escapes; they were opportunities to reconnect with what matters most.

Music and Community: The Rhythm of Life

October also brought the King Biscuit Blues Festival in Helena, Arkansas—a two-day celebration of music, friendship, and Southern charm. Perfect weather, incredible performances (Anson Funderburgh was a standout), and shared laughter made it a highlight of the year. It was more than a festival; it was a reminder of how music brings people together.

Professional Growth: Learning and Leading

On the professional front, EDUCAUSE 2025 in Nashville was a standout experience. I dove into networking, led a Braindate on staff upskilling, and explored sessions that sparked new ideas. Vendor events, CIO dinners, and even app critiques rounded out a trip that blended learning with connection. These moments reinforced the importance of community and continuous growth in our field.

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Themes That Defined 2025

• Health and Resilience: From weight loss to new fitness goals, this year was about reclaiming energy and well-being.
• Family and Tradition: Holidays reminded me of the joy found in simple moments and shared meals.
• Adventure and Renewal: Camping and music festivals offered space to recharge and celebrate life.
• Professional Engagement: Conferences and networking fueled ideas for the future.

Looking Ahead to 2026

As I turn the page to a new year, I’m carrying forward the lessons and joys of 2025. My focus will be on building a consistent fitness routine, deepening professional connections, and continuing to make time for the outdoors and family traditions. Here’s to a year of balance, growth, and meaningful experiences.

Thank you for following along on this journey. I’d love to hear from you—what were your highlights of 2025, and what goals are you setting for the year ahead?