Personal
Yesterday started with a routine trip to Paintsville, KY, for an eye doctor appointment. The news was mostly good—everything looks stable—but since I’m managing diabetes, I’ll be back for a follow-up in three months to stay on top of things. However, there is something we have to watch closely. They saw a spot on the scan, and honestly, without an interpreter there, it was hard to fully grasp what was happening.
I recently set up my MacBook Air. I had forgotten how lightweight it is—it feels fantastic. Now I can browse the internet and get my work done away from my desk, where I usually work on my Mac mini.
I’ve been rocking an M1 Mac mini with 8GB of RAM for a long time now. For the simple stuff—emails, a few tabs, the occasional video—it’s been an absolute champ. But lately, the ‘magic’ of Apple’s memory management has started to hit a wall.
So, the tech experts are still debating if 8GB of RAM is enough for a Mac in 2026. The short answer? Yeah, sure. If you’re just checking email or watching YouTube, browsing fewer than 20 tabs, it’s great.
Can’t wait for my 15" MacBook Air, expected by 5 pm. Rural delivery means it might slip to tomorrow, but I’m hopeful. Once it arrives, I’m finally free from my desk — kitchen, living room, outside, anywhere I want.
Somewhere in New Mexico, Taken in November 2023.
Drove through the scenic New U.S. 460 / Corridor Q to Pikeville for a doctor’s appointment, spotting sarvis trees popping up here and there on the winter-brown mountains — little bursts of white. March, and spring is nearly here. (AI-generated photos — but pretty close to what I saw!)
Always wondered if water filters actually work. Brita is the obvious name everyone knows — and according to Better Report, they do reduce chlorine and some metals, but miss pesticides and lead entirely. Used a different brand back when I lived in DC, but gave it up. Now in rural Kentucky, hard water is the real issue — and most pitcher filters just aren't built for that.
The minerals that contribute to hardness build up quickly in the filters, meaning that they may leak back into the water unless you change the filter even more than recommended.
— WaterSmart
So, I bought water bottles now.
Ever wonder why you're a picky — or should I say, finicky — eater? I've been asking myself that for years. Turns out, it might literally start before birth. 🤔
I just read a fascinating article by a nutritional neuroscientist — and it turns out my finicky ways were set in motion long before my first meal!
Add in the genes that make certain people extra sensitive to bitter tastes (about 70% of us!), and suddenly my complicated relationship with certain foods makes a lot more sense.
Oh, a gallery wall project as a spring goal? Yes please! I've had a collection of frames sitting around for years just waiting for their moment, and this is finally it. The plan is to fill up an entire wall in my living room — different sizes, different shapes, all the things — and I want it to feel warm and fun and so very me.
One tip from this article that I thought was clever: arrange everything on the floor first, trace your frames onto kraft paper, then tape it to the wall as a guide before you hammer a single nail. No more walls full of accidental holes!
Can't wait to get started! 🖼️