We are giving away two signed copies of the proof version of our book "You Don't Want to Go For a Ride": Our Family's Journey with Autism. The signup for the giveaway will start on 8/22 and end on 9/4. The book will be released on 9/19.
Click on the link below to enter the drawing, there is no obligation for purchase in order to enter.
I defined my schedule a few months ago and it seems a bit frivolous to me to post this article considering what has been in the news lately. However, perhaps it is even more important to remember to take a moment out and keep things light hearted. I want to shine a light in the world and continue to create a feeling of home and safety even if times are troubled.
My note will be short this time, my blog buffer is low so I’ve been writing the next chapter instead of working on this article. This chapter introduces Brian Wilson, who is Deidre’s father. He and Deidre are estranged but Brian still tries to watch over her. The Year 2038 bug will remove those tools and he will have to find other means to keep an eye on his daughter and grandson.
A slight glow filled the room from the monitor screens. The images were reflected in his glasses as he moved his head, first showing server data from Europe, than a live webcam feed from Hawaii. The monitors were mounted all the way to the ceiling and out to several feet beyond his desk. On the left wall, he paused at the report on DNS outages, then his eyes caught a change in the count of trusted systems versus untrusted. Over in the right side of his desk, at eye level, his gaze rested a video camera feed. The video showed a living room with a closed door.
After the loss of tomatoes in the summer of 2016, I brooded over the squirrel’s victory and plotted for my revenge. I was determined to have a garden and the fruit of my labors, keeping them out of my foes paws. How to proceed, that was the challenge.
As the summer of 2016 changed to fall, we started getting rain, lots and lots of rain. The drought finally broke in our area, and I felt some despair as I saw all of the new growth. I knew that my garden would need to stand against an onslaught of new squirrels, hungrily looking for fresh food for their conquests.
I was at an autism support meeting a few months ago and there was a question about ideas for getting autistic children to sleep. I have my own problems with insomnia and I have gradually built up some techniques I use to improve my sleep. They don’t always work, but perhaps something might help others.
I am publishing the second chapter of my serial book, “Year 2038 Bug”, you can find it at the link included below. In this chapter, I introduce the character Jake, a software developer in San Jose. He and his roommate and coworker are monitoring servers for problems with the Year 2038 bug when things don’t go as expected.
This Memorial Day I am taking time to remember people. In particular, I remember family members who served. My mother’s side of the family has had a strong interest in their history and so I have documentation of earlier generations. As I browsed my collection, one article stood out. It is from October 1945, and is an article about four members of my grandfather’s family who served in WW II. My grandfather, his older brother and two of his younger sisters all served. My grandfather served as a doctor in the Army, in Europe as part of the 42nd Air Repair Squadron.