September 21, 2025

Dear TeamToddTBI,

I completed virtual flights: “https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MRDAFzIIRJ5Ok6Y20tsdU38td0Wh5u9A/view?usp=sharing” I had two bad landings: one on a flight from KWVI to O22 and a second bad landing on a short flight (15 nautical miles) from KFOT to KEKA.

I have a backup Pi 5 in case anything happens to the one I have; I like flying my bike that much. I would like to enable someone else to complete flights as I do so I hope I can loan my backup Pi out. I want to see if someone else becomes addicted like me.

Amish Breakfast Casserole this morning: I was good in church.

This week, something interesting, (my definition of interesting) happened in Grand Sumo: The gyoji halted match to adjust the mawashi of both rikishi. Try not to imagine the scene if the gyoji had not acted!

Last week, I attended the wake for Dad’s good friend, Joe Burns. At the wake, I also saw Fr. Stuart who taught a religious education class my senior year of high school. I imagine he enjoyed remembering the past as much as I do. Fr. Stuart is a Canon Lawyer; I may need to get a marriage annulled someday. I will keep in touch with him. 

My weekly update is roughed out Saturday, and finalized by early on Sunday: that is why I did not include much about the wake in previous update. I am more mentally fit in the morning.

I did not watch the Hokie football victory over Wofford. Coach Fry was fired earlier this week; I am not a big fan of dramatic mid-season changes.

My parents celebrated their 55^th wedding anniversary on Friday.

St. Luigi, thank you for your intercession. St. Carlo Acutis, pray for me.

Hello, TeamTodd, Thanks for staying with us.

All is well here. We are enjoying lovely late summer, cooler temperatures.

As you may suspect, Todd is keeping himself busy. He is always looking for ways to be helpful around the house and it seems every day he surprises me with taking on an additional task. I am grateful for his help and his cheerful attitude. Todd just might be a “caregiver” in training. 

Many thanks for being there for Todd and US!

 September 14, 2025

Dear TeamToddTBI,

I completed virtual flights: “https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gHW2wEKZU2wkKJruWaKI7UQz8gh53kN2/view?usp=sharing” I wish I could inspire others to use a bike trainer as I do. Also, I replaced the saddle on my bicycle. Here is a picture of the old saddle: ”https://drive.google.com/file/d/13q36QkAamWUVh7bAvY-QtYYcZssJlvo1/view?usp=sharing”

On Saturday, the Hokies lost their football game against Old Dominion. They are without a win so far. Without a football victory, alumni dollar$ are $eriou$ly jeopardized.

Today, September 14, the Sumo Basho begins. I admire the physical power exerted by the Rikishi and wish I could grow a top knot. Help me deal with overlap between VaTech football and Sumo.

On Monday, I will watch PE webinar on electric vehicles. My experience with electric vehicles goes back to 1993. My father drove an electric car in 1996 at the airport of Virginia Tech. (It was my solar car BUT my father drove an electrical vehicle before many others)

I wish I had spent more time working on my blackjack game. Programming still is a welcome challenge for me.

Thank you to everyone inspired by me to sign up for the Scare Crow Classic. TeamTodd has 6 members. If you are thinking of doing a virtual run or running in person, sign up is easy. Just go to the BIAMD.org and sign up for the ScareCrow Classic. The Password for our team is TeamTodd25# And since 5 have signed up, there is a $5 discount.

St. Luigi, thank you for your intercession. St. Carlo Acutis, pray for me.

Hello TeamTodd. Thank you for staying with us.

All is well.

This afternoon, we attended a visitation for one of Ted’s best friends who died recently. Todd accompanied us as he, too, knew of Rear Admiral Joe Burns, Ted’s best friend and co-worker at Little Flower Parish in Bethesda.

Joe Burns, a newly acquaintance of Ted’s over 11 years ago, “held Ted’s hand” during the early days of Todd’s recovery. It was fitting that Todd be there today to honor this man who held his father up during those first weeks, the first years of Todd’s recovery.

Todd was happy to see Fr. George Stewart, in residence at Little Flower, at the visitation. Todd spent some time with Fr. Stewart telling him about his progress and what he was working on. Fr. Stewart was Todd’s Religious Ed instructor 32 ? years ago. It was a meeting of 2 great minds way back then and they have stayed in contact. They had some personal time together a couple of years ago and today they picked up as if no time lapsed.

It was a BITTERSWEET afternoon… It was all about Joe Burns BUT, the family of Little Flower remembered Todd. Sr. Rose Maran greeted Todd and said how GREAT he looked! “We keep praying for you!” One of the secretaries appreciated meeting Todd for the first time. I think Todd came home realizing his support system has been much larger than he thought.

Todd and we, his family, so appreciate all the prayers, the support of so many…Who knew????

TeamTodd, Stay with us.

 September 7, 2025

Dear TeamToddTBI,

I completed virtual flights: “https://drive.google.com/file/d/1V0iCr25PqIlkFKujLyB73-pakNSEcfH-/view?usp=sharing” I have adjusted my morning routines: I am conducting flights on the west coast and not not want to modify FlightGear’s time settings to force the sun to rise earlier. Notice, that map shows seven consecutive good flights: this has not occurred since I went to Rockingham.

I went to Total Wine and Ft. Meade commissary with HRH. At Ft. Meade, HRH was addressed as “ma’am” only once. It was beneficial to be out in society but, I could barely wait to return home and fly my bike.

The Hokies lost their football game against Vanderbelt. That is two losses this year already.

I will watch PE webinar on electric vehicles next week. I still fondly remember my days on the Virginia Tech solar car team.

I will have a dermatology appointment this week to look at mole on my back at second time.

I continue to improve the blackjack game I am developing. I hope it improves my short term memory; but, I can barely remember the last improvement I added.

St. Luigi, thank you for your intercession. St. Carlo Acutis, pray for me.

Thank you for staying with us.

Hello, TEAMTODD!

We are gearing up for another Scarecrow Classic Run/Walk to support the Brain Injury Association of MD. Event will take place on the campus of UMBC. (That is we began 10 years ago) Below is some info, followed by the password to be a member of TeamTodd.

(https://runsignup.com/Race/MD/Baltimore/BIAMDScarecrowClassic?raceRefCode=NqV7cYkG). If they sign up from that link, you are eligible for a refund up to $5.00 after 5 friends sign up.

Password is TeamTodd25#

Everything is well here. The Toddster continues on his journey to recovery, encouraged by so many of his friends, YOU! And supported by his prayer life and the intercessions of St. Luigi and WOW!!! Today, Carlo Acutis, canonized. What an event! Todd’s fave.

I have heard from a few of you, through personal email… My comments were missed for these last few weeks. All is well. I have had some health inquiries BUT!!!!! All is well and the Toddster has been VERY attentive as has Ted. REALLY!!! If you are recovering from short term or long term illness, 14402 Ash Court is the place to be for TLC! AND! The supporting cast is PHENOMINAL!!!!!! The Westley’s are very grateful!

 August 31, 2025

Dear TeamToddTBI,

HRH and I only completed four virtual flights: “https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hjbol2JAiHhse_nFgwbQUU4kITuUKbAQ/view?usp=sharing”

I tried to complete a flight from KBLH to KGXF. KGXF’s runway had an interruption on its threshold that immediately disabled the aircraft. Later, I tried to take-off from KGXF and could not even move the aircraft from the apron immediately after start-up even though I moved the throttle to its maximum position.

I began wearing a mouth guard to endure the wear and tear from grinding my teeth at night.

This week I coded the blackjack game I am working on to automagically hit the hand dealt to player 1 {left most from the dealer’s perspective} according to a published table: “https://www.askgamblers.com/gambling-news/blog/blackjack-basic-strategy-chart”

During the week, I went to Costco with HRH and purchased some catfish. I cooked half of a filet on the electric stove top and under cooked the fish. The next day, I cooked the other half on the gas grill and the fish turned out great. I think that fish has a poor reputation given that its consumption is considered acceptable on Friday’s during lent, and the general view that considers overcooked fish to be acceptable. Under cooked fish is more acceptable to me than over cooked fish.

I shared an IPA with family friend, Bill Thewes. That same day, Samantha Wu and Debbie Cheung came so Samantha could say goodbye before she left for college the next day. That was a full day for me. There was a lot of conversation to take in.

The Hokies will play in a football game Sunday night… I should be enthused to watch the Hokies, but I lack understanding of the “transfer portal” as it relates to “student athletes.”

My behavior in church rendered bacon and pancakes.

St. Luigi, thank you for your intercession. St. Carlo Acutis, pray for me.

Thank you for staying with us.

 August 24, 2025

Dear TeamToddTBI,

I continue to attempt virtual flights. This week, there were more bad landings than good landings: “https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_O8YZ4pTfixGctCaLLBQ5k2eZcXL0-6A/view?usp=sharing” Despite my misfortunes, I have fun spinning the cranks and moving FlightGear’s throttle. I still have not mastered flights at elevations above 5000 feet. Plus, I am used to completing a short flight (<25 nautical miles) every 4 days to give my legs a rest. In the southwest, at altitude, all of the airports seem to be more than 50 nautical miles apart.

I improved the code on my blackjack game: I simplified recognition of blackjacks after cards are dealt. Also, I now populate a hint message based on a table. The next goal is to enable the computer to act, based on the suggestion. I will have to eventually memorize the table myself and be able to play the game without the hint.

This week, I learned how to make an exact clone of the Raspberry Pi 5’s SD card. I hope, one day, to loan the Pi 5 to users that want to fly their bike but are intimidated by the costs and/or Raspberry Pi 5 familiarity. I know it is quite common to position the bike trainer near a large screen. I really want feedback on my software that transforms a bike into a throttle control. I knew how much fun I would have; the costs never intimidated me. Additional clones of my Pi 5’s SD card will cost me less than $15 on Amazon; a cloned SD card enables another user to overcome the mental challenges of implementing the software I modified.

St. Luigi, thank you for your intercession. St. Carlo Acutis, pray for me.

Hello TEAMTODD,

Thank you for staying with us.

 August 17, 2025

Dear TeamToddTBI,

I only completed two flights with good landings: “https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FBkCTnGwXwVRa6FerswRKgiWcOwcUdbN/view?usp=sharing” The higher elevations from the environment I am flying in, create a challenge for me. Also, I temporarily messed up my knee while completing altar guild duties at St. Mary’s. I must have twisted my leg or knee while putting hymnals back in place and picking up “left behind debris”. I am filled with excuses…

I look forward to entering an area of lower elevation “flying” in the near future. Perhaps I suffer from virtual hypoxia; leading to my failure to follow my planned flight route. Imagine how much less exciting to review data of my trainer cycling speed: available on request.

My favorite sister came home for Uncle Joe’s funeral in Dallastown, PA. I thought the Funeral Mass was well executed – especially, the chosen scripture readings and the eulogy.

The reception that followed flooded my injured brain with noises and faces. I went outside towards the end of the day seeking peace; others joined me and all spoke one at a time. Perhaps I was not alone in my dislike of loud dins. My injury included the loss of the ability to isolate sounds.

Today, Sunday Mass behavior yielded waffles and sausage for Libby and me – we were both well behaved.

St. Luigi, thank you for your intercession. St. Carlo Acutis, pray for me.

Hello TEAMTODD!

It has been a week of sorrow for the large Savel family but we all came together with so many others who knew my brother, Joe, to celebrate Joe’s life on Saturday. What a wonderful celebration! The Mass was very meaningful, Fr’s homily very specific since he knew Joe, and what a wonderful eulogy, written by his 7 children!!!! Honor guard at graveside, gun salute and taps. BEAUTIFUL!

Reception followed but of course there were lostsa people and chats going on. Todd enjoyed the lovely lunch and awhile later went outside for some peace and quiet by himself but others quickly joined him. 

It was a BEAUTIFUL and PERFECT day in every way. Thank you all for your prayers and well wishes.

 Dear TeamToddTBI,

Naturally I completed several flights: “https://drive.google.com/file/d/18RTCHDtZj3ZYQat7SKJUWJ87h7wq0ht-/view?usp=sharing”  Not shown is a flight completed with JMU engineering student, Daniel, from KGAI to KBWI.  We spun the rear wheel with a Wahoo speed sensor to control the FlightGear’s throttle position.  The upside-down mountain bike is not as authentic as a bike on a trainer; but it was close enough that it does not require too much to imagine the design intent :”https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vXFl7FObUCIww-NrQvYwTSCySwC2MD_K/view?usp=sharing”.  My favorite sister expended many favors owed to her to get all the equipment into her home.

 

This week my Uncle Joe fell with a bleed in his brain.  His family was with him when life support was removed.  His funeral is this Saturday.  My family and all the other many Savels, will celebrate his life on Saturday.

Libby allowed me to prepare seafood every evening for dinner.  Remembrance of my days in Elyria was revived.  We had Scottish salmon, halibut cheeks (not butt checks!), cod “https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_8nNJXUELO02OUr4zh2iUuH5RcpoZzJp/view?usp=sharing”, and rock fish “https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Ol-zu8o5NKUfX-xQ08zF7eSeFRMhUFle/view?usp=sharing”.  She allowed me to keep the skin on the Rockfish.  I suspect some think the fish skin is inedible.  If you have ever seen a grizzly bear eat salmon, you know the skin is consumed first; the remainder of the fish may or may not be discarded.  I wish I had let the larger rock fish filet to cook an extra 15 seconds.

 

Libby has learned the location of multiple breweries that we enjoyed.  I had IPAs every day.  Libby tried other brews with mixed results.

 

During church, our behavior on Sunday yielded pancakes == we were both good.  The Mass celebrant was a CNU alum that knew Libby and remembered when I had my accident.  

 

St. Luigi, thank you for your intercession. St. Carlo Acutis, pray for me.

Hello, TEAMTODD! Thanks for staying with us.

Todd has enjoyed the last few days with Libby.

I went with Todd, Friday,  to Union Station where he boarded a bus to JMU.  Easy Peasy.  Todd will come home the same way.  I will meet him at Union Station and we will take Metro to Glenmont.  

I must share with you, My Brother, Joe, age 79 died today after a serious fall on Friday.  Please keep us all in your thoughts and prayers.  

 MONDAY:  Todd is back with us.  He had a great time in Libbyland but seems to be glad to be home and back with his routines.

Pray for us as we gather together to celebrate the life of my brother, Joe.  A beautiful family of 7 kids, spouses and 10 grandkids were with him as he left us. The funeral will be this Saturday.