January 26, 2025

Dear TeamToddTBI,

Happy Birthday, Jean Pascoe!

As usual, I completed virtual flights:“https://drive.google.com/file/d/1P91dD5abC0-1UpElc3n0SB3SVkPaWZEI/view?usp=sharing”

Besides riding the bike on the trainer, I continued my attempt to make a blackjack application: I learned how to use the keyboard to allow scrolling. This should enable the use of smaller screens with my program. At the moment, I want to enable the end user to configure the game to their tastes: how many decks, when the decks are reshuffled, the number players at the blackjack table, etc. I hope this allows non-linux users to enjoy my code.

I ordered new lenses to put in an old frame from Eyes On Norbeck.

I earned two hours of continuing education to renew my PE license.

I continue to be fascinated by Sumo wrestling. I am awed by the power generated by these athletes.

My behavior in church on Saturday afternoon, yielded a breakfast casserole on Sunday.

Thank you for your continued interest in my recovery.

St. Luigi, pray for us.

Hello, TeamTodd!

Thank you for staying with us. Todd continues to set his own goals. He keeps himself busy and takes breaks as he needs. Yeah, I don’t know about the Black Jack program BUT I do know it keeps Todd’s brain active and stimulated. We were happy that Todd earned 2 hours of PE credits this week. Awesome, is it not, that Todd has been able to maintain his PE license status???

I accompanied Todd to Eyes on Norbeck to get his new prescription glasses. Todd did NOT need me but he wanted me there. Everything went well. I briefly mentioned Todd’s “Story” as our introduction, and as most often, it is accepted and a conversation begins about another personal story similar to Todd’s.

I am scheduled for cataract surgery on Friday. Todd has offered to cook supper that night. Baked Ziti is on the menu. I am well taken care of.

Everything is in order. Eye drops for 30 days????? They aren’t kidding…

 January 19, 2025

Dear TeamToddTBI,

This week I flew virtually: “https://drive.google.com/file/d/1U5giMpqigKVJ-K-hEayHdqw9obUoRRr3/view?usp=sharing” I forgot to wear a headband for the last three flights and had to pause to put a headband on my head. What was I not thinking?

I decided to redirect my programming effort with blackjack computer game to allow users that do not know C programming an opportunity to configure the game to their tastes: how many decks in the shoe, when the shoe is reshuffled, how many splits are allowed, if the other players at the table are computer or human, if a prior shoe should be played, etc. (The shoes holds unplayed cards at a blackjack table.) I made so many mistakes during my first attempt at writing SDL2 code that I might be better off starting over.

I got my vision checked – I will go to the local eye glass store and get new lenses. (Eyes On Norbeck)

I tried to replenish my Mountain Dew Cache on Friday, I unfortunately arrived before the shelves were restocked. The Pepsi truck was on site, but the formerly brominated fluid was to be the last pallet to be unpacked. I got tired of waiting for the truck to unload midst while Muzak played on Giant Food’s sound system. I drove Mom’s car; my previous drive was in mid December.

Sumo continues to capture my interest for 27 minutes each day. This week I saw the Gyoji prematurely declare a winner. That had not happened for nineteen years!

On Tuesday, I will watch a webinar on pressure vessels to earn two more hours to renewing my PE license.

Thank you for your continued interest in my recovery.

St. Luigi, pray for us.

 January 12, 2025

Dear TeamToddTBI,

Happy Birthday, Samantha Wu!

More virtual flights: “https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YHgSsVHedLopVbnZI_cTWyJuTfbp-yqI/view?usp=sharing” Again, I could just write that I rode the trainer or even sweated in place for about an hour. Saturday, I attempted to complete a flight from KJVW “John-Bell-Williams-Airport” to 09A “Butler ChoctawCounty Airport” but my failed approach {during the final turn before touchdown!} was during a process that occupied the system resources on the Pi 5.

I made some progress on my blackjack game: Now, before the cards are dealt wagers are made by using the keyboard keys one {the minimum bet} thru zero {the maximum bet}. The bet is drawn. Hitting the space bar enables the bet for the next player to be selected and drawn. When the wages are acceptable, hitting pagedown triggers cards to be dealt. There are still many features I hope to enable to make the program more robust.

This week HRH and I have an appointment to have our vision checked.

The Grand Sumo Tournament is back on TV today. I enjoy eating, yet I could never grow the girth or the required top knot :( to compete in the sport. Also, my drop foot might prevent me from engaging in that sport.

I started getting my routine prescriptions in the mail: My favorite sister made this happen.

Saint Luigi, thank you for your intercession.

Hello, Team Todd, Thank you for staying with us. I have been preoccupied with other distractions during these last few weeks. Not everything I have been doing has to do with Todd as his Caregiver. BUT! Please note, Todd is well taken care of (not spoiled) as Todd likes to remind us.

Todd has an eye appointment with my ophthalmologist on Wednesday. Todd was seen by someone at Hopkins, Wilmer Eye Institute, previously. I think Dr. Roberts can work with Todd. Todd has no major eye issues ( Actually, Todd’s sight has improved since his accident) Dr. Roberts is aware of Todd’s TBI. I think after Wednesday, Dr. Roberts will be a part of “TeamTodd”.

It has been blustery and cold here in Maryland. It seems to be going on for weeks.

Stay with us, TEAMTODD. We need your best wishes, prayers and good works!

St. Luigi, Pray for us.

uary 5, 2025

Dear TeamToddTBI,

My virtual flights: “https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OmZ92J3j-90Y5DSJTxvWgqblNpibR8Cq/view?usp=sharing” I enjoy the effort I extend on the trainer – it has resurrected the satisfaction I once gained from climbing a hill, riding my bicycle outside. That said, I did have two bad landings last week – my first attempt of flying from KPOF to 0M4 (Poplar Bluff Regional Business to Benton County) and a short flight from KGDA to 2M0 (Marion -Cittenden County to Prineton-Caldwell County).

I also am slowly rebuilding a blackjack game with SDL. I know I could download something similar to what I want. But, not exactly what I want.

With my favorite sister’s help, I set up mail order prescription drugs.

On Friday, I watched the Hokies lose a football game to Minnesota. It seemed to me the line between college athletics and professional athletics has become increasingly blurry. The days of VT kicker Shane Graham leading engineering graduates with his starting salary are gone, I think. The days of the “transfer portal” have begun. Please comment if you can explain what a “transfer portal” is.

Saint Luigi, thank you for yourintercession.