November 30, 2025

Dear TeamToddTBI,

Even more virtual flights: “https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cVPAMR5pX28Bv7ZsHTuGMHxC5MraFe4N/view?usp=sharing” One day, I tried to fly from KGFL to KEFK – KEFK was not there – only an ocean. The next day, I failed to complete a flight from KGFL to KOXC. Two consecutive days without a good landing. Oh, the inhumanities!

I still aim to generate user friendly version of the programs that enable a bike to complete flights. Perhaps, you want to fly your bike also.

My favorite sister was home for the entire Thanksgiving week. I enjoyed her presence; her departure did not require a detailed inspection of her car trunk for edible contents. I wonder if this practice should return for Christmas.

The Hokies lost their game at Scott stadium. The complexities of the transfer portal and qualification for the football championship series overshadow the fact the UVa is not an institution of higher learning. (UVa senior projects are completing coloring books with crayons. My left side weakness does not permit me to meet UVa’s graduation requirements; I no longer can color between the lines.)

Brigid says “Enough trash talking”.

This weekend, cookies were shared with former Ash Court residents Mike Star, Dick and Joyce Meiseingier.

St. Luigi, Thank you for your intercession. St. Carlo Acutis, pray for us.

Hello, TEAMTODD. Thanks for staying with us. It was great to have Libby with us for the whole week! Libby looks around, sees what has to be done and does it. Libby is a GREAT cook and we ate well all week.

Sweet! The Wu family came by for a VERY short visit on TG afternoon. OMG! Those kids have grown up! We are so happy and proud they continue to be a part of our life.

We enjoyed re connecting with the Meiseingiers (Joyce and Dick) and Mike Star. It was a mini old Ash Court reunion.

We had a GREAT Thanksgiving, having Libby with us for a whole week, seeing the Wu Family on TG and then meeting up with our good friends from the past, Joyce and Dick and Mike.

Indeed! It was a good week..

Thanks for your continued interest.

 November 23, 2025

Dear TeamToddTBI,

I continue to complete virtual flights: “https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jmK4nu9ljRXBMrYSo2Xb17jZXKZ9bcNp/view?usp=sharing”

My endeavor to enable a user that does not like gatttool as it is deprecated to fly their own bike continues. I wish someone would show enough interest to offer ideas to make my concept more user friendly.

My favorite sister came home on Saturday and will be with us for the week. Libby brought some cod and Arctic char for me to prepare. I enjoy preparing and eating fish. Many people see fish consumption as penance (practice for lent) ; I also feel that many overcook fish. I enjoyed grilling cod for the family Saturday evening. Here is link to a picture three of the four fillets: “https://drive.google.com/file/d/14yhkIIpIdVODD6ivVuhj6UCH5yxtwEj3/view?usp=sharing” My father likes to cook his fish for a longer period of time. Alas, there is no way to uncook fish.

Sunday, was the final day of the November Grand Sumo.

The Hokies lost a football game at Lane Stadium against the Miami Hurricanes. I felt that Miami drove the score up; their intention was to attain entry into the 12 team football play-off rather than preserve their own and their competitor’s health. Their action was like the transfer portal: without honor.

St. Luigi, Thank you for your intercession. St. Carlo Acutis, pray for us.

Hello, TeamTodd. Thank you for staying with us. Todd continues on his journey. I do think his brain is stimulated by his efforts to make “everyones’ bike fly like his. Perhaps Todd is flying “on angels’ wings”…

It is nice to have Libby home with us. This morning we attended the 7:30 am Mass and it was said for our intention (Ted and Brigid Westley) in honor of our 55^th wedding anniversary. LOVELY!!! 3 times a shout out during Mass at appropriate times.

Libby treated us to a breakfast of Cinnamon Oat Pancakes, Fried apples and bacon. Wow! I feel sorry for anyone who was not us.

We will continue to enjoy our time together for the next several days. Todd wants to do a “raclette supper” one night. Of course there is TG. It will be just the 4 of us BUT! All the trimmings will be there. Libby came home with her homemade Cranberry/Orange Relish and enough homemade rolls for several celebrations PLUS one of her GREAT cheeseballs. As Todd would say, “We are well taken care of.”

Happy Thanksgiving, TEAMTODD! We, the Westley4, are grateful TO you and FOR you!

 November 16, 2025

Dear TeamToddTBI,

I continue to complete virtual flights: “https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GIEOkP-zQw8rvklwlTgioMbAJ0ta_m8a/view?usp=sharing”

I was able to control the throttle of FlightGear by a turning wheel on a truing stand using bluetoothctl. I am certain it will work better from a bike.

I started learning how to make a dialog box appear to help identify the circumference of the end user’s rear wheel so they can use the software I am writing: “https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Z_RIfXs9xwtVB4WF-9kI0sr6sggOq3dj/view?usp=sharing” I had no idea that there so many bike tire sizes available! I once understood why no one desired to control FlightGear’s throttle with the motion of their wheel on bicycle trainer. It’s always, “that’s good idea…” for someone else.

The software I author is not succinct or well written. But computationally speaking, a whole second between outputs of Wahoo sensor is an eternity on a Pi 5.

The Hokies did not win their football game against Florida.

Saturday, I lost my internet access. It was restored Sunday by turning the router off and then on.

St. Luigi, Thank you for your intercession. St. Carlo Acutis, pray for us.

 November 9, 2025

Dear TeamToddTBI,

I am still flying my bike: “https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ushoyzTcie2Ogd07A2KXapk9fq3gbgIw/view?usp=sharing” Not shown are my two latest failures – KLNN to KCLE and KLNN to KAFJ. KLNN is in Willoughby, Ohio. I lived in apartment adjacent to KLNN after I moved from Hampton, Virginia. By adjacent, I mean I could keep my left foot on airport property and my right foot on the apartment complex property simultaneously if a fence was not there.

My favorite sister came home this weekend (starting on Friday). Libby cooked dinner for us on Friday night and joined TEAMTODD, completing the Scarecrow 5KWalk/ Run today. Libby also helped rake the yard, and helped Mom with food preparations for the lunch after the Scarecrow event.

I completed the 1 mile walk at the UMBC campus. After completing the walk, I longed for a quiet space.

After lunch here at our house, I showed my cycling habit to Scarecrow participants Debbie Cheung, her sister Pam, and Libby’s friend Meredith, and others.

The Hokies did not lose a football game this weekend. This was guaranteed – their opponent did not even show up.

I continue to work on an improved version of software to convert a bike into a joystick. I am relearning how to program in C. I now can read and use data from Wahoo sensor mounted to a spinning wheel on a truing stands.

St. Luigi, Thank you for your intercession. St. Carlo Acutis, pray for us.

Hello TEAMTODD! WHEW!!! Once again WE did it!!!! This was our 10^th year of participating in the Scarecrow Classic 5k 1 Mile Fun Run. TeamTodd had 22 participants. One other team tied with us with the number of participants. No other team had more participants. After 10 years of participation, TeamTodd is well known.  We are the only team with an official sign and it is the same sign that has served us well for these 10 years.

Five of TeamTodd participants placed in their age groups! YAY!!!!

We arrived home about 12 pm and hustled to put out lunch for 15. It all worked out WELL. But, the day is over, the tables and chairs are put back in their places, dishes have been washed, leftovers have been sent home with those who want them and needless to say, I am not cooking tonight. 

Pam and Debbie took lots of pictures of the event and maybe by next week we will post a few.

Todd did well BUT was bothered by the “noise”. That noise was from the chatter of other participants and supporters. Of course, the race was outdoors BUT we all met inside in a huge commons: So think about all the conversations that were going on… I am sure Todd will sleep well tonight as we ALL well. 

Thank You, TeamTodd for your continued interest and support.

 November 2 , 2025

Dear TeamToddTBI,

Believe it or not, I completed seven consecutive virtual good landings last week: “https://drive.google.com/file/d/1j66C7sSaFsxIGxgUfruWD1iAGNPP0WUq/view?usp=sharing”

I have made some progress on eliminating my use of gatttool (it’s deprecated!) to enable a spinning bike wheel to control the throttle in FlightGear. I’ve learned enough bluetoothctl to believe I can translate information from a Wahoo speed sensor into a joystick position. At the moment, I am relearning how strings and handled in the c programming language. I am not done; there are usually surprises in my life.

Last week, I showed my bike’s ability to fly to former Planetary Systems Corporation owner, former naval aviator (he landed at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station), active tuna fisherman, Mike Whalen. Mike has more bikes than he can count on one hand!

Sunday, I renewed my Ohio Professional Engineer license. Given the circumstances surrounding many, I am glad to have a license in my back pocket if I should ever need to find employment. Frankly, I am only mentally competent about an hour a day.

Breakfast casserole was prepared to reflect my behavior in church.

The Hokies lost their football game against Louisville.

Grand Sumo wrestling starts next Sunday. What sparked my interest in so many sports: cycling, college football, and Grand Sumo? I enjoy them all BUT I am reclusive unless the topic turns to indoor cycling.

Hello, TEAMTODD, We are looking forward to the Scarecrow Classic 5K next Sunday, November 9. TEAMTodd, Once again, Todd has the most on his team, 19 with another (20) who signed up without mentioning TT. Some participants will do “virtual” runs, walks.

Those that participate in the actual in person 5K/walk will join us for lunch, here at our home in Rockville. We look forward to welcoming 12-14 people for our usual Scarecrow Lunch of Sloppy Joes, Chicken Salad, Coleslaw, Fruit Salad and Black Bottom Cupcakes, and Pumpkin Pie Bars. Various beverages will be served.

How grateful we are for the continued interest in Todd’s recovery, shown in the support you all have given to the Brain Injury Association of Maryland. TeamTodd… We appreciate you extending your support beyond Todd. Goodness! So many TBI survivors DO NOT have a team behind them like Todd does.

St. Luigi, Thank you for your intercession. St. Carlo Acutis, pray for us