Cultivating Mental Silence

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Things I'm enjoying: Late Fall Edition

Wow! Fall is just about over and I just realized that I haven't written my latest installment; my seasonal post about things I'm enjoying. With that said, here are four things I'm enjoying.

Echo Show

The latest Echo Show is an interesting upgrade compared to the original “Lady in a tube.” I want sure if I was going to like a display screen and Alexa’s voice. Boy was I wrong! It's so cool being able to see the weather forecast after you ask Alexa, “What's the forecast?” Another one of my main use cases is a skill I found that pairs with the AnyList app. Being able to see the items on my grocery list after I've asked Alexa to add something is very pleasing. Another cool thing is the ability to see the timers you've created. The Echo Show is going to remain in its place of honor (the kitchen counter) for a long time.

Series 6 Apple Watch

It's been 2 years since I've upgraded my Apple Watch. The last one I owned was the Series 4 and I absolutely loved it. I'm convinced Apple killed it because the Series 5 really wasn't that much of an upgrade. I was impressed with Apple's presentation of the Series 6 at WWDC (along with the new watch OS update) but wasn't sure if I was going to get the new watch. The two things that did it for me are the “always on” display and the new Blood Oxygen sensor. I wasn't sure if I was going to like the “always on” display but it really is a game changer. Being able to see the watch face whenever you like, immediately, is very satisfying. And...as we continue to limp through the pandemic, having more health information, in the form of the Blood Oxygen reading is, I feel, very important.

Irish Breakfast Tea

I've been drinking this mainly in the evenings as of late... with a splash of cream. It's been a nice way to calm down from the craziness of the day.

Podcasts, podcasts, podcasts

My #1 source of entertainment is podcasts. It’s been that way for many years. Some of you know that I time track some of my activities. How much time I spend listening to podcasts is one of the things I track…yes…I’m a geek! On any given day I listen to 2 to 3 hours worth of podcasts. I like them all for different reasons but lately, these 2 have “bubbled up to the top…”

Omnibus-great podcast to learn things in a very entertaining way. The banter between the 2 hosts keeps me coming back! I like them so much…I support them on Patreon.

Connected-tech focused and hilarious all at the same time. The 3 hosts have such a good time with each other…it feels like I’m in the same room with them!