The chessboard at Morro Bay, California, is near some of my favorite places to sit and relax. When I took the girls to California, the oldest asked me to teach her chess after seeing that board. She wasn’t quite ready, but I intended to keep my word. As an autistic…
The Autistic Me
We are all more than what observers believe us to be. It’s been brought to my attention that The Autistic Me blog and podcast have been located and read by potential employers. I am not The Autistic Me, and anyone assuming to know me from this blog alone — or…
Exercise is a matter of staying alive and healthy for me. When I don’t exercise every two to four hours, I get a headache and chest pains. The palsy increases, as do my autistic sensory issues. Add to this the inevitable anxiety (panic), I know exactly what I need to…
The year 2020 needs to be more relaxed, and that means adjusting my plans and goals. Now that I’m in my 50s, it doesn’t make much sense to keep chasing some goals that are unlikely. They might happen, but chasing them would be too emotionally and physically draining. Parenting Responsibility…
Welcome to 2020. The year 2019 wasn’t too bad and I have to assume 2020 will be better. Yes, there were disappointments and struggles in 2019, but overall it was a good year. My wife and I officially became the adoptive parents of our two daughters. We love them and…
Staying healthy seems to be dangerous. Many of my physical injuries have been the result of walking, cycling, and other forms of exercise. December 6, I managed to sprain my MCL (medial collateral ligament) while at the gym using a standard rowing machine. Yes, a rowing machine. For the unfamiliar,…
Podcast Episode 0035; Season 03, Episode 07; December 10, 2019 Baking was, for many years, a favorite hobby. I love cookies and cakes. I enjoy all things high in carbohydrates, unfortunately. Fat? You have to use butter in baking. Real butter, ideally the Amish or European butter brands. I’m not…
Please, during this holiday season, remember to respect every child’s or adult’s preferences: DO NOT: Force someone to hug other people, even family members. Insist on “sitting still” in stressful situations. Demand silence when the individual is trying to communicate stress. Refuse to excuse anyone from a crowded, noisy, overloaded…
Podcast Episode 0034; Season 03, Episode 06; November 25, 2019 The holiday season includes a lot of sensory inputs, social interactions, traveling, and more. In this episode, I offer a few tips based on our experiences as a family. Our daughters should have great memories of the holidays. To ensure…
We closed on the sell of our house in Pennsylvania this week, so now our Texas reset is focused on touching up our new home and completing tasks locally. I have been sick (as has my wife) for the last two weeks. We’ve moved on from a basic cold to…