Linux Resources

If you're a Linux user, this post contains resources for increasing your Linux knowledge.

Shared Bits 7-Year Anniversary

Highlights of my life and seventh year of blogging; Oct 2024 - Sept 2025

Planning to Purchase a Heat Pump? Be Prepared for Sticker Shock!

I was told that the TXV on our existing heat pump was faulty. I obtained three quotes for a new heat pump. Wow, was I shocked by the prices!

Maxwell June - Convert a Double-Edge Razor Blade into a Twin Blade Razor

An Internet search in Oct 2024 for a durable twin-blade razor introduced me to the Maxwell June razor.

Bad Design Idea ASUS

The CMOS battery in my ASUS AIO ET2322 desktop computer died in the middle of February. Little did I know the ordeal that would occur to replace the battery.

I Finally Broke Down and Purchased a Two-Stage Snow Blower

I contemplated purchasing a two-stage snow blower for years. In January 2025, I finally broke down and purchased one.

Try a Portable or Travel Bidet for Hemorrhoid Relief

In this post, I discuss using a portable or travel bidet for hemorrhoid relief.

Shared Bits 6-Year Anniversary

Highlights of my sixth year of blogging; Oct 2023 - Sept 2024

My First Yellow Jacket Nest Elimination

I've heard about yellow jacket nests being in the ground, but I've never encountered one in the past. In this post I detail how I eliminated a yellow jacket ground nest next to our exterior basement walkup.

Replaced the Original Water Heater Anode Rod with a Corro-Protec Anode Rod

Make my water heater last for decades? Yeah, I'm interested!

My Failed Experience Monetizing My Blog Using Ads in 2023

One of the goals for my blog in 2023 was to monetize it using ads. Unfortunately, I failed to find an ad service provider that will work with me and with whom I want to work.

Shared Bits 5-Year Anniversary

Highlights of my fifth year of blogging; Oct 2022 - Sept 2023

Stories to Ponder When You Are Feeling Sorry for Yourself

I decided to begin collecting stories that may cause you to consider that whatever you are going through may not be so bad after all.

Not Again! - Kidney Stone 3

In less than 4 years, I had the displeasure of experiencing my third kidney stone. In this post I describe my experience and new lifestyle changes I've incorporated to hopefully be done with this nephrologic horror.

Maytag MVWC565FW1 Washing Machine - Dead After Only 3 Years

After only 3 years, our Maytag MVWC565FW1 washing machine died.

Shared Bits 4-Year Anniversary

Highlights of my fourth year of blogging; Oct 2021 - Sept 2022

My First Attempt at Making Ghee - SCORE!

If you use ghee, you can make your own very easily and much cheaper than what you'll pay for it in the store.

Remembering Those Who Have Passed Away

Remembering those who have passed away who were special to me in some way.

Shared Bits 3-Year Anniversary

Highlights of my third year of blogging; Oct 2020 - Sept 2021

Sleeping in a Hammock

Even sleeping on a Tempurpedic mattress did not resolve my pressure point issues, so I tried sleeping in a hammock. This post is about my experience, which turned out to be both good and bad.

Emacs - I Finally Got It

A coworker attempted to turn me on to Emacs back in 2011, but I just didn't get it. In 2019, I took another look at Emacs to see if Emacs Org mode might be a suitable alternative to Rainlendar.

My First Experience with Oat Beverage...Pleasantly Surprised

In an effort to reduce my grocery costs, I recently tried oat beverage, a milk alternative, with future plans to make my own at home. I was pleasantly surprised by the taste.

Shared Bits 2-Year Anniversary

Highlights of my second year of blogging; Oct 2019 - Sept 2020

Memorable Moments from USAF Basic Military Training

In this post I share memorable moments from my time during USAF basic military training many years ago.

Bunions and Bunionettes - Could It Be Your Footwear?

In this post, I talk about a device and footwear that have helped me alleviate bunionette pain.

Shared Bits 1-Year Anniversary

Shared Bits went live in September 2018. What a first year it has been. I have learned so much and successfully cleared a number of hurdles over the year.

Starting a Blog: My First Experience

There are many decisions to make and things to think about when starting a blog. In this post, I detail the process I went through to start my first blog.

My Recent Experience With Switching WordPress Host Providers

In this post I provide details about my recent experience switching from SiteGround to Name Hero for my WordPress hosting needs.

DIY Liquid Laundry Detergent

Updated on 2026-08-30

In 2016 I was diagnosed with atopic dermatitis, a form of eczema. There is no specific known cause for the skin ailment, but there are …

My Second Kidney Stone Attack

My first kidney stone attack occurred about 23 years ago. I awoke in the morning of April 15 this year with pain in the lower right quadrant of my back while lying on my left side.

Learn LibreOffice

Resources to help you learn LibreOffice, a free open source alternatie to Microsoft Office.

Devices & Resources for Back Pain or Spine Issues

In this post, I share information about devices and resources that have been helpful to me in dealing with spine issues and back pain.