For Fun on the Side

         I haven't felt like writing as much on Hive as of late. I have been working on other projects around the house and entertaining other possibilities.

         One of the side quests over the Holidays was trying out a set of growing lights for indoor plants. Why? Because one of my friends gifted me a red lion amaryllis bulb for Christmas. So, I figured this could be a stepping stone to a winter hobby in the future.

         It took about a month for the plant to grow to full size. The best part about the light was I could control when and how long to expose the plant to light. I often turn it on when I go to work since no one would be home during that period.

         Eventually, the planter that came with the package was getting too small. The pot now titter totters with the smallest tip. You can see damage to the flowers as the plant leans into the wall. As all three flowers have bloomed, it no longer needs the full intensity of the light. We'll see how long they stay blooming. I'll keep the bulb for another season when it wilts.

         The next project is to put together a physical family photo album. There are years of digital files to go through. I should have kept track of them year after year instead of trying to go through several years' worth of items. I also need to start organizing documents for passports and whatnot for the kid. I do plan on traveling abroad this year or the next.

         My time is limited, so I prefer things that satisfy me. While I like receiving free crypto for posting, I gain more by working overtime at my job. Our department is still understaffed, so there is an 85% premium for overtime. Regardless of what you feel about fiat, I use the extra pay to get assets. It sounds good on paper, but it's taxing after several years.

         It's too bad I lose 40% of my gross income to taxes and benefits.