When Pele Sends a Birthday Card: Turning 75 With a Bang

Posted on February 16, 2026February 16, 2026 by Dusty Roads

Three-Quarters of a Century… Already?

Thank you to everyone who showered me with birthday wishes. Somehow, I’ve managed to make it to the three‑quarter‑century mark. Seventy‑five. It looks ancient on paper, but honestly? Other than a few arthritic grumbles, I feel pretty darn good for an “old babe.”

What really gets me every year is how many people take the time to reach out. For 364 days, I wander around thinking I’m just living my quiet little life. Then my birthday rolls in—usually accompanied by a nor’easter—and suddenly my inbox explodes like I’m George Bailey in It’s a Wonderful Life. I never realize how many lives I’ve brushed up against until that one day when everyone pops out of the woodwork. It’s humbling, heartwarming, and a little overwhelming in the best way.

Enter Hawaii, Stage Left

This year, even Hawaii decided to join the celebration. And if you’ve been following this space for any length of time, you already know I can wax poetic about Hawaii until someone gently pries the keyboard from my hands. Especially when it comes to my favorite diva of the Pacific: Kilauea.

My very first trip to the islands was to the Big Island, and I spent a full day exploring Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. I drove Chain of Craters Road, peered into the caldera from Volcano House, and saw my first plume of vog where lava met the sea. Kilauea was quiet that trip—too quiet—but I was hooked. I wanted to see an eruption with my own eyes.

Chasing the Elusive Eruption

Since then, I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve returned to Hawaii. Oahu? Check. Pearl Harbor? Absolutely. Maui? More times than I can count. The Big Island? A repeat favorite. Kauai? Not yet—but hey, I may be 75, but I’m not done adventuring.

Volcanoes National Park is always on my itinerary, and I’ve had some close calls. One year, Kilauea started huffing and puffing while I was on a park tour. Rangers and visitors lined up at the observatory, watching the lava lake glow as darkness fell. Little fountains teased us from the caldera. The excitement was electric.

And then—because this is my life—nothing big happened. My tour bus rolled away, Kilauea still grumbling but holding back. The next day, I flew home… and she blew her top while I was somewhere over the Pacific. I watched the eruption on the news, muttering “Really?” at the screen.

A Fiery Birthday Gift

Which brings me to this year. My birthday. My big 75. And what does Pele do? She sends me a present.

Episode 42 of Kilauea’s eruption began at 1:50 p.m. HST—on my birthday. High lava fountains shot into the sky, with bursts reaching 1,000 to 1,200 feet from the north vent and 800 to 1,000 feet from the south vent. A full‑blown, fiery celebration in my honor.

I may not have been there in person, but it’s the thought that counts. And honestly? As birthday surprises go, a volcanic eruption is hard to top.

What a spectacular way to kick off my next lap around the sun.

Florida Looked Good… Until the Flying Cockroaches

Posted on February 15, 2026February 15, 2026 by Dusty Roads | 4 Comments

At my age, if I wake up and nothing hurts, I assume I’m dead. My knees are getting to the point where they ache even when I’m lying in bed at night. That walker in the corner from my hip replacement is starting to look pretty good these days. And now my shoulders have joined the chorus.

At first, I blamed the cold weather — snow, sub‑zero temps, the whole New England winter package. Suddenly, Florida was looking really good. I was serious enough that I actually considered selling my condo and heading south.

But then reality set in.
Sorry, JR… looks like any move is officially on hold.

There are plenty of reasons to think twice about relocating to the Sunshine State. And no, I’m not even going to get into the political atmosphere — we’ll leave that simmering on the back burner.

Florida Wildlife (a.k.a. My Deal‑Breakers)

The number one reason I’m having second thoughts? Palmetto bugs.

I hate — no, that’s not strong enough — I abhor cockroaches. We had an issue in our building here in Taunton this year, but at least the management company jumped on it immediately and brought in pest control. I have NEVER lived anywhere with bugs, and I have no intention of starting now.

So what are Palmetto bugs?
Well, imagine giant flying cockroaches. That’s it. That’s the whole horror story.

And if that’s not enough, Florida also has killer bees, fire ants, swarms of mosquitoes, and snakes. Really big snakes. The state is being invaded by pythons and anacondas. In the immortal words of Indiana Jones: “Snakes… why did it have to be snakes?”

Then there’s Florida’s unofficial mascot: the alligator. They don’t bother me too much — they were there first, after all. The whole state is basically one big tropical swamp. You might even spot a Skunk Ape on a lonely road at night if you’re lucky… or unlucky.

More Reasons to Skip Florida

I gave up on Hawaii because the cost of living was outrageous, and Florida seems determined to follow in its footsteps.

1. The cost of living can outpace your budget

Housing prices are soaring, homeowners’ insurance is skyrocketing, and the overall cost of living keeps climbing. The median home value is already higher than the national average, and insurance premiums are only going to rise thanks to hurricanes, tropical storms, and rising sea levels.

2. The heat and humidity can get oppressive

Your utility bills will shoot through the roof as you try to survive the summer with nonstop air conditioning. “Hot and sticky” becomes a lifestyle.

3. Health care isn’t as accessible as you’d expect

You’d think a state full of retirees would have a seamless health care system — but that’s exactly the problem. The demand is enormous, especially in big cities. Long wait times, crowded facilities, and high costs are common.
A study from Fidelity Investments estimates that a 65‑year‑old couple retiring in Florida would need around $315,000 just for health care in retirement.

4. Fraud is a real concern

Florida has some of the highest rates of elder fraud in the country. According to the FBI’s 2024 Elder Fraud Report, seniors lost $4.8 billion nationally — and Florida was in the top three states for losses. Not exactly comforting.

5. No income tax sounds great… until it isn’t

The lack of state income tax means the state has less money to invest in infrastructure. Florida earned a “C” rating from the American Society of Civil Engineers. Aging roadways, limited public transit, and inadequate wastewater systems don’t exactly scream “retirement paradise.”

Bottom Line

For now, I’ll stay put and deal with the cold and snow. Massachusetts isn’t the best state for retirees — it’s expensive, and winter is no joke — but we have excellent health care, and I have my condo. I’m settled, at least for the moment.

And honestly? Waking up with a few aches and pains may not be fun… but it’s still better than waking up next to a giant flying cockroach.

Happy Valentine’s Day

Posted on February 14, 2026February 14, 2026 by Dusty Roads

Sweet Words for Your One and Only

Need something heartfelt to say to your special someone this Valentine’s Day? Sometimes the perfect words are already out there, waiting to be borrowed. Here are a few romantic gems:

“You are my heart, my life, my one and only thought.” —Arthur Conan Doyle
“In all the world, there is no heart for me like yours.”
“Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same.” —Emily Brontë
“You are my sun, my moon, and all my stars.” —E. E. Cummings

I’m partial to that last one — it’s simple, poetic, and swoon‑worthy — but you know your sweetheart best. Pick the one that will make their heart go pitter‑pat.

Homemade Fudge for Valentine’s Day

Words are lovely, but chocolate? Chocolate seals the deal.

As many of you know, I’m a caramel‑and‑pecan girl through and through. I’m forever chasing the perfect “Turtle” recipe, so instead of classic chocolate fudge, I’m sharing a Caramel Turtle Fudge that’s perfect for Valentine’s Day. It’s rich, gooey, and guaranteed to win you some extra points.

This recipe comes courtesy of Dash of Sanity.

Caramel Pecan Turtle Fudge

Ooey‑gooey caramel layered between rich chocolate and sprinkled with chopped pecans — this fudge is a candy lover’s dream come true.

Ingredients

14 ounces caramel pieces (I use Kraft Caramels)
1 heaping tablespoon heavy cream (evaporated milk works too)
2 cups semi‑sweet chocolate chips
1 can sweetened condensed milk (14 ounces)
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups chopped pecans

Instructions

Line a 9×9 or 8×8 baking dish with parchment or wax paper. If you don’t have either, just grease the pan and set aside.
Combine unwrapped caramels and heavy cream in a microwave‑safe bowl. Heat in 30‑second intervals, stirring between each, until smooth.
In a medium saucepan, combine chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, and salt. Heat over medium, stirring constantly, until melted and smooth.
Stir in pecans and vanilla.
Pour half the fudge mixture into your prepared pan.
Pour the caramel layer over the fudge.
Top with the remaining fudge and swirl gently with a knife.
Cover and refrigerate for about 2 hours, or until set.

A Sweet Finish

Once it’s firm, cut it into squares, tuck them into a pretty box, tie on a red ribbon, and pair with flowers and candlelight. It’s simple, thoughtful, and delicious — the perfect Valentine’s Day gesture.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

The Headline that screamed “The microchip era is ending”

Posted on February 13, 2026February 13, 2026 by Dusty Roads | 2 Comments

Good morning, Dear Readers.

As is my habit, I was browsing headlines for something interesting to chat with you about when I stumbled across this dramatic proclamation:
“The microchip era is ending… here’s what comes next.”

Well, that certainly got my attention.

For a moment, I wondered what we had here. Did they finally locate all the Crystal Skulls and unlock the key to unlimited cosmic knowledge? You know — those legendary artifacts said to store the wisdom of the universe like some ancient, mystical supercomputer, if only humanity could figure out how to boot them up.

Alas… no Crystal Skulls.
But the truth might actually be stranger than the myth.

Science has been making some remarkable strides in the world of computing — the kind of breakthroughs that sound like science fiction until you realize they’re already being tested in labs. Here are just a few of the technologies researchers are exploring:

1. Photonic Chips

These chips compute with light instead of electricity.
Photons move faster, generate almost no heat, and can carry far more information than electrons. Some early photonic processors already exist, and they look like something straight out of a futuristic glass sculpture.

2. Quantum Chips

Quantum computers use qubits, which can be 0 and 1 at the same time. I sometimes wonder if they ever have an identity crisis.
They’re built from exotic systems like superconducting circuits, trapped ions, and even diamond defects. They won’t replace your home computer anytime soon, but they’re already solving specialized problems in chemistry and cryptography.

3. Cryogenic Chips

Intel Cryogenic control chip

These operate at temperatures just above absolute zero.
Why so cold? Because superconducting materials behave beautifully in that environment — almost no electrical resistance, ultra‑low noise, and blazing‑fast switching speeds. NASA and IBM are both experimenting with them.

4. Neuromorphic Chips

Inspired by the human brain, these chips use components that act like neurons and synapses.
They’re built from materials such as memristors and phase‑change crystals, allowing them to “learn” patterns the way biological brains do. Think of them as early prototypes of artificial intuition.

5. Wafer‑Scale Chips

This is the one behind that headline.
Instead of slicing a silicon wafer into hundreds of tiny chips, engineers use the entire wafer as one enormous processor. Companies like Cerebras and Tesla are already building these dinner‑plate‑sized computing beasts.

So no, the Crystal Skulls haven’t been unearthed… but the technologies emerging today are astonishing in their own right.

So that’s my geek‑out for today. At this rate, I’m half expecting a Starfleet recruitment booth to pop up at the mall — and if anyone spots a transporter pad being installed at Target, please report back immediately!

Beam Me Up Scotty

Crazy Puffs version 2

Posted on February 12, 2026February 12, 2026 by Dusty Roads

If you liked my Crazy Puffs experiment there are tons of variations of the recipe on the internet. All it takes is a quick search for Crazy Puffs. This one caught my eye because instead of using pizza dough, it calls for frozen bread balls. Like I said in my previous post , I haven’t tried this one but it looks much less messy, just drop a frozen dough ball in the muffin tin and let it thaw out. Take a look!

This recipe uses frozen bread dough balls (such as Rhodes or similar) to create a copycat version of Little Caesars Crazy Puffs, featuring a garlic-butter crust, pepperoni, mozzarella, and a marinara-filled center.