Model railroading has always played close to new technology. I mean, after all Lionel used an electric motor back when they were still relatively new to make the first electric toy train. I'm continuing in that tradition, but doing it at my own speed, making an electric toy train speed-control that I can control from the palm of my hand. That's right, from my phone!

We all love our pets, but nobody likes cleaning up after them when they "do their business," right? Well, I'm in that same boat. It's the reason I have a "Cat Closet," where my automatic litterbox is located. Trouble is, when he uses it, that thing gets to stinkin' - and pretty quick too! Thus, I've come to a resolution with a new home-automation system. I call it "ScentAssist." Let me explain...

I've had a handfull of friends and colleagues ask about Tasmota; what it is, what it does, how to use it, etc. So I thought I'd put together a little article to tell you about this AWESOME open-source IoT firmware, why I use it, and how you can get started with it too!

Shadow boxes deserve a shadow... right? Well, if there's a shadow, there has to be some light! That's what I've been working on; adding a little intelligent lighting to my shadow boxes! But, I've also been going crazy in the kitchen with some lights around the cabinets.

Finally, with my own home, I think I can return to my goal of having a Lionel train surround my Christmas tree, but perhaps I need to consider how I'm going to automate it...