Most Recent

Recently, I've gone somewhere, done something, or seen something amazing I've shared in these pages. Here, you'll find my most recent posts, covering a wide range of topics that pique my interest. Whether you're passionate about travel, captivated by photography, enchanted by music, or intrigued by computer programming, there's likely to be something here for everyone!

Dive in and explore the latest insights, stories, and adventures that I have to share. Enjoy your stay!

Easter at the Manassas Battlefield

By: Paul S Cilwa	Occurred: 4/6/1980 Posted: 7/28/2025		Page Views: 23
Mixing mythology and history.

My new work was much less stressful than my work on Telemail had been, which I was happy for because it meant spending more time with my kids. Specifically, as Easter approached, I wanted to make it a day (and photo op) the kids would remember. And, to that end, I decided to hide eggs at the Manassas Battlefield Park.

A Ribbon of Time

By: Paul S Cilwa	Posted: 7/28/2025		Page Views: 75
Hashtags: #WebsiteDesign #OrganicaWeb #ASP.net #TimeRibbon
How to create a dynamic TimeRibbon feature for your website.

On my About Me page, I have two different ways of going through my posts: Drop-down year tabs is one; and a TimeRibbon is the other. However, the TimeRibbon has been missing since I reworked my site to use asp.net. I finally updated that code, too; so, if you've been wondering how to create a horizontal, sliding ribbon that aligns several unsynchronized events by month and year—here's how to do it!

That Time I Invented Email

By: Paul S Cilwa	Occurred: 11/1/1979 Posted: 7/26/2025		Page Views: 62
Telephone, telegraph, tele...mail?

After the end of my first co-op term, I had returned to Florida and my family. I was able to complete several courses "by examination" which was much cheaper than having to sit through a class whose material I'd already mastered on the job.

Ironwood Court

By: Paul S Cilwa	Occurred: 10/1/1979 Posted: 7/23/2025		Page Views: 70
A real grownup townhouse for the Cilwas!

And, with my first weeks' pay, I had enough money to bring the family up from Florida, and to move them into a rented townhouse!

Home from Nassau, 2025

By: Paul S. Cilwa	Occurred: 7/10/2025		Page Views: 190
Hashtags: #Places #Bahamas #AmericanAirlines
My return home through customs, sky, and road.

Today was the day both Karen and I left the Bahamas, returning to our respective homes (Virginia, and Arizona), and leaving Jenny to hold the fort alone for a couple more days.

A Fin-Fin Fishuation

By: Paul S. Cilwa	Occurred: 7/9/2025		Page Views: 304
Letting fish nibble on your feet is restful…and surprisingly photogenic.

I have wanted to have my feet nibbled by fish ever since I first heard about it. Garra rufa, affectionately known as doctor fish, are native to Western Asia, particularly the river systems of Turkey, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Jordan, and Israel. They thrive in freshwater habitats like rivers, streams, and thermal springs, often in oxygen-rich, fast-flowing environments. In Turkey, especially around the town of Kangal, they became famous for their use in therapeutic spas. They've been in use for this purpose for about 200 years, so it's not exactly a fad.

Lost and Found

By: Paul S. Cilwa	Occurred: 7/8/2025		Page Views: 337
Hashtags: #Places #Bahamas #PalmCay
A cellphone lost in the ocean is gone forever, isn't it? Isn't it?!

A little before 7 AM, my daughter, Karen, woke me to see if I wanted to join her and her sister kayaking. Palm Cay has some kayaks available to residents, and the night before I had expressed interest. However, I was still too sleepy to get up; so the girls set out on their own, unaware that chaos would soon overtake them.

The Original Bahamians

By: Paul S. Cilwa	Occurred: 7/7/2025		Page Views: 124
Hashtags: #Places #Bahamas #LucayanPeople
The story of Bahama's original inhabitants ends sadly.

It was kind of overcast today, plus we were exhausted by yesterday's extended swim. So we decided to take a vacation from our vacation (actually, both Karen and Jenny have to work their remote jobs) and hang out at Jenny's condo. While the ladies worked, I got curious about the history of the Bahamas. Most of the local residents are Black. What happened to the Native Americans who must have preceded them? So I looked it up.

Discovering Atlantis

By: Paul S. Cilwa	Occurred: 7/6/2025		Page Views: 548
From one resort to another.

Jenny's condo is in Palm Cay, which is a condo development. But not far away is Atlantis, a super fancy resort with another amazing beach with a protected swimming area. And that's where we went to swim today.