Schlage lock can no longer be locked correctly
I've been enjoying my Schlage Plymouth Electronic Keypad Deadbolt Locks (Model BE365). You can read about why I like them here: A reliable keypad door lock from Schlage
Gordon Meyer
Writer, Magician, Sociologist
Latest posts
Clicks have killed the Inverted Pyramid
Writing students once learned that putting the most important information first in an article was the preferred, humane way of reporting on a situation. This allowed readers to quickly decide if a story interested them without having to read further.
DXL doesn't know tall, just big
I'm a tall guy. Always have been. (One of my favorite performance reviews described me as "defiantly tall.") I chalk it up to my Dutch genes.
Dear Aliens... oh, nevermind
A few months ago, I entered a writing contest called "Dear Aliens." The concept was to write a short piece communicating what aliens visiting Earth should know before they arrive.
Use a QR Code for Luggage Tag Privacy
The other day, I saw a brilliant idea come across my Instagram feed. I only wish that I knew who posted it so I could give them credit.
Book Review: Dungeon Crawl at the Haunted Mall
I'm a big fan of "choose your own adventure" (coya) stories, so when I came across Jendia Gammon's new (2026) book in the ur-text series, it was an instant purchase.
A reliable mailbox sensor
I love getting mail. It's like a surprise gift that arrives six days a week, and I look forward to seeing what I've gotten, even if some days it is only bulk mail.
Book Review: The Engagement Effect
This 2025 book by Steve Spangler is subtitled "Cultivating Experiences that Ignite Connection, Build Trust, and Inspire Action." (Sort of a mouthful, but don't let that turn you off!)
Problems with the IKEA Myggbett door/window sensor
I have previously written about the remarkably inexpensive Matter-enabled Myggbett door/window sensor. After living with it a while longer, my enthusiasm has diminished.
Book Review: Midnight Sessions
Midnight Sessions is a technical volume aimed squarely at practicing magicians. The subject is advanced card conjuring.
Tervis lifetime guarantee is a joke
Tervis makes unbreakable, air‑insulated drinkware tumblers that are very popular, particularly in locations with high humidity. The glasses are tough, don't sweat, and they come in various "fun" designs (which primarily consists of decorations trapped between the two layers of the vessel).
Yes, counterfeit cosmetics are a thing
This New York Times post describes the prevalence of counterfeit cosmetic products, particularly among online retailers. If you've never encountered — or even imagined — such a thing, it may surprise you.
Visiting the Church of Bigfoot
I was privileged to visit the Church of Bigfoot on a recent trip to Tennessee. It's located deep in a beautiful wooded holler, which, frankly, is a perfect location. Although I didn't get to experience an actual cryptozoological manifestation, it truly felt awe-inspiring. Take a look at the fascinating video tour on YouTube.
Setting up AWS WorkMail as an iOS Mail Exchange account
iOS Mail supports Exchange accounts very well, but if you're using an Exchange-compatible service, such as Amazon WorkMail, the configuration steps can be confusing. Here's the cheat sheet:
Book Review: The Great American Retro Road Trip
This book by Rolando Pujol is subtitled "A Celebration of Roadside Americana," a subject about which I am quite enthusiastic. Additionally, being published in 2025, it's quite current compared to similar travel books on the same subject.
Do what you love, then kill it
Joan Westenberg's essay "You Don't Have to Monetize the Things You Love" is worth reading (if you're able, see below). But it's the ending that really struck me: it's OK when something reaches an end.
Tip for using transparent post-it notes
I am an unrepentant book defacer. That is, I don't just read a book, I consume it. I underline words. I scribble notes in the margins. I add cross-references. I know this is considered abhorrent by some, but those people are wrong.
Another way to mount the IKEA Myggbett door/window sensor
The IKEA Myggbett contact sensor is getting a lot of attention among home automation enthusiasts, not just for its Matter-over-Thread support, but for its ground-breaking low price. I couldn't resist picking one up.
How to schedule the SwitchBot Candle Warmer Lamp
I have previously written about products from SwitchBot, and I remain a big fan of their robotic fingers, but their relatively new Candle Warmer Lamp needs a lot of work in the usability department.
How to safely shower with a Zio heart monitor
The Zio heart monitor is a remarkable device, and while it is resistant to water, the manufacturer says that you have to avoid getting it wet in the shower. Which, given its placement on your chest, isn't a very realistic piece of advice.
A found postcard
On Thanksgiving Day, we went for a walk on Chicago's Riverwalk. It was lovely. We found this postcard on the sidewalk. (As many of my friends know, I love a good postcard.)
Which NFC tags can iPhone read?
NFC is an under-appreciated method for triggering iPhone actions. It's a shame because they're inexpensive and, once configured, easy to use.
Calls go straight to voicemail? Here's why.
Assuming that you don't have your phone muted or Do Not Disturb turned on, the reason incoming calls go straight to voicemail without your phone ringing is almost certainly because of a carrier capacity issue. That is, there wasn't enough network capacity to connect the call to your device.
If iPad ignores your Apple Pencil
The other day, my Apple Pencil Pro stopped working. My iPad mini recognized it when docked, and it was paired in Bluetooth settings, but touching it to the screen did nothing.
Book Review: Can You Solve the Murder?
I haven't had this much fun reading a book in a long time. Admittedly, part of the reason is that I rarely read fiction, but much of the credit goes to the author, Antony Johnston. Throughout my experience with the book, I often silently saluted him for the work's cleverness and construction.
How to stop Preview from opening files in the iOS 26 Files app
I was on the verge of deleting the new Preview.app from all of my iOS devices until I learned how to stop it from rudely opening every file I wanted to look at.
A luxurious Gatlinburg Airbnb
The Luminary Lodge is a serene, beautiful, and enchanting home deep in an Appalachian holler. The accommodations are spotless, well-appointed, and magical. (No spoilers, but the property description details at the link above are spot-on.) As a city dweller, I didn’t know such peaceful quiet was even possible. My wife and I unanimously wished that we could have stayed longer. Can’t wait to return…
A new blog rises from the TypePad ashes
Back in 2002, when blogging was the Next Big Thing, I was recruited to be a beta tester for a new commercial blogging platform from the creators of Moveable Type. It was a rather radical idea that you could pay for a hosted blog — and it offered many advanced features — so I signed on. When the software debuted as TypePad, I was given a steep lifetime discount for my help and feedback.
Review: Water-Pik Portable Flosser
I hate to boast, but my dentist says that I have “unbelievable dental hygiene.” I attribute this to Sonicare, Listerene, flossing, and Water-Pik. It’s the latter that I am addressing here.
How to rename an Untitled note in the Notes app
If the name of the note is “Untitled” it’s probably because the note only contains an image , so there is no first line of text. Therefore, to name it, you need to add one. The Apple user guide for Notes will not help you with this at all.
Book Review: The Ozempic Revolution
This 2025 book by Dr. Alexandra Sowa features text on the cover, and a title, that make it seem like it’s filled with hype and breathless enthusiasm, but I found it to be quite helpful and practical. I guess I should apologize to Doctor Sowa for that; I’m afraid “doctors” like Oz and Drew have made me cynical.