Weekly Roundup: Life Lessons, Family, American History, Politics & Plenty of Humor | BeingKevin
Weekly Roundup: 11/8 – 11/14, 2026
Welcome back to another week at BeingKevin. This week we cover a little bit of everything: life in retirement, friendship, family relationships, and the things we sometimes learn later than we should. We’ve got some humor from the Garden of Eden and a French connection, plus a look at American politics, the history of the Battle of Bunker Hill, and the surprising power of a coroner. We also have a book review, a look at what we’re watching and reading, and a few thoughts on keeping life in perspective. Grab a coffee and take a look.
1. What Can’t I Live Without? A Few Everyday Essentials
Date: November 8, 2026
Category: Daily Prompts
Comments: 3
Likes: 31
Excerpt / Summary: Picking just one thing is difficult, so I settled on a few essentials: coffee, food, money, and proper bathroom facilities. After a Taco Bell experience, toilet paper and a bidet earn a place on the list. Some necessities are more important than others!
2. Travels with Charley Review: John Steinbeck’s Journey Across America
Date: November 8, 2026
Category: Books & History
Comments: 6
Likes: 15
Excerpt / Summary: Steinbeck’s journey across America had an appealing premise, but the book didn’t quite deliver what I expected. I enjoyed the places and regional observations, but wanted more meaningful encounters with the people he met. My rating: three stars.
3. Weekly Roundup: November 2–7, 2026
Date: November 8, 2026
Category: Week in Review
Comments: 0
Likes: 8
Excerpt / Summary: A look back at the previous week, covering music, travel, technology, childhood memories, family, and retirement. There were a few laughs along the way, along with some reflections on America, personal priorities, and the things that make life meaningful.
4. Friendship, Life, and the People Who Come and Go
Date: November 9, 2026
Category: Daily Prompts
Comments: 4
Likes: 25
Excerpt / Summary: I’ve had plenty of friends over the years, but never that lifelong friendship some people manage to maintain. Life, work, and family always took priority, and I’ve never been particularly good at keeping old connections alive. For me, honesty has always mattered most.
5. Adam, Eve, and Satan Have a Bad Day in Paradise
Date: November 9, 2026
Category: Satire and Gripes
Comments: 2
Likes: 12
Excerpt / Summary: What if the Garden of Eden wasn’t quite the paradise we imagined? Adam is more interested in a rabbit than Eve, Satan is struggling to get his assignment done, and even God is losing patience. A humorous and rather irreverent take on the beginning of mankind.
6. Time Waits for No One: Life Lessons We Sometimes Learn Too Late
Date: November 10, 2026
Category: Daily Prompts
Comments: 8
Likes: 39
Excerpt / Summary: Looking back, I wish I had saved a little more and traveled more when I was younger. Jobs, family responsibilities, and money always seemed to take priority. I don’t regret those choices, but retirement has given me another opportunity to make room for the things I missed.
7. 2026 Midterm Elections: Trump’s Miscalculation and the Shift in Congress
Date: November 10, 2026
Category: Books & History
Comments: 6
Likes: 14
Excerpt / Summary: An examination of the 2026 midterm election results and the shift in control of Congress. I look at historical midterm reversals, the issues that may have influenced voters, and what the results could mean for Trump, the Democrats, and the future of American politics.
8. If I Could Live in a Video Game, I’d Choose Mortal Kombat
Date: November 11, 2026
Category: Daily Prompts
Comments: 5
Likes: 31
Excerpt / Summary: I’m a little behind the curve when it comes to video games. I grew up with pinball, but if I had to choose a virtual world to live in, it would be Mortal Kombat. I’d be a ninja kicking some serious butt. And when someone says “Finish Him!” I’d take that as a personal invitation.
9. The French Connection
Date: November 11, 2026
Category: Satire and Gripes
Comments: 3
Likes: 19
Excerpt / Summary: It’s Limerick Wednesday, so naturally, things take an unexpected turn. A stripper starts her dance, Timmy likes what he sees, and just when the evening seems to be going according to plan, there’s a French surprise. Another questionable contribution to the G-to-X collection.
10. Forgiveness Doesn’t Mean Forgetting: When Family Crosses the Line
Date: November 12, 2026
Category: Daily Prompts
Comments: 13
Likes: 36
Excerpt / Summary: Family disagreements can cross a line, even when politics are involved. I share an uncomfortable moment with my mother after she told me I wasn’t welcome in her home if I didn’t vote Republican. I forgave her, but that doesn’t mean I have to accept the same treatment again.
11. The Coroner: The Surprising History and Power of the Position
Date: November 12, 2026
Category: Thinking Out Loud
Comments: 6
Likes: 17
Excerpt / Summary: Reading The Cadaver King and the Country Dentist led me down an unexpected path into the history and authority of coroners. I was particularly surprised by Mississippi’s system in the early 1990s, where elected coroners didn’t necessarily need medical training. It’s a troubling look at how questionable investigations can affect justice.
12. Ignoring Your Gut: Have I Been Lucky or Just Cautious?
Date: November 13, 2026
Category: Daily Prompts
Comments: 6
Likes: 26
Excerpt / Summary: I couldn’t think of a major decision where ignoring my instincts led to a serious regret. I’ve made questionable choices, including spending money on a home game room, but nothing life-altering. Maybe being cautious and thinking things through has saved me from a few bigger mistakes.
13. Weekend Watch & Read: Remembering Matthew Perry, Netflix Top 10 and Best Sellers
Date: November 13, 2026
Category: Books & History
Comments: 6
Likes: 17
Excerpt / Summary: This week’s edition looks at the heartbreaking Matthew Perry documentary and the difference between the laughter he brought to millions and the struggles he faced privately. It also includes the Netflix Top 10 rankings for the United States and Brazil, the New York Times bestseller lists, and my five-star review of Killers of the Flower Moon.
14. How to Stay Resilient in Hard Times: Keep Going
Date: November 14, 2026
Category: Daily Prompts
Comments: 4
Likes: 23
Excerpt / Summary: My approach to difficult times is fairly straightforward: life is unpredictable, and sometimes things just happen. Keep your perspective, be patient, and stay focused. Everything eventually passes. You can’t give up, so push through and do your best.
15. Battle of Bunker Hill: Why It Was Fought on Breed’s Hill
Date: November 14, 2026
Category: Books & History
Comments: 0
Likes: 5
Excerpt / Summary: One of the most famous battles of the American Revolution wasn’t actually fought where its name suggests. I look at why the fighting took place on Breed’s Hill, how the Battle of Bunker Hill got its name, and why the British victory came at such a high cost. There’s also a little New England history from my own backyard.
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