Aye Yo 2026 - Already?!?!

 Ain't time a funny thing? It seems to have sped up for me, the older I get. For younger people, it seems to stretch out longer than it is.

Talking with one of the younger family members a while back, they made an observation about "old folks" always talking about "slavery time things". The conversation was about food. I was explaining about "hoe cakes" coming about when slaves (and other poor people) would cook the flour or cornmeal "cake" in a hoe held over hot coals or a fire.

I wasn't mad about the remark because we joke around like that in my family. I was struck (as I sometimes am) by young people thinking of "slavery times" as ancient history.

I asked if the young person remembered us older relatives talk about Grandpa Bud. They did. Did they remember that he was a veteran and lived to be just over 100 years old? They did. Well, did they know that my Grandpa Bud was the child of slaves? See, that's time being funny, I told that "young 'un".

Their jaw dropped. I told them that Grandpa's parents were eventually freed, but they had lived as slaves. They didn't realize that Grandpa (who passed in 1986 or 87) had been born in just over 100 years before. I think I read once that the last known slave was still alive as late as 1970-something.

When my young person got over their shock, I introduced to some of the "old folks" stories about Grandpa Bud. They didn't realize that, unlike Alex Haley, I had not found a way to trace my grandfather's ancestry. His parents being born (or just taken) into slavery meant that their genealogy was a mystery to us.

But, still...

As it is with the beginning of every year, I start tallying anniversaries. How many years since loved ones have been gone, and who is celebrating which year of marriage, and how many years since I last saw talked to or heard about so-and-so.

When I first moved here over 8 years ago (9 years this coming summer), I had more than a few spry old neighbors who told me some stories about their youth. Some of them shared recipes and kitchen tips. One gentleman was the historian at the town library. He told me about some of the local homes and locations.

Just before the end of the years, two of those neighbors - very, very sweet women - were moved into nursing homes. It was no longer safe for them to live on their own and both had children that lived farther away than the ladies wanted to move. One of them, God willing, will be turning 99 this year. She's still mentally sharp, she just doesn't walk well and isn't able to cook and clean the way she did in her own place. I'm ashamed to say that she might have been in better shape a couple of years ago than I am now!

All in all, I tallied up 5 neighbors who have passed and at least that many who have gone into nursing care. And those are just the ones that I chatted with on a regular basis.

So yeah. I've been thinking a lot about time. When my sister was a young woman, Al Green was a favorite singer. Even though one of the tunes she loved most is a love song, the opening lines seems fitting for this post.

Sung by Al Green

Lyrics by Willy Nelson

I hope this a safe and happy year for us all.

Peace

--Free

P.S. Not sure how long the song will stay so here is a link.

Geezer Ranting, Trending & Groupthink

 While skimming Google News this morning, I ran across this "7 Perfume Trends to Smell Sophisticated and Rich This Winter".  

That headline hit on something in me. Why do we even want to smell "sophisticated and rich"? Why not just smell nice? And I do realize that headlines are written this way to pull a reader's attention to an article. Still, why not just " 7 Perfume Trends"? But I would find a problem with that because, lately, I'm having a problem with societies need for "trends" and "influencing" and anything labeled as "latest" or "game-changing". I think I'm just tired of all the follower-like behavior in our culture. 

Is this my old age talking? Is this the geezer coming out in me? Maybe. But there is truth to getting wiser as you age - or rather, as you mature.

Why can't we all just be our best - at our jobs, in our behavior, in life? Why do we always have to be something other than what we are? Of course, we want to improve and grow - to mature in everything, but why do any of that unless for ourselves?

I think I'm on to something here. Think about it. No one - or at least not enough of us - thinks for themselves anymore. We have fallen into the predicted trap of groupthink. Of course, being in some kind of harmony with the rest of society - as far as laws and general behavior -for the sake of peace is good. I'm talking about losing the desire (and maybe even the ability) to think for ourselves.

In high school, I always admired the kids who didn't mind being a little different. There would be the kid who could have been more popular if - they wore her hair a certain way or dressed like the other kids or... Or, or, or, and if. I wanted to be that kid. Instead I wasted a lot of time trying to hard to be like the other kids. Sometimes, it worked (and when it did, it was exhausting), and sometimes it didn't (and I was left feeling anxious and depressed). As a G.I. brat, I changed schools a lot and, depending on the situation, became either a chameleon or a outsider.

That was high school. By the time I graduated, I found my own groove. I became an introvert who could be very social when I wanted. I'm still that way 45 years later. But every now and then, I have to remind myself not to slip into the world of the wanna-bes. 

The problem with kids who "wanna be" whatever it takes to be with the "in" crowd is that they grow up and become adults with the same mindset. This is why (all my opinion, of course) so many people fall into groupthink. 

Asking for a list of examples of groupthink disasters, ChatGPT (I know, I know!) responded:

When Obama was running the first time for president, so many black people (of all political parties) and white liberals and progressives voted for him simply because he is black. I can't deny that, although I strongly disagree with him on so many things, I wanted to see him elected. Grouphink.

When Trump first ran, the same thing happened. Many whites who felt represented for the first time in a long time (and other people for various reasons) wanted him in. Groupthink.

Getting away from politics, look at fashion trends. Afro-natural hair came back several years ago. Groupthink. Korean beauty became big in the past few years. Groupthink. Influencer marketing is big. Groupthink.

Groupthink is the reason we have trends, the reason things fall in and out of "fashion". Groupthink is the reason marketing works. 

As a Christian, I can't be a diligent groupthink citizen - not as far as larger issues. If I were, I'd believe that America is the center of prophecy and that we must be a "Christian" nation. I am a Bible-believing Christian so I know that people accept (or reject) Jesus as their Savior, not nations. 

We are where we are as a world because most of us have been programmed to be part of a "collective". In the Boiling Frog scenario, people who think for themselves will get out of the pot before it's too late.

Let me get a little deep here and say that since every journey starts with a single step, learn when it's better to walk your own way. 

I wear my hair afro-natural, and I love K-beauty, but I know when to get off the groupthink bus. I hope you do as well. Learn to think for yourself when it's most important.

Peace 

--Free

**Mini Post** Small Things = Big Improvements

 This is just a mention of how I made a couple of small changes that have made a big difference in my daily life. For one thing, I got a cheap pair of blue-blocking glass (seriously, I found some for $3!) and, it may be the placebo effect, but my eyes feel less strained throughout the days. The second thing was I got a couple of incandescent light bulbs. I'm excited to see if using the bulbs in the evening will help me sleep better.  (By the way, a while back, a tech YouTuber showed how to adjust my Android settings for more comfortable lighting.)

The reason for my trying this stuff is that I've struggled for a long time with insomnia and depression, the first is which seems to be getting worse, I wanted to try something other than more medicine.

There is a lot of confusing information out there about both these items. To be honest, I suspect my glass might be subpar (I mean, they were only $3), but until I can afford better, I'll take the relief - placebo or no. As far as the bulbs, I'm going to only be using them in the few hours before bed or on the days when I am sick.

I have read a lot of stuff about both those types of products. The Mayo Clinic advises other ways to protect your eyes (and sleep) from blue light. Also, I found this list of pros and cons of incandescent lighting. 

When I have had more time using both things, I will try to remember to do or more in-depth post.

Peace

--Free

Time Feels So Weird Now

 I have spoken here before about my depression. It's been a while since I have had a bad "episode", but those damn blues are back.

What I've wondered for the past couple of weeks is what triggered my depression this time. My brother mentioned how the daylight savings affected a lot of people this year. I can't be sure if that's the problem, but I know that the time change was worse for me this time. Normally, I barely notice the change after the first day. This year, it took a week before I got back into rhythm with the time change. And what is the point of DST these days? Arizona and Hawaii do fine without it.

The other thing I've noticed is how weird time feels to me lately. As I have aged, like a lot of people, time seems to move faster for me, but these days, it's gotten bizarre. I had a weird thing happen. Late yesterday, I was making some medical appointments and noting them on my calendar. For one of the appointments, I was thinking of calling the doctor's office with a question, but it was after hours. This morning when I got up, I called the office only to get the "closed" message. That's when I realized this is Saturday. I don't remember Friday at all. Does that make sense?

I live on a schedule because it's how I keep sane. I clean on a schedule, I pay bills on a schedule, and I have a certain day that I do laundry, check my appointments calendar, etc. Because I tend to be foggy-brained half the time, doing things on a schedule helps keep my life on track. I don't understand how I skipped an entire day. Is that something caused by my depression? Or is the time thing the cause of my depression? I don't even know how to ask my doctor about this because it sounds so crazy.

Time has felt weird or "off", in my opinion, for a while. It's as if too much is happening too fast all the time. Lately, I don't even like to read the news because it's almost over-stimulating. 

I remember hearing something like what is shown in the following meme, and I've never forgotten the explanation:

Hmmm... I wonder what means when you feel like you're skipping whole days.

Is this strangeness affecting only me, or are others feeling this way? My brother, when I asked him, agreed with me but he might be just saying that, so I don't feel crazy. 

Anyway, I'm going to start asking people if they are noticing this weirdness.

Peace

--Free

Buying Less to Buy Better

For parts of last year and then then for the last few weeks of summer, I took some time to clear out some things. I was able to donate to a local center a lot of tops and jeans and even a jacket and some footwear. Let me be completely honest and admit that I didn't start out doing it to be charitable. My initial intention was to get rid of so clothing I don't wear or fit or want. 

What that little project made me realize was how many cheap clothes I have/had. I would literally have multiple pairs of the same cheap brand of jeans that look almost identical. The same thing goes for my tops. I buy the same style and toss them when they wear out. My jeans last at least 3 or 4 years before they start looking not just comfy but sort of raggedy. My tops usually start getting "pills" or loose threads after a year or more.

I've always heard my parents talk about buying better things that last. That seemed to be easier up until about 15 years ago. More people could afford good shoes and work clothing; you could still find actual denim jeans without too much wallet pain. Then cheap clothing became "the thing" - either just for me or for more people than usual. Or maybe it just seems that way to me.

Lately, I have been thinking a lot about just wearing everything I have until it falls apart and replacing it with better quality items. Every year, my family lets me pick what I want for Christmas, my birthday, Mother's Day, and any other special occasion. I think from now on, I will ask for something from L.L. Bean or some other place of good quality items. 

When I first started thinking of this, I wondered just how pricey such items could be. It turns out that out that you can find quite a few things in markdown, used, or during a special pricing event. I found really good jeans at a couple of sites for $50-$70. If buying new, a lot of places offer "lifetime" warranties or repairs. At my age, I don't think I have to worry about years and years of use!

Before I plan anything though, I have to wear out what I have. I have some jeans and tops to wear out, but I can use a good jacket or pair of everyday walking shoes. If, like me, you have ever wondered where to find some quality items, there are several options:

• Poshmark - a lot of used or discounted items from the "better" retailers. Just make sure to compare the used prices to those posted on a brand's site.
• eBay - same as for the above. Also, make sure you find a reliable or verified seller.
• Darn Tough - the have socks that are supposed to be the best.
• Patagonia - The even have a "used" section & the let you trade in your used Patagonia items.
• L.L. Bean - no intro needed. They do have several discounted items.
• Filson - new to me. They have some wear for serious business.
• Marmot - again, new to me, but for serious outdoor wear - though they have other stuff.
• Kuhl - another new one, but they have some nice-looking jeans.

You get the idea. For more suggestions, check in with Reddit. Also, I found this list to peruse.

I'm really starting to think that certain items are not worth having if they have to be replaced too often. At any rate, it's going to be something to consider from now on.

Peace

--Free

Cheap & Fun Winter Therapy

 My depression has been creeping up on me again. It has nothing to do with the change of seasons (I survived Alaska so Iowa can't touch that!). I think this is just a normal cycle - a sort of ebb and flow that my depression does. At any rate, I am fighting back. I'm eating better and I'm exercising more. In addition, one of my nieces turned me on to a little bit of DIY therapy.

It's literally DIY. She got me one of those paint-by-number kits after I saw one at her place. She had some smaller ones but when I picked mine, I didn't notice the size...

That's what it looks like on the product page. Who knows what I will have it looking like! But I love the idea. It comes with everything I need to get it done - paints and brushes, and even little hangers.

Yeah. It's quite large at 16"x20". I like it a lot but it's probably going to take my brat of a brain forever to get it done. This is what I have managed over the past couple of weeks. Don't laugh! Or at least wait til I've finished.

In addition to the paints being shown,
there's a copy of the pic to follow.

I have very limited room to work in. I used a piece of cardboard as my workspace and just do as much as my head will let me before I get tired. Next time, I will go smaller!

Seriously, though, I can really say that the project is very therapeutic. My anxiety goes way down when I spend just half an hour working on this - and most of that time is setting out the paints and cleaning water! I actually think it helps my brain too. I have to focus on some details and keep my hands steady. 

I've already told some of my neighbors about this. A lot of them struggle with depression or cognitive issues because of age and life situations. Some of the folks here do puzzles together, but this is something they can work on whenever they need to calm down or relax.

If you decide to try one of these kinds of paintings, trust me, go small for the first one!

Peace

--Free

P.S.: BTW, when I went back looking for smaller items, I realized how affordable they are. The one I'm working on was less than $10! That's amazing for what you get.

DISCLAIMER: I am not/will not be compensated in any way for any products mentioned in this post and there are no affiliate links. I am not a suggesting/advising anyone use any product mentioned. I am only sharing my experiences and feedback.

The Madness of Beauty Trends (or Skin of the Week)

 I was just recently talking about being more frugal with beauty purchases. We all want to take care of our skin and hair - or just look nice - and I'm glad there are a variety of products out there. The problem is there are too many products out there. Not just that, but there are trends coming and going so fast that it's hard to keep up.

The K-beauty trend is one I latched on to a few years ago. I immediately loved the whole idea of focusing on my skin's health and not just being vain. Also, I realized K-beauty as something people of my mother's generation understood, that good skin and hair care is not just about what you use but about consistency. One difference is, my elders stuck to a soaps and lotions while K-beauty can be very involved if you let it. I don't I stick to a wash, tone and hydrate routine, using the occasional mask.

So, while K-beauty is something I appreciate, now that it's become so popular in Western culture, it's getting a little crazy. I have to restrain myself from getting swept up in all the madness and just stick that what has been working for me.

I use a few basic K-beauty products along with a few others that have worked well, but I almost got hooked on the "glass skin" trend. Almost. I was this close to adding a bunch of things to my routine before common sense kicked in. And it's a good thing because, while glass skin was so the thing yesterday, a new thing is "silk skin". I just barely finished reading about that when I saw an article on "butter skin". What? The trends are just whizzing by in a blur!

Let's go through them briefly:

• Glass skin is when your skin looks almost Sim-like - super smooth and pore-free. Think of what some people look like after they've filtered the heck out of their Instagram photos. It looks flawless and glass smooth.
  
• Silk skin - the best way I can describe this is to say that it's smooth and flawless but without the glass skin shine. 
• 
  Butter skin (and this is what I think I've been trying to achieve without knowing about it) is a lot like silk skin except looking very matte. If you've ever seen an ad for a product that promises to "blur" skin imperfections, you'll know what I mean.

I expect the next trend will be to look as much like an AI as possible - no pores, no smile lines, no humanity. 

While I sometimes get a little frustrated by the adult fixation on skincare, I don't know how to feel about getting kids into the mix. These folks are starting a skincare line for kids and... I don't know. I think that it's enough to teach kids to use sunscreen (of course) and lotion or oil on their skin. I'm not sure I want to create more consumerism by getting them into using masks. Let kids be kids. Teach them good hygiene; protect them against harmful sun rays and ashy skin, and make sure they brush and floss. Isn't that enough?

Anyway.

I think people should stop jumping from skincare trend to skincare trend - because they all have a different set of products - and stick with what works. And that's coming from someone who loves trying a new product every now and then. I just try not to go crazy with every new thing that comes around. No one could possibly keep up with that.

Maybe next time, I can discuss haircare trends...

Peace

--Free

2025 Winter Skin & Health

I am always reneging on my plans to stick to a certain number of products in my skin or hair care routines. The problem is that my needs change. Or a product comes out that works better than what I previously used. So, I haven't been as good as I hoped. However, I have pretty much stuck to the plan of using up what I have on hand before I get anything else. So... I'm improving?

For my health, having my teeth have made things a million times better. I went through a period of eating everything I shouldn't just because I could finally chew! Now I have settled down and am loving a routine of vegetable and various proteins. Tofu is my fall back, but I am doing a lot with braised chicken, baked ribs, and any seafood that goes on sale. I've just ended about a week of eating what I call "hoisin veggies". My snacks consist of Chex cereal sans milk and unsalted pretzels that I can season to my liking. I'm also happy to say that all my coffee drinking included only plain cream of half-and-half with a little syrup or allulose or tagatose for sweetening. I do still need to find an affordable fizzy water to amp things up when I want something bubbly.

Anyway, the food thing has gotten easier. It's the skin thing that took some working out.

One reason I've changed up my skincare routine is because I am losing weight and that is going to affect my face. I have finally hit on a nutrition regimen that works well for me - kidneys, sarcoidosis, and weight loss. That was not easy to do. In just over 8 weeks, I am down 12 pounds and still losing. Also, I am coming up on 65 years. I'm thankful to still be here, struggles and all, but I want my wrinkles to be well moisturized! 👩🏾‍🦳

During the summer months - when it's so humid here - I can go much lighter on any face, body, and hair moisturizers. I was using one face moisturizer and sunscreen for day, and it was enough. For nights, I added a light application of Vaseline in over the base moisturizer. Sometimes I used my German Nivea if I needed it. Now that the dry air has come to town, I've had to really boost up on the moisture from head to toe.

One body lotion I've fallen in love with (after getting a sample in a Walmart Beauty Box) is this Avena Instituto Espanol Collagen Body Regeneration. It's so wild that I was able to get a 2-pack of 17 ounce bottles to under $10 from Amazon while the same thing is $23 at Walmart. That's insane.

The Avena is so amazing that I can, in a pinch, use on my face - but it has a scent. What I love is that is drenches my skin with moisture that lasts. It's one of the few things that I've tried that is better than CeraVe and La Roche Posay and the price makes it a winner. I can honestly say that, if it had cost the same as the other two, it would still win out.

Years ago, a close family friend did a huge weight drop over a year. One thing we were amazed by was how well her skin held up - not a lot of looseness or sagging. She said that she had made sure to stay extremely hydrated, inside and out. I never forgot that so...

The first thing I make sure to put on any list is sunscreen. I never tire of reminding others to use a good sunscreen. For some reason, many folks neglect this. Some people think you only need sunscreen in the summer. Nope. Just get some and use it - regularly.

Another product I've come to rely on this winter is a facial oil from Good Molecules. I'd tried an oil last winter from Palmer's and my skin rebelled. I used to be able to use castor or jojoba on my face, but they now seem to heavy. Weird. The oil from Good Molecules is a nice addition for winter. It goes on like a serum rather than an oil and I think my skin is getting addicted to it. At first, I was alarmed by the tiny size of the bottle and the $10 price, but it takes only a couple of drops for each application. 

One of the reasons I've been using the oil is because I'm also using a Bakuchiol Retinol Serum. That's because I'm afraid of actual retinol but have learned that bakuchiol is the next best thing. and I chose this one because I can do cheaper refills and a single container lasts! It only took a couple of weeks to convince me. The results are subtle but there. I have those dark spots that are common to black people and, while it takes professional treatment to get rid of them, the serum is helping to make them less noticeable. Also, my skin is staying firm and holding on better to the moisturizers I'm using. (And I do have to use good moisturizer along with the bakuchiol.)

Speaking of facial moisturizer, I love all the Medicube stuff I tried but I had to get pick something more affordable. I went with Illiyoon's Ceramide Ato Concentrate Cream which is almost half the price and works awesome on my skin.

There are 2 other products I use off and on. One is snail mucin (I will get whatever brand is around $10) and the other is any kind of collagen or snail mucin mask (again, whatever is on sale). 

I never was someone who used a lot of face masks, but I tried a collagen set I got on a lightening deal and, boy, was it amazing. Oddly, I use the time wearing a mask to relax the way I used to when soaking in a bath. My apartment only has a shower so... Also, while the collagen masks were great - and affordable because they are so plentiful - I prefer the snail mucin masks. To be honest, I hate touching snail mucin, but I love how it super-hydrates my skin.

One trick I learned with moisturizers is that, if I have to use a one that is less rich or hydrating, adding a little bit of snail mucin in makes it so much better. You're welcome.

When my family asks what I want for Christmas, I'm choosing to stock up on my skincare products!

Peace

--Free

DISCLAIMER: I am not/will not be compensated in any way for any products mentioned in this post and there are no affiliate links. I am not a suggesting/advising anyone use any product mentioned. I am only sharing my experiences and feedback.

Better Sweeteners? Comparing Allulose & Tagatose

When I posted this a while back, I was hopeful about finding an alternative to sugar. Since then, allulose has changed my whole diet. On top of that, I have included allulose into the plan. I hate the use this overworked phrase, but... they are true gamechangers.

Initially, I thought these sweeteners were new, but this page speaks on their commercial history. I'm not surprised that they are being better marketed outside the U.S... This company markets tagatose as a healthy alternative under the name "Tagatesse" and has products and recipes.  I couldn't find a lot of commercial applications when searching Food Navigator (for the U.S.) as compared to Europe. I found articles for Nutrilab on F.N. going as far back as 2008. I did see this from Bonumose, which is pushing for the commercialization of rare sugars. 

Anyway.

I was going to update the original post to include information about tagatose.  As you can see already, there is so much to add that I'm doing this separate post. I decided to do an image because it's easier when comparing info. 

Nutrilab works towards a bright future for tagatose

A pared down comparison:

While both products are more expensive than table sugar, that's only when you're thinking about your wallet - in my opinion. For me, I find that the health benefits are worth it. I am all about avoiding table sugar and high fructose corn syrup and if that is going to cost me more, I will make it work.

I'm waiting for the food companies to get rid of the sweeteners that aren't quite all that they could be. I don't care what anyone says, there is some kind of funky after-taste or cooling effect to all the common substitutes for table sugar. Until now.

When I can get a beverage or creamer made with allulose or tagatose, I will be so happy. There are some products now but, if they aren't crazy expensive, they include a secondary sweetener - Monk fruit is a popular one - and that ruins it for me.

By the way, as of now, allulose of easy to find. I've seen it on most online shopping sites. Tagatose is harder to locate easily. I got mine from Bull City Flavors and at just over $12 for a1-lb bag it is going to last. 

An important note: Tagatose will activate yeast (for baking) and allulose will not do that. I can, however, use either sweetener once I have activated the yeast. BUT there are other considerations when using these sweeteners and I am still learning. If you ignore any shopping links, this page is helpful, and this one has some info & recipes; here is some general info on tagatose, and Dirt to Dinner has excellent information and I learned allulose and tagatose are "rare sugars").

If you want to look at some additional information, here are these links some can be quite technical):

• Rare sugars curb appetite and mimic diabetes drugs in mice
• Description and history of rare sugars 
• Wikipedia lists the following as rare sugars:
• Tagatose
• Allose (not allulose)
• Psicose (aka allulose!)
• Sorbose

I will update this post if needed but, for now, you have some starter info. 

Peace

--Free

**REVIEW** Mr. Coffee 5-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker

The actual review starts under the photos

I've just updated my review of my 4-year-old Ninja CE251, and... I am sorry I ever bought it now. I learned a good lesson after the Ninja and so I took my what I learned with me when I went shopping for a new machine.

Some of the lessons I kept in mind with looking:

1. I only need what I need and can use. I don't need what's hyped or trendy or looks awesome.
2. I have to be more realistic about my life, living space, and budget.
3. Even if I had a huge budget, I should still think of the first item on this list.
4. I don't need to impress anyone. For a coffee maker. I need reliability, safety, and function.

That list saved me a lot of time. Right off the bat, item 1 helped me reject about 60% of what popped up in my searches. Item 4 brought me down another 15%. Of what was left, I focused on Items 2 and 4. There was nothing complicated about my needs when I thought about it that way. Basically, I needed/wanted:

• a 5-cup machine. Or at least certainly not a 10- or 12-cup one.
• something with auto shut off. I'm too spacey-brained not the have that!
• something that fit my counter space. Not too tall or wide and, while I'm at it, not too heavy.
• most importantly, something that puts out HOT brew.

That last bit was my biggest disappointment with the Ninja after the first few years. I knew I was not happy when I started using my kettle for hot water to make pour-over or French press brew. On my not feeling well days, I resorted to a good instant brew like Cafe Bustelo or Nescafe Gold. All while that Ninja was taking up precious counter space...

It took only about an hour to narrow my choices down to 2 brands: Black & Decker and Mr. Coffee. They both have ridiculously affordable (I won't use the word "cheap" for a decent machine) prices. I don't think there was anything over $30 of my choices and a couple were as low as $17, depending on the retailer.

I got my selection down to 2 machines, one from each of the above brands. I was leaning toward the Black + Decker but, after watching Just A Dad do a comparison against the Mr. Coffee, I made up my mind. Mostly. The B+D seemed to brew hotter, but the Mr. C was shorter in size.

I usually use Amazon, but I wanted to actually see both machines, so my SIL and I stopped by Walmart while we were out on other errands. I ended up going with the Mr. Coffee Mini Brew Programmable. It was only a couple of dollars more than the non-programmable and had one of the most important requirements - auto shut off.

Here is my new coffee maker. That's the box and the actual machine in the bottom right corner.

One thing I did notice is that the one I saw online in chrome and black had a water filter and a reusable basket. It was also $20 more than that black one I got. I don't care about a water filter, and I prefer to use paper coffee filters. 

Notice that's almost $60 without the "discount" 

The actual review

Pros:

• Most important & hard to find in a 5-cup machine is the AUTO SHUT-OFF! For a few dollars less, I could have gotten the non-programmable Mr. Coffee or a similar Black and Decker, but I need the peace of mind of auto shut-off. This one will shut off after 2 hours ((if you want to keep the coffee warm) or, if you empty the pot, you can just press the Brew button again to shut it off. 
• This is quieter than I expected. It does some light gurgling with the last few ounces, but I don't care.
• The next most important thing to me is that the coffee brews up HOT. I always add my cream/half-n-half from the fridge & I don't like having to warm up my cup to keep my coffee hot. No problem here. It brews up at around 160F-165F(as it goes into the pot). That is hotter the my Ninja was brewing into the cup after the first 2 years. In my electric kettle (when I make instant coffee or tea), the 212F is almost too hot LOL! This machine gives me coffee of around 2 cups that is still nice and hot AFTER I add about 3 to 4 tablespoons of cream. (NOTE: I do use a little metal mug with a plastic lid.)
• I've been using it the last couple of days about 6 times a day. It doesn't take too long (for 2 to 3 cups) and finishes brewing at around 4 to 4.5 minutes. It's not too loud either. It will gurgle a bit when brewing but I won't bother someone sleeping in the bedroom less than 10 feet away.
• I really like that the lid isn't hard to close after I add the water and coffee. My last small cup with the "arm" under the lid was hard to close completely & it would open slightly when I replaced the carafe.
• The carafe, btw, pours nicely without making a mess. It's very easy to rinse and clean and get all the water or coffee out without having to turn it upside down.
•  Emptying the used grounds is super easy and no mess at all. The whole basket comes out if you lift by the little handle. LOVE that I don't get a mess when emptying the grounds.
• The pot doesn't take up a lot of space - a good thing since I have a small kitchen without a lot of counter space. One of the reasons I chose this over the similar Black and Decker is that this is lower under the cabinet even with the lid lifted to pour in water.
• The machine makes GOOD coffee. I was worried about that. I think it does so well extracting flavor because a) the water gets to the right temp, and b) the way the spigot sprays the hot water into the coffee as it's being made. It actually soaks the coffee a bit (letting the ground "bloom") before it starts dripping.
• It's going to be easier to clean than the Ninja (which had a "Clean" function but took a lot of time and water). With this one, I will just run some vinegar or water with citric acid through every month or so.

If looking at front, you can't see
the water window

Note the handle and the measure marks.
Perfect for lefties LOL

Cons:

• The window to see the water level is too far towards the back of the machine. If I wanted to use it to gauge my water amount, I'd have to turn the machine to the side. This is not too bothersome for me since I use the pot do measure my water. After the 1st time, I was able to tell the right water-to-coffee ratio for my preference.
• The carafe seems to be made for the left-handed. Since I use the carafe to measure my water, the measurement lines are opposite to the way I (a right-hand person) hold it. Not a huge problem because you can see the markings through the glass. It's just worth mentioning.
• If you do leave the warmer on with very little coffee in the pot (I did this the first time without thinking), it will scorch in the pot. As I said, make sure to hit the Brew button again to turn the warmer off if you finish the pot. Apparently, not only does the coffee brew up hot, but the warmer gets toasty!

That's the temp of the coffee in the pot -
when it's finished brewing. Not bad at all!

All in all, I am happier with this that I thought I could be. The first time I used the programmed brew, I almost messed up because I had initially set the clock for AM not PM. I love how simple this is. It's all I really wanted, after all.

French roast with half and half
& allulose

I cannot stress how important the temperature is to me. With the Ninja I'd had to start warming my cups or setting the cream out so it would cool the coffee too much. Hassle! With this one, no worries.

When I think of the cost and hassle, I realize that if this machine lasts over a year, I will have saved money. It appears that even the fancy or costlier machines don't last long so if I'm going to be repurchasing every few years...

That's my review. I will update as I use this more and more. For now, I am happy, happy, happy.

Peace

--Free

DISCLAIMER: I was not/am not compensated in any way for the products in this post. I have no affiliate links.