UPDATE 10 MAR 2020:
It's inevitable that when you're making a game you're going to say, "Wouldn't it be cool if . . . "
So yesterday I was playing around with background textures and effects. I was able to implement them, but found that it slowed the game down to a point where it's not playable. Hmmm. So now it's a matter of deciding to scrap some of those ideas or see if there's a workaround I can use.
On a more positive note, I was able to spend some time with the sound effects today! It is definitely going to take some tweaking to get them synced up with the appropriate actions but the results will be worthwhile!