When Dwight was in his working years, I liked to welcome him home to weeknight meals that had an illusion of complexity. Tonight we had one of those quick weeknight meals. Rice from the rice cooker with veggies and tilapia cooked in a broth of coconut milk (from a can) with Thai curry paste (from…… Continue reading Fast Food
Category: Living
Gadgets
I enjoy gadgets. Today, I squealed with delight when my first WhatsApp message popped up on my watch and I replied with a tap of an OK button. Eat your heart out, Alexander Graham Bell. And heart is what this wearable gadget monitors for the next two weeks… just playing safe. I resisted asking if…… Continue reading Gadgets
Off-Peak Cycling
We cycled a loop: Hiawatha LRT Trail, Midtown Greenway, Chain of Lakes, Minnehaha Creek, back up the Mississippi. On a weekend, this route is busy, but not on a Monday. Stopped for a late lunch at Longfellow Grill, greeted by staff who’ve worked there since before the pandemic. Spring comes late here, and the section…… Continue reading Off-Peak Cycling
International Style
On my cycle ride, stopped to walk around the outside of this abandoned grain elevator to take in its undulating form. Silos like this started to be built in the early 1900’s. Their forms strongly influenced the International Style that emerged in the 1920’s and 1930’s. I’ll miss this bold structure when it’s replaced with…… Continue reading International Style
A Walk to San Francisco
In April we completed a multi-day, inn-to-inn hike across and down the Marin County peninsula, across the bay from San Francisco. We walked through Muir Woods and across the peninsula to the Pacific. We then crossed back to the Bay side before heading to downtown San Francisco. This was an easy adventure: each day we…… Continue reading A Walk to San Francisco
We Always Stop For Trains
Most weeks, when the weather is fair I go cycling with my friend, Dave. I always look forward to our bicycle adventures: we indulge our curiosity about the world around us, the conversation flows, and we get some exercise. Yesterday our cycle ride included the recently completed Robert Piram Trail in South St. Paul. When…… Continue reading We Always Stop For Trains
Mexican Calories
Cycled with a friend through South St. Paul intending to refuel with Mexican ice cream. The store was closed although we were there during posted hours. Fresh pastries at a nearby Mexican bakery saved the day.
Filling a Toothpaste Tube
Started evaluating refillable toothpaste tubes. We generally travel with just carry-ons, so we end up buying small tubes of toothpaste to meet TSA requirements. Refillable tubes seem less wasteful, and the adapter makes it a breeze to transfer our regular toothpaste.
Beneficial Insects
Sunday morning: While listening to BBC’s Gardeners’ Question Time, Dwight misted plants to highlight cobwebs. He found none thanks to two types of beneficial insects he’d ordered online. Thursdays: He volunteers at a teaching/research greenhouse at the University of Minnesota.
Sausage Saturday
It’s Sausage Saturday, its a warm day, it’s time for our first barbecue of 2022. I picked up the bacon brats at the local farmers market. We also barbecued (in foil) cabbage with soy sauce, butter, and garlic, and carrots with olives and olive oil.