On my cycle ride: World War II guard tower built to protect a Norden bombsight factory. Today, tenants of the old factory buildings include a distillery and a company that develops LEGO military model kits. (The LEGO Company has a strict policy against selling military models.)
Category: Living
Soil Sensor Harness
Spent my Sunday afternoon with a crimper, a heat gun, and a soldering iron. Built the wiring harness for up to seven capacitive soil moisture sensors for a 3-level rack of houseplants. The box holds a microcomputer that wirelessly communicates with our home automation hub.
Chicago Day Trip
MSP carpet. The design was commissioned specifically for the Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport. This week, it felt good to be standing on MSP carpet after a long absence: I’d last seen the inside of an airport back in March 2020. It felt even better to be on an early morning flight to Chicago. 1. ‘L’ from…… Continue reading Chicago Day Trip
Fern Impersonators
Circuit boards mimicked a fern as they waited for their red, moisture-resistant coatings to cure.
Longest Ride of the Year
Cycled with a friend, our longest ride this year.
Ready for Quick Getaway
Prepared for an early flight tomorrow morning to Chicago. I’ll explore on foot and shared bicycles (hence the helmet) then fly back in the evening.
High Prairie
The prairie grasses on our balcony are looking happy. Today I upgraded the irrigation system electronics: it delivers water via 48 micro-drippers; moisture is measured by capacitive sensors in the soil at three points; the system communicates wirelessly with a Hubitat hub.
Pride
Cycled to the Pride Festival. Here, Nick Kor (chatting with a cyclist) is standing for city council. His mom has cut our hair since he was a baby. In 2012 he worked full-time to defeat an amendment to the MN constitution to ban same-sex marriage.
Something I no Longer Take for Granted
Shared a room with the full Minnesota Orchestra, something I no longer take for granted.
Civil War Veterans
Cycled through Hillside Cemetery with a friend, taking in great views of downtown Minneapolis. The big surprise for us was a section for Civil War veterans. The markers honor veterans who joined units in states other than Minnesota.