Dinner, Dee Dee Bridgewater, and Bill Charlap at the Dakota.
Category: Living
When LEGO Parts Come Out of Hiding
Sunset is generally the best time of day to reunite with small LEGO parts I’d dropped.
A Beacon of Upward Mobility
From a conference room in a beautifully designed Minneapolis school that provides basic adult education, a view of the 1853 Minneapolis Pioneers and Soldiers Cemetery. The school is in high demand, with a waitlist of people eager to learn. Below, Lake Street was the scene of protests that turned into riots in 2020.
When Tech Says “No”
I’ve now replaced all of our smoke detectors, including this one in the kitchen that also detects carbon monoxide. They’re connected to the Internet and Google Home, but I can’t silence false alarms with a voice command like “Hey Google, STFU” because UL standards disallow that.
Cafe + Bike Shop in a Railroad Trench
I was surprised to see that the Midtown Bike Center had reopened after closing in 2020 due to COVID. It’s located in a former railroad trench that’s now a bikeway. Inside, I ordered an Americano (in a real cup) and explored the remodeled space, which will soon include bike sales and repair services.
Sunscreen on Wheels
Our wheeled garden is on the move. This rolling rack now keeps the afternoon sun off the kitchen island at dinnertime, reducing the need to lower the blinds.
Dueling Amps
As I walked by, Fraternity Row at the University of Minnesota was buzzing at 10am. Each frat house was hosting its own party with blaring music. I could hear the cheerful cacophony from many blocks away. Later, they might attend a Golden Gophers game. Maybe.
Paracetamol Shortage in Canada Prompts International Aid
With children’s paracetamol in short supply in Canada, my friends in Newcastle, England, gave me some for their baby grandson in Toronto. Today, I mailed the medication from our art deco post office.
A Noisy Welcome Home
A loudly beeping smoke detector greeted us when we arrived home. We had replaced the batteries in all our detectors in the past year, and they’re hardwired. We disconnected the offending detector and will replace all the detectors with ones that have ten-year rechargeable batteries.
Homeward Bound
There was a 100% chance of rain as we waited for the train to a Newcastle Airport hotel for the night. Tomorrow morning we fly home, NCL–AMS–MSP.