Microblog

It was too hot a day to cycle past an ice cream store I’ve never tried. This was their smallest portion; I declined the “free cookie.

Reminded of our common humanity by this bronze, “Angels Unawares,” at the Minneapolis Basilica. “Be welcoming to strangers, many have entertained angels unawares.” Hebrews 13:2. Too often, statues celebrate leaders who’ve trampled on the humanity of folk.

Air New Zealand cancelled our December HNL/AKL flights: it looks like the country won’t reopen to tourists until 2022. So, today, I cancelled a bunch of hotel reservations: we’re $0 out of pocket. We’ve saved over the years by buying only medical coverage

“Discovered” several sights on a cycle ride, including guerrilla art on the back of a freeway sound barrier. Okay, so no one’s answeringWell, can’t you just let it ring a little longer, longer, longerOh, I’ll just sit tightIn shadows of the nightLet it ring for evermore, oh whoaYeah, yeah, yeah

Took a ‘flu-shot selfie at Walgreens.

I’ve walked and cycled under this Mississippi road bridge many times, but I’d never noticed this until I looked up today. These bird nests somehow grip the underside of the bridge deck. The occupants of the leftmost two nests are peeking out

Started prototyping a LEGO axle sorting machine.

Congratulations Senga, my invisible friend and motormouth. Her Tweet, debunking wealthy pillow magnate and conspiracy theorist, Mike Lindell’s claim he was assaulted, has been viewed over 32,000 times. She got the tipoff about the presser when she phoned the police public liaison officer in Sioux Falls, SD.

On my cycle ride: bollards projecting calm. Presumably originally installed to protect a ramp for launching small boats from barges, it’s now purely aesthetic. This section of the Mississippi is now closed to barge traffic.

Did a long cycle ride to beyond southeast St. Paul. Our turnaround point was the Rock Island Swing Bridge that now ends in the middle of the Mississippi, forming a pier. The swing portion has been removed to economically streamline barge traffic.

Breakfast at Lake Harriet.

Covered some heavy stuff with my ESL/phlebotomy student. I’d be amazed if I’ve spelled all the words correctly.

Boxes of irrigation parts waited to be taken downstairs to the mail room. I upgraded our houseplant irrigation system and sold the old parts on eBay to benefit Doctors Without Borders. Everything went. Boxes and packaging materials were rescued from a dumpster.

Tonight: our first taste of Minnesota corn this season.

While chasing down a rattle, Dwight discovered we’d probably driven from Up North with an important bolt missing from the roof bike rack. Replaced the bolt, grateful we didn’t do any hard stops followed by my bike running down the windshield. Note to self: check bolts.

Just booked a flight from Fukuoka to Sapporo/New Chitose for a trip next summer with our teenage nephews and their dad. We’ll have rail passes, but it’s a 1,200 mile journey by bullet trains. The boys will have a field day with one of the airport codes.