Microblog

Gave my bike a break on Northern Pacific Bridge Number 9 to take in this hazy view. Four bridges in sight: two now reopened after years of restoration work, one currently under restoration, and one newer bridge opened in 2008 after its predecessor’s dramatic collapse during rush hour in 2007.

Decided my next LEGO quest is one- or two-wheeled and two-legged contraptions that don’t fall over. Truck front-end assemblies haven’t captured my imagination, perhaps because they tend to rely on composite LEGO parts to circumvent engineering challenges, or maybe trucks aren’t my thing. I’ll need a LEGO MINDSTORMS gyro sensor, just ordered via eBay (because… Continue reading Ready for a New LEGO Project

It’s Sausage Saturday, which means sausage and cabbage on the barbecue, a movie, and ice cream in the intermission. Tonight’s picks: The Kids Are All Right, pausing for this excellent cashew-milk-based ice cream.

On my random cycle ride through a residential neighborhood, spotted this free library that had morphed from a bicycle. Watched it in action as a father and child interacted with this creation and selected a book. There were controls to pull, spin (shelves), pump (a balloon), and to operate a puppet made from bicycle parts… Continue reading Literary Cycle

While Dwight was volunteering at the university greenhouse involving a microscope, an entomologist and a literature search dealing with this sad specimen, I assisted with English language learners. In one class we brainstormed food truck ideas—ice cream, coffee/tea, and Somali sambusa—and started budgeting. In another class we focused on job-searching skills.

Explored a retrospective at the Walker of Keith Haring’s short career. We benefit from the social activism of artists like Haring. Here, three kids spontaneously react to one of his short animations.

It’s Amazon Prime Day. The first two items on offer “just for Tom” were dog poop bags and skimpy women’s panties. Neither item has ever been on my Christmas wishlist, nor Dwight’s for that matter. My one purchase will arrive Thursday: a 5-pack of COVID tests–we’re running low. I can now go outside and engage… Continue reading Amazon Algorithm Fail

A morning thunderstorm coincided with a reminder in my calendar to clean the air and water filters in our Japanese toilets. We’ve had our TOTOs over five years, now, and they’ve worked flawlessly. We had an early issue with reduced water flow due to construction sand in the water, but the filter did its job.… Continue reading Run, Toto, Run!*

A storm raged overnight, leaving the odd downed tree to navigate around on our hot and steamy Sunday morning walk. We’re grateful to still have power, knowing many are facing outages today.

Pryes Brewing Company was the perfect spot to catch up with my friend visiting from out of town. Delighted to learn he and his wife are moving back to the Twin Cities from out West and building a house downriver from us.

Imagine my delight finding Sky Pesher, a permanent James Turrell installation, open to the sky, right here in Minneapolis. I first learned about his work while staying on Naoshima Island in Japan’s Seto Inland Sea where several pieces by this American artist are on display. My room even had a signed Turrell print on the… Continue reading Turrell’s Light

In an ELL (English Language Learning) class, covered language and strategies for budgeting. In a subsequent session, assisted learners with the job search process.

Tonight: offbeat musical keying off a cheesy 1960 low-budget B movie on the Guthrie’s thrust stage, practically sitting in Skid Row. We already have tickets for next summer’s Cabaret, as part of a season ticket package.

Today we explored beyond the Twin Cities. Took a bike ride on the Cannon Valley Trail from Cannon Falls to Welch and back. This well-maintained rail trail offers scenic views of the Cannon River, which is currently overflowing its banks. Impressive embankments, built in 1882, kept us safely above the floodwaters and ensured gentle gradients.

Cycled between two concrete planters near our home, as I often do. Presumably they’re placed here by the city to deter drivers from crossing this pedestrian bridge. Some neighbors have taken it upon themselves to keep them looking good with plants that change with the seasons. A couple weeks ago, someone tagged one of the… Continue reading A Sense of Ownership

We did our regular Sunday walk, but today Dwight stopped every now and then to photograph wildflowers for his City Gardener blog. So I took photos of Dwight taking photos.