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Boarding at MSP with our nephew and his dad. Grateful for this chance to explore Japan together.

Consolidated houseplants so they could be hooked up to our irrigation system. Periodic misting runs automatically but Dwight prefers to initiate watering himself, even when we’re traveling. Two cameras provide visual and auditory evidence that the system is operating correctly.

Did risk analysis for next week’s trip. This system will have passed by the time we fly into Kagoshima (blue pin) to hike. Nearby Sakurajima (volcano) is active, but not enough to close the airport. The red line is the anticipated path of a typhoon. We will hike, the sun will shine.

Repurposed two empty pill containers as cases for my spectacles and earbuds for our upcoming trip. They’re sturdy, lightweight, and they don’t open accidentally. Best of all, they were free!

On my random cycle ride, found myself at the Walker. Over a kale and pistachio salad, chose two galleries to explore. Here, fabric kinetic sculptures flapped, kept aloft by fans. Another piece by the artist, Paul Chan, expressed strong opinions of the former president.

As I was nearing the end of my bike ride, noticed that the Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam was open to the public today. Wandered around and took in views of our neighborhood.

On my cycle ride: Cold War-era playground rocket ship elevated to sculpture. Installed in 1962, soon after Alan Shepherd became the first American in space, the climbing frame is now considered unsafe for kids. Neighbors raised $50,000 to convert it to a public art piece.

Posted Avoiding Russia. Next week, we’ll be flying on one of Delta’s newest planes from Minneapolis to Tokyo. Under normal circumstances, this journey would take us through Russian airspace for several hours.

Late afternoon concert of chamber music by members of the Minnesota Orchestra in the Atrium of Orchestra Hall.

We’re 36 years into our journey together.

Chatted with a man who was sticking arrows to the trail. He explained that the arrows marked alternative cycling routes for the American Diabetes Association “Tour de Cure” tomorrow. There are four routes: 5 miles, 27 miles, 50 miles, and 72 miles.

Cycled to the LEGO Shop at the Mall of America to buy the new Everyone is Awesome building set, which went on sale today, the first day of Pride Month. It was 30% off, and I used $5 worth of points from my LEGO VIP (no less) account. Rode the LRT home, admiring my purchase… Continue reading Celebrating Pride with LEGO

Cycled to the university for medical appointments. A medical student from Japan observed while I met with my oncologist. Received the third of four radioactive infusions. Remarkably, the tumor marker halved after each of the first two infusions, and I feel no side effects.

The anonymous industrial buildings may look unassuming, but they house a large Asian supermarket and one of the city’s best seafood markets. I bought vegetables at United Noodles and sea scallops at Coastal Seafoods, taking advantage of their 20% senior discount on Tuesdays.

Posted Japan Loose-Ends List. Soon, our nephew and his dad will be backpacking with us in Japan. In this post I share a list of planning details that needed attention as we got closer to our travel date.

Tonight we’re about to watch Tokyo Story (1953), a classic of Japanese cinema.