Microblog

Google Web Stories bear more than a passing resemblance to Instagram stories: they’re a little gimmicky, superficial, and geared towards monetizing content. However, I wanted to explore the format, so I created a Web Story about one scene from cycling with a friend yesterday. A swing bridge across the Mississippi seemed like a good candidate.… Continue reading My First Google Web Story

Cycled with a friend through South St. Paul intending to refuel with Mexican ice cream. The store was closed although we were there during posted hours. Fresh pastries at a nearby Mexican bakery saved the day.

Started evaluating refillable toothpaste tubes. We generally travel with just carry-ons, so we end up buying small tubes of toothpaste to meet TSA requirements. Refillable tubes seem less wasteful, and the adapter makes it a breeze to transfer our regular toothpaste.

Sunday morning: While listening to BBC’s Gardeners’ Question Time, Dwight misted plants to highlight cobwebs. He found none thanks to two types of beneficial insects he’d ordered online. Thursdays: He volunteers at a teaching/research greenhouse at the University of Minnesota.

It’s Sausage Saturday, its a warm day, it’s time for our first barbecue of 2022. I picked up the bacon brats at the local farmers market. We also barbecued (in foil) cabbage with soy sauce, butter, and garlic, and carrots with olives and olive oil.

Cycled to an optical store to get my glasses straightened. Bent them recently when I had chest pain, staggered towards Dwight, then face-planted. It was like a scene from an Agatha Christie murder mystery. A trip to the ER pointed to a culprit: an ongoing potassium issue.

Deployed a new version of tomwilson.com. It may not looks so different, but under the hood it’s a modern approach to WordPress. I was motivated by “Less is More.” “Less” turned out to be more work. Next up: fix loose ends, Search, and improve Mobile Responsiveness.

Just because.

Went on the longest cycle ride, so far, this year, with a mandatory DQ towards the end. My friend had a two-for-one coupon to use before it expired. The DQ was closed, so instead we continued to Fletcher’s for first-rate lingonberry ice cream, a nod to the area’s Swedish roots.

We both walked over to Walgreens for second COVID boosters.

Last week a friend emailed: “Release 2 [of my pneumatic machine] should have some AI to know when there’s something to load and when it’s done.” He was teasing, but I liked the challenge. Today I got the AI working. Next, I’ll add code to operate the air valve with a servo motor.

On my drippy walk, “spose bagnate, spose fortunate”—wet brides, lucky brides. On Stone Arch Bridge a wedding party assembled under umbrellas. Later, a different bride leapt out of a car, dashed past me, and disappeared into the Guthrie, presumably abandoning outdoor photography.

As I sometimes do, stocked up for our weekly “Sausage Saturday” with smoky Ukrainian sausage from Nordeast Minneapolis institution, Kramarczuk’s. It was founded by a couple who immigrated in the 1940’s from Ukraine, a country which had suffered terribly under Stalin and Hitler.

Completed a proof-of-concept LEGO machine entirely powered by compressed air. Click through to watch the video.

Out walking with friends, came upon a man lying on the ground, unable to get up. A passer-by told us she’d seen him fall twice. While I called for an ambulance, Dwight talked with the man. He thought Dwight was a cop and commented on the kindness of Minneapolis police.

Defied the chill, wrapped up well, cycled with a friend. Almost cleared out Patisserie 46’s inventory of almond croissants.