Microblog

Digital became physical: a rug arrived today from India. A few months ago we chose a template online, specified the size, yarn colors to key off paint colors, materials (wool, some cotton), and construction (knotted). We previewed the design in simulated room settings.

While Dwight volunteered at the U, I took in David Hockney at the Walker, ready to like everything. Reminded, yet again, likes and dislikes are fluid and ultimately irrelevant. His pool scenes are easy to like; other works take effort and openness. IPA in the restaurant helped.

Walked to a hole-in-the-wall in Uptown for tonkotsu ramen. I’ve booked and cancelled three trips to Japan in the last two years, but I have a fourth trip booked and will adjust the dates as soon as the country opens up. I cartoonized the photo because it makes me think of manga.

That’s amazing… The hospital medical records system was down, so I accessed the Mayo Clinic’s system from my phone and brought up 100’s of PET/CT images. A Radiation Oncologist paged through and zoomed the images and determined radiation treatment is not recommended for now.

Today, one of my favorite weeknight meals: roasted white sweet potatoes with steamed then stir-fried kale. Bacon, garlic, and toasted walnuts fill the room with wonderful aromas. A squeeze of lemon, shoyu, and black pepper finish the kale.

It was time to get reacquainted with my LEGO and build a mechanism designed by Akiyuki, a brilliant young Japanese engineer. Realized I didn’t have 3 hard-to-substitute parts, so put in an order with BrickLink: soon I’ll be checking the mailbox like an excited kid.

Downloaded my 1099 forms into a folder. Now that we file jointly, Dwight spent much of the afternoon entering data into a tax preparation Web site. I got off lightly.

Today’s morning shower: “OK Google, play Pink.” Sometimes I summon Lady Gaga or Cher.

Retrieved one month of mail. There would’ve been more mail without: —E-billing. —PaperKarma to cancel unwanted commercial mail. —Catalog Choice to cancel catalogs. —OptOutPreScreen to opt out of credit card and insurance offers. Most of the mail still went straight to recycling.

Rode the tram at MSP to the LRT. When they were young, we’d take our nephews for rides on the tram. There’s a jog in the middle, which is always exciting if you’re not holding on tight. Truth is, I had as much fun as my nephews (maybe more).

One final hike above Palm Springs. We both wished the hike had been longer: “Leave ’em wanting more,” I guess.

My hike for the day: walked to a supermarket, walked back carrying provisions in my backpack.

Experienced contrasts as we hiked desert trails with wide vistas in the hills, then descended into oases wedged in canyons. The sudden drop in temperature and the sound of running water were always surprising. Indian Canyons, Palm Springs.

Friends couldn’t join us, but we walked out, anyway, to a wine bar we’ve never visited. Pupus were excellent: dates (terroir for Palm Springs) wrapped in bacon, and meatballs.

Temporarily stained our clothes with yellow pollen as we brushed against flowering brittlebush (encelia farinosa) as we hiked above Palm Springs. Everything went in the wash, including ourselves, when we returned to base.

Walked along residential roads lined by high hedges. The former home of movie mogul Darryl F. Zanuck, the first president of United Artists, hides behind this gate.