Charlie and Daddy

TIL about Pineapple Weed, sometimes called wild chamomile, which until today I thought was just not fully bloomed chamomile. Pulled some out of my garden last night.

Finally, a break in the heatwave. I’m working from my laptop outside on the porch this morning for the first time in over a month. The cool breeze is so nice.

TIL that trains need to go slower during heatwaves. High temperatures can cause the metal tracks to expand, which may lead to track misalignment or buckling.

Exploring the creek with Charlie

Happy Independence Day 🇺🇸

Charlie’s first Hudson voyage, from Verplank to Stony Point and back.

I was a little nervous because the river can get choppy and we were crossing a shipping channel (and did see three tugs and barges pass by), but he did SO GREAT. I’m really proud of him. Many more rows in our future.

My blog has been pretty quiet. I’m taking a summer break. I usually only get the time to write after dark when Charlie is sleeping, and it gets dark much later this time of year. Spending what little free time I have hanging out with my wife and reading. I’ll resume again sometime later in the year. For now, enjoying the break.

Bee balm and Black-eyed Susan. Both of these self-seeded from last year.

Since it has been in the 90s, we’ve played with the hose/sprinkler every day after work this week. This is the good stuff.

I’m looking for a beach read. Any recommendations? 🏖️ 📖

Another case of describing the problem I am stuck on to someone else in detail, and coming up with a solution mid-explanation. Rubber ducks are incredible tools.

I was distraught when I couldn’t find Deirdre McCloskey’s Economical Writing on my bookshelf (I know I have a copy, but have I loaned it out?) but was excited to learn there is a new edition available. On its way.

What I’m reading right now: My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante (3/4 of the way through, started at jury duty, not keeping my interest like I’d hoped) and Great Circle by Maggie Shipstead (1/3 though, longer than I expected, very much keeping my interest)

Book wish lists are like black holes. Inspirations and interests are so fleeting that one must act upon them immediately, or they are more than likely gone forever. Get books when they catch your eye, for your eye wanders.

If you are one of the lucky ones who does happen to have a fleeting interest again in a book you passed up months or years earlier, you now have a special tie and must get that book right away. It is reaching out to you, pulling you in. Heed its call.

Work in progress: A Little Free Library for Esther Place in Peekskill.

I finally got fed up with fighting with Valet every week (so many 502 Bad Gateway messages), so I trashed it and am going with Local instead. I feel pretty basic, but it is nice when things Just Work ™️

I didn’t go into the evening planning on learning how to plug a tire, but that is what I did. I learned along the way that my plug kit sucks (I bent the plug insertion needle) and I need a better one, that you need to ream the tire really well, and that the plug goes in better if the tire is completely deflated.