Had family and friends over yesterday afternoon to observe the dude’s graduation, and upcoming start of college.

The bambina is home sick from school.

Today’s walk was relatively short — 12.5k steps, 6¼ miles.

Ended up in Columbia City: Spam sliders at Marination, espresso at Empire.

Riding light rail from one of the new stations that opened yesterday, an easy walk from our house.

Not like I don’t have enough things to do, but I’m finally getting the itch to catch up on my commonplace book links. It’s been [checking calendar] over a year and a half since I last posted, and a lot has happened.

The bambina had her first day of school today. The dude slept in.

Finished reading The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden, which was recommended by one of the owners of the new bookstore. I super-enjoyed this, based on Russian mythology, about a girl who can see spirits at a time when Christianity was driving them away. I wasn’t fully hooked until about halfway through, but then devoured the rest of the book.

Meghan took the dude and the bambina and their cousin to the farmers’ market; Greg and Mom and I talked about finances and long covid.

This is more for my own records than a real item of interest: The weather here has been cool and damp for the past week; usually it stays bone-dry until Labor Day. (It’ll warm up again somewhat next week.)

Had a real, honest-to-God thunderstorm this evening: a rarity around here.

Tonight’s kitchen victory: smoked spareribs, plus Meghan made corn bread.

Finished rereading Lavinia by Ursula K. Le Guin. It’s still one of my favorites.

Had an early melanoma removed today, with prejudice. All is well. Wear sun protection! Maybe go back and tell that to your younger self, too!

Tonight’s kitchen victory: fat burgers on the grill, and mojitos with mint from Meghan’s garden.