Meghan and I went to our great local bookstore to hear Nicola Griffith interviewed by Neal Stephenson.

Went with Mom to Carkeek Park.

I caught a glimpse of a crescent sun through the clouds, before they thinned out too much.

Got my covid booster.

Last night’s kitchen victory: ersatz cheesesteaks.

Walked from the U District to Lake Washington, Genesee Park, and Columbia City: about 19k steps, 9 miles, 3 hours.

Meghan and the dude got their covid shots yesterday, and the bambina is getting hers today.

A day of satisfying chores: Straightened up the yard and mowed for the winter, and fixed the coffee bean fleurons on this here web site.

Amy joined us to watch the kids’ halftime marching band performance. Really good to see her again.

The dude and the bambina had marching band practice this evening. They are Very Wet.

The Return of the King, for all its various virtues, was the volume with most of the racist characterizations we think of as we reevaluate Tolkien — not just the Haradrim and Easterlings, but even some of his depictions of orcs cross the line. Important to be aware of flaws in a work, even (or especially) if you otherwise love it.

Finished rereading The Return of the King by J.R.R. Tolkien, including the appendices.

It turns out I haven’t read all the appendices, or had thoroughly forgotten some of them. I like to think that everybody should read them, but … well, they’re not part of the main story for a reason.

Yesterday, we went out to Amy’s farm for their open house. The dude and bambina played clarinet, kids made screen prints with Meghan and pressed cider, we toured the farm, and just had a lovely time.

Had Mom over for fajitas.

Went to the office for the past three days, to discuss the next several years of projects.