Also, I finished writing the first draft of my long walk journal. Next up, get a red pen and give it a vigorous editing.

Finished reading A Memory Called Empire. First impression confirmed; it felt more like Leckie’s and Chambers’s second or third books than their firsts. That’s a strong recommendation.

Recently started reading A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine. First impression is that it sits somewhere between Ann Leckie and Becky Chambers.

I am delighted and so grateful that the kids are getting along so well during the covid home time — actually growing closer, when they could easily have been antagonizing each other to death.

Finished reading How to Be an Antiracist. It feels like more of a primer than a deep dive, but it’s carefully structured and methodical, and I’m sure I’ll be thinking about it a lot. I hope I put some of what I read into action.

Meghan, the bambina, and I watched Hamilton. The bambina loved it until the Hamiltons’ son was killed in a duel, at which point she noped out.

Sitting in the backyard, listening to birds and Combustication, writing up day 48 of my long walk (Bellême to la Chapelle-Montligeon).

“Federal law enforcement officers have been using unmarked vehicles to drive around downtown Portland and detain protesters since at least July 14.” (Oregon Public Broadcasting article)

Tonight’s kitchen debacle: scaling tilapia, and sending scales flying all over the kitchen.

The dude and his friends have a new insult: “smooth brain”.

Spent an hour and a half talking to college friends, some of whom I haven’t spoken to in years.

Current earworm: “Just a Song Before I Go” by Crosby, Stills & Nash, for some reason.

When leaving the house or saying goodnight, the dude now adds “abolish the police”, like Cato with Carthage.

Now starting How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi.

Finished rereading Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. I enjoyed the story, but have mixed feelings about it as a piece of craft; parts felt particularly clunky.