Pumpkin Spiced Days

Another lazy morning in the shack. It’s a little later than usual so I’m slurping tea instead of coffee. Earl Grey in a big mug, but the downside is I was out of loose leaf and had to make do with a tea bag. Something a friend says is akin to “instant coffee” and I don’t usually disagree, but this is going down easy. The weather has been spectacular this week. Pure autumn. 70F during the days and 40F at night with endless blue skies. It’s nearly as good as the autumns of my youth except for the vagaries of… read more

Rain, Pipe Smoke, and Radio Ghosts

A nice Friday morning in the Heartland despite a little rain. It’s supposed to rain and be cool this time of year, and it is. It’s a balmy 52F right now, but we’re expecting frost over the next few nights. I did a bunch of yard work yesterday and feel justified in just sitting in the shack, puffing on the pipe, sipping morning coffee, and watching it rain while the world keeps rolling along. Today is the Zero Retries Conference in California. I should have gone. I have a buddy from out this way who did make the trip to… read more

No Soliciting

I hate anyone who rings my front door bell trying to sell me something. Well, except for neighbor kids selling anything for school. I buy that all day long and I like to think all my neighbors know that. But I’m talking about the fellow who rings my bell and says, “good evening, I’m with ACME GENERAL and we’re working right down the street, you know, at your neighbor Bill Johnson’s house, to get rid of his pesky rat problem, and since we’re already in your neighborhood I can give you ten percent off on a full home inspection. Can… read more

#weeknotes