Mental note for future Trick or Treating:
In other news, I made my first “Reel” on the Instagrams and yikes do I have a lot to learn about creating any sort of mobile video content. I think I can post a link to it on the site here…
Casey’s actual birthday was extremely mellow and photos that documented it will stay in another cloud. (There were snapshots of gifts, fried pickles and hot wings.)
In lieu, I offer these outtakes that were usurped by other selections throughout the month.
If you really wanted, here’s a real photo from the day.
After much planning, cleaning and preparation, we had our first party at the house to celebrate Casey’s birthday.
The weather not just cooperated, it was downright lovely—which was a very good thing as there was no backup plan.
Casey’s mom sent up sweets from Carlo’s Bakery, Kathryn made alcohol free sangria, we whipped up a huge batch of Negronis and left the vittles to Morsel & Nosh and Aladdin’s Eatery.
Everything was delightful. My only wish is that I’d have taken a few more photos—but these will more than suffice.
Grabbed another load of things from the Depot and observed more brilliant colors of the season.
I’ve been going to my new oncologist with more frequency as he’s collecting datapoints to get a sense of where things stand with my Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (previously).
Today my bloodwork numbers were a little off, so we’re ratcheting up the alert system one notch. This means gathering more numbers and re-evaluating things. The good news is, after other recent tests, if I do need to start treatment I’ll likely fare well.
But I’m jumping the gun.
One thing I’ve learned after 25 years with cancer is that it’s best to acknowledge information (or lack thereof) and get back in the moment.
Make adjustments to be more present and realize that’s what you should have been doing all along.
Taylor Swift is the problem. She said so herself.
I am also part of the problems.
Also? Thanks to Patrick, I no longer see a flame and only an AirPod on this, one of the thirty-seven vinyl editions of Midnight.
Been in the new old house for almost a year and it’s time to start hanging things on the walls.
Today I learned there’s more than one variety of Velveeta.
I also learned Pepperidge Farm Snack Sticks are discontinued. There’s only so much space on grocery shelves and product categories keep emerging. Goldfish in all their blasted flavors talk up half the cracker aisle.
You can’t use Goldfish for dipping.
Also, my Youtube algorithm supports food nostalgia.
Perfect weather for the nineteenth version of Farm Day, with a new portable press for printing tees, the Neuropath puzzle-hike from last year abbreviated to a tidy length, and potluck dishes were back.
Had so much fun I forgot to take too many photos.
I tip my hat to my friends for making a tradition to look forward to year after year. An extra tip of the hat to Diane for making all that chicken with the complicated recipe Tom pushes.
Today was my last visit to the Springdale Costco. A bittersweet moment as this was a favorite outing for me and mom. They’re closing the store in favor of a new location in the far out suburbs of Liberty Township, which is a total crock.
The only upside of the outing was seeing the updated Burger King logo in the wild.
A+ for brand reversal. (The logo is fine but the supporting type and elements are solid. More about all that from the agency behind the update.)
D- for architecture, or “boxitecture”
Back in 2003 I lamented the gross update to the UPS logo. They’ve since removed the dimensionality.
I still don’t like it, but I figure it doesn’t matter to many folks.
