Going To Paris

Amtrak Train 171 April 6, 2026 Friday night Courtney took me to an Ingrid Michelson concert at Lincoln Center. Ms. Michelson is a favorite of Courtney’s. She’s had a couple of “Top 40” hits over the past few years but may be best known for writing the soundtrack to the musical version of The Notebook. It was a very entertaining 90 minutes with Ms. Michelson accompanied by her two backup singers, a string quartet and a pianist. For several songs she brought out friends who

Amtrak Train 171 April 6, 2026 I had no idea how the cranes used to build skyscrapers increase in height. The answer is revealed in this video. I’m sure glad there are engineers who can figure out the loads involved here!

Brooklyn April 5, 2026 (Easter) In Brooklyn visiting Courtney and her pets for a few days. We saw Ingrid Michelson in concert at Lincoln Center, I went to the New York Transit Museum (visit cut short by fire alarm) and later today we are going to see the movie Hopper. We’ve also walked Clarke and Daisy of course and went to an Italian restaurant last night. And played with Kaipo and Ellie, the cats. The apple photos are from a local farmers’ market yesterday. The New York

Amtrak Northeast Regional April 1, 2026 My YouTube feed tends to include at least one algebra or geometry brain teaser a day. So far, I haven’t successfully solved one. 😕. But I have learned something about myself. My initial attempt(s) involve intuitive thinking where I think I can solve the problem (puzzle?) quickly. I get frustrated when I can’t get the correct answer. These kinds of problems require deeper, more logical thinking. And perhaps more trial and error in t

Charlottesville March 25, 2026 I received the following email this morning. It hit me like a 2x4 (although I have never been hit by a 2x4). In spite of changes I’ve made in my life, I still catch myself waiting — waiting for a sign, the “right time”, until I’ve completed my “thorough analysis.” Remember — anchors up and jump right in! From Dr. Kim Foster: Most people spend their lives waiting… Waiting to feel ready. Waiting to feel confident. Waiting for someone to say, “Ye

Insert graphic showing how magic is found outside our comfort zone. Charlottesville March 19, 2026 I had a powerful experience coaching at First Tee last night. Along with a couple of other coaches, I was leading a group of six kids, all but one 12 years old or older. This was the third class of the session where our theme is “collaborating with others.” This week’s life lesson was “being your best self.” Having introduced the lesson, I asked the kids what being their best

Charlottesville Pi Day 2026 Damn. Frustrating. Extremely so. I had a goal and I’ve undermined it by “just this one time” thinking. I’ll only have one cookie. Actually two so t matter. Hell, it doesn’t matter if I can’t lose a few pounds. But of course it does. If I could curb my emotional eating, I think I’d be surprised by the positive effect. This week I gave into it; I’m hoping today I can start anew … again. Helpful thoughts from Google: Shame regarding weight gain

Charlottesville March 12, 2026 Fun to watch this video and realize I have driven a few of these roads. Actually, most of them except the ones in Alaska. The last one in the video is one I will take in June to drive from Chicken, Alaska to Paris, Yukon.

Charlottesville March 8, 2026 Another town I have not been to yet but sure plan on visiting to see if I can find the missing A. Lucin (also known as Umbria Junction) is a small railroad community in Box Elder County, Utah, United States, located along the western side of the Great Salt Lake, 162 miles (261 km) northwest of Salt Lake City. Abandoned in 1936 by its original occupants, the community was resettled by four retired railroad workers and their families from 1937 unti