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Hey there!
I woke up a bit early this morning (thanks brain), and am enjoying a nice quiet morning here. I had a special treat with my coffee - a chocolate cream hazelnut roll from Piroshky Piroshky. They’ve started delivery north of Seattle on Fridays, so we took advantage of that this week. Take a look at their mouth-watering menu, too many to choose from!
We bought a mix of savory and sweet items, and will definitely do this again! Yum.
You will recall that it was VERY WARM last week as I was writing this newsletter. In fact, after I finished the day continued to bake our brains and like on that camping trip I became obsessed with how hot it would get. I managed to catch the peak temperature…
Good grief. Yet I know that’s nothing compared to the temps our friends to the south experienced, and they had lightning as well that caused the horrific fires that are burning out of control through the state of California. I know a lot of people who live in the area affected by the fires and some of them may have to evacuate before it’s over. It’s bad, but even worse compounded with the virus. It breaks my heart.
The smoke from the fires travels far and wide, and I want to remind everyone of a resource for tracking the smoke plumes: Washington Smoke Information. Even if you don’t live in Washington this is an excellent tool - just click on “full map” and add the smoke plume layer in the upper right.
This was the situation early this morning. Ugh. The winds have been in our favor so far, but I know it could change at any moment and we could be inundated.
Speaking of wind, has the reality of the derecho that hit the midwest on August 10th sunk in?
A derecho (pronounced similar to "deh-REY-cho") is a widespread, long-lived wind storm that is associated with a band of rapidly moving showers or thunderstorms. Although a derecho can produce destruction similar to the strength of tornadoes, the damage typically is directed in one direction along a relatively straight swath. As a result, the term "straight-line wind damage" sometimes is used to describe derecho damage. By definition, if the wind damage swath extends more than 240 miles (about 400 kilometers) and includes wind gusts of at least 58 mph (93 km/h) or greater along most of its length, then the event may be classified as a derecho.
These storms happen somewhat regularly, along with tornadoes. However, this storm was particularly destructive, especially in Iowa. Chicago took a hit as well. Wind gusts of up to 112 mph were recorded, and over 35% of corn crops were destroyed. This was essentially a level-two hurricane that battered the area for hours. The cleanup will take weeks, and rebuilding much longer that that.
Yikes.
More yikes. Will that tree make it?
And now two tropical storms could turn into two hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico - at the same time!
Depending on where you live, some of this barely makes the news. Take a moment today and think about the folks who are dealing with fire and storms on top of the virus. We’re fortunate, as our small heat wave broke after a few days of oppressive humidity and now we’re sitting nicely in the back end of summer which has started to feel like fall. Just the virus to contend with here for now.
2020 sure is a doozy, isn’t it?
Maybe it’s time for a margarita.
Dispatches from Idaho, etc.
Nolan and Mia backpacked for several days in the Wind River Range south of the Tetons. They climbed Fremont Peak, which is the third highest mountain in Wyoming at 13,745' feet. For comparison, Mount Rainier is 14,411 feet! They sent this nice pair of photos.
From the bottom:
And from the top:
Wow! Gorgeous. Learn about some plants they saw on the way up.
We were chatting on the phone a little while ago, and talking about the smoke which has been really bad where they’re working in Rigby, Idaho. He sent this photo that Mia took of bull-rush against the apocalyptic sky.
Wherever you are this week, I hope you’re safe and well.
Cheers friends!
Tidbits
Our Normalness Made Me Drunk. Maybe It Made Me Stupid. - does acting “normal” during a pandemic make one less cautious?
Language matters - a list of alternative words to use instead of ableist terms ( we can all do better)
Anne Helen Peterson has changed the name of her newsletter to Culture Study and taken it full time with a paid subscription option. I approve of this new independent direction for writers that allows them to make money without the boundaries of working for somebody else. The case for subscribing.
Making: Inchies! Or “twinchies” as the case may be, since they’re two-inch squares. Halfway finished with the twelve day challenge: undulating, formation, petal, dash, reaching, sky.
Recently eaten: We had one of our summer favorites this week - prosciutto, basil, mozzarella, and avocado sandwich. So good!
Reading: making good headway on Islands in the Net. Despite having marked it as “read” in 2013 on Goodreads I have definitely NOT read it before. Or if I did I completely blotted it from my memory. Anyhow, it’s all right, but hasn’t aged quite as well as Neuromancer. The cover of the book has NOTHING to do with the main character - she’s blonde (mentioned several times), and would not dress like that. Not even close. But hey - I guess cleavage was the only way to sell a sci-fi book with a woman protagonist back in 1989.
Eye Candy Corner
I’m continuing to work my way through the Eye Candy thread of a few weeks ago - there are so many amazing artists to share with you. If you have a favorite you’d like to see highlighted here in the future, please go drop a link to their website or Instagram page on the Eye Candy thread. I will continue to feature one or two per week for your viewing pleasure.
I had intended to share an embroidery artist today, but then I clicked on Amber Cowan’s Instagram and I fell in love with a snail.
Amber makes amazing glass sculpture pieces using recycled glass.
She is currently working with a process which involves flameworking, blowing, and hot-sculpting recycled, up-cycled, and second-life glass that is usually American pressed glass from the 1940's to the 1980's. The glass used is generally sought through thrift stores, flea markets and post-production factory runs, the places where it is has been abandoned to the dust bins of American design.
I’m drawn to the repetition of natural forms across her pieces. Then there’s the monochromatic angle… each piece demands your attention, inviting you to find hidden treats in the details.
Bridesmaids Forest (click to see the full piece)
What do you notice in each one?
Grotto of the Chocolate Nymph (click to see the full piece)
Don’t you just want to eat that?
Dance of the Pacific Coast Highway at Sunset (click to see the full piece)
I would love to share every piece here, but will refrain. Please visit the online gallery of Amber’s work to see the rest.
Videos of the Week
Today’s strange and wonderful music brought to you by the theremin! I would love to learn to play one someday.
First - a cover of a song by Michael’s old friend Kurt…
And Michael’s friend Dorit playing the theremin…
Current Temperature: 71.2 F (21.8 C)
Current Humidity: 64%
Wind (max gust): 11.4 mph
Precipitation: 0.00 in
So many great bits this week Anne! I particularly loved the smoke map and ableist language link.