Final stretch

 After yesterday's meeting of the Trollope Society to discuss the final chapters of The Kellys and the O'Kellys, my attention now turns to the last title of this year's reading list, Ralph the Heir.  This is one of Trollope's later novels, published in 1871. It is the story of two men who compete with each other to inherit a large estate, while both coincidentally named Ralph.  Finances and inheritance are common themes in Trollope's novels, as are politics.  This one mentions a situation very closely drawn from the authors personal experience when he ran for election to Parliament.  He was unsuccessful, but the campaign did expose some corruption in the election process.

After the main part of yesterday's meeting, part of the group remained to discuss next year's reading list, a topic I am very interested in.  The Trollope Society instituted The Big Read in 2020, and is the ongoing effort to read and discuss all the many novels published by Anthony Trollope.  In all the time since, the group has covered most of Trollope's works, and only a handful of short or lesser-known books remain.  So what does next year look like?  Possibilities that were discussed were reading the remaining minor works, perhaps expanding to secondary works like Trollope's non-fiction writings, or works by his relatives.  Or, the one that most appealed to me, returning to his best known book series, The Chronicles of Barsetshire and the Palliser novels.  I joined the Trollope society in early 2025, by which time they'd already covered these books which I had read and knew fairly well.  I've always wanted to hear the thoughts of the wider group, many of whom have a much deeper knowledge of Trollope the I do, on these books that I love.  That now seems to be a feasible possibility for next year's reading list.  I'm not sure who will make the final decision and when it will be made.  But I'm happy it's under consideration.

A dark and stormy night

 As a new day dawns, it appears we have successfully endured the first hurricane landfall of this season.  Hurricane Isaias came ashore in the northern Gulf of Mexico near Navarre, Florida as a Category 2 storm last evening.  Through the night, here at home I have observed steady rain, sometimes quite heavy.  There have been brief periods of gusty winds, but nothing too severe at my location.  The remnants of the storm is projected to pass practically directly over my house in the next hour or two.  Rain is already slackening, and the wind gusts are slowly decreasing to moderately breezy conditions.  Power stayed on through the night without a flicker, though outages closer to the coast are numerous.  Indeed, as I drove to work yesterday morning, I saw large convoys of power crew trucks headed south to be on hand to begin the recovery process.  I've already made my daily report of rainfall to CoCoRaHS, the network of volunteer observers who contribute to national hydrological data.  At my normal report time of 6:00 am, I had collected 2.57" of rain from the storm.  (See "Current Helena conditions" on the adjacent toolbar for the latest readings of my home weather station.)  Light rain continues to fall, so that will increase slightly.  Even at this early hour, things appear to be clearing, raising the question of whether all the numerous event cancellations for today were necessary.  Sadly, today's Buck Creek Festival was cancelled altogether, when with hindsight it probably could have gone on.  But I don't mean any criticism of the organizers- always better safe than sorry; things could have turned out much worse.  I'm very glad we seem to have dodged this bullet.  And now I look forward to real Fall-like weather, which has not yet arrived in central Alabama.

Barometer, when a tropical storm passes over your head.

Rare card alert

 Today's rare card alert comes not from an obscure country, but from our familiar neighbor to the north, Canada.  But it was such a unique and interesting card it warrants a mention here.  The card comes from Toronto, and was sent by Postcrossing user Stampraider.  What's particularly unique about the card is the strip of simulated 35mm film that is embedded in it.  It is a transparent window in the card that appears like 35mm film, likely sent because I mention my knowledge of old-style analog photography in my Postcrossing profile.  The postcard insert is simulated, though: It is a positive image rather than negative, like an E-6 process Ektachrome slide.   It is in an impossibly wide format, far beyond the usual 35mm full-frame ratio.  Still, a beautiful and interesting card with some beautiful postage stamps, and I was very happy to add it to my collection.  Write on.

Happy Anniversary

 Today begins a new year of Postcrossing, after I concluded my 14th year of sending international postcard yesterday.  Yes, it's already been 14 years that I have been involved in the group of postal mail enthusiasts.  In that time, I've mailed 12,558 postcard and received 12,565 cards from random people all around the world.  This is enough for me to be ranked 25th of 84,000 Postcrossing members in the USA, and #1 among members in Alabama.  It's been an enjoyable and rewarding hobby that has given me a broader appreciation for lifestyles in countries worldwide.  Among the most frequent comment I hear from those who receive cards from me: "I knew of the Birmingham in the UK, but I didn't know there was one in the southeast USA also," or "Oh, Sweet Home Alabama- I know that song!"  It's been a wonderful 14 years, and I hope to enjoy a few more.  Write on.

The most popular card I've ever sent.

World Postcard Day

 Today is World Postcard Day, in which we celebrate the first use of the humble communication device, a simple small piece of paper.  Postcard history tells us that the postcard was first used on this day in 1869 in Austria, and soon grew to a popular and ubiquitous item in the pre-digital world.  Short messages and usually colorful photos could be quickly sent via postal mail, and were most commonly used by tourists to keep in touch with family and friends back home.  Such missives from travelers were eagerly anticipated and often collected as souvenirs of travel to exotic locations.  In today's digital age, postal mail and especially postcards have become an anachronistic curiosity.  But in 2005, the Postcrossing project was begun, and today members send nearly half a million cards per month, exchanging them with randomly assigned strangers all around the world.  Postcrossers who send a card on this day receive a special badge of participation on their personal profile page.  This year will be the seventh consecutive year in which I have participated, and I will be sending copies of the official World Postcard Day design.  Each card, as it is received, will play a tiny part in the legacy that began in Austria 157 years ago on this day.  Write on. 

Blog-versary

 And just like that, it's been three years that this blog has been...uh, blogging.  When I wrote the first post on this day in 2023, I really didn't have a solid idea what the blog was about.  I'd done one in the past focused on building a wooden sailboat.  But this one didn't really start out with a central theme, which I figured any blog really needs.  Those that publish "random thoughts" never seem to last, and aren't really that interesting, in my experience.  But as things developed here, I suppose if any theme has emerged, it has been an exploration of analog life.  Classic literature.  Postal mail.  Watercolor paintings. Postcards. Travel. Mechanical typewriters.  Things that are tangible, lasting, and real.  And every word written here is composed - and sometimes even carefully considered and crafted - by a real human being.  An unremarkable human being, sure.  But a real one, and not a pile of silicon microchips at a massive data center. So there's a theme for you: reality.  May it survive and prosper in the coming years.  Write on.

The Kellys and the O'Kellys

 Yesterday was the final book club meeting of the Trollope Society to discuss Castle Richmond.  So that means today begins the next book on the reading list, The Kellys and the O'Kellys, by Anthony Trollope.  This novel was written by Trollope while he was in Ireland, and was published in 1848.  The common themes of inheritance and debt are once again found in this story, which will be familiar to Trollope readers.

  

August Stats

 

A respectable month of activity in Postcrossing this August:  During the month, I sent 76 cards and received 65.  This month my ranking jumped to 25th highest Postcrossing member in the USA (with 83,875 members) based on number of sent cards.  Still #1 in Alabama.  Incidentally, the USA is only second most active among world countries in Postcrossing.  First place by a large margin is held by Germany.  The USA has collectively sent a little more than 118 million cards, while Germany has sent 160 million cards.  Germany has achieved this with fewer Postcrossing members; nearly 84,000 for the USA, and about 69,000 for Germany.  So per capita, German Postcrossers are nearly twice as active as Americans, sending 232 cards per member, versus 141 for Americans.  Germans end up sending 18.2 % of all cards on Postcrossing, while Americans send 13.4%.  But there is a glimmer of hope: in the last 30 days, Americans comprised 17.6% of all new members of Postcrossing, while Germans were just 6.3% of new members.  I wonder if this is new enthusiasm sparked by the newly issued Postcrossing stamp.  Just an interesting comparison. Write on.

Back to the beginning

 

While my painting abilities are still in their infancy, I thought it appropriate to go back to the beginning for subject matter.  For my third attempt, I chose one of nature's oldest plants, the fern.  These plants are one of the earliest vascular plants, being found in nature 423 million years ago in the Silurian period.  Without flowers or other complex structures, they should be easy to paint, I reasoned.  Well, judge for yourself.  I suppose one might recognize this work as a fern...

Let there be light

 For my second attempt at simple watercolor paintings, I turned to a popular subject: lighthouses.  For me, it's a fitting source of material as my favorite place in the country is New England where beautiful lighthouses abound.  Another connection is through my brief association long ago with the US Coast Guard, the agency long tasked with maintaining such aids to navigation.  So for this painting, I broke out a few additional colors of paint after the simple green leaf in my first effort.  And once again following the online step-by-step tutorial, I sketched the simple, stylistic lighthouse in pencil.  This work now attempted to incorporate some shadows and depth not found in the simple leaf, which I replicated with indifferent effect.  But I did gain some experience and begin to understand the application of watercolor paint to both dry and wet surfaces.  Certainly a learning experience.

A cultured life

 

Today, as I was enjoying the sack lunch I usually bring with me to work, I pondered the expansion of one of my long time hobbies - puttering in the kitchen.  I have always enjoyed the whole process of preparing the food I eat, and for some of it, that involves the harnessing of beneficial microbes.  Most longstanding of these is the sourdough bread culture I have maintained for more than 20 years.  Most weekends, I bake two loaves of sourdough bread for use throughout the week in everything from sandwiches to croutons for soup and salads.  The venerable sourdough culture I have carried for decades contains a mix of bacteria and yeast whose metabolic activities produce the leavened bread that I have exclusively consumed for many years.  Home fermentation activities have not been restricted to bread: on a sporadic basis, I have fermented cabbage to make sauerkraut, and though I haven't brewed in some time, one of my earliest hobbies was making my own beer.  Beneficial microbes have always been welcomed in my kitchen!

More recently, I have expanded these cultural pursuits.  I revived a yogurt maker that I'd purchased several years ago, and I've turned out a few batches of very tasty homemade yogurt.  I've stepped up my sauerkraut production.  And just this week, I sampled my first batch of fermented dill pickles.  These are classic full-sour dill pickles in the best NYC deli tradition.  So with my home baked sourdough sandwich, I had a fermented pickle which was delicious.  I expect to expand fermentations even further after reading a book that I received yesterday, containing info and recipes to produce all manner of fermented produce and beverages.  About the only area of microbe-driven food production that I have not yet tried is making cheese.  Something to look forward to!

Ars longa, vita brevis

 As part of my daily doom scrolling, I recently happened to click on an ad link for an art supply store.  And naturally, my web pages were instantly full of all manner of similar vendors.  One product that caught my eye was for a tiny little portable watercolor painting kit.  This touched a poignant corner of my psyche:  I'm fascinated by the creative arts, yet long ago I accepted that I have absolutely no talent in that area.  In addition to so many other areas.  Nope, no athletic talent, no artistic talent- performing or creative arts, and no talent in business or any other human occupation.  And yet, I admire those who show ability in any of these endeavors.  My vacation earlier this summer took me to the Farnesworth Museum where I sat in awe of the works of the Wyeths - a whole family of gifted artists.  The cruel trick, of course, is that people with talent make it look so easy.  Shooting a fadeaway jump shot, painting a beautiful painting, acting in a play or playing a musical instrument- when done by experts, it looks so simple.  And in hawking watercolor paint kits, a multitude of online sellers play to my precise emotions and aspirations. 

So, with a firm self-knowledge developed over decades, I purchased one of these inexpensive kits.  Despite, I re-emphasize, having absolutely no artistic talent, I really would like to be able to create joyful little paintings.  So when the kit arrived, I daydreamed of the beauty I would create with it.  And a significant amount of joy was had via just the daydreams.  After several weeks of that, I decided I might actually try to use the kit.  A nice thing is that the particular vendor who provided mine, Tobios, does have some resources for abject beginners like me, to guide the first attempts.  Now, I don't know if it's possible to teach myself this craft, or if some more formal instruction would be necessary.  But today I made my first attempt, using the web page's step-by-step instruction.  The Wyeth family has nothing to fear from my artistic talents, but I did manage to produce a work that some astute observers might recognize as... a leaf.  From such humble beginnings, what will follow?  Stay tuned.

Coast Guard Day

 On this day in 1790, Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton convinced congress to fund the construction of ten small sailing vessels, revenue cutters, to enforce tax and customs fees in the newly created USA.  This was the beginning of a maritime law enforcement service that would directly evolve into today's Coast Guard.  Since then, the duties of the Coast Guard have changed and grown, and today it is also responsible for fisheries management, aids to navigation, lifesaving and rescue, and in wartime, various combat roles.  After the American Revolution, the US Navy was disbanded only to be re-created in 1798, so the Coast Guard is America's oldest continual maritime service.

Also on this day, some 175 years later, I was created.  So it is a coincidence that I myself had a short-lived and not entirely successful service in the Coast Guard.  For me, last year was a landmark birthday, but this year, as with most of them, I indulge in a bit of retrospection.  My life can no longer be called a short one, though I hope it lasts for a while yet.  I was born in the midst of the early space race- in the middle of the Gemini program, when the USA finally surpassed the USSR in manned spaceflight achievements.  And four-year-old me was around to sleep through man's first steps on the moon.  (My talent for sleeping through major world events as they happened is considerable, with Princess Diana's death and OJ Simpson's slow speed car chase just to name a few.)  My life has encompassed the space race, the Cold War, the Chernobyl accident, the digital revolution and birth of the internet, a major worldwide pandemic, and the utterly disastrous Trump presidency.  So it's never been dull.  And for more than the past 12 years (longer than Samuel Pepys), I've kept a daily personal journal to record and comment on world events, both large and small.  I wonder if it will interest some historian in, say, a hundred years.

Anyway, Happy 236th birthday, US Coast Guard!

July stats

July was a quiet month for Postcrossing, with just 61 cards sent and 71 cards received.  This brings my all-times totals to 12,432 cards sent and 12,426 cards received.  I'm happy to see that cards are getting through to recipients in Russia- 3 cards sent there this month and 7 cards received- so the sanctions seem to be truly at an end.  Despite my lackluster activity, I did move up in rank and now am 25th of more than 83,000 USA members in terms of total sent cards. (Still #1 in Alabama, too.)  As always, I'd intended to be more active in sending cards, but life seems to persistently get in the way of plans.  Here's to more Postcrossing in August.  Write on!

Bah, humbug!

 As a longtime Dickens buff and connoisseur of cinematic remakes of A Christmas Carol, I was pleasantly surprised this morning to learn that yet another movie version of the classic story will be released later this year.  This newest one stars Johnny Depp as Ebenezer Scrooge, which at first struck me as unusual casting.  But after having viewed the trailer below, I am hopeful the talented actor can give a creditable account of literature's premier curmudgeon.  Coming in November- I look forward to it.

 

Turning 21

 In 2005, a couple of creative people had the bright idea to create a system that could connect people all around the world.  With some knowledge of computer databases they created Postcrossing, a project that facilitates the exchange of postcards between individuals who have never met.  Over the years, the system has grown to over 800,000 members in 207 countries.  Each month, this group sends nearly half a million postcards and have sent a total more than 87 million cards.  The distance they've travelled would cover 538,000 round trips between the earth and the moon.  I've been a proud member of Postcrossing for more than 13 years and have enjoyed every minute of it.  Happy birthday Postcrossing.  Write on!

June stats

 The Postcrossing stats for June are in, and during the month, I sent 85 postcards and received 79 postcards.  That brings my all-time total sent cards to 12,368, putting me in 27th place among the 83,000 Postcrossing members in the USA.  Still #1 in Alabama.  Good to see an active exchange of cards to and from Russia once again, after the recent resumption of USPS service to Russia.  Write on.

Semper paratus

 In a surprise announcement, the USPS will issue a new stamp to honor the 150th anniversary of the US Coast Guard Academy.  The new stamp will be issued at the academy in New London, CT on September 12.  This is of special interest to me because of my connection to the place: I was a Coast Guard cadet at the academy in the mid 1980s.  Yes, I had intended to embark on a career as a Coast Guard officer, doing noble work like stopping criminals and rescuing distressed boaters, though realistically it would have mostly been more mundane chores like painting navigational buoys and counting fish in fisherman's nets.  Not since the stamp issued in 2015 honoring the CG Cutter Eagle on August 4th, Coast Guard Day (and my birthday), have I been so eagerly anticipating a new stamp release.  My own Coast Guard career was cut short when I washed out of the academy after two years.  But in that time, I met many very fine people among my classmates and remain friends with a few of them.  Two members of my academy class of '87 went on to command the CGC Eagle.  One would eventually run the academy itself.  And the current top guy running the entire US Coast Guard is a former classmate of mine.  So with pride and nostalgia, I eagerly await this new stamp issue, and everything it represents.

Name calling

 On a web page posted by the Social Security Administration, it is possible to see data on the popularity of baby names throughout history.  So naturally I had to look into the numbers on my own name.  It turns out that when I was born in 1965, the name "Peter" for new babies was near its peak of popularity and was the 39th most popular name given to newborns.  This is only slightly less than its absolute peak ten years earlier in 1955, when it was the 35th most popular name.  In that year 11,003 new babies were named Peter, which was 0.526% of all newborn boys for the year.  Since then, however, the popularity of the named has waned, and in 2020 it reached its lowest point, when Peter was the 215th most popular name.  In the last two years for which data is available, the name has grown very slightly, and in 2025 it was ranked 187.  So perhaps the name of the apostle that was the favorite of Jesus, the rock upon which he built his church, will make a comeback.

The name Peter is at least more popular than one deeply unpopular name for newborns: "Donald". In 2025, the name Donald was the 690th most popular baby name, less popular than names like "Mohammad,” “Kash,” “Brandon,” “Maximus,”  and “Keanu”.

Back in the USSR

 It was about a month ago when I learned that the USPS had resumed service to Russia.  After years of sanctions and embargos, it was once again possible to send postcards from there from the USA.  Postcrossing first assigned me a Russian address on May 16, and several more in the days that followed.  Today I am pleased to learn the first of these cards has been received in Russia.  My card to Postcrossing member "Boring_Lydia" was registered a short time ago after travelling 5.077 miles in 32 days.  This opens up the 3rd most active country in Postcrossing to American members, and will provide more variety in the cards I send.  Write on!