I have this very messy document on which I attempt to keep track of all my learning projects —present and future. It is completely unworkable. I decided a few weeks ago I needed searchable categories and tags which means database which means doing this online. I got as far as making a web page, selecting a hero banner, and a meaningful quotation. I also scribbled the first draft of a site map. It felt like homework. Then, my granddaughter Ada sent me this whimsical photo she edited together with the magic of our times: code! Code is the magic Incantation of our time, embodied in everything these days. She so inspired me with this image and the Hogwarts feel it has, that I created a new incarnation for my Learning Projects and I am chomping at the bit to get to it after I button up the Jackson Data Breach response. I love her so much. It is the best gift ever! Meet Professor Starwhisper!

I made this cute little invitation and sent it to the family to encourage a poet or two. This was the note that went with it: “Finally a chance to hold yourself to low standards and write some stinky rhymes. Put forth minimal effort to capture the essence of the worst poem you can puke onto paper (or screen which is clearly less poetic and better for a bad poem). Go ahead and write one. You know you want to. Show the world how bad you can suck!”

We’ve known for awhile that Keith, Ada, and Presley are always in the middle of things. Of course, they are: they are all middle children! And if you don’t believe that they have a special sense of self, note there are no Youngest Child or Eldest Child Days. But I have to agree, they really are special and blessing me everyday!

I am moping a it. Despite predictions, last night was underwhelming for me due to my inadequate attempt to view meteors in the city. I know better. Light pollution is too much. I thought because all our street lights are gone due to our new road construction, that I would be able to see maybe 30 an hour instead of 130. Not a chance. Although I missed the very peak, Sunday night should still be worthwhile. I’ll set the alarm and venture to darkness with fingers crossed.

This week two new furry arrivals were welcomed at the Artesian Animal Haven. Monty is the adopted pup of the Kaminsky lineage. He is a charming addition who is well-behaved and handsome. Oakley is a border at the Johnston’s hostel, joining the family as he awaits clearance to enter Hawaii. The four can pull a small dog sled or perhaps, with a little training, win a talent show. They have already won the hearts of Artesian residents. Today we had the privilege of meeting the two new canine amigos and attest we love them too!

What a memorable Friday night’s entertainment on the dock. Dan built, deep drilled, dog and dance tested. Love it! And a wild cart ride to top it all off. I am so sorry I didn’t take a photo of Paw on the deck. Just pretend he dove off the dock and is underwater.

Oh, how I wish I had taken a photo of the plate of wonders Jaspir served up. It was a beautiful and delectable: country fried chicken with sawmill gravy using his own from scratch breading for the chicken and gravy seasoning. Also mashed potatoes and macaroni and cheese! A dessert bar followed with carrot cake cupcakes, chocolate eclairs, and cream puffs. It was a spur of the moment invitation and we jumped on it. As you can see by the photo, he even does the dishes! Such a wonderful man he is. We adore him. Always have. Always will.

It’s funny. Even when you are clearly not the criminal in the story, going to the Police Department is still stressful. Maybe it’s all that authority, guns, and laws. It was one of the last things on my 300+ item Data Breach Recovery checklist (I am an over-achiever). Yesterday, August 9th, I reported myself as the victim of Identity Theft. My research says getting that on the record early is very helpful if the criminals do worse. It was a lovely meeting. My incident is logged. And a day later, I am now irritated with myself for getting talked out of asking for a copy by the Officer. I need an ice cream cone.

Keith crossed his fingers that his water pipe would be shipped here early enough that he could install it and make the Cruise Night with his new little red pick-up truck. Yay! He got it. He installed it. And decided to change the oil too but ran into issues. He enjoyed the night being Tom Kiser’s wing man as they showed off Tom’s beautiful blue 55 Chevy. He thought about taking his own 55 Chevy, but left it home because of the rain. Fun was had by all despite the precipitation.

Cicadae emit one of the most distinct sounds ever. It’s call makes this reverberating noise that's hard to describe and even harder to re-create. When I was a kid I thought it was the telephone wires. It is always exciting when they hatch. The song of the cicada is the sound of summer to me, similar to the sound of sough in the fall. They can make their sounds up to 100 decibels, equivalent to the sound of a lawnmower, dirt bike, or tractor, according to The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. A team of U.S. Naval researchers demystified the source of their soun: "Their analysis shows that the insects manage to produce their incredibly large sound because they have a unique anatomy that combines a ribbed membrane on the torso that vibrates when they deform their bodies." I still don’t get it. Not really a song at all. This one in Keith’s photo is newly hatched. I welcome it with open ears all the same!

I GET BY WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS

And a very knowledgeable and very new friend gave me some excellent help navigating our recent data breach. Culled out some optional (and perhaps unnecessary actions) and got me focused on the high value actions requiring immediate focus. That kind of clarity is so helpful in what feels like a crisis. Grateful!

After a few days in the driveway under tarps, enduring rain, winds, and scorching heat, the garage was reorganized enough to make room for the little red pick-ups’ new home. Keith couldn’t be happier. The 55 Chevy and the 29 Model A Pickup are my sister wives — we share Keith.

There’s nothing more fun than surprise visits from the grandkids. Presley and her friend Aubrey decided their day needed a bike ride. Since she and her sister are keeping their bikes at our house for the summer, it guarantees a pop-in when they feel like riding. There’s also the lure of Bomb Pops which Pres and Aubrey enjoyed too. Happy hugs!

People tend to photograph the things they cherish and Keith has something new on his list that he shared with the family in our monthly photo contest. His beautiful 1929 Model A Roadster Pickup. He is so excited. I love it.

I was so lucky to get this shot of Keith and his sexy muscles. All the old ladies in the family went crazy for it. I should have titled the photo Granny Cover Boy!

After months of shared first place, Ada’s photo broke out from the pack to give us a solo First Place winner with her amazing Emu Dreams. You can feel the love. Congrats, Ada!

I guess having cyber crimes committed against us is the new normal. It seem that AI is likely going to be used to make these hacks even more frequent and nefarious. It makes me so disheartened. I have a list provided by a Data Breach Law Firm that conveniently lists all the actions I need to take to protect our identity. It is 14 pages. I didn’t read the mail until 9:30 last night. Tossed and turned until 1:30 am and woke up at 5:30 am. I am killing a little time until my body wants sleep. I can’t face this without full reserves.

These lunches with Roland keep getting better and better. It is so lovely to have these special times with him and I am so grateful for these chances to get him away from screens and out in the world. I love this photo. Roland was beside himself with the deliciousness of the steak tacos with onions and cilantro on soft corn tortillas. He has such a mature palate. He said these were even better than El Patron’s which were his favorite until this little plate of heaven. We had such aa nice visit. I showed him the online video of Kallie’s new home so he can picture her somewhere. He told me he decided to do online school for another year. I think he feels the schedule flexibility benefits outweigh any negatives. We plan to use that flexibility to make a trip to Madison’s Vilas Zoo and spend some time with Ada. We added Friar Tuck’s to our restaurant list and decided to find the best restaurant in Fond du Lac. When I dropped him off at home, he invited me to see the new game he’s been playing called Chivalry (which it definitely is NOT). But it takes place in medieval times and gave us both a hankering to go to the Renaissance Faire. A great day!

It is Keith’s turn to lead the Junto this month. After much consternation, he selected a really interesting topic. I can’t wait for this one. It should really be a great discussion.