Both times I’ve watched Octopus! I’ve been struck by how much Phoebe Waller-Bridge sounds like Olivia Williams. What a strange documentary this is.

I’ve done the homework; I watched Geostorm. The real geomagnetic storm was prettier here in St. Louis.

My oldest kid and my dog. One can assume he’s not really rolling his eyes at her.

Autumn is finally come! Color returns to campus.

New student excuse for why they can’t show edit history or revise likely AI-generated work: I always delete my essays immediately after turning them in.

Are you missing the Gateway Arch during the government shutdown? Visit the Arch, my local critique partners, and me in this often humorous crime anthology. whitecitypress.com/product/yeet/

That feeling when you finally smash the mosquito that’s been whining ‘round your ears and keeping you awake: ahhhh. Even better: no blood.

Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta is stunning.

I’m just lying here at one AM, bop from *KPop Demon Hunters* wailing away in my head and keeping me awake.

We’ve been under a heat dome for ages and I miss the snow! Fall can’t come soon enough. Aside from one perfect week in Portland (Oregon this time) my summer has involved a lot of heat, humidity, and mosquitoes in Missouri, Iowa, Michigan, Kansas, Indiana, and soon, Florida.

Shopping for “men’s” dress shirts: exactly how many inches from your shoulder-tip to your wristbone and how many inches around your neck?

Shopping for “women’s” dress shirts: this one should fit any regular-sized woman with arm-length arms and breast-sized breasts.

I’m a fan of clever writing, and “a so-called inventor whose greatest invention is his image” really slaps. Credit to Philip Low.

Apropos of everything

Unpopular opinion (at least where I live): I love winter weather. I love snow storms. I love ice. I love that snow-day excitement, making monkey bread, staying home, canceling all plans. I love watching my neighborhood turn silent and still as a fluffy, white blanket covers us.

Happy New Year! This morning, I knew I could plow through my entire year’s goal list. I can teach 30% more students, meet my writing goals, and help my daughter choose a college. A little later this morning, I learned that my mom was storing caffeinated coffee in the carafe labeled DECAF.

I do not enjoy grading.

Mood