Joel D
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joeldueck.com
Joel D
@joeldueck.com
61 followers 79 following 300 posts
(1981–) Multi-class chaotic good / pluperfect progressive passive. Nice smells. Birds chirping. 16th and 21st century music. He/him https://joeldueck.com
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joeldueck.com
Perfect Halloween skies arrive, one day late. #mnwx
A large maple tree fills the left side of the photo, its leaves glowing golden and orange in the late-afternoon sunlight. To the right, a leafless tree stands against a clear blue sky, with a few distant trees and power lines visible near the horizon. The scene captures a crisp, bright autumn day.
November 1, 2025 at 9:51 PM
joeldueck.com
Fall colors come to Minneapolis. #mnwx
The photo shows a forest filled with tall deciduous trees in brilliant autumn color. Leaves range from bright yellow and orange to deep red, with some patches of lingering green. Sunlight filters through the canopy, illuminating the foliage and casting warm light across the scene. The sky above is clear and blue, contrasting with the vivid tones of the leaves, creating a classic fall woodland view.
October 20, 2025 at 10:45 PM
joeldueck.com
In Texas, they're eating the dogs, the ICE agents that came in, they're eating the cats. They're eating, they're eating the pets of the people that live there. And this is what's happening in our country, and it's a shame.
Screenshot of local Fox News headline: “El Paso family claims Border Patrol killed their dog during search, CBP reviewing incident”
October 15, 2025 at 11:10 PM
joeldueck.com
If this spider dies/died in here I might have to get a new oven
The photo shows a close-up of an oven control panel with a digital display reading “9:09.” A small spider is visible inside the display area, partly obscuring the first number nine. The digits glow bright green against the dark background, and the metallic trim of the appliance is visible above the display.
October 4, 2025 at 4:01 PM
joeldueck.com
ad says "ultra thin wallet"

wallet is made of leather
September 30, 2025 at 10:38 PM
joeldueck.com
Summer temps and autumn colors and no wind at all. #mnwx
The photo shows a lakeside scene on a clear day. In the foreground, a green metal fence runs along the edge of the view. Beyond it, trees with a mix of green and yellowing leaves stand beside the water, reflecting early autumn. The calm lake surface is visible on the left, with tall reeds at the shoreline. On the right, a concrete bridge spans a small canal that separates two halves of the lake, with a shaded walkway running beneath it. Above, the bright blue sky is crossed by power lines with small white markers.
September 26, 2025 at 5:49 PM
joeldueck.com
Boyhood road, thirty years later. #mnwx
A grassy path winds through a meadow of tall green plants and yellow wildflowers, bordered by dense trees on the left and center. A single tall tree stands in the middle ground, with a high brown sound barrier wall stretching across the background. Above, the sky is bright blue with scattered white clouds, casting a mix of sunlight and shadow across the scene.
September 5, 2025 at 3:44 PM
joeldueck.com
Having raspberry tea on the front porch, watching these drift by. #mnwx
The photo shows a sky filled with soft, glowing clouds illuminated in warm orange and pink hues, likely by the setting or rising sun. The clouds are fluffy and scattered, allowing patches of blue sky to peek through. On the right edge of the image, the silhouette of a leafy tree contrasts sharply against the bright sky, framing the scene. The overall effect is peaceful and radiant, highlighting the beauty of twilight light on clouds.
September 4, 2025 at 12:38 AM
joeldueck.com
Cool and dry, brisk breeze. Cue the soundtrack from "Rudy" (1993) #mnwx
The photo shows a quiet baseball or softball field on a sunny day. In the foreground, two wooden chairs sit under the shade of a large tree, facing the field. The grass is lush and green, with a paved walkway leading past the chairs. Beyond the fence, the ballfield has orange dirt infields and metal bleachers, some of which are shaded by blue canopies. Light poles and a chain-link backstop rise around the field, with a small green sign marked “1” indicating the field number. The background shows trees and a partly cloudy blue sky.
August 24, 2025 at 3:28 PM
joeldueck.com
Beautiful day in the neighborhood. #mnwx
The photo shows a leafy, sunlit clearing in a dense, green wooded area. In the background, partially framed by trees, stands a tall water tower marked with the name “Robbinsdale.” The tower rises prominently above the treetops under a clear blue sky. Large maple leaves in the foreground create a natural frame around the scene. The mix of deciduous and coniferous trees adds texture and depth to the lush landscape.
July 20, 2025 at 5:42 PM
joeldueck.com
TIL the iree/wave repo on GitHub is mine
Screenshot from my Github news feed: "willghatch forked your repository" Screenshot from my GitHub news feed showing the popup/tooltip when I hover over the link to the willghatch/wave repo: a note in the tooltip (highlighted in yellow) indicates that it was "Forked from iree-org/wave"
July 16, 2025 at 4:21 PM
joeldueck.com
It's this weird humidity, random glimpses of sky and the occasional thunderstorm #mnwx
The photograph captures a partial view of a weathered, pale blue wooden barn with a red metal roof, partially obscured by lush green foliage in the foreground. A single exterior light glows near the peak of the barn’s gable end. Tall trees frame the scene, and the sky above is filled with a dramatic mix of blue patches and golden-tinged clouds, suggesting early morning or evening light. The overall mood is quiet and pastoral.
July 12, 2025 at 1:57 AM
joeldueck.com
Perfect weather for the Taste of Minnesota event in downtown Minneapolis today.
The photograph shows a lively urban street scene during what appears to be a summer event or festival. In the foreground, a food truck decorated with large images of pretzels is serving customers; a bright pink “OPEN” sign is visible in its window. Several people, including families and children, are gathered around the truck and on the sidewalk. Another black food truck labeled “FLO’S” is partially visible to the left. In the background, a cluster of modern high-rise buildings and glassy office towers rises into the clear blue sky, dotted with a few white clouds. Notable among them is the rounded, blue-striped Capella Tower. The Four Seasons Hotel sign is visible on the building to the right. The mood is casual and cheerful, with people strolling and enjoying the outdoor event in a vibrant downtown setting.
July 6, 2025 at 10:13 PM
joeldueck.com
Looking forward to the new system UI font in MacOS Tahoe

#fonts #typography #apple
Font specimen for the Tahoma typeface, designed by Matthew Carter and first distributed by Microsoft in Office 97.
July 3, 2025 at 2:41 PM
joeldueck.com
New ones: also all cedar, also held with stainless steel trim screws; but also, all surfaces glued with liquid nails, the bottom is perforated with drainage holes and the inside sprayed with a protective rubber coating. Maybe we can get 28 years out of these.
The photograph shows a handmade rectangular wooden planter box placed on a weathered wooden surface outdoors. The planter is made of unfinished cedar with visible grain and knots, and is held together with evenly spaced screws along the sides. The interior of the box has been spray painted with a black rubber coating. In the background, there is a grassy yard with a tree and a sidewalk, suggesting a quiet residential setting.
June 30, 2025 at 1:17 AM
joeldueck.com
These old planter boxes are rotted out after 14 years. All cedar, held together with stainless steel trim screws, but no drainage or protection on the inside. Corners are pulling apart due to warping.
The photograph shows a weathered (rotting) rectangular wooden planter box on a wooden surface, surrounded by leafy potted plants. The box has a rustic, aged appearance with visible grain, faded coloring, and slight splitting at the corners. It is partially filled with soil and appears to have been used for planting. Some leaves and debris are visible around the edges, enhancing the natural, lived-in garden atmosphere. The surrounding potted plants have broad, vibrant leaves in various patterns and shades of green, adding to the lush setting.
June 30, 2025 at 1:17 AM
joeldueck.com
Clouds cleared up and it was a lovely evening downtown. #mnwx
The photograph captures an early evening view of the historic Mill District in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Dominating the scene are the iconic Gold Medal Flour and North Star Blankets signs atop tall industrial buildings—remnants of the city’s flour milling past. The structures feature a mix of old stonework and modern glass renovations, surrounded by neatly kept green spaces and a paved pedestrian path in the foreground. A few people are walking or biking along the path, and the sky above is expansive with soft blue tones and scattered wisps of clouds, giving the scene a calm, transitional atmosphere.
June 29, 2025 at 2:52 PM
joeldueck.com
We're celebrating the heat advisory by swimming at Fish Lake. Hot and muggy, but also the odd stormcloud. #mnwx
The photograph shows a lively lakeside beach scene on a partly cloudy day. Families and children are enjoying the water and sand, with many people wading or swimming in the shallow water near the shore. The sandy beach is dotted with colorful towels, beach bags, and sunshades. On the right side, a lifeguard station with red kayaks stacked beneath it sits at the edge of a wooded area, and a tan canvas sunshade extends into the frame overhead. In the distance, the opposite shore is lined with houses and trees. The sky is filled with dramatic, swirling clouds, suggesting possible changing weather.
June 21, 2025 at 6:56 PM
joeldueck.com
Celebrating the start of summer in Minneapolis, of course it's cold and rainy #mnwx
A backyard scene featuring a charming, slightly eclectic house with varied siding and a mix of white, brown, and reddish tones. A string of warm Edison-style lights is strung overhead, glowing softly in the early evening light. In the foreground, there’s a built-in outdoor grill area with a kettle-style charcoal grill, wood storage, and a tall heat lamp. The yard is full of lush green plants, small trees, and a mix of structures including a white metal shed and a lattice fence. A small, whimsical upper-level balcony or enclosed porch juts out from the house, adding character to the space. The overall atmosphere is cold and wet but inviting, suggesting a space meant for gathering and relaxing, in defiance of the weather.
June 14, 2025 at 1:34 AM
joeldueck.com
A line of storms blew through, and now there's no wind, the sky is opening up and the birds are louder. #mnwx
A dramatic evening sky filled with textured clouds, softly lit by the setting sun in hues of peach, pink, and lavender. The sky transitions from a pale blue in the lower left to deeper tones toward the upper right. Silhouetted against the colorful sky are the dark outlines of various trees, including one with bare branches and others dense with summer foliage. On the right side of the image, a tall building with a steep red metal roof rises into view, partially framed by tree branches. The scene captures a peaceful, slightly moody moment just before dusk.
June 3, 2025 at 2:09 AM
joeldueck.com
Watching my daughter's choir sing the anthem for tonight's Twins game. Windy and not warm! #mnwx
A wide-angle view of Target Field, the home stadium of the Minnesota Twins, taken from the upper stands behind home plate. The baseball field is empty of players, except for a few small groups gathered along the baselines and in shallow right field. The grass is neatly mowed in alternating stripes, and the infield dirt is well-groomed. Large video screens above the outfield seats display patriotic visuals and a local school district choir, preparing to sing the national anthem as part of a pregame ceremony. The stands are sparsely filled, and the overcast sky casts a gray light over the scene. The Minneapolis skyline rises in the background beyond the stadium.
May 19, 2025 at 11:38 PM
joeldueck.com
It's been a hot, dry week, but that's gonna end here pretty soon. #mnwx
A utility truck is parked beside a railroad track in front of a dense line of green trees under a dramatic, darkening sky. The clouds are heavy and gray, suggesting an approaching storm. The white utility truck, with a cherry picker arm folded on top, bears the logo of a local electric company. In the foreground, a brown wooden fence frames the bottom of the image, and tree leaves hang into the frame from the top corners. The contrast between the vivid green foliage and the brooding sky creates a tense, anticipatory mood. A small white house is partially visible through the trees.
May 15, 2025 at 2:05 PM
joeldueck.com
This guy is building a nest in my porch rafters. #mnwx
A close-up photo capturing an American robin perched partially out of view behind the edge of a beige house gutter. The robin, with its distinctive orange breast and gray-brown upper body, has a beak full of long, dry grass or roots, likely for nest-building. Behind the bird, a large tree trunk dominates the background, with intricate bark texture and budding spring branches reaching across the scene. The composition highlights a moment of natural behavior in a suburban setting, with a contrast between the manmade structure and the surrounding trees.
May 2, 2025 at 5:55 PM
joeldueck.com
First line of storms about to hit. #mnwx
A quiet suburban scene under a dark grey, overcast sky. Bare tree branches with a few tiny budding leaves frame the top of the image, reaching inward from both sides. Below, a small residential neighborhood is visible, with modest houses partially obscured by trees that are just beginning to leaf out in soft greens. Two railroad crossing signs and signal lights are positioned prominently near the center, hinting at nearby train tracks. The overall mood is subdued and a bit somber, with muted colors and early spring vegetation.
April 28, 2025 at 1:28 PM
joeldueck.com
📝 AI is right about em-dashes https://joeldueck.com/ai-is-right-about-em-dashes.html
Screenshot of an excerpt from the linked blog post: “There’s a notion going around that em-dashes signify AI authorship. From a comment on Slack: Yesterday a buddy of mine told me that the "-" between words in a sentence is a perfect indicator it was written by AI. Anybody else hear that? Now i can't unsee it! —soon followed by the logical and unfortunate: Yes, this is a really common indicator. […] I actually go through and remove them afterwords. Gently: this is the wrong way to look at what is happening here. You should be using em-dashes in your writing. The AI has learned this practice from writers and editors who are good at what they do, and you should follow its example.”
April 24, 2025 at 7:56 PM