Swan song of the Blue Lake (green bean, that is)

In late April I planted a row of Blue Lake green beans along a makeshift trellis by the side of my house—old metal fenceposts and jute twine, same as I use for tomatoes. I wove a soaker hose through them to keep the soil wet through a dry spring. They sprouted. They grew. They occasionally flowered. They did not make a single damn bean. In mid-July I gave up and quit watering, and since two wet weeks in early August they have had no more than a sprinkle or two.

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Memento mori? What the hell. You’re going to die—you might as well.

view up rocky wooded slope with caution sign closeup on sign: CAUTION: serious injuries have occurred from this trailhead

The view yesterday from Crowder’s Mountain, North Carolina. There was a lot of clambering up boulders to get to the top… a good fun hike that I was glad not to be doing with a full backpack.

Just a quick public service announcement: if you are shot to death, didn’t know me personally, and would like me to care, mourn, pray for your soul, or frankly even notice, you are going to have to take a number. I understand there’s a political activist in line, but we’re currently serving the toddler in Chicago who accidentally shot himself in the face yesterday. Please know that all our customers fellow human beings are valued. Thank you for your patience.

“I am ashamed that American government should have become the chief cause of disillusionment with American principles,” wrote Wendell Berry — in 1972.

Something different: a peg rack in red oak, carved with gouges.

Reading about continuing failed attempts to curb New York City’s rat infestation, I had a brilliant idea. Bait traps with a drug that uses messenger RNA (or, you know—something like that) to make the rats grow bushy tails. Bam! Instant squirrels! Squirrels are cute! Problem solved. You’re welcome.

At last, making the frame for the polyptych. Complicated, precise work. There is still one piece more not cut yet. Either it all goes together tight or it doesn’t. Just me and some cold hard physical reality here.

Partially assembled complex picture framePartially assembled frame and tools on workbench

There are no “side effects.” There are only effects you like and effects you don’t like. To say otherwise is merely marketing.

Just a reminder that my spoons are still 100% American made… with Japanese saw blades, Swiss gouges, an English drawknife, a Swedish knife, and Canadian spokeshaves.