Go With the Flow

14:57 Thursday, 9 April 2026

Current Wx: Temp: 62.02°F Pressure: 1025hPa Humidity: 40% Wind: 18.23mph
Words: 353

It's a beautiful, though windy, day here. We went down to the storage unit to collect some of the cushions for the outdoor furniture that we took out of the shed yesterday. When we got home, we walked around the property, imagining where we might put the house and the garage. (We're supposed to get a draft floor plan today.)

Since it was about noon, and so nice out, I asked Mitzi if she wanted to go to Jerlando's for a slice of pizza and to take a look at the falls. She said sure.

I went the back way to check out the scenery, and then ended up missing the usual turn to head down into Montour, so we had a longer scenic drive ending up in Odessa before we turned toward Montour. No regrets whatsoever because it was just such a pretty drive.

We stopped at Jerlando's first, thinking a nice walk after lunch would be wise. It's a small place, the main (large) Jerlando's is in Watkins Glen, but it's charming and I enjoy watching the patrons come and go, mostly working people grabbing some lunch. A couple of guys from Drain Brains plumbing came in after we arrived.

After enjoying our respective slices, Mitzi had a broccoli Alfredo slice, and I had a slice of the Buffalo chicken, we walked over to the falls and spent some time marveling at the flow. I sent some shots to my kids. We decided to walk around town a bit and took in some more of the charm of Montour Falls.

From there I'd planned to go home, but Mitzi asked if we could stop in at Watkins, down by the lake and check that out. We're retired and have nothing better to do, and we'd spent most of the winter indoors, so why not? The lake is high from all the rainfall and snow melt, but it was a beautiful blue-green color this afternoon.

After checking out the lake and taking a group photo for a family visiting the pier, we headed back up the hill.

Just a wonderful day.

✍️ Reply by email

Another Piece

10:24 Thursday, 9 April 2026
Current Wx: Temp: 50.76°F Pressure: 1027hPa Humidity: 43% Wind: 16.26mph
Words: 74

It's supposed to get up to 60° today, but the wind is making it colder than the 50° the thermometer is showing, so I spent some more time on the NY Times.

I don't write as much about Trump and Hegseth and their abuse of the military because it's terminally frustrating. And, frankly, I don't read as much about it as I'd like to see either.

So this piece from David French was welcome.

✍️ Reply by email

Ben Sasse Interview

09:42 Thursday, 9 April 2026
Current Wx: Temp: 47.35°F Pressure: 1029hPa Humidity: 49% Wind: 16.26mph
Words: 254

I'm a bit conflicted on this, because I have little regard for Ross Douthat and I'm not sure that Sasse's confrontation with his own mortality is as ennobling as this interview might make it appear. To be fair, I don't believe that Sasse feels that his experience, or this interview, is ennobling. I think Douthat feels that way. (Free link. These expire after thirty days. I don't make the rules.)

For example, here's a quote:

I think the grand divide that is coming, sociologically or demographically, is not chiefly a class divide. I think the grand divide that’s coming is about intentionality and what you do with your affections and these supertools.

"The divide that is coming..."

"That is coming..."

This from a dude who spends time flying around to cancer centers, and who has an "executive doc," whatever that is.

The divide is here, but he doesn't see it, apparently.

And it is that class divide, that economic chasm, that bars the very people he's speaking about from spending time and cognitive resources reflecting on "intentionality," or "what you do with your affections."

But there is a lot that is worthwhile in this interview. Food for thought. And I'm genuinely sorry that Ben Sasse and his family are going through this.

It's a very long read. Douthat's comments are often of no added value, in my opinion, but Sasse's responses are worthwhile for many reasons.

A lot of religion in this piece, as a content warning to those for whom faith is anathema.

✍️ Reply by email