We are trying to arrange to go out of town this weekend, on a bit of whim, to attend the funeral of my friend's father, and the man who officiated at our wedding. It feels like the right thing to do, but it turns out we can't just up and leave town on a whim. Who knew? But I think it'll all work out. That's been my mantra this summer, and so far so good.

The cool bath is by far the most effective means of cooling off I have at my disposal (without driving somewhere and/or spending money) but my tub remains egregiously uncomfortable.

"Whiteness is like the invisible presence of the narrator in a story told from the third person point of view.”

There's an urban London fantasy series (Rivers of London, I think, but I have a fever) in which the protagonist describes every person they come across in a police sort of way as black or white, and it gave me a sudden revelation that most books only point out nonwhiteness.

I think I have actually started to acclimate to some heat--we've had so much of it this summer in Seattle. And today it apparently got to 93 (and 80 in my bedroom--my office is the next higher floor) but it wasn't until late afternoon that I thought it was too warm inside. And it's supposedly still 88 but feels pretty nice out, with a breeze (in the shade). So, yay? But boo global warming.

It feels like the right thing to do, but it turns out we can't just up and leave town on a whim. Who knew? But I think it'll all work out. That's been my mantra this summer, and so far so good.

That seems like a good mantra!

You should campaign to rename them Greater Wacker and Lesser Wacker. And possibly Bigger Wacker.

Talley Wacker?

You haven't really been to Chicago until you've played the Which Wacker? East West Upper Lower? game.

I think I've convinced myself to order the 90" sofa with reversible storage chaise: [link]

Because additional storage is something I need with the lack of closet space. And a 90" sofa is plenty huge.

My friend has something similar. Works well for wine night reclining.

I managed to get on the road this morning within 15 minutes of my planned departure time, which I count as a victory. Alas, it was the 15 minutes that made the difference between touring the wildlife refuge in an air-conditioned bus or walking a couple of miles through hilly terrain under a blazing sun. But I got to see numerous tigers, lions, a liger, a bear, and a coati. I spent a good long while watching this handsome fellow eat his dinner, got a tigress by the name of Izzy to chuff back at me, and apparently fascinated her next-door-neighbor so much that she ignored feeding time in favor of staring at me. (Perhaps she sensed I was about ready to pass out from the heat and become easy pickings?)

All right! I have added a sofa, a night stand, and bookshelves to a wishlist and will sleep on it before ordering in the morning.

Next up, kitchen table!

[link]

[link]

[link]

I spent a good long while watching this handsome fellow eat his dinner

YOU'RE A KITTY!

Very cool, Matt! If not literally.

I love the look and of the second table. They are all taller Han I'd like, but most people seem to like higher tables just fine.