Friday, August 1, 2025
Hokkaido Highway Blues
Thursday, July 24, 2025
One of my top priorities for this summer was to spend a lot of time sitting on my front porch. Yes, I know--very ambitious.
Lately I've been reading Will Ferguson's Hokkaido Highway Blues, a travelogue recounting Ferguson's hitchhiking travels across Japan. I enjoyed it immensely.
Bear News: Late July Edition
Wednesday, July 23, 2025
Wow--a pretty scary story, but a good example of how to remain cool-headed during a bear encounter.
What else is going on in Bear News?
Postcard from Belgrade: Come Visit our Plein-Air Propane Gas Tank Museum
Tuesday, July 22, 2025
The next time you're in downtown Belgrade, make sure to visit our plein-air propane gas tank museum.
Turkey's two Cyprus invasions
Monday, July 21, 2025
The Türkiyeish Daily News posted the article yesterday: Erdoğan marks 51st anniversary of Cyprus operation.
Actually, in the summer of 1974 there were two Turkish invasions of Cyprus. The first occurred on July 20. Within two days, Turkey had achieved most of its stated goals in preventing Greek annexation of the island (legitimate fears of which had prompted Turkey's invasion in the first place).
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Postcard from Belgrade: the Venetian District
Friday, July 18, 2025
Known for its laid-back attitude and live-and-let-live lifestyle, the Venetian District of Belgrade brings the Adriatic spirit to Gallatin County.
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| The Venetian District |
Explore its sun-drenched shoreline to discover a side of Belgrade you may not have seen before.
With Dwight the Deer at Story Mill Park
Thursday, July 17, 2025
This looks like a diorama in a provincial history museum in mid-90s Bulgaria, but it's just the bike trail en route to Story Mill Park.
Chernow on Mark Twain
Wednesday, July 16, 2025
I enjoyed listening to Ron Chernow discuss his new biography of Mark Twain on the Ryen Russillo podcast. I haven't read the book, but I've been eyeing it over the past couple of months. I'd read a pretty scathing review of Mark Twain in The New York Times, which had put me off a bit, but I understand as well as anybody that a scathing review usually tells us more about the reviewer than the book.
It was interesting to learn about Twain's entrepreneurial side. It reminded me a bit of Rebecca Loncrain's biography of L. Frank Baum in some ways.
What did I tell you?
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
According to the Washington Post: "Trump backs Kyiv in War with Russia through Weapons and Threats to Moscow."
Not so different from what I suggested might happen in an interview with The Bozeman Yesterdaily News back in January.
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"Terör-Free" Türkiye
Saturday, July 12, 2025
A terror-free Turkey is great, depending on how the word 'terror' is defined.
If we're talking about the PKK laying down its arms, then super.
But if the word "terror" is expanded to include peaceful opposition, then I can't say I'm much of a fan.
Trailz
Thursday, July 10
One thing I miss about living in Bozeman is the accessibility to bike trails. In Belgrade I ride my bike to the supermarket, liquor store, and various other downtown locales when the weather is in agreement. Beyond the downtown area of Belgrade, which is small, there isn't much else to attract me as a bike rider.
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| En route to Story Mill Park |
Postcard from Belgrade: A 5th Corner?
Tuesday, July 8, 2025
Rumor has it that, due to overcrowding and other demands on its infrastructure, the town of Four Corners will soon be constructing a fifth corner.
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Postcard from Belgrade: Festive Fourth Weekend
Monday, July 7
It was a festive 4th of July in Belgrade. Belgrade has no municipal firework show, so instead people make their own.
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| There was a good turnout for "Cars on Broadway" |
Postcard from Belgrade: Belgrade Summer Nights
Thursday, July 3, 2025
On Wednesday of last week I went to the first of this year's "Belgrade Summer Nights."
However, I am a bit disappointed that the organizers didn't come up with an alliterative name, as is their wont, for this event. This name has no alliterative allure. Where's the spirit that brought us (in alphabetical order), the Book Brigade, Christmas Convoy, and Fall Festival?
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| No "Sensational Summer Nights?" Why not? |
Is alliteration no longer cool at the Belgrade Community Coalition?
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