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. 

Postcard from Belgrade: 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. It's educational and free of charge. 

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). 


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. 

The Venetian District
Explore its sun-drenched shoreline to discover a side of Belgrade you may not have seen before. 

With Dave the Deer at Story Mill Park

Thursday, July 17, 2025


Looks like a diorama in a provincial museum from mid-90s Bulgaria, but real. 

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. 

Bastille Day

July 14, 2025

Vive (Georges) LaFrance! Vive le Detroit Drive!!

"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. 

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.  

 

Gabor Szabo: Budapest

Monday, July 7, 2025

One of my faves:



Postcard from Belgrade: Festive Fourth

Monday, July 7

It was a festive 4th of July in Belgrade. Belgrade has no municipal firework show, so instead people make their own. 

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? 

No "Sensational Summer Nights?" Why not?

Is alliteration no longer cool at the Belgrade Community Coalition?