Day: July 13, 2025

Big Red made one of his usual noises and had a regularly rough ride on the bumpy pavement around my house. And it just triggered another round of anxiety in my mind. I realize it’s all in my head, triggered by the rough week at work and not driving for a week. I could take it to the shop for an inspection but I gave nothing to point to. Things are fine but not in my head. I was Googling old car driving anxiety techniques and now I’m sure every web and podcast ad for the next four weeks will be for the Better Help scam.

Wash didn’t get fully done and I forgot to empty the compost container but it’s fine. I’ll empty it outside and I can either bury or burn it up in the wilderness. Or save it for a future week to take out there. And the clothes will dry at home on the line. It’s stupid things. I honestly don’t care that much about the slop bucket or clothes drying on the line.

More sheet metal is rotting away on that truck as it’s fourteenth birthday approaches in October. I want to replace him come spring with a Toyota Tacoma with a cap before my trip next summer to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and Northern Wisconsin. I mentioned to my parents that this is likely my last trip to the Finger Lakes – next year I’m planning to replace my truck – in preparation for the UP trip, I don’t know if I ever got that far in the conversation before packing up and grabbing my wash to head home. I think she thought I was implying giving up motoring which I’ve considered from time to time to save more and get closer to life goals.

Decided to go for a walk this evening at Hollyhock Preserve mainly figuring it was an excuse to wade in the Onesqathaw Creek. Not much water in it at all. I don’t want to stay too late as I should get to bed early. Maybe go for a morning bike ride if I’m up early. It’s been so hot this weekend, muggy and at times with a constant threat of thunderstorms I’ve stayed home laying on the book reading. I didn’t get out to Schoharie but maybe there is next week. I’d love to hit up the farm stands.

Tomorrow I’m driving in as I’m going to a public hearing on Monday about a development in the Pine Bush and Tuesday I’m going to the hearing on the Guilderland Comphrensive Plan but that one I’m going with Lynne with. Tomorrow I’ll probably do a late evening or night hike in the Albany Pine Bush. Tuesday I’ll bus in and then walk over to Lynne’s house.

I’m getting ready in some ways mentally for yet another summer vacation in the Finger Lakes. I told mom it’s the last, I’m tired of the Finger Lakes and I want to see other parts of the country. This year I might spend some time in historic Elmira and see the Corning Museum of Glass. Also want to do a day trip to Pennsylvania – Wellsboro to ride more of the gorge trail and see those dirty old farms and homesteads with their burn barrels out back. Truth is that would put a smile on my face. I do like fire.