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Podcast: Glucose Sanity Check
(★★★★★) The Guardian asked experts whether glucose monitoring is meaningful for healthy people. The resounding response: No.
Jan 2, 20251 min read


2024 in Review
(★★★★★) Happy New Year! The accountability to last year's resolutions is dawning on me.
Jan 1, 20253 min read


December Cold Moon
(★★★★★) Last one! With today’s Cold Moon, aka Long Night Moon, Moon Quest 2024 is complete!
Dec 15, 20241 min read


Colorado #8: Danger Thanksgiving
( ★★★★★ ) This trip had it all. It had axes! It had fire! Plus normal stuff: Friendsgiving with Wisconsin expats and Seppi’s veggie...
Dec 1, 20241 min read


Rechargeable Candles
(★★★★) This is a bit of a splurge; I am aware. I’m tired of changing / wasting batteries.
Nov 17, 20241 min read


November Beaver Moon
(★★★★★) Every cell hurt this morning. But it's full moon day! Can't skip.
Nov 16, 20241 min read


On Soloing
I’ve been thinking about how to write this for a while. Solitary souls are often described in the negative: The social situations and...
Nov 3, 20243 min read


Tahoe Winter Wonderland
(★★★★★) I’ve visited the Tahoe area before, but this was my first solo Barb-style trip. I can’t wait to come back.
Nov 2, 20242 min read


Sleep Ear Buds
(★★★★★) Sleep headphones are a thing. When I found out, I had to try them.
Nov 2, 20241 min read


Ten Years Here
(★★★★★) Ten years ago I left Minneapolis for an uncertain future in the Bay Area.
Nov 1, 20242 min read


YoLink moisture detector
If you have leaks… Or are paranoid you might have a leak at some point, get a moisture detector for peace of mind. The YoLink system ...
Oct 27, 20241 min read


Wild Zora soup
This soup meets a very specific need. I’ve been searching for an instant soup that’s more satisfying than veggie broth, but still light...
Oct 26, 20241 min read
Book: Better Faster Farther
Five stars. ( ★★★★★ ) Sports bras did not exist until 19-f-ing-77. I can’t get over this. There are so many mind-blowing facts and enraging/inspiring stories in Maggie Mertens’ book, Better Faster Farther: How Running Changed Everything We Know About Women , you should rush to read it. Just don’t run, or your uterus might fall out.
Oct 21, 20241 min read


Yosemite 2024
Another year, another Yosemite pilgrimage! This was a pretty good one. I could have worked less (boo!) and planned some bits better, but overall it was the getaway I needed. The soundtrack to this trip was Better Faster Farther: How Running Changed Everything We Know About Women by Maggie Martens – plus the Spooked podcast, for seasonal spirit. See my general guide to visiting Yosemite if you feel inspired! Day 1, Oct. 16 Drove up from Menlo Park , arrived around 2 p.m. a
Oct 20, 20243 min read


Hunter’s Moon, Oct 17-19 2024
Pro tip: The full moon rises over Half Dome, it does not set over Half Dome. You need to go in the evening to see them together. I...
Oct 17, 20241 min read


Harvest Moon, Sep 17 2024
Got it! Moments later the Harvest Moon was eclipsed by a cloud bank. If I’d snoozed for ten more minutes I would have missed it. ...
Sep 18, 20241 min read


Vacation in your own backyard
Renting a VRBO 30 minutes from home: Weird or Awesome? Verdict: AWESOME. The glowing reviews for this charming cottage in the redwoods...
Sep 8, 20241 min read
Dexcom Stelo continuous glucose monitor
The first over-the-counter GCM in the U.S. launched in late August, and I ordered the Dexcom Stelo immediately – I’ve been waiting for...
Sep 6, 20241 min read


Montana, September 2024
Smoked out! My hiking and stargazing ambitions were thwarted. That’s OK, time with the parents is always the main thing – and I got to...
Sep 3, 20241 min read


Patagonia Ultralight Black Hole Tote
First use, did great. I wanted something that would work as an airplane carry-on, backpacking pack and potentially a work pack. The...
Sep 3, 20241 min read
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