Just got this year’s flu shot! 💉
I just tried Fastmail’s and 1Password’s Masked email. It’s pretty great especially since it worked with a custom domain on day one!
Preying Mantis in our California Buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum). They sure do keep two eyes on you.
Sunflower seeds ready to be eaten by backyard birds. Bet the scrub jays will cache them all.
I was not a fan of this Black Widow that was in my very well sorted irrigation parts bin earlier today. 🌱
I’ve installed valves to isolate our crop rows so we can have slightly better control of what rows get water. Hope to get herbs seeded in the first (closest) row and the other two will be shutoff. 🌱
California fuchsias still blooming, and that makes our hummingbirds very pleased.


Now that I’m adding to our compost pile at night, our resident Western Toad can be seen hard at work. Mustn’t let the bugs get too far away from the pile!


My partner’s new iPhone 13 Mini setup with no fuss. Phew. Coming from an XR, she is super excited about its size. Super pocketable.
Here’s my annual “elderberries are breaking summer dormancy” post.
Before and after: California grape leaves.


I had one last use of Dropbox with a iOS Shortcut. Now that iOS 15 supports file operations anywhere in iCloud, Dropbox is a goner.
Quick temp fence repair. Someone long ago didn’t set the fence posts in concrete so they’ll all rotting out. It’s time for a new rear fence. Cross braced it up on the other side with a long 2x4. Empty lot behind us fortunately.



Long time followers know I cannot not take the opportunity to photograph a mantis.
If you use recent Fujifilm camera (e.g. X100V), they have neat film simulations. I’ve made a iOS 15 Shortcut that’ll get the film sim from EXIF of a Fujifilm JPEG. Handy if you need a quick reminder about what film sim you used. Doesn’t yet work on B&W and sepia sims.
Last night the clouds and last light of the sun put on a good show.
Korean Fried Cauliflower.
Cooler weather today meant I could finally cleanup the backyard garden. I can’t believe how hardy pepper plants are. Most were still alive despite a few months of zero irrigation.


Good morning! The weather in Northern California is starting to feel like fall. 😍


I got a new stand-alone camera. I had forgotten just how powerful choosing your own f-stop is. Makes iPhone cameras feel cramped as they get faster and faster in the pursuit of “more light.”