It’s been warm, but not blazingly hot here, for which I’m grateful. Also dry. We could use some rain, without lightning. The wildfires have been rampant this summer in Oregon, but not close to Portland.

South Carolina Sen. Darline Graham has given opponents fresh ammunition to attack her on her biggest vulnerability: her inexperience. She revealed a major blindspot in her understanding of a critical foreign policy issue, U.S.-Taiwan relations, during Tuesday’s debate for the Aug. 25 snap Senate primary runoff to replace her late brother Lindsey Graham. Her response spread like wildfire on social media, with critics saying it proves she is “unprepared” to take office. Asked whether Taiwan and the South China Sea are relevant national security priorities, Graham responded: “I’m just going to be honest here … I’m not that informed on national security, so.” She added that “national security is not my thing, not my area of expertise, but I do support the military.” It was a notable acknowledgement from a sitting senator, as tensions rise between China and Taiwan — and as the U.S. preoccupation with the Iran war calls into question how reliable a supporter it might be amid fears of a possible future invasion of Taiwan. The gaffe exposed the exact weakness that her runoff opponent, GOP Rep. Ralph Norman, has been eager to highlight: the senator’s lack of tenure https://www.politico.com/news/2026/08/19/darline-graham-taiwan-flub-south-carolina-senate-01042395

It’s a bit misleading of a story. They’re not systematically buying up rare books, they’re systematically buying up all books. Rare is just small subset. I agree it’s politically tone deaf all the same.

@AdagioM I saw him afterward. He was with his pack. I had to ride miles to get back to my truck. Have not been back to that road.

@Steve-Miller said: Outstanding! She is amazing, the speed of her improvisation!

@wtg

See how your feeling when, you're getting on well with all those black flats and, it turns into 4 sharps. My brain went 🤪 But like most things, practice...

@Bernard said: Is this something you worked on with your teacher, or is it something you did on your own? I've worked on it before, so I did a fair amount on my own first, but then I worked on it a lot with my teacher over the summer. I don't think I could have gotten it to this point on my own. But now that I'm past the recording, I really like how I'm playing it.

That whattaboutism doesn’t land. We can dislike both maga and the DSA. Contempt is non-rivalrous in consumption.

Well, it is Iowa. Hardly a hotbed of leftist thought. (Having spent a weekend there recently, I am now an expert)

@wtg said: Bears announced a few days ago they're continuing their focus on Hammond. Fingers still crossed. From a prof at Ball State University. Guess some Hoosiers don't want the Bears to move there any more than some of us Illinoisans want them to stay here. https://indianacapitalchronicle.com/2026/07/20/lets-hope-the-chicago-bears-stay-in-illinois/ He's just mad because he has to live in Muncie. Not that I blame him.

@RealPlayer said: Yes, the current piano bothers me. Nine foot grand, hard as heck hammers, harsh tone, really needs a new action. I wear musicians’ earplugs just to be able to practice. My god man-- get thee to a piano store!

The Navy situation is tragic. It would be great if the Democrats took the Senate. I wish the minority leader would resign, however.

Haven't made these breakfast pizzas but they look delish. [image: 20260810_152840-Edited-4x3-Copy-800x600.jpg] https://breadtopia.com/egg-and-herb-breakfast-pizzas/?utm_content

@dolmansaxlil I loved Notre Dame, too, and climbing up to the bell tower. LOUD. But cool to be up with the gargoyles.

@bernard I love that first blue house you showed. That’s a great color, and dark enough if you’re looking for heat retention. What would you choose for your trim? And would it work with your deck?