Just back from vacation, so of course it’s time for a summer project! My daughter and I are putting in a paver & brick path from our driveway to the backyard gate. Been wanting one for a while, but I wish my free time wasn’t most abundant in summer, it’s too damn hot. But it’ll be worth the work.

Louise trying unsuccsessfully to convince us to bring her on the trip we’re on.

Yesterday we took my daughter to Disneyland for the first time, and had a delightful day roaming the park. Today, we sleep the sleep of the thoroughly exhausted, before moving on to her beloved Legoland. But we’ll definitely be planning a return trip sometime.

We finally timed a So. Cal trip for when the RailGiants train museum was open, which did not disappoint. My daughter appreciated the willingness of the staff to let her keep asking questions about the trains until she had fully plumbed the depths of their subject knowledge.

My daughter made this awesome piece for me at school, intending it to be a birthday present, but it ended up as an early Father’s Day one instead due to delays, as happens with projects. Figuring out how to display it is going to be tricky, since it’s on a 1/8” piece of steel - maybe magnet fun…

This is a cat checkpoint. Please relinquish your most recent cat pic on your device.

Louise is “helping” me rest while I’m home sick with whatever my daughter brought home from school this time.

My daughter’s entries in her school’s World’s Tiniest Art Show are always fun, but I’m particularly fond of this year’s. She put all the PCs from the D&D game I run on a scene inspired by the original 1E Player’s Handbook.

Today’s book recommendation: @seananmcguire.bsky.social’s Strixhaven Omens of Chaos. Yes, it’s a Magic book, but you don’t need to know anything about M:tG to enjoy this inclusive college Wizard School tale of Strixhaven’s first students recruited from another plane. It’s a fun read all on its own.

@funranium.bsky.social The rain let up, and UP staff let the event run a little long to make up for the closure, so I got a few more pics of 4014 for you.

I only managed to get one photo of the Big Boy that I can post here before the event got closed down due to potential lightning from today’s thunderstorm, but I promised @funranium.bsky.social pics, so here it is. An amazing machine, and I’m glad we were able to make it today.

First book read this camping trip: the Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst. Definitely recommend, this was a fun cozy fantasy and I’m going to have to pick up the next book in the setting.

Today’s book recommendation: @seananmcguire.bsky.social’s newest InCryptid book, Butterfly Effects. This one is a return to Sarah Zellaby as narrator (with Annie as alternate), and is a fun (for us, not them) trip to see her native species’ home, with an end I wasn’t expecting but very much love.

Morning cat. Sugar has learned to sit on our devices to make sure she gets proper attention. I had to pull my phone out from under her to take this photo.

Sugar thinks you did well and deserve a good napping spot.

Sent to me by a friend, this encapsulates my deep sigh and frustration with current events.

My daughter’s troop has started their cookie booth sales for the year! If you’re local, drop by and get some! If you’re not, you can order some from her at digitalcookie.girlscouts.org/scout/joshua...

Spent this evening at my local card shop’s TMNT Magic prerelease event, and I’m loving this set. It really shows that everyone who worked on it loves the Ninja Turtles. I’ve been enjoying seeing old friends as characters I haven’t thought of in years pop up on cards.

Sugar says hi.

Family MTG Commander games over dinner are a fun routine to settle into, even when my daughter pulls nonsense like swinging a 3,846/3,846 creature with trample all over us. (Stacked doubling effects get silly real fast.)

Taking the train in to our District Office this morning for all-day contract negotiations. My train-loving daughter sent her “associate” since she can’t come along.

I’m about 2/3 of the way through printing up the storage boxes I designed for my new Lego cabinet, just need to wait for some parts to arrive.

It’s Girl Scout Cookie season, so my daughter Joshua is once again selling cookies. Her site’s up for ordering at digitalcookie.girlscouts.org/scout/joshua... If you’re someone we’re likely to see in person in our usual travels, you can choose the “girl delivery” option if you order before Jan. 20.

A “before” pic, for reference. Still nice, but starting to get a bit worn in patches, as outdoor wood tends to do.

Another refinishing project - the Doors of Durin plaque I made to hang just under the house # on my home. I hand-carved it in 2011, and it was showing its age. Having discovered the good glow-in-the-dark powders since, I took the opportunity to improve it. :)

I’m rather pleased with myself for the snack l spread I pulled together for our annual NYE board games party, so I had to get a picture before the hordes devour it.

Another exhibit in why Redwood-based Dryads should terrify any adventurers who upset them. Those trees will try to regenerate from *anything*, even being cut into logs and stacked up for a while.

Merry California Christmas from yet another part of the state! (My dad’s retirement patch of forest)

If it would be useful to you & your dice collection, I just finished designing a 3D printable divider box to use in my Remington-Rand card catalog, and would be happy to send files. (I’m going to use it for sorted Lego storage.)

Today’s fun acquisition - a physical manifestation of my current D&D setting. I commissioned this digital portrait of Charity and her family running their inn from TheGoodSinner a while back, and decided to try getting a print made. It turned out lovely - now to decide where to hang it…