Road Bike Action and More

Ever since my osteoporosis diagnosis more than four years ago, I've been a reluctant rider on the roads out of fear that a crash on pavement will lead to broken bones. Gravel roads are somewhat more forgiving, at least that's what I tell myself.

I've recently dusted off my road bike and have been enjoying riding it again. In addition to enjoying road riding again, I'm also excited to see the improvements in my surgical knee. I'm watching my power meter numbers improve, all while experiencing none of the constant knee pain that used to accompany my rides and hold me back. My goal is to achieve 3 w/kg (watts per kilogram) over a few-hour ride. I'm making nice progress toward that goal.

We had a railing added to our front porch a couple of weeks ago. It will be especially useful in winter, when conditions are slippery, and, if I'm honest, it's kinda handy when returning from get-togethers at neighbors' places when we're maybe a little tipsy. Plus, it looks nice. Before and after. 

As a follow-up to my last post, in which I wrote about letting go of sibling relationships that had run their course, I received a phone call two weeks ago from my sister Jackie while I was walking Oscar. We spoke for more than an hour. We dwelt on politics early in our conversation, but later we found common ground discussing our family dynamics when we were young. There's no lack of things to talk about in that regard. 

At one point, she commented that I must really study this stuff (speaking of politics). I agreed that I do. (I needed to get a little deep in the weeds for some of what I'd hoped to impress upon her.) I thought to myself again and again how I'd love to have been sitting across from her in a restaurant or at her kitchen table, discussing the topics that came up. It would have felt less rushed and less disjointed.

What I walked away with after our conversation was an understanding that the people she's choosing to trust for information are not good actors. They're not being honest with her by omitting large swaths of whatever the matter is. I don't wish to recount our conversation here, but part of what I shared with her concerned the unimaginable level of corruption in the current administration. She seemed unaware of so much of it. That concerns me, because my sister is no different than tens of millions of others who have chosen to place their trust in conservative media, in propagandists. 

We ended our talk on good terms, with an understanding that should we choose to continue our dialogue, we will refrain from discussing political matters. 

You might wonder what I listen to, or who I turn to for information on matters that mainstream media has no appetite for. Here's an example. Jackie had commented that she can't stand Rachel Maddow. I would love to sit and listen to a few of Rachel's segments with Jackie and have her expand on what she disagrees with. She prefers Dan Bongino, a former Fox News personality, Assistant Director at the FBI, and far-right podcaster. 

The most trusted voice I listen to is Heather Cox Richardson's. She is a history professor at Boston College and publishes a daily newsletter and an afternoon video in which she discusses current events. They're both informative, and the topics are unlikely to be discussed in mainstream media. For all of the gravitas afforded to mainstream media, they're woefully lacking in discussions of matters that matter. 

Last Saturday was the 250th anniversary of the adoption of the language of the Declaration of Independence. (It wouldn't be signed until August 2nd, 1776.) I recall our bicentennial celebration in 1976. I was home on leave from the Navy, and would leave in a couple of weeks for the Philippines, where I would catch my ship in Subic Bay for the first time. What I wouldn't give to live the last 50 years all over again. 

I'm sad for the country we've become. We have a president who shows no restraint in his corruption of the office of the president. Estimates suggest Trump has grifted $2.2 billion since he assumed office 17 months ago. If you're a supporter of his and this doesn't bother you, you've likely been propagandized. Please seek help. (I know that may sound flippant, and I may have meant it that way, but seriously, if you're okay with this kind of banana republic corruption, that's a problem.)

Sometimes I feel it's necessary to include in my blog the numerous crimes of self-dealing for Trump's family, and his no-bid contracts to friends who are woefully unqualified for the jobs they've been overpaid to do, but I don't bother. I allow voices like those of Rachel's and Heather's to scratch that itch with occasional links to their material here. 

Letters From an American, July 5th, 2026. 

That's all I've got.