Weeknotes: September 22–26, 2025
Timothy Monger Timothy Monger

Weeknotes: September 22–26, 2025

Monday, September 22

I'm listening to the Tannahhill Weavers, a Scottish folk band who include a glossary of pronunciations and Scottish words on their lyrics sheets.

Some are logical:

Dinnae = don't know
Gane = gone
Tae - to
Twa = two
Wasnae = was not

Some less so:

Ken = know
Maun = may
Muckle = big
Trews = tartan trousers
Yin = one

I've loved this band since I first heard them on a Rykodisc compilation sometime around 1990. They were my gateway to Celtic music.

Out my office window the ground's quiet applause welcomes rain for the first time in a month. Later, at the pet store, the ceiling has sprung a leak and two dog pools have been pulled off a nearby shelf to catch it. On the equinox the world is liquid again. 

Read More
Timothy Monger Timothy Monger

Weeknotes: July 7–11, 2025

Monday, July 7

I dreamed my air conditioner had created ice deposits all around the house. The basement staircase was encased in a narrowing chute of ice like the walls of an old freezer. There was frost on my furniture, the ceiling, and clinging in the corners like hornet's nests.

I wake in a panic in my dry room. My first action of the day is to open all the windows and let the cool morning air circulate through my world. 

I broke down and bought those new running shoes, but that was yesterday. Today, I'm shopping for some new kayak gear. My deck rigging has lost its elasticity and needs replacing. I also don't have a dock line, which would have been helpful over the weekend when I was hanging on to a half-submerged log to avoid drifting out from the lee of an old oak tree on Appleton Lake. I add a heavy duty dry bag to my order as if I'm going on a real adventure instead of paddling local segments of the Huron on weeknights. 

Read More