The Government Is Making Decisions for You Without You The tools for public engagement still exist. The law still requires agencies to listen. What’s missing is the support people need to participate in ways that actually make a difference.

My friend Rebecca recently wrote this important and informative post.

open.substack.com/pub/justicec...?

Virtual Book Display: Cozy Nature Writing Stay warm while enjoying excellent nature writing.

A short list I put together for the work blog, featuring recent and forthcoming nature writing titles bcpl.info/blog/2026/vi...

I didn't discover many new artists in 2025, but was very happy with 3 releases by northern guys (because I'm one, too?) and an incredible summer concert in MKE by long-time favorite Cyndi Lauper.

Q1 Sam Fender - "People Watching"
Q2-3 Dan Mangan - "Natural Light"
Q4 Ken Yates - "Total Cinema".

Unsurprisingly, no low-IQ "War" Dept flunkie did any research to learn that Franklin and his author were Canadian before putting together this gross parody.

The Trump administration takes a wrecking ball to rulemaking An obscure agency, deep in the seat of federal power, declared the end of public input into the most disputed, controversial and consequential federal rules.

thehill.com/opinion/cong...

90s guy over Dave's right shoulder seems to agree on the 3-star rating

At least Dave *looks* like a fisherman 😀

That popcorn 🍿 sounds decidedly better than a smoked eel version.

One of my favorite reads of 2025. So happy it made the list!

My notes about that book were the first two acts were 10/10 and the third 8/10. One of my most memorable reads of recent years.

Yowch!