Sunday, September 21, 2025 – Day 404

Sunday, September 21, 2025

Good morning, y’all.

It’s September, and nature’s preparing for winter. I’m sitting here in the early morning, it’s quiet, and dark…and then snap! I hear a mouse trap in the basement go off and tumble from the steel girder to the floor. Got another one! Great news…except somebody has to collect the trap, and that somebody is Cindy. She hates even looking at the kill traps. I never minded carrying them outside, emptying, and resetting them—again and again. I had six traps set up, and who knows how many are still setup. I haven’t been in the basement for months and don’t expect to be in the future. Hopefully a few traps are still primed and ready…I really don’t want to listen to scratching in the walls.

Yesterday, Lis and Steve drove through the area, and we met for lunch at More Brewing in Huntley. Their travel log is impressive: Minocqua to Maine for the wedding, down to Virginia, and now back toward Minocqua. Two weeks on the road—they’re ready for home.

I hadn’t been to More Brewing in years. It’s far enough away that it’s not a go-to spot, but since it’s just five minutes off I-90, it was perfect for weary travelers. Good beer and food, though the outside is looking tired and unkept—not sure what that says about the future of the place.

We were home early afternoon, and I was wiped out. Even short outings with limited walking leaves me exhausted. And now there’s a new concern: sitting in metal chairs. With little muscle left, my bony back protests, and I’m forced upright, straining my neck until it’s painful. It’s just one more thing to think about when we go out. I told Cindy we need to travel with cushions—maybe that’ll help. I want to keep getting out, so we’ll work on a solution.

The afternoon was reserved for napping and reading. I’m nearly through Masked Prey, and Ocean Prey is already waiting. At the pace I’m going, I’ll finish by Tuesday—hint, hint.

Andy’s Army updates: the Chicago Marathon T-shirt list has grown to 85 requests. The support is incredible—THANK YOU! If you don’t see your name on the list below and want a shirt, let me or Cindy know by the end of today. We’ll be placing the order soon.

• Brickhouse’s – 4
• Ann & Erin – 2
• Mike N. – 1
• Alex S. & Nicole A. – 2
• Eric A. – 1
• Mike H. – 1
• Wonnenberg’s – 3
• Angel Peggy – 1
• Mark & Barb B. – 2
• Victor B. – 1
• Geoff & Kristen – 2
• Joe & Donna S. – 2
• Jack & Linda B. – 2
• Nick & Jill S. – 2
• Lis & Steve B. – 2
• Tim & Shawn S. – 5
• Maria S. & Mr. Peachy – 2
• Bill S. – 1
• Tom & Marijean S. – 2
• Theresa & Peter – 2
• Rebecca & Sebastian – 2
• Kaitlyn B. – 1
• Maddie F. – 1
• Sally & Meghan S. – 2
• Bridget, Brian & Shelly P. – 3
• Jane T. – 1
• Carrie & Neil C. – 2
• Ric & Cathy K. – 2
• Bill B. & Monica – 2
• Chrissy M. – 1
• Kim & Aras T. – 2
• Dave & Sue K. – 2
• Robyn & Jim D. – 2
• Brad & TyAnne S. – 2
• Bruce & Marilyn S. – 2
• Dave & Terry W. – 2
• Peter, Jordan & baby Grumhaus – 3
• Jack & Kathy P. – 2
• Gary & MaryAnn S. – 2
• Brenda K. – 2
• Travis & Yvette W. – 2
• Les & Lynne K. – 2
• Fred L. – 1

Have a great Sunday. Love you guys! ❤️

Photos: Friday night at Breakers and Saturday at More Brewing