The First Tycoon: The Epic Life of Cornelius Vanderbilt by T.J. Stiles: Masterful and enthralling. Vanderbilt in a nutshell, by a contemporary: “The Commodore’s word is as good as his bond when it is fairly given. He is equally exact in fulfilling his threats.”

. “Ya’ comin?”

The little ones that don’t look quite red are ‘Sungolds,’ which aren’t supposed to be red, but yellow. (Just sayin’.)

Annie Dillard: “We’ve been on earth all these years and we still don’t know for certain why birds sing… We have been as usual asking the wrong question… The real and proper question is: Why is it beautiful?”

Around here, pre-July 4th is prime homegrown tomato time. (Beat the heat and the squirrels.) Open-faced toasted sourdough rubbed with garlic and topped with tomatoes, sardines, red onion, basil, a squeeze of lemon, salt & pepper: Boy, oh boy!