Hi friends,
Happy August - I hope summer 2024 is treating you well!
We’ve enjoyed lots of beautiful moments around the Shenandoah Valley (like The Steel Wheels’ tribute to The Band on Sunday at Red Wing), Bath County (like kayaking the Jackson River on the 4th, followed by a family cookout, then fireworks at The Homestead), and West Virginia (see cousin Doug’s 4848 recap).
However, I’m sad to report we had to bid Duke farewell on the summer solstice.
Life isn’t short on difficult experiences, but, dios mio, saying goodbye to a great dog you loved deeply, cared for, and grew with for 13+ years is one of the hardest.
I remember thinking years ago that we’d probably both be devastated when the time came to say bye to Duke. Nailed that one.
On one hand, it feels a bit ridiculous that losing a pet can hurt so profoundly. After all, it’s a dog, not a human.
But just about 100% of people I’ve chatted with about it feel the same way. It’s losing a member of the family and it hurts like hell. If you’re going through it, you’re not alone.
A good friend sent me this article that shares nine touching epitaphs from ancient Greece and Rome, reflecting the deep bond between humans and their pets. The epitaphs offer a glimpse into how pets were cherished as family members, commemorated with heartfelt messages on their gravestones, and celebrated for their companionship, loyalty, and the joy they brought to their owners’ lives. Some things never change.
Yoga Sol
To process my emotions healthily (and just be generally more healthy), I’ve been trying to reinstall exercise and meditation as daily habits. One of my learnings over the years is that it doesn’t matter so much what exercise program you’re on as long as you’re on some sort of program.
The latest rendition of the hot yoga studio behind Walkabout Outfitters, Yoga Sol, has been part of my program since the day after we put Duke down. My wife, Justine, has been teaching Hot Pilates there since January and had been encouraging me to check it out pretty much the whole year.
The studio is clean and welcoming, the owners are super cool and kind, and Justine’s class was such a hit that she’s now teaching hot pilates twice a week—Mondays at 4 pm and Wednesdays at noon. Come join sometime!
Books
I’m currently reading Ryan Holiday’s newest book, Right Thing, Right Now: Good Values. Good Character. Good Deeds in hardback and listening to Walter Isaacson’s 2017 biography, Leonardo da Vinci, on Audible.
I’m a big fan of both authors. I think I’ve read (and reread) maybe seven of Ryan Holiday’s books related to Stoicism. He’s also one of my favorite people to think about when I want to feel wildly underaccomplished for my age.
Walter Isaacson has to be one of the best living biographers and is quite remarkable himself. I believe he ran CNN for a few years and then quit because he hated it and went back to enjoying living in his hometown of New Orleans and doing deep-dive biographies. I crushed his recent biography on Elon Musk and have been working on his Benjamin Franklin one on and off for years.
The Economy
At yesterday’s FOMC meeting, Fed Chair Jerome Powell seemed exceedingly dovish as he…blah, blah, blah.
The national debt (now $35 trillion) has been the elephant in the room for a long time, but my goodness, it’s ballooned since the pandemic. Most everything else in the news just feels like noise.
We’re currently adding $1 trillion to the debt every 100 or so days, and as of this year, the interest payments on the debt take up more of the United States’ annual budget than defense spending.
One would think it’s getting harder to ignore, but so far so good.
How long can the debt keep accelerating?
How can the debt be repaid without more massive money printing/currency debasement/inflation?
Great questions!
Looking Forward
We’re headed to the Smoky Mountains next weekend for a wedding on August 10. Arlo will be a ring bearer for the third time! Coincidentally, I’ll also turn 35 that day, but I promise not to make the day all about me.
Our big Europe trip in September is starting to take more shape. We’ll be renting a small car the whole time. Arlo, Justine, and I are planning to fly to Milan, spend some time around Lake Como and the Cinque Terre areas, attend Saul & Gwen’s wedding in Tuscany, road trip to see my big bro and his family in Vienna, then back to Italy to fly back to Dulles.
And the US Presidential Election…just kidding.
Love to you and yours. Thanks for reading!
Carpe diem,
Luke
So very sorry to hear that you and your family lost Duke. I’m sure his memory will be with you forever.