Huzzah, I am just about done with book edits; the end is on the horizon. I actually already went through all my editorās notes, but now Iām going through it yet again (this is my 8,275th time reading my own damn words) because after editing it still sat at over 100k words ā¦and it needs to be shorter. As of this morning, itās now at 91,117 words, so Iām getting there. Darlings getting slashed, left and right.
Honestly, though, Iām at the book-writing stage where my words no longer have meaning and I hate everything Iāve ever written (anywhere, not just in this book). Why do I use āultimatelyā so much? Chuckled? What a weird word; itās the worst. If I say ārepliedā instead of āsaidā one more time Iām going to put me in time-out and throw my book off a cliff.
Like the transition phase in labor, this is how I know Iām almost done and the book is actually getting quite good.
In the meantime, happy 250th Independence Day weekend! My plan is to soon hit āsendā on an email to my editor, take a long sweaty walk, then tomorrow sip a bubbly something while my uncle ignites his fireworks collection valued in the five figures. āMurica! I love it.
5 Quick Things āļø
1. As I recently said, this time of year we typically watch an episode or two of John Adams in memory of our countryās founding. This year, weāre aiming to watch the whole series, plus Band of Brothers1 (which we usually watch around Memorial Day). Both are excellent mini-series (arguably the best ever made2), and both are excellent tools for fostering patriotism in adolescents (teen boys in particular). Donāt forget, patriotism is a legit virtue.
2. Speaking of watching stuff for Independence Day, Iāve bookmarked this in hopes of watching it sometime this weekend. Iāve heard good things about it, and I do appreciate a lot of what Hillsdale creates (Iāve taken several of their free online classes).
3. I appreciated this short essay from Dixie Dillon Lane and echo much of her sentiments: āThereās something profoundly good about being in America, and being American. Itās a truth we ought not forget even among the busyness and conflict of todayās public discourse and political life.ā
4. Iām making this for my July 4 dessertāI eat about 85% carnivore, but I relax when weāre eating with friends or for special occasions. Iām using the Sarah brand heavy cream I get from Costco, plus my Creami. Letās see how it goes!
5. And finally, the oldest restaurant in every stateāit turns out we live thirty minutes from the one in Texas! Time for a little date night field trip.
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My new Summer 2026 playlist
Quotable š¬
āHere is your country. Cherish these natural wonders, cherish the natural resources, cherish the history and romance as a sacred heritage, for your children and your childrenās children. Do not let selfish men or greedy interests skin your country of its beauty, its riches or its romance.ā
-Theodore Roosevelt
Reminder: Polls will resume as soon as my book edits are submitted! Hopefully in the next few weeks.
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What are three things you love about your country?
Have a good weekend,
- Tsh
p.s. - Oh look, itās me.
As I also said, note: This is obvious, but Band of Brothers is really violent & has a lot of language. But itās realistic. Also, in the penultimate episode (9) thereās a pointless ten-second bout of nudity, and itās quite annoying and does nothing to serve the plot. Itās at roughly the 8:17 mark if youād like to ready your remote.
Though Iād also include Chernobyl.