Update

Here you see one of the new electronic signboards at South Station. It’s a standard ruggedized 1080p display. When the commuter rail or Amtrak train starts boarding, it switches to a listing of the stops and timing.

I was going to title this post “Lipstick on a pig” but on reflection I realized there’s a more subtle point to be made here. These signs were replaced because the old LED-dot ones (installed in the late 80s) were dated bespoke technology, basically untouched except for repairs for 30 years, and no doubt increasingly expensive to maintain. It made me think: this is probably what *all* the technological components of the T are like. No wonder it’s going to take years and billions of dollars to put things right.

Gandalf is a free cat

Gandalf has an injury (from his brother) on his back, which he’s been picking at. So Lis bought some thrift-shop baby shirts to try to dissuade him. We’ve been gradually introducing him to the concept, and tonight for the first time he’s actually wearing a shirt. He seems oddly OK with it.

(Yes, that’s my thumb in the picture, trying to get his attention)

End of an era

Here is my antique waffle iron, trying to bake its last waffle. But it turns out its top heating element is broken and so the waffle came out half-baked. I opened it up and the wiring inside is asbestos-insulated, so I don’t want to attempt a repair.

Staub

The Staub 4-qt enameled cast iron dutch oven is on ridiculous sale right now — about 1/3 of normal retail. I suspect it’s either overstocked or about to be replaced with a newer design since it’s about the same price everywhere. But there’s nothing wrong with the old model so I could not resist picking one up to complement our larger Le Creuset. Here I’m breaking it in, making a pot of long-simmering beef/lamb ragù.