Early this morning, Jeanine spotted a raccoon climbing the oak tree next to our house. Given their ubiquity, it is odd that we see them so rarely. Nestled 30 feet up in the tree, he viewed me as a curiosity rather than a threat, allowing me to take a rather nice portrait.

For the fourth time, Nico will captain the US National Amputee Soccer team at the Amputee World Cup. Once the young buck, he played his first World Cup in 2014. Now among the older members of the just-named 2026 squad, he brings a wealth of experience and maturity to the role. There is no doubt that this is the strongest team that the US has ever fielded. It remains to be seen, however, if they have gained ground on the rest of the world when they take the pitch this November in Mexico.