Dear lovers of music, mystery, and meaning,

🚂 As my friend Buddy remarked on seeing the Union Pacific “Big Boy” steam engine, "Americans might all hate each other, but at least we all love this one big-ass train."

It's true. And on Monday I got to go see it again as it passed through St. Louis. My train photography expert friend Matthew was willing to take me along on a photo shoot.

🌈 Wesley Hall recently interviewed composer Jessica French on his All the Stops podcast. "Composition and Synesthesia with Jessica French"

⛵ We’re cramming for the Odyssey in our house. I’m about halfway through Emily Wilson’s translation, while my son read a graphic adaptation in a single sitting last night. 

Until next week,
-David