Crucial Track for July 2, 2025
"Little Boxes" by Pete Seeger
Share a song that sounds like your favorite childhood memory. - One of the albums that got played a lot in our house "for the kids" was the wonderfully subversive tune, "Little Boxes" written by Malvina Reynolds and made famouse by the inimitable Pete Seeger who put the song on Billboard's Hot 100. It's a song about the banal evils of conformity, following the rules and not making any waves. It's had a lasting effect on my view of the world and I'm exteremly happy that it's still getting played in the 21st century.
The White Mountains of New Hampshire
I’m not ashamed to say this is the mountain (Mt. Moosilauke) that made me cry on the Appalachian Trail. It was intimidating, a 1,000 feet higher than anything we’d previously climbed and the first time we’d gone above treeline and gotten a 360 degree view. When we reached the top, I got emotional over how lucky I was to be on the adventure of a lifetime with the woman I love.
Pisgah National Forest
Wonder Woman ran to the top of a mountaihn on a hot day in Pisgah National Forest (NC), north of Linville Gorge to snap this (pretty damn glorious) sunset picture. We’re spending all of our vacation money thiss ummer in the area hit by Hurricane Helene and abandoned by the MAGAts.
Learning to Live
The last two months have been a ride on a very slow moving roller coaster. Living with health challenges has taken an adjustment no one asked if I was ready to make. Thankfully, I'm a quick study and I'm finding out what my current capabilities allow me to do. I'm sleeping like a baby, meaning that I can't make it through the night and I need frequent naps. I'm usually fine as long as I am still. Moving around too much takes my breath away and man oh man, am I slow. One of my grandson uses a wheelchair most of the time but he can get out of it and beat me in a foot race right now.
Forty years of living with bi-polar disorder has taught me a thing or two about mood and energy swings. I accept that they happen and when they do, I don't freak out or whine about it. I had a long, long stretch of productive time from January 2024 through this spring when I managed to write 20 or more blog posts every week, Right now I am only writing one or two a week, but as things stabilize, I hope to pick up the pace a bit. I have managed to stay active on Mastodon, mostly because interacting with the people I have come to know there energizes me.
I’ve developed true compassion for anyone who goes through health challenges alone. I count my blessings every day because Wonder Woman supports me in every way, especially emotionally. She acknowledges my concerns but doesn’t let me wallow in them. She’s kept me incredibly busy by planning multiple trips out of town, mostly to do things with our grandchildren. I’m writing this while we are traveling home from a weekend with three teenage boys spent in SW Virginia, one of the most beautiful places on earth. I might not be able to climb mountains right now, but I still enjoy being surrounded by them.
I really appreciate the many emails and messages I’ve gotten. Don’t ever forget that there are many kind and caring people in the world. The slice of the Internet where I hang out lacks the toxicity that many folks experience when they venture into corporate owned spaces. Give me the small web in every way. I don’t miss billionaire-owned privacy invasion machines.
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Goodbye Vermont
On this day on our #AppalachianTrail journey, we hiked 20 miles before 4pm. We emerged from the woods to this quaint New England community where we met a former hiker who fed us and put us up for the night before sending us on way north into New Hampshire the next day. She was an amazing lady who had hiked the entiirety of the trail 3x, starting in the 50s.
Virgiinia Blues
It took us a little less than five weeks to hike south from the WV/VA state line to the VA/TN line - 550 miles of Appalachian Trail goodness. We saw 12 bears, had to hunt for water way too many times and finally got back to places where you can get grits with your breakfast. The last sectiom of the trail in VA is a nice day hike if you’re ever in the area.
New England Hiking is Hard
In the south, the #AppalachianTrail has lots of switchbacks and long, long gradual climbs out of gaps. In New England, you get stuff like this Vermont scene - straight up mountains on bare granite. On the steeper climbs, all the tree bark is worn off whereever hikers can grab for support. #hiking
Vintage Architecture
This building with its art deco facade, built in 1934, was once a Chevrolet dealership. It’s now used a garage by the city, which thankfully has maintained the design. (Fayetteville, NC)
ProcessSpy
When troubleshooting system issues or thoroughly evaluating a piece of software, experienced and knowledgable Mac users often turn to activity monitor to get information on memory, CPU usage, power consumption and more. It's often helpful but at times it can be cryptic. The developer of Process Spy has an example. "I was juggling several Java apps, each using a different JDK version — and I couldn’t tell which process was which in Activity Monitor. All I saw was “java”. No version, no path, no details. So I built ProcessSpy — a developer-focused tool that shows full command-line info, version details, environment variables, and more."
ProcessSpy has quite a few free features and even more in the inexpensive ($6.99) paid version.
Features of ProcessSpy
- Advanced tree view - can show cumulative totals for CPU, Memory and Threads.
- Javascript filters - create complex filters with multiple conditions.
- Version information - shows the version information of the process right in the main table.
- Context menu actions - Show in Finder, copy path, search process online and more
- Advanced process info (paid) - view advanced information like entitlements, Info.plist, and bundle ID and more
- Environmental variables (paid) - view environment variables of the process.
ProcessSpy iis distributed as a signed app in a DMG or through Homebrew. It runs on Intel and Apple Silicon Macs using macOS 14 or higher. In the free version, there is a 10-second wait screen before the program loads. Buying a license gets rid of that and offers extra functionality as described above.
You can purchase a license for ProcessSpy on Gumroad.
To install with Homebrew
brew install --cask processspy
A Couple of Visitors
Hanging out on the deck, taking pictures of the visitors. These freeloaders are looking for the inevitable handouts I use to bribe them into posing for me.
Appalachian Trail Memories
On this date on our Appalachian Trail thruhike, our friend Smokey surprised us by carrying hotdogs and buns in his pack over several mountains to share at day’s end. He also carried a Gatorade bottle full of bourbon. And some weed. I opted for a hot dog, not the party supplies.
MountMate - A Tool I Didn't Know I Needed
I have an "always on" Mac on my desk with several external drives
connected to it, drives I need frequently, but not continuously. I'd
been putting up with a cluttered Finder and needless spin-ups for months
when I discovered MountMate this week. MountMate is a menu bar app that
mounts and unmounts external drives. Without MountMate, after a drive is
ejected, I'd have to go into Disk Utility to mount it back, or more
likely I'd just unplug and replug the drive, not a small task on a desk
with three computers and eight external drives. Some people use shell
scripts and other fancy methods to accomplish this, but that's a notch
above my comfort level.
With MountMate, those days are over. When I need to add or access files on one of my drives, I can do so with just a couple of clicks. MountMate has a lot going for it. It's a native app, not electron, and it has no dependencies. It doesn't require Internet access or root permissions and it doesn't access your files. It even has a bonus feature - reporting used/free space.
The developer, Homielab, is very responsive. The original release of MountMate didn't have Intel support, and he added it in just a couple of days when I requested it. He's also working on a solution that will display the authentication prompt in MountMate when encrypted drives (e.g., Time Machine) are mounted.
MountMate can be downloaded from the HomieLabs website or GitHub. It's free/donationware.
The Mad Moose of Stratton Mountain
We reached the summit of Stratton Mountain to be greeted by the first moose either of us had ever seen. They’re huge BTW. Wonder Woman pursued the thing for several minutes trying to get a good photo. I was way too tired for all that, so I just rested. Side note: It was standing on this spot that Benton McKaye conceived the idea of the Appalachian Trail.
Vermont Hail Storm
On our second day in #Vermont, a sudden hailstorm caught us and all we could do was hike through it. Felt kinda badass TBH #Hiking #AppalachianTrail
The Long Trail (Vermont)
One of the oldest sections of the #AppalachianTrail is the Vermont section that overlaps that states’s long trail, which was first blazed over 120 years ago. It is one of the most beautiful sections, muddy perhaps, with more bugs than many might like, but still a memorable part of the experience. #hiking
Five Recent Finds at MacMenuBar
MacMenuBar.com is the best place on the Internet to find apps with that particular interface. Its recently added section is always worth checking out for new free, freemium and paid apps. Here are five recently added apps that are worth checking out.
Always on Top
Always on Top lets
you choose any window on your Mac to pin above all other windows. It's
got a nice menu-driven interface and is a nice addition to your
multi-tasking routine. (Free)
Signal Shifter
Signal Shifter
gives you a convenient location to control the inputs, outputs,
Bluetooth devices and volume control right from your Menu Bar.
(Free)
QuickGif
QuickGif provides a searchable Gif menu for use in any app. Drop GIFs into Slack, iMessage, Discord, and more. Save your favorites. (freemuim)
AppLockr
Applockr allows you to password protect any app on your Mac to prevent it being opened by anyone who should not access it. it's better suited for apps like Apple Notes that have an internal database rather than apps that create separately accessible documents. You should also lock Terminal and Activity Monitor to prevent unauthorized users from using those apps to force quit AppLockr itself. (one time payment)
Calendr
Calendr provides quick calendar access from your menu bar, complete with reminders. it has 1600 stars on Github, so plenty of people find it useful.
The View from Mt. Greylock
My Greylock is the tallest mountain in Massachusetts, coming in at 3491 feet. There is a restaurant at the top and a kind stranger had given us money to buy a meal there, but alas, it was closed when we arrived. No worries thoguh, we just hiked to the next town and ate there instead.
My Mac Contacted 63 Different Apple Owned Domains in One Hour - While Not is Use
During a one hour period today, my computer contacted 63 different Apple domains while i was not logged on and using it.
I have been trying to minimize to the extent possible the reach of big
tech into my life. A full 25% of the DNS queries from one of my
computers (M2 MBA with macOS 15.4) are to Apple owned domains - even
though my DNS provider (NextDNS) blocks Apple's native telemetry.
Additionally, since I do not use Apple for my mail, contacts, calendars,
podcasts or news, I already have the routes to those Apple services
blacklisted.
Interestingly, my 2019 Intel MBP with the same DNS settings has
less than 3% of it's DNS queries hitting Apple domains.
Here are the domains Apple contacted during one 60-Minute Period When I Was Not Using My Computer
One Hour - 63 Apple Domains
- 1-courier.push.apple.com - Apple Push Notification Service
- 1-courier.sandbox.push.apple.com - Apple Push Notification Service
- api.apple-cloudkit.com - CloudKit, Apple's backend service for developers to store and sync app data
- api.apple-cloudkit.fe2.apple-dns.net - DNS/gateway services for Apple's infrastructure
- app-site-association.cdn-apple.com - Used for Universal Links
- apple-relay.cloudflare.com
- apple.com - Core Apple websites
- bag.itunes.apple.com - iTunes/App Store purchase container
- configuration.apple.com - for fetching various system configurations, including location services
- configuration.ls.apple.com - for fetching various system configurations, including location services
- cts.cdn-apple.com - CDN for network content
- entitlements.itunes.apple.com - Checks your entitlements for apps and content
- fbs.smoot.apple.com - for crash reports, analytics, or user feedback.
- fpinit.itunes.apple.com - Initialization for iTunes/App Store services
- gateway.fe2.apple-dns.net - DNS/gateway services for Apple's infrastructure
- gdmf.apple.com - Device Management Framework
- gsa.apple.com - Apple ID (IDMS) and Game Center Services (GSAS)
- gsa.idms-apple.com.akadns.net - Apple ID (IDMS) and Game Center Services (GSAS)
- gsas.apple.com - Apple ID (IDMS) and Game Center Services (GSAS)
- gsas.idms-apple.com.akadns.net - Apple ID (IDMS) and Game Center Services (GSAS)
- gspe1-ssl.ls.apple.com - related to Location Services (LS) and certificate validation (SSL)
- gspe35-ssl.ls.apple.com - related to Location Services (LS) and certificate validation (SSL)
- iadsdk.apple.com - Apple's iAd advertising network SDK
- init-p01md.apple.com
- init.ess.apple.com - Apple's Entitlement Services
- init.itunes.apple.com - Initialization for iTunes/App Store services
- kt-prod.ess.apple.com - Apple's Entitlement Services
- lcdn-registration.apple.com - related to Software Update and (CDN) registration
- musicstatus.itunes.apple.com - For checking the status of Apple Music or iTunes Match
- ocsp2.apple.com - Online Certificate Status Protocol
- p44-buy-lb.itunes-apple.com.akadns.net - related to the iTunes Store and App Store purchase
- p44-buy.itunes.apple.com - related to the iTunes Store and App Store purchase
- pancake.apple.com - telemetry
- pd.itunes.apple.com - related to the iTunes Store and App Store purchase
- proxy.safeBrowse.apple - for Apple's Safari Fraudulent Website Warning (Safe Browse)
- sandbox.itunes-apple.com.akadns.net - used by developers for testing in-app purchases
- sandbox.itunes.apple.com - used by developers for testing in-app purchases
- sas-uw2-pcms.apple.com - related to purchase or content management systems within Apple's retail or media ecosystem.
- sas.pcms.apple.com - related to purchase or content management systems within Apple's retail or media ecosystem.
- setup.fe2.apple-dns.net - DNS/gateway services for Apple's infrastructure
- st11p01su-lcdnreg.isu.apple.com.akadns.net - related to Software Update and (CDN) registration
- suconfig.apple.com - related to Software Update and (CDN) registration
- swallow-apple-com.v.aaplimg.com - related to content delivery or image services
- swallow.apple.com - related to content delivery or image services
- testflight.apple.com - for TestFlight, Apple's platform for beta testing apps
- time.apple.com - Network Time Protocol
- token.safeBrowse.apple - for Apple's Safari Fraudulent Website Warning (Safe Browse)
- us-ne-courier-4.push-apple.com.akadns.net - Apple Push Notification Service
- us-sandbox-courier-4.push-apple.com.akadns.net - Apple Push Notification Service
- use1-wps-prod.apple.com
- weatherkit.apple.com
- wps.apple.com
- www.apple.com - Core Apple websites
- xp.apple.com - telemetry
- gateway.icloud.com
- p177-content.icloud.com
- edge-062.usatl5.icloud-content.com
- p104-content.icloud.com
- setup.icloud.com
- p150-content.icloud.com
- p176-content.icloud.com
- p101-content.icloud.com
- mask-api.icloud.com
Apple Domains I Already Block
- apple.news
- apple.tv
- podcasts.apple.com
- siri.apple.com
- caldav.icloud.com
- contacts.icloud.com
- mask.apple-dns.net
- mask-api.icloud.com
- doh.dns.apple.com.v.aaplimg.com
- doh.dns.apple.com
- apple-relay.cloudflare.com
- mask-canary.icloud.com
- mask-h2.icloud.com
- mask.icloud.com
- p120-caldav.icloud.com
Hiking the Berkshires
Western Massachusetts is a pretty place. The Berkshires aren’t too daunting but they have their moments. I’d been brainwashed as a southerner to thinnk that the Northeast US was a big urban jungle. It isn’t. New England is one of the prettiest places I’ve ever been. #hiking #Appalachian. Trail
