I know it is depressing that the United States is no longer in the World Cup. However, now that it has been 48 hours, I hope you are back to doing normal things—like reading my Thursday Rundown. Let’s get to tonight’s five topics…

Most Engaging Parade Entry – When we attended the Coeur d’Alene American Heroes Parade on Independence Day, we saw so many patriotic and inspiring floats. But what probably caught the attention of my son the most was the entry from the Inland Northwest Pickleball Club. The members of the club carried a net and actually played pickleball on the street as they navigated the parade route. The sport is red hot right now and there is money to be made so I don’t blame the club for marching (or rallying?) in the parade.

Members of the Inland Northwest Pickleball Club play pickleball while marching during the American Heroes Parade in Coeur d’Alene.

Bowling – I have never been much of a bowling fan. Although I enjoyed playing with my colleagues recently, bowling isn’t necessarily my idea of fun. With that said, I have still played a lot of it over the years and have been exposed to different alleys and approaches. On this date right years ago, I wrote about the different ways bowling can be enjoyed based on your mood and preferences. It is worth a read.

This is me at Lilac Lanes in Spokane, a pretty basic/standard venue. However, if you want something else when it comes to your bowling experience, there are options.

National Sugar Cookie Day – Who doesn’t love a sugar cookie? Especially during Christmas, I don’t think there is anything better to do than sit on the couch with a comfy blanket while admiring the tree, listening to carols, and nibbling on a sugar cookie. The sugar cookie flavor is enticing to many just because it is associated with special times, nostalgia, and deliciousness. Those factors definitely drove me to purchase sugar cookie ice cream in 2023. However, the thought was better than the reality. Unfortunately, sugar cookie ice cream was just a shell of the real thing.

The Tillamook holiday sugar cookie ice cream wasn’t very good.

Quick Joke – Whenever I come across a French fry joke I feel compelled to share it. I saw this Off the Mark strip in yesterday’s paper. If you are interested about my opinion when it comes to McDonald’s fries tap here and if you are curious about my Ancestry results you can tap here.

This is the 7/8/2026 “Off the Mark” comic strip. I always enjoy French Fry references.

Americana – I came across “Americana” over the Fourth of July weekend and decided to give it a shot. Starring Sydney Sweeney and Halsey, it was described as a modern day western and I think it fit the bill. It reminded me exactly of a Tarantino film (it is not) for all the good reasons as I was engaged throughout the entire movie. If you have access to Hulu, I would recommend you give “Americana” a shot.

When a rare artifact falls onto the black market in a small South Dakota town, the lives of local outsiders and outcasts violently intertwine. Make sure to watch “Americana.”

———————–

That will wrap things up for tonight. Take this upcoming mid-July weekend to enjoy some swimming and ice cream. Don’t Blink.