Christopher Gronlund
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cgronlund.bsky.social
Christopher Gronlund
@cgronlund.bsky.social
460 followers 840 following 990 posts
He/Him. I do a narrated short fiction podcast called Not About Lumberjacks (http://nolumberjacks.com). When not doing that, I like juggling, canoeing, hiking, and playing Irish tunes on my mandolin - even though I'm not very good Ⓥ
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cgronlund.bsky.social
In this sequel to the 1st anniversary episode of Not About Lumberjacks in 2016, we catch up with Erik Nilsson and his father nine years after Erik left everything behind to go live in an old lumber camp in Maine.

nolumberjacks.com/the-art-of-t...
Sunlight breaks through, and illuminates, a forest in a magical glow. Text reads: The Art of the End - Written and Narrated By Christopher Gronlund
December 8, 2025 at 12:51 PM
cgronlund.bsky.social
Other Christmas movies:

In Bruges. (That tower scene warms the heart!)
Brazil. (It'll give you wings!)
A Midnight Clear. (I can hear that bullet wound!)

But a REAL Christmas movie ya gotta see, if you think, "It's Goodfellas meets It's a Wonderful Life," is 29th Street!
A four-panel comic strip. Panel One: Red and Blue cartoon characters on a green background. Red says, "Hey guys, is Die Hard a Christmas Movie?" Blue holds a finger to their lips and says, "Shhhh Panel Two: Blue hugs a sort of smiling Red and says, "You don't have to do this." Panel Three: Still hugging. Red is breaking. Blue says, "You don't have to do this every year." Panel Four: Red hugs Blue. Red sobs and digs their fingers into Blue's back.
December 6, 2025 at 2:54 AM
cgronlund.bsky.social
I know @badhandbooks.bsky.social has had a rough go with issues of THE END TIMES being held up by the USPS, but I can verify they are still reaching mailboxes. My copy arrived today, and it’s worth the wait! 😀
(I have the digital copy they sent, but this is how it’s meant to be read.)
A copy of a fictional newspaper called THE END TIMES. “Issue No. 1 - The Very Most Of The Little We Know - August 5, Year 12.” Highlighted sections above the fold: Editor’s Note, Events, Births, and Trades.
December 4, 2025 at 7:56 PM
cgronlund.bsky.social
A few more images...
A garmin Varia, a couple pairs of gloves, a short water bottle with "TREK" on the side, and a Precision Hydration 30g gel rest on the trunk of a white Toyota Corolla. Sunlight breaks through the trees along a paved trail cutting through. A paved trail. On the left, the sun pokes through trees. On the right, grass and a lake. A bank of clouds in the distance, but a mostly blue sky. Cynthia Griffith wears a green "Team Vegan" cycling kit top. She sits on her bike and smiles for the camera. (Oh, and she's wearing cycling shades and a black helmet.)
November 27, 2025 at 8:11 PM
cgronlund.bsky.social
We usually go hiking on Thanksgiving morning, but I wanted to reach 30 miles on the bike. Then, realizing that was ALMOST 50km, I decided on a bit more. Saw coyotes, rabbits, countless birds, and a couple bobcats!
A bobcat saunters along in the grass on the left side of a paved trail through trees on a sunny morning. A Garmin bicycle computer/head unit. It reads: "New Distance PR! 32.31 mi. 26.09 mi 9 NOV 2025. [That was my previous personal best.] Beneath that is a high exercise load measurement. Puffy clouds illuminated by the sun beneath the horizon. A parking lot is seen between trees and bushes. A winding paved trail cutting through the trees.
November 27, 2025 at 8:07 PM
cgronlund.bsky.social
And a bit of the ride back to Denton...
(It was a blast of a morning! 😀)
Cynthia Griffith (in blue and black cycling kit) waving back to the conductor of a white and green train (A-Train) from the platform. She has her bike propped up in her left hand. Two Trek road bicycles hang from bike hooks on the A-Train back to Denton. The read wheels are secured in a metal brace. Outside is seen through a window behind the bikes. A photo of Lewisville Lake from the rail bridge crossing over. Rippled water, a few boats, and trees in the distance are seen. Thin clouds fill the blue sky above. The Denton, Texas train station. Cynthia Griffith looks back over her shoulder at a cyclist boarding the train and other people on the platform.
November 23, 2025 at 12:12 PM
cgronlund.bsky.social
It would be wrong to mention breakfast and not share photos. We chose the 20-mile ride to 7-Mile Café because they have a good assortment of vegan options.
Cynthia Griffith's breakfast at 7-Mile Café: The Vegan Gravy Train. A plate full of Just Egg scramble on the left, two vegan "cheese" biscuits (cut in half, making four pieces) in the middle...smothered in gravy. Hashbrowns on the right. Christopher Gronlund's breakfast at 7-Mile Café: "Vigas." A plate full of a Just Egg omelette-type thingy with vegan "cheese" on top. Red and green salsas. An aluminum foil roll (containing corn tortillas. And a bowl of black beans. Photo of a menu reading Vegan Café Favorites. Eight options are listed, along with five color photos of various dishes. Photo of a menu reading Sweet Vegan. Thirteen sweet options (pancakes, waffles, etc.) are listed.
November 23, 2025 at 12:06 PM
cgronlund.bsky.social
Yesterday was a ride from Denton, Tx down to Lewisville for breakfast (and then a train ride back).
(More photos in comments...)
Point of view image of arms reaching out toward (and hands holding) bike handlebars. A paved trail ahead, with sunlight breaking through trees on the left, and grass, train tracks, and more trees on the right. Point of view from a bike. A paved trail with a low concrete wall on the right. A bit of a lake below the bridge, and a railroad bridge to the far left. Blue skies above. Cynthia Griffith in the foreground taking a selfie with Christopher Gronlund in the back. They are on a patio, with glasses of water, a water bottle, and a bike helmet on the tabletop. Behind them, a glimpse of Christopher's bike and a restaurant (7-Mile Café). Cynthia and Christopher wear riding gear. A photo is a white sign with black lettering beneath a rain shelter at a train station (although it's a shade shelter in this image, with wispy clouds and blue sky). On the left is an arrow pointing right and "DENTON." On the left is an arrow pointing right and "CARROLLTON." Beneath that, another sign with an image of a railroad crossing gate. It reads: Stop. Collaborate and Listen. The signals and arms mean don't go. At DCTA, your safety is music to our ears.
November 23, 2025 at 11:59 AM
cgronlund.bsky.social
From the bike ride...
The orange construction barrier really adds a beauty to this still of the sunrise. Above the barrier, a sliver of lake can be seen, along with a few trees. Clear skies and a peek of the first sun of the day. A tree-lined paved road through a park near Grapevine Lake. Short barriers line the area where cut grass on the sides of the road give way to trees. Blue skies above, and off-camera sunlight illuminating things ahead past shadows where the image was captured. Cynthia Griffith stands in cut grass with trees illuminated by the rising sun behind her. Her arms are outstretched to the sides. She wears a mixture of blue and black cycling kit (long sleeves and leg warmers). Neon yellow socks give her a pop of color. She wears sunglasses and a black cycling helmet. Christopher Gronlund stands in cut grass with trees illuminated by the rising sun behind him. His mouth is agape as he extends one hand toward camera and one back behind his head in a goofy pose. He wears black arm and leg warmers and a dark blue Interabang book store t-shirt.
November 3, 2025 at 12:29 PM
cgronlund.bsky.social
A three-day weekend is over. Cynthia's birthday is on Halloween, so we began with a hike. Saturday was a chill day, and then Sunday morning was an 18-mile bike ride. Definitely a weekend I wish were even longer...
A stream meandering through trees and grass in the light of morning. Blue skies above. A hiking trail cutting through trees and grass illuminated by the early morning sun. Steam rising from a shallow stream full of rocks in the early morning sun. Along the banks on each side: rocks and trees. An anole on a human wrist. This is Terrence, the anole who's lived at the bottom of our stairs for a long time. (He might be the son of the original Terrence.) He hitched a ride on the car and was on the hood when we finished our hike. I tried catching him, but he leaped off and now likely lives in a posh backyard.
November 3, 2025 at 12:21 PM
cgronlund.bsky.social
Without Otherppl, I'd have never made this majestic image of @benloory.bsky.social's head greeting Brad and his dog on a hike!
But seriously, I've read SOOO many great books I'd have never known existed were it not for the Otherppl podcast ❤️
Brad Listi and his dog stand on a forced-perspective horizon on a hike. We see them from behind. Rising over the horizon, against a cloudy sky with bits of sunlight breaking through, is the massive glowing head of Ben Lowry, appearing several times larger than Brad.
October 28, 2025 at 10:52 AM
cgronlund.bsky.social
In November, in honor of the 10-year anniversary of my narrated short fiction podcast, Not About Lumberjacks, I'm actually writing a sequel to an earlier story. That story was in honor of making it one year. Here are the openings of each...
A page from a notebook with this written in black ink: My father’s body sits in zazen in the next room, but he’s not there. What remains is a shell, a vessel for a brain that sensed and experienced the world, a mass of fat and protein that allowed him to think and dream, to write novels and find a way to live a life true to himself. Muscles that pulled stones from the earth and hoisted his massive body to the tops of the highest trees just for fun. A heart that cared for all creatures and wrote stories and poetry that moved me to tears. My father’s body sits in zazen in the next room, but he’s not there. A page from a notebook with this written in black ink: I was four years old when my father put the bad end of a Mossburg 500 shotgun in his mouth and pulled the trigger. My mother always told me I was better off without him, that he was a youthful mistake whose only purpose was contributing to my existence…not that my presence in her life ever seemed to bring her joy. Yes, my mother is a bitch—there’s no nice way of getting around it. She was made for her job as CEO of Barnthorne Holdings. I’m not sure she even likes me much as an adult, although my dedication to work has been brought up as a point of pride for her at family holiday gatherings she sometimes attends. I’m that director at the office you hate: in early and leaving late. My saving grace is that I’m not a complete asshole on top of somebody with a compulsion to turn work into life. While I don’t expect those below me to start as early and leave as late as I do, most of them are there when I come in and leave after I’m gone. It trickles down to the managers beneath me, and all the people beneath them. I’m not about to tell them to stop. Which brings me to the heart attack that wasn’t a heart attack…
October 17, 2025 at 11:20 AM
cgronlund.bsky.social
Maiden voyage on the new bike. Just a short outing before the world woke up. It climbs so well!
A green/"lichen" colored Trek Domane leans against a light post off a trail. Its front light illuminates some vegetation in the background. Behind the bike are rocks and a creek. A bike headlight illuminates a paved path in the dark. In the distance are the lights of Texas Motor Speedway.
October 16, 2025 at 12:21 PM
cgronlund.bsky.social
I name modes of transportation. I don't drive a 2013 Toyota Corolla...I drive "Durin." So, when it came time to buy by first bike since 1991, it needed a name. Trek calls the color "lichen," and that evoked Swamp Thing -- a story about transformatation.

Meet "Alec," named after Swamp Thing's human.
A bike tech and Christopher Gronlund stand in a Trek shop in Southlake, Texas. The tech wears a backwards cap, a blue TREK t-shirt, and black pants. Christopher wears black shorts and a gray t-shirt with the Not About Lumberjacks logo on it. Behind them is the bike shop. Before them is a Trek Domane AL5 Gen4 in "Lichen" green. Both people smile.
October 16, 2025 at 12:59 AM
cgronlund.bsky.social
A few more photos...
The sun glows beneath the horizon, and over buildings at Charles Schwab HQ (or whatever the hell that massive place is), in Westlake, Texas. The first glimpse of the sun over trees at Grapevine Lake. A deer standing in the road at a 3-way intersection. It's looking at viewers, as if to say, "What you on, hoomans?" Behind it, orange sunlight illuminates trees. Looking up at two flagpoles. On the left, a Roanoke, Texas city flag unfurls in the breeze. On the right, the American flag flutters in the wind. Above, deep blue sky.
October 12, 2025 at 7:00 PM
cgronlund.bsky.social
I thought we might do 5-10 miles on the bikes this morning. Ended up doing 25.66...my longest ride ever! We saw a lovely sunrise and lots of Halloween decorations.
Christopher Gronlund in the foreground giving a thumbs up. He wears a green shirt and black gloves. A black bicycle helmet is strapped on his head. In the background, along a road cutting through grass and trees, is Cynthia Griffith giving a thumbs up. She wears a pink cycling jersey, black helmet, and sits on a black Trek Domane AL5 Gen4. She holds her white mid-90s GT Outpost Trail bike, which Christopher was riding today. Cynthia Griffith wearing a pink cycling jersey, black helmet, and sitting on a black Trek Domane AL5 Gen4. She holds her white mid-90s GT Outpost Trail bike, which Christopher was riding today. Sunrise photo through the trees along a trail heading toward Grapevine Lake. Christopher Gronlund posing in front a a Halloween yard decoration of a shark coming out of the grass and eating a skeletal pirate. It's a bloody mess. Other decorates (pirate themed) are scattered around the yard. Christopher is on the sidewalk pointing back at the shark with the thumbs on each hand. His mouth is agape, because that's how he do...
October 12, 2025 at 6:55 PM
cgronlund.bsky.social
Cynthia on a black Trek Domane AL5 Gen4. She wears a green top reading "Team Vegan" and black cycling shorts. (And a black helmet.) She's waiting for her husband to guzzle more water... Our town doesn't have many independent places to stop for coffee, so...it was the first time in a Starbucks in...decades? Photo: An everything bagel with avocado spread, a Starbucks coffee (oat milk latte), and a black Giro bike helmet on the table. A selfie of Cynthia Griffith with her Trek Domane AL5 Gen4 leaning against a fence in the outdoor eating area of Starbucks. She has sunglasses on her head and wears a green cycling top. A selfie of Cynthia Griffith and Christopher Gronlund from Cynthia point of view. She's smiling and wearing a green cycling top. Christopher wears a blue/gray t-shirt with a yellow print on it reading, "No Challenge Too Mighty." (He THINKS it was for a Kickstarter for Interabang Books in Dallas, Texas.)
October 4, 2025 at 4:22 PM
cgronlund.bsky.social
Up well before the sun for a really nice ride. Met a doggo named Arthur Dent on the way out of town and worked a coffee stop into the ride. (Our town needs more options.) After that, more miles and soooooo much fun!
An adorable corgi mix looks up at the photographer. Arthur Dent is a good doggo, and there's no better way to begin the longer ride in decades than with cuteness! I rode Cynthia's mid-90s GT Outpost Trail instead of my 1991 GT Timberline, which isn't in as good a shape. It made a difference...hit some new Garmin records. Anyway, the photo: an old white mountain bike leans against a silhouetted tree. In the background, the glow of the sun still well below the horizon. Cynthia on her new Trek AL5 Gen4 (black) in the parking lot of Trophy Club Golf Course. She wears a green top reading Team Vegan (the group she rides with), and black cycling shorts. A selfie of Christopher Gronlund and Cynthia Griffith. Both wear black cycling helmets. Chris's face is a bit red 'cause he's not in the same mighty shape as Cynthia. But...he's getting there!
October 4, 2025 at 4:15 PM
cgronlund.bsky.social
Cynthia got a new bike earlier this week.
This morning, she encouraged me to take it for a spin.
Now *I* want a new bike... 😅
Cynthia (in her Team Vegan riding kit for sizing) and Lawrence (bike tech at Trek in Southlake, Texas) posing with Cynthia Trek AL5 Gen 4 (black) at the Trek shop. A black Trek AL5 Gen4 on a bike stand in a Trek shop. A black Trek AL5 Gen4 leaned against a garbage can on a dark, early morning ride. A red tail light/Garmin Vario glows behind the seat, while I headlight illuminates the front of the bike and pavement. A point of view shot of a paved trail in the dark. Steel sides of a bridge can be seen. In the distance, an overhead trail light.
October 2, 2025 at 3:02 PM
cgronlund.bsky.social
We closed up my mom's apartment on Friday and sold her car for a steal to one of the maintenance guys she really liked. The big things are behind us, now (except her service).

Getting out for a ride this morning was soooooo nice! It was humid, but cooler than usual.
A selfie of Cynthia Griffith and Christopher Gronlund with Grapevine Lake and a bunch of grass and trees in the background. Chris wears a gray t-shirt and a black bike helmet. Cynthia wears a pink cycling jersey and a black bike helmet. Cynthia Griffith on her bike and holding a water bottle. Trees and a bit of water from Grapevine Lake are behind her. She looks back over her right shoulder at the camera. She holds a white water bottle. Christopher's blue, 1991 GT Timberline bike leaning against a picnic table. Behind it: grass, trees, and Grapevine Lake. The sun rising above the north end of Grapevine Lake. The sun is obscured by clouds and mist and reflects on the water.
September 1, 2025 at 5:35 PM
cgronlund.bsky.social
We’ve been going non stop since my mom’s sudden passing on the 8th. We took today all for ourselves, beginning before sunrise on some nice back roads.
Cynthia Griffish standing next to her white, mid-90s GT Outpost Trail bike. She wears green Team Vegan cycling kit. Behind her, a pasture and the sun rising above distant trees. Christopher Gronlund standing next to his blue and black 1991 GT Timberline bike. He wears black cycling pants and a gray Not About Lumberjacks t-shirt. Behind him, a pasture and the sun rising above distant trees. Cynthia Griffith passes Christopher Gronlund in an aero position on her bike on a back country road surrounded by trees and pastures.
August 25, 2025 at 12:20 AM
cgronlund.bsky.social
Oh, and Cynthia taking a selfie...'cause it's adorable! ♥️
(And more kudzu...)
Cynthia Griffith taking a selfie on a trail cutting through bluestem grass. A sandy trail cutting through ground covered by kudzu gives way to trees in the distance.
August 3, 2025 at 6:49 PM
cgronlund.bsky.social
Unfortunately, this side of the lake is starting to be overrun by kudzu (invasive plant). After the hike, Cynthia chatted with some people getting ready to take their horses on the trails (and go swimming).
Kudzu covering the ground as a trail cuts through trees. In the background, the glow of the rising sun. The sandy/rocky shoreline of Grapevine Lake. The sun peeking out from clouds over Grapevine Lake. Cynthia Griffith standing between two horses by a horse trail. To the left, an Arabian/Quarterhorse mix being tended to by its human buddy. To the right, a white and brown draft/Belgian mix (I think). Both horses have protective leggings on their front legs.
August 3, 2025 at 6:46 PM
cgronlund.bsky.social
Got up early for a hike. Was going to see if Cynthia REALLY wanted to hike, and she already had gear out. So...off we went before sunrise. (And I'm glad we did 😀)

I wasn't going to bail on exercise, but considered NOT hiking when I got up at 5:30. (Cynthia was up at 4:30.)
A selfie of Cynthia Griffith and Christopher Gronlund. Christopher flashes a thumbs-up. Both wear sun hats. Christopher wears dark sunglasses, while Cynthia's sunglasses are on her floppy hat. Both wear day packs. The sun rising over Grapevine Lake. A trail cutting through a bluestem grass prairie. In the background: trees and a cloudy sky. A breakfast sandwich with several bites taken out of it on parchment paper. Also on the sandy ground, a Green Day pack and a trekking pole.
August 3, 2025 at 6:40 PM
cgronlund.bsky.social
They also [fairly] recently (July 13) had @gabino.bsky.social’s House of Bone and Rain on display.
Two white bookcases in Skylark Bookstore holding nine books each. At the bottom right of the left shelf is the green and purple cover of Gabino Iglesias’s House of Bone and Rain.
July 29, 2025 at 6:09 PM