If you want something to think about as we followed the passage of a single Saudi-owned oil tanker through the Strait of Hormuz, you will see how we wound up looking at major canal-digging projects designed to eliminate chokepoints to world and energy shipments.

The Pinglu Canal is worth a minute of concentration over on the Wiki Homepage, and for Chinese Readers it is an affirmation of the feeling of national pride Vic’s Grandfather felt when he visited the Gatun Locks in Panama in 1912.

Pinglu will not join Oceans as they did in Panama, but this one will open the vast interior of Chinese to the world ocean by cutting more than a hundred miles across hills and farmland. It will be something quite remarkable, with three locks to accommodate the change in altitude.

Here? Busy as well, though it does not involve digging. The Turok Fine Dining Establishment, conveniently located outside of Eight Mile in Detroit, made this succinct observation: “Deidre can make the scallops recipe keto by substituting crushed pork rinds for the panko bread crumbs. Bon appetit!”

Dierdre likes her offering, but is practicing stirring pork rinds to prepare for a big meal next week with snacks for today after the big Naval Intelligence Professionals Red Tie Luncheon. The event traditionally signals the start of the Summer entertaining season with the white seersucker suit coming out of the side of the closet to emerge for the festivities!

Happy Hour at Mike’s American saw some of the Old Salts out and casual. Brought back memories of the end of the Cold War, and raised hopes we are not engaged in another great struggle!

More after the Red Tie!

(Vic and Spike getting ready to shift colors to the Red Tie Luncheon over at Army-Navy Country Club).

Copyright 2026 Vic Socotra
www.vicsocotra.com