Bob's Almanack — August 1, 2026

I do what I say I do.

~ Robert

New from Outside In Print

Two relaxed hands unfold a paper bird into a broad creased sheet against a dark crosshatched backdrop as a warm golden beam from beyond the top of the frame illuminates the origami.

Reverse Origami

A paper bird opens back into a flat sheet when the old plan no longer fits. The folds stay in place, but the sheet is ready for a new shape.

An anonymous person sits at the edge of a bed with bare feet on wooden floorboards as dawn light enters a shadowed room.

I Do What I Say

A promise to yourself needs action, like any other promise. This affirmation starts when your feet touch the floor.

An anonymous walker climbs a country road at dawn as a friendly dog and its owner approach through warm morning light.

My Friend, The Universe

We cannot see the whole road ahead. This affirmation asks for courage and the next step, even when the rest of the road is out of sight.

An anonymous person stands with arms open in a sunlit meadow as blue, gold, and green watercolor currents sweep across the sky and fields.

I AM HEALED!

Hope needs daily care, so this affirmation joins hopeful words with food, sleep, movement, rest, thanks, and honest conversation. Its plain advice is to choose one good thing today.

This Week's Virtue

Tranquillity

A failed plan, a hard morning, or a worried body can put you on trial in your own mind. Stop the trial, see what happened, and learn what you can. Then choose the next good step. Tranquillity does not erase pain or excuse harm; it keeps one bad day from taking charge of the next one. Put your feet on the floor and continue.

One Number

1.5%

The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis estimated that real gross domestic product grew at a 1.5 percent annual rate in the second quarter, down from 2.1 percent in the first. source

One Document

Federal Reserve issues FOMC statement

Federal Open Market Committee, 2026-07-29

The committee held the federal funds target at 3-1/2 to 3-3/4 percent in a 9-3 vote. The three dissenters wanted a quarter-point increase. source

Results

Tadej Pogačar won his fifth Tour de France title and tied the event record; Mathieu van der Poel won the final stage in Paris. source

Records

Rafiatu Folashade Lawal set three Commonwealth Games records in women's 58kg weightlifting: 103kg in the snatch, 126kg in the clean and jerk, and 229kg total. source

Final Bows

Trevor Chappell ended 26 years as host of ABC Overnights with his final program on July 30. source

Obituaries

Glen Hansard, the Irish singer-songwriter who shared the 2008 Academy Award for Falling Slowly, died in a motorcycle crash at 56. source

Experience keeps a dear School, but Fools will learn in no other, and scarce in that;

~ Poor Richard

Worth Reprinting

First Step

First Step fits this week's affirmations because a far-off goal helps only when it gives you one safe step to take today.

Choose one good thing and do it today.