Missing Home

Yes I know our home state is Michigan, but Arizona will forever be home. The year we spent in Arizona was the year that meant the most to me. I can't believe it's been years now since we've been there. I have been searching for cheap ways to get back to Flagstaff/Sedona/Northern Arizona, if only for a visit this year, but in all honesty it's not looking good. Whether we are moving back or just vacationing, we need money, money that we don't have to spend. It makes me sad to think back to the time we spent in AZ but it also makes me smile when I think of the beautiful state and our future there.


We will get back there, I know it, but it's hard not being there now. Till then though I'm grateful for the memories I have of home.

Ego (Today's Thinking)

Funny thing, an ego. Without enough of one, we live in fear of other people's attention, secretly longing for just that,without knowing how to get it. With too much of one, we are constantly trying to draw attention to ourselves, and normally manage to succeed for all the worst reasons. Only the balance seems to bring us the support we appreciate, but really don't require at all.

In Remembrance

Jokul - Joe Cool - Jo - J, whatever you called him, friend is what he was. It's still hard to believe he's gone. For some reason I had hoped that his passing was some kind of cosmic joke, but the cosmos don't kid around like that, if at all.

What is it I miss most about Joe? His humor -- dry and quick, sometimes wicked but never hateful. I imagine him making jokes even when he could barely breathe. Maybe a nurse came into his room and said, "I'll be taking care of all your needs this evening Mr. Armstrong" and without so much as a breath between, Joe says, "which side of the bed would you like?" or "grab me a beer and we can get started."

Yes he was funny, and a great listener. He always shared important advice if he deemed it necessary. And all this time, I never even imagined him sick. I've seen the wheelchair, I've even sat on his lap and played in his hair. But it didn't actually occur to me that he was sick. He never wanted to pitied, he never asked for sympathy, he just lived his life like each day was a blessing. I assumed he could be fixed. It never occurred to me that he couldn't be cured even when he told me as much.

Now a days when he pops into my mind I still fight back the burning of tears in my eyes. In the end, he is gone and no matter how whacked I am about it, crying isn't going to bring him back. I miss him, I miss him so much it hurts, but I will also always remember him.

When is the Harvest Coming?

Super excited. That's right, I know I've said it before, but yes I am super excited about the garden. It is growing with such reverence and bloom. I love the idea of harvesting my very own veggies and herbs. If I am successful at gardening this year, which is my first year I will continue down the path to becoming a green thumb gardener. You know, go big or go home? That's what I' thinking. So next year, if the garden does provide a plentiful harvest we will build a bigger garden. The possibilities are endless. I just hope that the garden isn't bigger than the house, then we will have a problem.

The green peppers are popping up and the radishes are still coming in strong, along with a few herbs, yep gardening is pretty fun. I still don't have the flower garden done because I've been over enthusiastic with the veggies and herbs. As of now though, I can't wait till we harvest something. I want to see the final product, I'm so excited.

Till next time... Grow something good.

The End of a Duo!

Brooks 'N' Dunn as I'd like to call them are done. After 20 years of great down home country music the duo has decided to split and pursue their own careers separate from their partner. Truth be told they have been splitting up for a few years now, but it seems now it's true and I for one am quite sad about it. There are a lot of people who don't care for country music but me I'm a big fan, of especially the artists that cross the genre boundaries placed on them. Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn are such a duo. My Maria with its Latin spice, Hillbilly Deluxe with a little hip hop, and I Believe with a gospel influence, all the while keeping it real with the country music people. Icons? Yes. Will we miss them? You better believe it. But I don't think this is the last we've seen of these two country music greats.

The Month of May

When it was snowing we thought, I can't wait till Spring. Now that is Spring I can't wait for the rain to stop. It's been raining for like almost 2 weeks straight and I'm sick of it. As you know my birthday was May 16th. Sunday was amazing. We did some Grilling, Simon couldn't wait to fire up the grill. We had some fresh green beans drizzled with olive oil and seasoned and we put them on the grill and it was the most unbelievably best thing I've ever eaten. We also had some other stuff but the fresh green beans were the absolute best.

We sat outside and watched the dogs play. We did some open air meditation and karma healing. At least that is what I'd like to call it. Then we worked on the garden. I am so super excited. I hope the squirrels or raccoons or birds don't get to my seeds but yes I'm totally excited. We have been working hard on the garden and I just know it is going to be beautiful when it fully blooms.

One type of Lettuce is already growing and my Cucumber which needed to be started in doors are sprouting.

So when it decides to stop raining, we will do some more on the garden. I can't wait to share pictures!

Weather Woes

The weather here in Michigan sucks! No really it's been raining for like a week straight, prolonging my gardening journey. I was excited about getting it started but I can't with all the rain. Ugh! Don't get me wrong I love the rain, love the sounds and smells it provides but it needs to go away now. I've had enough for a couple weeks at least. So other then that and the fact that my body aches daily nothing much is going on in my life. I'm getting closer to turning 33 years old, man I'm getting up there. I here I thought I could be 29 for at least a couple more years. I guess I was wrong. Oh well. I have to get over myself and realize that age is only a number. So here's to getting older.

I need to get some writing done now, so I'll be back. Write on!