Retired Navy after 23 years. I retired at the age of 40 years old. I've been out longer than I was in. All of the ships I served on have been made into razor blades. I had fun and I lived my life the best I could. Most of my shipmates are gone and I try to stay in touch with the remainder. It continues. Substance abuse counselor, builder of wooden boats, furniture maker, prison non-violence workshop facilitator, life observer, activist, reader, writer, geriatric subject of interest, generous tipper. I stay involved.
HOME AGAIN, HOME AGAIN, JIGGITY JIG Part II Sometime during the day on Mother’s Day, the 11th of May, I enter Minnesota and continue on toward St. Paul. I have Lynne’s address loaded into the GPS in the SAAB. The major portion of the drive in Minnesota is along I 94 through prairie … More Going Home Part II
HOME AGAIN, HOME AGAIN, JIGGITY JIG Part I How wide is this country? This episode of “Playing Fair and Being Kind” begins with a look at the distance from Spokane, Washington to Boothbay, Maine. Google makes it a little over 3,000 miles by car and about 45 hours of driving time. It is a … More Going Home Part I
While visiting Ed Birdsong in Salinas I learned how rich the soil is and how kindly the weather is in the valley where he lives. The farmers are able to grow four seasons. The mountains protect from the winds off the Pacific and the surrounding ranges drain into the Salinas river providing moisture. “The Country’s … More Homesickness, Beautiful Drives, Seeing the Fecundity of the Pacific Northwest
The last three or four days I stay in Coronado are only bearable because I am near my son Mark and his family. The noise from the Navy doing their thing is never going to amuse me or allow me serenity while on vacation. Helicopters, gunfire, more helicopters, and explosions. The population of the RV … More Adios, Coronado! Eating Like a Basque in Bakersfield; Brad Frisius in Visalia; Discovering the Salinas Valley!
In the past week I’ve watched helicopters hovering over the South Bay practicing rescues over and over. Two choppers took turns getting as close to the water as possible and when one of the crew jumped into the bay they would gain a little altitude and do something mysterious to me from my observation point. … More Tenting on Government Property Has Its Ups and Downs
Since last Thursday the 3rd of April I have had many adventures. In 5 days I have had a 5 star dinner with two 5 star women, enjoyed two nights in the distinguished visitor suite on Naval Air Base North Island, continued to refine my knowledge of tenting with the Eureka Timberline 2, increased my … More Adventures Await Discovery
She Had Me at “Insufferable” I arrived in Wildomar, California early in the morning of March 26th. I’d been run out of Borrego Springs by the winds the night before and my next scheduled stop was Neeley Whyte’s digs in a pretty part of the world, the Inland Valley region. I had a few … More She Had Me at “Insufferable”
3-26-14 The past 12 hours have been made of the stuff I dream of. I don’t run from much but the wind in Palm Canyon last night was a bit much. I had a terrific dinner at Krazy Coyote Bar and Grill in Borrego Springs. I spent 2 hours eating a steak and sipping iced … More Where’s Gluskabe When You Need Him?
3-24-14 I write this date at the top of the page and I am not prepared for it. I was born on 2-19-39 – “14” is very close to “39”. Time rules our lives to a great extent; more than many of us are willing to admit. The numbers add up all along the trail … More 4 Days in La Quinta
I left Albuquerque and started south on I 25. During the drive I got a case of telephone-itis. I called a bunch of friends and chatted them up. As the day drew on I settled into the trip. I stopped in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico. I found a great place for lunch just before … More Pancho Villa, Tent, Mexican Food, Gila Bend, Mexican Food, New Mexico, Arizona, Saquaros, Pipe Organs, Ajo, California!
Playing Fair and Being Kind 