Understanding the Consequences

Hello from the bus, It’s early morning, and I am sleeping on an air mattress in a sleeping bag (well, not actually sleeping because I’ve started this blog). It is September 11th, a consequential day in American history. It is also a day, where as a gun-owning culture, we are confronted with the shooting ofContinue reading “Understanding the Consequences”

Nomad-life and a new Education

Hello from the mountainside, For the last 10 days, and foreseeable future, with a required trip to Pennsylvania sandwiched in, and before another wedding in Georgia, I am at a bus building camp in somewhat North Central Tennessee. The address is technically Spencer, but I am seven miles away or so, on Baker Mountain. TheContinue reading “Nomad-life and a new Education”

Which Direction am I going?

Hello from the Cumberland Plateau and Spencer, TN, I arrived here on Saturday night, almost a week ago, having traveled from the Quad Cities, with a stop in Fenton, Missouri, and then back through the tip Illinois and north to south through the corner of Kentucky. For the most part, the drive was good andContinue reading “Which Direction am I going?”

Lonely Wind

Hello from a Starbucks on Clinton Street, It is in downtown Iowa City, where I once wandered as a student in 1982. Hard to believe it was that long ago, but it is the beginning of another academic year and there are students everywhere. I have been managing things as I work toward getting seriousContinue reading “Lonely Wind”

American Gothic and My Iowa Roots

Hello from rural Mallard, It’s about the end of the day, the sun is setting, I can smell livestock from the hog containment facility down the road, and yes, there are flies (scads of them). It was a productive day as I got the weather stripping for the main bus door ordered, and the majorityContinue reading “American Gothic and My Iowa Roots”

Aspiration is Life

Hello from the Main Bus Station in Kraków, This is when this post began, but the lack of synchronization with devices from WordPress seems to have lost it. However, with minimal revision, the post remains relevant. Reflection is a central element of life for me. Recounting, reimagining, reconsidering what has happened, where I have been,Continue reading “Aspiration is Life”

When its All Counted

Hello from a little restaurant in Danville (PB&J), We are less than 24 hours from the official opening of election day here in the country, and if I were to say it has been a national cycle like no other, most would say that is an understatement. Like many Americans, I cast an early Mail-inContinue reading “When its All Counted”

Remembering Susan

Hello from Starbucks on the campus, It is an incredibly beautiful fall day, and the colors are spectacular. I spoke with the women painting the townhouse, and they were impressed at how clean I left everything, which meant a lot because they see a lot of stuff. It is strange to feel a bit homelessContinue reading “Remembering Susan”

Creating a Home

Hello from my morning group breakfast meet up. As per usual, I am at BK waiting on the group (not necessarily the waiting,but being here) to assemble where we create or solve local and world problems (you have probably observed these groups of older males sitting around having their morning coffee). This group has evolvedContinue reading “Creating a Home”

Is Frailty a Gift?

Hello from the front tables at La Malbec, This a somewhat quiet Saturday evening (with the exception of wannabe Fast and Furious cars or Harleys that need to prove they have customized their exhaust), and I am sitting almost exactly in the same place I first experienced La Malbec. It is only me alone ratherContinue reading “Is Frailty a Gift?”