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?”

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”

Simultaneously Living and Dying

Hello from Starbucks, I have been working on a wedding homily for a former student as well as working to acclimate back to a time zone six zones different than the last month. All in all, the first is completed and the second is in process. While there is certainly an element of being clichéContinue reading “Simultaneously Living and Dying”

Consistently Inconsistent

Hello on an atypical Saturday afternoon, When I first started this post we were about 1/2 the way through April, and rapidly approaching the Easter weekend. I had attended the PMEA State Choral concert in the Poconos. The picture is from our drive. It appeared and seemed anything but Spring, as the photo above illustrates.Continue reading “Consistently Inconsistent”

Best of Intentions

Hello from the Family Restaurant, It is almost a month since I began my trek back to Iowa with my loaded shuttle and the bug in tow. As I look at the process, there is progress on a number of fronts, but what one sees might belie the actual achievements. Likewise, settling in, managing dailyContinue reading “Best of Intentions”

Carpe Diem and a Field of Dreams

Hello from the farm, After a number of missed departure dates, managing hurricanes, freight companies, and other unexpected events, I have made it to Mallard, IA. and my dear cousin’s and husband’s farm. It is not my first time here, as they have been gracious to host me before, but this time is for anContinue reading “Carpe Diem and a Field of Dreams”

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?”