‘Ol McDowell watched her farm’

It all happened in the blink of an eye.  I was sitting alone in my, let’s call it a living room, when I received a text from my friend and former boss.  She was inquiring about what my next move was; Was I planning to stay or go (from Tucson)?  I was as honest as I could be and simply stated that it was still very much in the air.  Moments later she called me and pitched me ‘the proposal.’  The next thing I knew, I found myself moving out of my apartment and moving in to her mom’s, whom would be staying in their family cabin in the northern woods of Wisconsin for the summer.  Essentially, she needed someone to watch her house and care for her animals.  Given my very recent hand surgery and knowing I would have to sit around for the summer attending rehab twice a week, I thought it was a dream scenario.  I could save rent, rehab and sit around a nice house with superior air conditioning while I focus on my hand recovery.  I ask, what more could a man want!?

Well, suffice to say, there are no free lunches in this world and I could’ve never foreseen the trouble three dogs, six goats and three tortoises could drum up.  Naive?  Perhaps.  I really didn’t think it would be as much of an ordeal as it turned out to be.  I’ve talked enough about it to friends and family to not want to go through it all here, but one thing I can say is that, despite the stress, of which there was plenty, I am both thankful and grateful for the experience.  I learned a helluva lot about animals, but even more so about myself.  And the best part of it all is that I added a great new friend to the mix.  I don’t imagine that you’ll read this, Ms. B., but thank you for your generosity, kindness and patience throughout!

*Well, it appears I’ve reached 100% of my storage for this site, so I’ll have to figure something out.

‘Winter in FLA, a (late) visual recap’

When winter break came, I couldn’t get out of here fast enough. I hadn’t seen my family/friends since my grandmother passed away and there was no place I would’ve rather been than with them. It was a quiet, but lovely and important time to step back and realize once again what is truly important to me. There will no doubt be many more trials and tribulations along the way, but with these people in my corner and me in their’s, I like our chances.

*Be forewarned, most of these are of Eddie (mom’s real son).

Dad’s lil Helper.

Pre-Christmas birthday party at Aunt Sharon’s.

‘Rose Buds’

What happens when a tree falls on your truck. Sorry Gayle!

Eddie in…’The Hunter!’

Father, Daughter, dog.

‘Keep out!’

And he’s down again.

This is why the snowbirds come.

Lion vs. Tiger(s)

The infamous ‘Land-Shark!’

J-Rod’s worst nightmare realized. *not a dog lover.

Frank and George, aka ‘The Miami Griingo.’

Love this one!

‘Bros’

Weston family farm.

On the lookout.

I’ve always wanted to make one of these, but I settled on watching this time.

Surprise visit from the Gonzalez(s)!

The first dollar I ever earned (legally).

Don’t worry, Jared, mom’s got em.

‘Swamp Rat’

Target practice.

The Lamb boys.

And the most huggable dog award goes too….

My goodness this guy can get comfy quick!

Eddie and Cody bonding.

I don’t think he liked this very much.

Mom and Aunt Laura discuss.

‘Ba-humbug!’

I’ve always loved this pond.

My younger, better half and me.

Welcome to Mama Stewart’s!

From another angle.

That George is always on the alert!

Bienvenidos a Tampa!

Rene G, Me and J-Rod.

‘Wild Wild Weston’s’ family logo for their honey.

Classic Florida sight.

Mom’s friend’s dog in the Christmas spirit.

Christmas morning at Aunt Valerie and Uncle Mike’s.

More than a grandfather to me.

Eddie and his Christmas coat.

Aunt Linda made this for me when I was a baby.

One more by the tree…it was such a good one!

‘Freeze, scumbag!’

Frank and Debbie’s doggie hangs with Kimberely.

Part seal, part dog, all love.

And there’s Aunt Valerie, always smiling!

And another…

It appears Cody shares my interest in candid photography.

‘Blurred, but beautiful’

The Lamb twins.

‘And stretch….’

Kale(?)!

Dad, Brenda, Cody and I.

Weston’s family cat has seen it all.

Dad’s birthday party girls.

So THAT’S where the treasure is buried!

Cat again.

My uncle made this many years ago. Imagine having this as a kid? Or now even?

Thick as soup.

Missed these skies!

‘2016: a year in rear-view’

It’s now 2017; Feb 12th to be exact. Being back in Florida has been interesting to say the least, but I am happy I’m here right now. This is a post, not on 2016, but on what’s transpired so far this year. My writing is a little on the rusty side, so I thought I’d just throw a few photos up and let them do the talking.

I hope everyone’s 2017 is off to a happy, healthy start!

Lil Rene sells his house…party time, except it wasn’t.

Lion Country Safari with the family.

Last morning in El Paso.

My cousin Gayle’s playhouse as a child.

A little cuban flavor at ‘Columbia’ in Ybor City.

‘Beasties or Besties?’

Life on the farm in St. Augustine.

My annual mustache phase.

The cold shoulder.

Making friends at the Florida Aquarium.

Avery and Cameron, or is it Cameron and Avery? Either way, they’re cuties!

Ahhh….so happy to be able to do pull-ups again!

There have been some stunning skies since I’ve been back.

Eddie has played a huge roll in my entertainment.

Eddie being cute.

‘Moon-Shine’

‘Better than Camping’

For a moment I thought I’d overslept, but when I rolled over and looked at my telephone, the clock read 2:04am.  That’s the good news.  Unfortunately, I never did get back to sleep, which is why I’m sitting here writing this at 3:30am.  As pretty a sight as it was, I just couldn’t lay in bed with my eyes open a moment longer.  The coffee is still soaking in the plunger, but should be ready for consumption any minute.  I’m putting it mildly when I say I’m looking forward to it.  It’s chilly, I’m sleepy and I’ve got a long day ahead.

P.S. Not a huge Neil Young fan, but this song is a beauty.

’24 – first night in the new nest’

I’m in, finally. A short five months ago, I loved staying in hotels.  The longer, the better, as far as I was concerned.  That was five months ago.  I was itching to get out of the one here in Lakewood. The hotel was nice enough, so long as you forgot about the price, and the staff was great, but it felt more like a chore than a treat.

After signing the final 48 pages of the apartment lease {I don’t want to talk about it}, I moved all my gear from the truck into the apartment. I’d been wearing the same clothes since Tuesday, minus the fresh britches and I couldn’t wait to get into some clean clothes.  In any event, the place isn’t perfect, but I’m in and that’s good enough for now. I’ll post more when it looks habitable.