An Attitude of Gratitude . . .

Have you ever taken a moment to do some reverse thinking? No! I don't mean negative thinking. I mean reverse thinking.

I read an interesting guest post in one of the many blogs I subscribe to and read semi-regularly (because I only have the same 24 hours in a day everyone has). The title of the post was "Imagine Life Without This." The author, Nataly Kogan, is an immigrant from the former Soviet Union, who fled with her family at 13 and lived in refugee camps with little food, comfort or any idea if they had a future. She is now, happily in the U.S. and has a new book coming out on May 1st titled "Happier Now: How to Stop Chasing Perfection and Embrace Everyday Moments (Even the Difficult Ones)."

She makes some excellent points, coming from her own experiences. If you read what most of us write about, somehow it always seems to be how tough our lives are, how deprived we are of certain things we know would make our lives better and happier and how we always seem to want more as soon as we achieve a goal or acquire something new that we want. As soon as the novelty or exhilaration passes, usually within a very short period of time, we want MORE or BETTER.

What's It All About?

Remember the songs "What's It All About Alfie?" and "Is That All There Is?" In my humble opinion, based on my own life experiences, IT is about just FOUR simple things - personal freedom, love, happiness and peace.

So then, if a fulfilling life can be broken down to those four simple things, WHY DO WE ALL MAKE IT SO COMPLICATED? And, why do so many people live lives of quiet desperation, as Thoreau described it? Why do they leave this life unfulfilled, never realizing personal freedom, experiencing true love in its many forms, enjoying real happiness and joy and knowing the peace that all is well and they are safe and secure?

Why do they seek these things in bottles of alcohol, pills and junk they inject in their veins or snort up their noses? Why do they run to the shopping mall or go online to buy more stuff they don't really need, just to "feel better" for a moment's relief from the complexity and emotional/psychological pain of the life they've created by their own choices? Why don't they make some different choices and change their lives? I've been down some of these paths. Thankfully, not the alcohol or drug routes. But, only by the Grace of God, have I avoided those paths.

M. Scott Peck's first three words in his best-selling book, The Road Less Traveled, were, "Life is difficult." He goes on to elaborate, "This is a great truth, one of the greatest truths. It is a great truth because once we truly see this truth, we transcend it. Once we truly know

52 Weeks to a Simpler Life – Tip #19 – Don't Make Your Bed!

This week's tip is simple. Not a lot to say and actually, taking action requires . . . not taking action. Sounds like a bit of a paradox, doesn't it?

So, here's the deal. Many of us grew up as the offspring of parents from the Greatest Generation or the Baby Boomer Generation. My mother was, what I termed a “neat freak.” Our home was always “just so.” Nothing was ever left laying around. Everything was always dusted. Everything had a place – PERIOD – and if it wasn't in its place there was an inquisition. I was a typical kid, an active boy, but you'd never know it if you saw my room. It looked like something from “Better Homes & Gardens.”

Yes! I was taught to make my bed everyday, without fail, no excuses, period. I carried that habit throughout my life. Then one day, I read a chapter in a small book I bought about simplifying my life. This was about 16 or 17 years ago. It told me to stop making my bed. It suggested that the days of “Leave It To Beaver,” “Father Knows Best” and “The Donna Reed Show” were past tense. Yes! I've been thinking about and working at simplifying my life that long.

52 Weeks To A Simpler Life Tip #2 – Eliminate Newspapers, Magazines & Newsletters

First, how are you coming along with Tip #1 – Decluttering? I hope you're sticking to your guns if you decided to take on the challenge. Remember, I made this particular process the first one because I knew just how challenging and time consuming it will be. But, don't throw in the towel. A year from now you're going to look back and not only thank me, but wonder what you've been thinking all these years.

Introduction

“All the news that's fit to print.” That's what the New York Times slogan has been since October 25, 1896. But, “This isn't Kansas anymore, Toto,” a paraphrase of the comment Dorothy made to her little dog in the “Wizard of Oz.” What I mean is, that was then and this is now. Is that enough quoting and cliche's for now? I hope so.

The newspaper, as well as printed magazines, newsletters and other forms of printed periodicals, were (key word - “were”) all important forms of current news and information dissemination. Then, enter radio and then television news. And much of the news was available much faster. But, the newspapers and other print media were still pretty strong. They provided local news, information on local events and local people and, of course, advertising for local merchants and service providers.

Report: Four Items This Week – Best And Least Costly – RabbitTV

Today I'm going to report on four items. They can all be ordered from Amazon. All four lend themselves to the mobile lifestyle, but are also very useful for the fixed residence lifestyle, too. And, here's the kicker, they are all part of the products we've all probably seen on TV infomercials. They have that, now famous, or maybe infamous, phrase attached to them, “As Seen On TV.”

To begin with and to eliminate any misconceptions, I am not an avid fan or viewer of TV infomercials. I do have respect for some of the produers of the TV genre though. Through my professional career I knew the owner of the largest and most successful infomercial producer in the U.S. - you've seen their work with Richard Simmons, Tony Robbins, Fran Tarkenton, Cindy Crawford, Adam Levine and a plethora of other celebrity endorsers and hosts. Their infomercials and marketing span 68 countries. I met Bill Guthie of the Guthie-Renker Corporation before he founded the company when we were friendly competitors in the cassette duplication business on opposite coasts.

My professional experience in that field is limited to having produced a radio infomercial for Tiger Balm salve during the early 1990's. The west coast advertising agency of the U.S. distributors of the product line contracted me to produce the show. It's a great product and the infomericial did okay, but nothing like the success of Guthie-Renker.

That being said, I do occasionally see an infomercial that catches my attention. But, even more likely, I may see some of their products in certain stores. The “As Seen On TV” is what catches my eye. Two of these four products caught my eye in stores, one online and one on TV. They are: RabbitTV, GripGo Cell Phone Car Mount, Orgreenic Flip Jack Pancake Maker and the Orgreenic 10” Frying Pan. I have three of these products and use them on the road. I plan to add the fourth, the Orgreenic 10” Frying Pan before the fall is out. So, let's get started.

How Are You?

Probably the most often asked question is “How are you?” If we each had a nickel for each time we asked that question or were asked the question we’d all be wealthy. When you go into a Walmart or a supermarket or most fast food restaurants that’s virtually the first thing out of the checkout clerks’ or order takers’ mouths. They are trained by their managers to be friendly and make the customer feel comfortable. So, that’s the easiest way for most people to do it.

So, do they really care about your response? Right! About as much as they care about a rat’s behind. They really couldn’t care less about you or anyone else coming through the establishment. Why is that? Because they are only concerned about how they are themselves, first, and their families are (if they have one) second. That is simply human nature. You and I are no different.

Something Different - A Short Survey About Living Free

I'm on the road most of this week. I'm making a quick trip from West Virginia to central Pennsylvania. From Pennsylvania I'll travel south to the outer Washington, DC suburbs in Virginia near Dulles International Airport to attend the annual Veteran Speakers Retreat. As you may recall, I coordinated and ran this retreat for 12 years. Now, I'm back to simply attending as a participant. When the retreat ends I'll be completing a small project for a long-time client in Fairfax, Virginia.

Finally, I'll head west to Winchester, Virginia (my former hometown) to pick up my tax returns for last year (yes, I'm on an extension) from my CPA, before returning to base camp in West Virginia. It's always a challenge to keep up with blogging when I'm on the road. It's especially challenging when I'll be participating in the events of the retreat and interacting with old and new friends during the course of the long weekend event.

I've decided this will be a great time to do a very short survey. I will appreciate it if you'll take this survey.

California, Here I Am!

Yes, I am in sunny, warm (finally) southern California. But, not without challenges getting here. I'll recap the travels in another post devoted just to the mostly uneventful trip other than my eight day stay in Cherokee Village, Arkansas. But, this is the view from where I am composing this article today.

This is from the small yard, but adequate for my son, Pete's, (and currently, my) needs in the city of Hawthorne, California, one of the cities that makes up what most people call Los Angeles, the "City of Angels." His small house is actually a guest house located behind the small main house that faces the street. It's actually very quiet and secluded back here. I can't see anyone and no one can see me. . . READ MORE

Photo-of-the-Week #173 Padre Island On An Overcast Day, Near Corpus Christi, Texas, September 2003

Just another day at the beach. This is a somewhat lonely section of the Padre Island National Seashore near Corpus Christi, Texas. There is something about an overcast day on the beach - with a lonely seagull. The weathered pilings just add to the starkness of this setting. . . READ MORE

Can I Live Without This?

But Wait! Order Today and . . .

This is a simple question I ask myself every time I go into Costco, Walmart, Kohl's and other stores I patronize. I ask the same question as I read all the product "newsletters" I receive from Rakuten (Buy.com), New Egg, Sweetwater, B&H Photo, BSW (Broadcast Supply Warehouse), Kohl's, Ben's Bargains, etc. that I receive on line. The same question applies as I glance through numerous magazines and other periodicals from my various areas of interest. And, of course, there is the incessant pounding from the TV home shopping networks and the commercials and infomercials on most TV channels and even Sirius satellite radio channels.

"But, wait! Order today and we'll double your order and send you two chartreuse, endlessly expandable, unbreakable, lifetime warranty muffler bearings for your Formula Go Cart Racer just pay separate shipping and handling of $495.00 each.

Blah! Blah! Blah! It never stops. It's called sales. It's the action part of marketing. Yes! They are actually separate functions. You are being sold something constantly - even those, ever more, frequent pleading and begging pledge drives for public television and public radio is simply another form of selling. . . READ MORE

Photo-of-the-Week #172 The Great Hotdog Caper: Heid's of Liverpool, Liverpool, New York, June 2014

I know there are some readers out there who are saying - "Does he know how unhealthy hotdogs are?" Yep! I do. I have a long time friend who is a retired dietician. She practiced her profession for some 30 or 40 years. She never let an opportunity pass when we were gathered at a group picnic to make her pronouncement that hotdogs were "tubes of death." We respected her and loved her, but on this issue we humored her and went right ahead and scarfed down those "tubes of death" slathered in mustard, catsup, pickle relish, sauerkraut, minced onions, chili and melted cheese. Nary a one of us gave it a second thought - other than, perhaps, indulging in this delicacy might shorten our individual life spans by a minute or five. It was worth the sacrifice.

So, here we have a place appropriately named, Heid's of Liverpool in Liverpool, New York, a suburb of Syracuse, across from Onondaga Lake. . . READ MORE

R.I.P. Mork, Patch, Adrian, Mrs. Doubtfire . .

I am, of course, addressing only a few of the characters portrayed by the late Robin Williams. Yes! Rest in peace, Robin!

Tonight, the world learned of the passing, apparently by his own hand, of this entertainment genius. I'm not going to make this a long, maudlin discussion of his life, his talent, his characters, TV shows, stage performances and movies, his humanity or philanthropy. All the news channels and entertainment shows are and will continue to do an excellent, over the top job of that.

What I want to make note of is the Demon that took his life at the young age of 63. That demon has a name and that name is Depression. . . . READ MORE

Enough Is Too Much

I'm sure you reached a point of frustration at some time during your life when you just threw your hands up and declared, "Enough is enough!" Everyone reaches that point at least once, if not multiple times during his or her life.

But, let me pose this question . . .

When does enough become too much? . . . READ MORE

Your Freedom

What would your life be like if you were able to enjoy completely living free?

The catalyst for this post was a comment I received from one of the many professionals I know and continue to interact with from my varied professional career. Here is the comment and I quote it, "Quite the life you're leading, Ed.  I'm envious of your freedom."

I appreciate the comment, but I wonder why so many people are "envious" of my freedom. I honestly haven't done anything all that unique, courageous or heroic. I simply reached a point in my life when I made a conscious choice, a decision to change my lifestyle. Life is all about choices. We've been making them ever since we were infants. You probably don't remember, but you probably made the choice not to eat those gosh awful looking and tasting  strained peas they called "baby food."

So, why would anyone be envious of a choice I made, unless . . . he or she is not happy, content, fulfilled or feel free with the choices he or she has made for his or her life? . . . READ MORE

Ed's Living Free Simple Plan For A Meaningful and Purpose Driven Life

This morning I read a very interesting post by Trent Hamm in his very popular blog (over one million readers every month) The Simple Dollar. The title of the article is "Building a Meaningful Life from the Bottom Up." The title of the article is a link to the actual article if you'd like to read it yourself.

We live in a world that is so busy and so stressful that most people simply keep going, doing all kinds of things they consider necessary until . . . well, until they stop, because they are too stressed, have run out of time and are just too tired to do anymore. So, they call it a day and start the next day doing the same thing and end the same way, day in and day out, including the weekends. Is there any wonder that most people realize little joy, contentment and fulfillment in their lives? They simply do stuff they automatically accept as necessary and important without determining if it serves any meaningful purpose in their lives. . . READ MORE

Photo-of-the-Week #150 - Home Number 3, My Favorite, Bloomingdale, New Jersey, September 2013

This is a photo of my favorite home of the six homes my parents owned, before my father died prematurely in 1967 and I permanently left New Jersey in August of that year. We moved into this home around the end of December of 1956 and left it about six or seven months later in July or August of 1957. It was, without question, the shortest we had lived in any home during my youth.

You can see that this home was nothing like the previous homes (or those three that would succeed this home). The others were all on small, standard city lots, devoid of trees. This house was custom built in a community called Hillcrest Heights in Bloomingdale, New Jersey. Bloomingdale was a small town in a rural area of Passaic County about 16 miles from Clifton, also in Passaic County. While Clifton had about 15 elementary schools, Bloomingdale only had one. The house was built on a half-acre lot and all of the woods you see in the photo existed when I lived there. As a matter of fact, the house looks exactly the way it did when I lived there.

The house had three bedrooms, but still, only one bathroom, as I recall. There was a fireplace in the living room and a second one in the basement. This was literally on a mountaintop with an extremely steep hill to reach the top where we lived. The builders had to blast into the rock to excavate for the basements of virtually all the houses in the sub-division. The rock was so pervasive where our house was built that they left a large rock formation in the basement, under the living room, and built a three-step, terraced platform over it. Had my father built a family room in the basement (he never had the opportunity) he would have incorporated the terraced platform in the design of the room.

I said this was my favorite home and it was, because this is where I discovered the stork had made a miscalculation and dropped me with a family in the city instead of a family in the country. I knew that this was the kind of lifestyle I wanted to live in the future. Unfortunately, my mother felt that being 16 miles from Clifton was simply too far and felt she was stranded in the boondocks. So, she put the pressure on my father and he put the house on the market and we moved back to Clifton the following summer. But, there were small cliffs up here for me to scale up and down. There was lots of nature all around and, while a half acre isn't a massive amount of land, it seemed like a small kingdom to a 6th grade kid compared to the standard lot size in cities.

This community has grown up, been further developed and, while still basically rural, has lost a tiny bit of its original charm and appeal to me that it held some 57 years ago. Of course, I could be jaded by the wonderful rural places I've had the opportunity to live during my adult lifetime.  

Enlightened Perspectives - Something A Little Different

A friend of mine forwarded the following perspectives to me the other day. Like you, I'm sure; I get a lot of these forwarded emails claiming some person of some significant celebrity had authored the great words of wisdom. It might be George Carlin or Bill Cosby or Mother Teresa, you know what I mean. In this case, the late Andy Rooney, the former 60 Minutes news magazine commentator who closed the show for 30+ years with his pithy insights into life.

Well, I've long ago learned that most of the stuff that is attributed to these folks was never written or uttered by them. Actually, the words they are credited with are often not even in context to who they actually were. But, we read them and perhaps, feel a little better. I did my research and sure enough, just as I had suspected, Andy Rooney was not the author of these "enlightened perspectives." In fact, they've possibly been the accumulated perspectives of several individuals, all unnamed. I guess they could be attributed to that well-known author Anonymous.

However, despite the fact that our dear, departed friend, Andy, is not the author, I still found them to be - as the email subject titled them, "Enlightened Perspectives." As I approach the end of my 7th decade of experiential existence on this planet, I found that they agreed with my own perspectives, especially as I was enjoying the relaxation and ambiance of the Paradise I had been enjoying for well over a week. So, maybe you've seen these before, maybe not, but I present them to you, have added a few to the list and take credit for authoring them since they pretty well express my attitudes and perspectives about this blessing we call life. I hope there is something meaningful, reassuring or enlightening here for you.

Enlightened Perspectives

Take the time to read these. You'll come away with an enlightened perspective. The subjects covered affect us all on a daily basis:

They're written by Anonymous or Andy Rooney or Ed Helvey, I'm not sure it really matters.

I've learned.... That the best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person.

I've learned.... That when you're in love, it shows.

I've learned.... That just one person saying to me, 'You've made my day!' makes my day.

I've learned.... That having a child fall asleep in your arms is one of the most peaceful feelings in the world.

I've learned.... That being kind is more important than being right.

I've learned.... That you should never say no to a gift from a child.

I've learned.... That I can always pray for someone when I don't have the strength to help him in some other way.

I've learned.... That no matter how serious your life requires you to be, everyone needs a friend to act goofy with.

I've learned.... That sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold and a heart to understand.

I've learned.... That simple walks with my father around the block on summer nights when I was a child did wonders for me as an adult.

I've learned.... That life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.

I've learned.... That we should be glad God doesn't give us everything we ask for.

I've learned.... That money doesn't buy class.

I've learned.... That it's those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular.

I've learned... That under everyone's hard shell is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved.

I've learned.... That to ignore the facts does not change the facts.

I've learned.... That when you plan to get even with someone, you are only letting that person continue to hurt you.

I've learned.... That love, not time, heals all wounds.

I've learned.... That the easiest way for me to grow as a person is to surround myself with people smarter than I am.

I've learned.... That everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a smile.

I've learned.... That no one is perfect until you fall in love with him or her.

I've learned... That life is tough, but I'm tougher.

I've learned.... That opportunities are never lost; someone will take the ones you miss.

I've learned.... That when you harbor bitterness, happiness will dock elsewhere.

I've learned.... That I wish I could have told my Mom that I love her one more time before she passed away.

I've learned.... That one should keep his words both soft and tender, because tomorrow he may have to eat them.

I've learned.... That a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.

I've learned.... That when your newly born grandchild holds your little finger in his little fist, that you're hooked for life.

I've learned.... That everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you're climbing it.

I've learned.... That the less time I have to work with, the more things I get done.

I've learned.... That no matter what it is you plan, it will always take longer than you planned.

I've learned.... That no matter how much you budget for something, it will always cost more.

I've learned.... That once you buy something from the least expensive source, there will always be someone cheaper.

I've learned.... That life is short and goes by fast, follow your dreams and live them NOW.

I've learned.... That what you don't know can hurt you, so never stop being inquisitive and learning new things.

I've learned.... That you should pay someone else to do the things you don't enjoy doing or are not good at, both parties benefit.

Final Words

So, there you have them "My Enlightened Perspectives" and now they are yours to do with as you will. You can embrace them and share them, use my name or Andy Rooney's or your own name. A gift once given is yours to do with as you please. I hope these platitudes will raise your attitudes . . . for today and the rest of your life. Life is too short to miss all the beauty, joy, happiness and grace that is ours to enjoy and embrace. Have a fantastic day wherever you are and smile at everyone you encounter, it's infectious. 

Postcard from Paradise . . .

Greetings from Paradise!

Sunrise over Ocean Pond 

Being a free spirited, living free, wandering traveler can be tough work. After all, awakening to duck calls and other birds in time to watch the sunrise over a beautiful natural lake is rough duty.

So, here I am, located in the Ocean Pond campground in Osceola National Forest in north central Florida. As you can tell from the location of My McVansion, it's a low population density neighborhood. 

In the morning there may be a little fog on the lake like delicate lace.

My McVansion with the morning fog over Ocean Pond

The View from my Office/Studio

As you can see from the view from my office/studio French doors, it's a very laid back, relaxing work environment. Later in the day, it's clear with a brilliant sun and blue skies filled with puffy white clouds, moderate temperatures and gentle breezes. The tall trees surrounding My McVansion provide shade from the heat of the afternoon sun.

My quacking friends and an assortment of their chirping friends and some frogs and squirrels are my neighbors. There's an occasional lizard or two and the infrequent alligator and bear, though they generally avoid us human kind (unless we leave some food outside).

My closest neighbors - sometimes a little rowdy

. . . and then there's the sunset over Ocean Pond . . . 

And then comes the majestic beauty of a sky painted by a being with an unlimited palette of color and an artistic genius no mere mortal could approach as the sun sets on the other end of Ocean Pond and resolves into a blackness lit up by a billion, billion stars throughout the universe.

So, this, my friends, is my lifestyle . . . this week. I have no idea what beauty will be revealed next week or what new, interesting and unique people will cross my path. As I said at the beginning of this postcard, this is tough work, but someone has to do it and yours truly is up for the task. I hope your life is as fantastic and blessed as mine is.

Enthusiastically,

Ed 

Photo-of-the-Week #147, The Garden of Eden, Ocean Pond, Osceola National Forest, Florida February 2014

Today I'm including two photos for this week's offering. These are very current. Actually, I took them yesterday. I'm camped in The Garden of Eden on the shore of the Gorgeous Ocean Pond Lake in Osceola National Forest in north central Florida. The temperature was about 75 with a slight breeze and a beautiful blue sky.  It is about as perfect a day as anyone could ask for.

The first photo is from my "office" with the "French Doors" open to allow the day into My McVansion. You're looking over the top of my laptop computer through the foliage just a few dozen feet from the lake shore. I almost feel like I felt when I had my home on the shore of Lake Holiday near Winchester, Virginia except I wasn't free there, I had some substantial overhead. And, for part of the time it was not a happy period of my life, although the bucolic lifestyle made what I was dealing with somewhat easier.

 

The second photo is a shot of my "dining room" where lunch had been served and it was fit for a king - THIS king. One of my favorite meals, locally acquired tomatoes on fresh, multi-grain bread slathered with Miracle Whip and a bottle of "bug juice." The bug juice is a powdered drink mix - in this case, pomegranate and cranberry and no aspartame, it has Splenda which is sucralose and may be a little better than the other sweetners. At any rate, here I am in paradise eating some of my favorite things. How much better can life be?   

So Much To Do, So Little Time To Do It!

I'm sure you've said that yourself. It seems to be a pretty common theme in this complicated time we live in. Glenn Morrissette of To Simplify and Gary Arndt of Everything, Everywhere, two of the nomadic bloggers I follow, regularly seem to express this or similar sentiments. Believe it or not, it takes a lot to live a simple, frugal, nomadic, free lifestyle. I know! You're saying, "Stop complaining, you don't have a "rut job," fixed residence, spouse/family, etc. to be responsible for" . . . and you're right! But, that doesn't mean there aren't responsibilities and matters that have to be addressed even for someone who is "living free."

I have soooooo many photos I've been taking. Gary Arndt has to plan time off the road just to go through and edit all his photos and I'm in complete accord with Gary. Glenn, who used to post something everyday while on the road has started to cut back to every other day or even every three days most of the time now. Some of his posts consist of only photos with little or no text. Now, I love writing, but it takes some concentrated and focused time to write something that's both meaningful (I hope) and comprehensible. Adding some photos takes additional time. So, it starts to become a series of choices I have to make. Do I roll on and see things, meet interesting people, experience new things including wonderful new local eateries or do I sit somewhere in My McVansion and write, write, write. I'm looking for the balance, friends. I know it exists.

Today, as I compose this shorter than usual post, I'm in the parking lot of the Walmart Motor Inn (bring your own accommodations) on Wedgewood Lane in The Villages. The Villages, for those not from or familiar with Florida or not of retirement age (over 55) is the fastest growing retirement community in the U.S. It's located in central Florida, north of Orlando, south of Gainesville and roughly equal distance from the Atlantic coast and the Gulf coast. The current population of The Villages is slightly north of 100,000 folks - all 55 or older. It was the vision of a man who started it about 40 years ago and since his passing is run by his family. This guy saw what the Baby Boomer generation was going to want long before they knew what they were going to want. It's darn near about as perfect a small city as anyone could imagine. There is so much to do here that once someone moves here, it's likely they'll never want to leave and travel anywhere else. That may be a bit of an exaggeration. But, I've heard more than a few people say that. It was pretty darn fantastic when I was here about nine years ago and it's only gotten bigger and better since then, even through the real estate bubble busting and the recession.

So, yesterday I enjoyed lunch with an old friend who moved here from Winchester, Virginia ten years ago. I had dinner with another old friend who moved here from Winchester, last evening. It was great catching up with both of them and they are both completely happy with their lives here in The Villages. It turned a bit chilly yesterday with mist and some rain. Today it's a bit chillier, yet and it's overcast, rainy and misty, again. Shortly, I'm going to pull up tent stakes and head around The Villages on a little reconnaissance mission to capture photos of all the points of interest including the new (third) town center that has been constructed, or better stated is under construction, yet. If it grows like the other two, it will be a very large little town with all kinds of shopping and entertainment. And each town has a town square where there is live entertainment every evening, 365 days a year. I'm also going to stop at The Villages own radio station and plug my friend, Mickey Bo's, Rock N Roll Revue radio program he's syndicating.

From here I'm heading back over toward the Gulf coast for a few days and hope the weather will warm back up and get sunny again. I'll be meeting some more new friends over there, enjoying their company and attempting to get caught up on some writing and photo editing.

So, keep tuned and I'll get you caught up on the highlights of this trek and adventure.