Simple

“I have every possession I want. I have a lot of friends who have a lot more possessions. But in some cases, I feel the possession possesses them, rather than the other way around,”

Warren Buffett

Six months of tent life. Yes, I go into the RV and cook and bake and even occasionally shower and shave! I have changed the mattress three times and finally Big Agnes got it spot on – thanks Chris for my birthday present! I’m happy in my tent. I really love just being here present daily for hours of reading Orthodox theology and ham radio tech! Simple…

Family

 I do love to travel to Flagstaff and the mountains. The thought of traveling anywhere else ugh – creates anxiety.

Wheelin

Don’t get me wrong, I do love to go 4 wheeling – but surrounded by Sedona beauty – why stray.

Selfie – guilty!

Which in my convoluted mind leads from the peace and serenity of my tent to Chris, best friend’s quote that he was contemplating –

If you can get people to ask the wrong questions you don’t need to  worry about  the answers…

Ostgaard

Seems we are at a crossroads – these next few months should shake out politically our direction as a country asking the right questions.

I’m hoping for Trust and Love philosophically –

Fear and punishment is an old useless paradigm

But a paradigm is still only worth .20 cents

Keep on rockin in the free world

This is our heritage!

Easter Snow

A March Easter Sunday seems odd. But I woke at 5am to snow falling heavily on camp.

Jake’s Cheyenne tepee

It was a cleansing snow driving out all the unprepared campers. Four inch mud ensued!

Sheep Dog

I fired up the smoker with my dear friend April and commenced to smoke a ham. My favorite part of smoking ham is making 15 Bean soup this morning. The beans are soaking as I write.

145 degrees is what we’re shooting for

Jake went to Easter carnival and had a blast with his friends.

Another couple weeks and it is his birthday- seven years old and time flies!

15 Bean soup been cooking for six hours!

Starting out
Bout ready

Mountain Taco

I love Flagstaff! Plain and simple love that within twenty minutes of being at REI – bam mountains. We needed to put the Taco to the test. 4wheel drive, rear locker, and the cool ON X Off-road big screen GPS combo!

Blessed

Snow over 8000’ blocked climbing toooo far up but the cinders make for great traction and we climbed.

Beauty and the beast, you decide

Jake just loved the trip and had zero desire to ever return home.

Rocky Mountain high

We spent two days exploring between Sedona and Flagstaff. The coolest place was over near Senator John McCain house called the rock shop.

Jake ended up buying a diamond and some obsidian. The educational value of being on the road is priceless

Petrified Wood
Homeward bound!

Taco

No, not Taco Tuesday or Taco Bell! The new to Jake Tacoma!

The cost of used is outrageous! This old truck photographs well, it has a dull hood and Arizona racing stripes. I like that it has seen hard use not just mall crawling for chicks! Then I don’t have to feel badly putting it through the break in period.

My final fav T-shirt!

Indian Summer

Jake rotates his favorite toys

Jake is an old soul in that he loves old toys and old trucks. This bulldozer was a gift from Uncle Jimmy.

I asked Jake to choose between two different vehicles since we are shopping –

Winner winner chicken dinner
2006 Jeep

You know he loved the Jeep but…

The weather for Jake and I has been epic! Snow a little over a week ago and 70° today.

New hat!

Stay tuned for the next vehicle we add to the arsenal!

I miss old Pete Seeger

Why

I never wonder why I do my job.

This picture says it all…

Simple hand written thanks…

Take an hour and listen.

Tell a few stories!

Relate – don’t judge!

I spent time with this young lady yesterday and she was so enlightening. She made fascinating connections in the LDS church theology.

She left me this gift..

Priceless

04/05/2024

Again I am blessed with Nadine here at camp…

I have so much respect for all our veterans – our great country maintains world peace and prosperity – we need to do so much more for our Vets!

Blessed!

04/12/2024

Sisters! It is a long story but the wonderful note left for me today was worth everything.

Notes full of love make my job worthwhile!

Live a Great Story

My Late New Years Resolution

I must say – life is better thought through as a story. I learned storytelling from the Navajo elders. But thinking back to 7th grade, I was telling stories. I absolutely love telling a good story. People here at camp always ask “do you have a book or blog?” I always say – it is better in person.

I have been blessed with an extraordinary life – especially when I embellish. A story is just that…reading your audience and steering the emotion. I love humorous stories so I think that is why I enjoyed Native Americans. They know humor!

I see humor in Maria and Sarah

“Something big is about to happen to you”

“This message has no content.”- the irony!

Fire

These past days have been unseasonably cold. We built a fire the other night – Jake said dad I can see the fire reflected in your glasses give me your camera – and this is the result.

Jake contemplates

Jake headed back to school from 8am till 3pm. I miss the banter and company of my son. But that is another story.

A dusting of snow…

Fat Recumbent

Legs burn, knees with needles, keep pausing to catch my breath…I can’t keep up with a six year old.

Overalls – wrong clothes!

Everyone said – oh it is so nice that you take your grandson riding. I smile and lovingly thank my neighbors. Everyone said “oh, he will keep you young!” Truer words…

C’mon dad!

It was so fun today – his chain kept falling off and he blamed China! At least it is from REI.

Go go go

Sage Against the Machine

Winkler Knives

I have wanted a Winkler forever! Best Christmas gift of the year is from my buddy Chris –

Handmade reliable

Maple handle Blue Ridge Hunter – The knife features a blade of 80CRV2 carbon steel with a flat grind – totally love this knife.

My favorite gift to myself is from NTVS and reflects the title of my post – XXL – handmade and waited a month for it! Big ole soft sweatshirt!

In honor of Jake being Crow

Another night flowing into the new year in our awesome RDS tent!

Thankful and blessed,

Hoss