Category Archives: Uncategorized

January 20, morning Every once in a while on my drive from Houston to the property near Buffalo, I stop in at Woody’s Smokehouse in Centerville. I never stop at Buc-ee’s, part of the travel spot emporium chain, in Madisonville. Woody’s has been around since 1975 and became the iconic and popular pit stop forContinue reading “Alexander Hamilton’s Chuckle”

January 3, 2026 And so, just like that, the New Year has arrived. The 2026 Express, with all of us aboard, is underway, gathering speed, seeking her rhythm as she clickety-clacks down new tracks through a familiar landscape, but one we know will be full of surprises and, at least for those who have theirContinue reading “All aboard!”

We used to mail out a Christmas greeting with a summary of the year’s highlights and some family pictures. It has been many years since we performed that labor of love, selecting a few photos and finding the right words to describe the events of the year we wanted to share. I remember it wasContinue reading “Merry Christmas 2025”

There is a chapter in Moby Dick in which the narrator tells us that although the color white is associated with noble things, such as innocence, honor and purity, there yet lurks in that hue an elusive sense which strikes panic in the soul. Which describes my current state of being. Let me explain: PaulaContinue reading “Ahab’s Curse”

The wranch house continues its inexorable and unrelenting arrival from the future, where it exists in harmony, one hopes, with Future Self. It is undergoing its birth into the present, like an infant’s journey from its mother’s womb to its first breath and the warm welcoming embrace of the world we live in. Until theContinue reading “Ramblings”

November 6 I visited the spine doctor today and he proclaimed my back injury “clinically healed”. I suppose that is the best a doctor can do, but that was enough for me to feel very good and again give thanks that the injury was not more severe or debilitating. Next up: wean myself from theContinue reading “Survival Mode”

A major milestone in the construction of the wranch house is underway: the installation of the columns, beam and truss which support the cantilevered gabled roof over the front patio. This structure brings stability, imbues personality and provides protection. This is the bow of my ship, from which I can look out into the future,Continue reading “The Bow of my Ship”

Almost three weeks without a post! It is not that nothing has happened. Au contraire! Last Friday, we had the construction site and property blessed by Father White, who performed a similar service for me prior to my last Camino. When I drilled wells overseas it was important to bless the drill site. It leftContinue reading “Visions”

October 6 I have spent the last week or so in California. I am starting this post at 30,000’ on my way back to Texas. I will finish it this evening because I want to include a picture of the wranch. I was back in Encinitas to celebrate Jen’s 40th birthday. JP arranged to haveContinue reading “Exceeding the limit”

O silent strength! Deep-rooted to the earth,Jewel of eternal stability,Solid as the anvil of Haphaestus,Quietly awaiting your destiny.Your marble sheen invites the vibrant worldMirroring the sky in metallic blue,Reflecting idle clouds which wander byO’er the surrounding oaks attending you. O wondrous gift, heaven could thee acclaim!To build upon thy grace, would seem a shame.