Could I convince you it was writer's block?

I guess I cannot convince you I have had writer's block. The obvious reason for my not keeping up here for the past ten days is laziness. This lifestyle tends to promote putting off the things I thought I would do today.

Actually, the adventure back to Florida across the country has been so amazing, I just sat back and soaked it all in. I suppose some would assume three days crossing the dry barren lands of America's Southwest would be an endless drag. Not so! Hardly a mile went by that both Dennis and I did not point out another view of amazing landscapes, sunrises and sunsets, and animal life. Twice in Texas we save a pair of wild boars just grazing along the interstate. We took Interstate 10 East on most of our journey. It is a breathtaking trip.


We began with a quick overnight of parking all 60 feet of our rig and tow car in front of the Phoenix home of my cousin Sandy and her husband, Len. They live in a beautiful location, and we spent the evening with their (Len's) home cooking and Sandy's frozen Margaritas, laughing and sharing memories like we always do. Sandy and I were "kissing" cousins in our early, early years. We have a special bond, and are as close as cousins could be.


Len posited his theory (which at that part of the evening was handed out more as the absolute truth) that the earth is a closed ecosystem and every single mineral, particle or whatever that is here today has always been here. Since then, as often as I refuse to go there, my mind still stalls out in complete frustration, knowing there is a flaw in his argument, but completely unable to debunk it. Any and all smarter than me out there, please help!!


From here we headed for Austin, Texas. We were blessed with an evening with Kathleen's son Andy and his girlfriend, Bri. Even though we were almost twice their ages, Dennis and I had a wonderful time. This completes the first round of my exploration and adventure with a part of my lost family. Dennis and I met Dawn and Dave, Ildy and Tim (and their precious baby Clover), and Lisi (and her exciting new house). It has all been a thrill and just keeps on going. Regrets of a lost shared past are set aside by anticipation and excitement for our shared futures.


REMINDER: MY MOTHER, DOLORES, DOES NOT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THIS PART OF OUR ADVENTURE. PLEASE DO NOT MENTION IT IN ANY WAY TO HER. She does not have a computer and cannot get the blog, so she does not read it. I am unable to edit out this part of my life anymore. That was done for me by others for far too long. Should any of you have any questions about this, please contact me directly. I of course apologize if this upsets any of you. That is not my intent. Thanks so much!!


We left Andy and Bri and met up with my sister Melodie and her husband David in eastern Texas or western Louisiana, not sure which. They have a motor coach of their own. All I can advise those of you who for years complained about the length of the trip across Nebraska . . . Try Texas from East to West. The land mass of that state is truly mind boggling--more than enough space for George W to be lost in and never heard from for the rest of his life (I can only hope and pray).


Somewhere in here we spent a night at a Casino. We ate crayfish prepared a number of ways (a major and unusual culinary adventure for this kid from Iowa!). The food was actually good, but so rich we all felt a bit queezy the next day (that is the polite way to explain hours sitting in our respective bathrooms).


We spent our next night together along the road in the Sam Houston Jones State Park, Louisiana. There is one observation that might get me in some trouble with our friends from Louisiana. I observed a noticeable and stark difference between the care people take of their property in Texas and Louisiana. I know, this was one of my grossest of generalizations yet (and that is saying something), but Texans appear (to me at least) to have a special pride in their state. It was clean; the roads were excellent; and the people generally took very good care of their property, even the obviously most poor (of which there were many along Interstate 10). It appears to not have anything to do with race, economic status or nationality. Texas just seems to have its stuff together more than most in the South.

We headed for New Orleans. We landed there on Melodie's birthday. We also arrived on the first day of Mardis Gras which we had not planned. The festivities were just getting cranked up the two nights we were there, but we got around, ate our seafood, drank our share of that awful red rum disaster, the Hurricane, and even saw a couple parades. We had a blast, but I have no need to make Mardis Gras an annual event. We froze our butts off a couple nights on Bourbon street. As a recent refugee of the frozen north, Melodie was not pleased.


I am told I challenged the credentials of a couple priests and the huge, mostly exposed breasts of their companions. After being told the women were not hookers but the sisters of the priests, Melodie jerked me into the crowd, and (I am convinced) said 12 Hail Mary's for me, and she is not even Catholic!!). I was heard to holler back, "Then you must be Episcopalians.

I am also told I continually seemed to stumble into the horses of the mounted police, asking the horse (while the policeman sat on top), "Is it true that you are hung like a horse?" I am convinced the horses smiled at me. Dennis was heard to exclaim, "Tom, if you are going to start drinking again, you really are going to have to learn to hold your liquor!" We shall see.

We traveled next to an amazing Florida state park then on to Disney World's Fort Wilderness Campground. I will hit the Florida adventures in my next installment. I am still recovering from those damn Hurricane drinks. David is forbidden to ever buy me a drink again.

Time To Leave the Desert

It is hard to believe that our time in Palm Springs has come to an end. I notice that I have hardly shared anything about our stay here.

First, to clear up a few things. If you ever want to hear from people you did not even know were tracking you, just write about a beggar in a supermarket! It has been a great discussion. I certainly learned a lesson about writing words and the very different things people glean from those words. So, I must clear up just one thing. I was not positing that this person was legit, or that I had any intention of ever giving him money.

This person was more a symbol of a dark cynicism that had found its way into my heart. I know these people can be dangerous and scary, especially to those who may not feel able to protect themselves when alone and confronted by such people. I learned that many have had the same line put to them from any number of different beggars.

Yet, that was not my point. While not afraid, I was terribly uncomfortable. This person had invaded my otherwise cozy, run-of-the-mill daily existence. He challenged my self image that I could handle most situations, and that ultimately I would respond compassionately. It was a healthy self-dialogue, and grew into an even healthier dialogue with many of you. Thanks for that.

I have also learned that if you send copies of your blogs to your mother (who still refuses a computer), leave out the blog about almost being killed by older Florida drivers who should have their licenses revoked. Even though my mother refuses to allow the word "old" to be spoken or even written in her presence, she took me down a couple (many) notches for my "stupid, uninformed" writing about senior drivers.

Quoting what I can only assume was the latest issue of the AARP newsletter, she was armed with a plethora of statistics regarding the vast majority of accidents being causes by young drivers. Deftly pushing aside any reasoning about there not being many 85 year old people left to drive, thereby skewing the statistics, she concluded by warning me to "do a little research in the future." You all know the line, "Honey, you are better than that." Ouch! I guess I also learned that being 59 years old in no way insulates you from being lifted by your ears by a pissed off, old (do the math) mother.

As for Palm Springs, it has rained for the past three days (yes, in the desert) and was 39 degrees this morning. I know that means it is Spring in Minnesota, but for us, it is time to continue our search for the perfect winter weather. So jacks up, slides in, start the engine, and off we go to Key West!

In the meantime we have had a great time. We have spent good times with other Minneapolis snowbirds, including Dennis' former real estate partner, June Berg, and her family and friends.

We also had a great time with Dennis' brother, Neil and his wife, Candy. Who said four adults cannot live comfortably in 275 square feet? We laughed all weekend.

Dennis volunteered at a store run by the Desert AIDS Project that sells top grade donated clothes and things. He loved the activity and met lots of people. We both enjoyed our time alone (275 square feet. . . remember?). I used the time to put a dent in my writing projects.

We explored the area and even drove into the mountains just so see some snow (old habits die hard). The high desert is a diverse and beautiful ecosystem. We did some hiking in the desert. Well, Dennis did some hiking; I hiked, once. I used up all my nitroglycerin. I have learned the invaluable lesson that I can enjoy the glory of nature and never ascend an incline. College in Nebraska apparently gave me a deep love for level ground.

Dennis' hiking group includes two 70+ men who resemble long horned sheep in their ability to scale a cliff without ever increasing their heart rates. Dennis treats the experience much like he treats ingesting that extra dose of scalding jalapeno hot sauce (while gasping and sweating), "Ah, that was great!"

We enjoyed theater, street fairs, dining, and coffee on the lawn of our favorite coffee shop. We shopped way too much, and ate even more. Our last purchase was a Weight Watcher's cook book at COSTCO. As soon as I break the plastic seal, we may start down that road. Don't hold your breath.