Best Western of Howell

Well, it never seems like too much luggage, or maybe it does. But after you have all the stuff packed; small bag, big bag, laptop bag, carryon bag, food bag, two big coats, an extra, extra big coat for a friend from Syria, then, THEN it seems like WAY too mucch luggage. Oy! We could travel with smaller bags, but that would mean we would bring fewer gifts, and have less ...

... pytti pannam (onion, potoato, beef hash), plus steamed kale and wonderful Swedish-style beans, with honey and vinaeger. DeLISH! The small restuarant/tavern is filled with Sousaphones, Euphoniums, and of course, bigass TUBAs. Lots and lots of tubas! We were seated in one of the booths, with a world map next to us on the wall. I told our cute waitress that I was headed to Ghana, and she exclaimed, "My sister JUST got back from ...

... diversion into Great Smoky Mountain National Park to see the fall colors. A week from tomorrow, we'll be back at our friend Pat's Place, in Webster, Florida, where warm weather awaits!

The colors have started to change up here - will upload a couple of pics taken today as we're traveing.

... br>It will be interesting to compare the journey back through the US. Already i notice the incessant Golden Arches that are at every single junction.

Aiming to be back in Nanaimo by September 1st but we'll see how things develop and how the roads are.

This journey is to be savoured.

It's been one month since I returned to the U.S., and I have missed writing this blog.  I have been slowly reintegrating to the U.S. and even more slowly getting used to living in one place for more than a few days at a time.  I moved into my apartment in Ann Arbor about a week ago, and I’m having the same kind of thoughts I did at the beginning of my trip—something along the lines of, Oh My God, am I really doing this?  And so the cycle begins again… hopefully it will ...

... Staring out the airport window does not count as 'visiting' said area. It's ok when I do it because I'm being ironic.

Flying to Portland was a little more comfortable, I got bumped up to an emergency exit seat (the extra leg space is worth the possible need to 'help in case of emergency') Once in the city, it was midnight and I was picked up by Ken and Margaret. Let the vacation begin.

... we were off to a good start. Soon the Coopers Hawk was trying to raid the martin house and the darned chipmunks were climbing up into the robin's nest regularly leaving beautiful aqua blue egg shells scattered on the ground. It was quite a surprise watching those little buggers scale the brick walls. Although the robin finally had a successful hatch it left the nest prematurely and has been hiding around the yard. I've even ...

As Promised, the trip home was more than I bargained for! I managed to get on the road at a decent time...no coffee yet and I think that the next week of coffee detox will be a *******e. I got to the ferry to get Vicki and we headed to the market for out "last supper" of crab cakes Benedict...whoa!! We practically ran thru the market to get to the flying fish stand and ordered up some seafood to-go! Knowing that we had a couple hours prior to leaving we made ...

Who knew that packing was a contact sport....good thing that I am going to visit a few chiro friends while there....I may need an adjustment after lugging my moster suitcase......who doesn't take like 5 pairs of shoes??? Keep watch and I'll give you a play by play of the Rainy City...

... Italy as the delegate from my new publisher, Stampa Alternativa. This trip is centered on the publication of my new book Va Tutto Bene / It's All Good, a collection of 10 poems and 10 writings from my vast personal writing archives, to be released on September 15th. The texts are presented in American on the left and in Italian on the right, in a translation by Alberto Prunetti, and with a cover design by my dear friend Matteo ...