Got my own 'Bat Mobile"

But I'm all alone. A one man band now. Not nearly as fun but the old man is getting it built. The first floor deck is complete. A monster of a job. It was built very "beefy" so it can carry a concrete floor. Totally different perspective from up there. I see the project evolving........ Boy and I are re-thinking the exterior layout. The backyard "Zen garden and Tai Chi area" needs to be out front. All the solar will be in the back. We'll also relocate the men's first tee back there so that hole is longer and we can swing away. It's also a good location for Mr. Greenjeans new garden......which I have been eating out of regularly .....thank-you very much.

Grasshopper #1 (a young John-boy back then) an old friend now, has arrived and we've been working hard to get it together for the "big pour" which took place today. Pouring concrete is high stress for me. Getting ready was difficult. Then there's inspection. Marvin, my inspector, is very cool. Likes my work. But he said there's no inspection needed for grouting walls......the term for pouring concrete into the forms. All that tightly wound fear of "inspection failure' was needless. If only I would follow my own advice and "breathe".....wave hands like clouds.

So, John boy, my college roomate Rich, Guiome (a young hitchhiker I picked up) and I nailed the pour. The forms "bulged" but never broke. We did it boys and girls. Phase one complete. Right on!

They're gone.

Boy and Grasshopper have moved on. Their next adventure calls. I hope they revisit and we live together on the land again. It is a wonderful and comfortable way to exist. I think they will take some of my teachings with them........hopefully, a few of them....... they will be able to apply in life.

Leaving was bittersweet. The adventure was a once in a lifetime affair. There was a plan in place to move on...but all of a sudden, we had to get home in a hurry. Our wonderful friend and father Karl went forth. Talented man. More so than I ever knew. Lot of laps left. So much more life and love to give. There is a spot here on the range for a tree. (Blake, come help me plant it) We'll hit around you, buddy. "You helped me raise my boy", Karl. You and Patty were more of an influence on him than you can ever imagine. I thank you. Your goodness is evident in both of them.

There's a lot to do here. Organization was somewhat "Casual" when the crew was around. We were living on the land, building on the land and having fun! Camp wasn't dialed in properly...no big deal, worked fine, but I've done some remodeling. I got rid of the tent in the living room. That area is smaller and now it's called the "Smokin' Room". Did some kitchen upgrades as well. I, also, returned to find my tent had been trashed. Taken to the dump. Either the newlyweds had a rockin' good time or Blake was tired of the leaks and the stress of worrying about it. I was about to dump it myself. Good call. So, I've moved into their area. Very sweet. Nice. Comphy. You're not getting it back.

I've got John-boy coming. A most recent Grasshopper graduate. He's going to help me. And I will council him once again. Live life my friends.

Been gone awhile-

My Woman.................and I went to Summer camp. I love Hawaii camp with my woman but I love Tai Chi camp as well. We just spent a week at Mt Holyoak college in Massachusetts with some great personalities. That's why we go. All of the classmates are enjoyable company. Thank you Chen !!!.......... YEAH!

Now, Dan........can't say enough. He is the man.......he has the essence and he taught it to me through 36 form.....CHEN! Didn't have it until the last day and I didn't nail the talent show.................as my son calls it. (Dude, were you there? No.) We were doin' 36 form and we were tight! Right on Chen!

Ok, I was leaning on Alan, the guy next to me in line. He got me through those brain farts I was having. Thank you my friend. Then there was Janet. Center stage. "ROCK ON"!! She was carrying us all the way through. And Megan in front of me, "You are the artistic light of our Troop." Monica on the corner....ausgezeichtnet! Tony, what form next year? To the rest of my Chen posse, the next time we all see each other let's be dancing 36 with attitude. Now, read on and visualize what I'm building here. Although it might seem like I'm just fooling around with my kids, we are building a house and an awesome Zen garden where we will practice and hopefully have visiting artists (like yourselves) come teach.

This dream will happen. Might take awhile because I am certainly enjoying the process. But it will be a beautiful place.