Good morning friends,

Happy Saturday morning to you,  I hope all are well and warm wherever you call home. I apologize for the delay with my update, but I was busy celebrating my birthday. I had all intentions posting this yesterday, but I was caught up in the excitement of March Madness , with my local team the Arizona Wildcats.

 It's hard to believe that I am now 56 years old, as most of you know time just seems to fly by. If you haven't figured out yet, I'm not too concerned with aging, and never really have been.I try to live everyday to its fullest, realizing the precious gift of life we all possess. Speaking of time, it was exactly a year ago today that I landed in Anchorage Alaska, on my second to the last stop of my tour. It was the coldest climate I had ever experienced, except for the few nights I slept in sub-zero temperatures in my truck in the Midwest. I didn't have to sleep outside in Anchorage, since I rented a motel for 5 days, but since I flew in, I was confined to the local bus system for transportation. Waiting for the bus to to arrive in 21 degree weather, was a first for me, and not very pleasant!

 Today is also the annual book fair here in my hometown of Tucson, a  bittersweet occasion for me. I had set this date when I first arrived as a goal to have my book completed and ready to showcase here at this event. Unfortunately, as you know, I will only be attending as a spectator. I still remain undeterred, despite the delay in my publishing timeline. The first book is written, but still some time away from hitting the bookshelves and E-book market. I believe, as I've stated several times, that everything has its time, and this is not the time for me to be part of the writer's club. Nevertheless I still dream and envision that for me in the near future. I hope that you still believe in me and my determination to complete my journey in the written form!

 I also have a issue that I've been struggling with this past week. As you know I am self-employed, and enjoy working for myself and all the freedom that it entails. I was offered a job position as a union rep here at the local office where I was a member for 21 years of my life. I do not miss having a boss, or punching a clock like the majority of folks in this world. But I also do not have any health insurance, and that is one of the big perks that come with this position. I'm not getting any younger, and a lot of the work I do comes with the risk of getting injured at any moment. Also my immune system has been altered as of late, from my year on the road I believe, and I've been more sick this year than all the other 56 years of my life.So those are the things I weigh, as I decide what to do next. I am not tempted by the money or perks they are offering me, but the loss of freedom and time I now control would certainly be compromised. I am well into my second book, and my writing will certainly suffer I foresee, since I will go from a 30-hour work week, to possibly a 40 to 50 hour schedule. My sister tells me it's time to grow up, and I tell her why? LOL! I will keep you posted on my decision, but I'm pretty sure I know which way I'm leaning.

 Thank you for all the birthday wishes, and I certainly pray I will be part of the book fair a year from today. Thank you for checking in, and for your continued support. Take care and stay safe until next time!

Juanjohn

Hello friends,

I hope to find you all healthy and warm, wherever you call home. I myself I'm I'm doing well this Sunday evening. After spending time with with my daughter on her recent visit, I was really backed up with work, while still battling a nagging bronchitis that won't end.

 I would like to take a minute and acknowledge the poor folks, young and old, who tragically lost their lives last week in another senseless school massacre. I do not have school-age children anymore, so my heart goes out to those parents who drop their kids off every morning at school or watch the bus take them to class, fearing that they might not ever make it home again. I too have a teenage grandson in California, and I know his parents live with that fear as well. I don't know what the solution is, but I fear that the political divisions it creates, only prolongs any sensible answers needed to bring about change.

 I spent all week doing a variety of things, including painting a house, knocking down a dead 30-foot tree, fixing screens and drywall,  to name a few. My living room ceiling also spring a leak with the the the rains, so I spent this afternoon patching the roof. January is usually slow, due to most folks overspending themselves for the holidays, but things usually cranked up again in February, mostly due to tax refund and warmer weather conditions, at least here in Arizona. But my biggest headache of the week, was my brakes going out on my Toyota Sequoia. Now I could just about build a house, and enjoy every aspect of construction, but I hate working on cars. It is, to be honest, my Achilles heel! I could do a variety of auto repairs, but I just downright hate doing it I took after my father in that aspect, and have paid the price, financially. This time I decided to change the brakes myself, and I spent all day yesterday working on replacing the brake pads. There was one stuck nut, on the rear caliper, and it gave me a world of trouble. I cursed and cussed, in Spanish of course, until I got that damn thing off! With my hand all greasy, and my head pounding with stress and frustration, I decided never to do the work myself. I can't wait to become a successful writer, so I can hire some grease monkey to do the work for me LOL!

 I do not have any news on the book front, I have not heard from Mary Ann. I'm sure she is still dealing with the grieving process associated with the loss of her daughter. There is no time frame for that kind of loss, so I will stay busy in the meantime, with my second edition, as time allows.

 As always friends, stay safe and thank you for checking in with me. I'm still humbled and overjoyed that so many people have continued to follow and support me months after I completed my journey. But as you know, the journey isn't over until I get this manuscript published! Every day comes closer to that goal, so until then have a good week, and I will right you soon.

Juanjohn

Hello Friends!

Happy lovers day, or as some folks call it, Valentines Day! I hope all are doing good today and are safe and warm wherever you live. The rain is finally falling here in the desert southwest, after months of unseasonable weather. Its been so dry and warm this winter that I longed for the days I was sleeping in my truck in the snow and ice like I was a year ago.

 My daughter Vanessa departed last night after arriving last friday from Las Vegas to stay with me, and to visit her aging grandparents who live here in Tucson as well. She works in Neveda and continues her training to one day soon become a firefighter. I don't get to see her much since she left home 16 years ago, so we make the most of our time together whenever we are reunited. We spent the weekend eating, and hanging out with the rest of the extented family. I enjoyed cooking her some of the favorite meals she ate growing up as my only daugther. We also went out to some of her favorite local eaterys here in town as well. It really felt good to sit and chat hours deep into the night about our past and present lives together, and apart. She is a funny and spirited lady, who unlike her brothers, who are more reserved and shy, doesn't have any trouble expressing her opinion and feelings openly. Does that sound like anyone you know? Haha!

 She had a rough childhood at time, mostly due to her biological mother choosing to be distant and uninvolved in her and her brother's life. She grew up fiercely independant and ambitious, which has helped her as she focuses on her dreams and goals. We have had our differences over the years, but as I have aged and mellowed, and she has matured, we now enjoy a richer and more profound relationship. It makes my heart glad we are now closer than ever, and we are able to communicate about anything. Vanessa has a deep love and respect for me and I can feel it, but she also has a huge love for her brothers, nephews and extented family. I hope to see her alot more often!

 I do had have some news about my book. Unfortunately the news is not too good. MaryAnn my proofreader person, suffered the tragic loss of her own daugther last week, and had to break away from my manuscript for a time, while she deals with the funeral arrangements, and the subsequent grieving process such events cause a person and family. Mary Ann is a wonderful lady, and very excitied about helping me with the gigs story, but unfortunately, death befalls  us all. I will continue to write the second edition, and wish her and her husband John the best through their time of need.

 Let me finish by letting all you St. Valentine's Day participants know that the Hallmark card, flower growers, and chocolate makers got in kahoots about one hundred years ago to create this holiday. It was a brilliant marketing idea that has netted them billions of dollars worldwide, while just a simple rose or "I love you honey" probabaly would have done the trick for most women! As you know, I am still single, but looking for the next Mrs. Gigslady! So in the meantime Kalani will continue to be the benefactor of my affections and steak dinners, until I can replace her with a lady who walks on two legs and is not as hairy. Good thing for me Kalani can't read!

 Thanks for dropping by friends, and thank you for your continued interest and support. We'll get it done someday soon, then on to Australia for 'Gigsdownunder'!

Juanjohn