Good evening friends,

 greetings from Tucson this 29th day of October. I hope all are well, and resting wherever you call home. I apoligize for the delay with writing you, but I have a good excuse I believe. 

 This is the longest period between post, since I began writing you in March of 2016. As you know, I moved into my own house about ten days ago, and along with my normal busy schudule of contracting work, I have been busy getting my stuff out of storage and the multidude of boxes and containers I had put away 18 months ago.

 A funny thing happened over the past few days as I set up my home front, with the help of my pet companion Kalani. I could'nt get off the recliner each night after working all day, and unpacking all evening. You see friends, since I first came up with the idea of traveling the country, writing this blog, and eventual book about my journey back in October of 2015, my entire free time has been spent on this adventure. As many of you long time followers know, I spent months planning the tour, then an entire year on the road, and finally the last six months at my sisters home, recovering from an exhausting trip that left me broke and physically and emotionally spent. All the while hammering out the first edition of my book, in a small cramped, living space my sister lovingly provided. 

 I didn't realize how badly my mind and body needed it's own space, until I plopped down on my favorite chair once again. But once I did, I couldnt get off of it the rest of the day. Sleeping out of my comfort zone for a year and a half, especially all those nights I spent in those nasty motels, tents sites, and the back seat of my now departed Gigsmobile, took a toll on me something awful. Obviously there was far more good than bad about my entire experiance, but for a man who has always cherished his sleep, it was quite a challenge to be displaced for so long. So I hope you understand and except my explaination. It has been great just being able to cook in my own kitchen, and shower in my own bathroom again!

 I wanted to share with you the first draft of my book cover currently under design. I have a few adjustments I want to make yet before deciding on the final draft. The second edition will obviously be different than this one, but not too much. I'm really excited about the whole thing coming together soon, and it seems surreal that a passing thought I had exactly two years ago this month, now is closer to becoming a reality. See guys, dreams do come true, even for ordinary guys and gals like us! I will continue the updates, I promise, if I can get my lazy butt off the recliner ever again.

 Just wanted to share a picture of what I was doing exactly one year ago this week in Auburn, Alabama. These two young, handsome, peruvians hired me off the Craigslist to help with a concrete pour at a national park. It was a short two day gig, but I enjoyed their kind nature, and the respectful manner they delt with me. You will read all about that gig in the next edition I'm about to start writing soon.

 Thats all for now, and thanks for checking in. stay safe and positive always!

Juanjohn

Hello friends,

Happy Thursday to you this hot fall day from Tucson. I apoligize for the delay with my post this week, and I hope your past week was as good as mine. Two signifigant changes in my life occured these past few days, hence the delay with writing you.

 For one, I would like to introduce you to my newest grandchild, Eva! I had mentioned her imminent arrival on my last post, but she decided to show up earlier than the October 17th due date her P.H.D. had her schuduled for. She was born on Saturday the 14th in Hayward, coming in at a healthly 8lbs. 5 ozs. As I had mentioned last week, she is officially the first daughter born to my eldest son Anthony, and his wife, Melina, after four boys. She would be the 24th grandchild born to my parents, who both are now deceased. My mother loved all her grandkids, especially when they were newborns. Now that means that I just have to go to Cali soon, and meet her in person. I can't wait!

 The other change came abruptly and pretty much unplanned for me. I found a place of my own to live in, after staying with my sister Angie since I arrived from my cross-country adventure in May.The oppurtunity opened for me to rent a home just down the street, and I jumped at the chance to have my own space. I am so grateful for my sister's help, going all the way back to the planning stages of the tour, and during my year on the road. She is, and has always been, without a doubt, my biggest supporter in life. She has always watched over and taken care of her little brother, since the Johnny Man was a little pipsqueak. She also took care of my baby girl Kalani during my absence, making sure she was safe and loved. Words cannot due justice for the graditude I feel for the interest and love she has shown me the past fifty plus years of my life. I hope some day soon I can return some of the goodwill back to her for all her help.

 Our mutal friend Yolie, the artist, had sent me the first draft of my book cover. I'm reviewing it now for some possible changes, and hope to have something in the next couple weeks I can post for you to see. I have hundreds of pictures to chose from all over America, so picking the right ones for the cover,and first edition, is difficult. I am trying to move things along as fast as I can, but some things just can't be rushed I suppose. 

 Until next week friends, we'll see what changes life brings in one week in our ever changing world. Stay safe and postive wherever you call home, and thank you as well for your continued support and interest in my life and story! Asta la orta semana amigos!

Juanjohn

Hello friends.

Greetings from sunny and still hot Arizona. I hope all are doing well and are relaxing safely, wherever you call home. I'm still waitng for the real fall weather to arrive soon because my tradesman workload is increasing every day, and I'm sick of the blasted heat! My manuscript is off to editing, and the extra money will come in handy for sure, as I plan on gettting my own place soon, and will need to cover some publishing cost.

I'm dreaming of another Hawaii trip in January, so I can relax on the shores of Oahu once again. But before I punch my ticket to Honolulu, I do have a scheduled trip to the Bay area next month to meet my newest grandchild. She is due to arrive on the 17 th of this month, and I can't wait to see my fifth grand baby, and the first girl. I will be sure to post a picture of her as soon as I get there, and you can believe she will be the most spoiled, and over-indulged princess on earth!

 In my last post, I took the oppurtunity voice my opinion concerning the latest shooting in Vegas, and that was a deviation for me. Even though I recieved plenty of positive feed back for my choice words, I felt that events like that affect all of us to some degree. If you have been following me from the start of this journey, you know that staying out of political and social issues has always been my goal, and I believe I have done a pretty good job of that. So if I offended any one with my words, I apoligize.

 Moving on, the picture above represents some of the finest monents in my year long adventure. It was exactly one year ago this day that I spent my last evening in the Russell household. This great family didnt even know I exsisted, nine days prior to my arrival in Michigan! Yet, thanks to a mutal friend in Tucson, they took me in and showed a love, and concern for this traveling stranger, that epitomized the essence of my tour. I would tell you more, but you will have to read all about these fantastic folks, and my awesome experiancewith them in the next edition.

 I will speak to you again next week my friends, until then take care of yourselves, and thank you so much for checking in and for your loyal support. Muchas Gracias!

Juanjohn