Willie Nelson’s “Roll Me Up and Smoke When I Die – Musings From the Road

Willie Nelson - Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die

I just finished this slim volume and boy is it a gem of a book. Willie Nelson wrote this book about his life and his family and his philosophy of life. I first took notice of him when he came out in the 70’s with his Red Headed Stranger album (remember albums?) which I played over and over. Well that was over 40 years ago and you know Nelson is still making records and at 83 years of age has a very rigorous performance schedule.

Willie writing about himself is one thing but he includes little snippets from his friends, family, and fellow musicians writing about him. I thought that was great especially the vignette’s from his children from several different mothers. The other thing I really liked is the lyrics. He started out writing poetry when he was six years old and did that until he learned to play the guitar. His lyrics read like poems. One of the last songs he quotes is “Whatever Happened to Peace on Earth”

…We believe everything they tell us

They are going to kill us so we gotta kill them first

But I remember the commandment thou shalt not kill

How much is that soldier’s life worth

And what happened to peace on earth

Wow,

So I am not sure that I would like to hold up Willie Nelson’s life as one everybody should emulate but he has some things to say that are worth reading.

Our World Tuesday – Clear Sailing

Orange Beach Sailboat

Sailboat chilling on Wolf Bay, Alabama

Well we did Christmas. I love Christmas and we had a nice quiet one at the house with our small family including my Mother-in-Law. We exchanged gifts and cards and had a nice meal and texted/facebook messaged our other family in Idaho, Colorado, and western Oklahoma.

Now I am ready to be done with it. Sure, leave the lights and tree up for a few days but it is time to go outside for a little while and get the head screwed on straight. I’m taking a week off and although we have errands and stuff to do I plan to get a few runs and hikes in and take a bunch of photos.

How about you? You done with Christmas also? (I know, I know, it is technically still Christmas while I post this but I am about to come out of my skin.)

I’m linking with Our World Tuesday

Christmas Eve

All Photos-36

This is my favorite Christmas Card this year. A water color set in New Mexico. I grew up in New Mexico and I don’t think there is anything prettier than snow on adobe. Throw in a traditional blue door and a ristra of red chilis and it is perfect as far as I am concerned. Check out the artist, Terry Clark, on his blog Coffee With Clark. Artist, Journalism Professor, Journalist, all around great guy, and fellow lover of New Mexico. He is painting and posting lots of New Mexican scenes and commentary this month on a Christmas theme.

Communion Candle

I like the quiet moments of Christmas the best. The introspection and remembering years past, especially the loved ones who are no longer around.

PICT0890

Plus, young kids are great at Christmas. They still have the wonder of how it all happened. Plus I like playing with the little kids toys the best. Especially during the afternoon nap.

Christmas Card 2016 done

So unlike Professor Clark I never got around to making cards except I put this together on PicMonkey. So, to those who celebrate the holiday, Merry Christmas!!!

Skywatch Friday – Winter Solstice

Sunset - Tulsa, Oklahoma

The Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year, and the beginning of Winter was yesterday. So on the plus side the days are going to get longer! And on the downside the weather is going to get colder before it starts getting warmer. So I can go run in the woods and go geocaching without worry about ticks, chiggers, spiders, and snakes. Winter is when I can really relax in the woods and not worry about what I am about to step on or find underneath a rock.

Hey, plus Christmas is just a couple days off. Christmas is great but what I really like is the week between Christmas and New Years. This year I’m going to take the days off and we’ll go to some movies and just kind of chill.  In early January we are all going to fly up to Idaho and go visit my Dad. Now southeast Idaho, that is where they have real winter. I don’t anticipate moving up there, ever!!! If anything I want to move south.

Idaho 2010 155

This time of year is special because this is around the time of my late Mother’s birthday. Not a day goes by that I don’t miss her. I don’t have very many photographs of her but this old faded polaroid is my favorite. She was smart and sassy and tough as nails and really loved her family. The wife of a Forest Ranger and the daughter of a copper miner and a dyed in the wool old school Democrat with an Irish twinkle in eye. I wonder what she thinks as she is surveying all that is going on these days in America.

I’m linking with Skywatch Friday

Friday Hunt – Yachts to Christmas Trees and the Kingston Trio in Between

I’m joining in Eden Hill’s Friday Hunt again

First up is “Begins with Y” and I have this bit of serendipity

Olympus Motor Yacht

A few years ago we took our family vacation in Seattle, Washington. While there we took a whale watching tour which docked at a small town for a little lunch and rest and I took the above photo in the little harbor.

Later I googled the vessel’s name “Olympus” and it turns out that it began life in 1929 in New York as a private yacht of a wall street baron and has had several owners during its life including the US Navy during World War II where it served as a patrol vessel looking for submarines off the coast. Later on it was owned by the State of Washington and is under private ownership again. It is again privately owned and you can rent it out for an excursion or if you can purchase it for a mere $950,000! Check the purchase link. It has photo some great photos of the very deluxe interior.

Next up, “Favorite”

Kingston Trio

Heather and I went to see the Kingston Trio on Sunday afternoon. They put on a great show. The singing was wonderful and they were very engaging. There was a film crew there and they are going to try and get it on PBS every year around the holidays. It was amazing watching these guys do there thing. So hey look for it next year.

And next “Festive”

Downtown Christmas Tree

I found this tree downtown while at lunch this week. I’m going to post it on Instagram when I get a chance. Do you Instagram? Yes?  then find me and friend me, I’m yogiab. I love Instagram. You can see some of my photos on the right sidebar.

Well, that is it for now!! Check out Eden Hill’s Friday Hunt and join in!

Skywatch Friday – Pond Reflections

DSCN6963

My favorite go to 3 mile walking/running loop is Lafortune Park just a few miles from the house. The trail goes around a golf course, tennis courts, and a playground, and by a several ponds so there almost always moments to rest a little bit and snap a pic or two. I’m always wanting to yell “You the Man!” or “In the Hole!!” at the golfers but never have, probably never will. I used to work with a guy who when we played golf with the CEO of our employer would say, when the CEO hit the ball, “Oh my gosh, look at the ball go!!” He even said it when I hit it, or whiffed it as mostly the case. I always thought it was funny.

Full Moon

We were celebrating my wife’s birthday yesterday and when we got home I noticed that we had a full moon. So I dug out my trust Canon SX40 Superzoom and took a few pics of the moon. I an one of them through Topaz Textures and then uploaded onto my Ipod Touch and used DistressedFX to further process the image to bring out the features of the moon.  This moon doesn’t have a cool name like some of the other moons. It is called the Long Night Moon.

Skywatch Friday

Somebody is Having a Birthday!

Heather with cake and Birthday Angel

She is holding the Birthday Angel!

Yep, Heather is having a birthday.

2016_0910_142628_252

She doesn’t stand still too long, she is often on the go and usually ahead of me.

_DSC0915

Oh what does she have up her sleeve now?

DSCN3001

I try to keep her and mother separated to minimize the mischief.

IMAG1160

Oh, yeah, and she can cook too.

IMG_3623

She flies high

DSCN6205

And can sneak in under the radar!

DSCN6302

Happy Birthday Heather, I love you!! Have a great day!!

Our World – Philbrook Gardens in the Winter

Villa Philbrook - Topaz Glow

Saturday I dropped the kid off for his Comedy Improv Class and headed up to the Philbrook Museum to walk around a little while. It was their free second saturday promotion going on inside so I went outside to the gardens  to get a little air and breathing room. I went to the bottom of the hill and shot back up to Villa Philbrook. I never get tired of the view and in the winter it seems a little crisper even on a cold overcast day.

philbrook tempietto topaz glow

This is the reverse view. I never get tired of the tempietto and its reflection but I pulled back the shot a bunch to take in the patchwork of colors, textures, and patterns.

I just love that place.

I’m linking with Our World Tuesday