Unexpected Pleasure -- as usual

One of my most favorite things in the world is to sit at my kitchen table very early in the morning; drinking my coffee; and gaze out my second floor window watching the day dawn. As the sky lightens overhead, the waters of the gulf keep their darker hue of blue and the waves roll onto the sand beach. We don't get much in the way of waves around here, only a couple of feet at best, unless it's storming. Then add into this scene the birds and palm trees and beach cottages, yada, yada, yada.

I checked my blood pressure just for giggles today. 116/76 and a pulse of 62. I'd say I'm pretty chill. And that's with NO MEDS!

It is unexpectedly clear and beautiful today, if a bit breezy. This storm over between Mexico and Cuba seems to be going, as expected, toward southern Texas. That's good for just about everybody. And we get a spectacular day -- low 90s, blue skies and strong breeze out of the south. Sounds like a beach day to me. Unexpected pleasures.

So, the plan stays the same. Hang here until Tuesday or Wednesday and find a load to move me back into the Midwest -- and reality. But for now, it's vacation time.

"Do Not TODAY what you can PUT OFF till TOMORROW!"

It's Been a Long Time (again)

I really don't know why. But again it has been more than 2 months since I last posted, as more than one of you has mentioned to me personally! Thank you. I assure you, my intent is to be more consistent. But this year has not had much stability or consistency for me. As much as a 'free spirit' some people think I may be, I like a certain amount on 'routine' in my life.

Today I am sitting in the open-garage of my place in FL -- Paradise. It's not easy living in the middle of 'Vacation Land.' EVERY day can be a holiday here if you want it to be. But these days it is a bit easier since both of my Over The Road drivers are no longer with me. And the one I thought was coming on -- No Showed, No Call! So it's just me right now. And I'm sitting on my butt on the beach in FL.

No problem now. I have income from the work we did a month ago which is just now coming 'payable.' But there will be major CFI (cash-flow interuptus) if I sit here too long. The dollars hitting my checking account today were earned 30-45 days ago.

But I have been working. Driving even. Alot. I like it when the weather is good and the roads are nice; besides the construction, that is. But it has been based out of Illinois. It's the crossroads of America, centrally located that you can go any direction from easily. It's just easier getting freight in and out of STL. And I will head back there next week sometime, early. But I HAD to get back here. I needed my fix.

There is a Tropical Depression forming in the Gulf between Cuba and Mexico. The predicted path, at this time, is towards Texas, who could seriously use some rain in the northwest. This is Hurricane Season, where these 'pulses' off the African coast glide across the Atlantic occasionally forming into monsters, like Katrina. So we watch the weather around here on the beach. Mother Nature has been known to fool us.

It has been very rainy for the last two days, except at my house; until this afternoon. Finally we got a light shower that, at least, wet the ground real well. It has also made for some spectacular sunsets, one of my Top 5 Favorite Things To Do in FL.

That was two nights ago looking west across the Gulf from the top of the drawbridge going across John's Pass. Pretty kewl stuff, if I may say so myself.

So I'm here for a week or so to refuel my 'Happy Tank' and then get on to STL. My priorities are the same as ever ... get this website developed and try to add on another driver (or two, actually) that wanna make some money.

But right now ...... I'm pretending to be on vacation.

Suffering From Vitamin D Withdrawal

It is 59 degrees and raining here in Belleville this morning. That's also about as warm as it's suppose to get all weekend! But I guess if the worst thing in my life today is the weather, things really aren't all that bad. But I truely am missing the beach and sun. Especially on the weekends; Sundays.

I was successful adding another driver though. And just in time. George is going to be off another month or so dealing with personal issues. He assures me he wants to come back. I hope so.

My new guy - Virgil - drove big trucks 30 years ago but has since retired from a large areospace company in STL. But he still likes to drive! We completed 99% of everything yesterday. He and I will review some DOT compliance things -- like log book and securement rules today. And then off he goes Monday or Tuesday.

My truck is in the shop with my trailer getting oil/filter and other preventive maintenance stuff. I also head out Tuesday or Wednesday for CA. Yes Sam, I really AM coming!

I have a 2nd cousin who is getting married. This is the same one that immigrated to Israel last year. I think I now know why. She and the groom are in Los Angeles preparing for "The Big Day" next weekend. And I'll be there. Just proves, I'll drive ANYWHERE for a party!

I have a couple of tenative things set up. I found a small, aluminum jet boat going to LA and another motorcycle. Should be an intersting - and light - load going down the road; two Harleys and a 21' jet boat. Hopefully I can put it together.

So that's the latest as I prepare for the next leg of Westward HOOOOOO.

Spring has Sprung -- A Change is Comin'

For much of the past 5 five months I have felt like my head was spinning. Not in the sense that I am dizzy (tho there are probably some that might argue that). But rather in being over-whelmed with things; like I'm missing or forgetting something.

My world changed forever on Dec 10 when my father was admitted to the hospital. We buried him less than six weeks later. Shortly after which my mother moved from her 3,000+ sqft house in GA to a 900 sqft beach cottage in FL. My mother now lives next door to me. I was fortunate to be able to maintain my business (for the most part) during all of this.

But it has taken a toll on my mental self. And I think it is time for me to get back to what I was doing before that made me happy -- Travelling the USA. Do not read this the wrong way, tho! I have no regrets over my choices these past months. NONE of them! (okay, maybe one) When my mother called me that Friday afternoon to tell me dad was going in the hospital, there was never a question what I NEEDED to do. I would do nothing different now in retrospect.

But I feel like I have done my job. I have taken care of my parents; no different than they took care of me 50+ years ago. I now need to get back to MY thing.

That will start Tuesday. I had to get my truck worked on to make it road-worthy again. That's done. All that's left is to pack and go. I will go to IL, where my business is based, and try to add on another driver first. I will go back on the road from there. Eventually getting out to southern CA for a cousins wedding in late May. Ironically, I made this same journey last year. Deja Vu

So, since I will be back on the road again, perhaps I can find some fodder for this page again.

Time Out

A few people have ask me when I'm going to get back to my blog. I'm afraid it may be awhile before I can do this again regularily.

If you look back over the last six months, I have been getting farther and farther between posts. What use to be once or twice a week has become once in a while. The biggest reason is because my situation has changed significantly from this blogs inception.

Look at the title -- Traveling the USA. When I started this, that's what I was doing; driving around the country on a permanent, 'paid-vacation' living the dream. My motorcycle was on the back of the trailer and I went wherever I wanted doing as I pleased, for the most part. Life was good.

Last year I got my own Motor Carrier Authority which meant I got to keep ALL the money I generated rather than sharing with someone else for putting their name on the side of my truck. But it also opened a whole new way of making money. I was able to have OTHER owner/operators working with MY name on the side of their truck. My plan was to take a small percent and continue doing what I was doing but generating extra income for me.

It didn't take long to realize that I could make MORE money by concentrating on having more drivers out there working. Plus, I didn't have to drive as much. As much as I like to drive, running 80-90,000 miles a year means 'living' in your truck -- ALOT. Sitting on the beach in paradise and dispatching 2 or 3 other owner/operators became the norm. But I lost alot of the new subject matter to write about. I wasn't Traveling the USA anymore.

Then my dad went in the hospital in early December 2010 and my priorities REALLY changed. You can read my last couple of posts and see that. After he passed, a whole new set of priorities emerged. And that is where I have been these past two months. My travels have been limited to FL to GA to IL to FL to GA to IL over-and-over.

My life has changed in ways I could never have imagined six months ago. But the reality is, I am not Traveling the USA much these days. So this blog has very little purpose today. It's not The End; just a time out.

Open Letter to My Dad

(We buried my father last Friday. I suspect he has some questions about why I did certain things and I wanted him to know ‘why’. Also, many friends have wondered about some of the details and I thought this would be a good way to share. And in case you are reading this first part but not the rest, please take away THIS: There is AN END to our days so don’t wait too long.)

You may be wondering why I was so ardent in my efforts to make the end as ‘Jewish’ as possible for you when the vast majority of your life was not. I was actually challenged with this question by someone I greatly respect and knows our family well. It really bothered me at first. Was I doing this for ME?

I can answer that now, at least in my head. The very first part of your life was Orthodox. Then things changed drastically for you – as a young teen – and religion was more enemy than friend. But I think you identified with Judaism in a very internal, personal way that got stronger over time. I tried to complete the circle for you because that’s what life is – a circle; ashes to ashes, dust to dust. You started out very Jewish and I tried to make the end as Jewish as I could.

But there was more. Most of our talks, as the end got closer, centered on your desire for mother to be taken care of. (Sidebar: You should know better than ANYBODY, mother really needs no help. She’s an incredibly strong person) The Jewish tradition of ‘Shomer’ – guardian of the body from the moment of death until burial – seemed to be the best way to give her peace of mind; knowing that your earthly remains were treated with the utmost respect, until you reached your final resting place.

Speaking of which, I’m sorry about no Arlington National Cemetery. Your Purple Heart and WWII war hero status wasn’t good enough to move you up the 6-month waiting list to be buried there. Your youngest son tried; REAL hard. But bureaucracy won. The good news is, it will be easier for many family and friends to visit you at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis.

I am trying my best to maintain Jewish tradition by sitting shiva for you. But since we were never particularly religious – some would say I’m not Jewish at all – some of the ‘rules’ are difficult to adhere to; much like the funeral itself. (My drivers do not want another week of un-paid vacation, so I will be working later this week.)

This part – sitting shiva - is for me. By trying to keep some of these traditions, I am first-of-all learning what they are and then, secondly, getting some comfort from it. Which is ironic, since most of these customs are meant to be UN-comfortable so you focus on the grieving process. But then I consider myself a Pragmatic Jew; I try to fit these 3,000 year old customs into my 21st century life. As you know, I believe religion is about inner-peace and a personal relationship with GOD. Since I find following the ENTIRE Bible to be nearly impossible, I focus on Exodus 20:1-17 (The Ten Commandments).

That part about honoring thy Mother and thy Father? That has been my motivation for the past two months. You need to know, I still feel good to this day about what I have done. I understand your questioning my commitment but, more often than not, I try to do the right thing because it IS the right thing.

I will miss you dad. The conversations we had these past few weeks have changed me for life. I had hard feelings for you many, many years. I blamed you for a lot of stuff that now, in hind-sight, is so trivial. The last ten years have been better. The past two months have been priceless. Thanks. And thank GOD I was able to get it right while you were still here.

Personal Issues

As I have previously mentioned, I do not get much into personal details here -- either my own or business of others. I have to admit, I really don't get Facebook. Why is it important for every moment of your life to be detailed to the world?

My dad is still sick. The good news is that he is out of the hospital and at home. But I do not believe he is going to be with us much longer. I have been in GA at their house since Dec 2 so there has been little 'Travelling the USA" going on.

I hope to resume this blog in the near future when we get thru this chapter of our lives. Until then, your prayers are most welcome.