Year 2, Day 100 (Guest Blogger: Blanca Raygoza)

My Monkeys ... My Life

The Dallas/Fort Worth area was hit with a bad storm with several tornado sightings. Bad weather normally doesn't bother me, but today was different because the bad weather was too close for comfort. Tornados were spotted very close to my kids' schools and near the sitter's house.


I'm a single divorced parent of three awesome boys (My monkeys as I like to call them) I have a dental assistant job during the day and a second job as a Zumba instructor a few nights a week.
Parenting is a hard job and having three monkeys to raise with little or no help is sometimes overwhelming..

It was nerve wrecking to be at work during the storm. The worst feeling to have as a parent is guilt. Guilt, for not being the one to hold them when they are scared. Guilt, for not being able to be at three places at once. Guilt that doing your best isn't good enough.


Minutes seemed like hours and hail hitting the windows at work with the tornado sirens going off nearby, did not make me feel any better. In my heart I knew everything was okay, but I still needed reassurance. I was able to talk to my monkeys as soon as the afternoon patients cancelled their appointment, I was able to breathe better once I knew my monkeys were okay.

My 5 year old monkey: "Mommy! I didn't have to do my ABC's because of the motatos!" (as he smiled from ear to ear)

Me: "Motatos? What's that?"

Monkey: "You know! The scary black wind thingy that sucks you up!"

Me:"That's TORNADOS!"

Monkey: "Oh! Tornados! Ha! Ha! I'm silly right?"

My 9 year old Monkey: "Mommy, no homework tonight, I left my backpack at school because of the tornados ....it was a worthy sacrifice!"

I rolled my eyes trying hard not to laugh at their silliness and turned to my 13 year old...."Nope, no homework" no excuses just facts.


This was the conversation I had with my monkeys after I picked them up after work...and all was right with the world!

Blanca Raygoza is a proud mother of three handsome boys. She works as a dental assistant and she has a job as a Zumba instructor a few nights a week.
She is trying to live life to the fullest while raising her boys to become true gentlemen, all while sharing joy and awesomeness to those around her.

If you live in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, sign up for her Zumba classes (you can visit her website for more information). You can also find both her and her class on Twitter.

Year 2, Day 99 (Guest Blogger: RebbeSoul)

When I got to Israel, I played a lot of weddings as a guitarist/sideman, particularly in Jerusalem. Often the material consisted of Reb Shlomo Carlebach's songs and that's how I learned many of them. He wrote something like 2000 songs, many of which are so popular and common in Jewish culture, people think they are traditional, folk songs. One of the most popular that I played was "Adir Hu." It's from the Jewish holiday of "Pesach" or Passover, the holiday that occurs at this time of year.

I love the scale and I love the groove. Naturally, when it came time to record the new RebbeSoul album, which was to consist entirely of the material of Reb Shlomo Carlebach, his "Adir Hu" was high on my list. Even though, I had played it often, recording it was anything but routine and expected. Here's what happened.

I was recording at the studio of Dan Gil, the Gearer Rebbe in Sharon, MA. Dan is called the Gearer Rebbe because he knows a lot about musical gear and is obsessed with it. He had just acquired some new equipment and instruments and one of them was a Turkish saz, sometimes called a baglama. I was at the studio for a few days and Dan kept telling me about the saz and how I should play it on the new album. "I don't know how to play saz. I don't even know the tuning," I replied. That didn't matter, he didn't stop trying to convince me to play it. At one point, he was setting up 4 mics in an elaborate configuration for something I was about to play and of course while doing so, he carried on about the saz. I finally conceded. "Okay, since you're busy doing this and I'm waiting, why don't you get me the saz and I'll see if I can do something with it?" As soon as he handed it to me, I strummed it once and knew it would be perfect for something. The Gearer Rebbe had quite an insight.

A Turkish saz

"Adir Hu" was exotic sounding to begin with, incorporating the fragish (Yiddish) or hijaz (Arabic) scale so that seemed like the right tune to choose for the saz. I used some of the strings as drones and whether or not that's part of the method of playing or not, it sounded good. So I stayed in the performance room for 3 hours figuring out how to play it and we got it all. I even laid down a 2nd track and the 2 sounded really good together. I was astonished at how well it came out and grateful that the wise Gearer Rebbe, Dan was so persistent.

I went back to Israel and was listening to the tracks. Although they stood well on their own, I wanted to add a few more things. I was just having too much fun with the song and didn't want it to end. I had made a stop in San Francisco on the tour before returning to Israel and went to one of my favorite music stores, Clarion Music, named after little Clara Hsu who is now a fully grown woman, by her loving father who founded the store. It's a wonderful place in San Francisco's Chinatown to explore non-Western instruments. I first discovered it in the mid-90s, with our percussionist in RebbeSoul, Cassio Duarte and both of us were like kids in a candy store. We were in San Francisco to play Great American Music Hall and Cassio heard about this store so we went there and didn't leave for a few hours. I got a dolak from Pakistan and used shortly afterward on "A Narrow Bridge" or "Kol Ha Olam Kulo" in Hebrew, on my Fringe of Blue album.

This time, in 2009, I was in Clarion music with my brother, Scott and his son Steven. We were having fun being tourists in Chinatown and this was one of our stops. I left with a jaw harp and some hand percussion from Viet Nam and China. When it came time to record the additional material for the song. I was tracking on my mobile recording studio in Israel and pulled out these new toys of mine and rolled a few tracks. I added some finger cymbals which I often use. You can hear them all over my recordings. Between the finger cymbals and the newly acquired Asian percussion, the top end was pretty well covered. The only thing missing was a deep sounding drum for the bottom end. All the drums I had to fit the bill were in the United States and I wasn't there at the moment. It was so hot in Israel, I was drinking bottles of water constantly and just polished one off. I gave it a bang and it sounded pretty good so I played "four on the floor" on the water bottle and that's what you'll hear on the track. It comes in toward the end and sounds like a big drum.

I had so much fun with this tune, I decided to do another take on it and record it again, only more techno or electronic as opposed to this version which was entirely organic, with all real instruments.

I jumped on the computer and came up with a short programmed drum part or a loop, as they are fashionably called. I added some synth sounds and created a nice bed for the new lead instruments. But what would they be? I took out my nylon string and it sounded divine, so soothing. I recorded it and didn't want to stop because I was having so much fun with the tune. I spotted my balalaika, sitting in the corner, being ignored so I picked it up and played a track of balalaika which sounded really nice too, totally different, but really nice. I liked them both and decided to use them, the balalaika at the beginning and the nylon string afterwards.

Me and my balalaika in NY; photo by Melissa Stonehill



I wanted an intense, groove-oriented bass part so I called up one of my very favorite bassists, Moran Baron who happens to live on a kibbutz just minutes away from me and he came over slammed a killer bass part. Moran has lots of ideas and usually lays them all down. Then it becomes an editing exercise to decide what to keep and what to discard. One must be brutally disciplined to discard anything he plays because it's always so musical. I loved what he played so much that I lengthened the song by a few minutes with a long ride-out at the end just to accommodate his many ideas. If you listen to the bass on the song, you can hear a variety of different ideas, all working well but all a little different from each other, especially at the end where he play 1/16 note harmonics. The long ride-out also allowed me to indulge myself, playing another one of my new toys, the jaw harp I got in San Francisco.

I called this track, "Adir Hu Revisited" and it's at the end of the album, just before the radio mixes. I liked the way it finished off the album, providing a long, late-night, college dorm kind of mood.

You can listen to "Adir Hu Revisited" on SoundCloud

RebbeSoul - singer, song writer, musician, recording artist, guest blogger:

At first glance, you would not label him as a Rabbi or a Rebbe. In fact, not even at a second glance, but RebbeSoul is a musical brand name who combines Jewish music with soul and jazz. Now he is coming out with a project renewing Carlebach nigunim (melodies) as instrumental pieces, unique from the more prevalent, Carlebach style and just as unique for the soul.

He made aliyah (moved to Israel) about 3 1/2 years ago and lives in Zichron Yaacov and, like many other Jewish, western, music creators, his heart lies in the east but his work originates far in the west. He was born in upstate New York and embarked on his musical career at the age of 22, when he moved to California. At age 12, he had a plastic guitar his parents rented for him "because they didn't believe that I would take the instrument seriously. I played at bars that I wasn't even allowed to enter because I was too young." he tells, "They just looked the other way, and let me play."

Like the classic Jewish mother, his own mother didn't see music as a worthy profession one can make a living at. With a degree in engineering and his guitar in hand, which he was much more attuned to, he traveled across the US to look for a his place. "I went out of my house in a snow storm and drove for 2 weeks until I finally got to sunny California, where I only had on a pair shorts and my guitar in the back of my car. I spent 3 months practicing about 10 hours a day, working on every style of music. I didn't care what it was."

(Excerpt taken from RebbeSoul's press page of his website, rebbesoul.com, where you can see his current touring schedule, or even order his amazing music - yes, that was a plug... and yes, I have several of his CD's).

He can also be found on YouTube, Facebook, and on ReverbNation, both as RebbeSoul, and with Shlomit Levi as Shlomit & The Rebbe.

Year 2, Day 98 (Passover Begins)

Tonight we are officially in the Passover Holiday, also known as the Feast Of Unleavened Bread. As Scriptural history shows, it is to be observed for 7 days, but it is recognized as 8 in the the Diaspora (outside of Israel). The mandate for this observance was given by The L-rd Himself, to Moses, beginning in Exodus 12:3, where The L-rd tells what preparations must be made... the events leading up to the final plague which were befallen upon Egypt: the Plague of the Firstborn. The L-rd was bringing the plagues as punishment for the severe mistreatment the people of Israel had endured by the hands of the Egyptians. The was the beginning of the Dawn of a New Era: Israel would leave their place of captivity and become their own nation. Therefore, Passover is a remembrance of those times, enduring brutality, and the miracles that The L-rd, Himself, had made known for all; the people of Israel, as well as Egypt. There are many interesting facets when you study those plagues, but I'll just focus a little on this one. For one, a lamb is to be sacrificed for the Pesach meal. During that time, a lamb was worshipped by the ancient Egyptians as a deity, so you can imagine their horror when they found out the purpose the Children of Israel had for the lambs. The blood from these sacrificed lambs was, with the use of hysop, to be put on the doorposts and the lintel (the crossbeam of the door frame), which draws the shape of the Hebrew letter Chai (ה). The letter Chai is very symbolic of the word "life" (for an easy reference point, think of the musical Fiddler On The Roof: there is a song title "To Life", in Hebrew - they they also say in the song - it's L'Chaim).

This is just a very brief synopsis, as one of my readers specifically asked for a little more information. There is a plethora of information on the subject, through a variety of sources. One such source is on the website for Judaism 101, which does expound quite a bit, and for various levels of learning (though the link I added is for the basic level).

Contrary to popular beleif (by "popular" I mean that which "The Church" has mistaught people), Passover is NOT a Jewish Holiday... it IS, in fact, G-d's Holiday. "you shall observe this day for your generations as an eternal decree" (or in some translations: "forever") - Exodus 12:17. So I hope some of you will look into this Holiday/Festival/Celebration, even partake of a Passover Seder. I think it just may change you for the better... and you'll learn something new. May you all be Blessed!l

Year 2, Day 97 (A Somewhat Busy Weekend)

It's been a long and arduous several days, getting here to Livonia, MI from Laredo, TX. I arrived here yesterday afternoon. As I had suspected (dreaded) I was pre-planned on a load which re-loads at this same place. This load is not due to load until 1900 tonight, then the first drop is due to deliver tomorrow morning in Pittsburgh, PA. The other two drops are on Sunday, also in Pennsylvania: Bethlehem, then Lancaster. Come Monday, I pick up in Dayton, NJ heading to Brampton, ON. I really don't like the fact that I'm working through Passover, but unfortunately, I don't have such luxuries as taking off for the Holy Days (plus it doesn't help that there aren't many Jewish trucking companies).

Starting tomorrow I will be taking a brief hiatus from this blog, but there are some amazing people that will be filling in for me. Tomorrow's post, however, will have been composed by me, but it will be auto-posted. The topic of the post will be a brief explanation of Passover. There have been a few changes to the lineup with in the last week and a half, but their names will be shown in the parenthetical title of each day's post.

May you all have a blessed and joyous time in my temporary absence. Should you be one of those that are observant: Have a joyous Sabbath, and a memorable Pesach... next year in Jerusalem!

Chag Sameach!

Year 2, Day 96 (This Has Been A Long Trip)

Because of the time crunch I've been under, this run has taken quite a bit out of me. Between driving through rain & hail, missing a tornado, and dealing with people who want to drive 15 MPH through a 45 MPH work zone (not to mention that I've covered over 1500 miles since Tuesday), I'm ready for some kind of break. The weather up in Indiana is a bit cooler than it was in Texas. Down there it was the mid to upper 80's, whereas here just outside of Gary it's upper 30's to lower 40's. It may even get a little cooler as I get closer to the Detroit area.

With Passover approaching ever closer, I'm getting the guest blog posts lined up, although I've had one drop out, so I'm scrambling a little to fill in that gap. I've already had to call in a solid because one other said they would do it... then I haven't heard from them since. This recent loss I'm not upset over. She's filled in for me before, and she's good... but her daily schedule has been a little hectic for her. I'll soon find out if that spot can be covered.

I hope.

Year 2, Day 95 (Almost Halfway There)

Yesterday afternoon I started off again after shutting down just north of San Antonio. I trudged on north through Austin, Waco, etc... even hitting some rain and hail as I came closer to Dallas. I found out that a tornado hit the south eastern part of Dallas, fortunately that was nowhere near where I was heading. One of the Guest Bloggers whom will be filling in for me next week lives in Dallas, and she may be posting on that very thing.

This is one major downside to hauling produce... regardless how long you wait to get loaded, the receiving customer still wants their product on time. That's one of the good things to having electronic logs: when our time runs out, we shut down. however, I fear that when I do get the and get unloaded, I may be getting re-loaded at the same place I delivered... which means I will have to pull an all-nighter to make my first drop on time.

You win some, you lose some. I will still give The L-rd, my G-d, His praise!

Year 2, Day 94 (Another Long Day)

This day has turned out to be a long one, so far. By the time I was loaded and leaving the shipper, it was already after midnight... which gave me an 8 hour break on my logbook. I actually don't mind hauling produce, but it's more of a hassle than it's worth when your load gets picked up in areas such as Yuma, AZ, Nogales, AZ, or (as in my case) Laredo, TX. As many other truck drivers will attest to, the big problem with these loads is the freight is booked, but it still hasn't crossed the border from Mexico. There could be wait times up to a day and a half before the product gets to you. As in my case, since I had an 8 hour break (even though I napped), I still had to drive. I made it as far as I could - just north of San Antonio - before I had to shut down for some sleep.

Along the way, I passed a field of some sort (not quite sure if it was an oil well or not) where they were "burning off"... at least I think that's the proper term. It's where you see a large flame burning at the top of what seems to be a smokestack. From a couple miles away (when I had first seen it), it looks like a flickering candle in the dark, open Texas sky. Though such a peaceful representation fades away as you get closer and see it for what it is.

At least I still have a pretty good imagination.

Year 2, Day 93 (This Load Is A Good Run)

I unloaded this morning in San Antonio, but unfortunately I'm unable to get together with Nemo The Artist. The good thing is this next load is not only a good run, but I also didn't have to wait very long to get it dispatched on me. I'm sitting right outside the customer to load... in Laredo, TX. It's a load of produce (tomatoes, I think) that I will be taking to Livonia, MI. It's set to deliver on Thursday morning, but with my hours as they are currently sitting, 0800 Thursday morning probably won't happen. Either somebody will have to re-schedule it for a later time, or another driver will re-power it and take it on to Michigan.

The weather here right now is in the mid 80's, which for south Texas is considered mild... Summer down here is not for the weak-hearted, or at least those who don't like the hot temperatures. No matter how hot it gets, it still won't deter me from drinking coffee.

Year 2, Day 92 (Almost Halfway To San Antonio)

I finally left out of Harrisonville, MO at nearly 2000 last night. I stopped in Peculiar, MO to made sure the trailer's fuel was topped off before going in to the Tyson facility in Olathe, KS. Fortunately, the load I was picking up had been pre-loaded. Once I dropped my empty and hooked up to the loaded trailer (and scaled it to make sure all the weights were legal), I was on my way. I made it to just north of Oklahoma City before I shut down... which was nearly 0500 this morning. When I awoke, I decided for a more healthy bill of fare for an albeit late breakfast- fresh strawberries with a cream cheese dip:

I still have over 450 miles to cover yet before I get to the customer in San Antonio, TX. My appointment to deliver is for 0700, and if all works out, I'm hoping to be there around 2300 tonight. But only time - and Ft. Worth traffic - will tell.

I. Need. Coffee.

Year 2, Day 91 (A Long Day Tomorrow)

This has been a nice day; for relaxing, resting, and enjoying the Sabbath. The weather is beginning to get warmer (though I don't think that Winter was even adequate enough this year), so that means my a/c is going... it's a good thing a had it checked out a couple months ago. I will be delivering in a couple hours, then after that, I'll head to Olathe, KS for my next load. I'm hoping that both Walmart (where I'm delivering tonight) and Tyson (where I pick up my next load) will be efficient in their respective processes.

This time next week will be the start of the Passover Festival (also known as the Feast of Unleavened Bread). I've had one reader ask for a little more information on the holiday, so next Saturday you will see a post giving some details of it. In honor of the sanctity of said occasion, I will take that week off, but (as I've mentioned before) there will be some guest bloggers filling in for me... therefore, The Common Voice posts will continue.

Sad, but true.

Year 2, Day 90 (Who Will Meet Me In Texas?)

I made it into Illinois last night where I shut down... mainly due to almost being out of hours. This load isn't due until 1800 tomorrow, but I will be getting there tonight, and relax and enjoy the Sabbath. I made a stop in Wentzville, MO (on the north west end of the St. Louis area) to take care of a few things, and, of course, visit Starbucks. I also made a visit to the St. Louis Bread Company, which (for those of you who didn't know) is the original name for what is now known as Panera Bread. With so much to choose from, and so little stomach (and financial) capacity, I ordered the Chipotle Chicken sandwich... and it was - as my friend Lauri Rottmayer would say - FABU!

Now I'll continue this trip, and prepare for the next, which will have me going someplace I haven't been to in a couple of years: San Antonio, TX. My pre-plan will have me picking up in Olathe, KS and delivering in San Antonio on Monday.

Perhaps I can sent a message and get together with Nemo The Artist while I'm there... and in case you have forgotten (or just didn't know), Nemo was the first person I met in real life via Twitter... he does some really cool artwork too!

Year 2, Day 89 (Heading To Missouri)

After getting loaded, and making a few stops along the way (one of which was for Starbucks), I arrived at my destination in Groveport, OH, just on the south end of Columbus. I had a conversation with another truck driver there who used to drive for C. R. England, in their Lease Purchase Program. To make a long story short, they were giving him a financial work-over. Basically, as a trainer, he had to foot half the bill on his students' training pay while simultaneously getting screwed over himself. In essence, his take-home pay for 8 months was a little over $8,000, while C. R. England said he made over $111,000. This is not the first time I've heard horror stories like this... yet I still wonder how they are continuing to get away with this. A possibility could be that since they are based outside of Salt Lake City (and the owners are Mormon), I would tend to think that all the Mormon lawyers in Salt Lake City may be in England's back pocket.

Once this load gets put on (here in Wellston, OH), I'll be on my way to deliver at the Walmart Distribution Center in Harrisonville, MO (just south of Kansas City) for Saturday evening. What will happen next? I'll probably find out Friday afternoon... I'll keep you posted.

Unless I find something more interesting to rant about.

Year 2, Day 87 (I Hope I Didn't Choose A Bad Day To Give Up Smoking)

I made my delivery on time this morning. Unfortunately the CSR that gave me my pre-plan yesterday must not know how to tell time, since this delivery was scheduled for 1030, and the pre-planned picked up - about an hour away - at 0945. I haven't had a cigarette since about 1900 last night, so forgive me if I seem a little testy. However, since not having a cigarette in over 12 hours, I've come to realize just how idiotic people drive on the interstates. A word of wisdom to the drivers in Virginia and West Virginia: you are NOT charged a usage fee on turn signals, so please use them when merging on the highway or changing lanes... remember, they're free to use (yes, that includes my "fellow" truck drivers as well).

Once I deliver this in the morning (in Groveport, OH), I will then head to Wellston, OH for my next load which will be heading to Harrisonville, MO for Saturday evening. My next few days may not be hectic, but at least I'll be occupied (not to be confused with Wall Street, nor any other major "protest", for that matter).

I would really like a cigarette right now!

Year 2, Day 87 (This Will Be A Short Day)

Not only did I unload and re-load at the same facility yesterday, but the customer did so consecutively... which was a nice little bonus. After getting the trailer loaded, and stopping for some ice (for my half & half tea), I was underway around 1630. I made a stop in Knoxville along the way (yeah, to get my Starbucks fix) and made it all the way to Lexington, VA, which is about 45 miles north of Roanoke. Having covered that ground, I have less than 200 miles to cover today, for a 1030 (ET) appointment tomorrow. Though when I arrived here, it was 0240 (ET), so I was ready for some sleep.

I'm going to call Monica (my Fleet Manager) a little later and pester her about a pre-plan for tomorrow. I prefer getting pre-planned because it helps me to plan ahead, and allow for whatever breaks I feel necessary.

I deliver in the morning in Greencastle, PA, which is just 3 miles north of the Maryland state line, on I-81... roughly about an hour south of Harrisburg (the Pennsylvania State Capital). There are many nice areas in Pennsylvania, one of my favorites being Hershey (I wonder why).

Year 2, Day 86 (I'll Be Pennsylvania Bound Sometime Today)

This morning hasn't been too productive, yet it has. The appointment to deliver here in Lebanon, TN is an open window (0700-2300) so I didn't feel there was a big rush to get here, especially since I didn't have a pre-plan. However, I found out I was pre-planned on a load this morning, but for some reason, the system kicked it back out. My pre-plan has me re-loading at the same customer I'm unloading, but the appointment isn't until 1900. Perhaps they will load me early.

The reason for my opening sentence is because I've spent probably 30-45 minutes on the phone getting a few things straightened out, and starting new service with DirecTV. Our cable bill has gotten quite expensive ($90/month with NO premium channels... really?!), and after doing a bit of research, my wife and I found that we can get all the channels we like to watch for less than we would have paid going through Dish Network. The best part is, after all the rebates expire (12 months) we will still be paying about $60/month (probably a little less, with our AT&T bundling package). We will see how that goes.

Coffee anyone?

Year 2, Day 85 (Heading To Lebanon)

I left out this morning from the North Little Rock terminal with this load I picked up on Friday. I stuck around there just in case there was a different load that needed to be re-powered, but no luck. I was able to meet up with another driver and him and I went out to grab a bite to eat and engage in some intellectual conversation (yes, there are a few of us truck drivers that are edumicated). I left this morning a little after 1000 and made a stop in the Memphis area to do a little shopping. I could have done it in Little Rock, but they don't have a Super Target... Memphis does.

A week ago this past Friday, my youngest son, Nathan, went on a trip for spring break with his high school Drama class to New York City (of which both my wife, Tikvah, and I were jealous). He returned home around 0100 this past Thursday, so I was able to spend at least a day with him before I headed back out. He had a wonderful time: eating at several different places (even having real New York pizza), attending two shows on Broadway, and visiting the Empire State Building, just to name a few. While there, his class even toured the NBC studios, in which he bought me an awesome souvenir:

At my request, he also picked up a copy of The Village Voice. He had a blast and I envy him for going... even though we were the ones that paid for the trip. Then again, an opportunity like this comes very rarely for today's youth... at least where we live. One day my wife and I will go.

Some day.

Year 2, Day 84 (Getting A Re-Start, Not That I Needed One)

Yesterday, when I left out, I loaded in Little Rock. The original plan was I would pick this load up, then drop the trailer at the North Little Rock terminal and keep running with something else. The reason was because the Little Rock load doesn't deliver until Monday in Lebanon, TN, which is just under 400 miles away. As it turned out they were unable to find something else, so I'm stuck on this load.

It turned out to be a beautiful Sabbath; not too warm, not too cool. Last night was cool enough to keep the truck off and the windows up. Later this evening another driver will be pulling into the terminal, so him and I may get together for a bit. I'm debating on doing my grocery shopping for the truck. If I do it here, I would be going to Walmart (which I don't want to do), or I can wait until tomorrow and stop in Memphis, TN at a Super Target. Since I've driven a truck - and dealt with Walmart Distribution Centers many time - I have come to loathe Walmart. I won't go into detail now... perhaps another time.

Year 2, Day 83 (Back To Work... Slowly)

I left out to head back on the road this morning, and my first load picked up in Little Rock, AR, but doesn't deliver until Monday in Lebanon, TN (just east of Nashville). The original plan was to have me pick up the load and bring it to the Little Rock terminal, then get something else that would keep me busy over the weekend. Unfortunately it didn't quite work out that way, as there was no other loads that needed to be covered.

These past few days turned out to be full and productive. My wife, Tikvah, and I spent the day in Little Rock this past Tuesday, but Wednesday and Thursday we were occupied with remodeling the bathroom. Granted, the weather was wet both days and I didn't get a chance to go cycling, but between laying down the new flooring (to include the measuring and cutting), and replacing the toilet and the light fixture, I'd say I got the same results... and I am feeling it today. That will turn out to be a good thing.

I hope.

Have a blessed and joyous Sabbath.

Year 2, Day 82 (Last Day At Home)

Yesterday and today have proven to be a bit exhausting. Mainly for the fact that Tikvah and I have been redoing our bathroom. Last night was laying the floor down and putting a new toilet in. Today I went ahead and replaced the "guts" inside the toilet tank and making a few minor adjustments, as well as putting in a new medicine cabinet and light fixture. After these last two days, I don't even think I have the energy to go cycling tonight. At least it's done for the most part. This is one of those things we are doing in order to try to sell this house in a couple years when the times comes to move back out to California.

Oh yeah... I have also been able to get caught up on the episodes of The Walking Dead, and all I have to say is: it's going to be a long wait to October for the next episode!

Coffee anyone?

Year 2, Day 81 (A Wet Day At Home)

Today it has been raining practically all day, which has put some of my plans on hold. But Tikvah and I were able to get a few things taken care of. Yesterday we had a great time in Little Rock yesterday. Naturally we made a stop at Starbucks, but that was on our way home.

From there we wandered around, made a stop at Pier 1 Imports (always a favorite place of ours), stopped into a little dessert/pastry shop (not that we really needed to)... which proved to be a bit dangerous. We left probably an hour or two earlier than originally intended, due to the fact that there was a thunderstorm warning and tornado watch in effect. We were able to get out of Little Rock and safely home, though we have been getting the rains today.

As I close, perhaps I should let you in on the news I've teased you with the past two days. I now have a way of getting around to some more out of the way places while the truck is parked, as I now have a new (to me) bicycle. In the future, you can expect to see some pictures from places not very easily accessible for a truck. By the way, it's a pretty cool mountain bike... plus I'll be able to get in better shape... maybe start training for the Zombie Survival Dash this October in St. Louis, MO - who's going to join me?

Somebody?

Anybody?

Bueller?