(C) 2022, JJ Shaun This week we celebrated the vernal equinox here in the Northern Hemisphere, heralding the beginning of spring. The region experienced a bit of wind, but the day was mostly sunshine. Tuesday was even nicer. In typical Northern Colorado fashion, winter reappeared on Wednesday. We shoveled a few inches of wet snow … Continue reading Spring Is In The Air
The last four years have been brutal on my mental and emotional well-being. Losing my job, then our home, getting covid, and sending my four-legged buddy over the Rainbow Bridge, all over a year and a half, had me ignoring my physical body. My diet crashed, I gained a bunch of weight, and my overall … Continue reading A Year For Self-Care
I spent the month of November writing a novel. That’s right, I participated in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), and this year, I won! To win, I needed to write 50,000 words in November. I am among thousands who “win” every year. The goal is not to be the first or the best; the goal … Continue reading I Did A Thing
Another year has come and gone. Once again, in the United States, Thanksgiving Day is upon us. It’s a day to express gratitude for what life has served—and to overeat. While it’s been a long year, and we are still waiting to finish rebuilding our home, life is moving forward. The last two years have … Continue reading A Heart Full of Gratitude
Mr. Contractor continues to move forward. Since it’s mostly just him doing the work, progress is moving slowly but steadily. (C) 2022, JJ ShaunLooking in through the basement window. While the slab is yet to be poured, the downstairs plumbing stubs are in place, and the site awaits inspection ahead of the next step. (C) … Continue reading Rebuilding the Dream, Pt 117
It has been 732 days (two years and two days) since we lost our home to wildfire. I had a vivid dream in the early morning of October 18, 2020. I dreamt I was walking through our house, and flames consumed everything. I felt no heat nor heard the roar of the flames, but I … Continue reading Rebuilding the Dream, Pt 111
Nothing is happening at the property as we wait for the concrete to cure. Some forms have been removed, and the walls look almost dry where they’re exposed. (C) 2022, JJ ShaunThe north end of the basement. (C) 2022, JJ ShaunThe south end of the basement. I didn’t have a measuring tape, but I estimate … Continue reading Rebuilding the Dream, Pt 109
The subcontractor has been working diligently to get the forms in place before they pour concrete tomorrow. (C) 2022, JJ ShaunThe forms for the basement. (C) 2022, JJ ShaunThe subcontractor and his crew working diligently. (C) 2022, JJ ShaunThe view from inside the walls, looking north. (C) 2022, JJ ShaunThe view from inside the walls, … Continue reading Rebuilding the Dream, Pt 107
The forms for the footings are down, and the first inspection has been performed. (C) 2022, JJ ShaunThe forms for the frost wall and the footers. Yesterday, concrete for the frost wall and footers went in. According to our subcontractor, they should be done pouring the forms by the end of next week. (C) 2022, … Continue reading Rebuilding the Dream, Pt 105
(C) 2022, JJ ShaunApril's change of scenery. The last three years have been incredibly stressful. And not just for First Reader and me, but for almost everyone I know. (Although, I could say that the last six years have been a bit tense, especially after I realized nothing would save my career when the new … Continue reading Change the Scenery
Tavern Tales
Poetry BLOG By Edge of Humanity Magazine
New Writing Engaging with the Sacred
50,000 Monkeys at 50,000 Typewriters Can't Be Wrong
J.J. Shaun 