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It had been probably fifteen years since I’d done any kind of guy-trip.
Last summer my friend Robbie and I met up with our buddy T.C. (who happens to be a pretty amazing editorial photographer) in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula for a camping trip and immediately agreed that these things must happen more regularly.
So as soon as the snow melted we had plans for a new trip.
This is one of the most amazing breakfasts I’ve ever had.
Probably because we (basically) foraged all the ingredients ourselves. (Maybe next time we’ll make our own feta).
After 3 years of searching for morels around our Northern Michigan home, I finally decided to ask for help.
So our whole family went out last weekend and searched.
After about an hour we were about to give up when my sister spotted them.
Then we saw a few more.
We were hooked.
A few weeks ago was the 10th anniversary of my first cancer diagnosis.
I’m not sure that is something to celebrate, but it is something.
I guess if there is something to celebrate, it’s that I’m happy to be alive. Not only that, but 10 years of cancer (along with a variety of other trials) has shaped me into the person I am now.
I wasn’t sure I’d make it to my 30′s, but I never knew I’d be who I am now.
In a way, I owe a lot to my malady.
It is without question one of the strongest odors in the history of my life so far. My reactions to it have varied upon the condition, but the putrid stench has always made me feel that much more grateful for every breath of peace and health.
In recognition of the past decade and its effects, (as well as the introspective nature for which my writing is known) I’m starting a new project based on this portrait.
Each week I’ll release a new version of a photo-illustration of this same image each demonstrating something different about myself or the world as I experience it.
So today it’s just me. A little stubblier than usual but happy to be alive.
*Photo by my super-amazing 8-yr-old daughter
If this did not have goat cheese it would be pretty good.
It does have goat cheese though.
So it is super-fantastic.
Plus it made me feel good about myself because I was eating piles of veggies.
even peas (and broccoli and asparagus and tomatoes)
Some men think they don’t like vegetables… but they probably have just never had them with shrimp and goat cheese.
Check out the recipe on my wife’s site.
When my kids were finally old enough for LEGOs, I was glad.
Pretty much everything about LEGO is awesome.
What was interesting (though not totally surprising) was how beneficial LEGO play seemed to be for my 6-year-old who has autism.
Interestingly enough, some serious studies are now being done to develop LEGO-based therapy for children with autism.
It makes a lot of sense:
Read more
Laid off.
Struggling with life’s purpose and direction.
Possibly sick and dying.
But he doesn’t know any of that.
“This is the best Christmas ever!” he announces as we decorate the (overpriced) tree.
and I realize he’s right.
Of course.
It is the best Christmas ever.
Five minutes later, while brandishing a dreidel like a dagger he exclaims,
“Prepare to be dead!”
Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.
It is starting to smell like winter outside.
So I took advantage of some unusually nice weather and shot some photos at Grand Traverse Commons.
The old state mental hospital.
Some say it is haunted.