Leaving Madrid and headed to Málaga and Torremolinos. We found Madrid to be friendly, welcoming, clean, beautiful, with amazing affordable food, and I look forward to returning someday.

One week ago, I was in a lot of pain and about to have an appendectomy. The VA did an excellent job fixing me, and now I’m in Spain for a week. As bad as things can get without warning, your situation could improve dramatically without much warning, too.

Super stressed about this national and international nightmare foisted upon us by breathtakingly stupid conservatives, but… for one brief moment, I still have the love of this man, as well as love from friends and family. Maintaining calm and enjoying a little happiness while it’s available.

Hanging out with Henry and his family in Miami. I haven’t been welcomed into a family so kindly and wonderfully in years. I didn’t realize how badly I needed this until it was given to me as a beautiful gift.

Bowen Loop Trail in Tucson Mountain Park, West side of town, with Henry and Carver. First hike (for me) of 2025. Hoping for many more this year.

Some of my art. A simple card to encourage a friend.

A great hike up Tumamoc Hill in Tucson, Arizona. I have a near-infinite number of Colorado, Arizona, Texas, and California landscape, mountain, and seashore reference photos to paint from. Anyone who wants some, especially to paint or draw from, they are free to you. Just ask.

At a classical Spanish guitar concert with Henry and Sandy.

I volunteer with an arts and recreation department at the Veterans Administration in Tucson, Arizona. I usually help other veterans paint, but yesterday we decorated gingerbread houses. Amazingly difficult undertaking. We all decided we respect and admire skilled cake decorators much more now…

The Christmas cactus in a guest room makes me happy. It’s the little things, right?