I’m sure I am not the only one to have received this certificate from St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in the mail, but it made me feel like I was.  Rarely does an organization of any type take the time to say thank you.  Any organization that operates on donations is rarely satisfied no matter how much you give or how often, they just want more.  In the case of St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, at least for me, it doesn’t matter.  I will give anyway and as often as I can because what they do for families with sick children is truly amazing.   I can’t, nor do I want, to think of how difficult every day is for these children and their families. This is a place of refuge for people living a nightmare.   I mean, how could anyone NOT want to give even a little something to this great hospital?  Hell, if for nothing else, do it to stave off karma! I hope they keep this practice up.  I can’t tell you how good it made me feel, even something so small as this. It is positively not the reason I give, but it sure feels nice to be appreciated.  I’m actually as proud of this as I am of some of my achievements in the Army.  I think I am going to take a hint from this gesture and put it into practice in my own life and career.  Thank you St Jude Hospital, for all you do.  @stjude #stjudehospital @marlothomas

I am typing this using a new software that was gifted to me a few months ago. To say that I am typing right now is an untruth, as this new software is talk to type. It really is truly amazing how this works. It is taking some getting used to I can tell you because I’m used to typing my thoughts out through my fingers and not through the use of my voice. It is a very strange sensation, but, I think it will help me as I continue to enjoy writing stories. I really am focused on trying to figure out a way to make a living as a writer. The reason I know for sure that I want to do this for a living is this; even if I won the lottery today and didn’t have to work another day in my life I would still write stories. I think that is the gauge to use when deciding what it is that you want to do with your life. If I could go back in time and sit with someone who would have explained it to me in those terms, who knows what would’ve happened. As it is however, I have at least figured out, finally, what it is I want to do. So the goal is set, and I will continue to practice and learn new skills, just like this one, the use of this new tool for writing and communicating. Right now it is a strange sensation talking to myself and to this computer screen, but, I’m sure I will eventually get used to it. It really is quite amazing the world we live in today and the advancements that have been made as recently as the last 20 years. Amazing! #dragon

Today was a fun, exciting, and full Saturday.  I woke up this morning when I woke up instead of an alarm doing the waking.  Nicole and I decided to go to Polly’s on the Pier for breakfast before going out to do a few much needed upgrades.  This morning was a bit on the overcast and misty side by the beach.  We decided to sit outside and enjoy breakfast by the fishermen and pelicans.  We sat and talked about anything that came up and had a wonderful time.  There is something about having breakfast out that makes me get all excited about the day ahead.  I haven’t had a Saturday off in a while so I wanted to make sure and enjoy this one.  With no sun and the threat of rain (figures) I decided that it was time to go upgrade my six year old laptop computer, so we made a trek to Costco.  We got a great deal but I am here to tell you that the monetary discount is paid with parts of your soul after being in that hell hole for an hour.  Anyway, I came home with a wonderful new tool to assist with my passion, writing, and I am happily writing this blog on the very tool now.  This whole day is framed by the breakfast and the pier this morning.  That is one great way to start the day.

Since I have been working longer hours I have found that to make a big change, I have to start with slight adjustments, not unlike steering a boat.  To me, life and work reminds me a lot of steering a boat.  If you turn the wheel to sharply, too fast, when the boat finally reacts you have to quickly steer the other direction, and so on.  This can be exhausting and it slows the boat down and wastes energy.  It is better to let the boat go where it is going all the while you are making slow, steady, and slight adjustments.  Seeds are small but can produce something the size of a redwood tree (for those of you that are not boaters).  I have been making slight adjustments at work to some processes so that eventually they will get things going in the direction I need them to go.  You will see how they are coming by my blogs and pics coming in earlier than sunset wink, wink.  In the meantime, let me show you what an “office distraction” looks like. #Aloha #MyAumakua

Sometimes you have to take stock of things in your life and make some tough decisions.  Let’s face it, sometimes you just have to bite the bullet and cut things loose.  I sold something today that has been a fun part of my life for the past several years.  I was sure this day would come but I was doing my best to avoid it.  Sometimes you have to look deep into your life though and rate the value you receive from this person or thing.  In my case, I decided to sell my beloved 1969 VW Baja buggy to the first person willing to pay my asking price.  It was a tough decision made easier only by the knowledge that I just didn’t have the time to devote to a project car.  I have had a lot of fun with it over the years and am sure to miss it but now, someone else can enjoy it even more.  It is important, I think, to do your spring cleaning and make those tough decisions.  I heard an idea at the beginning of the year which said to turn all your clothes hangers around inside your closet.  If by the end of march you haven’t turned the hanger around on some items, take them out and donate them as you are not wearing them anymore.  I thought this was a great idea.  I didn’t do it, but I still thought it a great idea.  Maybe next year.  Same thing I have been saying about my buggy for the last two years.  Maybe next year I will get it painted and get all the cool little things done to it I have been dreaming about since I first droove it home.  Well, next year never came and I decided to make the smart, yet difficult decision to let her go.  I am going to miss my little buggy, but its departure just might have made room for something else just as, if not more fun.

Have you ever been laying on the couch watching television and thought “Man, I really need to get off my ass and finish such and so?”  Yeah, me too.  Well what are you waiting for?  Get up and go do it.  Peel yourself away from the how to cook show and go create a killer meal or desert.  Click the power button right in the middle of “Alaska Bush People” and go find a place to hike.  Better yet, grab a book and read.  Whatever you  do with your time, make sure it involves learning something new or getting better at something you like to do already.  I feel the key to life is to never stop learning and creating.  Get a bunch of paints and brushes and go make some mistakes.  A year or so ago, I was watching a show about moonshine and one of the moonshine makers said “Nobody knows how to do nothing anymore.  Kids think bread comes from the store cause they moma don’t know how to make it no more.”  Well, that got me to thinking about how I had no idea how to make bread.  I went to the store, grabbed a bag of flour and there it was, the recipe.  I bought it and a few other ingredients, took them home and baked an awesome loaf of bread.  I was so proud of myself.  Creativity gets you pumped up and wanting more.  I have always believed if you don’t use it, it will start to rust.  “It” is whatever you want it to be.  Once something starts to rust it is very difficult to slow or stop the process.  Now, go surprise yourself.

All the hullabaloo surrounding the Oscars got me to thinking. Back in the 90’s the rock band “Pearl Jam” was given a Grammy award.  The whole band went up on stage to accept the award and the lead singer, Eddie Vedder, looked at the trophy quite confused.  He then said into the microphone that he thought this process of judging someones art against someone else’s art didn’t make any sense.  I have to agree with him.  It has been said that beauty is in the eye of the beer holder, I mean beholder.   That being the case, especially with art, I really don’t see the point of these award shows anymore.  They seem to be one big party for people who need their egos massaged even more than they already are.  I think the Oscar has now been completely depreciated to nothing more then a fashion show.  I have said this before, give everyone a trophy and let’s move on.  Who know’s, maybe it was all a rouse so the show would get better ratings, after all, I’m talking about it and I haven’t cared about an award show since I was a kid.  Oh well, guess they got me.  Guess I’ll have to get this off my mind with the best medicine I know of…A walk on the beach.  #Aloha

Few things make me as happy as seeing something I worked hard for and taken care of still kicking.  Whatever your mind congers up, go with that.  I have had plants for years, and years, and kept them going with plenty of water and sunshine.  I’ve also been known to talk to them when nobody is looking or within ear shot.  Whatever, it works.  Today I drove my truck to work because I was real tired this morning and I was a little light on motivation.  I do this from time to time because the mere sight of my truck makes me happy.  I have had this truck now for, dare I say it, about ten years.  Seems like yesterday my Mom was talking me into the truck over a Ford Focus station wagon.  Yes, that is the truth, I have a thing for station wagons, but I digress.  I went ahead and took my Moms advice and got the truck and it was instant appreciation. I don’t know how people get on without one!  I remember the day I paid it off like it was an hour ago.  Talk about one of the all time greatest feelings in the world, knowing you fulfilled your debt and whatever it was is now yours.  Me and my truck have been around and I have zero plans on it not being with me for a long time to come.  My day went without a hitch while making a big step toward that very thing.  When I headed out to the parking lot I couldn’t help but smile at an object that has become a close friend.

A very special delivery came to me today from a place I can only imagine as I have never been.  This enchanted and elusive place is Box Elder, Montana.  My friend Kenny Morsette  and I served in the Army together in the 90’s.  We met in Denver, Colorado while attending an advance school at Lowry Air Force Base (no longer exists.)  After that school I was shipped off to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and Kenny to Korea.  A year or so later, Kenny was assigned to the very unit I was on Fort Bragg, what are the odds?  Fast forward to today and you all know I have a book I am about to publish called “My Aumakua”.  While trying to figure out what to do for a cover I asked for input from my friend Kenny.  The painting he came up with is nothing short of amazing.  It is as perfect a picture as could be for the cover of my book.  This painting, which I can tell you, for me, is now priceless, arrived today.  It arrived by mail…IN A USED PIZZA BOX!  The mailman walked in holding the box just so, and I looked up and said “I didn’t know you guys delivered pizza too.  Man, the USPS must be strugglin!”  The mailman (Mark) did not find the humor.  Much to my surprise, it was a pizza box, and it was for me.  I saw the address and knew what it was.  On the box was “Putz” hand written above where it says “pizza” which is what Kenny calls me.  Little does he know I actually like it even though its supposed to be a shot.  I looked at the box and couldn’t help but laugh and shake my head.  What a great way to reduce and reuse what would have been trash, but to send two, yes two priceless pieces of art to me, well, its totally Kenny.  I am blessed to have him as a friend and his talent, his passion is nothing short of breathtaking.  You will see what I mean soon.  Thanks Kenny, you are a fantastic artist.

Today I was in a strange mood mainly due to my dreams last night.  I usually don’t remember anything because it is usually something lame like working in my sleep or driving my car on some never ending highway.  Last night was a rare exception because my dreams were clear and memorable.  I was visited by a few friends that I have lost touch with somehow.  The strangest part is that we were all riding in a car together, but none of these guys knows one another.  Anyway, the dream was real fun and when I woke up I kinda tried to squeeze my eyes shut so I could get right back into the dream, but we all know how that goes.  It’s kinda like when a movie or a good book you are into is coming to an end, you feel a little anxiety and disappointment, at least I do.  I thought about the dream all day, but not in the way you might think.  I didn’t try to figure out what it meant or any of that stuff.  What I did however, is promise to do a better job of finding these old friends, getting in touch and having a conversation with them.  I sure hope they are all okay and doing well but either way, I am going to find a way to reach out.  While walking along the beach tonight I could see the reflection of the sky in the water.  It was so pretty and so serine that the stress of the day washed away with every wave.  Have an old friend you lost touch with?  Put it on your “to-do” list for this week to locate them and give them a call.  I’ll bet they were thinking of you too.