I'm another uncle

I finally saw Thomas Jefferson's house, Monticello! It was so beautiful and truly inspiring. I am constantly impressed with the wisdom of this man and his ingenuity. It was no wonder he was our president and that his picture dawns the $2 bill. I want to have my own Monticello one day.

But before I do I would like to see my new niece, Cleopatra Ruth Quist, My brother Jefferson's new baby. I just love her and can't wait to meet her!



The gardens!



Compass



This clock is two-sided; one for outside and one for inside.

easterly coasterly

It's been a whole month! I doubt I will ever be able to catch up to myself! So much has happened in the last month.

Living in North Carolina was great, I love southern hospitality and cool front porches. I drive a lot and imagine myself chopping down Kudzu forests and saving the ecosystem of this beautiful humid paradise!
I think about my French Huguenot ancestors arriving here in the new world. They came in through South Carolina and trickled through Georgia then finally settled mostly in Alabama.
I think about my family and how much I miss them, my sisters' kids growing up and as of last night Jefferson's little girl.
I think about how to reach my dreams, how to make my own bricks, how to get land for myself.
I think about how I graduated from college and never got a grade on my senior thesis!



Yesterday I did a job in Lynchburg, Va; there was a major civil war battle there June 17th 1864. I realized that the Appomattox court house was only 15 miles away and decided to go.



This is the place that Gen. Lee and the C.S.A. surrendered to Gen. Grant and the U.A. I walked in the McLean house and imagined the whole situation that I have studied obsessively while studying american history and slavery. These two great Generals war stricken, lost everything; homes, friends, children, fortunes.



I love the architecture of the the old homes, I want to build homes like these.




This is the Appomattox prison. It's solid one foot thick walls and with steel grid under the brick and the joists are only 6 inches apart.

Nor Car part three

It feels like I have been a little detail oriented in my last post so I will Just say I love love love my family and got to see all of them when We partied like the Quist family always does, laughs, parks, pizza, and enlivening conversation. I got back to Texas on Sunday and spent a few more hours squeezing out as much conversation from Marie and her family. I hit the road to visit my dad for a few days.

When I reluctantly left Texas I was quickly turned to my next adventure, Alabama! My mom is from Bama, I was blessed as a child to visit and stay with my grandparents for part of many summers. As I pulled into Mobile I felt a rush of memories overcome me. I really miss my grandparents they taught me so much in life. My grandfather was a great businessman/entrepreneur. He owned an electric motor shop that is a worldwide company now. My grandma and his children never went without. He was a humble man and great athlete. My grandma was an amazing seamstress, wife, mother, Realtor, and grandmother. She loved serving other people and had a dynamic personality!

These memories have touched my heart and never left my thoughts as I drove out to my great-grandfathers farm in Brewton. It is so peaceful there and I was met by my uncle Jake and aunt Adelade. We ate an amazing southern meal and caught up told stories and went to bed early. In the morning I woke with the painful truth that I had to drive the rest of the way to North Carolina. I ate a delicious breakfast and my cousin Kelly came over. After saying goodbye I went to visit my grandparents in the cemetery up the road.



I was so overwhelmed by the opportunity to catch up with them. I talked to them told them about life and the family. I could feel their words penetrating my ears, full of pride and hope in me and in my future. Those spiritual hugs are the kind that will sustain me until I see them again. I know Families can be together for ever.

I rolled into Burlington, North Carolina in the evening March 31st. It is a beautiful place the greenest trees and extremely nice people. I sure do love southern hospitality.

Let's go for one. more. installment...soon, maybe tomorrow.

Oh and congratulations to my little sister Ellen! She is a college grad, SUU, as of today!

Nor Car Continued

This road trip across America as I said began with many reluctant goodbye's as I headed to the road. I met the Jensen's last summer while installing security systems. Nate was a technician with me and his lovely wife Nichelle was a saleswoman and a good one at that. They bought a great new home in Mesa and asked me to do some work on it before they moved in. I was so honored to be able to help and to spend some time with them for a couple of days. I just love them and was so glad to see them. They are having a baby very soon too. They are going to be super parents.

I ended my stay in Arizona at a concert for my cousin's band 'Turley' he is a former NFL lineman and an extremely talented musician. The concert was great, I hung out on the tour bus and caught up with him. Then I took a couple pictures and hit the road again. Next stop 15 hours away in San Antonio.

I left the concert at about 10pm and drove util it started to rain. Then I pulled my big truck in between two big rigs and slept til the sun rose. I think that one of the greatest blessings that God gives us for waking up early, is the beauty of daybreak. The sunrise is is always so amazing, to know of that beauty, just reflect on your favorite one.

Friends can surprise you especially after ten years. When I pulled up to the Olbury's house I was cheerfully greeted by their three cute kids and my old friend Corey. The night was amazing ten years later and he and I are more alike than we were in high school. The only thing we disagree on is religion and we are still pretty close there. He even home schools his kids. After another deep breathe and some breakfast burritos I was on my way.

Taking in the green of Texas I decided that I truly love it there, deep in my heart, I do. Upon reaching Houston I got to see one of my most favorite people in the whole world, John Schmieg, was like a father/coolest older brother to me when I was a kid. He is a laugh a minute and I only spent a few with him before arriving at my sisters house in League City.

There's something about that little blonde-haired boy that lives there that just makes me smile. The rest of my day was filled with multiple conversations between adults and Kids. Abner wanted to swing and take naps and go pot-ty. He even turned some part of his tool set into a fun skateboard. And showed me how to hold his sweet little sister. The sun went down to quick, there is never enough time when you're surrounded by those you love. I woke and flew back to Utah for a work conference, and few fun parties with more family.

Two posts and I'm not even out of Texas, but its a good place to be. more to come...

Nor Car

I have been living in North Carolina since the beginning of April and I must say, its been a dream. After deciding last year that I would never bear another Winter in Utah. I found myself freezing last fall in Cedar City and in my final semester of school. I quickly began planning my escape and working on every possible way to avoid the cold while I was there.

This plan worked almost perfectly. I turned down many invitations to play in the snow, I took advantage of the sunshine days, and I ignored the snow, its bitter crystals fell upon deaf ears. As soon as I could in January I went to St. George to work every possible moment and stayed through half of February, pulling out plugs of dirt with my machine outside each day soaking up the vitamin D. Going back to my cave in Cedar City each night to listen to the sweet sounds of the band.

The rest of February and March flew by like a good conversation, I dug in my heals, attempting to stop time and fill my soul with my last college memories, life was sublime. It transcended all snow and grey I watched the creation of beautiful music, collaboration of talents, pain from heartache and the joy of friends finding new love. I closed old doors decided, finally, to nail them shut; as I moved on, my heart wrenched. At this point almost impervious to snow but still loathing its existence I packed my bags, donated my junk, gave away my favorite couch, and reluctantly left my home of the last three years.

I have traveled across this beautiful land many times in my life now but this time I decided to take it slow. First stop Mesa, AZ and a few days with the Jensen's.

To Be Continued....

then we got two gigs

I just heard the final word today we will be playing not one but two venues! They are both for Haiti Relief fund raisers and one will be at SUU on March 3rd at 11 am and the second will at in the Lin's grocery store parking lot on Saturday March 6th at 2pm.

We will be playing at least a 20 minute set and no covers just original music.

This is a real shot in the arm for the band. And band members are already preparing for their stardom! We'll see if capital records starts calling soon.

The band is alive!

I have no musical talent, my roommate Chris claims I do, but I am just not dedicated. Either way I am good at managing and helping things move forward and being critical when needed. So when my my roommates decided to start a band I knew what my place would be...Band manager!

Since beginning I have been amazed to watch the creative process develop. These guys are so talented and know how to fit sounds together. I find myself waking in the morning humming the newest riff or singing the lyrics to one of the songs.

The band has a gig set up now for March 6th and will hopefully get a few more if I can "manage" to do my job well.

Today was a magical experience. I collaboratively wrote the lyrics for two of the songs we have written and since I only sing when others can drown me out. It was amazing to hear the words come alive and take on that new form and progression.

The band is alive and life is good.

Silence

I keep writing blog posts But everything I write goes into "Save now" and never "publish post." Stuck in a rut, but I'll find a way out. Keep checking. Happy Bacon Day!