Author: Luna in Durango

Come Join us for some Tea and an Artful Adventure by “Honoring Your Inner Child” at the Create Art and Tea here in Durango, Colorado, April 4 – April 30th 2025. “Art is Free Fuel for the Heart and Soul’s Journey of Love”. Joy and White Wolf seen above are comfortably awaiting your arrival. They look forward to Being with you soon and are saving some seats for all you wild creatures. Come join us and get your Inner Child’s G.A.S. Tank topped off. All are welcome! Fairies and Leprechauns, long time no see… Is that the Mad Hatter I just spotted? Bears, please behave yourselves.

Create Art and Tea is officially included as a Nature’s G.A.S Station by Luna the White Rabbit

x<A Call for Love – A Voice for Nature<x

With infinite Gratitude, LUNA in Durango

The Peace chair photos just started arriving. YAAAA!!! Thank you all and keep them coming!

This one just arrived from Lynx somewhere in the Navajo National Monument and she has this to say

“…What a long strange trip it’s been…”

Thank you Lynx for sharing

This one just arrived from Ely, Minnesota called “Sitting on Water”. Thanks Beaver.

This one also from Ely called “Bear in the Chair” Thank you Bear!

From Sunshine and Moon Beam somewhere in Texas! Thanks Kitty!

This just sent in from the Enchanted Forest called “The Hummingbird Chair” Thank you Joy

Hello. My name is Luna the White Rabbit, and this is my friend Heena the St. Berard shown here in the top photo. I was recently adopted by a young boy from a place called the “White Rabbit Books and Curiosities” in Durango, Colorado. Soon after being discovered, adopted and loved, I went on my first big adventure to Switzerland. While visiting a new friend of a friend in Collex-Bossey, I was introduced to Heena the St. Bernard. We had many grand adventures in Switzerland and had such a great time together that I invited her to return home with me to Durango. I told her I had something very special, whimsically magical and mysteriously powerful I wanted to share but didn’t tell her what it was, it was to be a surprise. First thing I did upon our return to my “Enchanted Forest” was to Share-a-chair with her. I’m happy to report that she loves this place and all the new friends she’s met and has decided to couch-surf or perhaps better said, Chair-surf in her new custom-built Peace Chair Seed (the Blue Heron Animal Spirit Totem Peace Chair 9/28/24 A) with me indefinitely. As she and I sat across from each other we both came up with the same great idea; invite some new friends over and Share-A-Chair with them. I suggested we visit the White Rabbit Books and Curiosities, meet some new friends and invite them over for a cup of tea. The bottom picture is Heena and I sitting with all our new friend’s. They each are looking forward to arriving soon at their new homes and meeting their newly adoptive families, then finally BE-ing officially named and loved. Each of them chose a chair to sit in that has an Animal Spirit Totem name. And so, I’m thrilled to share with you all, this first ever historical event called, the “Peace Advent-Chair Circle” or (PAC) gathering here in my Enchanted Forest. We’ve become more than just a PAC of friends, like that of a pack of wolves, we’ve become family and A Voice for Nature.

The first Animal Spirit Totem Peace Chairs to create our PAC gathering are as follows: Wolf 9/24/24 P, Hummingbird 9/24/24 J, Weasel 9/24/24 S, Elk 9/24/24 E, Owl 9/24/24 L, Bear 9/24/24 J, Beaver 9/24/24 P, Turtle 9/24/24 P, Badger 9/24/24/ J, Deer 9/24/24 S, Raven 9/24/24 D, Raven 9/24/24 T, Hummingbird 9/25/24 D, and last but not least, Owl 9/28/24 NL.

Heena pictured above is sitting in the Center of the PAC, also known as a “Nature’s G.A.S. Re-Fueling Station” getting filled up with Good Vibes from all her new friends. Heena and I look forward to sharing updates with you all in the near future. Until then Awe-BE-En-Toe. x><x

If You… I will…

If you tell me what you want and why

I will continue to share with you what I want and why

And

If our wants and why’s align with the intentions of this Blog

I will do my best to help make our wants and why’s come true!!!

x><x

This blog is another invitation for you and I to “BE” a positive cause and effect within the Universe as a result of sharing our G.A.S. with each other and Nature.  What I’ve become very aware of is that the more specific you are when asking the Universe for something, the more likely you are to experience it. February 2023 Josie asked me for the up-teenth time, ”What do you want?!!!”, specifically in reference to my obsession/passion.  My answer, “I want to be acknowledged!”. And,  “I want the Peace Chair to be taken to the next level!!  Completely redesigned, made with the most recent up-to-date materials and technologies making it the most comfortable, revolutionary, consciousness increasing chair in our Spiritual evolutionary history”!!! Within hours of my answering her question I made a reconnection with two different people from my past both inquiring about the “Buckthorn Peace Chair-apy” playshops and asked if I’m still doing them. Yes!, Yes!!, Yes I am!!! Thanks for asking. I’ve been patiently/impatiently waiting for someone to contact me about my obsession/passion for over a decade. For the remainder of this blog I’ll be very specific about what I want while giving some background and insights pertaining to the incredible journey I’ve been on. Around 2012, I stopped selling the chair. I stopped showing up at outdoor concerts with them. I stopped taking them with to public social events. No longer did I share them at hippy peace gatherings or natural disaster events such as hurricane Katrina in Louisiana.  No longer did you see me peddling my goods at the local events such as the Blueberry festival in Ely, or the Cranberry festival in Wisconsin.  You didn’t see me attending the mega gatherings such as the one at the Minneapolis Event Center offering the latest and greatest offerings of RV’s, Sporting goods, fishing gear and lures, food preparation gadgets, puppets, or alpaca sweaters from Ecuador. Sometime around 2012, as my awareness continued to increase I became more introverted and began seeking out the solitude, beauty and a profound connection within nature. It became more and more difficult for me to be around people. Then in 2017 our G.A.S. Station adventure began and I started sharing my passion/obsession again. As for the two people that inquired about the Peace Chair-apy a year ago this month, one of them lives here in the Durango area and was one of many that participated in a Peace Chair Scavenger Hunt Playshop just before the 2020 pandemic. The second person to contact me was the parent of a child that was involved in a Boys mentoring program in Minnesota.  I’d spent an afternoon with this group of young boys cutting down Buckthorn and using it to build Peace Chair seeds sometime between  2008 and 2011. To protect their identity I’ve deliberately avoided the exact time frame in which this particular playshop took place because the person (a parent of one of the boys) contacting me, made it crystal clear that they felt threatened making contact with me because of a mutual acquaintance of ours!  Why they feel their life is endangered I’m not entirely sure, they didn’t explain why, nor whom they felt threatened by. They did however say to me, “You’re a hard person to get a hold of.” My response to them was, “I AM?”!! More questions started rattling through my brain, such as; “What does that even mean?”!!! If they’re scared, should I be scared? Scared of what? Scared of whom? What the hell is going on? Why doesn’t anyone talk to me about or inquire about G.A.S. and/or the Peace Chair?

February, 26 1960 I was born.  The fourth of six children to be conceived, raised and loved by my mom and dad, JoAnne and Richard Milan.

Between 1960~1972 I had a wonderful life growing up carefree for the most part in a middle class American family living near Orchard Lake in Lakeville, Minnesota.  I was baptized Catholic but our family never went to church except to attend the occasional wedding and/or funeral. Why they didn’t go to church I’ll never know. I never asked my dad any questions pertaining to his spiritual life or lack there of. 
And as for my mom, I already addressed this topic in my lasted blog titled 2017-2023… For the most part, my life growing up was good.  Life was kind.  Life was simple. Life was mysterious.  Then my brother Mark was hit head-on in an automobile accident by a drunk driver.  Everything changed. The Universe stole our families simplicity, happiness and harmony.

Between 1973~1978 I experienced the world through a teenager’s perception. A mix bag, The Good, The Bad and The Ugly. Confused!  

February 1979 I met a beautiful young girl while downhill skiing.   We fell in love.

1982 We got Married.

1983 I joined the U.S. Army

1984 our son Eric was born

Josie, Eric and I would spend the next 19 years in the Army being of service to our country, the various communities we lived in and the people that touched our lives.  We had an extraordinary life together, not always easy, but always loving and supportive to each other’s dreams, interests and ambitions. 

2001 I invented a ski chair concept design using Skis and poles that I thought would make me incredibly wealthy. Instead it assisted in awakening me and I lost my mind. What a terrifying, mystical, interesting and beautiful thing it is to become filled with G.A.S.!

2003 I retired from the Army.  We moved back to Minnesota to begin our dream of operating and perhaps one day owning a Bed and Breakfast in Ely, MN.  My Ski chair (SKIITS) invention was patented. My passion/obsession takes root and causes my awakening to accelerate. My mystical experience’s also accelerate and causes me to question my life and my purpose.

2004~2005 I flew to Hong Kong to set up manufacturing of 3600 Ski chairs, had them flown into the Denver International Airport and began sharing them with anyone that would listen. After returning home to Minnesota from Colorado, The Ski Chair transformed into what is now referred to as “The Peace Chair” while camping in the BWCAW near Inspiration Point.  

2005 I found a company that was interested in purchasing the patented rights to my chair design with one stipulation; I would have to give up any and all rights or involvement in, the chair’s future.  We never even discussed a price as I was not ready to relinquish my dream no matter the cost.  To me it was priceless.  Today I feel even stronger about it.  Not only is it priceless, it is timeless and in 2018 my first written acknowledgement of giving away my patent rights appears in my blog called, Granja dos Julio’s de la Vega.

2008 I self published my first book, Inspiration Point Discovering Peace Within.

2011 a new repertoire of language and understanding was added to my awakening vocabulary with my self published book “Filling Up Your G.A.S. Tank” (Gratitude, Awareness, Service). I continued to share the chair and my books with anyone that would listen. Lots and lots of (perceived) rejection, amazing events and terrifying experiences would unfold over the next decade.

2012~2017 I drove a school bus for my home town Lakeville school district and the love for my job and my Kids of Route 8 became my purpose and my passion along with sharing my G.A.S.!  My passions/obsessions about the Peace Chair had become (and would continue to be) extremely limited in terms of sharing it with others because of a constant perceived fear of rejection.

2017~2019 A long awaited and anticipated dream of living fulltime in an RV becomes reality. I began  following the Sun, being nurtured by the Moon, guided by the Wind, going with the flow and rebirthed within Water, while connecting with Nature.

2023 Josie asked me for the up-teenth time, ”What do you want?!!! The Ski Chair patent has expired. You are free to design and create your own Peace Chair without patent infringement concerns. Up to this point in time I’ve shared my G.A.S. and or Peace Chair with thousands of people. I’ve taught hundreds how to build their own chair.  Have you built a Peace Chair? Send me a picture and your story. And so let it be known the Peace Chair building/designing competition has begun. Anyone and Everyone is welcome to participate in this adventure of a lifetime. Contact me if you’re interested.  More intentions and details to be shared in future blogs.

2024…The Cause… Affect… of the G.A.S. Adventure begins.

If you’ve attempted to be in contact with me in the past and were unsuccessful, (Because I’m hard to get a hold of) I’m not sure what to tell you.  What I can tell you, is that I look forward to hearing from you.     Like RUMI  a 13th century mystic and poet once said “Out beyond ideas of Rightdoing and Wrongdoing is a field.  I will meet you there.”  Natures G.A.S. Station is a field to create a world we wish to experience together.

I will meet you there. In the meantime e-mail me at patrickmilan@yahoo.com

If you’re inspired by my blogs and they cause you to get out of your comfort zone, then write to me, tell me what happened!

I will have you know, I’m grateful and will do my best to respond to each and every one of you.

If you’re one of the “kids of Route 8”, I look forward to hearing from you.  If you are a parent of one of the “kids of Route 8”,  I’d love to hear from you as well. Share some of your G.A.S. stories with me.   What are you grateful for?  How has awareness affected and or influenced your experiences since I left?  What does service mean to you? 

I will do my best to write you back.  P.S. Ireland, I still have my blarney stone.

If you’re on social media, share this blog with your friends and loved ones and together we’ll fuel our world with love.  G.A.S. Free Fuel for Life!  Create your own G.A.S. Station today.  You don’t need my permission, approval or blessing to do so, you need only to open your heart and “BE” authentic. Think IT! Say IT! Do IT!

I will be overwhelmed with Joy. Contact me and tell me what you’re doing with all that Free G.A.S.   Ooo no, I just might become famous and incredibly wealthy. Just for the record, I’m OK with that. Bring it on Universe!

If you see me out and about on your travels through the Universe, recognize me, stop me, acknowledge me and tell me how G.A.S. has changed your experience in a positive way?

I will appreciate, reciprocate and embrace you. If I have a G.A.S. Sticker in my pocket it’s yours.

If you’ve purchased one of my books through LuLu.com contact me.  Tell me which book(s) you purchased, approximately date you bought it along with a good mailing address.

I will send you a G.A.S. Sticker(s) to place in your book(s) and you will own a personalized signed copy of one of my inspirational creations.

If you purchase any of my books(s) through LuLu.com in the future, contact me.

I will send you a G.A.S. Sticker(s) so that you can have a personalized signed copy(s).

If you live near or are visiting Durango and would like to meet up and purchase a signed copy of one of my books.  Contact me.

I will do my best to arrange a time and place to meet up.  Perhaps we can meet up at one of my favorite places, such as the White Rabbit Books & Curiosities.  I always feel like something wonderful is going to happen when I step into this inspirational space tucked between shelves of books where adventure, mystery and possibilities await your imagination.  Keena the Proprietress has a magical little garden area overlooking the Animas River where the Mad Hatter can on special occasions be found sharing a cup of tea with friends.  Stop on by and ask the White Rabbit, Keena or Patrick when the next Peace Chair Circle Vortex might mysteriously appear in the garden.   Be aware as you enter this domain or you might find yourself falling down the Rabbit Hole. 

If you want to experience some of the best chocolate in town.  Check out the Animas Chocolate Company. I’ve never been a fan of musicals but after watching the latest Wonka Movie I’m a convert. And what better way to finish an afternoon of watching chocolate being made than to visit Carley and Crew to satisfy your chocolate cravings.  If Kyle is in the house, tell him “The G.A.S. Man” sent you and that Josie, Cedar and I look forward to seeing him and the ACC Crew soon. 

I will be happy to see you there too if our paths cross.

If you want to help the sustainability of our planet and eat really good real food while on your next adventure, then check out Farm to Summit. I know passion when I Feel it and Jane and Louise fill every package they offer with pure Love that naturally creates Good Vibes.

I will be getting filled up with Farm to Summit goodness again this Spring in the BWCAW. 

If you Víctor of Granja dos Julios de la Vega read this, Know that I look forward to hearing from you.  I’ve reached out to you in correspondence in the past and have not heard back.  Anyone that knows Victor and reads this please pass this request on to him.

I will be delighted to hear from and reconnect with you and Julios.

If you have a Peace Chair that we built together, was gifted to you or you’ve built your own, contact me. I’d love to get a Picture and your story to share in my upcoming blogs and/or books.

I will be dancing on cloud 8.

The day after posting my blog “2017 ~2023…”, I was inspired by Codi (A local ski resort area lift pass checker) to write this next blog called, The birth of Edgy II.   A Snowboarder dressed all in black who made his first appearance on the morning of Jan 4, 2024 at the Purgatory ski resort near Durango, Colorado.  Before telling the events that unfolded on his birthday, I need to give some historical (or should I say, hysterical) background about his brother, Edgy the Elf, who was born at a company Christmas party in Minnesota many, many years ago.  This same person who transforms into a mischievous Elf at Christmas time is also known as “Pat One” (Pat Achenbach) along with his adventurous companion “Pat Two” (myself). Like Dr. Seuss’ Thing One and Thing Two, Pat One and Pat Two are Dr. Seuss’ Swiss versions named Patone and Pattwo, to be pronounced with a French accent.  We dressed up for Halloween one year in costumes similar to Thing One and Thing Two except we painted our skin a devilish dark red, faces stylishly trimmed in black, sporting a rainbow colored afro and matching red and yellow tie dye t-shirts with “Pat 1” and “Pat 2” printed on the front.  We (Patone and Pattwo), along with the rest of “The Fire Pit Crew” started the evening with a visit to the local Haunted House in Northfield, Minnesota and then spent the evening wandering the streets, experiencing wild and crazy adventures together. After departing our separate ways and heading home,  Patone was stopped by a local policeman and was made to walk the, “Line of Shame” on the side of the street after admitting to having responsibly consumed a couple of beers throughout the evening.  He passed the roadside sobriety test and all was well. However, according to Pantone, the policeman didn’t appear to share his humor and or enthusiasm.  Say la vie.  Just one of many P&P Achenbach  and J&P Milan adventures we’ve shared over the years.  Unlike Frosty, our grandson’s resident Elf on the Shelf along with his reindeer companion Rudolf, who visits our house for nightly adventures during the holiday season and reports directly to the big guy in the red suit, Edgy the Elf lives in the Now moment and reports to no-one.  Lets just say that everyone attending those company Christmas parties years ago were fair game to get roasted and toasted by Edgy the Elf. Upon my arrival on the morning of January 4th, 2024 at Purgatory having driven the ASA (Adaptive Sports Association) volunteer shuttle bus, I discovered I’d forgotten my ski jacket at home.  After checking with the ASA staff to see if they needed any additional help with lessons, I was free to enjoy the day as I wished. So I went downstairs, borrowed a black Jacket from the lending closet then headed for the mountain top.  Having received only a few inches of much needed snow the previous night made ski conditions mediocre at best.  Many of the trails on the back side were rock gardens hidden beneath the few inches of freshies awaiting to be revealed to the unsuspecting downhill winter enthusiasts.  I however had one of the most spectacular days of my life as I surfed the trails edges and tree lines seeking out and destroying any remaining untouched “Powder Pockets” while attempting to satisfy my adrenaline addiction.  For my first run I headed to the right toward the Styx trail head , a run laced with generously spaced trees.  Lacking a sufficient base of snow pack, it wasn’t conducive to the health and wellbeing of my snowboard nor my old bones, so I traversed through the trees as I often do to get to the bottom as safely as possible.  Upon arrival and standing in the singles line at the Six Pack (six person chairlift), I was approached by a ski patrol and asked if I had a lift pass.  I said I did and proceeded to show him, at which time he said “Give it to me”!!!  I was a bit shocked by his abrasive response so I asked him why.  He said I was just spotted boarding on a closed and roped off run. I’m easily identified because I’m one of the few Snowboarders that use ski poles while boarding. Last year I met a person at Purg that was also using ski poles (and from this moment forward will be referred to as B-poles) with her snowboard that goes by the nickname Flow, short for Florence. She’s originally from Europe, France, if I remember correctly. I look forward to the possibility of surfing with her sometime in the future.  Given any other day, I would have become very defensive and the conversation would have degraded quickly.  Instead, I was feeling like I was on cloud 8 since spending a sleepless night writing and publishing my first blog in over a year.  So, rather than losing my cool, I remained calm while answering his questions and giving honest, truthful answers.  No, I didn’t travers under any roped off areas. Yes, I agree I’m responsible to be aware of what runs are open and which are closed.  I then began asking my own questions.  I think the final question I asked him quelled the situation, or perhaps it was more of an invite. I told him I’d be happy to go back up with him and give him a tour of the exact route I had just taken if he was interested, at which time he simply shook his head and walked away.  I was so focused on him and our conversation that I didn’t realize that we’d become the center of attention, all eyes and ears were upon us.  In my past life I thrived on being the center of attention.  Not so much these days, quite the opposite in fact.  Unless of course, one of my alter Egos chooses to come out and play.  I spent the remainder of the day mostly in a state of bliss.  I told one woman I shared the chairlift ride to the top with that besides the obvious advantage that ski goggles provide, I’d discovered another benefit, that you can’t see my eyes as they swell up with tears because my heart is bursting with Joy.  Later that morning I would have yet another encounter with not just one ski patrol but two.  Half way down the run called Demon I was exhausted and so I laid down near the edge of the tree line out of harm’s way, motionless, eyes closed and once again leaking tears of joy when I heard a voice asking if I was ok.  I looked up to see two curious and concerned ski patrollers looking at me.  I glanced up  at them, smiled and said not only am I ok, I’ve never felt more happy, alive and exhausted at the same time. My response was rewarded with ear to ear grins.  I thanked them for checking on me and as they both prepared for their departure, the nearest one tapped my ski pole, a skier’s version of a fist bump.  As they skied away, I shouted a loud and boisterous acknowledgement thanking them for their service, then I thanked the Universe for topping off my G.A.S. Tank. Paradoxically family is the most important element for our existence on this planet while at the same time they can be our worst enemy and greatest teachers.  That’s why in addition to our blood family, (or in the case of orphans, unknown family) we search out our tribe, our soul mates, those fellow life traveling partners to help assist us in making this journey called life not only tolerable, but meaningful, Joyful and miraculous.  Without them and their support, life can be lonely and down right intolerable. So having said that, I want to acknowledge “The Fire Pit Crew ”.  These soul mates of mine have had my back in hard times, support when I needed it and have been witnesses of and participants in this fantastic journey. Thank you Pat and Paula, John and Susan, Tony and Deb and most importantly Josie.  Without you my life would be utterly empty and meaningless. Love you guys! x><x

Deception 

The action of deceiving someone. “obtaining property by deception”

A thing that deceives.  “A range of elaborate deceptions”

 Inheritance  

A thing that is inherited.  “he came into a comfortable inheritance” 

The action of inheriting.  “The inheritance of traits” 

Imbalanced

Lack of balance: the state of being out of equilibrium or out of proportion

A Structural imbalance

A chemical imbalance in the brain

“Mother Earth and all Her creations are suffering because of ‘Man’ and His Religious structural imbalance.

Not until we treat women with equality throughout the entire world will we as humans attain equilibrium.” 

“I Discovered Truth and Peace Within on Inspiration Point ”

~The G.A.S. Man~

X><X 

 Kathleen JoAnne Milan reunited with the great mystery on July 9th 2023.

 I love you Mom, I miss you. You have always and will forever fill my heart with G.A.S.

My hope is that I discover forgiveness Within. 

This first blog for 2024 is dedicated to you.

Thank you for being my most powerful teacher. R.I.P. 

December 14th, 2016 I posted my first Blog and It goes as follows:    

This is my first blog post for G.A.S. Gratitude, Awareness and Service.  The life we experience is not just a reflection of the thoughts we think about most.  It is also a reflection of the actions we take. So what are you thinking?  What are you doing?  This blog is intended to share stories, ideas and concepts to change the way you think about life.  How you change the way you do things.  Please Bear with me,(pun intended) as I learn how to navigate this new realm of blogging and understand how best to share this journey with you. Thank you, The G.A.S. Man

December 27nd, 2016 I posted my next Two Blogs. First was “The Tale of Two Books”, the second was 

 The intention of this Bolg:

This Blog is not about doing the right or wrong thing.  It is about serving the people whom are passionate about protecting, honoring, and communing with the Natural World.  This field was created for you to share your free G.A.S. with others.  A place to join a community of like-minded people that want to give the Natural World a voice.  It is for all whom are honored, humbled, worthy and excited by this invitation from the Universe. 

As RUMI a 13th century mystic poet once said, “Out beyond ideas of Wrongdoing and Rightdoing is a field.   I will meet you there.” 

                    Natures G.A.S. Station is a Field to create a world we wish to experience together.  

I’ll meet you there.

Between December 29th 2017 and June 8 2017,  I wrote thirteen more blogs before posting 

“The Journey Begins” on June 21st 2017

We just returned from our trip to Geneva, Switzerland reconnecting with friends and reminiscing about the past with our Son Eric and his wife Lauren after having left there 14 years ago.  What an incredible trip it was.  For me, it was a reminder of what’s important in life, Gratitude, Awareness and Service.  The past several weeks and perhaps months have been a whirlwind of emotions and preparations for what Josie and I are about to undertake in our lives together.  Selling our Dream Home, quitting our jobs, leaving our families and friends, traveling the world.  What are we thinking?! My Mom keeps telling me, “you’ll regret selling your home.”  … Click here to read the rest.  

Dear Mom,

July 2017, Seven years ago, Josie and I left Minnesota. Our son Eric and Daughter-in-law Lauren invited us to come live with them in Colorado because they were planning on starting a family of their own.  Without a second thought our choice was made, plans were drawn, prioritized and executed.   We sold our Dream Home (Beavers Point Cabin), quit our jobs, left our family and friends behind and ventured out into the great unknown.  Both you and Josies’ Mother were not happy with our decision and I can only imagine what it meant to the both of you, abandonment, selfishness, heartbreak…?  You in particular were so angry the day we left it was difficult to look you in the eyes, they were like ice cold blue daggers.  I rarely spoke to you after we left Minnesota.  No longer did we feel welcomed when we returned home for a visit.  Little did I know, within days of our departure from Minnesota, July 2017 you changed your will.   You disinherited me!  All my siblings were told of this latest decision and it was their choice whether they read your change of will or not.  All but one chose to read it. Everyone was aware of what was going on.  Finances and assets were shown and explained in detail.   A gift of a thousand dollars was given to each of your grandchildren except for Eric.  Why Mom? Why!!! I can accept your punishing me, but why exclude Eric?   Guilt by association?  Co-conspirator to our happiness?  I would be unaware of these little factoids until nearly two months after your passing.  Three days before departing Colorado for our third trip home to Minnesota in 2023 for a wedding, I mysteriously received an anonymous copy of your will with an unknown company letterhead in Alabama. Not from either my brother or sister,co-executors of your estate, but from some unknown in southern Alabama.  After interrogating all my siblings as to the reason why you did what you did, the responses were all varying shades of gray. Your reasons (your stories) I heard from each of them were all different but with a common theme. If your intention was to infect pain, you succeeded on a grand scale. I hold no shame, blame or guilt toward any of my siblings nor to you for not telling me your change of will.  I know that we are all doing the best we can with the life we’ve been given.  Dee, Josie and I were asleep in your hospital room the evening you passed.  Just before midnight I awoke with a powerful sensation of heat within my chest.  Three times in succession I felt an all encompassing warm embrace surrounding my heart and in the moment as the feeling dissipated the third time, Dee whispered to me that you were leaving us.  We embraced each other as we witnessed you taking your last breath.  This wasn’t the first time I felt I’d lost you.  This however would be the last.  The first was the night your son, my brother Mark, was hit by a drunk driver.  You spent the next 40 years caring for him at our home.  If that is not the definition of a Saint, then I’m mistaken.  The second time I metaphorically lost you is when I began undergoing my spiritual transformation. At the beginning we had some of the most amazing conversations.  One particular evening’s chit chat together centered around the fact that one of your favorite people in spiritual history was Edgar Casey.  I recall asking you why you never talked to any of us kids about your interest in spirituality and all I can recall is the lifting of your shoulders and one eyebrow as if to say, I don’t know. I shared with you my fears of sharing my invention (The Peace Chair) with the world for the World. How I didn’t feel worthy, not good enough of such an undertaking, or ready for the responsibility of such a grandiose intention.  My fear of becoming famous and the loss of privacy that comes with such notoriety. I don’t remember any words of encouragement or support at that moment.  I only remember the shrug of the shoulders,the lifting of an eye brow.  I believe that was the moment our spiritual connection was severed.  We never spoke of such things again. Our future conversations returned to the surface of life.  However my feelings and fears I shared with you that evening remained buried deep within.  What I believe to be true is that like me, you had many mystic encounters and were afraid to share them with others. Especially your children.  And so what more could you say except nothing.  It deeply saddens my heart that in the end, I was unable to voice my feelings authentically with you, but instead because of fear, they came out sideways in an uncontrollable verbal rage.  Thank you Mom for the lessons of Love. spoken and unspoken. I love you. x> 

Inspiration can be defined as: (1) The act or power of arousing the mind and emotions with uplifting music. (2) A clever idea. (3) A thought that moves someone to act, create, or feel emotion.  Gifts of compassion, music, whimsical insights, and profound experiences are often a direct result of the acts of Love in action that are bestowed on ourselves and/or others in the NOW moment because of the inspirational stories we create and share.  In 2006 Dr. Wayne Dyer came out with his book Inspiration: Your Ultimate Calling.  A combination of discovering this book and Josie and I having dinner with Jim Brandenburg (National Geographic photographer) at the Blue Heron Bed and Breakfast in Ely, Minnesota and Jim telling me to “write your book”, is the reason (or perhaps better said, Inspiration) for my completing my first book Inspiration Point: Discovering Peace Within. I’m eternally grateful to these two inspirational role models. So, I invite you to join me on this Inspirational Natures G.A.S. Adventure and together we’ll assist each other in filling our G.A.S. Tanks.  Over the past several months I’ve written and re-written this blog more than I care to admit.  The people, the stories, and feelings I want to share keeps changing within each re-write. While my intention remains the same, to plant seeds of Peace, Hope and Inspiration within you the reader, it would be inauthentic of me if I were to convey the impression that the pandemic has had little if any negative affect on me, quit the contrary in fact.  At times it feels as if I could not have fallen any deeper into the dark and painful abyss defined as depression.  Although I’ve experienced and learned new ways of perceiving, interacting, and coping with the outer world, Being Human is and will always be a challenge no matter how enlightened one may feel as the awareness from within strengthens the heart, mind, and body connection.  Regardless of where you live, work, volunteer, play or travel, the concept of G.A.S. is an individual universal concept that will help heal planet Earth one Tank at a time.  It is the “Free Fuel for Life” that when manifested from within the “Now” moment and experienced, expressed and/or shared without expectations will gift you with surprises beyond your wildest dreams and imagination.  One of the best ways to achieve and sustain a healthy state of “Being G.A.S.ed up” is to journal your G.A.S. daily. Also as promised, I’ll be highlighting some of the people and businesses that have helped, Fill-Us-Up, here in Durango.  The year 2020 will be remembered as one of the craziest and perhaps the most transformative times ever recorded in human history.  Well, all I can say is, welcome to my world, a world that is scary, nutty, extremely bizarre, dangerous, and sometimes lethal!  It is also a world filled with mysterious, miraculous, and awe-inspiring events, people, and places!  Perhaps it could be defined as the experiential paradoxes of a Human Life in an infinite “Now” moment.  It could also be simply stated as, “It Is what It Is, until It Isn’t!”  In 2006 Josie and I visited Unity of the Valley Spiritual Center in Savage, Minnesota in an attempt to seek answers to, “what the heck is happing to me?!”, because I was most definitely losing my mind.  We met many wonderful and interesting people within that community, many of which who have become our closest and dearest friends who continued to teach, inspire, and support each other.  One such friend I’d like to tell you about is Larry Vorwerk.  Larry is a retired Minnesota Zoo Zookeeper, a man of deep unshakable faith, a humble, courageous, and generous old soul with a childlike Spirit.  Allow me to explain what makes him so courageous. For starters, like myself having Josie by my side, he has a life partner (Nita) that loves, encourages, and supports him 100%.  Second, he has overcome his fear (most of the time is my assumption) of what others might think or say about him by sharing his passion for life with all who are ready to do some serious self-examination without judgment or criticism.  Whether it be in his daily routine activities or within his regular postings on his Facebook page, he exemplifies my definition of Inspiration. Third, like me, he self-published his own book called “The Bartholomew Effect: Awakening to Oneness” describing some of his extraordinary mystical experiences, personal insights, and ancient wisdom.   Like Larry, however you choose to share your passion, truth, and wisdom, whether it be social media, public speaking, writing a blog, a book, or a letter, if shared from the heart, will be one of the scariest, if not life-threatening things you’ll do, while paradoxically be the most gratifying, inspiring, and self-empowering thing you’ve ever done.  When I first met Larry back in 2006, he had not yet published his book, he did however have a stack of paper stapled together he’d written titled, “What IF”.  Having just met him, his offering me his mystical muses felt more like the passing of a top-secret document because of his added verbal confidentiality agreement, his version of a hand-shaken non-disclosure agreement and him telling me, “This it is not to be shared with anyone else!”.  To be honest, when I first read it, my first thought was, this guy is off his rocker, totally nuts!  Well, you may have heard the saying, “Birds of a feather flock together”, I’m proud and honored to say, not only do Larry and I flock together, but we fly in some of the same dimensions (not of this world) together.  Thank you, Larry, for truly sensing who, I AM and opening your heart and stories to me.  We have come along way together overcoming our fear of sharing ourselves and our stories with the world.  Doing so encourages and inspires others to BE and share their true authentic courageous selves regardless of what others may think, say and/or do to them.  I’m sharing this story about Larry because I recently purchased a used book at a local consignment shop called “What IF”, The Challenge of Self-realization, by Eldon Taylor.  You might not agree with what Mr. Taylor writes, in fact, it might even piss you off, but I’m pretty sure if nothing else, it’ll make you think about life differently by placing you metaphorically in the shoes of another.  What we manifest and experience in our lives are a direct result of what we think, say, and do to ourselves.  My Boundary-Waters-Canoe-Area-Wilderness (BWCAW) Adventures buddy Patone, has a saying he often shares when something serendipitous happens when we get together, “You can’t make this shit up!!!”  What if, we are making it all up each passing NOW moment?  What if, I told you, YOU are ultimately and intimately responsible for all you experience?  What if, Life is just a matter of perspective and how you choose to respond to “IT” determines how “IT” changes and or manifests in the moment?  What if, Life is just a test each moment to see what or whom you are willing to take-a-stand, push against, embrace, or sit with?  I’ve had my share of ups and downs during this pandemic, the difference being it hasn’t felt as extreme as decades past.  Perhaps I’m just becoming immune to the bizarre, willing to embrace the unknown, knowing the only certain in life, is that it will change, or in other words, this too shall pass.   And so, let the storytelling continue.  This next one I call, “The voice of an Angel”.  The past few Summer and Fall seasons I’ve played (because I don’t consider it work) part-time making ice cream with our son Eric and a young man by the name of Ben at the 11^th Street Station here in Durango, Colorado called, “On a Roll Ice Cream”.  It was during a chilly Fall afternoon that I was inspired by the voice of an Angel, Gracie Jessop.  Gracie utilizes a digital-loop-back system like that which Michael Monroe (one of our favorite Minnesota musicians) uses to create instrumental and lyrical layers of inspirational vibrations in the present moment. Gracie told me one of the greatest joys in life over the past years is visiting Durango and sharing her passion, support and mentorship with an amazing local organization called, “I Am Music”.  The unique gift she brings to the stage is how she makes up songs in the “Now” moment.  Like a gifted public speaker or storyteller, she connects with the audience as if she is singing directly to each individual person.  At least that’s what I felt as I was profoundly touched by her angelic and mesmerizing performance.  When we partnership with both our Spirit and Ego, they become allies and the creation process becomes an experience referred to as, “Inspiration”. Inspiration is a conduit that helps us to connect with, honor, protect, commune, and learn from Nature and each other.  As more and more of us consciously and collectively assist in the healing of Nature, we’ll naturally heal ourselves; mentally, physically, energetically, and spiritually, one G.A.S. Tank at a time!  If I pursue my passions with an Egotistical intent only, I become just another radical extremist, a self-proclaimed GURU, a rebel within or without a cause.  Just another selfish, greedy, narcissistic nut case that blames our global problems on the other extreme radical egotistical rebels within one of the countless conspiratorial theories of my choosing.  Or I can choose to respond within each moment of my existence from a place of compassion, forgiveness, and open heartedness with both Ego and Spirit.  As I’ve attempted to explain all these principles in past blogs and books, I will again say, this concept to “Be the Change you wish to experience in the World” is far easier said than done.  Or perhaps if looked at differently is “easier done than said”.  Either way, I’m still working on it, I’m far from perfect, just ask Josie.  That’s why it’s called a Practice, a conscious never-ending choice in life moment to moment, a choice between love (free-spirited and free flowing) and fear (possessive and controlling, the need to be right).  While the pandemic for many has felt anything but inspiring, it has, no doubt, forced us to change the way we perceive and respond to our world in profound ways, sometimes good, sometimes bad.  A source of inspiration that we’ve been listening to for years now and has continued to lift our spirits during these dark times is a podcast called “On Being” with Krista Tippett.  Josie and I begin most mornings with a cup of coffee while listening to various podcasts.  The conversations between Krista and her guest(s) (poets, scientists, journalists, and many other interesting people) covering a wide variety of thought-provoking inspirational topics and ideas are by far one of our favorites.  Krista’s conversation with Frank Wilczek and what he calls “Beauty as a Compass for Truth” captures most vividly for me, intellectually speaking, is what I attempt to explain within the context of implementing Natures G.A.S. as a daily practice, the profound effects it has on the individual human life and how our perception (our personal unique experience in the moment) is never experienced the same way twice. Nature is continuously giving us a wake-up call as to how we choose to live our lives.  We’ve been literally destroying the earths ecosystems that we depend upon not just for our health and wellbeing, but our very existence as a species.  In the future, I’ll reflect on this period of human history as the “Tippett-ing Point”, that with Krista’s assistance, a new paradigm shift within human consciousness was birthed.  Just before the pandemic, my intention was to focus primarily on local people and businesses within the Durango/Bayfield area and so it is a pleasure and honor to share with you Jen, a person that has deeply touched me and our family with her talents and friendship.  Jen, along with her co-owner Katie started Studio Soma a safe, fun, beautiful and creative space for healing the mind-body-spirit connection.  Along with the aid of a professional and passionate team, they integrate classical methods such as Yoga and Pilates along with a modern and scientific approach called the CYROTONIC method to help you reach and maintain your individual optimal healthful self.  To increase your (GPA) and I’m not talking Grade Point Average but instead, your Gastronomic Pleasurable Adventure, I encourage you to check out a few entrepreneurs that started out at the 11^th Street Station and have since expanded and/or moved to new locations. First is Cuevas Tacos, established in 2019 by two brothers Oscar and Manny Cuevas.  Although the brothers have since gone their separate ways, they have both become very successful in their own rights.  Oscar can now be found at Lola’s Place at 725 E 2^nd Ave. My favorite is the generously portioned Smothered Burrito, although the fish and shrimp tacos come in at a close second if I want something less filling.  Manny along with his wife Evelyn and son Angel worked hard to build both a terrific menu and location for their restaurant Akami Poke & Ramen.  It is one of the best places in town to discover incredible delights such as Japanese ramen, Hawaiian poke bowls and an extensive menu of Izakaya and other fusion delicacies.  If you need a caffeine booster shot along with a great selection of fresh homemade baked goods then be sure to check out Taste coffee.  Owner Mike a passionate coffee connoisseur can now be found at two convenient locations in town.  11^th Street Station where he started his first Taste coffee bar and now can also be found at the same location as Cuevas Tacos inside Lola’s Place where you can enjoy a locally roasted, organic coffee from our very own coveted Desert Sun Coffee.  Mike opened his first Taste Coffee because he enjoys watching community members come together and grow relationships.  But what I believe is the real reason for his success aside from his entrepreneurial and joyful spirit one senses in his presence is the love and support he gets from his wife Ayla.  Thank you all in advance for our collective BE-coming and BE- ing, “A Voice for Nature” while filling our tanks together. And thank you Universe, for continuously overwhelming me and filling me up!  x> 

I’ve not written anything since the end of February of this year just before the pandemic was first officially announced. The intention at that time was to focus my blogs on local businesses and people since we are no longer traveling fulltime in our RV, and so, my future stories, insights and aha moments will in fact do just that.  It’s not that I haven’t had anything worthwhile writing about.  Just the opposite in fact.  Over the past several months I’ve felt what I thought was fear and guilt because my life has never been better, and here we are in the middle of a world pandemic.  What I’ve come to realize is that in fact a better definition for what I’ve been experiencing is Love and compassion.  I’ll share more with you about that later.  For now, I feel it’s time to break my silence about my confusion about what’s been happening politically.  While I understand why so many people want to believe much of what the current president claims to be true, that our government is corrupt and that he is the savior, the one that will make America great again, I perceive things differently.  While I do believe there is major corruption within all governments throughout the world, that doesn’t diminish my hope and optimism about the intention of our Constitution of the United States, the power of democracy, what it stands for and what it represents, “We The People”.  What’s different about this year’s choice of presidential candidates is that one is obsessed with “The Love of Power” and the other understands, authentically lives and emanates “The Power of Love”.  The current president may honestly believe he is doing the right thing by standing up against the dark side of our government and perhaps he is.  However, according to the popular vote of the people the perception is that he lacks empathy, compassion, authenticity, and perhaps most importantly honesty that paints a much different picture from the outside looking within.  These and many other negative perceived character traits are what makes for a poor leader.  To be a powerful and effective leader one needs to lead by example.  While I have no doubt his intensions of cleaning up much of the corruption that occurs within our government is sincere,  I’ve asked myself repeatedly why and how can he continue to get away with doing and saying anything he wants.  The conclusion I’ve reached is that he is one of the most charismatic, real, authentic, “back room dealing Buddy behind the curtain” you could hope to become friends with.  He is the real deal, what you see is what you get.  The only thing he is guilty of is that he represents that thing all good egotistical consumers want, more stuff!  He is a real man’s man that treats women as symbols of beauty and desire, worships money and himself, and if you don’t like me, too bad!  Basically, he represents and epitomizes what a bully is.  It would appear he cares nothing about the environment accept unless it relates to the condition of his golf courses.  He doesn’t believe in science unless it benefits the lining of his pockets.  Basically, it would appear unless it’s bigger, better, faster, more stylish, stronger and in a nutshell more powerful, he is not interested nor cares about it or them.  The politicians that appear to represent the majority of the people have not been able to impeach him because as a representative of and for the, “American Dream” is guilty of nothing except doing as he dam well pleases and if you don’t like it, tuff!  That is the difference between the haves and the have nots when it comes to Power, whether it be The Love of Power or The Power of Love.  I’ve met plenty of extremely miserable people with lots of money.  As many of the songs that have been written about over the years, “Money can’t buy you love”.  On the other hand, our President Elect has a proven track record of doing his best to represent and serve the people of this country.  His words and actions are a testament of The Power of Love he embodies.  He wears his emotions on his sleeve and proudly displays metaphorical metals such as courage, compassion, empathy, humility, and authenticity on his chest with honor and dignity.  He has proven himself competent and capable of being our Commander and Chief by his having served as VP of the USA.  For the first half of my life I was unaware of the term Ego and so I’ll share with you my belief and understanding pertaining to the Ego.  It is the voice in your head that tells you to look out for Numero Uno, not a bad thing.  It portrays an outward projected appearance of confidence, positivity and audacity that needs constant approval from others.  Again, not a bad thing, unless of course you don’t mind being enslaved and dependent that your happiness comes at the cost of the approval of others.  When the Ego is questioned, confronted, or not given approval by others will lash out in fits of rage, anger and defensiveness resulting in verbal and or physical attacks of abuse to the self and or others.  For many years I had and extremely large Ego.  All the while the opposite resided within me as well, a deep caring and love for others and self.   I’ve always attempted to remain upbeat, positive and hopeful while doing my best to treat others as I would like to be treated.  As a result, I’ve come to believe as Shakespeare suggests, “There is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so”.  Most of my life I’ve thought of myself as Lucky, therefore I was, I am, and if I continue to tell myself that, I will be Lucky.  Since my retirement from the U.S. Army I’ve done a lot of what is referred to as deep self-contemplation and have concluded that, I am that (lucky), I AM. I also believe that luck doesn’t just occur by happenstance but rather is the result of ones combined thoughts, words and actions.   So the choice is yours, what’ll you choose, Leaded, Unleaded or Premium G.A.S. ?       x>