Cowboy has gone “Home”.

My precious little furr-ball is home with his Maker and I believe he is warming the lap of the late Grandpa Kenny Greiman.

At the tender age of 8, Cowboy contracted a heart disease that led to a kidney failure and within two months, he was taken from us.

Cowboy Cat 2000 was laid to rest underneath the shed in our backyard-his favorite outdoor destination. From his hidden vantage point, he would slyly survey the going’s ons in our yard; irritating the squirrels, birds and any other creature simply trying to go about their daily life.

As you can see, this blanket was one of his favorites to snuggle underneath on cold winter days. We wrapped his little body in this blanket, tied it with the string he loved to chase around the house and gave him back to the earth.

Buddy, I’m going to miss you-Cowboy Cat Greiman, October 2003-August 2011.

My Favorite Part of Touring

There is so much about touring that I love. The alone time that I get with Biceps during the wee hours of the morning when everyone else in the world is asleep is second to none.
The creative time I am allotted is almost overwhelming. And, I actually want to talk on the phone for longer than five minutes. It’s a great change-a-roo to my schedule.

But this moment you see here is my absolute favorite thing about touring.
‘Hello, Cleveland!’…

The sun is wiping the crusties out of its eyes and the moon is partaking of its ‘last call’.
No one is really sure who’s in charge, so the clouds take over and really show off.

At this moment, I have already brewed and partaken of two pots of coffee. I am a little ‘hopped up’ and probably irritating Biceps by now.
You however, are probably wrestling with the alarm clock, your cat demanding treats or the drool hanging from your mouth.

I know that I have almost another hour before I can call my Mom and sing to her, ‘Good Morning, good morning, good morning, it’s time to rise and shine!’
I decide to clean the bus to cool off before I spread my sunshine any further.

The blue is peeking through the clouds, warning us that we only have a few more minutes before the clerk at the truck stop will start copping an attitude.
If you can catch them at just the right moment, they are actually pleasant. I recommend between 5 and 6 am.

This moment makes changing generator oil worth it.
It almost vanquishes the thought of another night of cleaning the stinky toilet ten dudes have ‘tried’ to hit while they were intoxicated.
Almost. But not all the way.

I have a theory that God made sunrises just for me.
And maybe a few other people, I’m sure. But mostly for me.
At least that’s my theory.
It is my favorite part of touring, though. That and the money.

A Family Torn Apart by Pizza

‘Sally vs. Frank’

I have been serving as a jury member this last week, causing my life to somehow become legal in every way.
For example, Biceps tries to sneak a bite from my plate and I adamantly yell, ‘I object!’. Cowboy is currently awaiting trial for a misdemeanor-he bit my hand while I was petting him.

I just needed some time to cool off before the judgement.

All of that said, I found it only fitting to talk about some legal issues as they pertain to my touring lifestyle.

And as they pertain to pizza. Lovely, warm, cheesy pizza.

In New Haven, CT. there are two rivaling pizzeria’s:

Frank Pepe’s…(yes, that’s the most handsome man in the world-Biceps)…

…and Sally’s Apizza Restaurant.

With family ties involved, the story of the two pizzeria’s becomes very interesting.

Both restaurant’s are ancient and have lines of people waiting around the block before they open.

And both have a fantastic end product. Oh, this is making me so hungry just looking at it.

If you’ve never had a coal fired pizza….you have never lived.

Now, here’s the problem:

Frank’s nephew, Sal (Sally’s), split off from the family business and opened up his own pizzeria.

Sal then set up shop on Wooster Street.

Frank Pepe’s was already on Wooster Street several years before.

Tempers flare not only the Pepe family, but New Havenites, as well.

I say-stop the fighting-and try both pizzeria’s.

Do it because it’s the right thing to do.

Do it because you need to be impartial, leaving your prejudices at the door.

And do it because your tummy will thank you. Many times over will it thank you.

The world doesn’t have to be full of Sally’s vs. Frank’s. Let’s change this world to ‘Sally’s and Frank’s’.

Or at least Sally’s and Frank’s in the same day. Yum.

The Love Story of Duane and Mary

If you don’t already know, I write a column called ‘Together in Tulsa’ for the regional paper, ‘This Land Press’.

My column features unique couples from around Oklahoma. And because I am so weird, the photos I take of each couple typically end up a little bizarre-or ‘different’-as my dad would say.

This sweet couple, with a May/December romance, shared with me their touching story of how it all came to be.
They both were great sports about the photo shoot concept I presented to them. They obviously don’t take themselves or life to seriously.

Go here to read the article, if you so desire. And I hope you do…