General Update with Pictures
 

Well, Hell. Life is busy. I know I'm not around much, but I do manage to keep up a bit with some of you on Facebook. For those of you who don't spend time there, yet still wonder what's going on with Elspode, here's some pics and text for your erudition.

I guess the biggest change is that Selene and I are now divorced, and I live with Leslie (Tree Fae) now. Here's a pic of our front yard, courtesy of Google Earth Street View, which finally made it into our neighborhood this past March. The second pic is of our backyard. This place is an oasis for my soul.

Those of you who have known me for awhile will remember that beater Explorer in the driveway of the first pic from my post when I first bought it. It's been over eight years, and 118,000 miles since I got it. A couple of months ago, the 84 year old father of one of my oldest and best friends passed on, and no one else wanted to buy his 1996 Land Rover Discovery...with 56,000 one owner miles on it. I wanted it, and got it...for $2,500, at $50 per week terms. This is just one example of how fortunate I am these days.

Good deal man !!

None of this would be nearly as awesome if there wasn't a beautiful, talented, creative, amazing woman involved. This is her.

I am also blessed with an amazingly efficient, powerful, and fun mode of transport...my 2001 Kawasaki Concours, which I purchased in April of 2011 at about $500 under it's Bluebook value because the owner was moving to Texas in a couple of days, and didn't want to mess with it. The second picture shows my biggest, most earnest blessing...my grandson, Gavin, sitting on it, looking somewhat skeptical.

I have more pictures to scrounge and show. I have more to tell you all. SO many changes...and all of them rather positive. I'm in debt to the extent that bankruptcy is inevitable, but it's just numbers in someone's computers. Selene and I are on excellent terms, even though she rather did me dirty in her departure.

I have so much...so many friends, a family - divided, granted, but still, a family - that loves me. I have a home that is warmer, closer, more perfect than I ever dared imagine. Thanks for letting me share. More to come.

I hope this finds you all as happy and warm as I.

Life is good to me most of the time. One of my favorite things to hear is when life is good to someone else. How fabulous for you Els! :)

Thanks. If you take poverty out of the equation, this is the best time of my entire life.

I propose that this settles it, then. An equation in which poverty is arbitrarily factored in is, specifically, a "dumb" equation.

Thank you for sharing.



btw, I've always wanted a Land Rover, you dawg.



Still playing music regularly?

Favoured? Lucky?
You reap you sow, you lovely man.

Things were shitty for you, but you were so positive and understanding and loving about it.
Any good that comes your way for the next forever is just because of you.

It's so, so good to hear from you, and see pics.
And I'm so happy you and TF are living the good life.
She's a wonderful life partner.

I've never been bankrupt, but I would have been if I didn't have the 'rents to come home to.
That felt like rock bottom. It hasn't been because I've found my vocation. My financial situation is temporary and shaky, but I face every work day with happiness.

Unlooked-for joy - I wish the same for you both.

I've seen bits of this via FB, and it's really good to know that you are doing well in your new life with Tree Fae.

Excellent. :tuba:

I'm really pleased to hear that!

I'm very happy to hear from you in all cases, and to have such a happy update... that makes my day.

Good to hear from you, Els! Love the yard shots--what are you growing in the back garden, there?

Ya man, that looks like one kick-ass garden!

The veggie garden contains at least - but not limited to - the following:

Tomatoes, at least three varieties, maybe more

Peppers - Green Bell, one Habanero, A couple of Pablanos and Anaheims.

Corn, Peas, Green Beans, Onions, (the radishes and lettuce are done by now), pumpkins, watermelons, zucchini, beets, cukes and two varieties of potatoes.

It is my personal opinion that the garden is too densely planted for optimal yields, but time will tell. The tomatoes seem to be coming along well, and the corn plants are growing quickly. The squashes seem to all be flowering nicely, and so far, nothing is actually dying. :-)

Zucchini? Having trouble with neighbors? ;)

Not yet...but then they haven't really started coming on, yet.

My favorite Garrison Keillor joke was something along the lines of, "It's Summer here at Lake Woebegone, and people have started locking their car doors...not because of the fear of thieves, but because, if you don't, when you come back to your vehicle, you find a grocery sack full of zucchini in it."

aaaahahhahahahahahahahahahah

The garden has gone insane with tomatoes...peppers are coming along, zuchs bringing up the rear. Salsa will be made tomorrow.

Oh...little bitty purple spuds and green beans in this pic...we ate them tonight.

Zuchs? Up the rear? Pics, or it didn't happen. ;)

Excellent pics Spode! It looks like a good life.

nice !