On this Veteran’s Day so many come to mind… Family and friends, strangers who have touched my life… those who have served with honor.

My father, Jorma Sr. WWII U.S. Navy, Pacific
My uncle Pentti, WWII U.S. Army Pacific
My Uncle Tarmo WWII U.S. Army North Africa and Italy
Vanessa’s Uncle Bobby, WWII U.S. Army Battle Of The Bulge
Vanessa’s Uncle Milt, WWII U.S. Army Pacific
My Dear friend Chuck F. Vietnam U.S. Marines
My bestest pal Jerry S. Vietnam U.S. Army
John Hurlbut’s dad Ray, WWII U.S.Navy Pacific

Jerry, Chuck and Ray are still with us… the others have fought their last battle and moved on.

These I know, but of course there are countless others and in my own small way, I honor them all!

My friend Jim Bacon played this Paul Hyde song at our open mike today at the Fur Peace Ranch… here it is by Séan MCann. Give it a listen:

Forever Light Will Shine

Nuff Said!

Selfie by Jeff Anderson

So Sunday it was in the low thirties, but at least it wasn’t raining so Jeff and I saddled up and headed out in the direction of Lake Hope.

Foto by Jeff Anderson

It was chilly and overcast, but I got a hundred miles in before I got home. Gotta love these roads! Last night was open house night on Main St. down in Pomeroy so Nessa and I drove down to the river to check out the action. Our first stop Was at Bobby Carr’s Hartwell House.

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Yeah I know, it’s not even Thanksgiving yet but just like everywhere here in the States, Christmas is making it’s presence felt in Meigs County.

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

I love all this down home stuff…

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Leaving the Hartwell House walked up to our friend Paige’s outfitting shop and bot some unwashed Levis.If you’re ever in Pomeroy, be sure to check out Front Paige Outfitters

After Paige’s we stopped off at Maureen’s Herbal Sage shop… and Bed And Breakfast.

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Maureen has been making Jorma’s Rhythm Tonic for years. Check out the little clip. Good stuff!

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Walking back to the Jeep I had to get a shot of our County Courthouse.

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Yep, it’s in Ripley’s Believe It Or Not. Good times!

The leaves were falling as it poured rain last night and the culverts by our long driveway were filled to overflowing. This morning Nessa and I saddled up the Mule and with tools in hand, attacked the plugged mess.

Foto by Vanessa Kaukonen

Foto by Vanessa Kaukonen

It feels good to get things done!

Foto by Vanessa Kaukonen

Finally we called it quits and went into town for a bite.

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

We we drove into town, I just had to take a shot of the blue sky and the flags.

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

Now it’s time to check on some election results.

Onward!

Foto by Vanessa Kaukonen

As Jews Nessa and I were encouraged to go to services this Shabbat and, among other things, show solidarity for the victims and the families of the Tree Of Life Congregation in Pittsburgh. For a number of reasons this was not in the cards for out family but it is always in the cards to perform acts of service and ours was the two mile stretch of SR 681 that we have adopted as a site to clean.

Selfie by Vanessa

Rick, got us involved in the highway cleanup over a decade ago and he is getting ready to leave the area but we shall carry on the tradition. Brenda and our own John Hurlbut from the Fur Peace Ranch joined us as well as Andy from Athens… who brought doughnuts. To show up on a chilly Saturday morning to help pick up the incredible detritus that people empty from their cars is amazing indeed.

Foto by Vanessa Kaukonen

It’s the little things we can do that really make a difference. Talk is cheap… I know, because I do plenty of it. It was more than a pleasure hanging with friends over bags of trash containing stuff you don’t even want to know about.

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

We were done by eleven… it was a Saturday morning well spent!

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

ps Carhartts… Rugged as the men and women who wear them!

Foto by Vanessa Kaukonen

Firstly… Yeah, I went out and voted early. Whatever your position, you must vote, or you have no right to complain. Just saying…

Back at the Ranch, last weekend we had Ramblin’ Jack Elliot and Al Petteway. Jack and I have been friends for quite a few years now and after last weekend I count Al as one of my new best friends, and what a show he put on.

Unknown Fur Peace Photographer

Al was brilliant and Ramblin’ Jack put on a great show. At 87 years of age, he’s still the poop!

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

This has been a more than bizarre fall. Hot, cold… and over the last weekend, an intense hailstorm!

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

There is heavy rain today but over the last couple of days I got to fly the bird and finally get some foliage shots.

Drone shot by Jorma Kaukonen

Drone shot by Jorma Kaukonen

In the spirit of making every day count in some way, I’ve been cleaning up stuff down at the old A-Frame. My parents couldn’t get rid of a lot of this stuff before the passed… so now it’s finally up to me. It’s tough, but it’s getting done.

I think I’ll take a break and go into town.

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen

In the meantime… onward!

Foto by Jorma Kaukonen