I managed to raise some money to take Rupert to the vet to investigate the choking. Half an hour later, I discovered he had cancer and from between 3-12 weeks to live. Absolutely devastated.

I’m running about 60k calories a month short of being able to maintain my own diet, and Rupert’s been suffering for it, poor guy. I haven’t been able to Cosequin for joint stiffness, nor any treats. I’m also trying to work out why he’s been choking a lot. A change to a low fat diet and treating with Omeprazole isn’t helping so far.

Walking across the road to the rodeo is how we break up shed life a bit. It started off pretty windy and I lost my hat a couple of times :)

A good visit with the oncologist this morning. Responding well to treatment which re-started in January after a close brush with death. M-Spike coming down. Red and white blood counts looking normal, and bone pain has decreased.

I had enough money for a few nights in an Airstream AirBnb where I’d stayed before if I needed a break from camping out. Playing guitar is one of my meditations, and my Taylor goes wherever I go. This has been the way since the age of ten. Even though I feel like a deer in the headlights with the insurmountable obstacles, the moment I pick up the guitar I slip into another more peaceful zone.

Unaware at the time, a terrible toothache that had been bothering me for nearly a year, was in fact the beginning of jawbone necrosis to the lower mandible. Coming across graffiti on a trail that had become a regular for me since living in Prescott was very disappointing.

I’m starting to get weekly migraines that last for 2-3 days at a time. Most likely due to dehydration. I haven’t been drinking anywhere near a gallon of water a day. All I want to do is curl up in bed and not worry about all the stressors. I’m feeling very lonely.

My cancer treatment includes having blood work carried out weekly. This is nerve racking stuff that others can’t understand. When symptoms get worse, and the oncologist orders a PET scan, things get a lot scarier.

My favorite piece of footage with Rupert is this hike we took near Cathedral Rock one morning. Such a happy little guy.

Shawn Moreton, a photographer friend in Canada, is working on a special NFT project highlighting photographers in the industry. Honored to be among this group, I set off to show him a location I thought would provide a perfect backdrop to my sanctuary in Red Rock Country, and the area I love to share with others.

Things were getting testy with my landlord. After two months of back and forth with the Department of Economic Security to establish rental payments under a Covid relief program, the landlord was struggling to upload his documents. I’d lost my cool on the phone, and needed to go somewhere new for my morning hike. My neighbor, and a long time archaeologist in the area, suggested I check this place out.

The tourism industry continues to face challenges, and in May 2022, I strategically launched private classes for the second consecutive season. Despite Covid's ongoing impact on tourism levels, I remained hopeful about creating moderate cash flow while rolling out my portfolio onto the blockchain, and exploring other opportunities for my photography.

This is a favorite spot in summer for a meditation. While it can be over 100 degrees, the shade from the trees and the volume of cool water in the creek brings the temperature down to a bearable level.
There’s always a bit of a breeze flowing through here, and abundant birdlife. This is Rupert’s happy place, and it’s a joy to watch him.

I’ve been bedridden and in and out of hospital for 8 months. Finally getting out of bed to start rehab in March 2020 - just as the Covid lockdowns began. I’d moved to Sedona from Scottsdale shortly before becoming hospitalized, and as a high risk case, human contact wasn’t worth taking any chances for. It still isn’t.
I had managed to get back on the trails with Rupert, but was still 30 lbs underweight. Some friends came to pay a visit, and we tailgated at Schnebly Hill.