This past Tuesday dawned inauspiciously here in the Pacific Northwest. It’s summer and sunrise was greeted by plaintive foghorns echoing up from the Sound guiding the ferries and cargo ships plying the waters. Up at the micro-farm snaking tendrils of lowland fog wound through the trees like a scene from levels one through three of Dante’s underworld. It set the mood perfectly.

It was the Blog’s third birthday.

It is hard to believe that just three short years ago I was sitting in Newport Harbor in Rhode Island, that smallest of states, when I first introduced you to the Blog and, more importantly, to the plan I had for the Blog and my writing career in general. From that humble beginning, you followed me through adventures at sea and on the land. From sunny Florida to the Giant Ball of Twine. We set out from the Center of All things to a place new to me that I tried to let you see through my wonder-filled eyes.

On and on it went, these thirty-six months. For me it was a torrent of twisting surprises. I was happy to see that the unpredictability that has always been the hallmark of my life had not deserted me. It was, and continues to be, an amazing ride.

But behind it all there was the Plan: the concept that with the Blog, a book, some stories, and some people to read them, I might just be able to make some money. Or at least break even. Many of you jumped in with both feet to help, an effort that I am truly grateful for. Many more of you bought Fresh Squeezed and for that, too, I’m thankful. But in spite of all your efforts it looks like my plan to become a mega-dollar writer and fly you all to Hawaii for a killer party has come up short and it’s appropriate at this anniversary to declare that we’ve reached:

The End.

I mean, really, how many of you would stay at your jobs if you had to pay to work there?

While my life as a writer may be a thing of the past, everything else is going just swimmingly. With a new plan, which has so far refused to come into focus, I’ll be moving onto something different. It might be flipping burgers, god forbid it might be retail. I might even take a stab at actually becoming king.

Thanks, again, for your support and especially for your time. 

Seeya.