where is Dan in AZ?

[Carol/Bonadie]

I don't think I've seen any posts from Dan since about April. Dan, are you out there?

[Ann]

I was wondering the same thing Carol! Missing you Dan!

[Merrilee in AZ]

I was just thinking the same thing.

[Sherry]

me, too!

[Shomeret]

I called him out with a "Dan wouldn't like that" sort of thing in one of my Shomeret's Reads and was surprised when he didn't respond.

[OMalleycat]

I've also been wondering about Dan. Hope you're well, Dan!

[Melodie]

Dan.....where are you and your "abs of steel'???

[Dan in AZ]

Hi all, what started as a short sabbatical turned into a rather extended absence. If not for an inquiry from Carol, and an actual snail mail from Barry, I might still be lost in space. (The snail mail will be framed and hung in a place of honor).


After noticing that my bone collection had grown to ghoulish numbers, I refocused on collecting as many types of rocks as possible and building rock walls on the back forty with shelves of shale to display the bones and some of my rock carvings and paintings. A work in progress but unusual at least.


I also had some very preliminary discussions with a whistleblower Chicago police officer about writing the book about her story. The federal corruption trial and several civil actions convinced me there was too much possible liability in trying to avoid libel and defamation concerns, so I declined. (I suspect she was glad I quit before she had to fire me).


And - it must have been in my spare time and without me noticing - my hair seems to be a lot more salt than pepper, and my infamous abs of steel are now covered with a foreign substance resembling Jello (it must be Jello cause Jam don't shake).


Anyhooo, glad to be back, and I wonder how long it will take before you wish I was gone again. Dan

[BarryP]

Glad to have you back. I guess I should have used parchment rather than an index card.

[Carol/Bonadie]

Sooooooooo glad to hear from you Dan. We don't like it when our pals disappear. We imagine all sorts of terrible things.

And you're right, it likely will not be long before you and Barry gang up on me about something or other, Melodie and Ann (and probably now Jan) give you snickers of solidarity, and I'm regretting my moment of weakness.

But let's all enjoy our kumbaya moment until then! ;-) Welcome back, and thanks to Barry for reaching out the old fashioned way.

[Ann]

Dan!!!!!!
When you go missing you sure do it in style! (A BONE collection! ?!??) Rock carvings and paintings do sound quite fascinating too.
Welcome back old friend! (Which has nothing to do with salt in the hair or jelly on the belly, but the familiarity of a long friendship and joy at reconnecting!)

[Sherry]

good to "see" you again, dan.

[Merrilee in AZ]

Glad to have you back. You were missed!

[Melodie]

Dan! Glad you're back!! Interesting happenings during your "time out". (Maybe we'll change that "abs of steel" to "abs of donuts"!)

[Sandi]

Good to see you back Dan!

[Amy]

Welcome back.

[OMalleycat]

Welcome back, Dan. Where and how do you collect bones?

[Dan in AZ]

Jan, Prescott is pretty much surrounded by the Prescott National Forest and other undeveloped areas. By wandering through these areas - mainly off the marked trails - it's fairly easy to find bones from deer, javelina, coyote, pronghorn antelope and others. Some of these are "left-overs" from kills, and some are from natural deaths. Since many animals break open the bones to get at the marrow, you have to get lucky with the timing to recover intact bones. One trick is to work the washes or seasonal creeks during or after the rainy season to see what's been washed out or down from higher areas. Heavy flows through washes also uncover rocks that may have been buried for thousands of years. (See, I warned you all it wouldn't take long to wish I was gone again).

[OMalleycat]

Dan in AZ wrote: " One trick is to work the washes or seasonal creeks during or after the rainy season to see what's been washed out or down from higher areas. Heavy flows through washes also uncover rocks that may have been buried for thousands of years. (See, I warned you all it wouldn't take long to wish I was gone again). "

I’m still glad you’re back, Dan! I was just a little worried that you were collecting human bones in ways I didn’t want to know. Collecting animal bones sounds interesting.

My mom and aunt used to live in Arizona, in Superior. They were rock collectors and used to hike the arroyos after monsoon season to see what had washed out during the rains.

If you’ve been moving rock to build walls and shelves, you must still have biceps of steel!e

[Ann]

Dan: actually this sounds like a very interesting endeavor!
Dan in AZ wrote: "Jan, Prescott is pretty much surrounded by the Prescott National Forest and other undeveloped areas. By wandering through these areas - mainly off the marked trails - it's fairly easy to find bones..."