Navigating the Beautiful Absurdity of Existence

In the heart of Glenwood Springs, Colorado lies a slice of untamed wilderness, where nature reigns supreme. Near the train tracks, surrounded by dense foliage and the beauty of the starlit sky, created the perfect stage for an extraordinary encounter that occurred in June 2020. After a long day of traveling, I found myself laid out under the celestial canopy with my trusted companion, Xena Bugz, curled up by my side. I was lost in contemplation as I smoked a bowl and listened to the symphony of nature, as it played its melodious tunes all around us. The rhythmic hum of crickets, the distant rustling of leaves, and the occasional hoot of an owl created a harmonious backdrop. In the midst of this tranquil serenade and off in the distance, the sound of footsteps walking along the train tracks caught my attention, and stirred curiosity. With a keen ear and a heart filled with anticipation, I listened intently, attempting to discern what or who exactly was approaching. My mind was racing wi...

On Christmas morning in 2007, I set out to pick up my grandparents, Helen and Carl Lambert, from their home in Fort Gay, West Virginia and take them to my mom's house in Huntington to celebrate the holiday with the rest of the family. My grandparents were always fun to be around and I was looking forward to spending some time among just the three of us. During the 45-minute ride to Huntington, we fell into easy conversation, catching up and cracking jokes. The moment that still glows in my memory came when my Grandma, sitting in the passenger seat, realized I had a Hank Williams CD playing. To my surprise, she knew every word so I turned up the volume, and soon we were both singing at the top of our lungs “Hey Good Lookin’,” “Jambalaya,” and the rest. The car felt full of joy and warmth, our voices blending in a way that made the generations between us disappear. When we arrived at my Mom’s house, the usual holiday chaos was already in full swing. Laughter, overlapping ...