Category Archives: Arizona

Jury Doody

Posted on April 26, 2014 by Thestrugglershandbook

Recently I answered the call, as a good and patriotic American, to serve my country and its legal system as a prospective juror.  I have served in this capacity a number of times – seemingly every year (honestly, by what … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Dining Out, Health, Humor, Life, Living, Tucson, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

I’m Dreaming of a Wide Christmas (in Tucson)

Posted on January 2, 2014 by Thestrugglershandbook

Christmas in Tucson is a bit different from much of the rest of the country. Sure, there’s the same toxic tendency toward materialistic frenzy; the areas around the major retail centers are a nightmare from Thanksgiving forward. Already teetering on the … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Children, Christianity, Diet, Family, Food, Humor, Travel, Tucson, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

A Trip to Arizona Whine Country

Posted on October 21, 2013 by Thestrugglershandbook

My wife and I have resolved, in response to a mass evacuation of our children from our home and the black hole of emptiness created in their wake, to take some day trips around Arizona. Recently we drove down from … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Christianity, Family, Hiking, Humor, Marriage, Parenting, Travel, Tucson, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Empty Nest…or Hunnybunny, the Chilruns Dun Got Away

Posted on October 13, 2013 by Thestrugglershandbook

My wife and I are recent empty-nesters. For the past twenty-four years, we have found collective definition in our lives through the raising of our children. I have always preferred defining my life in this way; left to the standards … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Children, Christianity, Family, Humor, Life, Living, Marriage, Parenting, Travel, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Tucson, You’re My Town

Posted on October 3, 2012 by Thestrugglershandbook

I suppose it’s not unusual for people to be proud of where they’re from. I’m sure there’s a few people from Grand Forks, North Dakota who think they live in earth’s Eden. I lived there for a year as a … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Christianity, Family, Humor, Life, Living, Photography, Travel, Tucson | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 14 Comments

Blue Moon

Posted on September 8, 2012 by Thestrugglershandbook

I was outside last Friday evening, conducting my nightly search for monsoon chances (yes, I am a partying fool), when I saw this freakishly bright moon. I ran, or more accurately waddled, back inside for my camera, pausing to audibly exclaim … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Christianity, Humor, Life, Living, Photography, Tucson | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Monsooner Than Later

Posted on August 23, 2012 by Thestrugglershandbook

It’s monsoon season here in Southern Arizona. From July through mid-September, moisture is pulled up from Mexico and, when conditions are right, thunderstorms develop, often violently. Hot air rises quickly from the desert floor up into higher, colder air, creating … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Humor, Storms, Travel, Tucson | Tagged , , , , , , | 10 Comments

I Loathe to Go A-Wandering

Posted on July 15, 2012 by Thestrugglershandbook

My family has always enjoyed hiking. We began when our children were very small, taking them on various trails in the deserts and mountains around our hometown of Tucson, Arizona. If you love the outdoors, it’s hard to beat this … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Family, Hiking, Humor, Living, Photography, Travel, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 14 Comments

I Don’t Like This Guy and Here’s Why

Posted on July 10, 2012 by Thestrugglershandbook

I took this picture from the pier in Ocean Beach, California back at the end of May. I have a new camera that I’ve been playing with, and I was trying to get a decent action shot from the dozen … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, California, Humor, Photography, Sports, Travel, Uncategorized, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 18 Comments

The Struggler’s Guide to La Jolla, CA

Posted on June 3, 2012 by Thestrugglershandbook

This past week my wife and I went on our daughter’s senior class trip as driver/chaperones. The destination was La Jolla, California; from my memory of the Spanish language, this means, literally, “The Jolla.” (Fortunately, the school’s Spanish teacher was … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, California, Children, Christianity, Humor, Parenting, Photography, Travel, Tucson, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments