Category Archives: Tucson

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

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

How I Became #15 on the “Save in Case of Fire List” – Part III

Posted on September 15, 2012 by Thestrugglershandbook

In a prior post in this series (see Part II), I mentioned the uninvited dogs who have invaded my once peaceful abode and since rendered it and my existence only marginally livable. As much as these loud, obnoxious, ever-ravenous and … Continue reading →

Posted in Cats, Christianity, Humor, Pets, Photography, Tucson, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 20 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

Serenity Now

Posted on June 14, 2012 by Thestrugglershandbook

I enjoy writing this blog; it’s been a nice release for me, and it’s also been a joy to see my writing reach literally tens of people around the world. Lately, things have gotten a little crazy for me and I … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Christianity, Family, Humor, Living, Marriage, Parenting, Photography, Tucson, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 22 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

The Struggler’s Struggles

Posted on May 23, 2012 by Thestrugglershandbook

So. My life, fifty-one years long (good Lord) and almost without exception one that has  been a struggle to call my own, is decidedly even less so now. Admittedly, I really mucked up the period in which I was solely … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Children, Christianity, Family, Humor, Living, Marriage, Parenting, Tucson, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 14 Comments