Most of my thoughts are recorded here from 5am- 7am. This is my creative bubble time when the coffee hasn’t taken me to Mars yet and my mind is still in the present and not moving its thoughts into the work day. I will also use this time for menu mock ups and food thoughts if I’m obligated to. After I eat breakfast my mind tends to slow down into normal mode and my creativity will go out the window. I’ve always been more creative on an empty stomach. There are splendid benefits for fasting I just really enjoy food. I’m a grazer and always have been. Once I start eating for the day I mow the food lawn until around 7.

Also the word splendid make me think of Mr. Burns

My writing subjects often come to me during my nighttime meditations. Sometimes I’ll write notes in my phone pertaining to my random story subjects, read them the next morning and have no clue as to what the fuck I was thinking about. I’m the laziest note taker in all the galaxy. I always shit myself when my teachers asked to see my notes.

“Morn are for start night for mani” is in my phone notes currently sandwiched between ideas for sandwiches and shopping lists to encourage these sandwiches.

I wonder how many sandwiches I’ve made over a lifetime? For myself included.

Thousands.

My favorite sandwich is a club. It always has been. When my old man owned the Cock n Bull I can recall eating club sandwiches at his bar in those cheap little oval plates you see an abundance of at hotel buffets. They never change.

If I go to the Clock or any of those old drive in restaurants it’s the club over all else. During my hangover days it was chili cheeseburgers with onion rings. I’d be so ravished from my hangover I’d drink the slaw juice from the styrofoam box.

I recall my high school English teacher telling me on my last day of school that I would never amount to anything. I’ll be “flipping burgers”

Bitch you ain’t wrong. I did for 4 years and not too long ago.

I wasn’t the best I could be with her that’s for sure. I can say the same goes for her too.

I could conjure all the ridiculous number of items I’ve cooked or presented over the years I’d have to say poached eggs would be the winner. I poached 100 eggs every weekend at SC . That’s 4800 eggs a year for 9 years.

Distant second would be steaks. Can’t tell you how many steaks I grilled at the steakhouse but I fed a small city full of marinated sirloins.

*insert vomit emoji here

I’m going to throw myself into a little fiction soon. Want to take some childhood stories and add a little fab and hyberbole into the mix for short stories. 80’s childhood was reckless for an 8 year old y’all I smoked my first joint at 6 years of age.

Tomorrow I’m going to attempt my first venture back up to my mountain side. Sunday night is going to be a cold one but I don’t care. My camping gear is strewn about in my garage disheveled and uncomfortable. The last time I went camping up there it was before Helene. It’s time for me to go back my nightly meds (meditation) have been taking back up on that ridge so I know it’s time. I need a hike in my soul more than coffee needs a drip.

Also I haven’t been back up since my little 3am alarm went off with something striking my tent hard. I need to go back up and make peace with that memory.

Shortoff mountain is on my mind. Easily my favorite hike in the Gorge I rarely pass more than 4 peeps when I’m up there. Switchbacks take you up the gorge’s ridges and you can see for miles.

Sit on a rock overhang and breath in the real life. It’s only a 7 mile in and out but it joins the MTS (mountains to sea trail) so you can hike for weeks if you want. Almost guarantee a bear sighting in spring after you wander past 6 miles there’s quite a few up there. I don’t care how experienced you are as a hiker you’re never prepared when a bear crosses your path. Big ones, little ones doesn’t matter. You sure as hell don’t want to run across a cub. I’ve managed to walk right under one dangling from a tree. Didn’t see it’s mom. Didn’t stick around and wait for her either. I’ve never had one bother me or even give me a second glance and I’m ok with that. I think I’ve come across six so far.

Table rock 1

Pinnacle 1

Parkway 1 with two cubs (we were driving)

Crested butte had one hang around my site for about an hour

Linville 2? One came into my camp and for some reason I can’t recall the other but I know I’ve had two encounters.

Oh and a big fat one up on Turkey gap pen brevard. I was unaware I had arrived into a bear sanctuary until I had already arrived. I managed to hike right past the posted sign.

I’ve never seen a grizzly or a mountain lion out west. I’m ok with that.

I’ll put some money on a big cat around Mt Mitchell area. Might’ve been the Deep Trail Gap for whatever reason my instinct kept telling me to go back. Something was watching for me for a bit. I hiked with my 9mm nearby. Not sure why it got to me but I won’t hike that alone again.

But yeah man I gotta chase the sun tomorrow. All arrows are lighting that path right now so I must go even if it’s just a long drive for a hike and I can spend some cash with the locals up there. Went for a walk this morning to acclimate. 21° I turned around after 4 minutes.

I might need to take a bigger jacket next time.

Cheers