THE WEEK IN REVIEW, THE WEEK AHEAD, AND LOOMING ADVENTURE
This past week has been an interesting blend of frustration that ranged from extreme to mild, anxieties that ran the gamut from near panic to mere apprehension, intermingled with exciting new developments, interesting new projects, and a bit of fun. At this juncture all indications are that the week ahead will continue with this trend. 
There were a multitude of sources for the frustrations and many of these fueled the ebb and flow of anxiety. Meetings with the tax accountant, initiating the sale of my mothers house that will mark the last chapter in that story, dealing with attorneys to settle the estate, job issues that do little to foster an illusion of longevity in the current career, and the ongoing quest to become a writer and/or photographer when I grow up topped this list.
Counted among the more interesting projects this past week was the resurrection of my sons 1978 Olds sedan that has been sequestered for about four years. His little Eclipse and Honda are just a bit small for three children and a wife.
So, rather than investing in a minivan he decided that the Olds with just a hair over 50,000 original miles would be a better course of action. Fuel economy is lacking but the money saved by not buying another vehicle should buy a lot of gasoline.
Another project that has proved to be rather interesting are attempts to master the intricacies of the new Inspiron from Dell and the wide array of updated featured programs. As the computer I use for writing books and feature articles is almost a decade old, I am left with the sense that the old ’34 Dodge has been traded for a new Dodge Challenger.
Among the many nifty new features discovered lurking among the new programs is Chess Titans. Now, my mornings start with a little study, a little meditation, a little exercise, a little correspondence, and a game or two of chess with breakfast.
Today, I embarked on two new adventures. Utilizing the radically different word processor on the new magic box I completed my first assignment for Auctions America.
Writing concise entries for the auction catalog represents my latest endeavor to knit a wide array of side jobs into an income stream. The first assignment was interesting enough to keep me occupied for two full hours with no sign of boredom.
The primary challenge was the research required before the writing of the entries. This required dusting off some of my automotive reference books, deciphering vin numbers, mixed with a bit of Internet sleuthing.
Another project being developed this weekend is a feature article about the Kingman Army Airfield for the next issue of 66 The Mother Road. I am quite pleased by this opportunity to introduce Route 66 enthusiasts to an often overlooked chapter in the highways history and a few historic sites worthy of a visit.
It may come as a surprise for readers to discover that during the war this was one of the nations largest flexible gunnery schools in the nation. It was also the site of two of the worst training disasters in the history of the Army Air Corp.
The first of these occurred on January 6, 1944 when a bus crossed Route 66 from the gunnery range after completion of a series of night exercises and was struck by a fast freight at the railroad crossing in front of the main gate. The death toll from this tragedy included 28 cadets and the driver. A monument listing the names of the dead stands under the original air field tower (one of two remaining in the nation) near the terminal building at the Kingman Airport.
My original plan was to start the week off with a photography and research expedition along Route 66 to Ashfork on Monday morning. I was hoping to get some nice spring photos for the forthcoming Route 66 in Mohave County exhibit being developed as a state centennial project for the Powerhouse Visitor Center and gather information for the guidebook to Route 66 from Crookton Road to the Colorado River.
A storm with potentially high winds has put that on the back burner. So, instead I made an appointment with the attorneys office, and have agreed to an interview that will be utilized to promote the forthcoming KABAM (Kingman Area Books Are Magic) festival on the libraries Youtube channel.
For the coming week there are a lengthy list of projects that require my attention besides the day job that puts beans on the table and gas in the Jeep. Among these are developing a contingency plan for April in case the postponed federal jury selection results in me spending a week in Prescott, trying to figure out if I can (or should) make the trip to see dad in Michigan a part of the June trip or the October trip, and developing a game plan for the big event in Cuba.
One last note for the day. Don’t forget our contest, and by all means don’t forget the Big Palooza being sponsored and promoted by 66 The Mother Road.