Got to get up into those pines, it’s where I can breathe. – Fourkiller Flats, “National Vacation” Our skin and souls relish the comfortably cool 65 degrees, and I close my eyes to feel it fully. A worried brow unfurls and a grin pulls at my lips as I catch the woody vanilla scent of conifers floating on a languid breeze. We both take deep breaths, exhaling a contented sigh. Everything is so dreamy. I marvel at the miracle of our olfactory system, biochemistry, and the how the molecules … [Read more...]
Mt. Lemmon Excursions: Just Being
Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves. - John Muir Dan and I have recently made it a priority to go to Mt. Lemmon on the regular for several hours to decompress from work, chores, and the incessant chatter of our monkey brains. Our work demands are heavy, as are some of the issues we manage; … [Read more...]
From Tucson, to Phoenix, to the Verde Valley: Oct. 2025
The embedded video below shows a bit of the Manslander October 2025 respite. After attending a Blue Cross Blue Shield Mental Health conference in Phoenix for the U of A Psychiatry Department, we went up to Cottonwood, AZ. It was a fun road trip through AZ in the Kona (thanks for the Kona, Mom!). We had booked the vacay before the historically long U.S. gov’t shutdown, with the intention to visit Tuzigoot Nat’l Monument. Ha – it was closed! I’m still amazed that the people who are supposed to … [Read more...]
Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park: June 2025
Join Dan Rylander and me in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park on June 19, 2025 in the 78 second video below. We traverse slowly, consciously, in awe of the towering behemoths. We think of Ents, of millions of years of evolution, of intricate ecosystems, live-giving water, geological scale. We are in the moment. Nothing else but here in this majestic grandeur. Note that Dan is 5'9" - as a reference to the trees' size. The water sound you hear is from the Smith River; … [Read more...]
A Quinquagenarian’s Quest with the Best
Event Invite: In my 30+ years as a Tucsonan, I’ve been so fortunate to amass amazing friends who are the best collaborators - and I'm excited to cheers to my 50 years on Planet Earth with y'all! Let's celebrate friendship + Scorpio birthdays + toast to my successful completion of grad school at Che’s on Saturday, November 8. Featuring some of the best Tucson musicians performing with Leila Lopez and Greyhound Soul. Live music starts @ 7:30 p.m. Stay tuned for other delights and … [Read more...]
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