Sitting pool side reading a book enjoying a brisk Phoenix evening while sipping a nice adult beverage has its benefits over living in the sticks listening to the coyotes while freezing ones backside off!

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It’s been almost a month since I’ve posted anything! Totally unacceptable. Sorry my friends. I’ll make my way to the wilds somehow. 🌄⛰🌳🏜

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Heartbreaking

CARLSBAD, Calif. — A Carlsbad woman found stabbed to death on a trail in Hosp Grove had been posting messages online, searching for a hiking partner.

Lisa Thorborg, 68, had only lived in Carlsbad about six months, before she was found stabbed to death in Hosp Grove West, just blocks away from her home on Buena Vista Way.

The former physical therapist posted on Nextdoor earlier this month, searching for a hiking buddy.

"Hiking anyone? I am looking for a friend to go hiking with. I am a moderate hiker, 68 years of age and I would love some company," Thorborg wrote on November 9.

Neighbors on Nextdoor said they reported the victim's post to Carlsbad Police investigators, who still want to question a man seen in the area Monday morning at the time of the murder.

The person wanted for questioning was described as white or Latino, 5'10" to 6'3" tall, husky, wearing black, and walking with a limp.

Neighbor Gary Dwelley called police Friday afternoon after he went for a bike ride with friends near Camp Pendleton on Las Pulgas Poad, and noticed a man acting strangely.

"We tried to talk to him. He acted very strange and then he took a swipe, almost like he's swiping us with a knife. But he didn't have knife and he did it in the air," said Dwelley.

Dwelley said one of his neighbors found Thorborg's body on the trail while hiking Monday morning with family.

"They saw somebody who they thought was sleeping. They yelled at them. They didn't move and he went over and inspected the situation -- and he was with his daughter and his granddaughter -- and he realized what the situation was and they went and they called 911," said Dwelley.

Thorborg was a former resident of Portland, Oregon. Her husband passed away in 2017 and she moved to Carlsbad in May with her daughter's family, according to her profile on Nextdoor.

Neighbors are organizing a walk to honor the victim. They will meet at 10 a.m. on Saturday, November 28 at the trailhead parking on Monroe Street in Hosp Grove. Jason @BeardedOverland www.pioneeringaz.blogspot.com

A prayer this Thanksgiving

I woke up and read Psalms 28 this morning, imagine my surprise to read that a prominent politician tried to quote it this morning as well.  I'm not surprised that they got it wrong. Our country is short on real leadership, days like today prove that. In 2020 we really need to take time, and fast, pray, and reflect not on what we lost, by what we have left. In fact we really shouldn't be feasting this year, not after losing so many fellow citizens, jobs, and basic freedoms like meeting together in church. As a nation the leadership we needed was a call not to celebrate, but mourn and ask for forgiveness. We've been though a lot this year, it's ok to reflect on that. Everyday is not guaranteed to be better than the previous. 

 Psalm 28:1–9 (NIV): 

1 To you, Lord, I call; 

you are my Rock, 

do not turn a deaf ear to me. 

For if you remain silent, 

I will be like those who go down to the pit. 

2 Hear my cry for mercy 

as I call to you for help, 

as I lift up my hands 

toward your Most Holy Place. 

3 Do not drag me away with the wicked, 

with those who do evil, 

who speak cordially with their neighbors 

but harbor malice in their hearts. 

4 Repay them for their deeds 

and for their evil work; 

repay them for what their hands have done 

and bring back on them what they deserve. 

5 Because they have no regard for the deeds of the Lord 

and what his hands have done, 

he will tear them down 

and never build them up again. 

6 Praise be to the Lord, 

for he has heard my cry for mercy. 

7 The Lord is my strength and my shield; 

my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. 

My heart leaps for joy, 

and with my song I praise him. 

8 The Lord is the strength of his people, 

a fortress of salvation for his anointed one. 

9 Save your people and bless your inheritance; 

be their shepherd and carry them forever. 

Jason @BeardedOverland www.pioneeringaz.blogspot.com 

An end of an era.

After a decade of living in the middle of no where, we moved to the big city. Well almost. We've relocated to Chandler just southwest of Phoenix. While it has the feel of rural living, being surrounded by alfalfa fields, it's still the largest city we've ever lived in. The sounds of people are overwhelming sometimes. I sound a little crazy hermit there!

Not only have we relocated, we've also moved into our first apartment, and as empty nesters! Franken-Daughter is staying behind to start her own life in Mohave county. So with no ranch work to be done, no maintenance on a house, I have a ton of extra time on my hands!

Let's see what develops...

Jason Smith about.me/theoriginaljasonsmith

I literally just had this conversation yesterday with someone.

I couldn't have said it better than today's devotional from the Bible App...

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 NKJV

Who hasn't thought of Philippians 4:13 before a big test, meeting, or game? Maybe you were the athlete who quoted it after completing a nearly impossible feat. Or maybe it was quoted to you by an old acquaintance after they explained an, "amazing business opportunity." "Sure it sounds risky," they said, "but just like the Bible says, 'You can do all things through Christ who gives you strength.'"

Too often, Philippians 4:13 is quoted for self-motivation alone. A more secular version might sound like, "If we set our mind to it, whatever it is, we'll accomplish it." Sure, "through Christ" is in our Bible version, but hopefully He's not there to just give us strength to accomplish our goals. Does Christ give us strength to do wonderful things including athletic feats? Yes. However, the original author of this coffee-mug verse wasn't trying to win the Iron Man or triple his income in as little as three months (neither of which are necessarily bad things). Paul was writing—from jail—to the church he helped start in Philippi.

If Paul had the power to do all things, wouldn't "get out of jail" be at the top of his to-do list? After all, if he could really do all things, he'd be all-powerful. The next three verses give additional meaning to verse 13. Paul described experiencing poverty, hunger, want, and despite it all, contentment. Then, he added verse 13 to basically say he could do all this only because of Christ. Paul's words were less about motivating the Philippians to accomplish great things and more about inspiring them to trust God despite horrible things. In fact, the original language reads more like, "I have strength for all things. Why? Because Jesus." (Ephesians 3:14-19)

Jason Smith about.me/theoriginaljasonsmith

I’m just amazed at what the iPhone 12 Pro can do in lowlight situations. I’ve paid twice the amount for a DSLR to take the same pictures. What a time to be alive!

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