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> # “If you wish for a pearl you must leave the desert and wander by the sea; and even if you never find the gleaming pearl, at least you won't have failed to reach the water.” -Sama'i

`The wisdom of these words has never been more relevant to me than right now.`

### These past few months, my life has been full to overflowing.  So what's been going on?
I've been slowly paring away the possessions of a lifetime.  Yard sales, Craigslist, and giving things away to friends, only the most essential or irreplaceable things will remain.  

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Here's the tail end of the last grueling 12 hour Sunday yard sale... How do we get so much stuff!?!  There's still so much more to dispense with... someone please come take it all away! :P

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I've also been trying to see everyone I can manage to see before I hit the dusty trail.  Late night walks with friends around Lake of the Isles, contemplating the mysteries of the blockchain, or the other great mysteries of life with @roadscape, @mada, @kommienezuspadt, @darkb4dawn, @mbbarr, @wolfcat, and others.

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Finding a foster home for the sweetest cats in the world... which was sad but necessary.  No matter how much they pleaded with me to take them along, defiantly perched on my suitcase, they had to find some new digs... I hope they're happy in their new home.  Someday I'll move them to the mountains of Mongolia, or an island in the Mediterranean.

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Canoeing the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers, hiking, and exploring with the incomparable @wolfcat

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Basking in a garden which has been lovingly cultivated for the past three seasons...

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Breathing deeply the sweet ambrosial breeze as it passes through the Tulsi leaves...

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Cooking amazing late night feasts over an open flame with my dear friend and ally for life, @mbbarr.

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> # <center>**Just taking it all in...** ***and letting it all go!***</center>

Endings and beginnings, so intimately joined in a circle. If your hands are full, you cannot accept the gifts of the world.  "If you wish for a pearl, you must leave the desert..."

**So I haven't been very present here on Steemit,** ***but that's all about to change.***

### In just 5 days I move out of my apartment, and in 11 days I'll be flying across the Atlantic.

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> # <center> ...And so shall begin the SteemP2PTour!</center>
Heads up Europe, @wolfcat and I are coming your way! =)

That's all I have time for right now friends... I have to get back to packing up boxes and things, but more to come soon!

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`Next up....`
### What the SteemP2PTour means to me
***First stop #Ireland*** ☘️☘️☘️

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Stay tuned for more!
Best wishes!!!
@lovejoy

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