To say that Grateful Web changed my life is an understatement. It is the platform that gave me my first real shot at being a writer. In February 2020, on the brink of a global pandemic, I wrote an article for the site, not knowing then how transformative that moment would be.

Colorado has once again proven its prowess in the craft beer scene at this year's Great American Beer Festival (GABF), maintaining its esteemed reputation for outstanding craft brewing and exceptional brews. Nestled just a short distance east from the renowned Longmont brew scene lies a hidden gem, Knuckle Puck Brewing, located in the heart of Mead, Colorado.

Stop. Just stop.

It is no longer a request. It is a mandate.

We will help you.

We will bring the supersonic, high speed merry-go-round to a halt

We will stop

the planes

the trains

the schools

the malls

the meetings

the frenetic, furied rush of illusions and “obligations” that keep you from hearing our

single and shared beating heart,

the way we breathe together, in unison.

Our obligation is to each other,

As it has always been, even if, even though, you have forgotten.

There's a lot more to do in Vancouver than sitting around getting stoned, but it's sure nice to know there's some where in North America where an adult can smoke pot in a comfortable, friendly, designated smoke shop.  "Vansterdam," in the northeast part of Vancouver is the closest thing to Amsterdam any where in North America. Though marijuana is not sold there, you can bring in your own stash and smoke up. 

Here's some suggestions if you're visiting Vancouver:

Mike from the Grateful Web is currently touring Greece.  He's going to send pictures back when possible.

In 1917, the United States of America bought the Virgin Islands from Denmark for twenty-five million dollars, acquiring such unique island gems as St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John. On May 16, 2005, I arrived at one of the most spectacular vacation spots in the world, Maho Bay Camps, on the island of St. John and lived an enlightening week of low-impact vacationing and high-impact wonder.

Everybody who stayed on earth the last couple of weeks (I think most of you did), Christian or no Christian, does know pope John Paul II deceased. Although it is the second time a pope dies since I'm alive, it is the first time I experienced it consciously. That is why I want to write something about it, even though I am not a real Christian.

When you think of Brazil, what comes to mind???  I'd say Carnaval, Rio de Janeiro, samba…right? Yeah, there is a lot more to Brazil than just that, but honestly, those are all some pretty awesome things that my Country is known for.. I wanted to tell you guys a little bit about the Carnaval, since I was just there for that, this past Feb.

Out of all the miracles recorded in religious texts, history and fiction, I think Jesus' first miracle is my favorite.  After all, what is better than turning water into wine? This got me into the most rewarding hobby I have every tried – home brewing.

Turning water into wine is hardly a miracle, though it will take you more time than it did Jesus. The equipment to get started is around $75. Any home brew store can help you get started. You can use a lot of this same equipment to make beer as well, though beer is a little more difficult than wine to make.

I hope you are all doing well and had an enjoyable summer!  It is getting near spring here, evident by the pink flowers of the blooming peach trees.  Yet the weather in the Highlands is still very cold!  Some days, when it is cloudy or windy the temperature doesn't get much above 65, and when the sun is out it will get maybe up in the 70s.  The crops and grasses are brown and have died down, but the pine, eucalyptus and other evergreen shrubs remain as a presence of green.