Derek Gramke Photo and Design

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Walked around the Fenway area and got to tou Fenway Park yesterday. Even got to go on top of the Green Monster. Not a bad day in Boston. 3 more shows than home for a little bit.

She was the strongest person I’ve ever known. Today means It’s been a year and a half since I lost my Mom. This span of time has been so difficult. There’s been so many days that I wish I could call her up and talk to her, ask her opinion, get advice, or to have that moment where Mom’s just have the ability to make everything better when the world feels like it’s crashing around you.

I’ll never forget the day that she called to tell me she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. I was in my partner at the time’s bedroom sobbing, and I could hear my Dad in the background doing the same thing on the phone. My Mom was delivering the news and consoling me at the same time in the most calm way possible. I asked her how she’s the only one not losing it at that moment. She said that everything was going to be fine and that we would fight this together. We lost her 10 days later.

How brave and strong she was is something I will always remember. She battled MS and a previous bout with cancer and did it like a champ. She never wanted to show anyone how much pain she was in. I work everyday to try and be as strong as she was. She was the best Mom and I miss her every single moment.

Maybe caught my blue steel moment there. Lounging backstage at Dewey Beach. It was a beautiful area for sure.

Made it to Baltimore. Found this on the walk this morning. Typography in the wild.

Earlier last week, and I had a stare down in the green room right before the show at Revolution Live in Ft Lauderdale. FL. He tried to get me to kiss him. managed to document the event for us to remember forever.

Ran around The Centennial Olympic Park this morning. Just aesthetic. I’m a tired guy today and ready for the day off tomorrow. But first, let’s have a rad night in Atlanta.

It was nice to get out and run earlier this morning. Hot and sticky in the Florida hea. Been watching the radar to see what Tropical Storm Debby was going to do and it seems like we’ll get rain, but we’ll get out before it gets too messy. Always nice to see the water and look for patterns in the world.

South Florida today and I spent most of the day trying to stay cool. I took a walk today and mostly ended up doing urban bird watching. I was accosted by either a group of parakeets or parrots, screaming at me as I walked by. Also got to watch this pigeon strut their stuff and walked along for a moment. I came back drenched in sweat, but enjoyed myself. Hoping we avoid the cyclone coming up towards St Pete for tomorrow’s show.

Well, time to take back off again. I used the last couple of weeks to try and get myself back on track. So far, I’ve been making good progress and I’ve started getting treatment for adhd, along with beginning to go to therapy. I always had the mentality that I’ll just rough it out and make it through, the good ol’ hard working Midwest mindset. Ive been lucky enough to have friends who see me doing that to a detriment and tell me that I needed to love myself more and that I deserve love even in dark times. Those things hit me hard. I don’t know. It’s easy to get trapped in your own head. The ability to feel more present and less anxious along with having a place to process that has made a world of difference. I’m going to keep on taking steps, taking better care of myself, and see what comes next.

Got a little lost this afternoon. I went out for a walk to see the banks one more time before I jump on a plane tomorrow. It’s rare to have summer months off anymore, and it was nice to feel like I was a part of where I lived for a July. Here are some of the areas I enjoy and I’ve probably walked to 30 times over the last couple weeks. From the church steeples you can see all around Covington with a gorgeous Magnolia tree framed in front, to a bloom I found on that tree, the singing bridge of the Roebling at a spot that I’ll always hold a core memory to, and the alleyways I love to find. Have a wonderful day my friends.