In Memory of Caden Vincent Odell

I woke up this morning and was inspired to write a song for Caden. As some of you know the Anniversary of his death is this Friday the 19th. Last fall I was contacted by a guy in Kalispell who was organizing the planting of trees in a park/area near Glacier High School. The trees are meant to commemorate Kalispell's teenagers that have been killed or committed suicide in recent years. There is a tree planted there and at Kalispell Middle School in Caden's name. I was hoping that some of you could visit these sites on Friday and place some flowers for him. It sure would mean a lot to me and my family.

Caden’s Song

Daddy what are my boundaries this year?

When I ride my bike can I go over here?

I know you love me that much is clear

I just want to see what there is to hear

Daddy won’t you please let me go?

Daddy won’t you just let me go?

Daddy won’t you please let me go?

Because I won’t let you down

I’m asking you if I can spend the night

We won’t argue and I promise not to fight

It will be alright and I’ll make sure to do my best

Just say maybe ’cause I know that means yes.

Daddy won’t you please let me go?

Daddy won’t you just let me go?

Daddy won’t you please let me go?

Because I won’t let you down

Tonight there’s a concert can I go with mom?

I’ve got my drums and I’m gonna play a song

I know it’s last minute but can you come along?

I understand if you can’t don’t worry I won’t be long

Daddy won’t you please let me go?

Daddy won’t you just let me go?

Daddy won’t you please let me go?

Because I won’t let you down

Because I won’t let you down

Because I don’t let you down

Please say a prayer for Caden and have him in your thoughts this week. Thanks in advance everybody. I'm sending my love to you Bug! I miss you deeply.

The Rain in Spain Falls Mostly On Me

The rain continues to fall in Spain. Most people are saying that this is the most rain they have seen in fifty years. In fact, in several parts of the country there have been severe floods and record snow fall. Every time I see the news there are pictures of little European cars trying to cross impassable river roads. I came here to escape the winter but it followed me and my bad luck scent. Regardless of the weather I am making the best of my time here. Several weeks ago a British couple and their daughter decided to take a trip to Gibraltar and they let me tag along. We drove the three hour drive in their caravan. A caravan is a hippy wagon disguised as a camper. When we arrived we parked on the Spanish side and walked into Gibraltar. After you cross the boarder you then have to cross the Airport. A plane landed right behind us and the traffic was backed up for miles. It was quite a sight to see. The Airport has been extended off of the mainland out into the harbor. It must be nerve-racking to be a passenger. We spent the day browsing the English shops and later I found an expensive little hotel room. The next day I took a cable car to the top of the rock of Gibraltar. I hiked around the old military ruins and watched the monkeys watch me. The rock has five troops of Macauquay monkeys that are known by experts as "little bastards". On a previous trip, the family that I traveled with had an encounter with the monkeys. They were carrying a grocery bag filled with food, a stuffed animal and some clothes (I'm guessing that there was also patchouli oil, in-scents and an i-pod filled with Grateful Dead songs). The monkeys saw this bag and came at the family like thugs in a bad neighborhood. The head monkey grabbed the bag while the others stood guard and looked mean. They quickly itemized the contents and discarded anything inedible over the edge of the cliff. The couple's poor little daughter cried as she watched her teddy bear plummet to his death. She was so traumatized that she asked me not to take anything that I cared for around the monkeys. A fleeting image of wearing a cup came to mind. After a few hours of hiking around I found a nice vantage point to smoke a cigar. As I was reaching into my pocket for the cigar the monkeys spied my actions and started to move toward me. They are not much bigger than a Pomeranian but they have the intimidation level of a Doberman. I stood my ground, took the plastic wrap off of the little Cuban and they were on me. They obviously thought that this was a candy bar or possibly a small teddy bear. Just as they were about to jump me I put a lighter to the end of the cigar. They stopped in their tracks and actually waved a paw, or I guess a hand, at me as if to say 'oh its just one of those damn stinky cigars'. They then just turned around, showed me their leathery butts and ambled off - free to victimize the next unsuspecting bystander. I stayed another two days in Gibraltar and then said goodbye to the Brits and jumped on a bus heading further west to Tarifa, Spain.