The Jeep Journals

I left my corporate job on 7/21/17 in order to help showcase Nature for Mother Nature fans online. I did not arrive easily at this decision since my corporate job paid extremely well and included amazing benefits. Alas, the one benefit I was not easily allowed was the time to immediately pursue any and all wild events happening any and all moments of every day throughout the world. I know it would have helped me greatly to see more Nature during the work week, so that is what I’ve set out to bring to you. Stay tuned!

Damaged Goods

Thursday, December 16, 2021 4:33 PM


I just got back home today, 12/16/21, with a guitar that had been damaged in shipping and which had been dropped off for repairs at a local shop. If you are not much of a reader, please “click here” to “hear” the story on YouTube. I say “hear” rather than “watch” because although there is some footage to the video, it is more of a verbal account of what happened before it happened, so to speak. On 11/10/21, I found the “Glory” (flag design) version of the Dean Mako acoustic guitar which was sold to me at $450. 

I received this guitar in the mail on 11/16/21 in damaged condition. It appeared that the staples of the shipping box had penetrated and torn off a portion of the top of the guitar’s finish. By 11/17/21, I had been advised that the insurance policy had a $250 allowance to help complete the repairs of a situation like this one. Before even receiving the $250 for repairs, I had already found a shop who could complete the repairs and who said they would start immediately (on 11/17/21) but that it may take up to a month to see the results.

As noted at the beginning of this post, I picked up the repaired guitar today (12/16/21)  The repair tech called me last week to say it was ready, but they had called the wrong number to say so. Partly due to the inadvertent delay in notifying me that it was ready, I was only charged $50 for the repairs to the guitar. This means that although I spent $450 on the guitar, after deducting the $250 credit and adding the $50 repair, I only paid $250 for my third Dean Mako of the three Mako series. Quite a steal for a guitar I can barely find right now for $900.

I’m playing the video I referenced early on here and it is telling a story about patience. Anxiety, really… And how patience and that composed thought process can clearly work towards our benefit each and every time. The quality of our work shows through in everything we do, especially when we are sharing time helping one another out. In the video at about the 5:21 mark is a significant weather situation that I witnessed in my favorite place, the Big Bend National Park. I absolutely recommend that you “watch” and hear the video I shared. I’d appreciate it very much!

Have a great day!