Raggin' Piano Boogie

HIS SPIRIT LIVES ON! ... BONER, THE PIANO DOG ... November 27, 1994 ... February 20, 2010

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March 31, 2026

Las Vegas, Nevada

Writing is one major therapeutic tool. It helps to focus thoughts and bring clarity in mind. It gives comfort, security and relief through creation and a depth of worth for personal feeling and expression. Life is all about Mo for now. I was going through choosing photos of the past to post here with all this writing. I became overwhelmed with pain in nostalgia. My life's joy has been found first and foremost through the enjoyment I've been able to give to Mo and that we shared "together." I had to stop searching through photos. So here are the ones until I had to stop myself. Now is not the time to wallow in a "wanting" space of our past life together well lived.

Mo is feeling a little more comfortable today than yesterday. He is still slipping away but has eaten, drank some water, peed and shit as he experiences our togetherness in this physical world and the love that is. He is still dreaming in his sleep. He can lift his head for a short amount of time. I am sure he has had a cancer of some sort for a long time now, along with his back leg joints no longer usable. I am not a fan of euthanasia although I can accept that it is the solution some times and is very personal... not to be judged as better or worse, good or bad for other people. I was looking on the internet for natural ways I can do it by myself for Mo. Most all of any information other than vet approved info has been removed from the internet as the vet industry creates itself as the only option of course, so they can profit off it. The vet industry is NOT the only humane and viable option.

Anyway, my mind shifts about it constantly. My mind shifted to thinking in terms of spirit. That is where I want to reside. I want to remember that I am dealing with spirit in body in order to know what Mo wants and not what other people or the internet tell me, or from my own limitations to handle everything when it feels like I no longer can take it. Spirit flows through all life as one energy and information source and at the same time. Living in the truth of spirit is a beautiful thing. Life is a gift as in the "present" moment and still has worth in a state of pain. Whatever Mo is going through, he still gives me a grin, one small lap with his tongue on my hand, wants to experience our togetherness in physical form, still enjoys the instinct to eat and drink water when he can, stand, breath, take a step, relieve himself through pooping and peeing, he enjoys the feeling of accomplishment no matter how minute.

As he does these things in fluctuation now, my job is to not to use hope wrongfully with the idea that everything is going to return to normal for any amount of time. There is no such thing as "normal" in reality as it flows. I want with every opportunity to settle into relief when i see something positive with him that runs to recovery. When I do that, this is when the situation becomes all about me. Illusion, delusion and denial enter to create a mind of chaotic back and forth. My goal is to live in a state of observation and patience so I can act accordingly when needed while at the same time enjoying reality for what it is in the moment.

March 30, 2026

Las Vegas, Nevada

Mo is getting ready to leave this life. I feel for his loss. My pup never missed a moment of enjoying life. It was his priority from day one. He demanded his fun, enjoyment, connections and play. I write this as he lays peacefully next to me. He has reached a turning point where he is now just giving up. There is no pain, the energy is simply draining from him. If he doesn't eat today or tomorrow, the next day I will know to help him leave us all. Please pray for our acceptance, courage, clarity, strength, love, wisdom and knowing that all is good. We are being gifted with a smooth transition. Mo and me, our personal relationship together could not be more complete. Through and with the grace of the God of my understanding, my choice will be to choose life going forward with love and gratitude for you, my friends and all of humanity. My plan is to continue working to enjoy life as Mo has and to experience all that life can offer.

March 29, 2026

Las Vegas, Nevada

March 28, 2026

Las Vegas, Nevada

My friend Eric made a sign and we went together to protest against fascism today in Las Vegas. Crazy how we found a spot in the shade to figure out what we were going to do and then found it was the perfect spot to anchor into as the march was going to go right past where we were parked. I went into work mode with sustained energy for an hour and a half straight as thousands and thousands of people passed us twelve deep for a full hour and a half. I caught a photo of the start but then had to play straight through. It was amazing and perfect in every way and I am so grateful to be able to affect people with my music. One of the organizers came over and said, "I was so worried, thank God you were good at playing." Lol... The experience was totally gratifying as the intent and purpose was carried out over the top to perfection. The only thing missing was Mo. I left him home as I did not want to get into trouble and risk anything with him along with me.

I looked straight ahead the entire time while creating the music as I did not want interaction with the many people wanting to interact. I did not want to interfere with the work and music. Although, I did have to reject people trying to give me money several times with a quick statement of "no money." If I had taken it from one person everyone else would have followed and that would have confused and diluted the purpose. I was in full blown performance mode with the decision to sustain the energy for as long as needed just like when I used to perform in parades. I have become a master at creating appropriate improvisational music for very uncertain, painful, angry and chaotic times and as will peaceful, soothing and fun. To be able to say that is just completely satisfying and fills me with gratitude. I suffered for 50 years being afraid to communicate the passion of my soul through music.

March 27, 2026

Las Vegas, Nevada

March 26, 2026

Las Vegas, Nevada

March 25, 2026

Las Vegas, Nevada

March 24, 2026

Las Vegas, Nevada

Well, the Community Traveling Pianos are dwindling. Seven pianos obtained and put out onto the streets in "june" 2025, it is truly amazing that any are still working! They have been respected and protected. Too bad I could not find anyone to help with upkeep. So many people from all walks of life have been enjoying them twenty four hours a day. But alas, what to do when they can no longer create any music. Someone took one at a suggestion of mine and put it outside their bar on Fremont Street and it is now being used as a cactus planter, lol! As I have said many times... love never dies it simply transforms. I want to saw another apart and use its makings as art pieces. Have just not found the energy to do that yet.

March 23, 2026

Las Vegas, Nevada

March 22, 2026

Las Vegas, Nevada

I am making this blog post in April because I am so behind. Than God I have the photos or I would have long forgotten what happened on different days. Finally, I got around to making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to take out onto the streets. My friend Ace came and helped me make them. I had about eight loaves of bread purchased. Purchasing them gave me the incentive do it because I knew I would get sick of just having them around and looking at them all the time. And I never ever waste any food. I have about twenty jars of peanut butter people have given me over time from food banks and I purchased jelly when I can that I saved it for today. Ace likes to play on the piano so as I drove around town from spot to spot, he played and we shared the piano with others.

March 21, 2026

Las Vegas, Nevada

My friend Wes and his wife Donna from Philadelphia were in town today and so we got to meet up and spend some time. Wes helped me create this website about 20 years ago and put up with my needing to design every teeny weeny aspect of it. He taught me how to ask for what I want clearly and distinctly. He made it clear from the start that he was not going to try and figure out what I was trying to say. Lol, and... he thinks its ridiculous that I am still running this website on old HTML but unless someone comes along to help me revamp it in a way that I still have total control... there will be no updating. The chances of someone helping me are almost nil so the website will probably die as it is along with me. I had never met his wife and so that was special. Wes also used to drive me in parades back some 30 years ago! There are still some life long connections I have in life. Having a history with someone feels good!

March 20, 2026

Las Vegas, Nevada

March 19, 2026

Las Vegas, Nevada

March 18, 2026

Las Vegas, Nevada

March 17, 2026

Las Vegas, Nevada

Our friends at Pawsitive Difference Pet Rescue had an adoption event today here in Las Vegas and so of course Mo and I were there to lend our support with the Traveling Piano. Mo stayed in the truck cab as he can't stay on the piano for any length of time. Those days are gone. The day was perfect. At this time of the year the sun is not so hot. Once the warm weather comes, the temperature can be bearable but the sun is still too strong. Especially for my bald head and Mo's age. He walked around a little and we spent about two hours interacting with people just walking by on the street as well as attendees.

March 16, 2026

Las Vegas, Nevada

March 15, 2026

Las Vegas, Nevada

I have always thought about making up a game for the Traveling Piano. I've written about it before. It would entail gambling features as to how far I would get through a piece of music without falling apart under a stressful and frightening performance situation. or maybe the speed if I rushed it out of fear, how many notes missed, etc... Of course I would have a personal huge incentive to get through the performance flawlessly. But now those dreams are no longer a good idea as prediction markets online with gambling have become toxic. You can bet on anything. It is a super huge trend. Algorithms know how to trap the human mind into staying on the platform to spend money and to find you of you leave and to plant the right seed for each individual to return. It has people betting on human life in a variety of ways. I can't support that type of industry that takes advantage of culture, behavior, individual inclinations towards addiction and most of all... objectifies human life and trains and gooms that for vulnerable minds. Gambling, what could sometimes be fun and good for some people is now being destroyed by greed through AI.

March 14, 2026

Las Vegas, Nevada

The first Community Traveling Piano piano placed on the streets last June had to be moved. Drug addicts were settling into where it was and using it as a fun place to congregate, sleep and shoot up. Of course they were also destroying it and everything around it and trashing the area. They would open the lid and store shit inside. A friend used to joke, they are going to start trying to climb in and sleep in it. Another piano had been turned upside down. There is no rhyme or reason for drug addicts behavior. These are new people in the area so they do not know me and to respect the pianos. So, I moved it down the street to another place and nailed shut the top. It will be interesting to see how long it lasts in the new spot. Someone emailed me asking where it went. People are looking for it to play on as the others are now not nearly as good to play on.

March 13, 2026

Las Vegas, Nevada

My poinsettia from December is still looking magnificent. I love the longevity of plants and flowers when I have them in my room. Plant life is very important for me. It is magical how long they can last under my care. In my small living space, two hundred seventy five square feet and that includes the bathroom, kitchen, storage, bedroom and sitting area, I have all the comforts of home. It helps that I am the king of packing and know how to store everything, everywhere, lol. My clothes, the Traveling Piano supplies, supplies for the homeless, my clothes, room for candles and some crystal, the plants, refrigerator, chair, bed... it is all necessary but wow, do I miss having some open space! Mo spends all his time on the bed because there is no real floor space.

March 12, 2026

Las Vegas, Nevada

It took for ever to get around to registering the Traveling Piano truck for this year. Knowing there is a grace period for late registration felt good until, I found out there is no longer a grace period. On top of that, the state charges a late fee daily now. Shitheads. I was holding on hoping the smog test would pass. It did not so, I had to go back to last years guy to fix it just long enough to pass. $$$$. So, there was the registration fee, late fee, two smog test fees and fee to fix it long enough to pass. Total $357.50 The first smog test guy, I had told I would share the Traveling Piano with him when we were done. He charged me $30. The entire time I was interacting with him I was distracted with thoughts of "please don't charge me the money for a failed test" but as is with the Traveling Piano... I promised him the experience so... it is what it is and he charged me. Same with the smog adjustment guy... it was cash so please give me a break. Nada. Although, if it was in any other state I would never have passed the inspection needs they demand to register a vehicle. That is one "really" good thing about Nevada. The smog test is the only inspection needed. This is crucial because, nothing on the dashboard works, the front window is cracked and held on with duct tape and much more.

March 11, 2026

Las Vegas, Nevada

March 10, 2026

Las Vegas, Nevada

March 09, 2026

Las Vegas, Nevada

March 08, 2026

Las Vegas, Nevada

March 07, 2026

Las Vegas, Nevada

March 06, 2026

Las Vegas, Nevada

Damm, online social media has become so toxic. People who cannot comprehend what they read correctly, people who assume, attach themselves wrongly to aspects of the whole, the general lack of trust about everything, ridiculous trouble makers... and worse... in reality, in the real world... the AI mass surveillance happening, authoritarianism controlling everything more openly and in your face, the outright transparent greed of business that is taking over our lives, are we all fighting for our lives right now? The First Friday Event was downtown here in Las Vegas. It just constantly becomes more and more controlling and manipulative for self serving agenda in the worst of ways. The event is supposed to create a sense of community and freedom to enjoy, all the fun is fading from it. I was so disturbed that I posted about it on Facebook and opened pandoras box so to speak. Ugh, I knew that might happen as a barrage of shit comments began to flow. The courage to stand up and push back for the sake of truth and reality is critical now.

So, I've just been sucking it all up and using stupid and moronic people's comments to clarify my points. So many people are saying I am lying and twisting thoughts with their opinions and their own false realities concerning what I said and what I personally experienced well, thank God I am strong willed, stubborn and tenacious but most importantly know myself and have clarity with my intent in what I say and do. And that shit came from people who know me although they are people in the community who have never truly found respect or trust for me. Fuck them. The thing here is... even with my strength of character and everything else... the choice was very real to doubt myself and my own reality. That is what fascism here in America is trying to accomplish for everyone. It wants everyone to doubt themselves and create confusion so it can step in that vulnerable space to take over and dictate all life and spirit. It didn't work last night and its not going to work today. One day at a time...

March 05, 2026

Las Vegas, Nevada

It is totally clear that I need to keep putting as much love as possible on people especially strangers more than ever, one-on-one. The less I know about anyone the better in doing that. We all need to do that for each other. It is the only way out to stay out of the hell hole the world is experiencing

March 04, 2026

Las Vegas, Nevada

When I come across a disgusting drug addict on the ground by themselves between the trash cans in my ally or anywhere that I do not want to see them, for example on the ground outside my gate... my first inclination is to say get the hell our of here. I mean I've done that with a stick in my hand and with a very hard, angry tone loud, repeatedly. But, if I am able to work through my disgust in the moment and just accept their disgusting life and the true fact that they just cannot help themselves in the moment I get to think, "ugh... help them, they are one of your own, a human being." And then I go get a blanket, or water or food and I take it to them and simply say "here" or "do you want this" without fanfare sometimes not even looking at them as they look at me in shock.

Every single time I am able to rightly relate with myself and the situation at hand, every single time... they get up and leave as soon as I am gone. After hundreds of times I have come to realize that my act of kindness and their being able to sense that it is real and without agenda (because I do not say something like here, now leave, or this is for Jesus) it fills them with shame, love, just enough care for themselves maybe a mixture of all that to move onward. They leave to just keep going, moving and living onward. It is not up to me to decide what motivates them. It is about me accepting the situation and caring about them. To keep moving and living is the way of life. If I can find gratitude in living life, I find life beyond awesome. And, I am able to keep going even through the worst shit life can offer.

March 03, 2026

Las Vegas, Nevada

Spent some time today with two friends who found the Traveling Piano. I could not tell if they were homeless or not but, I could see they had mental problems as they told me they are both friends and veterans who suffer from PTSD. I feel for veterans screwed consistently and specifically by... republican politicians and their voters, through and through. The republican mentality has "always" been to start a war, use our nations men and women to fight for them and then just drop them in the gutter when finished and no longer useful. Some vets get through it, others suffer until they die in a variety of ways many on the streets. The effects of war remind me so much of domestic gun violence. People focus on the dead without a clue to the hell those who survive must live with for the rest of their lives mentally and emotionally.

And all those "thoughts and prayers, thank you for your service" and nothing more people, they really piss me off. Anyway, all three of us had some good time together. As has happened so many times in the past, when we were saying goodbye the one guy with his eyes rolling back and forth in his head comes into total clarity and says, "I realize I was quiet but want you to know how significant our interaction was and, thank you". Mind you... I am not looking for kudos here in fact that makes me feel uncomfortable. I want people to know that troubled, mentally ill people can "smell" true intent and through that love, they always find trust which moves them into a state of total clarity and wellness if only for a short amount of time, so be it. That short amount of time makes life worth living for them. It is real, as in reality which every human being desires whether they realize it or not.

March 02, 2026

Las Vegas, Nevada

Life with Mo is so very different now. Sometimes I try to peek into the past and I must stop myself because it does not help the present at all. I enjoy him now as much as ever before just differently. The same with him, he enjoys me. Sixteen years together is beyond my wildest of dreams. I miss having him on the piano with me. It is better for both of us that he stays in the cab. If he was on top of the piano he would need my attention 100% of the time and that is not possible. Because his back legs no longer work, if he moves he has no way to balance himself to stay on. I love Mo completely. I woke up saying to him, we have another day together. It is amazing that when he falls he just stops moving as I go towards him to try get him back up and standing. It is all one day at a time in fun, gratitude, relationship, companionship and just pure love. When we go out, I now take a wagon for when he gets tired of walking. He still needs to walk, use it or lose it as they say and he still needs to stop and smell everything. Stop and sniff is part of the joy in being a dog.

March 01, 2026

Las Vegas, Nevada