The Year That Was – 2021

2021 began badly for me. My health went from poor to really bad and it stayed that way for most of the year. Only within the last two months of me writing this did I regain any meaningful function.

But the worst thing about 2021 is that my very good friend and oft metal detecting partner, Steve Ukena passed away. Steve was in his early 40’s and left behind three handsome and smart boys and a beautiful wife. Plus he left me alone with a broken heart.

Steve was a REAL people person. He had to be to be my friend. Although Steve and I were polar opposites politically, we got along really well.

Steve moved away and we lost touch a bit but before he left us, Steve told me he missed our adventures. And we had some really good ones. Most of you don’t know that Steve and I were offered our own TV show. Yep, that is right. We were approached by a TV producer about doing a metal detecting TV show. Unfortunately this meant we would have to travel a lot and at the time, our boys were little and we both opted to be present as fathers rather than become TV personalities.

Steve and I formed the first metal detecting club in the city to have the blessing of the Parks and Recreations director and we offered metal detecting classes for the city. In addition, Steve and I worked with the State’s Archeologist to survey a historical site before some modern renovations were done to it. But mostly, we had fun. Along with the love of detecting we loved to talk about any and everything. We laughed a lot too.

Steve loved life and he lived it more than most. I still find myself thinking that I will tell him something “next time I see him” only to realize that it is not possible anymore. I miss him now and probably will miss him for the rest of my life.

So 2022 has to be a much better year. For one, this blog will be back, hopefully with new stories.

Happy New Year!