Lots of has been stuff that has been happening over the past few weeks. This week I try to cover a lot of it including my four week road trip (3,200 miles, eight states, 50 driving hours and visiting hundreds of friends) including a visit to a new brick and mortar magic shop. This past week was also the international competitions of FISM in South Korea. So this week we also chat with Stuart MacDonald who competed in General Magic and paced eighth in the world (first among U.S. competitors).

Time stamps for this podcast:

00:00:16 - I talk a little about his 3,000 mile road trip from Houston, Texas to Illinois to Michigan to Wisconsin  to Oklahoma then back again. I call it my REBIRTH TOUR: over 3,200 miles, eight states, 50 hours on the road, and visits with dozens of family and friends, old and new. Each one helped me through the grieving process after my wife's passing. BTW, Kathy Wells joined me on this trip, too. I carried her ashes in the car with me for the trip.

First I drove straight for 14 hours in one day from Houston to Central Illinois to visit my mother-in-law and my wife's family where I mixed some of Kathy's ashes with her father's. I then drove to nearby Champaign, IL to see Andy Dallas and record a podcast from his magic shop.

Then it was on to Chicago to spend time with Don Wiberg and recorded a podcast about the Chicago Magic Round table members. Of course, a trip to Chicago had to include a trip to Magic, Inc. and saw Pedro Nieves Bosque, Ryan Plunkett and Lion Fludd. Don Wiberg and then over to the new Chicago Magic Lounge where I was given a first class tour by John Sturk and saw my friend, Jeff Bibik work behind the bar. Don and I then saw an entertaining one-man show by David London.

From Chicago I set my car towards Grand Rapids, Michigan with a side trip to Albanese Chocolate Factory in Indiana. Lots of great magic and friends at the IBM Convention in Grand Rapids too numerous to mention. But it was great seeing friends who supported me and gave me a hug, which I sorely needed.

After the convention it was back to Chicago and a visit with my fraternity brother and a groomsmen from my wedding 43 years ago, Jack Petersen and his wife, Linda Geeve Petersen. The following day I drove to the Wisconsin Dells to see a fantastic theater and show by my friend, Rick Wilcox and his wife Susan.

After lovely breakfast with the Wilcoxes (and a scone recipe from Susan), I drove to Oklahoma for a great visit with Doug Anderson and his wife Patti Beth. I then took a morning drive to nearby Tulsa to have lunch with Steve Lancaster. Before leaving Oklahoma, Doug took me to the small village of Locust Grove where Clark B. May operates the Rabbit in Hat Magic Shop and Theater.

From Oklahoma, I traveled to Dallas to visit with my son, Nick Wells, Jamie Wells and my grand daughters. Then after a few days, it was time to return to Houston.

I want to sincerely thank all of my friends and family for opening their doors and hearts to welcome me and help me on this "Rebirth Tour". I feel refreshed and ready to take on the world again. Lots of great stuff coming up for which I am truly thankful for and know it will be nothing but good!

00:06:16 - Clark B. May talks about his new brick and mortar magic shop in Locust Grove, Oklahoma and his plans for opening a theater in the back and a restaurant, too.

00:33:22 - Stuart MacDonald just returned from competing in the world championships (FISM) in Busan, South Korea where he ranked eighth in the world. He talks about preparing for the competition and his experience at FISM.

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