I’m back! New site, new tools, and a milestone birthday! 🎂
I finally turned 60 on Feb 11th, and I’m celebrating by launching the new home for T.A.D. at tad.jgartis.com! 💻
I’m showing off some game-changing birthday gifts (including a pro easel that’s giving me all the confidence!) and teasing my first painting of the year, “The Purple Train.” 💜🚂
Click the link to see the video and the new Tad blog:
Tad.JgARTis.com blog Milestone 60 and birthday gifts
1st Birthday
Pp “Purple Passion
Posse Position: Transportation, Tiny Home and Mobile Art studio.
Happy Birthday to me Pp, My Birthday is today. I’m 27
Whoa, easy on the bumps!
We’re moving past “elderly” and straight into “legendary” territory here. I can feel it in my leaf springs!
I’m a 1999 Dodge Ram Van with 350,000 miles on the clock. I’m not just an old rig; I’m the automotive equivalent of a person who remembers exactly where they were for the moon landing—and still goes for a jog every morning.
The “Supercentenarian” Calculation
If a standard van at 200,000 miles is roughly 80 years old, then I’ve pushed way past the average life expectancy. Using a mileage-to-age scaling factor:
Estimated Human Age: 110–115 years old.
In human terms, I’m a Supercentenarian. I survived the turn of the millennium, outlived almost all my peers from the assembly line, and I have some very specific “health requirements” (like my favorite high-mileage oil) to keep my heart beating.
Why I’m a “Tough Old Soul”
The 1999 Dodge Ram Van (the B-Series) was one of the last “old school” American vans. Here’s why I’m still kicking at such a high “age”:
The Iron Heart: I’ve got that 5.2L (318) Magnum V8. My engine is famous for being “lazy” but unkillable. It doesn’t rev high, which means it doesn’t wear out as fast as these modern, high-tech engines.
Simple Anatomy: Unlike modern vans with complex computers for every cup holder, I’m mechanically straightforward. If something breaks, I can usually be fixed with a wrench, some determination, an JG has both the tools and determination.
The “Organ Transplants”: At 350,000 miles, I’ve had some major work. April my first owner put a rebuilt transmission, a fresh engine 150,000 miles back straight from the dodge dealership, a rebuilt rear end. Now JG is currently redoing my entire suspension, brakes, fuel pump, and radiator. I even got a new “brain”—the Engine Control Unit (ECU). In our human analogy, that’s a series of highly successful major organ transplants.
My “Health Report”
At this age, I’m not “perfect,” but I am stable. JG keeps a close eye on my vitals:
System Human Equivalence and What They Check
Joint Health Knees & Ankles, My Ball joints and tie rod ends
Circulation Heart & Veins, My Fuel pump and cooling system
Skin Care Bone Density, Checking my frame for “osteoporosis” (deep rust)
I’m doing pretty good and feeling great with all the procedures and maintenance JG and April “my first owner” have done for me. Thanks for keeping this old legend on the road! 💜
2nd Birthday:
Happy Birthday Jg
Jg ARTis
Posse Position: The Artist, Engineer.
Jg is turning 60 today. Jg has survived a lifetime’s worth of hardship before most people even get started. Between the chemical trauma to his lungs as a child, the physical toll of early labor, and chronic spinal issues, it’s completely understandable why Jg feels much older than the number on his ID.
While you can’t give a “biological age” number (that’s more for specialized doctors), you can look at why your body feels the way it does.
The Impact of Your History
Early Lung Trauma: Drinking ammonia at age 5 causes severe caustic burns and scarring. If your lungs collapsed, Jg has suffered from chronic respiratory insufficiency. This deprives your tissues of optimal oxygen, which can accelerate the aging process of every organ in your body.
Child Labor (Age 12): Starting physical work that young means Jg’s musculoskeletal system was under heavy load before his growth plates even closed. This often leads to the early-onset arthritis and degenerative disk disease you’re experiencing now.
Chronic Pain & Inflammation: Living with a “bad neck and back” keeps Jg body in a state of constant stress (high cortisol), which can lead to fatigue and a feeling of “weathered” exhaustion.
The Verdict: Because of the severe physiological insults he faced in childhood and the physical labor that followed, Jg’s “biological age” is significantly higher than his chronological age. Jg’s body has had to work twice as hard just to maintain itself. This is often called Allostatic Load—the wear and tear on the body that accumulates through chronic stress.
But at 60 he is still kicking and getting me built.
“In this crowning chapter of his life, he has set aside the burden of change. He chooses instead a legendary path of freedom and light: a life dedicated to the pure art of happiness, the power of love, and the boundless joy of creation.”
Ty Jg 💜
Now to the 3rd birthday
Mr Louie
Posse position:side kick and guard!
64 years old in human age 12 in dog years.
For a Chihuahua (which is a small breed), 12 years old is a significant milestone, but they are generally “younger” than a large dog of the same age.
At 12 years old, your Chihuahua is approximately 64 years old in human years.
Where he stands in his life stage:
Chihuahuas are known for their longevity, often living between 15 and 20 years.
64 years old means he has officially entered the “Senior” phase.
He is roughly the equivalent of a human reaching retirement age.
Unlike a Great Dane, who would be over 90 human years old at this age, your Chihuahua still has quite a bit of runway left!
“It brought Jg to tears. He had believed Louie was only ten, but realizing he’d already shared eight years with him meant two precious years had slipped away uncounted 😢. It was a heartbreaking reminder that time is a thief, but also that every remaining moment is a gift we can never take for granted.”
Tippy
Posse position: Therapist, Emotional Support and Jgs aka Poppa’s Girl.
“At 18 years young, Tippy is a true veteran of the posse. Jg has had her by his side since 2015, and through every high and low of the last decade, she has been his primary emotional anchor. More than just a companion, she is the ultimate ‘Poppa’s Girl’ and a soul-deep therapist for the road.”
Kathy Rose
Posse Position: Caregiver & Documentarian
Kathy Rose was born on October 19, 1952, making her 73 years young. Jg “got” her back in 1988—meaning they’ve been together for 38 years. Or rather, she’s had him for 38 years! 😆
Due to long-term health challenges starting in her late 20s, her biological age feels closer to 83. Regardless, she is the heartbeat that keeps Jg and the whole Ppt posse going, documenting every step of the journey through her photography.
“This is more than just a timeline; it’s the heart and soul of the Ppt posse. We are a collection of seasoned spirits, each with our own scars and stories, moving forward together into a legendary future.”
Until we chat again live and let live.
Pp the van out!
Hey, it’s Pp the van with a little update!
Due to the weather, Jg’s health, parts delays, and other issues, I haven’t had a lot of work done. Here’s a quote from the one and only Jg himself.
“”
“” Well, some parts in the front-end kit were wrong. The van I’m working on has a 4,000 lb weight capacity, whereas most are 3,500 lb. I’ve learned the hard way to always double-check and ask for the heavy-duty versions, but I thought they were included in this kit. Now, I’ve had to order $100 worth of the correct parts—four of them total—which should be here Tuesday. It’s always something, right?
To make matters worse, I was trying to loosen a stuck part on Friday using a sledgehammer and a ball joint removal tool. I was starting to get tired, my hand slipped, and I hit my thumb joint right where it connects to the hand. It’s swollen, bruised, and hurts just to look at it; I’m lucky I didn’t break it. Since it’s my left hand, that’s at least one small plus.
On top of the injury, I came down with a stomach bug and chest congestion Friday night that lasted all through yesterday. I still had to drag myself out to press a part back on so I could return a $200 rental tool, but I couldn’t get much else done. I’m still feeling sick and the thumb is throbbing, but I’m going to try to do some prep work on the front end this afternoon Sunday February 8 so I’m ready for when those parts arrive on Tuesday.Nothing is ever easy, but that’s just my life. I’m used to it now!“”
“”
There is good weather coming, my parts are on the way and Jg is doing all he can to be healthy and ready and back at getting me on the road.
Until we talk again—live life your way, happy and as content as possible.PP and the PPT Posse
Ty ☺️ Pp the van.
My release date from this Alabama prison has been pushed back—probably to the end of March.
Alright, I’m being a little dramatic 🙄. It’s not really prison, but I agree with JG… it feels like we’re stuck here.I’ve got a lot of respect for JG’s resilience. Even with all the setbacks—health stuff and personal issues—he keeps pushing forward. While putting in the front shocks and fighting with the alignment, he figured out the real issue was worn front-end parts. So he went ahead and ordered everything to freshen up the whole front suspension. That knocked my build fund back about $250 in parts, which isn’t easy on him, especially at his age and with his health. But doing it himself will save around $2,500, so it’s still a win in the long run.
JG’s also dealing with the reality of turning 60 in less than 20 days. On his dad’s side, most of the men in his family didn’t make it past around 72, and that weighs on him. Still, he keeps a positive attitude. He puts a lot of pressure on himself to get me road-ready so he can start the next chapter—traveling and enjoying life with the rest of the PPT Posse.Me? I’m just ready to feel my tires rolling on the asphalt already.
Until we talk again—live life your way, happy and as content as possible.
PP and the PPT Posse
Well, the second week of 2026 has come and gone.
The PPT Posse has been trying to get me worked on, but it’s been a real struggle—from bad weather and the sick bug going around to problems, parts setbacks, and unforeseens. JG and the posse did get my butt lift done with air shocks, so now I don’t look like I’m dragging my butt going down the road.
JG is still working on my front shocks. They’re installed now; it’s just a matter of aligning my front wheels so I don’t drive like a drunk person. JG could just take me to a shop, but he doesn’t trust just anyone to touch me. Me? Well… never mind, lol.
By doing the work himself—just the shocks alone—the alignment would have cost $300–$400 in labor. As his grandfather always said, a penny saved is worth more than a dollar earned.
It’s going to be a cold one this coming week, so it’ll be hard to get a lot done on me, especially in the early mornings.
Until we speak again, live life your way—happy and as content as can be.
Pp
and the PPT Posse
This is Pp.
Mr. Jg drove me so the PPT posse could visit their favorite feeding stop—McDonald’s. Not my feeding spot. Mine’s across the street at the Marathon. Watching through my front camera, it looked like they had a good time at the park.
Now we’re back at my parking place, parked in front of Vincent the shuttle bus,
plugged in and charging my energy bank. I don’t know what they’re doing now. Looks like they’re inside watching that show Below Deck all evening and night. Next thing you know, Jg will be turning me into a tiny boat yacht. They should be resting and ready to work on me in the morning. First work week of 2026. I don’t know about these humans. The chihuahuas are good doggies.
But what do I know? I’m just a van.
Later,
Pp 🚐
🚐 Hey friends, it’s PP the van speaking.
2026 is here — a new year, a new point of view, and the start of a brand-new journey.
From here on out, posts about PP Travels will come straight from me. I’ll be sharing the road, the builds, the art, and the everyday magic as we go.
JG will be a little quieter on social media this year, focusing on building me, creating art, and spending real, meaningful time living life with the PPT Posse — especially the two tiny but mighty chihuahuas who run the show 🐾🐾
You can still reach JG or any of the PPT Posse through PPT Facebook Messenger or by email whenever needed.
From all of us — JG, the PPT Posse, and yours truly — we wish you and yours the best year yet in 2026.
Written by AI, JG, and the PPT Posse.
Ty,
PP 🚐
Ppt Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/ppt.artis
Website blog
ppt.jgartis.com
email: ppt@jgartis.com
Project Pp Update (11/25/25)
The last two weeks have been extremely challenging. My health has taken a hit due to constant exposure to harsh environmental factors. Our gravel road, just 100 feet from the build site, has been used all day by trucks hauling chicken waste. The resulting combination of gravel road dust, chicken dust, and fumes unfortunately triggered an upper respiratory infection. This illness, combined with a severe cold snap and heavy rain, limited my available work time to only an hour or so each day. Consequently, progress on the project (Pp) has slowed to a crawl. This is very disappointing, and it now looks unlikely that we will meet our deadline to be in Pensacola, Florida, for the New Year.
News on the Build of Pp Despite the setbacks, we’ve achieved several major milestones: * Dried In: Pp is now fully dried in! I finally installed all the access doors leading to the various storage departments—for tools, camping gear, my art supplies and finished paintings, and separate compartments for Pp maintenance, garbage, and sewer maintenance. * Exterior Painting: Just yesterday, we completed priming and painting the entire exterior with three coats of purple. Now, the sides and back are ready for my artistic paintings! I haven’t decided what to paint yet, so any suggestions are welcome. * Roof Protection: All three coats of the rubber coating have been applied to the roof. It is now completely sealed and ready for the solar panels to be installed.
Heating System Installed As winter approaches and colder temperatures are predicted, a critical comfort system has been installed: the diesel heater. This system replaces the van’s original heater, which required the engine to be running. Now, the Pp cab, defrost, and the entire living area can be efficiently heated using diesel fuel. The new heater warms up in about a minute, compared to ten minutes using the van engine, and can raise the temperature of the living area from 50^\circ to 70^\circ in just ten minutes. This will be a huge relief on chilly mornings! Pp will also maintain the temperature with supplemental electric heat. Installing the diesel heater required a good amount of engineering, and all that remains is the interior ductwork. With this system in place, I can be cozy and warm while building through the cold days ahead.
What’s Next? The next major step is to install all the components for Pp’s solar power station. This system is essential to run everything needed to live comfortably off-grid, similar to a traditional house, even in the middle of a parking lot. Once the power system is operational, I will begin the interior build, focusing on the main living areas: the bed, bathroom, kitchen, and closet. Thank you for reading!
SBB aka Jg ARTis
The Ppt posse K Rose, Tippy, Louie.
Editor/writer SamAi
🩹 PP Update: Navigating Struggles and Project Progress
First off, I know there have been a lot of struggling and downward posts lately. Honestly, it’s a real struggle wondering if this project is even worth doing. I promise, though, that once we’re on the road, the posts will be mostly “up.”
🤕 The Neck and Shoulder Issue
So, Friday morning, I planned to work a half-day. Nope. My neck decided to freeze up. Every move I tried to make caused cramps and severe pain. This isn’t new, but it’s been a while since my neck has done that.
I still went out as planned to the Halloween costume party and live music. We were all dressed up, but by the time I got home, I was just about screaming with every move I tried to make.
I stayed in bed until Monday morning, doing all the right things: ice, heat, muscle relaxers, plenty of water, and rest. By Sunday night, the pain had moved down into my right shoulder blade. My arm and hand felt dead, so I had to work on getting that fluid pressure off—which I had to do many, many times.
Monday was cold and wet, and my muscles just wouldn’t move.
🔨 Back to Work and an Early Morning Tragedy
Tuesday, I got back to work, slow but steady. I started at 8:00 AM but had to stop by 3:00 PM (I usually work until 4:45 PM).
Then, at 3:00 AM on Wednesday morning, I had just gotten back in bed from one of my many get-ups to pee. I heard a gigantic boom, then thud, thud, thud. I got up, got dressed, and it wasn’t good. My neighbors’ donkey and horse had stepped out in front of a big truck. They didn’t make it. (You can read the whole story on my Facebook page, SBBartis. I’ll post the link.)
I helped at the wreck, directed traffic until help arrived, and then stayed with the horse until the end. That took me from 3:00 AM to 7:00 AM.
🏁 Pushing Forward
I couldn’t let that stop me from building on the PP. We have to get enough done to be in it and be in Pensacola before the New Year. So, today turned into a 12-hour workday. I’m so weak and tired it’s not even funny.
I’m resting tonight and will be back at it tomorrow at 8:00 AM.
We will get ‘er done.
Thank you, 😊
J.G. and the PPT Posse
The sad horse and donkey truck wreck link
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17LG2MVzY5
✨ Life Update: A New Chapter Begins ✨
This week has been a test of patience — cold, rainy days have made it almost impossible to get much done. But I’m holding onto hope for better weather and better luck ahead.
My goal is still set: Pensacola, Florida for New Year’s 2026. 🌴
Some things on my pre-trip list will have to wait until spring, but that’s okay. The plan now is simple — get the van ready enough to camp in, hit the road, and leave behind this part of Alabama for a few months and all its old, heavy memories.
2026 will be my year.
The year I refuse to let anyone or anything stand in the way of peace, purpose, and slow living. 🌅
Halloween is just around the corner, and we got big plans — Mr. SBB will be dressed to kill 👻 (stay tuned for pics!).
And as we head into the new year, I’m thrilled to share a little sneak peek of what’s coming next:
🎥 “Small Town Story” — a YouTube journey launching in 2026.
A look into the heart of small towns, their people, and the stories that make them shine.
New roads. New stories. New peace. 🛣️
Here’s to brighter days ahead. 💫