Sunday.

Last Day of the Year

Early..may I say Early in the morning....

I got up at 3 am today. Woke up from a restful night.

Ready to begin the last day of this year. Ready to put this year behind me.

( Not in a time order) Let's see:

Mark

Good Mardi Gras ... Mark and I went to the Apollo Ball.

Mark moving in

Mark moves out

Long summer

Decision to hang the career up and move on to another one

States visited this year:
Tx, Wa, Ark, Missouri, Tenn, Kentucky, Ohio, WV, Va, NC, SC, Ga, Ala, Miss.
Mostly for work...some for play.

Visited Lynn and Deb in Ohio, made some new friends there.

Took a lot of good pictures for the blog along the way this year.

Meet Matt and Scott in Texas.....Great new friends.

Brought a Scott W painting.

Missed Thom on the East Coast, but next time I will see him

Lil Sister retiring

Coping with end of a relationship (Mark)

Dating a lil bit...but not much

Making friends... beginning new friendships

Starting the Brick Street Press.

Fixing up the house.

and the year draws to a close.

This morning I was thinking about not going to church. As I walked out the door, our priest turned the corner of 18th and Albert, flying in his mustang to Church. For the 8 o'clock service

It was an omen!!!

I ran back inside, showered, cleaned up....and arrived to sit one pew from my usual spot all in the time span of eighteen minutes or so.

For all of ya'll I hope the new year brings inter peace.

Thursday

I went across the river today to the town on the other side, our neighbors in the hill country.

In the middle of the town there was a bait stand, it was called Dick's Baits.

I always wanted a picture of that sign.

I waited too late. Some one removed it after so many years.

So, if you wait...you loose... !!

As I was reading Matt's blog tonight

I thought of my venture to the office today to leap on the scales of life.

I have gained 27 pds since Mark left me.

Back to the gym, on to the salad bowls, off the red wine, not more blue moon goat cheese.

oh well life does go on....

Christmas Day

Got up this morning the other alternative was someone else calling Hixson Funeral Home.

Call the sister, the brother, and a host of friends.

When out to the work place walked around and greeted my staff who had to work today.

At a light lunch at Joe and Pete's. Stop by the D's household...

Came home, laid by the fireplace, warmed my backside and snoozed.

Now I am sitting here in the Sherpa Cap...waiting on someone to stop by for a drink...night cap....busted nut....or whatever.

My new bike is awesome....its special when you give it to your self.

Tis Christmas Eve 2006

I am sitting here, with a fire in the fireplace.

Enjoying the crackle of the fire, smell of the wood smoke.

Watching in rain on the red bricks of Albert Street.

Street light beams are glistening off those red bricks.

Misty haze is hanging over the city here.

I will put the pjs on soon, snuggle in the bed

and hopefully dream of better days to come.

So its about to be next year here in a few days.

I was thinking of an appropriate song to sing to today.

So its Happy Trails to You.

Until we meet again Next Year.

So here is the link for the music and the words are below.

http://www.niehs.nih.gov/kids/lyrics/happytr.htm


Music and Lyrics by Dale Evans-Rogers

Some trails are happy ones, Others are blue.
It's the way you ride the trail that counts, Here's a happy one for you.

Happy trails to you until we meet again.
Happy trails to you, keep smilin' until then.
Who cares about the clouds when we're together?
Just sing a song and bring the sunny weather.
Happy trails to you 'till we meet again.

I will gladly pay you on Tuesday...so said Winky on Popeye the Sailor Man..Saturday Morning Cartoons.

I had loan a guy some money here a while back... I call him once a month on a Tuesday to remind him of his debt. He has paid back some of the money...but not all of it. I can see Winky as him...gladly paying me back on Tuesdays

I am headed down to the Capitol City tomorrow for meetings. Will spend the night, have supper with an old friend. Then more meetings on Thursday and lunch with my atty's son.

The boy is gay, can't seem to hold a job down since graduating from prestigious college, degree in mass communications. He was working at mortgage company... he left their employment and is bar tending at a local Capitol City gay bar. He spent some time up in Yankee Land, stayed up there for about two years. I guess he is around 27 now. He wants my advise before he tells his parents what he has done...working at the local gay watering hole...hmmmm

Nothing else to report ...oh I am having the front bedroom painted as I am turning that into my office.

Making the transition you know...well trying too!!!

Well... tis Sunday

I am not at Church.

Hmmmm

I guess I will commune with the Good Lord today as I paddle Cocodrie.

I was in one of the chat rooms last night and today. What a waste of time on my part.

I have been trying to hunt up a date..just a date nothing more.

I think its the age thing you know. I posted my true, correct birth date..

I have always hedged a lil bit on it...but felt now I needed to be upfront.

Since I have passed that mythical 50's mark.

Whoa and behold...it does something to the freaks and everyone else in the chat rooms.

Like I shouldn't be there. Reality is setting in.

Here is a story for the pics above:

On Wednesday I traveled back in time.

I went home.

I was sitting on the levee as the sun was setting in the pic here.

I felt a wealth of emotions as I prepared to cross the River on the ferry.

I felt like turning back, heading to what I call home again.

But with the setting of this sun, I was rising to begin a new chapter in my life.

During my brief time over There, I did spend some communing at the local cemetery with my parents and the rest of my relatives that are buried there. The scene was so peaceful in the early morning fog.

So, I have now returned to those Red Brick Streets that I call home.

Well.... not to much to say. Its feels like spring time, but its Dec 12.

My lil sister, her two dogs (labs) are coming to visit here on Thursday.

I have to clean the house ...put fresh sheets on my bed for her.

Get out the air mattress for myself.

I have not purchased any type of sofa as of yet, nor do I plan on it.

If you do come visit me, and hopefully you are a male...you have two options sleep with me...please be compatible tho or sleep on the bare floor.

However since Sis is coming, I am bringing an air mattress from the office so I can sleep on it...give her my bed.

I am such a good brother.

Sunday on the Bricks

Quiet day here, temp is about 48. Sunny with a few clouds in the sky.

Not much else happening.

Slow Sunday .... and its warm enough I am sure this afternoon to do a lil' porch sitting.

Fire in the fireplace...

Just kickin back... what else does a 53 year old bachelor do.

The birthday has now passed.

I woke up this morning to our local paper. Major sex bust at a local park.

Here is the linkhttp://thetowntalk.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061209/NEWS01/312090001/1002

As one must understand his sexuality. One must be responsible also.

You just dont go fuck around in public, in the daylight, ... stand in the broad open spaces and get your cock sucked.

Please.

Its getting closer !!!!!!

Other than that, this is what has been on my mind

I have been ask to go to Sedona AZ with the kayaking crew.

However, I promised myself to stay home during the month of December.

If I do go anywhere, it will be out to San Antonio to see the dear sister.

The time is approaching for my last year in my current career. I made the decision back in the summer to step down from the seat of responsibility and move into a less take charge position.

I am slowly slipping away. Giving up control. I can tell you this, for a person who has supervised folks since 1982, tis harder than you think, in the setting where my career was made.

On Thursday of this week I had supper with an old friend, Jess.

We hadn't seen each other for almost tweleve years.

Folks don't really change from thier core values. Jess is a good guy.

Last night, I took Lisa to the Grand Opening Gala of the new airport terminal. We had a great time.

Today the Woman and I ..Lisa that is are going to go Down South to shop.

She is my woman friend. She will be looking at the gyrls, I look at the bois.

Other than that...I have a supper engagement at the breeder's home with the breeders and me. The main course is the trout I caught on my recent trip to Missouri.

So...I think I will rest on Sunday.

Well, December is here.

I have a birthday this month.

I am a lil over the half century mark.

More than that in gay terms, I guess in those terms I would be 85 to 90.

Ah the youthfulness of the world of gaydom.

Those boys will be here one day writing about the woes of aging.

Other than that I have begun my wind down to the next following year 08.

I am working on my control issues... well a lil bit of them.

Setting my routine.

Monday.......

I have this feeling that I am becoming again lonely.

I had this feeling for many years before Mark and now that he is gone, its starting to come back. Its an internal loneliness...not outward.

Its reserved for my time by myself, when I sit down to contemplate my life and what is happening in it. Its more akin to sadness actually as I sit here and type.

Its a sadness that I have had before. Before Mark and now After Mark.

On the other hand, my back muscle is still out of whack, however I am still going to the gym. Will be there today ...I am thinking about changing my gym times, I usually go in the mid afternoons. I am thinking of going around 730 to 8 pm. Change of scenery so to speak.

I can tell this, the more excerise I have the more my hormones rage. Getting fit, Getting horny.

When we were at Kincad this morning( by the way it was a three hour paddle) on this small lake, we had the opportunity to see four American Bald Eagles. Two adults and two juveniles.

It truly was a wonderful and thrilling sight.

I just wondered if any other gay men would enjoy this as much as I do. If I do have another partner, I hope he would enjoy the sights and sounds of nature and the Wild as much as I do.

To be in the full front of nature, experiencing life on that basis. Most just want to be at a bar, in bed or in case of this area...doing the Tina.

I am off to go to a bon fire, eat catfish, and come home early.

It seems that due to the weather, which by the way is excellent here ,that every one wants to paddle. The boats are already loaded.

We will be doing a paddle trip of Kincad Lake.

The area has two resident Bald Eagles. I will bring the camera tomorrow and see if I can get a picture of them.

Other than that, not too much happened here for Turkey Day.

Oh I do have some pictures of my recent trip fly fishing up in Missouri. I am thinking about posting them. With all the clothes I had to wear it makes me look HUGE.

Its about to be Thanksgiving in the District here. This means a fire in the fireplace tomorrow morning. Bloody Marys down the block, dinner (southern meaning of the northern lunch) with the Smiths in the other direction of the street, home to a lazy afternoon and then a fire in the evening. Maybe a few friends over to watch the embers pass their glo into the night....a strong maybe. Certainly ain't no trick coming over for sure.

Booger on the Limb on Saturday night at Brother's place. This means its catfish plates from Carl's Catfish Hut, eaten in the pasture watching a big bonfire. Then home by ten pm, I am old ya kno'.

Now that I am back to being single again...I will just have to get use to bedding down by myself.

Lamenting the absence of Mark, is one thing...Experiencing it is another.

Oh well.....Life goes on doesn't it.

Here is a beaver I caught laying up on a cyrpess stump in Iatt Lake. He was resting in mid afternoon. When we put in at the landing the temp was right at 51 degrees around 10 am this morning. It warmed up during the day, as the beaver can attest too. Was a good paddle, I needed it. I had to deal with some stressors concerning the past relationship. I wish I could be like the beaver and not have a worry in the world.

Its off to the gym this morning.

I did accomplish some chores yesterday. Washed and clean the porch.

Tis a lil bit cooler here this morning. Blue Skies !!

I think I will cook something on the smoker later on.

Nothing to report.....

Well...what is new

I am paddling after Church on Sunday with the GDG.

It should be an interesting paddle.

Pics will follow.

Mark came by today. We chatted. I felt it was strained to some extent.

As in the back of my mind, I feel he might at some point come back to me.

On the other hand, I know in the back of my mind that he will Not.

Turning the attention other matters, I got some of the new furniture in today.

Most of the interior painting is finished. The media center is being built.

I am taking off more and more from the office.

However, with all this, I am lonesome. Which if I was honest with myself, was the case for years prior to Mark. I had 14 months of bliss.

Which I am thankful for.

here are recent pics from a paddle trip to Cocodrie Lake on the border with Rapides/Evangline Parishes.

I took two ladies out. It was a great trip.

Continuing on the route that I have taken...I am off today.

I have washed clothes, washed towels, went to the cleaners

Had late lunch with Aaron, listened to him about the bf

Vacuumed the house.

Washed dishes.

and just putter around the house, doing odd sort of things.

I pledged to myself to take off every Friday....so far the office only called once.

I made the first fire in the fireplace tonight.

I love the fall.

I just wish Mark was here to cuddle up.

Oh well he is not and won't be.

I have to get this out of my mind..Mark that is.

The renovations are going great to the house. I have to go out and look for some sort of foo ton or small fold out couch for the office, in case I have over night guests.

I will deliver pics to the blog once all the refinements are completed.

Not much going on here lately, except the mayoral election.

Dem vs Rep Male vs Female New Line vs Old Line and the list goes on.

I am for the Dem Male New Line

The Rep is the Female, Old Line to believe it or not.

Not much else, I need to weed the beds here at the house to make the fall colors come out.

I am waiting for Fall to show up here in Central La.

I went to Mass this morning. Early Mass.

Very few folks there this morning in the Chapel.

I have a birthday party to go to late this afternoon. It is for a friend on mine who is turning 53. ..... I am approaching that mark soon myself.

I can't believe that I am that old. I don't feel that old, most of the days.

Then, as I sit here, on Albert Street, on the Red Bricks, I realize that time is passing on, and I am passing with it. There is no method..... by which I can step off the street and sit on the bench for a lil' while.

In gay terms I am most likely 78 yrs old.... Gay is for the youth...even tho the body says different....the mind is still young...

I hope I keep a young mind....for years to come.

I have had the dumps.....

I miss Mark.............................

He has moved on...................................

I evidently have not............................................

I believe that I loved him more than I knew ....or realized.....

I have a chance to go see a former pres. GHWB.

He will be in town tomorrow.

At first I thought it was a wonderful opportunity.

Then as I got to thinking about it, pondering it...

Nope, I can not. He was a part of the Reagan era, he contributed to that Republican ideology, that cause so many to pass with out help.

So, today I will decline the invitation.

I can not compromise my beliefs and abandon those who have passed before us.

Well.

M stopped in on Sunday for the first time.

He returned the house key.

It was the first time I had actually been in his presence since Sept 12.

When he walked thru the door, we hugged, we cried.

I could say its over. I don't want to say that. But in reality it is.

I asked him if he loved me. He said, he couldn't really say.

But not at this time.

I realized I had lost him some where on the path of life.

Again, the crossroad of Life is at my call.

Who's knocking on the door...not Mark.

As we parted, he called my last name as he stepped into his car...



He said........


"Good Bye Mr. Thompson"

Here is the letter that M wrote to be posted on the blog.

Up until now.....I haven't posted it ..for what ever reasons...mostly personal ones that I was trying to deal with.

A letter from M to all: type in the exact way he wanted it.


"Hello All,

This is M, one last time. Today is my last day on the Red Bricks. I have all my stuff in storage, and I will be staying with friends until other things are settled,living accommodations to be more exact. We decided that it would be best if I would move out while he was gone on his great pilgrimage.

It is kind of strange, I am happy to be leaving the city, but will miss certain aspects of the whole city life thing. Having somebody to come home to after a long day at work will be greatly missed, and great example of the things I will miss the convenience of everything as to where we live. But I'm ready to go back to the country and not be able to look out my bathroom window into the my neighbor's dining room. Most people never even notice that kind of thing, but people who grew up in the country notice it quickly. Its just not normal.

This marks the end of a year of extreme ups and extreme downs. I would not have been able to make it through either of them without his help. Let me stress that point again, I would have never made it through this past year without his help and I greatly appreciate everything he has done for me, from loving me to supporting me in all my decisions in my life. I don't think he understands what kind of an impact on my life he has had.

Now, after a little over a year, it is time we parted for some time away from each other. I am not saying it will be forever we don't know that, but we do need time apart.

Good luck to all, maybe I'll type ya'll again before it is all over, but it will not be for some time.

Mark "

Back from the Lower Country.

Work ...Work.....Work


My thoughts have waned to some extent on M.

Not entirely.......

I passed his home place the other day.

I thought of him.

Saw his boss ...According to him ...all is great.

Which I know it would be...M is a very intelligent guy.

I wish M well.

I miss M.

OK... on to other subjects at hand.

The painting in the house is doing really good.

Having a professional painter is worth the money.

I signed up for a cruise to Alaska...I need a partner to go with me.

and no other happenings that I can think of.

Nothing is going on.

Other than I believe I am in the mourning period of this past relationship.

I am not trying to have any sympathy here...its just hard for me.

I didn't know how attached I had become to M.


Now, I have to travel this week down South. So, I am heading down South. Doing some work down there.

Seeing a few friends, also.

I have been neglected the blog....I will do better.

With the failure of love, comes the reality of hope.

Hope that one's being will again find that emotional bond.

One must seek Hope. Hope is not around the corner.

With M's departure, I find my self searching for Hope.

M left for several reasons.

1) He did not like living in the city. As he stated to me, he didn't like standing in the bathroom and gazing out into the dining room of the house next door.

2) He didn't feel part of the house, it was not his, he tried his best to make it his, placing his art work around the house, putting his bed in the bedroom, redoing the bathroom he called his.

3) Along the way, I tried to make him feel a part of the city, by having friends come over, stop in, drop by, and in the end that was another reason he departed, living in a neighborhood, means neighbors.

All in all, he thanked me for doing everything I did for him.

As I recount that first meeting, as I rounded the corner of the house and saw him sitting there.........

I thought at that moment there was Hope.

Tis Saturday Night in Alex'.

All is ok.

Had supper with Lisa tonight, fresh red drum, nice pinot noir, salad...Good!!!!.

Tomorrow, I am off to CoCodrie to paddle with some lesbians that want me to take them. Its an afternoon paddle with a steak supper afterwards.

Should be interesting...considering the butch factor.

Not to much to report on the home front. Life being single is awkward, however I am doing ok. I am getting back into my routine, going to the gym more, eating better (no breads, pasta, or rice), just veggies and fish.

For the moment, all is ok on the Red Bricks of Central La.

Yep... Its Over

There is a run off.

Him and Her or is it Her and Him

So, come Nov 7th we will see if it is one of the H's.

On another note. M left me a post to place on here. I haven't yet.

I am finding it painful to post it.

I am finding it painful to deal with some of the events surrounding his moving out.

I have thoughts of bitterness, thoughts of should I have done this or that, thoughts of its me again, thoughts that life as a whole does goes on.

One day in the future I will post his thoughts.

He wrote his last letter to me as a blog post. So, that is why I haven't really posted it.

He wrote the letter to be posted on the blog...not to me!!!!!!!

Today is the big day for some, time to cry for the others.


Its Election Day in Louisiana.

Next year about this time we will be voting on the Governor.

But today, its 89 degrees with the heat index at 94.

Sweating, standing in line, but come the strike of 8 tonight.

Some will cheer, other will bawl !!!!!!

I am back from the great tour of eleven states, two audits, and seeing friends, missing a friend, and coming home to my stark house.

While I was on the road for 16 days, I saw, Scott and Troy, my sister, Matt, Scott W. audited a program in Tx, then saw The Magnolia Flower in Ohio and her partner Deb, made new friends in Ohio, worked in West Virg, missed seeing Thom in Va, saw Gary and Bill in Ga, then came home to La.

I logged 3200 miles on the roadster, it performed above my expectations.

The one thing that I am regret is not seeing Thom in Va. Time was not on my side. I left West Va yesterday, made it to Athens Ga. last night, then came all the way here today....so I drove 1100 miles in two days..

I will post some pics over the weekend of my travels.

I need to go purchase at least one comfortable chair this weekend...for sure...

Well.....what can I say....

An empty house !!!!

It will be strange for some time to come....

However, time does pass, life continues on !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks to Matt and Scott.....Thom will have to just be patient....

I am on the road. At the present time I am in SA, with the sister.

On Thursday, I had the pleasure of meeting with Scott.

On Friday, I meet Matt. We had breakfast at the Original House of Pies. Truly, it was a wonderful meeting.

The connection was made. Its just really neat to meet folks, with meeting Matt and Scott, I have gained two friends in H Town. I will be visiting more as I go to SA to see the lil' sister.

Pictures to come.

This reminds me of quieter days and happier times.

I am making my list of things I must do before I leave for this long sojurn of a trip.

I am excited about going, cause I am purchasing a painting from a guy in H Town. Also, on this trip I will be seeing two other bloggers of the Great Society.

I plan to be back on election day here in La, which is Sept 30. I leave on Sept. 14th for H Town and the Texas part of the trip.

Then somewhere around Sept. 20th I am headed up there, cross the Mason Dixon Line, to the O state.......O HI O......to see the girls and thier boys.

Then it will be off to WV, to do some more work, then over to Va to see the main man of bloggers in that state.

After a brief, very brief tour of Va, I am headed home via Athens Ga...arriving back into La. on election day 06.

We are going thru these motions of not really talking about the subject at hand.

Both of us know that he is leaving.

Both of us know, we don't know when.

Its been a lil stressful here lately.

M is trying to buy a house to move into. I am supportng him on his decision. He is not happy living in the city. He is just a country boy at heart.

I want him to be happy.

Also, I am trying to take the next step forward with some of my own decisions about how long I will continue to work at the department. On Oct 2006, it will be 28 yrs. That tells you that I am tired, wo out, feed up, and stressed.

Its early Saturday morning. I went to bed early also, like nine pm. So, I am up now at 430 am on a Saturday morning.

Today is cutting grass, going to the gym to do cardio only, reading the manual once again on the roadster.

I sit on the board of trustees for a homeless women's shelter here in town. We are having our annual fund raiser on Sunday. Which is a lobster boil. Most of the board is made up of women, there are three men on it, including me. Sometimes the dynamics are a little strange.

M is progressing in buying his house.

On Wednesday I am heading to the Captiol to meet with the retirement system, to get the necessary info on what options I have.

See when I can take the plunge.


The roadster is a greatmachine. So, now I am committed to that long road trip.

First to San Antonio, then to West Vga.

Along the way I will see some folks. Making stops in Houston, Memphis, Columbus Ohio, and Va. Could be stopping in Athens GA also.

All it all, it will be business sometimes, free time the others, at least I get paid for the whole trip.

I leave on Sept 14 and return either on Sept 29th or 30th.

I have schedule for my grass to be cut, paper to be picked up etc.

I will take plenty of pictures and try to document the journey.

Lets's see..........

I didnt buy the Nissan Z.

I did buy the Z4 roadster by BMW.

Am I crazy.

Who knows.

I take delivery of it tomorrow.

I will be driving to WV for sure now.

Oh, btw, at nine pm tonight it was still in the 90's here. Almost 100% humidity.

You sweat just standing up or sweat sitting on the swing on the porch.

I dont think I will be flying too much anymore. In the last several trips this year to preform some work, either my suitcase or bags have been lost, flights delayed to all hours of the night.

So, I have decided not to do the extra work if it is more than two driving days from the River here. I figure I can cover about 440 to 540 miles a day in a car.

I went to look at a 'touring' car yesterday. Say its midde age crazy...but the Z car from Nissan http://www.nissanusa.com/z/ is what I am looking at.

I might be driving to WV here soon.

It was a nice post that M did. We are going thru some strange times right now. Working out some things.

Its really hard on me to write these days. I am confused one minute, thrown to the side of love the next and really dont know what to do.

Time will tell, as it has over these past years.

One Year according to M

Hello all, this is M. I know this is the first time for me to post, but what better time than today. Our anniversary. My other half is on the front porch in his pajamas just a "swingin". It's something about this damn street.
He just doesn't know how much I love him, that has always been something hard for me to do. My family does not express very much or easily express. So, he thinks I don't care for him as much as I do, but I do really love him with all my heart(cheesey and sappy, I know).
Since I'm in the process of buying a house out of Alexandria, he thinks I'm moving out on this relationship too. I'm not. I just am not happy here in town. I'm a country boy who is miserable in the city. He has done everything possible to make me happy, practically spoiled me. On top of the financial aspects, he has even given me the love that I didn't think I would ever experience.
Well, to my other half, when you read this, I do love you.

To all others who read this, I'm sorry for the rambling and non sense, I just know my other half will appreciate this more than the present I gave him. It will probably be my only entry until next anniversary or a major occurance/holiday.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tomorrow makes one year for M and myself.

But times are changing.

I have been going to the gym. To get back in the throw of things, I have worked up a schedule. Liz is for Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Bradly is any day I dont want to go. Call Bradly and he will make you go.

I will be doing a lot more cardio this time around. More emphasis on cardio than weight training. I got new shifters on the new mtn bike. So, after I get my wind back from the cardio at the gym, I will take the bike out on the trail.

Post Up Date............

I paid my gym membership yesterday, brought a whole year's worth. So, now I am committed to go. I thought this plan was best. It might keep me motivated.
I hope so, I need to bring down the BP, at this pt I refuse to take any pill, its just too simple to go sweat at the gym and make it go down.

M has decided to purchase a home. Yes, as I said in the last post, the dynamics of the relationship are changing. He has been pre qualified now. He is out searching the market. He doesn't like the commute, a lil over fifty miles one way.

So, this will be an interesting turn of events if he purchases a house.

Next Monday M and I will have one yr. The dynamics of the relationship is starting to move in another direction. We will see where it takes us.

Other than that, life on the river here is ok. Its late July, August is upon us, no hurricane in the Gulf of yet. Lets hope we roll thru this season without one.

I will go kayaking hopefully again this weekend. Also, I am starting to mtn bike again, getting back into the gym.

Next Monday M and I will have one yr. The dynamics of the relationship is starting to move in another direction. We will see where it takes us.

Other than that, life on the river here is ok. Its late July, August is upon us, no hurricane in the Gulf of yet. Lets hope we roll thru this season without one.

I will go kayaking hopefully again this weekend. Also, I am starting to mtn bike again, getting back into the gym.

This is Bradly and Errol. We were kayaking this morning, doing an early morning paddle in the big trees down at Bennett's Bay. 

Nothing is going on......its just been hot and humid down here.

Summer is here. Its 100% humidity and 78 degrees at the strike of Six in the morning....goes up to about 98 .....

You sweat as you extend your arm to open the truck door...it doesn't take much to drop a lil sweat.

M is doing ok......I am doing ok.......its just the heat of summer in the deep South.

We ate at the Liberty Cafe/Bar in San Antonio. Fairly good food..but great atomosphere. The other pic is of the owner of the Bistro Le Cep with his cow, which is placed in front of the bistro each night. They also take her in every night too....just to be on the safe side. 

The first pic is of my sister's pool with M in the spa, second is the Bistro Le Cep in Houston were we dined on Thursday night with Troy and Scott. The third and fourth pics are taken at Sea World in San Antonio. M, the Sis, and I went there on Sunday. All in all it was a nice few days off...enjoyed it all. More pics to come later. 

I will be gone for about five days. M and I are traveling to the West....as Go West Young Man....oh well..not so young for me....but for M. We are heading to the West.

Well....tis Monday afternoon on the Bricks. Tis HOT !!!.....slight wind passing across the front porch.

The weekend was quiet.......M worked with his family, attended something for his grandpa....his grandpa is one of only three sailors left from this particular ship in WWII that he served on. M said it was a glorious event, however somewhat sad, to say that approx 300 men served on at the time on this ship...only three are left to recount the stories.

Work is progressing in the backyard today for the walkway.

The first pic is something that is typical in the back bayous of Louisiana. Don't mess with the nets or lines. What they are saying is dont touch the hoop nets or the trout lines that are near the banks of the bayous. The second pic is of D and V on Riogetelle Bayou....pronounced Row Gully.....dont ask what meaning or reasoning behind the spelling or pronounication is about.. The third pic is of a white egret flying across the bayou this morning on our paddle. 

Ah ...Wednesday.....

Well.... its Wednesday..

Not much going on this week, here in Central La. Its the pace of life that most folks would like or say they would like.

So..... I am looking toward the weekend. M is catering somewhere with the family business. I will be dolly domestic...... and hopefully paddle some.

Went to Bradly's last night for a get together. Back at the house by 10 pm. The older you get....the more home calls you back earlier.

M didn't get to come, he was with his parents.

We have sat on the front porch and watched it rain off and on most of the day. M did plant a few bushes by the back fence this morning. I heard by the grape vine that Bradly's get together lasted in to the wee hours of the morning. Glad I called it a night early.

So the pictures...First the Feet saw dust covered that is.....the second the stump......M left to do some family stuff with his folks earlier.....I tackled the stump. 

Well its Friday.......

M is going to Outback to get the supper...I am here in the den..

Domestic Life for sure.....!!

Now....this weekend....I am cutting the stump down some more in the backyard.
I will post a pic featuring my Stihl chain saw.....its almost 29 years old...it was marked "made in West Germany". Before the wall came down.

So......have a good one.....more pics for tomorrow....maybe even on the River.

M took this pic of a coon, not a racoon, but a coon as in La terms. We were paddling on Kincad Lake along the edges on Saturday. I told him yesterday that our paddling trips are almost becoming cc lockwood type pictures. cc is a local La naturalist, who is famous for his nature photographs. 

Today was a good day. My son and I went down to CoCodrie Lake. Took some pictures, dragon fly on my knee, frog on some water grass and him fishing in the Narrows among the cypress trees. 

L and I paddled today at Kincad. I did a lil fly fishing, she just talked. We got started late, but as the afternoon wore on, the clouds came and gave us some shade.

This week we are going to paddle at Valentine Lake. We are fishing the flats there. Wednesday is the day for the paddle. I will try to take some pics of the lake. Its nestled in a part of the Natl Forest and is sort of remote.

The plastic pond in night glow. Before the lightining came last night. 

Saturday.....

It rained last night, M and I were in the plastic pond. We had to get out due to the streaks of lightining. I wish I knew more about digitial night time photos, it would have been so neat to catch a pic of those streaks.

Also, something is happening to my system here on the laptop. The type size is becoming very small. I wonder if M or I pushed a wrong button.

Fairly Good News !!!!

Went back to see the Dr yesterday.....fairly good news.

The biopsy (3rd time within 12 mos) results are in. No cancer, but still some cells look a lil queer. So, I will wait and see. The next biospy is scheduled for next May. After being poked 36 times (each round is 12 times) that walnut size body part is looking like swiss cheese right now.

So, I can ride the mtn bike again.....

and wait till next year.

M's Stargazer Lily

This is M's newest Lily. He grew them from bulbs. The new spa is in the background. 

The first top pic is the Cross on Kincad Lake, the second pic is Bradly No 1, the third pic is juvenile bald eagles in the top of a pine tree on Kincad Lake. It was a mid morning paddle, Bradly's first on Kincad 

me 

Waiting

Well yesterday was my third biopsy in one year. The doctor has probed my prostate three times, punching 36 holes, taking 36 little bitzy pieces of my self and sending them to the lab. All this in a year's time (May '05, November '05, May '06).

Its been an experience for sure.

When I am asked by concerned friends how I am doing, I always ponder my answer. It seems in the male world that there is an opinion of 'just jerking the damn thing out' is the solution. No one ever considers the side effects, the mental anguish, the doubts of preformance. I can say its the mental factor that goes along with the treatment aspects, and I think it is much more when one is a gay man. Who wants to take a pill everytime !!!!!!!!

I just finished reading a booklet on the psychological and medical effects of prostate cancer as it relates to a person in my shoes. Certainly, it doesn't paint a very nice picture.

On the other hand I hope that my biopsy indicates good news next week.

This is the pictures from the paddle trip we made yesterday. It was a great time on the water. 

2nd paddle

We haven't paddled a lot this year. This is only our second paddle and its May. So, I hope we can get to paddling a lil more.

We are off to Cocodrie Lake. Its a cypress and tupelo gum empoundment of about 7000 acres.

I hope to take some good pics, so I will be posting them later.

All is good...as they say in the deep South....'fine as frog hair split four ways.'

Sunday on the Porch

Tis Sunday on the porch.... .

and Mother's Day.

I was sitting here thinking about my momma today, she would have been 86 if she had lived, she was 80 when she passed away.

She was a single mother long before single motherhood came into our vocabulary. She was left with three very young children and a farm in rural La.

She never married after the death of my daddy, devoted her life to 'raisin her three kids'.

All three graduated from college, all three have become very successful in their respective careers.

I understand some of the sacrifices she made during those years. All in all my mother was a very private individual. She taught us personal strength, courage, and instilled a true work ethic in us.

Happy Mother's Day Momma !!!!!!!!!

Well we didnt make it down to the swamp to kayak on Sunday. We decided to take the bikes out for a spin. M hasnt ridden in a very long time. The seat was a little stiff for him. We did about seven miles.

I have always enjoyed the bike, I hope M starts to enjoy it also.

We are headed out to do some yakin' this afternoon. We need a lil time on the water, so today we are going down to Cocodrie Lake to do some paddlin'. Jason is suppose to come with us, but who knows about that boy.

Things are really fine with us. Sophie and Bella are in their new home, at M's parents house. By all accounts they (Sophie and Bella) are very happy to have more room to run and play. It beats a backyard.....thier new backyard is two acres.

This is Virigina out cleaning our Red Brick street. Its her way of keeping sane. 

This is Virigina, she keeps our Red Brick Street clean. She is out working for her mental health.