Last Post for 2014

Well, here it is, the last post for Twenty Fourteen.

Sitting here at the house, fire in the fireplace, third scotch/soda, being an old man, hmmm did I say that, Yes I did.

Spending New Year's Eve as I have spent many by myself, with a fire, and a drink, waiting for the neighborhood fireworks as a display of civil disobedience, all is well here on the Red Bricks of the Garden District of Alexandria.

The attached photograph is of my Daddy.  Circa 1931, at a line shack on the Beaver Creek Place, East Feliciana Parish.

The photograph, says so much of that by-gone era, of chivalry, character, and a man's word.  His jodhpur pants, the laced boots, the hat, and that necktie.  He was born in 1903, married late in life, fathered 3 children, passed away at the age of 59.  At the time of his passing, his world was coming to an end actually, the world that he knew, farm life is the Felicianas was changing, modern conveniences was starting to gather their place in everyday life. Time honored traditions were fading, the old men of his day passing also. The quail  hunts on horseback, english setters, crank telephone, the radio as the place to gather at the end of the day to listen to the news, within a few years would all be a photograph of history.

Yesterday, December 25th, Christmas Day, was my Momma's birthday.  Here is a photograph of her in her WAC uniform, in WW II.  She was a Buck Sargent.  She was stationed in Casper, Wy.  She worked in the photo lab there developing bomb run arial photos for pilots and bombardiers to learn by before they went off to war. From the years 1942 to 1945 approximately 16,000 flight crew members trained at the Casper Wy base.

So, Happy Belated Birthday Wilma Ruth Sumrall Thompson.  I miss you very much.

Content with Life

It's Sunday, in the Garden District, on the Red Bricks.

I was listening today to some comments about happiness of people. One of the commentators said that one's happiness should not be judged on the term alone.... one should think whether he or she is:

"Content with your Life.  Contentment brings Happiness".

I thought about my life and where I was at present time and a look from the past.   I have always been content, but at times my life has not  been "happy". That conflict of not being happy has been usually self induced by some measure that I have performed, done, conspired, thought too much, worried, or putting my self in a situation that I should not have been.

Just a lil self reflection on a Sunday Morning on the Red Bricks.

I am content.

Saturday Night in Old Alex.

Today, I made my usual routine errands about town, Randy's Meat Market, Krogers, Inglewood Organic Farm (for various items), I didn't stop by the men's store (one of two in town, one making the top 100 of privately held men's stores in the USA).  Passed up Hokus Pokus, which is the local liquor store, I have been buying my wine off the internet these days.

I haven't made it to the gym in four days.  I had a echo/stress test performed on Tuesday, came down with a sinus infection on Wednesday..having been feeling well since then.  Hopefully back to the gym soon, by Monday.

Just have to see.

The vote is in and a personal note.

Well Election time is officially over here in Louisiana.

On the state wide matters, the Dems lost to the Rs.

On the local level good prevailed over so called evil and the status quo continues.

On a personal note, I am back in the gym.  Its been good for several reasons, but mainly to try to ward off the approaching age process.  I continue to eat organic vegetables from the organic farm near here.  I am in their "box" program where you get a box of different and varied types of veggies once a week.  I am eating more green these days.

Also, I have switched to an organic diary that comes to this market each Saturday. I don't have much intake of diary products, but I do cook a lil with butter.  Real Butter, organic, certainly taste a whole lot different than store brought butter.

Today, 61 years ago, I was born into this world.

Time Flies By.

Just a blink of an Eye.

Gone today, hoping for tomorrow.

It just Happens.

So Life goes on.

Flying Up High

The Snow Bellies have arrived here in Central La. Its the coming of winter here, all be it, it's semi balmy 68 today. I heard them this morning as they flew over.  

Last night, I heard them too.  They were flying low, the cloud cover allowed their voices to be heard, but not seen.  

Its one of those signs of nature that I like.  Its the passing of the seasons.

Trip Back.

I went back to the place of my birth today, to bring some family heirlooms home to their rightful place.

My riding partner was my best friend Bradly.  We ventured down Louisiana Highway 1, through small towns, Marksville, Simmesport, Innis, Lettsworth, Batchelor, to New Roads. We crossed the new Mississippi River Bridge at New Roads over to St. Francisville.  I will always miss the ferry ride across the Mississippi River, counting the number of logs floating down to the Gulf.  Also, miss those sunsets as you rode that ferry, smelling the diesel smoke from the engines as it powered up to cross that River. .. No more ferry, we have a new $409 Million bridge to replace that old ferry.... just wonder how much that would have taken the ferry to spend that $409 million dollars.

Going back does have its memories, some pleasant, some not so pleasant.  All in all it was a short nice trip back to that place of my birth. 

I have been away from West Feliciana Parish since 1977. Long time!!!.. but such a short time also.

The visit was a short one, saw relatives there, made nice talk, got back in the truck and breathed a small small easy breath to have crossed that bridge back over that river... on the way back to my home now..... back to Alex.

I will go back for another visit.... not sure when tho.

A Posting

I was reading the WSJ yesterday here in olde Alexandria, we have a daily newspaper, The Alexandria  Town Talk, which is owned by Gannett.  I like the WSJ just from the variety of articles, news, fashion, real estate, jokes, especially the weekend edition.

And that brings me, to the comment,  I saw in the  book review section of the WSJ, on a biography of George Catlett Marshall. Gen. George C. Marshall stated "Don't fight the problem. Decide it".  Certainly, a different take on how to manage a concern.  "Decide It", say GCM.

Sometimes, all we need to do is.......... "Decide It".

Truism

On the talk radio today, early this morning, I heard a statement and at this time here in Louisiana, its so appropriate.

"Its easier to catch rocks, than throw rocks" C. Holloway, former Congressman, 5th District, La.

More politicians should be catching rocks than throwing them these days.

Rocks Hurt being thrown.

Sunday Evening Muddles and Ramblings

I'm sitting on the couch this evening, flipping channels between the Saints/Packers game, HGTV, and Anthony Bourdain.

I rode the bike today, 7 miles, slow pace, taking in the city and I was by myself.  I am beginning to really like riding by myself lately, not sure why either.  I think I can go at my own pace.

I have been publishing some photos lately and sending them off to an online service that prints them. I think the responses from the folks that brought them and I gave aways has been remarkable.  The local coffee shop wants to add me to their walls so I can sell my prints there.

The election is looming right around the corner, The Mayor has four opponents. I haven't been real active in the campaign this time around.  I am more on the sidelines, this time.  I think it is actually better, less stress for me.  Since I am now in the Senior Advisor slot, 28 hour a week, it fits me perfectly. The benefit is no real stress as November 4th approaches.

Fall is about to be here in Louisiana.

The mornings are in the 60's days are hovering upper 80's.

Its that time here in our semi tropical land.  Bananas are on the trees, kumquats are full and waiting to ripen, satsumas are about to turn.  Sweet Potatoes from Avoyelles Parish are selling by the roadside and family farms.

There is talk of smoked sausage making, killing the pig, and the deer hunters are sighting in their rifles.  Glad I gave that up years ago... more of a right of passage thing for me.. done that.!!

I will make my trip south here in a few weeks to buy my Christmas rice, down in Pine Island, La.  Then to McNary, La to buy my smoked sausage from the Mom and Pop store I have always brought it from. BTW there is only one store in McNary.

Yep,  Fall is about to be here.

Pedaling a lil bit!

https://maps.google.com/?q=http://tracks.vdt.me/c790aeadbce07fc44e93822650af27fe_track_2014-09-28_16.02.45.kmz&t=h


So I rode today, short ride, but it was a ride.  Third time I have been on the bike, since the big fall/accident of last August.  I think I am getting my cycling legs back and its not bothering my shoulder or neck.

A slow return to the pedal.

Today, Bradly and I got out and rode nine miles around the City.   He called up and we got out and about early this morning.  This is taken with a GoPro Silver Edition.  Pretty good lil camera when you think that its not much bigger than a old matchbox.

I realized this morning that I had missed getting out on the bike are pedaling. Ever since my bike accident I have shied away from pedaling.  I think I have mended enough to give it a try again.

Other than that, life is ok here on the banks of the Red River in central Louisiana.

Tis the Season...!!

Well, this morning, at the crack of dawn, the sun rose on the Red River, here in Alexandria.

Off in the distance, you could hear muffled sounds of boom, pop, boom boom, pop pop pop.  Muffled!!!!

Well, as I was sitting on the porch, enjoying the breath of a semi tepid breeze, I realized that it was opening day of Dove Season.  The muffled boom boom, pop pop, was shotguns going on.  Alexandria is surrounded by fields of milo, sorghum, soybeans, and cotton.  The first three are the primary food for doves.

So, Tis the Season.... Hunting Season.... has come to Alexandria and the Red River Valley once again.... That time honored way of life, father/son rising early, oiling up the guns, in the truck, and off to sit in a milo field, to wing shoot, that lil grey bird.

That lil grey bird knows that there is no guns in my backyard, just bird feed from the local hardware store.  I guess that is why I had about a dozen there this morning.  They were the smart ones, their counterparts, will be dove breast on an open fire grill at lunch time here shortly.

Its all about that old tradition of male bonding, pickup trucks, fine over and unders, and shooting on the wing... here in Central Louisiana..

Well... not all of Central La.... here on the red bricks of Alexandria, its about morning coffee and peacefulness..

The Heat Wave is back for August, we're back to the normal, so we are going to scorch till October, then we will have a lil breath of cool air float in.

Other than that all is ok.  I cut my hours back at the office, so I can concentrate on a few hours of me time.  I have put the back yard plans of hold for the time being, I just don't think spending a chunk of change would be feasible at this time.  So, I am scrapping the outside fireplace in favor of a fire pit.  Makes sense to me.

Lil Things

I stayed home today from work.  I usually don't do that, I just couldn't bear the crap that comes up at work. So, I thought my frustration was made of not getting out of Alexandria.  I haven't left Alexandria for a road trip or just to get out, so today, I gassed up the truck and just rode around south central Louisiana.  First I went to Marksville, thought about stopping by the Indian Casino-Paragon, but settled instead of a No 1 meal from McDonald's, rode and ate at the same time, then to Mansura, over to Hessmer, and ended up at Bunkie.  After Bunkie I headed back to Alexandria. I have only left Alexandria in the last year to go to Dr Appts in San Antonio, Tx or Lafayette, La.

My self worth is being questioned by myself, gee, I think I got in a rut, I need to just get out of town more often.


Back to my reasons for getting out.

I have really been questioning my position in the city  here lately. I use to be full time, that's 70+ hours a week, now I am part time, with 29 hours reported on the time sheet.  But there is a feeling within me that I am getting frustrated at the lil things, they seem to annoy me so much more and at a rapid rate.  The personalities also just draw an err from me.

Thinking ... Riding Around

I was thinking today, as I rode around the City with my fellow colleagues, that I had it pretty, pretty good.  Working 29 hours a week, Monday thru Wednesday 8 hours a day, then 5 hours on Thursday.  Not bad for someone, who wants to accomplish a lil bit less in life, but still maintain a sense of purpose and a lil satisfaction in achievement.

As I was looking at my reflection in the fresh waxed floor of the power plant, I realized that my thoughts of going back to the gym was warranted.  A lil' bit pudgy....yep yep.

August!!

It's August!!

In the past week or so, we have had an unusual lil' cool snap, the temps over the weekend hover around 80. The barber shop talk was that it was going to be a cold winter.  Well today, August was back to normal, with 96 degree and 85 % humidity.  I'm not sure if the barber shop guys are going to remember this.

I wore my white bucks to the office today, with khaki pants/white shirt, braces (suspenders or galluses, depending on your heritage is the name u call them).  It's nice to sport the look before you have to put the white bucks up in the closet, store them on the shelf, as it will be Labor Day soon.  In the grand tradition of the Magnolia Boys, you certainly don't wear your white bucks pass Labor Day.

All I needed was Marlon Brando calling out to Stella; it was that kind of day... hot heats passion on a Louisiana work day.

Late Summer To Do's

Today, I had the chimney sweep come over to the house and clean the fireplace.  This same guy has been cleaning my fireplace for the  past 17 years.  He's known in the community as Handy's Chimney Sweep.  He inspects, re-mortars the inside and out of the fireplace, and does a very good thorough cleaning or sweeping of the fireplace.

Its very important to have these small things performed, if you own a fireplace and burn as much wood as I do.

Its just something about the smell of that smoke, on that first day of that crisp cool air in Louisiana.  It whiffs through the neighborhood.  As soon as one household does it, you can see someone else's fireplace puffing that smoke.... and so Fall comes to the Garden District here in Alexandria.

Also, the white shrimp are running in the Gulf, so today the shrimp man was on Albert Street, he had went to Big Lake early, early  this morning, down by way of Lake Charles to get some shrimp off the boat.  He was hawking them here, so I had to, had too, get me a few pounds, nothing like shrimp that swam in the Gulf last night to be bbq'd in the skillet tonight with a lil white wine, butter, and garlic.

So that's the late summer to do's  ... getting the fire place ready and celebrating the shrimp run.

July's End

Here in the Deep Deep South, we are headed towards the end of the month of July. With this in mind, we are getting close to the qualifying for the Fall 2014 Elections.  Here in Rapides Parish and the City we have the US Senator, Mayor, City Councilmen, District Attorney, few Police Jurors, and a few judgeships thrown in for good measure to vote on November 4, 2014.

So, yard signs are popping up, political debate is heating up, soon the airways will be one political ad after the other. Mail Flyers will be filling the mailboxes and anguish electors will be stomping the ground.

August will be a hot heats passion month with a lot of yak-yak and boasting.

Stay Tune!!!

We are in the middle of summer here in Central Louisiana.  The temps are running around 96 degrees with about 80% humidity. 

As we head towards Labor Day and the end of the official summer, August will be an important month, election qualifying is scheduled for August 20 thru 22nd, with the closing time of August 22nd at 430pm.  Its seems that everyone  is up for re-election this year,  number of judges, city council persons,  local District Attorney, and the Mayor.

Elections will be held on November 4th.  So, its going to be a Fall to remember and with the summer heat/humidity its going to be a hot one.

 My boss, the Mayor, is running for his third term. Young, Democrat, full of spirit, he will as always run a clean campaign and build from his base.

Made it back to Alexandria yesterday from San Antonio.  Doctor visit went ok.  We will put the biopsy off for a lil bit, he sees no reason at this time, wait till next spring.  I am fine with that, from the test results, everything is ok at the moment.

Chip rode with me over there to keep me company, its a 440 mile trek to SA from Alexandria, we go through the country side of East Texas, speed limits go from 55 mph in La to 75 mph on the same type of road, 2 lane, no shoulders.  Makes you wonder the rationale' behind the lower 55 mph in Louisiana.

We ate at John Besh's new restaurant on the River Walk in SA.  Its called Luke.  I had the braised lamb shoulder and we shared the tuna tartare.  I ate too much.

The Sister came to the Dr. office and visited with us while I waited.  She has been very supportive of me since the diagnosis five years ago.

Its good to be back home, maybe I will fish a lil bit this weekend.

Well, I haven't been on here lately.  I have been doing ok.  Paired my hours down with the City to about 20 hours a week, enough to keep my finger on the pulse and not give me too much stress about it.

As a person who has always been in the driver's seat, its somewhat hard to approach winding down the work load.  I am promising my self to begin to do more fishing and a lot more walking around the neighborhood.  I purchased myself a FitBit, have to see if it works.

I am heading to San Antonio next week to have my bi-annual checkup with my prostate cancer doctor.  Its a 400 mile road trip to see him.  It does get me out of Alexandria, tho.

Time Rolls On

Time Rolls On

As I am approaching the end of May of this year, I will have been with the City Govt for 6 years, which means my retirement ceremony  was 7 years in December.  Time Rolls On doesn't it.

My tenure with the City of Alexandria continues.

As with a lot of folks that I know, who have retired in the last few years or about the time of my retiring from the State, there is an uneasiness in our voices about what we are doing.

Its an unspoken uneasiness, but there is something there, this group I am speaking of, myself included, seems to have some hesitation in describing how they feel about where they are in Life, in General.

We can talk about trips, events, dinner parties, doctor appointments, grandchildren, passings of folks we have known. But in the voice of the  person, slightly detected, is that hesitation about how they really feel about what they are doing now.

Whether its cutting the grass or going to the second career job, we are not directed as we once where.

Most of us have worked our entire lives, beginning in high school or college, carrying on with our designated careers, achievements, etc.  Its that need to be directed I think is at the heart of the matter.

Directed....... for a purpose, way of life, working, leisure, anything.

Also, taking into account our age and where we are is difficult to sometimes come to grips or reality with.... As my sister has said, we are in the Last Quarter of the Game.... I just hope its a long quarter...maybe some overtime.

Just as Time Rolls On.... my thoughts roll on too.

Yesterday, I had oral surgery to remove the no. 14 molar.  The Good Dr. Levy put me way under, into the deep deep sleep, full anesthesia , with the big light and nurses hurrying around everywhere.  ..... A buzz of active.  The root cause of this taking of my molar was that the crown had broken and the tooth itself had become very infected.

When I awoke yesterday, I had 8 stitches in my upper jaw bone, semi lucid, and really not caring about the world in general.

Today, I have no pain, on 2000mg a day antibiotic for the next few days.  Hopefully this will all come to a happy ending.

No extracurricular activities for a 7 to 10 day period, don't want the dreaded dry socket.

All in all I did push my self where I should have taken it a lil bit easier today, but didn't... I am now in bed and headed shortly to the land of Nod.

Thought #775

It gets lonely some .... times, being a single, right at 60 year old gay male, in the semi rural setting of Central Louisiana.

Friends are always good to have, good friends are cherished.  But all in all, nothing really takes the place of a companion that understands you and you understand him.

Support, Emotional Nourishment, A Sense of Belonging .... so many small factors and keys to the puzzle of Life.

I have relegated myself,  to being alone for the most part, with a sprinkling of cherished good friends.

It's the best that this world has to provide or offer,  given my locale`, I could have, never would/should have, but could have, left this area of the state and went to the brighter lights of New Orleans, Baton Rouge, even Houston, early on in my career. But and there is always a .....But ....I chose to stay put, to become a part of the community of Central La....from which I have prospered, indeed, I have.... But.... the sacrifice that I made was to be in a small, somewhat fracture gay community where the only option to meet a man ...was that of the local gay bar (now closed), park cruise area, or a rest stop on the interstate.... except for the now closed gay bar, none did I take partake in.

I just needed to write down tonight my thoughts........ just so I could have a clearer picture.

Its April in Louisiana, we should have been eating crawfish by mid March. However, the cold weather, unseasonable cold weather, put the brakes on the crawfish production.

2014, is the year of the elections also, Mayor, City Council, US Senator, Congressmen, State District Judges, District Attorney.

So, the stage is set, here comes the mud bugs on Saturday, first big political fund raiser to attend for the year.  Admission is $250 per couple.  Better get my fill of mud bugs for that price......LOL

Today, I placed on Facebook a photo of my Momma, she passed on March 31, 2001 at the age of 80 years old.

Here is the quote I noted on Facebook:


Today, I remember my Momma, her passing from this Earth, March 31, 2001. Wilma Ruth "Dink" Sumrall Thompson. The photograph of her, here, was taken during her service to our country, in WWII. She rose to the rank of Buck Sargent, Women's Air Corp. She raised her 3 children, who have all prospered, in so many ways. She was always proud of her "brood". Her guidance and no non sense ways, have molded us to become the adults we are now, successful, independent, resourceful. Thanks to you Momma.

In 1962, she had only been married ten years, when her husband, my father, passed away.  She assumed responsibility for  3 children (ages 8 to 3), 800 acres, medium size herd of cows, and she also had the lives and responsibility of having 17 African American families still living on the place.   She was 42 at the time.  At that time, she made a decision to devote her Self to her children, the land of her husband's, and the nurturing of those families, to get them to a better standard of living and a transition to a more urban setting.

She never remarried, dedicated to her children and work.

A rough day in our lil city by the Red River.  City Politics can be hard sometimes, vetting the objectives of one section to another;  a  demand and the outcome to an entire workforce.  So many moving parts, trying to hold it in some form or fashion together.  It is much like holding a bowl of jello in your hands, taken from the security of the bowl, to be placed in your hands, to be told by your momma not to spill or let it slide off to the floor.

So, are the challenges of managing a stable of wild horses, stallions and mares, all head strong to go in their own directions, with their desires. All Horses, All with a true sense of purpose.

Saturday Morning, Central Louisiana, Rapides Parish:

The weather is beginning to become warmer, there is still a chill in the air, but today's high will be 73 degrees.  Fish should be starting to bite at Valentine Lake. I put a rack back on one of the trucks yesterday to accommodate toting a kayak around.

The Ex, still continues to text me, but I don't answer.  He should, hopefully, disappear soon.

Work was very hectic lately, more than my 30 hours I contracted for.  However, I promised myself that I would be back in the gym by end of March. I signed up for a gym near my home and plan to ride the bike there to help with the cardio.

Spring time is coming to Central Louisiana quickly.  This year I am glad it is.  This winter has been rough, raw, and way to cold for this body.  If I get out and about tomorrow, I will post some photos.

Well I usually don't air my business on web or in public, but I just had to write down the crazy events that was happening with my ex., as posted in the last writing.

On to better things, the water oaks and winged elms here on A Street are budding out, on Friday it was noticed that they had leaf buds on them.  Today, sitting on the back deck, Bradly commented that the trees where in full bud.

So.... what's next..... Pollen Season !!!!! Leaf buds bring flowers, that makes pollen... here comes the yellow stuff for a month of so...

Many, Many years ago, 1989, I met a man, call him J, in a turbulent time in my life.  I was divorcing my wife, leaving my home and venturing out into the unknown and gay life.

We met, became lovers, started a home, cat/dog, house etc.  J graduates from LSU in Landscape Architecture.  Then in 1992 our paths took a very different approach, eventually his career called him to Houston Tx, mine of the other hand called me to Alexandria, La.

During this period, we struggled with maintaining a relationship, since I went first to Alex, he was in Baton Rouge.  After some time went by, it was determined by both of us, through a very painful awareness that we could not be together and we said our good byes and parted ways.

His career and ramblings took him to Houston, then to Washington DC and in and around the DC/Maryland area.  Off and on we keep in contact with each other. In mid 2005, after he had had several lovers, contact was made again.  We talked about moving him back to live with me and but he was involved in a dysfunctional relationship that was not ending well, as all the others of his relationships,  since our departure had not ended well.  I offered to help him out. during that time it became very apparent to me that I had made a mistake in offering to help him move back.  I, in turn, contacted him, felt his rage, apologized for my error and went on my way.... with the guilt that I had cause a "hurt" of emotions for him.

Years passed, then, in 2011, through some mutual contacts, J again, crossed my path and I received his contact information.  We began to communicate again.  He very strongly  told me how much hurt I had cause him  in 2005, I was willing at the time to accept some of the blame, so to speak; for some reason I wanted to maintain a contact friendship.

During this time, I sent him some money to pay for his health insurance, since him and his lover at the time was on "hard times".  As the recent years passed, we arrive at the year 2013. During 2013, J's lover passes away (4th lover).   In should be noted: This lover was very abusive to J went they where together, I must say from all accounts that J passed on to me;  Physically and mentally.

As 2013 draws to a close, J, having no family up in the DC/Maryland area, makes the decision to return to Louisiana. His first plans are to move to New Orleans, take a small apartment and gather odd jobs to make a living.  (Note: During his time up on the East Coast, J, finds disgust with his career and leaves  the landscape design business and becomes a barber. However, he is not licensed to cut hair in La.)

Also, somewhere along the way J is awarded a check,  SSI, due to some mental instability.  Not sure how that works, but he is receiving that.

His plans to move to New Orleans become untwined and he moves in with his sister, in rural southeast La.  We make contact again, thru social media.  We speak of meeting and sharing life stories, with no expectations.  It was decided that I would pick him up and he would spend a weekend with me.

So, if you have followed the story to this part, My position in my career is very demanding and very fluid. Our means of communication has been only  by text message, since phone service where he is staying,  in rural southeast La, is spotty at best. J get very annoyed that in a 42 hour period I have not made contact with him on picking him up and spending the weekend with me.  He states he feels abandoned by me again, he begins his tirade of text messaging, saying I let him down again, He knew this was coming etc etc etc.

I try to explain to J, through text messaging, that my job is very demanding ( I have 500 employees), and but to hold on, we would met soon.  J takes the approach that I have snuffed him once, twice and I am doing it again in "breaking my promises" to him, in getting together with him.

I have to say, that I feel terrible about the whole matter, however, J is not taking into consideration that we are 150 miles apart, I will have to drive to pick him up and bring him back. Since he sold his only means of transportation, a car, back up in the DC area.

I can now see so many signs of dysfunction on his part, why he is receiving an SSI check and his mental state is so fragile.

My dilemma is whether I should try to even communicate with him more and reason with him.  His text messages are tirades of accusatory findings on his part about my not trying to meet with him and his thinking I have broken promises.....

I had to put this down somewhere, so I could write and think about the matter  from a written  point of view.

We have our third major weather event today.  Ice Storm.  Its cold, but weather.com is predicting we will be in the high 60s or even 70 on Sunday.

If so, kayaking will be done on Iatt Lake.  !!!!!!!

All is good with the health too..back to normal.

Tonight I am suffering from prostatitis
 .. .. inflamed prostate... This has been an off again on again matter that flares up every six to 8 months, since my biopsy of November 2011, which I was placed in the hospital in San Antonio due to a severe reaction to a biopsy that when bad.  So, tonight, I have 100.9 fever, it could climb, but I am not on the Doxcycline  for the next 14 days..  It is one thing that has taught me to be aware of, my body, and how I handle myself.  Again, today, this rings true....

Well I hope that the worst is over with, we had four days of snow, sleet, and ice here in Alexandria.  After the first day, it became quickly no fun. Here is Murray Street, in Alexandria, looking toward the  Interstate.  Hopefully we have had the worst days of winter 2013- 2014 behind us for the the first part of the year.

Here is the Courthouse, the snow, sleet, and ice shut down the Parish's operations for four days.  I can say that the City of Alexandria, though, continued to operate fully.  Just the differences in the two govts. and leadership at the helm of each.

Snow Days in Alexandria, it was 110 years ago yesterday and today (1904) that it snowed in Alexandria.  Some of the homes here in the Garden District were here and saw the snow.  All you can do is hunker down, drink a lil wine, have some coffee and cook a good meal.

Today, I joined another gym in town.  It's called Don Fields Gym, their motto, is  "Built by Don Fields".

This gym is closer to the house, I can bike after the weather gets better.

Its all new equipment, this is the second location of Mr. Fields' Gym.

Let's hope I get committed Again!!!

Various Topics

It's Sunday morning here in Alexandria, La.  Not much going on, but my body is telling me to get some more physical activities i.e. biking, going back to the gym, etc...

Life here, for a gay man, living in a Louisiana Mid Size City and with close proximity to  rural Louisiana, can have its challenges and rewards.  Surprisingly, the attitudes of the local population is fairly tolerant and progressive in many ways.  However, venture into the country, 15 miles out of town, and the generosity of social change is minimal.

Work is progressing, my work schedule is very pretty good these days, working 30 hours a week, making up my own schedule most of the times is the best way.  I don't feel the pressure as I did when I was full time and had all those responsibilities.  Shedding those duties has been good for me. Continuing my support of City Hall is rewarding and provides me with just enough work time.

First Ride of 2014, back on the bike after a very long time off of it due to a fall in the early Fall of 2013.

I only clock 6 miles in an hour, very slow time, usually I would clock about 10 to 12 miles in an hour on the mountain bike... I was very slow.  But the good thing about it all I am back on the mtn bike and in time, will be back to my old pace.... hope so.

It's Cold Here, 19 degrees this morning on the back porch, not the sub tropical climate I know of Louisiana, even at this time of year.  It  is usually nights in the mid 30s or 40's.  Not 19 degrees .....

On to better weather!!!!

I received a telephone call yesterday, from an old friend, who for one reason or the other hasn't communicated with me in a very long time.  He reached out yesterday and invited me to come to his and his partner's home to have cabbage rolls and black-eyed peas.

In the sense of friendship, I accepted.

Let's start off the New Year on a good note!!!