Christmas.. 2019..... and the End of a Decade

Today as the sun sets on the Red River we will almost close out a Decade of events..... I will have been retired from the Corrections Career almost 11 years.  Amazing how Time goes Faster and Faster Now.... That you read the Obits to see who has passed onto their Just Rewards.

Christmas here in the Lil City by the Red, is for returning family, of sisters and brothers from the far reaches of the USA, they are coming home to see Daddies and Mommas, etc... These Gay Brothers, these Lesbian Sisters... Later this afternoon, a blood family grows old and tired.... they usually migrate to the front porch of the Camp on the Red Bricks.... its an annual migration that last only fo.r a few hours.... I get to see all who came Home.

Also, its been an expectational, robust, meaningful period in my life... I have had a few setbacks, met a few crossroads, excelled in old categories from past employment of 40 years ago.... but all in all.. I am better off now.... than I was a decade ago... Time Marches On

My friendships seem to have taken on a in depth, deeper connection.  I have had friendships that have not held the test of time, they have fallen by the wayside.... However, the friendships that have endure, through thick and thin.... are closer, more connected than Ever.....

The Circle of friends has or is tighter, the ties that bind are more connective, the emotions that flow are genuine  and true..

2020 is on the horizon....... !!!!!

Yep... !!!!

Its been foggy each morning, heavy dew, about 48 degrees,.... Yep the long winter is here.... hopefully we have a mild one this year... nothing in the teens.... Louisiana is not prepared as the northern or western part of this Country.....

We are in the semi tropics..... For sure with the Global Warming.. or what ever is taking place in the upper stratosphere .....

The oranges, satsumas, and kumquats are making a lot of fruit this year..... I think it happens to be some type of effect on the statement above... I have been given more satsumas and oranges this year .. everybody has a bumper crop... and my Kumquat tree is loaded...


We are heading into the next three weeks of slow slow government ... on the local level that is....

But its will be ok....... time will roll on in about 16 days... and Yep... at this time everybody is fairly happy.

Sunday.. ....... Just a Nice Day

Yesterday.... Sunday.... was the Feast of the Immaculate Conception ....

At 632am CST I was born... in the Red Stick.....  to at that time considered older folks for having a child....

Its been a Journey.... and if you follow this blog ... You understand there has been Ups Downs and All Abounds...

My intentions were to go to Church  down the street for 8am Mass.... it didn't work out that way......

I laid in bed and gave it a deep thought for 5 minutes.... jumped out of bed... and text the seven neighbors that are the most close to me... two couples  of gay women, one str8 woman and one couple of gay men... .....

I told them to be at my home... for 945am and I would lay out Brunch...  Moet Chandon Nectar Imperial...home made sausage and biscuts..  and no orange juice.. please.

So, I cooked Brunch for Seven of my Close Friends... Giving back to Them on my Birthday.. for the Friendship that abounds on our Brick Street, here in the Lil'  City by the Red..

It's Late Tonight.... but I must write !!!!

I worked late today at the courthouse... it was a long day.... we had a CLE for our attorneys and other matters as usual were in play ..... just the common business of public service...........

As I pulled into my driveway here at the house.... a car drove up to the curb at the house.... I glanced into its direction... I saw the N on the plate which meant it was a rental....

C's father had told me in a conversation earlier in the week, when the father called for some advise..which I gave ... saying that C needed long term treatment and help.... that C had a rental car....

My heart begin to beat.. I knew it must be C... it was a split second .... I got out of the truck... and headed for my porch and front door.... C came up immediately ... and said Hey Tom.. I want to talk....

I knew at that moment, I had to make the decision .... was I to unlock the door and walk in or just sit down on the swing..... I was Not going to let C into my home....

It was a brief, but intense conversation ... C was high as a kite..he was rambling and spewing negative comments ...etc... I knew that I had to focus on several things.....

Keep C on the porch.. do not unlock my door...
Tell him that his troubles was His.... not mine.. not his father's
!...that I was in Therapy.. that I had no intention for any communication with Him.... Period.

I stuck to my beliefs ,,,, my therapy.... what it has taught me.. how I have developed and evolved.. !

C rambled ...Spewed a lot of Negative Chatter.... I told him he would not be allowed in my home... that He needed treatment and help... and he needed to resolve his Own Issues......

It was a very taxing 15 minute encounter.... C left in a huff... I then unlocked my door...and called some close neighbors....

I hope he doesn't return....  It's hard to see him so addicted... his wonderful mind is being eroded by substances...

It has been over 18 months since I last saw C... and he was High then.. as he was this late afternoon.

For someone You have loved.....and Still have deep deep emotions for.. But I had to say No...

No Today and No forEver.. ...  The End.

Its better to have to say No sometimes....

Yesterday I heard from my ex's father.....

The ex, the last man I dated for any length of time, was C... he was the attorney, Harvard and Yale.. Smart as any person I had ever met.

He also had his addiction.... which .. I won't go back over those episodes .... but enough was enough... it almost .... well let's just say ... I am better off now.... By My Self...

Yesterday.... C's father tried to reach me, since I don't answer my phone if I don't have the number listed in my phone book.. I didn't answer the call.... and I don't have voicemail on my cell phone..

I receive a text today from that number and the text was signed B.  ... that's C's father first letter of his first name...

I called him after I received his text..... C had fallen off the wagon again and so on and so on and so on.......

I had to tell C's father that ... he should get his son to some treatment centers, gave him some centers that I have found to be successful... ... but I didn't offer him any other words of encouragement ... there was no need... C's father and I have had many discussions.. C needs long term treatment... his brilliant mind will soon be mush if he doesn't get some help.... but (and there is always a but) C won't he thinks of his self as a brilliant person who can do it on his own...

and No I don't want to see or have any contact with C

O well.... I have a schedule session with my therapist and I am sure these lil' events will take up some of the time...

I'm ok.... and writing about it helps.... and I am very proud of where I am at this moment in time....

On Sunday I begin the trek or  slide to 70.... it will take a few years to get there.. But (and there is always a but) .... I hope to see 70... and hope to be fit and spry .. to still ride my mountain bike.. and beat a pack of 30 somethings on a downhill run... on the trails...

Monday All Day

Its Just Monday...........

That's about it

Quiet Day........... Yesterday and Today..

Well.... yesterday, I biked up and down the street, made a few stops, champagne, the Honorable bird was smoked, brined, fried in several homes... and ended the day around 730pm to watch the Crown on Netflix... asleep by 9pm.....


It was one of more sedate TGs' that was on the Bricks in the Lil' City by the Red...

Not much going on......


I did a TRX workout, I thought I better start soon Again... ... Yes Again.. cause the trousers are getting a lil snug in the waist...

Other than that it was not an eventful day... it was sort of balmy weather yesterday... and today hit a high of 79 degrees.....

I am biking this afternoon also.... just to get back in the routine...

The wine flowed, the Food was soo good... the Cooks on the street are really making a splash ..

Tomorrow I will venture out to the Farmers' Market and see if I can find a few fresh veggies..

I'm thinking of a shrimp/spaghetti later in the weekend....  and some greens

The Canadians

The Canadians have landed in the Lil City by the Red..


We have three, living with American Partners either as wives or husband.  Two are of the Great Fraternity and Sorority ...one is straight..

They all have their different take on our lil culture here... one is from Montreal, one from Toronto, and one from Vancouver.

They all live on or near each other and only about at the most three blocks from The Camp....

Its been interesting to hear over the past year or so their "take" their opinions of our lil slice of Southern Life.....

They all for the most part enjoy the interaction with everyone here on the Red Bricks of the Garden District.

But what all three really like is the climate..... actually... hard to imagine someone likes to sweat in 100 percent humidity and at 98 degrees with the Sun shining... but they all say its only for 100 days... the rest of the time... its always an incredible Spring Fall Winter.. and not much Winter..

The other difference is they all have commented on folks up North do engage folks that they don't know... the example always given if there four folks waiting for the bus at a stop... up North everyone stands apart... no interaction.... here everyone is saying something..

Well we are very glad to have our Canadians down here in the Deep Deep South.

The Election

On November 16th the State of Louisiana barely came to its senses.

We re-elected John Bel Edwards. Yes Sir..... we sure did.... It was one of the most narrowest margins in the last 100 years.

Edwards 774498   (Democrat)

Rispone 734286   (Republican)

Then in our Sheriff's race here in the Parish, the man I was supporting won also by a slim margin.

Woods          21973  (Democrat)

Cloessner    21230   (Independent)


I was very relieved that my State pulled ahead and stood it's ground among the Southern Wave of Trumpers.....

The Honorable Expression

As we as Adults become our parents' generation, we sometimes have to step up to the plate and make an honorable expression of condolences to our old friends, who we have not seen for 30+ years as their parents pass away.


I had to debate with my self yesterday, whether to call a childhood friend, who just lost his Daddy, Mr. Jack was 90 years old.  Why the debate with my self........ Years and Years ago, My Brother, Mike, and My Self all stood in our weddings, we rotated as best man or first groomsman.  That was 43 years ago.

Over the ensuing years My Brother and Mike remained close, I moved away, came out, and with certainty Mike moved away from any contact with me.  I am sure it was somewhat due to the distance, but also I wasn't married too long before I flung the door open and stepped out the Closet.

Mike being conservative, hard worker, family man, root of the Deep Deep South, I felt certain he wouldn't respond  any way to meet me on middle ground to continue the friendship...

My Dear Brother called yesterday to say the Mr. Jack had passed away that morning, he wanted to know if I would like Mike's number to express my condolences, I pondered for a few seconds, said give it to me, let me decide.

This morning at the office, I telephoned Mike, and express my deep condolences for the man who took me hunting in North La., for the man that I had known so many, many years ago........

I made the Honorable Expression to an old distant friend.........The Honorable Presentation.

Thoughts, Memories ....... to Talk About........

I am not sure where to begin this post.....

Its Veterans' Day on Monday, the Courthouse is closed... Government shuts down....

I am sure I will write something on Veterans' Day.. ..

But my mind is not focused on that Today....

Over the last 24 hours, I have watched from a distance how life decisions for pleasure impact lives of Gay Men..... Gay Men that I have never had supper with, but Gay Men who Eight Months ago, were in my bed... Those Gay Men.... continued on the wrong path .... that path that I chose not to Walk..

Certainly the temptations of the past were out there this weekend... I just had the good sense not to Go walk that Path.... My Therapy kicked in.... I fought that lil' demon, not to be With the Leeches..

One man, handsome Man, intelligent Man..... walked that Path .... He is now in Jail... ruined his budding career as a Military Officer.... he is still in Jail..... short moment ... fatal mistake, miscalculation of Judgment.... and the Quest for Pleasure... that ended with him and a Leech, Blood Sucker, got caught.... I am sure the Leech set the Man up... in someway to mitigate his own criminal career.

Thanks to my Therapy... and having the good sense to say No.... and not allowing the above mentioned folks back into my life..


On Friday,  the wonderful Gay Women Couple down the street held a champagne social for the new Sheriff candidate and his wife... We hope he becomes Sheriff... He's a nice guy  and he lives out in the Country in the Parish...  Seeing a Politician among some many Gay Folks and him hugging everyone, makes me feel that our Lil' City by the Red, is progressive. It more than like not a felt type out in the Country Side..... the Parish population is mostly Trumpers.. but inside our lil' section of Life.. is progressive and Its good to see folks coming in to ask for our Vote.


Turning to another subject, certainly not so serious.... Its Sunday Morning here in the Lil' City by the Red... on the Red Bricks......   Yesterday as it happens each year, we have organized "runs" in the Garden District here.... folks like to run on the Bricks.. maybe not really, but the large trees, unique homes, and neighbors come out to hoop-holler-cheer the runners on... its an active part of why we live where we live on the Bricks...




As we harken back to Memories..... I attended a LSU Football Party yesterday afternoon, it was a gathering of folks that are a lil' bit younger, most in their late 40s say 48 49 and a couple of 50 year olds and the supporting wives, kids, etc... Most of the Kids are not kids, they all are in college...

Its a time for me to remember that I am very accepted as an Out Gay Man, living among such Conservative Folks, the men greet me with a firm hand shake and shoulder bump, followed by a hug.. and a warm kiss by their wives... For me, this acceptance goes so much to my mental health and how I feel about living here in the Lil' City by the Red......

I am loved by these folks... and I love them back.....


Here is a photo of the runners yesterday on the Red Bricks

Early Early.......

This morning I awoke around 4am.... good night sleep, cause I was in Bed by 830pm

I am sitting here reading the WSJ, Blogs, and remembering those cool crisp Fall days back in the Land of my Birth..... of Geese Flying the Creek.. honking as they go South to the rice field of South Louisiana...

Of my Brother, climbing out of bed, headed to the deer stand....

Of my Momma.... in the kitchen with coffee and cat headed biscuits .... honey from the old cherry tree down by the creek, of calm days.... and hot fires in the fireplace to sear those pajamas pants..

Memories .... Good Ones.... sometimes are hard to find... if you let yourself wander in the the deep abyss

This morning I will make my rounds .... talk to friends, pay the hardware store bill.... and stop at Hokus Pokus.....

Might even wing it and go to Farm Market downtown.

All Saints Day......

The Courthouse is Closed....

Its All Saints Day...... better go wash a grave and/or clean a grave or do good deeds.....

I, did the latter, ... I made the pilgrimage to the Lower Country... down to Avoyelles Parish... to the Dugas Farm..... loaded my self 12 crates of Beauregard Sweet Potatoes and delivered them to friends here in the Garden District....

Yep.... made the effort to go down there and pick 'em up and brought them back... now.... I didn't exactly give them away.. cause at 15 bucks a crate.. reimbursement was forthcoming.. I just provided the service and got out on a brisk Fall Day and left the Lil City by the Red... for some Fresh Air... and thinking... slow ride down and a slow ride back up......

The Camp...... The Refuge

Years and Years Ago...............

The Pipes Family had a farm near in the neighboring Parish.... It was named The Refuge.....

I think back to those times...... of Anna Lou, Dottie, the comings and goings of the past.....

Of the community that surrounded Places that we lived and truly enjoyed the expanse of our lands...

For the last almost 25 years .... I have had that feeling of security, of presence, of being safe and in my Being...... here on the Brick Street of the Lil City by the Red.......

Tonight was one of those rainy, damp, humid but (and there is always a but) firmness in the air...

I walked outside and came back in, grabbed the camera.... ...... ....... ...........

I felt The Refuge.... I felt the Safe Secure Home I have been in for these almost 25 years,,, this Bungalow ... this home built in 1923..... and ... Me.... being only the Second Owner.... unheard of these days.....

Tonight for some reason..... I was overcome with the Joy of My Solitude............

In my Home.... known locally as The Camp.....

Its Wednesday Evening

Wednesday Wednesday........



Today, work was good..... I completed a letter to the Pardon Board with an objection for the Boss to sign...

I usually don't really discuss work here, but today I want to for some reason.... I was sitting at the old oak table in the Clerk's office going over a file of a murder that occurred in 1974, one of my assignments is to write for the Boss recommendations of offenders who have committed  murders and crimes of violence, for those offenders who are applying for Pardons, Commutations of Sentences, Clemency, Paroles.

I was there on that old oak table researching a file of a murder that was committed by two guys in 1974... one of the offenders is dead, the other was applying for a commutation of sentence.  My assignment is to research and write the correspondence to the Board of Pardons or Board of Paroles for my Boss.

The research that I do, the recommendation that I write for his signature has a lot of weight in the determination on the offender and what the outcome will be from the respective Board.

As I was there thinking.... I am back to doing what I was first hired to do, make recommendations, base on facts, human errors, human past behaviors, and other factors.. . so many years ago.. actually I began my Corrections career in 1978... as a Classification Officer.. so many years ago.. and here I am now performing the same task that I learn way back then.  I have sort of come full circle in my working career...

I was reading a file of this murder that happened to "an old helpless man"; those words were written by the DA at that time to the Pardon Board in 1981 when one of the offenders applied for a Pardon.

Most, almost all parties in that file are now deceased... history of the Judicial System was in front of me.. and those words spoke to be again.... "an old helpless man" .... the only man standing is the offender who is seeking a commutation of sentence.

The facts hit me.... this old man... died at the hands of another man.. who didn't know him, just because the offender... needed money and the old man was known to have "coins" in his home.

The reading of the file, which was many, many pages, brought me back to a time when the Parish was very rural, life was very simple... it harken to a time when some folks didn't have running water in their homes, that walkin' to the store was a 7 mile adventure and took all day...

So the thoughts just poured through me today... I was remembering my early days in Corrections, now I am back....

Its Wednesday Evening in the Lil City by the Red.... I am glad I am alive... I am proud of my career.. I am thinking about that "old helpless man"... his last moments on this earth... and the crack of the pistol that ended his life, by a man that just wanted a few "coins" to buy liquor with.

Home .... Its where I am

On Monday, I had my exam and received my cupcake with one candle.

The cupcake is my 10 year celebration of my entering the MARC Urology Program at University of Texas Health Sciences.  MARC is their research arm located in San Antonio.

I began my journey there in September 2009, when I was diagnosed with prostate cancer and did a self referral by the suggestion of a family member.

Ten Years.... of poking, prodding, biopsies, and a lil of that and a lil of this, ....  No Focal Lesions etc was news this time.

Its a 452 mile drive one way, in the last few years I have broken it up on a two day trip over, stopping in Houston for supper with friends. But (and there is always a but) then on the exam day a jump off the table, quick shower, in the truck and a drive home in one day..  It is usually a seven  and half to eight hour drive through the countryside, I don't take any of the Interstate till the last 25 miles at San Antonio.... Texas back roads are usually 70 to 75 miles an hour.  It takes me about 55 minutes to get from the Lil City by the Red to the Louisiana/Texas State Line at Burr' Ferry on the Sabine River.

I usually ride by myself, its time for me to think about Life, and just be quiet with the radio.. However, this time Lisa rode with me, cause her girlfriend lives in SA.

I think riding by one's self provides for clearer thoughts and a frank conversation with your self.. Ain't no one but You to hear what You say...

I am Thankful to the wisdom of my Doctor in SA, Thankful for the Higher Power and Spirit that is keeping me around this long and hopefully a lil bit longer.

Well its been Three Days of Feast....

Friday Evening at the Liberty Kitchen at the Tree House on Memorial Drive, Houston TX as a delight beyond description......

A Spanish Seafood Stew, complete with light tomato broth, heavy on the Saffaron ....  a a crushy bread....

Then at my old haunt in San Antonio, the always extreme fresh Wasibi Sushi....

With the Cucumber Roll, no rice, just veggies fresh from the oraganic gardens...and Tuna still flippin' its tail...... Last Night upon arrival here

Today, I had lunch with a nephew once removed.. actually second cousin.. he is here at Trinity College in San Antonio.... we had brunch at LaFonda's on Main. in San Antonio... such a great neighborhood and local eatery....  ..... Here is Spinach Enchilada's totally Organic .. so good.. not meat...

Tomorrow its the bi annual check up and then that 452 mile drive home.... but I can relish the three dishes for sure....

Tomorrow...... Road Trip Friday Afternoon

Tomorrow... Its a Friday road trip, half of the trip tomorrow and the other half on Saturday morning....

In the morning, Friday, I will be photographing for the Boss at the Senior Citizens' Day at the Parish Fair...then on the road by 2pm to Houston...

At 2pm its  off to Houston tomorrow afternoon, staying at the Omni Westside near Katy, eating at the Liberty Kitchen at the TreeHouse on Memorial. Reservations at 8pm...

Then on Saturday morning making the rest of the trip to San Antonio for the Fall Check Up on the Prostate.... my PSA remains fairly low, 1.1 which is a fairly good score, being I still have the small walnut inside of me. I will drop my dear Lisa off by her Love's home in SA

Over the past ten years I have gone alone to SA, twice a year.  This is only the second time I am having someone go with me..... Lisa, the dear lesbian friend, is riding along.  Her girlfriend lives in SA... its one of those long distance affairs.... Hmmm is all I can say.

I usually leave on Sunday, drive to SA, have the appointment on Monday, drive home the same day.... however, due to the romantic affair of my dear dear friend, I am splitting the trip up.  So, if I am doing it... you might as well enjoy it.... Liberty Kitchen has three locations in H Town... they are known for the freshest seafood and culinary delights... Have to see....

When I am in SA on Saturday night, I will be alone, since Ms. Thing will be dripping the pussy licks with her Love.... Wasbi Sushi ... is on my Saturday evening Supper schedule... its near my hotel the Omni at the Colonnade in SA.

Sunday Brunch........ is yet to be determined.. I sort of would like La Fonda's for Brunch..


Then on Monday... its poked  and probed by the Good Doctor Hernandez and his team of young aspiring interns.... maybe they will have nice fingers.. review of blood work, and chat chat on what is going on with me....

Monday... its the usual drive back with a late afternoon lunch at What A Burger somewhere on the Road.... and home by 8pm Monday Evening...

See y'all Soon..........

Sunday Morning.........

Sunday Morning almost  Eight....

Got up this morning feeling better than I have in a good while, still nasally but do deep deep hack or cough..... This shit knocked me back.....

Next  Saturday I will be in SA to see another Good Doctor for the  finger insertion, reading of the PSAs, etc......... hopefully another six month of good reports.  I have to remind my self this is my tenth year of going to SA to see the Good Doctors of the University of Texas Health Sciences ....

But yesterday, I allowed my self to haul a few neighbors around on my morning rounds, hardware store, meat market, and the ever popular Hokus Pokus.

We ended up at a Mexican Cafe, Mi Terraa, and drank the afternoon away.... 2 for one....with heavy  beans, rice, and a Lil grilled chicken.....

On the way back to the Garden District I saw some Spider Lilies ( Lycoris radiata) in full bloom by the side walk of the Red Bricks.......

Here are them..................  its Spider Lily time .....Which means Fall is about to breeze into the Deep Deep South.......

Home

I'm home today, somewhat sick, the good doctor said I had a touch of streptococcal pneumonia.

Friday, last Friday, I had a staff member in my office reviewing files, he hacked, coughed, his head off for two hours and decided to go home.

Saturday I woke up and wasn't feeling to chipper, by Sunday it was all going down the drain... I had acquired something, called the good doctor, she saw that I got my it all cultured, and got some antibiotics in me... Well I thought fine, off to work on Monday, part of the day on Tuesday...

It put me here in the bed now here on Wednesday....  I'm better, no coughing or hacking up Rust colored phlegm anymore..... .. Good Doctor said Rust Colored Phlegm is the tell tale sign to Strep Pneumonia

O... O it's Friday........

Well....... I have to say this has been one of the more productive weeks in my time here with the Biggy Boss...at the Courthouse.....

Things are fairly good ........

This weekend, I seem to be the only one in town..... the Lesbians,  most of them are out of town in New Orleans but they are all not running in a pack, so I am sure they will all have a tale or two once they get back to the Lil City by the Red......

There is a new gay doctor in town, according the the drums and smoke signals.. he is making a splash at the gym and is a talkative fellow....I hear he has a bf, but he loves to socialize and maybe an invitation to the front porch of the The Camp might be appropriate at some point in time.  He's met many of my attorney friends and they all have said they want to bring him by.... well lets see how shy the new doctor is...... Step on up to the Porch Son.

I will make the usual rounds tomorrow, hardware store, meat market, Hokus Pokus, and the such...

But before the rounds, I have to stop at St. James at 7am, my former vestry member and I are roasting 100 pounds of Bratwurst for the Church's Oktoberfest on Saturday night... its shouldn't take long... ......  I'm bringing the Bloody Marys

Sunday .....

Sunday Morning ..................

The BP was at 123/68 .... that's the news.... Thanks to the mountain bike 29incher Specialized Dual Suspension .....  

Ride..... That's all I can Say...

The News .... the stomach is having issues... I won't go into the details... but things are loose....

The Shingrix shot comes in two stages, I took the first stage 4 months ago, took the second one this past Sunday....  My immune system as you know is somewhat of a mangle.. and I just mangle it up a Lil bit more .. the second shot did it...

Would I get the shot again..... Yes Sir... You better..... have you seen someone with shingles..... You don't.... 

So for a Lil discomfort.. .... I would take it for Sure Again.... 


Just drink a couple of probiotics

BP.... and it Aint British Petro

My BP is certainly a lil' bit out of whack at the moment....

Every time it gets that way... even with the BP meds... something else is missing.......


I know exactly what it is.... Exercise ... Biking.... Pedaling that 29incher up and down the Levees and on the Red Bricks of the Garden District...

I haven't been Exercising ...Nope... and it showed this weekend.... 148/109.... after meds and a vigorous bike ride it dropped within an 2 hour period to 134/86 and a resting heart rate in four hours of 54..

Its back to the Mtn Bike... chugging along, got to build my pace back up... ....


Just a few notes from the Red Brick Streets of the Lil' City by the Red.

O Me O My

Well..... not that I am whining .... but (and there is always a but)

My house keeper moved to New Orleans to have a begin a career with the Office of State Health....

In the last 20 years, I have had only three house keepers, all male, all gay, and never once was there in motive... they do a better job than a Lady, they are more attuned to detail, and they do arrange the family photos well.

Also you don't have to explain if a toy falls under the bed .......

So, I am back to doing Saturday Household chores.... damn I have been lucky.... I went to the Vac Shack this morning, got bags for the vacuum cleaner, etc.......

Vacuumed the house, cleaned the stove, washed three loads of clothes....... about to mop the kitchen, dusted the furniture, and I guess... I guess I will change the bedsheets but it wont be like the housekeepers did..... all three made military type tight sheets...

O Well..... it was good for the last twenty years and my Momma did teach me correctly about mopping.... I can do it....

A lil break maybe...... where's the champagne and a flute........

Friday... O Yes... Its Friday

The Political Season is upon us here in the Semi Tropic Republic of Louisz....Anna.



The temp (today was 101)  does bemoan what is going on under the surface..... friendships are being formed as alliances .... the mail outs, those political attack card have not surfaced just yet...

The Election will happen on October 12th, a Saturday, ... Governor, Lt Governor, State Senators, State Reps, and a host of local political heads ........ Sheriff, Police Jurors (its the French system still down here),  City Councilman, etc.....

I am headed out this evening to go to a fund raiser for my neighbor and fellow Brick Street Resident, Tom. Tom lives down the two blocks from me, he is running as an Independent, in a seas of Democrats, he is up against the odds.  The Police Juror District that he is running in is primarily African American, Tom is Caucasian.

The incumbent has been there for 16 years and is in his late 70s.  He is a product of the old system which involved patronage, etc...........

The other candidates for this same position are two very nice folks, so its a Gang of Four, with Tom as the lone Independent, the other three including the incumbent are Democrats.

I'm casting my vote for Tom, he is my close neighbor and he could be a force of change if he captures enough votes to force someone into a run off....


The Heat is here, today is 101, Saturday and Sunday is predicted to be 101 and 103 respectively.

The Heat befits the Political Season....... Its getting Hot

Wednesday

Yesterday was Wednesday


Not quite an astonishing fact but .... it was the middle of the week, second day pass Labor Day.... and so on............

Last night, St James installed a new Priest, he is from the South, first one we have had in a long time since Father Fred retired.

The reception for all the clergy and parishioners went well....  after two and half cases of wine, twenty pounds of smoke meat, various crab and shrimp dips, assorted veggie trays.... the gathering and celebration lasted till about 10pm....

I was the bartender, as it falls on me, to be the conversationalist,and pour'r  of the spirits...at St James....  

By all reports from this morning, all had a wonderful time, made it home without incident and rose this morning... maybe some what stiff but rose and awake.


Here is St James with some fireworks in the background... St James also celebrated its 175th Year in the Lil City by the Red, this month, now we have Father Tim.

It's Been a While..............

It's Been a While..............

Yes Sir..... it has....................

The Dog Days of Summer for the Deep Deep South are  here....... Labor Day is about Gone.....

The Returning Hordes, are traveling back to Dallas, on the Interstate from the Big Easy.... Sweatin, Stinkin, they have  raised their plastic cups many times..... the bars were packed .... the Music bumped, bumped, and grunted into the Night.... Sunday Tea.... came and went......

I have to say that I am glad not to have been a part of the Masses..... of Southern Decadence... but to the Youth, to the Middle Aged Daddies chasing the proverbial Youngness...... More Power to Ya...

The Quietness of the Garden District beckoned me to stay put, not venture out.... To ReLive the days of the Past with Fond Memories was enough..... When the Great Fraternity was in its Glory.. .. That Special Club....  only admittance by a code of Men.... Years Passed... Not Now....


In the last few weeks, I began another journey, one that I took many years ago, to receive Cognitive Behavior Therapy......... Its Always good to begin that Journey again.... to look within One's Self... to see the Inner Soul.... to make plans for the Last Quarter of Life.... to go behind the Doors, to open one's Self to a true Realization of the Human Experience...

It's Been a While.....

So, I today, I choose to sit here, on the Red Bricks, Count My Days.... understanding that All is Ok...that my decisions are valid... That I am Whole.... That the Friends I have are True Friends.....

Fall I hope will soon be here..... another 30 days or so... and that cool wisp will be in the Air.. that Wisp that says.... the days of red leaves, the light of the Sun... Dimming .... casting a low light on the front porch.....

Sunday on the Bricks... tis a lil warm down here

The Sunday Heat index hit 106 degrees..........

Sundays to me is when either on a few days a year, tromp down two blocks to St. James Episcopal Church or have Bloody Mary's or Mimosas on the Front Porch and watch the good parishioners walk home... say Hi Suga....

Now the close of the shrimp season was here recently, so I needed to make some shrimp stock for the winter.... If you peel the shrimp, boil the heads, reduce it considerably, you can make truly concentrated stock... its a long process, but hey... it was Sunday...... and the heat index was out of the therometer ... and the AC was blowing cold air.... Why not.. and then .... u have peeled shrimp for a Shrimp Stew or Etoufee'


I had the MirePoix, I had the Shrimp Stock, and I had the Shrimp.... and all the extra stock was now in the freezer...

Fridays Around the Office

On Fridays most of the time, we are a Lil bit more relaxed than our usual roles..... mostly blue jeans, boots, and the women is their bejeweled flip flops.... and business trousers.....

It's a time that most of us cherish,......... friends, politicians, business clients, associates, all stop in to drink coffee, chit-chat, a Lil gossip of who said what at a Police Jury Meeting (Police Jury is the governing body of the Parish, remember we don't have Counties.....its a hold over from the French Rule of Louisiana)


So, yick yack chit chat... the Political Season is starting to warm up, The October 12th Primary is just around the corner less than 60 days away..... for us in the Office its a time to keep the mouth shut and just Listen.. no yick yack or chit chat.... Listen.. No Speak... Listen .. you certainly don't want to be pulled into any political gossip .. but you can always say... "Bubba I will be glad to Listen... "

Anyway..... I thought it would be nice to have another Boot Friday with a few photos from the office wall....

Evening Summer Rain

I was reading one of my blog reads that I have been interested in lately....  He's a good writer, an observer of Many Events, Comings and Goings, Of Life....... up in the North Lands...

As I sat on the front porch, in the late late afternoon, approaching the evening, Supper was taken, time for an evening ritual of Cigar and Quiet time.... it harken me back to sitting on the back of Cousin Bob and Afta's back porch, lookin to the West, the setting Sun, the sky full of the Rust and Red tints of an early Evening..... Bob and Afta was born in the 1890s, they were my cousins, both in 1972 in thier 80s ......

Afta would have cleaned the kitchen, Bob would motion me to leave the kitchen, come to the back porch, for his cigar and a talk on his memories of growing up and  watching the sky, the Sun, as it set on the western horizon, on the banks of Thompson's Creek...

Cousin Bob would pull from under the glider,  a box of Keep Moving Cigars, tip the end of one, hand it to me, light it and both of us would look onto the SunSet.... and he would talk of his life, his garden, family passed, and the day to come.... I at 19, Cousin Bob's was passing his stories, his life to me... and with each puff of the cigar ..... slow and long.... that smell hung low in the evening air.....

Memories of the day that just passed, Hopes for the Rain of tomorrow... two men, in boxer shorts and man's undershirts, barefooted, passing a time that was closing in...

After I had written this entry last night the rain came, I sat on the front porch and puffed that Cigar.. remembered the times of My Past........

Here is a photo of the rain, last night on the Bricks of Albert Street.

The Weekend Round Up

Whoa....... Yes it as a weekend......

Saturday I got a call from the Good Doctor.... she had a friend that needed some manly gay counseling, actually, some one to lend an ear to and Listen...  who needed an Out, Gay Man, and understood himself... well I am not sure if I fit the last bill, but I am Out, Gay.. and a Good Daddy..

Lets call him Dale..... ... he drove up from the Lower Country... about an hour and a half south of here on the interstate.... in the heart of Cajun country.... but in reality he is just living there.. he is from the wilds of Grant Parish.. .. up in the Pine Trees and Poor Folks....

He is a medical professional, 61 years old, quite handsome, since most medical professionals I know these days take time to go to the gym with a personal trainer, tan, and follow a regimented life, so does Dale...... Again, his 33 inch waist, 6'1" tall frame stood out.....

Dale was in need of an ear, to listen to his Life, to understand, to make sense of what he was experiencing,  and then have it conveyed back to him... in some meaningful language.

Dale came out four years ago, at 57, he divorced his wife of 37 plus years,  6 children before he was 26, two sets of twins, now 20 grandchildren, so on..


He related a story so similar, that I have heard and could have wrote the script many. many. times over.  In his mid 30s he found a Fuck Buddy, also married, it became a long term affair, that lasted up until his mid 50s... then Dale realized that he couldn't live the lie, continue with the farce, anymore...

So, he followed a path I have seen over and over, go find another miserable gay soul and bond with him, who waited too late in life to fling the door open.... So he found Adam, early 50s at the gym, who was just in the throws of divorcing his wife, but still living with her.

Wow.... what a Fucked Up situation ..... two 50 somethings, just opening the door, children involved, moving in together, they are commiserating with each other.... Not the Correct Decision....

I listened very intently, thought of my time...but Thought of the Misery  that he was reeling from at this time... the hurt from the ex-spouse, the hurt of the adult children, and His Hurt of His Heart....

Now four years later, the partner is sleeping in the other bedroom, there is no common bond but the misery both are experiencing ..... Misery Loves Company... so says the old Adage ... Dale and Adam certainly had Misery together...

My advise to him........... and I said.....Your misjudgment, (I didn't call it a Mistake), was that You did Not take time to Learn about Yourself.... You need to be Alone to Experience Gay Life on Your Own Terms....
Gee.... Please take Time for Your SELF..... .. you are in another bad relationship, having jumped and Not taken the Time... to Learn....

Give Your Self at lest a suitable time period.... Don't start a new relationship........

And No ... I won't sleep with You.... and No .. .. don't think we will date.... go Live Alone.. Find Your Self.......and.................

Find Your Heart.



Sunday Sunday...

On Sunday I thought about walking down to St. James.... but I decided to have a late morning glass of a nice Italian Rose' with an old neighbor who is also a member of St. James...

Liz walked down to the house... Her and her partner live two blocks from the Bricks on Albert...  about twice a month we have a Lil glass of chilled beverage... casting our eye out to the Bricks and catching up on the local politics and neighborhood comings and goings......

In the Evening ..... I had Supper with B and J..... I cooked  a crawfish stew.... lots of Mirepox' and Tails.....  cucumber and tomato salad  (from Inglewood Farms)... with crusty bread and a dab of wine... ..

Saturday Afternoon....... Its Time

On these early Dog Days of Summer... the last of those days are here.... Labor Day and ............

Southern Decadence is Right Around the Corner

Now..... its Ain't like it use to be down there in the Big Easy... But(and there is always a But) ... it is still fun for the younger set and the Daddies that follow them...

But(and there is always a But) .. this One will not be traveling the 4 hour trip.. .. the Quarter just doesn't hold that sparkle for me these days....

And onto the actual post of the Day......

Highballs.... are served in these remaining days... not Double Old Fashion Glasses. HighBall Glasses...

Let's get it Correct here..... a Southern  HighBall is served with lots of Ice, and Not stirred until given over to the recipient.....  and its served in a HighBall Glass

I knew it was Five O'clock somewhere .... So at 3pm.... I invoked .. Stop for the Day.. no more Saturday Chores....

Pour it Up...... ..... a Lil Johnny and Soda..... make that fizz touch the nose........

and burn an end.... unwrap that Churchill................

Friday Friday... Here comes the Weekend....Hmmm

Well as August begins......

We are getting close to the Elections......

Governor
Lt Governor
State Senators
State Representatives
Sheriffs
Clerk of Court
Tax Assessor
and a Bucket full of Minor Officials

The Big Date  is October 12 a Saturday, (cause in Louisiana we want all working folks to go Vote and Saturday Voting is a Fun Fun Day)...... that's when here in this Rural Parish (we don't have counties, We Got Parishes)... We all gather on the Porches... cook them pork chops, sausage, and make those Cocktails waiting for the Polls to Close at stroke of 8 in the Evening...

Right before that happens.. about 40 days before the pull of the lever, the ads will start, rumors will take on a Life of their own, the mail outs will flood the mailboxes... will be featuring pigs in a trough... (hopefully not, that was last election's theme)........


Then...........

The money will be spent, the Crowds will holler with Joy or Moan with disgust....

and All the Cards of the Politicos will be held close to their chest......

Part Two Physical Therapy.. Next Door to the Ortho Surgery Center

So, I go in to begin a  month of Physical Therapy...

On the Form.... in is a list of conditions, aliments, etc.......

Even More Hostile than the Form at the OSC..... is their Form.. at the Physical Therapy Center (PTC)

Here is a long list of Cancer, what type, High Blood Pressure ..... then on the top line.... far to the right corner of the page..... is ...........

"Sexually Transmitted Diseases"

Its more Hostile ... Its Painfully Aware that some RedNeck Moron put together this questionnaire.

Gee............. Gee..... Geuz............

Now, as I was brought back to the workout/therapy area I had the occasion to run into one of the partners of the firm.... who happens to live in my neighborhood .... on the Red Bricks. .....

He came over to see me..... and in a low toned, authoritarian voice..... that voice that I had a in Corrections... I said..... KJ.... that fuckin' questionnaire is offensive on one of the lines and words you have ... and you should remind Dr Big Dick next door of the conversation I just had with him.. on the HIV Matter.... it is ok but ask it in the proper form, detectable undetectable untransitmitable etc etc ....

Not "Sexually Transmitted Diseases" ...its the way y'all ask these questions... but a line to say need to discuss a matter with the attending doctor... etc...

Small Town Mentality

Yes I live in the Lil City by the Red......

Its not a thriving metropolis by any means........

It's Rural in so many aspects...........................................

And Yes this is my Bitch session ........................

I have been having pain in my left rotatory cuff area for sometime now..... I had an old bicycle injury about 5 years ago, I was out on the trails of Kincad, in the National Forest mtn biking.... I took a tumble on a downhill run........

So, to cut to the matter, I compressed my C4 and C5 disc in my neck... with a lil traction, some steroids, and a lot of hope..... I overcame it.... and got back on the bike two years ago.... but No more National Forest trails.....

Also, I somehow tore my rotatory cuff slightly, well over the years... it hasn't gotten better....

But that is not the main event of this entry......

On the form for the Othro Surgery Center I had to fill out the medical forms.... on the first page underneath the name, dob, address .......

Was the listing of various medical aliments/conditions......

The very first one was HIV/AIDS

I have been to UTHSC in Texas..... they ask do you have HIV, are detectable or undetectable, your last lab date etc... its hidden down the list in the H's ... and there is no question on AIDS....

Small town.... small minds..... Here in the Place I call Home... !!!!!

I have disclosed to my superiors here at work,for  the political ramifications if it ever came up (politics are so Nasty these days..), I have disclosed to family/friends, I have disclosed to sexual partners (in Louisiana, if you don't disclose prior to any touch and or sex act, its a Felony).

So, I watched the faces of those who attended me yesterday at the Othro Surgery Center.. from the receptionist at the doctor's front desk to the PA, NP, and Dr.. whom I know personally...

Cold, Standoffish, Judgmental....etc etc etc etc... I saw their faces....

I put it down, I wrote UNDETECTABLE in the sub line after I listed the Afib, the Prostate Cancer, etc etc....

It just Pissed me off that these Medical Professionals still associated HIV with AIDS its the first item on a long list ... they must be so scared.... Boo I say.... and the look on their Faces... ... I see these folks out at all the local restaurants, cafes, bistros around town.. it ain't like WE live in some booming metro area.... our population in the Lil City by the Red is 47K now... the whole Parish is 132K and the Parish is 1324 Square Miles Large....

Enough of my Rant.... I get to see one of the Doctor's wives, she is a local attorney, I do some expert witness work for her from time to time, I am going to drop a Lil bit of a bitch line and see if They will change their form...and DON'T look down the Nose.....

They should be scared as hell with the ones that Don't know their Status.

Note: Othro Surgery Center is not the Correct Name for this establishment, I certainly for reasons didn't call them by their proper name.

Sunday........

When I was growing up on the Farm... .. it was called Mockingbird Hill.....on Sundays.. Momma would load us up and take us to receive some religious teaching......

Her grandfather was a Baptist Minister in Grangeville, Louisiana... he is memorialized there with a fair size monument in the cemetery... Most of   Momma's side of the family... is laid to rest there..

So, my Daddy split his time between the Methodist and Episcopalian Churches... I think his Momma my grandmother (she was born in 1868) would fall out with one side and then go  to the other every once in while.........

Anyway.... today I did not go down to St James Episcopal Church. where I attend, have been on the Vestry before.....

It made me remember what Momma would do when the children (Us Three, Baby Sister, My Brother, and Myself) would confront her and say.... No Church... once in a while she would give in, My Brother and I would have a day on the creek planned .. and the beer stored in the shed...

Well, Momma would say.... if you are going to miss Church... then you cant play until Noon.. do some yard work... clean out the tool room shed or clean the feed room shed out.. etc etc.....

So, I missed Church today.....  Thought of Momma....and .............

I washed down the front porch..... got it clean .... made the porch shine.....

Thinking of Momma on a Sunday Morning........

Yes it is Wednesday.....

Hi There Folks...

You, Darlin' Readers,  of this Old Blog.... that was started on diaryland.com so many years ago, in 1997...

I left dairyland.com and came over to blogspot in 2006, I have tried repeatedly to gain access back to dairyland.com to link my previous entries... but to no avail.  .. its has many, many of my thoughts about the passing of my Momma, the breakup with John, also some happy notes on roaming around the country..

Anyway.. enough of the past....

It's Wednesday and the weather is gorgeous ...

So, it was Spectators with a tropical weight trouser this morning with braces.

Tis Tuesday......

Wimpy, of Popeye's Fame..... always said "I'd gladly pay you on Tuesday for that Hamburger..

Around  the Courthouse Mondays are for Red Beans and Rice......

Then Tuesday begins .... The folks down the street at Critic's Choice make an awesome Blue Cheese full 8 0z hamburger on a Kaiser Cut Roll..... fresh tomato and crisp Iceberg Lettuce..... The beef is homemade patty... and its so Good.... Just as Wimpy would say "I'd gladly pay you on Tuesday....

However I am on an eating correctly stage... So, its No Hamburger with Blue Cheese... on a Kaiser Cut Roll....

Its leafy Romaine Caesar with Johnston Brothers Smoked Ham or Smoked Chicken Breast.....

Oh, Wimpy .... maybe I should have the courage as you do... .. Gladly pay you on Tuesday.




                                     

Tis Friday.......

Tis Friday.....  here in the Lil City by the Red......

Blue Jeans on Friday.......

So, I decided to take a Friday photo... with my "A Fresh Start.. . Pete 20 20" Mug .. Blue Jeans and Pete to end the Friday with.... nothing better.

Also... its suede bucks day also... .. I didn't feel like the usual boot day...

Flowers from an Old Friend

Every once in a while....

I have an old friend that doesn't visit as often as he use to... for some unknown reason ....

But he does drop by once in a blue moon, with flowers.. fresh cut flowers ....

He stopped by the other day and ask if I had a vase available....

I most certainly did........

He arranged the flowers, I provided the vase.......

The Tragic End ....

Today, I received a photograph of a "country funeral" deep in the backwoods of central Louisiana.

It was of a young man, who ended his life due to Meth use ...

According to the photographer, it was the graphic image of his redneck buddies carrying him to his final resting place ......

This is happening so much here, the Cartels of Mexico are manufacturing  high grade Meth and the price of 3.5 grams known as an 8 Ball has fallen from $350 to $80 in the last seven years...the quality so high grade, almost pure, is now associated with "Breaking Bad" Fame.

Such a tragic end to a young life... repeated more and more in the Outback of Central La.

Nothing is Nothing

Sometimes its a Lost Cause any way you look at it..........

That's all I can say...............................................................................Period

See Addendum:

LB stopped by the house after work yesterday.......

Age and Ecomonic Levels are constant reminders of the separation of people.

LB is more of a loner, surrounded by family, which it seems to insulate him from the Outside World...

He operates in a different sphere that I operate in.

I have offered legal resources  to help him in several matters, no monetary cost to me, just advice from govt administrators to help him wade through some of the red tape on an insurance matter.

He works constantly which leads me to believe that this infatuation is fleeting as it winds down this week.

Addendum:

The more I thought about the last two nights, it is apparent that LB could, might, most likely have some sort of a partner.  I think he might have just been bored. So, he ventured out.

I enjoyed the interaction, even for the brief moment in time.

Karma.... sometimes its Just in the Cards

Several years ago,  I ran into a guy, who struck my interest, but the rendezvous, didn't quite go according to plan, he left in huff... which was partial my fault....

Due to my driven personality, I am not the best person in bed,  I have been known to be, well aggressive is not the appropriate word, demanding, not taking the  time to provide the pleasure, et a c, etc, etc........

Fast forward 7 years, the guy came to visit on semi blind date, when he got the address he knew who's house he was coming too..... He knew what was planned by the third party that set up the date or had some realization that what might take place....

LB appeared at the  door, he was nervous, and so Was I.  ..... to be standing face to face with a man that is 6 foot 7 inches tall.........is sort of overwhelming and knowing that our departure from one another those years ago, was on the most grateful of terms.  Actually over the years I extend a couple of invitations to him, it fell on death ears.

But here he is in my living room,  all 6 foot 7 inches, size 15 shoe, and his heritage speaks to his extraordinary looks, he is a true Creole, from Chopin in lower Natchitoches Parish, he works in the medical field.

He is the skin tone of  Cafe au Lit.... on the lighter side, and the Green Eyes.

Now, there are some coping issues, that he has, he is young comparatively, 35 years old, but he has been in the work a day world. His main work responsibility is to coordinate placement for elderly and  alzheimer patients in long term care.... he does have to deal with anger issues of other people trying to care for their love ones.\

I have no expectations, all I can say that we sweated most of the day even with the ceiling fan a whirling.

Reality ... sometimes is a Disappointment

Since my "date" on Monday...... No Word..

In Polite Southern Etiquette one should at lest acknowledge the time spent to the guy who picked up the tab for the evening... 

No text, no thank you... No Nothing...

Its a lil bit disappointing even when I go to supper at someone's home, I send a text of thank you, the meal and company were good....

Is it an age thing.... its does not matter to me, what ever it is.... its not Polite to not acknowledge.....

This tells me he has some reservations on the meeting or has no manners, or ... Just don't give a flip.

I am moving on... towards another day.

Tuesday and I will gladly pay You on Tuesday

Whimpy, from the Popeye the Sailor cartoon in the 60's would tell the Hamburger Man that he would "gladly pay him on Tuesdays"

Last night I had my date..... He was a very gracious, intelligent, degree young man with a degree.  He is of the Creole Heritage of Northern Rapides Parish.... almost to Natchitoches Parish.... Strikingly Handsome Man....

Our conversation flowed immediately, we had appetizers at a local bar, then went over visited with the lesbians population of the Garden District, then on to one of the several Mexican Cafes dotted around the Lil City by the Red...

He has been out of school for three years, his main profession is "dancing" chorus line work, etc.  I received a quick tutorial lesson on those subjects listening to him speak.. quite interesting on how the inner workings of that area of our society.  The quest for "Par Excellence" is the primary goal of all Guild Card performers ... He is working toward that.

He will be here in this area only two more weeks... Then off again to seek his fortune ... performing in the chorus lines on Northern Cities...........

I have never seen such toned, muscled, Legs like his before.... each muscle group in his  legs are sculpted from years of practice.....

Monday ...... The day had surprises

Today, I allowed my self to be persuaded to hang out online by friend of mine.  As you know the Lil City by the Red doesn't have any Gay Bars left........

So, we are left to those awful bitchy personal ads on Grindr Scruff.......

He said give it a chance.....

I did..... and for the first time since I left those miserable sites I meet a guy who likes Daddies... who has a college degree from  NSU, who is an accomplished dancer and musician....

We have drinks scheduled this late late  afternoon..... its just that I was in the right place at the correct time.... and it sort of fell in place after we exchanged numbers....

Now for the other shoe .... He leaves Central Louisiana in three months to explore a job in NYC ... to fulfill his life's goal of being a dancer... with a college degree.....

I am going just to enjoy the time, the meeting this afternoon, the twinkle in his eye...... and his expressions.......

Saturday in the Sweat.... It's All Good........ Going into the Unknown

Today, I woke up a Lil bit late.... I didn't go to bed until almost 1am... I was tossing and turning the Lunesta didn't help last night either.. but that is another story for another day.

Some of you know, some of you don't know, some of you have no realization of the facts of Life as we venture into the UnKnown as a Group of our Society where over the age of 55 as  Out Gay Men have never venture as a Unit before..

What is also unusual about this Segment of Our Society is many of these men are HIV+

The trials and tribulations for this part of Our Gay Community abounds.. turning 55 then 65 and virtually having no peer group to have gone before you, to inform you, to guide you.. I am venturing into the Unknown.... We all Are...  Look around the blog World.... I haven't seen too many new Gay Blogs popping up who are written and keep by 25+, 30+, etc... Most of the blogs I follow are within 10 to 15 years of my age.. going backward.. not forward.

Its something to think about ... ... Just Sayin'

A Saturday Afternoon in the Lil City by The Red.... Dancing on the Bricks

Late Saturday Afternoon.....

After the Stroke of Five....

Porch Life had taken over ... in the near distant back ... down the Street.... The Sound of a Tuba ...and  a Trombone and a Trumpet .... with Bass Drum ...banging out "When the Saints Come Marchin' In"


I knew the Sound right off the bat.... it was the CenLa Brass Band come a callin'..... it wasn't for me tho... it was for the Right Reverend Episcopal Priest's  Mother celebrating her 85th Birthday...

So as the crowd gathered... and the Band Played On........  ... Hit Tunes of Louisiana...

For Fifteen Minutes of Joy for the 85 year old... then as They had come..... they disappeared down the Street... ... but the Memories of Their Performance will be Ever more..

Saturday Work Day

Yesterday.... was work at the house day.......... I backfilled the plumbing to help cut the cost of the job, then spread wildflower seeds in bed out front of the house....... then I stopped in the late afternoon, took a shower... great water pressure...and then..............


Took a scotch and soda and a Ashton on the Front Porch

Plumber Made The Day.........

Shawn the Plumber.....

Made the Day......

As some of you don't maybe have knowledge or understand the concept of living in a home built in 1923, where on your block most homes where built between 1905 and 1925... its Old House Livin'

The floors creak, the rooms adjust deminsions sometimes almost an inch and half one way or the other..... nothing is true square..

The pipes can be a lil rusty... hmmm .... but sometimes sometimes rust clogs restrict the flow....

About a lil while ago.. more recently than late, my water pressure started to subside .. and the flow became a trickle.... don't flush the toilet while you are washing wine glasses in the sink...

So Shawn came to the rescue .... and he installed a Pex line to the water main feeder.. he will come back, in 6 weeks, replace all the plumbing with Pex...

Now.... here is a photo of the old feeder line to the house... totally clogged with rust... and only allowing a pencil size flow into the house.....

I will add a photo of the new Pex Line to show the work... I am so Glad I got Shawn the Plumber

Plumber.......

In the last few months my water pressure at The Camp on the Brick Streets of the Lil City by the Red..... has been slowly dribbling.. its still enough to operate the rainhead in the back bathroom.  But (and there is always a but)....it ain't no pressure.... takes for Ever for a toilet to fill back up... and the stack washer has to have a Lil help............Gitty Up..... Call the Plumber

Now, living in a house built in 1923, sometimes poses the use of Polite Tact.. finding a Plumber to crawl under an almost 100 year old house....

First Try .... was a Plumber that had made a repair ten years ago.... turns out he and his crew were too too busy even to take a peek.... peek a boo.... No Go.....

So, after inquiring with a few knowledgeable folks... I came upon Shawn The Plumber...

Shawn is 6'1 43 nice smile.... and he is Bubba made over in a Good Body... Luvalble to the Max...

Shawn crawled under the house... and I just had to follow his lead... so there I went....

Shawn is coming back today... before Shawn left I had a porch full of neighbors, near do wells, and onlookers .... Yep..... Shawn the Plumber...

More to Come in Phase II of this Report.

Post Father's Day Entry

It's the day after Father's Day....

I had initially thought about a posting my thoughts of Fatherhood and My Father.... 

Then I thought about going down to St James for worship, since I am a past Vestry member...

I'll try to make it another Sunday....

I did take a 6 mile ride with a new cyclist... this guy and his partner lives down the street, they have been together 32+ years, they own several very successful business here in the Lil City by the Red and down the River in Baton Rouge... They chose to live here in our lil City, they say the Summers are not So So Hot like Baton Rouge... and I tend to agree with them.  One of the partners was interested in getting back to riding so he brought a new Cannondale mountain bike.... 

We rode Sunday morning...........

Then about 4pm yesterday, I had 7 folks over for an early supper of Beef Tenderloin smoked on the Egg, stuff mushroom caps with Italian sausage, boudin, etc.. and fresh cucumbers/tomatoes and more veggies....   plenty of wine....and strawberry shortcake for desert... 

 

Everybody brought  a lil something for the meal.... all were gone by 8pm.... 

It was a good day.....

Time Time...... its all about the Time.... Sort Of...

While I have been in therapy, I sort of have a distaste for that word... I like the words ... gathering my thoughts session.....

I have realized that I had not ridden the mtn bike like I was last year and the years before last year......

Before the "gathering my thoughts sessions"... actually before my downward turn into situational depression that is.... I usually rode 3 times a week, mostly by myself.. once in a while with a couple of other mtn bikers...  during the situaltion depression I didnt ride..  Now.. I'm Back to riding.

I had neglected one of my most enjoyable parts of my week....  a bike ride... usually three times a week. . I have a Specialized Short Travel Mtn Bike, with 29 inch wheels... its Rolls on.. ..  its called a Specialized Stumpjumper.

So for the last few weeks, I have been climbing on and pedaling ... building up my speed...

Started off in late April with an 8 minute mile.... then ramping down to a 7 to 7.5 minute mile.. over a 5 to 9 mile course.. through the city streets, over the levee, on the dirt road, and back to the city street and home.  Along the way I stop occasionally and take a photo ... of bridge, tree fell down.. homeless ...etc etc...

Yesterday I broke into a good pace for some reason... not sure why but I would say I felt motivated..

I covered the 5 mile course in 6.085 minute.. which is good for a 65 yr old 265 pound man......

Here is the Specialized that carried my old self on that 6 minute mile....... its a factory photo.. I'll post a real one later on at some point.....

Tuesday...

Well its Tuesday.... and for the most part life is good...

The Lil Pill is working .. no urges... no off the wall stimulations ... also, I am not on any any Gay Social Media Sites.... !! Period.... which helps with the non stimulation...... Monkey See Monkey Do!!!

So if you Can't see it ..... You more than Likely Won't Experience it....

I am biking more... getting out more by myself than I had been.

These Life Steps are good for me... getting back to that "Old Tom" I have had several comments on that... I'm  not sure what they saw, I think it was more of a mental picture of their perception, than my own image of my self.. They say I laugh more, back to being  the Raconteur... telling Stories of Our Lives.

So, today, I put on the Allen Edmond's Classic Shelton, in black and burgundy.  These shoes are about 16 years old, been re-crafted three times now... they are one of my favorite for Court Dates at the Courthouse.

Monday .... Monday

Today, when I woke up at 6:08am ... I notice my arms were red from too much sun, I didn't put any sunscreen on my arms yesterday....

So, today.... there is no Court all week.... the Judges are in Destin Florida, at a Judges' Conference....hmmm ... that's all I can say...

So, casual Monday.... khaki pants, white shirt, and Martin Dingman Oxford/Brogues... so many different descriptions for a blunt toe shoe ....

I am having to meet the neighborhood plumber this week to discuss my water intake and see how I can improve the water pressure coming into the house... I know what I believe is the concern.. I just don't want to acquire the expenditure... but I got to do something soon.

So.... here is Casual Monday Khakis and the Shoe....

Get Out of the House Sunday

It was "ride day" here on this Sunday.... I had a full breakfast, since I have never eaten a breakfast most of my life, this new event, makes me be careful... the reason for the breakfast is the fact that two of my pills must be ingested with food and taken in the morning.  During the week it is no problem, there is a coffee house and I bring yogurt to work each morning.  The weekends are a lil more... so I have to get up and make breakfast....

Any way... I needed to get out of the house so after breakfast today, I got the mtn bike out and turned on "map my ride" and cranked the pedals out. I made it to the Red and check the water levels, they have drop significantly, but u can see the eroding of the banks ... see photos below.....

Also, I decided that since we were having a rash of fires downtown, its contributed to the homeless and vagrants, I better take a photo of my favorite old hotel and flop house.. its below also.... along with map of the ride....

At 96 degrees mid morning, 85% humidity... I think all the toxins came out of my body.... lol..

Out of the Shadows and into Full View ... and An Addendum

Tomorrow, in the geographical area of the state where i live and work, is known as the Louisiana's Bible Belt, Central Louisiana will Celebrate Gay Pride tomorrow.... Openly... and with Pride, Honesty, and knowing Who We Are.   What makes this special in the Lil City by the Red,  is that we have many Religious Sects State Offices here. Here are a few below:

 UPC State Office, Episcopal Church Diocese of Western Louisiana, the Catholic Diocese of Alexandria (which encompasses 8 parishes), United Church of Christ State Office, the Louisiana Southern Baptist State Office, and a couple more..

This year's Pride speaks Volumes in the fact of Acceptance in a Very Rural Area... Rapides Parish alone is 1362 square miles in area, with a population of 131613 by the census of 2010.  We are Rural.... and we live in a very rural, conservative part of the the state, the Eight Parishes that make up this area is supported by farming, timber production, and government mainly.

Five years ago, the non profit that oversees Ryan White Funding here in central Louisiana began a Cenla Pride Festival.  ... its been fairly sane, no real commotion for the Right Wingers, etc... The non profit organization is known as CLASS, which stands for Central Louisiana Aids Support Services. The Pride Celebration  element was a condition for funding in one of their grants and this funding has continued to this date.

All of the non profit organizations in the State of La, that manage Ryan White funding, use to have Aids in their organizational title..... All have changed except the organization here in the Lil City by the Red.  .... I would hope they do soon, because they have expanded their services far and wide and do a fair job of delivering other services, education, testing, youth support, transgender support etc.

I applaud their work completely,  for the first three years, I was a sponsor donating money to help support their initial start up.  The organization is now off and running and by the mail out to everyone this year.....

 Cenla Pride will truly come out of the Shadows.... and into Full View

See the below mail out:

Addendum

Several Older Members of the Gay Community are taken back by the in "Your Face" advertisement and how it is centered around the Drag Queens.  To place all in perspective, the Lil City by the Red does not have any Gay Bars in operation anymore.  When I first arrived here in 1991 we had five, now we have None.... the last one closed about three years ago, after a spotty opening, the one before that closed six years ago....

There is talk going around about how centered and there is No Celebration on Survival and also the remembrance of those who have passed away...

After these comments that were delivered to me this afternoon.... I welcome all comments on this matter.

Actually, I now have mixed thoughts and emotions...