A Note

 Just a note to those out there that care enough to ask "how are you"

The Note ..... says I am OK.... its summertime here in Louisiana.. having a mild winter like No Others.

All Things

 All Things are Okie Dokie as the 1947 population of Louisiana would have said..... 

Yes Okie Dokie... I am slipping back into a retirement  mode that I think I would have never been able to..

I upstarted again, a friendship with a Man known as Benjamin... A friendship.. developed on mutual interests ... A Career as s Skilled Craftsman, Key to the house he lives in, Truck he has.. all three components of a good life ... Self Awareness is a key element ..  ..  an independence that relies on No One.. A Connection that Includes Me.. ranked in the top two, besides his children... I'll play the second slot anytime.

All Things Considered.. .. Come On 2022... I'm ready.....

It's Going Fairly

 The Beast's return to The Camp, has been hindered by One Factory Rim.  Shelter Insurance will not release it unless it is in Prime Condition.  One Factory Rim

Other than that, I have met actually, a Man, who knows life's Best and Worst, I believe he will turn out to be a good friend.  He Has a Good Job, He has a Place to Live with the Key in his Pocket, He has a Good Old Boy Truck..... a working man.... Not a Boy Friend nor a Lover...  but a Friend...

I'm happy... as I have always been... just a lil bit more exceptional today.... Fairly Well... I would have to say.

Comments from the Last Entry

 Gentlemen:

Pickin' friends in a  community that only has 123,000 people in the a geographical area of 1232 square miles, means for the most part, if you live in Rapides Parish, you belong to a non socially acceptable sub culture, there you are likely to know, have knowledge of, had been associated with or associate at one time, ALMOST All known members of that societal subculture, our Gay Life is non existent, the last gay bar closed 7 years ago.

When you think about where y'all live, then think about the rural life here, where almost three quarters of the entire parish  population is housed in or lives in an area of about 18 square miles, you run into most folks at lest once a month.

People in my category, successful folks, are looked upon as to give our "blessings" out... Its a Rural Southern Thing, The late Governor John McKeithen, slogan was .... "Can't Ya Help Me". 

If I truly discarded folks, I would not have the social or ethical standing that I have in this community or area. Even the dead beats deserve to be treated in a kind way, As Governor Earl K Long said, "Give 4 Bits, they worth that". Gentlemen ..... 2 Bits, 4Bits 6Bits a Dollar.. All Stand Up and Holler.

I should have explained my self more...... This parish, 1232 square Miles of it has So Economically  depressed, when you have .. locals saying is " All is  here are.....Po Folks and Pine Trees"

Awake..... !!! My Rant!!!!

 Last night, actually at 830pm Friday evening, I retired to my cold bedroom, to snuggle under my cotton blankets and Red Land Cotton Sheets....  I so love those sheets

But now its 1:10am Saturday Morning, I felt compelled to write a small social commentary.

Years ago, Years ago in the Gay World that I was raised in, every guy had a job, didn't matter what job, it wasn't so status driven. O, Yes, there were a few "Kept Boys" around but not many, and of those they usually worked in the same business as their Dear Daddies worked in, mostly Florist, Speciality Shops etc.

The majority of this Gay World of the late 70s, 80s, 90s, and a few years into the 00s saw a gay workforce, but most if not all had some source of income independently of a Partner, Daddy, Lover, etc etc...

Most had a key to where they resided at.... this thing of "couch surfing" not having or knowing what bed you were going to count on for the night was somewhat unheard of.  O, you had the cases where Larry kicked out Bobby, but that was soon remedied by a good Samaritan .......

Now days this is not the norm..... not here in Central Louisiana.... where there are gay men who haven't worked in two to four years, living off each other as leeches, ... drugs to the max, selling drugs... and not working.... asking for for a 10 or 20 dollar bill, to buy cigarettes.... Shameful and Shameless at the same time.......

That My Rant ending at 1:20AM....... I

A Polling Place, Time Remembered.

 As I usually don't post people or places,  I thought it might be nice to show the polling place where I have voted for the last 31 years here in the Lil City by the Red.  Its the first public high school build here and with it Monolithic Stance among the Live Oaks that surround the site, which  stands out on Vance Avenue.

The first is the school it's self, Named for a Family here, the second is the annex where the gym is housed and the third is the entrance to the gym, gym's lobby where the powerful, mighty, and glorious Bolton Bears listed their championships of generations passed.

It's Nice to Still have Contacts

 I was in need of a new license plate for the Beast, The other was lost in the Mario Anderitti Chase in the lower country ...  

I called my old contact with the OMV, he said come over now, come thru thru back door...  So as per instructions...  I did just that..... Thru the back door, saw him, he said give me the registration paper and your bank card.... ten minutes later, with a lobby waiting for hours, I was out the back door, with my new plate.. 

Thank Full.... Yes I am... totally......  its just nice to still have those contacts ... !!

Here.... There....

 Well ... the repair shop said the Beast will be ready soon... "soon"

If it wasn't for such a dear friend as Mr. who owns the local Ford dealership, lending me a Lincoln MKZ, I would be on a bicycle... that has given rise to what I am considering next in the transportation area... some electric bike...  I rode one the other day, six rounds of the pedal got me me to 22 mph.  Hitting the back streets around town might be the ticket to going to have supper and bike there.. 

Its just a thought and many thoughts these days fly thru my lil head.

Its fairly nice weather, the cold went away and I'm back to short pants, canvas shoes, and t-shirts...

Tonight, I'm cooking pork chops on the ceramic grill, fast, hot.   I've been invited to bring the main course for supper, which is across the street at the teacher's home.  This fourth time I have been over there, most of the times she comes over here...   I seasoned the chops with Oink last night so they will have a good crust on them.. .. Oink is the preferred pork seasoning here in the Lil City by the Red.

Being Humble is Always Good

 Yesterday, was Truth Day here in the lil city by the red, the person who was appointed to the city council slot by pressuring some members of the city council basically lost, receiving on 47% of the vote.

When a sitting official doesn't win the first time, it is worth believing that person won't win in a run off.

The  being mean of the above person shown through yesterday, bulliness, etc... helped the other two candidates.

The above person needs to learn to be humble... if this person does not, the person won't be elected.

Gettin' Out

 Today, I made my trek to get my blood work done, for my  ev6 month test, for my hiv..... somehow getting out of the house freed my soul for some reason, I went on to go check on the Beast at the repair shop, call my law practice  friend, called some Public Affairs people I had not spoken with, etc.  

Also I published for the first time a photograph on a scene from my neighborhood... an empty wooden rocker, with back pillow and a half full wine glass.... it seemed appropriate given the day of my awakening..... 

It captured the moment in time that I was feeling, Half Full  but Not Half Empty

Sunday..... Almost Noon

 Its Sunday and almost Noon.  ... Sitting at the counter in the kitchen, we never had a counter in the kitchen, Momma's home, actually my Grandmother's house that was built when the big house burned in 1914 had this enormous kitchen with a kitchen table were 8 could sit.   

I'm not sure why that just popped into my mind, but it did.. . I just received my last two "bowlegged" bar stools made by American Chairs of Chicago, IL.  I ordered one, just to see if I liked it and the quality of it.  

Amazing it took 6 weeks to make and ship here to Louisiana.  After receiving the first one, I decided to purchase two more.  

There is the "Bowlegged" Counter Stool by American Chair, in the same top top, it swivels, and has a good cushion for sitting.  The frame is welded, not screwed and it comes with a two year warranty.  American Made... Union Made as the Company describes itself.  

So, here I am at the kitchen counter, thinking of the past, the present, and what do I need to do tomorrow.  I am determined to leave the house and go take a few photos of local political events.. Since on Saturday there will be local elections.

Tis Friday

John and Bob have invited me to supper tonight, I haven't been out to supper or any activity since July 31st.  

Grocery shopping is done by an app, then delivered to my home.  I did manage to go to the dry cleaners today to deliver some dirty shirts and pick up my pressed shirts.  Its getting cold here, temps are in the 50s and low 60s during the day and upper 30s during the night.

I haven't purchased any firewood, I did have the fireplace cleaned tho.

 I just don't feel the mood, my tempo is off, my mood is melancholy ... very much so.... disgruntled.... sour.... and other adjectives!!!!

One blogger says get out of the house, get on with life... good advice, but I am not feeling it...

I have to put on a smile, fresh starched shirt, take a bath, brush my teeth, and adjust the few strands of hair left on the top of my head ... we are having Ziti with a Caesar salad and I am bringing a bottle of Malbec.

Fridays was always a great day for me, I thought I would might try to do that again soon.  Friday Lunch... invite a few folks. Dutch Treat Mind You.

The Feeling

 The Dogs Bark....... But the Caravan Moves On.... So says an Arabic Proverb which use to hang in one of my Warden's Offices years ago...... 

I hear the Dogs Barking...... I feel the wind in my face.... I take one step at at time.... to ....

Move Forward.....   

Its not an easy process.... I have never been unemployed since 1974..... I feel myself becoming bitter, a bitter old man...... men my age are dying all around me... I see that in the obit......

Its a bitter time for me..... Thinking I will pull out of it....  There is Hope .... I just don't know how much Hope

Its been a lil While

 It's been a lil' while since I posted, not long, but a lil' while.  I received my National Press Photographer Association badge, with my photo id and name on it last week.  I haven't venture out using it just yet.  I'm applying to Getty Images to become a "contributor" ... Have to see how that goes.

All in all ...everything is ok for the time being.

The Journey Continues.....

 The Beast is in the Shop.  The insurance company is not sure how to proceed, they assure me that my rate will not go up, I am glad I have an extra 2 million dollar rider which is separate policy under my insurance plan, that covers things, ... 

Let State that the Beast is famous now, especially among automobile fans, fans of Fuck Everything Etc Etc.

The back story is that the Beast was driven back to Alexandria, by the driver who borrowed it to go to Lafayette, La.  He up until this point in time was a man of good standing, had a supervisor's job with a transportation/delivery company, outstanding member of several organizations etc....... 

On that Saturday night he transformed into Mario Andretti .... and was clocked at over 141 miles per hour, out ran the La State Police, and Four Separate Parish Sheriff's Departments.... there has been according to the repair shop . body repair shop, approximately more than 100 people stop in to See The Beast.. 

The Man, who was the driver, has fled the state, not to be found.  He parked the Beast downtown on that Sunday, police cameras where on, I looked at the camera backup recording my self, he gets out of the Beast, walks away down the street, crosses the levee and is gone... the next camera picks him up on the Main Street as he walks out of town...

Gone but not forgotten.... The Beast Lives.!!!!!

Sitting Here Hmmmm

 Well.... after several bad decisions with friends, my Mustang is in the shop.  I friend came by, gave me a sob story, he is a Fed Ex Driver, .. to cut to the chase, he had an accident that had the Mustang in the shop for repairs.

Things are not aligning as they should .... the stars and the cosmos is out of kilter and I am as bumfussaled as I have ever been.  Not working is a force to be reckoned with.   I counted up my savings yesterday, I have enough to pay of the house, car, etc, and a retirement income that still places me well above the poverty line of this state.

Its just these small mistakes, bad choices of judgement, as one friend told me... Tom.... I would have never thought you would have loaned that car out.... 

Am I chancing faith, Am I taking unnecessary risk in my personal life, the unsettling notion that I might not work again is creeping up inside of me..... My political friends tell me this is temporary and come March 2022, I will be back in the flow of things.  ... .. lets hope so, I might be drinking Johnnie Walker dry if this keeps up.

The Right Foot

 As time continues to pass on .. my right foot, with its torn ligament, as the doctor said it would progresses to heal, in the way the doctor said it would.  I continue to "ice" it three to four times a day, slowly but surely it continues to improve.  

I have to remind my self that living with hiv, that my healing time is longer in some instances than in general.  Which continues to be the case here.  I have about another ten to 14 days to fully heal I hope.  

Other than that, not much as changed here..   I did rec'd a phone call from an old college friend, whom I have kept in contact with over the years, since 1973 actually.  

Fall is arriving here shortly, temps for later on in the week will fall to the mid 50s at night, a welcomed relief from the 90s during the day and upper 70s during the nights.  

Time continues... that is all I can say.  

Another Mishap

 On Saturday I had a dinner party for couple of my friends.  

During supper, I got up to get something, a Pop happened to be heard by all at the table, the Pop came from my right foot.

I "ice" the right ankle, the swelling goes down, I putter around the house doing my chores, then the pain comes back, I "ice" the ankle, time and time again, I am told by medical professionals that it could take two weeks to recover or once I go into the office, surgery might be recommended.. 

Shit, Shit, and More Shit.!!!!!!!

In the last few days, it has been a routine, which is full of pain, I cussed every time it happens.. 

Other than that, The Garden District, is still the same... 

Things Just Keep on Coming

 The hamstrings were July 31st, now the right foot has a tendon tear in it preventing me from going to Pt, I can barely hobble around the house ...  I am to stay off the right foot for 7 days to see in the pulled tendon can ease back into place .... retirement is not been going well.... I just can't believe all that has happened to me since July 27th... its been down hill mentally, now since July 31st its the physical side going down hill

Most of the Lesbians have abandoned me in I am not meeting their appropriate guidelines for visitor at my home... please its the recovering addicts that stop by the check on the man who helped them get into rehab and gave them the confidence to get on with their lives.... 

O, Well Such is life.. in a small sinister lil town on the Banks of the Red as this town has become.

The Current and New Chapter

 Today, began with me waking up from having a long sleep last night, went to PT got stretched and returned home.  Made my coffee, French Press, now writing on the Current state of affairs and what will become of me.... New Chapter.

Hurricane Ida, came and went without much fanfare here in the Lil City by the Red... however the destruction of New Orleans, Metarire and some of the North Shore is very tragic.. image.. no power or services for a month, no running water, and you are living in the sweltering heat, humid, sticky sweaty heat.. miserable.....totally miserable... My friend Steve and his partner of 30+ years are experiencing this first Hand.... I had limited communication. with them yesterday.....through cell service is spotty.

New Chapter...... Home..... 

I have been engaged by a local attorney to help with several inmate transfers, which will provide some time consuming work.. its the time management issue for me.. what to do when you wake up till you go to bed..... I believe I can write this new way, this new chapter.. I just have to be careful in doing so.. make sure all will be well.

A Chapter has Ended..... Ida Approaches..... So is Life in Louisiana

 Taylor departed today... 

He admitted to me last Night as we prepared to go to the Land of Nod, that he was infatuated with the accomplishments of my life, but had no physical attraction to me whatsoever....... 

Can you imagine..... sitting in bed, having a clear frank discussion of the feelings between two men.... and out from the mouth of the man, that is naked besides you, "I just need to tell you this, I have No Physical Attraction to You, I am enamored with your life accomplishments, the power structure that you have, etc...

What the Fuck......   .... the conversation concluded that I could not lay with a man that was Not physically attracted in some way to me... period.

So, I closed the chapter on Taylor... for the last six years its been heading toward this honest discussion. To his amazement, he thought that I was going to allow him to stay here in this home.... Please Young Man.... Carry your self......

I, through some arrangements, did what men of my generation do well, I sent him home to his Mother, with due compensation, for the two weeks he was here.  

Ida Approaches....... 

My family who has small children booked the Omni Downtown in Houston for an extended stay beginning tomorrow.. nothing better than a lil few days in a four star hotel with three pools, and wait staff to handle your every need.

They are in the direct path of Ida, which according to the latest projections, the Eye of the Ida will pass directly over Mockingbird Hill...   

So, as the sun sets here on the Banks of the Red.... in the Lil Town by the Red.... I am at peace with it all....

As my grandfather told his brother, in my family's lore, May My Eyes Cast Upon You as they Lower You into the Your Grave... Never More.... Good Bye Taylor.

Taylor #2

 Taylor continues to help around the house since I am limited to bending over carrying more than 10 pounds, moving things etc.

He has been a great help, continues to do so.  He also has made a commitment to the local technical college in the La State Education System, has enrolled in a program there. 

Having him here, learning to live with another person, is somewhat of a challenge for me, however, the good out weighs the lil inconveniences, he is very devoted to my well being, never asking for more than cigarette money.  He is seeking part time employment also, to aid in his pocket money.  

I'm encouraged by his attitude toward being upwardly mobile.  He is centered on his education and when he is here at the house, he is doing his chores etc...   

Adjusting to retirement is another matter and I will talk about that as I try to wrap my head around what is happening both mentally and physically with me.

The Journey Continues

 Taylor arrived here last Thursday..... he is still attending the CLTCC. He is doing well.... I on the other hand am still recuperating at a slower pace than I had anticipated.

He will continue to be here helping me as I manage the injury, which at first I didn't believe was so extensive and severe ..... !

Five days of peeing in a bucket, in bed, not leaving the bed for Five Days... I begin PT this week, since I saw the Dr on Friday.  I did have Home Health, which included three days of PT.  

Since the Fall on July 31st, now there are stretches I have to perform, even before I get out of bed. Taylor's job is to see that I don't fall again, make sure the house is cleaned, and general help.. 

I just didn't imagine how much I had hurt my self.... the Doctor said on Friday that the healing process will be long ... and that my initial progress was amazing, but don't count on making such a heroic journey.. its all about finishing the journey.... healthy and alive.

Support ... and a Lil More Story

 When the Tree falls doing a strong wind.... most country folks say that the roots didn't hold it... was the age of the tree, decaying root system, rotted maybe, or in time... all trees fall down or rot or as the Quercus  Nigra, which is quite prevalent here in the Deep Deep South... this Oak Tree is known as a Water Oak.. it lives marvelous for 75 years.... then for the next 50 years dies a death of rotted limbs, wood ant infestations. etc....

As you may note the time, during my lil episode, my nights and days are a lil' topsy turvy .....But hopefully I will sleep here soon.. I feel like a fallen tree... but I was uprooted by sheer Stupidity... Sheer Stupidity and Not taking time to look back on the political playing field  which leads to keeping the play book on the shelf and not reviewing it more... past editions.. years of editions.... The Strong Wind Blew and the Aged Roots didn't hold......!!!!

A old political friend of mine said tonight in a very discreet message to me... "that bruise you have now was caused by the second fall...."he was correct the bruise was from the fall of July 31st .... the real Fall was July 27th....   I told him my Momma had taught me well, I calmly removed my self from my office over looking downtown, and went home to a stiff scotch and soda.... no screaming, no gnashing of the teeth, no blood letting, you must maintain  a dignified honor, put our  daily journal in the briefcase, lay the office key on the boss's desk (he was not in his office, its tradition), along with the badge, security card to open the door, and hold your head up, walked slowly, calmly out with the Hatchet Man.. 

It was a Gentleman who came to slay another Gentleman (Me) he had a job to do, be pleasant about it... he too was an old friend, the Boss pick a friend to behead me... It was basically bloodless.... Done... 

Gentlemen don't scream going to the chopping block... they are dignify... especially in Louisiana.... where two of my dear old mentors passed aways this year.. both had bestowed honors on me, by giving me Governor's Commendations, (just so the record is clear here, I possess Three Gubernatorial Commendations by Three Governors of the Great State of Louisiana) that will hang now on a wall at my house... one Governor said an old Chinese proverb was that As he grew older, and he lived to be a ripe old age.... that if you live long enough, the bodies of your enemies will float pass you in the river and you can wave to them.   

Yes.... I do hope to live long...for I would like to see as this unfolds.... the bodies of my political enemies float pass the Lil City By  the Red

A Comment written with Heart.. I felt the letters hitting the page of the blog!!!

This is a note I wrote to a comment that RJ left me yesterday... I think it is appropriate to make an entry out of it...

  I appreciate the thoughts... ... the questions from folks are intrusive .. I am talking about my neighbors, some old friends.... when I find the time, find the courage to write about the events of July 27th, the movement to help, the idea that my time had come. To Go... at that moment the Hatchet Man sat in front of me at my desk.... I was calm,.. I know instantly that the Time had Come to Go... I left calmly, .. and I will write about it when I have once figured out the evolution of how the events unfolded.. 

I know this... its time for me to travel... to find other Roots, to meet and inquire into other people... and remembering the inscription on the Library at the University of Colorado at Boulder.. "He who only knows his Generation, shall always remain a child"

It was Time for me to Go

A Different Time.....A Lost But Not Really....

At 1230pm July 27th of this year, my life changed....  I resigned from public office... It is said by many that "No Good Deed goes Unpunished"..... That is the second time in my career, I have heard that statement.... the first was Katrina..... the second for my stupidity to help the less fortunate and my big mouth....

As I continue to resolve this in my own mind, I will share a few details... then on the 31st of July at 830pm, my life took another turn, when I was putting aways from valuables in the hall floor safe.... I slipped, fell, in a cheerleader banana split style that tore my left hamstring.. I have now been in bed 6 days... progress is slow.... I do have the support of several friends.. which I am thankful for indeed.

I'm just not sure where this new era, part, what is left of this last quarter of my life will be taking me, pushing me, bringing me.. or directing me to be. .. I can tell that I have some resurgence of creative ideas, that the Camera will be there, so will Tik Tok to promote some of my work... I might even try FaceBook, but it gives me shivers...... 

Its just a different time .. could be a lost if I let it me... but I am not.... it's a new path to be carved in the life to T W Tommy Thompson III.... one day soon

,

Time Heals

 As a social historian and an observer of human behavior,  I am experiencing a unique life event.

I fell and tore my left hamstring on Saturday night. have been confined to my bedroom since that time after arrival from the Trauma Center

I will keep the blog informed as to my progress and all.

Also, I am now in the category of another Louisianian Jimmy Swaggart....no good deed goes unpunished!!!! in my case

More of that subject also

Sometimes the Wind Blows

The life events of the last several weeks, seem but a blur..... The Wind of Change in one's life sometimes blows strong, then. gentle, then with burst of gust.  That's how my life is changing. 

Its Summer

 Its Summer here in the Lil City by the Red, its 95 degrees at 515pm, its 78 % humidity, you sweat when you step out the front door to sit on the porch..... 

Its Hot..... August and September is not here yet... 

The City Council .... is hot topic... its hotter than hell spewing over...... money money... the Chief Lesbian is on the City Council now....its getting hotter as the summer goes on

Quiet..... Steady as it Goes..... And Pride Month is Here

 Folks down here in central and southeast Louisiana are experiencing large rain amounts, not seen in years, May was a very cool month, by the time June came, it was suppose to be in the 90s.

Nope ... hasn't happened yet, its been rain, rain, and rain.

It's Pride Month, surprisingly we are seeing a few more flags flying than last year in the neighborhood.

Which I believe is a good thing...... At lest folks are announcing their presence and making a statement.

So, the Lesbians are all flying The Traditional Flag with the Traditional Colors....... Blah Blah Blah.

I, on the other hand, thought why not fly, during the month several Flags of the Gay Pride...

So, I choose the Leather Pride Flag to Fly First from the House. Here it is ............

Rarely

 Rarely do I show my face on here.......

I was having supper last night with a dear dear friend, I sat the table according to Southern Tradition etc etc etc....

I took a photo of myself sniffing a Magnolia Grandiflora.. ... The Southern Magnolia... 

What appears in the photo behind me should be interesting... its one of my most endearing Black and White Photographs from William Dennison "Men in Monochrome".

So here I am hiding behind the Magnolia Grandiflora and in the background is one of the series that I have from William when he was in Houston Tx.. he has now brought his talents to the NorthWest USA.

Call Me Daddy,...... Daddy..... !!!!!. Yell it out if u care. it makes me Smile.... Hell Yer!!!

Productive Day......

There is a subscription service here for the Clerk's Office.  I have enrolled in it for about four years now, it really is a nominal cost, with the amount of information that is provided...... All records, civil and criminal that are filed with the Clerk of Court.... 

I get to see who is gettin' married, who is taking mortgages out, refinancing etc.. the entire gambit of all legal here in the Parish.. .... 

So, its been quite a productive day here at the Courthouse in many ways....   I will finish up the Shrimp Creole for supper tonight with a bottle of Pomerol 2016... make a lil salad and read the WSJ... after a fairly long day at the office.... 

Good Food, Good Wine... in the Solitude of One's Home.... Alone.. which might be the Best Place for me.

O, btw... I watch Halston on Netflix last night... it brought back so many memories of the late 70s and all of the 80s..... 

Supper.... and a Lil TikTok

 Yesterday, I got the urge to do a lil cookin' for supper... While it takes a good four hours to prepare the one dish I was cookin... Shrimp Creole or Shrimp Stew.. it don't matter what you call it.... it was good and today its going to be better....

Bob and John were back in town so I had them down for supper last night, Sauvignon Blanc, Shrimp Creole, Heart of Romaine Salad, lil French Baguette ..... and Butter... 

Here is me making the Creole https://www.tiktok.com/@tom71301/video/6965194652760739077?sender_device=pc&sender_web_id=6961915858797856262&is_from_webapp=v1&is_copy_url=0

Narrower Margins of Error

 As we get older, our margins of error narrows with events, happenings, activities of daily life.

Last Sunday, my friend Tony, who is a health care consultant, who happen to be born in January, when I was born in December  of that Faithful Year, took a fall on his bike (bicycle) while riding on the Lake Pontchartrain Levee near his home down south.  He had a severe concussion, chipped  shoulder, two cracked ribs.  

He is just now where he can talk over a phone without getting dizzy etc.... we were discussing our past events in life.. He reminded me that our margin of error narrows as time goes on with these falls, accidents, no helmet etc.. no ten foot ladders and changing out the lights.

I asked if he had a helmet .... "Tommy why hell No, I had my favorite Yankee BaseBall Cap on"... Gee Tony, we surely know now the margin of Error is way too narrow for you and me not to wear a helmet...maybe. 

Rain Rain Rain and Other topics

 Rain is here.. its not a normal May.......

The Gay Population as a whole in this state makes me sick... Users and Abusers... Poor White Trash and Poor Black Trash... Just Trash.... they don't work, they have no careers, they eat each other alive, they take no prisoners...... You can't find an honest man among them.. small towns are the worst .. no jobs, living back with Momma, don't stand on their on two feet, its just pitiful .... 

Friend passed away today down south of here... because he didn't take his meds... gee what is wrong with these guys... take your meds.. no one can force that pill down the throat.. .. another example of the poor education, no personal responsibility... and so on.....

I am looking towards happier times......

I received a invite from the Rule Gallery in Denver today.. on an artist that I have some interest in.. that is a pleasant thought.. hop on a plane on Friday... visit a gallery on Saturday.. hop back on a plane on Sunday.. will I do that.. most likely not... but the thought of that makes my day......

They Appeared!!!

 There are Pharisees in the Garden District... Statement Said!!!!

Thinking....

 As regular readers of this blog, which I do have a few, understand that living in semi rural central Louisiana does have its drawbacks.. semi remote... the Lil City by the Red lost population, I think we are now down to 46K.... and the Parish Population is still hovering at somewhere around 124K.. but with a re-measure square mile figure of 1323 Square Miles... you can see the gay population is far .... far ... 

Social media even makes it more difficult... since we have no gay bar at this time, last one closed years ago..... 

So, what is a Man to do..... I don't like Grindr.. nor Scruff.. nor Jack'd ... hook ups are non existent and most are into the big T or rolling on 420 every hour or so.... 

So, I thought maybe an alternative... Gay Tik Tok.... let me venture out there.. No Gain No Harm...

I now have Nine Followers....  I'm clumsy at the posting of the videos.. but I am making progress... a lil bit.... not much.....

I portray my self as a Gay + Daddy.... I just want the conversation actually... I know its a long shot... just to meet other like minded guys.....  I "liked" a guy on his profile yesterday.. he was Lake Charles... after a brief chat..... he ask if I had Cash App.... Damn Damn Damn.. a sure sign of sending money... Nope ...No Sir... I ain't sending money to view some porn that u can see anywhere else.. Please it's just not a turn on...I speaking about the statement of "Do you have Cash App"...

So, for the sake of conversation... here is my latest posting.... About the enjoyment of a having a cigar on the front porch...............Its a the top of the page

Hmmm Some More Results

 Thank the Good Lord.... my PSA went back to .8 (point 8).... ..... which proves the Thompson-Hernandez-Liss way of thinking, My first doctor was I.M. Thompson and so on.. I now have Liss..  .. that Active Sexual  Activity increases PSA levels if tested within 7 days of the excursion of the bed or sling or both... 

Which all says.. Tommy has been good .... which means without, however. that might not be a bad thing... sometimes... .. not engaging is better off than the  engagement itself.... these days.... 

So... ..I'll stay happy and celibate!!!  for the time being!!!

Now, I went to see my infectious disease doctor today, I viewed my blood work a few days ago... my cd4 count is now rose to 1150...  he changed my Trivicay and Devscoy to Davoto .. he says it could help with the water retention.. i.e. weight gain... .. I won't state the weight, i have never weighed this much .. its horrible... . however, its back to the bike and the new private gym... with the Lady Trainer.. etc... she is tuning me up a twice a week, intense 30 minute work out routine to fit my health concerns, knees, joints etc.. have to see where all this is going... my GLU was a tad bit high also, I am sure it came from all the liquor for the wedding weekend, cause the bloodwork was on that Monday following the wedding.. 

So, Gym, No Playing, Ride the Bike, Go let her make me sweat... 

Orville

 Sunday.... I spent listening to Orville Peck.. in the afternoon, while the rain rolled in from West Louisiana......

Orville is playing the Hinterland Music Fest in St. Charles IA in August, on a Sunday, but tickets sold out in 10 minutes.... 

He has other dates in other Music Fest ....   He says he hails from Canada, Orville is suppose to be a Pseudonym for him...   from what I gather.. he also plays Punk Rock.... 

He demeanor is that he is always "masked up".

One site says he identifies as Gay.... 

Here he is leather pants, vest, mask and all...........

Hmmm...... PostScript

 Most of the time, I don't add a postscript, .. but I just had to to put it out there....

The Bourbon got to me a lil bit, yesterday, however in the MeLee' of yesterday, I did commit to a personal trainer, who runs a very private gym, here in the Lil City by the Red... 

I engaged her to provide me with twice a week, intense workouts, centered around my health issues, I once in my late 40s a gym rat believe or not, however times rolls on ... takes the toll.....with Good Livin'

This engagement will be for three months, at the end we will look seriously at the results......

But (and the is always a but).... I didn't cook as I intended too...  I Waitr'ed tonight at Viet Thai with Tum Yum Beef salad, two small pork rolls.... I am off the Checkers for a Big Banana Malt if the line is too long, maybe Dairy Queen... then bed  and the CPAP.....   tomorrow who knows... 

Have to see where all this decision making is going to take me, see if I can really make a change... it should be interesting 

What was going to be.... Just aint happenin now

 Yesterday, I came home from the office, made me a drink, listened to Marvin Gaye, Etta James, Whitney, etc... ordered from Waiter..... 

Two of the young doctor interns were attending a yard party across the street, they stopped in for a brief period of time, they asked me when I was going to cook for them again. I told them tomorrow......

The more I thought about it after they left was, they have never invited me over to their place for supper, they have been here for 2 years.... so on.........

Both have dietary requirements, one is Jewish.... very adamant about what he eats, no bottom feeders i.e. crawfish, shrimp, no pork, yaya dada...... Most of the Jewish folks in this neighborhood eat anything... they love food...  both of the interns are from out of town, one is from out of state........ 

The more I thought about Supper tonight... the more I mulled over it.......

I text both of them together this morning and Canceled the engagement... period.... 

I headed to the meat market to get some thick pork chops, etc.... grill them up tonight...and eat eat eat... with a nice sauvignon blanc.....or pomerol.... 

Make biscuits and coffee in the morning.. and read the weekend WSJ in bed in the morning.... 

Reading the Washington Post

I really never try to get into National Politics here.. but  I am so tired of it all.... So I just wanted to  write about it to get it out of my system today......................

 I was reading as I do on my daily reads, the Washington Post, and I am going to quote a part of an article written by Matt Bai, a contributing columnist:

Until then, we have only these aging scions of Republican royalty, refusing to stay aboard the Trumpian vessel, floating on a lifeboat to God knows where.

Mr.  Bai was writing about the Romney, Cheney, Bush legions, and how they are the last bastions of a True Republican verses the Trump Population 

I am considered here in the Lil City by the Red, a blend of Yellow Dog Democrat and Blue Dog Democrat.. which is determined by whether its sun shining or cloudy, respectively.

I believe in my heart that Trumpism is a wrongful, vengeful method, that will eventually  destroy the American Way of Life period. Trumpism will destroy our democratic system of government and bring down the two party system, with its independent off springs. Our government will become, if let unchecked, a Monodemocracy .. .. One Party One Vote, One Way of Thinking..

Trumpism is based on fear, lies, no objectivity, .. on false beliefs... Period

Yes Sireeee.... Get Back

 Well ... let's see.... the journey down was good, stopped at the Farm, saw all the family, extended family, had meeting with the Brother and Sister... then headed to Baton Rouge .... Red Stick..... 

Friday was good, Saturday found be rejoicing with old friends, at Tsunami for the afternoon looking out onto the Mighty Big Muddy, Mississippi River... sipping cocktails, regaling in stories, meeting new folks...

Then the wedding, nice as all weddings are at the Old Governor's Mansion with the reception there.. 

The Big News is the neighborhood is gaining two new residents, an Osteopathic Doctor and An Actor ... they are coming from a cold state to good ole Louisiana .... rather humid, warm... sweltering actually climate... I hope they have visited here before in the summertime... its a shock to a cold climate person... and then the Heat of the Culture... ... I do hope they adjust.... We need new blood here ..in the Garden District..... its makes life wonderful to have folks to engage with...

Other than that....... I did look around Baton Rouge for living accommodations, maybe taking an duplex in Mid Town.. I think Mid Town BR would be more appropriate than the life on the River...I may try that for a year or so.... see if I like coming back here.. on an early Monday Morning..  .... I realized that I had so many friends living down there... at the wedding, early that day, roaming around my old stomping grounds, maybe one day I just might here soon take an apartment or side of a duplex in Red Stick to venture back out in the Old Stomping Grounds. 

 

A Journey Back....

 Tomorrow, I journey back to the Land of my Birth, for a social obligation, a wedding for Saturday at the stroke of half pass Five in the Afternoon, at the Old Governor's Mansion, in the Capitol City.  The wedding party have reservations for me at the downtown Hilton for two nights... 

These obligations are rare these days, during my years here in the Lil City by the Red, I have not associated with my Past Life... It brings back memories ..... however, it is also a gathering of old college roommates and folks I have known and my family has known, done cattle/horse business with since the  1920s. 

Louisianans, Gentlemen and Ladies of the South, , relationships formed generations ago. I will be among the Blooded Again.... I can hold my own, but its the Pomp and Circumstance that always drives the dagger into my Soul... According to social standards, I am there, at the Top of the Heap.... however, I am sure my eye will be cast to some 20 something waiter with white gloves and a snarly cute smile.

Coping with this Social Must, I have taken reservations at the top of the building at 100 Lafayette Street, in the Capitol City with an old dear friend and his lover ... for Dinner at high Noon (remember we do Supper here in the South)..... Sushi and Martinis ... long, long lunch.... on Saturday....  

Then after Dinner, I will take a Respite before I begin my stroll down to the Old Mansion, Dressed appropriately..... tailored coat, braces, brown on brown Oxford shoes, accompanying Robert Talbot  tie, correct watch, and Parade as the Gay Old PeaCock that I am...... 

............ in the Confines of  The Social Agenda of the Deep Deep South.....

Wish me Luck.. and I don't wink too much at that white gloved waiter carrying ...  Champagne in those Coupe Glasses.... please No Flutes here.. its Louisiana

The Last Boil of the Season

 The Last Boil of the Season........ 

The Smiths and The Smiths, two couples that I have enjoyed many evening meals with..... 

My contribution was the Jeroboam.... 

We ate, ate, sucked heads and tails...... 

 as I take that last drop of that Gran Cru ...on the Last Boil of the Season....... 

Shit Shit Shit

 I am not sure what fuckin key I have pressed or what I have done.. but I can not comment on my favorite blogs, (all of y'all listed that just blogspot.com)

Until I find what I have done wrong ..... forgive me. this is so so so so so so frustrating to me, especially when I am on my third JW Red and Soda... 

I say Shit Shit Shit... and a few other words that former Louisiana Wardens has used in the scope of their careers.

Listening

 One of my assignments is to view, listen, and make comments on cases on the Zoom/YouTube channel for Corrections in Louisiana.  

I listen to all hearings, if you truly Listen, its a great learning tool, I do, its almost like going to therapy, group that is.  

I presented the comments on a career criminal yesterday, he was denied.  He avoided answering the questions of the panel  truthfully when the Panel had the answers before them.... 

The Truth is always the best, even though, admitting it can tear you up emotionally, but its best in the long run for sure.... Lesson Learned Again and Again 

Camera Daylight.... The Postman Arrives

 So, I ordered the Book.....I don't order from Amazon often.. not my thing.. but (and there is always a but),      tracking.      ........... the Book.... 

I see that the Book  is being delivered today... I leave the office as soon as the Blink signals the Postman has arrived......

Get home.... cut the package open... there it is.... all 310 pages, printed on good paper, the back page says Made in the USA, Coppell Texas... 

I'm curious, I read the back cover first, .. See the White Jeep ... !!!!!!

Yep, I believe that this is going to be a Read, that is worth every printed page... I like the style.. words.

The Thoughts Exactly for me..as The Element !!!!

Last Night Rambling Along.... Staying Put Might be Better

 Last night, I had Bob and John for supper.  This was our first supper together actually here at the house since I don't know when.. its been a very long time... everyone has been vaccinated.. so it is much relaxed pace and the conversation flowed well .. like before the Covid..

During the supper I text a photo of the table settings to my sister, .. her response was not nice.. she has always seem to hold in her mind that I never invited her to my house  when she lived here for a year. well she choose to live on a lake 27 miles to of the City.... but she does throw that up saying its a hurtful memory... 

Actually she never lets things go   I hosted her at our best restaurant here Bistro on the Bayou many times... its was closer as a meeting place .. even had her B Day Supper there.. My sister is a retired military officer.. 

I'm venting actually .... she is quite wealthy, having her late husband's military officer retirement, her military retirement, and her plush job with a major corporation... But she has a wicked tongue which keeps most folks at bay... she has very few friends... she is a lonely widow .. Period!!!!

Here is the table setting for last night 

She continues to tell me I need to move closer to my family on the farm...  let me digress here for one moment.....

I was having a biopsy some years ago of the prostate, the urologist sent the needle into the lower bowel, thus I became sepsis... my sister took me to the emergency room, after my doctor came in she left to go check on her dogs, she came back the next time for a short visit.. then left to to check on her dogs.... I stayed in the hospital for five days.. she came on the fifth day and retrieve me, took me back to her home in the hills above SA...

 I immediately got in my car and left...Drove the 443 miles back to Louisiana after being discharged the same day.. Got the Hell out of there. I felt she was cold cruel, and cared for her dogs more.....

So, I truly need to re think again... what might happen... I think I am better off here after she showing Again, Again her true colors.. its her feelings, her emotions that count.. Not any one else !!!!!

C and C

 The Spring is here, chilly even, The Smiths, both sets, are having boiled crawfish , for which I have received an invitation with a Caveat' ..... bring the Jeroboam ... the Ultra Magnum of Champagne, Paul Dethune, Brut, Grand Cru....   So on Friday, April 23rd, we shall fest on tails and suck heads... 

Its about the Same

 Well .... not much going on.,,, its Crawfish season, Summer is about to be here real soon....  !!!

March 31st The Memory Will Never Leave My Mind

 Tis the end of March..... which since 2001,... is some what Melancholy for a moment in my daily routine....

It brings me back to my Roots, to The Farm, which has been in my family for the last 147 years... 

It brings me back to the times that since my Daddy's death, 1962, that My Dear Momma ran The Farm with an Iron Fist, 32 caliber Long Colt, and her stern no non-sense approach to Life, Family, etc.... 

When Wilma Ruth Sumrall "Dink" Thompson passed from this Life to the Greater Here After... her Spirit still roams in many ways......... Momma passed today, March 31st 2001....

Memories, lets leave it at that.. Memories....   Momma was a Buck Sergeant, Woman's Air Corp. U.S.Army during WWII... she never forgot that training..!!!!!

One of my fondest photographs of Momma, is during a Fall Round-Up at the Farm.... My sister was off excelling in her military career, she retired a Lt. Colonel...  I was called to come "help" with the Round-Up.....  actually they (Momma and Brother John) wanted to see how I was doing and if I was going to bring a "friend" to tag along....  Nope I didn't........ 

It always amazed me that my dear Brother and Momma's calves losses where less than my dear Sister and My losses....... but who is counting at this point..  Momma ran The Farm... my Brother was the second in command...  Lil Sister was somewhere on the Pacific Rim being the Air Force Major.... and I was building my career in Corrections.

Let us note The Farm was well over 2K acres ... with 400 head of brood cows, numerous elements, etc etc .....  and Momma was Ms. Wilma, Ms. Dink, or if you were so close.... Momma...

I think of her Spirit often ...... but here is the photograph, myself, Momma, and dear Brother John.  I left off the note written in her hand writing, on the back of the photograph,  as too personal for this blog.

Memories.... of a Life.... that has Passed to Eternity...... We, the Siblings, Remember... and a few others..

Notes...One to RJ... One to Jimmy.... and the Recipe to BD

 I usually don't do this ... but RJ and Jimmy see comments on the last post before this one......

Here's to Ya Brain Dump....... 

Maker's Mark Old Fashion.... Mulled Not Stirred 

Toastin' a setting Sun over the Red Bricks in the Lil City by the Red...

First slice an orange .... then half it, lay one half against the other

Four Dashes of Peychaud Bitters

Saizan Juice. ( you can't buy it anywhere but Louisiana) Come get you a small bottle

The Cherries......

Mull It..... One Press, not Twice, Not Stirred .. Press the Mull, make sure it's Wood.

The Ice

Maker's Mark and for the Good Sake of Our Lord... Fill almost ... almost full, leaving about one half of an inch for...... The Soda

Soda

Never Stirred..... All in a 12 to 13 Oz Old Fashion Crystal Glass I did take a few sips out of the glass before the photo was made

Today Today... !!!

 Life continues on.....

I washed the Beast for the first time in  good while.. I had a friend who owns a body shop replace some plastic bumper screws, I did a lil touch up paint on some chips on the car hood, its only has 23K on it, I took it to the new car wash in town, did the vacuum on the inside, worked on the damage to the rims that these high curbs can cause if you get too close. The bricks streets that were laid in 1903, have 14 inch curbs, they were constructed so to step out of your carriage onto the sidewalks.. not good for automobiles of today.. 

I don't want another car note... I sold the 4x4 earlier this year, when you have a truck and a car folks want to always borrow the truck ..... I solved that matter .. sold it.. placed the money in the bank.. 

Since I dont travel as I did .. no need to have two vehicles two insurances etc.. 

and my commute is only six blocks to work ... I could ride my bike or walk. but with the  climate, I'm a lil hesitant to do either until the Police get a better grip on things.. I thought I would never say that.. but good common sense says don't place your self in situations that could lead to some harm. 

The new City Council Person, Chief Lesbian did stop here at the house today we had a long talk about city safety, etc... I think she is on the correct path in her approach... 

I am looking forward to next week, I am back on track with my cpap and feeling much better.. 

The Pollen bloom is in full swing, so we are in the yellow dust at the moment... we need a good rain and it will be all gone... 

Its time for a lil Scotch and Soda... and Sunday Supper.

It was Frustration... Period (Revised)

 Frustration in Government... Frustration in the Community, Here on the Red Bricks in the Lil City by the Red.... . nothing more... nothing less.... 

Covid has certainly made life different to and for Us All.... in ways that are still becoming known..... I can tell in the  places  that I know of .... it has brought folks together... and moved some folks farther apart.....

It seems the later here... when I came home today from the office, after having lunch with our newly appointed City Council Person, who happens to be the Chief Lesbian... I noticed that no one was on their porches.. 

It was a topic at the lunch table with her and her chief counsel.. another lesbian... was the "farther apart" movement,..... the I don't like what you are saying, I don't like you now... ... it was agreed that we must do something to pull these folks but to come Civility ..... Soon....The sense that we have lost "community".. so to speak......

Second Topic ... 

Our lil neck of the woods, here on the Red Bricks, in the Lil City by the Red has been provoked/scarred by violence in our young African American Community... from the age of 16 to 29, this is the age range of the Murderers.. the ones that pull the trigger, 15 have fallen to the pavement.. .. Dead since January 1st,...

All of the Murderers are behind bars, taken from the streets. The Cost on both sides is insurmountable!!!

No reason can be obtained.....  Isolation, Poverty, No Work Ethic, Drugs, Covid, Let the BabyMomma Work... I have heard it all as I sit in my office .... 

I know that we will overcome this pattern, this social dilemma, this counter point to a violent young society, .... maybe  at some point in time, can we learn... can we be taught.... can these young men listen and hear ...  I hope so.... until Then...... ...we will all persevere and hopefully  be better for it... somewhere down the road... 

Not A Damn Thing Has Changed

 Nope.... we are still the way we where....... Period.... No Change........

Red Necks are Still Red Necks.....

Every one has an Damn Asshole and No one is wiping it........

Time to Move On..... Period....

Spring Arrived

 Yep, Spring is here.... The pollen on the Beast says it all.... 

If you travel across the river to P'ville, with its tall Pole Pine Trees (Long Leaf Pines), as they catch a breeze, the yellowish green dust is like a fog drifting across a meadow... 

Crawfish markets are harkening their prices, nope I am not paying $4.75 a pound for boiled... the price should come down later in the year as we move to the month of May.....

You can see the effects of the Winter Storm on most greenery here... the damage is very severe... however, the Hostas are coming out as the early Spring begins here... 

Re-Birth, Renewed Vigor..... and Cold Beer .. naw .. a Nice Old Fashion with good cherries, Marker's Mark, Oranges, and Not Mulled.. Not Stirred.... Layered Only... and don't forget the Bitters 

It's Going

 This past week I settled into the new 17.5 hour work week, they are paying quite nice at $XX an hour, however it is still not like going to work at 830am leaving at 430pm five days a week. 

The routine of working five days a week for the last 37 years is engrained in my mind, how to spread the work week around to accomplish my task of managing the Corrections end of the Office is challenging and getting into a 17.5 hour routine.

Hey You Need to Leave

Not many men speak of it these days,  at the beginning of this era of blogs, which I have set to be around 1998 ... it was more gay bloggers, detailing the events, happenings, romps and stomps, an occasional very connective written entry about a long heated sweaty night.

These days our lil blog world is TAME....talking about walking dogs, film fests, eating out... etc etc....

Let me turn to a page this Friday, in the hiv world of gay men, there are circles that provide a personal contact with other hiv gay men.,,, yes Group Sex... 3somes, 4somes... but mostly 3somes.... 

On Friday night by bud JMan decided to call me up, say he had a guy he wanted me to meet, introduce me to, have a lil fun.... The guy was new to the gay scene, but was dealing with the rejection of casual sex by his status.... .. he was a lil bit depress....   J thought that we could have nice long session, say 3 hours, casual no pressure, more erotica, toys, good poppers.....and talk about our journeys in the Land of Sex, Videos, and Rock and Roll.... as Gay men..... So I am calling him C...  As I am and always have  been comfortable in my own skin, being naked among friends ...  gives me a shared sense of  the true brotherhood of Gay Men.. Thus J came over and we arranged the bedroom for the thousand time, put the rubber sheet on, turned what C wanted to watch on the pornhub, displayed a few vibes (the new ones come with remote control) plug or two . and Bertha .. the newest addition to the Toy Chest.. associated cock rings.. and the best lubes... certainly the best poppers from Mr. S Leather.

C arrives, J meets him at the front door, I can hear him saying I'm in the bedroom and telling C to its going to be a nice quiet evening of talking, rubbing, and getting to know each other....... J and C has been having a lil play time for about 6 weeks. J as they round the dining room door says to C.. Now Tom is very comfortable being naked.. so he is going to be laid up in that four poster bed.. naked...dont be shocked.. he is a bear of a man.. 

As C walks into the room... his stare is direct to me, the eyes have made contact, C cracks a lil joke and says I look like Henry 8th without a beard ready to receive Anne Boleyn, As C undresses, the first tell take sign that he is comfortable with his new environment as he drops his short pants, which reveal a jock strap and a hard erect cock. ( Yes Cock Gentlemen, not a Dick... these new gay men, who have never heard of Tom of Finland, can't understand that its a Cock...please... roll that word off your tongue... CoCK.. it even sounds so much sexier than Dick, sorry for the digression)

J, C, and Me... up in the bed.. wedged C between J and me, and calmed him down, took our time, talked of gay bars where u had to be buzzed in, of passing notes on napkins around the bar to an admired guy.... and our coming out stories, lives of folks that have passed, and C experienced the art of erotica massage developed by S Percy OBGYN.. my mentor and friend.. 

At the last of the conversation when I thought it was going well... C informed us that he was living in a sober living house... .. The Bomb dropped from C's mouth, explored as J and I jumped out of the bed. We both simultaneously said.. U have to leave.. we are not going to participate with a person going thru recovery.... recovery teaches you that a person shouldn't have any sexual encounter for at lest 6 months, but more like one year....  Sex and Recovery just don't usually go hand in hand.

Then J and I spent the next hour explaining and helping C understand that his sobriety was our concern also, but it must be his primary .. Sex could lead to relapse and worse... 

We believe that after that lil episode .. maybe we need to have a committee to review the applicants.....for the hospitality room.... LOL

The Bitter Pill...... Still Lingers. ... I tasted it this Morning Once More

 This morning I rose fairly early, being it was Monday, trash day (we have pick up twice a week, Monday and Thursdays) in the Lil City be the Red...

So, after a week of no garbage/trash pickup.... I had three black bags and cardboard boxes.... Recycle.. Please that went out the Window during the 20 years ago... 

Having missed all week from work, there is no provision for working from home for part time employees..thus missing the approx 900 dollars for 17.5 hours of part time work... last week.

All that said.... as I walked into the office today, I saw a new face, fresh I am told from Law School, fresh young, vibrant... he was sitting by what I should say will be his mentor in the misdemeanor section of the office...... This Mentor turned to me as I walked into the office, Hey..... lets put him in TW's office.... 

After I casted my eyes upon those gathered, that Bitter Pill emerged from my throat.... I bit that Pill and the venom flowed as my Oratorial Skills Began to spew the built  up  of disgust I have been holding back for the last few weeks..

Those gathered clinched the arms of their office chairs, as I then tried to calm myself and become that person with a monotone low voice..... I concluded that the agreement was written in my book, on page 33, signed, delivered... with No Exceptions Period....  

I tasted one more time that bitter pill..... I am not sure how long I will have to taste it, nor do I know how long I can continue to swallow the bitterness which flows from it..... 

Its reality in the Land of Politics... delivered in a Louisiana sort of way

Photos of the 7 Days of Frozen Louisiana.. The last of the Sleet, Snow, Frozen Left Today..... Bye Bye

 Here is the the Photos from the Last 7 days.

It's Almost Gone...... Damn Right Gone... Almost... Don't Come Back

 Hello.. The Sun is out.... Photos to come later..... 

Fuckin' Snow....  We like Snow for Only about 24 hours... enough to make a small Snow Man... place a carrot for his nose.....and then let him Melt Away.....

No.....That didn't occur...... almost five days for Freezing Temps, of Sleet, of Snow, of Ice.... 

Today, I got a small limited InstaCart of Groceries...not much... but its ok.... and I am almost out of firewood...which...is not a bad thing........

However, once in say 50 years is Enough.!!!!

I hope  next week starts out fairly normal.... Red Beans Rice on Monday... all Hail Please

Snow Snow and again Today Snow

 We, here in the Lil City by the Red are beginning our Third, Yes Third Snow Day, unprecedented....

Three days in the row......never in my Life Time has there been three days of snow, maybe an afternoon or early morning before sunrise snow. The snow has been on the ground frozen for three solid days.

Makes you think about a lot of mind blowing, what is coming next, sort of thoughts

Cold.....

 It's Cold... that's all I can say.... I think its the coldest I have known... it will be here in a few hours..and the snow will be here on Tuesday

M. Cajun -2

 I heard sporadically from M.Cajun over the last week. He is busy working on some pipeline repair site up in the hills of South Carolina .... 

I am into my second week of 17.5 hour weeks, there seems to be some undertones here at the office. I'm not sure of what that means, but certainly I feel an awkward unease... The Office is changing for sure... and my part time work is indicating that there could be more "events" coming down the road.

Not much else is going on, other than a lil bit of cold weather, it suppose to snow here after Sunday and Mardi Gras has been called off.. 

I hope to get the shot here fairly soon, seems that my antibodies are still working. 

Him. M.Cajun

Its been a week almost... he is at this second home up in the far reaches of northern Alabama.. towards the Ga Line... 

We continue to text back/forth....  truly he is my equal in all ways.. just younger .. at 41.. its was the precisely the spark that I needed at the time... ... He should be back down this way.. in a few weeks... it certainly lets me decide how far to take the friendship... and it will be a friendship.. he understands that he can only get maybe 15 years and ten years would be good years in the friendship... but I am sure the first three will light his fire if he stays around or as the truth be told.. he drops in for a day or so... 

Thats all except my new work schedule... which I think might be to my advantage when it all boils down.. have to wait and see... 

I am going to call Mr. Man.. M.Cajun..

Stars Heaven Could Maybe Help Me... Please are y'all aligned ... Please

 The Cosmos gives and takes....... 

My 17.5  hour job started today with almost half salary and new work hours that are flexible..... 

I'm waving my Hand Good Bye and leaving that topic alone.... I have a job, one and half retirements already coming in ... and almost no bills,,,,,,

The Cosmos arrived at my door step on Friday evening to a Cajun Man, with true Cajun skin eyes and smile... HE Now has entered my Life...  I am Not sure how long he will be here.. he transverses the South for Work.......He is 41, 6'5" tall, shoulder length hair, a chest to die for, .. he is no Twink No Metro Sexual...  When we talked I told him about Pig Week....his eye lit up that searchlight over London.... he didn't back off the comments of the thoughts I was drooling out my mouth about what he and I could do....

But he is much more than that... for the first time since JP and I broke up... I have a MAN that is interested in me for me... a Man that has a Heart... Who is LIKE ME.... 

He was on the road to another work site up North and stopped by the house.  From the Moment he stepped out off that Black Denali Truck.... the swagger of all the Ghost in my life came upfront.. all my wishes, desires, wantings had just stepped out onto this bricks... I was face to face with HIM.... 

This matter is too early to call.... I hope the road is long and winding ... not short with a dead-end... 

I hope he makes the effort that I do...

Most of the time some one.... then the old paranoid politico in the brain starts..... I met and within 48 hours I have found good reason to run, haul ass, block the number, etc... but not this one... this one keeps.

No Sireeeee Not this time Pray Tell..Lets hope so.,

Woes ...... Rural Louisiana Politico

 Yes Woes.... 

There are two categories here.. on Salary Reduction the other Thought Processes of the Individuals that made the reduction in force and the reduction of my salary.....

I am centered around the later... Those Thoughts... How did they determine how much to reduce my salary. 

I can say this.. there was some discussion, but no real process of determining the value of my services and the worth of my services... 

Its Just Plain and Simple.... Louisiana Politics at its Worst..... 

Enough Said........

Politics... ..

The Politics in Louisiana ebbs and flows.... so does the nastiness, cruelness, etc....... 

When tax dollars and revenue dollars dry up... the Real Nastiness and Cruelness emerge from the depths of underworld... up through the snake holes..... slithering along.... 

The second in command at the office came and closed my door yesterday.....I could tell by his approach it was not the normal "what's going on " chat...... We need to talk was the quote.......

The above is a reality since Covid... folks are getting demoted, pay is being cut, full time to part time etc etc..... 

In the end of the conversation ... I was given a choice, salary reduction by $34,000 and to work part time which is 17.5 hours a week. for the remainder of my tenure here.... 

After a few scotches last night, I came into the office bright and early this morning and took the offer.... 

Period.!!!!!

It's Friday....... For Sure

 Well.... I'm home, sitting at the kitchen counter, not wanting to cook, I really haven't cooked in such a long time.. other than the crawfish stew the other day...   Waitr is a primary source for now... and as the days become longer... I will get the Egg ready, the Thermal Ceramic Grill ready,,,, and the back porch will be again the center of the cooking for spring . .... soon the Swamp Maples will be blooming.. I can assure you... life will return to our Lil City by the Red.... Porch Life will be back in full swing......

On Sunday, I am invited to a wedding celebration that on several fronts is historic....  we will have our second bi-racial marriage here in the Garden District. .. on the Red Bricks.. Times are changing in the South... for the Better... wonderful couple.. Straight Couple this time, ... it warms my heart that I live on a street here in the Lil City by the Red.. that is a true mixture of Our Country.... that we all get along to the greater extent.. and see folks for who they are.... Humans.... No Colour of the Skin.... the judgement is "if the Heart is Pure"... and "Love is Compassionate"...

Reflection ... Purge.... It always helps......

 This morning I took care of business before I came to work... Self gratification...  

It releases the necessary hormones and makes the world a better place.....

I was reading one of by daily reads this afternoon, as I sat here at the office... 

One of his commenters spoke of beginning a Purge... 

Over the years.. and especially as the older I get.. I need less ... and its seems less is more sometimes...

Acquaintances... are not friends... and when you really get to think of a loyal friend.. the older I get the less loyal, true friends I have... I do have many people that fall into the acquaintance area of the spectrum 

As I look back and remember, I have had several good Purges in my life... most have occurred when there was a political disruption, loss of something greater, etc. etc..... 

I have to say those Purges also help me set a new path to lead a more peaceful existence, cleared the mind of unwanted baggage and brought/directed me to a better place in my mind.  

I think I am doing that now... purging... .. yep.. purging is good.. just a lil bit .. it always helps.

Tis a tad bit Cold

 I'm sitting here at the office ... today was swearing in day for the Boss and all the ADAs.  I was the photographer ... 

The office is beginning its second term, which are six years in length..   If I last the whole term, I will be 73.... If is a big word here.... 

On the other Louisiana scene..... the District Attorney's Office in Orleans Parish is now being lead by Jason Williams. Mr. Williams heralds to bring a new voice to the DA's office, only time will tell.

The weather here, it snowed last night, but it was mostly sleet up until midnight when the flakes began to fall... didn't last long when the sun rose this morning... 

Its just a tad bit cold for me.. . hopefully as we move towards the middle of the month.. and into February things will be more spring like by the time Mardi Gras gets here... which is February 16th. .. 

In Honor of This Monday... the well worn Martin Dingman Cap Toe Oxford

Sunday.... Light Rain.. Lil Wind...

 I made a fire in the fireplace last night... and drank a lil bit over the limit of scotch....... 

I am now up and having some crawfish stew.. Bloody Mary.. and lots of water..... and it's a cold drizzle outside ...and staying and making this a very quiet day here on the Red Bricks in the Lil City by the Red

A Blogger of the New Era.... of the New Time..... of Time Now

 

"My own experience has been that the tools I need for my trade are paper, tobacco, food, and a little whisky."

So Goes the Quote from William Faulkner......As I sit here in my kitchen.... the cigar is here, the paper is now a screen on a MacBook Pro, the food is crawfish stew tonight, and yes... and Yes there is an abundance of Whisky..... for sure.... 

The writers of the Southern Tale are many, .. some forgotten, some noted... I speak to these individuals spiritually from time to time in a mental state that comprises a Lil Whisky and the written word..... For I hear ... what they say.......

I have found a blogger that I will follow.... a Sister so to speak.... even she doesn't know our relationship just yet.. She is a Free Spirit... Just like the writers of the Southern Tale..... I am not sure where She hails from... Her origins .... but Her Red Boots ... Her African Ancestry as an American Woman... speaks volumes to me..... ..... 

Follow Her....... and her Independent Travels through Life.... BootsandBraids

Are We Really Living This........ ...... WE ARE

 I have been emotionally upset.... since the Insurrection happened in the District of Columbia ...

I have had tears in my eyes.....  ... It is very difficult for me to Understand the Mind Set of those criminals, spurned on by Him/He.... (I will Not Use his Name)...... 

They (Criminals) were a majority white, disenfranchised, angry, males...... who were lead to believe by Republican Senators, Republican House of Representatives, and Him, that the election was a Fraud...

and Then.... to March on the Capitol to ensure that the Vote to ratify President Elect Biden would not take place ..... Truly Truly this Upsets and has Emotionally Hurt Me.... 

I have friends that up till today, I considered friends, held them in an esteemed way, tell me that He was correct in the approach and that President Elect Biden is the false..... 

Friends that have been friends for years,.... I have in the last four years always side stepped their versions of life, their comments on Democrats..   

Not any more... Nope .... No Way... I will Not side step my Beliefs.... I will act as an indignant older white male... to these older white males... and call them Out for the Hypocrisy that spews from their Mouths

We are Living This History...... WE ARE.....   One day I will be able to write more... but tonight I will build  a fire in the fireplace, draw a good scotch up and settled down... to understand.....

That Thomas Williams Thompson III, is a Proud and Defiant Democrat.. That believes in the Equality of the Human.... and is here to defend his beliefs.. Period.

The Day After

 Words can not express my emotions concerning what happened yesterday.

I sat here at the office and was horrified at the sights and violence I was watching.

Period.... Nothing More.... !!!

Its Late.....

 The First Day of the New Year.........

Stevie Nicks is on the Sonos.......

Its just me..... Joe Joe is wanting to come over.......... that's all I can say..... Joe Joe... he is the what every one of Us desires... at moments in our llves...... 

Its time...... Wild Wind.......... the night will be................