End of The Year

  I'm sitting here in my office here on Marye Street, (Pronounced Maw Ree) by the local population, which I guess I do qualify for since it is almost my 32nd year residing here in this OutPost of Louisiana .

2022, has seen changes that I would not have imagined.  However, I am alive and fairly healthy, I look forward to 2023 in that I want to expand my travels a lil bit more, not out of state but to chronicle the life and events in Louisiana that most folks really never hear about.  To travel to historic places almost forgotten by time, to do research and to write more in this blog, which I have had since 2006.

It's been a year of adjustment for me, in 2023, I will turn 70 years old.  When I was 47, I never thought that I would have lived this long.  It's a testament to quality health care provided here in the USA, its about making sure that one attends the doctor appointments, that one keeps up with his own health, and you become your own advocate for your health... period.

Also, I have a deeper appreciation of my fellow bloggers and those who regularly read this blog.  That appreciation warms my soul and give me a sense of belonging to a Greater Whole Group of Connection through the written word.  For that I am humbled and it is not forgotten...... I truly consider it part of my Being .. of My Self... of Who I Am.... and I say to All ........ Thank You.... Truly Thank You.....

Its Been Awhile

 Damn, I just looked at the last posting .. gee.. its been awhile... long time, No Wonder Jimmy reached out to see if I was still alive. Thanks Sir.

The Duplex is a great home, I have no repairs, the cost of the lease in minimal and the location just over three blocks from The Camp, but miles away in terms of nosey neighbors, lesbians being in my business etc...It is the same square footage as The Camp... 

The only drawback is Me.... I haven't unpacked, I tend to look at all the boxes, I haven't set up my office either, which there is a separate room for that use. 

Is it a mental block or an adjustment period, its the holidays, coupled with my approaching birthday, I will be ... gee ... I hate to state it.... 69....

But and the is always a but, I must grab the horse by the reins, take charge, and move forward,,, and is that gayly forward.... 

Thanks to all... especially Jimmy for their concerns..

Passing the Critical Review/Inspection for FHA

 This side of the Journey to a new temporary place to reside has had some significant events.  

First, my attorney Flynn, paid for an inspection for his brother to buy my home, the inspector came and went and said some cruel things about this Classic Bungalow built in 1923.  

Then Flynn's brother ran from the buyer's agreement like a scalded dog.

Then Mr. Man came and placed a bid on the the home, and the house inspector arrived, believe it or not it was the same inspector from Flynn's brother inspection.  Ha LOL ROLMO etc etc.....Such a racket 

Then at lest I had performed some small repairs noted in his first report, he was pleased and spoke nicely, he was a Yankee with the last name Thompson; I looked in the Book of Thompson and he was No Kin.

Then, I am told by my realtor that the Buyer was being financed by FHA and he could not guarantee anything since FHA housing inspector are noted for being nit picky and never coming in at the needed appraisal price.......

The Camp as my home is affectionally named, came through, the FHA inspector said it was correctly priced at the offering's price and there were No Needed Repairs.

So, my realtor is also a good, dear, friend of mine, him and his partner and I have known each other for over 30 yrs. They own a nice 1942 duplex two streets over from me on Marye Street.. that is pronounced Mar..Ree here in the deep Deep South.  I accepted their offer and will move over at the end of the month. 

Something is going correctly in my Cosmos and Karma these days and I do appreciate that.!!!

The Process

 The Process has a big day tomorrow..... The appraiser is coming, in packing his lil notebook, measuring tape, comps of past home sales .....  He better remember This Is Albert Street, only five blocks long, with a Federal Judiciary, Former Commissioner of Public Saftey Command Major La State Police..........

And all the biggy titles with get u a 59cent cup of coffee at Sentry Drugs downtown  Post de Rapides.... 

Its his decision, my dear historical home is in the hands of another man its his decision on how much its is worth, ..... I have entertained two sitting US Senators, numerous locale politicians, Three Governors, and what I consider the more Honored person ....... Ms. Ti Stiklorious of Music Frame, she the manger of several nice voices......   

My Instructions form My Realtor and I will repeat that one more tie.....  I am told by the realtor to Keep My Mouth Shut, Take out the Gardage, Thursday is Garbage day (with those interested in relocation, our garbage pick up is twice a week at curb side)

I have been looking at long term airbnb long stay..... any body want at lest a half of a visit down there with me... New Orleans has good deals...... and its about to be Mardi Gras in South Louisiana ....  I looking at lofts on St Charles Ave, Shotguns on Camp, etc etc..... who knows here I am hanging my drawers on who's bed post after November 11 of this Year... or maybe Sant Fe or Tesuque ... back to my old stomping ground.

Here, Then and What to do...

 The Home is suppose to close on November 7th, if all goes according to the realtor's plan.  

I have determined that I truly don't know where I want to hang my hat at for the next stage or act of my life.  I have been researching airbnb long term stay, which is surprising give me many options at a reasonable rates if the stay is 30 40 days long. Should I go and spend the winter in New Orleans, Santa Fe, Hills around the Biltmore in North Carolina, or catch sac a last off the pier at Lake Hamilton near Hot Springs..... 

It all beacons a frank discussion for myself... looking at off season places.... or maybe off see where one of y'all are located... who knows. Or maybe get the passport and go stay in the country side of France, eat cheese and drink wine.

 I promised Jody B to go on a 7 day cruise after the sale of house

On the Market

Yes its is now listed on realtor.com ... its the bungalow on Albert Street in zip code 71301, the house number is 1823.... 

My realtor, who happens to be an old friend, who works for another member of our great portion of our great society.  

The market price is $185000, three times plus what I paid for it in 1997.

There is a major out of town person who wants the ten dollar tour so I am cleaning making everything look good... have to see what this Saturday Tour does with the Out of Towner prospective buyer.

Remembering Jo Betty

 Oh July 28, 2022, Joel Elizabeth Blanchard Sterkx passed away, during the last 30+years I have lived in this neighborhood, Jo Betty as she was known to all was a Spirit that stirred public outcry, emotion, and loyalty.  Jo Betty was The Garden District of Alexandria, her Spirit roams still.... her presence is felt daily.

I has fortunate to be included in the inner circle of her friends, along with her husband Richard Sterkx, kindly known as Dick, she revitalized this neighborhood.  Along with Dick, they took 17 rundown, some abandoned properties  and brought new life to old structures.... Brought single families to share the known experience..... known to all as The Garden District....   I was privileged to be a close part of her and Dick's vision, thoughts and dreams, which... in the end... all came true.... She and Dick saved these streets. 

Today

Today, I listed my home with an agent, that I have known personally for many years.  I had thoughts of selling my home my self, I was going to have a low selling point, the friend, who is an agent, came by and convinced me that I has giving up a lot of money, just for a quick sale.  

So, over the next few days, they will measured the home, take photos, etc....   He told me to hang up my art work, make it look like I was not moving out.... lol...  

I'm resting easier tonight knowing someone else will make the correct decisions and I will not have to worry about this and that... 

Also, I might decide to stay here in the Alexandria area, there is a retirement community that is just opened up with duplexes and single homes, all gated, all secure... on a golf course here in the area... I might have to take up golf for recreation, other than biking.  

Its a journey for sure.. 

Ideas

 As I sit here in my kitchen, having coffee, French Press, Starbucks Blend, my mind rolls back, to simple pleasures, everyday household duties, and the thoughts and ideas of the past, the Present....  but not the Future......

This return to the Land of My Birth, to the "Broken Down Southern Aristocracy"Of My Past Life, gives me time to pause and think.... to Ponder, .. Remembering the Past.... Memories held deep in the recesses of my Mind,.. that returning to the exact geographical area.. might not be the Best.!!

One should consider a move maybe to the area, more regionally, not specific, not so concrete.. more fluid in the actual place of residence.

Ideas on a Saturday Morning. 

From One Side of Louisiana to the Other Side

 This home selling adventure has had its Ups and Downs.... mostly Downs, however, in my hometown, the town I grew up in, near the farm that my family has, its a different tale.  There is a resurgence of circa 1870 to 1925 homes being restored, mortgage companies are jumping at the chance to see how many homes each company can help with.

Next year I will be 70 years old ....and I truly dont want to invest into some old house that is going to suck my savings. .. I have opted for a long term lease, which gives me flexibility and keeps some in savings and investments for that medical emergency 

I had thought of BR, but the leases/rents are fairly expensive compared to my home area which is just north of BR... about 35 miles.... 

If the house has not sold by September 1st, I am listing it with a realtor, then packing up and heading home.  There are some air bnbs and short term rentals out there.

It Just Aint Fair

 The move is not going according to plan.  My home inspection was Yuck.. What do u expect from a 100 year old home... 

So I will get through this small crisis .. and Carry On as I have always done... its Life in the South.

Looks like those Yankees up North are experiencing a Louisiana Summer.. poor folks... I do pity them... they were never meant to sweat locking the front door and walking to their car... we sweat all the time

Tis Ain't Easy .... Nope

I arrived here on the Banks of the Lil Red River, Post de Rapides, City of Alexandria on Feb 16, 1991, within the next 50 or so days, I will be leaving this town, I have a gentleman's agreement for a neighbor to purchase my home "as is" according to Louisiana Law... only warranty is the new hot water heater.    The price is modest, however it pays off the small note, and leaves a fair size money market account in my name.  So, of that will pay off debt that I have carried from a business enterprise many years ago, still I will say I will have a nice account of cash on hand it various forms if I need any.

The most difficult part is the 30+ years of my adult life I have had here.  I was sent here as a Deputy Warden for the Louisiana Department of Corrections to address the racial barriers of "red neck society" negotiate and promote people that would not have had a chance under even a civi service system.  I accomplished that in 1996, and became Warden. In 2002 I was sent to another unit to restructure the administration of that correctional unit, still having supervision of my own unit 105 miles to the south.

I accomplished that restructure, keep supervision of those units for 18 months .. I learned and the La State Troopers learned that big black suv with blue lights headed either north or south had a cigar smoking Warden headed to one crisis or the other.

2005 came, Katrina placed a smell and curse on Louisiana, 2008 came and I could not work for Jindal .. the fast talking boy looking Rhodes Scholar who became Governor.   

July 2008 I retired from Corrections having started in October 9, 1978,   That same month I had the privilege of being employed by one of the youngest Mayors this state had every experienced, it as as I had a re-birth, new action, new purpose.... This continued until the weights of Chief of Staff, Commissioner of Public Safety, Director of Public Works laid open my health ..  I sort a quieter more calmer civic role, I was hired by the new elected District Attorney to help administer pre trial intervention, in 2015,  to help  people who were arrested for possession of cds 2 (Meth, Go, Tina, ParTy Time, etc)... through that program helped over 100 people who would not have had a chance, they meet all the requirements and did well. 

So, times in 2017 I became infected with hiv1, I thought I could bravely take on that burden without help, I was so wrong.  I found help, regrouped, sort reconciliation, etc.... As in all political life that personal damage had been done, by my own hand, by the vicious rumor mill, by nasty lil people.  

I realized here in April of this year 2022, that change was needed, that a fresh start, new approach, and a return to the roots of my youth, down to family, the family's farm, own friends, old class mates, and long standing friendships.

I announced that I was heading back to the land of my birth, that I was coming home, in 18 months I will be 70 years old, having beat TB in my early years in Corrections, Prostate Cancer no prostatic liaisons with this biopsy, Undetectable Hiv Thanks to Dovoto.... a lil AFib, a Lil Arthritis, tab bit of Gout... 

Its Time to leave these Brick Streets, venture once again, in the last quarter of the game, on the 20 yard Line, Looking to kick that field goal.... and be the Man I am Now,

The Event of the Last Quarter of Life Happened a few days ago!!!

 On May, 22nd, 2021, I received an offer to purchase my home for $93.55 per sq foot.  One of my neighbors offer and I accepted.  

I will be next several months transitioning from Alexandria to Baton Rouge.

Telephone Call

 This evening, I dialed up an old friend in BR, who just happen to having supper with another old friend in BR.. it was like old times....

This it the interaction I have been missing since the isolation imposed by the forces here, some self imposed some by others actions... I feel a release of this home, I feel a new horizon is opening up.. 

Thanks to all for the support....   

snTransition..... Its approaching...2nd Part Included

 The Political Winds of my Youth, Middle Age are now fleeting.... they are almost gone.......

At this point in time, the present says write your memoirs, tell a few known secrets, one or two sensational revelations to make the movie crowd wanting to read the manuscript .

The Real Transition is keeping up a 100 year home, providing for the necessaries of medical bills, doctors appointments, general living cost of a gay lat 60s male, in the modern world of telecommunications.

I am coming to realize here in the Deep Deep South things rot fast after 80 years.  The moisture, humidity, rain, mold takes a toll.. unseen unless the paint chips away from the window sill.  

Last week, for what ever reason, my job, which I was told would reappear, went down the drain, not to return.  I had been waiting for a year for the political climate to change and bear fruit... . . if I was younger I am sure it would have.. however the fact remains it did not..nor do I believe any other endeavor that was on the horizon will either.

I am now in the full realization that I will leave on my retirement, alone, without any other sources of income, unless I become a greeter at wally world...... please even the thought of that sickens me.

To accomplish this, I will begin the process of moving to a small home, some long term rental or condo, with moderate hoa fees, and begin the life of a aged queen who has guests for lunch at the local eatery, white table cloths please.

2nd Part

I have given my self three months to organize a move, decide the locale to reside in, I have dear old friends in Spanish Town who have offered me a condo in the trees, complete with a 12 x 18 back balcony resting high in the Magnolias, others have offered sever mid town duplexes.. all reasonably priced, all for long term occupancy 

 My heart is warmed thinking  I could be back in the Red Stick, back within a few blocks of my first coming out, back in a tight group of long time, very caring folks.   

My mind wanders if I can rekindle the creative brain flows to produce the photographs that I once was nnoted for, which hasn't been exactly left on track in these years of the Bubba Attorneys

Next week I am going to make the first step in calling a realtor, who happens to be gay, he is a trusted man and his partner and  I have known each other or 30+ years.  Its a big step for me to begin that process of 

The Return to South Louisiana.....home to my coming open.... home to the passing for friends...

Home     will be close to family but not on the family place, the Place is 40 miles north of  Red Stick which places me with much needed  privacy. 

. 

May 2nd

Retirement is not for the everybody.... Its not for Me.... 

Living in an depressed semi rural environment also does not add to increase the viability of work.

However, May 5th is approaching Cinco de Mayo   Its Watermelon Margaritas at Pedro's 

Tis Almost Easter

 On Good Friday, I was sitting in the Doctor's Office at the UTHS SA in San Antonio Text, the day for, I had had an MRI with contrast performed on my prostate.  As in most biopsies and last two MRIs it indicated a small lesion of cancer.  It has taken 14 years after I did gene therapy to come to this point.

No Lesion of any prostate cancer said the Oncologist as he read the results..... 14 years it took.

I have been a part of that research therapy group for 14 years... we finally had the results.

No sure how long it will last ... its just nice to know ... if u hang in there, place your faith in medical science .. all will eventually, hopefully go your way.,,, for at lest a lil time.......

Happy Easter Every One 

It's a John Coltrane Evening on the Bricks and The Early Evening Progresses

 Something out of the Cosmos made me turn to John Coltrane's music this late afternoon here in the Garden District.. . not sure exactly what.. but some force told this writer.. turn on the Sonos to John Coltrane.... then as the music whiffed through the evening air... I was reading a book review in the WSJ Weekend Edition, having a mild crawfish etoufee for supper... semi chilled Sav Blanc ......

It rose up...the thoughts ... as they  appeared to me that the review of the book matched the mood of myself, the music of Coltrane  and the evening as it approached...... its becoming one of those long, heats hot passion evenings.... but as Fred Rosenfeld would say.... a Party of One,  not a reservation for One...... 

The Book in the Review is  "Riverman" by Ben McGrath....   But (and there is always a but) .. the evening was brought on my sitting on the porch and the whiffs of the Magnolia Fiscata at the end of the porch on the upper Side of my home... Coltrane, The Stories of Richard Conant by McGrath, the Whiffs of the Magnolia Fiscata, the Mood of the Close of the Evening of the true first day of Momma's Passing.

Its all Relevant to this Writer.

I'm writing as this was yesterday....

 I woke up at 12:54M this morning, having a dream of back home.... Yesterday, twenty one years ago, April 2, 2001 was the day we laid Wilma Ruth Sumrall Thompson to her last resting place, with her shoes on her 6 foot tall frame of a True Southern Lady.  

The simple things you remember so vividly, Never leave the house/farm without makeup, rouge, lipstick on.... make sure your have is set.   Never wear a scarf unless the wind is blowing 40 mph .. the hair spray will hold. 

Always bring your pocket book/purse/handbag depends on where you are traveling to, i.e. bank grocery store, or social event., church mainly.

I have written about her previously all these years, she wore a size 12 Quad A Shoe, never flip flop, never sandals, please.  Her hair was immaculate White.... as the years passed, so mine, I wish I had more,.

She was Tommy' Mother, My Momma, her nick name was "Dink". She served in the U S Army Women Air Corp in WW2. Her rank was a Buck Sargent.  Her scrap books are still in the closet fortelling of the that horrible war to come.  

She lead the family, when I Daddy passed, they were only married ten years, She had the sternness of a Buck Sargent, little capacity for mistakes, and each of her three children admired, loved her,

I just happened to be the oldest who caught her stressful moments of running a cattle operation that  that now spans five generations due to her Guts and Commanding Voice.. 

Folks would say,,, Her Comes with Ms. Wilma,, better step by she's got those 3 chaps in tow...

God Bless You Momma..... Maybe Your Should Always Rest In Peace...    Sometimes I doubt it has being us chaps have been out of line once or twice since your passing

Blogger Blogger For Sake Me... or I am a bumling idiot

 For those you who have expressed some opinions, concerns, what the fuck are u doing sort of thing..

I have returned to the original blog .. which is this Blog... 

I couldn't make the other blog work... I admit I am not that computer or Apple expert.. I know of no short cuts, etc etc etc......  

So, for Mr Detroit for Mr. Jimmy... no worries I have returned to this old blog... 

Thanks for the comments opinions  and What the Fuck are You doing Thompson.

Time Moves On... Don't Stand Still........

 I have decided to begin a new blog something more akin to my neighborhood and the people, places, and events of Life here.    

Ever so Often I will return to this blog, however, to catch up on the comings and goings please bring your attention to the below blog:

https://boltonave.blogspot.com

Shadows Shadows... the long arm of SunShine.....

 Shadows of Late Spring....... 

Nope ... No.... Don't Even Think It.

 Contrary to Popular  Belief... In a Sea of Rumors of Past Politicos ........

I have Not Pass to the Greater Here After.... 

It's almost Spring.. the Swamp Maples are blooming, the Purple Magnolias are dropping their flowers...

It will be time to hear again the Tales of the Lil City by the Red....

Almost Spring Sap is Rising

 There is several small groups of gay men here in the City by the Red... most are close friendship groups, neighborhood plays an important role, where you live etc...  Some of these groups cross racial and culture lines....   

There is always some tug of who's turf you are crossing so to speak.. its a healthy lil rivalry ... nothing like gangs, but just Lil Young Queens, excuse me.. Lil Young Princesses.. is more like it.. quibbling about this man or that one....

The Sap is rising fast since the days are longer and the cut off jeans haven't appeared just yet... but they are laying on the couch.. freshly wash.

One of these groups happens to come up on my scope since I hang out on my front porch a good bit.. fresh air cures the Soul you know.

I'm amazed at how these groups see the older set of gay men here.  .. When I came out at 26, there were plenty of gay bars, cruise sites, etc... there was Free Love... and Tricks abounded,,  There was. not this Cynic Gay Culture we have creeping into our lives these days....  We loved our Gay Elders back then, they had the supper parties for 8 to 12, gad flying around the table, holding Court.. etc etc... 

But Not these days... O no... its the Old Men are Lepers... Don't associate with those Creeps... maybe its a sign of the times, the more Out we become, the More our culture is accepted, the more older gay men are placed in the background... not accepted.... 

Well, Suga... I got news for all of them... My Supper Party was a Hit on Saturday night, the table had Ten ...7 young ones, and Three Dowager Empresses in Full Regalia.. being in the Moment and the season .. Green Purple and Gold...... Who Got the Baby ... don't crack a tooth.

Lil Trip

 On Monday evening I had two friends stop by and told  me lets go see the new high rise marble Monolif on the Mississippi Gulf Coast .. 

Scarlett Pearl

We made our way to BR for a two night, renew old friendships, and then roared down the Gulf Coast .. the frigid weather ran us back to Alexandria this morning... 

We had such a good time, so stress free.... and Cal did all the driving., which in itself was such a wonderful blessing.

And we get along so well.... old friends are important as we head to the 15 yard goal line..in Life

Return to Normal..... Almost. Throw Me Something Mister

 It is certainly amazing on how fast things can return to normal.. almost normal, except for the occasional blurb .... the routine is there... the experience beckons a meeting with the therapist .. and all returns to the routine of daily life.... 

Its winter time here... the temps are hovering around 36 today... I hope this is our winter flurry and we dont have any rain, frozen mix, or snow as we did last year... 

Today I built a fire in the fireplace... put on heavy socks.... bulky sweatshirt, blue jeans and told instacart to deliver the groceries for the weekend...    I sent the Beast to the dealership to get checked out again and make me a second key... it seems that Ford Keys last about 5 years and then start to fall apart... 

I feel good... I feel like a burden has been lifted from my shoulders, that all is well in the Cosmos and the World as I know it is settling down...   

I feel a spirit of Mardi Gras in the air.... 

Throw Me Something Mister!!!!!!!

About to Be Gone.... another Lesson Learned

 Just a brief note to say that I have Again, Learned a lesson... I can not help people who's dye is casted already.i 

I informed Benjamin that he must be out of the house by Thursday, I am giving him money to find a place, so he will not be homeless, however I am not going to go through the emotional and stressed roller coaster I have been on for the last two months.

I saw the signs early one, but trying to help, I turned a blind eye to them.  I should have never allowed him to move in..

So, not to belabor the finer points of all this... he got to go by Thursday.

No Title.... Just what is it is.... Life Goes On...

 Things are progressing.. Winter has arrived in Louisiana.... the fireplaces are burning and all is ok... I have had the Omicron Variant .... I am glad that I had the Monoclonal Infusion, then the two Phizer injections.  I was about to take the Booster when on December 26th, I came down with fever and heavy congestion...   I haven't cough, slugged up, so much phlegm in my entire life, plus fever and sweats to boot...

 If I hadn't had the Infusion and Injections I don't think I would be typing this entry.. 

But all is ok... Life is returning to normal.. having Benjamin here has helped.. he comes in from work and does he house chores .. then either beds down or goes off to see whomever....   he does keep the house neat and orderly ... dishes and clothes washed and all put away.  

I have been thinking about life .. what am I to do .. how should I face this retirement, what volunteer work can I do, how can I be of help to others, as the New Year advances, I hope to find answers to some of the above. 

Life is ok....