Riding Solo

Yesterday was a stunningly beautiful autumn day. Fortunately, my partner was stable so I knew that I could leave him for a while and go for a ride on my Harley.

I saw a ride listed on my club’s ride calendar, but unfortunately, the ride was being led by someone who rides too fast for me, and I have always felt uncomfortable on his rides. I decided not to go on his ride. I don’t like feeling pressure of trying to keep up when all I want to do is sit back and have a relaxing ride.

I sent emails to some biker buddies to ask if they wanted to go for a ride with me, but all replied saying they couldn’t make it, “perhaps another time.” I understand. I’m often in the same position.

But this is weird… usually I am the one whose calendar is so chock-full, he can’t ride. This time, I have time and interest, but no others to ride with. That’s okay, I leathered up…
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Best Time to Wear Cowboy Boots and Jeans

Yep, another amusing internet search — six of the same question within 24 hours — “What is the best time to wear cowboy boots and jeans?”

Really? Who has to ask the internet this question? And six separate people from Texas, California, Oklahoma, Poland, Australia, and Guam?

In my unfailing quest to inform those who seek elusive answers, here goes–
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Talented Great Nephew in Boots

My great nephew who I helped buy boots to wear to high school this year is not the only great nephew I have who likes to wear boots. I have a number of great nieces and nephews — children of my 59 nieces and nephews. (I told ‘ya that I had a large family!)

Here’s one of my highly talented GN’s performing at a club in boots.
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Partner’s Health–Modifying Plans

My partner still remains variably ill, from feeling generally lousy to genuinely awful. He hasn’t been able to go to work for over two weeks now. I feel so badly about having him suffer this way, and let me tell ‘ya, it is very hard to feel so helpless (on both his part and my own.) I have faith that we will get through this. Truly… my faith sometimes is the only thing that keeps me from wallowing in despair.

Because my partner has been so sick, requiring devotion of my time and attention to him and his care above all else, I have had to make adjustments to my role with large events in which I am usually heavily involved and that are held in October and November.
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Neighbors

My partner and I live in a neighborhood in the sprawling Maryland suburbs just north and west of Washington, DC. The residents of our neighborhood reflect a rich diversity of the part of the county where we live. There are people of many nationalities from 12 different countries who have various religious faiths (or none at all), some young families with children, some retirees, and of every race. As far as I know, we are the only gay couple.

We get along well with the neighbors. I often help out our elderly next-door neighbors with various home repair fix-it jobs, and my Korean neighbors on the other side figure out some of the nuances of American life. The disabled neighbors across the street who own nine dogs require a lot of help — so I help to the degree that I can.

I served as President of our Homeowner’s Association for way too long, but was happy to turn over the reigns of that position a few years ago, though I still maintain a hand in Association affairs by serving as webmaster of the Association’s website. (Go figure… me, a webmaster — LOL!)

One may wonder, then, is our life any different from any others? That is, does it matter that we’re gay?
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Wanted: Tall Brown Engineer Boots

It is interesting to me that after I posted about a new pair of White’s Nomad engineer boots that are 12 inches (30.5cm) tall and made of brown leather that I received last week, I received dozens of messages via this blog, my website, and the “boots on line” board expressing interest in tall engineer boots with brown leather. That is, lots of guys have asked me if I knew of a source of engineer boots that are 17 or 18 inches (43cm to 46cm) tall — made of brown, not black, leather.

There is great demand for engineer boots of that color and that height, but so far, Chippewa or similar moderately-priced commercial boot manufacturers do not offer them. The only way to “get” tall Chippewa engineer boots to appear brown has been to, ahem, do what’s shown here ====>
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