I mentioned in a previous post that I like tall engineer boots made of brown leather, and that I had a pair of these boots headed my way.
Well, the boots arrived. Presenting Runnerbull’s “Biker – Road” engineer boots–
Continue reading
Monthly Archives: October 2012
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.
Continue reading
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?
Continue reading
Can Guys Wear Boots to Church?
I don’t make this stuff up… see for yourself this question that someone used a smartphone to search and landed on my website page on “Wearing Cowboy Boots.” The question, “can guys wear boots to church?”
Answer…
Continue reading
The Boot Guys of High School
I think I started something…. My Great Nephew, about whom I blogged when I went boot shopping with him to select boots to wear to school this year, has a group of his friends who have followed his lead — they’re all sportin’ boots in school.
This trend started rather slowly, but here is the story…
Continue reading
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 ====>
Continue reading
To Hug and To Hold
My partner, bless him, wrote a guest post last week that made me cry. Happy tears, but nonetheless, heartfelt.
He’s my love, to hug and to hold, from this day forward, until death do us part.
Continue reading
White’s Nomads
A fellow in the blogosphere who writes a blog about engineer boots reviewed the Nomad engineer boot made by White’s Boots of Spokane, Washington.
White’s Boots is well known to make exceptionally rugged boots for men. White’s has been making superb linesman, logger, and firefighter boots for decades. All super-rugged and durable. However, while I appreciate the excellent workmanship that goes into making White’s Boots, I have not owned any of their boots because I’m not fond of lace-up boots. Until now… this year they introduced a line of engineer boots called Nomads.
Now I own a pair of these boots and have had a chance to take them for a ride on my Harley. What do I think?
Continue reading
Next Darwin Award Contender
I saw this on a friend’s Facebook page. My friend is a former air medic.
Damn! This guy is insane! Shorts, sneakers, no helmet, not holding on to the bars, and using a mobile device while the bike is in motion??? How crazy is that? This guy certainly deserves the “greatest dumbbell on the planet” award along with a Darwin Award. 
Life is short: wear long pants, motorcycle boots, a helmet, and turn off and put away mobile devices when operating a vehicle, period, end-of-story!
Your Light, Your Love
Guest post by BHD’s partner
This is the first time I have written a post for your blog. I wanted to say in a public forum what I can’t put to words — how much your caring for me during the last year when I have been so sick means to me.
I know that I am not the easiest person to be around even when I am healthy. I know my disease makes me even more difficult. I’m sick, it hurts. I am angry at how long I have been sick, despite all the treatments with antibiotics and supplements that the specialists recommend. I know that I have placed quite a burden on you and our relationship.
As bad as things are, I still see you smiling at me for no reason. You give me that goofy grin or tell me a silly joke or make a pun, just to try to get me to laugh. I so need that, even if I react quite the opposite.
I see you go to great lengths to make me happy. You prepare yeast-free and gluten-free foods for me that you call rabbit food and dislike even the smell of it while you are cooking it. But you do it for me. You have more than adjusted your personal life to center on me and my needs, forgoing all else, including riding your motorcycle as much as you ordinarily would.
Your faith is a tremendous beacon on which I draw hope, when otherwise I have despair. I have not known anyone, including my parish priest, who has such deep faith. I can’t describe it. It’s there. You show it in how you act and what you do — not only for me, but for your family and your senior friends. You’ve said that your faith carries you forward. To me, your faith gives you steadiness in times of tempest. I am truly blessed to be loved by a such a faithful and devoted man.
Beyond faith, you are extremely patient. I know that I have tested your patience, probably every day. You listen to a lot of bullshit from my disease, and let a lot roll off your big, strong shoulders. I don’t know if I could muster 1/10 of the patience that you have. I know you said that you learned patience when caring for your aunt during her decline, but you have more skill and finesse in being patient among anyone I have every seen.
I think it is both your faith and your patience that have cemented our relationship, weathering the tremendous hurricane-force storm we have gone through since last November.
I can’t put into words how deeply I love you. How much I admire your rock-solid, steadfast support, and how superbly you have organized everything for me. You continue to fight my health insurance company’s denials (you are 8 for 8, amazing), taking on that behemoth, uncaring and thoughtless company as if it is a great game to fight and to win. You do that so well by how you document everything for easy future reference and referral.
But most of all, you make it seem as if it’s nothing at all. I know the opposite is true. Your focus on me and my recovery is so much appreciated. I know you have said, “it’s what I do, in sickness and in health,” quoting the line from a common wedding vow. Regardless if we can get married, you live every day as if we are, and show it through your actions.
I LYAWM, always, forever. Thank you is not enough, but will have to do.