People around the world are watching closely what is going on (or not going on) in the U.S. Congress regarding the exceptionally divisive battle over the U.S. Federal Government budget. It is ugly, awful, and downright shameful how each side of the political spectrum blames the other for the mess they brought on to all of the world. The world economy is already suffering and will get worse with a looming shutdown of the Federal Government.
How will that affect me?
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Yesterday, a memorial motorcycle ride was held in honor of my home jurisdiction’s (county) former Fire Chief. He retired from my home jurisdiction and became the Fire Chief in another location, but died in April of this year as a result of long-term effects of Parkinson’s Disease.
I was honored to pull on my firefighter boots…
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I sincerely appreciate that several people wrote to me after my blog post titled, “Not the Ordinary Gay Guy’s Blog,” with suggestions about what I can write about. Stephen commented,
You being an authority of choice on all things “boots,” however, I would welcome further commentary on, well … boots! For example, the qualities of various leathers, how they wear, how to care for them, which are appropriate for particular kinds of boots, how different brands are made and how they compare in terms of their specialty niches. How various leathers are treated, and with what for particular purposes.
Of the email that this blog and my website generate, the vast majority of questions are about boots. Over the years of growing my boot collection and wearing boots daily, I have learned a thing or two. Here are some of my experiences and what I have learned about boots that may be of interest to you.
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I posted on this blog yesterday that a reader from Europe asked two questions. I answered one of them here. The second question was,
Does [your connection with Europe/Italy] make you look different to things happening in the States or the world? Or doesn’t it make that big a difference?
That is a great question! And yes, my European connections have influenced how I look at things that happen in the USA.
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The topic of this post was suggested by a reader from Europe who responded to my request for blog ideas that I made in a recent post. The reader wrote:
I read that you are from Italian descent and still have a connection with ‘la bella Italia’. I was wondering if this European/Italian connection influences your daily life. Does it make you look different to things happening in the States or the world? Or doesn’t it make that big a difference?
This thought was intriguing to me. Here is what I think….
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Of the four seasons, autumn is my favorite. Crisp, sunny, dry days of cooler “leather weather.” Yep, I have broken out the leather jeans and my regular biker gear and am wearing them every day — even when I am not riding my Harley. Nothin’ like the cool, comfortable feel of leather … shirts, pants, jackets, and boots (of course!)
My Harley required repair last week, but it was fixed quickly and I returned to riding on Friday. And Saturday. And Sunday. And Monday… And…
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Someone sent me a message through this blog last week to give me his perspective on this blog. Apparently he has been reading my blog for years, but only now took some time to write to me. He said:
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Yesterday was typically busy. I began the day by taking a brisk walk with a sr. friend who takes twice as many steps as I do in a stride, but covers twice the ground. Man, she’s a fast walker! We got in four miles before 8am!
Then I prepared a home-made waffle for my spouse made from ingredients compatible with his diet which is still restricted due to his long-term illness. While it takes an hour for the whole process, it seems like minutes. My spouse sits at the kitchen table and reads the newspaper to me and we talk about current events.
After that, I took several senior pals grocery shopping. Then after the thrill of chasing four little old ladies around a grocery store wore off, I returned home, put on my biker leathers, revved up the Harley, and…
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My spouse and I have always enjoyed the singing from this talented musical artist (the one on the right with the microphone) whose career has spanned more than 40 years. Her music is among the most vibrant and diverse from all singers — both from today and yesteryear.
This singer just completed writing her own memoir, and came to Washington DC’s national book festival to talk about her life and music, as well as to sign her book. There she…
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I have a large family and a very wide circle of friends from all over the world. I admit, I use a certain social media platform to (try to) keep up on what they are doing, their interests, and their concerns.
My “friends” on that social media network have a wide range of religious and political beliefs. I respect that each person is entitled to his or her opinions. I have often wondered though, since we live on the same planet and my family comes from the same gene pool, how can some of us be fundamentally worlds apart when it comes to certain matters, like the fact that I was born gay and when it became legal in my state, I was legally married in a civil court to my one-and-only man.
There are some fundamental opinions that…
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