Yearly Archives: 2014

Boots Out of the Blue

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Lucbcroper01It’s funny how a “bootman” like me gets new boots without even trying.

The other day when I arrived home, my spouse said, “your boots arrived.”

Me: “what boots? I didn’t order any boots.”

Spouse: “there’s a box by the door that looks suspiciously like the same size box as what boots would be shipped in. The sender was something like ‘cowboy’ or whatever…” as he gave me that quizzical look that he gives when he thinks that I know more about something and I’m not saying.

I opened the box and pulled out…
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Positive Power

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rainbowblogI have a number of personality traits, or quirks, that combine to make me different from many others. I have blogged about some of those traits over time.

This time, I am writing about my positive outlook on life. And with some crap that has occurred to me, as is the nature of life itself, it’s a wonder that I haven’t gone over the edge and wallowed in “woe-is-me, awfulness, shit-gone-to-hell” attitudes.

I have been estranged from some family and people I thought were friends, forced into long-term unpaid “job hiatus” or even quit some jobs, and have been crapped upon and treated poorly by some people. My one-and-only man in my life is sick again and sometimes that makes him miserable and hard to be around.

Why, then, with all the crap in the world that has happened to me, do I remain bright and positive? Why do I have a healthy, forward-looking attitude? Why do I drive some of my friends and co-workers crazy with happy-peppy good cheer? Why do I believe that there is sunshine and a rainbow after clouds and gloom?
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Riding Is a Great Way to Break Caregiver Fatigue

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While my twin brother is here, and he is a huge help when it comes to looking after my spouse, I still do the lion’s share of caregiving. Fortunately, my spouse has been stable for the last week, which is a good thing. However, the caregiving still takes a toll.

Besides my brother and my siblings, I have good friends who look after me. All have suggested, “do something fun for yourself and give yourself a break.”Ride01122014meblogThat I did today… I leathered up in layers and went for a ride with five hearty souls. We rode…
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My Chosen Lifestyle

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Last night, my spouse and I were watching a TV show where one (straight) character said to a lesbian character, “I’m okay with your chosen lifestyle, I just don’t want it in my face.”

That opened a story line to explain some tension between lesbian (gay) and straight characters. But it also demonstrated and reinforced the ongoing and totally wrong belief among straight people (the show’s writers) that being gay is a choice.

Let me ask, simply, when did you choose to be straight?

A lifestyle is defined as the way that a person lives.

My chosen lifestyle is…
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Why No Links in Comments

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I have set up the comment section on this blog to be run through a rigorous spam filter, and if they pass that, then force all comments to go into moderation. That means before they appear, I see them first and evaluate whether to post them.

I do that mostly for your protection. Say what?
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Boots–Shopping, Shoveling, and Hospital

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Saturday was a very busy day, starting with a shopping trip to a plumbling contractor’s supply store, where I wore my Chippewa logger boots (’cause it’s damn cold and icy!)

When I arrived home, I had messages from some of my senior pals who asked if I knew anyone who could shovel their sidewalks. Frustrated and angry that teenage neighbors refused to help, even for pay, my boots took me to four of their homes and I shoveled… broke up the ice… and shoveled.

Man, when I returned home, I was beat. But the day’s trials of my soul weren’t over…
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Manly Boots But Failed the Man Test

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Early this morning, I went to a plumbing supplies store. This store caters to contractors who do plumbing for a living. I needed to buy a particular type and brand of toilet. Since I do a lot of home renovations, I have an account at this store and am considered eligible for contractor pricing, which allows me to buy plumbing fixtures and supplies at about 30% less than the big box orange or blue retailers charge for the same items.

There I am, in worn denim jeans, Chippewa logger boots, and a dull green parka. Topped off with a ballcap with “Wesco” printed on the front.

When I arrived, there were five other contractors at the parts counter, jocularly speaking with one another and the counter staff. Apparently they all know each other, which doesn’t surprise me.

A couple of the guys listened to me place my order, which was stated manly enough, and in the proper “contractor-speak.” That is, it was clear when I said, “one G-V toilet, complete, ADA compliant, enhanced enlongated rim, 12″ rough opening, a wax ring, and a 1/2-inch nominal compression valve” that I knew what I was talking about.

But I must have tripped the gaydar of these guys. While the counter clerk went to the back to get my order, they asked me,
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