Monthly Archives: January 2014

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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Riding on January 1

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The first of January dawned cold, too cold, I thought, to try to make arrangements to meet my motorcycle club for its annual “polar bear” motorcycle ride. Plus, I wanted to have a leisurely breakfast with my spouse, my brother, and my sister-in-law on my last day of holiday break.

But it was a bothersome thing in the back of my mind, “you don’t get many days in winter where it is sunny and tolerable for riding.”

However, I promised some senior pals to do some home repairs that I was not able to do earlier during my holiday break as I needed to spend time caring for my spouse. Now with my brother here and available to help my spouse should he need anything, I went to my 3 friends’ homes and dispatched the repairs quickly.

By early afternoon, it warmed up to a balmy 43F (6C) and I was done with my promised work for my senior pals. So what did I do?
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New Improvements for Stock Dehner Boots

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Balstock1208A motorcop spoke with me in November, asking about Dehner boots.

Cop: “My co-workers tell me that you know a lot about boots. I have some questions about Dehners.”

Me: “yeah, I have some experience. What do you want to know?” — not really indicating what my experience is quite yet.

Cop: “I’ve heard that regular (aka “stock”) Dehners sometimes break in bad or crack. The thing is, I need a new pair of motorboots and I can’t afford to get Dehners made of all leather. Is it true what they say about the regular Dehners being easily damaged?”
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