My partner’s birthday is Monday. I would love to plan a simple recognition for him, meeting is desire for a quiet, reserved, private celebration, as we have done for nigh some 20 years. He never was the type to want a party or even go out for dinner. He has no friends, so there’s no one else but me with whom to spend his birthday.
Back in the day…
Continue reading
After yesterday’s announcement that my partner and I will marry, now that our home state became the first in the nation to allow same-sex marriage by a popular vote of the people (Maine was second, but also should be recognized and applauded)… several people asked us about our “wedding plans.”
In fact, I had several elected officials in our state’s general assembly ask if they could attend our wedding.
None of those asking us about our wedding saw the comments in yesterday’s blog post about our intent to go “low key” with our marriage. I gently explained to them why.
Continue reading
To my wonderful partner:
Will you marry me? Will you continue to make my heart sing with joy each time I see your smile? Will you continue to walk by my side — not in front, not behind, but right next to me as we take our bootsteps on our life’s journey?
Will you marry me and be mine in Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter? All seasons for all reasons, you are my man and I am yours.
Will you marry me? Now that our state’s legislature has passed a civil marriage act, and which was just upheld when challenged by referendum? The law becomes effective January 1, 2013. Finally… legal same-sex marriage in our home state, the state I have called home my entire life.
Will you marry me? Building our life together for the past 7,137 days, each day is a new day of joy, of life, of celebration of deep devotion and love.
Will you marry me? You have cared for me when I have been injured or ill, solidly stood by me as I was dealt some serious blows, and held me close as I grieved for the loss of my mother, aunts, uncles, cousins, and close friends. In turn, I have been your champion as you have endured life’s challenges as well, and cared for you during recovery from surgeries and your long illness. In sickness and in health — we care for each other.
Will you marry me? Make my smile, hold my hand, love me, cherish me, as I cherish and love you?
…with all of my heart, every fibre of my being, I love you and feel your love in return. Each day, each hour, each minute.
So blessed, such love, such joy. Thank you, Maryland! We can get married! I am so happy!
I have a close friend who is a local motorcop. His old patrol boots were a mess — dirty, damaged, and the soles were worn thin. He decided to get himself a new pair of motorboots. So what kind of boots did he buy?
Continue reading
The U.S. national election day is Tuesday, November 6, but many states allow for early voting, which allows voters to cast ballots before election day and hopefully avoid long lines and crowds. I am among those who took advantage of early voting. My partner and I voted last Thursday.
I take pride in the freedoms provided by our country’s long-enduring Constitution, which has allowed for open and free elections for more than 200 years.
In the past, I also was among those who would greet voters at the polls to try to persuade them to vote for a particular candidate or a position on a certain referendum issue. However, after getting badly burned in the 2010 election cycle, I vowed that I would not get involved with politics this year. I have kept my promise (both to myself and my partner). However, I couldn’t back off “cold turkey.” Let me explain…
Continue reading
I enjoy all seasons with my beloved partner, but it seems as if autumn presents more opportunities for “us” photos.
Here is “us” taken yesterday in our back yard. While he is still recovering from his long-term infection, he looks great (despite the sneakers on his feet–he is not the Bootman in the family).
Life is short: show those you love how you love them.
I was at a conference earlier this week, and traveled home as planned on October 31. Yeah, that also happens to be Halloween.
Earlier in the day, I appeared in my dress leather jeans, pink shirt, and black Lucchese goatskin dress cowboy boots when I gave a presentation before a large plenary meeting. I explained that I am a “breast cancer aware biker” and (most) members of the audience laughed politely.
I had to return the pink shirt to a friend from whom I borrowed it, so while I was changing, I thought perhaps I should change into a pair of regular denim jeans and boots that are easier to take off when going through security before I headed out for the airport right after the conference ended. But then… I had second thoughts.
Continue reading
I am still in a U.S. Southern State, speaking at and attending a conference of my professional association. I have kept in touch by phone with my partner. He and my sister who is staying with him are fine — they didn’t even lose power (amazing, considering how bad our power company is.)
The recent severe storm has come and gone. I am grateful that our preparedness actions paid off. The trees in the old-growth forest behind our house are still standing, though from what I hear, are now mostly leafless. I am very happy that I had a tree trimming company strategically thin branches and remove dead limbs from the trees in our forest in May, so when the storms of June and October occurred, wind could blow through them more easily and not be blown down.
I have checked in with many members of my family who live in the storm-ravaged areas of New York. Our family network has confirmed that everyone is okay, though some of them have suffered property damage. But all-in-all, it could have been worse and we are grateful that it was not.
Meanwhile, down here at the conference, I have been booted and wearing leather…
Continue reading
Greetings from BHD who is not at home! I have had to travel for a business trip to speak at a conference being held in a U.S. southern state, away from the impact of the monster storm battering my home state (and many states north of me).
I spent Saturday doing some last-minute preparations, but we’re pretty well set. After all, disaster preparedness is my profession. I practice what I preach.
I also visited dozens of my senior pals helping them to get ready. I took 14 of them to the grocery store very early on Saturday, helping them to get non-perishable foods that can keep without refrigeration or heating. And plenty of batteries for flashlights! My senior pals know that candles are the most DANGEROUS thing to use for emergency lighting.
I am glad we went to the store so early, because by mid-day, the store shelves were picked clean.
I am concerned about my partner, who is at home. But he is not alone. Big Sister is staying with him, along with two other senior pals who were afraid to stay in their homes. Our generator is set and ready, provided they have to use it. This storm is HUGE!
Continue reading
If any one set of words is searched on the ‘net more than any others that lead to visitors to this blog, it is “masculine gay men.”
Yes, it is possible to behave in a masculine manner as an ordinary guy, and also be gay. Not all men behave the same way. Not all “gays” behave the same way, either. Unfortunately, social stereotyping portrays gay men (mostly in the media) as being swishy queens with high-pitched voices and who are completely unable to do anything other than fuss, get flustered, hang out at Starsucks in shorts and flip-flops playing with their mobile devices, or plan the next “fabulous” party. That stereotyping drives men like me crazy.
Continue reading