Oh Crap!

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Pardon the interruption of this blog’s usual banter. The safety guy in me has been really, really, I mean, REALLY busy!

Holy crap! Days of sustained high winds and heavy rain are predicted to strike our state soon, with a strong cold front right behind it, which is predicted to drop FEET (meters) of snow west of us (Roland-watch out!)

Our home is prepared, as are the homes of dozens of my senior pals, as well as pantries stocked, batteries ready, trees trimmed, gutters cleaned, outdoor Halloween decorations removed, and much more. I’m tired, but ready!

If this blog “goes on hold” for a while, it’s because the storm caused a disruption of our power and/or internet. But don’t worry about us; we live on high ground and have no reason to venture out into the storm. We will be as safe as we can be, but this thing is frightening to those in my profession.

Values

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I am repeating a blog post from 2008, as I find what I wrote back then to be rather insightful and as applicable today as it was back then.

Values drive one’s very essence of being. Values define who someone is and how he lives his life.

As I was musing about what to blog about today, I was thinking about a conversation that I share with my partner often. As different as we are in personality, our core values are the same. That is really what keeps us together, and continues to serve as the foundation of our relationship. We share these values:
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Speaking from the Heart

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I appreciate and highly value the freedoms afforded to me as a citizen of the United States. Free speech, freedom to live and pursue happiness, and being able to vote for our elected leaders and on questions important to the day. Two weeks now the decision will be made as to who will become the President of the United States, serve in our Senate, House of Representatives, and on local issues brought to referendum on the ballot in my home state.

I read a lot on various media — newspapers, blogs, and Facebook. I have learned a lot about how people use electronic media to express their views. But nothing is as direct as being put into the position of having to speak from the heart.
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Riding Solo

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Yesterday was a stunningly beautiful autumn day. Fortunately, my partner was stable so I knew that I could leave him for a while and go for a ride on my Harley.

I saw a ride listed on my club’s ride calendar, but unfortunately, the ride was being led by someone who rides too fast for me, and I have always felt uncomfortable on his rides. I decided not to go on his ride. I don’t like feeling pressure of trying to keep up when all I want to do is sit back and have a relaxing ride.

I sent emails to some biker buddies to ask if they wanted to go for a ride with me, but all replied saying they couldn’t make it, “perhaps another time.” I understand. I’m often in the same position.

But this is weird… usually I am the one whose calendar is so chock-full, he can’t ride. This time, I have time and interest, but no others to ride with. That’s okay, I leathered up…
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Best Time to Wear Cowboy Boots and Jeans

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Yep, another amusing internet search — six of the same question within 24 hours — “What is the best time to wear cowboy boots and jeans?”

Really? Who has to ask the internet this question? And six separate people from Texas, California, Oklahoma, Poland, Australia, and Guam?

In my unfailing quest to inform those who seek elusive answers, here goes–
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Talented Great Nephew in Boots

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My great nephew who I helped buy boots to wear to high school this year is not the only great nephew I have who likes to wear boots. I have a number of great nieces and nephews — children of my 59 nieces and nephews. (I told ‘ya that I had a large family!)

Here’s one of my highly talented GN’s performing at a club in boots.
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Partner’s Health–Modifying Plans

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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.
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Neighbors

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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?
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