Raindrops on Roses...

... And whiskers on kittens... Another of my "Favourite" songs. I saw Julie Andrews the other morning on Ellen. She looks marvelous... She was promoting the 41st anniversary of The Sound of Music. I remember going to the theater to see it. I was 10. Please no comments (except nice ones) on the age...

The end of June is in sight. I have had a bang up month as far as written business goes - over $80,000 with one week to go. Unfortunately my shipped business is somewhat lower - and that's what we get paid on - which means I should have an awesome July! This last week I have worked additional shifts to help my end of the month numbers, we'll see how it all plays out.

My love life is a little stale right now. I see friends and such, but am not involved emotionally and/or intimately with anyone right now, which is probably very good for me. I do so want to be though, I miss waking up next to someone, I miss little talks over a glass of wine or a beer at the end of a long day, I miss hanging out on the deck listening to music and talking on my day off... I know I need to work on stuff in my life, but I feel incomplete often, and wish that feeling would go away. I'm hopeful that getting involved with my new church will help too.

... Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens.....

Til next time... Be good and be well...

20 Years Ago

My... Was it that long ago? It seems like just yesterday. On June 22nd 1986 I married my best friend, my love, my soul mate. So much has changed, except those three things. I received an email this morning as a reminder:

THANK YOU FOR THE MEMORIES!
AND FOR TWO SENSITIVE, INTELLIGENT AND LOVING CHILDREN!

I should have expected my reaction, but I was caught off guard. I spent a portion of my hour long therapy session discussing it and trying to understand my feelings... I suppose I never will.

I like my therapist. He has such insight sometimes and really helps me put things in perspective. I have so many things going on in my life, and represent an undiscovered path to a lot of people. I often wonder how anyone can possibly be interested in me as a person, a love, or a friend. He - my therapist - said: "Don't worry, don't beat yourself up over what you seem to think are faults. The people that truly know you and like you probably do so because of them". Interesting... He also reminded me that one of the quality traits of the person I am, is having the ability to wait to be invited/asked, rather than forcing a situation or stance. In other words, a good guy never shoves his opinions down someone's throat or forces his presence on them. It's always better to be invited to the party than to crash it...

My best friend is away for the weekend. A graduation he is attending in his Hometown. I have been asked to dinner by another friend that I haven't seen in awhile. It will be fun catching up.

So long for now from Richmond, VA

The day after...

Fathers Day came and went without much fanfare... I happened to be online last night and my #2 son saw me and wished me a Happy Fathers Day. This morning I went to check email and my #1 son had send me wishes at 2 in the morning.

I returned yesterday, to St Thomas Episcopal Church in Ginter Park http://www.stthomasrichmond.org/ . I really like the people there and the family atmosphere. It's a smaller parrish that is outwardly diverse and open-minded, yet not exclusively anything. The service is similar enough to a Catholic Mass that it is easy to follow. It is also a more traditional service, which I like as well. There are numerous opportunities for volunteering. They have several outreach programs that I can get involved in.

A friend came over later and helped me assemble some furniture I bought. We later sat out in the sun, read for awhile then chatted. He is struggling with some stuff and I think I have made it "interesting" making it more difficult for him to sort things out. I just hope he can. He has a relationship with a guy he really likes, that he is hesitant to re-kindle for reasons totally between them. I just don't get how you can pass up the opportunity - or not take the chance - to be really happy. Personally I'd go for it... I will be there for him, what else can I do?

That's all for now, Over and "Out" from Richmond

Fathers Day Weekend 2006

I have no Fathers Day Expectations...

I only have Dreams and Aspirations...

Maybe one will happen...



Over and "Out" from Richmond VA

Flag Day 2006

Happy Flag Day... Is that a real greeting? Probably not, but it is now...

It was a rainy day here in Richmond VA today. I am glad I went down to the James River yesterday. I took my roommates 2 Boston Terriers over to North Bank Park. By the end of our trek out to the river they both just laid down in the water... It was truly a funny sight. Today I ran a couple errands, did some laundry, had lunch with a new friend from the church I went to this past Sunday, then came home and read/napped. It was a good day to do absolutely nothing if you could.

Tomorrow it's back to the retail grind for a 12 hour stint. I do look forward to my days off, but also like going back to work too... One of my good friends at work has shaved his head, I am looking forward to seeing that!

Be good until next time... Over and "Out"...

Rainy Days and Mondays

I remember that song, oh so well... I was in love with Karen Carpenter's voice, and had the hots for her brother Richard. I always suspected he was gay, but have never verified it... Oh well...

I saw Transamerica tonight for the first time. A friend came by and we had Vietnamese carry out and a movie. That's what friends are for... My good friend BJ and I are doing well... I think I was taking things way too seriously there, and have decided to slow things down... I am such a pushover for a sweet man. We will take things if and as they come, but I'm afraid we will always be friends... GOOD FRIENDS... He reminds me of the things I strive to live for, he is just better at them then I could ever be...

Hangin around,

Nothin to do but frown,

Rainy Days and Mondays always get me down...

I am not downing or frowning, I just like the song...

Til next post. Over and "Out" from Richmond VA

Kelly's Flag

I made a friend when I first started blogging. His name is Kelly Stern and in his blog http://kellystern.blogspot.com/ he posted a challenge to see how many bloggers would post this picture:

As a part of Pride Month...

This is for you Kelly and also for me... It's people like Kelly that make it more fun to blog and more fun to be gay.

"So long and thanks for all the fish"!!!

VCU's Alltel Pavilion at the Siegel Center was packed last night. It was Hermitage High School's 54th commencement exercise - my little girl's High School graduation. I could not be more proud of her or of the Henrico County Public School System. I have two son's that fumbled through the Miami-Dade School System, while they did graduate, it was not the most positive experience and neither felt compelled to continue their education. I have a son and a daughter that attended private schools in Miami, before moving here, then Middle and High Schools here in Virginia. My son will be a sophomore at VCU in the fall, and my daughter has decided to start her higher education at J. Sergeant Reynolds Community College, also in Henrico County.

Before going, my daughter called me to tell me where she would be sitting so I could get a seat close by. She also conveyed a message from her Mom to not sit near them, as she wasn't sure how my son would react to seeing me. My son has not talked to me since October. He was unhappy that I decided to leave my wife, and even more so that I came "out". Personally I think it just gave him other reasons to dislike me, which he already did. I think back to my late teens and I didn't much care for my Dad either. Fortunately that changed, we actually became good friends before he died. I am not as optimistic with my situation, but I still love my son and watched him last night as he attempted to take charge, trying to get good seats for his Mom, Grandmother, and step-sister. There was a rush that came over me as I saw him and watched from across the pavilion. I realized how proud I was to be the parent of both of these young adults.

I believe everything happens for a reason. My coming out late in life allowed me to have, raise and influence these two souls. I would never change that. They will both make a difference in the world we live in. I hope I can do the same in "My New Life".

Enough for now... Over and "Out" from Richmond VA...

What a nice weekend...

The weather was a little unpredictable on Saturday, but Sunday was beautiful. I read a little of "Babycakes" the 4th book in the "Tales" series, then headed up to Charlottesville for a nice drive and lunch up in the historic downtown area with BJ. This man is special and we seem to have alot in common. I look forward to spending time with him, and I think he feels the same way.

After we got back, I read a little more then went to Z2 to play some pool, and Barcode for karaoke. Barcode was packed and fun, I stayed for awhile then headed home to the comfort of my cozy bed...

Life is good, and I have no complaints... Over and "Out" til next time...

Another busy week in Richmond VA ...

Business seems to be slowly picking up in the furniture business. Memorial Day weekend is always a good barometer of things to come and it was a winner. Governor Kaine just announced a tax free weekend in August, that should help spike sales too.

My daughter's last day of high school was this week. She graduates soon and came by for another visit the other day. She was talking about taking a year off before starting at JSR, I hope she will re-think and maybe take one academic and one elective the first year. Either way she looked great and was very excited about graduation.

Life for me is getting less complicated... It seems most of my attention and free time is being focused in one direction and at one person these days. For those who know me, you know what I am talking about. I do plan on spending the day Sunday with this "special" someone, I can hardly wait. I guess I am opening myself up to be disappointed/hurt if I am reading too much into this, but that is what makes us stronger, "that which does not kill us". I am willing to take the chance with no expectations or limitations.

Life is good ... Over and "Out" til next post...