Bird FLU or Hurricane?

This picture was sent to me by an old neighbor from Florida. It reminded me to acknowledge and thank the anonymous person that left a comment on my July 4th post. Most of my old friends (those friends of my wife's and mine) have chosen to steer clear of me. Whoever left the comment made me feel a little more accepted. I do miss the neighborhood feeling we had in Miami Shores. It started in earnest the day after Hurricane Andrew hit in 1992. We really had a tight group. So much has changed, yet so much has remained the same. There have been graduations, marriages, separations, divorces, moves, and of course the occasional "outing" of one's self. But we will always have the memories of what brought us all together, a common thread of sorts, and we will always be thankful for the times we spent in each other's company.

The picture above MUST be the results of the Bird FLU... Hurricanes bring out the best in people and make them stand up TALL...

Thank goodness for lasting friendships and people willing to extend a neighborly hand...

Over and "Out" from Richmond, VA (I still love all of you, my Miami Shores friends)

A Dog's Life

Dogs, dogs everywhere, all are black and white...
On the deck and in the house, with no relief in sight...

I should have been a poet. Well, we all survived the night without a rift. My room-mates two dogs slept under the bed (and on their own dog bed, which I brought), while JD's two slept with us in the king bed (for the most part). They all get along pretty well, although there are definitely two "alphas" in the four, so cooperation is not guaranteed.

I ran a couple errands here in Williamsburg for JD and myself this morning. I like this place, it is pretty compact for being so rural. unlike Richmond, which is quite spread out for being so urban (or suburban)... I am planning on grabbing my bathing suit and heading over to one of the neighbors to swim in their pool, and catch a few rays (yes the sun has made an appearance today) while reading from "Fresh Men 2" a collection of short stories penned by up and coming gay writers. These are not "sex stories" as BJ had suggested. They are just fiction written with a gay perspective. I was happy for that.

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

A Picture is worth...

Greetings from Williamsburg... I had a training meeting this morning at work, went to see my therapist at 10:00am, then went home, did some laundry, packed, loaded my stuff and my room-mate's two Boston Terriers into my car and headed east on I-64 (My room-mate is away on a business trip/vacation combination and I have the "doggie duty"). JD has two dogs of his own, and I was unsure how they would get along. So far - 2 hours - so good. Only a few snarls and groaning growls. All fixed males, I just was not sure what would happen.

The picture above was taken the week before last, as we (JD and I) were heading back across the James River, on the ferry between Jamestown and Surry County, and the Pork, Pine and Peanut (Penis) Fesitval - what a gay name. A few of you have asked to see pictures of my love and - albeit a bit dark - this is all I have at the moment.

Never enough time

I drove down to Williamsburg after meeting with my attorney on Thursday... There never seems to be enough time down there. I met JD at his job, which I sensed - and he later verified - was a little awkward for him. Still... I think he forgave me for showing up with fresh flowers and a smile. I made dinner for us on Thursday, and we had a nice quiet evening at home.

Yesterday JD had to work, so I hung around the house, read, washed my car including the nasty carpets (which had an extra large Coke spilled on them by the nice little girl at the Burger King drive through), did some laundry for JD, and put his grill back together after Fed-Ex delivered the replacement parts he ordered. Dinner was Shish-ka-bobs of chicken, grape tomatoes, onion, yellow squash, green peppers, and zucchini. I made enough for the neighbors and we invited ourselves over for a swim and a cookout. Another quiet evening.

And then it was 10:00 o'clock and time to leave my home away from home, for Richmond.

Never enough time...

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

Another Day in the Life

My wife's attorney made me feel like a dirtbag... I guess that was to be expected, what wasn't, was what she decided to share with our daughter after the settlement conference... I received a text message from my daughter telling me she was not going to communicate with me for awhile. I am sorry she doesn't want to talk to me about whatever it is I was accused of...

The settlement conference resolved nothing other than giving our attorneys a platform to cackle and accuse the others' client, and of course bill another $225.00... I meet with my lawyer again tomorrow, as our case is on the docket Monday. If this goes to court, we both will lose. Unfortunately, she more than me, which does not make me happy or proud. When she first brought up the "D" word and filed, I asked why? She is covered by my insurance, she receives money from me monthly that she does not have to claim as income, she lives in the house WE bought... The only thing she doesn't have is me anymore...

I guess "that which does not kill us", does in fact make us stronger... At least I hope it does for both of us.

Meanwhile... JD (my new love in Williamsburg) and I are spending as much time as we can together. His heart is so open and connects with mine easily... The physical attraction is awesome, our personalities are totally compatible... Now we just need to get to know each other (and open some baggage) a little better... We have discussed a lot of things and can spend quiet times together, as well as active times... I think we have both agreed that we are past the "Like each other" stage and working on the next step. He is very good for me and I hope I am for him as well.

That's all for now! Be well and be Gay!!!

Cool Tom

Wednesday, July 12th

Wow, it's been a busy weekend (worked both days) and week...

My oldest turned 28 on Monday, he sounded great and seems to be doing well. I have been spending a lot of time down in Williamsburg with a great friend. We like each other a lot and he is a very sexy man... Oh dear, I think I am blushing... I think he is good for my heart, I hope I am as comforting to him.

All else is well, I have a settlement conference with attorneys on Friday, should be fun...

Be good, Over and "Out" from Richmond, VA

Norge and Toano

Two of the small towns just this side of Williamsburg VA, about an hour east of the westend of Richmond. Usually bypassed on I-64 on the way to Busch Gardens, Norfolk, or Virginia Beach. I went down and had dinner with a friend Thursday. He lives and works in that area, which, by the way, is very nice... We had Mexican food, a few Coronas, a lot of conversation, I ended up spending the night ...

Friday was pretty unremarkable... I read my Dean Koontz novel, sunned, did some laundry, cleaned the house and then went to see The Devil Wears Prada... Very funny movie, although the only people really reacting to it (laughing) seemed to be the intuitive women and the gay men... hmmmm, I wonder why?

Not much else happening in "my new life" right now...

Til next time...

July 4th Weekend

Here we are 230 years old and still kicking... Wow - the flag above is the world's largest, it is 255 feet by 505 feet and weighs 3,000 pounds - it was hung over Hoover Dam in 1996!

I have decided that St Thomas is a good place and a good fit for me, and have set up a meeting with the pastor to determine what I can do for the church, and what expectations I should have of what the church might do for me.

Spent the day yesterday with a friend, we sunned, ran through the sprinkler like little kids, cooked out ate potato salad - all those summertime activities - and just enjoyed each other's company. I left around 8ish and headed home. Was going to read for awhile, then decided it was too early and went over to barcode for karaoke. It was pretty busy and I ended up staying until around 10.30.

Spoke to my Mom yesterday, she is staying home for the 4th, and seems to be adapting well to her "New Life" as well. Funny when we were asking questions of each other, they really were applicable to either of us... She sounded marvelous!

Not much else going on in my life here in Richmond, VA. So, until next time....
Over and "Out"...