A Surprise call

This is Marie and Elijah at Inglenook Farms this week.  Despite the cold, they were having a great time climbing and racing around.  They met new friends that were also playing and had some post-school fun.  Both of them like the spinning devises, tire swing and some other contraption.  And, they like climbing and looking out over the scene.  Me, I was trying to stay warm just standing around.  Kids on lockdown still need to run around.

 Received a wonderful surprise FaceTime call from and old friend Rick two nights ago.  He lives in San Francisco and has for many years.  Lying in bed at about 9pm here comes the call. Its 6pm where he is. He and I worked at Central Transport in the mid 70's in the rate department.  Rick was the first man that told me he was gay. I was not shocked by the news but most admiring of his honesty.  He even attended the first Gay Pride March held.  He told our boss, a straight laced Italian that he had to attend and Sam agreed.  I was dealing with a tragic upheaval in my life when we met and he was the only man including my father that could truly understand and empathize with my pain. 

Judy and I took him on a double date with the man that would become his life partner for over 30 years Dennis.  We went to see A Chorus Line (much of a cliché?).  Sadly he passed away ripped apart from ALS.  Rick has since gotten married to a wonderful man.  They lead a small life filled with happiness.  

I have a nephew that recently married the love of his life.  Matthew has been joyfully out for many years, an educator and loved by his students.  Matt and many other stand on the shoulders of men like Rick who paved the way for their freedom to be self defined and truly proud of themselves.  I do not know the fear and loathing endured by gay men now in their 60's and beyond.  This blog is always an effort to be personal and truthful to the readers.  This relationship is really important to me.  So I feel compelled to tell the story. 

Now,  a confession.  I have an obsession with reusable containers purchased from the market that you can put food and other stuff in.  I can never have enough of them, always having a stash hidden away.  They are needed for food gifts and storage of small articles.  I scour the dollar store for more whenever I visit.

We share laundry duties.  Monday I was in our shared laundry room for the drying cycle when I discovered a black kitty sitting on the windowsill looking out and crying.  Upon approaching, learned that he/she was friendly and pettable.  The dryer started and he took off only to stop in the middle of the hallway.  Picked him up and took him to the office.  Learning he was owned by a blind lady on our floor, he was returned and all ended well.

The growth of this covid-19 virus will probably shut down our state again.  It is a wise and needed choice that will displease many.  More homemade haircuts and home cooked meals, zoom calls and a cancelled Thanksgiving celebration.  This our world for now.  We will have to find happiness in our little family/friend circles and move forward.

If your streaming service provides You Tube, look for Humans of New York, a photo/video series telling many small vignettes about the inhabitants of the city.   This is also available on Facebook Watch.  Really fascinating to me,  have a look if you want to see something completely different. 

all for now

stay safe