View From Here

 September 9 th , we held a memorial event for Rocky. A one-hour visitation followed by a worship service, and that followed by lunch. Roughly 200+ visitors came at the beginning, about 100 remained for the service, and 80 stayed for lunch. The interaction of the participants was excellent. So many different chapters of Rocky’s life were represented by family and friends gathered over nearly 80 years. The event was planned by many and worked by those same good folks. Like the months preceding his death, volunteers, family and friends – including terrific neighbors – helped in every way possible. The financial cost was shared as well. In short, so much is owed to so many for all the support they provided. Thank you for all of that. You know who you are! For family, your efforts are so very much appreciated. Thank you. And from me? Incalculable relief that came with all your help, your dollars, your meals, your time and your labor. Thank you to each of you. Together we are se...

We have been streaming TV programming for several months now after cutting the cable cord. During the COVID pandemic and now after, we have screened hundreds of movies, documentaries and international entertainment, too. The latter demonstrates how far ahead foreign programmers and artists are than here in the USA. The latest happenings and social movement elements are included in scripts and their films. Foreign producers include smoking, crime, sexual orientation and all that sort of thing, while political movements are made part of each story’s context. Same with sexual elements; they are not the theme of the story, just part of it. Here in the US, things are not like that. Gay is still something avoided. As a gay person, I still struggle with the identity. It is still a sensitive issue to many. Yes, it is now subject to legal rights and recent legislation. Gay rights are part of modern day living. It is still new to us and takes getting used to. Meanwhile, I think back on wha...

Second blog of my return to activity and what do I write about? The weather. Ho hum? No. Not ho hum. This summer has been amazing. Oh sure, we had some very hot weather, but the rainy spring was replaced by a summer of dry weather. Rain did not consume entire weeks, but only a day or two at a time. Much of the rain fell at night. Days were bright and sunny. When do you remember that? I was not affected much by inclement weather these past 6 months. Being tied to home to attend to Rocky’s hospice care, I didn’t have to drive in the rain, walk in the rain or anything else. We were pretty much stay at home. We did witness the weather, however. From our windows we observe the sun, the green outdoors, and the activities of others enjoying the great weather. I can also share the observation that the winter was mild. Sure, we had early severe cold but that did not return during the balance of winter months. Snow was intermittent and followed by warm temperatures to melt the snow. Spring...