The Moon is Full

According to the Farmer's Almanac, July is called a Buck Moon because July is normally the month when the new antlers of buck deer push out of their foreheads in coatings of velvety fur. It was also often called the Full Thunder Moon, for the reason that thunderstorms are most frequent during this time. Another name for this month’s Moon was the Full Hay Moon.   See Farmer's Almanac.

I noticed tonight's full moon just after dusk.  It was there, low in the sky, and faint against the barely darkened sky, but a full moon indeed.  Although is will certainly wane and wax, this is one of those rare times when it will be in the sky all night for nearly the whole month.  Additionally, we will have two full moons this month with one on July 1, and the next one on July 31.

Seeing the moon brings back memories of recent summers when I would spend nearly every other weekend out camping with a group of youngsters, or the family, or both.  So many good experiences camping.

We never really wanted it to rain, but after a little experience, and preparation, I actually found overnight rain on the tent or camper top to be relaxing.  The key is to be prepared.  I recall one particular night when I was attending an outdoor training, the rain started right at dusk, and it rained most of the night.  I was alone in my tent with a good book, and even enjoyed the lightning and rain as it came and went most of the night.

It Just Feels Good All Over

The din from last week's Supreme Court decision on Human Rights seems to have diminished somewhat. Could it be that the haters have looked around and realized how many of their "friends" are on the other side of the fence?  Or maybe they see the world continuing to turn, the sun has not burned out, and life goes on--the same as it did before the Court recognized the rights of all citizens?  

I am in awe of the love that is oozing from people from all walks of life, all income levels, regardless of sexual orientation or preference. It feels good. 😋

JUNE 26 WILL BE REMEMBERED AND CELEBRATED

I have long wanted to write more, but as many of us do, I 'don't really have the time' or 'I will get around to it later'.  Well, it's later.  One thing is certain, it is always gonna be later...we aren't getting any younger, and it feels truer today than ever before.

It's June 28, 2015, and we all know that June 26 will go down in the history books.  I have been so in touch with my gay friends, that I really didn't even think about the other side of the fence.  I must say, I am very disappointed by a few who have never shown me their hatred and stupidity the way Facebook and the Supreme Court ruling has given them the opportunity to show it now.  Of most concern, is those who are all for Freedom of Religion until we choose not to pick theirs.  I am happy, though, that I know who those few are now, and I can show appropriate sympathy for them in their diminished mental capacity.

On the other hand, I also have seen a side of some others that I wasn't sure existed.  I am referring to those friends (acquaintances ?) who may not agree with same sex marriage, but understand that the right to choose is an individual right, and not one to be dictated by anyone in our society.

Congratulations and best wishes for those friends who have taken this opportunity to announce or re-commit to their relationship/marriage/partnership.  I wish you all the best.  It's a better adjusted world than it was last week.  The fight is not over, but a major battle won.

As good as it looks!

Words of Wisdom

"Has anyone ever looked at you as though you are a hero? Well, let me tell you, it does not happen very often, but when it does, you better fucking act like a hero."
-Tony

A great article.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=sTJ7AzBIJoI

Ladies and Gentlemen of the class of ’99

If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it. The long term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable

than my own meandering experience…

I will dispense this advice now. 

Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth; oh never mind; you will not understand the power and beauty of your youth until they have faded.  But trust me, in 20 years you’ll look back at photos of yourself and recall in a way you can’t grasp now, how much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked….You’re not as fat as you imagine. 

Don’t worry about the future; or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubblegum. The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that

never crossed your worried mind; the kind that blindside you at 4pm on some idle Tuesday. 

Do one thing everyday that scares you. 

Sing.

Don’t be reckless with other people’s hearts, don’t put up with people who are reckless with yours. 

Floss.

Don’t waste your time on jealousy; sometimes you’re ahead, sometimes you’re behind…the race is long, and in the end, it’s only with yourself. 

Remember the compliments you receive, forget the insults; if you succeed in doing this, tell me how. 

Keep your old love letters, throw away your old bank statements. 

Stretch. 

Don’t feel guilty if you don’t know what you want to do with your life…the most interesting people I know didn’t know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives, some of the most interesting 40 year

olds I know still don’t. 

Get plenty of calcium. 

Be kind to your knees, you’ll miss them when they’re gone. 

Maybe you’ll marry, maybe you won’t, maybe you’ll have children, maybe you won’t, maybe you’ll divorce at 40, maybe you’ll dance the funky chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary…what ever you do, don’t congratulate yourself too much or berate yourself either – your choices are half chance, so are everybody else’s. 

Enjoy your body, use it every way you can…don’t be afraid of it, or what other people

think of it, it’s the greatest instrument you’ll ever own.

Dance…even if you have nowhere to do it but in your own living room. 

Read the directions, even if you don’t follow them. 

Do NOT read beauty magazines, they will only make you feel ugly. 

Get to know your parents, you never know when they’ll be gone for good. Be nice to your siblings; they are the best link to your past and the people most likely to stick with you in the future. 

Understand that friends come and go, but for the precious few you should hold on. Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle because the older you get, the more you need the people you knew when you were young. 

Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard; live in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft. 

Travel. 

Accept certain inalienable truths, prices will rise, politicians will philander, you too will get old, and when you do you’ll fantasize that when you were young prices were reasonable, politicians were

noble and children respected their elders.

Respect your elders. 

Don’t expect anyone else to support you. Maybe you have a trust fund, maybe you have a wealthy spouse; but you never know when either one might run out. 

Don’t mess too much with your hair, or by the time you're 40, it will look 85. 

Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the

ugly parts and recycling it for more than it’s worth. 

But trust me on the sunscreen.

“Some people come into our lives and leave footprints on our hearts and we are never ever the same while …..

Some people come into our lives and quickly go. 

Some people move our souls to dance. They awaken us to a new understanding with the passing whisper of their wisdom. 

Some people make the sky more beautiful to gaze upon. They stay in our lives for awhile, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never, ever the same.”

A dear friend said his final goodbyes last week.  A death event for him, and a life shattering event for many who knew him.  He was one of those guys who you always believed was too strong to die.  

He will be buried on the farm he loved and where he died.  

RIP

TMI from Sean the Jeep Guy

I'M FALLING FOR YOU
Sean...Just a Jeep Guy...TMI Thursday

1. How does Fall rank on your list of favorite seasons?

I love the seasons, and like there to be distinct differences.  So, depending on where I live, things change a lot.  For a long time, I was in the midwest...near Lake Michigan...but now in Virginia, the answer remains the same, but the reasons change.  

In the Midwest, Fall and Spring fought for second place as a favorite season, because summer beat them both out.  Now, in Virginia, they are in a tight race for first place.  The summers here are too hot, too humid, and too buggy for me.2. What are your favorite fall fashions?

I am not a fashion guy, typically, but I do like putting on a few extra layers for the evening football games...love the crisper air.3. What are your favorite fall foods?

Apple anything....fresh pies, turnovers, and any other bakery product you can put them in.  If you include Thanksgiving and Christmas....well that is a whole different story.  I love to cook and love to eat.  Everything.4. Have you ever FALLEN and couldn't get up?

Not for a long time...but it depends on your perspective.  Emotionally I was in serious shape for several years.  I made it through what I hope is the worst of it, but ... who knows.  

Physically, I came very close....it was a winter morning, not real cold but below freezing...walking to the newspaper box, I slipped on black ice and ended up with what was diagnosed as a broken rib in the back.  Wow...it only hurt when I breathed, lifted anything, or sat the wrong way [which was easy to do].5. Fall is the start of the new TV season, which show are you most anticipating?

I don't keep up on much of that, but ... looking forward to taking a look at a show a friend works on ... SLEEPY HOLLOW.6. What fall activities like apple picking, hiking, foliage trips, do you enjoy or plan on doing?

No fan of apple picking, but I do like to visit the orchards and get good apples cheap.  

Hiking, foliage trips...absolutely.  Nice to get up early with great friends and trek through the woods, or through some really cool neighborhoods...love the crisp air.7. Halloween is __________.

...a great holiday for kids, mostly.  In a neighborhood I used to live in, we took the kids around the neighborhood, stopped at every other house for a drink or two, and circled around the bonfires that most everyone had going for a great evening.  But...alas...not here.8. Do you dress up for Halloween?

Not really.  I would if friends and partying were involved!!!9. Do you have daylight savings time where you live? 

Yes.  I have seen the studies, but still not a fan of it.10. Thanksgiving is __________.

...family time.  I love getting the extended family together for a great meal, a lot of good conversation, and everything that goes with it.11. What's your favorite Thanksgiving food?

Love them all.  
BONUS  
Do you FALL asleep after sex? 

Eventually.

Have you FALLEN out of bed while having sex?

Not really, but some of the guys I was with have.

A Cubby Weekend

Too Good Not To Repeat

"Forgive others. Not because they deserve forgiveness, but because you deserve Peace."
- Unknown

Reprinted without permission.  Forgive me for repeating this, V.  

A Gift Suggestion. I promise to wear it.

Scandal Night in Richmond

Just when I am convinced that Richmonders take themselves too seriously, this happens!!!

The Richmond Flying Squirrels, the capital's AA baseball team, plan to "honor" disgraced New York politician Anthony Weiner, among others. All hot dogs will be $1, and the Squirrels are encouraging fans to take pictures of their...wieners and tweet them to the team's official account. Because you see, Weiner has been in trouble for sending pictures of his...nevermind.

The whole story here.


The official version of the story from the team website here.

Taken from a lot of people...most recently from the CAJUN.

Your results:
You are Spider-Man

Spider-Man 90% Iron Man 90% Hulk 85% Green Lantern 75% The Flash 65% Superman 50% Supergirl 50% Wonder Woman 45% Batman 40% Catwoman 40% Robin 35%

You are intelligent, witty, a bit geeky and have great power and responsibility.

Click here to take the "Which Superhero am I?" quiz...

On THE VIEW...thanks to Kelly.

Sean's TMI Thursday ... a day or two early

GOOD MORNING!
Sean over at Just a Jeep Guy does TMI Thursdays...questions that make one seem more human.  Here are my answers to this week's questions.

1. How many times do you hit the snooze button?

Snooze button?  I don't have one of those.  My alarm is buried deep inside my brain somewhere, and it just wakes me up whenever.  But even when I used an alarm, I could never use the snooze...just set the alarm to the last minute anyway.

2. What's the first 5 things you do after waking?

A.  Look at the iPhone to see what time it is.

B.  Look to see who has texted me, or hopefully 'woofed' me. 

C. Go Pee.

D. Slide on a pair of gym shorts for the trip to the kitchen.

E. Start the Keurig.

3. How do you like your coffee? Black...straight up... nothing in it... no adornments.  (until later in the morning, then I will have a latte ...skinny vanilla, please...- I used to hate those things until Loki got me started on them).

4. How do you like your eggs?   Raised to young chickenhood, then barbecued.  Or you can fry them overeasy with a side of bacon, wheat toast or English Muffin, and if you are real ambitious, a side of fried taters...southern style.  Alternative that Cubby and I like ... poach the eggs, serve on a slab of Canadian bacon on top of a toasted english muffin generously drizzled with fresh hollandaise sauce and a sprinkle of paprika. MMMM.  

5. Exercise: Morning, noon or night or not at all?  Morning or night...not good at that midday stuff in hot, humid Virginia summers.

6. Do you do brunch?   I love brunch, but I have some requirements...I like it best when served with a group of friends, pot luck style, with mimosas, bloody marys, and maybe even some champagne.  I have to invite specific friends who make the best brunch casseroles, sausage rolls, egg casseroles, baked goodies for the sweet tooth, fresh fruit, and the like.  I'm sure y'all would fit right in to that crowd.  

BONUS
How do you like morning sex?
Did someone say sex?  
I actually love morning sex...and it's morning from 1am to 3am to 4am to 5am and even up until 11am.  And when it gets to be after noon, well....it's always morning somewhere.  
Seriously, cuddling with my lover in the morning replaces everything in question 2 with something much more enjoyable.   

More Thoughts

I found this on Miss Miriam's blog  and think it is worth repeating.

“When there’s someone, one someone, who makes your days brighter, makes your joys greater, makes your heart lighter.  Someone, one someone, you want to share with, do everything with, go everywhere with.  Someone, one someone you want to live for.  You have something called love." ~ Kahlil Gibran

Thoughts

I found this on Miss Miriam's blog  and think it is worth repeating.

“The fact that you’re struggling doesn’t make you a burden. It doesn’t make you unloveable or undesirable or undeserving of care. It doesn’t make you too much or too sensitive or too needy. It makes you human. Everyone struggles. Everyone has a difficult time coping, and at times, we all fall apart. During these times, we aren’t always easy to be around — and that’s okay. No one is easy to be around one hundred percent of the time. Yes, you may sometimes be unpleasant or difficult. And yes, you may sometimes do or say things that make the people around you feel helpless or sad. But those things aren’t all of who you are and they certainly don’t discount your worth as a human being. The truth is that you can be struggling and still be loved. You can be difficult and still be cared for. You can be less than perfect, and still be deserving of compassion and kindness.” ~ Daniell Koepke

Thursday?

Only 2 days until Towel Day.

Highly Recommended

Exercise is GOOD for you!!!

Happy Birthday, Cubby!!!

Wish Cubby a Happy Birthday....47 today!!!
This is the link to Cubby's blog.
Or email him  
cubby@patentlyqueer.com
Or leave a comment.  http://www.patentlyqueer.com/about-me/#respond