Well-worn Sheets

Note: Faithful readers just knew that there had to be a poem on the way.

* * *

My skin is chilled as now upon
The sainted sheets I lie.
The harshness of their emptiness
Their texture will deny.

Not long ago - but just one night -
I lay on well-worn sheets.
The warmth and tenderness I knew
Was luxury to me.

‘Twas not the thread nor silk worm’s work
That comforted my soul.
‘Twas one who shared the bed with me
Whose touch did make me whole.

But he has his and I have mine;
Chaste sheets now beds adorn.
I’ll treasure long within my soul
That night with sheets well-worn.

- ©2008, “Lemuel”

* * *

That’s a wrap.

Sending HUGS to all!

Vaca - Day 5… the Silence of Eternity*

…I knew from the first touch of your hand
You were the one who could understand
How long I’d been aching for the touch of a man.

And when you came into my arms
It felt like coming home
And you could feel the pain melting away
From all those nights alone…
(-Mark Weigle, No More Nights Alone, Track 12 from his CD The Truth Is)

* * *

Vaca - Day 5 brought an end to work and a glimpse into eternity.

* * *

Early in the afternoon, the other G’s were off on their trip into the hinterlands and I was homo alone. I “unsainted” Lake Gonebelow, preparing it for the wildest of my fantasies: that NGiT might return with me that evening.

I sent an email to NGiT that everything was a go and that I would meet him at the cafe at 5:30.

Traffic was a bear. Although I travel this route daily, this day I was moving in the same direction as everyone else - everyone trying to get away from work and home for the weekend. I arrived just a bit before 5:30. I parked the car and walked toward the agreed-upon meeting spot. As I approached the door, I spied him. My heart leapt. He came out to greet me and I greeted him with silliness - “The wolf howls at the rise of the moon.” - the secret code pass phrase that seemed appropriate even though he did not have a clue what I was doing/saying. Such is the silliness that awaits the unsuspecting victims of the ole Lem.

NGiT did not bat an eye. We considered a cup of coffee for a minute , but decided just to sit and talk at one of the outside tables, far from the earshot of most people. There we sat and shared for the first time. I prattled on, gazing at a most handsome man.

When others started to fill the tables outside, we decided to go to NGiT’s place which plan quickly morphed (at my invitation and his acceptance) to a decision to stop briefly at his place and then proceed to mine. Was my dream to come true? Was my ache to be assuaged?

On the way tragedy struck. It is not important what it was. Suffice it to say that it threatened to undo our plans. Frustrations mounted. Stress was palpable. But when all was said and done it was a fortuitous tragedy. I was able to contribute to the resolution via my knowledge of people, places, and services in the area. Accompanied by some dumb luck, by mid-evening most everything was under control.

The other positive outcome was that it accelerated the trust in our newly-born relationship/friendship. Many of the cautions of revealing who and what we were had to be tossed. We seemed to bond quickly in the crucible of tragedy.

The plans for NGiT to return home with me were restored.

We spent some time at NGiT’s place before heading out. It was not long. It was just time enough for me to understand how gentle and caring NGiT was and to taste the improbable sweetness of what the next hours would hold for me.

We journeyed back to Lake Gonebelow in the darkening twilight, vigilant for the white tails that roam in these hours. Our vigilance was well grounded but we arrived safely.

After a few housekeeping matters, we retired. How blissful the night! How warm the touch! How delightful the scent! How comforting and reassuring the strength of his arms! I had not known such wonders for years - if ever - not even at camp.

The morning dawned slowly for us as if, for this once, time would allow me life. We rediscovered in the early light the gentleness and caring of the night before, we relearned every breadth and sweetness of love.

We ate a simple breakfast at his request and considered the day before us. What to do? We let the moment of the day guide us and discovered similar interests in music and shared new ones. We shared our souls and the tales of our past that brought us to this place. With the soft touch of embrace we drifted into siesta.

Such moments cannot last. I returned NGiT to his home where we shared a bit more. We both want our friendship to go on. We will need to battle our common demons of schedule and situation and distance. If our friendship is to be, we will find a way.

* * *

Perhaps I had a wicked childhood
Perhaps I had a miserable youth
But somewhere in my wicked, miserable past
There must have been a moment of truth

For here you are, standing there, loving me
Whether or not you should
So somewhere in my youth or childhood
I must have done something good
(Something Good from The Sound of Music)

* * *

Thank you, NGiT!

* * *

That’s a wrap.

Sending HUGS to all!

* * *

*refer: John Greenleaf Whittier

[NOTE: Because of our common concerns, I shared the contents of this blog with NGiT and asked for his editing of anything that he thought might compromise him.]

Vaca - Day 4

Day 4 did not begin auspisciously. My day began with a snap, not a bang. As I was eating my cereal (one that I bought a while back and thought I would like but did not), I felt a snap and a twinge and I knew I had snapped off another piece of tooth. This tooth has been sending signals that it was ready to go, but the dentist thought it best to let it happen and then fix it. So far it is not bothering me too much.

Most of my day went better. We started with grocery shopping - earlier than usual because Mrs. G is going away tomorrow for the weekend with one of the little G’s to the in-laws for the big birthday bash for the MIL. I get to be homo alone for the weekend. Well…alone with the princess.

By the time the groceries were shopped, the clouds had parted and the day became rather nice. Much lower humidity and a nice breeze. I then set off to do some of the outside to-do’s. I wire brushed the wrought iron railings on the porch stoops (front and side) and then cocooned the house in old shower curtains before giving the railings a fresh coat of black (spray paint).

As is par for me, I was three-quarters finished when the super-dooper special spray cap of the paint can flew off and I ended up with black glossy-finished hands. By the time I had fitted a top back on the can to use the rest of the paint and finish the job, I had wasted just enough paint that I could not totally finish the job. I will need to return to the Store of Eye Candy and pick up another can to spray for about 15 seconds and finish the job.

After doing a little clean up with the [mineral] Spirits, I then began to tackle the Pruning of the Lake. I cut back the trees and bushes at the back of the property and I was able to cut some of the dead branches out of the trees at the front of the property - one very large branch in particular.

At that I declared the vacation to-do list as complete as it is going to be. I returned inside, took a long shower, and goofed off the rest of the day.

I guess I should update you on NGiT, shouldn’t I? We have had a few email exchanges in the last day. He decided that he would like to meet me over coffee and some chat. He actually targeted tonight, but I could not get away. So we have a “date” scheduled for tomorrow evening at a “cafe” connected to an upscale market. More news at eleven.

* * *

That’s a wrap.

Sending HUGS to all!

Betrayed?

I had a call from my friend Curtis this afternoon who pointed me to a post (Apology Revoked) at Joe.My.God. That post and the subsequent links within it make for very interesting reading.

It seems that one of my all-time favorite bloggers was not at all who he says he is/was: Cooper of what was Cooper’s Coridors or Nicky of Nico’s Niche. In fact it appears from this expose that he was not even a “he”, that his posts were plagarized, and that we (who fell in loved with Cooper and Dario and Matteo) have been duped.

I certainly would love for someone to prove otherwise.

I would recant this post in the blink of an eye and submit to forty lashes with a wet HTML tag - willingly.

Someone, please do!

Alas! Living is learning.

* * *

That’s a wrap.

Sending HUGS to all!

Vaca - Day 3

It’s been raining off and on today in Lake Gonebelow - effectively curtaining any plans to complete the outside tasks (painting railings, trimming trees, pulling weeds) that I had scheduled.

I did manage to secure the closet fixtures and to install them. I put all my tools away in their assigned places. I played with the table saw. (Cool!)

We went shopping for supplies and in the process tried out the GPS.

The princess went for her day at the spa.

I’ve had a couple of email exchanges with the “New Guy in Town” (NGiT) today after a couple of days of silence. It appears that we may be planning to meet and chat at a coffee shop this weekend.

* * *

That’s a wrap.

Sending HUGS to all!

Vaca - Day 2

The living room is done and restored to function.  I need to pick up and install the new closet fixtures tomorrow.  The kitchen ceiling is painted and the kitchen has been restored to function.

I ache all over.  I am not restored to function.

Tomorrow the princess goes to the “spa” for her new ‘do and to have her nails done. If I have time, my next project is the wrought iron railings on the front and side stoops (porches). I will need to wirebrush them and then paint them (black).

I’ve been a bit frustrated at Firefox 3.0 so I am trying Opera.

* * *

That’s a wrap.

Sending HUGS to all!

Vaca - Day 1

The living room is painted as well as the LR vents (to cover some half-assed job the former owner’s did). The coat closet was stripped and painted. The “big pieces” (of furniture) have been put back in place. We have the knickknacks to put back, the pictures and curtains to hang, and install new fixtures in the closet, but I will probably continue in the painting mode tomorrow to do the kitchen ceiling (again, to cover the former owners - what were they thinking?!)

The GPS came today, two days early. Mrs. G is playing with it even as I type.

Mrs G had to work today so I had the house to myself as I painted. I put on Scissor Sister and Mark Weigle CD’s and cranked the volume.

Did you ever boogie while you painted? Interesting texture effect.

BTW, I am throwing myself on the mercy of the society for the decision to buy the table saw. I am going to plead “temporary extravagance”.

* * *

That’s a wrap.

Sending HUGS to all!

There Can Never Be a Second First

Well, readers, it finally happened. Mark your calendars. On this day it can be said that the ole Lem ceased to be a virgin - a Pride virgin, that is.

One of my joys of my life was that today I attended my first Pride. The city that is close to Lake Gonebelow celebrated Pride today. It was only the second year that they had done so. There was no parade, just a gathering in a park about the size of a football field.

Speakers Tent

I arrived about 3:00 pm and the park was fairly crowded. It took me quite a while to find a parking place and when I did it was about 4 blocks away from the venue. There was a very modest admission charge for which you were given a wrist band to identify you as paid and a small (12″x18″) pride flag on a stick.

There were various vendors present. Some sold food, artwork, t-shirts, flags, etc. There were informational tables of various groups from animal rescue to politicians, churches to societies of non-believers, support groups, counseling services, social groups, etc. I heard from one of the vendors that the organizing unit had to turn away some vendors.

I wandered around the park and took in the wonders of it all. For me the most marvelous wonder was the comfort level that I felt about it all! I felt quite comfortable. I was where I was supposed to be.

Balloons at Fountain

I ran into a couple of guys that I had met via TheGroup and we exchanged greetings. I stopped twice at the table of TheGroup and visited with those there. Probably the best friend I made via TheGroup was there and we joked and laughed a bit.

I also stopped at TheOtherGroup’s table. A while back I had posted about the formation of this other group. I had yet to have been able to attend any of their functions, but they had graciously added me to their mailing list. In fact some of them were having dinner together at 4 and then playing miniature golf at 6 and I had signed up to go. Stopping at their table allowed me to meet some of them.

I wandered about some more before heading out to meet the guys for dinner. I walked the four blocks back to the car carrying my rainbow flag.

Of course, I guess no Pride would be complete without some of these. I snapped this picture as I entered the venue. The man was standing on a folding step stool holding his sign and shouting his hate through a megaphone. I was amused at the sight of six or seven event leaders standing in front of him with rainbow umbrellas opened. He moved about the perimeter of the park while I was there, but few people seemed to notice or care. Were he really serious about his proclamation, he would have listened to his own words and taken them to heart himself.

Protest

It was extremely hot and humid this afternoon, but the trees of the park provided some quality shade. There were folks of all sizes and shapes and everyone seemed to be genuinely having a great time with everyone else. Throughout the park there was a feeling of genuine relaxation and joy.

It may not have been New York City or San Fransisco. There may not have been a parade with sexy scantily clothed guys from the local bars dancing on floats. There may not even have been a contingent of dykes on bikes. But it was Pride. It was good. It was my first.

* * *

I left and drove to the restaurant where I met up with some guys from TheOtherGroup. They were all very open and welcoming to me. One I knew from TheGroup. There was only one brief moment of conversation which indicated the tensions that spawned this new group.

During the supper one of the group and I discovered some unique connections. It is fairly certain that our paths had crossed over thirty years ago in a small town in which I used to live and work.

Our supper was good and our server was great. He may have been a kindred spirit. We tipped him handsomely and he returned to the table three times to thank us.

Then some of us went on to a miniature golf course and had a great time there.

Minigolf

* * *

I’m on vacation this week, but I will be spending it at the homestead doing painting and chores. Yesterday we emptied the living room as best we could so that I can get started tomorrow.

On Saturday I stopped at one of the local outlet stores and purchased a sander. While there I saw a fairly good deal on a compound miter table saw with laser guide. I debated overnight and finally decided to stop on my way to Pride this afternoon and pick up one. (There was a extra special discount that ended at 6 pm today.) I feel so butch. My “sisters” would be so proud of me. I may ask some of them to stop by and teach me how to use it.

* * *

As for the “new guy in town”, we’ve had one additional exchange in which he subtly told me that he has a bf who lives out of town - and is currently visiting. He also provided information that leads me to believe that he lives close to where I work. The brief exchange brought a bit of bemused smile to my face.

* * *

That’s a wrap.

Sending HUGS to all!

20080718 Bits from the ‘Strom

I was talking to a co-worker whose wife is a real estate agent and he told me that he had bought a GPS for her. This ‘n that followed and I was hooked. Not only is it another toy in my geek toybox, but it may help the very directionally-challenged Mrs. G. So I spent some plastic and ordered this one:

Garmin's nüvi360

It should be at Lake Gonebelow by about Wednesday.

I probably should not mention the next item for fear of jinxing it. A week or so ago I discovered that a message had been left for me on a social networking site from someone who recently moved into our wider area. The short story is that within the last 48 hours there has been increased communication that I find somewhat encouraging toward developing a local friendship. Factors that are a part of who I am (including age and other things) that are problematic for others do not at this point seem to be so for him.

I’ll be sure to keep you posted.

Among the great sights on our commute is a farm about mid-way along the route. What makes this farm especially attractive is a young (30-ish?) stud on the farm. Once in a while he is out and about and I find him easy on the eyes. Even the Mohawk looks good on him. Perhaps it is the snug worn jeans and boots that he wears. Or, due to the recent spot of very hot weather, the shirt that he does not.

I’ll be on vacation next week, but it will be spent at home painting. I am stopping at the paint store to pick up paint and supplies after work today. But before I start, I may just sit down and think it over. Maybe the princess will talk me out of it.

Have a great weekend!

* * *

That’s a wrap.

Sending HUGS to all!

Counter Effect [Updated]

Some of you who have been stopping by the Maelstrom for a while might remember that until early this year (for 40 years) the ole Lem had been a register Republican. He was in fact the fifth generation of “Gulliver’s” to be so.

Part of the reason he “betrayed his heritage” and registered as a member of the Democratic party was surveys like this one, the latest link for which I received in an email today (about the fourth email within two days).

During the last decade he began to receive them (two or three a year) via snail mail. Of late the Republicans are sending them to him via links in email messages.

First of all I find it curious that they have not updated their records and are still sending me such stuff. Perhaps they think they can win me back or perhaps they think that I changed registration only to adversely affect the Democratic primary election in our fair Commonwealth. Neither is true.

Secondly, such “surveys” insult my intelligence. I realize that their real purpose is fund raising, not true inquiry into my opinions. I never did and will not now give them a red cent. Nevertheless, I am insulted at the skewed questions, emotionally charged words, and inflammatory tone of such questionaires. (And for those of you who read this one, it is mild in tone to those that I have received through the snail mail.) I am saddened by the thought that there are many Americans who will not recognize the bogus nature of such an instrument.

Perhaps the Democratic party sends out similar “surveys”. I have not yet received one. Perhaps I have not yet been a member of the party long enough to be on their mailing list. A poll of my co-workers who are registered with the Democratic party has indicated that none of them have received similar things.

Perhaps tactics like this survey appeal to some. Perhaps stooping to such levels raises funds and embraces voters. My former political association needs to know that it does not work so with me. There will never be a contribution as long as these tactics are used. They lost this voter (and his wife and sons) and we’re in no hurry to return.

* * *

[Update 2008.07.17:
I had opportunity this morning to obtain a print copy of the survey mailed out by the national Democratic party, the equivalent of what I linked to above. It is a much fairer/less biased survey. If you read DougT's comment (Gossamer Tapestry) below, I think he is fairly spot on. I concur with his evaluation of the instrument: fairer, but far from beyond reproach.]

* * *

That’s a wrap.

Sending HUGS to all!