Retired in Delaware

Sassy Bear and Dr. Spo

Hey folks! Exactly a month to the 2014 Bloggerpalooza. Where does the time go?

The attendance this year looks to be about the same as last year. However, there are a few new folks attending and a few who attended last year will not be attending this year.

Doug T., and David J. (and friend) definitely will not be attending. New folks will be David, Jack, Randy and Pat. Also my friend Larry M. and his wife Lois will be attending. Three down, six new.

Although they haven't deemed to contact me I'm assuming that the Cajun will be attending along with Mark H. and Fred. Thus the total attendance will be around twenty. Those who said they wanted to attend last year but couldn't make it for various reasons, aren't attending this year either.

Just a reminder, the meet and greet and buffet dinner will be available Saturday, March 15th in the Parkview Room of the hotel where I work. This year in addition to the presentation of "prizes", we will have professional entertainment of a hypnotist, Marshall Manlove. You all can go on YouTube to see his show.

Marshall Manlove

We will also have the hospitality suite available for random get togethers. BYOB.

Cubby and Dr. Spo

I'm bringing my SLR camera to take photos. I'll also have my Flip video to take non shaky videos. I'm not sure if I can arrange to have our old time photo like we did last year. We're a little early in the year but I haven't given up on trying.

Remember, you all can bring "prizes" yourself to give at the meet and greet on Saturday evening but it's not necessary. Just bring yourself and be prepared to have a good time.

Just a month now folks!

Dr. Spo, me and Someone

I awoke this morning to find this "billing" message in my In Box this morning. "Energy Billing Service"? Really? I have a company called "Energy Billing Service"? And I owe……..WHAT? $524.30? Oh man, I better click on that link and see WTF they're talking about. Oh wait. Maybe I better check out Snopes first to see if this is a scam. Well, guess what folks, it IS A SCAM.

Folks, hardly a day goes by that I don't receive some kind of "official" looking message in my e-mail telling me one of two things:

YOU HAVE WON!

YOUR BILL IS DUE!

However, there is always a catch to these crooks. With eh "YOU HAVE WON!", you always have to SEND money to get "your" money. Which, by the way, some stranger is GIVING to you. Yep, just out of the blue, they're GIVING IT TO YOU. All you have to do is send them money to cover "the costs." We all know how that works don't we folks? If the grammar is bad, that scam is probably from Nigeria. The other scammers are from Eastern Europe, usually one of the former Soviet Union counties. Evil abounds in this world folks. Always nipping around our heels.

The other scam is the "YOUR BILL IS DUE." The catch to this scam is that you have to click a link at which time bot descends on your computer, usually malware (or worse). The crooks haven't figured out yet a way around those two catches; either you have to send money or you have to click a link. I think most of us are sophisticated enough these days to know when someone is trying to rob us.

You know, on this Valentine's Day, this day of love, it saddens me to know that there is such evil in the world. Whether the evil be that of a New Jersey governor who puts his state's residents in harm's way to further his own political agenda or those insidious techies out there in the cyberworld who are constantly working to steal from you or destroy your computer just for the fun of it.

Good and bad in this world folks. Always was, always is and always will be. One has to be constantly on guard. There are those out there who have no compunction about taking from you to enrich their own lives, no matter how destructive they are to your life.

Be safe folks and have a happy love Valentine's Day!

Some of Dr. Spo's "prizes" from last year's Bloggerpalooza

Folks! Bloggerpalooza 2014 is only one month away. Yes folks, that's right. One month from now those attending the second annual Bloggerpalooza will be immersed in gaiety and frivolity at the Inn At Canal Square in Lewes, Delaware.

Dr. Spo with his "Cha Cha" heels - there will be dancing tonight!

Here is the list of those who have confirmed their attendance (so far):

Those who WILL be attending:

Dr. Spo
Someone
Nate
Cubby
Anne Marie
Todd (Mr. Anne Marie)
Sassy Bear
Jeffrey (Mrs. Sassy Bear)
Jay (of VA)
Randy of Nebraska (new this year)
Java Jones
Superman (Clint, Jr. Java Jones)
Jack (new this year)
Mark R.
Joe (Mark's spouse)
David G. (new this year)
Ron - ME! (The Instigator)
Pat (from Toronto - new this year)
Larry (new this year)
Lois (Larry's spouse) (new this year)

Java and Mark R.

Those who will definitely NOT be attending:

David J. and Dr. Spo - Big Hug Last year

David J. (Lady Slipper) and his friend
Doug T (Dr. Spo and Someone's friend)

Cubby and Doug

Those who have not confirmed they are coming but haven't said they aren't coming (still waiting for you guys to let me know - we need to know so we can have enough food from the caterer):

Catered by Nage last year

Up in the air:

The Cajun

The Cajun

Mark and Fred

Here is the plan this year folks:

Saturday March 15th, 2014:

5 pm to 6 pm - Meet and Greet in the breakfast room at the Inn - open bar (BYOB) with hors d'oeuvres.

Dr. Spo entertains rapt bloggers with tales of his encounter with a vampire pig whilst on his morning walk with Harper

6 pm to 7 pm - buffet dinner by Gary Papp, The Essential Chef of Lewes, Delaware. Our caterer is different this year.

Everybody gets a cheap, gaudy ring bling

7 pm to 8:00 - Welcoming remarks and "prize" presentations - you're all welcome to bring your own prizes for presentations but this is not a requirement - everyone will receive a "prize"

You know who flapping his gums as usual

8 pm until 9:30 (approximately: A comedy hypnotist show by Marshall Manlove - clear out your heads, prepared to be hypnotized and reveal your true personality. Be prepared to have a GOOD TIME!

Some, Sassy Bear and Dr. Spo

Yesterday while I was wasting my time at my computer, I had Pandora radio playing on my TV in the background. This selection came up. It is Duke Ellington at the legendary 1956 Newport Jazz Festival. The "song" is called "Diminuendo And Crescendo In Blue." It is over fifteen minutes long. Folks, I've never heard this before but let me tell you,I.WAS.BLOWN.AWAY. Man oh man. This is positively orgasmic. WOW! This beats Bolero any day.

Paul Gonsalves

Turn up your Bose speakers folks and ENJOY!

Now to figure out a way to add this to my iPod playlist. Of course I'll probably be the only one at the Bloggerpalooza who "gets this" but hey, I'm enjoying it so what? This beats rap any day.

Orgasmic

Newport Jazz Festival crowd 1956 - NOT SQUARE

Duke Ellington - 1956 - The Master

Good news folks! Mark and Fred are coming!

Also, this morning I received the menu from Gary Papp, The Essential Chef. Gary's folks will be catering our little get together.

Here is the menu. Looks delicious!

5p.m Cocktail Hour in Breakfast Room-

you and the Inn will provide your own bar needs including bartender.

We will provide Raspberry Green Tea Punch, Cheese Display with Gourmet Crackers, Mixed Nuts

6-8p.m Appetizer Displays in Park View

Spring Vegetable Crudite, Spinach Artichoke Dip

Salsa Fresca with Blue Corn Tortilla Chips

Antipasti Display, Crusty Breads

Sweet & Smoky Southern Bourbon BBQ Mini Meatballs

Maryland Crab Dip, Pita Crisps

Sweets - Mini Vanilla Creme Brûlée

Gary Papp

Today's late afternoon sun out in our backyard

Have you noticed? The days are getting longer. Happy days! I love this time of year when the days get longer. Every day, a few more minutes of sunshine until June 19th, when the sun doesn't go down until after 9 pm. I love it!

Only a couple more months to the first anniversary of my seed implants (brachytherapy) to treat my prostate cancer. The good news is that my PSA count continues to go lower. Before surgery my PSA score was 8.4. Between 0-4 is considered "safe." I was told that at my age I would probably die of something else besides prostate cancer but I didn't want to take that chance of a long, deli bating and painful death of the prostate cancer spreading to my bones or other organs of my body. My prostate cancer was localized in my prostate gland. I've had three blood tests since my surgery last May 2nd. The scores have been 1.9, 1.9 and last week, 1.2. It's going in the right direction. I continue to have bothersome side effects from the brachytherapy, the main ones being fatigue. I can control that by taking longer afternoon naps (a couple hours). The other side effects I won't go into here on this family blog so use your imagination.

Late afternoon sun in my bedroom

I'm putting the final touches on the upcoming Bloggerpalooza. The caterer has been contacted as well as the entertainment (hypnotist). I have most of the prizes and yesterday I was at Michael's and purchased cute little sayings to attach to the name tags. I already have the bling which I've been collecting during the year. Also some really special "prizes" to surprise unsuspecting bloggers.

The clock is ticking folks. Bloggerpalooza will be here before we know it. I'm glad it's in the springtime, just when the daffodils are bursting through the frozen ground.

Ron's daffodil spectacular last year

Rebirth
Renewal
Beauty

Dr. Spo taking a photo of a strange plant he never sees in Arizona

Ever notice how unbelievably happy same sex couples are when they finally get married? Ever notice how somber and serious many of the straight couples are when they get married?

Bill sent me this link about two soldiers getting married at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. See here. This one has special significance for me because just last summer I was threatened with physical violence by a distant cousin of mine when he asked me if I was gay (actually he said "There is a rumor that you practice the gay lifestyle? Is that true?" When I answered "If you're asking me if I'm gay, I am." Then he said to me "If you step foot on my parent's property (I was visiting with Bill and my cousin Bob T. and his wife researching our family history) you have me to deal with! You got that bud?"

My cousin Jerry R. (the big guy in green) with his parents (his mother is my cousin) during a more friend visit two years ago before he heard the rumors I was "Quare"

Well, I'm not ashamed to admit that I was intimidated because I was in those western North Carolina mountains near the Tennesse border where my father grew up and where homophobia is alive and well and abysmal ignorance like my cousin's flourishes. They have guns up there.

Bill with my cousin's husband - this shortly after he complained to Bill about President Obama putting "all those quares" in office. We got a laugh out of his pronunciation at the time. I didn't realize the seething hate underneath until last year when we tried to visit again. Must be terrible to live in a pit of hate like this. I wonder how people like this feel when they see the world closing in around them and they realize there are more people in life and not just straight, white people? And the ironic thing about this man is he is God fearing. See why I'm not a fan of organized religion? For someone so "God fearing" to harbor so much hate in their heart and to be so judgmental. It is a shame.

I was in a section of the country where gay men like me are referred to as "Quares". This is the same North Carolina that has outlawed marriage equality. The same North Carolina that has the most restrictive voting in the country.

I also have a tenuous link to Fort Bragg. When I was in the Army, I attended Army Security Agency training at Ft. Devens, Massachusetts.

Goofy me at Ft. Devens (give me a break, I was only 18 years old)

After schooling we were given a choice of our next assignment (which was to last the remainder of our tour of duty, 2 1/2 years for me) based on our standing in class. I was seventh in my class. My good friend (who I later found out to be gay) was eight. I wanted to stay with him. When it came down to choosing I said "We're going to Ft. Bragg together, right?"

Me (left) with my buddies Bill A. and Dick E. at Ft. Devens, a break between the classes)

He wanted to be closer to his home in Norwood, Pennsylvania (a suburb of Philadelphia) and said he was going to choose Ft. Meade, Maryland, home of the National Security Agency. There was only one allocation left for Ft. Meade. I wanted to be with him because he was my good friend (no romantic interest, never was even after I found out he was gay) but I did have a great friendship with him. So when it came time to choose I chose Ft. Meade instead and thus had probably the best 2 1/2 years of my life.

Me (fourth from the right in the back) with my buddies/classmates at Ft. Devens April 1960

Even though the NSA and Ft. Meade was notorious for gay witch hunts I survived and made two good gay friends (both gone now). But every time I see a reference to Ft. Bragg I think of what could have been and how much my life would have changed.

Sal and Ron H., my gay (and best) friends at Ft. Meade standing before the poster of the Broadway type show they put on at the Service Club at Ft. Mead (I made the poster, they did the show, I missed that "Broadway Show" gene)

But here I am rambling when I just want to show you this heartwarming video of a wedding in Ft. Bragg. My, my how times have changed.

Me (second from left) with my Army buddies at Ft. Devens, spring of 1960

"Give me a No. 2 please!"

My barber is back! Oh happy day. She's been out sick for over a month with pneumonia. When I called yesterday morning I was so happy when she answered the phone. She was in!

Of such little things that make my life happy these days. Gail (my barber) knows how to cut my hair. You ladies out there, you think you're fussy about your hair? I think we guys are worse. If I have a bad haircut, I'm not happy. And believe me if Ron isn't happy, those around Ron aren't going to be happy either. I don't know what it is with some barbers, cutting my hair lopsided. Too long on one side and short on the other. Sometimes I feel I should go the way of some of my bald friends and just get my whole head shaved. But then I'm not bald. So why should I do that?

Cubby at last year's Bloggerpalooza with his round the world Spo shirt

Well folks, I'm finalizing the arrangements for the Bloggerpalooza that is less than a month away. I have bad news and good news. Which do you want first? Okay, the bad news:

No Sassy Bear fun this year

Sassy Bear and Jeffrey will not be attending. Sassy has two surgeries and recovery coming up.

Someone will not be accompanying Dr. Spo.

No Someone Magic either this year

However, Doug T. will accompany Dr. Spo. Good news!

Two Hot Hunks on the Rehoboth Beach boardwalk

I was very disappointed these three musketeers will not be attending our festivities. And I had some really super prizes for them too. Drat. But we wish Sassy success with his operations and a speedy recovery and as always our best wishes to Someone. We will miss all of them.

A sad Anne Marie missing three of her boyfriends

Oh, and the GOOD NEWS? Ann of Old Time Photo is sending her assistant up to take our group picture. Now Anne Marie, you're taking Sassy's place as the Saloon Girl. No if's, and's or but's.

What is going on here?

Don't forget, for those of you who imbibe there is a liquor store only a block from the hotel. I'm bringing some wine for the open bar but for those special mixed drinks, all are welcomed at R & L Liquors. Also, smoothies will be made at the hospitality suite.

R & L Liqours has a wide selection available, keeping the business local!

Just a few weeks to go folks before the daffodil bloom and Bloggerpalooza II is here.

Superman, Nate and Dr. Spo engage in light banter at Striper Bites

Anne Marie ascends those steep stairs to the hospitality suite which will again be open this year

"I'm watching you"

Ron's Buttermilk Biscuits

My Mother married a hillbilly. Yep, dad was a hillbilly. Straight from the mountains or western North Carolina. His parents moved him and his eight brothers to Pennsylvania when Pop (that's we always called him) was ten years old. That was in 1930. Two more brothers were born in Pennsylvania bringing the total Tipton Boys to eleven.

My Mom (pregnant with me), my grandmother Mrs. Tipton (sitting) and my Uncle Dude at the family mansion (not the washing machine on the porch - a hillbilly home decorating requirement) - 1941

My father met my Mother in 1940 on a double date (he was the other date, not hers) when she was 16 years old. Several months later they eloped to Elkton Maryland on a Saturday, November 2nd. That Monday my Mom went back to school. It didn't take too long before my granddad found out my Mom got married over the weekend. He beat her and threw her out of the house. Mom was the "Cinderella" of her home. Her mother had died from complications of childbirth before my Mom was two years old. Mom was the youngest of her two brothers and sisters. They had all left home and only Mom was left with her (wicked) step-mother and her two children. Mom did all the cooking, cleaning and what not. Pop told her "I'm going to get you out of this mess." And he did.

My grandfather with his third wife Margaret (oh, I remember her well, Gravel Gertie, she always scared me to death) and his stepson Bobby - 1934

My Mom with her two older brothers - she told me they tore the head off of her doll - an appropriate metaphor for her childhood -1928

So what does all this have to do with biscuits you ask? Well, when Mom and Pop rented a house in a small house out in the country without running water or indoor plumbing, one of the first things her widowed mother-in-law told her was she was going to have to learn how to make biscuits. My grandmother said all "her boys need their biscuits"and if she wanted to have a successful marriage she would have to learn how to make authentic southern biscuits.

Mrs. Tipton with ten of her eleven boys after the burial of Mr. Tipton, my grandfather - 1939

My Mom would watch Mrs. Tipton (my grandmother) make biscuits and wonder "How would I ever make those crusty and cloud filled biscuits as effortlessly as Mrs. Tipton?" My Mom said Mrs. Tipton would fill a bowl with self rising flour, make a well in the center or the flour, then cup her hand and get a scoop of shortening (lard is the best) and drop it in that well. Then she would pour some buttermilk in the well and start to swirl the mixture around all the while squeezing the flour and shortening (lard) until a ball formed, all the while being careful to maintain a flour well.

My grandmother - Hester Lewis Tipton - 1943 - she died in 1944 - I don't remember her

My Mother told me it wasn't easy to "get the feel" of the flour and shortening mixture at first. There were many times when the dough mixture was too sticky or too dry. And when she baked the biscuits they came out as hardtacks. Good perhaps for a trans-Atlantic voyage on the Mayflower but not for Pop.

Finally, after months of trying my Mother "got it." She made perfect biscuits with effortlessly ease. For the next sixty years of her marriage, almost every day she made biscuits for Pop (and her boys) for breakfast and dinner.

Of course, being the proper Mama's Boy

Me, "Mama's Boy" - gay from birth - 1942

that I was, I wanted to learn how to make biscuits too! Well folks, let me tell you it wasn't easy. I have to be truthful and tell you I've never quite made them exactly the same quality as Mom's but I've come pretty close.

Here's my recipe for buttermilk biscuits:

2 cups sifted enriched self-rising flour
4 tablespoons shortening (lard the best but use Crisco - don't go there)
1/2 to 2/3 cup sweet milk or buttermilk

Unbaked buttermilk biscuits

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (very hot)
Cut shortening into flour until consistency of coarse meal. Add milk to make a soft dough, stirring with a fork until dough draws away from the sides of the bowl. Turn dough onto a lightly floured board or on wax paper and knead gently 8 to 10 strokes (don't go there). Flatten until desired thickness. Pull off dough into size of biscuits you desire and shape by hand into a ball. Place on non-stick cookie baking sheet. Bake 10 to 12 minutes at 450 degrees F until brown. Serve hot with butter. Enjoy!

When you live on a fixed income (Social Security and small pension) such as I do, the steady rise of monthly bill is very noticeable and painful. Thus recently I have been reviewing my bills and deciding what to cut back on.

Our biggest expense is technology. I have a very expensive Internet connection with Comcast. I can't cut back on that, I need my Internet connection. Just this month they raised their modem rental fee from $7.00 to $8.00. So far in the few years I've been with Comcast (reluctantly because I can't get FIOS where I live), their modem fee has risen from $6.00 to $8.00. Same modem mind you.

Now for Verizon. I'm embarrassed to tell you what my total Verizon bill is so I shan't. But we do have three iPads, two iPhones and DirecTV with four TV's. How in the world my grandfather

Fieldon Jacob Tipton - my grandfather - farmer - uncomplicated life

survived without all this digital age stuff boggles my mind. My Verizon account is ready for a cut back. I've already disconnected the Internet connection from my iPad, Bill's iPad and I will disconnect his Internet connection from his iPhone. We don't use any of those. We use our house WiFi connection. This alone is a $90 a month savings. Just about enough to cover my every increasing supplemental insurance charge, that automatically goes up every six months.

Perhaps the main reason I moved to Delaware was to escape the ever increasing school taxes in my former home state of Pennsylvania. Plus their township tax, the state income tax, the county tax, the per capita tax and the sales tax. Here in Delaware I have the school tax that doesn't go up 16% to 22% a year like mine did in Pennsylvania.

So I'll end this boring post about this retiree trying to make my limited income stretch. I'm telling you folks, just surviving in this day and age is a challenge. I don't know what people do who are in a worse situation than me.

Some of my wonderful Facebook friends
In order from top, left to right:
Former school classmate
Blogger friend
Former co-worker
Rehoboth gay friend
Blogger friend
Genealogy (and gay) friend
Neighbors
Blogger friend
Family friends (cousin and wife) who aren't freaked out because I'm gay - they've met Bill

How many of you are on Facebook? Oh I know it's au courant by some to denigrate Facebook and the whole "Friends" phenomena. I'm not one of those folks.

I originally joined Facebook to keep in touch with relatives, the children and grandchildren, of my cousins. They don't know me but they know OF me. I'm the family historian. By having them as "Friends" on Facebook I had access to the latest photos of their families. Many of these 2nd and 3rd generation cousins I've never met in person nor would I likely too in my lifetime. Especially now that I came out publicly as a gay man. I really sealed my social coffin with most of the members of my extended politically conservative family when I posted photos of my marriage to my Bill on my Facebook account. Some unfriended me immediately lest I contaminate their Facebook page. Some of the others who remain Facebook friends never deign to comment of Like any comments I make. Maybe they're just too lazy to unfriend me.

Several times I have considered closing my Facebook account entirely but I always came back to the thought "Why?" So I continue to have my Facebook account.

Of course I have unfriended a few former friends, including family. I will unfriend anyone who posts crazy Republican Right Wing racist rants against our president. I don't need to read that trash. I hear enough of it on TV as it is. I've also unfriended more than a few of my fellow gay inhabitants of this so called "all inclusive" Camp Rehoboth. I joined Camp Rehoboth but they studiously ignore my existence. Never comments, never liking or even unliking (is that a word?) I comment on my Facebook page. Camp Rehoboth is an all inclusive club all right, all inclusive for a privileged few.

The Facebook friends that I do have are an eclectic group of folks. Some I've never met but know through my family genealogy research. Some are former co-workers. Others are a few genuine friends that I have made since moving to Delaware. And one is a longtime friend from my grade school days. And last, but not least, more than a few are friends I've met through blogging.

So while I may not post everyday to Facebook I am glad that I have another outlet for staying in contact with friends. And I am appreciative.

I especially like the photos. You know me and my photos. I want a legacy after I'm long gone. I never did get around to writing my autobiography. Besides, if I did, who would read it? So my autobiography is my blog and my Facebook page. When I'm long gone my orneriness will live on through my blog postings and Facebook photos.

Isn't this new Digital Age wonderful?

Remember that old Saturday Night Live skit "Wayne's World?" Well folks, welcome to "Ron's World"!

Yesterday morning, I began my usual routine after breakfast of taking the few steps to my home office. As I was rounding the corner I noticed a snow falling lightly outside (as it is today too).

I turned on my 27 inch iMac to check my e-mails and update my blog. As I was doing so I noticed again the beauty of the gently falling snow outside. At the same time I had my Pandora radio station on and it was playing a selection from the Bhudda Chill Out Lounge. Who hasn't been to the Bhudda Chill Out Lounge?

So I decided an impromptu movie moment was in order via my iPhone. So here it is folks, enjoy!

I love my home folks…..LOVE IT! I grew up in apartments, our family never had our own home until I was a senior in high school.

2nd floor apartment front in the center of Downingtown, where I grew up - rent was $22.00 a month - the apartment building looks as dumpy today as it was when we moved there in 1948

My Mother and father and that's me with the big ass running up the steps to the apartment - funny, those steps seemed so much bigger when I was six years old

Then it was a 1,100 square foot ranch with three small bedrooms and one bathroom, this for the five of us in the Tipton family. Me and my two younger (and much bigger brothers - we're all over 6'3") and my father (also over 6'3") and Mom (5'1"). It was a tight fit folks but is was our home.

Ariel view of the family home - first time we didn't live in an apartment

Front view of the 1,100 one bathroom family home - a tight squeeze for the five of us - my brother Isaac live there alone now - my bedroom was to the left with the awning - Isaac took the awning down

Then all too soon I was graduated from high school and joined the Army after a brief sojourn in the hospital (actually six months). After the Army it was apartments again for Ron until I met Bill (my spouse). After living in two apartments I urged him to buy a house. Since then we've lived in three houses. This one is the best although Bill would dispute that.

Me and Bill's first house - a 16 ft by 50 ft town house in center city Philadelphia

Ariel view of our second house in the country on 6.875 wooded acres - Bill loved this house - I felt too isolated

Front view of our second house - the new owners have taken out most of the trees thus ruining the coziness of this location

These days folks, every day is a treat. This is my final house. I always say when I move again, they're going to take me out feet first. And I wouldn't mind this musical accompaniment.

Where we live now - can you tell a couple of gay guys live here? Sure you can! Check the flowers. We have the best floral display in the neighborhood. Of course we do.

Time for a meme folks. It's been too long. I was wondering what to do for my post this morning. Then while I was doing my morning perusal of my favorite bloggers I came across this one from Dr. Spo. It's all about reading which is me.

Fasten your seat belts folks, here goes:

1. Describe your favorite place to cozy-up with a good book.

That would be my bed folks. I always read before I go to bed. If I'm into a really good book, I'll take the opportunity during the day to lie in my bed and read a few pages.

2. What do you read when you're on the toilet?

Usually a paperback. I rarely read a hard cover book when I'm on the hopper. Don't want to take the chance it's going to do in the "drink" when I flush the toilet.

3. Do you ready when taking a bath?

Hardly, I don't take baths. I take showers.

4. If you can, do you read when at the gym?

Gym? What's a gym?

5. Do you still read newspaper and or magazines?

I glance at the newspapers at work for the headlines and if I'm interested in reading the full story, I'll bring it up on the computer. The only magazines I read are the trashy gossip rags like the National Enquirer ("inquiring minds wants to know") and the Globe. I need to read the latest about President Obama's homosexual encounters and which straight women he's having affairs with. When are the gossip rags going to understand Obama can't be a womanizer and gay at the same time? Just asking.

6. What are your favorite genres to read?

Biographies, preferably celebrity biographies. Holocaust memoirs and most other non-fiction. I do not like fiction. Real life is always more interesting than made up stories from self-important authors.

7. If you start a book, do you finish it no matter what?

Almost always unless it is really God awful which is rare for the books I choose to read.

8. Did your parents read to you when you were growing up?

Never. NEVER. I wish they had. But I have a friend who has volunteered to read to me now in my old age dotage. I'll take it. Better late than never.

9. Have you read to your kid/nephew/nieces?

Never and I don't want to. Are you kidding? Why would I do that? They're afraid of me.

10. How do you feel about reading books versus using electronic devices? Have you feelings evolved from one or two years ago?

No, I like reading a book, not a tablet. Call me old fashion but I like the feel of a book. I have read on electronic devices in a pinch but I prefer a hardcover or large paperback book.

BONUS

When was the last time you looked at or read an adult magazine to satisfy yourself? When was the last time you even saw one?

NEVER. Reading magazines or pulp sex books doesn't "do it" for me. I prefer to download videos from the Internet. That "works" for me. Pictures or lurid descriptions don't. Again, color me old fashion. Of course the "real deal" is even better my options for that scenario is very limited to almost nil at my advanced years.

What goes through this man's head?

Time for a gathering of random thought wafting through my brain.

Last night I finished training my fifth person for the part-time front desk job. Like my previous hotel front desk position at the Hampton Inn, I seem to be the designated trainer for the revolving door of front desk clerks. I hope this guy lasts more than a year. I've been at the hotel seven years this April. I've never been one of those "turnover" guys who gets a job and leaves after six months. There, I got that off my chest.

Where does one get a good falafel in Rehoboth Beach? One doesn't. My friend Pat is a vegan. He's gotten me on the vegan bandwagon. I have a taste for falafels but there is none to be had in Gayberry. More's the loss. We have the seafood (oh do we have the seafood) restaurants but nary a vegan restaurant with a good falafel.

Falafel

I gave my useless Dell computer away. It was perfectly good but I'm done with Windows based computers. Mr. Softee will have to get his millions elsewhere, he's not getting any more money from me and his virus protection hindered operating systems.

Mr. Softee, major fugly - why is this old man still wearing bangs? College is over Bill.

However, on my Dell computer were videos I took of my Mom shortly before she died in 2010. I had forgotten about them. Here is one clip. She was living with my younger brother John at his home in Greenville, South Carolina. She always had this nervous tick with her foot. It was good to see it again.

I changed my Facebook profile picture. A former friend and co-worker of mine sent me this message. Seems we're a match! Ah Renee, I do miss those good times I had with my friends and co-workers in Pennsylvania. We used to do trivia night every Wednesday at the Brickside Grille. No such activity down here in Gayberry. More's the loss.

This relentless cold winter is finally starting to get to me. Spring, wherefore thou art? Whoops! Did I inadvertently begin talking "holy" language? Not really, it's just Elizabethan English which was used by the King James version of the Bible. Lot of folks think that's "holy" language. Not so folks.

Well, I hear dinner calling folks. That would be me. I always make my own dinner unless I'm dining out. Tonight tis an Andoullie sausage on potato hot dog rolls with plenty of mustard. I love me some French's yellow mustard.

My favorite sausage, the only one that goes down gently

You know who else likes French's Classic Yellow? Yep, my buddy Pat. Here is is talking to Bill on FaceTime. And thus folks you have another "classic" all over the place blog posting from your favorite Delaware guy, Ron!

Checked the e-mail this morning and here is the latest phishing scam. "Hubbell Funeral" home is notifying me of the death of my "beloved friend." Now all I have to do is click on a link they so thoughtfully provided and I have male ware on my computer. You have to hand it to those hackers in Bulgaria (I know this one isn't from Nigeria because there are no misspellings). Always coming up with a new angle to compromise our computers. See here.

Here is the e-mail I got this morning:

Ah yes, the Evil Ones never give up do they? Roll over and play dead for the bastards. One has to be ever vigilant. There are those in this world who are kind and productive and helpful and then there are those who are unkind, unproductive and work all their waking hours to destroy and take from those they consider weak and trusting. That's the world folks, since the beginning of time. A constant struggle between Good an Evil.

You know folks, there are too many in this world who are all too ready to pass judgment on their fellow human beings. From that ridiculous law that was just vetoed in Arizona that was going to legalize discrimination against The Gays to "protect religious freedom" to the murderers who walk among us, there is evil all around us clothed in so called "religious freedom." The irony is that if those who are all too quick to condemn actually practiced the peaceful tenants of their religion, we wouldn't have the harm that is done in this world under the guise of "religious freedom." So there I go again folks, off on another tangent from a simple evil act like someone trying to destroy my computer by a phishing scam. But when I see something like this first thing in the morning and then encounter similar situations all during the day whether it be politicians blatantly lying and taking us into unnecessary wars, and voting against our own interests to the all too many businesses that lie to us attempting more sophisticated ways of making us part with our hard earned money. Sometimes it is very difficult not to become mired in cynicism.

But this one thing I know, I know myself what I am. I do not wake up each day trying to figure out how to do someone out of something. Trying to figure out how to harm someone. No folks, I when I get up my goal during the day is to step through the minefield of those who seek to harm me in my quest to do good in this world. And that doesn't mean being taking advantage of by those who wish me ill. By those people who are jealous of me. By those people who are envious of me. By those people who don't respect me. By those people who don't like me. By those people who consider me "less than." That means having a relationship with those who wish me well as they do with the rest of the world and as I wish them well. And that to me folks is my daily challenge and has been for all these years I've been on this earth.

Thus it is refreshing in a somewhat weird way to wake up this morning and the first thing I see is yet another Evil Doer trying to do harm. But it is a shame isn't it? One good thing about dying, that's when this crap ends.

The American Veteran's Thrift Store - first day of business

Bill and I visited the newest thrift store in town. It's called the Veteran's Thrift store. Not a real imaginative name I admit.

Here in ~~Gayberry~~ Rehoboth beach and its environs (Lewes and Milton) we have a plethora of thrift stores. Loads of them. It's obvious because we have a large retiree population. When us old folks die (there I go again), our relatives generally don't want our leavings unless it's cash. Quite often the homes of the deceased that go up for sale say "furnished."

I know for a fact that my nieces and one nephew and many grand nieces and grand nephews don't want anything from their old gay uncle except maybe the cash. I don't plan on leaving a lot of cash behind but there may be some.

Since moving to LSD (Lower Slower Delaware) in 2007, I've been reluctantly departing with some of my "stuff." I admit it is hard to part with the things I've accumulated over the past 72 years. Funny thing though, once that formerly treasured possessions are out of the house, I haven't missed on of them. That tells you something.

Bill is very fond of taking first time visitors to Casa Tipton-Kelly to my "Media Room" down in our beautifully finished basement and showing them all my "stuff", obviously hoping to shame me into getting rid of it. I admit making choices of who and what to expel from Casa Tipton-Kelly is probably some of the hardest decisions I've ever had to make in my life. I am a repressed hoarder. There…..I've said it.

My "Media Room" (my shame)

So today we visited this new thrift store. It's convenient, just down the road from Casa Tipton-Kelly. And it is open Sunday. In fact it is open seven days of the week. How about that? Unlike the other thrift stores that are only open five days (closed Mondays). Also this one has decent hours, 8 am in the morning instead of 10 am which is bad when traveling on Route One, especially in the summertime. This thrift store gets it. And they're getting my stuff. Starting tomorrow.

P.S.
Of course I did leave the thrift store today with a purchase…..beads for the upcoming Bloggerpalooza. Hey, why not?

Bloggerpalooza beads

Another year and I won't be watching the Oscar telecast.

There used to be a time when I couldn't wait for the annual glamorous tele extravaganza that was the Oscars. That was back in the day when Hollywood had true glamor and class. Back in the day when I recognized the names of the nominees. Back in the day when the winners gave heartfelt (and short) thank you speech.

Liz Taylor accepts her first Oscar for "Butterfiled 8"

I started to lose my mojo with the Oscars when almost every winner began his or her thank you speech with "And I would like to thank Harvey Weinstein……." After about the first dozen "Harvey Weinsteins" I began to wonder "Who the f--k is Harvey Weinstein and why should I care?"

"Harvey Weinstein" - I don't care - crawl back into your hole (or under the rock you came from)

Remember when the winners DIDN'T thank their wives and kids? You know these actors and their perfect children who were so helpful in their win. WHO CARES?

Don't you just cringe when one of these phony baloneys creeps up to stage with their phony scarves swinging around their neck (what's THAT all about? They're in California for christ sakes.) Then they take out that crumpled piece of paper from their suite lapel pocket and start to read those names that mean NOTHING to we the audience? I sat around through hours of Oscar commercials to hear another commercial by an actor attempting to thank everyone he or she ever came into contact with during their lifetime. Get over it actor, you didn't discover the cure for cancer. YOU'RE AN ACTOR AND YOUR CAMPAIGN TO WIN THE OSCAR PAID OFF. See here how NOT to give an acceptance speech.

I hate to be a Debbie Downer

folks (not really, I'm enjoying this) but tonight's Oscar cast is another one that I'll take a pass on. Besides, I can tell you whose going to win anyway. An actor/actress who name you never heard before and will never hear again unless it's someone like Jennifer Hudson who went on to great fame screeching through Nutri-System weight loss commercials.

Yes folks,I will definitely take a pass on seeing the umpteenth self-important actor raising his (or her) Oscar above their heard to show us all what is on the bottom (Made in China) of the Oscar statue.

No thanks folks, I'll skip the Oscars again tonight and instead remember what Hollywood was really like back in the day when Hollywood was a young boy's world of fantasy.

Avid 10 year old movie goer - 1951

Meryl Streep gets the Pharrell treatment - was this really necessary?

Here we go again! More snow. Holy smokes, what is going on here? Thank bejesus we here in Lower Slower haven't been hit with the really big snowstorms up the rest of the East coast. Haven't had the power go out once folks! I couldn't say that if we still lived in Pennsylvania. My poor brother Isaac, throw out all that frozen food in the freezer.

As Ellen DeGeneres said "The best Liza Minelli impersonator I've in years. Thank you sir!"

Well folks, I don't have to go into work today. I'm not scheduled to go into work until Wednesday. The new guy goes in today. This is his first night solo. I hope he lasts. He's the fifth person I've trained for this part-time front desk job. It's getting old folks. When I worked at the Hampton Inn in Lionville, PA I was also the default trainer of front desk clerks. I had to have trained at least two dozen front desk clerks there. In fact, the day I quit I was supposed to train yet another young man on the front desk. A regular revolving door, working front desk at a hotel except for the Old Guy here.

The beautiful Kerry Washington slips on her wrinkled hotel bed sheets and attends the Oscars

I did watch a bit of the Oscars last night. I usually have the TV in the kitchen on as wallpaper when I'm cooking. Last night I made another one of my delightful refreshing lemon pound cakes. I saw some of the red carpet extravaganza and Ellen's opening monologue. Ellen was good. Later on Jim Carrey, who just can't help himself overreacting, embarrassed himself with his lame riff. Jim, you just not funny. Go away.

Sandra - FABULOUS!

After I made my cake I talked on FaceTime for a couple hours with a friend. We finished in time to catch the end of the Oscars so I saw who won. I was happy with the winners and plan to see the movies except "Twelve Years a Slave." I'm sure it's a very good movie but I don't care to see all that negativity, cruelty and violence. I did like "The Help" though so I'm not immune to social conscious movies. It's just that I don't care to see relentless cruelty, that's not entertainment to me.

Jared Leto - uh……..I'm speechless. I know the tight leg thing is in now but …I have to think about this

Only two weeks to go to Bloggerpalooza! I have to review the "prizes" and make up the name tags. I am so sad that Sassy Bear and his hubby Jeffrey are unable to come but we still have about 22 folks attending. My Canadian friend (and you know who that is.

Mr. Toronto (Pat)

will be coming down early next Monday. I hope my then we're done with this snow. It's getting old folks, real old. Bright sunny days guaranteed for the Bloggerpalooza.

Pharrell Williams and spouse - what am I missing here?

Short answer? No.

Long answer? No.

You know what "buys" happiness? Being true to yourself. Being kind, generous, loving and helpful to others but not letting others take advantage of you.

This is the type of "friend" you don't want. When you're out for a pleasant evening and you ask to take a picture and the "nice" guy gives you the finger - yes folks, a former friend. This behavior demonstrates a lack of respect. The type of friend you don't want and who I did distance myself from. Life is too short for this type of "friend."

I just finished reading two biographies of Liberace. Liberace, who had more money than God. Was he happy? Maybe he thought he was. Reading his biographies, I don't think so.

Last month I finished reading a biography of Frank Sinatra. Other than discovering what a low life, hoodlum, bully and thug Old Blue Eyes was, again a man with all that talent and money yet he wasn't happy. Maybe he thought he was but man, he was major f--cked up, just like Liberace.

I was born poor and grew up poor. As many of you who are reading this post were also born poor and grew up poor. I've never really made the big money in my lifetime. Every time I got near the $40,000 annual salary in my working career, something happened to drag me right back to the mid Twenties. I now work as a hotel front desk clerk part-time, making less than $12.00 a hour. Thus the Big Money will always be beyond my reach, especially now in the twilight of my life.

I marvel at almost all of my peers who have topped the six figures in salary. I think the lowest any of them made was $80,000 plus a year. I attribute my salary retardation to the fact that I was always out as a gay man at work thus I never achieved the lofty title of Assistant Vice President. Oh sure, I had the responsibility and the work because I was good. In fact I was damn good but once you come out as a gay man at work, that's the Mark of Cain on your forehead.

You're just not going to get anywhere and I didn't, money wise. But you know what folks? I've always been frugal and managed to save some money from my modest salaries. Plus, I also had a goal from the time I was 12 years old to own my own home, which I have achieved three times over. Thus through hard work, discipline and a little luck I now have a comfortable, if not luxurious home. I have no bills and my health is relatively good after an awful year last year.

I have arrived at this point in my life not by accident but by setting goals for myself and working to achieve them. I can honestly say I have everything I need in life now. Would I like more money? Sure, who wouldn't but what would I do with it other than to have a more secure nest egg that I could leave to my twenty-two nieces and nephews? Or perhaps leave it to some nursing home to suck up in a year or two at $7,000 a month like what is happening to my friend Bob Mc. now?

I'll tell you what "buys" happiness. Being a good person who attracts other good people. Treat others as you would want to be treated. And always be on the guard for those who seek to take advantage of you and wish you ill. Unfortunately that is the world we live in today. There are good people and then there are those who are not. You know who they are.

Cherish those who wish you well, and put distance between those who do not. You don't need money to be happy, only good friends and maybe someone who love you for who you are and not who they want you to be.

Good friends who like and respect you, that's all you need to be happy. All the rest; extra money, extra lovers - that's all gravy folks.

Oh, by the way. The "friend" sticking his finger up his nose, also a lack of respect. A now former friend. As I said, life is too short for this negativity. His problem was (and still is) that he is of the old school and still in the closet and hates to be identified with other gay men. He will go to his grave with that attitude.

Bill shoveling the driveway…….again

Usually by this time of the year (early March) the winter pansies are in full bloom and the daffodils are just beginning to bloom. Not this year folks. Everything is under a layer of ice and four inches of snow. Oh no, this is the year of the Winter That Won't Leave.

I haven't been out of the house in the past two days, which is very unusual for me. Usually I have to get out at least once during the day if only to make a run to Food Lion. I'm beginning to get cabin fever. I don't like it. I feel like I'm being smothered.

Thank goodness it's not deep - but there is a layer of ice under this snow - dangerous

I do tend to get claustrophobic. I'm not one of those who fear elevators but I don't like being holed up in one unit for very long. I don't like the feeling of being crowded either. That's one of the main reasons I moved out of Center City Philadelphia. I felt like I was being smothered.

We moved to East Brandywine Township, on a seven acre wooded lot outside of Downingtown, Pennsylvania. We lived there for twenty-five years until I started to feel smothered again. Even though I love the hills and topography of Pennsylvania I moved to the flat coastal plains of southern Delaware for the space (and low taxes). I'm pretty sure this is where I will end my journey. By the time other retirees start to flood this area I'll be long gone, hopefully.

Okay Spring, let's go.

Actually, I did go out of the house…..to get the mail. I need to get in my car and DRIVE!

Bloggerpalooza 2014

Scams

Bloggerpalooza 2014 - One Month Away!

All That Jazz

Bloggerpalooza Menu

Longer Days and Other Random Thoughts

Fort Bragg Wedding Ceremony

My Barber is Back and Bloggerpalooza Updates

Buttermilk Biscuits

Cutting Back

My Facebook Friends

Welcome to Ron's World

Please Read Me a Story!

Random Thoughts

Good Versus Evil

A New Thrift Store In Town

"And the Winner is………"

Oscar Hangover and Other Random Musings

Can Money Buy Happiness?

The Winter That Won't Quit