Ready to Go

Iris

This morning we picked up our rental van.  Our friend Bob stopped over.  We showed him what plants have to be watered.  We invited him to come over as often as he would like.  Sit on the back deck and enjoy the view of Route 1 and our Purple Martins in our backyard oasis.  Neighbors on either side of our house will be keeping an eye on our house as we do their when they are away.  We don't often go away so usually we're the ones watching the house.  It's a reverse situation this time.  Probably the last time both Bill and I will be making a trip together.


The main purpose of this trip is for Bill to visit his hometown of Toccoa, Georgia.  Bill is 82 years old now and this will probably be the last time he sees his hometown.  We visited last year but only stayed a few hours in the afternoon, not enough time for Bill to visit his old haunts.


Later we will be visiting my brother in Greenville, South Carolina.  We'll stay there a few nights then we're off to Cades Cove, Tennessee and the Smoky Mountains National Park.  Bill has never seen this beautiful American Shangri-la.  I am looking forward to showing him around.  On the way I hope to meet up with several of my family cousins in Tennessee and North Carolina.  


We have no set time to be at any place, this is a casual trip.  I don't like to be tied down to a "If this is Tuesday this must be Belgium" schedule.  


I'm taking my iPad and iPhone with me and hope to keep my blog updated but I cannot guarantee that I will.  If you don't here from me for a few days, don't panic.  I will be back.  


As much as I'm looking forward to this trip I am going to miss my home here.  I am truly at home here in Delaware.  For the first time in my life I am living in a place that doesn't feel like a temporary way station on the way to my permanent home.  This is my home and I will be glad to return. 

Paying for the rental this morning

Nervous About the Big Trip

A spray of flowers at my friend Don's house in Milton, DE

Well, here we are only a few days away from the Big Trip South.  Bill and I are taking a swing through the  South to visit my brother John in Greenville, South Carolina.  From there we will visit Bill's hometown of Toccoa, Georgia.  Then a swing up to the Smoky Mountains National Park and Cades Cove.  Then to Knoxville, Tennessee to visit with a fellow family genealogist that I'm going to meet face to face the first after many telephone conversations, e-mails, and Facebook comments.  That should be exciting. 


Then we're off to Johnson City, Tennessee which is right over the state line from the mountains (and "hollers") of North Carolina where my father was born and left when he was 10 years old with his eight brothers and mom and pop to work in his uncle's farm in southeastern Pennsylvania during the depression. That's another whole story and the reason this Tipton is a Yankee (as they call me in the South when I visit).  We're also going to stop at the Tipton-Haynes Historic Site in Johnson City to see Penny McLaughlin, the director again.  I've been friends with Penny going on for almost twenty years now.  Where does the time go?  I'm also going to stop and visit my cousin Daisy Buckles.  She is the daughter of my great-grandfather who was born in 1856.  Figure that one out. It is true.  He married again late in life to a woman forty years younger than him.  Daisy has been a great source of family information over the years.  Last year when we visited her I dropped in without forewarning.  Poor Daisy, she didn't even have time to do her hair.  I won't do that again to her this year.

Me and my brother John when we 'dropped in' on Daisy last year

Then we're off to Bristol, Virginia to visit another one of my cousins I've never met face to face before, Anne Tipton.  She is the granddaughter of my granduncle Dove Tipton. My granduncle stayed behind during the Depression while his brother Fieldon (my grandfather) left for Pennsylvania.  I've talked to Anne on the phone and exchanged e-mails but never met face to face.  Exciting times.


With all this going on I'm a mess right now because every time I plan a trip I'm always afraid I'm going to forget something.  Once I'm on the road I'm all right, it's the leading up to the trip.  This is why I never took a job during my career that required me to travel a lot.  I just don't have than gypsy mentality.  I'm a homebody.  I like the comfort and security of my home, especially my home here in Delaware.  But I know if I'm going to experience anything in life I have to break loose every now and then.  


 I don't know how much I'll be able to keep up on my blog.  I probably won't be able to provide as many pictures as I have before.  We'll see how this goes.  


Lots of excitement around here but I am NERVOUS! 

Windy Day

Flowering Prune Tree

Wow, is it ever windy today!  All the beautiful pink blossoms of my lone flowering prune tree out in front of our house will be gone by the end of today with the almost hurricane like winds today.  Oh well, they were nice while they lasted.


Taking care of business (lawyer's office) this morning, work this afternoon then time to get prepared for the BIG TRIP south.  I may or may not be gone from the blogging scene for a few days.  Everybody gets a break from my long diatribes.  Don't worry though, I will be back.  Promise.

Two Men Dance the Tango

Worth seeing again, two men (brothers) dancing the tango.  I would love to see Chris Jericho and Mark Ballas dance try this dance together.  Now THAT would be the trust test of talent.  


A suggestion for the producers of "DWTS" - why not invite these brothers on the show do demonstrate that the world will not fall apart if two men dance together in public.  It's time for a same sex couple.  I want to see Ellen and Portia and Anderson Cooper and his boyfriend dance.  Now THAT would be a show!

Chris Jericho Voted Off DWTS

As  I predicted, Chis Jericho was voted of "Dancing With the Stars" last night.  Len Goodman was right when he said Chris danced "like a lump of granite".  


I liked Chris and I will miss him but I have to agree with Len, Chris wasn't the most graceful dancer.  I loved his attitude though.  


This morning while I was searching for a video clip of his elimination (I couldn't find any) to include on this posting I came across personal information including his real name (now you didn't think it was really "Chris Jericho" did you?) and his birthdate.  Guess what?  We have the same birthday November 9th.  Which is of no interest to anyone but me but I thought I would post that info anyway.  


We'll miss you Chris!


Next to go:  Ralph and Karina 

Good For Another Five Years!

Me at the Seaside Endoscopy Pavilion this morning prior to my appointment

I passed!  No polyps!  No cancer!  The doctor said I'm good for another five years.  HOORAY!


This morning Bill (my Designated Drive) and I left early for my 10 a.m. appointment at the Seaside Gastroenterology Consultants  unit in Lewes.  I walked myself to the front desk and announced my arrival. They were expecting me.  I'm woozy from not eating (except for some clear chicken broth and lime Jello) since 8:30 am (breakfast) yesterday.  I'm weak from the 'cleansing" (a nice word for 'the shits').  My ass is raw.  In fact it is burning.  That 'lemon-lime hell' concoction that I had to drink did that.


The woman at the window hands me the form to fill out.  Asks to see my insurance cards and driver's license.  I took a seat and filled out the forms.  Then I waited.  


At 5 minutes to ten a bubbly man comes out and announces my name.  IT"S TIME!


He tells me his name is "Bobby" and he is a nurse that will 'get me ready'.  Okay. I've been here before.  

Most of my clothes in a clear plastic bag - I would soon be necked except for that blue smock with the open back

Bobby was very personable as he confirmed my name and asked me to confirm why I was there (to get my ass(hole) checked actually).  I filled out some more forms then he gave me a plastic back to put ALL MY CLOTHES IN except my socks.  Uh huh, usually when I take off ALL MY CLOTHES the socks go off too but this is a different scenario if you know what I mean.  He handed me a one of those blue-green smocks with the open back to replace my clothes. I immediately thought of Steve Martin in "Father of the Bride Part II" when he got his colonoscopy.  Hilarious.  And here I was, tying a bow (lot of good that was going to do to keep the back close) at the back of my smock on the neck.


While we're waiting my turn Bobby and I were chatting and I found out that he and his partner Larry have been together for 31 years.  I asked him if he knew about our Friday Night Dine Out Group.  He did not so I extended an invitation which he readily accepted.  Also while we were talking I made sure that Bobby knew I wanted to be 'knocked out' during the procedure.  The last time I had a colonoscopy at the VA in Wilmington I wasn't completely knocked out.  I was groggy and slipping in and out of consciousness.  Even though I was in no pain I didn't like the muffled sounds and all the pushing and shoving.  Not a good experience.  Bobby assured me they 'would 'take care of me.'


Then it was TIME.  I was wheeled in to meet my doctor (for the first time) who was going to perform the procedure.  Two other woman appeared and they said they were going to assist the doctor.  All were friendly and welcoming.  I wasn't cold.  I was comfortable. Again, I wanted to make sure I was 'knocked out' during the procedure and they assured me 'that would be taken care of.'


Then I heard some rustling and the doctor appeared.  A friendly face who introduced himself to me.  As the saying goes "Don't you think we should go on a date before we proceed with this procedure?"  But then I'm thinking of Steve Martin again.


One of the ladies asked me to turn over on my left side.  Oh here we go.  The back of my smock falls open exposing my 69 year old saggy ass cheeks.  I leave it open.  What's to hide?  I feel the cool breeze on my backside.  Then someone (one of the ladies) pulls my smock closed.  That was nice of her, affording me some protection of my dignity.  I must admit after having a sphincterotomy some years ago, I have no embarrassment left as far as exposing my rear nether regions.  The time I had to go back and bend over to show my doctor and his Miss Universe quality Vietnamese student doctor how well my new sphincter muscle healed did away with any embarrassment I have in that area.  


So there I am talking to everyone and the next thing I remember I'm waking up!  Hey, this is what I love about getting a colonoscopy.  


One of woman asks if I would like something to drink.  I told her I would because the last time I had a drink of liquid was last night. She gave me some ginger ale which tasted wonderful.  She asked if I would like to see my driver, which would be Bill.  She went off to get him.  

Don't I look a mess now?

She came back with Bill.  I asked Bill to take some pictures of me with his iPhone so I could post them to this blog.  After some grumbling (Bill hates to use a camera) he agreed and took some shaky, fuzzy pictures.  You'll see a picture of me looking very groggy.  That's the way I look folks when I come out of a deep sleep. Not pretty.  Now you know why I sleep alone.  

"Bobby", my nurse - could not have been better!

The doctor came in with the good news:  "No polyps and no cancer.  See you in five years!"   That my friends is the BEST NEWS I've heard in a long time.  Tell you a secret, I thought I had 'something."  I'm glad it was just my imagination.  After seeing my uncle and cousin die from colon cancer and a good friend narrowly miss death from colon cancer, I am very aware of how important it is to catch this cancer early.

My doctor with the GOOD NEWS!  

Bill and I left and immediately went to the Rehoboth Diner.  Bill hates to go to restaurants but agreed to take me to the Rehoboh Diner which has the absolute BEST Eggplant Parmesan around. Today was no exception.  I ordered a strawberry milkshake and French Fries for Bill and we had a DELIGHTFUL LUNCH.  

Bill's lunch - strawberry milkshake and French Fries 

I came home, updated my blog with my "Dancing With the Stars" review, took my nap and here I am...ready to get back on a regular routine again.  Life is good.

Dancing With the Stars Week 6

Okay folks, here we go with Week 6 of "Dancing With the Stars!"  Last night I watch the show with a handicap because I was in the throes of 'cleansing' by bowels (I apologize for putting this graphic image in your brain) for my colonoscopy procedure which is to take place in a few hours this morning.  I record and watch "DWTS" on my DVR because I can't stand all the commercials.  I did a lot of pausing of the DVR last night to make mad dashes to my bathroom.  Lots of those mad dashes last night too.  What a night!


Now to the show.  Another VERY entertaining night!

• Kirstie and Maks -  The lead off dancers and I thought they were MARVELOUS!  Kirstie is one of my favorites but by anyone's objective view they have to admit that she and Maks performed spectacularly last night.  No mishaps!  I like Maks new clean face look.  This man looks good with a beard or without!  Something I can't say for myself.  Kirstie obviously likes Maks too.  I enjoy seeing them together.

Maks and Kirstie have the BEST chemistry

• Chris and Cheryl - Chris was clunky last night.  I felt for him.  For one thing the music they danced to, "Journey" (which I DON'T like) was God awful.  Then Chris was CLUNKY.  Chris?  What happened?  You had so much potential.  You're getting voted off tonight Chris.  Bye.

Sorry Chris, just wasn't "there" last night.  We'll miss you

• Romeo and Chelsie - again, Romeo continues to be an unexpected pleasure with his mature and classy performances, unlike what one would expect from a 'up from the 'hood' rapper.  He and Chelsie have chemistry and danced well last night.  They received the first 10 score of the season.  Really?  Their dance was good but I don't think it rated a 10 but what do I know?

Romeo, Romeo - who knew?

• Chelsea and Mark - is it possible for Mark Ballas to dance without a prop or his face painted up over the top to take attention away from his dance partner?  One week he's got an oversize hat on, the next week he's got a giant teardrop on his eye.  I don't like this guy.  He is a good dancer, I'll give him that but he is too distracting from his partner who is SUPPOSED TO BE THE STAR. Mark, you're only supposed to COMPLIMENT your partner, YOU'RE NOT THE STAR.  So they get out there and dance and actually do quite well.  They also received a 10 which I didn't think was deserved but maybe that's because I dislike Mark so much.  He really doesn't belong on this show.  He wants his own reality show, that much is obvious because he's been auditioning for it ever since the season began.  I hope he's voted off but I fear he and Chelsea will be in the Final Three.

Yeah Mark, yet another another of one of your 'faces' - get over yourself man

One ugly dude - Troll in the making

• Kendra and Louis - I've changed my opinion on Louis.  Louis does compliment his partner Kendra who seems like she doesn't want to be on the show but I must admit she did VERY WELL last night shaking ALL OF HER ASSETS to Ricky Martin's "Livin' La Vida Loca".  YOU GO GIRL!  Kendra and Louis will be in the bottom three tonight but she won't be voted off.  She was just too good last night.  The audience loved her and I did too!

Kendra? WOW!

• Hines and Kym - I just can't get excited about this couple.  Hines continues to dance good but the magic just isn't there for me.  I need a little drama, a little tension, some interest.  Himes come out there with that Plastered Smile and I just can't get into it.  I'm actually bored.  He and Kym will probably be in the Final Three but I can't see them winning.

Technically competent but lacking FIRE!

• Ralph and Karina - on Ralph what happened?  Way too awkward. Klutzy.  Sorry Ralph, you'll be in the Bottom Three tonight.  If Chris and Cheryl don't get voted off, it will be you.  Too bad because you're a Nice Guy Ralph.  

NIce try Ralph, you may be gone tonight

Colonoscopy Day

Well folks, the DAY has finally arrived.  This morning I get my innards check out for colon cancer.  Yes, it is COLONOSCOPY DAY.  


Last night....where do I begin?  After taking my second helping of the bowel preparation or 'Suprep Bowel Prep' which is a mixture of sodium sulfate, potassium sulfate and magnesium sulfate or "lemon-lime hell" as my blogger friend Nathan ("Broke Bitch") accurately calls it, the blowout began.


Usually around 6 pm at night I take my daily walk in the development behind me.  After doing Round Two on the Lemon and Lime Hell, I briefly thought of doing a quick walk but then decided against it for fear of the bowel cleansing solution kicking in.  Oh man was that ever a good decision!


Fifteen minutes after I took the 16 ounces of Lemon and Lime Hell, my stomach started to cramp up.  The instructions said to take another 32 ounces of clear water within an hour of the swallowing of the Lemon and Lime Hell.  I thought "Why not just get this over with?" and I drank all 32 ounces of water within a half an hour.


Shortly after I bloated myself with all this liquid in my stomach I felt like Humpty Dumpty ready to burst.  And burst I did!  Off to the bathroom and the PorcelainThrone.  That is where I spent most of the night.  Yes folks, I....let's see, what is the word I can use?  Oh hell, I shit my brains out until my ass was raw!  


I didn't want to miss "Dancing With the Stars" so I made good use of my Pause button on my DVR while watching Kirstie and Maks and all the rest of the DWTS dance to their "Guilty Pleasures" last night.  And yes, I will post my review of last night's show after I return from my colonoscopy today.


Now I get ready for my procedure which takes place in about three hours.  


See you all later today (hopefully)!

Drinking the Colonoscopy Prep Liquid

All right folks.  Here I am with my first drink of the colonoscopy prep liquid.  They old me this was 'better'.  HA!  It taste like liquid airplane glue.  IT TASTES AWFUL.  And I have to do it again in four hours!


I will be glad when this is all over tomorrow and I'm pigging out on Eggplant Parm at the Rehoboth Diner. Oh the trials and tribulations of old age.  

The Colonoscopy Diet

Lunch - six ounces clear chicken broth (Swanson)

Hey folks.  Want a sure fire diet?  Try the Colonoscopy Diet.  Guaranteed to drop 2 to 3 pounds of of body weight in ONE DAY!  I've been trying (without much success) to drop another 2 to 3 pounds (to 160) for two months now.  I lost two pounds already!  So if you want to lose weight (but don't want a life) try this diet:


I just had my lunch of 6 ounces of clear chicken broth.  Oh man was that delicious!  Then, guess what I had for dessert?  A lime Jello.  WOW!  I am stuffed.

Dessert - four ounces lime Jello (fat free) YUM!

At two o'clock (a little less than an hour from now) I mix my first bottle of vile foul tasting "Suprep Bowel Prep Kit liquid with 8 ounces of water and SWALLOW IT.  Then within the next hour I have to take two more 8 ounces of water to dilute the vile foul tasting liquid.  Of course this is right at my nap time of 2 o'clock but that is of minor consideration today.


I repeat this whole process at 6 pm tonight.  I figure by the time I'm watching "Dancing With the Stars"tonight I'll be doing my own 'dancing' to the loo. 


Tomorrow at 10 a.m.  That is when I my rear nether regions get violated examined with a long, rubber, flexible instrument by a doctor in Lewes.  This procedure is called a colonoscopy.  This procedure may save my life.  The inconvenience and humiliation is well worth it.  Still, I'll be glad when this is all over with and I can go back to normal or what passes for 'normal' around these parts.  


Half an hour to go until I drink the Suprep Bowel Prep Kit.  Oh I can't wait!

Appetizing

Preparation Eve

Wheel me in!

"Preparation Eve" refers to the fact that tomorrow I begin preparation for my colonoscopy that is to take place 10 a.m., Tuesday, April 26th.  


Even this is my FOURTH time around, I am dreading it.  The "it" isn't the colonoscopy itself, that's a breeze.  The "it" I'm talking about is the PREPARATION the day before.  Anyone who has ever gone through this 'clean out' procedure knows whereof I speak.  I HATE IT. 


Here is the list of why I hate the Prep:

• I starve for a day - no food after 10 am of the day before the procedure.  Oh, I can 'eat' clear chicken broth (ever "eat" chicken broth) and drink clear liquids like clear grape juice.  "Clear"is the operative word here.  Of course everything I drink is colored purple (grape juice) or brown (iced tea).  As a special 'treat' I can have Jello.  Big  whoop!  I hate Jello. Jello reminds of hospitals.  Even so, I made up a batch of lime Jello.  Can't wait until I have that for 'dinner' tomorrow washed down with white grape juice. Yum.
• I have to drink this awful liquid - this liquid is different from what I had to drink before but somehow I doubt if it is any better tasting.  All I know is that by the time I'm halfway through my allotted drinking, I feel like a blow fish and I have liquid coming out both ends.  Towards the end (no pun intended) I can hardly make it to the bathroom after I down the glass of that vile concoction.
• I have to dress in a smock with an open back - this actually isn't too bad because I'm knocked out before I really have a chance to be embarrassed by exposing my ass cheeks to one and all at the clinic who prepare me for the dastardly necessary deed.

Here are the good reasons:

• I have a family history of colon cancer - my uncle Sam and cousin Jeffery waited until it was too late because they "didn't want anybody sticking a tube up their ass" (quoting my uncle Sam). They are not here now.  
• Chances of decking colon cancer early are good. My good friend (and former boss) regularly gets a colonoscopy. Five years ago during a routine colonoscopy cancer was discovered.  He had an operation that saved his life.  His doctor told him if he had waited until the symptoms showed he would probably be dead now.  
• I have a predisposition to developing polyps.  During my last colonoscopy they discovered two polyps.  I was lucky, they were not malignant.  If I had waited I could have had a different, deadly outcome.
• You get a legal 'high'. Getting knocked out is actually fun. You're talking one second and the next second they're telling you to fart out the air in your stomach.  WHAT?  You're done already? So this is what it's like to get high? Not that I would know. 
• I get to live longer.  If cancer is discovered an operation can be performed to remove the cancer and my chances of living a long and productive (and blogging) life are greatly increased.

So here we go folks.  My last night as a 'normal' person.  Starve Time tomorrow.  I've already warned Bill that I will not be a pleasant teddy to be around.  He told me he will stay clear.  


To read about someone else's colonoscopy 'adventure', read the Dallas Maverick's owner Mark Cuban's experience which he posted on his blog.  Click here.

"Be gentle Doc"

Dancing With the Stars Wish List

Ginger and Fred - the Standard to be met

 My Dancing With the Stars Wish List!


Of course I think some of the best dancing is men dancing with men. Watch this video of two brothers dancing the tango, which began as a man-to-man dance.  I would like to suggest two male couples for Dancing With the Stars but I know that isn't going to happen in my lifetime.  This country has come a long way into acceptance of same sex couples but I don't think we're ready yet for same sex couple on the dancing floor.  But I'll tell you, the most sensual time of my gay life was when I went into my first gay bar and a man (a real man, not a fey gay guy) asked me to dance.  I accepted.  When my partner put his right hand to the small of my back and took my left hand in his hand and pulled me in close to him as we danced to "Our Day Will Come" by Ruby and the Romantics....well folks, that was the MOST erotic experience I've ever had in my life.  Nothing since has even come close.  That was the Moment when I realized that I was not ALONE and I was okay.  I was NORMAL.  Everything "worked."  


But I digress.  That experience will be a subject for a future blog posting.  This blog is about my realistic wish list for future 'star' contestants on Dancing With the Stars:




This is the criteria I take into consideration for choosing my 'stars."

• Must be interesting personalities
• Must be either past their prime and trying to restart their career
• Must be physically attractive (it takes all types)
• Must be athletic
• Must posses a set of balls (men and woman) because this is HARD WORK!

Here, without further ado is my "Wish List"

Steve Carrell
Steve for comedy

Christie Brinkley
Tall and elegant - the 'model' contestant

Faith Hill
Tall and elegant - the music star

Jennifer Hudson
Jen's not doing anything else _(where are those movie roles?)

John McEnroe
The Asshole Star - need one for balance

Johnny Weir
Watch out Mark Ballas!  You have met your match!

Lyndsay Lohan
Oh Lynds!  You JUST KNOW she will put on a show

Mike Tyson
The beefy athletic star who surprises all with his graceful moves
Let's just hope he doesn't bit off his partner's ear if he doesn't win

Michael Phelps
He of the long torso and short legs - would love to see THAT gliding across the dance floor

Tori Spelling
The 'star' who thinks she's all THAT but isn't - I love to see this kind of 'star' voted off

Venus Williams
Go on and admit it - don't you want to see these buns dancing?

The likelihood of any of these stars actually agreeing to go on Dancing With the Stars is little to none, I realize that.  The physical aspects of training and performing on DWTS and facing the humiliation of being voted off takes a lot of guts.  Not many 'stars', with their fragile egos which need constant stroking can take it.  I believe the ones I mentioned above can.  Wouldn't it be an interesting show if they did agree to go on?  Talk about a ratings buster.  


If there is a male to male couple, I would love to see Mark Ballas paired with Johnny Weir.  It would be worth the price of admission alone to watch those two midget egos battle for dominance on the dance floor.  Well, at least they wouldn't have to wear platform shoes - they're both short.

Longer Hair, Shorter Hair?

Ron - Screen Shot with iMac April 13, 2011 - longer hair

All my life I've had an abundance of hair (on my head that is - some chest hair but none on the shoulders-thank God).  Even as I got older my hair was still think even as my hairline began to recede.  I clearly have my father's hair pattern. I have the same 'widow's peak' receding hairline that he had.  The only difference is that he was blonde and always had thin, fine hair.  I get my dark, brown, thick hair from my Mom.  

Me- 1943 - My Mom loved my long hair so much she didn't want to cut it

About ten years ago I as my hairline started to recede I was having more problems keeping my "Howdy Doody" pompadour style hairdo because of the lack of hair my hair didn't have the weight to maintain that youthful style .  I cut it all off and adopted a 'buzz cut'.  

Me - 1951 - Howdy Doody 'Do' - same with the shirt too - I loved that shirt!

The Buzz Cut was easy to maintain.  I threw away my comb, I didn't need it.  I was a porcupine head.  It was great!  But then a funny thing happened on the way to Old Age (sorry Dr. Spo, here I go again referring to my old age), I noticed that almost all of the gay guys down here in Gayberry (aka Rehoboth Beach/Lewes/Milton area of coastal southern Delaware) went for the totally shaved look to mask their male pattern baldness which left the whole top of their plate bald.  

Me with my Buzz Cut days at First Financial Bank 2004

Now anyone who knows me knows that I don't go along with the crowd, especially the Gay Dictates crowd.  You know, that's the Crowd that dictated that NO MEN ARE TO EVER SHOW CHEST HAIRS AGAIN.  In fact, I hear this crowd even 'trims' their pubic hairs and shaves their balls.  WTF is that?  Somebody on display?  I'm out of that Social Whirl (thank goodness).  The only person who sees my naked body is me when I look in the mirror before I take a shower (and when I finish a shower- double checking to make sure nothing changed).  

Me - Fifth Grade - 1952 - hard to manage all that thick hair!

Well, Ron veers away from the Gay Fashion Dictates again.  I decided to let my hair grow out a few months ago. By the way, I shave no hair on any other parts of my body.  Deal with it Gay Fashion Police.

Me 1982 - the longest I've ever had my hair - yet I still didn't fall victim to the Fashion Police and have the 'Helmut Do' so popular in the 80's with the hair half over the ears - I always keep my ears exposed! My Mom loved my hair this way! Major Maintenance!

I bought a comb, preparing myself for the inevitable maintenance my long hair would entail.  Guess what!?!  My hair has naturally thinned out.  I don't know whether it is because of the medication I take (Terazosin for prostate) or just a natural occurrence of getting older.  My hair doesn't require much maintenance.  It all falls into place.  

Me at the Hampton Inn 2000 - my favorite short 'Buzz Cut' style - no maintenance!

When I was younger I always envied my classmates and who had naturally short hair that 'fell into place" and looked so movie star-like.  I hated my bushy hair that always had to be thinned out when I got a haircut at the barber and I still couldn't comb it right.  There was a period in the Eighties when I let my hair grow really long but that required a lot of maintenance.  I always had to have a comb at the ready.  I am very happy now because I finally have the kind of hair that naturally 'falls into place'.  

Me 1986 - semi-long style - it worked!  Long haired pooches.

So here I am today with my new look.  A little gray on the side, some gray in my beard, but a natural 'do.'  I don't need hair spray, I don't need a comb over, I don't need hair plugs.  While I don't have the hairline I had fifty years ago (or even ten years ago), at 69 years of age, I still have more hair that that new groom to be.   You know, THE MOST ELIGIBLE BACHELOR IN THE WORLD:  PRINCE WILLIAM.

Looking good Wills!

Prince William, here is my suggestion for you:  join the ranks of my gay brotherhood (or is it 'sisterhood'?) and go for the Shaved Head Look.  It is SO IN.  

OMG!