Pat Arrives In Philly

This is the first video of our annual spring visit to Philly.

Every year, Pat and I get together four times a year. Springtime is Philly.

In the Fall I visit Pat in Canada. 

My birthday in November we revisit Philly. Both Pat and I love Philadelphia, especially the exciting and diverse city that is Philadelphia now, unlike the Philadelphia that rolled up it streets at 6 PM when all the office workers left Center City. 

Me and Pat in Olde City, Philadelphia (don't worry, my beard is coming back)

 I lived and worked in Center City Philadelphia from 1965 to 1994 when I moved back to Downingtown, Pennsylvania, my hometown from which I was anxious to leave when I graduated from high school in 1959.  After a three year stint in the Army, I lived in Pittsburgh, PA for a few months then Coatesville, PA for a couple of years before I met Bill and moved in with him at his apartment in Pennsauken, New Jersey.  And there you have my life story in a capsule.

Winter is two weeks in California, one week in West Hollywood and one week in Palm Springs. 

I recently discovered that my Photo app on my iMac has this wonderful feature that takes my photos and videos and compiles a short video.  This is the first of them. 

I've produced some short videos in the past but they are very laborious and take up a lot of hard drive space on my computer, thus I haven't done too many although I like doing them.  

This video shows Pat dropping off his rental car in Narberth, Pennsylvania. We took the train from Narberth last Sunday to 30th Street Station in Philadelphia. Then we walked to our rental suite at our friend Don McKenzie's co-op at 2101 Chestnut Street in center city Philly.  

Pat taking a rest in Olde City, Philadelphia

What do we do when in Philly?  Probably nothing exciting to the casual observer but for me and Pat, we always have a good time. Pat loves to visit Olde City and the design row of furniture stores. I like to check out some of my favorite restaurants. Pat and I both like to just walk around the busy streets of center city checking out the architecture and all the new building and tear downs. 

Pat checking out some of the Philadelphia architecture on his last day early in the morning on the way to the bus station to catch his bus back to Hamilton, Canada

I personally like revisiting many of my old haunts from when I lived and worked in center city Philly. And of course we visit my old friend and co-worker Don. 

Visiting with our friend Don in his apartment in Philly

In the evening Pat and I watch TV, "Family Feud" and "Shark Tank" are some of our two favorite programs. We also like Turner Classic Movies but all too often TCM is on a Memorial Day Marathon or some other series that we're not interested in.  Our favorite movies are the film noir movies of the Thirties and Forties.  This time we saw some old Flash Gordon serials, which was fun. Who doesn't like Ming the Merciless?

This visit I discovered that my endurance isn't the same as it was on previous visits. The heat and humidity during our week long stay sometimes because too much for me and I had to retreat to our air conditioned suite on the 14th floor ("Penthouse") of the 2101 Chestnut Street Co-operative.  I left Pat to continue roaming around Olde City and the tourists (who were out in full force) while I did my Old Man Recover routine in time to go out to dinner at the Marathon Grill or Hip Veg City in the evening when Pat returned from his explorations. 

Having the best time of my life folks!

The Intrepid Duo in Center City Philly, contributing to the local economy

Chance Encounter at the Bus Station

Cousin Mike at the Greyhound bus station yesterday in Philadelphia

Yesterday I left you all with a teaser about a mystery man I met at the bus station. 

In today's post I will reveal that mystery. 

That guy is one of my black sheep cousins.

I will not reveal his name in this post out of respect for him but I can tell you that his father is my first cousin.  His grandfather was my uncle, brother of my father.  Hope I didn't confuse you too much with one of those "he's the cousin of my uncle's nephew's wife sister-in-law" explanations. 

A brief family history here:  my father had ten brothers. As in all families ours has had and continues to have its share of dysfunction.  Since I am the family historian, I know most of the family history, feuds and secrets. 

First, about yesterday's "meeting" at the Greyhound bus station in Philadelphia.

Pat takes an early bus back to his home in Hamilton, Ontario after our week in Philadelphia. I walk Pat to the bus station. While waiting for Pat's bus departure, I happened to notice a guy sitting with is head between his legs the next row of seats over.  I thought to myself, "He looks familiar."  I mentioned to Pat, "That guy really looks familiar."  I went back to my usual patter with Pat but I kept looking back at that guy who was obviously distressed.  Then it hit me, he looked a lot like my cousin Mike.  I've only seen Mike once in person, at a family reunion seven years ago.  But at that reunion Mike was much heavier.

Mike with his sister and another cousin at the family reunion 2011

I wasn't sure if I should approach him.  I know Mike and he knows me but we aren't what you would call close family. When I used to run the family reunions I would always invite Mike and his sisters but they didn't come. But at the last one they did come, right at the end to meet other family members. Their line of our family tree went off in the wrong direction years ago when Mikes grandfather distanced himself from the family for reasons I won't go into here.

Me (far right) with my cousins at the family reunion 2011

I decided to approach Mike yesterday.  I walked by him and while his head was still down I said 
"Mike".  I don't know if he heard me or not but he didn't look up.  I didn't say "Mike" very loud either.  I went back to my seat with Pat.

Again I said to Pat "I'm sure that's my cousin Mike."  But he looks different because he's lost a lot of weight.  Finally I decided to approach him full force.  I walked up to where he was sitting, head still bowed and said "Hi Mike."  He raised his hoodie covered head to look at me and I said "Do you know who I am?"  He said without hesitation "Yes, I know who you are."  

His quick response surprised me since we had only met in person once.  I asked him "What brings you here?"  He said "I'm leaving my family in Coatesville (PA) and joining my father in North Carolina. I'm starting a new beginning."    

This is ironic because my father and his brothers left North Carolina (hillbilly country) in 1930 for a new life in Pennsylvania.

Eleven Tipton Brothers at family reunion 1960 - my father is tallest man in back row on right, Mike's grandfather is kneeling right below my standing father on the right

Mike told me he was leaving the drug infested and violence in Coatesville, Pennsylvania and starting a new life in North Carolina. I told him I wasn't sure it was him that I saw in the bus station because he had lost so much weight.  He told me he had lost 140 pounds.  Good for him.  

I asked Mike to join me and Pat while waiting for his bus.  We sat across from a woman who I had asked earlier to take a photo of me and Pat.

Pat at the Greyhound bus station yesterday with the woman who took out pictures later

This was the first time on this trip I had a picture taken of me and Pat that wasn't a selfie. I asked her to take a picture of me and my cousin.  

Me and Mike at the Greyhound bus terminal yesterday

I talked a bit with Cousin Mike until it was time for Pat to catch his bus.  I said "Goodbye" to Pat (we missed out hug this time) and sat down with Mike again. After some more conversation about family I decided to leave and return to my rented suite to get ready for my ride back to Delaware.

First and only non-selfie photo of me and Pat during his trip to Delaware and Pennsylvania this year!

Later I contacted Pat and he told me that the woman who took out picture was also leaving her family.  And get this, she was scheduled to be on the same bus as my cousin!  

So how to you like that for serendipity?

Pat eventually gets to meet all members of my family! By the way, I'm growing my beard back. I don't know this beardless guy.

Well, I wish the both of them much success in their new beginnings.  

Back From Philadelphia!

TEASER ALERT!  -Seeing Pat off to his trip back to Canada early yesterday morning at the Trailways bus terminal in Philly early yesterday morning. That's Pat on the left and me on the right. Who is in the middle?  I'll tell you tomorrow. 

I'm back from Philadelphia folks!

Lots to tell. Pat returned to his home in Hamilton, Ontario late last night. Also lots to tell.

Don't have the time now but hopefully, tomorrow I can begin the narrative of the past ten days of Pat's visit.

Got to go to work today!  

Have a great day folks!

Pat's Almost Here and Other Thoughts on a Beautiful Spring Day

Selfie I asked Pat to take of himself this morning at the New York Port Authority while he was looking for his bus to Philadelphia 

A few minutes ago I heard from Pat. He's in New York City changing to a bus to Philadelphia. This is the next to the last leg of his twenty-four hour journey that began 3 o'clock yesterday when he boarded a bus from his home in Hamilton, Ontario to Toronto to catch a bus from Toronto to Buffalo, New York City. When Pat texted me this morning he was looking for the bus to catch to Philadelphia.

After he arrives in Philadelphia then he has to take a train from Suburban Station to Narberth, Pennsylvania, ten miles west of Philadelphia.    He's rented a car from Enterprise Car Rental. He said he got a good deal in Narberth on a car rental. Then he begins the last leg of his annual trip to my home in southern Delaware. He should arrive here about 3 o'clock this afternoon. Thus ending his 24 hour journey that he began yesterday from his home in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.  Me?  I would take the plane but he, that's me.

Pat will be very tired when he arrives here later this afternoon. He doesn't get much sleep if any, on the overnight bus.  A couple years ago we decided to take the Red-eye plane flight from Los Angeles to Philadelphia, our annual trip to the Hollywood and Palm Springs. I can tell you from experience one doesn't get much if any sleep on these overnight trips.

Pat will be here for a few days then we depart from here to visit our friend Larry in Claymont, Delaware located a few miles outside of Philadelphia. This year instead of taking our annual old time photo shoot in Rehoboth Beach, Pat and I will be taking Larry and his wife Lois out to lunch. Several years ago I started the annual tradition of taking Larry out to lunch after an old time photo session.  However, this year the trip down here to Delaware is too onerous for Larry who has ALS. Also, this is Memorial Day weekend which is the beginning the nightmare of tourists and traffic descending on our fragile shores. Not that we don't appreciate all that business but it's just as well we don't get into that mix. This is the time of year we locals stay close to home.  However, Pat and I may try to get into Rehoboth this weekend for a visit.  At least a lunch at Lori's Cafe and maybe a walk on the boardwalk. Hopefully this time we won't have a repeat of what happened last time we took a walk in Rehoboth - a car load of guys (I assume straight), rode by and shouted "Hey fag!"  One year when Larry and I were walking on the boardwalk and my friend Larry, who is straight, was ogling the girls in their skimpy two piece bathing suits,

Larry ogling the scenery on the Rehoboth Beach boardwalk

one young guy who was sitting on one of a park bench with his friends loudly whispered to his friends "There's two!" I was tempted to stop and confront him and correct him that there was only ONE gay, but then I thought better of it. 

Rehoboth Beach boardwalk 

Maybe I should have stopped. You know folks, for all the so called progress claimed by the local gay organization Camp Rehoboth that Rehoboth is a more "inclusive place", is just so much blather. Camp Rehoboth is a self-promoting, money raising, never miss a chance to get guys in drag organization, exclusive cliquey gay club. When two non effeminate men walk together in Rehoboth Beach and are still subject to epitaphs by young straight me who are seeking to impress their friends by gay bashing, nothing has changed from the day in the late 70's when I was subjected to the same taunts while sitting by myself on the boardwalk near Poodle Beach. Lots of money raised, self-congratulations, dances and men in drag but not much has changed in being subjected to homophobic taunts.  Wow, did I ever veer from my original subject of this blog. But that's me folks, when I begin a blog post I go wherever my thoughts take me. That's why you read this, right? Except of course for the ever increasing number of spammers I receive in comments on this blog.  

Larry continues to ogle

But back to the original subject of this morning's blog. Pat's on his way and we're going to have a good time, both here in Delaware (in spite of the homophobes) and Philadelphia.  I'll try to keep you up to date with regular blog postings but no promises. 


Have a great day!

We'll miss you on the boardwalk this year Lar!

Hospitality

My Canadian travel buddy Pat will arrive here at Casa Tipton-Kelly tomorrow afternoon. I'm just about ready for him. Of course I had a wrench thrown into my plans (again) by having to work again today. As I have posted many times before I work part-time at the hotel but I really work as a substitute worker. Enough said.

Pat visiting reminds me of the many excuses I've received for not being welcomed when I visit.

A couple years ago when I visited Pat in Toronto, I thought I would contact a former classmate of mine who I haven't seen since we graduated from high school in 1959.  He moved to Canada during the Viet Nam war.  I'm assuming that's why he moved but I don't know for sure. All I do know is that he never came back.  He's some big deal professor in college now in Guelph, Canada, not far from where Pat lived in Toronto. Since I am the class historian cum record keeper I thought it would be cool if I could visit Glenn (no last name out of respect for his privacy which I'm sure he wants).  I wasn't expecting to stay at his place nor for him to take me out to dinner, just a drive by visit. After several  attempts at trying to contact him I finally heard from him.  He told me he wouldn't be able to see me because (are you sitting? This is very original) his nephew was visiting from Scotland and this was the only time he could see him.  Uh, okay. No visit, no loss. 

Another brush off happen two years ago also. A friend of a friend of mine (Don McK of Philly, who Pat and I are visiting next week) lives in Palm Springs. I suggested a visit while Pat and I were in Palm Springs. Now understand, we had our own place to stay and we weren't expecting to go out to lunch or dinner, just another drive by visit because of the gregarious person that I am.  I suggested to Don to contact his friend. Don did and got back to me. His friend told him that he had the flu (as well as his partner) and wouldn't be able to see me.  Uh, okay.  No visit, no loss. Got the message.

Now the last excuse really takes the cake.  Last year during our visit to Philadelphia, I was invited to a Christmas dinner by my high school class. I could bring a guest. I brought Pat. While in the Downingtown area I thought I would drop by my old and long time friend Bill B. and visit, and introduce them to Pat.  My friend, said he would get back to me.  When he got back to me he told me the family cat had died and his daughter was distraught and it wouldn't be a "good time" for a visit by me and MY FRIEND PAT (we're gay).  

Now this is a friend whose home I have visited many times, by myself. Never with a friend, gay or straight. I know his wife strongly disapproves of my "lifestyle".  One time years ago, after receiving many invites to visit them at their cottage the Chesapeak Bay I opted for a visit. I said I would bring my friend Pat. I was told I could check into a hotel. In years past I have visited the family cottage and the understanding was I could (and did) stay overnight. He has another couple who stays (straight) overnight at the cottage. But me and my same sex friend?  We could go to a hotel.  I opted to pass on the "visit."  Of course my feeling were hurt.  I have invited this couple to stay at my place here many times but they have never taken me up on my offer. I would not discriminate against them because they are straight and would sleep in the same bed. I don't feel my home would be despoiled by WHATEVER they do in bed (God, I can just imagine).  But this story has a funny end. At the Christmas dinner my friend attended with his wife. Someone asked if I had visited them at their home and my friend stumbled out an answer "Uh, no. Our cat died".  As he said this I detected him roll his eyes.  I just smiled to myself. 

You know folks, after all these years when I think I've steeled myself against discriminated, I'm always surprised to discover it still hurts. 

Isn't it ironic that the business I'm in is hospitality?  And I will be working tonight filling in for my co-worker who has another emergency. 

That's me, Mr. Hospitality.  

Finally, the Rains End!

After a week of sometimes torrential downpours, the rains ended this afternoon. 

Our lawn is in a dire need of a haircut. 

Mushrooms are growing and much of our grass has gone to seed.

I am eager to resume my exercise of raking the cut grass.  Not only does this exercise make me feel good, it helps reduce that extra five to ten pounds of fat I've been lugging around my waistline all winter.

Only problem right now is that the temperature is a suffocating 87 humid degrees. Feels like a sauna out there. Tomorrow the forecast is for cooler temps.  However, I will go out after this blog post and try and get a little bit of good time exercise in today.

I could never live in Seattle or the Northwest where rain like last week is the norm. I slowly slip into lethargy and depression.  I need sun.  Lots of sun to keep my disposition happy and contented. That's why a place like Palm Springs is so attractive to me. However, I don't think I will ever permanently move there, I'm just too comfortable here at Casa Tipton-Kelly. I have too many "things" that I love and bring me comfort. Things I couldn't move to Palm Springs.  But I will visit Palm Springs, that's for sure. Especially in the Wintertime!

I'm looking forward to Pat's visit this week.  He arrives in Delaware on Wednesday. He will stay here for a few days and then we leave for Philadelphia this time next week for a week's stay in that comfortable city. 

Now to see if I can rake some grass without getting soaked in sweat. Wish me luck!

Royal Wedding

"I do"

Yes! I watched The Wedding.

This morning I awoke early. Not necessarily to watch live coverage of the royal wedding of Prince Harry to his American princess Megan Markel. But I thought, "Why not?"  Folks, I was enraptured. Oh yes, I am a hopeless romantic.

The Look of Love

For one thing I am an Anglophile, through and through. My ancestry on both sides of my family is from England. 

My paternal ancestry of Tipton's is from the Black County of the midlands. 

My maternal ancestry of the Hadfield is also from Glossop, England, not far from where my paternal ancestors lived in the Midlands.

My paternal ancestor emigrated to this county in 1692 from Jamaica. His name was Jonathan Tipton and he was probably born in Jamaica after his father Edward Tipton was one of the colonist of Jamaica after England took over that colony from the Spanish. He left Jamaica after the Great Earthquake of 16-2 destroyed his barrel stave (for rum) making business. He emigrated to Baltimore County Maryland and produce many progeny of which I am the ninth generation American.

My maternal ancestor was Thomas Hadfield who emigrated to this country in 1854 via New York City with his wife Sarah and two young children William and Mary.  

Although I am an unabashed Anglophile (I can name all the kings from before the Norman Invasion until today), I am a thorough American. But I do enjoy and derive a great deal of pleasure following the goings on of English royalty.  

Prince Harry and his best man, his brother Prince William arrive - lookin very spiffy guys!

Today was special.  Rarely have I seen two people more in love than Prince Harry and Megan.  You can just tell by the expressions on their faces when they look at each other. I choked up more than once watching the wedding ceremony today.  

Megan and her mother arrive

And what a perfect day for a wedding!  The weather was ideal at Windsor Town in England where the wedding took place.  

A sermon by the head of the Episcopal Church to beat all sermons!

With all the nastiness and bad news in the world today, what a pleasure it was to see something so perfect today. 

Join me in wishing them much happiness.

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