Patrick 2013

Hard to believe but it's been five years since I met my travel buddy and FaceTime friend Pat.  

I've told this story before but I'll tell it briefly again for those of you new to my blog. I "met" Pat when he left a comment on my blog as I was posting a blog. That was the first time (and last) I ever got a comment on my blog while I was writing a blog.

Pat wasn't and isn't a regular blog reader or follower. He happened to see my picture testifying before the Delaware State legislature for marriage equality. He liked what he saw and researched the Internet for more information on me. That's how he happened to come across my blog.

When he left a comment on blog, I left a comment right back as I always do when someone leaves a comment. He left another comment and I left another one right back. We continued that way for a while then I asked him if he had FaceTime. He didn't know what FaceTime was.  I told him and since he had an Apply computer we connected through FaceTime.

For a week or so we talked on FaceTime every few days. Then he told me he was retiring from his job with the Toronto Police department and would like to take a trip to see me. I said "Sure, why not?"  I've met other bloggers before this way.  Anne Marie of Philly was the first.  

Our meeting was interesting but I won't go into it right now. What I will say was it only took me a few minutes after meeting Pat in the parking lot of Hotel Blue in Lewes, that I knew he was someone special. In fact so special, he was the "friend" I've been looking for all my life.  All those years in the bars. All those summers in Provincetown.  And here he was in the parking lot of Hotel Blue.

I initially thought was the parking lot attendant going to give me grief over parking in the lot. Turns out he wasn't the parking lot attendant but the whole guy in the flesh who previously was only the talking head I communicated with via FaceTime.  

This is a short compilation of photos and a couple of videos of those August summer days in 2013 when I met Pat, my Buddy For Life.  

By the way, Pat doesn't mind me taking pictures and videos of him unlike Bill and most all of my other friends. I always wanted someone that I could photograph and video to my heart's content. And Pat's that guy.  He's a pretty nice guy too.

Trip South 2010

The last time Bill and I took a trip was in 2010 to visit my Mother who was living and being taken care of by my brother John and his wife Barbara in Greenville, South Carolina.

After our visit John and I took the two hour ride to the Pisgah Mountains in western North Carolina, right over the border from Johnson City, Tennessee to visit our paternal ancestral roots.  Also known as our hillbilly roots.  Yes, my father and his father and the rest of the Tipton were hillbillies or Appalachian residents, Pigeon Roost, North Carolina.

While there we made a side trip to Johnson City to visit our Aunt Daisy Buckles, who is the daughter of Isaac Lewis, my great grandfather and father of my grandmother Hester Lewis Tipton. 

Isaac Lewis - my great grandfather
1856-1944

The family moved to south eastern Pennsylvania when my father was ten years old (1930).  They were starving up in those mountains.  My grandfather was in the lumber business and there was no lumber business during the Great Depression. So Fieldon Tipton and his wife Hester Lewis and their nine sons all moved to Hester's brother-in-law's farm near Unionville, Pennsylvania as farm laborers. Two more sons were born in Pennsylvania for a total of eleven cheap day laborers. 

My grandfather and grandmother with two of their grandchildren in Pennsylvania

Ten years my father met my Mother on a double date and thus I was produced from that chance meeting. 

And that folks, is a short history of my paternal family roots. This video brings back the beauty of those mountains that ironically are so unwelcoming to me now as a gay man. I would love to live there but I couldn't love there so I don't live there. During a subsequent visit my gayness was discovered and I was given a warning. I only need one warning. Thus all I have now are my memories, shown so well in this beautiful video, of my time visiting my roots. 

Twenty-Five Questions

Hey folks! I'm going to give you a break from my recent stream of videos. I haven't done one of these "Question and Answer" posts for awhile. These questions I stole from my good blogger friend Jon.  Read and be amazed!

1. Have you ever had chicken pox?

No, but I had the mumps. Is that the same thing?
2. Have you ever shopped in Home Depot?

Yes I have. Also Loew's, Lumber 94, Dicks, and BJ's. Name a store I haven't shopped in.
 
3. Have you ever spied on your neighbors?

Absolutely. In our previous life in Pennsylvania we had homophobic neighbors always plotting against us. We had to stay one step ahead of them. We did.

4. Have you ever ridden in a limo?

The only limo I ever rode in was the one for my father's funeral. He died on a hot August day in 2010. I made the arrangements for the funeral and opted to go whole hog and use the limo for the immediate family (me, my Mother and two brothers). Wasn't so luxurious though because they neglected to turn on the air conditioning. We arrived at the cemetery looking and feeling like we just spent 20 minutes in a steam room. So much for "luxurious" transportation. At my Mother's funeral, we used our own cars. 
5. Have you ever had a pet fish?

Yes. Both in house and ponds that I built. At our former home in Pennsylvania I had three ponds that were full of gold fish that propagated themselves and always wintered over. Of course when we sold our house the new owners neglected the ponds. Two years later we visited our former home after the new owners defaulted on their mortgage and walked away from our one beautiful home and grounds. I checked the ponds and much to my surprise there were still fish surviving in those ponds even though the ponds were full of debris that had not been cleaned out for two years. The new owners, of course, have filled in the ponds. I would love to have a pond where I live in Delaware now but I cannot, too many cranes that would eat my fish. I even had a crane clean out my pond in Pennsylvania. I restocked the pond and put in large flat stones for the fish to hide.  Here it would be fruitless because these cranes are too numerous.


6. Have you ever lied about your age?

No. Never once. Why? I am what I am, 77 years old this November and looking every day of my 77 years.  Lucky for me I'm attracted too older men. Bill will be 90 in September and Pat will be 70 in December. And I am having the best time of my life sexually.  Much better than I ever had when I was young and in my so-called "prime."

 
7. Have you ever fired a gun?

Yes. When I was in the Army. Basic training and once a year to qualify on the range. I failed to qualify in basic training but they passed me anyway because my "weapon" we weren't allowed to call it a "gun", malfunctioned. I passed the yearly qualifications after basic training. I haven't fired a gun since then now do I own a gun. And I won't own a gun. I don't want to take a chance on an accident or someone stealing my gun and shooting me with it. And I'm not a hunter. When my father died, my Mother told me and my brothers we could have his guns.  He had a gun cabinet full of them. None of us wanted them. She gave then to the son of his hunting buddy. Neither me nor my brother were or are hunters. And we don't feel the need to possess gun in our private life

 
8. Have you ever been ice skating?
Yes. What a laugh! I tried once Christmas Day 1958. All I succeeded in doing was skating on my ankles.
 
9. Have you ever played golf?

Yes. Another laugh! I don't "get" golfing. I tried Chip and Put a few times back in 1964 with co-workers. That was sort of fun but nothing I would go out of my way for. Back in my teenage days of dating girls I sort of enjoyed miniature golf but again, nothing I would go out of my way to do.


10. Have you ever hidden on Halloween because you had no candy for trick or treaters?

Not "hidden" but didn't turn on the outside lights which is the signal that you're playing the Trick or Treat game. A few times we have entertained trick or treaters but were turned off when grown kids we didn't even know came to our door wanting to load up on free goodies. Halloween is for kids. I used to go trick or treating when I was a kid and I enjoyed it but not now as an adult

11. Have you ever made a prank call?

I'm not sure but I think I did when I was a teenage with my friend Larry. Only a few. Stupid stuff teenagers do. I don't like prank calls now. I've heard Howard Stern's show do it a lot and really got turned off. People are just trying to do their business and you have these as swipes with nothing better to do than to screw around with them for a few cheap laughs. One of many reasons I stopped listening to the Howard Stern show on radio,

12. Have you ever gotten a tattoo?

No. Almost did once, when I was in the Army. It was "the thing" to do but I chickened out at the last moment. The tattoo I was going to get was a little bird right on the right side of my left ankle. No reason for the bird but the placement was so it wouldn't be so noticeable. I'm glad I didn't get that tattoo though or any tattoo.  I see all these tattoos today and wonder why?  I never seen any that I felt made the person wearing it more attractive. But then, maybe I'm missing something now that I'm an official Old Fogey.

13. Have you ever had a massage?

Yes. And informal one from a gay guy teacher massage therapist that I met through a gay newspaper classified ad. It was my very first massage and I LOVED it.  And of course I had a "happy ending". I've had several massages since then from you know who (read previous blog posts).  Never paid for a massage and would never have a massage by a woman. Not that I have anything against women but it would give me the chills to have a woman's hands on me. Sorry gals. Nothing personal.

14. Have you ever locked your keys in the car?

No, thank goodness. I've been lucky!
15. Have you ever ridden a horse?

No. Wish I had. Maybe I will in the future. Maybe next year's trip to California. I hear they have horses a plenty in California.


16. Have you ever been to the circus?

Yes. When I was nine years old we had a school trip to Philadelphia to see Barnum and Bailey's three ring circus. I was suitably impressed. Perfect age to see a circus. Wish I had taken pictures but this was before I had a camera. I got my first camera three years later at Christmas and have been taking pictures ever since, with some significant lapses.
17. Have you ever been to Europe?

No. Again, wish I had. Still on my bucket list. If I win on one of my lottery scratch off tickets Pat said he would go with me, even though he has no desire to visit Europe. I would like to visit the Midlands of England is where my ancestors came from, both sides of my family tree.

18. Have you ever built a fire?

No. Have absolutely no interest in doing so. However I was caught playing with matches when I was young and stupid. Thank goodness I never caused serious damage. Good thing I was caught and learned my lesson. Got a good beating.

19. Have you ever been skydiving?

No! Absolutely not. The first man I was ever with, a married man who used to visit me on Saturday mornings at my apartment in Coatesville, PA, suggested on one visit to go sky diving with him.  Absolutely not!  I just missed by a few test points from being assigned to Ft. Bragg, North Carolina when I was in the Army.  My good friend Bob McC. was assigned there and yes, had to qualify as a paratrooper.  He had to "make the jump."  I got lucky again. If I had to "make the jump" I would have probably soiled my underwear on the way down.

20. Have you ever bought something at a garage sale?

Yes. However, I'm not one of those "every Saturday morning at at garage sale." The only garage sales I've been too are some in my neighborhood. And I've gotten some good buys. My regular luggage that I travel with I bought for $5.00 a few years ago. I use it all the time when I travel. I do visit thrift stores often. Again, I've gotten many good buys.

21. Have you ever walked in on someone having sex?

No. But I did have someone walk in on me, uninvited. I uninvited him right back out of the room. I'll choose my own sexual partners, thank you. Of course this was years ago in my wild and flaming youth.

22. Have you ever faked an injury to get out of something?

No. If I wanted out of something I just said "No". I would like to get out of my HOA board membership. I won't fake an injury but I will get out, soon.


23. Have you ever been to a nude beach?

Yes. I was talked into it by a guy I met on the beach during one of my summer forays in Provincetown.  As we were lying under the hot sun in the warm sand, with our eyes covered I heard voices. I looked up and saw a group of bird watching ladies coming our way. My friend ("Tony Bellafatto", always remember his name) said "just let them go by. I covered my eyes again and continued my working on my tan. The voices got closer and closer then stopped for a minute or so. After awhile the women' voices receded into the distance. I guess they got to see two rare "birds" that day.
24. Have you ever received a speeding ticket?

No. I did receive a speed warning once. One of those speed trap towns. I went over a bridge and all of a sudden I was pulled over by a cop who looked like he was 14 years old. He asked me if I was from the area. I wasn't and I told him so. He said "Then you probably aren't aware that the speed limit drops from 35 mph to 20 mph once you go over the bridge."  Junior was very nice and only gave me a warning.

25. Have you ever run a marathon?

No. Are you kidding?  Not in this lifetime nor any future lifetimes.  God, I used to run the mile run in high school and that almost killed me.

There you are folks.  Hope you enjoyed me revealing more about myself.  More videos tomorrow!

Pat Leaves Philadelphia

Last Sunday my good pal Pat left Philadelphia to return to his home in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

Today I continue with my Memories, a compilation of photos and videos that I have taken of my recent travels with Pat. This video was taken last Sunday, June 3, 2018 as Pat left our rented suite at the 2101 Chestnut Street Co-Operative of our good friend Don McK.

I walked with Pat down the almost deserted center city Philadelphia streets to the Greyhound bus terminal at 10th and Race Streets. Pat had a 7:00 AM bus to catch for his almost 24-hour journey back to his hometown in Canada. Coincidentally I encountered one of my cousins at the bus station. He was leaving his home in Coatesville, Pennsylvania to begin a new life in North Carolina. Which is ironic since my father (and his family) left North Carolina to live in southeastern Pennsylvania in 1930 to begin a new life. 

After I saw Pat off I walked back to our suite. On the way I took several pictures of the new center city buildings.  I also stopped by one of our favorite Philadelphia restaurants, the Marathon Grill at 16th and Chestnut Street, to have a breakfast of veggie quiche, a breakfast alone without Pat. 

Returning to our suite I completed my packing in time to catch my ride back to home here in Delaware. A neighbor picks up at the door (door to door service) returning me home here in Delaware. 

This morning we have another doctor's appointment for Bill. Hopefully this is the last one for a while. Then I hope we can enjoy the rest of the summer without doctor visits. This fall I go on a trip again, this time to visit Pat in Hamilton. Rest assured there will be more photo and video complications. 

Have a great day everyone!

More California Holiday 2018 Videos

Oh how I love posting these videos that my iMac Photo program provides me. 

Of course I realize that for some, if not many of my regular blog readers, these blog postings may not be the most insightful and thought provoking posts I have made in my thirteen years of blog posting, but I find these posting probably the most fun.

To me life is all about enjoying what little time we have on this earth without the pain and strife and stress of every day living. Once a year my good buddy Pat and I embark for our annual California Holiday.  We spend a week in West Hollywood, go to "The Price is Right" show, wander around Hollywood and Vine, eat at the Veggie Grill at 7800 Sunset Boulevard (and by the way have YET to spot a celebrity), just to get away from the gray monochrome winter cold of our respective homes in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada and Milton, Delaware.

Each year it's getting a little harder for me to get around because of my enroaching arthritis that stiffens my joints from my neck to my back to my knees. But I make the trip and soak in the welcoming, warm sunshine of California. 

Looking at these video complications of my photos and videos that Apple has been so kind to provide me lets me relive those glorious two weeks in California. 

More videos are on the way!

California Holiday 2018

More fun videos folks! This one is of me and Pat in California this past February. We spend a week in West Hollywood and then a week in Palm Springs.

Every year for the past three years Pat and I visit West Hollywood. I write for tickets to "The Price is Right". Even though we haven't been called to "come on down!" we still have a fun time. The folks at "The Price is Right" make sure that all three-hundred and fifty members of the audience has a good time, and we do folks. And who knows, maybe next year one of us will be called to "come on down!" and win a lot of money.

Last year, at the urging of our friend Nadege, we visited Palm Springs while in California. We immediately fell in love with Palm Springs. I can understand why Palm Springs is so popular with the starts and elite of Hollywood as well as regular folk. I always thought that Palm Springs was only for the rich but there is room for all.  Unlike Camp Rehoboth here which always proclaims Rehoboth is "room for all" when in reality it is only room for a closed clique of gay men and women mostly from the Washington DC area. Anyone else they ignore and I know from personal experience.  But I digress into negativity.  When we're in Palm Springs and California, all is well and we both feel very welcome and without the need to send in membership fees.  

I've seriously thought of maybe moving permanently to Palm Springs but for now I do love our home here in Delaware.  Sure, it's a little rough in the summertime when the traffic on Route One makes it difficult to get out of our development but our acre of land is a welcome oasis of peace and contentment. And we live in a neighborhood of wonderful and caring neighbors, all straight by the way and none of that exclusive clique experience from the Rehoboth Beach gay community. But  one never knows what the future will bring. I'm open to all possibilities folks.  Each day as my movements become more restricted by my gradual arthritis, I may not have a choice.

Have a great day folks!

Larry Over the Years

More videos folks!  I probably should call this my "Vlog" since I post so many videos.

This is a video compilation of some of the thousands of photos and videos of have of one of my best friends, Larry Eugene Meredith of Claymont, Delaware.

I've known Larry since third grade (1950) until the present. 

Larry is one of my few longtime friends that is still alive.  So many have died the past ten years. I am so thankful that I still have a few longtime friends with me and I am especially thankful that I have made new friends. 

There will come the day when I will be history. This fact has especially come to the fore of my brain these days with the recent suicides of two well known personalities, who seem to have everything going in their lives. 

Like many of you, I too at times have considered ending it all, especially these days when our country is led by a person who is the banality of evil and is aided and abetted by the venal cowards in Congress. But you know folks, I wouldn't give them that victory so I stay to fight the good fight.

I realize I'm getting very dark here so I will return to my normal sunny, optimistic nature and continue to post videos of my friends and my life.

Enjoy and hang in there!