Happy New Year folks! This photo (can you spot me?) was taken at the Mummers' Day parade in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1965. That is me in the overcoat with the goofy smile. The Philadelphia Academy of Music is in the background. This was the first time I attended the Mummers' Day parade in person. Cold, cold, cold! For many years thereafter I eagerly looked forward to attending the Mummers' Day parade in person and enjoying all its attendant festivities, especially the "festivities" in the bar (won't go into detail, use your vivid imagination). These days my New Year's Day activity is working the front desk at the local hotel where I work part-time. In fact this week I'm working four days in a row. I don't mind. Keeps me out of trouble and I get to enjoy interaction with the guests who are invariably nice on holidays like Christmas and New Years. While I vastly enjoyed my New Year's celebrations of the past, especially being in jammed gay bar as the new year was rung in, this year I'll get home just in time to see Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen ring in the New Year on TV in Times Square, New York City. One thing I remember about my New Year's of the past was how COLD it was, cold until I had a few drinks (well, maybe a "few" more than a few). This year, no drinks and I will be in my warm home when the ball drops in Times Square. By the way, is that a brilliant move on the part of CNN to have Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen co-host the New Year's Eve celebration? Just look at how far we have come when two gay men can host a national TV show. Must drive those Roy Moore die hard supporters in Alabama crazy. Back in my day about the only time you saw anything gay in public was when the drag queens (we called them female impersonators back in the day)
Female impersonator in the Mummers' Day Parade in Philadelphia 1965 (my photo)
would march (more like sashay) down Broad Street in the New Year's Day parade. That was the one time during the year when the straights didn't get all bent out of shape because gays dared to come out in the open. Ah, those were the days. Now drag is just a, well drag. Happy New Year!!!!
Here we are folks, almost the end of another year. This week after Christmas and before the New Year is when we review the past year and plan for the new year. This is what I call the "dead week." Most of the regular folks I see on TV are off to warmer climes like Aruba or some other exotic warm breeze palm tree swaying location like Hawaii or the Caribbean. This is the week that commentators on TV review the past year with lists like "the ten best of . . ." or the "ten worst of . . ." I usually hate those lists because I don't want to relive some of the "ten worst" or the "ten best". And also I know these lists are just time fillers until the regular TV folk come back. They pre tape all those shows you know. But the more I got to thinking about these year end lists I thought of my own year end list. Here goes: The worst thing to happen this past year: This one is easy: Donald Trump This disaster, this danger to our democratic norms, this purveyor of the diminution of our sense of self worth and pride as a nation easily is the worst scourge ever to infect this wonderful country of ours. All my life I have been proud to be an American and our American ideals. Are we perfect? Of course not but look around us at the rest of the world. Our country, with its diversity of cultures and people who make up this country has always been a beacon of goodwill and hope for a better life in this world and our lives. This country, which is the one country in the world where one has the freedom to say what you think and to be as successful in your life as you're willing to work hard. This country which has so many natural resources from people to mineral resources. For the first time in my lifetime our exceptionalism is now being questioned and challenged worldwide as a result of the (stolen) election of this cretin called Donald Trump.
Perhaps the most telling revelation that has been exposed since the election of Trump is the craven opportunism and total lack of character and honesty of those elected officials and others in public who have and continue to enable Trump and his family run criminal enterprise that is now seated in the White House. They remind me of the "good Germans" who supported Hitler during his rise to power. They were either too cowardly or too craven to voice opposition to what they clearly saw was wrong for their country.
I know of sound very dystopian in my views but I cannot express my concern enough over what a danger Trump and his enablers are to our country and our way of life. Already they have passed this scam of a tax bill which gives even more money to the rich and super rich and puts our country deeper into debt for generations to come. This development from the "fiscal responsibility party" the Republicans. Their craven mendacity can no better be illustrated by the actions of Senator Bob Corker of Tennessee. This is the senator who said he would not vote for a tax bill that "added one penny to the deficit".
Then, of course, when some anonymous lawmakers in a backroom put a provision in the so called "tax reform" bill that enriches real estate millionaire like Corker,
he inexplicably changes his vote, claiming he didn't know about this provision because he "hadn't read the bill." Think about it, this so called Conscience of the Senate is voting for a tax bill that he hasn't even read and yet he changes his mind and votes for the bill.
Then you have the other so called "moderate Senators" like Jeff Flake of Arizona
and Susan Collins of Maine, who criticize Trump but vote for his bills. At least I thought we had some home with the sweet and angelic Senator Collins of Maine who has (now had) a reputation as a moderate, reasonable Republican.
Even in the end she caved, thus throwing away her years long reputation in one single vote just to appease Senator Majority Leader Mitch McConnell who made a promise to her for funding of a future health care provision (which was not kept - of course). I could go on and on folks and I apologize for my rant in this, what was supposed to be a light hearted year end "countdown" review but once I got started and revved up these embers of my huge disappointment in the direction this country is going, it's hard for me to stop. But you know what folks? I also think the best thing to happen to our country is, wait for it: Donald Trump Why? Trump is a stress test for our country and democracy. I do think (I hope) that right will win out in the end. Our democratic (and "democratic" not "democrat" as the Republicans love to spew out, thus changing the meaning of that word because it sounds more harsh to say "democrat") will prevail. Trump is entertaining, I'll give him that. And he is a master manipulator. He is good. But like a con man, he is only in this for himself and his own selfish need for self aggrandizement and narcissistic feeding of his never enough ego. I'll end this screed with two quotes that I have known and often referred to in my long life. Those quotes were applicable to the world at the time they were made and they are applicable today. "You Can Fool All the People" (usually attributed to Abraham Lincoln: “You can fool all the people some of the time and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time.” There are too many people that Trump is fooling now (scary actually how many people he is fooling) but thank God there are even more people who see right through his falseness and for the small minded selfish bigot that Trump really is. Another quote that often comes to my mind when I see Trump's enablers
make excuses and justify Trump's lies and harmful decisions which is a great danger to our country. These enablers know that they only have to praise "Dear Leader" and they can get Trump to sign any bill or executive order they put in front of Trump because they know Trump doesn't read what he signs but is only interested in being in front of the cameras and the center of attention. They have figured out Trump and they're playing him just like Vladimir Putin and other foreign leaders have figured out Trump, praise him and put a big military parade on for him and Trump is putty in their hands. Criticize him and he'll Tweet you. This quote is a poem written b the German Lutheran pastor Martin Niemoller (1892-1984). It is about the cowardice of German intellectuals following the Nazis' rise to power and the subsequent purging of their chosen targets, group after group.
First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.
Folks, I know to some I may sound alarmist but consider this:
We have a vice president who considers homosexuality an abomination, Chief Toady Mike Pence. Even Trump said:
Donald Trump 'joked Mike Pence wanted to hang all gay people'
Pence and his so called "Christian values" is perhaps even a greater danger to this country than Trump's craven stupidity. But that's a subject for another whole long blog posting and I've gone on enough with this blog posting.
I'll leave you, my faithful blog followers and even you those of you who are visiting my blog for the first time. This is a quote that I first heard when I was a very young man. At first I didn't understand what it meant but as I progressed in my life I came to understand exactly what it means. This quote is a perfect summation of the man who now occupies the White House and all his enablers and supporters. And I friends am that little boy who cries out "The emperor has no clothes!"
This morning I work up early. "Early" was 4:30 am. Usually I don't wake up until 7:00 or 7:30 am. I woke up early because I had a dream. A very clear dream. One of those dreams that wake you up. As I have written before in this blog, at this time of my life thoughts of my mortality often enter my mind. I have often said that I don't fear death or what happens after death. My only fear is how I'm going to get there. My preference is to go to sleep and just not wake up. That was the desired exit that two of my younger cousins (Randy and Hester) passed away these past few years. Neither was ill before they died. They just died in their sleep unexpectedly. I have a mild case of COPD. A few years ago my cardiologist suggested that I wear one of those head gears when I sleep so I wouldn't pass away in my sleep. I didn't take his advice for a couple reason. First I would never get to sleep with a Hannibal Lechter mask on my head (and don't tell me I would get "used to it"). Secondly, I have lived a long and good life and I am ready to go. Of course I would like to hang around for a lot longer but not in an enfeebled state like so many of my friends who have since departed. Of course none of us has a choice in how we make our exit. But I definitely do not want to die violently. Of course that would be quick but still, I'm not into pain or gore. The other way is to die slowly from a disease like Parkinson's like my friend Bob. To me the absolute worst way to die is in a coma, totally aware of what is going on around you while you're totally disabled. Unless you take your life into your own hands (always a possibility but not preferable), none of us knows how or when we will die. But last night I had a dream. I didn't dream how I would die but I dreamt when I would die. It was clear as a bell, the date. Usually when I have dreams I don't remember much of my dreams, only if the dream was bad or good. This one last night was disturbing. Can't say bad or good. But I remember the date. I will die in 2033. Make the date down. I'll be 92 years old when I make my grand exit. I'll take that.
Another Christmas has come and gone. Is it me or does Christmas seem to roll around faster each year? I think it's me. Time is running out on me folks. But I'm telling you, I'm having one helluva good time during my last act. Take for instance last night while I was working at the hotel. My new friends Mike and Bob stopped by for a visit. Hardly had they left than I looked up from my desk when I heard a lady say "Ron?" I looked up to see the smiling face of Susan Mc. Susan is a local long time faithful blog follower of this blog. She has never left a comment on my blog but she assures me she always reads my blog. Well, this was a pleasant surprise to see Susan again. The last time I saw her was few years when we during the Bloggerpalooza. Susan just happened to be at the same local restaurant (The Backyard) in Milton where I was having lunch with Dr. Spo and his entourage of blogger friends. She noticed us at our table and approached as asked if that was Spo. Sure was. Here are the photos of that unexpected surprise meeting.
"Are you Spo?" (March 2014)
"That would be me"
"What a small world!"
Dr. Spo and Susan post for the official picture at the Backyard Restaurant
Susan appeared with homemade cookies! Super! She said she read my post where I said the one Christmas present I wished I would get was homemade Christmas cookies. What a wonderful surprise!
Me and Susan last night when she surprised me with a gift of homemade Christmas cookies
Thank you Susan. You made my Christmas! Folks, I am so glad I blog. Just look at the friends I have made. Dr. Spo, Pat, Susan,Randy, Nadege, and Tony, and so many more that I haven't met in person like Ray, Jon, and Mike Wilson . Blogging has changed my life, for the better. Way better.
Good morning folks! Tis Christmas morning here at Casa Tipton-Kelly. Just another day, albeit quiet and peaceful outside. This is the one day a year that the roads are almost deserted. I guess the few cars on the roads are the peoples going to work, like I will be going work at the hotel later today. Bill and I exchanged Christmas cards this morning and reaffirmed our love and devotion to each other for another year. We dispensed with the gift exchanging years ago. We have everything we need and what we (me actually) want I get during the year. Mr. Impulse Buyer, no patience here. I remember when I was a kid and my Mother would take me along with her to visit an elderly relative on Christmas Day. I was always struck and saddened by the quietness of their homes and if there was any Christmas decorations up at all it was usually some sad little dusty ceramic Christmas tree. No glittering eight foot tall trie with gayly colored bubble lights and presents festooned at the base of the tart forest smell of the pine tree. "How sad!" I thought. But now I am one of those elderly folk and I understand. And you know what? I'm not sad. I really do understand. Christmas is mainly for small children and of course those others who choose to celebrate differently than I do, which is very low key. I am happy for whichever way you choose to celebrate Christmas. But to me Christmas is the one time of year in which I reaffirm my love to Bill and my gratitude for my friends and relatives who are still in my life. There will come a day, and probably not too far in the future, that I will no longer post to this blog. Either from my demise or incapacity but that day will come. But for now folks, I wish you all a wonderful, happy, joyous, and peaceful Christmas. Much love.
Me, Christmas 1969 Philadelphia, PA (That painting of the ship on the wall was the first Christmas present Bill gave to me. It is my favorite of all time and hangs over my bed today, as fresh as it was the day he gave it to me 48 years ago)
Today is Christmas Eve and the roads are almost traffic free. Bill and I took a quick ride down this morning to our new friends Mike and Bob. Bill had not met Bob yet and I wanted to take some of my once a year special treat Christmas Cookies. We had a nice visit and came back on an almost deserted Route One, which was fabulous. There are only a couple times a year that I get to enjoy deserted roadways, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. I love it! Any hoo, I want to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas from me and Bill and an extremely happy and healthy New Year. Remember, DON'T FALL! Peace and love to all!
Organizing my photos I've notice a trend with a certain Canadian friend of mine. Is it me or does Pat seem to place rabbit ears surreptitiously when no one is looking. Hmmm.
