Relaxing

Finally, time for relaxing.

The past month has been busy.  My annual birthday trip to Philly. The shock of the election results. The hours and hours getting all of our ducks in line for Bill's cataract surgery.  

Each day it seems all my waking hours are chore filled.  Yesterday I decided to treat myself.  

I went down to the Bose outlet store in Rehoboth beach and brought one of those cool WiFi speakers.  This was a combined birthday/Christmas gift from me to me.  Oh I do treat myself well these days.  No more putting things off until "later."  "Later" is here now.  

So I had a little fun this morning. The video above is one I took of Bill listening to the polka radio station I created for him.  Bill loves polka.  I do too.

The video that follows is one that I posted to Facebook this morning.  I never did learn how to polka dance.  But I had fun anyway. I may have turned 75 years old a few weeks ago but I'm still young a heart.  I will never act as an old man.  Except of course when I first get out of bed in the morning, getting my arthritic body moving.  But once I get started, watch 

out.

Canadian National Exhibition

Yesterday, Pat and I spent a full day at the Canadian National Exhibition. 

What is the CNE you ask?  It is a national (Canadian) celebration. Last year was the first time I attended and that was strictly by a fluke.  I just happened to be visiting my friend Pat in Toronto while the CNE was in progress.  I had such a good time last year at the CNE I made it a point to visit Canada again when the CNE was in full progress.

What a full day we had.  I am exhausted as is Pat.  

We start out early in the afternoon (2:30 PM) and didn't leave until 11:00 PM last night.  We took public transportation down and back.  A mixture of trolley, subway and buses.  I sure am glad Pat knows his way around Toronto because if I attempted to do that by myself, I would still be wandering around in downtown Toronto asking questions how to get back to Tinytown (which is where Pat lives).

So what did we do besides walk a lot, eat a lot and, did I say walk a lot? 

Pat talked me into see a dog show.

 
I was reluctant but now I'm glad he took me because I had a fabulous time watching those dogs do their antics.

We also saw two musical performances.  One was Lee Harvey Osmond (similar sounding name, right? to someone we ALL know).  The other was Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.  All fabulous!  Nothing like live musical performances.  Nothing like FREE live musical performances! 



We took two rides.  One on a Ferris Wheel.  Lots of fun.  The other on the Magic Mouse (I think that's the name).  It's a roller coaster.  Pat and I promptly lost our favorite hats two minutes into that herky, jerky ride.  Those hats, that were so loved by us, are now laying abandoned on the discarded cigarette butt ground amongst the steel rod construction of that ride.  Ces't la vie dear hats.  We'll never have that recipe again.  Today, of course, we're on a mission to replace those hats. 

Eat, God did we ever eat.  The CNE food court is HUGE.  So much to choose from.  All delicious except for one burrito that I got that was basically canned baked beans and wilted iceberg lettuce.  That sad torpedo promptly was deposited into the trash after my second bite when I determined I was eating a big tasteless mess.  Oh well, I got a falafel wrap that quickly assuaged my sour puss countenance. 




Folks, I did a lot of walking yesterday and buy the end of the day I really was dragging. Walking had always been my big thing.  However, after yesterday, I'm really feeling my age.  I don't know if my fatigue was caused my my leg injury this year that is still in the process of healing or just the fact that I'm a 73 year old man trying to carry on like a 37 year old.  In my mind I'm 37 but I think my body is trying to tell me something different.  

Today is a quiet, recoup day.  We've been pretty busy ever since I landed in Buffalo last Wednesday.  Pat has been the perfect tour director.  Hey folks, I wish you could all have a friend like Pat.  

Pat is off to yogi day, taking a short break from keeping me entertained.  I think I'll take a short nap before leaving this front door to my right and seeing what delights and adventures that Toronto has to offer today.  

Carpe diem!

Having Way Too Much Fun

Me, Lar and Pat back from our annual Old Time Photo shoot

Short post today folks.  Maybe my shortest post since I began blogging in 2005 (has it been ten years already)?

Pat continues his visit to Delaware.  Two more days and he boards his overnight bus trip back to his home in Toronto.  In the meantime we're having a fabulous time.

Yesterday was Old Time Photo Day with our friend Larry.  

Can't post more today because we're about to take off our today's adventures.  

Hopefully I'll be able to post more tomorrow (but I doubt it).  If not, I'll catch up next week.  Loads of photos and videos (534 so far).  

Hope you're all having wonderful time too!

Bloggerpalooza Afterglow

Group photo of 2014 Bloggerpalooza attendees 

Yes folks, the banner photo on top of this blog is new, taken yesterday after the "Last Blast" (I hope so) snowstorm of Sunday.  Yes, MORE SNOW.  AND COLD.  AND WIND.  Will this winter ever end?  One thing for sure, I am sick to death of this winter.  Even as I type this entry, the wind is howling outside my little bedroom converted into a home office window.  And to think just last week I had Miguel, my landscaper, lay mulch around all my flower beds in anticipation of all the spring flowers just ready to burst into bloom.  

The Inn At Canal Square, Lewes, DE - site of the Bloggerpalooza event - sans snow

So folks, here we are in the afterglow of the second annual Bloggerpalooza.  I've already checked out some of the photos posted by some of the attendees on their blogs.  We have some great photos, including those of me dressed in drag which I greatly regret having done.  

Everyone is keeping their distance from the old "Madame" and I don't blame them

WHAT.WAS.I.THINKING?  First time in drag for me since I was ten years old and went out trick or treating Halloween 1952.  I'm going to blame my lack of judgement on Dr. Spo.  When I saw him go for the silk and plumes I thought I could get away with it too.  But as you see from the results, I'm just sad whereas Dr. Spo provided a whimsical fancy departure from his usual butch appearance.

Gorgeous Dr. Spo with his signature red bow tie

I'm still recovering from running this event.  The day after the event, I slept straight through for 11 hours, solid.  When I woke up I felt like I was rising from the dead.  I'm still a bit wiped out.  It will probably take me a week to fully recover. 

But I am glad to say that last week's Bloggerpalooza was successful.  Lots of smiles and only a few glitches, like that round-about way I lead everyone to the Mexican restaurant on Friday night.  I was trying to do three things at the same time; directing Pat (who was driving), texting Mark H. so he wouldn't arrive at the wrong restaurant and answer all of Randy's questions (who was riding in the back of the car).  Next thing I knew Pat made a wrong turn and was traveling down the wrong street, in the dark.  Then when we arrived at La Quetzalteca

La Quetzalteca Restaurant - Millsboro, DE

the restaurant had not reserved our tables (as I had requested two nights before, maybe something was lost in translation) and then, the place was packed with families and a squalling baby (why of why do parents bring their BABIES to restaurants)? But that is a subject for another whole blog posting.  

"Where's our table?"

That was Friday night.  Saturday night went more smoothly.  More later, much more.

Watch out when these two are hatching something up

Bloggerrama -2014

Hey guys!  I've been racking my brain for something new, different and exciting to do at the next Bloggerama.  I think I found it.  Check it out!

I can see me, Anne Marie, Jay, Wayne and especially Sassy Bear taking on the bull now.  FUN!  

And Mark will take pictures and we can all relive the fun again.....and again.  

So what do you think?  Can we have a bull run through downtown Lewes?  Now admit wouldn't you like to see this bull take a run down Rehoboth Avenue in the height of the season?  Now that would be an EVENT.

Bloggerpalooza - Party Night!

All too soon the Bloggerpalooza is over. And I am happy to report our event was a smashing success!

Thanks to all of you who traveled to Lewes, Delaware to meet fellow bloggers.  I've heard it said that bloggers are the best people in the world and our Bloogerpalooza this weekend proved that way and beyond our fondest expectations.  Everything went perfect.  

This was a gathering of folks who were willing to suspend their adult worries and concerns temporarily and have a good time with new found friends.  Everyone, without exception, were wonderful.  Thank you all.

The video above, which was taken by Someone attests to that fact.  Our gathering was indeed a "Sea of Love".

I wish you could have all attended but for those of you who didn't, enjoy just this little snippet of the wonderful time we had this weekend.

Love you all!

How To Stay Young

This morning while I was out shopping (in a snowstorm yet) for the final touches to the Bloggerpalooza, Bill said to me "What?  Are you in your second childhood?"  A valid question since I entered my eight decade of existence on this earth.  Born in 1941, a month before Pearl Harbor, I am now of the older generation.  But you know what folks?  I don't feel that way. Oh sure, when I get up on the morning I ache all over.  "Arthur Ritis" is a permanent guest in my house.  

Hi, my name is "Ron" and I'm an Oldie Goldie

My body may be aging, I may be more forgetful these days with more and more of my brain cells dying off but I have never lost the zest for life.  

Smiling, even in the dentist's chair!

I still love music, from the Fifties through the Sixties to the Seventies (perhaps my favorite decade) and even the Eighties.  Hey, there is even music today (Adele) that I love.  And I love glitter.  Oh boy do I ever LOVE glitter.

I've never lost my sense of humor or my fondness for teasing.  Thank God I haven't turned into one of those curmudgeons like so many men of my age.  Have you seen some of those guys?  They look like constipated bullfrogs.  

Add caption

So there I was this morning at Michael's, buying tiaras for the Bloggerpalooza (I heard there were some queens attending) and Bill says "You must be in your second childhood."  No folks, I never grew out of my original childhood.  And I hope I never do.

Some lucky person at the Bloggerpalooza will get this hat at a drawing at the Bloggerpalooza

More I "Never Did That!"

Hey folks, my "Things I Never Did Meme" was so popular and fun that I decided to do another.  Here goes:

1. I've never visited the Grand Canyon (would love to someday but not by myself)
2. Never been arrested (although most of my friends have)
3. Never had a mug shot taken (although most of my friends have)
4. Never got a traffic ticket (did get a warning once for speeding from a very cute and YOUNG officer)
5. Never told anyone to go "F_CK" themselves to their face 
6. Never looked on someone else's desk (at work) when they were away to gain information (although I have since found out most people do)
7. Never been to the top of the Philadelphia City Hall (although worked right next to City Hall for over thirty years and always meant to go there one day)
8. Never soaped up a car or strung toilet paper for a Halloween prank
9. Never learned how to do Algebra
10. Never built a model airplane (or ship)
11. Never flew in a helicopter
12. Never been catheterized (although I understand that will end soon when I undergo prostate therapy treatment...oh God)
13. Never went hunting (although I disrupted some hunters on my land)
14. Never rode a dune buggy or an ATV (and never will)
15. Never danced a waltz (or polka) - would love to learn

That's it for now folks.  Next up is "Things That I Have Did Which Would Surprise You".

Thing's I've Never Done Meme

Time for a fun post.  I got this idea from Dr. Spo Jim.  This is a meme for things I've never done.  This one will be easy for me because there are a LOT of things I've never done.

1. I've never married
2. I've never had sex with a woman
3. I've never done coke or heroin
4. I've never been to any foreign country except Canada
5. I've never changed a flat tire
6. I've never skied, water or snow
7. I've never driven in a city
8. I've never eaten lamb
9. I've never seen a rock concert in person
10. I've never seen a Broadway show
11. I've never had a published work
12. I've never eaten clams
13. I've never been to a Nascar race or any race (horse included)
14. I've never been in a movie or TV show
15. I've never been part of a foursome
16. I've never seen a Moose in person
17. I've never sold any of my artwork
18. I've never won any race I've been in
19. I've never eaten eel
20. I've never punched a person in the face (slapped yes)
21. I've never been knocked unconscious
22. I've never killed an animal bigger than a  chicken
23. I've never met Jennifer Lopez (nor do I want to)
24. I've never met Bradley Cooper (but I do in the worst way)
25. I never went deep sea fishing
26. I've never had my appendix removed (or gall bladder)
27. I've never mucked a horse stable
28. I've never ridden a horse
29. I never rode on my father's shoulders (or any other man for that matter)
30. I never had a sister
31. I never had a child (see #2)
32. I never had a swimming pool (one lifetime goal unrealized)
33. I've never had an affair with a black or Asian man 
34. I've never had a party at my house
35. I've never owned a snake
36. I've never changed the oil in a car
37. I've never bought diamond rings for anyone but myself
38. I never learned a foreign language
39. I never learned how to play the piano
40. I never learned how to crochet (but I can do crewel and counted cross stitch)
41. I never laid a brick (but I have laid some men)
42. I never rode a tractor
43. I never went on a cruise to the Bahamas
44. I never met a person I didn't like initially
45. I never wrote a song
46. I never sky dived (or bungee jumped)
47. I never ate an insect intentionally
48. I never felt a woman's breasts (ewww!)
49. I never wore a white, silk, slinky dress
50. I never changed a diaper (yet)

There, that was easy!  Next up, a partial list of what I have done.  A censored list that is.

Halloween - 1979

Me -Halloween - 1980

Halloween is my all time favorite holiday. When I was young I could hardly wait for Halloween to arrive so I could dress up and go trick or treating. When I was young (the Fifties), trick or treating was a serious activity because we were so poor and I loved candy.  Halloween was an opportunity to clean up and get a LOT of candy for Ron.  There I go talking in the third person (feels good sometimes).

We lived in an apartment building on Washington Avenue in Downingtown, Pennsylvania which was/is a small town thirty-seven miles west of Philadelphia.  I went to the East Ward Elementary School which was also on Washington Avenue, three blocks away from where I lived.  Those three blocks from our second floor apartment building to the school was my trick or treat destination at Halloween.

Scarlett O'Hara

I bet you're wondering what costume I wore.  You are aren't you?  You say you're not?  Well, I'll tell you.  This is something I've never divulged to anyone before in my adult life but I'll do it now.  What the hell?  What do I have to lose now?  I dressed as Scarlett O'Hara in "Gone With The Wind!"  Yes folks, Butch Ron dressed in a big hoop skirt and sashayingdown Washington Avenue in drag!  Thank goodness I left that phase.  Not that there is anything wrong with drag queens but that wasn't Ron's future (there I go in the third person again.)

Me and my friend Bob dressed as monsters -  during out Philadelphia Gay Bar Tour - 1979

After I grew out of trick or treating, I didn't dress up for Halloween.  Many years went by until I got in "drag" again for Halloween.  The year was 1979.  I talked my good friend Bob into going out with me dressed as Frankenstein (he) and me as a vampire.  We planned to hit the gay bars that had Halloween parties.  We had a ball!  In fact we had such a good time that we went out two nights in a row.  The second night I went as The Wolfman.

"Frankie" feeling my ass

For the second might Bob and I attended a Halloween Party at the Gay Community Center in Philadelphia.  Funny thing happen to me.  I got drunk~!  I was pretty well out of it but I do remember one guy who approached me in my drunken state.  I had my mask on and was sweating profusely.  I guess he liked what he saw with my Wolfman raggedy pants with the rope belt because he asked me what I really looked like.  I took my Wolfman mask off.  He took on look and said "Put it back on."  WHAT? !  I half expected him to ask me to go home with him and do the nasty with my mask on.  He didn't.  I wouldn't have anyway.  Are you kidding?

Me and my friend Bob at the Philadelphia Gay Community Center - 1979 - look at those teeth!

From the Gay Community Center shindig Bob and I stumbled down Broad Street to make fools out of ourselves in several of the gay bars.  I don't remember much, just patches.  I did meet a couple of guys but nothing came of it.  Ron was smashed.

This is the guy who told me to put my Wolfman mask back on.  Note that there are two weird things about this photo.  There is an extra hand and I am in the photo TWICE!  My friend Bob took the picture and it was a double exposure.  Actually it turned out alright I think.

Bob and I continued on our Bar Tour and ended up at the Midway Bar on 13th Street.  By this time I was feeling NO PAIN and very VULNERABLE.  I think I made it home alone that night.  Not sure though, much of the night was a blur.

"Miss Piggy" hugs an unmasked Wolfman

One of the best pictures I have of my time in a gay bar, in fact the ONLY picture I have is the one below.  I'm not sure who took it.  The picture is a double exposure that shows me with a new "friend" and my friend Bob off to the right keeping an eye on me so I don't fall flat on my face.  I think that was the most drunk I've been in my life.  Actually, it wasn't that much fun being drunk.  I could never be an alcoholic, I like to know what I'm doing.  I don't mind a buzz but not falling down, toilet bowl barfing drunk.

An "accidental" collage of me (bottom left), Miss Piggy and friend (middle) and my friend Bob (on the right)

The next year, 1980, I also dressed up for Halloween and did the Gay Bar Tour thing again.  This time I was smart and didn't get drunk and thus enjoyed myself so much more.  There was one problem though, I dressed as an Arab sheik.  I had a problem, this was the year of the gas shortages.  When I walked into the first bar I was the target of not a little hostility of several bar patrons.  I realized that I had chosen an inappropriate costume.  I asked the bartender if he had a bag.  He did.  I took my costume off and continued my bar tour dressed in my regular 40 year old gay man attire.  That worked.

Me in work drag (my bank job) - celebrating the Philadelphia Phillies 1980 World Series win

The Essential Ron

Yes folks, this is "The Essential Ron."  Yesterday my friends Paul, Jack and I visited the Old Time Photo shop in Rehoboth (yes, I went back) and I have to tell you I am very pleased with this photo.  I think it captures my essential core just right.  I am convinced now that I was a cowpoke in one of my previous lives.  I am so comfortable in this getup.  Not for me the typical gay pride getup of femme drag, I go for Cowboy Drag anytime!

Number Two Saga

WARNING!  NOT A SEXY BLOG POSTING!  


Well folks, I passed the test!  My friend JeBblend.  Sounds sexy doesn't it?  Well, it is not.  Let me tell you what Herbal Fiber Blend is.  It is a ground up concoction of weeds (basically) that we mix with water and take twenty minutes before eating in the morning and the evening so as to create a torpedo stool to relive our constipation.  Hey, I told you it wasn't sexy...unless you're into that kind of thing (which I am definitely NOT).


For years Jeff and I suffered chronic constipation.  Then, about fifteen years ago Jeff found this concoction sold by the AIM Companies that 'guaranteed' relief from chronic constipation.  First thing I thought was "Sure, sure."  Both Jeff and I had brought the over the counter constipation relief medications (?) over the years like Metamucil.  The only thing that ever worked for us was Ex-Lax.  I didn't want to spend a life addicted to Ex-Lax like my father.  When he went to the bathroom he exploded.  Ah yes, what a mess that was.  Of course he never cleaned it up.  So, we would seek relief from our 'bound' condition with Ex-Lax and the such, all the while looking for a life changer for our bowel movements.  Starting to wonder if you should continue to read this post?  Remember, I warned you...NOT A SEXY POST.


The only catch to the Herbal Fiber Blend constipation relief medicine was the expense.  It costs $40 a container.  You put those containers on the store shelves at that cost and no matter how well it works NOBODY is going to buy it.  That's why we have to order it by mail.

Your every day grocery shopper just doesn't put out that kind of bucks for any product, let alone a popper helper. 

So, I ordered some and voilà! IT WORKED!  Still, there was the expense.  At the time I first ordered it,the cost was $36 a container.  Now it is $40.  If I ordered in bulk (no pun intended) I got a discount.  So I order in bulk.  And ever since that happy day several years ago I have been faithfully taking my ground up weeds and bark and I've been a 'regular guy.'   In fact, discovering AIM Herbal Fiberblend has probably saved my life.  Now I'm not biting off heads and during one of my extended periods of not visiting the bathroom.  

And believe me, there were days that Bill headed for the hills and he found that I hadn't gone to the bathroom that morning because he knew he was in for a rough day.  Now that I'm a 'regular guy', I'm happy..Bill is happy...my co-workers are happy (they got it too from me) and just about anyone who comes in contact with me sees a pleasant and relaxed Ron.  

So Jeff calls me this afternoon.  Remember, Jeff is losing his mental capabilities.  He called to tell me he ordered too much of the Poop Medicine (which is what we REALLY call it...actually we call it something else which is a four letter word beginning with "S" and ending with "T" but this is a family blog so I'll let the reader figure it out for him/herself).  Jeff tells me he ordered too much and would I like to have the rest of it?  WHAT?  Do I use more than he uses?  This doesn't make sense.  You take it twice a day, once in the mooring (two heaping tablespoons) and once in the evening, twenty minutes before the meal.  The stuff is GROUND UP WEEDS!  IT'S FIBER!  IT DOESN'T GO BAD!  

I patiently tell Jeff (a non de plume by the way, name changed out of respect for the privacy of my long time friend) that "No, I don't want it.  You keep it.  It doesn't go bad."  He said "I think I messed up and ordered too much."  I tell him...again..."No, it doesn't go bad.  Keep it.  In fact, when you order it in bulk (no pun intended...again), you get it cheaper."  Then he says "Oh yeah, that's probably why I ordered so much."  

So there we go folks, another episode in the continuing saga of me and my longtime friend Jeff, is is slowly sinking into dementia.  

Ironically, the first time I met Jeff was when we were both attending Army Security Agency School in Ft. Devens, Massachusetts in April of 1960.  We both kept running into each other at the Service Club bathroom. No, no, no.  Don't get the wrong idea.  Even though were both gay (and we didn't know that at that time), we were using the Service club bathrooms because they had individual stalls.  Our bathroom facilities (called latrines - remember that term your former Army guys?) back at our barracks consisted of a row IN THE OPEN of twelve toilets.  I don't know about you but when I'm doing a Number Two I want to do it in private, especially if I'm constipated.  "Going" is a big event and I want to savor that in privacy and not during a conversation with one of my fellow Army buddies who has the Sunday funnies spread out before him while he's taking his daily bowel movement (keeping with the family friendly blog here.)  

So Jeff and I kept running into each other entering the Service Club Mens' Room.  After we got to know each other better we had a good laugh at our modesty.  Over the years we always used to joke about how we 'met' the first time.  

When Jeff began to lose his mental facilities a few years ago he often forget to take his 'medicine.' As a result he got 'plugged up' again, which didn't help his mental or physical condition because when you're constipated you become very lethargic.  When I was around him I would ask him if he was taking his 'medicine.'  His answer always was 'I can't remember.'   Poor Jeff, I couldn't help him because I don't live with him. His partner 'Mutt', the one I don't like, is a former nurse.  One would think he would see to it that his long time partner got his 'medicine' on a timely basis.  That isn't happening though.  As I've said in previous blog postings, 'Mutt' is so into himself  he is capable of helping anyone else.  That's why I don't like him and why I don't visit them anymore, which is the real shame. 

But I will be forever grateful to my longtime friend 'Jeff' for introducing me to AIM Herbal Fiberblend.  Thank you 'Jeff.'  And I remember the old times when we were both 'regular' friends.