"The Color Of Love..."

For Lemar

"It's Not So Funny..."

We all know the MAGA deceived...

Don't write them off, help them to see the truth

"A Thought To Ponder..."

Remind your MAGA friends...

"The Views To Love..."

"This Made Me Smile..."

Friends

"Unintentionally Gay..."

Me: I see a festive Santa belt donut

Friend: I see a ball gag, we are not the same

"I Am Always Remembering..."

The truth is I remember seeing and using all these products and in these packages. Yes, for you younger folks, TP used to come in an array of pastel colors to coordinate with your bathroom tiles. During holidays, I remember TP printed with holiday motifs like holly and jolly Santas! Do they even make aerosol and roll-on deodorants anymore...? 

 

When I was young, almost everything came in glass bottles and metal cans including soda pop. As I marveled at recognizing everything in this photo it reminded me of just how old I am. It also reminded me of the curse of growing old, and that is having the dreams of men still young. Many of my wildest dreams came true, at least in part or for a short while... so although I have regrets, they're far fewer than I would have imagined having at this stage in my life.

Every day I'm reminded that I'm in the final stretch of this race we call life. I heard yesterday that an old friend (and I don't have many friends, old or otherwise) died of a sudden heart attack at home on Sunday. My friend Derrick was just a couple of years older than me. My brother died this year and he was just 10 years older than me, in fact of the six of us brothers and sisters I grew up with, the three oldest are gone now. It's sobering to realize you're probably next.

I'm definitely not lamenting the end of life approaching, at least not today. I have many memories to look back on and I am always remembering. I hope I might live as long as my parents, but if not, if I can at least be productive and stay active for whatever time is left, I'll be happy.

"The Color Of Love..."

"The Truth About Canadians..."

Can you tell I love my neighbors across the river...?

Husband and I got married in Canada in 2011, 4 years before

Obergefell v. Hodges made it possible throughout the U.S.

"Happy Canada Day!"

"O Canada"

O Canada! Our home and native land!

True patriot love in all of us command,

Car ton bras sait porter l'épée,

Il sait porter la croix!

Ton histoire est une épopée

Des plus brillants exploits,

God keep our land glorious and free!

O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

Congratulations, Dear Friends!

158 Years of Freedom

"A Little Sane Advice..."

For those of you who were thinking of a visit to North America...

"The Truth About Canada..."

The views of my hometown of Detroit, Michigan 

from Downtown Windsor, Ontario, Canada

Detroit and Windsor are sisters cities directly across from each other on the Detroit River which forms a part of the border between the U.S. and Canada. The U.S - Canada border is the longest undefended border in the world, and Detroit - Windsor is its busiest crossing point between our two nations. Our two cities are connected by a bridge and two of the world's first and oldest underwater tunnels linking two nations. Detroit and Windsor are so interconnected that soon a new bridge linking the two and paid for entirely by our neighbor Canada will open to supplement the existing crossings which support the fair and friendly trade between our two nations. 

Most folks in Detroit and everywhere else along the border would say that Canadians are our friends, neighbors and work colleagues. They are a kinder, friendlier, more welcoming version of us, they are not our enemies, they are our staunchest allies, rescuers and defenders in the world. Like many Detroiters, I am proud to call Canadians my friends. I have only admiration, appreciation and the very highest regard for our friends across the river. When we recover from our insanity, I hope they can forgive us. Having known, worked and lived with Canadians, I know they will.

"The Truth About This Famous Photo..."

 "The Kiss of Life"

A utility worker giving mouth-to-mouth to his co-worker after he contacted a 4,000 volt power line

Taken in 1967 by Rocco Morabito, this photo called “The Kiss of Life” shows a utility worker named J.D. Thompson giving mouth-to-mouth to co-worker Randall G. Champion after he fell unconscious following contact with a low voltage line. Thompson over 400 feet away recognized the critical situation and ran to the pole and scaled it to reach Champion. Realizing champion wasn’t breathing he delivered mouth-to-mouth respirations and chest compressions while supporting his friend; a super impressive feat given the angle and precarious height involved. 

This all happened oddly on Champions work anniversary. And in a stranger twist of fate, Rocco Morabito, a newspaper photographer who had been covering a strike down the road with Eastern Freight happened to be nearby with his camera. This photo won Morabito the Pulitzer Prize for journalism photography. 

Champion survived the incident and returned to work a mere week later. He would live another 35 years passing away in 2002. Morabito lived to age 88, passing away in 2009. J.D. Thompson the famed rescuer throughout his life has expressed humility about his role, stating that he simply did what anyone would have done to save a friend. As of this writing "Johnny" J.D. Thompson is still living in Florida and was honored last year with a proclamation of heroism and the naming of a street in his honor in Jacksonville.

Former Jacksonville City Electric lineman J.D. Thompson, at center in light blue shirt, is honored Nov. 12, 2024 with a City Council proclamation commending him for his 1967 rescue of fellow lineman Randall Champion. 

"The Dreams Of Men Still Young..."

"We Were Always There..."

"I Am Always Remembering..."

In the irony of ironies, today is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day... But another event happening today will not stop me from celebrating the life and accomplishments of this real American patriot.

I was born just in time to experience the blessings for which this great man gave his all. I am proud to remember his sacrifice in thankfulness. I recall the many battles fought for freedom and I know many are yet to be won.

To my friends who believe today is a reason to celebrate for other reasons, I harbor no ill will towards you. I believe in letting everyone believe whatsoever they will...You are still my friends. In my heart of hearts, I hope you are right and that I am wrong to live in fear of what will come. Nevertheless, for today I will dwell no more on my fears, but live in hopes for tomorrow.

"Fear Eats the Soul"

"We Were Always There..."

"A Sad Story In Six Words..."

We're afraid of what they'll say...

"A Thought To Ponder..."

It's a funny thing to grow older...

I recognize everything in this photo and remember when it was all very stylish and the state of the art.  Now, I can show this photo to young grown folks who don't understand any of it.

For a friend

I am always remembering...

"This Made Me Smile..."

This reminds me of a cute story I first heard from a former farmboy buddy in the Navy

A terrible storm and tornado came up and the farmer and his family took shelter in their cellar. When the twister had passed by, the farmer came out to inspect the damage. His barn was blown down, his chickens had been blown down, his sheep had been blown down, and even his horses had been blown down. But off in the clearing he saw his prize bull was standing proud. He walked over to his bull and scratched his head, asking, "The chickens and the sheep and the horses got blown down, how'd you manage to stay standing?" The bull simply replied, "We bulls wobble, but we don't fall down!"