love the moment

I don't know about you, but the recent election has sparked a great deal of introspection and consideration for me. Initially, my reaction was nearly despairing, and resulted in almost a sense of grieving. And certainly, there is great opportunity for finger pointing, blame shifting, and circling the wagons for an even larger battle in the "Us versus Them" conflict. Something on which America seems to thrive. Thankfully, and some part due to the comments of Bill Maher and other thoughtful Liberals, I have begun to shift my perspective. First, I need to recognize my own role in both change and in the current reality in which we live. As Gandhi has told us, "You must be the change you want to see in the world." It is easy for me to point an accusing finger at those that mirror to me those parts of myself I dislike - either current me or past me. The American Ideal of "rugged individualism" has brought many benefits to us. Ou...

It is a common misunderstanding that leprosy is a disease that causes limbs to decay and dismember. Although partially, true, let me clarify. Leprosy is only the contributing cause to the loss of limbs. Leprosy causes nerve damage which results in a loss of sensation. That loss of sensation leads to repeated injuries which then lead to tissue damage and - finally - loss of limbs and other disfigurations. You see, nerves are meant to warn us when something is too hot, or too cold, or too tight. Nerves communicate pain - which is a protectant. I have lately taken up yoga lessons. My patient spouse is diligent in her collaboration with the teacher to keep me from overdoing it. What the teacher tells me (repeatedly) is that "if this hurts, you're probably doing it wrong". Of course, I - like you - continue to overdo and, as a result, unnecessarily injure myself. My most recent result is a pulled left hamstring which has me hobbling like the 59 year-old ...

Stories I've given up on stories for awhile I find them much too taxing All of those plot lines And character development Is For now Overwhelming Instead I've chosen to become Something else Until further notice I declare myself a Photographer Stories have so much baggage Stories have so much weight The writer has a perspective Which sometimes Inhibits Truth Stories change with the writer Dependent upon the reader's mood A picture is simple A point in time With no before and after It is free to be exactly True We should be so lucky dg Sent from my iPad

Suffice it to say, this past week has been a trying one on many levels. The election of a man who has stoked the fires of racist, misogynistic, homophobic hatred is earth-shaking. Stay tuned for my next post "Before and After Selma". But for today, I want to pay tribute to my buddy, my companion, my hero - Jake. The first time I met Jake was when I came to pick up Lisa for our first date. Jake, ever Lisa's protector, quickly deemed me an unknown threat - and nearly broke the door down as I walked up to the front door at 908 Cherry Grove Road. Jake and I worked on our relationship, and eventually Jake adopted me into his herd. Anyone so honored, can testify to his unwavering vigilance and protection. In the attached photo, mere moments away from his death, and on a day where he himself was suffering greatly, Jake mustered himself to warn and monitor the approaching van of the veterinarian who would end his suffering. Even as I write these words, there is a lump ...

The Battle of the Bulge (16 December 1944 – 25 January 1945) was the last major German offensive campaign of World War II. The Germans achieved total surprise on the morning of 16 December 1944 due to a combination of Allied overconfidence, preoccupation with Allied offensive plans, and poor aerial reconnaissance. The Germans attacked a weakly defended section of the Allied line, taking advantage of heavily overcast weather conditions, which grounded the Allies' overwhelmingly superior air forces. The surprise attack caught the Allied forces completely off guard. American forces bore the brunt of the attack and incurred their highest casualties for any operation during the war. The battle also severely depleted Germany's armored forces, and they were largely unable to replace them. The offensive was planned by the German forces with utmost secrecy. Intercepted communications indicating a major German offensive were not acted upon by the Allies. The Germans...

Yesterday was a good day. After a lazy morning - coffee by the fireplace and conversation with my lover - we drive to a delicious brunch, a bourbon acquisition trip, and a trip to the haberdashery for some new man-threads. All in all, it came close to the ideal Saturday morning for two middle-aged, successful working professionals. I was aware of how lucky we are. Later in the day, on my way to the hardware store, I take a cut-through to avoid snarled traffic and notice an older gentleman with a gray ponytail and a tattered suit slowly shuffling in the alley behind a strip mall. It would not be unusual for someone to be walking on such a beautiful fall day - but something caught my eye as I considered him in the rear view mirror. As I watched, he sat down awkwardly on the curb and looked down at the pavement. So, here I am - in the convertible with the top down - aware of a fellow human being - and something told me that I must turn around. So I did. I drove up...