APRIL
1
April 2016 Friday
It
is thought that the Romans gave this month the Latin name Aprilis from the verb
aperire, "to open", in allusion to when trees and flowers begin to
"open". Others suggest that Aprilis was originally named Aphrilis.
This is the goddess Venus' month and the name may have come from her equivalent
Greek name Aphrodite. Venus' Veneralia was held on the first day when people
asked for her help in affairs of the heart, sex, betrothal and marriage. The
Anglo-Saxons called April ēastre-monaþ named after a goddess Eostre whose feast
was in month. Welcome April whoever you are. Last night Maxx had his first
"accident" in the house rather than go outside in the rain to do his
business. When I discovered it he acted fearful like I'd whip him or scold him
but instead I just petted him and reassured him that he won't ever be whipped
by me... I just told him don't do it too often for outside is for pooping... We
all poop ...it’s a sign we are still alive... Love is worth a few
unpleasantries. Going to Plan B Theater tonight with Jim Dabakis ...I am
wearing my Hillary shirt and hat Lol The play was one of the worse play of my
life lol...Kingdom of Heaven at Plan B...what was Jerry Rapier thinking? I
don't need to go to LDS Conference because I got it all tonight watching a
Mormon Housewife have a crisis of faith because she wants to wear sweat pants
and sing as a Drag King in a Gay Bar although she is not Gay...on top of that
it was a musical! Lol absolutely no camp... I would have walked out if not for
Jim... I kid you not there was a bearing of her testimony monologue... Then we
went to Squatters and at 9:30 they said there was a 30 minute wait for two
people! So we left! That show was an April Fool’s joke at its best. The
Washington Post quoted political scholars Thomas Mann and Norman Ornstein on
the breakdown in American politics and zeroed in their blame squarely on
Republicans "The GOP has become an insurgent outlier in American politics.
It is ideologically extreme; scornful of compromise; unmoved by conventional
understanding of facts, evidence and science; and dismissive of the legitimacy
of its political opposition." God finally the media is saying what I've
said for years. With all the whining I hear about Super delegates from Bernie
Sanders fanatics and how anti-establishment he is and how unfair having
superdelegates is... have they ever checked to see if Bernie Sanders is a
superdelegate himself? Why yes...yes he is a superdelegate as Senator from
Vermont. He's supporting himself. Superdelegates are "unpledged" in
the sense that they themselves decide which candidate to support. Superdelegate
make up 1/6 of the delegates at the Democratic Convention. Bill Clinton is a
delegate as a former President and is a Hillary Clinton supporter but has said
he'd vote for Sanders if he gets the nomination. Classy guy compared to Sanders
supporters who said they'd stay home and pout.
2
April 2016 Saturday
Nobody
promised me a rose garden so I am planting my own. I bought two more rose
bushes today, a bright yellow Rose of Texas for my Grandma Williams who was
born in Stonewall County, Texas and an orange Oklahoma Rose for my Grandma
Johnson who was born in Erick, Indian Territory. I now have 7 rose bushed in
the front yard next to the driveway. Bought some other garden plants and mowed
today. Spring is here. Went to the U of U hospital to visit Kent McKay Scadlock
and Greg Allen and Joel Jay Vallar were up too so we cheered him up. Greg asked
when was the last time I was hospitalized and I said 1959... true in 3rd grade
when had my appendix and tonsils removed. I was a child of the 50's and that's
what they did...yank them out and didn't bankrupt my parents because dad
belonged to the Teamsters and had good insurance with them. We were a union
family...so look for the Union Label. Once I was in love with a calf roping
rodeo cowboy. I was 17 years old and Buddy Husky was his name. He was 19. He
rode the west Texas circuit and I got to hang out with him and his friend Boyd
even though I was a punk from Southern California. I was to his family like a
son so it seemed natural for them to bunk me with their son. So long ago. I
started chewing Beechnut chewing tobacco to be like him this shy long legged
cowboy. No one talked about these things back then and doubt that he thought it
strange that I snuggled up to him at night. After the summer of 1968 went back
home to Garden Grove although his mother wanted me to come back to Texas to
live with them and go to college at Texas Tech mainly to keep their son in
school. Instead my senior year I met John Cunningham and all thoughts of my shy
cowboy faded away. Instead of the path of a follower of the rodeo circuit I
became a college hippie and anti-war protestor in College and a follower of
John... what different paths our lives could have taken. Happy Birthday Buddy
as you turn 67...you will always be my calf roping cowboy. Hmmm Is Ted Cruz
hiding something? Anonymous says yes and so do phone records to a high price
Cat House... I wonder if he will do a Jimmy Swaggart impersonation? “Lord I
have sin blubber, blubber blubber... “ The Washington Posts said Bernie Sanders
is lying [exaggerating] about big oil contributions to Hillary Clinton
insinuating they are buying her off...Sad that instead of attacking Wall Street
which was his initial platform he is attacking Clinton something he said he'd
never do. I smell desperation. This is the Boston Globe ...Bernie territory
.... I doubt whether the Sanders personality cultist will read it but this part
is spot on "While I understand the need to maintain a brave face for his
supporters, Sanders is doing them and the party he wants to represent no favors
not just by misleading them about his chances, but by increasing their dislike
of Clinton. Sanders has said on more than one occasion that he thinks Clinton
“on her worst day” would be an “infinitely better candidate and president than
the Republican candidate on his best day.” I have no doubt that he believes
this. Perhaps he should start acting like it."
3
April 2016 Sunday
I
keep waiting to hear at LDS Conference that the Mormons are picking up and
heading back to Jackson County, Missouri but still no luck... Darn. Barney
Frank said "It's ironic that we complain about voter suppression and
shortened voting times and then we have so many caucuses. The caucuses are the
least democratic political operation in America. They cater to the people who
have a lot of time on their hands, and what’s interesting is Sanders is the
nominee of the caucuses and Hillary is the nominee of the primaries." He
also said, "I am disappointed by the voters who say, “OK I’m just going to
show you how angry I am!” And I’m particularly unimpressed with people who sat
out the Congressional elections of 2010 and 2014 and then are angry at
Democrats because we haven’t been able to produce public policies they like.
They contributed to the public policy problems and now they are blaming other
people for their own failure to vote, and then it’s like, “Oh look at this
terrible system,” but it was their voting behavior that brought it about."
I so totally agree. If you were 18 or older in 2010 and 2014 and did not vote
you helped create the mess we are in with Republicans gerrymandering in 2010
and taking control of the Senate in 2014... Feel the Bern my ass... Obama
needed our help and Democrats and independents who didn't vote are culpable...
·
Dear
Kyle, I hope all is well with you. Nothing much is going on here but I know any
letter must be welcomed indeed. Here
it’s April again so I am tromping at the bits to get out and start my garden
but I know it’s way too early although I have planted a few things. In the back yard I planted a nectarine tree
and it seems to have taken and is growing. I had a nectarine tree 20 years ago
and I never appreciated it much when I had it. Now I think I will and will keep
it trimmed back so it will produce in a couple of years. Maybe someday you will
pick fruit off of it. When I was about
18 I asked my grandpa why he was planting fruit trees on his farm. He said he
needed something to do in his old age. He was 68 at the time and I will be 65
in a couple of days. He out lived those fruit trees. So here’s to having
something to do in my old and if not someone else will enjoy its fruit. I’ve
planted six rose bushes in the front yard next to the drive way where I had dug
out all the grass to plant vegetables. I have grown squash there for the last 3
or 4 years but now I am growing roses. I started off by buying roses to
remember Daisy and Lucky, then I thought I better plant roses for Smokey and
Priscilla and then I planted two roses for my two grandmas when I saw two that
were called Oklahoma Orange and Texas Yellow Rose. My grandma Johnson was born
in Oklahoma Territory in 1899 and my Grandma Williams was born in Stonewall
County, Texas in 1902. That didn’t seem so long ago when I was a teenager
growing up. I have three planter boxes
in the front yard two of which I grow tomatoes and the other is an herb garden
of different varieties of thyme, oregano, rosemary, and other types of herbs. I
don’t use them really in cooking but they are so aromatic when I am out there
grubbing around. I’ve dug up a large
garden plot on the southside of the front yard that as soon as it gets warmer I
will put in a couple rows of corn and squash.
In the back yard where my fruit trees used to be I tilled up a large
plot to grow Pumpkins and sunflowers. Last
fall I planted about 40 tulip bulbs in
the front yard and they are just now getting ready to bloom. They are pink and
purple. When they are done blooming my irises should be popping and after that
the roses. I already mowed the front yard yesterday and all the flower beds
have been cleaned out of old leaves and the shrubs pruned back. The yard on the south side of the deck really
needs work and I have been trying to keep up but the two Globe Willows need a
real pruning job from all the dead limbs and branches that drop with each wind
storm. I guess I will need to find someone to chop a lot of the branches down.
The north side of the deck is all cleaned up but I haven’t done a fire in the
brick pit for years although I have plenty of wood. Michael came over and
checked the BBQ grill to make sure it still works. I have only used it about
once since you have been gone and since its always been covered it’s like new.
Now that I am having people over every two weeks for dinner and a movie when
the weather gets more spring-like maybe I might have a BBQ. Friday
Jim Dabakis called me in the afternoon and asked if I wanted to go see a play
at Plan B. His hubby I am sure is down in Mexico. I said sure because I just
enjoy the company of Jim and I guess I worry that if I ever say no he will take
someone else but actually I think he enjoys my company as much. The play called
the Kingdom of Heaven was one of the worse I’ve ever seen in my life. What was Jerry Rapier thinking? Well I didn’t
need to go to LDS Conference this weekend
because I got it all watching a Mormon Housewife have a crisis of faith
because she wants to wear sweat pants and sing as a Drag King in a Gay Bar
although she is not Gay. On top of that it was a musical! With absolutely no
camp just Mormon silly seriousness... I would have walked out if not for Jim...
I kid you not there was even a bearing of her testimony monologue. Afterwards
we went across the street to Squatters at 9:30 and they said there was a 30
minute wait for two people! So we left! We were way too old to be waiting
around a half hour for a burger! Jim is
a super delegate and he annoyed me when he made a big announcement that
he will voting the way the Democratic Caucus went for Bernie Sanders at the National Convention
although he had been a supporter of Hillary. So I wore my Hillary t-shirt and
cap that night when we went out! I teased him that I am going home with the one
I went to the dance with. LOL He asked
about you and I said that you were well and in culinary school. So I get the
ear of the Senator every so often on the Parole Board issues. I love my little mutt Maxx… he such a little
love. He doesn’t care that Buddy and Harleigh don’t want much to do with him
but when Coco comes over he’s in heaven. The pair play all day long rolling
around and wrestling. It’s really good for Coco because she has a playmate now.
Maxx had his first "accident" in the house the other day rather than
go outside in the rain to do his business. When he saw that I had discovered it
he acted fearful like I'd whip him or scold him but instead I just petted him
and reassured him that he won't ever be whipped by me. I just told him don't do
it too often for outside is for pooping... We all poop ...it’s a sign we are
still alive... many a time I had to wash Daisy’s dirty bum. Love is worth a few
unpleasantries. Harleigh is as sweet as can be too but I don’t think he was
raised around other dogs and had never learned to socialize. He prefers to be
by himself so I got a doggy bed and put in the bedroom closet where he can be
near us but not up on the bed with us. He still thinks Buddy is waiting to kill
him in his sleep. Jim Dabakis said the
dogs we love are like a continuous line that as they come and go we must keep
loving. I believe the same with people. Well Bernie supporters are all in a
tizzy about super delegates. The Bernie
Sanders fanatics claim how anti-establishment he is and how unfair it is having
super delegates but have they ever checked to see if Bernie Sanders is a superdelegate
himself? Why yes...yes he is a superdelegate! As Senator from Vermont he is
supporting himself. Bill Clinton is a delegate as a former President and is a
Hillary Clinton supporter but he has said he'd vote for Sanders if he gets the
nomination. Classy guy compared to Sanders supporters who said they'd stay home
and pout. The Washington Post quoted political scholars Thomas Mann and Norman
Ornstein on the breakdown in American politics and they put the blame squarely
on Republicans. "The GOP has become
an insurgent outlier in American politics. It is ideologically extreme;
scornful of compromise; unmoved by conventional understanding of facts,
evidence and science; and dismissive of the legitimacy of its political
opposition." God finally the media is saying what I've said for years. This
is from the Boston Globe ...Bernie territory .... "While I understand the
need to maintain a brave face for his supporters, Sanders is doing them and the
party he wants to represent no favors not just by misleading them about his
chances, but by increasing their dislike of Clinton. Sanders has said on more
than one occasion that he thinks Clinton “on her worst day” would be an
“infinitely better candidate and president than the Republican candidate on his
best day.” I have no doubt that he believes this. Perhaps he should start
acting like it." Greenpeace and Sanders recently tried to smear Clinton
that she is tied to big oil. The Washington Posts said Bernie Sanders is lying
[exaggerating] about big oil contributions to Hillary Clinton insinuating they
are buying her off...Sad that instead of attacking Wall Street which was his
initial platform he is attacking Clinton something he said he'd never do. I
smell desperation. I guess a big scandal is ready to break open about Utah
Republicans favorite boy Ted Cruz. A Washington DC attorney has the sealed
phone records from the Sex scandal from 2006 when so many politicians were
using a Madam for call girls. These records are what kept Senator Vetter from
becoming Governor of Louisiana last year and allegedly Ted Cruz’s private phone
numbers are in the sealed court records. Hmmm Is Ted Cruz hiding something?
Anonymous says yes and are threatening to expose Cruz. I wonder if he will do a Jimmy Swaggart
impersonation? “Lord I have sin” blubber, blubber blubber... Well from one
sinner to the next…I will sign off. I have been and every will be your friend Love
Ben
4
April 2016 Monday
I
wake up during the week to Maxx and Coco going great guns... It makes waking up
happy... So blessed to have a home and resources to fill it with pups...in my
short time to be conscience in the universe I am grateful to share it with
great people and pups...
5
April 2016 Tuesday
Anyone
who knows me knows that I hardly starve my dogs but when cleaning the
refrigerator out this morning a wrapped stick of butter fell on the floor and
before I could pick it up there was Maxx looking like manna had fallen from
heaven. He grabbed it immediately and I said Maxx drop if. Drop it! Probably
thinking a treasure like this doesn't drop into his lap that often off he took
with the cube of butter firmly between his teeth running as fast as his little
Chihuahua legs could carry him. I hollered after him and that just caused him
to run all the faster...Still in my night shirt which now was flapping in the
wind... off I went chasing the little shit around the back yard. It wasn't the
butter I was worried about but what 8 tablespoons of pure butterfat would do
the 13 pound rascal. Finally I cornered him and he knew the jig was up and I
suppose worried I would be mad at him he dropped the butter, his ears and his
tail, but he followed me back into the house where I gave him a doggie treat
for dropping the butter. Then of course six eyes stared at me asking where's
our treat? Millennials are supposedly anyone who came to adulthood in 2000.
There have been 4 presidential elections, 8 congressional elections and at
least 2 senatorial elections since then but a few act like they never heard of
voting until Bernie Sanders came to town... And many say they are not voting if
they don't get their way... If you don't like the system vote, vote all the
time, vote on everything, vote like your life depends on it because it
does...even voting for the lesser of two evils assures that the greater evil
doesn't win...politics is messy but it's better than Civil War...Congrats to
Bernie Sanders for his win in Wisconsin. They split the delegates in that state
so it looks like Bernie will get 15 delegates while Hillary will get about 7.
The sanders campaign spent nearly 2.5 million dollars while Clinton spent about
$970,000 ... Bernie however is going to wake up to a nasty headline in the New
York Post about comments he made about gun control tomorrow with a New York
primary coming up on the 19th of April
6
April 2016 Wednesday
7
April 2016 Thursday
Spent
two days marathon watching You, Me and the Apocalypse...It had a great cast of
characters including Rob Lowe, Jenna Fischer from the Office, Megan Mullally
from Will and Grace, and Diana Rigg from the avengers. Lots of great British
character actors too... Great storytelling and loved it until the last
episode... that one episode was very unsatisfactory when questions were left
unanswered and the protagonist is defeated. Great set up for a season 2 but
it's been cancelled... Very disappointing... It's a great series but the powers
that be decided to have it all self-contain in one season with too many
questions unanswered it's worth watching just to see Megan Mullally play a
white trash white supremist...it also had gay characters kissed...showed the
Catholic Church hierarchy in a bad light...and so much more so sure it offended
someone higher up...the critics loved it... Good to see Diane Rigg back in TV
also. Bought some carpet runners at Lowes for the laminate wood floor since
both Buddy and Harleigh have a bit of a hard time on it and walking through the
garden section I looked at roses and one was called, "Golden Showers"
...how could I not buy it? The New York Times endorsed Hillary Clinton. In the evening I met with Chad “Chord Martel”
at Tryangles to discuss what I knew about the old Gay and Lesbian Community
Council of Utah. Chad wants to revise a similar organization. Garth Chamberlain
just happened to show up and in a way I was glad because he gave credibility
for what I was saying. I said I’d help him if I could.
8
April 2016 Friday
Spring
cleaning and I am exhausted and I only did the front room but I pulled all the furniture
to the center of the room and swept and mopped and waxed the floor on my hands
and knees before pushing them back and then doing the center. I polished the
furniture and straight up my computer desk. Quentin Crisp is wrong after 4
years the dust does get higher... Did several loads of laundry too. Just grateful I have my strength and health
to clean my house....it was a beautiful day to have the windows wide open.
9
April 2016 Saturday
I
went down to Gunnison today to see Kyle by myself since Bill Poore didn’t want
to go. Actually I am glad. Sometimes it’s good just to take off and be by
oneself. It was a pretty drive and I took my truck out for a spin because
hadn't driven it I think since January. And so I could use the cruise control which
makes driving the distance that much more enjoyable. I think he’s a little
ticked at me also because yesterday I was not so nice when he was razzing me
about my driving and he being worried because of the rain. Well I pride myself
on my driving and we have never had one incident in all the driving we have
done together. I am like Mom we are assertive drivers and not granny drivers
like he is. Anyway had a very good visit with Kyle and I can tell he is
starting to get antsy as the year moves along because of his December hearing
date. It rained while in the prison but did hit much the rest of the way home. Rain
all around me but I didn't get any except for about 5 minutes...About when I
got home Andy Dalrymple called and said that he was having a depression crisis
over the death of Vincent Guertierriz his old friend from MCC. He died probably
from Diabetic Shock. I didn’t know him at all but use to do the music at Sacred
Light of Christ. Anyway although I was exhausted I let him come over for a
couple of hours and essentially told him that he needed more help for his clinical
depression than I can give. So now I am really pooped because I am an old poop.
Well I made it to the last of being 64 years if I wake up in the morning. Big
scandal now in the Panama Papers on how Billionaires and world leaders are
hiding their money in a phony bank in Panama.
10
April 2016 Sunday
Today
is my 65th Birthday. Imagine that. My dad and me...I was named for
him Edgar Hugh Williams Jr. When I was 21 I replaced the Junior with "Ben"
which is Hebrew for son while Junior is Latin for lesser... I was a camp
counselor at a YMCA boys summer camp and the kids I was in charge of kept
calling me Benji Boo-Boo to try and make me mad. Instead I thought it hilarious
and when I came down from the Mountain I started going by Benji or Ben. We
moved from Texas when I was two years old and after a short stay in Downey
where I had chickenpox on my 3rd birthday, in November that year we moved to
unincorporated Orange County that became Garden Grove in 1956. That's when I
started Kindergarten and where I spent my childhood and youth. It was great
growing up a Californian. I've lived in Utah off and on from 1973 and permanently
since 1985 but I have never been a Utahn. My home is Salt Lake City which I
love but I will always be California- Texican. It’s been 50 years since I was
15 years old living at home with Mom and Dad in Garden Grove California. Forty
years since I was 25 years old living in Provo, Utah attending BYU and
miserable over Larry Copenhagen trying to commit suicide from being caught by
security and my having a love affair with him. It’s been Thirty years since I
was 35 years old living in Salt Lake City married to Fran and coming out as a
Gay Man involved with Affirmation and Restoration Church. It’s been twenty
years since I was 45 years old living in Salt Lake City with Michael Romero as
an opening Gay man and community activist. It’s been ten years since I was 55
years old living unhappily with Mike Romero in SLC in a home we bought ten
years ago. Now I am 65 years old, retired from teaching and still living in the
same home bought 20 years ago. I am happy and content living alone with my
three dogs, Buddy, Harleigh, and Maxx and babysitting Coco, Mike’s dog. Am I
lonely? No. Do I get lonesome? Sometimes but not often. So there I stand. Alan
Anderson invited me to go to lunch with him, Kyle, and Jim Dabakis. Its Alan’s
birthday also. Jim’s hubby Steven was there also and we went to the Buffet at
Little America. It was crowded but I don’t know why it really isn’t all that
good honestly. But that didn’t matter because I wasn’t paying and the company
was fun. So I had a great time at the Little America Buffet because we are such
politic wonks...I just love Jim getting excited and passionate about politics. I
wore my Hillary hat that Bill Poore bought me. Anytime I am with Jim I will
wear it. Alan and Jim debriefed all about the Democratic state convention from
yesterday so I am caught up. Sounds like the Bernie Bros learned a thing or two
about the process. Jim paid for my lunch
telling Alan that by paying my lunch it was a gift to Alan so Alan wouldn't
have to buy me lunch. Such a politician... I gave Alan some Nebraska Huskers
drinking cups that I bought from my nephew’s fundraiser. Heard from both Jim
and Alan that the Pride Center is trying to move. It was such a bad decision . I spent much of
the rest of the afternoon making four pot pies from the chicken I roasted
Friday. It was a nice ending to a perfectly beautiful day. While sitting in the
hot tub I thought I saw a bald eagle and when it flew back and I was sure of
it...majestic...Bountiful is on a flight path but I had never seen one
here...I've seen Hawks before ......hope he doesn't get my little squirrel
buddy... Lots of birds out tonight, sparrows, white tail doves, magpies...
Leaves are budding out on the poplars...tulips popping in the front
yard....warm weather sure made the dandelions explode everywhere... I ate one of the chicken pot pie with a
salad, a little vino and a little slice of Tuxedo Mousse cake... it isn’t a
birthday without cake... you only turn 65 once if you make it there at all... 5
years ago Kyle Foote threw me a big 60th birthday party... 5 more years I can
have a 70th. Nice ending to my 65th birthday... I am not a Gay Senior I prefer “Homo
Classic”.
·
I
have the best crazy ass friends in the world... this old man is proud to be
Michael Adam Ferguson's faerie godmother... He's a Demo-Homo like me! Go
Hillary ... don't let Republicans get you down...you're the toughest Democrat
around... He posted a video of him
singing a song about promoting Hillary Clinton to the tune of Lorde’s Royals. We
need a genuine feminist in the White House. My mom never lived to see a
progressive woman in the White House...I certainly hope I live to see the glass
ceiling shattered... Gay rights are always linked to women's right...If you
want change put woman in the White House not another white man. If you disagree
don't bother posting... put it on your page not mine.
11
April 2016 Monday
Harleigh
got his hair cut finally. I had Stephen remove all the fringy standard
schnauzer cut and had him give Harleigh a field cut for the warm weather coming
up. Had Maxx nails cuts because his dew claws were starting to curl up. Then I
delivered two chicken pot pies I made yesterday, One for Chuck Whyte and one
for Bill Poore. I usually don't shop at Walmart but they have the cheapest
diabetic testing strip and while there saw they had red mulch on sale for $2 a
bag normally around $5 so bought three bags to put around my roses out front. I
went to a plant store and bought some tomato starts and herbs, I am itching to
get my hands dirty. Working in the garden until 8 pm planting tomatoes and
herbs when at 8:30 I hear a knock at the door...I wondered what home invaders
would be out at this hour and looking through my new peep I see Greg Allen and
Joel Jay Vallar lol. Those sweet boys brought be a birthday cake, a card, and a
not so family friendly soap... What a nice way to end the day...I would have taken
a picture with all the candles lit but sure it would have set off the smoke
detectors lol
·
Chris
Johnson What's the most important thing you've learned over the past 65 years?
·
Edgar
Ben Williams Happiness is not from what you own but from who you love and who
loves you
12
April 2016 Tuesday
Finally
did my taxes on Turbo Tax this morning…it was a mess having so many different
statements. Hearts 4 Paws asked me to foster a little Chihuahua a third the
size of Maxx and I agreed. I picked him up at 11 am at Sapp Brothers truck stop
on 13th South... His
name is Zeus but if you ask me he's more of a Pan the way he humps Maxx.
Lol I guess the young couple who had him
gave him up because they couldn’t afford a pet deposit. Harleigh can't be
bothered and Buddy says another one? I had a fun lunch at Scaddy's with my
girlfriends whom I met at 1 pm. Kent McKay Scadlock had Jay Joel Jay Vallar,
Greg Allen, Bill Poore and I out for lunch for a birthday celebration for me.
If you weren't there we probably gossiped about you... Food is so good there on
35th South off of Redwood... We saw Mark Lawrence there too... Such a beautiful
spring day... Makes up for finally doing my taxes today. Still owed the state
$138 thanks to Huntsman's flat tax which saves the wealthiest millions and
makes the middle class pay more. Last year got back $44 but this year I pay
almost a hundred more... Go figure. So far so good with the new addition...fed
all the pups without a fussing and a fighting, poor Zeus my foster [I call him
Peanut because he’s no bigger than a peanut] is so underweight almost
emaciated. You can see the ridges of his rib cage and he has no rump just an outline
of a hip. I fixed him roasted chicken thighs, wet dog food with peas and
carrots, and Rachel Ray's kibbles...He devoured it like he was starving...Need
to get him up to fighting weight to give him a chance at being adopted. He's
not a typical Chihuahua...doesn't bark or isn't skittish...very affectionate
and loves being with other dogs. Hearts 4 Paws is having an adoption this week
so need to get some meat on his little bones. Him, Coco, and Maxx played all afternoon.
Harleigh was aloof from all the shenanigans and Buddy...well he's just my old
puppy.
·
Bill
Poore I enjoyed those guys a great deal...by the way it is not gossip when it
is the truth even though we have our own bitchy form of truth.
·
Kent
McKay Scadlock It was a lovely day for Edgar Ben's birthday lunch. Good food
and plenty of laughs. Thanks Bill, Greg and Joel Jay for joining us!
·
Bill
Poore-His name has got to be TJ short for Tijuana Mexico....we always said lets
go to TJ when I lived in San Diego. The doggie is Mexican....so he is now
TJ....OK BEN.
13
April 2016 Wednesday
The
foster chihuahua Bill Poore wants called TJ instead of Zeus is a burrower... He
crawled under the sheets and sleeps in the crook of my legs or my belly. Afraid
to roll over as I might squish the little guy...not used to having a dog so
small...he weighs as much as a butterfly compared to old Daisy my Amazon
Schnauzer... Everyone wanted their morning hot dog once Coco came over. The hot
dog is bigger than TJ so had to cut his in bits. Yesterday Harleigh stole two
out of my hand and ran off before I could get Buddy's back. Even with a gimpy
leg he's fast. I don't think he approves of the diet I've got him on... I've
got pups rolling all over me this morning...Coco, Maxx, and now TJ... Harleigh
went back to bed in the closet TJ's a burrower...poor little his ribs are showing...
I hope the toughies Maxx and Coco don't roll over him . Well Hearts 4 Paws
called at 11 this morning and said the County pound called and said they had a
1 and 1/2 year old schnauzer that needed to be fostered because it wasn't doing
well so I said I'd take him until the Saturday adoption. Schnauzers should
never be in jail...so when I went to pound, Laurie came out with two! They told
her, the young one had a brother 8 years old so how could you leave a brother
behind? I'm not making a Sophie's Choice so I took both of them. They are pure
breeds but severely neglected and were picked up as strays as was Lucky... The
rescue place made an appointment for grooming so they will look adoptable. So
until Saturday I am swarming with Schnauzers and Chihuahuas... Need to go buy
some more chicken thighs ...I had to give up going to the theater tonight with
Jim Dabakis to stay home with all the pups...so far so good...the pound named
them Lance and Scrappy and old Lance needs a serious butt scrubbing... The old
boy schnauzer really needed a good washing. Besides his butt he had mud and
twigs matted up in his leg hair and his eyes were matted with eye doobies that
had not been clean...he needs a major make over but he loved his bath and
having a clean butt...like who doesn't...he immediately started playing and
running around the yard...I know from that he feels better...I'd like to brush
him out but I think he's too matted for that...everyone had to come watch him
in the bath tub...he was very sweet and gentle... The younger on looks cleaner
and may wait for the groomer to bath and cut him... My two orphans I am
fostering won't stay in the house, even in this rain and dampness. They must
have been living on the streets for a while. The older one is more trusting but
the younger one not so much. I had to go out and coax him in to even eat
although the older boy was hungry he would not leave his brother. I guess I
will just have to let them get adjusted on their own terms poor boys. I guess
if they stay out they can go under the deck to stay warm and dry. TJ is not a
chewer or a typical little dog... he walk on his hind legs while pawing the air
wanting affection. He's not one of these squeaky high pitch barker either. Very
affectionate and not timid or shy. He took right to Michael when I took Coco
home...crawled into his arms to be held with Coco. Old boy is not sure where he
wants to be... I've been brushing him out and trying to untangle him... Darling
face just needs desperately grooming. Finally got them to come in out of the
rain this evening...Little boy is trusting me more and letting me give him pets
and rubs...he found a spot in the closet where I threw blankets down...maybe
Old Boy will join him...they are all exhausted...but they all ate good with no
fighting....Now the orphans have evicted Harleigh .... So he's up on the bed...
I guess I may have to get another bed for the other closet... Stephen Bolinder
sent me a message saying he would come over on his day off and groom the little
run-a-ways.
·
Bill
Poore I wish you would stop breaking my heart with these foster children....you
are better off driving to Gunnison.
·
Roland
Ron Holmgren Are they going to be adopted together?
·
Bill
Poore he currently has 7 dogs in his house, eight in the morning when Cocco is
dropped off for her daily daycare......Ben has totally lost it.
·
Jon
Michael I can hardly WAIT to retire, I will be just like you Ben....not as
butch of course.
14
April 2016 Thursday
The
two orphans must have been homeless for a while or were kept in the yard. When
I went to bed they seemed snuggled in for the night but when Coco came over
this morning at 6 they were nowhere to be found...So I put my robe on and there
the two were out by the shed...but they came in quickly when I was passing out
hot dogs. They are friendly and sweet but don't seem to be indoor dogs yet. I
guess once you get used to living on the streets it takes a while to adjust to
being inside. Not the case with Harleigh, Maxx, and TJ they have unpacked and
said they are home. I think Mike is going to adopt TJ...he is so adorable and
he can come over with Coco during the week and have Coco to be with on the
weekend. But first we got to get some weight on him... Try as I might Little
Boy and Old Boy don't want to come inside. Even when I entice them with treats.
They prefer hanging outside in the rain but they stay under the awning over the
hot tub and old boy lays on the hot tub cover which should feel warm and
toasty. I put a comforter out there besides the hot tub for little boy to lay
on. I don't want to force them inside... Not typical Schnauzer behavior as most
Schnauzers want to be pampered. They do come in for me to pet them and show
them some affection but after that back outside they go. Richard P. Butler came
over this morning to visit and Old Boy and Little Boy comes in and climbs into
his lap. I was amazed and then they fell asleep. They must like males... Rich
fell in love with little TJ. Then I took TJ to get his Bordello shots and other
vaccination and when I come home they are back outside in the cold. I called
them in and they came then I pulled down the doggie door cover to keep them
inside until it stops raining at least. Remembered I had a batch of chili in
the freezer I saved for a rainy day...well this is a cold rainy day so warmed
it up, baked some corn bread and having Hot chocolate with Marshmallows... Good
eating. Poor little boy. He was whimpering in the backyard as I was getting
ready to feed the pups and he had a stool stuck in him and his hair. So I
grabbed him and got him into the tub and hosed him until I could shampoo him
but his little butt was so sore so I just sprayed warm water on him until I
could clean him up. His hair was so matted around his little butt. I have my
groomer Stephen Bolinder on a mission of mercy coming over Saturday morning to
get all that hair off both the boys. I have a stool softener pill I had for
Buddy's surgery last January and I gave one to little boy in some cream cheese.
The best way to get pills down without gagging a dog. Hopefully that will help.
Probably hasn't been drinking enough water. Or who knows what all he had been eating
on the street. .He's gonna to be a pretty dog when he's all shaved up. TJ is
sore from his shot today and he doesn't have much meat on his rump where they
gave him his shot. He had his nails clipped too and you would have thought they
were killing him the way he carried on. The lady came out apologetic and said
he was fine he just didn't like his nails clipped....
15
April 2016 Friday
Coco
is sleeping on the pillows above my head, Maxx is curled up on my left, TJ is
nestled sleeping between my legs and little boy surprisingly is clinging to my
right side. Harleigh has his bed back, old boy is sleeping on the ottoman at
the foot of the bed, and Buddy is passed out on the carpet but we are all
together... Good thing I am retired ...trapped in my own bed...by lazy pups. Surprise
that Little boy got up on the bed...he's a really sweet dog ...he will look
like a champ when he gets all that shaggy mess off of him... old boy had
another butt washing ... He is so shaggy worse than little boy... They both
need a hygiene cut really bad so they don't get infections... But they are
getting a shave done tomorrow for Hearts 4 Paws adoption. Maybe they will or
they won't get adopted tomorrow but for sure they won't if we can't get them
cleaned up....
16
April 2016 Saturday
Stephen
Bolinder came over this morning to groom Old Boy and Little Boy before I took
them to Pet Co for the Paws for Hearts Adoption. Poor old Boy needed another
butt washing this morning before being groomed, But what a transformation. From
matted scruffy sorry looking mutts to show dogs! Now they do look like Schnauzers.
Little Boy turned out to be so handsome with a steely gray coat, white muzzle, eye
browns, legs and fringe. Outstanding markings. $80 well spent. Hard to get a
good picture of little boy he was so excited to have a new do and get all the old,
matted hair off. Stephen Bolinder managed to give him a schnauzer cut and he
turned out beautiful...took all the dogs for a ride to Petco and Mike met me
there to bring the foster boys in. I couldn't get Old Boy and Little Boy in the
PT Cruiser without the rest carrying on like murder...so I had Buddy, Harleigh,
Maxx, TJ, old Boy and Little Boy with me...Mike had Coco so it was an ordeal
getting Little Boy and Old Boy out of the cruiser while restraining the rest..
Laurie was astonished at the difference and said they should be easily adopted
especially little boy. In Petco. I heard people make comments about how
beautiful little boy is...I don't doubt if someone loves schnauzers he will get
a new home right away...Laurie said someone is coming to look at Old
Boy...money well spent if the grooming finds these Scalawags a good
home...while there we decided to keep TJ with his family so we adopted him...
but I know I physically can only take care of these that I got... While there I
had Michael adopt TJ although I paid for him $160. Could not leave TJ he’s part
of the family now. So many Chihuahuas there he would have been lost in the
shuffle. So after leaving Pet Co I came back home and we were all exhausted so
ended up taking a 2 hour nap with Buddy, Maxx, and TJ while Harleigh slept in
his bed. About 5:00 I was back down at
Pet Co and was really shocked to see Old Boy and Little Boy still there! I was
certain that at least Little Boy would have been adopted. I was really
surprised that Old Boy and a little Boy weren't adopted today when 7 others
were. I am sure they will when Laurie posts their pictures on Hearts 4 PAWS
post their pics. Old boy is in my lap so can't get a good picture of him I know
Laurie’s asking price of $200 seems steep for an adoptive dog but all the money
gets poured back into the nonprofit to help pay for the rescue of other dogs so
I understand why she does it. So took the Foster Boys back home and fed the
gang before going to bed and watching It’s a Mad Mad Mad World.
Well
I have six pups in boxes on my shelf and six pups on my bed or near me... Best
way to honor my shelf pups is the love and care for the ones who need me now...
I can't save them all but I can help the ones placed in front of me... This has
been my inspiration since I first heard it in the movie “Year of Living Dangerously
when Billy Kwan replied to the statement we can't save everyone "What then
must we do? We must give with love to whoever God has placed in our path."
I can't save all the dogs or help everyone but I can take care of those God has
placed in my path... Or why else are we alive?
17
April 2016 Sunday
Finally
was able to do some yard work after all the rain and wind we have had this past
week. I got the veranda, deck, north side yard finally cleared off and was able
to mow the back yard that was so over grown. Took an hour to mow the back yard
but at least TJ won't get lost now lol...now off to do the front yard then I
will pull some weeds...found a bunch of toys too...old boy is sure clingy to me
for some reason won't let me out of his sight.
The dogs loved romping around in the yard now that it’s not so over grown. Still a lot more to do but wanted to
mow the front yard too which I did. The parking strip on the southside was a
mess due to all the rain we have had. Everything is blooming and growing. While out front I was surprised to hear this
little jingling and it was TJ the little turkey got out somehow under the shut
gate. So I blocked it off some more. He wasn’t trying to run away but just be
closer to me. Bill Poore wanted to take me lunch today and when he came over at
1 pm I was still working in the front yard but it was a good place to stop
because I was getting stiff and sore. He
met TJ who loves everyone and Little Boy and Old Boy. Bill thinks I am off my
rocker to have so many dogs at the house. Does he think leaving the two fosters
at the pound in the awful condition they were in was a better idea? Anyway we
went to this Chinese Buffet at the New Chinatown that was built in the 36th
South area on State Street. It was not bad but wouldn’t drive all the way down
there just for it. Spent the rest of the evening in the hot tub and then fed
the six pooches. Old Boy is such a chow hound like Daisy while Little Boy is
more fussy. Spent the rest of the evening veggie out watching TV.
18
April 2016 Monday
Well
had a bit of an excitement this morning. If you are a bird you should never fly
through a doggie door into a house with 7 pooches! He kept flapping at the
glass door trying to get out which made the hounds even more excited but I got
over there in time to let the poor thing out and he flew away as fast as he
could to the neighbor's roof. Never a dull moment in my retirement. Well with
all my dogs and yard adventures this past week I plum forgot to write a Lambda
Lore column for the upcoming May Issue of QSalt Lake. I felt bad but not bad
enough to crank one out... Did too much yard work yesterday and my back is
having a spasm. I guess I can't move rocks like I used to...My body is finally
telling me "you're fucking 65 years old knock some of this shit off".
I should only work an hour a day in the yard rather than try to do 4 hours LOL.
Michael Aaron was cool about not getting an article in but you can't fire a
volunteer so I guess I am safe. At least I can move around to feed all the
dogs... I have my chicken thighs roasted and ready to go after taking Coco home
and the pooches for their daily excursion. Gas is jumping again $2.25 but still
not complaining because I can stay home and sit in the hot tub. This was the first time I didn’t attend GMA.
It was Charles Frost night. Doris
Roberts of Everyone Loves Raymond died at the age of 90. This dog the pound called Scrappy but I
call little boy and was so scared and attached to his pal. He was a little
snappy which was a survival act. His behind was so matted that I had to keep
him the tub for a half hour to get the poop off of him and in him. He was
whimpering it must have hurt him so much. Now he's a super loving guy and again
thanks to the magick of Stephen Bolinder, he's one of the most beautiful
Schnauzers I have ever seen. Talk about going from a frog to a prince. His
muzzle, eyebrows, legs, skirt and butt is white and his coat is a dark dark gray.
Such a pretty boy. He deserves a loving forever home who will never let him get
this shaggy ever again. He’s a young dog about 2 years old full of love but
surprisingly a picky eater. His brother Old Boy gobbles down his food and he
more finicky ... like Coco he won't even eat the hot dog treats I give everyone
in the morning. Lance, who
I call Old Boy when I got him from the pound was having to have his butt washed
every day. After his haircut from
Stephen Bolinder even his personality changed and is trusting and not
huddling out in the cold and rain like the first few days. Now he's calm and
loving and hungry. Whoever adopts him will have a wonderful dog...
·
Doug
Murri I always enjoyed her performances. And I still watch reruns of 'Everyone
Loves Raymond'. She was seated a couple of tables away from us in a restaurant
in NYC in January. When she got up to leave, it was evident how frail she was.
It was heartbreaking then, to see how fragile she had become. God bless her!
frown emoticon
19
April 2016 Tuesday
Woke
up with stiff jaw...now I know it's from an ear infection...probably water in
my ear from hot tubbing...might have to go to urgent care for some anti
biotic...TJ is inspecting my furrows I dug for my back yard garden...getting
ready to plant pumpkins, squash, cantaloupe and beans ... I am channeling my
grandpa Johnson ... He had a 160 acre farm at Hart Camp for 50 years... Farmer
Ben my livestock are schnauzers, Chihuahuas, and squirrels. So the Yard is
taking shape... A little here a little there... It’s hard to do yard work with
Old Boy in my lap. Andy Dalrymple came over to visit and see the dogs and
Michael Romero came and got Miss Coco so didn't have to pile everyone into the
Dogmobile. Well well well...all those Clinton haters in the Bernie camp should
just shut up about Sanders being so pure... Until Citizen United is over turned
shut up about big money in politics... Jesse Unruh who I campaigned for in 1970
for his unsuccessful bid against Reagan for California famously said Money is
the Mother's Milk of politics back in 1966. Clinton is not corrupt and those
who imply she is can just post on their own page not mine. Unruh was the first
person I voted for after the constitution was amended to allow 18 year olds to
vote. I tried to stop Ronald Reagan even back then. Never ever vote
Republican...Remember Kent State, Watergate, savings and loans collapse, AIDS,
Kuwait War, 9/11, Iraq war, the Great Recession of 2008... Never ever vote
Republican. Sorry New York State folks registered as Independent and not as
Democrats therefore can't vote for Sanders...Fuck You...you never supported us
until now when Bernie chose to use the Democratic Party Machine rather than run
as an Independent. Sanders doesn't care about the Democrats, the party of FDR,
JFK, LBJ, Carter and Clinton...the party that Elected Obama...the party that
brought you social security, Medicare, civil Rights Act, the voting Act,
Affordable Care Act and many more progressive reforms. If all you Independents
would have voted to elect more Democrats...united Citizen would never have
happened...
·
Roland
Ron Holmgren You are going to break his heart when you have to give him up.
·
Terrie
Williams old boy really thinks you like dogs. or he just really likes you.
or......
·
Edgar
Ben Williams I think old boy is much older than 8 years...you can tell from his
eyes...his teeth are horrible too. He needs to have his teeth cleaned big time
and now that his ears are shave I can see he had a skin infection on one of
them... But he's still very energetic
·
Charline
Wachs It sounds like you have been adopted.
20
April 2016 Wednesday
Have
an ear infection that's gone down into my jaw and sinus so went to Urgency Care
this morning. First time I’ve used Medicare. I don't know if it’s an over sight
but I wasn't charged a co-pay but at the Pharmacy they said Medicare said there
was a deductible but would not say what the deductible was so I had to pay full
price for my antibiotics... This is going to be a learning curve. I don't even
bother making my bed with everyone using it as a wrestling ring...it's all fun
and games until someone yelps...TJ is a Tiger and holds his own with Maxx. I
Went with Kent Scadlock to the Other Place for a late lunch. We had the place
virtually to ourselves so we sat and talked for two hours catching up on our
gossip. It was a beautiful warm day enough to make all the dandelion flowers
pop into wish makers. I bought another rose bush to replace one that didn't
make it. I wanted to get a bare root one before they are all gone because the
potted ones are expensive. The antibiotics for My ear infection seems to be working
but made me not feel up to working in the yard today...In line at Smith's after
picking up my prescriptions I bought some more chicken thighs for the pup's
supper and some other things. Behind me was a nicely dressed woman holding a
fruit platter and I told her to go in front of me and she was grateful saying
she was in a hurry for an office pot luck. I told her then you go ahead for
sure because I am a retired elementary school teacher. I love saying I'm a
retired elementary school teacher LOL I spent three weeks of heavy research on
this one matrilineal family following old Medieval heraldry as my source only
to figure out yesterday it was wrong. It didn't make sense anyway trying to
shove four generations in a 70 year period. Antiquity family charts generally
give no vital statistics like birth or death but once you do all the research
and figure out a chronology that doesn't work and realize it can't be the
actually family tree its discouraging knowing there's 3 weeks I will never get
back. Just because its old doesn't always mean its accurate unless it’s a
primary source and not a secondary one...Oh the woes of a genealogist... But I
want it right.
·
Michael
Nielsen My experience is that Medicare has no payment at time of service. The
dr will bill Medicare and you will be billed later for what they didn't cover.
·
Edgar
Ben Williams Thanks....kind of a Damocles Sword
·
Joel
Jay Vallar Am sorry Ben. Is there anything I could do? Please no singing and
dancing . Let me know.
·
Edgar
Ben Williams You mean no screaming and falling lol
·
Richard
P. Butler Norm had co-pays at the doctor’s office that he never had before the
1st of Jan. get better Ben.
·
Chuck
Whyte If you don't have a Patient Handbook, You should call and have one sent
to you, also a fact sheet on your co pays , You also need to get a supplemental
policy that should pay for the 20% that is not covered.......these are only
suggestions, Northwest multi ctr probably have info or /and classes, or call
county aging services , a lot of these places have easy to follow info sheets,
I hope this helps, Also keep all paperwork, some places will try to get you to
pay more than once😊
21
April 2016 Thursday
Changing
sheets and making the bed Is nigh impossible with four dogs wrestling but it's
done... I can either do yard work or housework but it's exhausting to do both. TJ
found himself screw doll... Sheesh. Bernie Sanders is a good man...not so much
many of his fanatics...however if he does not support Hillary like she did
Obama in 2008...if he and his followers keep up the attacks on her they will
have accomplished what the Republicans have been trying to do for 20 years to
smear this accomplished woman. If you want a Republican in the White House
choosing the next Supreme Court justices, denying climate change, and repealing
Gay Rights go right ahead and disparage Clinton as much as you want. If you
want a continuation of Obama progressiveness She is going to be the nominee and
if she is the only HOPE that Sandersphiles have of getting some of his agenda
through Congress. Certainly not an vowed Socialist.
·
Doug
Murri For the first time, ever, I've been undecided in an election. I like both
Hilary and Bernie. And I've gone back and forth, back and forth in my support
of the two. I caucused here in Nevada for Bernie. However, I've not liked the
tone that his campaign has taken. He's become very negative toward Hilary and
the Dem party. He appears like an angry old man a great deal of the time. And
I'm disgusted with the rude behavior of many of his supporters. I don't believe
that either Bernie nor many of his supporters have any loyalty towards the Democratic
party. I'm leaning toward Hilary more and more.
·
Edgar
Ben Williams I wouldn't want any of Sander's angry supporters in the White
House calling for Revolution rather than progress
·
Roland
Ron Holmgren I think that Bernie promises pie in the sky which he can't
deliver. At first, I liked what he said, but just never supported him. Now he
comes across as a bitter, mean-spirited, angry old man. I watch him, and I
think, why doesn't someone give this man a microphone so he doesn't have to
yell out his message. When he is defeated for the nomination, he had better
rally around Clinton, or there is the real, frightening possibility that Trump
(or worse crazy Cruz) could end up president.
·
Luci
Malin I agree! I was shocked to find women Democrats in the caucus line who
said they would never vote for Hillary regardless of who ended up being the
Democratic nominee!
22
April 2016 Friday
I
had to be down at Fox News at 1130 with
Little Boy for his TV debut on Channel 13 ... he's a good boy and a
beauty was a perfect boy. Busy but productive day this Earth Day. After coming
home with Little Boy worked for 3 hours in the backyard. Because it's supposed
to rain I wanted to get seeds in the ground. I planted pumpkins, summer squash,
cucumbers, sunflowers and still have plenty of room. Spent the rest of the time
pulling weeds around the fence line...had my Bibb overalls on so I looked
official... This evening Kent Scadlock and Jaron dropped over to visit and see
the pups. Kent never saw Maxx or TJ before...and of course fell in love Little Boy
like who wouldn't... But now we are all ready for bed...Harleigh in his nest,
Buddy on his rug, Old Boy curled on my side, TJ under the covers, Little Boy
curled up at the foot of the bed and Maxx nestled by my legs... My puppy pile
is safe and secure so it's time to say good night
·
Charline
Wachs He was such a good boy,. He is a beautiful dog. Hopefully he will get a
loving home soon.
·
Denise
Wachs Such a handsome little man
·
Roland
Ron Holmgren Will make someone very happy.
·
Edgar
Ben Williams Stephen Bolinder gave him that fine hair cut even came on his day
off...I get a little emotional knowing he's he'll be leaving but he's just a
pup and he needs someone who can love him for the next 12 years.
·
Stephen
Bolinder He really is handsome
·
Charline
Wachs Does this mean you are adopting old boy?
·
Edgar
Ben Williams I am just going to foster him until someone want to adopt him...it
will be harder to find a him a home because of his age and that he will need
dental work... He may be with me a long time or someone might just fall in love
and give him a loving home which he deserves in his old age.
·
Laurie
Epperson Check your email, I have sent you a few application for Scrappy.
23
April 2016 Saturday
I
had a fun evening with a bunch of guys coming over for dinner and to watch a
movie on the big screen. I fixed Cheese Enchilada, Spanish rice, and a taco
bar... We had a couple of new people over. Jesse Dolce and his friend Kevin so
that was fun especially because we are all dog lovers...everyone loves TJ my
chihuahua and he loves them back... little boy may have a new home
soon...details to come...I will miss the little sweetie... We watched
Victor/Victoria and had almost forgotten how fun it is... Nice way to spend a
rainy evening
24
April 2016 Sunday
TJ
loves this big stuffed monkey that is bigger than he is...he drags it up on the
or where he goes. TJ sure has attached himself to old Buddy, he likes curling
up next to him...a little worried that Buddy is declining. I hate to take him
down to the vet because the last two times I came home without my babies...I
had a good Sunday as the sun is setting. Had Bill Poore over for Sunday Dinner
and he always brings the pups some goodies. We finished off the enchiladas and
visited some about life... Later in the day after feeding the pooches decided
to work in the back yard cleaning out flower beds, blowing all the trash leaves
off the deck the early storm blew in and making a pile of limbs to take to the
land fill... The dogs were enjoying the good weather and were having fun...Old
Boy and Harleigh were actually playing. I had never seen Harleigh play since I
adopted him last February. They played tug a war and chased each other... They
are becoming such pals...little boy is not an outdoor dog and stayed inside the
whole time. I guess he had enough of being out side when he was on the streets.
TJ and Maxx curled up next to me... One happy family... They adopted me as much
as I adopted them. Harleigh is the only one who won't sleep on the
bed...someway we all seem to manage to get some sleep...good night from the
House of the Barking Dogs...sweet dreams
·
Bill
Poore thank you for the wonderful visit. I enjoy seeing the dogs, especially my
little Harley, and TJ has gotten into my heart.
25
April 2016 Monday
Have
no idea why my bed has to be the battle ground...Old Boy likes to get in the
fray but little boy has no interest in the doggy pile on...it all starts as
soon as Coco comes over...they play for about 45 minutes and then they all pass
out but by that time I am wide awake... Taking Little Boy to meet hopefully his
new family... I know who ever adopts him will love him as much as I do. Jon
dropped off the pooch that he's been fostering for me to take with Little Boy
to meet potential adopters this afternoon his name is Tiny (dumb name) and a
terrier ...such a cutie but TJ is not happy and is growling at him constantly
poor boy and Maxx is trying to get him to play ...Maxx is so butch... So I will
have him until 4 then if he doesn't get adopted he will go back with Jon
Michael. I have Old Boy on my shoulder, TJ in my lap, Tiny next to Old Boy and
Maxx and Coco wrestling ... Omg Tiny is kissing my ear...he's a lover... And
then Harleigh is wanting his shoulder massage I give... I don't know what there
is about my house that every one of these pups have to hump... Little Boy is
part mountain goat....likes to climb on the back of the lazy boy... I know he's
gonna have a good life...the pretty ones always do ...we are all suckers for a
handsome face. Well I went down to Petco at 4 pm to meet with Laurie from
Hearts 4 Paws with little boy and the wire hair terrier named Tiny to meet the
folks who wanted to meet them... They were nice people but they went with Tiny
instead of Little Boy so he came back home with me... It was a very hard decision
I could tell because the dad I think wanted little boy but the mom wanted
Tiny... Even though they didn't take Little Boy it's helping me with the
eventual separation. Seeing him with other people I know he will be fine...So
we will go the next people on the list. I did adopt Old Boy today. He is
officially mine. I am naming him Farley...I couldn’t stand the fact that this
old boy being shuffled around again when he’s grown so attached to me and I
him. I also paid $16 for a shirt for TJ
at Petco and it was torture getting it on so I took it off...that was money
thrown away...the next size up would have been too big... Mystery of the House
of the Humping Dogs solved...Laurie from Hearts 4 Paws said it takes at least
30 days for the testosterone to leave their bodies after they have neutered and
all the pups except Buddy and Harleigh have been neutered less than 3 weeks...
So by end of May it should all back to normal
·
Richard
P. Butler Those doggy's are having way to much fun. Now I know where the term
"Dog Pile" comes from.
·
Amy Barry Letting go of a foster is hard, but
also sweet. I've enjoyed the ones I've kept in contact with to see them
flourish.
·
Alan Anderson Little Boy will be okay. Tell
his new parents that you will dog sit.
·
Bill
Poore I have been in contact with several of your friends, we are considering
an intervention all except Alan because he wants a place to drop Corky. Charlie
Ward LOVE IS A BATTLEFIELD
·
Charline
Wachs How could you not keep Farley, he had already adopted you. You are a kind
soul.
·
Jesse
Dolce I found a jingle bell that will fit on TJ's collar. I can bring it over.
·
Edgar
Ben Williams I am home most of the day 😀
·
Jesse
Dolce Set the jingle bell by your doorbell.
·
Terrie
Williams So happy that Farley doesn't have to go to another family. He loves
your lap!
·
Amy
Barry So does that make 6 for your forever brood?
·
Edgar
Ben Williams TJ belongs to Michael lol
·
Roland
Ron Holmgren Almost cried when I read you had adopted Old Boy. You are a very
special person.
26
April 2016 Tuesday
I
made vegetable beef soup today for an overcast April and rainy day. I also made
with a veggie cheese sub for a late lunch. Tasty. I made an appointment for
this Friday for Farley (formerly Old Boy) to get his teeth cleaned. I am gonna
keep him healthy. His teeth are the first line of defense is his teeth which
are awful. When I took Coco home Mike informed me that he had made an
appointment for Coco the same day to have her teeth cleaned ha! After making
the appointment I went to DI and found two like new lawn chairs for $8 apiece
and then it began to rain like crazy. Jesse Dolce brought a jingle bell over
that I attached to TJ's collar so I can hear him when underfoot...I guess TJ
stands for Tinker Jingle now...I bought TJ the tiniest baby shirt I could find
at DI for a $1 because the $16 one from Petco was too small. So I ordered him
some Tee shirts from Amazon... Small and extra small to see which ones fit...
Time out for Buddy after quarreling with Maxx. He's banished to the Lazy
Boy...I think Maxx is becoming alpha dog and Buddy does not like it. I am
grateful for my life now that I am a Senior...I am retired yet have a pension
and social security to take care of my basic needs and wants. I have a nice
house and yard and a hot tub that I am still able to maintain. I have some
really good friends that care about me and I still feel useful in my community.
I have the resources and health to love and take care of five pups four which
are rescued pups and they all get along as a hound dog family. I live in a
beautiful progressive liberal city surrounded by majestic mountains that I can
see from my window...I still have an intellectual curiosity about genealogy and
history that keeps my mind stimulated.... I am a very lucky Gay man and I know
it... So I am sending out my thanks to the Universe for this time and space in
which I get to experience joy... I hope I have done some good in return for
being alive...
·
Richard
P. Butler Be thankful for what we have not hateful for what we don't. You have
a great life. Now where's Buddha?
·
Edgar
Ben Williams Buddha can wait until your downstairs apartment is finished 😇
·
Richard
P. Butler LOL still need to see you. I need an excuse.
·
Alan
Anderson You have really good friends that appreciate you!
·
Edgar
Ben Williams And I appreciate my friends
·
Ruadhan
O'Sheridan More than useful to community . . . you are constantly educating and
renewing community in new ways when most queens just go home and only come out
on Pride Day. If it wasn't for GMA and RF, I probably would not have much to do
with community at all.
·
Terrie
Williams gratitude is always good for the soul. Thanks for sharing yours.
·
Charlie
Ward Our hero! We love you EBW! 😍
·
Laurie
Epperson And we feel very blessed to know you and to be able to adopt those
sweet babies to you.
27
April 2016 Wednesday
I
spent 3 1/2 hours pulling weeds around my mail box and side yard by the
driveway. I wanted to clean it all out while the ground is damp and before the
rain comes tomorrow. I mowed the front yard too...but now I am pooped yet
proud. TJ and Farley are glued to my side now. They are the biggest crybabies.
Harleigh is in the lazy boy and Maxx is in the Bay Window chair ever vigilant.
Buddy found a good spot to stretch out. Little boy is sure being extra
affectionate all day but tomorrow he will be in a good home with a couple that
has 2 schnauzers so you know they will love him.. I forgot to thaw out chicken
in time for dinner so everyone got Pedigree chopped chicken from a can...I
cooked a yam and when it was done mashed it up with butter and put it in their
bowls as well....well you should of seen the faces...and who ever said that
dogs will eat yams can come over and clean up the yams that are spit out all
over my floor after the butter been licked off...how quickly they forget what
it's like to be hungry and unwanted... Which is my mission. I got a phone call
from Kyle Foote today. He’s done with his culinary school but other than that
not much news. Its only 7 and everyone is zoned out Harleigh cracks me up...he
looks so comfortable...little boy perched behind Farley up on the red couch.
He’s been extra sweet lately. Its gonna break my heart to let him go tomorrow.
Donald
Trump said about Clinton's Tuesday victory “Well, I think the only card she has
is the women’s card — she’s got nothing else going.” “And frankly, if Hillary Clinton were a man,
I don’t think she’d get five percent of the vote,” Trump continued. “The only
thing she’s got going is the women’s card, and the beautiful thing is, women
don’t like her, okay, and look how well I did with women tonight.” Sad Sad man and how pathetic are Republicans?
LOL Clinton is a uppity woman... Love her for representing all uppity people...
She is breaking the last barrier for women equality and in the future it will
seem normal for a woman or even a Gay person to become President... We baby
boomers are still breaking down barriers...
28
April 2016 Thursday
Up
early this morning at 5:30 when I hear Harleigh hacking like he's gotten
something stuck in his throat. So I went to get him something to help and of
course everyone followed wanting their morning treats too. Harleigh was still
hacking so I gave him a bit of butter and that seemed to help and later he was
able to hack out whatever was tickling his throat. So he's better now...may
have been stuff from the poplar trees that got stuck in his throat. So Coco is
over now and since we were all up I made some pancakes to share. They don't get
syrup just buttered pancakes. Then later Buddy, who has been very energetic
lately puked up in the front room. Always something. Later when Harleigh was
still hacking I took down this morning to my vet because he was hacking so much
and spitting up phlegm but when i got there they were closed but he’s been
sleeping and resting so he seems to be better...i will keep an eye on him...TJ
is keeping him company. Sad and glad all at the same time. I said goodbye to
little boy this afternoon as I handed him off to a new home...but what a home.
The woman who wants to adopt him brought in her own two Schnauzers Cloe and
Lizzie and they and little boy hit it right off with them. So he will have a
home with two female Schnauzers and her daughter who was with her also has 3
Schnauzers so he is going to have lots of Schnauzer friends...the woman said
she grooms her schnauzers and keeps their teeth pearly white. I could tell she
is a schnauzer lover and he's gonna have a great life with lots of loving and
caring... He landed in a bowl of cherries.
He went to each of the three women there and greeted each one. We
socialized for about 40 minutes at Petco because Laurie got the times mixed up
but after she came I snuck out so I wouldn't start bawling. But when I got home
I cried my eyes. What a lovely life little boy is going to have and Farley has
a forever home with me. It is so hard to
let him go but easier knowing what a great life he will have and never will
have to be hungry, cold and out on the streets again. So that is worth a few
tears. It’s been gloomy and cloudy today with off and on showers. Before going
to bed I got an email from Little Boy's new mama Johnie Rico. She wrote “thank
you for selecting my family to host your fostered schnauzer. He seems to be
adjusting well. Getting along well with Chloe and Lizzie! You should be proud
that you've done such a good job with him. I have chosen a new name for him,
"Wylie". He sends his love. I'll send you some updates. You're more
than welcome to visit anytime. Take care."
So no more Little Boy...he has a name Wylie!!! Perfect
·
Alan
Anderson My heart is breaking for you, Ben. We have such soft spots. I thought
about asking Kyle if we should foster home, but then I thought about days like
you are having today. Blessings!
·
Roland Ron Holmgren So glad for this beautiful
boy. You got him ready for his forever home by showing him love and kindness.
It is hard to say goodbye to a dog even if you had him for a short time. You
are a good man, Ben.
·
Edgar
Ben Williams He is a really sweet boy that had a rough start but now it should
be happy trails for the rest of his life and I still have 5 pups here that need
love and attention...
·
Jon
Michael How wonderful that YOU were able to be the caretaker of their
happiness.
·
Richard
P. Butler I always love a story with a great ending. Wylie will have a great
life.
·
Charline
Wachs You did a great job and now he has a forever home with a family that he
can love and who will love him in return
·
Charlie
Ward
·
Charlie
Ward Aww!
29
April 2016 Friday
Took
Coco, Farley, and Harleigh into the vets today. Coco and Farley are having
their teeth cleaned and Farley looks like he'll have some extractions.
Harleigh, I took in because of his hacking cough that resumed this morning.
Doctor thinks its allergies and gave me pill to take twice a day. Cream Cheese
makes the medicine go down...forget sugar. The vet looked at me skeptically,
when I took Coco in, saying it was Mike's dog and asked whether I had his
permission. It kind of ticked me off and I said Michael made the appointment
with your secretary when he came in and I am just dropping her off. Then he
asked who was paying for her cleaning and I said I will! Sheesh he was a grump
this morning... Did he think I stole Coco to have her teeth cleaned? She's getting
all her shots too... The rest of the pups are sound asleep. At 3 pm the pups
were ready and I went down to pay the bill and gather them up. Well my Tax
Refund went to the dogs this month lol...$360 for TJ and Farley, $80 to have
Farley and Little Boy (now Wylie) and $1200 for Coco and Farley's teeth
cleaning and extractions...I got $1600 back so literally it went to the
dogs! Well at least it wasn't my social
security lol and I am not paying tuition. Poor little Coco had 2 multi root
extractions and 6 single root extractions surprisingly old Farley kept all his
teeth and are pearly again...both were negative for heart worm... So they are
both good for a while... Kids and dogs cost money to keep them healthy… When
Mike came over to pick Coco I told him everything Dr. Mathew Belman said to do
for her. I told him that I will just pay for Coco because $600 would be a big
dent in his wallet and not so much mine. I said that Coco is my little girl
too. I was shocked that Farley didn’t need any extractions. Jim Dabakis called
and wanted to take me to a student production for this High School for the
performing arts. Its tomorrow night at 7 pm. I also invited TJ and Jim for
dinner next Wednesday at 6 pm. They wanted to meet the pups. I also invited
Kent to join us. I have to meet Laurie
tomorrow at 3 to pick up Farley’s file.
30
April 2016 Saturday
Did
some house cleaning this morning and in the afternoon I went out to Petco in
West Valley to get Farley’s adoption papers and sign a contract with Laurie
Epperson. She said she faxed over Farley’s rabies shots to Pet Stop Vet so that
is taken care. I bought some Science Diet Dry food that is supposed to help
with the pups teeth and I dropped by Mike to give Coco some and see how she is
doing without 8 teeth poor girl but she seems to be doing really well. I was
really tired in the afternoon and would have stayed home if I would not have
said to Jim Dabakis that I would accompany him to a play at the Salt Lake
School of Performing Arts. He is really proud of those kids and likes to
encourage them. I think we were the only non-parents there but it was terrific.
It was all seniors in the Department of Theater who performed a script that
they wrote called Porch view... Those kids have a future... but I think none of
those boys had a waist bigger than 27 inches lol...I was never that thin in
even high school lol. On the way home Jim told me of his talk with some LDS
General Authorities that called him and wanted him to meet with them about
Jim’s attempt to buy the SL Tribune. Stay tune. Went to bed about 10 pm and I
am not sure if Buddy is too crazy about having a snuggle buddy, but TJ likes
being near him...Farley, Maxx, TJ, and Buddy are all up on the bed and Harleigh
is off in his corner...he doesn't like hobnobbing with the riffraff...but let
the wind blow we are all safe and in for the night... So ends April 2016. Bernie
supporters are attacking George Takei for saying they should switch over to
Clinton now that it’s obvious she is going to be the nominee. When you attack
George Takei you're crossed the line. As I've said, Sanders is a good man but
some of his supporters are horrible people and act like Republicans. Remember
Bernie Sanders supporters calling DNC crooked well it appears his people were
the crooks. My second Cousin Barbara Danforth’s daughter Jenna is in a band
called The Other Words and she is really talented.
MAY
1
May 2016 Sunday
This
afternoon I went to Kevin Scott and Jose's “Uno de Mayo Mexican pot luck”...It
was a little breezy but otherwise a beautiful day. I brought a crock pot of
frijoles and there was food, drinks, and booze galore. They even had a Mariachi
band so they went all out...I'd say 50 to 75 people were there. Maybe more. It
was good to see so many I recognized from Gay Men Aloud and other old
friends...Kevin and Jose should be congratulated and I know it was a lot of
work. The party was still going when I came home and took a nap. Then I got up
and fed the hound dogs and prepared for a Beltane Heart Circle gathering. While
napping, was listening to New Age Asian Chimes and it must work because every
pup is a sleep with Farley resting his head on my arm...I have a sweet life for
sure and feel complete with all my sweet pups.
Greg Allen, Jay Vallar, and Jon Michael Huggins came over for the Heart
Circle..
2
May 2016 Monday
Went
to Gay Men Aloud tonight because it was Kent’s turn to facilitate. I brought
banana walnut bread and Charles Frost for the first time brought store bought
cookies that he wanted Kent to reimburse him for $16! I came early and ended up setting up the
chairs and refreshment table. The meeting was quite entertaining. Kent had Chad
Martet from Men Who Move, Joshua Barnes from the Bee, Eric Nelson from a dance
group PULSE and Michael Sanders from
Black Boots all come and share about their group. Eric Nelson, who is just as
cute as can be gave a fun blues dance demonstration. I think about 25 people
were there, which is what the numbers have leveled off at. Well I think my new
phone is lost...
"How
privileged do you need to be to imagine that it’s a good idea to risk the
actual lives of vulnerable Americans because you “hate” Clinton?" "If Donald Trump gets elected, how many
vulnerable people will be hurt, how many programs cut, how bad will the economy
get under conservative policies? How much damage will be done if Trump, an open
racist and misogynist, is empowered to command our military, veto bills, and
nominate people to the Supreme Court, impacting life in the US for decades to
come.
·
Michael
Sanders Hi Ben. Channel 2 reached out to me about the Pride Parade. I only know
the present but not about the history as you do. Would you like to talk to
Chris Jones as well?
·
Edgar Ben Williams I don't mind but my phone
disappeared so until I can replace it messaging is the best way to tell me
about it
·
Michael
Sanders They are interviewing me tomorrow at 330pm.
·
Edgar
Ben Williams I will be there
3
May 2016 Tuesday
This
after noon I was down at Michael Sander’s Now and Again store on Broadway to be
interviewed by Chris Jones a reporter for KUTV. Michael was upset that the
Pride Parade limited how many can participate without give a deadline for
submitting an application. He’s mad that corporations got in but not local Gay
businesses like his and the Sun Trapp. How can you not love a dog who literally
cries when you come home. The rest bark and are ecstatic to see me like I have
been gone all day but Farley aka Old Boy cried like I have come home safe from
a 3 year dangerous mission. We were meant to be together. Bought me another
phone this evening. Mike and I went out to the Verizon Store in West Valley.
This cute college kid named Ammon recommended the phone because it was the one
he bought for his grandparents lol...I said if it's granny tested... I am
sold!! It's a Samsung Galaxy Core Prime...same phone number. I paid $200 for
it. Jon Huntsman the skunk says Utahns [Republican Mormons]should support Trump
and quit bashing him. I wonder how that is faring with Eduardo Cruz's good
delusional friend Mike I hate the government Lee Hillary wins in closed primary
states where Democrats can only vote...Bernie wins in open primaries where
independents and Republicans can vote in Democratic primaries.... Indiana is an
open primary state...he won 6 more delegates than Hillary after spending millions
in a state Clinton didn't even campaign in...
·
Bill
Poore and that is the key the independents could cross over and vote Democrat
which in my opinion does not make it a Democratic primary. ......and then 81
percent of the Democrats are white. In past elections voter breakdown, Hillary
does not get men’s votes period, men will not vote for her, it is a penis
thing. Hillary needs a state will a big black population, that is where she
wins especially women....check out all her past victories, large black You
cannot win the Democratic nomination without the black vote, they are not going
to vote for an old Jewish guy...sorry folks that is reality. The states ahead
for Hillary will be difficult, because they have small mixed populations. Calif
is youth vote, with big pockets of blacks in Oakland area, LA San
Francisco...not sure if it will be enough to beat Bernie. If Indiana had been a
closed election for Democrats only Hilliary would have killed him.
·
Edgar Ben Williams The Republicans are
desperate for a Bernie nomination so they can use his radical leftist positions
against him...he was president of the Trotsky Socialist Party in 1980... He ran
as a socialist in most local elections and ran as an "Independent"
when he was actually a socialist. He never was a Democrat until this year...
·
Bill Poore The republicans would kill Bernie,
he says he is the best to run against Trump but they would kill him....one word
SOCIALIST . they would use it every other word....America is not ready for
another period of big social expensive programs again, we just got rid of them
Bernie looks good in a Democratic primary where he can get the youth and
extreme left but in an on election he would lose big time.
·
Salt Lake City — (KUTV)
When Ben Edgar Williams was helping to put together the Gay Pride Parade in the
'90s, finding sponsorships for the event was nearly impossible. "We had a
corporate sponsor that would pay us $300," said Williams, who said the
group was ecstatic to get the small check. Since then, as mainstream America
began to accept and embrace members of the LGBT community, the three-day Utah
Pride Festival and Parade has become a popular community event that caters to
thousands of people. The event is popular with parade goers and groups and
businesses eager to get in on the action, and that means that some community
gay groups may not be able to participate in the parade. Michael Sanders, said his group, was told there was no more room
in the parade. "I'm disappointed," said Sanders who believes the
parade has been co-opted by big businesses. "When I see a parade that
accommodates corporations and big-business marketing to my community and
doesn't really have room for me anymore I feel that is broken." The Utah
Pride Center, that puts on the event as a fundraiser, said about 13 local
groups are on a waiting list, because they did not get their applications in
early enough for the event that has become wildly popular. Bonnie O'Brien, who
puts the parade together for the Pride Center, said corporations make up on 30
percent of the 150 entries in the parade. The other 70 percent are local
churches, businesses and LGBT groups. "I do have companies like Bud Light
and AT&T, but I also have sponsorships like Equality Utah and Planned
Parenthood," said O'Brien. She said the corporations are critical to the
success of the parade. Big companies help provide as many and 500 volunteers
for the event, and she says corporate money helps keep the doors of the Pride
Center Open. "This building isn't
open and the services that are available at this building don't exist without
corporate sponsorship," said O'Brien. Sanders and Williams say the Pride
Parade has become a massive, glitzy event, very different from what it was
intended to be in 1974 [wrong] when it started as a way to show gay pride and
defiance. "The parade is our
parade, it's our protest march. it's our call to action," said Sanders.
4
May 2016 Wednesday
Had
a busy day but a fun one...I put on a pot roast in the crock pot and started
prepping for dinner when Chuck Whyte called and said he needed a ride to get
his prescriptions about noon. I said I would but I had to be back by 1 pm. I
could tell he was in a lot of pain from his leg but I was upset because what
was supposed to be an hour trip turned into 2 hours! I didn’t get back home
until 2:30. I was upset but didn’t say a word because I could tell Chuck was
hurting. SO I had to rush home to clean
house, mop the floors and fix dinner for TJ Otaka and his hubby Jim McMullen.
It's the first time they had ever come over but TJ wanted to see the pups. Alan
Anderson and Bill Poore joined us so there were five of us. I made a pot roast with mushroom gravy, mashed
potatoes, candied carrots, yellow squash, homemade biscuits, a green salad and
chocolate cake for dinner. Alan brought a bottle of wine and TJ and Jim a peach
pie so there was plenty to eat... After their initial barking frenzy when
people arrived the pups were good as gold...After dinner we moved out onto the
veranda and it was a nice evening to be outside... Michael Romero joined us
later after a business meeting to pick up Coco and stayed until about 9. Everyone
loves TJ the Chihuahua and he loves everyone especially Alan...When people
began to leave I sent cake and pie home
with everyone. Today is the anniversary of the Kent State Massacre so long ago.
Ted Cruz dropped out of the race for GOP nominee.
·
Bill
Poore Alan stole TJ away from me.....the food was great. TJ could sit on Alans
chest. Harley loves me the best.
·
T.J.
Otaka Thank you so much for a lovely evening, Ben. We really enjoyed
everything: good food, good company, and especially your adorable pups and
Coco.
·
Alan
Anderson I am changing TJ's name to Peanut. He has obviously adopted me, and
the poor little boy got all confused when we said T.J. Just too many TJs, and
besides, Peanut fits! And when Peanut comes up missing, do not look for him in
Midvale.
·
Jon
Michael Sorry Alan I have first dibs on T.J. Peanut is a great name.
·
Alan
Anderson I think we will have to let Peanut decide!~ LOL
·
Bill
Poore yeah if TJ comes up missing, Corky will as well.
·
Jesse
Dolce I want TJ! What an amazing day and meal for you all. Just wow
·
Alan
Anderson Mine, mine, mine! LOL
·
T.J.
Otaka Oh, please...
·
Jesse
Dolce I will take both TJ's
·
Bill
Poore Peanut is a so so common name, white trash at best. TJ is not common and
it will remain TJ...it is short for Tijuana part of his heritage. TJ the man
should feel proud he has a dog named sort of after him. TJ is the perfect name
for my little nephew.
·
T.J.
Otaka I do feel proud now that I know how adorable and popular he is.
·
Bill
Poore There should be no confusion for little TJ when calling him....when we
talk to TJ the man we use more of a Japanese accent, and little TJ a Mexican
accent...I will give lessons at our next dinner.
·
Alan
Anderson Bill, you are too much!
·
Edgar
Ben Williams OH brother ... You know I have 4 others dogs you could fuss over
·
Bill
Poore I have to give more attention to Max....he seems to be ignored a lot.
Give Max one of the treats that TJ and Jim brought...my are good but I think
theirs might be better....oh hell give them all one especially Harley.
5
May 2016 Thursday
After
dropping Coco home and bringing Michael the left overs from yesterday's pot roast
I worked in the back yard until 8 Filled a yard waste garbage can and a regular
trash car overflowing with sticks and branches and yard waste from the spot
just south of the deck. It was filled with dead leaves and sticks. It was a lot
of work. Even mowed so it's starting to come together...Harleigh was being
weird outside while I was doing yard work in the back...I picked up a rock and
threw it out of the way while I was mowing and he went and started chewing on
it and then he picked it up and carried it back to the spot I picked it up.
Never seen a dog chew on rocks before...then Maxx started burying a little
stuffed rabbit toy that I had pulled out of the dirt...when he came to bed I
noticed every one of his paws were black from mud so he must of been tramping
through my garden patch I had just watered... I hosed him down in the tub and
he was a pretty good boy but I guess it's bed cover washing tomorrow...
Everyone liked being in the yard but Buddy and TJ... Time to relax and read
what everyone's been up to and the latest outrage the Republicans have done...Tom
Folks called me about 10 pm and said that he had taken Chuck Whyte to the
emergency from at LDS Hospital. His leg was all swollen and purple so Tom
insisted he go to the doctors... Stephen Bolinder has been looking after him
too. I took him to get prescriptions yesterday and could tell he was in a lot
of pain but if I would have seen his leg as Tom did ...I would have taken him
up yesterday... It must have been ongoing for a while because he commended on
FB that he was having leg pain. The doctor said he doesn't have a blood clot
probably cellulitis but he's running a fever so they are keeping him over
night. He will be there a couple of days with a severe case of cellulitis but
he can have visitors. My main issue with Bernie Sanders is that he has never
been a Democrat NEVER... He's always been a socialist running as an independent
...it's good that he is pushing the party more left but if he gets the
nomination his socialist back ground will be exploited by the Republicans and
they will crucify him. America is not ready for a Socialist president even if
he's pretending to be a Democrat. If he cared at all for the Democrat Party he
would bow out but he is adamant about pushing his Socialist agenda. I have no
problem with socialism just people who hide who they are. I once voted for a
candidate in the Socialist Workers Party but I knew who I was voting for and
what the SWP stood for.
·
Dear
Kyle, Hope you are well. If you
tried calling Wednesday there is a reason I didn’t pick up. My new phone was
stolen of my car. Last Sunday I went to some friend’s pot luck party and I had
the phone in the car so I could check the address. When I got there I threw the
phone in the passenger seat, took out my crock pot and I was certain I locked
the car but maybe I didn’t anyway I never remember having it after that. Monday I started looking for my phone, it’s
not in the house, pants, pockets, or car. I couldn’t even have someone call my
number because Saturday I had turned the phone to mute. My only guess is that someone was looking
through all the cars parked on the street and they saw the phone. I had that
phone less than a month when my Apple Phone froze up. I was eligible for an
update so I got a new Samsung S7 for $100. Even though it was a $500 phone I
only paid $100 for it. So anyway Michael
helped me look for a new phone. I almost
went back to a flip phone but the Verizon college kid recommended the Samsung
Galaxy Core Prime phone. He said that it
was the one he bought for his grandparents. LOL. Actually I do like it even
better than the other phone which was way too complicated. It was about $200. Phone number is the same. I think I wrote you that I adopted old boy
and named him Farley. So I have a Harleigh and a Farley and they look identical
except for their ears. Farley’s ears are not cropped so you can tell them from
their ears. That dog loves me so much that while the other dogs bark and get
excited when I come home, Farley actually cries and whimpers like I was never
going to come home. He’s exceptionally sweet. I think I told you that little
boy got adopted into a wonderful Schnauzer loving family. They named him Wylie
and he has two other female Schnauzers as sisters now. Last Friday I took
Farley and Coco into the vet’s to have their teeth cleaned. Farley’s looked
horrible and I was sure he’d lose teeth but he didn’t. It was poor Coco that
had 8 teeth pulled! She also needed all her shots because she had seen the vet
since 2011. Anyway I just paid for it all $1200. So between new phones, teeth
cleaning, and adopting dogs it’s been very expensive April. Good thing I don’t
want to go on a cruise ship. All the
sights I want to see are right in my own backyard. Saturday night, Jim Dabakis asked me to go with him to
see a play that the High School for the Performing Arts Senior Dramatic Arts
Class had written and acted. It was super cute and even had some affirming Gay
moments. What a different world from when I was a teenager. It still amazes me
that there’s a TV show on ABC called The Real O’Neals which is from the
perspective of a Gay Teenager with a supportive Catholic family. Anyway Jim said that he’s attending a UPAN
Conference this month because they invited him and there’s a minor scandal that
one of the state legislators who sat on the committee to move the Draper Prison
and pushed to have it relocated had bought up a lot property near the prison.
Well we all knew that was all about graft and real estate development. If they
can rebuild a school on the same property and keep the old school open at the
same time…I don’t understand why they couldn’t have down that to the Prison. Oh
well. Additionally the Wednesday before Jim and I went out, he said that he was
called into a meeting with Big Wig General Authorities including Elder
Stevenson, Elder Christofferson, the Presiding Bishop and someone else I can’t
remember. The Suits all wanted him to
drop his law suit over the buying of the Tribune but he said it all depends on
what the Department of Justice finds out.
Jim said he and some other millionaires were poised to buy the Tribune
before Paul Huntsman announced that the Huntsmen want to buy it. Jim said that Huntsman wanted to buy the
Tribune last November but the LDS Church nixed the deal because they get to
have a say in who buys the paper. Jim said they simply wanted to kill the paper
but once they got wind that Jim wants to buy the paper and he had gone back to
Washington to meet with folks at the DOJ over the shady stuff the DN was
pulling, the LDS Church speed dialed Huntsman and said he could have the paper
if he still wanted it. Better to have the Tribune under the thumb of super
loyal Huntsman than a Queer Liberal LOL. So much for an Independent Voice. I
bet without the Tribune the Deseret News would never have reported on the story
of the girl who was raped at BYU being called in to standards for violating the
code of chastity. I guess you heard Jon Huntsman Jr is trying to rally up
support for Trump in Utah where the majority went with bat shit “God Anointed
Me President” Cruz. I wonder how that
will play out since Elder Mitt Romney a couple of weeks ago made a liturgy of why Trump isn’t fit to be President. 'Okay
I am done with Cruz and thank God so is Cruz....but oh the horror Mormon
Republicans now have to support a hedonistic thrice married adulterous mogul to
represent their family values... Just goes to show that scrape off the veneer
and you will find that Republicans are self-centered mean people...' Okay I am
done here and thank God so is Cruz....but oh the horror Mormon Republicans now
have to support a hedonistic thrice married adulterous mogul to represent their
family values... Just goes to show that scrape off the veneer and you will find
that Republicans are self-centered mean people...And I guess you heard by now
that Donald “you’re fired” Trump will be the Republican nominee for the
Presidency. What a topsy turvy world. Trump hates the Republican establishment
and they hate him back. "I like
Trump because I'm sick of political correctness" translates to "I
wish I could say racist, homophobic, sexists things in public, not just among
friends." And Bernie refuses to give up even though he doesn’t a China man
chance of winning the nomination. My problem with Bernie is that he isn’t a
Democrat. He’s a Socialist and that is why he always ran as an Independent
because no one will vote for him if he’s a labeled a Socialist, which isn’t
hard to do. chairperson of the party Liberty Union Sanders also served as a
presidential elector for the Socialist Workers’ Party in 1980, something that
he acknowledged in a 1988 television appearance. The group at the time was a
Trotskyist party that pressed for the abolition of capitalism and the peaceful
establishment of socialism. as the Young People’s Socialist League or the
Trotskyist Socialist Workers’ Party, especially in Sanders ran and won a narrow
race for mayor of Burlington, Vermont in 1981. Though he ran as an independent,
he identified himself as a socialist mayor. He continued to be an independent
until he put himself on the ballot as a Democrat in the current presidential
race. Bernie Sanders is not a Democrat he does not believe in the Democratic
Party...he's a socialist ... even a former member of Socialist Workers
Party...he's run as an Independent because he could not get elected as a
socialist...I don't have a problem with Socialism but Bernie Sanders is no
Democrat... He should have been true to his values and ran as a Socialist
rather than coopted the Democratic Party which he never belonged until running
for President... Bernie Sanders is not a Democrat...never has been...he's a
socialist that runs as an Independent until he needs the Party apparatus...
When the Republicans bring up his past as being a member of the Socialist
Workers Party they will crucify him and we will have a sociopathic Billionaire
destroying every progressive agenda of the Democratic Party because of Bernie’s
fanatics irrational hatred and smear campaign against Hillary. Have people
forgotten who she is married to? One of the best Presidents of the late 20th
Century. Many of Bernie supporters are too young to know anything that the
Clintons have done for America...
6
May 2016 Friday
I
turned in my paperwork to my doctor so my driver’s license won't get suspended...made the mistake
of admitting I have diabetes on my driver’s license renewal and now every year
I have to have my doctor tell the DMV that I am okay to drive or they will put
a hold on my license. Rich Butler saved my Grandma's Buddha from crumbling to
pieces by doing an excellent restoration considering the cracks in it and the
foot fallen off. It has sentimental value to me. Just got home from visiting
Chuck in the hospital and doing some errands. His room number is W852. The
number he gave me earlier must have been when he was out of it because there's
no fifth floor lol I saw his leg when it
was being dressed. Yowzer...it was swollen and bluish purple, They drew a line
above the infection and just below it in marker. His infection is from just
below the knee to his ankle. However since it was dressed he said the pain was
significantly reduced. They have him on an antibiotic drip which he will need
for two days and he may not be going home until Sunday. He's a little drifty
with the pain medicine but his fever is down. I know he will be there tomorrow
but I'd call after that. He felt well enough to check out his doctor and said
he was cute. Sorry that the Trans community is so divided but I hate to see
them pick on Teinamarrie Nelson Scuderi who for 25 years has been a strong ally
in this community, a member of the Royal Court, a fundraiser and did incredible
work with Chuck Whyte when the AIDS Quilt came to the Salt Palace in 1989...If
you look at the life of one person you need to see all the good they have done
and do and not just one incident that you disagree with. This person is not
being honored for efforts in the Trans community but in the entire community.
It’s hard for me to believe from knowing this person for so long that she was
ever a bully. Just because you disagree with someone that doesn't make them a
bully. So sad that someone had to create a petition against someone in our own
community. The enemy is out there not within. Have you noticed Caitlyn Jenner
has been awfully quiet about her Republican Party's anti Trans bathroom
laws...I bet she's not visiting North Carolina any time soon. Can't wait for
the GOP to explode when their Presidential nominee Trump goes on trial for
fraud this summer . The suits against Trump claim the Trump University program
was deceptively marketed with claims that Trump hand-picked the instructors but
that he did not. Some of the instructors also appeared to have had little
experience in real estate investing. Trump has said the vast majority of
participants found the program valuable and some plaintiffs in the case gave
the program stellar reviews at the time. Some paid up to $35,000 for the course
because of the Trump brand. Oh Trump baby you are going to be so fired...
there's not enough ignorant racist rednecks in America to vote for you in the
general election and if you vote for him just because he is a Republican you
are really really stupid. He is no more a Republican than Bernie Sanders is a
Democrat. Watch for a 3rd Party to appear The Christian Conservative Party.
Even Paul Ryan says he doesn’t support Trump.
·
Erin
Bain petition Utah Pride Center, we ask that you rescind the ICON award for
Christopher and Teinamarrie while we acknowledge that these two have done some
respectable things for the community, the community in whole does not agree
that their past behavior is indicative of receiving an ICON award. While many trans community members have
expressed personal stories of being bullied, along with experiencing great
difficulty in working with the Scuderi’s. It was the direct event, that
resulted in the resignation of from TEA of Utah, due to their incompetence, and
their egregious mishandling of a discrimination case that took place at the SLC
Driver’s License Division in 2011, on top of their bullying attitudes, that we
as a community ask that this award be rescinded. In 2011 a trans women was
forced to remove her makeup, while attempting to renew her ID. As this event
took place an ally stepped forward to defend the women, who was being mocked
and laughed at. Remarks were made towards the women of her being "a man in
a dress” and not allowed to look like that in her photo. These two individuals
turned towards TEA of Utah, looking for help. They were ignored, and to the
communities surprise. The Scuderi’s publicly denounced any wrong doing had
occurred. They not only didn’t listen to the victims, they lied to the public,
and their community. Christopher quickly released a statement, as well as
appearing on several news channels, indicating that they had reviewed the case
and found no discrimination had occurred.
Even referring to the victim and her ally as having “over emotional
reactions” The community was, naturally, outraged at their lack of concern for
trans women who directly experienced discrimination due to her trans identity.
Trans community members began questioning the intention of the Scuderi’s. Many
community members began asking why the Scuderi’s were denouncing any
discrimination took place, without first reviewing the video footage, or even
speaking with the victims. Instead the Scuderi’s sided with the DLD and insisted
that everything was handled properly. Christopher then began to threaten to sue
members of the community, from his position at TEA of Utah. He would insist
that they cease and desist mentioning anything about the event at the DLD. In
attempts to silence anyone who sided with these victims. It was due to this
behavior that the petition was started demanding the removal of the Scuderi’s
from TEA of Utah. Shortly after the petition was started, the public was made
aware of a video showing DLD members pointing and laughing at the trans women,
while forcing her to remove her makeup. The video also showed the ally who
stepped up to help call out the discrimination that was occurring. This caused
even more outrage, now that the public had proof of the event, even more
questions arose as to why two, seemingly trans allies, were ignoring the trans
community. When all was said and done no, apology was ever issued by the
Scuderi’s, as well as no acknowledgement of their blatant disregard for any
wrong doing that was done towards these two individuals and the community. This
is just one example of the behavior of the Scuderi’s, along with their bullying
attitude towards the community has dealt with in the past, the Scuderi’s have
also been banned from all trans social groups, within SLC. The trans community
does not feel that these two represent the qualities that make up an ICON award
recipient. Because of these facts we ask that the Utah Pride Center rescind
this nomination immediately.
·
The
Scuderi’s have done immense damage to the trans community in Salt Lake City.
They are unscrupulous and have consistently bullied and attacked anyone who
they perceive to be a threat to them. Most importantly, the internalized
transphobia that allowed them to pose as straight allies and never acknowledge
that Christopher is a transman is the opposite of Pride and certainly not
befitting an icon. Rev, Sean Dennison McHenry IL
·
Rebecca Wilder Owner –Operator at Landstar Let's put things in perspective, the Scuderi’s
have contributed in many ways in the last 15-20 years in the glbtq community.
More so than anyone I ever knew in Utah, although not everyone will always
agree with everything they have accomplished, it is fair to say there has
always been one person since the beginning trying to tear down everything the
Scuderis ever did. Constantly making allegations against them. Dom has made out
cries to anyone that would listen anytime someone tries to better the Trans
community for the last 15 years. Most of us, including myself left the
community because of the constant infighting mostly instigated by One loud
voice recruiting others to her cause, which is to be the most influential Trans
advocate in Utah. When someone rises above her she lashes out and goes after them
publicly. Personally I recognize the Scuderis accomplishments as I worked with
them in the last 18 years and can't think of anyone else more deserving for
their lifelong commitment to advocating for transgender issues. Take this
petition for what it is, trying to tear down others accomplishments because
"they" were not the ones recognized. Ask yourself this question, what
have the petitioners done for the transgender community above and beyond what
the Scuderis have done. Keep in mind as one of the co-founders of Tea of Utah
that Trans resources were very limited even within the glbtq community. I
second the nomination for the award.
·
Connie A. Anast-Inman · Yellow Status Presenter #181566 at
Younique – Corporate I am glad to see you are responding to this petition,
Rebecca. You, indeed, we're part of the founding of TEA of Utah and we all owe
a debt of gratitude to you. This petition was not started by someone who wanted
the award for themselves. In fact, it was the opposite. The calling for a
different recipient came from other community members, and has included many
names, including Dallas Rivas and the late Alex Miller, both trans people who
work/ed very hard to not only live in authenticity, but to fight for the rights
of all LGBTQI people. Both of whom represent the very best of a Present ICON. The
community, trans and otherwise, is expressing their frustration through this
petition because they have felt unheard in other methods. The protest of this
award did not begin here - this was the result of not addressing the community
in a way that they appreciated. While you indeed were a founding member of TEA,
regrettably, you haven't lived here in Utah for some time and it's probably
fair to say you may not be the best judge of the current communities feelings
on the subject. Can you see how that might be the case? And in the spirit of
authenticity, you resigned from TEA of Utah in the midst of the DLD situation
in 2011. You didn't see the struggle to keep TEA of Utah viable, relevant, and
compassionate to the trans and gender non-conforming communities. You weren't
present at the community meetings to regain the trust of those who felt
wronged. You didn't take meetings or field phone calls or any of the aftermath
that came with continuing to fight for the trans community in Utah after 2011.
And why would you? You had moved away and we're getting on with your life!
You're allowed! I deeply respect you and your opinion. What I would like you to
know is that this petition is about more than the DLD. Each person who has
signed this has had an experience that is just as valid to them as yours is to
you. They are varied and many. And they are worthy of being heard
·
Rebecca Wilder · Owner-Operator at Landstar Sidestepped? Your
forgetting I was the third co-founder. Dom was not involved nor wanted to be.
Us three sat at a Dennys at an all-nighter coming up with the idea, so every
time I hear someone claiming it's something Dom should have started I chuckle,
because your absolutely right that she should have started an organization but
didn't. I too was amazed at how the only Trans resource was endangered species
so we set to change that. Same story when I was the first Transwoman elected to
the Swerve board of directors that Dom should have been selected. I hope
someday someone selects her for something or tea of Utah makes her the
executive director just so that allegation stops. Just because you sit in a
coffee shop complaining about other people that make a difference and put in
the hard work to organize something doesn't make you a community leader. Oh how
about the transgender day of remembrance Dom did? The following year she didn't
want anything to do with it because of all the past drama. We were approached
by the pride center asking us to pick up the slack. I remember having a meeting
about it and we were concerned about stepping on Dom’s toes, but after
confirmation that she was checking out of the community we decided to refigure
the entire Trans day of remembrance and host it going forward, only to be
accused of stealing that away. I could go on and on with various topics. I too
was around as I worked right in the stonewall coffee shop. I can't even believe
that we are rehashing everything between the scuderis and others from 5 years
ago all the way back past 15 years ago. Yes in the last 20 years Dom was
present off and on but I'm having a hard time Recalling anything she actually
started up and followed through with let alone any groups or boards she served
on. I'm actually disappointed that much more was not accomplished. The only
thing I can think of is claiming everything should have been hers when someone
else tried to do something for the Trans community. But now is a new day
without myself, the scuderis and MA you other influential people, so hopefully
some people will actually accomplish something instead of fighting the past.
Connie is correct that I have moved to Idaho and no longer serve the Utah
community so I don't see the current issues. Some people just need to learn how
to let go of the past as I am pretty well convinced that if we never started
tea of Utah, it would not have existed today, or any similar Trans group. So
again I second the nomination for the scuderis even though this petition may
accomplish its goal of having the nomination revoked. Sadly that would only
indicate the pride center caving in to the demands of bullies that are kicking
and screaming like children. Politics is the demise to every organization and
that's a shame. I didn't intend to start a debate with my first post as my
intentions were to take a stand against this petition and point out that
obviously lots of people felt they deserved this recognition as they were
nominated and those voices should be heard. May 8, 2016
·
Miles Ruttinger Rebecca Wilder I know who you are and I
understand your contribution to this community. Thank you for your service!
Regardless of what happened I do respect it was started. I too have left Utah
and live somewhere else. All I am stating is what I have observed over the
years. I haven't been in Utah for the last 4 years and I haven't been present
in the scene in the 7 years in Utah mainly due to politics. I was tired. I also
have an understanding of the current politics because I stayed in contact with
people. This isn't a vendetta against Tina Maria and Chris, this is an
observation that I have had of them over the years. I don't have anything
personal against you but I was a witness to Dominique Storni actively putting
together an organization prior to TEA because she talked with me about it and I
was present the day Darin asked her. I was a part of the first TDOR at SLCC at
the redwood campus and it was Dominique Storni that brought that to our
community along with others no longer present. I was aware of next year’s
politics and what I saw was Dominique Storni stepping back because it takes a
lot out of someone when they have to actively fight and all she wanted was to
help. I also remember her still participating in that night helping regardless
of turmoil. I have watched and yes she has been loud and she recognizes this
but she also states the truth about Tina Marie and Chris. I have been a part of
working at the Center and I have been a part of establishing programs which
evolved into different things. This is about there are others that deserve this
and that the trans community was not asked and many people in the trans
community including me have observed these two specific people practicing a
shady ethics. Dallas Rivas certainly deserves an award and I'm happy to hear
the late Alex Miller was up for consideration. This isn't about Dominique
stating her experience she is one in many other experiences. Please don't take
one sentence of "side-stepping" and make it all about Dominique she
has been the loudest voice but she is not the only voice.
·
Christopher and Teinamarrie,,, ESPECIALLY Teinamarrie.. have
done more to harm the LGBT community.. and even MORE HARM to the transgender
community, than any other "activist/ally" I have ever met. dominique
storni, slc,
7
May 2016 Saturday
Got enough
rain to water the yard and garden and the air smells pretty fresh......this
evening I spent time editing the interview J Seth Anderson did with me last
March for the U of U's AIDS archives. Someone transcribed the whole interview
which turned into 80 pages and sent it to me to make corrections and
clarifications before the paper will be saved in the Kristen Ries and Maggie
Snyder AIDS collection... I only got 20 pages down before I called it quits...
Too much drama today by a petition per petty pouty petulant people...It is
really sad that some malcontents in the LGBT community can bully the Pride
Center to rescind an award after it’s been announced for a month. Well I guess
now these people know they can run the community. Really disgusting when they
slandered a person I've known for 25 years who has always worked for the good
of the entire community, not just one part of it that hollers the loudest. The
truth is she will still be around doing good when these malcontents move on to
attack someone else. She's earned a legacy while these people bitch and moan
and play the victim card. Really disgusted where the dysfunctional community is
headed. The Republicans and Democrats are NOT the same no matter what ignorant
people say. And all this hate towards Hillary Clinton is irrational. She isn’t
going to repeal the ACA as Trump says he will. She’s not going to appoint
conservative justices to the Supreme Court for the purpose of repealing Roe vs
Wade. She isn't going build a wall between Mexico and the United States and ban
Muslims from coming to the United States. She isn't going to renege on the Iran
Nuclear deal. She isn't going to try and overturn marriage equality or allow
Religious Liberty laws to discriminate. She isn't Bush & Cheney who
engineered a couple of wars for profit with no exit strategy by lying to the
American people. The Clintons are highly intelligent people who
like the Obamas who came from humble beginnings. The Democrats lost the White
House for 12 years until Bill Clinton moved the party to a more Centralist
position and we had 8 years of prosperity and progress. Obama won on a
centralist platform and for 8 years we have had a recovery from the Bush
Recession and progress. The Clintons
have been good to me and I stand by them.
8
May 2016 Sunday Mother’s Day
Mother’s
Day just makes me think that my mom, all my aunts and grandmas are all gone and
all the women of my childhood are just memories now At the last minute I
decided to go see Kyle Foote in Gunnison for Mother’s Day. I didn’t get any
quarters like I usually do so I only had $2.50 to buy treats for him from the
prison vending machines. A Dr. Pepper is $1.25 and a Milky Way is also $1.25 so
I had just enough. Gas has jumped 30 cents since April. We are like the highest
in the nation now at $2.25 a gallon, still a bargain after those days of $4.00
a gallon. I thought it was supposed to be sunny today but it was cloudy and
rainy all the way down and back. I surprised Kyle because he didn’t know I was
coming. We talked about him wanting to be a draftsman when he gets out
designing floor plans and such. He finished finally his biology class at SLCC
and took the test. He was tutored he said by Johnny Brickman Wall that man who
murdered his wife in Sugar House. Kyle said he was kind and patient with him
learning the biology terms. Anyway we had a nice visit and it was about 5:00
when I got back home to feed the dogs. Teinamarrie Scuderi and her husband
Chris wrote a letter resigning from the ICON award without any malice. Now that
is class. I was so mad about a few Trannies making a petition to remove Teinamarrie
from this year’s ICON Award I wrote on Face Book If anyone signed the
despicable petition to remove Teinamarrie Scuderi from the ICON award please
remove me from your list of friends. This is the most classless and low life
event I've seen in this so called LGBT community in a long time. It was an
indecent thing to do and I withdraw the little respect I had left for the Utah
Pride Center which just showed people how little pride they have. This infamous
decision will be remembered let me tell you.
9
May 2016 Monday
A
thunderclap in the middle of the night sent 5 scared puppies jumping on the
bed...even Harleigh all shaking in their boots. Harleigh and Farley snuggled
under my arms, TJ under my covers, Maxx laying across my belly and Buddy at my
feet...big old babies...but we made it through it through. I had a marathon
weekend watching all the episodes of Frankie and Grace...what else to do on a
rainy day? Saturday, in a break in the rain, I planted 30 English Ivy starts as
ground cover on the south side of the front yard so this rain is fortuitous.
Except all my irises are blooming and it's too wet to enjoy them yet...my April
tulips are about all gone...they were really pretty. Planted 40 bulbs last fall
and they bloomed this year... I got my corn seeds in the ground, pulled weeds,
planted some flowers, and dug up and transplanted my irises before the rains
came. It’s a good drenching thunder and lightning storm so it will be a good
start for what I planted but the babes are all weirded out by the thunder. I
guess some places even got hail. I wish I had my phone with me so I could have
taken a picture of TJ. He was so scared from the thunder that he curled up into
a little ball in my bear hat that fell on the floor. They were all stressed out
so I laid down with them and now everyone is sound asleep with TJ curled up
next to my belly... They aren't as tough as they pretend. There are those who
are perpetually on attack and can only play the victim and nothing will ever
make them happy because they think badly of everyone's intentions if they
aren't catered to completely and damn everyone else. I used to take the moral high ground by not
responding when attacked by someone in the community who think they can demean
my record keeping for what used to be called the Gay Community. If I have
learned anything it is not to let a lie stand or it soon is taken as truth by
people who are ignorant of my contributions and think they can easily dismiss
me. In order to insult me I first have to value your opinion. Nice Try. I
usually am attacked by the transgender part of the LGBT acronym because I don't
maintain a complete history of them the way they want their history remembered.
If they want myths as facts they can write their own story and good luck with
finding primary sources in this community earlier than 1995.
10
May 2016 Tuesday
Ran
over to LDS Hospital this morning because Chuck Whyte needed his computer and
sundry items from his apartment. His coloring is back and you can tell he's
more alert and responsive. Could just be the happy pills. Yesterday, he was in
the operating room for about 2 hours having his leg drained. Evidently while
having his leg dressed ...it, as he said, exploded...they had to open his leg
from knee to ankle and drain it of pus and infected material and packed it with
sterile gauze to sop up what did not come out...the swelling has gone down and
color near normal...needless to say he's not going home today. I am finding
that when I come home from any errand I have to sit with Farley until he stops
crying and over anxious. I hold him and pet him...Never had a dog so anxious
about greeting me. The others bark and greet me and then it's meh! It's you. Coco
got real energetic after a butt washing...but like who doesn't? Her Beauty Shop
appointment is next Monday with the fabulous Monsieur Bolinder extraordinaire.
Buddy gets his mug shaved too... Both are getting a bikini wax for the
summer.... crack and snatch no sack... Not anymore. I went to the first
organizational meeting of the LGBT community council tonight held at the city
library... Chord [Chad] Martet of Men Who Move led the meeting and Lukus
Fowler, the chair of Transgender Education and Advocacy [TEA] took notes. The
meeting lasted from 6:30 and 8:30... I sat between Michael Sanders of Black
Boots and Nathan Graham Emperor of the Royal Court. Kent McKay Scadlock was
there representing GMA. When I introduced myself I said I'm Ben Gay
Emeritus...but then said I was representing The Utah Stonewall Historical
Society. There were about 26 people representing diverse groups such as Pup
Play, Quac, LGBT chamber of commerce, the Pride Center, Utah Bears, Black
Boots, LGBT Therapist Guild, and more. Carol Gnade, I think, said the Pride
Center sold their building yesterday. We discussed what would be the difference
between the purpose of a council and the center. We discussed having a record
of community resources of services and organizations, perhaps down the road
having a LGBT Expo, what is the purpose of the group and membership dues.... Baby steps
today nothing decided just brainstorming and getting to know one another... It
was good to see Becky Moss and Terry Gillman there....There was this gorgeous
hipster there named Matt Stott.
·
Amy
Barry The Pride Center sold its building? Where to now?
·
Edgar
Ben Williams I heard rumors since my
birthday that they were selling... That is all I know...I am sure it will be on
their web site. Carol said at the meeting that the 4 main focuses of the center
will be 1. A meeting space for the community, 2. Gay Pride 3. Mental Health
Center 4. Youth programs
·
Kent
McKay Scadlock From what I gathered, the building isn't sold yet. The UPC
received approval to sell the building as of yesterday.
·
Edgar
Ben Williams That sounds better ... Thanks
·
Terry
Gillman It's my understanding that they are looking to move to find a more
functional space. The Current building is in great need of repair and other
modifications to make it functional. That's from the information I've heard
discussed in town hall meetings. We all know that The Center has been somewhat
nomadic over the years because of various reasons. Hopefully they will be able
to secure a space that is functional for the goals Carol listed out.
·
Edgar
Ben Williams Thanks for all the clarifications
·
Jesse
Dolce Pride day should roll over into gaycon. It is more of a gay event than
pride day. I remember when it was so simple back in the 80's. Go gays!
·
Edgar
Ben Williams Would be nice if Pride Day had some mention of the Stonewall
Rebellion after all that was the purpose of the pride parades and marches lol
·
Roland
Ron Holmgren Wasn't the building bought to be sold rather than a building to
house the Pride Center?
·
Edgar
Ben Williams No it was bought to show case the center in downtown...one of the
schemes of Valerie Larabee...she wanted an office type building to house all
the departments rather than being a place just to come and hang out
Kick-Off
Meeting Minutes – 2016.05.10 LGBT
Community Council
Welcome: Chad stated that The LGBT Council open
to organizations and individuals. Chad asked for suggestions of other people
and organizations along with contact info. Not exclusionary or invite
only.
Ground Rules: Community First. Discussion not
argument. Order not chaos. Full disclosure - open and transparent, notes will
be published publicly.
Michael
- Asked for 2.2.1 rules for speaking.
Stand up and say name when talking, to enable people to hear it.
Introductions Chad asked everyone to provide their
name, if they were an individual or an organization, if individual why
passionate and if organization who they serve and why.
Chad Martet., Men Who Move, social group for gay, bi,
trans men 18+. Connectedness with community enables health and wellness.
Lucas
Fowler., TEA of Utah
Terry Gillman., Individual, passionate to see
everyone work together without breakdown in communication.
Becky Moss., Public Safety Pride Alliance, police,
fire, TSA, etc. and with Utah Stonewall Democrats, politics and elections.
Brad Di Iorio., Utah Gay and Lesbian Chamber of
Commerce. Third Thursday breakfast networking event, and social First Friday,
plus events throughout the year.
Libby Meyer., Queer Friends founder. Felt that
there needed to be a more inclusive group.
Brad Case, Co-founder of Gay Chamber, and Youth
Futures
Wyatt M., UPaH Utah Pups and Handlers
Jeremy R., On board of UPaH
Scott Faucett., Boy Scouts, first openly gay committee
chair, inclusive of everyone.
Peter Stoker, Individual and organization: SL Co
Health Dept.
Josh Bydendorp., LGBTQ Affirmative Therapist Guild of
Utah. Educates mental health community. Monthly seminars for therapists,
resource guide and education.
Charlie, SAGE of Utah. Service and Advocacy of
GLBT Elders.
Barbara Nash., QUAC, Queer Utah Athletics Club, will
teach anyone to swim, community service.
Jake A., QUAC, Roller Derby
Matt Stott., Individual, U student, works at
Try-Angles, passionate about the community.
Jon H., Individual from WY and wants to get
everyone to work together.
Kent Scadlock., Gay Men ALOUD, service, education,
social, has Ben Williams and Charles Frost, meet 1st and 3rd Monday of the
month.
Michael Sanders., Business person, Now & Again, and
Urban Flea Market, community & organizational work. 2013 founded Black
Boots for men with leather, fetish and kink interests. 2014 Black BOARD
program, educational, founder of Mr. Friendly Team Utah, anti-stigma grassroots
organization.
Ben Williams., Utah Stonewall Historical Society for
Gay and Lesbian studies. Writes for QSaltLake, records history of
community.
Nathan Graham., Emperor 40 of Royal Court of the
Golden Spike Empire, nonprofit, raises money for AIDS treatment, cancer, wants
to bridge gaps with other organizations.
Dave Chappell., Utah Bears, service and community
organization.
Dan Pike., 1 to 5 Club, discussion, support and
social group for bisexual, pansexual, asexual, and more.
Importance of Community Chad - Importance of community. Article
in QSaltLake. Talked about his history from the Midwest, went through depression
and suicidal. Was able to connect to LGBTQ community online and it saved his
life. Community has been important. Helps us live fuller, happier lives and can
save lives. When he moved here 10 months ago, he saw the groups, but they
weren't working together. That prompted him to try to revive the LGBTQ
Community Council.
·
Libby
- How is our mission going to be different from the Pride Center?
·
Chad
- We need to decide that it's the purpose of the meeting.
·
Ben
- Becky and himself remember Utah before there was a community, they were
active in building the community. The difference between the Center and a
Council is who makes the decision for the community, for our lives? We voted as
a community back then, about direction. Before deciding what direction this
group should go in, look to the past. Find the things that worked, toss what
didn't. How do we empower the LGBT community? Community is communication +
unity. The purpose of the original council was because there wasn't
communication between groups and people guarding turfs. Seeing each other, and
the faces of people, we were more civil to each other. Would like to see the
community empower itself again.
Carol Gnade. and Monica Owens from the Utah Pride Center arrived. Were asked
to answer Libby's Question.
·
Carol
- Was part of the community council back in the day. When looking at the UPC
mission vision when she joined, it was too broad. After she joined UPC, Michael
Aguillar. wanted to hone in on what UPC does best in the community. 1. UPC is a place where people can come and have
community meetings. Tonight there are 9 groups meeting, for example. 2. Pride
Festival. That is the biggest fundraiser of the year. 3. Mental Health Center.
Have a team made of 2 women, one is trans, and a gay male, and another is being
hired. A lot of people are under stress and hurt, like from LDS Church's
rhetoric. 4. Youth programs good for all youth, regardless of whether they are
LGBTQ or not. Have the go ahead to sell the building, will find a place with
ADA compliance, more privacy for HIPAA.
·
Dave
- Question for Carol, many look to Pride Center for resources, but they're not
available now. Will that change?
·
Carol
- Website is almost done, described reason for the delay.
·
Chad
- Call to order, this isn't about the Pride Center, need to focus on the
Community Council.
·
Charlie
- Every community wants its needs to be served. With all of these diverse
communities, how do we, or can we even, come up with the idea of community, and
not communities.
·
Terry
- Since we're all here, let's make one of the goals to provide a guide to these
groups, and provide to UPC to distribute.
·
Brad
- This is good time to gather those resources. Also need to structure
this.
·
Ben
W. - It is necessary what UPC is doing, that was the strength of the Stonewall
Center, they had a book to refer to for everything, bars, clubs, legal, health.
In the past, former directors of UPC spoke for the whole community, without
really addressing the whole community. It wasn't their position to be the
spokesperson. Would like to see the community council become that, with voting
members, have motions, votes, and discussion.
·
Michael
- Heard the word compete when it came to what the community organizations do.
Sometimes the organizations do compete, rather than collaborate. For example, I
was hosting an event next month, and UAF contacted him for an event on the same
date. He decided to move his event, because UAF would have been harder to move.
Coordinated and collaborated. Google Calendar of events a year out for
planning. There will still be crossover, but it will help everyone work
together, when targeting the same people.
·
Becky
M. - Propose one committee to start. Those on the original committee - 3
members in the room.
Purpose of this Council Chad - Purpose of the council -
communication, collaboration, coordination, unity.
·
Chad
- Communication - this gives us a real time needs assessment of what's going
on, like when LDS church talked about gay kids and parents. Gives the pulse of
the community at large. Volunteer needs.
·
Ben
- Most organizations have a couple of really important events that speak to
that organization, and those should be sacrosanct, so that no one steps over
them.
·
Jake
- Volunteer part is really important. QUAC has used groups inside here to help.
Also go to each other's events.
·
Libby
- 2 aspects to remember. Formal version, with calendars or getting word out.
Also informal conversations. Nepotism, there is a strong contingent of LDS
people who support each other, and each other's businesses. We should also
support each other that way.
·
Michael
- QPages
·
Libby
- I was thinking more of personal to personal communication.
·
Josh
- For communication - helps to have everyone on the same page and not duplicate
services. This council could provide a free resource and the community could
come together.
·
Charlie
- The Council should represent the community. I see a lot of white skin and
male appearance, middle to upper class socioeconomic status. Who is here, and
who isn't here that may not be heard.
·
Chad
- This isn't meant to be representational of the community. This was who I
could get in touch with to get started. Would like outcome of this to be that
we reach out to them and bring people in for greater representation.
·
Nathan
- Technology, we should look at website to state what this is, and which
organizations are, etc.
·
Michael
- Those things all cost money, we should discuss how we're going to fund this
to continue. Many organizations start and then fail because no money.
·
Ben
- Addressed Charlie, when old community council started, it was about 6 white
guys, and it took 6 months to decide to be community council. For the first
year, not a single lesbian would come, because they had to see the value of it.
It takes time for people to see the value of something. We're going to go back
to our communities to get them to be involved. We're not exclusionary, and when
those communities come, we will shift naturally to those issues.
·
Libby
- Connect Michael and Charlie - membership dies and socioeconomic status.
Statistically gay white men have more money than the rest of the community. The
more marginalized a person is, the less able they are to pay to join.
Collaboration - Event
Calendar, event series
·
Coordination
- LGBT Expo, LGBT University, similar to GendeRevolution, but for all of the
community and on a greater number of topics.
·
Unity
- Mailing lists. One for council members to connect, and one to email the
community members. Membership.
·
Ben
- The old community council had very nominal fee. Individuals was $10,
organizations were $20 and got 3 votes. When something is free, it has no
value, but if you have a stake, even $5 means you'll put more into it.
Membership is to vote.
·
Nathan
- I like the $10, though people will want to know what that's going towards. We
should have newsletter for what's going on and hear from members and leaders.
We could give members discounts to events, too.
·
Josh
- I would prefer this be free. We serve communities that are very under
represented. 50% of the transgender community is unemployed, that might be
their food for the week.
·
Brad
C. - There may be organizations that can't afford it, offer scholarship
·
Lucas
- Offer some time of alternative for community members that are active and want
to participate. Perhaps they agree to meeting attendance, etc. Prevent those
who just want to come once to complain and include those who want to help the
community.
·
Dave
- What legal options if we take money? Non-profit status?
·
Ben
- That's resolved easily when you start electing officers. Financial report at
every meeting.
·
Wyatt
- Expo - Could be our Pride as far as getting money. Free for attendees. For
community organizations, Black Boots and UPaH, outliers and taboo, give them
place in Expo and the community comes for free.
·
Jon
- Expo gets organizations out there as well as the Council.
·
Charlie
- Confused on the purpose. Sounds like we're evolving into a group that says if
you pay your dues you get to make decisions for the community.
·
Chad
- Communicate, collaborate, for the benefit of the community. Not to make
decisions for community, but to be a place to come say what the needs are. This
discussion is around how to run the group. We're not voting on stuff for the
community in this context, but on how this group runs.
·
Charlie
- I'm offended by Pride being a for-profit entity, and this sounds like
that.
·
Chad
- This isn't about money, this is about connecting organizations together.
·
Charlie
- Would a trans person of color go to an expo or come to the council?
·
Lucas
- It shouldn't be the Council's place to solve all of the issues. When
bathrooms come up, I may bring these things to the council and ask for specific
help. And TIP and EU will be part of that, too. But the council can't and
shouldn't be the ones to resolve my community's issues.
·
Ben
- We see each other's faces. When bathroom issues come up, for example, if
trans people stand alone, they will lose. But together we support each
other.
·
Jake
- If a trans person comes to QUAC, I may not have the resource for them, but I
could tell them to come to the Expo to find those.
·
Terry
- One of the council's super powers would be resource management. More about
networking than stamp of approvals.
·
Ben
- People will come to council members to ask about specific issues to take to
the council, too. And we all need to get our organization's info to Carol.
·
Monica
- We just put together a resource list, had interns contacting to find
nonexistent places, etc. to revamp them. There are many missing. We can't know everything
or claim to. This information would be extraordinary to have. Hard to
manage.
·
Josh
- Not ok with Pride Center being the sole managers of this information, this
group should manage it.
·
Libby
- We need to be mindful that there are huge contingents of the community that
have felt marginalized and excluded. It's not as easy as saying it's an open
invitation. Make that a big warm hug, to get the marginalized groups to come
back and break down the cliquishness in the community.
·
Kent
- We should manage that, it's dynamic.
·
Carol
- Yes, we would like to have access to your info, not maintain it.
·
Ben
- Agree but we're babies and at this point in time, most people will contact
UPC for info. The important part is to get that info out.
·
Terry
- Ben said it. If we can work to make sure the info is out there.
·
Chad
- We can all have copies of the resource list.
·
Brad
D. - It can be free to maintain information and it be accessible with iCloud.
Next Steps Chad - Next steps. Governance Committee.
Collaboration - LGBT Expo - Next Meeting (when and where). Get committee gather
previous council's bylaws and go through it to create a proposal for our new
bylaws from that. Get in touch with Chad to join the committee. Next meeting: End of June? Sign-up sheet on
the table to create a mailing list.
·
Dave
- Where are notes going?
·
Chad
- Create a FB page for the group?
·
Carol
- Seek out younger people to join. In addition to other diversity, let's go for
age, as well.
·
Tony
- We do a good job of catering to youth and older, but the middle ground gets
washed out. We should look at getting college age kids involved, mentoring.
11
May 2016 Wednesday
Done...finished
researching and writing a column for June issue of the Q. I can't believe I
used to crank out two of those a month for years! I neglected to write one in
May and the few who like to read them were disappointed. Worked on it from 7 am
to 11:30 am and edited down from 1600 words to 1200 words...my columns are supposed
to be 800 words ha! Still I managed to make about six quarts of granola...I am
such a hippie but as warmer days come it will be good as cold cereal or in
yogurt or even a snack. I had to give Maxx a smack on the rear because he was
bearing his teeth at Farley. He was horrified and came up and cuddled. I said
we don't play that game in this house. I am the alpha not you...lol he really
is a darling dog...don't know what got into him but Farley had a hard enough
life that he doesn't need to be bullied. Starting Saturday I have a full week
scheduled. I can go weeks with not much going on and then there are weeks I
need to keep a Calendar... Saturday is the dedication of 900 South as Harvey
Milk, then Monday is dog grooming day and Gay Men Aloud. Tuesday going to the
Bee (not a Bees Game) with TJ and Jim, and Thursday going with Bill Poore to
see the Full Monty. I worked a lot on editing the transcript of the interview
Seth Anderson did with me for the AIDS Archives at the U of U. Frustrating when
you spent 3 hours editing when the Microsoft shuts down and doesn't save your
changes. Ugh! That's 3 hours of work I will never get back. Harleigh and Farley
have their own sleeping compartments right next to each other in the adjoining
closets. Stinkers.
12
May 2016 Thursday
Finally
finished editing the transcript of the interview Seth Anderson did in March for
the U of U AIDS Archives. Took me a week to check and correct 80 pages of
questions and answer. To quote Jesus "it is finished". Now back to
genealogy I have been neglecting. Talked to Chuck Whyte this morning. He's
still having his leg drained of infection and then he will be transferred to
Mission at Hillside Rehabilitation Center where he will be for several weeks.
He sounded good and optimistic about Hillside which his insurance has it
covered. He can't go home until the leg is healed. Did a lot of yard work
today...broke up all the branches and twigs and stuffed them in a trash can for
yard waste and a regular trash can... Farley won't let me out of his sight.
Even mowing the back yard he trails along. Filling a trash can with tree twigs
and branches he has to keep an eye on me. Sitting on the deck for a breather he
wants up on my lap, then Maxx thinks he should be petted and Buddy then gets
jealous and barks until he gets his attention. Harleigh is like a cat and only
gives me his attention on his term. TJ likes laying in the sun on the deck. Can
chihuahua get sun burned? This evening spent two hours digging up all the
dandelions by the roots...the hounds like me to do back yard work but they go
nuts if I am in the front yard. TJ found another space under the fence to crawl
under to be with me. He would have been great at Stalag 17. Found a rock to
plug it. But you never heard such crying and barking. I was afraid the
neighbors would call police for animal abuse. Then when it was too dark any
more I see two dirty stuffed animals that had been dug out of the back yard on
my bed! I rounded up the usual suspects to determine the guilty culprit. It was
Maxx! It's a good thing I am partial to bad boys!
13
May 2016 Friday
It’s
a full moon and Friday the 13th the only one this entire year. I
told Chad Martet that I would be on Anyone interested in being on the LGBTCC’
Governance Committee to determine how we are organized, what membership will
look like, how we will run meetings, and how we will vote. Chad said, “This
committee is not for the faint of heart!”
·
Jehill
Jones-Hello, I asked Ken if he ever met Grandpa Edgar's father (Louis Milton)
and he didn't know. It seems I am the
only one who cares. ha-ha. I just was curious if you knew and if there
are any pictures of Ken and his great-grandfather together. I was updating his family tree and saw that
he passed in 1978 in Riverside, so I figured maybe Ken did get to meet him,
since he was about 1.5 years old. Thank
you ahead of time! ~Jehil
·
I
doubt it. Ken was born in August 1976 and Grandma Louis died in January 1977.
Donna was estranged from the family at that time and Ken didn't allow her have
anything to do with the family at that time. Grandma Williams died January 1978
and I think she may have seen Ken at Christmas 1977 when she was at the house
at G.G.
·
Jehill That is too bad. Thank you for responding so quickly.
·
All
my great grandfathers died before I could really remember them. Edgar Lewis
Williams died in 1935, Mabry Danforth died in 1946, Roderick McLeod died in
1952, and Luke Johnson died on mom's birthday 1960. I have pictures of me
holding his hand when I was about 5 years old and have vague memories of him. I
was in California and he was in Texas. He was born in 1866 so I held the hand
of a man born right after the Civil War LOL
·
Jehill
That is an awesome way to think about. I
am scrambling to research my side and I am stuck, so I decided to do
Ken's. His dad's side I came to a dead
end. I saved a lot of the conversations
between you and me, you and Ken, some of the old posts from your old genealogy
yahoo group and am now working on saving the stuff from your ancestry tree to
mine. There is so much but I love
it! When I got my autosomal DNA back I
was floored. It encouraged me to keep
researching. Next I want to do Ken. I want the children to understand what path
their ancestors cut, why it is important, and what they can do to leave behind
some kind of legacy, small or large. It
is hard because I have Ken who abstractly enjoys this. That is why I pushed and pushed for him to go
visit Grandma Wilma those times. I
wanted both grandchildren to meet her and take a picture with her. It was important to me and I am glad he was
not stubborn about it. He knows how much
it means to me. I told him that this
next year or so we are making a trek to Arizona to visit the Wachs family and
especially to visit you in Utah. I want
the kids to meet their great uncle and take pictures smile emoticon Ken agreed.
He knows he won’t win those battles lol
·
LOL
I have so much information written and preserved on Donna's side of the family
I wouldn't spend too much time on it. I am in the process of putting all that I
have on a blog and a FB page called the Danforth Tribe. My Grandma Williams was
a Danforth. If you haven't joined it please do. I am trying to get everything
into cyber space for the 40 years I have been doing this... It’s my gift to mom
and dad's great grandkids. KENNETH DELBERT JONES born May 17, 1924 Iowa died
June 20, 1980 age 54 Son of Donald A. Jones
and Daisy Mae Bishop SS 481-20-7280 married Erma Jean Newhouse, Occupation
mechanic Refrigeration Repairman Self-employed 21 41 West Cerritos Avenue,
Anaheim, Orange County, Ca 92804 died at Los Alamitos General Hospital , 3751
Los Alamitos, Ca of liver cancer 1 year. Informant Erma Jean Jones Buried June
24, 1980 Fairhaven Memorial Lawn Santa Ana, Ca Bought home May 22, 1957 August 8 1980 worth $155, 000. Daisy Mae
Bishop daughter of Jesse Bishop born 20 FEB 1879 • Fremont County, Iowa. Daisy
Mae was born circa 1905 and married twice 1st husband Cleo Phelps who she
divorced. When Daisy Mae Bishop was born about 1905, in Sioux City, Iowa, her
father, Jesse, was 26 and her mother, Jennie Bowman was 20. She married Cleo
John N Phelps on December 6, 1921. She had one brother and one sister. Daisy
Mae Bishop lived in Woodbury, Iowa, in 1910.Daisy Mae Bishop lived in Sioux
City, Iowa, in 1920. She married Cleo John N Phelps on December 6, 1921, when
she was 16 years old. They were divorced
on March 7, 1924, when she was 19 years old. Kenneth Delbert Jones, Ken's
grandfather was born 17 May 1924 Guess who was pregnant with another man's baby
when she divorced? Birth 17 MAY 1924 • Sioux
City, Woodbury, Iowa. Did you know that Ken's great great grandfather's remains
have never been claimed? Kenneth Thomas Paine Jones son of Kenneth Louis Jones
son of Kenneth Delbert Jones son of Donald Augustus Jones son of Fred Newton
Jones. Fred’s cremated remains were never taken after his death and are still
available at the Oregon State Hospital to be claimed by anyone who is related.
More information about unclaimed cremains at OSH is available at Oregon State
Hospital. That is your son's 3rd great grandfather.
·
Jehill
Oh wow that's interesting Hmmmm
·
This
is Jehu Paten Jones 1797-1845 father of Isaac who was the father of Silas who
was the father of Fred Newton, who was the father of Donald Augustus, who was
the father of Kenneth Delbert, who was the father of Kenneth Louis who was the
father of Ken. This is Isaac Jones a Union civil war soldier 1829-1905. Don't
know of a picture of Silas William Jones 1852-1894. Here is a picture of his surviving younger
brothers and Isaac Jones’ wife Mary Ann Booth. Don't have a picture of Fred
Newton Jones but here is his death certificate and his cremation number.
·
Jehill-Thank
you for all the info. Who Isaac Jones
to Ken because Ken looks a lot like him
·
Isaac
is the father of Silas the father of Fred the father of Donald the father of
Kenneth Delbert the father of Kenneth Louis the father of Ken. So he's lens 4th
Great grandfather ... I am writing up a report for you on the Jones Family so
you can have for your kids...
·
Jehill
That great.... Can’t wait to read it!
thank you so much
·
In my research discovered that one of Ken's
ancestors came over on the Mayflower in 1620.
Edward Fuller was a Mayflower passenger but he and his wife died the
first year in 1621...they left a son in England Matthew Fuller who came over
later nearly 20 years after his parents. He had a son Samuel Fuller who had a
son Timothy Fuller, who had a son Samuel Fuller who had a son Samuel Fuller a
Rev. War solider from New Hampshire, who had a son John Fuller, who had a
daughter Polly Fuller who had a daughter Anna Olima Maple who had a son Isaac
Jones who had a son Silas Jones who had a son Fred Jones who had a son Donald
Jones who had a son Kenneth D Jones who had a son Kenneth L Jones who had a son
Kenneth TP Jones... Your children can claim descent from the Mayflower
Colonists... How cool is that?
·
Jehill Wow that is awesome.....thanks for finding
all the info.
14
May 2016 Saturday
This
old man is tired. Up at 7 am to clean house and chop weeds before Mike Romero
brought Coco over so we could go to the 9th and 9th for the dedication of 9th
South being renamed Harvey Milk Blvd. We went to join others from Gay Men Aloud
to volunteer as a service project. Kent Scadlock organized it and he, Alan Anderson, TJ Otaka
and Jim McMullin, Greg Allen and Jay were there with a few others. About 9 of
us were there at 9:50. I was on trash duty because I am so trashy...good turn
out and almost felt like Pride Days of yore. Jim Dabakis told these cute guys
that I had slept with Harvey Milk. They seemed so impressed I hated to
disillusion them...Well we did our duty and Kent McKay Scadlock, Alan Anderson,
and I went to lunch at the Garage on Beck Street. We sat near some people who
were very Gay friendly and one boy mooned us... My reward for my good deed
today
15
May 2016 Sunday
I
have obsessive genealogy disorder. Yesterday my nephew's wife said was stumped
on my sister husband's Jones side of the family so I spent 12 hours today
tracing his male linage back to 1734 to a Welsh emigrant...threw in a couple of
Revolutionary war soldiers for good measure... Lots of skeletons in that closet
lol. Created a family FB page so get this on line to her...well it was a gloomy
day after yesterday so it was a good day to dig up Ken's relatives. Just
keeping up with the Joneses
16
May 2016 Monday
Worked
for 2 1/2 hours this morning pulling 50 feet of rag weed along my south fence
line. It’s all nice and purty for the neighbors but I will never see it cause it’s
on the sidewalk side of the wooden fence. Still I will know it’s done. My
flowers are in full bloom and the veggie garden is sprouting. Buddy and Coco
are being beautified by Stephen Bolinder as the wind is picking up like a storm
is rolling in. Cut some flowers for Steve to take with him when he's done. Made
some chocolate chip cookies for Gay Men Aloud tonight... So it's been a busy
day. My fondest memory of
being in Texas was shelling black eyed peas around the kitchen table... What is
wrong with the world is people don't get together to prepare food and sit down
and eat it.
17
May 2016 Tuesday
One
of those mornings...the garage door wouldn't open to let Coco in. I called Michael about why he didn’t drop off
Coco and he said that I must have hit the lock button because the garage
wouldn’t open. I went downstair to the garage and I couldn’t get it to open so
Mike came over with Coco and looked at the door panel and he couldn't get it to
work either so I had a repairman coming between 8 and 10...$50 bucks just come
out... Oh well if you have a luxury like a garage door opener you are
fortunate...some people don't even have a garage...mine is a first world
problem for sure... Every machine eventually needs repair or replacement...
Well the garage tech guy came out
and he was stumped why it wasn't working. He read all the codes and still
couldn't figure out why it wouldn't work. So he unplugged it and plugged it
back in and it started working. LOL. Fortunately I had it under warranty so
didn't cost me a cent for him to come out unplug and plug back in. Do you how
hard it is to work on the computer when a 3 lb. Chihuahua insists on sitting on
your lap? He' got in the habit of laying in my left arm so I can only use the
right hand to type. I had an interesting evening at a hipster
event where everyone was about half my age. TJ and Jim invited me to with them
to an event called Night at the Opera put on by the Bee "true stories from
the Hive". The Bee is a story telling event but tonight they collaborated
with the Utah Opera to turn 5 stories into mini operas. It was a sold out event
and had sold out in 48 hours. It was held in Club 51 and the alcohol was
flowing freely...there were a lot of talented people involved but much of it
went over my head...but the company was fun and we had a great time at
Squatters before the performance. I was hit up by 3 panhandlers just walking
from west Temple to Squatters...you'd go broke if you gave to everyone hitting
you up for money these days...sad to see us turn into a land of beggars. Never
was like this when I was young. Goodnight
·
T.J.
Otaka Yes, it was sort of a unique event and went over my head as well. Nevertheless,
we had a great time with you this evening.
18
May 2016 Wednesday
Jeron
Clark, Kent’s young friend dropped by this morning. He’s looking for work and
wondered if I needed any help with the yard. I asked him if he knew anything
about tree pruning and he said he did. I asked him to give me an estimate on
how much he’d charge to trim my two Globe Willows down. He said he’d get back
to me.
19
May 2016 Thursday
I
was home no more than 10 minutes and the power went off. It flickered off and
on then finally went out. Went to the Grand theater courtesy of Bill Poore to
see The Full Monty musical... I super enjoyed it and not just for all the naked
butts either.
20
May 2016 Friday
Jeron
wrote me-Ben! I ended up having to go to a job interview and pre employee drug
screen today. I am going to get my tree stuff prepped and I’ll be on your job
touching bases around 10-12 planning on that preliminarily. And I’m on FB now
btw. I wrote him back that Monday works better for me because I was doing
errands for Chuck Whyte who just got released from Hillcrest and he’s back
home.
21
May 2016 Saturday
Dogs
want to snuggle this rainy morning... Feels more like fall than spring. It's an
indoor recess type of day and someone decided to murder the snoopy stuffed toy.
There’s batting everywhere....plus someone decided to take a poop in my bedroom
rather than go out in the rain...Hmmmm. I Spent much of the day preparing Meat
Loaf, baked cheesy potatoes, cauliflower and carrots and vanilla cake for
desert tonight. But cha didn't eat your din din ... Had a great time tonight at
Movie Night. Jesse Dolce made a some evil dead rat cake out of a twinkie for
the occasion lol ... Had a good turn out with Alan Anderson and Kyle Daniels,
Kent Scadlock and Andy Dalrymple, Greg Allen and Joel Jay Vallar, and Jesse
Dolce and his friend Darby who loves schnauzers too. Kyle couldn't stay for the
movie but the rest watched the great Bette Davis in Baby Jane. A prerequisite
for being a card carrying Gay man is reciting and recognizing 5 phrases from
What Ever Happened to Baby Jane. Bonus
for knowing the words to I'm Writing a Letter to Daddy.
·
Joel
Jay Vallar Yummers! I did eat my din din!
·
Alan Anderson
But you are Blanche, you are a cripple. Kent McKay Scadlock Din din
tonight was amazing!!
·
Jesse Dolce Bette Davis was nominated for the
Oscar for Best Actress for her performance in this movie. Had Davis won, it
would have set a record number of wins for one actress. Jesse Dolce In her book
"This N' That", Bette Davis said she had a lot of control over how
her makeup should be done for the film. She imagined the older Jane as someone
who would never wash her face, just put on another layer of makeup. When her
daughter, Barbara Merrill, first saw her in full "Jane" makeup, she
said, "Oh, mother, this time you've gone too far".
·
Jesse
Dolce This was so much fun.
22
May 2016 Sunday
Just
noticed where Farley is laying lol one of the chair cushions must have landed
under the table and Farley is asleep on it even though there's a rug there. Now
Buddy wants it ... with pups there's always entertainment. For a quiet Sunday I
ended up having lots of visitors...Bill Poore came over to visit and to return
some plastic containers. Mike Romero came over to retrieve Coco after coming
back from Rawlins, and Greg Allen and Jay Vallar came over to retrieve Greg’s
keys and jacket he left here. It thundered while people were here but no rain
but it's cold outside and damp this afternoon. Sent Bill Poore and Mike home
with some pot roast I made this morning and some left over from the dinner and
movie night I had last night. I took a nap before heading out in the late
afternoon. Alan Anderson invited Kent and I out to his place in Midvale for
dinner and to watch All The Way a movie about LBJ that he had recorded. Bryan
Cranston played LBJ and the whole cast was great. Made me remember a lot when I
was a kid. Jim Dabakis wrote on Facebook “Devastating. The death of Utah gentle
generous giant John Williams. He was a teacher's son from Idaho. Came to Utah
and changed our community forever for the better. As a restoration developer,
restaurateur and quiet LGBT advocate! John, I never met anyone that didn't like
you. You will be so missed--you were so loved.” But then was shocked to find
out that he was murdered by his husband who also burned down their house up
behind the Capitol overlooking Memory Grove. The Moroni statue on top of the
Bountiful Temple was struck by lightning LOL Blew the back of his head off.
23
May 2016 Monday
Mowed
the back yard , weeded by garden, blew off my deck and now I am pooped but got
to make hay while the sun shines who knows when it will rain again...my corn
would do better if TJ wouldn't nibble on the sprouts. Squash, pumpkins, green
beans, tomatoes and peppers are all looking good. I love growing things must be
the Johnson side of the family... Cut some roses from a 20 year old bush...Year
ago I was doing my last Ghost of Plymouth Castle after more than 20 years...
Kids loved it but even if I was still teaching the SAGE testing wouldn't allow
anytime to rehearse and put it on... Times change. How things can change in a
shorty few months...at the beginning of the year this was my little
family...Lucky, Daisy, and Buddy. When I lost Lucky and Daisy I thought me and
Buddy would end out our days together...but here I am now with Harleigh, Maxx,
TJ, and Farley as well as Buddy and I feel so grateful and I know Daisy and
Lucky would approve... I had heard anything from Jeron since last week so I
wrote him: Hey, I heard you got a good job that starts Wednesday. We can bail
on cutting the globe willows if you want. I know you probably got things to get
ready for to go back to work. I'm good.
He wrote back: Hey Ben thanks for that Let's revisit the globe willows and yard
soon. I got on an excavation job and the week has definitely been a whirlwind!
I responded “I know what it is like to start a new job so when the dust settles
we can talk. No big hurry” “Ok thanks glad you understand, it's been good I'll
have to tell you about it”
24
May 2016 Tuesday
I
had to take Chuck down to 115,000 south and Redwood because a part that Chuck
needs for his sleep apnea machines that can't be had in SLC... I thought SLC
was the capital city so why is everything at the point of the mountain? Home
from Chuck’s in time just for it to rain...I guess I won't work in the front
yard today
·
Chuck
Whyte Thanks Edgar Ben Williams for giving up your dry yard time to make sure
that once again.. I had a " problem " delt with
25
May 2016 Wednesday
My
morning ritual...Coco comes and the games begin...it's how I greet the dawn.
It's hard to get a good picture of Farley in the morning because he's like
glue. He must have had a hard life out on the streets of West Valley because
he's so devoted to me...he's the most needy of my affection and he actually
cries when I come home grabs my leg and I have to take a moment to reassure him
to calm him down. I can't imagine not having him. Strange how things happen.
Laurie Epperson asked me to go to the pound to foster Little Boy (Wylie) and
she walks out with a second dog saying we couldn't leave him behind also.
Farley is my reward for a good deed. Well, all of my rescues actually are. My little Maxx
is sound asleep...such a sweet dog...he's a little dynamo during the day no
wonder when it's time for bed he crashes. He's worth all the hair I have on my
bed compared to my Schnauzers who don't shed. Trump never had to filter himself
being born rich white and privileged...never had to worry about a pay check,
grocery shopping, paying a mortgage, worrying about medical bills, never had to
put something back because he couldn't afford it. If he wanted something he
just took it. The best Presidents we've had in my lifetime were people from
beginnings who cared about others LBJ, Carter, Bill Clinton, and hopefully
Hilary... They became successful the old fashion way...They earned it. Some of
Bernie supporters need to stop acting like petulant children.... They have a
cult mentality that Sanders is going to be the Savior of white hipsters...they
will turn on him on a dime if he manages to get elected because he can’t do
anything without the support of Congress and the Democratic apparatus which he
has never supported. Easy to make promises harder to run a country by executive
orders. His supporters are mostly independents who have never been political.
26
May 2016 Thursday
It's
been a long day...pups started barking for their treats at 5:45 am and it's
been non-stop ever since. Kent McKay Scadlock was sweet to put me on his Costco
membership not that I need to buy in bulk anymore lol… I just had sticker
shock. I use to pay $40 for 4 bottles of Levemir insulin that I give myself
shots every day. I went in to renew my prescription and they said my co-payment
with this new Medicare plan was $150! I about fainted. They said it was $1100
medicine and my co pay was $150. No wonder retired people on fixed incomes
complain about getting their medicine and eating. Fortunately I am okay to
afford it but wow...going from $40 to $150 is a pretty big deal. Ouch! Worked
this evening in the front yard pruning back the irises and pulling weeds. Spent
about two hours on my hands and knees and now I am pooped. When I went to use
the leaf blower it sudden quit working. One of the plug tines broke off in the
plug! Fortunately I have another one but when I went to plug it into the socket
the neutral tine had broken off in it. So do I have to turn the entire power
off to pull one tine out of a wall socket? Why me? I stayed up to 10:30 waiting
for Kyle Daniels to come over so I can take him to the Amtrak station down by the bus terminal.
He’s off to Sacramento with some of his debate students and the train pulls out
at 11:30. He’s leaving his car here...ah to be young and on adventures...my
pups are enough adventure for me these days. All aboard! Bernie supporters who
say they will not vote in November if he isn't the nominee have too much white
privilege or are just simply ignorant.
27
May 2016 Friday
I
took Chuck to Smith’s so he could get some groceries now that he’s back home.
That took about two hours out of afternoon. Except for taking Chuck Whyte
grocery shopping and returning his laundry didn't do much today...no house work
or yard work just genealogical research for my nephew Ken Jones on his father's
side. I am learning more about the Baptist church from the 17th century than is
good for a person but since his family was heavily involved with the Welsh
Baptists who established the church in Pennsylvania Colony and Delaware I have
no choice...lol…Last January when Buddy needed surgery I didn't think twice
about paying $1500 to get him well. When Lucky and Daisy died didn't think
twice about paying $400 each to have them cremated. When I brought 4 critters
home didn't think twice about spending $700 for them. When Coco and Farley
needed teeth cleaning didn't think twice about spending $1100 on them...but
having to pay $150 for insulin when I only had to pay $40 a month before has
upset me no end...I guess I should take as good care of myself as I do my furry
family...Nothing brings back the memories of being a carefree 16 years old
living in Garden Grove California like the mystical Doors...cruising down Beach
Blvd in the bed of a red ford pickup truck...my sister Charline grinding gears
all the way... to the ocean in the summer of '67... The Doors and the Beatles'
Got To Get You Back in my Life ...back ground music for a time of innocence in
the Summer of Love...remember going with my sister Donna to a Love-In at Irvine
Park...it was a Happening...never knew at the time how lucky I was to be a
teenage boy in Southern California. The center of the Universe...California
Nights...Bon fires on the beach at night...fireworks going off over
Disneyland...a deserted Knotts Berry Ghost Town on rainy nights...hippies
dressed in flowing white cotton Muslim ... Cute surfer boys bobbing on the ocean...
Seems so surreal now.
·
Doug
Murri: Saw your post about your prescription price increase. I don't understand
people that don't realize how much we are ripped off in this country by
pharmaceutical companies. Now, I have insurance with my company. Lousy
insurance, but insurance. Even so, many of my coworkers are buying their
prescriptions in Canada or Europe. Last week I refilled 3 of my prescriptions
in Paris. Even though I had to pay full price, it was half the price for me to
buy them in France, than what I would have to spend just on my copays here in
the USA. For example, one of my prescriptions would be around $50 full price in
the USA. I paid $6 in Paris. All 3 prescriptions were about 10 times less
expensive in France, compared to here in the USA. We are sooooo ripped off in
this country.
28
May 2016 Saturday
I
asked Bill if he wanted to go out for Breakfast at Ambers because he once said
it was one of his favorite places and I hadn’t eaten there in years myself. Not
since the days of Mark Anderson our UPS man. It was okay but pricey from what I
recalled but Bill treated me. I guess the bottom line is I make a better
breakfast. My stomach was still a little queasy from the diarrhea I had last
night not sure what brought that on. Breakfast was the height of my excitement.
When I got home at noon Michael just came to load up the trailer. I guess he
and his new “friend” John are heading to Coalville. Coco was going to stay with
me but she was making such a fuss to go that Michael took her after all. In the
evening after feeding the pups I decided to weed the flag stone area between
the firepit and the tool shed. After that I was too pooped to do much else.
29
May 2016 Sunday
Fixed
breakfast using the ham up from yesterday breakfast at Ambers and worked until
about 11 on the Jones Family. Then I drove up to Bountiful to go to the Costco
there. I had not been there in ages and I got so turned around but its small in
comparison to the gigantic one on 17th South in Salt Lake. I bought
Kirkland brand hot dogs and buns for tomorrows pot luck and some chocolate
covered almonds for me. I even had one of their $1.50 hot dogs and Pepsi which
I hadn’t had in years either. When I came home Chuck called and asked if I’d
take him up to LDS Hospital this Wednesday to have his wound rewrapped I said
sure until I checked my schedule and I am having a teeth cleaning up in
Centerville that day at 1 and when I called him back he was down in the dumps
because his home nurse was there and said that his leg didn’t look good and
he’s worried he might have to start all over again with it. Bill Poore came
over today. He wanted to see the dogs. Nothing special. We just visited for a
while. I was surprises to see Coco come running in because Mike had taken her
camping with him but as I looked out the window he had already taken off. I guess she was getting antsy for the crew
here. I tried to take a nap and I think I did manage to close my eyes for a bit
but then decided to hot tub. That felt so good I almost fell asleep there.
After feeding the dogs I was still rather tired but thought I should strip my
bedding and do some laundry. I had a whole pile downstairs that needed folding
and putting away. After that chore I swept up the north backyard drive way that
had collected so much leaves and broken twigs and garbage from the cotton off
the poplars. A storm seems to be brewing when I took the hounds for a little
ride but don’t know if we will get much out of it. Alan Anderson said it rained and thundered
down in Midvale earlier this morning.
Chuck
Whyte fell this evening and broke his left ankle and fibula shortly after he
was released from a rehab place for having surgery on his right leg. He's at
LDS hospital but may be released to Hillcrest until they perform surgery.
30
May 2016 Monday Memorial Day
My
dogs showed me some mercy and didn't start barking for their morning treats
until 6:45... After getting them settled down laid down until 8 am before
getting up and making potato salad and a peach cobbler for the pot luck tonight
but now I am ready for another nap...We had a great time for our 5th Monday Pot
Luck. We started out with one table, then two, then a third, and finally set up
a fourth table for the 30 or so people who showed. As an introduction we told
our names and when was our first Gay Pride day...it ranged from 1977 to this
very year! Food was good, company even better...there were meetings going on
down stairs but people came up stairs hearing us have such a good time...these
two women came up kind of lost and I told them their meeting was down stairs
and they said they heard so much laughter and people being happy they wanted to
see what was going on...I said well we should be happy because we are Gay Men
Allowed...so Kent McKay Scadlock and I were really pleased... Thanks everyone
for coming.
·
Bill
Poore Great Food, Great Men, Great fun, Great Pot Luck. Thank You.
·
Robert
Edward Cross A great finish for a wonderful holiday weekend. Thank you Ben and
Kent. And the good friends in attendance. You are the best!
·
Jesse
Dolce Thank you for having this. My family were so happy to be there. Felt like
big gay family reunion. Family Day! Loved it!!!
31
May 2016 Tuesday
I
hope Bernie Sanders isn’t a Ralph Nadar
JUNE
1
June 2016 Wednesday
Mormons
are once again interring with Gay marriage but this time in Mexico. Churches
who try to force their belief systems upon nonmembers are fundamentally flawed.
Mormons have everyone right to withhold marriage equality from their members
but they cross a line when they want to codify their religious tenets in to law
for others. They are no better than religious authorities in Muslim countries
forcing everyone to abide by the tenets of Islam. You can't buy a car on Sunday
in Utah because of Mormon lawmakers deciding that for everyone. Religious
fanatics are deranged and dangerous... Free speech does not include inciting
people to kill other people
2
June 2016 Thursday
My
friend Rich Butler took me to lunch today at Chunga over on 9th west and 2nd
South...we have so many delicious mom and pop Mexican restaurants on the west
side but Gringos from the East side will stand for hours waiting to get into
Red Iguana... I am going to babysit his dog Miley again in June and July and at
the end of July I will babysit Corky and Bhanie, Alan Anderson's pups... So
it's dogs days of summer for me...did some watering today because it was in the
80's...supposed to be even hotter this weekend. Thinking of doing a history
series again this summer for five weeks...I'll see how it goes and I feel.
·
Bill
Poore-Miley, Corky and Bhanie.....let’s see Miley for June and July along with
Buddy, Farley, Harley, Maxx, TJ, Coco, and then add Buch Cassidy and the
Sundance Kidd (Corky and Bhanie )for July. well actually they are more like
Bonnie and Clyde....Ben your friends would totally understand you starting to
take pills (Prince type) or maybe drinking more wine each night
3
June 2016 Friday
Today
is my Mother’s birthday. She would have been 87 years old. Time to turn in from
a long and productive day ... Mowed and watered the front and back yards and
then fixed dinner for J Seth Anderson who came over to watch a movie. I made a
salad, Parmesan crescent rolls and ravioli with a mushroom and Alfredo sauce.
We watched Fortune and Men's Eyes as part of his Edugaytion ... He's here in
Utah to do research for the AIDS archives at the Marriott Library ... We had a
long discussion about all things Gay afterwards... I love smart people. Night
John Boy
4
June 2016 Saturday
I
wish I knew about this place when Daisy died. Advanced Veterinary Care (AVC) is
a 24-hour specialty practice providing emergency, internal medicine, surgery,
oncology, home hospice and rehabilitation. Went to Lunch with Alan Anderson,
And Bill Poore at Scaddy's. Great food but felt like I was cheating on Kent
McKay Scadlock for eating there without him...he's working the Very Important
People booth at RainbowCom down town. Never browse when lying down for a
nap...saw a sale on sandals at Sears that couldn't resist which ends today so
hopped in the cruiser and sped down to 8th South store and bought two pairs.
Came home just as Rich and Brenda Butler pulled up. I forgot they were coming
over for some plant starters all perennials, yarrow, peonies, poppies and some
other flowering starters. Nice thing about giving people starters that whenever
people look at them the remember the person they got them from... People next
door are having an outdoor birthday party and its sweet hearing the laughter
and happy talk of people having fun...Now after feeding the fab five I am
having some sweeten blue tea on ice....Ah summer time and the living is easy
5
June 2016 Sunday
I
spent Pride Day with Kyle Foote a Gay boy who can't celebrate it where he is
down in Gunnison. I went alone and it
was a beautiful day for a day trip. Kyle seemed in good spirits and we just
talked politics and life. He asked for $100 which I will send him when I get
back home which I did about 5:30. These trips tucker me out ,more and more. Natasha
Rambova who died 50 years ago today was actually the great granddaughter of
Heber C Kimball...her real name was Winifred Kimball O'Shaunnessy. She was born
in SLC...her mother Winifred Kimball married 3 times, Michael Oshaunessy, Edgar
de Wolfe, and Richard Hudnut...Edgar de Wolfe was brother of famous lesbian
interior designer Elsie de Wolfe and Richard Hudnut was a cosmetic
millionaire...most biographies wrongly state Natacha was the daughter of
Hudnut...studied dance changed her name to Rambova for the Russian touring
company. She moved to Hollywood became one of June Mathis gal pals and member
of silent film star Alla Nazimova's lesbian clique and married Valentino as his
beard for his career. She was married but separated to Valentino at his
death...she was a spiritualist and her medium was a Gay man who actual held a
seance in the Mormon Tabernacle for her mother and aunt conjuring up dead
Mormon pioneers...Natacha married a Spanish Count barely escaped with her life
during the Spanish Civil War went to Egypt and became a respected Egyptologist.
Her collection was donated to the U...she died from a rare condition of
mummification of her organs...Egyptian curse? Little remembered today...she
disdained Glamour later in life as false beauty. She denied to a biographer in
the 50s that she ever was a lesbian.. Sure...
6
June 2015 Monday
The
few times Harleigh will come on the bed to see me are spoiled by the ChiChi
hooligans...it's like West Side Story ...the ChiChis versus the panzer Schnauzers...Farley
has me pinned down not letting me get away. It’s 95 degrees and I am already
worn out. I needed treats for GMA tonight that I am leading and I was too tired
still from yesterday to make anything plus I didn't want to heat the house up.
it is 80 in the house even with a heat pump air conditioner...So I went to
Costco where I get accosted by a former parent who wanted to tell me how
wonderful their kid is doing in 7th grade and I had to stand there and smile
when the kid was hell on wheels when I had him in 5th grade... Finally get home
fixed a bite to eat when I get a call from Andy who needed a ride home from LDS
hospital ER. He was dehydrated and was rushed to the hospital by ambulance but
needed a ride home once they got his issues solved...Now time around to feed
the dogs.. take Coco home and then go across town again for an early meeting
about picking up the slack for GMA because someone wanted to take the summer
off. How nice for him. Well grateful my health and strength is good enough at my
age to do what needs to be done.. But I missed a nap.. I dreamed I had slept in
but when I looked at the clock it was 5:45 and three faces were staring at me
saying get up we're hungry. So began the day. The SLCC is expanding their
aerodynamic classes out this way. Finally some growth out in my next of the
woods but still no retail ... Where can you even buy a pair of socks west of
9th west between 21st south and The city limits? There's only 4 grocery store
chains a smith on 8th South and 6th North, a Rancho on North Temple and a Food
Savers at 7th and Redwood and none of the Smiths are the super smiths. Thanks
to everyone who came to June's GMA 1st Monday discussion group where we
discussed as the topic Gay Pride Days. I know I appreciated hearing various viewpoints.
At the beginning of the meeting Kent McKay
Scadlock and I announced that GMA will take a hiatus in July as that the 1st
Monday is the 4th of July so there would be only one meeting that Month. Also
July is a very busy time of year for outdoor activities. We will still have our
June 20th meeting and we will meet again August 1, August 15, and August 29 for
a BBQ picnic at Sunnyside Park...
·
Andy
Dalrymple Had 8 days of probable food poisoning. Couldn't hold anything in.
Called ambulance. Something set off a major hives reaction immediately when I
arrived. They treated the hives and severe dehydration. I am on heavy
antibiotics and feeling alive again
7
June 2016 Tuesday
I
guess I will have to call my furnace and heat pump guy tomorrow. The air
conditioning isn't cooling the house like it should. It’s been 85 in the house
all day and I got some major fans going just to cool down. Changed the filter
on the furnace. See what that will do...How many remember Bruce Betsy Ross
Barton making SLC first flag? Hillary Clinton won the California primary and
for sure will be the Democratic Nominee for President of the United States.
Bernie Sanders has lost California by a half a million voters and he is still
outlining plans to influence the Democratic Party platform and has declined to
bow out of the race. He doesn't have the sense of Ted Cruz to know when it's
over...shows he's not a loyal Democrat and as for influencing the party
platform it's just another means to continue the socialist charade...party
platforms aren't legal nor binding ... If he cared about America's future he
would bow out and endorse the Democrat nominee and fight Trump... Enough with
the anti-Clinton rhetoric...Even Linsey Graham said love of country should
trump hatred of Hillary Clinton...enough of this outrageous slandering of the
Clintons by so called Bernie Democrats...Because of California for the first
time in our country’s history, a woman will be a major party’s nominee for
President of the United States. Not
sure how the vitriolic Bernie Sanders fanatics will ever get behind the
Democratic Nominee after all the bile they spewed against Hillary Clinton.
Calling her a criminal, a liar, a theft, and much worse...how can they get
behind her now? Well they weren't real Democrats anyway and would not have even
jumped on the Band Wagon if Socialist Independent Sanders hadn't coopted the
Democratic Party political machine to promote legalizing marijuana and free
college education... all which I am for by the way...the world will be safer
with Mrs. Clinton as President rather than the myopic Sanders and Trump. She
has prepared her life to be President of the United States. A true stateswoman.
Ironic that the Republican Party
appealed to the lowest dominator in American society and then are horrified
when their base chooses a nominee for President repulses them...you reap what
you sew...racism, misogyny, elitism. Calvin Coolidge the Business of government
is Business
Herbert Hoover collapse of the American
economy
Dwight Eisenhower banned Gay people from
Government jobs
Richard Nixon Watergate...Enemy List
Ronald Reagan collapse of savings & loans,
AIDS, sold arms to Iran
George Bush Sr...Desert Storm war for oil
profits
George W Bush 9/11 Halliburton , Collapse of
Wall Street...
All brought to you by Republicans...
8
June 2016 Wednesday
Why
won't my GFCI outlet reset when I click it? It must be tripped and usually I
can just push it back in but not this time...my freezer is on that circuit and
all my frozen foods was thawing when I discovered it...now my refrigerator
freezer compartment is crammed full... Yikes called the A/C Heat furnace people. They said if the filter
had not had enough air flow sometimes an ice ball forms. I just changed the
filter yesterday but she said to turn the A/C off for 4 to six hours to give
the ice time to melt and then see if that solves the problem. I made an
appointment for Friday just in case...Gonna be a warm day. Already 80 in the
house but I have good fans going. Tonight
it got up to 88 in the house. I've seen many uninformed Bernie Sanders Gay
supporters try to paint Mrs. Clinton as somehow not supportive of Gay people
enough... Well I guess they never heard of Robbie Mook, Hillary's campaign
manager who happens to be the first openly gay campaign manager of a major
presidential campaign in U.S. history. And not only did Clinton give a nod to
the Gay community in her speech, she included two transgender women in her
victory video, watched by millions before she came onstage... Mrs. Clinton
supports us...we should be supporting her... someone wrote "But
another way to look at the primary is that Clinton employed a less masculine
strategy to win. She won the Democratic primary by spending years slowly,
assiduously, building relationships with the entire Democratic Party. She
relied on a more traditionally female approach to leadership: creating
coalitions, finding common ground, and winning over allies. Today, 208 members
of Congress have endorsed Clinton; only eight have endorsed Sanders." Helen
Chavez wife of Cesar Chavez died today at the age of 88.
9
June 2016 Thursday
Today
is my oldest sister Charline’s 69th birthday. Spent most of day with
Rich Butler. Who came over to fix my bathroom GFCI outlet that was still not
working. He took it out to look at it and one of the black wires was entirely melted
See that black wire? It’s not supposed to be melted. That's why my GFCI in the
bathroom was not working... Richard P. Butler came over to fix the problem...it
was a 20$ fix with a new GFCI sans the night light I use to have... he even
pulled out the neutral tine that was stuck in my outside outlet... we also ate
at Wingers in WVC for lunch...so something that would have cost at least $200
ended up costing $20 and lunch...you gotta have friends... even my A/C seems to
be cooling the house today although am having a serviceman coming to look at it
for servicing besides who doesn't like to be serviced... I bought about two
pounds of cherries today. They were high but you only get them once a year in
season so might as well splurge. I know not what the future may bring but for
now in this place and time life is a bowl of cherries and for that I am
grateful to providence and my friends and family and five pups as we spiral
along in a place we call the Milky Way. I wish someone would stand up to Donald
Trump and say Have you no decency?... There the despicable Roy Cohan sat a
practicing homosexual while McCarthy destroyed the lives of thousands of
homosexuals in the government... Orin Hatch supporting Trump needs to be asked
also have you no decency? News says Laura Bush is supporting Hillary over Trump
and President Obama formally endorsed Mrs. Clinton for President. Democrats
know how to party...you know the White House will be rockin' when Bill picks up
his Sax again...Some Crazy Ass Christian set off a bomb in a Target women’s
restroom back east ... Needs to go home to Jesus before they harm innocent
people CNN is doing a news segment on the 1980’s and interviewed Cleve Jones so
I wrote In 1987 I participated in the March on Washington this is from my
journal "as we walked towards the Washington monument almost by
happenstance we came upon the Names Project-the quilt for AIDS victims. When I
first saw it I thought how colorful but looking at the first panel, all of them
were 6 feet by 3 feet the size of a grave, I saw a name, Mike White, and a
teddy bear sewn into the panel and I suddenly burst into tears! It hit me like
a ton of bricks that each panel represented someone who had died of AIDS . The
enormity. I was in shock walking and looking at panel after panel after panel,
tears involuntarily streaming down my face. I looked around and everywhere
people grief stricken. Mark LaMar sobbed so hard I had to hold him, console him
and tried to be stoic, covering my face to wipe away my tears but it was
devastating. The quilt was as long and wide as two football fields and the Park
Service would not even allow all of the quilt to be displayed. This young Gay
man saw me grief stricken and came over and touched my arm as if to say I
understand. we all share the same pain. Mark said he never before had a sense
of 'family' until he saw the quilt. I couldn't look at it anymore. It was too
painful. too emotionally exhausting. So I left the tens of thousands who were
silently devastated who were holding hands over their faces to hide the sobs of
their grieving. I needed to get away. I kept thinking of Mark Bluto who died of
AIDS last spring and whether the people I love so dearly will be someday be
apart of that quilt. Craig Nichols and Gov Bangerter come look at this quilt.
For shame!" Coming back to Utah Ben Barr, Bruce Harmon and I created the
Utah AIDS Memorial Quilt Project and I created the first panel in Utah for
Tracy Ross aka Michael Spense, an African American drag queen and a princess
royale of the Royal Court of the Golden Spike Empire. I displayed it at Gay
Pride Day 1988. Many of my friends including David Sharpton ended up as a panel
on the Quilt. I had the privilege in 1989 to be a name reader when a portion of
the quilt came to Utah and was displayed at the Salt Palace. The post Stonewall
generation will never understand the battles we fought and the losses we
experience.
10
June 2016 Friday
I
got my baking done this morning… chicken thighs for pups’ dinner tonight and I
made more granola except I carelessly bought quick oats rather than whole
oats...I guess I will find out if it makes a difference. I pulled a trash can
of branches and twigs out the back yard. As I had the gate open just briefly to
bring the trash can out...Farley zipped out into the front yard...he started
taking off so I said come here sweet boy and he ran back to me for
hugs...picked him up and safely deposited him in the secured backyard...the
little stink...I know he just wanted to be with me but being out front without
a leash is a no no. He's been stalking me all morning. I told him don’t run
away because it would break my heart and I imagine his too. .. I snapped a picture
on my cell phone when Buddy came over to give him kisses. Harleigh the hermit hangs out in the cool
bedroom in his closet nest. An A/C technician from Lee’s is supposed to come
out this morning to service the unit even though right now it's a pleasant 75
degrees. The cute Lee's heating and air service man came out about noon and was
done by 1 pm. He fixed my heat pump while the pups were corralled into the move
room behind bars...they were not happy...The guy said my unit was so full of
cotton that by the end of summer there would have been major damage...it was
low on puron the new freon. That's supposed to be more ecoecofriendly ... That
was $160 then another $200 for a canister I think called 301 UFD dural cap
something or another... Then $125 for tune up and coil cleaning ...Compressor
was still good and this booster thingy. He said my unit was top of the line in
2007 but now just so so lol...I wasn't really listening because too busy
admiring his butt crack ... Here's your check my good man... When the service
man was here Seth Anderson came over and gave me a copy of the incorporation
papers and bylaws for the old Gay and Lesbian Community Council of Utah that
Chuck Whyte, Neil Hoyt and I filed with the state back in August 1989. I needed them for Chad Martet who wants to
have them for the organizing committee next week. I sent him home with some
granola I made this morning. I re read them and we were pretty smart cookies
back then and way a head of the times... Committees of the GLCCU were the Ant
Violence Project, Gay Pride Day, Utah Stonewall Center, public relation
committee and AIDS committee. Lasted from 1986 until 1995 at the height of the
AIDS epidemic...the Gay And by Lesbian activists were just worn out by then and
the later moneyed A-listers were still closeted... But the ground work had been
laid. Before going to bed I watched a BBC program called Dr. Thorne. It was
written by Julian Fellows who wrote Downton Abby. It was fun to watch.
·
Ruadhan
O'Sheridan It was so nice when we could all fit in one room and attend each
other’s events and go to dinner and coffee with each other.
·
Teinamarrie Scuderi I miss those days. I loved
sitting with you at the old Stonewall Center learning about the history of our
community.
·
Beau
Chaine' Don't forget those file as the Utah Gay and Lesbian Golden Spike Center
in '82! Those were the first ones. Auntie Dee was one of the trustees. That
center was the first one, I know cause I wrote the papers.
·
Edgar
Ben Williams For a community center... This was for a council formed after
Chuck Whyte’s Unity Show in 1986
11
June 2016 Saturday
It
was kind of a gloomy overcast day and did rain in the evening but I had so much
fun tonight because I went with Alan Anderson out to dinner at Chubby’s and
then to the Capitol Theater to see Newsies. Kyle Daniels is back east for a
couple of weeks so Alan asked me to go with him. This morning I went to the
genealogy library the first time in a couple of months. The LDS Church was
having a street fair blocking off West Temple between South and North Temple.
It was a big to do but too bad it rained on their festivities LOL. Alan e came
over about 6 and it was raining but we went to Chubby’s and I bought dinner
because he taking me to the theater. OMG so much high energy dancing back
flips, high kicks, pirouetting...wow wow wow...so much talent. I love a show
with only about three women and 25 boys and men. Alan's tickets are on the 2nd
row close enough to see them sweat...what a work out ... We wondered who would
be using the late John Williams' row of season holder tickets in front of us
and was surprised that this group of elementary age kids used them. The boys
were in suits and ties...very well behaved.
Alan loved the show. When we came
back home we hot tubbed for a bit. Felt
good to remove someone from spreading negativity about me. Brent Marrott is
such a smarmy asshole. I deleted him from Gay Men Aloud. I am so sick of
him...Last year he stirred up shit accusing Kent and I of deleting posts. When
I told him in no uncertain terms that we had not he sent me some ugly messages. He's not my tribe and if Charles Frost is
unhappy about that he and Brent can form their own men's group ... If someone
doesn't like something I post they sure the hell don't need to take me to task
on the FB page. I deleted him after he posted on GMA that I was a toxic person
to him and many others. I wish I knew now how to block him. He objected to me
using the term fagged out so I responded that the dictionary says it means
extremely exhausted which he equated with him saying I was using the word
faggot...Then when I corrected him he posted that I was toxic and others thing
so too. Republicans bitch about restructuring the $2 billion debt of Puerto
Rico a commonwealth of the United States and yet no one says a word about the
$3 billion we send to Israel which is a sovereign state. We have sent Israel
$113 billion since 1948 which has .oo1 percent of the world's population. Why
aren't the Puerto Ricans as important or more so than the Israelis?
·
Randy
Olson I read some of your earlier posts and was reminded how fortunate I am to
know you. Thank you for your example of compassion and understanding of
unconditional love. Me and my fur-footers.
·
Kevin Scott You are a kind person. Yes, you
have opinions (don't we all), but at the core you're just a big teddy bear.
·
Edgar Ben Williams Some people only find
happiness by making others unhappy...I never wanted to be one of those guys...
Thanks friends
·
Denise
Wachs You are the kindest most giving man I know. Someone needs a throat punch!
·
Deb Rosenberg I always and still love you
·
Edgar
Ben Williams You too Deb "we will always have New York and bullhorns to
remember."
·
Richard P. Butler If someone was spreading
negativity about you, it couldn't spread very far. Nobody would believe what
they say. Because we know you.
·
To
Kent Did you read Brent Marrotts post to me on GMA? I am so sick of him...I am
deleting him from the group...remember last year he stirred up shit saying we
were deleting his posts? He sent me some ugly messages when I refuted
that...he's not my tribe and if Charles is unhappy about that he and Brent can
form their own men's group
... If someone doesn't like something we post they sure the hell don't need to
take us to task on the FB page. I deleted him after he posted that I was a
toxic person to him and many others...I wish I knew now how to block him.
12
June 2016 Sunday
I
had a nice evening at Greg Allen And Joel Jay Vallar birthday party...nice to
get out and meet new people.it turned out to be a nice evening without any rain
but his condo complexed turned the water on early and we scrambled to save
their refreshments ... But all well that ended well...if Alan Anderson would
not have come I wouldn't have known anyone. I woke up to terrible news coming
out of Orlando. A gunman entered a Gay Bar there called the Pulse and killed forty-nine
people in the worse mass killing this century. I was still exhausted from last
night and fell back to sleep and that is when the news report said the death
tally rose from 22 people to fifty people!
Jackie Biskupski wrote a thoughtful response to the massacre. This is why I voted for someone who understands what it’s like
to be hated and oppressed. “"This morning my heart is heavy with grief.
While we don’t yet know all the details of the tragedy unfolding in Orlando, it
is an unspeakable act of violence--not only against one class of people, or one
city, but against society as a whole. As a mayor charged with keeping a city
safe, I can’t help but feel we are failing to address a societal ill, one where
a person can senselessly kill so many with nothing more than a motive and a gun
— and that we fail to learn lessons from these repeated tragedies. I am very
grateful to the heroes of law enforcement who responded, put themselves in
harm's way, and undoubtedly saved lives. As an openly gay woman, I can’t help
but view this tragedy as an attack on all people who identify as LGBTQ — a hate
crime perpetrated to silence our community during the month of Pride, a time
when we openly celebrate who we are and the joy of self-acceptance. As a mother, I am simply heartbroken,
devastated at the thought of the family and friends who have lost a loved one
in this tragic event and for those who endured injury and the trauma caused by
this one individual. Today my prayers are with the victims of this attack,
their loved ones, the City of Orlando, and the entire LGBTQ community. We must
learn from this tragedy and resolve to take action to prevent this from
happening again. Let us all respond today with peace and acts of kindness. We
can make this world a better place to live and we will." On 13 September
1994 President Clinton signed a ban on assault weapons into law. On 13
September 2004 George W Bush repealed the law. A Republican congress has
repeatedly shut down Democratic efforts to renew the ban. Even the slaughter of
26 babies and teachers at Sandy Hook could not move a Republican Congress to
rein in the insanity. Nothing will be done regarding the 50 or more young
people murdered because they wanted to go out on a Saturday night and have fun.
Trump and cross eyed conservatives will use this massacre to justify the
persecution of Muslims when some Christians advocate the death penalty for
homosexuality. Only by Electing a Democratic Congress, a progressive Supreme
Court, and Hillary as President will we have sensible gun laws and destroy the
real enemy of Americans, the NRA and Gun lobbyists. These were the type of
bullets that slaughtered young people in Orlando fired at 45-60 rounds per
minute. This is from a rant
from 2004 when Bush lifted the ban on assault weapons that Bill Clinton signed
in to law ten years before. If not for George War Criminal Bush we could have
had a 22 year ban on assault weapons and the likely hood of Sandy Hook or
Orlando ever happening. " Secondly,
there's the issue of securitizing our residentiaries. I know that you residents
of our country's great all-white backwaters need to be able to protect your
double-wides. I know you folks own a whole lot of valuable Chinese plastic
stuff you bought at Wal-Mart, and you need the ability to use deadly force in
order to keep it safe from Negro tornadoes and swarms of horny terrorist suicides
intent on stripping the velour sweatpants off your 400 pound wife and sodomizing
her lilly-white cottage cheese butt right there on the Formica countertop just
before frying your whole family with a thermonukular Samsonite carry-on." The
writer also said the ban repeal caused rejoicing in the "prayer
bunkers" of Montana and Idaho and I might add Utah. Those who support
ownership of assault weapons are usually paranoid schizophrenics with a drop
pout mentality who think they can fight off the entire United States armed
forces with an UZI. If your church today says some homophobic bull shit about
the shooting in Orlando that’s your opportunity to get up, walk out, and never
go back.
·
Stephanie
Williams I remember being 18 years old and Grandma Williams living in Yucaipa.
I went up to see them on a Sunday and I knew they would be at church. So I
wanted to surprise her by meeting her there. The pastor of the church was
giving a sermon about homosexuality and he himself damned all homosexuals to
hell. Even at that time, I knew he was so full of shit and how high and mighty
he was to do Gods job. I have issues today with that church.
·
Edgar
Ben Williams There's good money in spreading messages of hate
·
Stephanie
Williams Yes there is. I know one shyster that has profited immensely.
·
Kevin Scott The owner of Rainbow Gardens in
Ogden had a great story of visiting his kids at a ward meeting where a
grandchild was being blessed. The Bishop, even knowing that gay grandpa was in
attendance, got up and spewed a long anti-gay message. After the message,
grandpa stood up in the middle of the congregation and let the Bishop know
exactly what a hateful message he was peddling and walked out. Very publicly.
He was followed by several people. Woulda paid money to witness that firsthand.
13
June 2016 Monday
My first
candle light vigil was nearly 30 years ago at The Lesbian and Gay Student Union
where I first met Becky Moss who led the candle lighting ceremony to remember
Gay people killed in attacks and people who had died of AIDS. It was my first
but not my last...so many over the years ... to protest and remember victims of
hate crimes and AIDS. I was a speaker on the steps of the capital for the vigil
for Matthew Shepard where I related the names of all the people I knew who were
murdered in Utah for simply being Gay or Lesbian. I had my job as an educator
threatened being so public... It didn't prevent me from speaking out... And
continuing to attend even more vigils... But no more. I will pass the flame to
another generation. I can bear it no more. Charles Frost added Brent back after
I had deleted him for calling me Toxic on the public comments on Gay Men
Allowed. That pissed me off so I just removed Charles as an administrator. Sick
of his shit and his lap dog Brent. I didn't remove him from the group ... just
from his sabotaging me. Everything he’s been posting lately is something
negative about Gay men... As you know I am not afraid of Charles...and as far
as I am concerned its part of his hiatus when he doesn't care how much extra
work he puts on you and me. If people are coming to the group for the great
Charles Frost then they are coming for the wrong reason anyway I have never
posted one negative thing about Charles, kept making excuses for his not coming
to meetings, we all ways included him when we talked about leadership and his
obvious defense of Brent trying to poison opinion against me is way too
personal of a betrayal. It’s obvious they come because they get something out
of the group… the camaraderie. I know
you Kent have been in the middle and I value that very much but I won't belong
to an organization where I am disrespected... At this time in my life I don't
need the stress... no one is calling Kent toxic and disparaging him. I blocked
Marrott this time and if Charles is hell bent keeping him in... then I don't
want any more to do with GMA... let Charles take it over and turn it in to whatever
he wants. I will conduct the June meeting but if Charles does one more thing to
undermine me... I don't know if I can continue... Perhaps it’s time to get
another facilitator to join us.
·
Kent-Just
an opinion, but that's drawing a line in the sand with Charles. I can't judge
why people come to the group. I'm just glad they show up. And that's the goal.
However, when that no longer exists with the organizers, the fractures show.
I've been in the middle and it hasn't been easy. Which is one reason I'm
frustrated. I understand how you feel. Will you give me some time to think and
maybe come up with a proposal? I get it. I just want to think. It’s the HR guy
in me.
·
Dear
Kyle, It’s time to write you a long
overdue letter. I know you could not have heard of the massacre of Gay people
in Orlando. There will be a vigil here tonight at the city county building at 7
p.m. I am planning on attending. Life is fragile. One minute laughing, dancing,
singing, partying with friends and lovers and the next minute you’re dead on
the floor in a pool of blood murdered by someone who didn’t know you or you,
him. Dead because it’s legal to possess a weapon of mass destruction that can
fire 50 bullets a minute. Dead because Republicans refused to pass laws after
the San Bernardino massacre keeping assault weapons out of the hands of
Terrorists on the FBI watch list. Orrin Hatch and Mike Lee voted against that
bill and now Hatch has the audacity to say his thoughts and prayers are with
the families of the victims. Well fuck him. Mike Lee and Orrin Hatch have blood
on their hands and I do not want Hatch's thoughts and prayers...tell it to
parents of the young people who were murdered because you cared more for the
NRA's money then human lives. John Fugelsang posted “Remember the people
telling us to hate all Muslims because of Omar Mateen are the ones fighting for
Mateen to have easy access to assault weapons.” I so agree. On 13 September
1994 President Clinton signed a ban on assault weapons into law. We could have
had 22 years of assault weapons being illegal. On 13 September 2004 George War
Crimes Bush however repealed the law and we have had over 50 mass murders with
assault weapons. Republican congresses have repeatedly shut down Democratic
efforts to renew the ban. Even the slaughter of 26 babies and teachers at Sandy
Hook could not move a Republican Congress to rein in the insanity. Nothing will
be done regarding the 50 or more young people murdered because they wanted to
go out on a Saturday night and have fun. Worse yet Donald Trump and cross eyed
conservatives will use this massacre to justify the persecution of Muslims when
even some Christians advocate the death penalty for homosexuality. The only
reason to own an assault weapon is to kill as many people as you can in the
shortest amount of time. They are called “assault” weapons for a reason and not
defense weapons. The only ones who want to own them are paranoid schizophrenic
who believe our government is the enemy. As far as I am concern anyone who owns
an assault weapon has a mental illness.
People should have the right to own hand guns and hunting rifles I agree
but semi-automatic weapons never. It is illegal to own a machine gun and yet
assault weapons are just another form of a machine gun. But if Americans don’t have the will to
curtail the NRA lobby after the slaughter of 26 babies and teachers at Sandy
Hook they will never do anything about 50 queers murdered in Orlando. In fact
that asshat Lt Governor of Texas twittered “You reap what you sow”. Asshole Governor Scott of Florida even
refused to admit on CNN that Gay people were even targeted at the Pulse Club in
Orlando. Why isn’t it hate speech for ministers and Imans to advocate death to
Gay people? They incite the unstable and then step back and think their hands
are clean. Only by electing a Democratic Congress, a progressive Supreme Court,
and Hillary as President will we have sensible gun laws and destroy the real
enemy of Americans, the NRA and Gun lobbyists. Here
is the response from Jackie Biskupski that I am sure you will not hear on the
news in Gunnison. "This morning my heart is heavy with grief. While we
don’t yet know all the details of the tragedy unfolding in Orlando, it is an
unspeakable act of violence--not only against one class of people, or one city,
but against society as a whole. As a mayor charged with keeping a city safe, I
can’t help but feel we are failing to address a societal ill, one where a
person can senselessly kill so many with nothing more than a motive and a gun —
and that we fail to learn lessons from these repeated tragedies. I am very
grateful to the heroes of law enforcement who responded, put themselves in
harm's way, and undoubtedly saved lives. As an openly gay woman, I can’t help
but view this tragedy as an attack on all people who identify as LGBTQ — a hate
crime perpetrated to silence our community during the month of Pride, a time when
we openly celebrate who we are and the joy of self-acceptance. As a mother, I
am simply heartbroken, devastated at the thought of the family and friends who
have lost a loved one in this tragic event and for those who endured injury and
the trauma caused by this one individual. Today my prayers are with the victims
of this attack, their loved ones, the City of Orlando, and the entire LGBTQ
community. We must learn from this tragedy and resolve to take action to
prevent this from happening again. Let us all respond today with peace and acts
of kindness. We can make this world a better place to live and we will." I
guess a positive out of this tragedy is what Dan Savage posted. “47 years of
progress and still so much work needs to be done.. Stonewall 1969: cops rush
into gay bar to arrest patrons....Pulse 2016: cops rush into gay bar to save
patrons....” Well that is enough of that. Saturday night when those poor kids
were being terrorized and slaughtered I went with Alan Anderson to the Capitol
Theater to a touring company of NEWSIES. His husband couldn’t attend so he asked
me. My goodness what talent. It was mostly guys acrobatically dancing, back
flipping, high kicking, pirouetting, and singing. Very energetic and amazing.
We were second row from the stage close to see them sweat LOL. I had never seen
a show with so much athleticism. And all of them young, fit, and cute as a
button. So it was kind of a shock the morning to see the headline of the
massacre in Orlando. Well there is going to be fireworks at Gay Men Aloud
between Charles Frost and I. He posted that he needed a summer break from Gay
Men Aloud without consulting Kent or I who would have had to take up the slack
in July which meant more work for us. I convinced Kent for us just to cancel
July as that the first Monday in the month is the 4th of July thus
we would just really be canceling one meeting. Charles pulled the same shit in
April and I had to cover for him because Kent was in the hospital. Last
Saturday Charles toady attacked me in a public post on the GMA site. He was
just looking for a fight. He took exception for me using the expression “fagged
out” in one of my posts about being too tired coming to the meeting the day
after Pride Sunday. My friend Ruadhan understood the double entendre and wrote
“It's not that I am fagged out, because I would LOVE to hear people's opinions
about this. (Our topic was about whether Pride Day is relevant any more to
older Gays) Our cooler quit last night, so I will be helping my husband get
that fixed before I roast to death. XOXO Happy Post-Pride..” Days later Brent
Marrott who is a bitter old Queen sycophant of Charles wrote “Ben, the word
fag, fagged, faggot is offensive to me. It is the worst slur you can use to gay
men. I am still having trouble getting used to queer. There is no understanding
to me the use of that verbiage here, especially here. There are many other
words you could have used.” Now he’s only comes to a meeting if Charles is the
presenter and has been very critical to both Kent and I and I am sure Charles
told him about the blow up Charles and I had last October. He thinks he can say
whatever he wants whether he knows what he’s talking about. Usually I’d ignore
him but as that he attacked my integrity publicly I wrote him back: Well Brent
I guess you know better than the dictionary what fagged out means... Mine says
that fagged means Extremely tired; exhausted: we were all absolutely fagged
out... But at least you had your say...” He responded “I know exactly what the
definition is. You know what I am saying. No more conversation with you. You
are a toxic person to me and many others.”
I didn’t respond to that at all but deleted him from the group and his
posts after telling Kent what he had said to me. Well then Charles posts an
article on toxic personalities which Brent responded to after I had deleted
him. Well that bastard Charles had added him back to the group. I was furious.
When we began this group Charles insisted that certain people be banned from the
group and even though Kent and I didn’t care we wanted to keep Charles happy.
So I deleted Brent again and blocked him so he can’t post anymore and I deleted
Charles as an administrator of the page so he couldn’t unblock Brent. I didn’t
delete Charles though I should have. He doesn’t care about the group or the
people who attend except for the attention he receives from his fan club and
they only attend when he facilitates so they don’t care about the group just
Charles. Kent Scadlock is worried about losing Charles’ base. He said to me
“Just an opinion, but that's drawing a line in the sand with Charles.” I responded back “Everything he’s been
posting lately is something negative about Gay men... As you know I am not
afraid of Charles...and as far as I am concerned its part of his hiatus when he
doesn't care how much extra work he puts on you and me. If people are coming to
the group for the great Charles Frost then they are coming for the wrong reason
anyway. I have never posted one negative thing about Charles, kept making
excuses for his not coming to meetings, we always included him when we talked
about leadership, but his obvious defense of Brent trying to poison opinion
against me is way too personal of a betrayal. I won't belong to an organization
where I am disrespected... At this time in my life I don't need the stress...
no one is calling you toxic and disparaging you... I blocked Marrott this time
and is Charles is hell bent keeping him in... then I don't want any more to do
with GMA... let Charles take it over and turn it in to whatever he wants.” So
there it stands. I am involved with forming a new Community Council called the
LGBT Community Council Meeting (Greater SLC). A kid named Chord [Chad] Martet
is trying to bring the community together again and wants to base the
organization on the old Gay and Lesbian Community council of Utah. He asked me
to bring a copy of the old bylaws so I had Seth Anderson pull one out of the
archives I donated to the U of U back in 2003. He’s in town working for the
AIDS archives that have been formed at the U of U and named for Dr. Kristin
Ries and Maggie Snyder. I guess he’s getting paid for it. Michael Ferguson is
back in New York attending conferences and a few weeks ago he got an invite
with other Gay people to the White House to meet President Obama because of his
work shutting down reparation therapy organizations. He said his advisors and
professor said who is this Ben Williams?” And he said the person who donated
all this material to the library without he could not do his research. That
surprised them that a nonacademic would be involved with preserving so much
history. Last week I was so exhausted
with taking Chuck Whyte to the ER and dealing with that when another friend
asked for a ride form the ER from being dehydrated. I thought geez I am the
oldest of all my friends and I am taking care of them, five dogs, a house, and
a yard. Speaking of yards by garden is really taking off now that it’s the
middle of June. I’ve got corn, squash, pumpkins, tomatoes, peppers, and green
beans if the bugs keep from eating the leaves. I had two things go wrong with
the house last week. The GFCI outlet in the upstairs bathroom went out and my
freezer downstairs is on that circuit. I barely discovered it in time to keep
all the meet in the freezer from thawing. The GFCI wouldn’t reset so my friend
Rich Butler came over and looked at it. One of the wires had melted and short
circuited it so Rich put in a new one. It doesn’t have the night light attached
like the old one but it lasted nearly 20 years.
Then my heat pump wasn’t keeping the house cool. It was at 85 when I had
it set on 75 and it was in the 90s outside almost all week. I changed the
filter and that helped some but I called the people who installed the furnace
and heat pump to come service it. I had not ever had it serviced since having
it installed in 2007. It was really low on Puron [the new Freon] which was
$160, and some do hicky had burnt out, and it was really clogged with cotton
keep in the air from flowing. He said that it was a good call to have him come
out because it was so clogged that at the end of summer I could have ruined the
unit which would have been $6000 to replace. Instead I paid $569 and the house
is nice and cool for the pups and me. I saw how that Salt Lake Community
College is expanding their aerodynamic program and building a new extension out
here by the house. 2200 West is almost all developed now with warehouses, the
national guard, Boeing, and other companies. Excited needless to say that
Hillary Clinton won the California primary and for sure will be the Democratic
Nominee for President of the United States. Bernie Sanders lost California by a
half a million voters and he is still planning to influence the Democratic
Party platform and has declined to bow out of the race. He doesn't have the
sense of Ted Cruz to know when it's over...shows he's not a loyal Democrat and
as for influencing the party platform it's just another means to continue the
socialist charade...party platforms aren't legal nor binding ... If he cared
about America's future he would bow out and endorse the Democrat nominee and
fight Trump... Enough with the anti-Clinton rhetoric...Even Linsey Graham said
love of country should trump hatred of Hillary Clinton...enough of this
outrageous slandering of the Clintons by so called Bernie Democrats. I've seen
many uninformed Bernie Sanders Gay supporters try to paint Mrs. Clinton as
somehow not supportive of Gay people enough... I guess they never heard of
Robbie Mook, Hillary's campaign manager who happens to be the first openly gay
campaign manager of a major presidential campaign in U.S. history. And not only
did Clinton give a nod to the Gay community in her speech after the win in
California, she included two transgender women in her victory video, watched by
millions before she came onstage. Someone wrote about Mrs. Clinton "But another way to look at the
primary is that Clinton employed a less masculine strategy to win. She won the
Democratic primary by spending years slowly, assiduously, building
relationships with the entire Democratic Party. She relied on a more
traditionally female approach to leadership: creating coalitions, finding
common ground, and winning over allies. Today, 208 members of Congress have
endorsed Clinton; only eight have endorsed Sanders." Did you read how some
Crazy Ass Christian set off a bomb in a Target women’s restroom back east? Why
aren’t they called Christian terrorists. Straight people are so worried where
people pee while Gay people are worried about being murdered ... Well I have
run out of things to say so I will let you go. I hope softball keeps you active
but not exhausted. I put $100 on your accounts. I hope it is enough for your TV
so you can watch the July Convention. No guarantee in this old world how long
we get to be here. Muhammed Ali said that “Service to others is the rent you
pay for your room here on earth.” Be good. As I was or ever shall be – your
friend Ben
14
June 2016 Tuesday
To
all you fucking gun nuts I do want to take away your guns...not all mind you
just your semiautomatic assault rifles The ones you know that can mow down a
roomful of people in seconds. Yes I do want to take those guns away! In what
scenario would you need an Uzi to go hunting? In what paranoid scenario do you
think you need an modern machine gun to protect your home? If you want to play
with guns JOIN THE ARMY. As
James Dabakis said You can kill us but we are not going back in the closet
...we have earned a place at the table
15
June 2016 Wednesday
I
don’t remember mass murders using assault weapons as a kid...when they
occasional happened like those nurses in Chicago, or at the university of Texas
or the Tate Bianca murders Americans were horrified but they were rare... When
civilians were allowed to possess Military grade weapons mass murders became
common. If it's illegal to own machine guns why is it legal to own an assault
weapon? What does to bear arms really mean in this day and age? Bazookas?
Ground to air missiles? Semiautomatic
assault weapons (like AK and AR-15 assault rifles and UZI and MAC assault
pistols) are civilian versions of military assault weapons. There are virtually
no significant differences between them. Military assault weapons are "machine
guns." It is logical that certain weapons should never be sold to
civilians except for sport or defense. We don't need a well-regulated militia
any more drilling on the village commons. We have a permanent standing army,
navy, and air force to defend us from our enemies...
16
June 2016 Thursday
I
went out to lunch with Bill Poore to Charlie Chows downtown. My fortune cookie
said "Quit Wearing Yourself Out"... ain't that the truth. I booked a
meeting room at the new Marmalade Library for a monthly Utah Stonewall
Historical Society Meeting starting July 6th. It will be the 1st Wednesday in
each month. I will make a Facebook event for it. I am at that delusional age
where I think everyone my age looks way older than I do. Ha!
·
Stephanie
Williams OMG! Don't they:)
·
Alan
Anderson Covered the mirrors again, eh?
·
Bill
Poore I just freaking had lunch with you, I am so insulted. Besides I would
look younger too if I went to the barber college and let some cute young student
cut my hair for 1 hour and a half.....Ben you have no hair. You live in North
SL and drive all the way to 7200 South to GET a 5 dollar cut.
·
Edgar
Ben Williams Maybe it’s worth $5 and the drive to have a young guy fuss over me
·
Alan
Anderson You buy cheap dates!
·
Bill
Poore so true
17
June 2016 Friday
Sadly I just
deleted my nephew Michael Wachs from my FB page for posting too many pro-gun
postings especially about AR 15 weapons when he has an uncle, a sister, and a
cousin who are all Gay especially after the slaughter in Orlando...if he loves
his guns more than me, if he hates Obama and Hillary and is pro Trump...I've
got to let him go...my parents were not all that political but were Union
supporting Democrats. My dad and mom were not racists...if someone supports a
politician who advocates harming me or my friends or has viewpoints that are
fascist...time to say sorry...you can't love me and espouse that much hate.
·
Mario
Mothe I think I need to do the same. I have a few Trump lovers and gun lovers.
·
Chris
Johnson I understand where you're coming from, I really do but why not unfollow
them or just scroll on by? If you expect tolerance, you have to be tolerant
don't you? We're talking family here right?
·
Edgar Ben Williams If I ever saw a like or
comment on my posts or just even a how are you doing it probably wouldn't
affect me so but a constant barrage of racist things about Obama and hateful
things about Hillary and the pro AR 15 after the Pulse Massacre was just too
much...... Maybe just too
sensitive but attending a funeral of a murdered friend and seeing his killer
walk, and losing so many friends to AIDS ... There are even limits I cannot
tolerate...I had commented rebutted, hid posts and Snopes checked and yet ugly
memes keep coming. I have a healthy respect for diverse opinions but back them
up with more than memes posted on FB...
·
Mario
Mothe If you're part of a minority you could understand that
·
Chris
Johnson The smallest minority is the individual.
·
Russell
Pack Spot on. I did the same with 2 relatives. I do my best to keep my mouth
shut when I'm around them, but no need to watch their hate-filled FB posts.
·
Bill Poore It is your FB and you have a choice
who is on it. I got rid of all the negative/anti everything relatives and
friends. I don’t want their crap in my head. If I want to know what is going on
in the world I go to good news sources not biased racist, rap from all the sick
people that have been given new power and voice on social media. , tolerance is
overrated. Why should I be tolerant of a racist sexist comment? Why should I
have my President degraded in the manner I have seen these past years by total
racist lies? No delete them all, to hell with them. Love love love, is for
those that can accept it with love back. There is no love coming from the other
side. I have lived long enough to know that when you see a fool running down
the street, get out of the way he is looking for another fool. I say this of
course in the most loving brotherly way. Peace out...
·
Doug
Murri I've had to do the same thing a few times.
·
Edgar
Ben Williams I wonder if being Gay men and spat on most of our lives ... having
to filter much of what we say and who we are around family and others makes us
overly sensitive to attacks on the people who keep us safe and wants us to
thrive and not just survive? A friend said to me when he thought I was being
too pro Democrat and he said he votes on the issues and not the party...I
didn't respond but I thought what possible issue could the Republicans have
that he could support it?
·
James
Connelley I've done the same with most the Connelley's. You don't need the
negativity.
·
Kevin Scott It takes a lot of direct
confrontation for me to do that. I find that I might be more of an influence by
engaging and thoughtful conversation then just outright banning someone because
I don't agree with them. Our society is way too segregated into mind camps.
That being said, my news feed is mostly an echo chamber.
18
June 2016 Saturday
Rich Butler
dropped off Miley today. I
told the crew to be nice to our guest this week. TJ was the only brat growling
because he didn't like sharing Richard P. Butler with Miley. After he left
Miley started howling and the rest joined in the chorus for sympathy I guess.
Now everyone found a spot to take a nap...Harleigh is of course is in the
bedroom away from the riffraff. Maxx
wanted to play with Miley but Miley had loving on his mind. Old dogs can learn
new tricks...yesterday Richard P. Butler said when microwaving hot dogs wrap
them in a wet paper towel and it will steam them. I tried that with the ball
park beef hot dogs and they look so plump and juicy and didn't have to heat the
house up for lunch
19
June 2016 Sunday Father’s Day
At
one time I had two grandpas, four uncles, and four male cousins. They are all
gone. I am the last of three generations. I had no brothers and each of my male
cousins had no brothers. Now there is no one to celebrate Happy Father's Day
with anymore from my youth. Strange to think I am the last of the Williams-
Johnson family of my generation. All those people gone and I am still here I
guess to be a witness and a recorder attempting to keep them alive for future
generations so that they are not just a birth date and death date on a
tombstone. Most won't care but a few will and it will be there for them. The
one picture I have of my grandfather’s together...Grandpa Williams in a suit
and Grandpa Johnson in his farming clothes. This was my 27 year old dad when he
was on the Lubbock Police force shortly before moving us to California when I
was 2 years old. Binged watched all the Orange Is the New Black until 12:30 am
last night so my ass has been dragging all day. I did attend Chord Martet by
laws meeting for 3 hours for Queer Community Council (if people except the name
in place of the alphabet). Eight people attended, chord, Terry Gillman, myself,
Brad DiOrio, Libby, Kent McKay Scadlock, Mia Jensen, and a woman named
Charlie...I went mainly to interpret some of the items in the old by-laws from
the old community council and to view them in the context of the times they
were written. Fred Ringel Emperor 2 of the Royal Court of the Golden a Spike
Empire passed away June 19th. Pioneer member of the Gay Community. Hillary
Clinton is the only Presidential candidate that doesn't have an illegitimate
child. She is the only one that hasn't been divorce ...and yet every bit of
dirt has been thrown at her trying to make her seem like a crook and
untrustworthy... Hillary is a good woman and will make a good if not even a
great president.
·
Chuck
Whyte. Glad to see a great organization revied , my only suggestion is to call
it COMMUNITY COUNCIL......simple and to the point, thanks for letting me voice
my opinion
·
Edgar
Ben Williams Not gonna happen...and Not my decision
·
Chuck
Whyte I will jump over molten lava rather than join another group that calls
itself queer, I am happily an elder disabled gay man
·
Edgar
Ben Williams Times are changing... Adapt or die is the younger attitude... A
group called Queer Friends have over 500 members with a different activity each
day for the next 30 days...
20
June 2016 Monday
I
woke up at 3:30 am hearing the dogs all outside barking at something...probably
the beautiful full moon... Told them to get their asses in and quit bothering
the neighbors...they all trotted in and as I sat on the bench at the foot of
the bed Harleigh jumped up and curled into me and Farley and Miley stared at me
so I spent a half hour rubbing Harleigh’s bum leg and taking turns petting
Miley and Farley. Maxx and TJ were up on the bed but Maxx was whimpering
wanting some loving too so I had to rub his belly. Only Buddy was sound
asleep....now they are all asleep and I am wide awake this first day of summer
while they slumber... But it's good and peaceful to have all the pups safe and
sound and all together. It won't last I know in a few hours they will all be up
barking for their morning hot dog... But in the moment all is serene...I swear
there's a poltergeist in my house...first the heat pump needed fixing, then the
GFCI switch burned up, and my dryer stopped working...now when Bill Poore was
over for lunch all of a sudden my garbage disposal just fell off! Just fell off
as I was draining some dish water and flooded the cabinet beneath the sink! I
have no idea how to attach it. The garbage disposal is only 4 years old!
Ugh...well at least I didn't almost cut my finger off like Bill did and won't
go to the ER and get stitches. I can bake a lemon pound cake for a GMA meeting
tonight but don't know how to attach a garbage disposal.... We had a light turn
out tonight about 14 people which I half expected with as warm as it has been
and because it was a tough subject but an important one. We discuss the various
and often subtle forms of Gay bashing that is often institutionalize by society. We won’t meet again until August when Kent
McKay Scadlock will be the facilitator...Typically Charles or his sycophants
didn’t show and again Kent asked to be excused early because of his health.
Left holding the bag to close up again. So
grateful to Robert Edward Cross for coming over after GMA when I knew he was
tired to put my disposal back on. I am so fortunate to have kind friends to
help me with the things I can't do...I can't bake him anything because he's a
better baker than I am. There are good people out there whenever you feel the
world is crap...so many good decent people like Robert.
Every
one of my uncles could build, fix, or repair anything. My uncle JW was a
licensed electrician and a farmer. My dad could repair appliances, take an
engine apart and make it run again, could build most anything. He actually
built a camper to go over the truck with beds a table a stove and icebox. All
my boy cousins were pretty mechanical too... Not me...the biggest fights dad
and I had were when I could not tell the difference between a Philip screw
driver and a flat head or a crescent wrench and a regular wrench. I know that
frustrated him a great deal that his only son was "mechanically
challenged." I am looking at this garbage disposal laying on the ground
and am flummoxed how to reattach it... Tomorrow I will make an attempt to do
something my brain is not wired to do and hope it doesn't fall on my head while
trying to reattach it.
·
Richard
P. Butler You are wonderful taking care of your pups!
·
Edgar
Ben Williams Like clockwork Harleigh and Buddy started barking at 6 rousing
everyone to trot into the kitchen. If it wasn't for TJ I could simply hand them
out and go back to sleep but he has to have his cut up into smaller bits...so I
am wake again...but at least I am awake to live another day.
·
Richard P. Butler It's supposed to be
extremely hot again today. But we are in an air conditioned vehicle so who
cares. Tuesday the temps drop back into the 80's for our trip to Disneyland.
Talk about perfect timing. We should be in Palmdale around 3-4:00 p.m. and most
likely will take a dip in the motel pool and unwind from the drive.
·
Edgar
Ben Williams Sounds like you are having a good time...
·
Bill
Poore well you didn’t thank me I was there when it broke.
·
Roland
Ron Holmgren Are you usually there when things break at Ben's house. Gremlin?
·
Bill
Poore Roland Ron Holmgren well you are brave being operated on today. Ben tried
to make me go to ER to have my hand fixed but I wouldn’t because if the needles
they would stick in my fingers. No I am
not always there. Ben breaks everything on his own
·
Roland
Ron Holmgren Go if it gets worse, Bill. Just kidding about the breaking things.
Am not kidding about your hand.
·
Robert
Edward Cross Ben, you are far too complimentary. It was a 10 minute fix. Thank
you for the many kind act you do for the entire community.
·
Roland
Ron Holmgren Ben, when you are down at DI or a bookstore, invest in a good
repair book. As you well know, it is a race who is more incompetent in fixing
things you or it. But, I have found these manuals sometimes help. And when in
doubt, I call on my brother who can fix anything. Or you call on your friends!
·
Bill
Poore ben lives for Blanches line in STREET CAR NAMED DESIRE....."i have
always depended on the kindness of strangers" that includes for those that
fix things and then the strangers he up. Picks up from the street and their
kindness,
·
Edgar
Ben Williams Whoever you are I’ve always depended on the kindness of strangers.
21
June 2016 Tuesday
Michael
Romero’s 60th birthday. Met him when he 37 years old. Fed the dogs
their treat after they woke me up at 6:16 and then I saw the rustling in the
trees so I put out sunflower seeds and peanuts for the squirrels. As I watched
a magpie stole a peanut...I thought what the hell! the peanuts are for my furry
friends not the feathered one... Each time Mr Fuzzy Butt turned his back the
magpie stole a peanut. I went to see Chuck Whyte at Hillcrest after feeding the
dogs this evening. We visited some. Seems to be in better spirits and his pain
is being managed better. May have to stay there though at least 4 weeks or
longer...he got a haircut finally so must be feeling better
22
June 2016 Wednesday
Paul
Ryan turned off the cameras in the House of Representatives to not let
Americans see the Democratic sit-in going on in the People's House! The
Republicans are now scum on the bottom of scum...for shame! Rep Duckworth, who
lost her legs in the Middle East for her country got out of a wheel chair to
sit on the floor. The Republicans don't want you to see this or should I say
the NRA doesn't want you to see this.
·
Kent
McKay Scadlock-I spoke with both of you over the last couple of weeks and asked
you to give me some time to come up with a proposal on how to move forward with
GMA. I enjoy working with both of you and I am proud of what we've accomplished
with GMA in a short period of time. I love being a part of GMA and I've enjoyed
getting to know this diverse group of mature, gay men. The feedback I get from
GMA participants reinforces the idea that our group is wanted and needed.
However, that being said, we could be doing much better. I've expressed my
frustrations to both of you of being caught in the middle. I've also expressed
my concern that the cracks are starting to show from our current fractured
working relationship. Attendance at our meetings has gone from nearly fifty men
per meeting to the fourteen attendees at Monday's meeting, which reinforces my
belief that the inability to work together is impacting GMA negatively. That being said, I'm proposing that all three
of us sit down in the same room and come up with a solution for communicating
and coordinating our meetings and events. All three of us need to be delivering
cohesive, well-planned messages for the benefit of our GMA members. I don't
think it's too much to ask that we work things out in a professional, positive
way. If we can't agree on an effective path for moving forward, I am going to
step aside and let you two decide the future of GMA. Sorry for the ultimatum
but I don't see another way forward and I will no longer be the middle man. I
propose that we meet in the next week or so to develop our plan. I want to know
whether or not to plan for August. Let
me know what you think. Kent
·
Charles
Lynn Frost Thank you Kent for your excellent suggestion. I'm sorry you have had
to be in the middle, that has not been a pleasant job I'm sure. I
wholeheartedly agree with your observations, feelings, and proposal. IF GMA is
to survive, be cohesive, and the vision all three of us imagined at the
outset--we must function and do so above board, honestly, and without guile and
mistrust. I think a private face to face is essential. A meeting where ALL THE
CARDS and issues are put in the table and respectfully discussed. A true all
feelings deal, where we either walk away in unison and what's best for GMA, or
simply walk away altogether. Should you leave the leadership of this group
Kent, I will be right behind you. Those are my sincere feelings for what
they're worth.
·
Edgar
Ben Williams I think its best that I
step aside and let GMA function without me. Maybe then the numbers will go
up. The difference in the purpose of the
group is too wide to reconcile. I am sure a third person can step in or you two can reorganize GMA altogether. I will be
turning in my key to Dennis McCracken but I think Kent has one. We have $125 in
the kitty. $65 will be going to the Pulse Fund Me Account. $40 will go to
reimburse me for the securing Sunnyside Park for the GMA Pot Luck. That will
leave you $20 to start off with. If you want to start a new FB page under your
own direction I can delete mine. If you want to continue it I will leave it
alone.
23
June 2016 Thursday
As
hard as I work in my dreams I should get paid. Dreamed last night I was
teaching adult school and had to make a syllabus but thank goodness the dogs
woke me up at 5:30 am for their treat before I started putting one together. I
spent a relaxing evening pruning, weeding, and watering my flowers and
tomatoes. Kept me from being a little depressed and a little relieved over
someone that has been causing me to be stressed for the last nine months. Never
want to be let down? Get a dog or 5. Busy day ... took Greg Allen and Jay to
the airport so they could leave their car at the house. Then went out to lunch
at China Star in Bountiful with Bill Poore and his bad finger....now having my
globe willows pruned in the back yard... someone who is a relative of the
Tongans from across the street came along who said they would do it for $200.
24
June 2016 Friday
I
have said this for 30 years... Mostly falling on deaf ears...It's fundamental
to being a people. Pride is more than a party. Being Proud is knowing our
history and our legacy.
Larry
Kramer wrote: "I worry we'll never
learn our history, in all its gore and guts and glory. It still isn't really
taught in our schools. Gender studies and queer studies are not the same as gay
history. Gay history is George Washington and Abraham Lincoln and Alexander
Hamilton and J. Edgar Hoover and Roy Cohn and James Baldwin and Barbara Jordan
and Anderson Cooper and Stephen Sondheim and Eleanor Roosevelt and Greta Garbo
and Herman Melville and…and…and… Not to mention all of those ancient Greeks. We've
been here a long time. A people, to be a people, must have a history to own and
be proud of. We must learn who our heroes and heroines, along with our enemies,
were and are—to teach all the world the respect we deserve." A people
without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree
without roots. - Marcus Garvey We don't have to look much further than our own
back yard for a rich history starting with heroes like Dr. Kristen Ries, Joe
Redburn, Rev Bruce M. Barton, David Sharpton, David Nelson, and Becky Moss just
to name a few. Bluegrass legend Ralph Stanley died at age 89
25
June 2016 Saturday
Today
is my sister Donna’s 67th birthday. What a day...woke up with a
Charley horse in my thigh that I couldn't massage out so got up walked around
drank water and finally about 4:30 it relaxed enough for me to sleep a little
more. The people who wanted to finish trimming my Globe Willow were supposed to
come at 8:30 didn't show up till 11:30 so I could have slept in more... I paid
them $200 more because it was a lot of work trimming the two over grown globe
willows. they barely finished when Richard P. Butler showed up at 1 to go with
me to pick up my new dryer in Tooele. We were back at the house about 3:30,
where we unloaded the dryer and hooked it up. Rich also fixed my door from the
garage that was sticking. After loading up my old water heater and dryer we
headed out to the dump just before they closed and it was about 5:30 when I was
home to head down to Alan Anderson and Kyle G. Daniels' wedding reception which
started at 4. I thought most receptions are a good three hours so I thought I
had plenty of time to get down there...but as I was ready to jump in the shower
I noticed that Farley had another messy bottom so threw him in the shower
cleaned him all up threw down some canned food for the pups since I had no time
to cook...I threw some clothes on and by 5:45 I was hauling ass down to 116,000
South doing 80 all the way...I got lost at one point because evidently there's more than one South
Fork in Draper. I finally found the place at 6:30 sat down after greeting Kyle
and Alan only to find out that everyone was packing up to leave! I gobbled down
a piece of cakes which is all I had to eat all day and I was back in the
cruiser at 6:40 and was hauling ass the 22 miles back to the city...I stopped
at Smiths grabbed a cooked chicken for the dogs who I knew wouldn't eat the wet
food and was finally at home at 7:15... I am exhausted. Miley went home today
so back to just five crazy canines con Coco.
26
June 2016 Sunday
I
worked for about 6 hours on the computer researching and typing and I thought I
better push save...15 minutes later we had a power outage for about 30 seconds
that turned off my computer... How lucky was that? Only lost what 15 minutes of
work and not six hours. For the first time in history a major Presidential
Candidate marched in a Gay Pride Parade in New York City when Mrs. Clinton
joined the march. History making now waiting for all the Hillary bashers to say
something negative. Grateful that my pups all feel free to boss me around and
all want to sit in my lap...grateful that I have a home filled with
unconditional love...TJ the escape artist lover, Maxx the playful everybody's
friend, Farley the sensitive soul, Harliegh the solitaire, and of course
carefree Buddy ... How different they all are and yet how much they've become a
family unit... I miss Little Boy /Wiley but know he's having a wonderful life
by a family that adores him... It's a good life.
27
June 2016 Monday
Its
hot today nearly 103 degrees. Avoided a riot this morning by giving the hounds
cheese slices when I looked in the refrigerator and there were no hot dogs! I
guess I better get my ass to the store this morning. The folks who chopped and
trimmed my two globe willows are supposed to be back today to haul all the
limbs and branches away so it will be an indoor recess for the pooches. My Cruiser's air conditioning needs to be
look at so Michael Romero took me down to Lancer's where I can get it looked
at. Having Transmission oil changed also. Can't not have air conditioning for
the hounds as summer heats up when I take Coco home. However I left my phone in
the car there with my window rolled down but it was still there when picked the
cruiser up. Michael took me back down after he got off work and it was $179 for
the work done on it today. Lancer did say I have a pin hole leak in the
radiator. Farley when I first got him was so neglected, eyes almost matted
shut, a bad hygiene distrustful... But with love and patience and a good
groomer like Stephen Bolinder he turned back into a Schnauzer...Harleigh and
Farley so different from each other...Farley is so attached to me that whenever
I get up even to pee at night he will get up to be with me...doesn't let me out
of my sight... Whines if I am downstairs, whimpers if I am out in the front
doing yard, and he almost hyperventilates when I come home and left him for a
while....I don't think he will ever get over being abandoned but as long as he
lives he will have a home with his rejected brothers, Harleigh, Maxx, And
TJ...Buddy I've had since he was 10 weeks old and could no more abandon him
than my own kid...grateful to have a home to shelter these animals and all who
have crossed the rainbow bridge Oscar, Saffy, Priscilla, Smokey, Lucky, and Daisy
in the past couple of days gun nuts in Texas and Florida killed family members
in arguments. A Texas gun advocate shot her own grown daughters and the police
killed her. In Florida a father killed his son over who was paying the beer
tab.
28
June 2016 Tuesday
Hot
day 102 degrees… Its brutal on my plants. And the saga continues...I tried out
my new dryer and it does the same thing as my old one did by not shutting off
or heating. The drum turns and that's all. Richard P. Butler came over and was
mystified so we thought that it might have been the cord that runs 125 and
250... We thought whatever went through the house that burnt up my GFCI might
have damaged the cord. We replaced it but Richard at one point forgot to unplug
it while hooking up the neutral wire and got
big old sparks flying. Fortunately he was not hurt but it fried the new
cord. So we reached the level where Rich was unwilling to kill himself by
electricity and I will have to have an electrician come out and check the
outlet to see if that is working...it's working enough for the motor to run the
drum but not enough to produce heat and turn off. What is the odds that both
machines would do the same thing...if it is that... I may have thrown away a
perfectly good dryer but who knew? So we said the hell with it and went to Chubby’s
for lunch. This afternoon went to urgency care for a rash I get on my right leg
every so often that has raised red bumps and itches like crazy so I can't sleep
at night. It only goes away with an over the counter prescription cream and it
cost $45 bucks... While I was at the doc I asked what might cause me to be up 7
or more times a night to pee? The answer an enlarged prostate will do that but
they have pills for it. I will need to be tested for it first...should I bring
flowers for my doctor date? In the
evening Mike and I went to the airport to pick up Greg and Jay who had gone to
San Francisco for Pride Day.
·
Mark
Andersen Flowers might be a nice touch
·
Richard
P. Butler If someone rams their finger up your butt flowers would be
appropriate for such an occasion.
·
Doug
Murri I'm sure Miss Manners would agree
·
Stephanie
Williams More like 20 feet of hose.
·
Kevin
Scott It may just as likely be a diabetic thing. That's what it is for me.
·
Doug
Murri Last time my Dr.. did the "finger thing" I told him that I
normally get dinner and a movie first. Thankfully, he laughed. I think flowers
and perhaps chocolates would be a nice
touch.
·
Roland
Ron Holmgren Having my prostrate frequently tested, I think that is the only
way to test for an over large prostate. And it has never, ever been a pleasant
experience. I was on a medication for my enlarged prostrate. It was moderately
successful, and know it decreases your sperm. While I was at the emergency room
a nurse recommended Saw Palmetto. (Bought over the counter) I have used it for a
while but have no conclusions because of my current medical problems. An over
large prostrate are common in men of certain ages. Welcome to old age.
·
Andy
Dalrymple Remember to comb your fingers through his hair...
29
June 2016 Wednesday
No
luck with finding an electrician today. The one that Amy Barry and Peter Crane
recommended only had a message machine saying we don't check this often so will
get back with you in a few days and the other one I called did pick up but said
no one is available this week... Couldn't find an electrician today...I'll try
again tomorrow... Better luck with seeing a doctor...my doctor actually had an
opening today so I got to see him for an exam today. and hopefully a prescription that doesn't
cost and arm and a leg... I was able to actually make an appointment with Dr.
Stoneburner today because he had some cancellations. My appointment was for
2:40 and I finally got in to see him at 4:40.
I was just happy to get in to see him. He ran a bunch of tests on my
Urine which indicated I had too much glucose in it but my blood sugars was only
160. He was concerned about my blood pressure which 162 over 90 something. When
it was first taken it was 188 over something. I was up 8 times peeing last
night...no wonder I have high blood pressure from not sleeping and stressing
out. He gave me the first prostate exam I’ve had in years and he said it was
slightly enlarged but usually an enlarged prostate causes you not to pee rather
than pee all night long so he thought my prostate infected and gave me a bunch
of prescriptions, antibiotics for my infection, something for my blood
pressure, and Flomax to help with excessive peeing. However since I was not
home until 5:30, I had no time to get them because I had to feed the dogs
before running off to the library downtown for community council and that
lasted from 6:30 to 8:30. I think I am
over that group too. Chad Martet is a
good guy and wants to do a good thing but he’s a beta male and lets the Trans
Mia Jensen and whatever she is Libbie dominate. Libbie brought 6 people from
Queer Friends which out of 14 people there they dominated the demographics.
Plus with someone from the Rainbow Girls and Mia they most likely make the
council do what they want. Courtney Moser was the only person I really knew
well enough to visit with. The UPAH
representatives were there and I still don’t understand that fetish. The bylaws
took up most of the time with voting on them at the July meeting. Although some older Gay Men in the community
are objecting to the use of the word Queer in the name of the group, their
feelings were generally dismissed and told they need to get over it. On the way
home I was utterly exhausted when I get a call from Mo the Tongan fellow who
cut my branches down asked to come over and look at my sprinkler system… It was
nearly 9 and I said no I was exhausted and Id talk to him tomorrow when he
comes to haul my branches away. When I got home I finally had a bite to eat . I
hadn't eaten since breakfast... There was a horrible Terrorist attack on the
airport in Istanbul by Isis. Many people killed by suicide bombers.
30
June 2016 Thursday
I
didn’t even hear Michael come over and get his camper trailer this morning.
He’s off until next Tuesday for the 4th of July Weekend. Poor old
Farley, he found himself into the right home... Few would have a dog that needs
almost a daily butt washing but that is what a hose and soap is for... He's my
devoted pal so it's the least I can do for that kind of devotion. After that I
went this morning to get my antibiotics and Flomax and hydroclorozine all 3
just $10... That was surprising. Then I called the U of U to start the
procedure for bariatric surgery which will be at the earliest in late August. I
signed up for the class they want me to take first on July 19 from 6:30 to 8:00
I also talked to Tim the electrician that Amy Barry and Peter Crane
recommended. He was trying to be helpful telling me what to check for but I
told him I really just need someone to come out. He might be able to get
someone out tomorrow otherwise next it
will next Tuesday... I mowed the backyard and cleaned off the back deck with
the leaf blower and then hosed everything down.
It had gotten pretty messy but that took the bit of energy I had so
going to watch TV and rest. I was also kind of dizzy today and when loading the
dishwasher I placed my hand down on this wooden cutting board and all my new
pills went flying in the air and most fell into the dishwater and onto the
floor. The antibiotics were dissolving almost immediately and I was only able
to save a few…Ugh. The Tongans called
and said they couldn’t make it today. I kind of figured that although this
would have been a nice cool day to do it. We had a light shower today which was
nice for the plants. Been watching Big
Brother 18. I generally watch it every
summer. Guilty pleasure.
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