Good night, Let me take some time to whine...I have been sick, sick, sick. Fever, chills, cough from a chest cold. Even the joints in my arms where hurting. I am so glad I dont have to drive anywhere, I dont think I could be more medicated. I must be getting to the end of this mess, otherwise I dont think I would even be leaving you this note. Its night time that is the worst, the fever wants to break if my sweat soaked shirts are any indication. When I cough it feels like someone is punching me in the guts, and of course you know what happens when you try with all your might not to cough. One of the things that has helped with that has been Tiger Balm, look for a review in a few days. Hey thanks for letting me whine a little bit, now I think I will sign off before I cough on my keyboard, I dont have a sneeze guard you know. Stay Healthy out there my friends, should you get unlucky like me, keep your butts at home, its so bad I wouldnt give to someone I didnt like..

I had a dream of a landslide last night. In the distance I saw huge tree's snapped in two falling to the ground. My brother who passed away in 2004 was in it with me. While I was not harmed in the dream everything around me was not the same. Any insight out there fellow Viewpointer's? First time I have ever dreamed of a landslide, let me tell you it was a big one! Not the first time Dale as been with me in my dreams.

Its good to have things returning to normal, and just as I thought I have plenty of things to review now. Colorada was awesome but on the way home we were delayed in Oklahoma because our truck was stolen. On a happier note I do have some cool pictures to share. It should be a bit easier with this new computer and system. It seems fine so far. And with that little teaser I will share again very soon.

Man sometimes things just get ahead of you. Stopping in once again to let my fellow viewpointers that I have not dropped off the face of the earth.

I like the new tags and how cool to be able to collect some points, I am now prepareing for a trip to Colorado, so that means I can come home and share some reviews. If I have a good online connection I give it a go while I am on the road. You know how travel and the internet can be so my plan is to just go with the flow so to speak.

I have something interesting to share. Overall I have not been a member long, and its clear that I have some work to do, Contribution wise.  But I found myself thinking about friends and fans while I was away from this site. Thats why I like getting the Viewpoint updates. I was able at least to see the activity and not feel left out you know what I mean.

I mention this because I have never felt that way about a web site before. It makes a huge difference knowing someone is reading and checking in on you one way or the other. It makes a difference knowing that our collective thoughts are helping people make decisions on products and services all over the country. Dare we say the world!

Look at me now, shareing this with you because I needed to let you know my absence was not a lack of interest, once again how many sites do you know of that provoke that kind of feelings. Thank you for letting me share and I will be back very soon, and on that note  keep up the good work friends. Your reviews do make a difference.

Have you ever stopped and picked through the piles of other peoples belonging's waiting to be hauled away on the next trash day? The addage another mans trash is another mans teasure would fit here. I must admit that I have gotten good enough that sometimes a quick drive by is all that is needed.

On a few occasions BINGO! I love it when folks throw out solid wood furniture. This week for whatever reason seemed to be a good one for old chairs without the seat, chest of drawers without all of the drawers. Yesterday we found a solid wood chest that today is turning into a "new" tv stand. A fifteen dollar investment for the shelves and a little sanding and some stain and pow there it is. Its just the right size, and unless your willing to pay an arm and a leg you just dont find solid wood very much anymore. What truly amazes me is it has all its wooden legs, its both plumb and square. That being the case it wont take long for its rebirth into a fine entertainment center.

Clearly it doesnt take much to amuse me anymore, happy hunting friends.

Stopping by to say hello, and to let my would be by the beach if I could friends know that Pensacola has a few waves. Rideable waves. It's a nice surprise as it was unexpected. I ride a body board (boogie board for those who like useing the correct lingo) and had so much fun cooling off and catching those waves. I am now off to see if we still have them, cant believe I havent already checked, thankfully its still early afternoon and the tide is in until 6 pm or so. All is as it should be, sending you some Light and Love from the coast...until next time.

"If we fill our hours with regrets over the failures of yesterday, and with worries over the problems of tomorrow, we have no today in which to be thankful." Author unknown to this writer. I havent given much thought to regrets these days, and I no longer worry over tomorrow, and in my heart I am thankfull for every day that I am given. I have friends who sometimes tease me over being so positive all the time. Indeed for the most part I am, but those few instances when I may have an "off" day I do my best not to be around anyone. So the only other soul who would know about such a day would be my partner and he's not talking. I try to explain to my friends that its more than just being positive, the way we think, or what we dwell on most, is what will show up for us at any given time. So if anything negative creeps in I will physically shake my head, side to side, for just a few seconds and tell myself that I dont need to think that way. This method works quite well for me, but its not the answer to all those problems that folks may have out there. Its been a growing process called life, that has helped me reach the current state that I am in. Life, Love, Beauty, all of it has helped me here. So much is happening these days and yet still I keep my peace. I have discovered that the only path we can change is the one we are on. Its always been our choice. I have made mine and I am happy. I will remain so. Consider the Lily. I want all of you to feel, and be as blessed as I am. All is as it should be.

Such a busy time, still getting things done, but there's only so much one can handle. The heat has been sapping the life out of me, turning into a puddle when you step outside is not a good thing. Mother natures since of humor, beauty beyond words, and heat that leaves you speechless.

I had some fun on the web these days, connecting with old school friends, and family members who live hundreds of miles away. I find it a challenge to balance it all, but have finally worked it out. Take it easy comes to mind. Each post and every twitter doesnt require a response. At least not until I have time to do so. I am sorry friends, but I am turning the IM off, it can be a lot like the phone when I am trying to concentrate. As much as I enjoy this wonderful thing called the world wide web, I have never needed to much instantly.

Its been a pleasure shareing, learning to put my thoughts into words that make since when you read them. This week though I just took time to read, a book that you hold in your hands and turn with your fingers, and that also was a great pleasure.

On that note let me share this from the book Apples Of Gold

"It is in loving, not in being loved, the heart is blessed; It is in giving, not in seeking gifts, we find our quest; Whatever be your longing or your need, that give; So shall your soul be fed, and you indeed shall live."

Author unknown to this writer. Thanks for letting me share, All is as it should be, and I hope all is well with you.

Just stopping by to let you know I havent kicked the bucket, summer is a busy time. As I am sure it is for a lot of folks. My friend John Clark that I mentioned in the June 4th post, has an added honor of being name "An Angel in our Midst." Our local tv news channel recognize those people who go out of their way to help others in special ways here in our community of Pensacola. John made this segment last week. (WEAR Channel 3 News). Indeed he is a good man, and a very good friend. Just wanted to share, its nice to see the things my friends can accomplish, and what a joy it is to spread happy news to others. All is as it should be, and I hope all is well with all of you. thanks for letting me share.

I have much recovered from my emotional out pour over Memorial Day weekend. I hope that you understand that I mean no offense to those of faith out there. Even so I maintain that we should Love one another, and our God with our whole heart. Now on to other things. Congratulations to my dear friend, John Clark, CEO of Council on Ageing of West Florida, for 35 years of giveing service to the elderly here in our lovely part of the country. It was very interesting to see and hear comments made by Co-workers and bussiness folks who work with you. It was an honor to be a part of it. Your friendship has certainly taken me places, and allowed me to shake hands with people I would not have dreamed I would. I look forward to our continued friendship.... Things are changeing for me...I have felt blessed many times over and it just keeps getting better. I wish for everyone the joy that I have.

Memorial Day weekend can be very exciting here in Pensacola. The weather usually gives anyone a wonderful chance to start their summer. Pensacola also has a great Memorial Park with every branch of the Milatary represented. Pensacola is after all the home of the Blue Angels, who I get to enjoy quite often as they practice, their flight path just south of our home.

Pensacola beach hosts a gay pride weekend during Memorial Day weekend and this great party brings thousands of visitors each year. With a low pressure system over the gulf this year the waves where high and rough the first few days. This caused a lot of my gay neighbors to lose their tents and other camping supplies to the waves. By Sunday though you would have never known except for the buried tents in the sand. Thankfully those that could cleaned up as much as you would expect a large drinking crowd to be able to. Not everyone was hungover, and no one seemed upset over the lose of beach items that had to be replaced.

Santa Rosa also keeps a clean up crew on hand, who I think deserve the highest award for the great job they do.

As with any Gay Pride gathering the radical christians come out, not to the beach but to the various gay club parties that are also going on. I took time this year to speak to two young men, as they shouted eternal salvation through jesus christ, and eternal damnation to those of us that would not convert to their side of the matter. The two men I speak of used a bullhorn at three in the morning to get the message out. From the look on their faces they did not seem used to haveing anyone come their way. I explained that they should be careful how they judged others as that would be the way they would be judged and that Jesus said that we should love one another. While I did not scream at them I did tremble with the passion that I felt. Over the years I have heard much and said little and that night was my time. I told them shame, shame on you for what you are doing.

The taller of the two, told me I did not know Jesus Christ, and went on to the bullhorn. For you so called christians out there, if you do not know someone and you do not take the time to get to know them...how is it that you know that God is not working in that persons life? Jesus as the story goes, sat down with the "sinners" ate with them, shared time with them. Sin is a human concept, Gods creation was perfect and contuinues to be perfect from the time He started it.

Very few of you even know where your faith came from, you attack Gay people because we are such an easy mark. Be sure that such intolarent behavior hurts your relationship with God, and it hurts some of those souls you have not even taken time to get to know.

I want you to know that I wish you no ill will. Indeed I know the truth to heaven that may surprize  you. That truth is WE ALL GO THERE.

As the Light spreads across this planet, everyone will soon understand. We are all one and we are heading back to The ONE and no soul will be denied, unless you make the choice to stay as you are. Even that choice is blessed.

If you need to shout intolerance, then I bless you, I love you, I understand you. What a gift you are... I look forward to getting to know you better. As you shout you remind me that God is my soul, Light is my being, I have no doubt, no fear, and no amount of attacks will take that away from me. I will continue to be just as I AM. Very soon my strength will spread to my Gay brothers and Sisters, and it will spread to my Straight brothers and sisters and darkness will not be able to stand in the presence of Our Light. Much love to you all.

I really have to start keeping notes. So many things cross my mind that I would like to share. Sometimes it could be something simple others a little more complicated, but those thoughts dont do me any good if I cant remember them when I get to the keyboard. In any case those thoughts make it back around sooner or later, I just have to get myself together.

I know that I wanted to take some pictures for Meredith(of Asheville), but my family kept me so busy that I didnt even make it over that way. So on that note I am sorry Meredith, I will do better next time, I know I will. At least I got the Worlds edge posted, that at least gives you a hint of the Blue Ridge Mountains of home.

I have noticed that my Frankie leaves his dirty socks on the floor....alot. He also leaves the closet doors open. I wonder if this is the same as my not makeing the bed, after all your going to be back in it later that night anyway.

I have really enjoyed my phone conversations with my mom. The thing is, I have only one good "listening" ear. After our hour long talks it goes numb, my phone has a timer so I know its the hour long ones that numb. Which makes me think, I am not really sure what that timer is for, maybe I should read the owners manuel and find out. (by the way its not a cell phone).

I had Frankie cut my hair short today, no longer does it blow in the beach breeze, but man has that saved me a lot of time. It should be a few weeks before I even get "bed hair". Home hair cuts save money and time, what a gift!

My sister-in-law sent us an invite to her sons gradution. To be honest this is the first mail I have recevied from them in years. I found a nice card at hallmarks, but must admit that it was somewhat hard as I dont really know Stephen, but hallmark covers everything so I cant miss I figure. She did send a picture also, which I thought was nice. If brother cant make it down here I must make more of an effort to go see them. A step nephew has already grown up and I missed it. Distance isnt easy sometimes but the world seems smaller every day. Just to cover my behind I will let you know that I send Christmas cards every year to let them know all is well on the coast.

I smell supper and even though 8pm is a bit late to be eating, thats what I am going to do, I can always walk it off tomorrow right?

I hope All is well with you, everything is as it should be here.  I have just thought of several things to review....better write that down.

I have learned something new about myself that I didnt even know was going on. Part of my morning routine is to watch Joyce Myers, Enjoying everyday life. Her current sermons are about Freedom. This morning she made a point about being angry with God... I was truly moved this morning as I relized that deep within me, I was indeed angry at God. I cannot say that this was a purposefull thing. Its just that over the years so much has happened around me and to me that it made me wonder where He was. It made me question both His followers, and my following. Doubt tucked deep inside, turned to anger because I could not understand Why God would make things so damn difficult on this planet. I know that its not God that is makeing things difficult, but our choices. Thankfully I never stopped believeing that our creater is there. I know of the bigger picture, but if our belief is so important then why not just show us. Why speak in riddles, why let unjustice happen to anyone, why Why Why? My fustration wasnt allowing me to hear His voice anylonger. Indeed I started looking for other avenues to follow. On each path again He was there. He has always been here with us, He will always be here with us, but we are the ones who make it difficult for ourselves. Anger only eats at you, it tires you, and it grows the longer you hold on to it. So today I let it go. Today I dont pretend to need to know the answers to questions that only God need to contemplate. Today I am all that I need and want to be. Today I forgive God for those times I felt He had let me down. Today God forgives me for thinking that He had. To many times Christians look toward that "heavenly reward". And that is a good thing, but Heaven is here, it is here with us now, it always has been. The friends who turned their back, the ones who left this world, those people who had tried to change my path when it was not their place to do so. They are here and they understand and I love them all. Indeed they love me, and I have learned what a gift all of it has been. Mt.23:37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children togerther, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing. (38) Look your house is left to you desolate. (39) For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.' I say to you, Blessed is he who comes in the name of God, in the name of the Lord. May God bless you all as much as He has blessed me. Thank you for letting me share.

Its always nice to get back into the flow of things after a little time off. As I head toward the end of the week, I have to get back in touch with my P-cola friends and catch up on whats been going on. I have had much to do and was happy that my email box only contained 269 emails upon my return. I need not mention the spam box, where does that stuff come from anyway? So here I am on wed. and dare I say it- I have an empty email box. That is not a hint by the way, but I do feel good about it. I have never been one to let this computer stress me, but I do feel more attached than I expected to be many years ago. I made the choice to leave it at home on my 7 day journey. As I thought I would, I survived without it, but I did catch myself telling Frankie I should Google this or that depending on what we where doing at the time. I think my life is very blessed and I would wish for anyone the joy filled things I have seen. What a wonder our country is and over the years I have visited one end to the other. Up and down and around the sides. I have heard some say how they hate the highways, that its not the same as those old back roads. For me I will take them both. If not for the highways I would not have gotten to see the things I have, and the back roads have their teasures also. Either way you go, fast or slow, you had better go. Do it and enjoy it, and you'll find like I have that there are some very nice people out there. I saw many folks out and about, I hope this is a sign that trust is returning in both our enconomy and our ability to make it, even in down times. What ever happens I have been blessed. All is as it should be.

Spring always amazes me, and brings me much joy. It tends to start early down this way, so my recent ride up to the mountains gave me a chance to see it again in its early stages. Like everything else these days, spring also changes very fast. Even so its worth every second to enjoy. I had a wonderfull time in the Blue Ridge Mountains, for those of you who have not been there, go! Thankfully with this visit I can take my brother Steve off the-you never stay in touch list. We had lots of time together, more than we have had in years I think. Should you ever get to meet him, he can be such a charmer. I like to think he gets that from me. :) Frank and I managed some quality time not only with Steve, but our adopted brother Ronnie as well. Along with those two, Mom and Daddy Bill as well. Although not always at the same time. The Dogwoods and many other trees where (are) in full bloom and I cant think of the last time I saw such a beutiful spring up that way. I will make note that toward the end of April might be a good time for future visits. As always I will check the weather channel first. I didnt get to see everyone on my list, but I am sure they would understand. I like to think that I crossed their minds as I went about doing my thing. I look forward to seeing you M. the next time I am up that way, but should you need to visit the beach before then,you know my door is always open. How I miss you, my Dear Friend. In anycase more thoughts about the mountains and spring, friends and family later, now I have a review to post...