Under The Knife: My Poppy's New Body Parts

In less than two weeks, my Poppy will turn 89 years old! One of the primary purposes for spending a week in hometown Lynchburg, Va., was to assist in his long-scheduled hip replacement surgery on Tuesday.

My dad has previously undergone the knife for two new knees and a spanking new hip... so now he's four for four. And he's still got his own teeth. I should be as lucky by the time I reach 60.

We arrived at the gigantic Centra Health Hospital Tuesday morning, where Poppy, mama Evelyn and I expeditiously rolled through the check-in cycle until his scheduled surgery at 12:30 p.m. I tell you, this joint (har har) is a model of efficiency. Everyone was cordial and professional, while the facility itself is laid out with ease: check-in, cafeteria, waiting area and recovery rooms are all within steps of each other: no complicated web of wings and corridors to navigate.

I'm happy to say that he sailed through the procedure. My brother Chris arrived in the early afternoon and by the time we left my dad Tuesday evening, he was ready to get to work on the day's newspaper crossword puzzle.

Meanwhile, I noted at Centra Health that Lynchburg has gotten with the times... kinda sorta. In addition to "No Smoking" signs anywhere on the hospital premises (and get this melodramatic mandate: they won't hire you if you're a smoker), the facility also forbids firearms. Damn good to know, huh? *

You Gotta Have Friends: Trix Moose

On Monday, friend excursion 2.0, as I met Trix Moose, son Jack and sis Chris for the traditional Ruby Tuesday outing—always a highlight, since a kickin' salad bar just ain't to be had in NYC. Didn't hurt a bit that our waiter Eric was a fetching fellow.

After din din, I was invited to join Trix and Jack—who has suddenly evolved into a high school senior and a handsome 17 year old (I remember when the critter was a roly-poly 9 year old) at their home to decorate the Christmas tree!

That was a spectacular event for meese, since I no longer fix up my apartment in Brooklyn Heights. Now that I'm a bachelor, it's just not the same to decorate for the holidays for the sake of Abby & Spencer. They'd probably view the tree as a relief post, anyway.

A lovely family holiday celebration, as good as any of the seasonal Hallmark Channel flicks I watched over the past week with my mama. *

Trix and Jack live beside a Methodist church, which, with a full moon above, created occasion for some wonderfully dramatic spooky picolas, below...

You Gotta Have Friends: Donna Mae Moose

While my trips home to Virginia usually comprise staying putting with the parents, fortunately there's time for a couple escapes from the Big House... On Sunday, I hooked up with Donna Mae Moose for supper at the parents' complex, then a shopping excursion to Bed Bath & Beyond and Kohl's... Once again, like Black Friday in Lynchburg, we sailed through the stores with no lines, no mobs, no madness... *

Thanksgiving At Home... Hey, That's Got A Nice Ring To It, Huh?

Thanksgiving at home... Those words sure sound nice together, huh? In hometown Lynchburg, Va., for the holiday, the parents and I headed to bro Chris & wife Judy's in Forest, Bedford County, for the big feast. All nutritional requirements formidably serviced, with plentiful side dishes... and an awfully pretty day, to boot. *

The Two Most Terrifying Moments Of My Life

As I prepare to renovate my apartment living room later this month, I'm clearing out the space, including dozens of old photo albums. Perfect time to scan some vintage memories...

Picture it: I'm 15 years old (and a pretty typical contrary teenage jackass), traveling with my family on a three-week journey across the United States... from Virginia through the Midwest, into Chicago, Las Vegas, Utah, Idaho, the Dakotas, tipping into Victoria, Canada, down to Portland and the West Coast through Washington and California, into New Mexico, across Texas and eventually back to Virginia.

It was truly the adventure of a lifetime, and though I whined and bitched a good bit of the time, I locked in on so many hundreds of memories about our nation. Hell, in San Francisco, I recall seeing my first gay couple ever, two men with mustaches and flannel shirts holding hands (it was vintage 1978 homo fashion, after all), which has stayed with me to this day...

I was never particularly comfortable with heights and I tell you, seeing the Grand Canyon that July was easily the most terrifying experience of my life: a vast, endless hole just waiting to suck me in, never to be seen again. In the faded pics below, you can actually make it out that I am clutching the rail with white knuckles, bearing a fake smile (with braces!), convinced the earth is going to lurch and I'm going down... down... down...
Fast forward 18 years, when I ventured back to the West Coast with my partner at the time, Pook... We made our way to the Grand Canyon and I tell you what, the same terror came rushing back... In fact, note my hands gripping the rails same as the first time. Yeah, it's one of God's great triumphs, but twice is enough for me to dare being sucked into the big black hole. Memories shall prevail. *

Lynchburg: Family Tree

You can go home again. Despite my mammer's four hot topics—get a job, get a haircut, you're fat and stop smoking—it was a joyous downtempo time of solace during my end-of-summer trip to Lynchburg, Va. Precious. Below, the parents' home at Westminster Canterbury, where they've now lived for 13 years... not more than a mile from where I grew up. Poppy takes on the plants in front, which Evelyn meticulously landscapes every year.Evelyn smiles! Thunder & lightning struck!Ev with Lil' Blake and below, bro Chris and sis-in-law Judy.Judy celebrated her birthday at the end of the week. We had dinner out, followed by cake in.The 2012 Family Portrait (1).Ev & Dan, September 1, 2012. So beautiful.Family Portrait (2).My final night... spying on Evelyn from outside through the kitchen bay window...Good night for now!And so long, Lynchburg, Va. Nice to see ya again...

Happy 62nd Anniversary To My Parents!

I dunno how they've managed to bear each other all these years, but my parents Evelyn & Dan celebrate their 62nd wedding anniversary today. Wowsah! *

And... Happy Poppy's Day!

My Poppy Dan is a healthy & robust 88 years old! What a blessing. *

Happy Mother's Day To My Mammer Evelyn!

My mammer, at 86 years old, is going strong. I am truly blessed. Happy Mother's Day, Evelyn! *

Happy 88th Birthday To My Poppy!!

I am mighty blessed that my parents remain in robust health: As my dad turns 88 today and my mama is 85, after 61 years of marriage, they both still drive, are sharp and more fun to be around than at any point in my life. It was so great to spend time with them over Thanskgiving last month.