Ron

Happy Birthday, Cia!

Happy Birthday! Many happy returns of the day, Caz.

You have my sympathies for your loss, CG.

Happy Birthday, Mike. Many happy returns.

Yes, SETH. Just enter the name in the discount code box. If I remember correctly, it's the first name of the owner of the company.

Which kind, regular... Fresca... or Fire in the Hole (aka, Warming Butter)? There is a special of 10% off if you use the the code word SETH right now. I just got the email.

Never use numbing agents—or take painkillers before play. You want to know what's going on back there. If you can't feel, there is no way that you can know if you've been stretched too far or may have been damaged until it is too late. And use lots of lubricant—more than you think you need.

Hey! This is an rerun of an episode Iv'e read before!

Oh, Momma. What did she go and do now?!

Precisely right, Zombie. Movements of change begin with ordinary people who rise to a challenge. It could be any challenge, and same-sex marriage was a big, big, big win and could - with enough effort - be the leading tile in a domino effect of further rights. Ultimately, I think, it will be kind of hard to say marriage is a right and then turn around and deny that same couple any sense of security. As Mike says, it won't be immediate or without litigation, but without standing up it will never get done. And those rich, old, and white gay men ... they did a lot of work in getting us this far. It wasn't easy. Every rise is built on the efforts of those who came before and if those who benefit from the effort don't make their own efforts there will be no gain for the next generation.

Interesting article in today's NYT about the experience of being gay and the effects of same-sex marriage in the Southern United States. The article writes of the experiences of four couples and compares the year 2013 to present day 2015. I found the article and the included video to be quite moving and wanted to share it with you. There is an option at the end of the article to submit your own personal experiences. If anyone would like to include their own narrative about the new reality here, then you're very welcome to share (remember, no political discussions). I included the link for those who would like to read the article and watch the video. Struggling for Gay Equality in the South

Happy birthday, James. Many happy returns.

This story comes across as being quite different from what other work of yours that I have read. Now, aside from the fact that I'm very pleased, rather excited really, to read a new story from you, this new work has a spark to it that just makes it breathe like fresh air. Just as for Adam's summer adventure, and Juha's cautious expectancy, I got a feeling of such delicious promise when reading this story.

Carlos is absolutely right. Though there are writers that readers will come back to (Gabriel Morgan being a case in point for me as well, among others). Even though readers are sometimes left in the lurch of an author's issues--no, I don't necessarily need to know what those issues are, or were--some authors are worth waiting for. You, Riley, may be one of those authors, I think that you are. But let's not ignore that, in most instances, an author's complete work isn't generally pulled from view. In the case of your writing, Riley, readers were left with nothing but the twiddle of their thumbs to contemplate without moving on. Now... it seems like a big leap of faith to jump back into the headspace that your characters formerly occupied in my mind. I will begin reading your work again, but it is no longer a must-do thing for me.

Happy GA anniversary, Carlos.

Happy Birthday, Mann. Many happy returns.

Happy Birthday Dabeagle. Many happy returns.

Two words from Marshall, short ... and, well, sweet in this situation, say where he stands. I think Caz is right. Witches don't go away unless you throw water on 'em, and threats alone won't work for this kind of one.

Happy Birthday Billy Martin. Many happy returns!

Because you asked: After having spent a pleasant two weeks visiting family in Ohio, my morning consisted of packing (trying not to forget anything). Later, my small hometown put on a rather long, slow parade. Though, to be honest, it was really quite a nice event. My stepfather was one of the veterans carrying a flag and leading the parade as part of the color guard. What followed was the who's who of towns politicians, a Brownie troop, 4H marching band (I didn't know they had them), farming vehicles, and etc. I thought the Belgian horses in their finery, tossing heads dramatically, and pulling a large carriage were a mighty fine spectacle. As luck would have it, I ran into the mother of one of my very best friends from my high school days. I sat down beside her and said 'Well, hello there.' curious to see if she would recognize me after not seeing each other for three decades. She looked closely at me and pulled my name out of memory lickity-split. My old friend and I have lost touch; he now lives in Utah. After the very nice afternoon event I headed to airport for a 7:00 pm flight home to Boston. All boarded the plane on time and as we sat there waiting (doors closed) for taxing, there came an announcement: there was a small problem with the rear door of the plane... a technician was on the way. A part needed to be brought in, we were de-boarded, we waited in the departure lobby... and waited... and waited. Now, just to make this more interesting, everything related to food and drink, with the exception of Dunkin Donuts, shut down—closed up—at 5:30 pm just as I and my flight companions were arriving for the flight. So no food and no alcohol which, come to think of it, was probably a good thing. Four hours after departure time Jet Blue finally called the flight—insert angry mob sounds—and begrudgingly handed out hotel vouchers to the airport Sheraton. Which is where you would find me, should you be at the hotel, writing this message, because my flight doesn't leave until 7:00 pm. I have time to kill! Edit: It is now 10:01 pm and I am home and most everything is put away. I got my seat upgraded and all is well.

Quote: (I should add, that to this day, I have to restrain myself from asking for an autograph from any author on here, because, I see all of you as I would Rowling or Stephen King) I have a personalized copy of Born Wolf by Sasha Distan which spent a lot of time with customs and cost again as much as the book for postage, but I consider it money well spent. Believe me, authors appreciate readers and their interest, and what they have to say. Cheers to the joys of opening up, and happy anniversary, Drew. Nice blog entry.

Happy Birthday Slytherin! Many happy returns!

Happy Birthday, CM. Many happy returns!

Boston just finished up with Pride. The figures show 25,000+ parade marchers and a viewing public of half a million—a figure that is near to the entire population figure of Boston itself—and not all of those people could possibly be gay. So yes, lots of supporters, and we LGBT (add your own additional letter) people couldn't have made the advancements we have made already without them. Thank you for your efforts on our behalf. Happy Pride.

Happy Birthday, Valkyrie. Many, many happy returns!