MikeL

Great bit of satire, Jack. It seems that both parties are trying to screw us with this debt limit arguement. Making political points is more important to them than finding solutions.

It just occurred to me that the advent of Viagra and Cialis may be a factor in greater promiscuity among older Americans. How ironic is that?

You may be interested to know what happened when protesters from Westboro Baptist Church picketed the funeral of a Marine in Nashville. They were outdone by 2,000 counter-protesters. See Despite protest, Marine honored from The Christian Chronicle.

The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) has a new area on its web site for older members of the LGBT community. The page has links to stories on such hot topics as same-sex marriage, gay adoption, and the repeal of "don't ask, don't tell". There are also articles on finance, travel, and other issues of interest. You do not have to be an AARP member to use the site. Check it out at aarp.org/pride Before long there may be a literary site for older gays. Maybe it will be called grayauthors.org

I have a cell phone. I can call other people and they can call me. I blocked all messaging and data services. I have a computer for that.

It was 235 years ago today that the elected representatives of the thirteen British colonies in what is now the United States of America declared the colonies' independence from the British crown and the unrelenting taxation and repression of the British parliament. Happy Birthday, America! It is a tribute to both nations, that, for most of those years, they have been friends and allies in protecting democracy from the inroads of dictators and totalitarian systems of government. The fourth of July is a date that all freedom-loving people can celebrate.

Have I missed something? Why are some readers so sure the Ares and the Atlantis are the same boat? Or, are we thinking the Kookaburra is the Ares remodeled? The Carlsons bought both Ares and Atlantis from Bridget Arnold Bellvue. Both boats are currently in Australia. Need it be more complicated?

Thanks for suggesting this form of response, W L. I remember having a business trip scheduled to San Francisco in the late 80s and several friends trying to get me to cancel it. They seemed serious, but possibly were just homophobic. More sadly, in the early 90s I was in a corporate employee benefits committee meeting. We were discussing the increasing cost of medical insurance when someone asked if any employees had been diagnosed with AIDS. The human resources manager replied that several had, but they had all died relatively soon without generating a lot of medical bills. Fortunately, treatments were developed over the next few years; they were expensive, but did prolong lives.

We first heard of a horrible new epidemic 30 years ago. The pneumonia-like symptoms, unresponsive to antibiotics, soon led to the identification of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Now, "AIDS is increasingly a disease of older people, who make up the fastest growing segment of the HIV-positive population." In six years, half that population will be over 50. Some of the aging is due to the longer life span of infected persons, but one in seven of those newly diagnosed is age 50 or older. Senior Americans are most likely getting the disease through unprotected sex. The current issue of AARP Magazine contains an interesting article, AIDS at 30.

Here is the chapter everyone has been waiting for. Don't skim through it; read every word. You'll be glad you did.

Not to worry. We have an ample supply of replacements.

I think it's clear that our attempts to move the weirdos out of our town by electing them to Congress is working quite well...thank you very much.

I previously posted two groups of original limericks in the Poetry section. You may read them at https://www.gayauthors.org/story/MikeL/limerickspart1/1 and https://www.gayauthors.org/story/mikel/limerickspart2. I'm enjoying the new ones here. Keep them coming.

No habla Espańol. Lo siento.

Well said, Robbie. I think I agree with all you said except Shane's sexuality. Perhaps we should split the difference on that. Bisexuality would easily fit Shane's behavior and permit the future course of the story as we both outlined it.. I think you have described the relationship between the two young men very well.

Happy Birthday, John!

As the victim of a bank merger, I wouldn't wish that on anyone. Arranged marriages do work sometimes. There are cultures and certain social strata where that is the norm and is expected.

What a deal! The goat never misses an opportunity to mess with readers' minds.

Happy Birthday, Vic! Relax today...no running or gym! I know; I'm too late already.

Happy Birthday, Bob! And many more!

Blood tests...sigh...once had three different nurses in my urologist's office stick me a total of four times before they could get one little vial of blood for a PSA test. In the process, one of the nurses stuck herself with one ef the used needles, so she and I both had to be tested for HIV. I told them to test mine from the vial they just obtained. The next time I went to that doctor, she (the careless nurse) was no longer employed there. As for gallstones, I recommend having the gall bladder removed (cholecystectomy). It can be done laparoscopically with three or four tiny incisions. Mine was an outpatient affair taking about four hours from check-in to heading home. See: http://www.webmd.com...-for-gallstones The gall bladder's only purpose is to store excess bile. Who needs that? Good luck! If it hurts, get rid of it.

I'm sure it's true that exercise helps you live longer, but when do you find time to enjoy yourself? I can think of only one form of enjoyable exercise.

Good comments by Steve and Benji. I think the goat doesn't mind playing with our minds. He's given enough (possibly) contradictory information to serve his purpose. Shane's words and reactions might mislead us, but that is the character misleading another character, not the author misleading the readers. I vote that Shane is gay. I'll even go out on a limb and predict that he will accompany Trevor on the second half of his circumnavigation. A circumnavigation doesn't have to be solo. Once they've found Trevor's mother in Australia and she's explained the means and reasons for her disappearance, they'll be on their way. This does remind me of the endless discussions of what constitutes a cliffhanger.

Little girls are so cute. I was reminded of that just yesterday. I think yellow is the perfect color. It's neutral, warm and cheerful. Most important, you don't have to repaint for the second child... or the third.....

My vote would be for none of the above. Century Gothic has more white space within the letters making text easier to read. It has the additional advantage of using less ink or toner when a page is printed.