My Blog

Quote of the Day

esteban23 — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 15:10:21 GMT

"Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass but learning how to dance in the rain." by Anonymous I suppose since the quote came from an article on a local student athlete who said it was the best advice ever given to him. Esteban de los Mariposas In (Judy)Garland, TX where the phrase "hotter than July in Texas" must have been originated.

What a party!!

esteban23 — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 12:48:33 GMT

Hey y'all, If you get the opportunity to see this concert tour I suggest you take full advantage and buy your tickets early to see a unique mix of music history. Cyndi Lauper, The B-52's, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, and Andy Bell (Erasure) put on one hell of a show. With all the artists headed towards the far side of 50 it was truly terrific example of you are as young as you feel. Each of the acts seemed to be in some sort of unspoken competition for who could exhibit the most energetic performance.parts of the show had an eerie feel of being transported back to the 80's others had us beaming with pride for the current state of affairs. http://www.truecolorstour.com/ Hugs all 'round, Esteban In (Judy)Garland, TX where my knees are telling me this morning that I was really dancing for five plus hours last night.

Camp Camp Stories

esteban23 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 12:52:02 GMT

I went to my first gathering of faeries outside the NOTX region weekend before last. For the past decade and a half a group of Arkansas radical faeries have been gathering at a Suffi retreat center named Heartsong in the Ozark Mountains east of Fayetteville. This year there were 63 men in attendance. By all counts it was their largest gathering ever. Of the 63, only 13 were not from Arkansas, only 3 were under the age of 30 and a few of them have been to the Midwest Men Festival but only the six of us from TX had ever been to Short Mountain or Zuni. This made for an interestingly different sort of gathering. The kind of gathering I first went to back in 1990 ( from which there were six of us in attendance that had been at that first gathering-see the only photo with me to see which six ) where the focus seemed to be on the spritual side of things and not so much on sex and partying in the woods. The organizers were very focused on keeping things running smoothly and gently through the four day gathering. Sophia and I arrived Friday afternoon and were met promptly by a group of faeries near the main house. After introductions we were off in search of a campsite. There we ran into Shanti (an old, old dear friend from Austin) he helped show me a bit of a secret place, near the pond, to pitch my tent. It was close to everything but extremely private at the same time. Each night the sounds from the pond were just the right rhythm of croaks, squeeks and splashes to lull me to a very deep sleep. The dawn brought its own symphony of nature and made lying there, in that state of not wanting to get up just yet, truly enjoyable. I met some truly wonderful, beautiful spirits throughout the weekend. My new energy level since my weight loss surgery had me participating in things that could never had been possible a year ago. Being much more mobile was truly a blessing and allowed me really feel like I was contributing full force for the first time in years to the gathering. By the end of the gathering things had gone well enough that I was invited to fascillitate the closing ritual. I was truly honored that this group that had been together so long would trust such an event to a newcomer to their circle. I am posting a link to some of the photos I took during the gathering. They are just snapshots of time but hopefully they will help convey what a beautiful, spirited, sexy group of men inhabit Camp Camp twice a year. http://www.flickr.com/photos/casamariposas/sets/72157605630600180/ Esteban de los Mariposas In (Judy)Garland, TX where yesterday's cold front dropped high temp 15degrees...all the way down to 90...brrrrrrrrrrrrr

16 years, more good than bad!

esteban23 — Sat, 24 May 2008 10:58:08 GMT

Today, Cetacea and I are celebrating the 16th anniversary of our handfasting. It is strange how time passes. Sometimes it flows gently like a river wide and deep. Then sometimes its as if a dam burst upstream and a flood is ravaging the valley. Lately the swirling waters of chaos have seemed to have formed a whirlpool.It is taking all our strength as a couple to struggle against issues outside our relationship that are trying to drag us down. During our time together, we have struggled against credit debt, infidelities, unemployment, serious medical issues (both personal and family related), several deaths within our families, moving from Austin to Garland, being home owners for the first time, just to name a few. Luckily we seem to work well together in the face of adversity. We will celebrate today by attending our weekly faerie coffee klatch, dinner and movie with his mother, then home for some serious snuggling, for sure. Tomorrow will be a day of rest. Then Monday we are headed off to Scarborough Fair, in Waxahachie, TX, for a day of frolicking and merriment with a whole gaggle of faeries from our NOTX area. Three days to celebrate 17 years of living together and 16 since our handfasting at Lee Spruell's Memorial Day Gathering , in Linden,TX http://people.tribe.net/esteban23/photos/a606c638-c849-4ed5-a196-80b12e2fe145 On the one hand it feels like it was a lifetime ago. On the other it seems like only yesterday. Which truly reinforces our saying when people ask us "How long have you been together now?" Answer..... "Sixteen years, more good than bad." Blessed be, Esteban In (Judy)Garland,TX where summer has arrived is getting settled in for a long, long season it seems.

Wire-Wrapping Experiment

esteban23 — Sat, 17 May 2008 13:19:04 GMT

58060.1 Hey y'all, Earlier this month, I purchased a wire-wrapped pendant and a basic wire-wrapping video from Matthew Nix (www.createapendant.com) off of EBAY. The following link will lead you to my first attempts to master the technique. http://www.flickr.com/photos/ursula23/sets/72157605099245091/ It has been really fun experimenting this week. Now, I just have to let my weary, sore, and very tired finger tips rest for a few days before the blisters begin to form. STeven In (Judy)Garland, TX where I am going to hike around a local lake with my weight-loss surgery support group this morning. Something not possible for me eight months ago. Yahoooooo!

Chaotica must me my higher power!

esteban23 — Tue, 13 May 2008 13:09:12 GMT

I know there probably is a goddess of chaos who I should praise for her presence in my life the last couple of days but her name escapes me. So for now, I will call her Chaotica the Meddler. Toying with my stress levels, bouncing my emotions from one side of the universe to the other, standing on my head to make me feel like a squashed bug, she has been in my hip pocket pinching me every time I try and relax. I, of course, did the exact wrong thing yesterday by announcing, early in the morning, that I had had enough of her shenanigans and was declaring a "mental stress vacation day" for the day. I will never make such a proclamation again. At least, not aloud where she can hear and punish me in the way she did yesterday. Within minutes of making my declaration the phone calls began that would en snarl my entire day with several different family and extended family's personal problems. From upstate NY to south TX, central TX to Ohio, eastern Michigan to a couple of local's who are regular contributor's, and then out of the blue a call from TN that was purely Chaotica's way of putting the cherry on top of her deliciously evil day she had prepared for me. I had declared my "mental stress vacation day" in response to the previous four days of upheaval that had me so stressed I was exhausted. I do not know how to describe how I feel today. Exhaustion seems such a pedestrian definition of this level of fatigue. I also had chosen yesterday for my vacation because I know that there are several things in the next week or so like my weight loss support group meeting, my teenage cousin's annual high school band banquet I am taking her too because her father wont, my mother-in-laws 85th birthday celebration, to mention a few things that will keep my normal level of chaos elevated for a while. Perhaps all this is happening because I am planning a true vacation beginning June the 6th and I will be gone for five days. Gone from the phone, computer and mail box. Incommunicado as it were in the wilds of the Ozark Mountains at Camp "Camp" with some of my oldest faerie friends. That too though will be a bit of stress because it will be the first time in seventeen years that I have gone to a faerie gathering without Cetacea. Should be interesting for sure. Today I am declaring "bring it on". Bring on the stress, bring on the chaos, bring on the undulating swirling emotional toll of the unkwown. Bring it all on and dump it right on my doorstep. Hopefully, my desire today will have the exact opposite effect my will of yesterday wrought. So I grab my trusty walking stick, some sturdy shoes, a canteen of water, and head on up the trail through this great mysterious forest we all call " Life" and see what lays down path past the next tree. Esteban In (Judy)Garland, TX where we woke up to a higher humidity than temperature this morning. Did I mention they both are in the higher 70's. Ugh, yuck, ickipoo...

Scarborough Faire

esteban23 — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 13:26:07 GMT

Our trip to Scarborough Faire yesterday was a wonderful affair indeed. Cetacea, Sophia and I arrived just after the gates opened, just after the rain stopped for the day, and everything was sparkling green and lush. We met up with Cumpanion shortly thereafter and spend the day exploring the park. It was full of treasures, mirth, merriment and song. Not to mention, and I am one not to mention such things, the wonderful cross section of delicious eye candy spanning the ages, sizes, colors and differing opinions of beauty with which the Goddess blessed our day. See the link…. http://www.flickr.com/photos/casamariposas/collections/72157604762378096/ I highly encourage any and all who read this to make an attempt to visit the faire themselves. It makes a for a truly entertaining day. Hugz all ‘round, Esteban In (Judy) Garland, TX where it is just a little to cold for late April, in my opinion, this morning.

Beading Party was buzzing!!

esteban23 — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 16:11:34 GMT

Howdy y'all, What a great time yesterday. Several of the local faeries showed up to Casa de los Mariposas, here in loverly (Judy)Garland, TX, for the bead stringing benefit. We put together nearly thirty strands of 'like-minded" beads to sell towards alleviating the travelling expenses for those lucky NOTX faeries that are able to make the trip to Short Mountain's Beltane celebration. The beads, along with some covered tins and pens, will be for sale during the gathering either on the porch or in the breezeway of the goat barn. Wherever there is space. Thanks to everyone who participated. It is a sure sign of faerie artistic talent that my little orphan polymer clay beads now look as if they were meant to be together all along. hugz all 'round, Esteban In (Judy)Garland, TX where last night the Goddess blessed my Spring garden with nearly two inches of rain. Everything is gushing with green this morning already. Yahoooooooooooo........... posted by:

Oooh, how pretty....

esteban23 — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 12:50:10 GMT

Hey y'all, For many,many years I have been a polymer clay bead fanatic. It seems lately that it is taking up all my free time. I have been getting some nice compliments lately of some of the new stuff I have been producing. So...I entered a contest on Polymer Clay Central's website. They have a monthly challenge for people who do different kinds of polymer clay art to show off what they are doing and possibly win a gift certificate for their efforts. It is not much of a prize but it does have the benefits of some bragging rights in our little craft community. If you feel the urge to try and decide which of the entries is mine, oops I mean if you would like to vote for your favorite, see the entries here.... http://www.polymerclaycentral.com/chall_mar08.html Esteban In NOTX where yesterday the NOTX faeries got together for an Estara brunch/lunch/party http://www.flickr.com/photos/casamariposas/sets/72157604206286797/

Public Service Announcement

esteban23 — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 13:00:42 GMT

This is a public service announcement (using this wonderful internet heart-space) to appeal to anyone who sees this to.. Make sure you have an emergency contact sheet listing your closest relatives in the place where you keep all your important papers. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ It is a seem like a no-brainer to be sure but if you do not have one I have a story to tell you that might just make you want to create one. Through a series of life events my brother has been living with another man, Ted, in a platonic heterosexual roommate situation for the last three years. They are truly just sharing the house. They do not socialize together. Do not work together. Only rarely share the common areas of the house together even. But, they like one another enough to share the space as they struggle through bachelorhood. Ted is 58, my brother is 44. Neither has any social life to speak of or female companionship of any kind either. Working paycheck to paycheck they are struggling to find anything that will make the trip through the great forest of life just a little easier. They were plugging along just fine recently until Ted had some sequence of events (the doctor's don't know the sequence but at some point Ted's head was bruised, he had a seizure, and a stroke that has led to bleeding in his brain) that landed him in the emergency room Saturday morning and admitted to the hospital Sunday. He has no medical insurance, no savings, and cannot remember if he has any money in the bank (or the name of his bank for that matter) from his last paycheck. Until Monday he had a job as a contract truck driver delivering electrical supplies to home building sites. His current condition leaves him completely unable to even consider that job. You see, the doctors have told my brother he will never get better than he is today. And, today when the doctor's asked him if he knew where he was he responded " In my Ford Fairlane with the top down cruising to Lake Travis ". Ted has driven a 1996 Chevy pickup since it was new. No telling how long ago he owned the Ford. The doctors first concerns were notifying his next of kin. My brother doesn't know if there is any because they never talked about such things. They were purely the "how 'bout them Cowboys?", "what about this weather?", "didja see that movie?" kind of roommates. Nothing serious enough as family ever came into the conversation. So today my brother started looking through Ted's room (somewhere he hadn't been in over five years) looking for any clue to Ted's past. He found a passport, some old concert ticket stubs, mementos of all kind of things, even his stack of letters from the IRS for back taxes. But, no evidence of a phone book. No evidence of family. Nothing. If someone cannot be found to provide full time care for Ted when they release him from the hospital he will become a ward of the state. Then it will be off to an indigent assisted living facility run by the great state of Texas. I am not sure but I think Dante wrote about that very place a long time ago. If only he had some sort of paper indicating who to call in case of emergency his future could be much different. But as it stands now it looks pretty grim. Being the problem solver self that I am, I am having a hard time dealing with the finality of the situation. My brother is going bonkers because he now will lose his living situation and has only been paying the rent by being a substitute teacher because there are no jobs he seems qualified for at the moment. This means his first point of bailing out is our guest room. Not something Cetacea or I am looking forward to facing at all. But that’s a whole 'nother story. Thanks for letting me vent. Make that list!! Esteban de los Mariposas (Judy)Garland, TX, Earth, The Milky Way

FYI

esteban23 — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 13:34:41 GMT

"Million Fag March" Turns the Tables on Homophobic Pastor Fred Phelps Posted by Trish , Pensito Review at 1:08 PM on March 5, 2008. Organizers say it's time to "show Phelps and his church that freedom of speech works both ways." Paddy Cliff Schecter's Blog Finally, someone is protesting the world's most odious protester. The Million Fag March is set for Sunday morning, March 30 in Topeka, Kan., home of Fred Phelps' Westboro Baptist Church. Fred and his family (13 children and 54 grandchildren) show up at military funerals with signs reading, "God Hates Fags," "God Hates America," "Fags Die, God Laughs," etc. Fred apparently arrives at these insights after personal discussions with The Creator wherein He tells Fred that everything bad that happens in the world is His revenge for America "tolerating" gays. Organizers say it's time to "show Phelps and his church that freedom of speech works both ways." There are two big challenges with the march. First is the laws passed in Topeka to protect the other churches from Phelps. They prohibit the Freds of the world (of which, mercifully, there are few) from getting within 50 feet of a house of worship for a half-hour before or after services are planned. So the march might have to take place in Topeka but not too close to Westboro Baptist. The second challenge could be even harder. Organizers are determined to keep the protest peaceful, but since Fred's whole goal is to whip up feelings of intolerance and hate, not responding in kind will be a toughie. Still, the expectation is clear. Absolutely. No. Violence. It doesn't matter if Fred Phelps comes to the March himself and starts throwing punches. The police will handle it. If you feel that you could in any way be provoked, do not plan on attending. ...The Phelps family uses hate speech to draw attention to themselves. To do that during the March would only be bringing ourselves down to their level. So, please, no hate speech on your signs, clothes, and mouths. Besides, "God Hates Fred" signs are lame and obvious. You can do better. Sending the message you want to send without being blatantly hateful shouldn't be all that hard for you. If you're anywhere near Topeka, please plan to attend the march. You can sign up here. If you're not, organizers need donations for costs associated with permitting, security, etc. so your donations are welcome.

Snow Day , part two

esteban23 — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 17:56:59 GMT

Well, here we go again folks. For the second time in less than seven days we are expecting a good dose of snow this evening in NOTX. Some are saying at much as six inches. Yet, it is not going to be cold enough for anything to really freeze to the roads. Usually whenever anything frozen comes down in NOTX the television news people are going crazy with all the hints on how to drive in the ice, etc. Yet tonight the roads should be wet but not frozen. Too weird for NOTX weather for sure. Sunday it was 75, snow Monday evening, high of 65 yesterday, snow tonight and back up to the 70's by the weekend. I am pretty sure this roller-coaster temperature ride is not going to be very healthy for anyone who has to schlep through this anomaly this week. more soon, Esteban

The Big 100 !!

esteban23 — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 14:43:02 GMT

I dont have many places to share such news that people dont look at me like " you have already lost how much? Where did you start?" So, I just wanted to share that stepping on the scale, at the doctor's office, yesterday I found that I have lost 109lbs since Dec. 2005. 72 lbs since my lap band surgery Nov 5th of this year. It is by far the most weight I have lost dieting in my entire life. Well, I mean the most I have lost on any one diet my entire life. My previous record was 82 lbs about ten years ago on Nutri-Systems. The big difference that diet felt like so much work and working with the lap band has been exactly the opposite. Highlights of the process so far include being able to sit on the couch with my legs together, snapping my fingers, and walking my dog around my block ( a little over a half a mile of suburban walking ) for the first time since we moved here two years ago and, buying clothes at something other than a Big and Tall shop. Needless to say, I am pretty happy with the process so far. I can only imagine what the next couple of years will bring. Esteban In (Judy) Garland, TX, where I am looking forward to watching the Cowboys beat the Giants tomorrow headed towards a showdown with the Patriots in the Super Bowl. posted by:

The Monday after...

esteban23 — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 14:53:31 GMT

The Monday after Thanksgiving weekend and the house is quiet for the first time in weeks. Cetacea is at work. Our friend Sophia is temporarily stranded in Corsicana with a broken heater hose but is on his way back to Beaumont. I am almost feeling myself again except for the tell tale signs of my surgery on my abdomen and the occasional twinge of pain from the healing incisions. Mother Gaia sent us a cold blast of fall weather to remind us that the season is changing. It was a brisk 36 degrees with a strong breeze from the north this morning when I went outside to get the paper. The next to full moon was shining brightly in nearly a cloudless sky. A very good way to start off the week. Our Thanksgiving dinner was small but emotional. Ruth (Cetacea's mother) came over for the day. With Sophia here that made four of us for a late lunch for which I cooked way to much food. The only minor embarrassment came when Ruth would not stop commenting on why I chose to use only a small dessert plate for my food compared to the "normal" sized plate they were using. But, when she saw that I only took a spoonful of dressing, cranberry chutney, sweet potatoes and just the smallest sliver of tofurkey did she realize my intentions. Cetacea bought the tofurkey roll (http://www.tofurky.com/) stuffed with dressing in a box set with some mushroom gravy at Whole Foods. I was really surprised and quite pleased with the flavor and texture. Those folks really have their recipe down for faux turkey. Included in the box of tofurkey was a postcard. On one side it has a picture of a family celebrating "Torfurkey Day" on the other is a quote that says " An optimist is someone who starts a diet on Thanksgiving". All went very smoothly with lunch and then we all settled in to watch football until early in the evening. Drum and Mimosa came by for a visit later in the eveing. Mimosa has uploaded this video to YouTube. Y'all should watch....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9vHhWW7oFE The weekend went smoothly and now it is time to get back to a more mundane schedule. Just now though my new schedule will only include four ounces of solid food four times a day, for the rest of my life. But, since I have lost a bit more than forty pounds since the first of October I am looking forward to the results of being a true optimist. Esteban In (Judy)Garland, TX where after three days of rain and cold I am looking forward to some warmer, dryer weather.

Tuesday November 6th, 2007

esteban23 — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 16:02:44 GMT

I made it home last night from the surgery. Up & about today but still extremely sore but improving. Surgery went fine with a few minor complications, nothing much to worry about. Have heard from many family and friends and wanted to update you. Esteban In (Judy)Garland, TX where a cold front is currently dropping today's high nearly 30 degrees cooler than yesterday

We finally set a date.

esteban23 — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 12:57:51 GMT

Finally after two years or so, we have set a date for my Lap-band weight loss surgery. Tuesday, November 6th will be a day that I will be able to look back on as a very pivotal day in my life. For the last decade I have been fighting a losing battle with weight gain. I have learned that even though my approach was correct, I was fighting a losing battle. The lap-band provides the tool to finally give me the upper hand in the struggle. And, it will be a struggle. I begin the pre-op liquids only diet two weeks before the operation and continue it through three weeks after to help the recovery process. Five weeks of liquids only and that is just for starters. So, yeah, it will be difficult. Luckily I have a small but fervent group of supporters who are going to be around to help. I also have my own strength and determination to see this process through to the day when shopping at the Big and Tall shops (and I am not tall by the way) is a thing of the past. Esteban In (Judy)Garland, TX where it has been a long time since I was so interested in what the future might bring.

How do you accidentally fly with nukes?

esteban23 — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 18:55:09 GMT

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/09/05/loose.nukes/index.html?eref=rss_topstories Well, the vast majority of folks who read this list had nothing to fear from this unfortunate, irresponsible, outrageous, mistake. However those of us in NOTX were directly in the flight path. ARGHHHHHHH!!!!!!!! Reminds me of a line from the movie "Broken Arrow" starring John Travolta and Christian Slater. During the movie you find out the title is the military's standard code word for a missing nuclear device. One of the characters says " I don't know what scares me more, knowing we have lost a nuclear device or that we have pre-existing code word for it". Sleep tight tonight knowing the Bush Administration is currently in charge of the largest nuclear arsenal in the world. Esteban P.S., Now I am hearing on CNN that this event violates some nuclear treaty and could turn into an ugly international event. This could be fun to see George putting the spin on this situation.>

At the Kwik-E Mart

esteban23 — Sun, 19 Aug 2007 16:19:05 GMT

Hey, look who I ran into at the Kwik-E Mart last month. My old pal, Chief Wiggum and my dear friend , Sophia from Beaumont. What a surprise to find them both in the same place at the same time. hugz all 'round, Esteban

Who gets your vote in "08

esteban23 — Sun, 12 Aug 2007 13:56:40 GMT

Hey y'all, I found this website thanks to a friend. It is a quick look at the issues in the ongoing presidential campaign. To see who you have the most in common with just click the link and take the survey. http://www.dehp.net/candidate/ The candidate that seems to suit me most is Dennis Kucinich with an 80. The least, Hunter (who I do not know) at -72. Steve In (Judy)Garland,TX where it finally hit 100 degrees yesterday. It has been a very strange summer here.

Ah, those wonderful Brits!

esteban23 — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 14:34:49 GMT

This was posted on the National Faerie List and I thought I would share it here with y'all. A small disclaimer however....There is some nudity involved with this video. Y'all have fun, Esteban http://www.dailymotion.com/relevance/search/rugger/video/x28k1o_rugger

Surprise, Surprise...

esteban23 — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 13:53:00 GMT

So, I posted four days ago about wanting to surprise my sister and help her raise some money to help fight cancer. Well my surprise wound up being how little interest this request seemed to generate from what I believe to be a very loving, compassionate and generous community. Now, it is really not much of a surprise that no one apparently donated based on my post. What is surprising is that I didnt get one response to my post. Not one. The note on the bottom this page says "NOTE: Tribe is a respectful and considerate community". So I will sign off now before I say something that might be in direct opposition to that statement. Esteban In (Judy)Garland, TX, wondering where my Tribe went.

Relay for Life Walk

esteban23 — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 14:02:33 GMT

Hey y'all, As many of you know my mother passed away last November from Pancreatic Cancer. My sister sent me this email to remind me of her 3rd Relay For Life Walk. I thought I would surprise her and post it here to see if we cannot raise more than her goal of $500.00 to fight cancer. Please follow the link to see more details and a beautiful photo of my Mom and her best friend, Ziggy, who now resides at my house. Esteban In (Judy) Garland, TX where July's weather is proving to be every bit as wet as March, April, May and June. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Allegan County, Michigan .Relay for Life is July 27-28 @ Plainwell High School! Howdy Steve, This is the place where they had a big pre-written letter template that I was to send to all my friends about Relay for Life, etc. This is my 3rd year to walk. RFL is an amazing event. If you have never been to one and can't come to Plainwell, you should go see one. The Survivor's lap is inspirational, last year there was a 2 year old boy walking the lap in his purple survivor's shirt. The lighting of the luminaria is beautiful. They light all the bags around the track and then you take a walk to see and remember and support those who are fighting and those who have lost the battle. You all know I lost my Mom last November 16 to this awful disease. We have all have been touched one way or another by this awful disease. So why go on - let's just tell it like it is. Cancer sucks! Let's do something to try and beat it! I'll walk - you pay! :-) Please go to my webpage and donate! Thanks Deb Follow This Link to visit my personal web page and help me in my efforts to support RFL of Allegan County https://www.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=205892&supid=181009140

Why all the noirve....

esteban23 — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 13:25:06 GMT

Do you know what time door to door salesmen are required to stop ringing you doorbell in your town? Well, here in Garland it seems there is no curfew at all. I found this out last night by calling our local 311 (the police non-emergency number) after I had run off two home security system sales people from my door at 10:30pm. I had no idea that there were no limitations on this kind of invasion of privacy. There are rules for telephone solicitors. Why not door to door? Just crazy. And, when I confronted them about the audacity about knocking on my door at that hour they became agitated and telling me to calm down. They explained they had approached me with a "calm and peaceful nature" and I had no right to be upset enough to demand they leave my property. I had to demand seven or eight times before they finally got the message. The only way I was able to get them moving along was to threaten to call the police to which they responded "Fine call'em and then we will let them know how out of control you are!" Out of control? How many times should I have to say "Please leave" or "Get the hell off my property" before someone actually does as I asked? At 10:30 at night? And on a holiday to boot. Geez.... Steve In (Judy)Garland, TX where we have had ten days in a row (headed toward 11 or 12) for the first time since 1922!

Pride Sunday

esteban23 — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 15:43:06 GMT

Hey faes, How was everyone's Pride Sunday? Ours was really nice but unfortunately it had little to do with Gay Pride.You see, Dallas celebrates Gay Pride in September. I do not know the reason for the tradition but it started long, long ago and continues today. Cetacea and I took his Mother to see our faerie friends, Mimosa and Starry Night, perform songs from their vast repertoire with Starry Night on the harp and Mimosa treating us all to his magnificent singing voice. During the intermission there was tea and noshes for everyone. It was a beautiful afternoon with various friends and family that are acquaintances of the performers, about a dozen in all seated in the grand living room, with twenty foot windows looking over beautiful Grapevine Lake west of Dallas. Afterward with took Cetacea's Mother out for suburban French cuisine at La Madeleine near her home in North Dallas. Then home for the evening where we became quite frustrated trying to learn how to play our new Wii computer game that Cetacea had me buy for us last week after succumbing to peer pressure from the youngsters where he works telling him how much fun it is to play. I guess if one equates severe frustration with fun then the machine does its job. I for one don't know if I will develop the patience to learn anymore than the simplest of its games. This morning we were greeted with the rarest of weather for NOTX. Rain showers in late June. Plus the weatherman says we may get many, many more the next couple of days. Truly strange. I hope everyone one else had good of time as we did yesterday. Esteban In (Judy)Garland, TX where I am struggling to understand just how I am supposed to keep my blood sugar at a reasonable level these days.

Memorial Day Movie Night

esteban23 — Tue, 29 May 2007 13:31:41 GMT

Oh, Happy, Happy Day. Last night, for the first time in a long, long, time there were faeries flitting about the confines of Casa de Mariposas here in the suburban wasteland of NOTX. Sophia( from Beaumont), Mimosa, Drum and Kayleigh (sp?) from Dallas, Cetacea and I had a most wonderful evening enjoying potluck veggie-bbq supper and JCM's "Shortbus" on DVD. We gatherered in the afternoon and schmoozed till just after midnight. It as so wonderful to have the sound of faerie laughter and the warmth of true friends gathering together. Mimosa, Sophia and I celebrated our 17th anniversary of becoming friends after meeting at a small TX gathering long ago. Then we revelled in meeting Kayleigh for the first time. "Old friends, new friends, let me tell you how I am feeling..." floated through my head until Justin Bond was singing "We all get it in the end" on the "Shortbus" . Truly a great evening. Even my prissy poodle, Ziggy, I inherited from my mother couldn't totally ruin the evening. Ah, it feels nice to feel good for a change, hugz all 'round, Esteban In, (Judy)Garland, TX where it looks like Mother Nature has finally decided to break our two year drought this spring.