From Cyberspace to Wedding Grace

Dear Sillies,

When I started blogging circa 15 years ago, I aimed only to post a handful of short scenes. Perhaps someone will read them, I figured. *Insert shoulder shrug.*

Wow. How naive I was to the transformational blessings I'd appreciate from our little niche of cyberspace. Namely, YOU, my friends. You've changed my life. 

Specifically too, this one guy, Bryan Pedas. His blog with Brandon Meyers, A Beer for the Shower* (no longer in existence, but stay tuned for much more brilliance from Mr. Pedas), quickly rose to blogland fame. For fitting reason. Their cartoon artistry; their sardonic wit, their weekly investment in a full-blown relevant, goofy, and entertaining blog production; their warmth and kindness.

Bryan and I connected approximately 13-14 years ago. He'd become my book editor and cover designer. Through regular email exchanges that total approximately 700 e-letters to date, we've supported each other's respective creative endeavors and life in general. 

Plus, I got to be Bryan's groomsman. (We're all gender fluid in CA, after all.) Psst, I kinda rocked it.  

Being able to support Bryan's wedding to Meg last month did me proud. They're a beautiful, fun loving couple I'm honored to have in my life. 

The magic of the written word, my friends. It can take us to unimaginably fantastical  places. I've no words but gratitude. 

Have a great, grateful second-half of November.

  

Thanksgiving Erotica~Legs, Breasts, or Butterball?

My Dear Sweet Sillies,

Please be good to yourselves. Be safe, be healthy, and have a ravenous Thanksgiving week. 

Much gratitude for sticking around through it all.

Love you.

 

Gratitude and Thanksgiving Erotica

My Dear Silly Hearts,
   Step by step, we're slowly treading a fractured path between survivor's guilt and gratitude. No cluster of  braincells can wrap itself around the enormity of 11/8/18. It's much easier to keep doing and moving, to participate in relatively mundane routine. Thus, I'm hopeful that you're okay with my continuance of abnormal normalcy. (In this case, I mean poetic erotica.)
  There are more than enough (likely too many) photos of the devastation.
  But this is a sweet niche -- my blog, you, and my geographic surroundings.
  In time, I'll bring you heartening, hopeful glimpses of life after the Camp Fires. Chico has accommodated Paradise, literally and figuratively. It's a beautiful thing.
   Some of you have reached out personally to find out how you can help. My favorite local charity, and the one to which Packers superstar Aaron Rodgers donated $1 million, is North Valley Community Foundation.
   An angelic couple in Sacramento started Paradise Fire Adopt A Family- a phenomenal effort that garnered over 10,000 likes and views in the first seven days. They're making connections throughout the world for fire survivors. "It's not about money. It's about loving your neighbor," -Eric and Heather Lofholm. You can find them on Facebook under that name, or on the internet at this site.
  Yet the fire survivors aren't requesting money. When I spent time with them this past weekend, I asked folks one by one, "Do you need anything?" Most said "no thank you." Imagine that! A few playfully told me that I could get them a new home. The rest made simple requests: Pepsi, a Rockstar, beer. (For the first time in my life, I bought beer. I was thrilled to do so.)
  
   Fires are extinguished, but gratitude is eternal.
   We welcomed today's rain.

   Have a safe and grateful Thanksgiving.
Naughtiness is okay (or better than okay) too.
Love you.