My nephew, Joseph, is going in for the first of two surgeries to remove a large birthmark from his leg. Please send the ~~ma that he comes out of it just fine and that my sister and her husband keep their strength throughout the process. He's 2 and it's minor, but ... he's 2.

For the Bronzers among us, our Terri "Ducky' Riddle passed away, this weekend.

I can't remember if I asked for health-ma in here or not for my brother, who has been bed-ridden and not responding well to PT following an operation on his back that was supposed to IMPROVE his mobility, and has done the opposite, but I got good news today. He's been able to take a few steps using parrallel bars, and also been able to stand for relativley long periods of time also using the bars.

This is big - it's the difference between moving into managed care or worse, and being able to stay in his home with his boy friend. I'm hoping this is just the tip of the recovery, but am trying not to be to overly optimistic. Still, this is a major step in the right direction (pun absolutely not intended).

I couldn't be prouder of my lovely, awesome husband.

He had a short story accepted into an anthology a few months ago and here it is!! He's searchable on Amazon!!

[link]

I have a new piece up at Hilobrow about Lou Andreas Salome, a woman best known for her close relationships with Nietzsche, Rilke and Freud, but worth knowing in her own right.

Lou on Hilobrow

If you are so inclined, please like it at the Hilobrow sight or retweet or whatevs.

(side note: not entirely loving the edit it received. I would never end a piece like that, man!)

Mom medical update. Her cancer is growing (but pretty slowly) and treatment is contraindicated. The prognosis is that she has up to 18 months before it metastasizes and her quality of life starts to go away. So, not good news but not horrible either.

I want to thank all of you again for your love and support over the last 2 years since Rob's death. I would not be where I'm at today, and I sure as hell wouldn't have made it through last week, without the people here. Who would have thought that stumbling across this place 10 (?!?!) years ago was the best move of my life? Words aren't enough to express my appreciation. Your awesomeness knows no bounds.

Hey guys!

This year will be my (lucky?!) 7th year doing Ride for the Feast to raise money for Moveable Feast of Maryland. Moveable Feast provides food, nutritional counseling, medical transport, and many other crucial services to folks living with HIV/AIDS, cancers, and other life-threatening conditions. Riding my bike 140 miles over 2 days is a pretty small thing compared to the life-saving work Moveable Feast does every day. If you can, please support my Ride and Moveable Feast.

[link]

Also, if you give $30 or more this year I'll enter you to win a $300 Southwest giftcard. Pretty sweet! And $30 will allow Moveable Feast to feed one of their clients for a week!

Coco, our beloved beagle, was put down last week. She had a tumor, and was in pain, so it was the right choice. I found out from my accountant. The outlaws continue their winning ways. I would have liked the chance to see her one more time.

Can I get some healing vibes for my friend, David? You may remember him as the hero of that appeal thing.(He actually saved someone's life once, too.)