letters

 they've always been important to me. & the archivist in me developd at an early age because I saved them.

in my collection at Kent State the first letter in that vast holding was from the children's writer Lois Lenski. she was responding to a fan letter I wrote to her at age 10.

unfortunately a downside of technology is our group abandonment of letter writing. it's all quick e-mails. & yes I'm guilty too. so when I got a real letter yesterday I was thrilld. & its content elevatd my excitement.

I consider my gift of nearly 40 pieces from my art collection to the Allen Museum on the campus of Oberlin College to be one of the good things I've done in life. I will always cherish the memory of my first visits there. my first exposure to real art. to know that from time to time a piece that once adornd my walls is now on view for many makes me feel good.

I hope you don't find it immodest of me to share this letter but I'm feeling rather proud.

over the years

 I've had ideas for books that still rattle in my head but rarely leave that place.

one mite be calld "Witness to History." I envision a group of chapters each focusing on the life of someone who accidentally saw something everyone remembers. & how being a footnote to history effectd the rest of that person's life. the impetus came from Mary Ann Vecchio. she was 14 years old when her image became iconic. she was "the girl in the photo" when she was on the Kent State campus at the moment of the murders.

the second person whose life I wantd to consider was Betty Bersinger. she was the one who discoverd the body of Elizabeth Short. if you know my work you know I've had an enduring fascination with the Black Dahlia case.

just tonite I learnd that Bersinger died 2 years ago at the age of 103. although she gave some interviews during her life she was reportd to have spent periods when she tried to avoid any connection to the famous case.

I know that book will never be written by me but I'd love to read it. & I gladly give the idea to anyone who wishes to do the research.

sorry

 for my absence.

I'm not sure why I've been away from here. I cd blame it on the discomfort I feel living in a country going down the toilet. but I still post regularly on social media. if you really miss me you can check in on FB & IG.

I don't know how to catch up. perhaps a glance back at this past weekend. it was our annual Pride on the Page. a chance to hear & connect with LGBT writers. & there was a poetry reading. I remember when they were such an important part of my life. now less frequent. this reading had a half dozen poets. for me the most powerful was Steven Reigns who did a selection from his new book Outliving Michael.

if I were Paul Metcalf

 I'd write a piece abt the 2 Edith Wilsons I saw as a boy. their stories. how they overlapped (or didn't). & how those biographies resonated with the history of our nation.

Edith Bolling Galt Wilson. perhaps the most powerful First Lady.

Edith Wilson. jazz singer who for years portrayd Aunt Jemima.

Cinema Diverse

 is not just one of the best gay film festivals but one of the best film festivals. this is its 18th year. & this year I finally became a sponsor. one reason is to pay back for all the years of richness it's given me.

but I also feel a responsibility in these dark times to support the arts. as the slide into a dictatorship has become quicker I fear for the well being of the LGBTQ community & the future of the arts.

this weekend & next I'll stay away from the news & see film after film.

my getaway

 travel has lost its appeal. with age I have less patience. while I may still desire being other places the getting there increases my anxiety levels.

but this past weekend I did my first overnite since the Big Birthday Road Trip. I visitd the Dana Point home of dear friend Estee. & we were really busy.

I'll highlight a trio of adventures.

walking the beach of an ocean is both intense & calming. the feel of the water on bare feet & the fresh smell are intoxicating.

Archive for New Poetry at UC San Diego is one of the world's preeminent collections. it's an honor for me to be part of it. Estee drove me to La Jolla so we cd go to the famous Geisel Library to see where ANP is housed. special collections director Lynda Claassen gave us a tour. I gave her 2 more pieces to add to my collection there. it made me feel proud.

on my final nite there we were lucky to get last minute seats for Festival of Arts' gala to support Pageant of the Masters in Laguna Beach. special guest was actor Jason Ritter. we arr'd as he was being photographd on the red carpet. afterward a girl askd for his autograph. I observd & when he was finishd I calld his name. he lookd at me & I told him that I'd met his grandfather (singing cowboy & actor Tex Ritter) when I was a boy. he came close as I spoke & seemd delightd to hear my story of his grandfather's appearance in Lorain OH 70 years ago. later I learnd that the fellow in the background of this photo is his brother Tyler who is also an actor. I love the looks on their faces.

Terence Stamp (1938-2025)

I was staying at one of the bungalows beside the pool at Chateau Marmont in the fall of 1998.  that famous pool where Garbo did laps. where legend claims Tab met Tony.  I slippd on a speedo & walkd the few steps from my front door to the pool. there was someone else there.  I cautiously got in trying not to get too close to the other guest. but I got close enuf to discover that it was Terence Stamp.  I sd "good morning" & allowd him to do his thing. after a bit he nodded "bye" as he got out. he walkd to where his towel was & removed his suit to dry off.  I tried to remain calm & not stare but kept thinking "my god.... I've just seen Billy Budd naked."

I took this at a Hollywood festival of his films