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A N D N O W I T ' S T H E L A W O F T H E L A N D.


Thursday, June 26, 2025

Ten Years On: Marriage Equality Day


June 26 should be a red-letter day on every gay and lesbian calendar - the day the Supreme Court extended marriage equality to all Americans in these momentous words that will ring through centuries to come:
No union is more profound than marriage, for it embodies the highest ideals of love, fidelity, devotion, sacrifice, and family. In forming a marital union, two people become something greater than once they were. As some of the petitioners in these cases demonstrate, marriage embodies a love that may endure even past death. It would misunderstand these men and women to say they disrespect the idea of marriage. Their plea is that they do respect it, respect it so deeply that they seek to find its fulfillment for themselves. Their hope is not to be condemned to live in loneliness, excluded from one of civilization's oldest institutions. They ask for equal dignity in the eyes of the law. The Constitution grants them that right.

—Justice Anthony Kennedy, Obergefell v. Hodges majority opinion (emphasis mine)

Here's the NBC news report on that day and President Obama's eloquent remarks:


Here's your Head Trucker's post on that day.  M.P. and I were teary-eyed with joy.  I thought, finally -- it's over, we won, now life can flow on smoothly and happily for us gay folks, as it should.

But of course life doesn't always go as we expect.  Now we face new challenges.  Let's stay united, firm, and courageous.  Our love is here to stay!

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Wednesday, June 25, 2025

Restoring Sean: Derailed but Determined

Big, beefy, hairy guy with a sweet smile is renovating an old house he bought.  Come watch.  

If you're pressed for time, get the best view of his body of work starting at the 27:00 mark.

 

He's also into interior design. Check out his website at restoringsean.com.

(P.S. -- Where did all these home-repair bears come from?  In my day, everybody was into disco, not DIY.)

Tuesday, June 24, 2025

Growing Up Gay: Bullied but Unbroken

Insightful story by a woofy guy from my generation who came out in the 70's but led a very different life in the big city:

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Sunday, June 22, 2025

Father David: On the Road Again

Second Sunday of Pentecost

Father David shares a very timely message today, as the world recoils in shock from Trump's overnight bombing of Iran.

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Saturday, June 21, 2025

Jeffrey Kevin: Butterfly Tablescape

To welcome the first day of summer, Jeffrey Kevin sets a lovely table in shades of pink and teal - and lots of pretty butterflies in all the colors of the rainbow!

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Friday, June 20, 2025

Waitin' for the Weekend

"Strong Enough #2" by Clint Collide:

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Thursday, June 19, 2025

What We're Watching: Spotted Dick

Witty food historian Max Miller gets down to the nitty gritty with that British favorite of most peculiar nomenclature.  But relax - it's not what you think!

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Wednesday, June 18, 2025

Pleas for Peace: Senator, King, and Pope

For the record, I'm presenting clear sight and plain speaking from three good men - but who will listen?  The world has been warned.

1.  Senator Bernie Sanders, always a voice of reason and justice for all:


2.  King Abudllah of Jordan, who was educated in Britain and the United States, is the longest-serving monarch in the Muslim world and one of the most respected, and has always been a voice of tolerance and peace in the Middle East:


3.  Pope Leo also calls for peace, warning of a return to savage barbarism if peace is not preserved:

The world is sitting on the edge of a volcano. It's too awful to think about.  God help us all.

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Royal Ascot 2025

Ascot Racecourse is part of the Crown Estate, just down the road and over the hill from Windsor Castle.  It was founded in 1711 by Queen Anne.  Since 1825, the June races have been marked by a daily carriage procession of the reigning sovereign and assorted guests from the Castle to the course - a splendid old tradition that the horse-loving British are quite fond of.  It's also a marvelous occasion for ladies to dress up in their fanciest formal frocks and hats - think My Fair Lady

None of this has anything to do with the government of the country - but isn't this much nicer than a gloomy parade of tanks and guns and vainglorious bluster from a pompous buffoon?

The history of Royal Ascot:

Yesterday's royal carriage procession for the opening day, described by a couple of chatty newsgirls. Wait for the reveal of their hats at the very end:

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Tuesday, June 17, 2025

Kinzinger: A Warning for Democracy

Former Republican congressman Adam Kinzinger has an urgent message for all Americans:

Your Head Trucker is aware of the numerous horrors going on in the world at this time; but this weary old man can't bring himself to blog about them.  Not that it would do any good, anyhow.  Kinzinger says what needs to be said; let those who have ears, hear.

BTW, I just learned that Kinzinger, who represented an Illinois district in Congress, recently moved to a suburb of Houston.

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Monday, June 16, 2025

Todd and Rob Canoodle On

Those Georgia mountain boys are getting all hot and sweaty as they continue with their canoe project.  But will they shuck the shirts?


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