Boise, Idaho

Yeah, we're here. Boise. Where I was born and raised. I left here 12 years go and moved to Portland. It always brings back memories and feelings....you all know how that goes.

And this year brings an unusual situation. You'll all remember the story about my Great Aunt Ruth. She and I have always shared birthday celebration at this time of year -- mine is the 19th and hers is the 24th. As long as I can remember, we have had dinner or dessert together. Always. She turns 90 this year. And we won't be celebrating together. The last year has brought up scores of painful memories from the past -- mostly my own mother's past. Aunt Ruth grew up living in the same home as my mom and her sisters. And as time has marched on, activities from the past have been brought to light that not only were inappropriate, but hurt my mother a lot. I don't have the inclination nor time to fool with them all here. And much of it happened long before I was around. Out of regard for my unselfish, loving mother, I will be opting to not celebrate with Great Aunt Ruth this year. I do feel badly. On many levels. But I think it's right to back my own mother who, clearly, has cared for Aunt Ruth for many, many years but who is now being treated like shit-(aki mushrooms). You just never know what the next fork in the road of life will bring. I will celebrate my 48th birthday on Friday with LoverBoy, my sister, my mom, my stepdad, my cousin and her husband, and my uncle and aunt. Minus Great Aunt Ruth.

We're always into helping out mom with things around the house that she can't do for herself when we get here -- a new shower curtain, changing all of the batteries in the smoke detectors, and other assorted odds and ends. We listen to the TV at blood curtling levels (because they can't hear), we put up with pokes and slams against the current US President and the current Boise (Democratic) Mayor. And we're helping my sister get her own mobile phone and account which is a nice step in a fresh direction for her. Mason loves it here. He has a giant backyard to play in -- and he runs so fast that it looks like his little white hair is going to blow off. He loves his Grandma and Grandpa so much.

So, we're here. And we're queer. And in Boise, that's sayin' somethin'.