Happy Birthday "Oh, By The Way" 2026!

Seventeen years ago, I had a dream in which I started a blog called "Oh, By The Way." When I woke up that morning, I went to the computer and promptly started a blog called "Oh, By The Way." Seriously--it was the first thing I did that morning, and yes, I often act out in waking life things I have dreamt.

"Oh, By The Way" is my digital scrap book of things I like, things I would share with a close friend and say: "Oh, by the way, do you know of this artist / clothing or interior designer / model / singer / actor / gorgeous man … or, have you seen this video / photo/ film... or heard (or do you remember) this song / band ... or, read this book / poem / inspiring quote ... or, visited this place / restaurant / famous building ... or, have you heard of this amazing new scientific discovery?"

Followers and regular readers: thank you so much! I hope you find this blog by turns fascinating, beautiful, interesting, moving, inspiring, informative, enriching, and uplifting. Welcome to the birthday party! This year I am virtually serving scoops of Lavender Rose Ice Cream by Elizabeth Labau at SugarHero! Regular readers know that if it tastes like a flower, I will happily eat it ... macarons, shortbread, cake, ice cream, whatever "it" may be. Enjoy!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, "OH, BY THE WAY!"

Happy Birthday "Oh, By The Way" 2025!

Congratulations "Oh, By The Way," you are sixteen years old today!

Sixteen years ago, I had a dream in which I started a blog called “Oh, By The Way.” When I woke up that morning, I went to the computer and promptly started a blog called “Oh, By The Way.” Seriously--it was the first thing I did that morning, and yes, I often act out in waking life things I have dreamt.

"Oh, By The Way" is my digital scrap book of things I like, things I would share with a close friend and say: “Oh, by the way, do you know of this artist/clothing or interior designer/model/singer/actor/gorgeous man… or, have you seen this video/photo/film... or heard (or do you remember) this song/band... or, read this book/poem/inspiring quote... or, visited this place/ restaurant/ famous building... or, have you heard of this amazing new scientific discovery?”

Followers and regular readers: thank you so much! I hope you find this blog by turns fascinating, beautiful, interesting, moving, inspiring, informative, enriching, and uplifting. Welcome to the birthday party! This year I am virtually serving Julian Angel's Blueberry Cake with Lemon Curd with a glass of iced rose-matcha from Emily Laurae! Enjoy!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, "OH, BY THE WAY!"

Happy Birthday "Oh, By The Way" 2024!

Congratulations "Oh, By The Way," you are fifteen years old today!

Fifteen years ago, I had a dream in which I started a blog called “Oh, By The Way.” When I woke up that morning, I went to the computer and promptly started a blog called “Oh, By The Way.” Seriously--it was the first thing I did that morning, and yes, I often act out in waking life things I have dreamt.

"Oh, By The Way" is my digital scrap book of things I like, things I would share with a close friend and say: “Oh, by the way, do you know of this artist/clothing or interior designer/model/singer/actor/gorgeous man… or, have you seen this video/photo/film... or heard (or do you remember) this song/band... or, read this book/poem/inspiring quote... or, visited this place/ restaurant/ famous building... or, have you heard of this amazing new scientific discovery?”

Followers and regular readers: thank you so much! I hope you find this blog by turns fascinating, beautiful, interesting, moving, inspiring, informative, enriching, and uplifting. Welcome to the birthday party! This year I am virtually serving a delicious pistachio cake from Jules at Bonni Bakery.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY "OH, BY THE WAY!"

Happy Birthday "Oh, By The Way" 2023!

Congratulations "Oh, By The Way," you are fourteen years old today!

Fourteen years ago, I had a dream in which I started a blog called “Oh, By The Way.” When I woke up that morning, I went to the computer and promptly started a blog called “Oh, By The Way.” Seriously--it was the first thing I did that morning, and yes, I often act out in waking life things I have dreamt.

"Oh, By The Way" is my digital scrap book of things I like, things I would share with a close friend and say: “Oh, by the way, do you know of this artist/clothing or interior designer/model/singer/actor/gorgeous man… or, have you seen this video/photo/film... or heard (or do you remember) this song/band... or, read this book/poem/inspiring quote... or, visited this place/ restaurant/ famous building... or, have you heard of this amazing new scientific discovery?”

Followers and regular readers: thank you so much! I hope you find this blog fascinating, beautiful, interesting, moving, inspiring, informative, and uplifting. Welcome to the birthday party. This year I am virtually serving a gorgeous cake topped with incredibly realistic buttercream flowers from Atelier Soo in South Korea. Enjoy!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, OBTW!

Happy Birthday "Oh, By The Way" 2022!

Congratulations "Oh, By The Way," you are thirteen years old today!

Thirteen years ago, I had a dream in which I started a blog called “Oh, By The Way.” When I woke up that morning, I went to the computer and promptly started a blog called “Oh, By The Way.” Seriously--it was the first thing I did that morning, and yes, I often act out in waking life things I have dreamt.

"Oh, By The Way" is my digital scrap book of things I like, things I would share with a close friend and say: “Oh, by the way, do you know of this artist/clothing or interior designer/model/singer/actor/gorgeous man… or, have you seen this video/photo/film... or heard (or do you remember) this song/band... or, read this book/poem/inspiring quote... or, visited this place/ restaurant/ famous building... or, have you heard of this amazing new scientific discovery?”

Followers and regular readers: thank you so much! I hope you find this blog fascinating, beautiful, interesting, moving, inspiring, informative, and uplifting. Welcome to the birthday party. This year I am virtually serving a gorgeous cake from Sigita at the fantastic Fern Cakery In Ireland...it's a pistachio sponge with homemade passion fruit curd and white chocolate Swiss meringue buttercream frosting. Help yourself to a slice...with or without extra crushed pistachios for topping!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, OBTW!

Happy Birthday "Oh, By The Way" 2021!

Congratulations "Oh, By The Way," you are twelve years old today!

Twelve years ago, I had a dream in which I started a blog called “Oh, By The Way.” When I woke up that morning, I went to the computer and promptly started a blog called “Oh, By The Way.” Seriously--it was the first thing I did that morning, and yes, I often act out in waking life things I have dreamt.

"Oh, By The Way" is my digital scrap book of things I like, things I would share with a close friend and say: “Oh, by the way, do you know of this artist/clothing or interior designer/model/singer/actor/gorgeous man… or, have you seen this video/photo/film... or heard (or do you remember) this song/band... or, read this book/poem/inspiring quote... or, visited this place/ restaurant/ famous building... or, have you heard of this amazing new scientific discovery?”

Followers and regular readers: thank you so much! I hope you find this blog fascinating, beautiful, interesting, moving, inspiring, informative, and uplifting. Welcome to the birthday party. This year I am virtually serving a delicious Rosewater Cheesecake. Help yourself to a slice...with or without strawberry-rose petal topping.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, OBTW!

Congratulations Pete!

Regular readers may recall that I am a huge supporter of Pete Buttigieg--I was already on board when he announced his run for President. So I am so thrilled that Pete has been appointed by PRESIDENT-ELECT Joe Biden to be Secretary of Transportation. This marks the first time in history that an openly gay official will hold a position in a Presidential cabinet.

I couldn't be more proud of him and to support him. In his touching acceptance speech, he refers to what this milestone could mean for the next generation. 

What he has done both as a Presidential candidate and now as Transportation Secretary matters. It matters a lot.

Here is his speech:

Mr. President-elect, Madam Vice President-elect, thank you for entrusting me with this opportunity to serve the American people. I am humbled by your confidence, and eager to do everything in my power to ensure that this administration succeeds.

My hometown of South Bend, Indiana, was built by the power of American transportation: from trade along the river whose bend gives our city its name, to the rail lines that connected us to the rest of the country back when we were considered the West, to the livelihoods created by good-paying union jobs at aeronautical suppliers like Bendix and the giant auto assembly of Studebaker. And now, climate and infrastructure innovation have helped bring my community into the 21st century.

I’ve also had a personal love of transportation ever since childhood. More than once, as a college student, I would convince a friend to travel nearly a thousand miles back to Indiana on Amtrak, though I know that in this administration, I will at best be the second biggest train enthusiast. I spent a spring break in graduate school studying on board a cargo ship. Travel in my mind is synonymous with adventure, growth, and, even love, so much so that I proposed to my husband, Chasten, in an airport terminal. Don’t let anyone tell you O’Hare isn’t romantic.

And let me take this chance to thank Chasten for all that he does, and for his sacrifices, to support me in pursuing public service.
The first time I ran for office was on a platform of supporting the Obama-Biden administration’s rescue of the auto industry. And when I became mayor of a city fighting its way out of the teeth of the Great Recession, infrastructure was at the heart of our vision.

We reimagined how vehicles and people moved through the city, unlocking new vibrancy in our urban core. We built up partnerships, from a regional collaboration to improve rail service to the public-private partnership that put our city at the cutting edge of bicycle mobility. We developed new forms of support for lower-wage workers in their commutes, and added electric vehicle charging infrastructure to help prepare a more sustainable future.

I also dealt with the challenges created by generations of inadequate state and federal infrastructure funding. With just enough resources to repave every lane-mile of street only every hundred years or so, I faced a constant battle with that natural enemy of every mayor: potholes. In a community where more than a quarter of our residents lived in poverty, we worked to fill in the gaps that were created when underfunded transit resources left too many cut off from opportunity, just because they did not have the means to own a car.

At its best, transportation makes the American Dream possible, getting people and goods to where they need to be, directly and indirectly creating good-paying jobs. At its worst, misguided policies and missed opportunities can reinforce racial and economic inequality, dividing or isolating neighborhoods, undermining government’s basic role of empowering Americans to thrive.

Now, we have a historic opportunity. This administration can deliver policies and resources in transportation that will create jobs, rise to the climate challenge, and equitably serve all Americans. America has given President-elect Biden a mandate to build back better--and step one in building back better, literally, is to build.

Americans should not settle for less than our peers in the developed world when it comes to our roads and bridges, our railways and transit systems. The U.S. should lead the way—and under this administration, I know it will. We’ll bring together leaders and communities from every corner—labor and business, left right and center, urban and rural, communities of color, tribal nations, all who have a stake in American infrastructure--to design a better future. Americans expect us to associate the idea of “infrastructure week” with results, and never again let it be a media punch line.

My view of this opportunity is also shaped by being the youngest member named so far to this cabinet, and the first Millennial to be at that table. Newer generations have a lot at stake in infrastructure policy that, by its nature, must contemplate both the immediate and the long-term. The question of how America will look by the middle of this century--the competitiveness of our economy, the security of our climate--for me this is not academic, it’s personal.

I am also mindful of the eyes of history on this appointment – knowing this is the first time an American president has ever sent an openly LGBTQ cabinet nominee to the Senate for confirmation.

I can remember watching the news, seventeen years old, and seeing a story about an appointee of President Clinton, named to be an ambassador, attacked and ultimately denied a vote in the Senate, because he was gay - ultimately able to serve only by a recess appointment.

I followed that story closely. I had no aspirations, then, of being appointed by a president to anything—at that age, I was hoping to be an airline pilot. And I was a long way from coming out, even to myself. But still, I watched, and I learned about some of the limits that exist in this country when it comes to who is allowed to belong at which tables. And just as important, I saw how those limits could be challenged.

So, two decades later, I can’t help but think of a seventeen-year-old who might be watching right now, someone who wonders whether and where they belong in the world, or even in their own family, and I’m thinking about the message today’s announcement is sending to them.

So thank you, Mr. President-elect, for the commitment to diversity that you are showing as you assemble this administration. And thank you, Madam Vice President-elect, for your trailblazing leadership, your encouragement, and your friendship.

There is no greater source of meaning in professional life than the chance to serve others. I felt it every time I laced up my boots when I was in the military. I felt it every day serving my community as mayor. And I feel it here today, joining this historic team, with such an important mission, as we prepare to deliver for all Americans.

Thank you.

https://www.wintheera.com/

Happy Birthday "Oh, By The Way" 2020!

Congratulations "Oh, By The Way," you are eleven years old today!

Eleven years ago, I had a dream in which I started a blog called “Oh, By The Way.” When I woke up that morning, I went to the computer and promptly started a blog called “Oh, By The Way.” Seriously--it was the first thing I did that morning, and yes, I often act out in waking life things I have dreamt.

"Oh, By The Way" is my digital scrap book of things I like, things I would share with a close friend and say: “Oh, by the way, do you know of this artist/ clothing or interior designer/ model/ singer/ actor/ gorgeous man… or, have you seen this video/ photo/ film... or heard (or do you remember) this song/ band... or, read this book/ poem/ inspiring quote... or, visited this place/ restaurant/ famous building... or, have you heard of this amazing new scientific discovery?”

Followers and regular readers: thank you so much! I hope you find this blog fascinating, beautiful, interesting, moving, inspiring, informative, and uplifting. Welcome to the birthday party. This year I am virtually serving a stunning anniversary cake made over a geode studded with quartz and smokey quartz crystals by Sainte G Cake Company. Help yourself to a slice and a virtual cup of iced Double Bergamot Earl Grey tea.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, OBTW!

Happy Birthday "Oh, By The Way" 2019!

Congratulations "Oh, By The Way," you are TEN years old today! A whole decade!

Ten years ago, I had a dream in which I started a blog called “Oh, By The Way.” When I woke up that morning, I went to the computer and promptly started a blog called “Oh, By The Way.” Seriously--it was the first thing I did that morning, and yes, I often act out in waking life things I have dreamt.

"Oh, By The Way" is my digital scrap book of things I like, things I would share with a close friend and say: “Oh, by the way, do you know of this artist/ clothing or interior designer/ model/ singer/ actor/ gorgeous man… or, have you seen this video/ photo/ film... or heard (or do you remember) this song/ band... or, read this book/ poem/ inspiring quote... or, visited this place/ restaurant/ famous building... or, have you heard of this amazing new scientific discovery?”

And what have people responded to the most over the last ten years? Here are the Top Five posts ranked by individual pageviews:

1) Our returning champion is a post about Nick Wooster at 57,784 hits

2) My essay about Kate Bush's awe-inspiring, profound musical song cycle "The Ninth Wave" is at 33,096 views

3) A post featuring men in interesting, artistic make-up is holding strong at 20,348

4) 12,432 people have ogled the lovely Aaron Taylor-Johnson

5) And a post on the beauty of mature men was celebrated by 6,667

Huh. Who knew?

Followers and regular readers: thank you so much! I hope you find this blog fascinating, beautiful, interesting, moving, inspiring, informative, and uplifting. Welcome to the birthday party. This year I am serving one of talented cake-illusionist Leslie Vigil's cakes which look like succulents (all made from buttercream frosting) in a terra cotta pot. Help yourself to a virtual slice and a digital cup of herbal tea.

HAPPY TENTH BIRTHDAY, OBTW!

Happy Birthday "Oh, By The Way" 2018!

Congratulations "Oh, By The Way," you are nine years old today!

Nine years ago, I had a dream in which I started a blog called “Oh, By The Way.” When I woke up that morning, I went to the computer and promptly started a blog called “Oh, By The Way.” Seriously--it was the first thing I did that morning, and yes, I often act out in waking life things I have dreamt.

"Oh, By The Way" is my digital scrap book of things I like, things I would share with a close friend and say: “Oh, by the way, do you know of this artist/ clothing or interior designer/ model/ singer/ actor/ gorgeous man… or, have you seen this video/ photo/ film... or heard (or do you remember) this song/ band... or, read this book/ poem/ inspiring quote... or, visited this place/ restaurant/ famous building... or, have you heard of this amazing new scientific discovery?”

And what have people responded to the most over the last nine years? Here are the Top Five posts ranked by individual pageviews:

1) A post about the sartorially splendid Nick Wooster is still king at a whopping 60,935

2) My essay about the spectacular sonic masterpiece "The Ninth Wave" by Kate Bush comes in at 28,475

3) 21,903 people have loved seeing Men In Make-Up

4) Photos of actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson have racked up 15,242 views

5) And gorgeous mature model Andy Lucchesi took over from last year's 5th place winner Jared Leto at 10,027 views Wait, Jared Leto is still 5th place winner at 10,356 views. So close!

Huh. Who knew?

Followers and regular readers: thank you so much! I hope you find this blog fascinating, beautiful, interesting, moving, inspiring, informative, and uplifting. Welcome to the birthday party.

Because I am Italian (well, half), this year we are serving virtual cannoli and zeppoles! Enjoy!

Happy Birthday "Oh, By The Way" 2017!

Congratulations "Oh, By The Way," you are eight years old today!

Eight years ago, I had a dream in which I started a blog called “Oh, By The Way.” When I woke up that morning, I went to the computer and promptly started a blog called “Oh, By The Way.” Seriously--it was the first thing I did that morning, and yes, I often act out in waking life things I have dreamt.

"Oh, By The Way" is my digital scrap book of things I like, things I would share with a close friend and say: “Oh, by the way, do you know of this artist/ clothing or interior designer/ model/ singer/ actor/ gorgeous man… or, have you seen this video/ photo/ film... or heard (or do you remember) this song/ band... or, read this book/ poem/ inspiring quote... or, visited this place/ restaurant/ famous building... or, have you heard of this amazing new scientific discovery?”

And what have people responded to the most over the last eight years? Here are the Top Ten posts ranked by individual pageviews:

1) Style master Nick Wooster is still the reigning champion of posts at 60,770 hits.

2) And my essay about the astounding musical suite "The Ninth Wave" by my darling Kate Bush (who taught me how to fly) holds second place at 24,239 views!

3) Just this year, a post about Men In Make-Up soared from low digits to rank third with 17,156 individual page hits.

4) A post showing the many looks of actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson shows up at a respectable 15,105 views.

5) And hot on Aaron's heels is another actor, Jared Leto. I showed him shirtless in a double wrap belt, images that were liked by 10,243 people.

6) Gorgeous silver-haired model Andy Lucchesi captured 9,200 hearts.

7) And 7,032 people still love a post from 2010 about Retro Holiday Wreaths made from antique glass ornaments.

8) Oddly, a post identifying the differences between the cookies Lorna Doone, Ladyfinger, and the tiny cake-like Madeleine is hanging in at 6,956 hits.

9) Still on the Top Ten list at 6,725 views is a video of the alternately funny and chilling Vatican Fashion Show section from Fellini's astounding surreal-celebration-disguised-as-a-travelogue-film, "Roma."

10) And garnering 5,967 hits for last place is an illustrated post about three traditional German Christmas decorations: Schwibbogen, Christmas Pyramid, and Angel Chimes.

Huh. Who knew?

Followers and regular readers: thank you so much! I hope you find this blog fascinating, beautiful, interesting, moving, inspiring, informative, and uplifting. Welcome to the birthday party. Help yourself to a slice of virtual cake and a glass of milk. Or an Iced Chai Latte!

Happy Birthday, "Oh, By The Way!" 2016

Congratulations "Oh, By The Way," you are seven years old today!

Seven years ago, I had a dream in which I started a blog called “Oh, By The Way.” When I woke up that morning, I went to the computer and promptly started a blog called “Oh, By The Way.” Seriously--it was the first thing I did that morning, and yes, I often act out in waking life things I have dreamt.

"Oh, By The Way" is my digital scrap book of things I like, things I would share with a close friend and say: “Oh, by the way, do you know of this artist/ clothing or interior designer/ model/ singer/ actor/ gorgeous man… or, have you seen this video/ photo/ film... or heard (or do you remember) this song/ band... or, read this book/ poem/ inspiring quote... or, visited this place/ restaurant/ famous building... or, have you heard of this amazing new scientific discovery?”

And what have people responded to the most over the last seven years? Here are the Top Ten posts ranked by individual pageviews:
1) A post about Nick Wooster earned 60,367 pageviews
2) My essay about Kate Bush's phenomenal "The Ninth Wave" comes in at a whopping 15,401 pageviews (This post also has the distinction of receiving the most reader comments!)
3) The handsome Aaron Taylor Johnson was the subject of a post in 2012 that comes in at 14,922 pageviews
4) Visitors enjoyed seeing a shirtless Jared Leto in a double wrap belt to the tune of 10,123 pageviews
5) Silver-haired male model Andy Lucchesi was ogled 7,191 times...
6) ...and those who appreciate mature men with silver hair visited my "Silver Is In" page 7,120 times
7) A page featuring Sylvia Ji's artwork inspired by the Mexican Día de los Muertos festival racked up 6,921 pageviews
8) Oddly, a whimsical page about cookies (Lorna Doone, Ladyfinger, Madeleine) was seen 6,825 times
9) A post about holiday wreaths made out of old glass ornaments came up with 6,740 pageviews
10) And finally, a post about the Vatican Fashion Show segment from Fellini's amazing "Roma" film got 6,698 pageviews
Who knew?

Followers and regular readers: thank you so much! I hope you find this blog fascinating, beautiful, interesting, moving, inspiring, informative, and uplifting. Welcome to the birthday party. I'm serving several virtual dessert choices this year: lavender ice cream...

...Meyer lemon meringue tarts...

...or chocolate soufflé. Please allow up to 30 minutes for the soufflé...get your order in early. Enjoy!

Happy Birthday "Oh, By The Way!" 2015

Congratulations "Oh, By The Way," you are six years old today!

Six years ago, I had a dream in which I started a blog called “Oh, By The Way.” When I woke up that morning, I went to the computer and promptly started a blog called “Oh, By The Way.” Seriously--it was the first thing I did that morning, and yes, I often act out in waking life things I have dreamt.

"Oh, By The Way" is my digital scrap book of things I like, things I would share with a close friend and say: “Oh, by the way, do you know of this artist/ clothing or interior designer/ model/ singer/ actor/ gorgeous man… or, have you seen this video/ photo/ film... or heard (or do you remember) this song/ band... or, read this book/ poem/ inspiring quote... or, visited this place/ restaurant/ famous building... or, have you heard of this amazing new scientific discovery?”

Followers and regular readers: thank you so much! I hope you find this blog fascinating, beautiful, interesting, moving, inspiring, informative, and uplifting. Welcome to the birthday party. Instead of cake this year, we are having donuts! Grab a virtual glazed treat and a glass of milk and enjoy...

We're all Irish today!

CONGRATULATIONS IRELAND, WELL DONE!!!

Aidan Crawley/European Pressphoto Agency

In the name of equality, fairness, decency, dignity, and humanism, Ireland has become the first country IN THE WORLD to legally recognize, by referendum, the marriages of gay men and women.

Hope this is a big shout out to the Supreme Court here in the States. They can still eff it up, but you have just shown them how it is done. THANK YOU IRELAND!

Kate Wins London Evening Standard Theatre Award!

Kate Bush and her show "Before The Dawn" have won the Editors Award at the 60th Annual Evening Standard Theatre Awards in London! The award is given to a show, a company, a person, or a theater that exemplifies the best of what London theater has to offer. Of course her "Before The Dawn" show, which I reviewed here, was spectacular and deserves to win awards... The Evening Standard's editor Sarah Sands considers Kate's theatrical creation to be a "new high in music performance." Kate was presented her award by Sir Ian McKellen.

Congratulations Kate!

http://www.katebush.com/

Congratulations, Arizona!

Congratulations, Arizona! You are the 31st state in the United States to legalize marriage equality! Good for you! There's no stopping it now, and no good argument for continuing to deny humans a right that so many others have.

CONGRATULATIONS, ARIZONA!

Congratulations Virginia, Oklahoma, Utah, Wisconsin, and Indiana!

The Supreme Court of the Unites States this morning left intact lower court rulings reversing bans on marriage equality in Virginia, Oklahoma, Utah, Wisconsin, and Indiana!

Because of this legal action (or "non-ruling"), we could soon be joined by North Carolina, West Virginia, South Carolina, Wyoming, Kansas, and Colorado, bringing the total of states where marriage equality exists to 30!

And on a personal note, I will tell you that I got married this summer--we had our ceremony in the south of France--and although we have been together for many years under what would be considered a "domestic partnership," it feels different, better, being actually, legally married. Domestic partnerships are NOT the same. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

Welcome Virginia, Oklahoma, Utah, Wisconsin, and Indiana...and congratulations!

Happy Birthday "Oh, By The Way!" 2014

Congratulations "Oh, By The Way," you are five today!

Five years ago, I had a dream in which I started a blog called “Oh, By The Way.” When I woke up that morning, I went to the computer and promptly started a blog called “Oh, By The Way.” Seriously--it was the first thing I did that morning, and yes, I often act out in waking life things I have dreamt.

"Oh, By The Way" is my digital scrap book of things I like, things I would share with a close friend and say: “Oh, by the way, do you know of this artist/ clothing or interior designer/ model/ singer/ actor/ gorgeous man… or, have you seen this video/ photo/ film... or heard (or do you remember) this song/ band... or, read this book/ poem/ inspiring quote... or, visited this place/ restaurant/ famous building... or, have you heard of this amazing new scientific discovery?”

Followers and regular readers: thank you so much! I hope you find this blog fascinating, beautiful, interesting, moving, inspiring, informative, and uplifting. Welcome to the birthday party. The treats this year are blueberry cake and pie, since we had a bumper crop. Have a virtual slice and enjoy!

Congratulations, Oregon!

Today U.S. District Judge Michael McShane overturned a gay marriage ban in Oregon, and rejected the pathetic attempts of the hateful National Organization for Marriage to interfere with his ruling. While it is possible that McShane's decision may be challenged in court, it is not seen as likely (which is why I have not posted any congratulations for recent states who overturned similar bans because, as usual, bigots stepped in to try to inflict their prejudices on the rest of us).

Another victory for justice, equality, and common sense.

CONGRATULATIONS, OREGON!

Congratulations, Utah!

Utah (of all places!) becomes the 18th state in the United States to legalize same sex marriage. Of course the opposition is going to try to take away this civil right by inflicting their own peculiar religious beliefs on others who do not share them, so we will see how long it lasts. But for now, be proud and...

...congratulations, Utah!