Random Thoughts – Stephen del Mar

In the In-between

Welcome to the LGBT Halloween Blog Hop!

My post is below and info about the other hoppers and the prizes is at the bottom. Enjoy the hop.

There is a thin place between the autumnal equinox and the winter solstice. Our ancestors knew about this time, this in-between time. It was a time after the harvest. A time when the livestock was thinned for the coming winter and meats cured. A time just before the frost and hardening of the land. A time when death was the closest.

They called this time Samhain, the Day of the Dead, All Saints Day, Halloween or many others. The end of October and the beginning of November was a time to remember the dead, honor them, and even break bread with them. Continue reading “In the In-between”

“Sea Fever”

tall ship canstockphoto12763937 I’ve been away for a while. Not much to say, except I’m busy writing and updating books.

I thought I’d share this poem with everyone. I’ve always had a love of tall ships and someday I’d love to actually sail on one.

“Sea Fever”
by John Masefield

I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,

And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by;

And the wheel’s kick and the wind’s song and the white sail’s shaking,

And a grey mist on the sea’s face, and a grey dawn breaking.

I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide

Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;

And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,

And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.

I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,

To the gull’s way and the whale’s way where the wind’s like a whetted knife;

And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover,

And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick’s over.

Well that changes things.

So next week, all the adult citizens of Florida will be able to get married regardless of the gender of their spouse. Somehow I just don’t believe it. I don’t believe it’s finally going to happen here in Florida. I love my state. My Bennett Bay collection of stories are really love letters to Florida–a Florida I want to be real. But the Real Florida has a mean, nasty conservative streak running through it which makes me mistrust civil rights advances in this state. It’s a bizarre disconnect. Florida has a large gay population yet our gay rights are abysmal. I’ve never figured that out.

The other thing is I’m not sure I really believe that queer folk being able to get married is real. I’m not saying we shouldn’t. It just seems so weird. I’m of an age where that wasn’t something even thought of. Life long relationship–sure thing. But a state sanctioned contract? Marriage? Is that real? The old man is still trying to wrap his head around that one. It’s a wonderful bemusing thing.

And then there is the editing. This ruling changes things. I have three novels I’m trying to finish up and release at the same time. And they need to reflect this, because hey, my boys can now get married–like for real (fictionally real) in Florida now. Wow. Two years ago when I started one of them, I would of laid money down that it wouldn’t happen this fast. I love being wrong.

Congratulations and blessing to all my sisters and brothers out there that will be able to have their relationships recognized and normalized.

Bollywood video for UN’s Free & Equal

Fun little video from the UN’s Free & Equal program. Cute men and a Bollywood tune, what’s not to like?

On a more serious note, on a gloomy gray day with the news of yet more war in the mid-east and continuing political BS in our own country, this few moments of music and color uplifted this old bear’s heart. The frigging UN produced a music video in the Bollywood stye about two men loving each other! I’m trying to get my old man brain around that. When I was a kid it was the love no one dared mention. Now there are slick videos about welcoming your son’s boyfriend home. Damn it seems there are rainbows out there.

2013 Year End Reflection

May 30^th, 2013 was the day my first story was published. The Envelope was just a distraction for me as I banged away on a novel. I found a short story writing group on Goodreads and that week’s prompt was simply the word “envelope.” I thought about getting an envelope with bittersweet news in it, a bit of information that could nudge you on a new path. I’ve always liked short stories because they cut to the bone of a situation. They aren’t about wrapping up the loose ends, in fact, a good short story should really leave you thinking about what happens next. Most people got that about my first little short released into the wild. The story really isn’t about the letter from Tony’s lover; it is about the moment he makes the choice to continue living, to move on.

May 30^th was the first time one of my stories saw the light of day but I’ve been trying to tell stories for a very long time. The first story I remember was called The Venus 5, it was a science-fiction story about a boy, his boyfriend, and this cool space ship called, yeah, the Venus 5. I’m sure it sucked. But what I most remember was my 5^th grade teacher going on about how boys couldn’t have boyfriends, which didn’t make any sense to me, because I knew better. I wanted one really bad, just didn’t know how to find one. I was sure a space ship would help though. Yeah, 1972 wasn’t ready for middle-grade gay fiction, not sure 2014 is for that matter. Sigh. Finding yourself reflected in the stories of your culture is important, but that’s another post. Continue reading “2013 Year End Reflection”