Reading From the Memoir

 

I posted this on JMG (Joe.My.God.) a couple of days ago:

Didn’t sleep well, but rarely do. It’s mostly aches and pains that keep me awake. But tonight I’m in a funky mood.

I’ve been preparing to do a reading from my memoir at our local library on Wednesday evening. They feature a different resident author each month. It’s a very small town where just about everyone knows everyone though I generally try to keep a low profile.

Trying to choose what to read and how much of my naked self to share has been harder than I thought it would be.

It’s brought up a whole lot of emotions and a few tears. In some respect it will be like coming out all over again, even though I am “out” and have been for a long time. (Hubs and I have a big rainbow flag out front for all to see.)

I’ve committed to the reading. I just hope I can get through it without too much anxiety.


Here are the comments to my post:

xreretiree:
Good luck. Keep in mind that the people who will be there really care about you and are genuinely interested in your life.

Dazzer:
Is that Did You Ever See A Horse Go By? It's a good book and very well written.
I can understand the anxiety, but please add a little pride (!) to your mix of feelings. More people deserve to read it.

RRebel to Dazzer:
Thank you so very much for your kind words. I will definitely keep that in mind and try to focus more on pride as I expose my soul to the world.



stuckinthewoods:
You can be proud of the work. Your Bob would be too. We have our own "Bobs" as well, actually also named Bob. I haven't read it in a long while but remember it took me right back to that time.

Dazzer:


You have a lot of soul - so have a lot of choices about what to reveal.
Best of luck :-)


sillhouette 🐌:
i wish you luck. try not to panic. hugs.

I posted this last evening, August 20, 2025

I just got home from the town library where I did a reading from my memoir “Did You Ever See A Horse Go By — A Coming Out Memoir”. (DO NOT BUY THE KINDLE BOOK- I Never see a penny. Read it FREE on Blogger)

A few days ago I mentioned how preparing for the reading was bringing up a whole lot of emotions. And this afternoon when I read the excerpts out loud to check how much time it took, I was again in tears several times.

I was having second thoughts but I remembered the encouragement and support I received from several JMG readers and I went into the library this evening with PRIDE. There were about 20 people who showed up (several of my neighbors) and was able to get through the reading with confidence and pride.

I was well received and people’s comments were very positive and heartfelt. It was another coming out.

Coming out is a life long process. Thank everyone here who offered me support and encouragement some days ago. Thanks.

And comments:

Dazzer:
So happy for you. Well done!!!!

bJason:
…
Congratulations on a great experience. Coming out is indeed a life long process and it is important.

JCF:
Yay! Yay You!!!

M:
Wonderful.

StarGmom:
Glad it went well!

I also learned that one of the women at the reading has not only read the book but has shared it with her gay son and his partner who have in turn shared it with some of their gay friends. I'm learning that others have read it as well (see some of the comments) and that is a boost I needed.

And a reminder that the book is available to read on Blogger for free.

https://didyoueverseeahorsegoby.blogspot.com/

 

Our Trip East - July 2025

 Just got back a few days ago from our trip east. Flew to Connecticut, rented a car and drove to Pennsylvania to visit Leon‘s family for a few days then drove back to Connecticut to visit friends and my family for a few days. Flying is no fun these days, (see recent news) but we grinned and bore it.

 

Connecticut Road Runners

Off to Pennsylvania for Leon's mom's birthday. Some Pennsylvania scenic views.

Connecticut River is scenic - it's not the Rio Grande which is barely a trickle at this time of year.

 

I can’t say that we slept all that well either. Being in different beds is not conducive to good sleep, especially for someone like me who is worse than the Princess and the Pea. 

BUT....Oh, the greenery, the trees, the humidity! The greenery and the tress: beautiful. The humidity, not so much. 

On the way to Pennsylvania we stopped in Massachusetts to visit a friend in Pittsfield. Had lunch at a nice place on Pontoosuc Lake.

 

Lake Pontoosuc

 

Back in Connecticut, we visited my family, mostly cousins. My brother and sister-in-law live in an old colonial house in Connecticut. It is pretty cool, if I do say so.

We did take one day for ourselves to go to the Connecticut shore and have lunch with a friend. The restaurant Kokomo used to be a biker bar under a different name, of course, many years ago. The small beach community of Sound View which was a community of mostly Italian-American cottage owners, went downhill when the bikers took over. The bikers are gone now and they seem to be turning the beach community around and cleaning things up. (You can see Long Island, New York from the beach here and from most of the Connecticut beaches).

You can see Long Island New York from here

The restaurant actually has quite a few palm trees for ambience. And no, palm trees do not grow in Connecticut due to climate change. The tables are on the beach, in the sand, and the experience is quite unique and relaxing. Of course I ordered fish and chips.

A vestige of the Italian American past

 

Speaking of restaurants, we enjoyed eating REAL New England and American food! No burritos, chile or huevos rancheros. Heaven.

Including an authentic GREEK DINER!

And Pizza and "Grinders"

Not the finest example of a "grinder"

Of course SEAFOOD!