“Fire Danger Low”, that’s  what the Fire Department’s sign by the side of  Vashon  Highway read this morning as I headed to the ferry.   Of course it has said that all goll darn rainy winter but I’m back from Austin and everything here on the Island  looks fresh and new.   But I’ll take it “Fire Danger Low” is one less thing to worry about, right?

Yea, I’m back from Austin and at Swedish for my 65th treatment this morning.  Somehow I have learned to have fun here and my docs and nurses respond to that.  Yes, love them.   And I was representing them in Austin so I need to give them the After Action Report.

But back to Austin, where we met this  funny little man with an equality cap.   He maybe is slightly older  than Felipe.   And he had this quirky way of getting a little to close to me  when we were conversing, as in your face close.  I say to myself that there is something interesting going on here.

Not only interesting but this little guy’s film won the award for best short documentary at the Austin Festival.  Yea.  And what was the title of that film Felipe?  Well gang,  I have to preface this by saying that this title is pretty darn raw so take your heart medicine if you need.  OK, it is called ” These C*cksucking Tears”.   It  the story of Pat’s life as the first openly gay Country and Western singer and that title is also the title of a song that he put out in 1972.  He let’s himself be very vulnerable for this movie and that makes it moving.

It it just so happens that Pat lives close by in Bremerton,  WA,  a virtual stone’s throw from Vashon.   Amazing that we are so close geographically.   And Pat will show up soon at the ranch to walk Phil’s Camino I am sure.

OK,  back home after a long day of treatment and errands.  On the couch with a glass of Rioja Dry Rose ready to finish up the blog for today.   Seems like everyone and their brother wanted to hear about the festival today and the post suffered, so here we are back.

So we have established that we are close geographically, Pat and I.  But we both realize that we have a cultural divide between us.  We made a good start at our meetings to get the ball rolling to bridge that gap.  Remembering what the Camino taught that we are all witnesses to one another.   Meaning we have an obligation to listen to our neighbors story and try and find that bridge that connects us.   That’s my plan and I am sticking to it.

Yup, you are a peach.  I remember I said that to my friend in Malta and it needed some explaining.  The idea doesn’t translate well.  The word peach in Maltese is “hawha”.    There is some trivia for your Wednesday, love, Felipe.