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Book Review: The Guncle, by Steven Rowley
By Terri Schlichenmeyer
The Bookworm Sez“The Guncle” by Steven Rowley
c.2021, Putnam $27.00 / $36.00 Canada 326 pagesWhat does a gay man who never wanted kids do when he suddenly has two of them?
The situation you’re facing isn’t one you wanted.
You had no wish for it; in fact, it’s a hundred percent the opposite. Not your circus, not your monkeys, as they say. So usually, you’d follow your instincts and run but this time, you surprise yourself by stepping up and taking ownership. Now it is your problem but, as in the new novel, “The Guncle” by Steven Rowley, that’s more than okay.
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The Weekly Readlines July 9
BIG CUP: THE WEEK’S TOP STORIESHaiti’s President Jovenel Moïse was assassinated at his home, threatening to throw the country into chaos. Within hours, four suspects were killed and two others arrested.
The Surfside, Florida, condo collapse search officially went from rescue to recovery, as survivors were not expected to be found.
New York Democratic mayoral candidate Eric Adams was declared the primary winner after a messy vote count and national embarrassment. He will face Republican Curtis Sliwa, of Guardian Angel fame, in the November election.
COVID cases continued to rise, with increases due to the Delta variant and continued resistance to vaccinations in some parts of the country.
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Featured Book: ‘Palm Springs Noir’ Continues Series of Noir Anthologies from Akashic Books
I’m delighted to say my friend and fellow mystery author Michael Craft is among the authors featured in this newest anthology from Akashic Books. (You can listen to my podcast interview with Michael HERE.) Michael is one of the finest writers you’ll encounter, with a skill and delivery that make his name very fitting: a craftsman and a wordsmith whose writing you’ll want to savor. If you’re not familiar with his fiction, you can start now with Palm Springs Noir!
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One Thing or Another: Comparatively Speaking
By Mark McNease
It’s always One Thing or Another… a lighthearted look at aging, life, and the absurdities of it all.
Sometimes an ache or pain is just life reminding us we’re alive, and it’s time to get on with it.
What is it about aging that has so many of us comparing aches and pains, as if we’re war veterans comforted by knowing we’re not the only ones wounded? Life can feel like combat when you’ve lived enough of it, and maybe the time simply arrives when the scars we have to show each other are the results of putting so many decades behind us.
I remember hearing people the age I am now talking about knee stiffness, back pain, inflamed joints, and the malaise that comes with blowing past the time when dying young was an option. “It’s better than the alternative,” we say, assuming the alternative is a cemetery plot or an urn from the local crematorium. We console ourselves knowing we’ve outlasted and outlived so much, but the body knows better the prices we pay. Friends long gone. Parents a memory that somehow becomes more cherished with the erosion of time. The increasing effort needed to get into a car, climb a staircase, and some days just get out of bed.
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An LGBTSr Reader’s Guide to Some Common Issues for Older Adults
I’m always delighted when a reader of LGBTSr reaches out with an article or, in this case, an excellent annotated list of topics that our readers may find of interest. Thanks very much to Dan Hall for sending this to me. – Mark/Editor
Common Questions and Answers About COVID-19 for Older Adults and People with Chronic Health Conditions – From the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, this guide should be a go-to resource for seniors who have questions about covid, including its prevention, emergency warning signs, and treatment.
Seniors’ COVID-19 vaccine consumer guide – This article gives a great overview about the vaccine options. The bottom line: every adult should get one as soon as possible.
Staying Fit While Staying Home: Exercise for Seniors in Quarantine – It’s important for all of us to try to stay active for the sake of our physical and mental health, even if we’re homebound. The ideas and resources in this article offer great suggestions for seniors of all ages and abilities.
Financial help for older adults – This guide from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau offers an overview of assistance options for seniors who have experienced financial hardship during the pandemic. It also provides links for further reading on topics like financial planning and fraud prevention.
Reverse Mortgage Calculator – Many seniors are looking into reverse mortgages to help them free up funds for living expenses or healthcare costs, but it’s important to know what they involve so you can decide if they’re right for you. This tool explains in detail what a reverse mortgage is and helps you calculate what yours could be.
Mental Health and Coping during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic – During a crisis, it’s more important than ever to take care of mental health concerns, especially considering how much our emotional health may be impacted in such strange times. This guide will help seniors and others cope with stress, grief, and more during covid.
Socializing in Place: Tips for Older People to Stay Connected and Safe – Social isolation is a bigger concern for home-based seniors than ever. These great tips offer ideas on how older adults can stay connected while remaining socially distant from their loved ones.
Contributed by Dan Hall
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Senior Planet Offers Virtual Fitness and Wellness Events
Senior Planet, in partnership with AARP, offers a wealth of online events and opportunities to connect. You can find an extensive list of upcoming wellness events HERE.
Aging with attitude. Senior Planet from AARP harnesses technology to change the way we age. Our courses, programs, and activities help seniors learn new skills, save money, get in shape, and make new friends.
Senior Planet is about much more than just the latest gadgets and apps and websites. Those gadgets and apps and websites are just means to an end: enabling older adults and people of all ages to come together and find ways to learn, work, create, and thrive in today’s digital age.
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Savvy Senior: How to Pick the Best Place to Retire
By Jim Miller
Dear Savvy Senior,
My husband and I will both be retiring in a few years and are interested in relocating to a warmer climate but could use some help. What resources can you recommend for locating and researching good places to retire in the U.S.?
Retiring at 65
Dear Retiring,
If you’re interested in relocating when you retire, like millions of other baby boomers, there are a wide variety of books and online resources that can help you find and research a new location that meet your wants, needs and budget. Here are several to help you get started.
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The Twist Podcast #164: Planetary Meltdown, BBQ Suggestions, and Our Super Gay July 4 Spectacular
Join co-hosts Mark McNease and Rick Rose as we survive the planetary meltdown and offer up our annual July 4 gaytacular.
Enjoy The Twist on Libsyn, iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, iHeart Radio, SoundCloud, Amazon Music, and TheTwistPodcast.com.
Copyright 2021 MadeMark Publishing
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Savvy Senior: Coping with COVID Exacerbated Tinnitus
You can listen to my podcast interview with Savvy Senior’s Jim Miller HERE.
By Jim Miller
Dear Savvy Senior,
I’ve had mild tinnitus – ringing in my ears – for years, but when I got COVID in January it got worse. Are there any treatments you know of or can recommend that can help?
Almost 60
Dear Almost,
Unfortunately, new research indicates that tinnitus, a common hearing problem that affects around 50 million Americans, may be worsened by COVID-19 or possibly even triggered by it. Here’s what you should know along with some tips and treatments that may help.
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Book Review: ¡Hola Papi! How to Come Out in a Walmart Parking Lot and Other Life Lessons, by John Paul Brammer
By Terri Schlichenmeyer
The Bookworm Sez
¡Hola Papi! How to Come Out in a Walmart Parking Lot and Other Life Lessons, by John Paul Brammer
c.2021, Simon & Schuster $26.00 / $35.00 Canada
224 pagesYour best friend definitely has an opinion.
You need advice and she offers an answer, though it might not be the one you seek. You may get sound counsel but at the wrong time, with sentiments directly opposing what you were thinking. And yet, you have to be grateful. As in the new book ¡Hola Papi!, by John Paul Brammer, the words come from the heart.
Growing up in a small Oklahoma town of Cache, John Paul Brammer knew nothing about being gay. He had little relationship experience, in fact, and he didn’t learn about hookup apps until he was a junior in college.
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LGBTSr Gets a New Logo
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Gay Travelers Magazine: L.A. Black Pride Weekend Kicks Off Free Community Drive Festivities
This article is reprinted with permission from Gay Travelers Magazine
L.A. Black Pride Weekend Kicks Off Free Community Driven Festivities
Throughout Los Angeles and West Hollywood
The 7th Annual LA Black Pride celebration is taking place this year from Thursday, July 1 – Monday, July 5,2021. This 5-day Black Pride celebration is curated and produced by BBE Group, Founder and CEO, Brandon Anthony and his team.Last year, Anthony led the charge on organizing the ALL BLACK LIVES MATTER MARCH which brought together over 20,000 people marching down Highland Ave to La Brea to amplify black queer voices and support BLM. Anthony’s goal has always been rooted in creating safe spaces for LGBTQ and the Black queer community. This year’s 2021 LA Black Pride has evolved into a weekend of conversation, events and initiatives that are set forth to truly change the representation of the Black queer community in Los Angeles.
