A brief bridge of redbud flowers, currently lighting up the sky in this glorious color and form.
This website needs more brief blog posts like this.

A brief bridge of redbud flowers, currently lighting up the sky in this glorious color and form.
This website needs more brief blog posts like this.

Telling stories has always fascinated me, as much for the sharing of knowledge and understanding and something that might resonant with another person, as for the relief and lifting of a burden in the act of telling and sharing. Difficulty shared is difficulty halved, or some such shit. Certain songwriters share a love of sharing stories through their music. Mitski is one such artist, and this song says so much in just a few chords and lines. I love the way it opens up on so many levels, how it could mean so many different things.
I won’t leave you ’cause I still love you
So it’s up to you if you choose to go
In the meantime, sleeping by my side
Our two cats, making sure I’ll be alright
As spring deepens, as the weather turns (please God maybe just a little warmer?) and as this space becomes more of an escape and an escapade in a world gone completely bonkers, I like the idea of trying out different stories, tales to take the burden off living this life. Fictional flights of fancy with some gems and jewels of the human condition to keep it all grounded, tethered to the heart of our emotions. Let me entertain you…
You say, “It’s so hard”
But it feels simple to me
It feels so simple to me
So I’ve been trying to stop trying
To be like someone you’d still like
Maybe if I could, you already would

‘Cause I still love you, so I won’t leave you
Guess it’s up to you if you choose to go
In the meantime, rescues at my side
Our two cats, both asleep by me tonight
The best part of storytelling is that you have all the power to change course at any time, especially when things aren’t going the way it feels right or natural. Sometimes there’s a heaviness of heart that signals the wrong path, sometimes there’s a light in a dangerous space that guides you out of the darkness. Sometimes it’s just a matter of waiting and seeing what is bearable at any given moment. The universe gives its subtle nudges and hints when you open yourself up to the vast expanse of opportunity and possibility, especially in spring.
Maybe tomorrow night
The cats will be nowhere in sight
But I’ll be glad to know
Th?y’re out following their heart’s d?light

Non-functional decorative buttons are often the sign of a hobbled mind.
When an artist combines music, beauty, and the natural world, it’s an alchemy that often results in the crowning of a Dazzler of the Day – which is why Ben Cosgrove is today’s Dazzler. A composer, pianist, and performance artist, Cosgrove creates and makes music that speaks to the landscape, geography, and the environment – weaving these worlds into an artistic creation that brings tender expression to how humans relate to the environment around them. Check out his website here for additional genius.



Soothsayers and magically-inclined thinkers had indicated that the burning of a red candle on the day of the full Flower Moon may result in abundance and clarity and all sorts of good stuff. Hedging my bets, I burned one during my meditation on that precious day. No word yet on abundance or clarity, but maybe these things take time. I suppose that’s a pretty safe bet in general – the older we get, the more we tend to gain both of those things, and I doubt very much that the burning of a candle, red or otherwise, plays much of a direct role. At best, it might give some sort of placebo encouragement to compel me to get off my ass and make them happen for myself. Chicken or egg, sometimes it doesn’t matter what came first, just what’s for dinner or breakfast.

My favorite month is in glorious swing, so rather than spend my time writing out a tedious introduction to the weekly recap, I’m going to get right into it…
Wrestling with demons that refuse to remain dormant is always fun.
A spring star set to florals and music.
A confessional in more ways than one.
What even is real anymore? Am I real? I’m the OG AI.
I can see the heaven in your eyes. Wrong song, wrong artist, wrong story…
At April’s end, lilacs in the rain.
A midnight morning meditation. You do the math.
Rosemary: protection at the entryway.
Cherry popping season is at hand. Stop the bleeding.
Dipping the dick into a lady’s pond.
Dazzlers of the Day included John Lam, Ilana Glazer, LJ Benet, and Rochelle Jordan.

Rumor has it that Rochelle Jordan has provided inspiration and possible samples for Madonna’s upcoming ‘Confessions 2’ dance album, and for that alone she would earn this Dazzler of the Day – more impressive is her mesmerizing aural mix of R&B, house, and dance-pop music. Check out her website here for further info, including upcoming tour dates, and then listen to her latest release, ‘Through the Wall’.



Some may be surprised to find out that I’m not a gold-star gay. I’ve dipped my dick into more than one lady’s pond over the years – though the statute of limitations has long since run out.
This area (Albany, NY) has a strong influence from its primarily Dutch settlement origins, resulting in several large tulip plantings that have finally been coming into their own after a slightly late start. Nature tends to catch up in just a few short days of warmth and sun, righting whatever winter obstinance derailed the typical timing of blooms. These visions of tulips were seen on a lunchtime stroll I took this last week – a happy visage to break up the day and remind me that there is more to an afternoon than office meetings and paperwork. It’s also a helpful prompt to slow down and smell the flowers when given the opportunity – and if you’re not given the opportunity then it’s important to make one. To that end, I’m going to allow these pretty pics to speak for the rest of this post – get out and enjoy this Sunday, rain or shine.




Joining his current ‘Lost Boys’ co-star Ali Louis-Bourzgui on Broadway, LJ Benet earns his first Dazzler of the Day crowning thanks to his moving portrayal of Michael Emerson and a stunning rendition of ‘Belong to Someone’. We are set to see a performance of this on our annual Mother’s Day weekend on Broadway (more on that later). For now, check out LJ Benet’s Instagram page which is a living testament to all that is ‘The Lost Boys’ on Broadway right now. (I cannot wait to see this show!)



A different way of looking at the cherry blossoms in the backyard, these moving images roughly capture the shimmering way the pool water reflects on the branches and blooms. Adding movement and highlights in a way no amount of AI could ever match or muster, it is an exhibition of wonder – wonder at the world, at the way nature accentuates its charms, at how a sunny spring day can instantly transform the mood.

The Kwanzan cherry was in bloom this week – just as the pool was being heated to a glorious 80+ degrees for a few lovely days that justify the pool heater every year. Pink against a sky of blue is always a sight to behold, and in the strong sunlight the colors revived all that had dimmed during the recent long and cruel winter. It already feels far away, and for that I’m grateful. It’s never too soon to start thinking about summer heat, summer sun, and summer fun.
If you have sun where you might be, go out now and enjoy it for a minute – or an hour – or the whole day. Never take a sunny day for granted.

I love a succinct and clever bio profile: ‘a broad, a babe, a mom, a writer, an actor, a comedian, and podcaster’ is how Ilana Glazer describes herself, and that just about covers it. This hilarious comedian and creator is bringing her shows to North America and Europe in the next few months, as seen in this ambitious scheduled of tour dates. Check out her website here for further evidence of her brilliance, where she can now add Dazzler of the Day to her impressive repertoire.



After filling our front pots with everything from arborvitae, papyrus, and elephant ears to palm trees, ivy, and ferns, this marks the first year we are indulging in the ‘timeless tradition‘ of planting rosemary at our entryway. Bestowed with protective enchantments against ill-intending spirits, as well as a more practical magic to ward off pests, rosemary has myriad advantages when planted near the home. Its pleasant aroma rises like lavender when brushed by visitors, and it’s also said to be lucky. A wonderful notion for the month of May – and the summer to follow.

The cultivation of rosemary is simple when you know how to control yourself; these plants actually do better under neglect and duress than with a well-watered and overly-pampered high-maintenance routine. A sharp, well-draining soil on the alkaline side is preferred, and you should let the top two inches of soil dry out before doing a deep watering. A full day of sunshine is desired so branches don’t grow leggy, but you can also prune heavily to retain a bushier shape.
See this summer mocktail for another rosemary idea, or this holiday drink, or this Christmas cocktail for the stronger palette.
