HIV Longevity Still Fighting…

7Nov/120

all hail the garryowen geezers

Posted by Guest Blogger

i'm sitting in an irish pub. this is where the magic happens... i have made friends here. i have a writing group meeting here every week where i can find support and give support in the creation of the art of writing. the guinness flows freely, and the indian bartender vish makes the very best tanqueray martini i've ever had.

i left work this evening, knowing i'd head to gettysburg to meet with my [...]

21Oct/120

Which Cloud is Grandpa?

Posted by Vaughn Ripley

What happens to us when we die? Why did Grandpa die? Where do we go when we die? Why do we die? When will I die? Die, die, die … These are common questions from our children. They are also common for many of us. This article will not point to answers, instead it is a philosophical look at our adorable children who ask the darndest things.

My mom, Diana, mentioned the other day that she remembers Xander looking up at the sky, pointing, and asking her, “Grandma, which cloud is Grandpa?”

These are the moments that bring tears to your eyes and at the same time [...]

1Sep/120

City Boy with Cowboy Heart

Posted by Vaughn Ripley

I am fond of saying, "I'm a city boy with a cowboy's heart." Most folks look at me with a tilted head and wry grin when I make that statement. Usually it's right after someone notices and questions my cowboy boots. You heard that right ... I wear cowboy boots. My goat leather Lucchese (pronounced Lu-K-C) boots are my absolute favorite and I wear them fairly often. My boots are only part of the story. I also [...]

9Aug/125

A Son’s Eulogy for Julien Kim Ripley

Posted by Vaughn Ripley

My dad, Julien Kim Ripley, died on December 4th, 2011 at 1:12 a.m. It has been almost a year and not a day goes by that I do not think about him. In tribute, I decided to blog a eulogy.

Often when you see a headstone in a graveyard [...]

22Jan/121

My Wife is a Sexy Beast

Posted by Vaughn Ripley

I'm not looking for brownie points ... I'm not in Dutch with the wife (see: Raising Arizona) ... I am just a man, who is absolutely, totally, and madly in love with the most perfect human being that I know.

So ... This blog article is dedicated (and long overdue) to the most magical person in my life. My darling soul mate ... My better half ... Kristine Marie.

My Soul Mate

I don't always notice her hair cut ... I ain't that kind of man... Don’t get me wrong, I am a [...]

30Dec/110

Family and Friends (support system)

Posted by Vaughn Ripley

Most of us are looking for support systems in our daily lives. And, the funny thing is that our family and friends surround us and we often fail to recognize that they are [...]

18Mar/110

Positive Attitude

Posted by Vaughn Ripley

Let me start by saying that I do not condone, nor believe in positive thinking/attitude without something to back it up. E.g. I don’t think you can look at a weed-filled garden and chant there are no weeds 1,000 times and then they mysteriously and suddenly disappear. That said, I do sincerely believe in [...]

19Jan/110

Kicking off My Inspiration with the Golden Rule

Posted by Vaughn Ripley

I’m kicking off my “inspirational” category today. I will try and keep up with this topic, because it means so much to me. And, I love sharing hope, inspiration, motivation, and love to everyone.

I feel the weight of people’s problems, depression, and downright tough times on my shoulders. I am sincere when I say [...]