Elizabeth Spriggs
I had to laugh the other day.
Someone described Going Gently as a "woman's" blog......
They also mentioned in no uncertain terms that it was homophobic, which is an interesting take on a sixty four year homosexual with a dog called Roger, but I will leave that argument well and truly alone.
I am not bothered that Going Gently could be seen as "feminine"...given the content I will take that description as a compliment.....as I have always enjoyed the company of women to that of men. Now I can do "men" as it were, friendshipwise, be sure on that! Out of perhaps nine close friends I have, four are male and out of those only one is gay, (another mate is sooooooooooooooo showbiz and a self confessed old queen he's as good a gay as you can hope for)..... but the rest , of course, are ladies!
Like Many gay men I was surrounded by women when I was growing up ( oh I know I am generalising here- so don't write in)....My mother was a bit of a drama queen in the style of Joan Crawford in Mildred Pierce whereas my maternal grandmother played a cross between Jane Darwell in The Grapes Of Wrath and actress Elizabeth Spriggs ( google her). Of course my twin sister and Elder Sister were always around like the cast of Little Women ( I would have been the irritating Amy..though I always saw myself as the virtuous Beth) and in the wings there was also a selection of strong aunts, family friends an a diminuative paternal grandmother to back up the oestrogen levels
Here, on the blog I am surrounded by fellow like minded bloggers , the majority being women, and its lovely.
Of course, as in my real friendships ( and I mean that nicely) I have a few guy friends here that are well and truly connected to their sensitive sides, and I sure that they wont mind me saying this, but the majority of buddies are non nonsense "garls!" with the odd wise cracking gay thrown in........just the way I like it!
Like minded friends with good senses of humor are the sprinkles on the donut of life!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to be one of the group. :-)
Hugs!
And a loyal one
DeleteYour blog is a nice place to visit John.... and i read most every post and comment on most too... My blog has cobwebs and i'm lucky i post there once a month.. Its a slow death... Posted several times a week then once a week ..now once a month.. I much more enjoy reading other blogs than keeping my own going... I look forward to your blog with my coffee ... Hugs! deb
ReplyDeleteSometimes recently I’ve found it hard to keep my writing momentum up
DeleteProud to be one of your ‘garls’, I just love you as you are John. Jan in Castle Gresley
ReplyDeleteAwwwwwwxxxxx
DeleteDon't think I've thought of your fine blog as leaning towards any gender, it's just good, sometimes thoughtful, sometimes funny, reading. Appreciate it!
ReplyDeleteMike
“ sometimes ?”
DeleteLol
DeleteI'm still thinking about how someone could describe your blog as homophobic. Was it a bot?
ReplyDeleteI like gay men because they're less threatening I guess, and more in tune with their emotions (not always, but in my mind). They're not such assholes as straight men.
Incidentally it was a gay man , who also moaned that I was “ heteronormative”
DeleteI consider myself one of the old "girls" who enjoy your posts so much. My ethic background is Welsh, as well as some Irish, and German thrown in. So I enjoy all of your postings about your community, your life, and all the funny things you write. I, too, own a black cat, half Angora, half something huge, so I can relate. Black cats have a personality all their own. I might be your oldest fan, am headed toward 86. So keep on writing about your life, your friends and family, your petys, and I will continue to enjoy all of it.
ReplyDeleteAna , greetings and thank u
DeleteWhen I read your blog I am reminded that I am human and I am happy to know there is another human like you. We have never met and still you make me laugh or cry or learn - the learning part is what I'm especially grateful for. Gender is not important in this space. Thanks John.
ReplyDeleteSydney
Sydney ….my new bestie xxx
DeletePeople are strange aren’t they. I read several blogs and yours is probably the one that is the least “insert descriptor here”bic of all. You strike me as treating all people as equal, until their actions indicate this is not appropriate.
ReplyDeleteWhen is your bookclub date? I need to read that book.
Monday……the host has emailed me twice already to see if I’m going
DeleteHomophobic? Really? Have they seen your blog and read any part of it?
ReplyDeleteAnyway, like others have said, I'm pleased to be one of the girls. Thanks for just being you and letting us all come along for the ride! xx
I also was accused as being “ less than supportive” to gay life
DeleteI have never really understood how you can categorise a piece of writing as either feminine or masculine. I used to belong to 2 book groups and one of the (admittedly rare) men who attended would often say he hadn't finished the book as it was "too feminine" but would never suggest a title he considered acceptably masculine. In fact we read very widely - classics, Booker Prize (or whatever it's called) short-listers, biographies, travel books, history, even some young adult books, although we were all 60+years. As I was 'admin' for 1 group (i.e. I took everyone's suggestions and put them into a list to email out for the next 6 months) I also slipped in the odd science-fiction and a couple of spy thrillers(two of my preferences). I am 71 now, female, and heterosexual but don't regard myself as feminine (and never have done). I am just me, and regard writing (or music or art) as enjoyable or not, good or not, and sometimes in-between. I dip in and out of your blog (and others) and sometimes I'm not interested in what's been posted and sometimes I find it very interesting. It's all subjective isn't it?
ReplyDeleteAileen ,
DeleteI suspect most of my readership are “ women of a certain age “ lol
Masculine? Feminine? I don't care, I regard your blog as always interesting, funny as hell sometimes, and a view into the life of an interesting human. Cheers!
ReplyDeleteThanks jimbo xx
DeleteHHHAAAARRUMPH! I think that you have been trained by old bulldog gals, a set of Welsh Terriers, and Albert, Bun, and Weaver to be a fully developed human in the world.
ReplyDeleteI will bitch slap anyone who contests this well into the next millenium.
Will Jay
Best comment of the night
DeleteYears ago when I started reading Going Gently, as I recall about chickens in the U Village, and selling eggs over the kitchen wall--I thought the blogger [you] was a woman ! But quickly realised my mistake. Content all good, gender / gayness not issues for me. It was all very All Creatures and I loved each post. btw, why did that person see you as homophobic? How odd?
ReplyDeletewhat a naughty [cheeky?] little sly injoke: Roger's name. I always wondered.
lizzy
lol I loved that
DeleteWell! That’s seriously weird! To accuse you of homophobia !! Either a not very well trained bot, or someone who didn’t read more than three posts.
ReplyDeleteYou cover a whole range of topics - the menagerie’s shenanigans, your hospice work, counseling, your village life with its fundraising and fun, and its gorgeous personalities. Your green fingered sister and your family. I’m sure I’ve missed heaps - where’s the homophobia in any of that ??
It’s a normal, rich, healthy, happy life. GOOD ON YOU !! 💕 go on being you.
Homophobia was translated as being heterocentric
DeleteJohn , you come over as on old queen sometimes lol Xx
DeleteKeith
lol I get u
DeleteWe don't always comment, but we love your blog and the antics of your fur babies.
ReplyDeleteI blew diet coke through my nose when I read the homophobic thing. That person obviously "ain't from 'round here."
ReplyDelete