18 January 2026

Greetings from Valencia! I’m home!

What a whirlwind six weeks it’s been.

First…no. An appointment in Los Angeles at the Spanish Consulate never became available. So, per my attorney, I’ll renew my student visa from here. Then start trying again to find that appointment. The key (as I understand it), is to have the student visa in effect when I apply for the Non Lucrative visa. All good wishes are appreciated.

Goals for 2026:

Get that NLV and get a Spanish driver’s license! I’ll talk more about getting my Spanish driver’s license when I have more clear direction. But from what I’m told, it’s a tough process!

I’ve tried to say it often. But wow, I’m grateful for the love of such good friends who have been so kind and supportive. Thank you to everyone who showed such warm hospitality over the last six weeks!

Over the last two weeks, I continued at Ken and PAB’s house for a week. They are amazing hosts! One night, they hosted a wonderful dinner of eggplant parmesan with our mutual friends Greg and Jack (who live across the street from them).

I also enjoyed a wonderful dinner with my friends John and Carol and their neighbors (and our mutual friends), Harold and John. It’s such a gift to be able to stay in touch with fun, interesting and kind people.

Last week, I traveled to Delaware and Maryland to see old friends.

I started with a lovely dinner with my Denver friend Harrison, who now lives in Rehoboth. What a small world when friends and cities connect like that.

It was a gift to hang out with Bo and Vicki in Lewes, Delaware for a few days. Seeing my godson, Eli was a highlight. I’m bursting with pride that he’s been accepted to Rutgers Law School with a generous scholarship. And spending time Joy and Sean, and Ryder and Gage was wonderful as well.

Vicki was one of the speakers at a rally to mourn the murder of Renee Good in Minnesota. May God have mercy on our nation at this painful time.

Just before leaving the Rehoboth area, I met my longtime friend Ralph and his wife Mary Louise for breakfast. Ralph was chair of the board for the Christian radio station I managed many years ago. What a delight to keep in contact with loved ones in your life through all the changes, stages and iterations.

From Rehoboth, I drove to Quantico Maryland where I devoured a rib dinner with my friend Mike. Delicious!

Then, I drove to Cambridge Maryland to enjoy a day with Michael and Paul.

Mike, and Michael and Paul were huge supports for me when I was navigating my way out of the closet in the 1990’s and into the early 2000’s. Being loved and accepted while I wrestled with my faith and my sexual orientation were gifts I can never repay. I’m forever indebted for their love and friendship.

Michael and Paul took me to see some local sights in and around Cambridge. You may remember the story of Harriet Tubman, the escaped slave, who then returned to her plantation to lead dozens of other slaves to freedom along the “Underground Railroad.” You may not also know that she went on to lead a battalion of Union soldiers during the US Civil War. Amazing woman!

I took a short walk on a very cold morning along the Choptank River. But I think you’ll agree, it was beautiful.

I returned to Denver in time to meet with my friend John to catch up since our adventures in Portugal last fall.

Then on Friday, I flew from Denver to London, arriving Saturday morning to fly to Valencia. Everything went great! Vicente and Cooper met me at the airport.

On Sunday, Vicente, Cooper and I went for a walk on the beach and then lunch.

Calamari, salad and a beer, in the warm Spanish sunshine… delightful.

It’s good to be home.