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San Fransisco to Berkeley

From the bedroom, through the temple door
Sitting in the front window above the Noe Street sidewalk listening to Van Morrison. I’ve been sorting and packing this morning (moving from San Francisco to Berkeley). It’s not easy – boxes of memories, of sadness, what to keep, what to discard (not much of the latter). Listening to The Healing Has Begun.
And we’ll walk down the avenue again
And we’ll sing all the songs from way back when
And we’ll walk down the avenue again and the healing has begun
And we’ll walk down the avenue in style
And we’ll walk down the avenue and we’ll smile
And we’ll say baby ain’t it all worthwhile when the healing has begun
I realize I’m sitting in the window, crying. Caught in the beautiful strands of the past. A few days ago, I told my friend Kristina that in the last months of Leslie’s life it was like there were shimmering falls of love and beauty coming down on us around us through us. Now, just short of 18 months later, I’m grateful I’m transfigured with love past and present.
At farmer’s market in Berkeley
There went two Dads with a beautiful baby wearing a rainbow jacket. Now an old Asian man and woman holding hands, walking slow. A pretty Mom and pretty baby. Oh Oh Oh!
And now I see a future. I always knew there would be some kind of future, but had no idea it would be beautiful like this. How can it be that I’m loving two women? Mourning one, making love with one. The love’s to love the love’s to love the love’s to love… Yes, I’m walking down the avenue again with a fine woman and a sense of wonder.
—————–
In the early morning with the doors open to the fog and cold and the bed so warm. Oh! So warm!
The sky, the hill in the small distance, Golden Gate Bridge hidden in the fog (how it sparkled last night), the BART train going and coming from/to the station half a mile below and a few birds flying by, and somewhere a bird singing, and we’re talking of the past, the future, sacred space, this sacred space we’re in right now… 
With my cherry cherry wine (at Indian Rock in Berkeley)
Yesterday morning before we left the San Francisco apartment where Leslie and I had lived we were in bed I cried and cried and we made love and cried and drank our morning coffee and talked and I will never, we will never grow so old again I am so naked.
Yesterday we walked to Indian Rock and climbed up 50 or 60 feet and sat in the sun and drank from the bottle of cherry cherry wine – the same brand that Van Morrison sang about (could there be more than one brand labeled “Cherry Cherry Wine”) in Cypress Avenue: 
I think I’ll go on by the river with my cherry cherry wine
I believe I’ll go walking by the railroad with my cherry cherry wine
And that’s exactly what we did.
  

Principles for being, conversation, San Francisco, destiny

Jean at Marcia’s

Several of these photos were taken in Jean’s friend Marcia’s house in Berkeley.

Some of the more vicious FB posts about Hillary Clinton started me thinking about how we communicate and what responsibilities we might have in communicating. I looked up something I wrote in 1999 about ethics related to end-of-life care, especially the part about being honest. The fundamental moral or ethical principle is respect for people. Within this respect are these principles:
In Marcia’s garden
  • Respect for autonomy – the right of self-determination.
  • Beneficence or benevolence – doing good, meeting needs; a moral obligation to practice mercy, kindness, compassion, and charity.
  • Nonmaleficence – doing no harm.
  • Veracity – truth-telling.
  • Confidentiality – respecting privileged information.
  • Fidelity – keeping promises.
  • Justice – treating fairly.

Of course these don’t apply only to end-of-life care; they are ultimately serious and high organizing principles for life and how we betogether and within ourselves. (Thanks and a tip of the hat to Tom Beauchamp and James Childress.)
—————-
Conversation with Guy, the man who sells flowers on Noe:

It looks like I may be moving to Berkeley.
What about your son?
Well, I’m retired, so I’ll just commute – lunches in SF, Golden Gate, all that.
Marcia’s bathroom

You’re lucky.

I know.

—————-
San Francisco
Several years ago my son-in-law recommended the Tales of The City series by Armistead Maupin. I think Charles thought that reading these books would help me better understand San Francisco, the city I’ve fallen in love with – especially gay San Francisco. That’s exactly what happened. I just finished the last book in the series – The Days of Anna Madrigal. What a soaring, beautiful book.
My apartment on Noe. Window by alarm is/was mine.

My apartment is very near David and Charles in Duboce Triangle, between the Castro and Lower Haight. Leslie and I lived here happily – most of the time. After she passed away (I almost wrote, died) I stayed. Like our home in Dallas, I’ve loved and been loved here, made love here, been happy here, mourned here – I’ve lived here.

This is the city David gave to Leslie – and she embraced it fully and was embraced by it. Leslie in the Haight! Market! Castro! Cole Valley! She’s on the bus, on the F-Line, she’s in the streets, she’s interacting!


—————
To be born again.
—————-
We were studying Paul’s letter to the Romans (8:26-36) in Bible study (about groans too deep for words, searching the heart, predestiny – all that in ten verses!) and I was thinking about the

View from Jean’s house – Mount Tam

day before when I spent several hours at a coffee shop with a young friend and was blown away by the fact that with open heart and well-acquainted with groans too deep for words, she’s walking tall into her destiny. It’s been a long road and she’s stayed true to the call. She and I have had some of the same visions. This was a very affirming time for me.

In the streets

Apartments in refugee neighborhood
Cambodian children – cold in the apartments
The way it worked was I would take clinical groups of community health nursing students into refugee communities. There were nearly always 8 students/group, so initially we had 4 teams of 2 students and me. Later as our reputation spread, we had volunteer and then paid translators and community health workers, like promotoras de salud. Still later in the process we developed clinics with medical (primary care, psychiatry, gynecology, pediatrics, etc.) and other services, which were integrated into the district health scene. But for now, I’ll describe the straight district health end of things.

We started in one apartment building (about 40 units), where a lot of refugees lived (as well as other poor people). We went door to door, finding health and related problems. On the first day, two of students helped deliver a baby – so we knew things were going to be interesting. Every time we’d find a problem, one of the student teams would stop to help the people solve the problem. Some problems were straightforward and readily solved, some took semesters to solve, and some were never completely solved. Often, one thing would lead to another and we’d work with the people over time. And Leslie was working with us (what an education for students that was!). It was never, ever about referral. It was always about helping the most underserved people be served – solving problems (pregnancy, primary care, depression, hunger, family violence, cancer, and on and on and on). 
In the day we sweat it out in the streets
of a runaway American dream
Community garden outreach
Agape Clinic waiting room
When we got through the first building, we left a team in that building to continue working through problems and went through the same process in the next building. Then we left another team in the second building and started working through the third. And so on. Over time, over semesters we had all the buildings covered in about an 8 block area (which was a lot). And we also had classes and other outreach (health screening, vaccinations, etc.) going on in schools, churches, and community gathering places; for awhile we were doing intake assessments for children who had been removed from their homes because of abuse; and we added the medical, etc. and expanded clinic hours.
Estevan Garcia, MD and Charles Kemp, FNP
Much of what we accomplished was through partnerships and cooperative relationships with community organizations, from grass-roots groups like the Association for Salvation of Cambodian Refugees to Parkland Memorial Hospital, Dallas County Health Department, National Council of Jewish Women, Dallas Police, and a number of foundations, churches, and religious organizations – and of course, the Agape Clinic.
We said we would take responsibility for this community and we did that. Far out vision, isn’t it. With dignity and justice for all in the real world. What an education for students it all was!

It lasted in one form or another for about 30 years and parts of it (East Dallas Health Center, Agape Clinic) continue through today

Refugee children on Carroll Street

and are seeing more patients now than ever before.

—————
We didn’t have a TV in the waiting room. Instead we had books – especially children’s books and a children’s play area.

Vancouver, Big Sur, the girl with far-away eyes, Anna Madrigal

Redwood from our bed. At night the stars!
If you’re downright disgusted
And life ain’t worth a dime
Find a girl with far-away eyes
(Jagger/Richards)
—————–
Anna Madrigal at age 92: “Help me up, dear. Just for a second. While we still have the light.”
—————–
It’s been another almost indescribable time.
David and Charles flew Jean and me to Vancouver, BC. We stayed in a boutique hotel, the Opus in Yaletown, two blocks from the harbor. It was my first time flying first class and first time in a hotel like the Opus.
We walked all over town, visited some of Jean’s colleagues on Granville Island (island like a tribal gathering place – my tribe), went to the brilliant anthropology museum, hung out in good times at the botanical garden, visited a great little market (Vancouver is a seriously friendly place), hung out at the New Amsterdam Café, had meals beyond belief (I’ve never had a tasting menu before – Ay Caramba!), Had a lovely birthday dinner for Jean, and had wonderful, wonderful times together. I am deeply grateful to David and Charles for this. What an incredible thing to do! What a beautiful time!

David Kemp and Charles Kemp at Hawksworth in Vancouver

————–
Back to Bay Area, we spent the night in The City, then drove south toward Big Sur – driving along the highway listening to Astral Weeks, crying along the highway.
We stopped for Jean to say a prayer at Esalen where her husband’s ashes were placed six years ago.
In another time, in another place.
Big Sur
Then Jean and I met Steve and Susan, Andy and Marita, and Bob and Ann at a secret hollow space in Big Sur, where we slept two nights outside among the redwoods by a mountain stream, watched the shimmering light on the leaves, saw an incomparable sunset in good fellowship, had lovely meals in a clearing in the forest, hung out around an old table cross-cut from a huge redwood (it was cut long ago – the people who invited Jean are serious about preserving the wilderness), sat on a beautiful beach watching the sea otters, walked in the redwood forest, and became younger and more beautiful.
Golden land sunset over the beautiful Pacific
A woodland-nymph with far-away eyes
Lay me down
In silence easy
To be born again
To be born again
To be born again
In another world
In another world
In another time
Got a home on high
Ain’t nothing but a stranger in this world
I’m nothing but a stranger in this world
I got a home on high
In another land
So far away
So far away
Way up in the heaven
Way up in the heaven
Way up in the heaven
Way up in the heaven
In another time
In another place
In another time
In another place
Way up in the heaven
Way up in the heaven
We are goin’ up to heaven
We are goin’ to heaven
In another time
In another place
In another time
In another place
In another face
(Van Morrison)

While we still have the light



Love Wins!

Dyke March – Love Wins!
Originally posted June 2016. Re-posted July 2016

David and Charles, and Jean and I started Pride weekend with a birthday dinner for David at my apartment, including the last bottle of champagne from their wedding. There were tears for the 49 people murdered in Orlando. There were stories of David’s epic John Muir Trail trek, reminiscing, Berkeley, San Francisco, music, good food, just being together. It was a beautiful evening. 
The Dyke March started at Dolores Park on Saturday afternoon – a huge gathering of Shiny Happy People dancing, loving, laughing, being, and sweet, sweet vibes – including Jean and me. I’m blown totally away by this freedom and love vibrating through so many people. An unimaginably beautiful repudiation of hate and negativity and judgment. And an all-time great party! Jean pointed that this was a be-in. It was – a fine and true Human Be-In, a Love-In!
Dolores Park – Dyke March
We left the park before the march started. People were still just pouring into the park. We went back to my apartment, then met David and Charles on the corner, where we talked for awhile and a half block away Market Street was packed with marchers. We tagged on to the end of the march (Bom!) and I couldn’t stop dancing onward to Castro where these/us truly shiny happy people blocked the intersection of Market and Castro to dance and talk and BE and the police stood back and gradually the crowd dispersed. It was intense.
The end of the march
Sunday we went to a Pride Parade viewing party above Market Street. There were lots of people and drinks, food, music, two men in brief briefs dancing on tables. On the street below the parade kept coming and coming and coming. We went out to the street to be closer to an endless stream of people saying again and again “No!” to oppression and fear and prejudice and all of that.
Saying again and again Love is Love is Love is Love – there were Dykes on Bikes, SF Lesbian and Gay Freedom Band, Cancer Survivors (one sign said “Fuck Cancer” and another said, “I Don’t Have Nipples” – cheers of love all down the street), Transgender Veterans, Age On (“Life’s a Stage”), Oakland Fire Department Stands United With Orlando, Naked and Sacred, Google, Apple, “Eat me – try Vegan,” Facebook, Oracle, (“Be proud of who you are”), all the tech companies, Walmart(!), a gay couple who had been together 50 years, Lesbian and Jewish/Gay and Jewish/Bi and Jewish, Muttville Senior Dog Rescue (“Muttville Pride”), and so deeply moving – all the flags of the countries of origin of the people killed in Orlando. And more and more and more…

And as they kept on coming, there was a growing sense of overwhelming power and Love is Love is Love is Love is Love!
On the train (N Judah) back to the apartment a bunch of people piling in at the Montgomery stop and it’s getting very crowded and one of the people who just came in has a cool little music player with decent bass and the music starting and 4-5 people dancing on the other side of the couple kissing and kissing next to us and the guy with mental illness getting really excited, laughing and yeah, me too. This IS the train. (Everything happened exactly as described, but it’s also allegorical.)
Charles Kemp and Jean Cacicedo
The Sunday afternoon at the end of Pride, Jean and I went to Duboce Park a half block from the apartment to take a nap, lying on sarongs under a tree in shifting sun-dappled shade with a background of happy voices, laughter, N Judah train rumbling past, music somewhere up the hill, leaves in the wind, bouncing ball, opening my eyes seeing four people playing a gentle game of bocce – “O00hhh,” they were saying when someone made a good throw – and 20 feet away a woman dancing barefoot in the grass, breastfeeding her baby.







Duboce Park

Curriculum vitae Charles Kemp

ALL of this is out of date, because I’m out of date… retired… hanging out in NorCal. But it’s nice to look back. My greatest (non-personal) accomplishments were the changes I helped make in people’s lives. Of course Leslie was my guide and inspiration in this.  

Charles Kemp, RN, FNP, FAAN
FNP-C, Baylor University
CRNH, Certification in Hospice & Palliative Nursing (expired 2002)
M.S.N., University of Texas at Austin
B.S.N., Baylor University (magna cum laude)
Employment & Related
Senior lecturer and clinical instructor, Louise Herrington School of Nursing, Baylor University. Classroom and clinical courses include community health, physical assessment, psychiatric nursing, hospice care, communications, nursing fundamentals, and RN bridge course. Also see Community Development and Scholarship sections. 1989-present (senior lecturer May 2000). Retired.
 
Family nurse practitioner (volunteer), Agape Clinic. Provide primary health care for underserved patients in inner-city setting and coordinate clinic services. 2000-present. Retired.
Development Consultant, self-employed. Services included agency and board development, planning, research, grant-writing, education, related activities. $1,000,000+ in grants awarded in twelve months. 1988-89.
 
Lecturer and Clinical Instructor, Texas Woman’s University. Courses included community health, psychiatric nursing, hospice care, nursing fundamentals. 198l-88.

Volunteer in various roles with hospice patients, refugees and immigrants, children who were abused, and other people and situations. 1978-2016.
 
Hospice Director (founding); Clinical Specialist, Visiting Nurse Association of Dallas. Responsibilities included carrying out the base community assessment; planning all administrative, clinical, and educational aspects of the hospice program; implementing the program; and evaluating the program. Also provided patient care and community education. Please see grants section of c.v. 1978-81.
 
Supervisor, V.N.A. Responsibilities included clinical and administrative supervision of professional staff. 1976.
 
Staff Nurse, V.N.A. Responsibilities included patient assessments and care; clinical supervision of non-professional staff. 1975-76.
 
Other employment: While employed at T.W.U., worked during summers as Director of the Dallas-Fort Worth Refugee Interagency (twice), and as Hospice Staff Nurse.
Scholarly Activities
Books
(2006) with T.S. Kwan-Gett & C. Kovarik. Infectious and Tropical Diseases: A Handbook for Primary Care. Philadelphia: Elsevier Science. Available at Amazon, B&N, & Elsevier.
 
(2004) with L. Rasbridge. Refugee and Immigrant Health. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Amazon, B&N, & Cambridge.
 
(1999). Terminal Illness: A Guide to Nursing Care (2nd ed.). Philadelphia: Lippincott-Williams & Wilkins.
 
(1999) with L. Rasbridge. Refugee and Immigrant Health (A manual). Austin: Texas Department of Health.
 
(1995). Terminal Illness: A Guide to Nursing Care. Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott.
Web Sites (all Baylor and Agape sites down)
(2007). with J. Dailey & J. Smith. Burma Refugees. Available http://agapeclinic.googlepages.com/burma_refugees
 
(2001-2005). Agape Clinic/Baylor Community Care. Available online: http://www3.baylor.edu/~Charles_Kemp/agape.htm
 
(2000-2005). Terminal Illness: A Guide for Patients and Families. Available online: http://www.baylor.edu/~Charles_Kemp/terminal_illness/Terminal_Illness.htm (Sponsor: Louise Herrington School of Nursing at Baylor University)
 
(2000-2004). Infectious Diseases of Refugees and Immigrants. Available online: http://www.baylor.edu/~Charles_Kemp/Infectious_Disease.htm (Sponsor: Texas Department of Health)
 
(1999-2005). with L. Rasbridge. Refugee Health. Available online http://www.baylor.edu/~Charles_Kemp/refugee_health.htm (Sponsor: Texas Department of Health)
 
(1998-2001). with L. Rasbridge. Asian Health. Available online http://www.baylor.edu/~Charles_Kemp/asian_health.html (Sponsor: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Minority Health)
Book Chapters
(in press). Promoting healthy partnerships with refugees and immigrants. In E.T. Anderson and J. MacFarlane (Eds.), Community as Partner (5th ed.). Philadelphia: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins. Revised from previous editions in 2004, 2000, & 1996.
 
(2007). Culture and spiritual care at the end-of-life. In K. Kuebler (Ed.), Palliative and End-of-Life Care Textbook for Advanced Practice Nurses (2nd ed.). Philadelphia: Elsevier.
 
(2006) Spiritual care in terminal illness. In B. Ferrell and N. Coyle (Eds.) Oxford Textbook of Palliative Nursing (2nd ed., pp. 595-604). New York: Oxford University Press.
 
(2006). Anorexia and cachexia. In B. Ferrell and N. Coyle (Eds.) Oxford Textbook of Palliative Nursing (2nd ed., pp. 169-176). New York: Oxford University Press.
 
(2004). Six stories in S. Hudacek (Ed.), Making a difference: Stories from the Point of Care, Vol II. Indianapolis: Signma Theta Tau.
 
(2004). Promoting healthy partnerships with refugees and immigrants. In E.T. Anderson and J. MacFarlane (Eds.), Community as Partner (4th ed.). Philadelphia: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins. Revised from previous editions in 2000 & 1996.
 
(2004). Grief and loss. In K.M. Fortinash & P.A. Holoday-Worret (Eds.), Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing (4th ed.). St. Louis: Mosby. Revised from 1-2 editions in 2000 & 1996.
 
(2001) Spiritual care in terminal illness. In B. Ferrell and N. Coyle (Eds.) Oxford Textbook of Palliative Nursing. New York: Oxford University Press.
 
(2001) Cachexia and anorexia. In B. Ferrell and N. Coyle (Eds.) Oxford Textbook of Palliative Nursing. New York: Oxford University Press.
 
(2000) Refugee and immigrant health in community nursing. In E.T. Anderson and J. MacFarlane (Eds.), Community as Partner (2nd edition). Philadelphia: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins.
 
(1997) with G. Davis and P. Thai. The Baylor Community Care Program. In S.D. Seifer and K.M. Connors (Eds.), A Guide for Developing Community-Responsive Models in Health Professions Education. San Francisco: Community-Campus Partnerships for Health.
(1996) with G. Mallon-Frank. Grief. In K. Fortinash and P. Holoday-Worret (Eds.), Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing. St. Louis, MO: C.V. Mosby.
 
(1996) Refugee health and community nursing. In E.T. Anderson and J. MacFarlane (Eds.),Community as Partner. Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott.
 
(1986) Cambodian refugee health project. In Community Based Nursing Services: Innovative Models (pp. 12-16). Kansas City, MO: American Nurses Association.
Articles
(2005). Living as a refugee. Health Messenger, 28, 2-11 (extracted from the mental health chapter in Refugee & Immigrant Health). I am proud that this work was selected by the editorial committee of Health Messenger and the Mae Sot Clinic, which serves Burmese refugees on the Thai-Burma border. The article is in Burmese and English.
 
(2005). Cultural issues in palliative care. Seminars in Oncology Nursing, 21, 44-52.
 
(2003). Community health nursing: Where we are going and how to get there. Nursing Education Perspective, 24, 144-150.
 
(2002). with S. Bhungalia. Culture and the end of life: Major world religions. Journal of Hospice and Palliative Nursing, 4(4).
 
(2002). with B-J Chang. Culture and the end of life: Chinese. Journal of Hospice and Palliative Nursing, 4(3), 174-180.
 
(2002). with A. Roberts. Infectious diseases of refugees and immigrants: Hookworm. Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, 14(5), 194.
 
(2002). with D. Henry. Culture and the end of life: Nigerians. Journal of Hospice and Palliative Nursing, 4(2), 111-115.
 
(2002) with A. Roberts. Infectious diseases of refugees and immigrants: Viral hemorrhagic fevers. Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, 14(4), 146-149.
 
(2002). with S. Bhungalia. Culture and the end of life: (Asian) Indian health beliefs and practices related to the end of life. Journal of Hospice and Palliative Nursing, 4(1), 54-58.
 
(2001). with L. Rasbridge. Culture and the end of life: East African cultures-Part II, Sudan.Journal of Hospice and Palliative Nursing, 3(4), 110-112.
 
(2001) with A. Roberts. Infectious diseases of refugees and immigrants: Giardiasis. Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, 13(12), 532-533.
 
(2001). with L. Rasbridge. Culture and the end of life: East African cultures-Part I, Somalia.Journal of Hospice and Palliative Nursing, 3(3), 59-61.
 
(2001). Bioterrorism: Introduction and major agents. Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, 13(11), 483-491.
 
(2001) with A. Roberts. Infectious diseases of refugees and immigrants: Filariasis. Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, 13(9), 391-394.
 
(2001) with A. Roberts. Infectious diseases of refugees and immigrants: Echinococcosis (hydatid disease). Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, 13(8), 346-347.
 
(2001). with L. Rasbridge. Culture and the end of life: East African cultures-Part I, Sudan.Journal of Hospice and Palliative Nursing, 3(3), 110-112.
 
(2001) with A. Roberts. Infectious diseases of refugees and immigrants: Ebola and Marburg hemorrhagic fevers. Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, 13(7), 291-292.
 
(2001) with A. Roberts. Infectious diseases of refugees and immigrants: Dengue fever. Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, 13(6), 243-245.
 
(2001) with A. Roberts. Infectious diseases of refugees and immigrants: Chagas’ disease.Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, 13(4), 152-153.
 
(2001) with A. Roberts. Infectious diseases of refugees and immigrants: Brucellosis. Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, 13(3), 106-107.
 
(2001). with L. Rasbridge. Culture and the end of life: East African cultures-Part I, Somali.Journal of Hospice and Palliative Nursing, 3(2), 59-61.
 
(2001) with A. Roberts. Infectious diseases of refugees and immigrants: Ascaraisis. Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, 13(2), 55-56.
 
(2001) with A. Roberts. Infectious diseases of refugees and immigrants: Amebiasis. Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, 13(1), 8-9.
 
(2001) with A. Roberts. Infectious diseases of refugees and immigrants: Introduction. Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, 13(1), 7-8.
 
(2001). Culture and the end of life: Hispanic cultures (Mexican-Americans). Journal of Hospice and Palliative Nursing, 3(1), 29-33.
 
(2000) with L. Keovilay & L. Rasbridge. Culture and the end of life: Cambodians and Laotians – Health beliefs and practices related to the end of life. Journal of Hospice and Palliative Nursing, 2(4), 143-151.
 
(2000) with A. Dinh & L. Rasbridge. Culture and the end of life: Introduction (to a series) and Vietnamese health beliefs and practices related to the end of life. Journal of Hospice and Palliative Nursing, 2(3), 109-117.
 
(1999). Metastatic spread and common symptoms: Pancreatic, prostate, stomach, and uterine cancers. American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care, 16(5), 664-672.
 
(1999). Metastatic spread and common symptoms: Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, oral cavity, and ovarian cancers. American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care, 16(4), 607-615.
 
(1999). Metastatic spread and common symptoms: Lung cancer, melanoma, and multiple myeloma. American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care, 16(3), 533-540.
 
(1999). Metastatic spread and common symptoms: Renal cancer, leukemia, and hepatic cancer.American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care, 16(2), 479-486.
 
(1999). Metastatic spread and common symptoms: Breast cancer, colorectal cancer, and esophageal cancer. American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care, 16(1), 403-411.
 
(1999). Nguyen v. The State. The Forensic Echo, III(4), 2-3.
(1998) with L. Keovilay. Laotian health care beliefs and practices. Lao Vision, 2(1), 24-26.
 
(1998). Metastatic spread and common symptoms: Introduction, bladder cancer, and brain cancer. American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care, 15(6), 355-360.
 
(1997). Palliative care for respiratory problems in terminal illness. American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care, 14(1), 26-30.
 
(1996) with S. Bailey, P. Bennett, J. Hicks, and S.H. Warren. Cancer detection activities coordinated by nursing students in community health. Cancer Nursing, 19(5), 348-352.
 
(1996). Managing chronic pain in patients with advanced disease and substance-related disorders. Home Healthcare Nurse, 14(4), 255-263.
 
(1996) Islamic cultures: Health care beliefs and practices. American Journal of Health Behavior,20(3), 19-25.
 
(1995) with L. Stepp. Palliative care for patients with acquired immunodeficiency disorder.American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care, November/December, 14-29.
 
(1994). Spiritual care in terminal illness: Practical applications. American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care, September/October, 31-36.
 
(1994) Community health clinical experiences: The primary care setting. Public Health Nursing, 11(1), 2-6.
 
(1994) with M. McEwen. Teaching strategies for operationalizing nursing’s agenda for health care reform. Nurse Educator, 19(1), 10-13.
 
(1993) with R. Bowie, G.K. Cooper, and J. Lothrop. Preparing for death: A Christian guide for individuals and families. Dallas: First Presbyterian Church.
 
(1993). Health services for refugees in countries of second asylum. International Nursing Review, 40(1), 21-24.
 
(1991). Writing successful grant proposals for services to clients. Nurse Practitioner, 16(11), 51-56.
 
(1987) with J.N. Walterspiel and J.R. Rogers. Coin rubbing and acute phase reactants. (letter)Australian Pediatric Journal, 23(12), 309-310.
 
(1987) with P. Drapo and C. Patrick. Addressing the needs of underserved populations. Public Health Nursing, 4(4). 231-236.
 
(1987). Basic counseling skills: the refugee client. Summary of Proceedings from the Conference on Refugees and Mental Health. Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation, Austin, Texas.
 
(1985). Cambodian refugee health care beliefs and practices. Journal of Community Health Nursing, 2(1), 41-52.
 
(1978). The dying process. Proceedings of the Sixth Annual Nursing Research Forum. Dallas: A. Webb Roberts Center.
 
Papers (not including talks at various universities, hospitals, etc., e.g., UT Austin, UTSW Medical School, Baylor, NTSU, UT Arlington, TWU, BUMC, Parkland, Children’s, etc., etc.)
(2007) with M. Abbe, N. Avila, J. Pham. Including immigrants, minorities, and refugees: Lessons learned from the Agape Clinic (invited paper). YMCA Expo 2007: Engaging Newcomers (national conference). Dallas, Texas.
(2006) with L. Spies. Emerging infectious diseases. American Academy of Nurse Practitioners National Conference, Grapevine, Texas.
 
(2006) with C. Kovarik. Agape: The development and sustenance of an inner-city mission clinic. American Academy of Nurse Practitioners National Conference, Grapevine, Texas.
 
(2006) with M.A. Faucher. Beyond Sick Care: Strategies for Health Care in Primary Care for Immigrants & Refugees. National Primary Care for the Underserved Conference, Philadelphia.
 
(2006). Infectious diseases in patients from Latin America. National Primary Care for the Underserved Conference, Philadelphia.
 
(2006). Refugee and immigrant health: Current issues. Resettlement Conference. Phoenix.
(2004). Culture & the End-of Life: Selected Issues. Web presentation. Hospice & Palliative Nurses Association.
 
(2003). Community Health Nursing Education: Leadership and Development Roles. American Public Health Association Annual Meeting, San Francisco.
 
(2001) with A. Pappas. CHN Education: A Path to the Future (Operationalizing AACN’s Position Statement on Nursing Education). American Association of Colleges of Nursing Baccalaureate Education 2001 Conference, Washington, DC.
 
(2000) with D. Gurica. District health: A model for community health service and education. American Public Health Association Annual Meeting, Boston.
 
(2000). Infectious diseases of refugees and immigrants. Texas Department of Health Refugee Health Conference, Austin.
 
(1999). The refugee health site: Development and use. Texas Department of Health Refugee Screening Conference, Dallas.
 
(1998). Hospice care for Muslim patients and families. National Hospice Organization Annual Symposium, Dallas.
 
(1998). with E. McKinnis. Lung cancer: Natural history and symptom management. National Hospice Organization Annual Symposium, Dallas.
 
(1997). Cancer screening among Southeast Asian refugees: The role of students. Annual Meeting of the Oncology Nursing Society, San Francisco.
 
(1996). Community Care: Nursing students providing district nursing services. Paper presented at Community Partnerships in Health Professions Education: A National Conference on Service-Learning, Boston, Massachusetts.
 
(1996). Breast cancer screening among Southeast Asian refugees. Paper presented at the annual Susan G. Komen Foundation Affiliates Meeting, Dallas, Texas.
 
(1995). Hospice: Current trends and implications for public health. Paper presented at the annual Texas Public Health Association Meeting, Austin, Texas.
 
(1995). The community health clinical group as district nurse. Paper presented at the annual Texas Public Health Association Meeting, Austin, Texas.
 
(1994). Community development. Paper presented at the annual Texas Public Health Association Meeting, Corpus Christi, Texas.
 
(1994). Islam: Influences on health care beliefs and practices in Islamic cultures. Paper presented at the annual Texas Public Health Association Meeting, Corpus Christi, Texas.
 
(1993). with S. Beasley, R.W. Bell, L.M. Duckworth, A Gibson, and J. Weese. Baccalaureate nursing students and Kurdish refugees in the U.S. Poster presented at the annual Global Health Conference, Galveston, Texas.
 
(1992). with M. McEwen. Operationalizing ANA’s agenda for health care reform in a baccalaureate nursing program. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Public Health Association, Washington, D.C.
 
(1991). Hospice care for Southeast Asian refugees. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the National Hospice Organization. Seattle, WA.
 
(1990). Grants and power. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the National Nurses Society on Addictions, Dallas, Texas.
 
(1990). Grants and the money to make dreams reality. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the National Association for Home Care, Dallas, Texas.
 
(1987). Refugee psychosocial issues: The refugee pediatric oncology patient. Paper presented at the annual Children’s Medical Center/American Cancer Society Symposium on Pediatric Oncology Patients, Dallas, Texas.
 
(1986). with S.J. Todd. Primary care for Cambodian Refugees. Paper presented at the Eleventh National Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Symposium, Denver, Colorado.
 
(1985). Human needs and funding shortages: Program development strategies. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Public Health Association, Washington, D.C.
 
(1985) An allied health professions response to refugee health problems. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Allied Health Professions, Dallas, Texas.
 
(1985). Community networking. Paper presented at the National Workshop of the Association of Junior Leagues, Irving, Texas.
 
(1985). Infant mortality in Southeast Asian refugees. Paper presented at the Regional Conference of the U.S. Public Health Service, Dallas, Texas.
 
(1984). Refugee and immigrant health. Paper presented at the annual Community Health Institute of the National Association of Community Health Centers, San Antonio, Texas.
(1984). Building a hospice team. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Texas Hospice Organization, Dallas, Texas.
 
(1984). The TWU refugee health project. Poster presentation at the annual meeting of the American Nurses Association, Kansas City, Missouri.
 
(1984). Family planning and health care for Cambodian refugees in the U.S.: an international perspective. Paper presented at the international meeting of the National Council on International Health, Washington, D.C.
 
(1983). Cultural characteristics of Cambodian refugees. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Public Health Association, Washington, D.C.
Community Projects (sole or primary responsibility for planning, implementing, and/or obtaining funding)
Community Care: District health services through Baylor University School of Nursing and community agencies. Services include community outreach, a primary care clinic, home care, lay health promoter training, social work, chaplaincy, and other services. The Agape Clinic is central to these efforts – see grants below.
 
Vietnam Veterans Resource Center: a resource/service center for veterans of Vietnam.
 
Welcome House: a “halfway house” for refugees arriving in the U.S.
 
T.W.U. Refugee Health Project: a clinical for community health nursing course. This project was integrated with the Welcome House, Khmer Community Development Project, and East Dallas Health Coalition.
 
East Dallas Health Coalition: a primary care community clinic. Many community organizations were involved. EDHC is now a multipurpose health center open seven days/week with primary care services for adults, pediatrics, women’s health services, dental care, and WIC.
 
Khmer Community Development Project: a multi-purpose project to benefit Cambodian refugees. (National Council of Jewish Women project).
 
V.N.A. Home Hospice: the first operational hospice program in Texas. This hospice had the largest average daily census in the U.S., and was designated a national demonstration project.
 
Since 1982, averaged about 10 community conferences, workshops, or presentations per year for such organizations as Parkland, Children’s Medical Center, Dallas City and County Health Departments, Child Welfare, U.T. Southwestern, Dallas Police, MH/MR, and others.
Grants Received (primary author – average around $100,000/year when writing)
Funding for services and programs of the Agape Clinic, 2000-2006: Numerous private and public foundations, churches, and other entities.
 
Funding for community health education, 2003-2004: Aetna Foundation.
 
Funding for the salary of a lay health promoter, 2000, 2001, 2004: First Presbyterian Foundation.
 
Medications, equipment, and supplies for Baylor Community Care, 1996-2000: First Presbyterian Church of Dallas.
 
Funding to develop a web site on infectious diseases of refugees and immigrants, 1999-2000: Texas Department of Health. See web sites above for path/address.
 
Funding to develop a Refugee Health web site, 1997-98: Texas Department of Health. Extended through 1999. See web sites above for path/address.
Asthma equipment and services for underserved community patients (of the East Dallas Health Center), 1999: Communities Foundation.
Education and services for Asian refugees, 1997-2000: U.S. Office of Minority Health.
Funding for summer services (1996, 1997) through Baylor Community Care: Bob Smith Foundation, BUMC Foundation, private gifts.
 
Equipment for Baylor Community Care, 1995: Communities Foundation.
 
Alcohol/drug abuse prevention for homeless children, 1989-91: Office of Substance Abuse Prevention, 1989-1992.
 
HIV prevention for IV drug abusers, 1989-91: Centers for Disease Control.
 
Amerasian Project, 1989: InterAction (branch of U.S. Department of State).
 
Vietnam Veterans Resource Center, 1988: Welcome Home Foundation.
 
T.W.U. Refugee Health Project, 1987: City of Dallas.
 
Welcome House, 1984: Hunt Alternatives Foundation.
 
Welcome House, 1984-86: Highland Park United Methodist Church; other churches.
 
Khmer Community Development Project, 1984-86: National Council of Jewish Women – funding and services of a volunteer coordinator (part of T.W.U. Refugee Health Project).
 
Dallas-Fort Worth Refugee Interagency operating funds, 1983-86: Various churches.
 
Dallas-Fort Worth Refugee Interagency operating funds, 1984-85: Church World Service.
 
Community Family Planning Outreach, 1983: Anonymous foundation.
 
East Dallas Health Coalition seed funding, 1982: Temple Emanu-El – funding + involvement of the Temple Emanu-El Social Action Committee in developing the East Dallas Health Coalition. This proposal was also used for successful proposals to Hillcrest, Hoblitzelle, Meadows, and other foundations.
 
Hospice Services and Equipment, 1979: Dallas Junior League.
 
Hospice Demonstration Project, 1979-82: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
 
Hospice Services and Equipment for Indigent Patients, 1979-80: Several churches.
 
Hospice Demonstration Project, 1978: Texas Department of Human Resources.
 
Other grants: Consulted on or participated in the writing of a number of other successful proposals.
Honors and Awards
Abner V. McCall Humanitarian Award – Baylor University, 2006
 
Faculty Award for Excellence – Elsevier Science (national award), 2006
 
Outstanding University Scholar, Baylor University, 2006
 
Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing, 2002
 
Margaret Stein Award for Outstanding Service in Community Health (national award), 1999
 
Outstanding University Lecturer, Baylor University, 1997
 
Outstanding Community Volunteer, DISD
 
Outstanding Community Volunteer Award, DFW Vietnamese Community
 
Golden Rule Award, J.C. Penney
 
Presidential Citation, Vietnam Veterans of America
 
Special Award for Service, D.I.S.D.
 
Outstanding Volunteer, Volunteer Center/ARCO
 
Other recognition from the Dallas Police Department, Dallas County Historical Society, D.I.S.D., Weed & Seed, Baylor, and State of Texas
 
Magna cum laude graduate of Baylor University
 
Alpha Chi
 
Purple Heart Medal and other decorations, United States Marine Corps, Vietnam
Community Activities
Work as a volunteer with individuals and families in hospice and in the refugee community since 1978
 
Agape Clinic, founding member of governing board, vice chair, 2002-2003; chair, 2003-2005; volunteer, 2001-
 
East Dallas Health Center, Chairman of Community Advisory Committee, 1998-1999; Vice Chair, 2001-2002
 
Church Health Ministries, member of Community Advisory Board, 1997-2000
 
Open Ring church school class of First Presbyterian Church of Dallas, President, 2001-2002; 1994-1995; Vice President, 1993-1994
 
Turtle Creek Health (HIV services), President of (founding) governing board, 1994-1995
 
Refugee Services of North-Central Texas, Executive Committee of Board of Directors, 1990-1994
 
Planned Parenthood of Greater Dallas, Board of Directors, 1987-1989
 
East Dallas Y.M.C.A., Advisory Board, 1988-1989
 
East Dallas Health Coalition, (founding) Executive Committee of Board of Directors, 1983-1988
 
Dallas-Fort Worth Refugee Interagency, Executive Committee of Board of Directors, 1984-1987; President of Board, 1986
 
Dallas Refugee Council, Advisory Committee, 1984-1987
 
Brookside Neighborhood Association, Board of Directors, 1983-1985; Vice President, 1990-1993
 
Advisory or other non-governing participation in a variety of other organizations

More Love, more Pride

I walked to the Memorial corner of Castro and 18th Streets (where people create memorials to loved ones). The corner and then some filled with memorials to the 49 who were murdered in Orlando. I thought about choices and toughness in the LGBTQ world. Who would choose to be denigrated, discriminated against, hated, brutalized, murdered? In the face of hatred, the choice is to Love, to Dance, to Be. Lots of tough customers in this community! More Love, more Pride!
You can stand me up at the gates of hell, but I won’t back down.
This is where my son and his husband live. It’s where I live. More Love, more Pride!

California dreamin’

Dallas: the fireflies are out tonight. 4 o’clocks and Mexican tarragon perfume the air.

Flagging

It was a month to remember. David and I spent time together almost every day. And there were so many nice lunches and dinners (Eureka!). Living so close – just a few blocks from one another. It’s a special and immeasurably good feeling to run into David and Charles on Castro or Market or Noe, in our community.
Flagging
We went to Flagging in the Park – a beautiful tribal gathering in the meadow at the National AIDS Memorial Grove. Where Leslie’s ashes are. Where there is a partially buried stone inscribed, Sweet Leslie (from David and Charles). Where I held many small ceremonies for Leslie. Where on this day, we’re piled up on a blanket at the edge of the meadow. Happy!
—————–
Mendocino

So much happened this trip that it’s difficult to recapture even the sequences, so I’ll write with small regard for what happened when and the photos are also out of sequence (but I don’t think you’ll mind that). Late April into late May in San Francisco with David and in Berkeley and on Highway 1 with Jean. By way of introduction, Jean’s website is here. We share many similar interests and values. This is a good time.

Mendocino

Headed south from Berkeley to Aptos, a little town next to Santa Cruz where Jean was to give a talk to a weaver’s guild. Traffic was heavy until we got over the mountains. Finally a mad dash into a coffee shop where she hesitated at the car and I dashed on in to the restroom. Ahhh, Knock-Knock, “Hurry up.” I opened the door and she came in and not that I ended up peeing in the sink while she used the commode… but if I did, I rinsed it out with care. Whew! A relationship building exercise. On to the weaver’s guild venue (a little late) into a forest where we unloaded the art Jean would use for her presentation.

I left her there and went to the beach where I lay on a sarong in the sand listening to the surf tumbling in and shwoooshing out; in and out; in and out; hypnotizing. Back to the weaver’s place, load the car, head north via a back road to La Honda. La Honda, where the Merry Pranksters, Ken Kesey, Mountain Girl, Wavy Gravy and all had a scene among the redwoods.
Into the mountains to the gate to the road where Jean’s friends live in a handmade home on steep acreage among the redwoods. But before we got to the house we stopped to walk into the forest. Faerie circles in the redwood forest.
The woman is an artist and close friend of Jean’s; her husband a creator of metal sculpture, buildings, roads, whatever is needed for a beautiful life in the forest. Good fellowship, good hot tub, good food, good cannabis, good times.
La Honda

——————–

Other friends visited:
A home in Richmond – altar on the way in past the flowers, into a home of colors and textures and a magical hallway. Artists, makers, wonderful things. A lovely, relaxing evening. Someone put on Positively 4thStreet, a song I’d been listening to earlier. Three of the four of us have lost a spouse, all were deep in the 60s, so lots of understanding.
Potrero Hill, an extended family, an attorney and a musician. More easy times – which is very good for a not-very-sociable me. The attorney elicited a lot of information from me in a short while – which also was good as I’m not wont to volunteer a lot of personal information.
Mendocino (seals)

Richmond Hills, up the longest front steps in the world and at the top, a home and a love story for the ages. Late, late in life he was looking at some art on the internet and clicked on one of the graphics to discover that the artist was his lost love from 40+ years ago. He contacted her and they fell in love all over again and here they are a couple of years later, together. Another wonderful evening.

——————–      
N Judah to Civic Center BART to Berkeley. Another afternoon and evening with Jean in the Berkeley Hills with Golden Gate Bridge far in the distance, sun setting over the Bay and Mount Tamalpais, lights in the fog…
Jean at Chez Panisse

In the morning driving north across the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge, past San Quentin, up the highway, into wine country, into the endless redwood forest, and then the sea, the headlands, the rocks, the hills around Mendocino. Mendocino! The land of my dreams!

Then Fort Bragg, which looks like the former army town it is, but then down a long road and more redwoods into The Garden at Roads End. I’ve never seen so much extravagant beauty in one place. As if the eight acres of Roads End wasn’t enough, we walked far into the Mendocino Area Botanical Gardens – rhododendron forests, foxglove blooming everywhere, roses, wonderful.
We had a beautiful and romantic several days in this place of unparalleled beauty. On the beach, the headlands, restaurants, forest, garden, hot tub, wine country (I even kind of went to a wine tasting), California dreamin’ yeah.

Deep gratitude.

The Garden at Road’s End – eight acres of redwoods and flowers


Dear Anthony

Congratulations, Anthony
Jesuit Preparatory School, 2016

Dear Anthony,

Congratulations! What a job you’ve done! And look what lies ahead! I am proud to know you and your family. 
I want to share some things that were helpful to me in one way or another along the way toward graduating magna cum laude from Baylor.
Background: from middle school through high school and into college I was a terrible student. When I applied to Baylor, I had a 1.7 GPA – proof of my poor performance in school. The Dean at Baylor gave me a list of prerequisites and told me to come back if I could make straight A’s in those subjects. She was surprised when I showed up a year later with all A’s in chemistry, biology, anatomy, physiology, and so on! What helped:
  • Never missed a class, was never late, always sat up front, and paid total attention in class. I was unafraid to ask questions during or after class – or before the next class. 

  • As soon as possible after every class I recopied my notes (adding material from texts if needed to help me understand). In this manner, I heard the material, wrote the material, and rewrote and started integrating the material. It was like pre-studying for tests. I don’t know how I would interact with a computer or PowerPoint in this process – maybe read carefully back through notes and use text to add to them? I don’t know.
  • Changed my handwriting from scrawlish to as neat as possible.
  • Treated school like a job – I worked at it from 8am to 5 or 6pm. I didn’t take long social lunches, but I always ate lunch and didn’t study while eating. I also took other breaks and changed my study locations during the day when I started getting sleepy. In

    undergraduate school I took most of most weekends off; in graduate school I had to work harder – that was a 6-7 day/week job. 

  • Group projects are a fact of life. And there are always people who don’t do their part, are late, and are otherwise non-productive. Be assertive in identifying smart, motivated people (they’re often quiet people) and connecting with them to work together. This is an important skill.
  • Often studied with other people – again, choosing carefully. You’ll make good study connections over time.
  • Avoided situations and people who wouldn’t help in my journey. I don’t mean I didn’t help other people; I did. But I avoided people who were unmotivated, drinkers, stoners, gamers, and so on. I went out some on weekends, but it was not one big party. I actually had a very good time in school, and have been having a good time ever since. 
  • I recall seeing some legitimate research showing that students who worked part-time in college tended to do well – working apparently does not have an adverse effect on grades.
  • Always bought used books. If it’s such a great book and worth the high price charged for new, you can always get one later.

Garden at Road’s End, outside Fort Bragg

Being a good student is hard work and the rewards are many. You get to learn a lot, test yourself, spend time with smart people, meet new people, see new things, and open up your life in other unanticipated and wonderful ways.

School can be a gateway to an amazing life.

How Weird, hospice (the purpose), ports of call (Asia)

How Weird, 2016
How Weird is a street party in San Francisco – about 20,000 people, fragrant air, 10 stages, trance around every corner – BIG THUMP THUMP THUMP! 2016 was a good one! How Weird site
——————
I found this from days gone past (in the 1995 book): “The underlying purpose or mission of hospice/ palliative/terminal care is to facilitate an internal and external physical, psychosocial, and spiritual environment in which the patient and his or her loved ones have the opportunity for reconciliation with God, others, and self… to realize the purpose of life.” 
We took on pain, suffering, despair, emptiness… with knowledge, skill, commitment, presence…
In the Still of the Night, Hong Kong 5am
——————
Traveling in Asia… All those places…
(Links are to some – not all – posts from Asia travels)
Hong Kong – Home base, where we always spent at least a few days going to and coming from SE Asia. My first time there was in 1967; Leslie and I started going in 1978; our last time was in 2013. I love Hong Kong. “Urban compression!” 2012, 2005, 2008

(Ridicerous!), some photos, and 2013 (our last HK post)

Leslie’s favorite banh cuon lady in Hanoi
Hanoi – Walking in the “medieval streets” of the Old Quarter, Leslie said, “I love Vietnam. It’s fun. It’s clean. The people are nice and seem to be honest. And the food is unbelievable.” Nobody in the history of the world ever said all that together about Vietnam. Vietnam! Leslie! 2010, with David and 2008 (first time)
Sapa – A town in the clouds, literally; in the cool northern Vietnam highlands; kind of like Nepal. Sapa, 2013 
A lake in the middle of an island in Halong Bay
Tam Coc – In a two-person boat on the river running through rice fields, along limestone cliffs, through caves… Hanoi and Tam Coc
Halong – Incredible islands of vertical limestone rising mysteriously from the mist and a placid sea on a boat with about 20 passengers. One of them said, “I have, what do you call it – the sickness of the ocean. I want to womit.” Halong – a ship of (some) fools 
Hue – Beautiful Hue, my favorite city in the world (along with San Francisco and Berkeley). My first time here was in 1967. It’s raining, misty, tropical, mysterious, this city of ghosts. Hue (it’s raining) and Beautiful Hue
David and Leslie in the rain near Hue.
I love this photograph.
Hoi An – Narrow streets, few cars, old shop fronts, tailors, and tourists. Hoi An and Hill 55 (2005)
Danang – I spent 3-4 days/month there for six months in 1967. Leslie and I just passed through a few times. A place with a lot of memories, many of them good.
Near Battambang
Saigon – Oh hell, yes! Packed streets and markets (it’s a commercial rave scene), millions of motos, brilliant street food, countless narrow lanes, a place of many good memories since my first time there in 2005, 2012, 2006
Mekong Delta – The greenest place I’ve ever been, water, water everywhere, a beautiful place. 2006
Phnom Penh – The first time there it seemed ominous, but over time, opened up. David was there for a year working at the Hope Medical Center. Mony, Sophear, their family, Samnang – welcome! 2006 (includes Phnom Penh and Hope Hospital),  2005 (I never imagined visiting mass graves or torture rooms)
In Chiang Mai
Battambang – The heartland of Cambodia, slow-moving, deep into the countryside 5 minutes out of town. 2010, 2005
Siem Reap (Angkor) – Ancient temples, deserted for centuries, and we’re slow-walking into the empty forest around Angkor. 2005, 2006
Kampot – Sleepy riverside town where the river empties into the Gulf of Siam. Phnom Penh and Kampot
Poipet – (Cambodian border town) It used to be the dirtiest imaginable town with dusty, ghostly, ragged people trudging around; now, it’s full of casinos and brothels.
Curry – two with rice for a dollar or two
Aranyaprathet – Several times, actually. Once we were staying in a house way out in the countryside a mile or so from where artillery was hitting. We talked about where we would meet if the arty hit us and we were separated and Leslie was like, “Okay.” A very cool person. Khao-I-Dang – the refugee camp near Aran. Photos, words about K-I-D
Leslie in Burma, 2007 and Kathmandu, 1978
Bangkok – Southeast Asia’s main travel hub. To put it into context, the population is almost 3x bigger than Houston, but with waaay less urban planning. Leslie loved Bangkok and we had many good times there – The Miami, where as a gesture of solidarity with the prostitutes who weren’t allowed to use the elevator, Leslie always took the stairs. The Century Motel, Nansok’s, Boon’s, Drop Inn, Suk 11, Merry V Guesthouse, Stephan’s, Jean-Francoise’s, Harry’s… 2008, 2009 (rediscovering Bangkok) (also see You call it liver… below)
Kho Samui – In those days, just an overloaded ferry-ish boat. Little grass hut on the beach for about $1.50. Photo below.
Ayyutahya – Ancient ruins north of Bangkok.
Worship at Shwe Dagon in Rangoon
Chiang Mai – City of many temples, markets, festivals, good food, cheaper guesthouses and hotels, cooler temperatures, and happy memories. Our first time in Chiang Mai was 1978 and our last time was December 2013. “You call it liver; I call it karma” (2013), 2011, 2007 with David
From left: Paul, Charles, Leslie, Vera – in Mandalay
Luang Prabang – A UNESCO World Heritage city, which means that old buildings are preserved vs. new one built, small signs, many travelers (more travelers than tourists). Great times for Leslie, David, me – and a great connection to Ben and Magera. 2007 with David
Rangoon – We were here in the old days, when visas were for 7 days only, and in modern times when the city is (now) called Yangon and visas are for longer stays. There was one magical night in a government guesthouse. And magical days at Shewdagon – the great golden temple/paya. Photos from 1970s, Shwe Dagon 
A transgender trance dancer (pink top) in a nat
ceremony down a side street in Mandalay, 1980s
Moulmein! – “By the old Moulmein Pagoda, lookin’ lazy at the sea, there’s a Burma girl a-setting, and I know she thinks o’ me…” And I sat right where Kipling’s Burma girl sat, and I looked out to the sea and thought of her… Following written on the train from Moulmein to Rangoon:
Mountains above,
Padi below,
In mystic light.

Through a village in a forest,
A beautiful, graceful girl,
With thanaka on her cheeks,
And a basket on her head,
Walks out of a dark path among the trees.
Then another one!

Down in a small valley between green, green hills women bathing by a stream, sarongs up over their breasts. Children playing. How I wish, how I wish you were here. 
Mountains close by the road, clouds touching to tops and sunlight touching the sides with golden stupas glittering in the sunlight – like a hallucination. Smell of growth and wood smoke. Child with short hair and thanaka on her cheeks and nose. Some houses, but mostly hooches, some nice, some poor. It’s not too hot, but it is hot.
Somewhere along the way I lose almost all my commitments, except for Leslie and David and the mission. Moulmein and other places in Burma, 2007
At Shwe Dagon
Pegu – Home of the world’s most beautiful reclining Buddha and not much else – just an incredible small Burmese town. See photos and 2007 links above
Mandalay – More magic in this sprawling dusty village-like city. Leslie and Charles: they’d have fun anywhere! More photos from 1970s
Sagaing – a mystic town of temples and monasteries across the hills, in the mist. See photos and 2007 links above
Maymyo – A former British hill station, where there are miniature stagecoaches instead of taxis. See photos and 2007 links above
Outside of Kathmandu
Calcutta – Every block of every street had many, many people sleeping on the sidewalks, even in the street. There was a corpse right outside the gate to our hotel. Leslie’s dysentery got worse here.
Kathmandu – A hippie paradise framed by the Himalayas. On the plane out of Kathmandu, flying over the snowy mountains, Leslie said, “If this plane goes down (and that seemed like a possibility), what a place to die!”
Ko Samui – Leslie and our little hut


Food in Asia post