Hi, everyone. I’m glad I found this community as the description sounds like the kind of online community I love being a part of. I look forward to spending time here. I am a former substitute teacher and bookseller. Also, I have a birth defect called Spina Bifida. I don’t remember exactly when, but as a boy I became interested in gentlemanly things as I saw them in the men around me and in movies. Those things inspired me to continue pursuing the ways of a gentleman.

Okay so, during my 2025 Yuletide season (November 30th - December 25th) I was hell bent on reading as many books as possible and I'm pleased to report that the total amount of books I read was 6. 1. Savile Row - James Sherwood (10/10: Read in April this year) 2. In Our Time and other Stories - Ernest Hemingway (9/10) 3. Killer in the Rain and other Stories - Raymond Chandler (10/10) 4. A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens (11/10) 5. The Old Man and the Sea - Ernest Hemingway (12/10) 6. A Farewell to Arms - Ernest Hemingway (12/10) 7. Bushido: The Soul of Japan - Inazō Nitobe (12/10) Ernest Hemingway has become my favourite author of all time and Raymond Chandler my second favourite author of all time respectively. It feels good to be back reading on a regular basis. I have about 5-6 Hemingway books, 1 Raymond Chandler book and possibly 1-2 philosophy books lined up ready to read in 2026.

A female Downy Woodpecker at my suet feeder. I was waiting for the female to arrive.

The Wolf Moon is the traditional name for the first full moon in January, named because wolves were heard howling more often in the winter due to hunger or to communicate. Picture taken in Stevens Point, Wisconsin.

Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, As we all embark on the journey together in 2026, let’s remember why we are here. No one is here by accident, in fact looking at the membership roster, most were invited by another member. That means that someone identified you and selected you to be apart of this society. And the fact that you accepted the invitation means that you saw something in this Society Of Ordinary Gentlemen that made you want to join. So what does this mean? It means that you made a commitment to adhere to the rules and bi laws of this society and that you will support and defend not just the Society of Ordinary Gentlemen but the members of this elite society. How do you support this elite society? By following the rules and policies of this society. By referring only those that you feel will be an asset to this society. By respecting and supporting the other members of this society. Listen your thoughts and opinions matter, that is why you were given the right hand of fellowship and extended the opportunity to share your thoughts, experiences, and ideas with other like minded individuals. We don’t need people act like they’re playing Call of Duty by clicking constantly like they are shooting to kill their opponent. Anyone can click, but it takes real ladies or gentlemen who is willing to discuss and share and current events, styles, customs, and other topics. You were selected and by random drawing, we value you and what you have to offer to this society. So here’s the thing, get involved, ask questions, voice you opinions, share your experiences, and your knowledge, and learn from others stop in on SOG video Meetings held weekly. And if you feel strongly about this society, donate whatever you can financially, I can assure you that any money that comes does not go to finance some livelihood of a sponsor or their family. This money is use to run this platform to help maintain the security and integrity of this site so people feel safe and comfortable in their interactions. There are not salaries, bonuses, going to anyone in this society. But any monetary remaining after the cost maintaining this platform will be used for the betterment of this community. Whether it’s to support a charity in name of the this society, or to send flowers to a sick member or to the family of a lost society member. It is a donation not a or else