DON'T COMPETE WITH OTHERS

Cam Montgomery Jr reads DON'T COMPETE WITH OTHERS poem.

Writer unknown.

RIGHT NOW, I'M CHOOSING

Cam Montgomery Jr reads RIGHT NOW, I'M CHOOSING poem.

Writer Unknown.

COLOR ME GLAD

Cam Montgomery Jr reads COLOR ME GLAD poem.

This is another poem I wrote as a college student. 

1897 - 1981

I wrote this poem in my college poetry class way back in 1983 or '84. 

Although the poem isn't about my actual grandmother, it was certainly inspired by her.

FIX YOUR FOCUS

Cam Montgomery Jr reads FIX YOUR FOCUS (poem). 

Author unknown.

Indianapolis Discovery Ball 2024

Attending this year's event a few weeks ago was even more special for my family than usual because our "little" brother was the featured speaker. 

In all the previous years we've attended, we never, ever thought that one of us would be speaking on his/her bout with cancer. 

But, as fate would have it, there we were. I mean, there HE was.

His speech was poignant, eloquent and filled with gratitude.

Indeed, pancreatic cancer shook him up in 2023. But it didn't diminish his faith in God, nor in the expertise of his phenomenal Whipple surgeon, Dr. Michael House and oncologist, Dr. Laura Vater. 

As I type this blog entry, my brother's most recent tests/scans, etc., show NO sign of cancer. Absolutely NONE! Amen! 🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿

Well, needless to say, my siblings, nieces and their spouses dressed up and celebrated him and all others whose lives have been affected by cancer.

Per usual, the evening was as JOYOUS as ever!!!

What Is A Slumlord? 😡😡😡

On Thursday, April 21, 1988, a 24-year-old CAM Jr hopped onto a subway train from Manhattan to Greenpoint, Brooklyn to look at an apartment for rent. The apartment was one of six in a newly renovated building. In fact, the renovations were so new that construction workers were still working on the units.

The Caucasian landlord told me he had run out of applications and would mail one to me. Since his newspaper ad stated that he was also showing the apartments the following day, I cheerfully told him I'd come back on Friday. He repeatedly told me that it was no problem for him to mail one to me. When he realized I wasn't relenting, he said, "Fine." I told him what time I'd arrive, then off I went back to Manhattan.

The next day, as I approached the apartment building, I saw him standing out front with a construction worker. Smiling, I walked up to him. Without uttering a word, he handed me an application. I stepped away and sat down on a nearby bench to complete it.

I unfolded it.

And then...

I felt my heart drop to the ground!

It became crystal clear to me that Mr. Landlord did NOT want me to move into ANY building of his!!!

Humiliated, I simply gathered my composure and slunk back to the subway.

He and I never spoke another word to each other.

But rest assured I reported him to the New York City Commission on Human Rights!!!

Below is the actual "application" he gave to me. 😡😡😡

TO A GAY FRIEND...

Cam Montgomery Jr reads TO A GAY FRIEND (poem) by Ric Bastasa.

FORGIVENESS

Cam Montgomery Jr reads FORGIVENESS (poem) by Andee Design.

10 THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU

Cam Montgomery Jr reads 10 THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU (poem).

Author unknown.

MASTERPIECE

Cam Montgomery Jr reads MASTERPIECE, a poem/prose by Michelle G. Stradford.

DAMN YOU, DRUNK DRIVER

Cam Montgomery Jr reads the poem, DAMN YOU, DRUNK DRIVER. 

Author unknown.

THE DASH

Cam Montgomery Jr reads THE DASH (poem) by Linda Ellis.

LEARNING & LOVING

Cam Montgomery Jr reads LEARNING & LOVING, a quote by Arthur C. Clarke, Rama II.

INDIANA KNOWS MY NAME

I have a favorite, new song and it's co-written and performed by Wabash College alum, George Pippen.

I met George while he was an undergraduate. 

His debut single, INDIANA KNOWS MY NAME, sounds absolutely AWESOME to my ears.

Its message truly speaks to my soul.

And my life's experience!!!

I moved out of Indiana 36 years ago.

Moved to Manhattan, NYC.

Then to Jersey City, NJ.

Then to Brooklyn, NY.

Then here: Los Angeles County, CA.

At this point, I've lived outside Indiana longer than I lived there.

However, these are the lyrics in George's smash tune that sum up my sentiment to a 'T':

"Oh, lookin' for a home away from home, 

But nothin' else feels the same.

This whole country knows my story,

But Indiana, Indiana knows my name."