My name is Bill and I’ve learned over the years to think before I speak as I’ve been known to spontaneously say a few dumb things. One of my earliest memories was staring up from inside my crib and seeing black cardboard cutouts of witches on broomsticks, black cats and skeletons hanging on strings near my crib. Apparently it was getting close to Halloween. My mom never said anything about who my father was and always resisted any questions. I figured that if he was deceased then she would have said so, but she didn’t so he must not be a nice guy.

My uncle's seemed to take a keen interest in me because of that and took it upon themselves to be role models, sometimes good but also sometimes bad. They all had knee-jerk tempers and tended to get into fights, sometimes with each other. Whenever there was a family camping trip it always turned into a fight. Once the alcohol started to flow tempers would flare and it wouldn’t be long before Uncle Bob had Uncle Jim in a headlock or some kind of choke hold. As a result whenever my mom told me we were going on a family outing I took it as a serious threat and learned to put on my proverbial “Suit of Armor.”

I was born in Michigan but lived in Florida for 8 years. Florida is nice but there are just too many bugs and cockroaches and the heat, as least for me, was unbearable so I moved back to Michigan.

https://steemitimages.com/DQmZutkBXDMVSSBjXGErvUMf6G7U1PkmgUszt3zegn4vHLF/florida_dolphin.jpg

Two years ago my mom died peacefully in her bed. She was struggling with cancer for about 3 years. She was on a feeding tube all that time but was able to disconnect it and walk around. I helped her with that. It was a long 3 years. I remember when she went to bed around 10 pm. I hooked up her feeding tube and she grabbed me by the wrist and thanked me for helping her during that time. I thought it was a weird thing to say and brushed it off. At around 3am I was jarred awake by her heart monitor going off. I checked to see what was going on and knew right away that she was deceased.

https://steemitimages.com/DQmTZyQfHAvqmhmHeWwzvkJ5uK4GKPfnd8oBqmse2RL2Y7Y/blacktie01.jpg

I wouldn’t call myself religious although I have spiritual views on life and I love science and don’t reject it. I embrace science. Experiencing my mom’s death has caused me to reevaluate my views on life. Before her death I was somewhat arrogant and quick to put down people. Now my priorities have changed somewhat and I’m more open to listening to people now.

https://steemitimages.com/DQmYADPpejPwqS9QaDqx8LnxidWf2eKBt57nrdkR1hadxuE/standingbyheavybag.jpg

Some of the things I’m interested in are dark poetry, art, arcane things and the occult. I’m also interested in Ancient Greek and Roman philosophy and Martial Arts. I’m a little hesitant to call myself an artist. I’ve done art such as Mandalas but I’m not comfortable calling myself an artist because I’m not doing it full time. Maybe I’ll post a few videos of some of my dramatic readings of my poetry. Not sure if people will like them but I’m thinking about it. I have a few artistic and spiritual videos I’ve done as well but not sure if the themes are what most people are into.

Here's one example of my art. I call it Alchemical Rapture https://steemitimages.com/DQmQbnxLvjzHZKmG2uzDqFYWFc6ek3KXcSrWGpv44ZdbZe4/alchemicalrap02.jpg

I’m jumping feet-first into Steemit. Don’t know what direction it’s going to lead me or that I’ll even be successful but I’ll keep my chin up so to speak and post something every now and then.

Take Care
Bill