speaking of sunflowers...

I just had the awesome pleasure of a visit from my Atlanta soulbrothers Scott "Silky" Hayes and Scott Porter. The couple brought along their beautiful children Caroline and Daniel, as well as lovely Granma Shirley, for a one-week stay. Let's just say there was LOTS of happy magic fairy dust swirling around Paya two weeks ago! Love, love, love!

a lit-up, spinning disco ball

As I've noted in the righthand column of this blog, when faced with a challenging situation and in doubt, I often ask myself, "What would Silky do?" My Atlanta friend Scott "Silky" Hayes is a soul brother. A formidable man I deeply admire, love, and respect. One of the most angelic* people in my life. Someone I feel fortunate to consider a role model. His light shines bright with rays of love, compassion, caring, thoughtfulness, happiness, [mischief], [decadence], and a heartfelt and constant desire to always do what's right, what's good, what's ideal for all affected. Silky is a lit-up, spinning disco ball of good energy. He helps me truly understand how wonderful life is and that It's all good.

I've been having some WWSD? moments lately. I'm so happy and grateful I have a bright, beautiful, sunshiny, sunflower-filled North like Silky to help guide my compass. Your light, love, and friendship are such blessings, my brother!

*Let's just say one man's "angelic" may be another man's "infidel"!

who is Silky?

Several people have asked me who this "Silky" is that I refer to. Scott "Silky" H. is one of several high caliber human beings I have the good fortune to have in my life. Silky is one of the most caring, kind, and thoughtful people I have ever known. The man is a living, walking fountain of good energy. The photo above is from a 2001 charity bike ride we did from Amsterdam to Paris to raise funds for HIV vaccine research. I met Silky when we started training in Atlanta for this 500 mile bike ride . One of his first "official acts" in our friendship was to loan me his extra bike since I didn't have one at the time. I ended up using Silky's loaner to train and then (at his insistence) to do the entire European bike ride. He and his partner, Scott P. (on the left with the yellow hood), now have a beautiful daughter and may soon be the proud parents of a second child. Love my sunflowers!