NIGHTLIFE AND BALLROOM

Pride usually brings up many different memories and thoughts for me. One of those- my love for the nightlife and the ballroom scene. It seems the LGBTQ I know either never liked the club scene and had no interest, or they did. I fall into the latter.  My, I will always have a fondness, connection and love for the nightlife, clubs, lounges and such, and at one time loved going to what was left of the heyday of ballroom. Even though I was never in the closet, or had any real bullying issues, I fell immediately in love with my first gay club night out and never looked back. It was so nice to have a place filled with people like me, no guards up, and you could act as gay and over the top as you wanted. Everyone was greeted with open arms, no judgements about your sexuality, no one cared. We were all there to drink, dance and be merry, and hell kids, even get laid. Dance the night away. It was like one big family even though you might not even know everyone. It was nice to feel that for a couple hours before returning to reality. I always did and still do feel more alive when I'm in a club and can dance my ass off. 

Ballroom was no different, a culture born from drag balls in the mid 19th century and flourished into house ballroom in primarily black and Latino LGBTQ communities in major cities, where even some of our own cast outs found, love, solace and acceptance in their own houses. For me the clubs and ballroom served as a safe haven and space for self-expression, especially by many who were rejected by their own families. While I did attend quite a few ballroom competitions from the sidelines, no way could I do all those moves. But I'm here to tell you, I can do a very mean walk with attitude on the runway. One of my schticks when out at the club, would be cutting runways to a song called I'm Beautiful, Damn It. While I'm far from a ballroom dancer, I do LOVE to dance to house and am pretty good if I can toot my own horn. I can still go for an hour or two of straight dancing. And don't get me started on some vogue moves. It was years later, once in New Hope, that drag was making a comeback, that I started my own drag house, House of Borghese with shows in New Hope and Philly every couple months. Surrounded here by Duke Borghese, Princess Borghese, Lady Borghese, yours truly in the center sitting, Miriam Webster, Queenie Borghese, Madsion Avenue, Empress Borghese and the Countess Borghese.

I sort of feel sad for the up-and-coming LGBT, that they will never know the feeling of ballroom, the energy of the big clubs, having church to the music, and good fun filled with campery and the magic of it all. If I hadn't had this, I feel I would be a very different person then I am now.  Even now, in my early 50's I can still move and love to hear the thumpa thumpa. 

And THIS is what I'm talking about kids!!! WERK, WALK.... 

And this bitch!!!! This BITCH...Honey Balenciaga

And these trailblazing and legendary MOTHERS.

Happy Gay Pride!!!

If you had a house, what would you call it?

SUMMER HOUSE

I don't know where the week is going. I started packing for my first jaunt of the summer but then Travel Penguin's words came to mind...why pack, it's not like you're going to be wearing many clothes. So I took five square cuts and threw them in a paper bag. The houseboys can deal with my packing...they know my wants and needs. Since it was slow today, I left work early and came home to tend and potter in the garden. I was out there in nothing but denim short cut offs, and I got a "Looking Good" from the neighbor lady. It felt nice, but I would have loved it more from her husband who looks like Travis Kelce. But I digress. I wanted to tend to the garden, dead head things, pull a few weeds, water, and a few other things before leaving later in the week. As hot as it's been, which kids, call me crazy, but I love the heat. The only problem is the boys hang down way low. But that's another story. The garden continues to bring forth new stars of the show.  And two more new residents are bringing delight. And from the picture above can you tell I'm getting in the mood for beach time? Some snaps from the garden this week.

Begonia

The roses have gone insane! And the newest addition from last year yielded its blooms...purple ice.

Straw Flower

First of the wildflowers are blooming!

I also tried my hand at a topiary this year. So far, I have kept all three balls trimmed. And below is one of the new additions doing very nicely...Justicia carnea or sometimes called the Brazilian plume flower or Flamingo plant. Imagine me liking anything from Brazil! 

The coneflower just bloomed today

The other new addition was this agapanthus. I've always loved them. In other news there is currently three family of nestlings. These are baby sparrows below, four of them, in a hanging fern plant. They look like cranky old men, no? Needless to say, once they all fledge, and the others, I am going to have to put Sophie on a short leash. My little bitch got another bird last night, this time a cowbird. 

I say, does this cute face look like the Garden Killer Bandit ???

MOOD BOARD

 Well.... we are on another Monday morning. The weekend whizzed by. Since this was one of my only few weekends at home I spent most of the time out in the garden, sweltering in the heat. I think I lost 5 lb just from sweat. Which is probably good, this being a 3-day work week before I depart for holiday time. After all I have a reputation to withhold and get my cakes into a pair of square cuts. I did gather everything to pack and gathered with the clan for Happy Hour Saturday night. I'm also happy to report Sophie didn't eat any birds.

WORLD PRIDE

By far my favorite snap from the day!

 So two weeks ago, the Clan was attending World Pride, and I ended up going unexpectedly for day. While maybe not as attended as the New York World Pride several years back, this was the 50th Anniversary of Pride and in the nation's capital. The final word was the event was attended by over 2 million from around the globe. An event as much as a celebration of LBGTQ and resilience as it was a call to action amidst heightened political tension. It was the global epicenter of Pride, solidarity and activism. The day I was there, there were independant marches, concerts and many events from short films, documentaries and immersive exhibits to view, to street festivals, and protest. And many groups to march with in the streets to promote equality in the country, thanks to those Stonewall rioters. And it's worth remembering that Pride began as a radical act of protest, and this history is more relevant than ever today. It was a long day and am I getting exhausted from Prides...I'm getting there, but I feel it's my duty to get out there be seen and attend so many Prides that I'm able too. I have to admit it was an exuberant feeling to walk to solemn marches and be part of our history to honor those who paved the way and push our visibility for a future where freedom is universal. Some of my snaps for the day.

This old bitch, Bianca Del Rio

Preston and boyfriend Anthony...in a touching yet hot capture! They were serving more cake that Tastykake, and legs that a bucket of chicken.

 

Two more Prides to go yet...New York City and Harrisburg.

I should be breaking wind with glitter by now.