REDQUILTMAKER

Does Paul McCartney Dye His Hair?

2007-06-24T22:24:00.000-04:00

I was just wondering about that when I saw an ad for his new cd.
He's my age (64) for gawds sake.
Really....

Rosie! Oh how I love Rosie. The vid when Viv lifts her arm to touch her moms face..delish. And who can forget the thrill of hearing that magic word.....Blogzie.... Also delish.

I love Ross too. I was thinking how great it would have been to have had a ROSS when I was young and trying to pick out images of "the gays".
I had Liberace.
Jay Leno calls Ross, my son. I'm in love with Jesse James, he's so cool with Ross.

Jon Stewart IS THE ONE!

I've been playing Scrabble on line. My pal Pete in Hoboken got me started. I'm addicted. You can check it out at http://thepixiepit.co.uk/ Maybe someone would like to join (ten bucks a year) and have a go at the "sewman". The Butler won't play. He says...I cheat...just because I know 2 letter words like, em, en. I was terrible at Scrabble "live," my spelling leaves a lot to be desired and I take forever to play. Not on line. You can check the spelling before you post your play. The dictionaries include words from the UK. You can try words all over the place, take all the time you need. Plus there is a selection called "Bingo Search". HELLO!

The coverage of the canidates, well what can be said. The Rudepundit helps. Huffington helps. But it's only just beginning, oy.

That's a quilt top I finished today. The dogs are there cause I wanted a new photo of them for my desk top. The fabrics are by Kaffe Fassett.

After I bought the fabrics, I said to the Butler, do you know the name Kaffe Fassett. He said, I do, I've even had dinner with him.

And on that sour note........(you simply cannot top the Butler),

rQm

HELLO BLOGGERS DID YA MISS ME ?

2006-08-08T20:00:00.000-04:00

I've been reading, re-reading.
All of:
Laurie R. King
Jean Auel
James Clavell
Patrica Nell Warren
Donna Leon
Christopher Rice
Anne Rice
Michael Dibdin
They're like old friends come to dinner.

My beloved sister Ruth Ann was here for 10 days. We talked, I cooked, we quilted (she taught me to sew), shopped for babyboy grandson Austin clothes, talked, ate, talked, read and talked some more.
She manages a sewing machine store in Missouri. Teaches people to use these fantastic computerized things that are amazing to watch in action.

I was twelve when she was born. Our mother took one of her "dives" when RA was about six months old. I became her third parent. In todays world our mother would be diagnosed bi-polar. For a twelve year old boy all I saw was a crazy woman. I lived in fear of her next episode. Would she be crouched behind the house crying for hours or would she be off somewhere, nobody knew where.
We both survived her and I'm happy to say RA is a terrific woman, mom, grandmother, sisterfriend.

When RA is in her sewing machine instructor mode, what a joy to watch. She is so helpful, kind, and generous with all she knows. She know alot too.
She "serviced" both my machines and now they purr.
Oddly enough RA has never quilted. While here I got her started on a quilt for the baby girl grandchild she hopes to have someday. Of course she will take it to the next level. She will embroider lady bugs and dragon flies all over it.

Geez, I started this over a month ago and then my hard thingy crashed.
Well, thanks to the Butler and that nice man in India I have a new hard thingy and all's well with the world.

I'm working six shows a week being House Manager To The Stars in Sarasota, quilting, reading, making peach pies, seeing my dearest darling cousin, and waiting for someone else to get booted off Runway.

I'm horrified by what is going on in the world.
There is no profit in peace.

You can stop holding your breath Blogzie!

rQm

PAT KAUFMAN

2006-05-20T23:15:00.000-04:00

This painting was part of a diversity event/art show in Sarasota.
It was a thrill to she her work being seen.
You can see how small she is. A tiny
little thing with talent and brains
to match the size of the painting.
She paints, she writes, she does good in the world.
She gave the world to great daughters.
She gives great conversation, is interested in everything.
She's headed for Soho for the summer.
I'm gonna miss her.
rQm

COULD YOU DIE?

2006-05-06T23:28:00.000-04:00

Dot and Dash.
Their names could be Joy and Bliss.
rQm

PEPPERS

2006-04-29T16:00:00.000-04:00

Use 6/8 softball size peppers.
Peel and seed the peppers.
Slice 6 cloves garlic.
1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes
1/3 cup olive oil
salt to taste, (I don't spare the salt).
Saute garlic until it starts to color.
Julienne peppers, add to oil with red pepper flakes on med/high heat for 4/5 minutes, keep turning.
Add salt and more pepper to taste
Reduce heat to low and simmer for another4/5 minutes.
Usually I toast country Italian bread, liberally rub it with a garlic clove then brush olive oil on the bread.

These peppers are great with risotto, pasta, eggs, salad or right out of the bowl.

rQm

GROVE STREET FAIR

2006-04-21T21:50:00.000-04:00

Wednesday was Tracy's birthday.

Here we are people watching and having our photo taken at a street fair.
Tracy used this photo as a book mark for a book she gave me about rev. moon.
His being in the news again this week reminded me how much we hated him and wished him ill, I still do for both of us.

I heard on NPR that he owns/controls most of the fish used for sushi eaten in the usa.

Nice.

I'd love to stay and chat but I gotta get ready for Real Time so I can hear New Rules before blogzie does.

Smooches,
rQm

STRANGERS

2006-03-29T22:55:00.000-05:00

Baseball in the sun, so much fun.
REDS 7
DEVIL RAYS 6
Good pitching, good hitting, good game.
Ken Griffey Jr., a fan favorite.

The best part of the game/day was talking to all the strangers.

The man in front of me with his son. He told me he was visiting with his family from Colorado. The barber at his hotel offered him the tickets when he was getting his hair cut this morning. Everytime he talked to his son, he looked him in the eye.

The man from Cincinnati who had gotten off a plane in Tampa at 11:30, arrived at the ballpark at 1:10 knew every REDS player, what team they came from, their stats, how long theyhad been with the REDS, so so interesting since I'm not a REDS fan. He asked me if I thought the breasts of the woman Griffey gave a signed baseball to were real. I told him no.

We were there for baseball.
No crap.
No agendas.
Everyone real.
All present and accounted for.

What a terrific day.

rQm

Jenn and Marcus

2006-03-25T23:45:00.000-05:00

Marcus and Jenn are first year graduate students in the FSU Theatre Program.
First year students are the grunts. Back stage, asst. stage manager, house manager, box office, a full load of classes. They work their buns off.

Not once have I heard either of them complain.

You know when you meet someone and they have IT? They have IT.

Next year they get to act. I can hardly wait.

They're 20's, I'm 60's, they get my humor.

I ADORE THEM!

rQm

POVERINO RQM

2006-03-24T10:55:00.000-05:00

Working...that's where I've been.
How am I supposed to think about posting when I have to worry about do I have a clean shirt.
Oh woe is poor me.

Did I mention I'm getting a new car?

I'm here, I'm healthy, I'm happy.

Thanks for all the "check ins" you Dear Dear Blogger Friends.

rQm

TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME

2006-03-12T09:30:00.000-05:00

I went to a Spring Training game at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota on Thursday.

Cincinnati Reds/Yankees.

Reds won 5 to 4 thanks to two doubles in the bottom of the 9th.

I HATE THE YANKEES!

The best part of the game was a guy walking around wearing a tee shirt that said on the front:

THE YANKEES SUCK!

On the back:

A-ROD SWALLOWS!

Now....
Don't all you richest fans in baseball, buy the world series, get your tight fitting baseball pants in an uproar.
I'm a NATIONAL LEAGUE fan.
I say, if you are a pitcher and you can't bat, you know, like standing in the batters box and swinging..GET OFF THE FIELD.
DH.....PAAAALEEEZZZE!

The Butler introduced me to baseball in the early 80's.
To say he was/is a rabid fan would so understate.

Watching the METS on tv one sunny spring day, ('84, I think) I saw Keith Hernandez leap for a grounder down the first base line, CATCH the ball face in the dirt, tag first base with his toe and FROM HIS STOMACH, throw down to second to put the runner out. Totally Cool!

LET'S GO METS!

rQm

COWBOYS-MOUNTAINS-OSCARS

2006-03-05T10:00:00.000-05:00

Here's a little cowboy who went to the mountain and never came down.

The Oscar menu, risotto/prosecco.

rQm

A RECIPE FOR DISASTER

2006-03-04T00:00:00.000-05:00

Making quiche?

Do not, repeat NOT, over fill the pie shell.

I make quiche with whatever I've got on hand. Sometimes with meat or fish, different cheeses, only veggies, only cheese and eggs. This time since I was seeing an Italian Opera, I put in red and green. Get it, the Italian flag. What I don't make up is the crust. I never could roll a pie crust, EVER. But now rolling is moot. Those delightful folks at Pillsbury have made the crusts, rolled them up, put two in a box. Two snaps up for them.

For this pie shell...
Eight eggs, (two too many).
Cup and half shredded cheddar, (half cup too much).
Half cup gorgonzola, crumbled.
One tablespoon flour.
Two cups half and half, (half cup too much).
Two large tomatoes, peeled, seeded, (one too many).
One cup frozen peas.
One baseball size onion, finely minced.
Three cloves garlic, finely minced.
Sweat onion, garlic over low heat twenty minutes.
Beat the eggs, add all other ingredients, pour into pie shell.
NO NOT OVERFILL!
Bake in pre-heated oven at 450 until a quarter bounces off the middle.
Oh no, that's bed making.
Bake until the top starts to color.
If the crust is getting too dark after 20 minutes or so, wrap the edge in foil.
No easy task that wrapping "thang" on a hot pie.
So....make the wrap the correct size before the pie goes in.

My pal Pat and I enjoyed this quiche at her house before we saw Le nozze di Figaro, at the Sarasota Opera. We also enjoyed a good bottle of Pinot Grigio, which I like almost as much as prosecco.

I could live on prosecco, cheese, tomatoes, focaccia, artichokes, peppers, tuna and pasta.

rQm

BABY TALK

2006-02-26T08:00:00.000-05:00

Here's a commission I just finished.
It's for a new baby in California.
I also make this size for dogs and cats.

rQm

DOG SPELLED BACKWARD

2006-02-19T12:00:00.000-05:00

RISOTTO

2006-02-11T13:20:00.000-05:00

Here's the darling Snitch proving once and for all that I make the best shrimp risotto in the land.

rQm

HOUSEGUESTS

2006-02-10T17:45:00.000-05:00

The girl dogs and I have 6 houseguests.

All six give really good houseguest.

Two humans, four dogs.

This is Snitch (left), Scudder (right), both rescues.

Scudder is my favorite male friend of all time.
I'm not joking!

They belong to my friend Mary Ellen.

They're in the neighborhood for agility trials in Tampa.
Two GREAT dogs owned by a GREAT friend.
Scudder is a MAD dog. Master Agility Dog.
Snitch is on her way if Mary Ellen can get her to focus.

The other human is Ann.
Her dogs are Tag and Tenor, border collies.
Tag is in the top ten in her size in the nation.
Tenor is on his way.
Photos soon.

Six glorious gorgeous barking dogs.
Great laughs.
Great food.
Great prosecco and wine.

I'm one very happpy host with the most.

Perle Mesta

aka...rQm

CIELO

2006-02-05T00:45:00.000-05:00

When I picked her up December 23, 1989, the breeder handed her to me in a christmas stocking.

Single best thing I've ever done for myself.

I am eternally grateful to my friend SUSAN for finding her in the great state of Connecticut. Must be something about that state. Lotta love coming from there. (show Cielo to Liam please, she was born in Stamford)

In my car she would only ride in the rear seat, drivers side. If we rode in a friends mini van or station wagon, she would only ride in the way back.

I bought a station wagon thinking she would love riding in the way back. Wrong. Would not ride in the way back.

Eleven years of suprises.

I'm so glad I've had all the feelings that come with love.

rQm

GREAT MINDS

2006-01-31T20:50:00.000-05:00

www.truthdig.com

My friend Trice sent this article by Mr. Vidal along.
It's long but oh so good.

Trice doesn't blog. He's too busy finding stuff like this to send to me, bless him.

Thanks Mr. Gore.
Thanks Trice.

rQm

A FEW WORDS ABOUT GEORGE

2006-01-28T12:00:00.000-05:00

I met George the first week I moved to NYC in a little bar uptown called, The East74.
I love to dance and had heard this little bar had a dance floor.
Turned out, George loved to dance too.
He was standing on one side of the bar dancing alone. I was on the other side dancing alone.
When our eyes met he pointed to the dance floor and motioned for me to join him.
We danced, smoked a joint, danced some more and closed the bar.

We learned we lived three blocks apart. Him 46th and 8th. Me 48th and 9th. We started walking and talking and singing. We sang the entire score of My Fair Lady cracking each other up the whole time.

That began a friendship that I will treasure forever.

He loved anything to do with show biz. ANYTHING.

Barbra was #1

We went to broadway shows night after night. We would stand outside looking poor and sad and folks would give us extra tickets. We would "second act" (that's asking folks for their tickets if they were leaving after the first act) up and down the theatre district most nights. We saw Company 13 times the first month it opened thanks to George working every angle he could.

Barbra was doing a benifit for Bella Abzug at the Felt Forum. He got us tickets. Really really good seats in the second row. I don't know how he did it, but he could get tickets to anything.

One summer we didn't know anyone who had a house on Fire Island in the Pines and we wanted to go.
So....we went anyway, got off the ferry and stashed our bags under the boardwalk out of sight, danced until dawn. If we didn't hook up, and sometimes we didn't, we would get our bags, put on our trunks and sleep on the beach.
We'd spend the morning sunning, the afternood dancing at tea and then we'd say to someone...we're staying down in the Grove and don't want to go all the way back before we catch the ferry, can we use your outdoor shower. It worked everytime.

We saw Bonnie and Delany in Central Park. George stood on his chair and danced for three hours. Can you say mushrooms???????

He wanted to be in the music business, so he moved to California.

He met STB.

I met STB.

He did get in the music business. One June he was in NYC on business. It was Gay Day. We got behind the "disco" truck and danced non stop from Sheridan Square to Central Park with George yelling the whole way, "JUMP FOR JAY"!

He/they came to NYC.

I went to California.

AIDS took him.

I still cry.

I still miss him.

rQm

WE LOVE MAH

2006-01-27T21:15:00.000-05:00

You warm my heart. But i am suddenly aware that all I talkabout is "I---my---me---mine. I start out to talk about what you are doing, and 200 words later, I'm off on some insanity of thought about myself. I really delight in your letters to me---they are the highlight of my existance. I want to know more about your 17 doggie quilts. who rdered them; are they quilt patterened or simple with the name of the dog embroirded on them---like you made for Sushi. I still have it---I still miss her. (Here's where I take off on my 200 words and tell you a story.)
I think it's great that you have found such a full, rich life for yourself---your job---your singing---having a family to pester you into a rage---your blog---your many friends who keep in touch and visit you. I've always admired (and envied) your lifestyle. I remember all the way back to the winter I spent in Ptown and you sent me a five dollar bill and told me to put it on the lottery, win, and stay in Ptown where i belonged. You were then, and still are now, my role model, for a quality life.
Attitude---positive attitude---an open heart. OK, I will dream the dream. I will walk the walk. I will talk the talk. OK. You say I can make anything happen. OK---here we go---whosh---You will win the FLA lottery and I will get my little cottage on Commercial Street in the gallery district and we will live happily ever after.This is a love letter. Fold it up and wear it next to your heart. xoxoxo mah

Fold this up and wear it next to your hearts my friends.

rQm

MR. PHIL WILL SEE YOU NOW

2006-01-21T12:50:00.000-05:00

I wanted to go to college.
My grades were not scholorship getting grades.
My folks didn't have the funds.

One of my brothers joined the Air Force to learn a trade.
He learned court reporting.
He has his own court reporting firm in Kansas to this day.
He was good to me when I was a boy.

The military was not for me, I was already well versed in the trade thing.

My other brother had his pilots license by the time he graduated high school, was earning a good living working at the local airport.
Going to school to learn to fly jets.
He worked really hard, stuck to it for years, got every license a pilot can get.
It was hard, I give him credit.
He's had a long career as director of flight operations for some big ass maker of war related crap that made him rich and the repuklicans he worked for richer.

Maybe I could have done the coffee tea or me thing, maybe.

But not on any jet he was flying cause I didn't like him, he was an asshole. He's still an asshole who's learned the meaning of some big words like...bigot, racist, homophobe, sexist, ageist. You name an "ist", he was it. He's still all those things except the homophobe part.
I see him pretty often these days because along the way I learned about forgiving and compassion,( and hard to believe), it's not only about ME. His wife and children are wonderful loving people (in spite of him) and I want to be in their lives. Aren't I Wonderful!

So.

Since our mom had a beauty shoppe.....
I started beauty school weekends/holidays my junior year.
All summer before senior year.
Weekends/holidays all senior year.
Finished in August.
The plan....get my license.....save some money.....start college... after a year.

HA!

A little interjection here.
In my heart of hearts all I really wanted to do was move to NYC. I didn't have the courage at the time to even speak those words out loud. But I'll tell you this. I know the meaning of the words, burning desire.

I got licensed in August as planned. How, I do not know.
I gave lousy haircuts. I couldn't roll a perm.
I turned a womans hair greenish/orange trying to tint it brown.
Once I burned this poor Asian's womans hair and scalp so bad during a perm she had brillo fuzz, coming out in patches, with big ugly blisters on her scalp by the time I took the perm rollers off.

Poor thing.

I was the worst hairburner I've ever seen except when it came to BACKCOMBING.

It was the 60's after all. Big buffants, beehives, extra large "That Girl" flips. Bubbles the size of basketballs.

The first job I got in KCMO was in a salon frequented by high class hookers.
They did not want pin curls and waves.
They wanted, More Tease, More Tease, there's a Shriners Convention in town, I want to be noticed!
And baby I could give it to them, right down my alley.

My best and favorite was "Candy". She worked cocktail waitressing at a hotel lounge down the street from the salon.
She met her clients there.

Phone rings: Mr. Phil, you have a call.
Hi Doll it's Candy. Listen, I've got a 5 and then a 6:30. I'm gonna fly in at about 6:10 for a re-comb cause the 5 always messes my hair and for 80 bucks for the 12 minutes it takes him to get his pants off, his rocks off and get his pants back on, he can mess my hair.
The 6:30 is the guy who likes that red bow in my hair, I'm bringing it along.
You wanna meet me for dinner at 8, the 6:30 always tells the hotel dining room to let me sign on his room and I don't have anything until LARRY at 11.

Larry...Clark Gable drop dead gorgeous. Friendly, touchy...crazy making to the boy hairburner.

Larry would come with Candy, prepay her bill, always giving me a big tip, then chat me up while she was under the dryer.

Candy sez one day, I see Larry can't keep his hands off you. You think he swings both ways?
I know you'll find this hard to believe, I didn't know what "swings both ways" meant. Really. Remember I was just 17, lately arrived from a country town of 149 people.

Me...swings both ways???, what's that???
Candy...he likes boys and girls both.
Me..you mean for sex?
Candy...you know honey, sometimes I forget you just got to town.

I loved her, adored her.
She taught me sooooo much.
She was sooooo kind to me.
She was my client for about a year, and then...

She made the mistake of falling in love with Larry.

When she got pregnant, (60's remember).
He gave her 150 bucks to "take care of it".

She did take care of it.
With a catheter.
I was there.
Three days and nights.

Some days later she went home to Omaha to her two small children.

I never heard.

rQm

SHE TAGGED ME, I SIMPLY HAVE TO FACE THE FACT, SHE TAGGED ME

2006-01-21T12:45:00.000-05:00

Our leader has spoken.

4 JOBS
Gas Pump Jockey
Hairdresser
(see Sunday Photo)
Actor
Canine Kennel Attendent
I made a list of all the different jobs I've done a few years ago.....90+

4 Places I've Lived
Missouri
New York
Italy
Florida

4 Movies
Moonstruck
Tootsie
The Owl And The Pussy Cat
My House In Umbria

4 TV Shows I'd Re-watch (new catagory)
Shogun
Brideshead
Roseanne
Judy Garland Show (cbs)

4TV Shows I like To Watch
Jon Stewart
Real Time
Real Sex
Taxicab Confessions

4 Foods
Italian
Mexican
Other Cooks
My Own Cooking

4 Places I'd Rather Be
Venezia
Venezia
Venezia
Venezia

4 Albums
Dusty In Memphis
Beethoven's 5 Piano Concerto's
Mozarts Oboe, Flute, Clairnet, Bassoon Concerto's
Bellini's NORMA

4 Bloggers To Tag
Connie Jane
Cher
Phi
Inger
Sjobs
Nancy
Mary
Tom
Dick
and
Harry

That's more than 4....so sue me.

You know I can never play it str8, wouldn't even try.

rQm

STARS IN STARS

2006-01-20T13:45:00.000-05:00

This big old king size thing is done. 98x110 jeez, what was I thinking when I said I'd do this.

This photo is of the backside in front of a large window.
This is MY favorite way to see the work.
One, it looks like stain glass.
Two, you can really see all the pieces.

It's in the hands of a "machine quilter" now.
No way am I getting a neck/back ache trying to manage this monster.
When it's quilted and bound I'll put up another photo of the front and back.

In this case...

purplequiltmaker

INVITE A BUTLER FOR LUNCH

2006-01-15T10:30:00.000-05:00

I had a little shack in Sag Harbor for several summers before I lived in Italy.
Here is the Butler having lunch in the garden during a visit. He calls this photo "After Fit For Life", which we were both doing at the time, over 20 years ago, with much success as you can see. Well....much success for the Butler, notice, I'm not in the photo.

See that red plastic glass? I still have that glass and every day, EVERYDAY!!! since we did "shit for life" (as the Butler so aptly named it), I've had that glass full of fresh squeezed orange juice.

The Butler made me throw the yellow plastic glasses away, but I still have that orange spoon and those two white plates.

AND!!! I still have the friendship of the Butler

Cool, no?

RQM

In Progress

2006-01-08T09:45:00.000-05:00

And you wonder why I don't spend more time blogging.

This is a queen size quilt for my brother and sister-in-law.
(see my cousin's Sunday Photo)
It's taking forever. It's boring to make cause it's the same thing over and over and over...
But...it's really great looking for just that reason.

RQM

PHOTO SUNDAY WILL NEVER BE THE SAME

2006-01-01T12:10:00.000-05:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL MY NEW CYBER FRIENDS!

I'M SO GLAD I MET YA!

EVERY SINGLE ONE!

RQM

GRANDMA AND ME

2005-12-25T12:01:00.000-05:00

This is my beloved grandma.

I loved her so much.

Her touch sent me to heaven.

We went to her house for christmas and I remember with pure joy the way her face would light up when she saw me.

This photo was taken on the back stoop of her house where I spent hours and hours and hours talking to her through the screen door while she made lunch or dinner.

She is christmas to me.

Love, Love, And More Love.

I wish all of you Love, Love and More Love Tonight!

RQM

PUT ON A HAPPY FACE

2005-12-18T00:15:00.000-05:00

This is me a week ago today. Taken after the Gulf Coast Mens Chorus concert.

I'm proud to sing with these men.

I had the BEST time!

My brother and sister, friends, neighbors and about 500 others were there.

I wish you had been there.

TRA LA!

RQM

MEET DOT AND DASH

2005-12-11T09:15:00.000-05:00

These little creatures bring so much joy to my life.

Dot above is 6.
Dash below is 4.

Both little girls came from ARF (Animal Rescue Fund) on Long Island.

They're smart, funny, fun.

They sleep under the covers.

More unconditional love.

RQM

SUNDAY PHOTO PHOTO BOOTH

2005-12-04T09:00:00.000-05:00

I WAS SO HAPPY TO BE LIVING IN NYC

JUDITH TRACY CYNTHIA LYONS O'DWYER

2005-11-27T08:30:00.000-05:00

This is what unconditional love looks like.

WHEN DID YOU KNOW

2005-11-20T09:00:00.000-05:00

It's true, a picture is worth a thousand words.

Everytime I see this photo I wonder....

Where did I learn to pose like that?

RQM

RQM Graduates High School

2005-11-13T09:35:00.000-05:00

That's Aunt Dean touching my cap. I kicked her in the shin when I was six. She tried to slap me, I ducked.

That's Aunt June looking on. Her husband Carl made home brew. One year every bottle exploded in the basement.

WHAT A SHAM(E)

2005-11-10T09:15:00.000-05:00

If you are the CEO of a big oil company....

If Ted Stevens is the chair of the committee investigating your huge profits.....

You don't have to swear to tell the truth..

Nice, really really nice.

RQM

SUNDAY QUILTING BEE

2005-11-06T10:02:00.000-05:00

FRACTURED BLUE
PRIMARY LOG CABIN
THINK PINK

RQM

WHO WOULDA GUESSED

2005-11-01T20:45:00.000-05:00

In a conversation today STB told me he had never seen MOONSTRUCK.

Odd for a Cher fan don't ya think.

RQM

TURKEY DAY

2005-10-30T08:45:00.000-05:00

Here's the Butler and RQM tending the roasting bird while toasted.

Ah youth.

RQM

I GOT 36 EXPRESSIONS....

2005-10-23T19:50:00.000-04:00

And not to be outdone by STB or Blogzie...

Here's me as a lipstick model.

RQM

Actually this is a photo montage of a picture taken by photographer Eric Stephen Jacobs.
It is me in my role as the Queen in Al Carmines Off Broadway musical, faggot.

I'M HERE

2005-10-16T14:30:00.000-04:00

Inger's Maisie reminded me of this.

It's one of those glorious evenings in Greenwich Village 1975 long before crack arrived. Tracy and I are strolling the streets chatting before we land at Vivaldi for coffee. I suggest we go uptown tomorrow for the Colombus Day Parade.
She sez, Darling I love you, I would do anything for you, and you know how much I adore anything Italian, but there is no way I'm going to celebrate the annihilation of an entire race, which is what happened after Colombus arrived.
And let me add, I feel the same way about Thanksgiving, but if you invite me I'll come and bring my favorite canned jellied cranberries.
The only way you'll ever get ME to a Colombus Day Parade is if Sofia Loren is the Grand Marshall.

Fast forward to September 1984 and picture Tracy standing atop a cement planter in front of Cartier, screaming at the top of her lungs, BRAVA SOFIA, BRAVA SOFIA, CHE BELLA, CHE BELLA!
Sofia WAS the grand marshall of the Colombus Day Parade walking between Mario and Geraldine.

I expected the Secret Service to surround us. But no.

Sophia stopped, looked right up at Tracy and said, Grazie Signora.

What a happy memory, Thanks Maisie!

WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE QUEER FOR A DAY

Queen For A Day is the first reality show I remember. Four women would tell their stories. Then the audience would vote for the one who really didn't want anything for herself. Somewhere in my memories Bess Meyerson would give the winner a mink coat, but now that I think about it, I'm not sure about that part.
Anyway.
I'm watching Three Wishes thinking I'll get a good lump in my throat and feel good about others doing good. Like I do when I watch Extreme Makeover Home Edition.
So...
They (3 Wishes) are out west somewhere, Utah???, and the mayor of the town "wishes" for them to find a family that was wiped out by Katrina.
The really handsome blond guy gets on a private jet to find a family. The whole time he is on the verge of tears talking about what a great thing is about to happen. It is a great thing, really really great.
He finds the family. They ARE wonderful and greatly in need.

Before he can get the words out to tell them the good news, they are out of the shelter and off on a private jet to a new home in what they (3 wishes) have shown the viewer to be an "all white neighborhood", he is so emotional he is boohooing and so am I.

All white neighborhood?

Wait.

Did anyone think to ask, would you like to move out west to an all white neighborhood?
I don't think anyone asked.
I think this is about....oh hell, I don't know what it's about, but it made me feel creepy cause those poor folks were used to get ratings. It wasn't really really about their needs. It was about a network selling adverts.
Will I watch reality tv again?
Sure.
Will I get all lumpy in the throat with tears in my eyes?
Sure.
Will I post about something like this again.
Maybe.

RQM

Did You Rude Today

2005-09-26T21:46:00.000-04:00

09/26/2005

http://www.rudepundit.blogspot.com/

I want to bear this man children....or something.

RQM

STB ON THE ROAD

2005-09-22T08:22:00.000-04:00

STB is in his car 18 miles from home. Yes, he has traveled 18 miles in four hours.
He is okay and promises not to let road rage rear its ugly head.
Thank goodness for cell phones.
When we talk again, I'll post his location.
RQM

HE'S A TRAVELIN MAN

2005-09-21T22:52:00.000-04:00

I just got off the phone with MY/OUR friend STB.
He will be headed for Laredo before the crack of dawn.
I'm worried about him.
I'm glad he's planned ahead,
I'm proud of him.
I know how hard it is to get real about your own safty.
But Damn, he is alone and doing this "running for your life
shit" alone, well that has to suck.
Even so, he can run, so it's not so bad.
And he'll have that great wit and wonderful sense
of humor to keep him company.
And us, we'll be with him every mile of way.
RQM

WHY DOES RQM HATE AMERICA

2005-09-17T20:00:00.000-04:00

My cuz has been updating me about a events near her where some parents don't want there to be a Gay-Straight Alliance club at school. The gist is, they don't want the school "teaching my child about sex".

And there it is, the elephant in the room, as STB would say.

Sex. Sex. Sex. Sex. Sex.

I hate this. I hate it, I hate it, I hate it.

I hate it that the voices that get heard the most always always ALWAYS imply/scream that all we are....IS SEX.

What is wrong with this country?

Sex, sex, sex, sex, sex is all those good folks talk about, but it's always always ALWAYS about other peoples sex.

Oh wow, my brain has just turned on and I get it, I finally get it.

It's penis envy.

RQM

I take it back, RQM doesn't hate America. Fact is, RQM cannot be bothered to hate cause it's time for THIS AMERICAN LIFE. How could there be any hate in the world when we have Ira Glass, hubba hubba.
Ya know what, and OMG, maybe it is only about sex, sex, sex, sex, sex.

8:02 PM, effing shit, no TAL, no Ira, another benifit concert for the hurricane.
WHAT ABOUT ME!!! WHAT ABOUT ME!!!

SISTER FRIEND

2005-09-16T14:15:00.000-04:00

I've got a great sister. Not only is she a sister, she is a mom, a granny, a friend, and she has the best laugh.
When she visited recently we were on our way to Target when I felt an electric shock coming from under the drivers seat.
I've been worried about my ten year old car, things starting to "go". I've replaced tires, ignition, something that was making noise in the right front tire area. But I really want it last another year and NOT have to invest any money. I related all this to her when I felt that shock and expressed my worst case scenario (wcs), that the electric system was going and that would mean way too much cash needed. A mile or so later, I felt it again and she began asking questions I didn't have the answers for. Have you, did you, when did you, blah blah blah.
When we arrived at Target I needed the loo and excused myself. While I was in the loo the car shocked me again and it was then I realized....

The cell phone had been ringing.

I told her the car had shocked me again in the loo and pulled my cell from my pocket and she burst out laughing, then I started laughing, we were holding each other up laughing holding on to a shopping cart.

I recieved the article below from her yesterday.
You might need your magnifier.
RQM

Let Them Eat Quilt

2005-09-11T11:04:00.000-04:00

I've been being like, "let them eat quilt", that's been my escape from these feelings of helplessness.

I read and I reread and I listen and I watch and I send my paltry donations and all I really want to do is turn off, tune out, pack the girl dogs and leave the country.

Our votes don't count.

Our monies are wasted.

No one takes responsibility.

No one is held responsible.

The "other" party?
What other party?

Where/who is the voice of outrage? WHY aren't they screaming on air to anyone who will listen.

By the end of this day,9-11, I expect someone to say, let's all join hands and sing FEELINGS.

If you are looking for me, I'll be brushing up on my Italian.
Trapuntare, n., "to quilt'.

RQM

The Color Purple

2005-08-31T17:10:00.000-04:00

I saw a beautiful sight today while going to my local green market to get oranges for juice.

In a field of wild flowers next to the market were three women of color in full authentic african dress. Their wraps were being whipped around by the wind. What a glorious sight.

It was that moment at the end of The Color Purple when Nettie comes home.

I needed to see something that beautiful today.

RQM

MAH UPDATE

2005-08-21T09:05:00.000-04:00

Here's what Mary Ann had to say about getting her Saturday Night Fever replacement.

Been talking with Uncle Bob all week since he is according to your definitation the expert on blah, blah (meaning nothing). For my week has been nothing. No SNF and no new k/b. It's always the darkest before dawn and today as been very dark. /the weather i dark and my mood is dark. Then late this evening, my most despised neighbor,such a phony I DESPISE HER WITH APASSION showed up with a package addressed to me which she had opened. Don't know how long she had it and didn't care---she got the bums rush right out the door WHOOSH. I don't think she knew what hit her and I don't think she will ever darken my door again. Sonow I am in Heaven. I have my SNF and life IS A BOWL OF CHERRIES. My ailing foot and I had the grandest walk this evening---we never missed a beat and the new recording never missed a note. Trust me, I would know if it missed a note. What a grand gift for an 80 year old ex-disco queen. How apprapo. It is amazing, don't you think, how important such a small thing can be so important in my life. I really don't understand it. I remember years ago, like back in the 60's I used to drive Virginia crazy. Every night when I got home from work, I put on "West Side Story" the words were so important to a newly born lesbian who was revelling in a new world. She brought home countless albums to no avail. Another story for another day. Thank you for caring and continually enriching my life. xoxoxo mah

Do You "Rude"

2005-08-19T17:49:00.000-04:00

http://www.rudepundit.blogspot.com/

If you don't "rude", you should.

The "rude" is good for what ails.

And the "rude" is funny too.

RQM

818 or What The Butler Heard

2005-08-18T13:40:00.000-04:00

The number 818 is lucky for me, always has been, today 8/18/05, is no exception.

In this mornings post I recieved my new NOMAD JUKEBOX ZEN Xtra.

LOADED

That's right pumpkins, LOADED!!! with over five thousand tunes, THANKS!!

It is so comforting to have a butler one can trust.

It is also comforting to have a friendship of thirty plus years that's so much fun, still spontaneous, full of suprises, and great laughs.
Side splitting doubled over tears running down you face can't get your breath, laughs.

Now please don't hate me because the butler is my friend and also please don't hate me just because I'm pretty.

RQM

Keep America Beautiful

2005-08-17T19:16:00.000-04:00

Have you seen this?

http://www.freewayblogger.com/

Thanks for the tip Jenny.

RQM

When I Knew

2005-08-11T21:23:00.000-04:00

I grew up in rural Missouri, aka, Misery.
When I was 11 I was compelled to take confirmation class. This was so I could be baptized, take communion and join the church.
I didn't really want to. It meant for two months my Saturday mornings would be spent in the church basement listening to Rev. Patterson lecture the four of us about creation, ten commandments, sin, truth, lying, redemption, virgin birth, "and the third day he arose from the dead and ascended", blah blah blah. I was only 11 but I knew this was a load of crap, arose from the dead, give me a break.

I wanted to spend my Saturdays playing with Herb in the woods behind his house, and yes I do mean, playing with Herb.

The Rev. was 85 and suffered a medium case of palsy. During the 8th week he was telling us about the turning of water into wine while holding a china teacup on a saucer that was shaking and rattling really loud.
He told us we would be taking communion which would signify the blood of Christ, (grape juice) and eating the wafer, (white Wonder bread cut into 1/2 inch cubes, crust removed) which would signify the body of Christ.
The Rev. wound up the eighth and last class by telling us... if we took these lessons to our hearts we would find Jesus* and find our way into heaven. If we didn't take these lessons into our hearts, we would find our way into hell.

Right there, right then, was WHEN I KNEW.
Hell was right here on earth and I was living in it. I knew we can make our own heaven or hell. I don't know how or why I knew that at 11, but I knew. That rattling tea cup had been like a bell going off in my head.
I knew I had to go through the motions, get baptized, join church, go to church while I lived at home, but the moment I was on my own and my own boss, I would find my own truth about this stuff.

BTW, I was on my own at 16 years, 7 months, but who's counting.

Still, at 11, I was scared and confused by all the new details of this information.
We went to church as a family. We sat in our pew, (third from front, left side), sang the hymns, bowed our heads during prayers. The rest of the time, like during the sermon, I counted the ceiling tiles, (369) the number of colors on the stain glass windows, (44) how many times the Rev. coughed and touched his mouth with his pocket handkerchief, (lost count).

I was walking home from the last class thinking tomorrow morning I will kneel at the alter rail while water is dripped on my head. After I am baptized, I will drink the blood and eat the body and... I am a sinner, I'm bad and I want to be good. I want to tell the truth. I want to be redeemed by telling the truth.

When I get home I'm going to tell my mom that I'm a queer and I like to kiss boys, I like to touch boys, I like to see them naked. I'll tell her that I know my older brothers like girls and talk about doing things with girls, but I like boys. I don't know why I like boys, I just like boys and not girls and I don't want to be a girl or anything, I just like boys.
I rehearsed my "piece" several times and when I got home I asked my mom to sit down in my dad's chair, I sat on the foot stool. I said I have something to tell you now that my last confirmation class is over.
Mom, I'm a queer, you know like a sissy. I like to kiss boys. I like to touch boys "in their pants", (my exact words), I like to see them naked, and so on...........
Without missing a beat or batting an eye my mom said,
Well when Jesus was 12 he went into the temple and threw out the money changers and became a man. When you are 12 you will become a man too. Go get your sister out of her high chair and take her out in the yard.

* As the years went by and people asked me if I had found Jesus, I replied...
I didn't know he was lost.

RQM

MEET MAH

2005-08-06T20:19:00.000-04:00

This is an e-mail I recieved from my 80 year old nearly blind friend Mary Ann. Her life long dream came true 4 years ago when she moved to Ptown.
The Ptown angels, of which there are many, have rallied around my friend. Senior Services in Massachusetts have given her a sense of peace she hasn't felt since her Macular Degeneration started. They help her in ways none of us who are sighted can imagine. She told me the single most wonderful thing about the SS, is the pedicures.
Imagine.
She has a large screen TV that magnifies type so she can type and read and be connected to the world. She still does beautiful pastel drawings. While she still could see, she made glorious weavings. She taught me how to slip cover a sofa. I only ever did one, YIKES, never again.
In this mail Virgina/Va is her girlfriend of many many years who died about 6 years ago. K/B refers to her keyboard which we hope is now fixed.
I've already explained her Amazon info is incorrect.
RQM

Now that you are a working class Mom and must rush home to feed bathe and help the little ones with their homework, and clean up, you can't have much time for checking out what's happening in the big world. I'm so delighted to still be here on earth and finally find out the truth of important events. .........we now know who deep throat is and As I suspected from the beginning, Marilyn Monroe didn't commit suicide. CNN news just reported that her psychiatrist (sp) destroyed all his material about her but someone close to him took notes (I didn't catch the name) AND Joan Crawford had a one-night stand withMarilyn on the night of her demise. Is truth stranger than fiction, I ask you. I am waiting to find out the Kennedy involvement. Virginia was so enamored of Jackie and her beauty and social standing and I thought she looked like the French frog she was. I softened when I saw her composure and suffering on JFK's assinaion. During the ensuing period, I saw a front-page picture of her and Bobby going somewhere and the caption was all about how Bobby had taken over the "manly" functions of JFK's family. Now this was just a picture of two people going somewhere and I exclaimed"they are lovers." No reason--just gut feelings. Virginia was greatly miffed that I should say such a thing about her exaulted princess. Well, years later the truth came out and I couldn't believe that my instincts were once againso right on. I don't think VA was still alive, thus thwarting my great passion to trash her beloved. So now I'm finally gloating nd waiting for the rest of this story. Re the Sat Night Fever casset, Amazon wants you to join their club for $79 a year. I found another source at Wal-Mart for I think, under $l5 and ordered it, I should have gotten it this week and my new k/b too. I'm not holding my breadth. I'm still walzing to some ditzy CD and correcting my typing so you can read it. And sometimes, I can't even get it to connect me to the ISP. No matter, I finally have a mattress my back loves so alls well and life is just a bowl of cherries. Last week, I bought a plastic bag of the best tasting chrries and discovered when I got home they cost me over $15 bucks so I kid you not, life is indeed as good as a bowl of cherries. xoxoxo mah

TRACY

2005-07-25T18:32:00.000-04:00

The question today at The Big Question was, who would you bring back from the dead and why. My answer: Tracy so all the folks out here in cyber space could meet her.
1974 NYC
I lived at Westbeth Artists Housing.
My friend Lee (who couldn't decide if she wanted to be James Dean or Gertrude Stein) also lived there and said, remember I told you my girlfriend from 17 years ago moved back to town??? Well....she is gonna be the new receptionist in the managers office and you can't let anyone know you know about her, she is there to see if she can find out if someone,the manager, is taking cash to put peoples name at the top of the list for vacancies, which we (the board) are sure she is doing.
Well okay but...
I had passed the office earlier in the day and had seen this gorgeous, elegant woman sitting behind the desk and thought to myself, how did they ever get someone like THAT to take that job, I gotta meet her.
I didn't want to queer the spy thing, but come on, this woman had a glow.
I went to my loft and baked a batch of brownies with dark chocolate. When they were cool and I was sure the manager (whose last name was Gross, and she was) had left for the day I put 4, 4x4 brownies in a brown paper lunch bag with a note that said, I'm not supposed to talk to you, this is just a little welcome to the neighborhood, this is my phone number.
When I got to my loft my phone was ringing.
Hello.
With her hand covering the mouthpiece she whispered, meet me at the corner of Washington and Christopher in half an hour, I'll be the one carrying the brown paper bag with chocolate on my face, and hung up without a goodbye.
On the corner her first words were, anyone who cooks with dark chocolate knows the way to my heart.
We never looked back.

Generosity

2005-07-21T22:51:00.000-04:00

Thy name is STB.

The Red Quilt of the RQM is there. I'm so happy to see it there I think I'll have an oatmeal cookie.
It is so cool to have a friend who will take the time, even when I fight him every step of the way.
THANKS A LOT STB!

On With The Show

2005-07-20T23:14:00.000-04:00

Today I did my new job.
Gawd....I hate to admit this, I had fun.
Only one small "event". A patron got a little skin tear
from a hand rail. When I got to her with he "first aid" kit
she told me her entire medical history, all the meds she was taking for various conditions, one of which might cause her to be a bleeder.
After I cleaned one tiny drop of blood and applied a band aid she told
me I better give her another one of those sterile things and another
band aid, just in case. Of course, I gave them to her.
On my way down the stairs I had one of those "thank you" moments.
Her injury wasn't serious, I could help her, I only need Lipitor.

Former Hand Model

2005-07-19T14:15:00.000-04:00

Just so you know...
This photo of the "Former Hand Model" would not have been possible without the help of STB.
And oh, I do make myself guffaw.

2005-07-18T20:24:00.000-04:00

The Big Question over at Sublime's other blog today reminded me of this.
When I was 19 I had the good fortune to meet a friends grandmother, Mary Goetze. We would go to her house for lunch or tea or dinner and everytime she would ask us, what are you reading. Both Melissa and I would shrug, stammer, ah, ah, because we didn't read anything. Did you pick up a newspaper, magazine, tv guide? What is the last book you read, either of you? Me, well I did a book report on Anna And The King Of Siam. (Which was a half truth. What I did was a review of the movie The King And I.)
Reading will set you free she would say again and again. Reading will lead you places. Reading will inspire you. If you read, you can learn to think for yourself.
Mary called me at work one morning and said, I'm coming to take you to lunch today. On the way to lunch she wanted to stop in a bookstore. When we got inside she said, pick a book, any book, I will buy it for you. After you've read it, we'll have dinner and talk about it. I wanted Capote's, In Cold Blood. The crime had occured not far from KCMO where I lived and had been all anyone talked about for months. What a good choice she said. here's one reason why. Capote's style here is different from any of his other writing. It is called reportage.
I really liked Mary so I was going along to humor her, ah youth.
I read In Cold Blood and was blown away. I got it. In that one read I understood.
We did discuss the book over dinner one evening a few days later. Mary led me, fed me. She told me about "southern american writers". She introduced me to Mann, James, Austin. Oh thank you, thank you Mary.
I am grateful to Mary everytime I pick up a book.

A Dirty Four Letter Word

2005-07-14T17:38:00.000-04:00

work: physical or mental effort exerted to do or make something; purposeful activity; labor; toil. Geez, toil.
work...
I just hate the word. It's a dirty word.
I've always had to work. I never liked it and I always will.
I applied/interviewed/tested for work today. It's a cool job at
a local theatre, show biz don't ya know. I figured I could do what would be
required, so I said yes, they said, great.
And then...
Rules, time clocks, dress code. Dress code???? Honey, I gave up dresses years
ago. A twin set, maybe. Dresses no. And I might as well tell you right now. I'm not peeing in a cup.
Don't get me wrong. I know how lucky I am. And 24/7 I'm grateful.
Oh, shut up Pollyanna!
I'm starving, work makes me hungry, I'm eating.

Why?

2005-07-12T18:23:00.000-04:00

Why did I finally get my own blog.
Easy, I love reading other folks and often want to comment.
Seems to me if a guy is making comments, folks deserve some idea of who the guy is. Fair is fair, usually.
Sttropezbutler gets BIG shout out for patience.