There won't be any parades or festivals this year, but I still need to have a little Pride this month.
So I offer some of my all time favorite music selections for your listening pleasure - if you are as old as I am these will "bring you back" to a time that, for me at least, was as exciting and joyous as I have ever experienced. (See the excerpt from my memoir below.)
Here's an excerpt from "Did You Ever See A Horse Go By? - A Coming Out Memoir: “Well, I’ll tell you about the first time I went to Backstreet Café down on that industrial road in the Westville section. The road was rarely used in the daytime and even less so after dark, unless you were going to the club. I hadn’t been out long and I’d only been to the Chez Est a few times—which is mostly an S&M bar, you know, which is what the guys do a lot of there.”
“I just love those Stand and Model types,” Bobby J. said, in case someone didn’t get the S&M reference.
“But Backstreet was different,” I continued. “It was the first big disco club I’d ever seen. And the location was like a secret that only we gays knew about. I remember seeing this big, plain, one story brick industrial building without any signs or bright lights. Nothing on the outside to let you know it’s a popular gay nightclub and disco on the inside.” ...
“I was with Joel, you know, Joel Comeau, my first and only ex. After paying our five bucks and getting our hands stamped, we walked past the bouncer into the main bar and I felt like Alex in Wonderland. It was like walking through some enchanted portal into a world invisible to most earthlings... It was like Dorothy going from a black and white world to Oz, which was suddenly in Technicolor and stereophonic sound.”
Carl said, “I’ll tell you, Backstreet was nothing next to the big clubs back in the seventies, especially down in the City, and I’m not even talking about Studio 54. Sorry, Fran, go on with your story.” ...
“Well, I had nothing to compare it to,” I said. “There had to be hundreds of pulsating bodies on the dance floor and plenty of guys without shirts... The DJ was playing It’s Raining Men by The Weather Girls, which was already a classic. I think the whole building was vibrating. You could feel the thumping base of the disco music and the energy of the crowd on the dance floor. And everyone was just letting it all hang out, as we used to say, and everyone was echoing Martha Wash, ‘It’s Raining Men! Hallelujah!’” ... “Dancing among that crowd was such a thrill, such an exciting feeling. And knowing that we were all frickin’ gay and that there were thousands more like us in gay clubs everywhere, it was like being let out of solitary confinement. Like, for the first time in my life I could say ‘fuck you’ to all the straights in the world, whether they deserved it or not. Like there was solidarity in our numbers and we were really fucking special!”
“Yeah, Fran,” Carl kidded. “They gave that coming out party just for you.”
Bobby J. thought that Carl’s comment was a hoot and gave out an audible “hoot” for emphasis. I gave it back. “Fuck you, too, guys. It was just so great. And the feeling of being free to just let go! It was amazing. I took to being out on the dance floor like it was second nature. Shit, who needs booze or drugs, I can get high just dancing my buns off to High Energy and You Spin Me Round. Yeah, remember that one, ‘like a record baby,’ you know?”
“Yeah, Fran, like a record, you’re still spinning ’round,” Lee said with a knowing smile. We all laughed. But I couldn’t resist adding, “Well, we should be thankful we have places like Backstreet and the Chez Est. There are, no doubt, poor, disadvantaged homosexuals in rural areas of North Dakota who have never seen the inside of a gay disco.”
“Deprived homos,” Bobby J. said, “or should I say, depraved homos?” We all laughed again, even though it wasn’t that funny. Bobby J. hooted again.
To Anyone, especially any LGBTQ Americans who are even thinking about voting for the Republican Presidential Candidate, DT or X, as I will call him, if you have any senses, come to them. If the endless list of horrendous deeds, words and unspeakable evils he has perpetrated are yet not enough, consider that as George Will has speculated, the worse is yet to come.
(NOTE: I have deleted the last name of the current imposter in the White House and replaced it as necessary with the letter X as I refuse to see it in print on my blog.)
Once again, President X did not issue a Pride proclamation
to honor LGBTQ citizens, but that hasn’t stopped him from selling an “exclusive Make America Great Again Pride T-Shirt” on his campaign website.
Former Vice President Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic nominee,
issued a thoughtful statement reflecting on the progress the community
has made and promising to repeal Trump’s numerous anti-LGBTQ policies.
X’s rainbow lettered campaign shirts have been available for months.
It’s hard to understand, considering X’s constant attacks on LGBTQ equality,
from banning transgender people in the military to expanding religious
exemptions for employers, business owners, and even doctors who want to
discriminate against LGBTQ people, to consulting anti-LGBTQ hate group
leaders on policy, to attempting to change the legal definition of “sex”
to erase transgender people.
“Show your support for the LGBT community and the 45th President with
this exclusive Make America Great Again Pride T-Shirt,” the website
advertises.
Biden, however, didn’t need to advertise support. While X
neglected the standard Pride proclamation, Biden stepped up to both
celebrate with us and decry X’s attacks against the community.
“We’ve made remarkable progress towards LGBTQ+ rights in the decades
since, from Harvey Milk’s historic election to the first openly gay
major presidential candidate,” Biden said in his statement.
“During the
Obama-Biden Administration alone, we signed the Matthew Shepard and
James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act into law; repealed Don’t Ask,
Don’t Tell; addressed the epidemic of bullying in schools; established
the advancement of LGBTQ+ equality as a foreign policy priority; and the
White House beamed bright with the colors of the rainbow to mark the
U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark decision recognizing marriage equality.”
“It took hard work. It took acting up, organizing PFLAG moms,
developing student activists, and a tireless persistence that HIV/AIDS
be destigmatized and treated. Many paid a personal and a professional
price just for being who they are — risking their jobs, livelihoods, and
physical well-being. Many still do.”
“Despite our progress, much work remains.”
Biden also bluntly chastised the administration for their attacks on LGBTQ people and human rights in general.
“Donald X and Mike Pence have systematically used the power of
the White House as a literal bully pulpit to undermine LGBTQ+ rights,”
he said.
“They have given safe harbor to white supremacists and other
forms of hate. Predictably, we’ve experienced a rise in hate crimes
targeting LGBTQ+ people.”
“The (current) Administration has abdicated America’s global
leadership on human rights and walked away from our values, repeatedly
failing to speak out against the abuses of authoritarian regimes.”
“This is wrong,” Biden asserted. “We must send a clear message that
hatred and bigotry have no place in America or on the world stage. As
President, I will take swift action to reverse these odious policies and
advance our progress toward ending discrimination against LGBTQ+
individuals.”
“There are dark and challenging realities ahead that we cannot
ignore. Yet, I remain optimistic because I believe in who we are as a
nation. I believe in the story of this country and the LGBTQ+
community.”
INQUIRY: Does anyone have a comprehensive list of the lies, insults or outrageously STUPID comments the current president has made in the past 3+ years. If so, please let me know. AND ONE MORE:
I have not commented on the murder of George Floyd except to say when I saw the news coverage on that infamous day, tears came to my eyes. So much has already been said and my words would pale in comparison.
But I will share the words of three clergy who condemn the president's attack on peaceful protesters in front of St. John's Church in DC near the White House to obtain a "photo op" and the following day at a Catholic Basilica for another "photo op":
Mariann Budde, the Episcopal Bishop who oversees St. John’s Episcopal
Church, which Trump used as a backdrop for a photo op meant to show
Americans that he was not a coward hiding in a bunker, slammed the
president in an interview with the Washington Post late Monday.
Said Budde: “I am outraged. I am the bishop of the Episcopal Diocese
of Washington and was not given even a courtesy call, that they would be
clearing [the area] with tear gas so they could use one of our churches
as a prop. Everything he has said and done is to inflame violence. We
need moral leadership, and he’s done everything to divide us.”
“Holding a bible, one that declares that God is love … when
everything he has said and done is to enflame violence,” Budde added. “I
am beyond. We need moral leadership and he’s done everything to divide
us and has just used one of the most sacred symbols of the
Judeo-Christian tradition.”
Budde later tweeted: “We are followers of Jesus. In no way do we
support the President’s incendiary response to a wounded, grieving
nation. We stand with those seeking justice for the death of George
Floyd through the sacred act of peaceful protest.”
And from a Pastor in Maine, this firsthand account from an Episcopal rector in DC:
The Rev. Gina Gerbasi is the Rector at St. John’s, Georgetown, and was at St. John’s, Lafayette Square, DC, when this all went down this evening. If you are looking for a primary source account, here it is:
"Friends, I am ok, but I am, frankly shaken. I was at St. John's, Lafayette Square most of the afternoon, with fellow clergy and laypeople - and clergy from some other denominations too. We were passing out water and snacks, and helping the patio area at St. John's, Lafayette square to be a place of respite and peace. All was well - with a few little tense moments - until about 6:15 or so. By then, I had connected with the Black Lives Matter medic team, which was headed by an EMT. Those people were AMAZING. They had been on the patio all day, and thankfully had not had to use much of the eyewash they had made. Around 6:15 or 6:30, the police started really pushing protestors off of H Street (the street between the church and Lafayette Park, and ultimately, the White House. They started using tear gas and folks were running at us for eyewashes or water or wet paper towels. At this point, Julia, one of our seminarians for next year (who is a trauma nurse) and I looked at each other in disbelief. I was coughing, her eyes were watering, and we were trying to help people as the police - in full riot gear - drove people toward us. Julia and her classmates left and I stayed with the BLM folks trying to help people. Suddenly, around 6:30, there was more tear gas, more concussion grenades, and I think I saw someone hit by a rubber bullet - he was grasping his stomach and there was a mark on his shirt. The police in their riot gear were literally walking onto the St. John's, Lafayette Square patio with these metal shields, pushing people off the patio and driving them back. People were running at us as the police advanced toward us from the other side of the patio. We had to try to pick up what we could. The BLM medic folks were obviously well practiced. They picked up boxes and ran. I was so stunned I only got a few water bottles and my spray bottle of eyewash. We were literally DRIVEN OFF of the St. John's, Lafayette Square patio with tear gas and concussion grenades and police in full riot gear. We were pushed back 20 feet, and then eventually - with SO MANY concussion grenades - back to K street. By the time I got back to my car, around 7, I was getting texts from people saying that Trump was outside of St. John's, Lafayette Square. I literally COULD NOT believe it. WE WERE DRIVEN OFF OF THE PATIO AT ST. JOHN'S - a place of peace and respite and medical care throughout the day - SO THAT MAN COULD HAVE A PHOTO OPPORTUNITY IN FRONT OF THE CHURCH!!! PEOPLE WERE HURT SO THAT HE COULD POSE IN FRONT OF THE CHURCH WITH A BIBLE! HE WOULD HAVE HAD TO STEP OVER THE MEDICAL SUPPLIES WE LEFT BEHIND BECAUSE WE WERE BEING TEAR GASSED!!!! I am deeply shaken. I did not see any protestors throw anything until the tear gas and concussion grenades started, and then it was mostly water bottles. I am shaken, not so much by the taste of tear gas and the bit of a cough I still have, but by the fact that that show of force was for a PHOTO OPPORTUNITY. The patio of St. John's, Lafayette square had been HOLY GROUND today. A place of respite and laughter and water and granola bars and fruit snacks. But that man turned it into a BATTLE GROUND first, and a cheap political stunt second. I am DEEPLY OFFENDED on behalf of every protestor, every Christian, the people of St. John's, Lafayette square, every decent person there, and the BLM medics who stayed with just a single box of supplies and a backpack, even when I got too scared and had to leave. I am ok. But I am now a force to be reckoned with."
And from the Catholic Archbishop of DC:
Said Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory in a statement: “I find it baffling and reprehensible that
any Catholic facility would allow itself to be so egregiously misused
and manipulated in a fashion that violates our religious principles,
which call us to defend the rights of all people even those with whom we
might disagree. Saint Pope John Paul II was an ardent defender of the
rights and dignity of human beings. His legacy bears vivid witness to
that truth. He certainly would not condone the use of tear gas and other
deterrents to silence, scatter or intimidate them for a photo
opportunity in front of a place of worship and peace.”
As George Will (a stalwart conservative) stated in a recent column in the Washington Post: "Those who think our unhinged president’s recent mania
about a murder two decades ago that never happened represents his moral
nadir have missed the lesson of his life: There is no such thing as
rock bottom. So, assume that the worst is yet to come." and "He must be removed."
Went with the hubby and the dog, Benni, today to a BLM wilderness area called Bluewater Creek, near Grants, New Mexico. The hike along the river was a little over three and a half miles out and back.
The creek gets its name from Bluewater Lake which is upriver. I’ve never been there so I can’t vouch for whether the lake is blue, but the creek is not blue by any stretch.
Brown water creek would be more accurate. Much like every other river and stream I’ve seen in New Mexico, except maybe Sitting Bull Falls down near Carlsbad which is in an earlier post.
The waters, both lakes and streams, in New Mexico are mostly murky, silty, brown; but hey, water in the desert is a gift.
These waters are fast flowing and make pleasant babbling sounds here and there or louder rushing water sounds as they spill over rocks and ledges.
The trail crosses the stream at three points (maybe a fourth but the trail kind of gets lost at that point) and the engineers did not do a great job of placing nice flat rocks to walk on...so plan to have wet shoes if you cross the stream. Bring water, lunch, a walking stick, phone, camera.
The stream runs through a canyon with high rock cliffs on both sides in
some areas. The contrast between the rocky cliffs, the desert plants, and
the more lush vegetation and varied plant specimens along the river is
very striking.
I was especially fascinated by the wide variety of vegetation and the fact that many of the plants are not seen very often in New Mexico. Some remind me of plants native to my New England woods.
The area along the river is a micro climate and micro botanical garden.
I am not a botanist but I will take a stab at naming a few of the plants we saw. There are dense stands of small willow trees, almost bamboo-like along the river. Along with the ubiquitous Junipers, some Piñon, a few species of Oak, wild Iris, Prickly Pear, Cholla, Maidenhair Fern, Dandelions, wild Verbena, etc.
Here are a few photos: (If I have mislabeled any or if you have a better description, please leave a comment and I will make corrections).
Click on photo to enlarge:
Wild Roses (A Smaller Version of Cape Cod Rose)
Benni Fetching a Stick - Willow Along the Stream
Indian Paint Brush?
Cliffs
Wild Geranium
More Wild Geranium
I really want to know what kind of Juniper or Cedar or (?) has these yellow flowers
Unknown - These flowers are on a tree, similar to a Juniper
(Readers suggested Mexican Cliffrose or Mesquite)
Sad How People Can Ruin a Beautiful Spot - This came down off a cliff
Some Variety of Maple
Pin Oak?
Another Variety of Oak
Virginia Creeper
Claret Cup Cactus - Certainly not too rare in New Mexico
I think this is Horsetail
Wild Geranium
A Display of Cholla Cactus
One of Three Crossings - Plan to get your shoes wet
I was up at 4:30 am after being awake for an hour. Decided to make bread dough.
Then I made blueberry-banana-walnut muffins for breakfast along with "one -eye sandwiches" or "egg-in-a-hole". Later made meatballs, sausages, braised pork in wine - all for the tomato sauce.
But back to the bread.
My more recent attempts with a softer dough (more water) resulted in very good, but somewhat flat loaves. There was good texture, but the dough spread out on the baking sheet and the loaves looked more like focaccia.
The "experts" tout "high hydration" and small amounts of yeast as the key to success. Some even say "no-knead" bread is the way to go. Tried them all.
I had been more successful before consulting all the experts, so I went back to my original non-recipe technique. My "recipe" is simple. Makes three loaves of Italian-style bread.
One coffee mug of warm water, three teaspoons of yeast, a little sugar (not more than a teaspoon) into a large bowl and let the yeast start ot foam up and make bubbles.
Add flour (2/3 cup whole wheat pastry flour and the rest King Arthur Bread Flour and some All Purpose flour) and three teaspoons of salt. But I never actually "measure" the flour. Next time I will make an attempt to do so.
So I add some of the flour (maybe 3 cups) to the water/yeast and beat it with a wooden spoon, then keep adding flour until it's too stiff to work with a spoon. Then I knead it and add small amounts of flour until the dough is not sticky, but still soft. And knead it some more.
It goes into the fridge for 6-8 hours. It comes out of the fridge and I punch it down, then let it come to room temperature.
Sprinkle corn meal generously on baking sheets, divide dough it into three, form loaves, place on baking sheets, let rise for 45 minutes plus the time for the oven to heat, set oven temperature to 475 degrees, when temperature is 475, place a roasting pan of boiling water on floor of oven, brush loaves with cold water, sprinkle sesame seeds if desired, slit loaves with razor or scissors, put loaves in oven, rotate loaves from top and bottom shelves after 10-12 minutes, bake for another 12-15 minutes till the loaves are well browned, turn off oven, remove loaves from baking sheet and place them on oven rack, crack open the oven door with some potholders and let oven cool along with the bread loaves.
Perfection. Crisp, crunchy crust. Soft, light, interior. Bready, yeasty, delectable taste. With some butter or with a meatball and tomato sauce.
A few videos from this morning. I had to stop when I saw these feral horses frolicking in the field along the highway. There were at least six horses pairing off and having a fun time. Quite a sight for a Connecticut Yankee.
Happened to be listening to Jeff Krasner's album, Strong for You playing in the background. Unfortunately, they seemed more interested in the car or me and stopped to stare for a while.
In lieu of writing a post, which I've been mulling over, I'm sharing some excerpts from an Article from the Daily Beast: LGBTQ Seniors Hit by Lockdown Isolation ‘Triple Whammy’ Are Fighting Back
While most of the SAGE members are from New York City, their experiences may ring true to some of us.
The virus has raised other urgent questions for LGBTQ seniors: the
quality, as well as quantity, of the life they have left. Kevin Burns,
71, from Albany, told The Daily Beast:
“The thing at the back of your
mind is ‘How many years do I have left?’ It’s complicated. In your
seventies, you are hoping to do things, because in your eighties you may
have to slow down. For the last couple of months, we have lost this
time, and we are thinking, ‘How much more time are we going to lose?’”
“We were told from the beginning that coronavirus especially affected
their age group,” said Paulette. “Our immune systems are weaker, the
virus attacks organs and blood. So because you’re older you have this
worry it’s just going to come and get you. So you isolate.
“As many years as we hope we have, they are running down, and now we
are deprived of what we enjoy doing even if it’s once a week, or
whatever the time frame is and whatever the activity is. The virus is
cheating us of our remaining time. For me, personally, spring was a time
to travel. Not being able to do that is a minor glitch compared to
other people’s suffering. But as seniors, we all have things we look
forward to. This current situation means we can’t do anything. How long
will this go on? How long will older people be told they cannot go out,
or do things?”
Burns and his friends presume this spring and
summer are now a diary-date tundra. No dinners, no holidays, no Broadway
trips, no Tanglewood, no Williamstown Theatre Festival, no trips to the
Cape or Maine before the main holiday season begins. “I know this may
sound frivolous. I know people are suffering. But these are just the
things I did and am missing. I know I am lucky, and am thankful for
that.”
Every senior Burns knows is being scrupulous about wearing a mask and
washing hands. He laughed. “People talk about the danger of underlying
issues. We all have the same underlying issue: It’s age! It’s kind of
infuriating to do what we’re told and then see younger people hanging
out together not wearing masks when I go out walking.
As for me...Walk the dog each morning with neighbors on the trails around town, but I'm basically an introvert and spend most days alone anyway. Lucky to have my gardens and flowers. Grocery store every two weeks, and that can be frightening.
The deck has seating for a crowd and we usually have a crowd over a few times during the summer. But it's just me and Leon, so far.
Maybe tomorrow I'll be out in the garden.
