28
June
2025
Tags: Divine Diva Tour: A Fairy's Tale
No comments

The Fairy Reclines

Our fairy’s tale has reached another rather inconsequential interlude, which means filler for those who need it all spelled out. Twenty years ago, my projects contained lots of filler that I wouldn’t have a problem excising and editing out today, but that will stand for a historically-accurate representation of my crappy work two decades ago. For posterior posterity! One more Divine Diva Tour entry coming tonight, so come on back, you hear?

~ The Divine Diva Tour: A Fairy’s Tale ~

  1. Pink Frilly Fairy: Part One, Part Two, and Part Three
  2. Homage to Herb: Part One, Part Two and Part Three
  3. A Purple-Hued Interlude
  4. Style & Panache: Part One, Part Two, Part Three and Part Four.
  5. Purple Puff Confection: Part One, Part Two, Part Three and Part Four.
  6. A Blue-Hued Interlude
  7. Fuchsia Fabulousness: Part One. Part Two and Part Three.
  8. Bad Boy Bangs: Part One, Part Two. and Part Three.
  9. Vanity Under Where: Part One, Part Two. and Part Three.
  10. Sugar Plum Ballerina: Part One, Part Two, and Part Three.
  11. A Pool Frolic: Part One, Part Two. and Part Three.
  12. A Cemetery Interlude: Part One and Part Two.
  13. Powder Blue Fur Doll: Part One, Part Two, and Part Three.
  14. A Milky Interlude 
  15. Rock Out, Cock Out/ Hang Out, Wang Out: Part One, Part Two, and Part Three.
  16. Cocktail Cocktale: Part One and Part Two.
  17. A Fairy’s Interlude: Part One and Part Two.
  18. Willy Wonkers: Part One, Part Two, and Part Three.
  19. A Peacock In Everything But Beauty: Part One, Part Two, and Part Three.
  20. Swan Lake Fantasia: Part One, Part Two, Part Three, and Part Four.
  21. Black & White in Briefs: Part One, Part Two. and Part Three.
  22. Weave of Basket, Weave of Rope: Part One, Part Two, Part Three, Part Four, and Part Five.
  23. Chains of Gray to Color: Part One, Part Two, Part Three and Part Four.
  24. Black Jockstrap: Back Entry: Part One, Part Two and Part Three.
  25. Super Fairy Interlude: Part One.
Continue reading ...
28
June
2025
Tags: Divine Diva Tour: A Fairy's Tale, Music
No comments

A Super Fairy Interlude

The Divine Diva Tour: A Fairy’s Tale gets its weekendly posting place with this kick-off – an interlude that reveals how much has happened in twenty years. First, the shoddy WordArt and cheap-ass costumes have aged about as well as my abs and hair color. Second, the amateurish posturing and my Zoolander facial contortions are laughable as well. About the only thing that withstands the test of time is this driving power-pop anthem from the 80’s. It gives the ultimate element of cheese-please that puts this into so-bad-it’s-almost-good territory, and that’s the best we’re going to get today.

Where have all the good men gone and where are all the gods?
Where’s the streetwise Hercules to fight the risin’ odds?
Isn’t there a white knight upon a fiery steed?
Late at night, I toss and I turn and I dream of what I need

I need a hero
I’m holding out for a hero till the end of the night
He’s gotta be strong and he’s gotta be fast
And he’s gotta be fresh from the fight
I need a hero
I’m holding out for a hero till the morning light
He’s gotta be sure and it’s gotta be soon
And he’s gotta be larger than life, larger than life

Somewhere after midnight in my wildest fantasy
Somewhere just beyond my reach, there’s someone reaching back for me
Racing on the thunder and rising with the heat
It’s gonna take a Superman to sweep me off my feet, yeah

I need a hero
I’m holding out for a hero till the end of the night
He’s gotta be strong and he’s gotta be fast
And he’s gotta be fresh from the fight
I need a hero
I’m holding out for a hero till the morning light
He’s gotta be sure and it’s gotta be soon
And he’s gotta be larger than life, larger than life

Up where the mountains meet the heavens above
Out where the lightning splits the sea
I could swear there is someone somewhere watching me
Through the wind and the chill and the rain
And the storm and the flood
I can feel his approach like a fire in my blood

~ The Divine Diva Tour: A Fairy’s Tale ~

  1. Pink Frilly Fairy: Part One, Part Two, and Part Three
  2. Homage to Herb: Part One, Part Two and Part Three
  3. A Purple-Hued Interlude
  4. Style & Panache: Part One, Part Two, Part Three and Part Four.
  5. Purple Puff Confection: Part One, Part Two, Part Three and Part Four.
  6. A Blue-Hued Interlude
  7. Fuchsia Fabulousness: Part One. Part Two and Part Three.
  8. Bad Boy Bangs: Part One, Part Two. and Part Three.
  9. Vanity Under Where: Part One, Part Two. and Part Three.
  10. Sugar Plum Ballerina: Part One, Part Two, and Part Three.
  11. A Pool Frolic: Part One, Part Two. and Part Three.
  12. A Cemetery Interlude: Part One and Part Two.
  13. Powder Blue Fur Doll: Part One, Part Two, and Part Three.
  14. A Milky Interlude 
  15. Rock Out, Cock Out/ Hang Out, Wang Out: Part One, Part Two, and Part Three.
  16. Cocktail Cocktale: Part One and Part Two.
  17. A Fairy’s Interlude: Part One and Part Two.
  18. Willy Wonkers: Part One, Part Two, and Part Three.
  19. A Peacock In Everything But Beauty: Part One, Part Two, and Part Three.
  20. Swan Lake Fantasia: Part One, Part Two, Part Three, and Part Four.
  21. Black & White in Briefs: Part One, Part Two. and Part Three.
  22. Weave of Basket, Weave of Rope: Part One, Part Two, Part Three, Part Four, and Part Five.
  23. Chains of Gray to Color: Part One, Part Two, Part Three and Part Four.
  24. Black Jockstrap: Back Entry: Part One, Part Two and Part Three.

Continue reading ...
27
June
2025
Tags: Andy, Music
No comments

Magic is the Moonlight

While we’ve already celebrated this song here, that was six years prior, and that’s an entire pandemic and lifetime ago. Before we end the month of June, let’s revisit this magical piece of music as performed by Julie London, as it comes with a happy recent memory. On our Memorial Day weekend in Ogunquit, the weather was often rainy, so we sometimes took our shelter in the title shops along Main Street. On one particular gray morning, we found ourselves in a charming little store with beautiful jewelry and pieces of art, a few antiques and some whimsical walking canes. This song came on, and though the sky felt melancholy, I looked over at my husband inspecting something and felt a wave of love wash over us, all these years after our very first trip to this Beautiful Place By The Sea twenty-five years ago. The moment felt magical…

Throughout the ensuing years, there were always magical moments that appeared quietly and when least expected, little times where I’d glimpse Andy doing something endearing, or simply going through the motions of the day, and I felt the reassurance and warmth of the life we created together. Many cycles of moons and suns have turned over during all these years, and in some ways many lifetimes. Depending on perspective a lifetime can be a day or a century, and time’s only way is forward. For this moment of moonlight and magic, we give respectful pause.

Continue reading ...
27
June
2025
Tags: Music
No comments

Summer Starting Something

Our island summer is in full swing, despite threatening skies and rainy days – and an island summer will not be stopped by weather or other happenstance. Island is attitude, and frame of mind. It is imagination and fantasy and can exist solely within the brain. That means it is not bound by the typical constraints of physicality or topography or meteorology.

Today Skip and I are scheduled to return to basics for our annual BroSox Adventure, heading to Boston for a Red Sox game at the start of the season, just like we did exactly ten years ago. This song is a song of promise and possibility – the very beginning of a summer of adventure and fun. Jury’s out on the sun, but I remain foolishly hopeful. Summer welcomes fools, and I welcome the opportunity to be the fool.

Continue reading ...
27
June
2025
Tags: Gardening
No comments

Drops of Sun in the Rain

The evening primrose is one of the great signifiers of summer, its cheerful yellow blooms bashfully acting coy during the day, and opening more fully at the tail-ends of the sun’s show. The variety that has persisted in our garden comes from a plant I first procured almost forty years ago, then kept going all this time, from our childhood home in Amsterdam to where we are now. It tends to stay open in the early sunny hours, then hiding a bit from noon to four or so, and coming back for more when things have cooled down. Plants aren’t stupid.

Their blooming period is somewhat short, but they make up for that with this bold, clear color – little drops of sun to match what may be missing from our skies of late. Summer makes amends in small ways.

Continue reading ...
26
June
2025
Tags: General
No comments

Male Myths Debunked

You don’t have to shampoo every time you shower. 

Continue reading ...
26
June
2025
Tags: General
No comments

A Pedro Pascal Appreciation Post

Seeing someone who just turned 50 blossom into the prime of his life is an inspiration for those of us about to turn 50 in two months, so I’m very happy to witness this year of success for Pedro Pascal. He first came to my attention with his villainous turn in a ‘Wonder Woman’ sequel, but really sealed the deal with his work on ‘The Last of Us‘.

He’s been here before as Dazzler of the Day and shirtless in this lucky capture. Scroll down for more photos from his recent ‘Vanity Fair’ cover story.

Continue reading ...
26
June
2025
Tags: General, Music
No comments

Wet At Dawn, Wet At Dusk

The day opened and closed, almost precisely 13 hours apart, with a double-dip in the pool. It’s been a very long time – years probably – since I’ve taken a swim before work, but on a day scheduled to up to 98 degrees, I thought it best to start off as cool as possible, and take that loveliness with me through the day.

A cat bird joined me for the morning dip, silently perched on the wooden fence beneath the seven sons’ flower tree. I recognized its silhouette, the jaunty way its back feathers turned up and the inquisitive tilting of its head. It didn’t sing so early in the morning, perhaps enjoying the hushed early hour as much as me.

Rise up this morning, smiled with the rising sun
Three little birds pitch by my doorstep
Singing sweet songs of melodies pure and true
Saying, “This is my message to you”

Already into the 80’s, the day looked to be an impossibly hot one, and the only way to trudge through it would be to take it slow, and keep this cool moment in mind. At some point in the summer, the heat will seep so deeply into everything – every place and every space – that it will be impossible to escape other than in one’s mind.

We were not yet there, and I will not complain at this early stage.

Singing, “Don’t worry about a thing
‘Cause every little thing gonna be alright”
Singing, “Don’t worry about a thing” (Don’t worry)
“‘Cause every little thing gonna be alright”

Continue reading ...
25
June
2025
Tags: Broadway, Theater
No comments

A Masquerade

Dear OG –

Like an angel, your whispered notes scrawled black on scarlet tease and tantalize with promises never to be forgotten. As an overture hints at melodies to come, so too has the promotional parade for your Masquerade hinted at something magical, and I am entirely here for it. This is the moment I’ve been filling my closets for – all in shades of black, white and silver- colors of the night, with music to match. 

You have managed to thrill with the most obscure hints of what form you will take, and if it’s not too much to request, All I Ask of You is that you Think of Me when designing your guest list. My collection of masks has been waiting for such an enchanting opportunity – there are so few Masquerade moments in this mad world – and unlike others I would be entirely too eager to be ensnared by your Magical Lasso again.

Looking forward to what’s about to happen on June 30…

Signed,

An Eternal Fan

Continue reading ...
25
June
2025
Tags: Tiny Threads
No comments

#TinyThreads: An Insignificant Series

One of the things I miss most about winter is the garage doubling as a fridge. Now it just doubles as an ineffective oven that never quite reaches the required temperature.

#TinyThreads

Continue reading ...
25
June
2025
Tags: General
No comments

A Dose of Cuteness to Cleanse Your Timeline

I was led to believe that marigolds were rabbit-resistant, and often planted in vegetable gardens to keep the unwelcome guests out of such space. It turns out that’s not necessarily true, as our legion of rabbits quickly ate up the bulk of marigolds I planted in less than two days.

I couldn’t be mad about it, however, as the baby bunnies that Andy and I have been watching are too cute not to feed. Early on a recent morning I looked out the window and right there, between the oregano and sage, this little creature was sitting, happily munching on some grass. I watched it stand up and take a gander at the oregano, which it promptly left alone. Same with the sage. The dill was another story, as it disappeared down to the ground after only a few days.

At least the bunny has decent taste.

Continue reading ...
24
June
2025
Tags: Tiny Threads
No comments

#TinyThreads: An Insignificant Series

Mint-scented urinal cakes?

Not sure how I feel about that.

Better than bubblegum I suppose.

#TinyThreads

Continue reading ...
24
June
2025
Tags: Flowers
No comments

In Stillness, Coolness

Romanticizing this heat is an indulgence as it’s still rather new. Should it persist into August, we won’t have such a kind view of it. With rain due later in the week, let’s embrace the sun, and find ways to find coolness, such as in the hues of these blue and violet flowers.

The simplest way to combat the heat – or at least to attempt tolerating it – is to slow down. This is not the time to exert yourself with activity or frenzied motion. The common trio of ‘calm, cool and collected’ hasn’t lasted for its inaccuracy – each feeds into the other.

I will bring that energy into the office for the next few days, because with intention comes reaction.

So much of summer wants to shout and scream and jump up and down.

The quiet parts are what keep us cool.

Continue reading ...
24
June
2025
Tags: Music
No comments

Island Sea Song

Summer slams onto the scene with an oppressive wall of heat and humidity. After a disappointingly rainy spring, this sun and heat is not entirely unwelcome. It’s all a bit much, but with rain set to return for the last half of the week we’ll take it, and embrace the hot and humid island weather. It ties into our summer theme divinely, and that’s worthy of an exclamation point!

So slow your roll, pause your day, and dip into what already feels like a deep summer day. Let the sweat roll off the brow, let the heat batter you down, and let the summer have its way.

We’ve only just begun…

Continue reading ...
23
June
2025
Tags: General
No comments

A Different Kind of Pride

Openly Gray after all these years.

Happy Pride y’all!

(Because it’s still Pride somewhere.)

Continue reading ...