Last week began over dinner at Jim Shaws with James. Dinners with James have become a weekly occurrence and are my "new favorite." Pretty much the only thing that we agree on is that they have the BEST hush puppies ever and he doesn't even know who Alison Krauss is. But he has a very gentle way of disagreeing with me that really opens my mind to new ideas. And he's going to let me tag along on a hunting trip so he's really in tune with one of my passions . . . vicarious purchasing (house hunting)! I'm really excited so please let me know about any porch-swing-adorned Southern Cottages that should make the list.
On Thursday, I popped on over to The Vineville Salon for sushi & champagne. If you haven't been to a Girl's Night Out over there then you're just missing out! The Toast goes to Betsy Pittard. A pair of freshwater pearl drop earrings by Betsy Pittard Designs have been dangling from my lobes ever since and are collecting compliments everywhere I go.
Saturday was for Bring Your Blankets at the Hummingbird where I sipped a frozen treat in the sun on the patio before slipping on over to Theatre Macon where Shelly Kuhen and Lauren Paris assisted me in making sure that my "costume" was well secured. A girl has to show a little skin when she's going to a party at a Speakeasy.
For this Toast . . . I hope you won't mind if I stand on my chair.
To my dear, dear friend and confidante. To Friday lunches. To someone who always makes me smile and has promised to find me a European host (from his days at Leeds) for my Summer on the Run. To a Southern Gentleman and my "one of those wacky nights" partner in crime. To Historic Macon's Josh Rogers!
Now, a buffet-phobe, you had me at Passed Hors D'oeuvres. I just don't think that a party is a party without something floating around on a tray. And the old Karsten-Denson Downtown was transformed! Red lights, handsome young bartenders, vintage cars, flirtatious policemen, martinis, pearls and a secret knock. I get a rush just thinking about it. And I danced with ALL the gangsters.
A tip of the feathered hat to The Party of the Year!
Sunday I worked my Le Tour shift at The Slocumbs and The Martins. And then settled back into my own nest. What I got "back at the Ranch" was an earful of the Swine Flu latest and greatest. Now . . . I try not to perpetuate or buy into the panic mentality of these of things. But I'm really starting to wonder if this little piggy is going to fudge my challenge. And then I started to think about it from the viewpoint of the boy in the bubble.
Safe, sterile and healthy. The boy in the bubble would be free from the threat of infection. But is the trade off worth it? We pass germs back and forth but what about all the good things that we share? Hugs, kisses, compliments, and feelings. A friend of mine recently told me that I shouldn't let what's going on with other people affect me. But I just don't want to live in that kind of bubble.
The people that I love are the only thing that really matters to me. And the degree of success or failure that I assign to my life just before I take my last breath, won't be measured by the number of books that I've written but by how many people I helped turn a new page. The amount of money I've spent will pale in comparison to the number of smiles I've given away. I won't be counting the number of places I've been - I'll be thankful for all the times I've been able to be "there" for someone. And it won't matter how many friends I have but how many of them think that their life was even a little bit better once I came along.
I refuse to put a surgical mask over my ability to empathize, around my heart, or over that voice that tells me I should be worried. The safety of the bubble just doesn't suit me.
Plus . . . those masks are just hideous! And there isn't one bit of making out to be done in them. Which reminds me . . . my TRUE LOVE, a man who is "most precious to me," will be at The Bird in a little over a week.
"I'm listening to Billy Joe Shaver
And I'm reading James Joyce
Some people tell me I got the blood
of the land in my voice,"
- Bob Dylan 2009
Toodle-loo!
aS
(Ooh girl, it is SO) Hot This Week . . .
Footloose at Theatre Macon
Belle of the Boutique: check out my latest column in the Eleventh Hour.
Bragg Jam: A new website announces the concert lineup.
Fiesta First Friday in Downtown Macon!
Mint Juleps!
Cinco de Mayo Celebration at The Hummingbird! I'm hosting this one so don't miss out.
Save The Date . . .
Billy Joe Shaver at The Hummingbird! May 8, 2009
Moondance 2009 Presented by Friends of the Ocmulgee Heritage Trail, May 8th @ 7pm Hors d’oeuvres, Music & entertainment Tickets: $50, $40 for Friends of the Trail. For Tickets call: 722-9909
