Sunday, August 15, 2010
I thought I would feel better after Sam's memorial service but I didn't feel better. I was just sad.
Patrick and I flew north Friday night and got into the rental car and drove to Mark and Rodger's house. We spent a couple of hours drinking and talking and I was pleased that they liked Patrick so much, of course I want my friends to be friends. The next morning we got up and had breakfast and then drove around Portland and ended up at this bizarre place, the Portland Memorial Mausoleum. An eight story maze-like building with thousands of crypts. Scattered about were 1960s chairs and the bottom floor had a very distinct smell of chemicals- we guessed embalming fluid. It was so strange (we were not allowed to take our cameras in).
We went back and collected Mac and went out to Sauvie Island and finally found a parking spot and walked on the beach.
Rodger.
Mac loves to play fetch in the water.
Mark tosses a fetching toy into the Columbia River.
Mac.
It was nice to sit in the sand and look at the mollusk shells.
Patrick.
The nearby bushes were loaded with blackberries. I ate four handfuls.
Blackberries.
We went to our hotel after an early supper and got ready to go to Sam's memorial. We made the mistake of wearing long-sleeved shirts and jeans- everyone else was in tee-shirts and shorts because it was so hot in Portland.
Allergy eyes.
Sam would have loved all the attention he got. It was sad to hear Greg and his closest friends speech. It was sad and funny to listen to an NPR radio show with Sam talking about his love of Legos. I drank gin and tonics and was maudlin and left a bit before midnight and sat on my hotel bed and bawled.
At breakfast, by chance, the waitress sat Patrick and I in the same booth at Doug Fir that Sam, Greg, and I had had supper on May 25, a lifetime ago.
Afterward, we went to Washington Park and wandered among the roses.
I like Primroses best.
Patrick told me the secrets of his moustache.
We got lost returning to Mark and Rodgers and then had a hard time finding a gas station near the airport. On the plane an elderly man near us started having problems and the flight attendant had to ask for doctors and nurses- luckily there were plenty of them on board. On the drive back I drove through first a dust storm and then a thunder storm. I called Chas to have someone to talk to, and it was nice to talk about stuff with him.
Patrick and I flew north Friday night and got into the rental car and drove to Mark and Rodger's house. We spent a couple of hours drinking and talking and I was pleased that they liked Patrick so much, of course I want my friends to be friends. The next morning we got up and had breakfast and then drove around Portland and ended up at this bizarre place, the Portland Memorial Mausoleum. An eight story maze-like building with thousands of crypts. Scattered about were 1960s chairs and the bottom floor had a very distinct smell of chemicals- we guessed embalming fluid. It was so strange (we were not allowed to take our cameras in).
We went back and collected Mac and went out to Sauvie Island and finally found a parking spot and walked on the beach.
Rodger.
Mac loves to play fetch in the water.
Mark tosses a fetching toy into the Columbia River.
Mac.
It was nice to sit in the sand and look at the mollusk shells.
Patrick.
The nearby bushes were loaded with blackberries. I ate four handfuls.
Blackberries.
We went to our hotel after an early supper and got ready to go to Sam's memorial. We made the mistake of wearing long-sleeved shirts and jeans- everyone else was in tee-shirts and shorts because it was so hot in Portland.
Allergy eyes.
Sam would have loved all the attention he got. It was sad to hear Greg and his closest friends speech. It was sad and funny to listen to an NPR radio show with Sam talking about his love of Legos. I drank gin and tonics and was maudlin and left a bit before midnight and sat on my hotel bed and bawled.
At breakfast, by chance, the waitress sat Patrick and I in the same booth at Doug Fir that Sam, Greg, and I had had supper on May 25, a lifetime ago.
Afterward, we went to Washington Park and wandered among the roses.
I like Primroses best.
Patrick told me the secrets of his moustache.
We got lost returning to Mark and Rodgers and then had a hard time finding a gas station near the airport. On the plane an elderly man near us started having problems and the flight attendant had to ask for doctors and nurses- luckily there were plenty of them on board. On the drive back I drove through first a dust storm and then a thunder storm. I called Chas to have someone to talk to, and it was nice to talk about stuff with him.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Sam, you were an awesome man. I wish you knew how much I admired your wit and charm, the brilliant writing on your blog.
Sam, San Rafael Valley, 2003
He was the first blogger I was to meet in person. I think it was May or June of 2003 and I was stopped at a stoplight downtown and this incredibly cute guy walked in front of my car and LOOKED at me. He had that kind of magic. On a picnic out at the San Rafael Valley he told me about this guy he had met, Jeff, and that was his first love. Two months ago I had the privilege of meeting Greg, his second love. Sam certainly knew how to pick fine men.
A month ago he mentioned that he wished he knew where the Storicks family had come from so I researched his family tree and send him information tracing them back to a guy named Henry, born in Bavaria in 1819. He was really excited by that. I'm glad I was able to do that for him.
So long buddy, I will miss you.
Sam, San Rafael Valley, 2003
He was the first blogger I was to meet in person. I think it was May or June of 2003 and I was stopped at a stoplight downtown and this incredibly cute guy walked in front of my car and LOOKED at me. He had that kind of magic. On a picnic out at the San Rafael Valley he told me about this guy he had met, Jeff, and that was his first love. Two months ago I had the privilege of meeting Greg, his second love. Sam certainly knew how to pick fine men.
A month ago he mentioned that he wished he knew where the Storicks family had come from so I researched his family tree and send him information tracing them back to a guy named Henry, born in Bavaria in 1819. He was really excited by that. I'm glad I was able to do that for him.
So long buddy, I will miss you.
Saturday, August 30, 2003
Drive down to Patagonia with Sam. It is so lush and green right now due to the monsoon rains. There is this one spot where you drive out of the scrub oak forest up a slight hill, and suddenly you are in this enormous tall grass prairie. In the distance are mountains, but from the right angle you can't see them at all. They filmed the movie Oklahoma there in the 1950s. Sam is excited about September- lots of good things coming his way. I hope my September is half as good.
Sam and the prairie near San Rafael.
Landscape.
Detail.
Sam and the prairie near San Rafael.
Landscape.
Detail.
Friday, August 13, 2010
I'm heading to Portland with Patrick tonight. We get in around 9:30 or so and then drive to Mark and Rodger's house, where we will sit around and have some drinks and snacks and enjoy the scenery. Saturday morning we will run around so Patrick can see what a nice place Portland is.
Tomorrow night is Sam's memorial service. It still seems so strange to think that someone who was so alive is gone. I miss reading his pithy and sarcastic comments.
Panchesco gave me a couple of copies of this photo to give to Greg and Danielle. It was taken back in 2002, a few months before I met that rascal.
Sam, Rhino, Panchesco, and Kurt.
Tomorrow night is Sam's memorial service. It still seems so strange to think that someone who was so alive is gone. I miss reading his pithy and sarcastic comments.
Panchesco gave me a couple of copies of this photo to give to Greg and Danielle. It was taken back in 2002, a few months before I met that rascal.
Sam, Rhino, Panchesco, and Kurt.
Monday, November 10, 2014
I created an altar for my the annual All Souls Procession cocktail party.
Ancestors, friends, family heirlooms, musical instruments.
A prominent place for dear Sam. I miss him.
Sam.
Many of the photographs are unidentified people. I purchase many of the photos on Ebay from my hometown in Michigan.
Mostly unknown.
Jesse and Craig came down and helped me decorate sugar cookies and gingerbread cookies.
Skeleton.
Cookies.
I made a pound cake in my skull pan and decorated it like a sugar skull.
Cake.
That night we went to see Interstellar. It was very long. We did not get back home until almost 2:00 AM. I haven't been up that late in a long time.
The next morning I made breakfast burritos from leftover Spanish Rice and scrambled eggs. Then Craig carefully chopped things to make salsa.
I attempted to do a nice make-up, but it was very sloppy.
People began to show up.
Catelyn and her friend.
Nicole and her husband.
Amy, Matt, Fabiola, and I.
Barney.
At 6:00 we walked down the street. I handed out gladiolas to women along the way. One woman told me it was very sweet. We watched people go by in the Procession. I think Craig and Jesse were impressed.
Craig and Jesse.
And so another year has gone by. This year I lost a co-worker and the former boyfriend of one of my best friends. I guess as I get older death will happen more often and someday it will be my turn. I hope somebody walks in the procession in my memory.
Tuesday, November 30, 2004
Can I be superficial? I guess I can. I’m at work trying to write about some historic buildings and instead my mind is wandering and I’m looking at someone’s blog and admiring his pictures and thinking, goddammit that boy is so frickin’ beautiful. Honestly, the first time I laid eyes on him, on a hot summer day at a traffic stop, I swear my heart skipped a beat. Sam was the first blogger I met in person. I’d been reading Thrustpuppy, Ali, Corky, and a couple of guys who have since disappeared, but it had never occurred to me that bloggers lived in little old Tucson until I ran into Sam. He has this bashful thing going, a wicked gleam in his brown eyes too. I’m glad he and Jeff found each other. Tucson isn’t as exciting though.
Can I be jumpy? It is hard work entertaining my mother. She’s an awful cook so I insist on being the chef. I’ve eaten more vegetables than normal and somehow while she has lost weight, which is something she is very pleased about, I’ve managed to gain a little, which I’m not. Mummy is forgetful and a bit clumsy and she says odd things and sometimes follows me around like a puppy. I’m glad she is here and I broached the idea of her spending all next winter with me, and she seems to like that. It’s good for her, the warmer weather, the activities, the better diet. I better get me a boyfriend by then because otherwise I’ll go insane.
Can I be a big fag? I named my KitchenAid Mixer “Martha” after a suggestion from Ryan. I guess it is appropriate since I think that bitch Martha Stewart is one fierce woman. I get she has the cleanest cell ever. I made cookies last night, rolling out the dough and cutting them with my cutters. I have a big shopping bag full but find that my favorites are the ones that I took from Grandma’s house after she died.
Can I be me? I’m feeling surprisingly little stress over work (or lack thereof), over my party on Sunday, wondering how painful the surgery will be, whether I’ll be healed before I head to England, whether I’ll be broke when I get there. I should be more stressed over dumb things like how do I pay a seven cent credit card bill when it says “send no cash” or how do I spend three weeks writing something at work that I could have done tomorrow. But instead I’ll think about how much fun it is to call Archerr and gossip about other cute bloggers.
Can I be jumpy? It is hard work entertaining my mother. She’s an awful cook so I insist on being the chef. I’ve eaten more vegetables than normal and somehow while she has lost weight, which is something she is very pleased about, I’ve managed to gain a little, which I’m not. Mummy is forgetful and a bit clumsy and she says odd things and sometimes follows me around like a puppy. I’m glad she is here and I broached the idea of her spending all next winter with me, and she seems to like that. It’s good for her, the warmer weather, the activities, the better diet. I better get me a boyfriend by then because otherwise I’ll go insane.
Can I be a big fag? I named my KitchenAid Mixer “Martha” after a suggestion from Ryan. I guess it is appropriate since I think that bitch Martha Stewart is one fierce woman. I get she has the cleanest cell ever. I made cookies last night, rolling out the dough and cutting them with my cutters. I have a big shopping bag full but find that my favorites are the ones that I took from Grandma’s house after she died.
Can I be me? I’m feeling surprisingly little stress over work (or lack thereof), over my party on Sunday, wondering how painful the surgery will be, whether I’ll be healed before I head to England, whether I’ll be broke when I get there. I should be more stressed over dumb things like how do I pay a seven cent credit card bill when it says “send no cash” or how do I spend three weeks writing something at work that I could have done tomorrow. But instead I’ll think about how much fun it is to call Archerr and gossip about other cute bloggers.
Friday, September 19, 2003
I had a dinner party tonight for Sam and Jeff, with Patrick, Gavin, and Jeffrey in attendance. We sat around and chatted and ate and talked some more. I think everyone had a nice time, it was good to meet Jeff in person. The brownies were the favorite course.
The dining room.
Jeff and Sam.
The dining room.
Jeff and Sam.
Wednesday, September 10, 2003
Happy 24th bday Sam. My birthdays have often sucked. Like Molly Ringwald, no one remembered my 16th. My 30th was another poor show. My 27th was, however, a fabulous time, spent with four friends at a park with gigantic boulders outside of Laramie, Wyoming enjoying some mind altering refreshments. I am on my last six days of being in my thirties. How did I end up here?
Last night had most excellent food and company. I went over to Bob and Steve's old adobe and sat on the back porch and hung out with Steve, who is having some back problems. Their new Pomeranian dog, Peaches, is like a living stuffed doll, but not in the Chucky way. She is so f'in cute. I want to borrow her. We had Dragon Garden Chinese- the garlic eggplant is lingering on my breath as I type. And chatted and gossiped and had an all-around nice. Good guys. And as Sam would say (he needs to do the Fox thing and trademark the phrase) "Good times."
Princess and Joey, who usually don't get along, can you tell?
Last night had most excellent food and company. I went over to Bob and Steve's old adobe and sat on the back porch and hung out with Steve, who is having some back problems. Their new Pomeranian dog, Peaches, is like a living stuffed doll, but not in the Chucky way. She is so f'in cute. I want to borrow her. We had Dragon Garden Chinese- the garlic eggplant is lingering on my breath as I type. And chatted and gossiped and had an all-around nice. Good guys. And as Sam would say (he needs to do the Fox thing and trademark the phrase) "Good times."
Princess and Joey, who usually don't get along, can you tell?
Saturday, September 06, 2003
Hung out at the Denture with Reggie, Sam, Tom, Todd, Hans, Chris, et al. last night. I was driving, everyone else was drinnnnkiiiinnnnggg. Sam's word for the night "binogomous." He was being an imp. I had a good time, it was nice just to stand around chatting. Matt was Djing- 1970s disco classics. Nice.
Chinese poppies, Spring 2003, front yard.
Chinese poppies, Spring 2003, front yard.
Wednesday, October 05, 2011
Well my buddy Donny killed himself, going out in a particularly vulgar way that endangered other people's lives. He was always a drama queen.
We had many chats on Facebook and at one time he planned to visit Tucson. I always felt he had a brilliant mind, similar to my friend Sam who died last year. He also seemed to be living a sped up version of life, so honestly I can't say I was surprised to learn about what happened.
I wish things had turned out differently for Donny.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
So the last few days I have been pretty down. It is hard for me to think about Sam being gone. When I hugged him goodbye in May I said to him, "Come visit Tucson," and he said, 'I'm going to."
Little things bring him to mind, a television show about airline employees. I miss trading emails with him. And yet I know that those who knew him better and loved him are suffering a million times more.
And then I see that nasty Maggie Gallagher yapping about how gay people can't have real families because she gets to decide what's what. It makes me seethe. What does that money-grubbing whore know about our families? My guess, she's just miserable because no one has ever really loved her.
Little things bring him to mind, a television show about airline employees. I miss trading emails with him. And yet I know that those who knew him better and loved him are suffering a million times more.
And then I see that nasty Maggie Gallagher yapping about how gay people can't have real families because she gets to decide what's what. It makes me seethe. What does that money-grubbing whore know about our families? My guess, she's just miserable because no one has ever really loved her.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
How did I bruise my knee? Apparently I banged it on something at the dig site on Friday- now it hurts enough that I did not go to the gym to continue with MidLifeCrisis2009.
Sam Elliott or Pornstache?
I was placed in a singularly bad mood this afternoon. I came home and watched mid-1980s music videos on Youtube to calm my nerves.
Henny-Penny and today's egg.
Henny-Penny knows now that she is supposed to go to the laundry room when it starts to get dark. She has taken to laying eggs on the top of the washing machine- very convenient for me since I don't have to search for them. She is as adorable as ever.
I am now going to go work on my secret project. If I told you what it was, it wouldn't be a secret anymore.
Sam Elliott or Pornstache?
I was placed in a singularly bad mood this afternoon. I came home and watched mid-1980s music videos on Youtube to calm my nerves.
Henny-Penny and today's egg.
Henny-Penny knows now that she is supposed to go to the laundry room when it starts to get dark. She has taken to laying eggs on the top of the washing machine- very convenient for me since I don't have to search for them. She is as adorable as ever.
I am now going to go work on my secret project. If I told you what it was, it wouldn't be a secret anymore.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Well today a certain someone emailed me and told me I was an idiot. Well; that may be the case; but at least I'm real.
Warning: Super dull blogbud entry alert!
I have 102 blogs on my bloglist at the moment (I have a couple more cued up to add). Of those 14 bloggers (count 'em!) have been inside my house, including three from SF (Moby, God of Biscuits, Sam), one from DC (Jimbo), three from NYC (Patch, CFSCON, and Glennalicious), a couple from Phoenix (Aristoi and Cheapblueguitar), one currently living in Australia (Banal Chew), and four from Tucson (Boltgirl, Panchesco, Box Turtle, and Urswine Addiction). One of the new bloggers I'll be adding, Lopaka Lounge, has also visited several times and I've been to his house twice.
Beyond that, of the 102 bloggers on my list, I've met 47 in person. That's a lot; I guess I'm a sociable kinda guy. But the main point is, it really isn't that hard to meet another blogger in person. Generally the image they present on their blog is about what you see in person. I'm guessing people who meet me describe me as "smart ass." I'm also guessing that not many people would call me an idiot; however, I expect there are a few "people" out there who would disagree (TJ, is that a proper semi-colon usage?).
There are still some bloggers I haven't met who'd like to have dinner with. This is who would be sitting around the dinner table if I could magically transport them here:
- Durban Bud
- Large Tony
- AngryBlackBitch (she rules!)
- Journey by Myself
So which four bloggers on the internet do you want to have dinner with?
Warning: Super dull blogbud entry alert!
I have 102 blogs on my bloglist at the moment (I have a couple more cued up to add). Of those 14 bloggers (count 'em!) have been inside my house, including three from SF (Moby, God of Biscuits, Sam), one from DC (Jimbo), three from NYC (Patch, CFSCON, and Glennalicious), a couple from Phoenix (Aristoi and Cheapblueguitar), one currently living in Australia (Banal Chew), and four from Tucson (Boltgirl, Panchesco, Box Turtle, and Urswine Addiction). One of the new bloggers I'll be adding, Lopaka Lounge, has also visited several times and I've been to his house twice.
Beyond that, of the 102 bloggers on my list, I've met 47 in person. That's a lot; I guess I'm a sociable kinda guy. But the main point is, it really isn't that hard to meet another blogger in person. Generally the image they present on their blog is about what you see in person. I'm guessing people who meet me describe me as "smart ass." I'm also guessing that not many people would call me an idiot; however, I expect there are a few "people" out there who would disagree (TJ, is that a proper semi-colon usage?).
There are still some bloggers I haven't met who'd like to have dinner with. This is who would be sitting around the dinner table if I could magically transport them here:
- Durban Bud
- Large Tony
- AngryBlackBitch (she rules!)
- Journey by Myself
So which four bloggers on the internet do you want to have dinner with?
Thursday, August 05, 2010
So fucking hot out at the dig site and of course it is near one of the sewage plants so I got to try out some new, disgusting smells.
I was off working by myself so there was plenty of time to think things over. I thought a lot about Sam, remembering the good things about him. His charm, the sly smile, his enthusiasm for certain things (once, obsessing over McNuggets). My heart aches for his partner Greg.
And then I thought about that nasty Maggie Gallagher, trying to understand why she hates us homos so fucking much. I hypothesized about various scenarios, as a scientist is apt to do. My guess, the man who knocked her up and wouldn't marry her was gay. Maybe she was his fag-hag? I wish a reporter would ask her these exact questions (maybe throwing in, "So when your bastard child was born, did your parents hate you?" Note, my father was a bastard child, so I know that can fuck you up pretty bad).
At lunch time someone said something they shouldn't have said and I blew up. I never, ever lose my cool. But today I did and in front of various assorted permanent and temp workers I got downright nasty over something that has been going on at work for a year. Said things like, "I'm tired of this bullshit and I am not going to take it anymore." Very loudly. Stunned faces ensued. And I'm not going to take it. Certain people need to act their fucking age and stop with the cliques and deciding not to hire perfectly competent people because they are friends with so-and-so. The boss is on my side, so they better mind their fucking manners.
Post rant.
I was off working by myself so there was plenty of time to think things over. I thought a lot about Sam, remembering the good things about him. His charm, the sly smile, his enthusiasm for certain things (once, obsessing over McNuggets). My heart aches for his partner Greg.
And then I thought about that nasty Maggie Gallagher, trying to understand why she hates us homos so fucking much. I hypothesized about various scenarios, as a scientist is apt to do. My guess, the man who knocked her up and wouldn't marry her was gay. Maybe she was his fag-hag? I wish a reporter would ask her these exact questions (maybe throwing in, "So when your bastard child was born, did your parents hate you?" Note, my father was a bastard child, so I know that can fuck you up pretty bad).
At lunch time someone said something they shouldn't have said and I blew up. I never, ever lose my cool. But today I did and in front of various assorted permanent and temp workers I got downright nasty over something that has been going on at work for a year. Said things like, "I'm tired of this bullshit and I am not going to take it anymore." Very loudly. Stunned faces ensued. And I'm not going to take it. Certain people need to act their fucking age and stop with the cliques and deciding not to hire perfectly competent people because they are friends with so-and-so. The boss is on my side, so they better mind their fucking manners.
Post rant.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
It rained every day in Portland, but I didn't mind.
Mac didn't mind either.
I traveled north to unwind and spend some time in nature and in front of the television. Mark and Rodger were excellent hosts and I got to do many things I wanted to do. I ended up getting to know those two guys pretty well, I think they should have me be their houseboy for the summer.
Including looking at slugs.
We went to Multnomah Falls and the pictures I took of myself didn't turn out because I had ice cream smeared all over my face.
Multnomah Falls.
Lots of pretty wild flowers and green foliage to look at, as well as waterfalls.
Rodger and Mark.
We went bird watching and I got to see a Bald Eagle feeding its chick, along with a great blue heron rookery.
I also saw some Lady Bugs fucking.
It is so lush and green there, it seems impossible that it is that way.
Wild rose.
Such a contrast with Tucson, which has just started to have summer.
Horsetail.
So many interesting birds to see.
Osprey.
And fun to watch Mac play in the water.
Mac getting ready to jump in the water after the plastic duck.
I made a non-rage-inducing lemon meringue, a strawberry-rhubarb pie, and an angelfood cake with lemon curd. Unfortunately, the angelfood cake didn't rise very well- too much humidity.
Strawberry-rhubard pie.
I got to spend some time with James, and had dinner with Sam and Greg. As it was, I didn't have a car so I didn't get to see some other guys that I would have liked to.
Hummingbird.
There is always next time.
Mac didn't mind either.
I traveled north to unwind and spend some time in nature and in front of the television. Mark and Rodger were excellent hosts and I got to do many things I wanted to do. I ended up getting to know those two guys pretty well, I think they should have me be their houseboy for the summer.
Including looking at slugs.
We went to Multnomah Falls and the pictures I took of myself didn't turn out because I had ice cream smeared all over my face.
Multnomah Falls.
Lots of pretty wild flowers and green foliage to look at, as well as waterfalls.
Rodger and Mark.
We went bird watching and I got to see a Bald Eagle feeding its chick, along with a great blue heron rookery.
I also saw some Lady Bugs fucking.
It is so lush and green there, it seems impossible that it is that way.
Wild rose.
Such a contrast with Tucson, which has just started to have summer.
Horsetail.
So many interesting birds to see.
Osprey.
And fun to watch Mac play in the water.
Mac getting ready to jump in the water after the plastic duck.
I made a non-rage-inducing lemon meringue, a strawberry-rhubarb pie, and an angelfood cake with lemon curd. Unfortunately, the angelfood cake didn't rise very well- too much humidity.
Strawberry-rhubard pie.
I got to spend some time with James, and had dinner with Sam and Greg. As it was, I didn't have a car so I didn't get to see some other guys that I would have liked to.
Hummingbird.
There is always next time.
Saturday, January 01, 2011
2010 was the worst year and the best year.
bad things:
- Forrest had to move to North Carolina and lost his father.
- Sam died
- Mama Cat died
- shingles and that rock in my eye
- the Saturn was totaled
good things:
- still gainfully employed
- had a wonderful visit in Portland with Mark and Rodger
- had a nice visit to Las Vegas to see Erich, James, and George
best things:
- canned watermelon rind pickles, carmelized onions, jams, and chutneys. I told my mother I could do anything I wanted to
- my boyfriend Evan
Tuesday, November 14, 2017
A few days before Halloween I arrived late at Richard's house to attend his and Roger's pumpkin carving party.
All of the Jack-O-Lanterns.
I quickly disemboweled my pumpkin.
Mine, front left.
On Halloween night I had only one trick-or-treater. One. I couldn't believe it.
I began work on my Offrenda (altar) for All Soul's Procession. I watched a couple of videos on how to make tissue paper flowers. Over the next few days I made a variety of flowers.
Tissue paper flowers.
I went to Home Depot and looked for something to make an arch. A worker suggested PVC pipe, which is quite bendable. I made a U, tied the ends with two twine lines. I then attached a fake pine garland, and then attached the paper flowers.
Completed arch.
On Saturday, Kevin vacated his room for the the next day and I set up the offrenda.
Above it is a set of photographs of friends who have died.
Tony, Bob, Donny, Sam, Jose, and Scott.
On the table are old photographs.
Photos.
On the side bookshelf was a large bouquet of roses. On the way to the Procession guests hand out flowers to people.
Roses.
On Saturday morning I made gingerbread and sugar cookies. Chris came over and helped me decorate them.
Cookies.
Menu for party: hummous and pita bread, chops and pico de gallo salsa, sour cream and carmelized onion dip and potato chips, olives, spinokopita, and a lemon cake. (note for next year, skip the sour cream dip). The lemon cake was really, really good.
Anthony helping out.
I spent most of the party doing other peoples' makeup.
Richard and Hiram arrived, always nice to see them. The following photos were taken by Richard.
David and Anthony.
Mark and Fred.
We walked to the procession. The women getting the flowers were so happy. Eventually the Procession arrived and as always I was moved by the creativity and the remembrances by those friends and family members who have died.
Procession.
And then I came home and quickly cleaned up since I had to head north for work again. Luckily, it wasn't too difficult. It was a very nice party.
