In the 1980’s I was on the board of directors at MCC Tampa (Metropolitan Community Church.) In those days we were called a GLBT affirming religious organization.  Many religious organizations were making books called church directories.  These books were similar to a High School year book. Since this was before the internet and long distant calls were very expensive, I wrote to the company.  The company wrote back that this was the 1^st time they had ever done a book for a GLBT group. Then asked was this even legal in Tampa Florida? After a couple more letters they came to MCC Tampa and took all the photos. This was the 1^st time many of the people and couples had ever had a professional photo done. Some of the couples thought it was too scandalous to have a photo taken as a couple and choice separate photos. After the books came out the company the sold photos to everyone. They said it was one of the highest average sales per person ever.  Fast forward to 5/18/2023. This book would be banned from our schools in Florida today.  It is a very sad times for everyone in Florida.

Our good friends Miss Judy B Good and Paino Man Paul Thomas for the past 10 years have been selling out their cabaret show at the Hollander Hotel in St. Pete. The shows go 1 to 2 hours long. This past week it was a sold-out show again.  Half way thru the show a guy stood up at the bar and walked up to Judy, who was performing. He actually said “Are you done with this nonsense now? Just stop!  I want to watch the Kentucky Derby on the TV.” Judy replied that the sold-out room had all come to hear them perform. Maybe he could go to the outside bar and watch TV there. The crowed gave him a big booooo.

This week Tampa Mayor Jane Castor was sworn in for her 2^nd term. This reminded us about when Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn was 1^st sworn in at the Tampa Convention Center in 2011. The room was packed with 100’s of people there. Then a choir started to sing in the back of the room. In single file they came a strutting, clamping hands, singing in the room. Then all of a sudden, we noticed a very tall guy in the choirs.  It was Drag Queen Wanda out of drag!!! As she walked past us Wanda put her finger over her mouth and said shuu don’t tell anyone. LMAO She really could sing too!!! A couple of years later Wanda was murdered in Tampa. They even made a TV show about the killing. But on that day, we saw a different side of Wanda, that many didn’t know about.

Families are crazy no mater where you are in the world. A close friend of ours Mother passed away in America.  She was cremated and her ashes were mailed ahead to an Asian country. He then flew there. Upon arriving, he went to the post office and picked up her ashes. Then went over to his aunt’s home. She was not there so he went inside. Then called his aunt and said that he was here and had his Moms ashes with him.  His aunt yelled “WHAT YOU BROUGHT A DEAD PERSON INTO MY HOME!!!!! Get her out of there now!” He laughed and asked “Where should I take her?” The aunt said “Let her wait in the car outside!” LMAO A few days later they put her in a condominium with his Grandparents. I had to ask what is a condominium? He showed me a photo. It was a very nice monument in a graveyard with many small doors to put ashes in. We still laugh about “Waiting in the Car!!!” Family can always make you laugh.  

You Just Can Not Make This Up

There really is a thing called “Minnesota Nice.”  One holiday I flew home to Minnesota to visit my parents. Dad asked me to go furniture shopping with him, to buy a new kitchen table for Mom. We went to a very nice furniture store and picked out a beautiful table set. Then Dad says, we will take this table but no not want all 4 chairs. I only want 3. I’m like Dad really…Why? He said that the table is up against the wall and they never use that chair. Of course, the salesperson knows my Dad. He said that the table comes with 4 chairs and the price is the same for 3 chairs. Then out comes Minnesota nice. Dad tells the salesperson to keep the 4th chair and give it to somebody who needs and extra chair. We took the set home and set it up. Mom liked it a lot, then asked where’s the 4th chair? Dad told her the whole story. Mom gave me the “WHAT???” look. Then just smiled and said “Isn’t that nice.”

You Just Can Not Make This Up

I was busy bartending one time. Just minding my own business. The manager came out and ask me if I go by the name “PINKY” I said no, why? Someone just called and asked if Pinky was working today and you are the only person, I could think of who would be called that. I took it as a compliment!!!

You Just Can Not Make This Up

We have a crazy wild fun lady friend. She has a German accent and loves to laugh. We were at one of her party homes recently and she has a new sexy boyfriend. Laughing she told us she trains her boyfriends like dogs.  She has a 3 bells system. Just watch this…. When she rings the 1st bell and the boyfriend comes over and gives her a kiss.  When she rang the 2nd bell he came and asked “Is it time for champagne? We then asked what is the 3rd bell for?  With a naughty smile she said “This bell is for when I want sex NOW!!”  I had to ask “Where can I buy one of those bells?”… We just love her so much!!!

Our good friend Miss Judy B Goode had a fun hippy sister call Lee. Growing up, and later in life,  they would have typical sister fights. Lee was older and born on Veterans Day, November 11th.  As we all know on Veteran Day it is customary to wear a paper poppy flower to honor the veterans.  Lee would tell Judy that she was much more important than her because on her birthday everybody wears a poppy!!!! For years Judy believed this and  they would argue about this.  At Lee’s celebration of life Judy gave everyone a poppy to wear.  Now every time we see a poppy it makes me smile.   GO Lee, you got Judy good. LMAO

You Just Can Not Make This Up

The names have been changed. We were filming an episode of Tru T at our home. One of our guests was an elderly Drag Queen who exaggerates her age. This day she wasn’t feel her best. The host of the show Tyler Butler had brought her from Sarasota in his new BMW car. After the shows they got into the car and headed out. 3 minutes later Tyler called OMG she just got sick in his new car. He was coming back to clean the car. LMAO We cleaned her up and the car too. As they were getting on the I-75 on ramp he could smell it again. So, he stopped and put the top down on the car. We know how Tyler drives. He hit the gas and took off. Just then her wig and hat blew off and hit the windshield of the car behind them. OMG OMG LMAO You can just imagen what the other drivers thought on the way home. There she was in full make up, chandler earrings, tons of jewelry & no hair!!! Just look at that nice guy taking his grandmother out for a ride. LMAO  https://youtu.be/_qEXB_qzn48

We all reach an age where the cheater eye glasses are needed.  Everyone know that the best place to buy these is at The Dollar Store. I was getting tired of my friends walking off with my glasses. LMAO At the Dollar Store I picked up 20 pairs. Standing in line I looked down at my basket, full of eye glasses and thought what if they say something?  Sure thing, the child at the register smiled and said “That’s a lot of eye glasses.” I had a plan and said back “Yes there are a lot. I am using them for party favors at a 40^th Birthday Party.” She said “What a great idea. I bet you could do this for a 30^th Birthday too.” LMAO LMAO