Thank You Jeanne Manford

I just read that the mother of a gay son and founder of PFLAG Jeanne Manford has died at age 92.

From Towleroad:

"Being gay was a crime, over half of the U.S. population deemed homosexuality morally wrong, vicious attacks on gay people were commonplace, and the idea of equality for gays and lesbians was a radical notion. But this didn’t stop Bronx, New York schoolteacher Jeanne Manford from ensuring that her gay son, Morty, received the same treatment as her straight daughter, Suzanne.

"Following a brutal attack on his life at a rally, Manford stood alongside her son in a protest through the streets of Manhattan, carrying a sign that read “Parents of Gays: Unite in Support for Our Children.” Begged by observers to speak to other parents, she started support groups teaching parents to accept and support their LGBT loved ones and become, like her, brave advocates for equality. As demand steadily increased, Manford founded PFLAG, a national organization with a mission of support, education, and advocacy."

Unsolicited Offer

An unfamiliar couple placed a letter in our mailbox asking us to please call them first if we were thinking about selling our house.  Currently we have no plans to sell our house, but it is nice to be desired, right?  Our neighborhood is booming.  I think people are tired of suburbia, and our Dallas neighborhood with an award winning elementary school is a hot alternative.  Our 2,800 square foot three bedroom 2.5 bathroom 1980 single story house was the middle price point of our neighborhood when we purchased it in 2008.  However, the lowest price point houses (built in the1940's and 1950's) in our neighborhood are vanishing.  They are being purchased, torn down, and then replaced with 4,500 square foot houses. I predict in ten years our house will be the lowest price point in the neighborhood.  The evolution of this neighborhood is interesting.

I like change.  Change is what will one day bring us equality in this nation.  As these old houses are being demolished and replaced with new and improved houses, old ideas are being demolished and replaced  with new and improved ideas.  (Homos are equal to heteros!) Change is what keeps a society relevant.  I like change!  And you like change too!  If you didn't like change, then you'd be Amish.  If you're Amish, then you cannot read this blog.  Since you're reading this blog, then you like change too!

Brass Sisters

In November I listened to NPR's interview with the Brass Sisters, and I was captivated by their memories of their Aunt Ida's poppy seed cookies.  I printed the recipe and saved it.  Recently I baked the cookies with much hope, but I was disappointed with the final product.  The cookies are plain Jane boring.  They need butter instead of peanut oil or icing (maybe lemon icing) or more vanilla or all of the above.  The ladies spoke about the cookies with such fondness, but looking back I think they were confusing memories of their beloved Aunt Ida with these cookies.  (Food memories are powerful.)  The cookies didn't live up to the hype.

I went down to the lake and fed these cookies to a flock of migrating mallards, and they seemed to enjoy them!

QOTD

I just read this quote from the poster child for the redneck movement in our society.

"Ain't nothin' wrong with bein' a little gay.  Everybody's a little gay."

-Honey Boo Boo (Alana Thompson)

Even Straight People

These Las Vegas print advertisements always make me smile.  I posted about one previously here.  The winning formula includes sophisticated homos with the presence of ridiculous heteros.  If you go to Las Vegas you will see many heteros confusing Las Vegas with New Orleans during Mardi Gras because they have crazy drinks and beads.  Of course, homos understand the concept of time and place.

Everyone's Welcome, EVEN straight people!

The Lucky Few

According to HRC's holiday card "15.8% of Americans now live in states with marriage equality."  That's a start.  I cannot wait for Texas to join the list!

2013

Although, we had earlier accepted the invitation with much enthusiasm, last night my husband and I (rudely) no-showed to a New Year's Eve party.  Instead of a party with friends we had a nice quiet evening together.  We went to yoga and dined on my husband's (everything-but-the-kitchen-sink) tortilla soup.  My still jet-lagged husband had a difficult time staying awake past nine o'clock.  That was okay with me.  I was happy he was back home in our bed where he belongs.  I watched the ball drop live in New York City at 11:00 PM, and then I went to bed too.  It was a lovely night.

Happy 2013 to you and the ones you love!