We are family....

Cliff's mom and dad were over for dinner today and we celebrated her birthday with "Asopado de Camarones", salad, tostones, bread, cake and wine. Family is great to have and for all the years we have known each other and all the times we have been there for each other, they are better than family. I guess Cliff and I are brothers or cousins by default...however you see it, they are part of my family...and I'm glad and blessed.

Speaking of family:
This week is the Winter Party Festival that is sponsored by The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. If you are able to attend or support any of the events, do so. I will be volunteering this year. Will catch up with you before of after the weekend. Enjoy!

www.winterparty.org

www.thetaskforce.org

Pick and Choose Your Battles...

There have been a few changes this month .... Scotty has moved to be the manager of FLEX in Cleveland, the Palace Food Bar has new owners, a friend broke up and then got back together with his partner, etc. The saying is to "pick and choose your battles". I am hoping that all the changes are for the better and that everyone comes out fine.

The picture is of my grandmother's cousin, Vicente Rodriguez. They are all soldiers in the US military from Puerto Rico. It was taken July 6, 1944. His note says "So you don't forget me." Like the brave and proud soldiers of today, sometimes you can not pick your battle...you can only serve the best you can..... It does put things into a different perspective. Today, I add a special prayer for all those in the military and their families...You are not forgotten.

Cafe Maurice is my new favorite restaurant. Mr. S and I saw a review about it on the local PBS program "Check, Please!". On Valentine's Day, Mr. S. surprised me by taking me there for dinner.

The small bistro style restaurant is located accross from the large China Grill and in between two other venues. When you enter, you are greeted and seated by young French men (all the employees are French) or the courteous, friendly and welcoming owner himself, Dominique Nameche. The walls are painted a bright red with French words and phrases painted in white. All the paintings and other decor are French or French inspired.

The night we went, there was a fixed menu because it was Valentine's Day. Eveything was delicious and quite filling. It was a five course menu. First was a Salmon Mousse, then Pate de Frois Gras with homemade crackers and bread followed by a spinach stuffed sea bass in a white sauce. Then, there were beef scewers with mashed potatoes in a savory red sauce. For desert there was a type of lady finger covered with brandy and chocolate with a hint of orange zest.

All the food is prepared fresh from scratch on the premises in their small kitchen. The seating is intimate and friendly, the servers were all quick and friendly. There is seating on the sidewalk or indoors. We had a great evening and are looking forward to going again and trying their Escargot, soups, deserts and other tasty French fair.

I highly recomend Cafe Maurice to everyone. The prices are very resonable for a South Beach location. They might even be one of the most affordable. Go! You'll enjoy.

Cafe Maurice

419 Washington Avenue

Miami Beach, FL 33139

Whew! Busy, Busy, Busy....

Some images from My birthday and Scotty's Going away Party. Thank you all for the good wishes.

Happy Birthday to Me!!!!

Hello, Young Lovers...

It's Valentines Day. I am remembering couples I have known through the years and the good and not so good examples of love I have witnessed. I am hoping all of you have a great day....

whether you are sharing it with friends, family, a new love, an old love, or just remembering a time of love take time and let someone know they are cared about and loved. It is always good to hear.

Note: The picture is of my Grandparent's Wedding (Bautista and Agripina) in 1916.

Look out weekend....

Recieved a text message last night from Provincetown Jerry: "Hola! Going out tonight?xoxox Just got in." I got a smile on my face. We texted and e-mailed back and forth so we will see each other on the weekend or during the week.

I guess she is already burning up the town because The Mrs. Astor said: "You have no idea how much I know Jerry is here; ASK HER!!!! I guess I will have to wait to get the stories. Her friends will also be down for a few days, so that should be a hoot. They are such good people and always a joy to see.

Tonight, Mr. S and I are going to see the Go-Go's in concert at the Fillmore at the Jackie Gleason Theater. I've been liking the location and the renovations. What I have not liked about concerts, plays, theater lately is the pricing. They advertise X amount and then add fee after fee that (lately) has added approximately $20.00 to each ticket price. They even add the fees if you purchase the tickets at the box office in person! At least I have been able to get good seating.

Until later, have a blessed Lent and Peace.

Presiding Bishop's Lenten Message 2008

Presiding Bishop's Lenten Message
Keeping a holy Lent: prayer, fasting, almsgiving

By: Katharine Jefferts Schori

The Church gradually took on the discipline of Lent in solidarity with those preparing for baptism at the Easter Vigil. That preparation work has traditionally been summarized as prayer and study, fasting, and almsgiving. Today we might remember the origins of Lent, take in our traditional understandings, and use these 40 days plus Sundays to prepare to renew our own baptismal vows. This ancient understanding of prayer, study, fasting, and almsgiving shapes the lives we lead. Each of us is baptized into a life of relationship with God (prayer), relationship with self on behalf of others (fasting), and relationship with all the rest of creation (almsgiving). Lent brings a regular opportunity to tune up our Christian life and relationships.

What happens when you take your car in for a tune-up? Most of us no longer do that work ourselves, because the computers in our vehicles are usually beyond our reach. They are not, however, beyond the ken of those with appropriate skill, training, and tools. The spiritual life of a Christian can also benefit from the assistance of technicians (trained practitioners) -- priests, spiritual directors, confessors, a Cursillo reunion, or 12-step group. The opportunity to review the functioning of spark plugs,change the oil, test the cylinder compression, and rotate, fill, and maybe even replace the tires keeps our cars running.

The same kind of attention to one's spiritual life can yield better gas mileage (focused energy for effective living) and effective transportation (how do I get from where I start to my destination?). Reviewing the rules of the road can make the trip much more pleasant for us and others (the early followers of Jesus actually called their practice "the road" or "the way"). We human vehicles need an effective connection to the source of life, guidance and directions (prayer and study), regular maintenance (fasting), and effective ways to connect with the world (almsgiving).

This Lent could be an opportunity to learn new ways of praying, or what the apostles teach, or what Jesus says about money. It could also be a time to take on a new prayer discipline -- maybe practicing seeing the image of God in every person on the street, or being grateful for the hidden blessings of the parts of creation that challenge us (gray days, viruses, mosquitoes -- I'm still working on mosquitoes!). We might practice compassion for the coworker who drives us crazy (and perhaps seek help in learning more effective ways to relate).

The ancient tradition of fasting is about self-discipline in what we eat and drink, and in today's world it is also about judicious consumption of the world's goods -- not just what we buy at the mall, but how we use water, how we leave the air around us, how we deal with "garbage," and the size of our carbon footprint. It is a recognition that how we use the blessings of creation has a vast relationship to how our neighbors can also enjoy those blessings.

Giving alms means caring for those in need. The word comes from the same root as eleison, as in Kyrie eleison (Lord, have mercy), and it really means compassion. How do we approach and respond to the people around us and far away who are "crying in the wilderness"? The work of Lent is about cultivating a compassionate heart that will shape all our encounters in the coming year and years. Sunday schools often take on a specific alms aim during Lent, like filling a penny jar for Heifer Project, or serving lunch at a homeless feeding center. Almsgiving has traditionally meant acting compassionately with one's treasure, but it is just as appropriate to think about how we use our time and talent mercifully.

As we approach Lent -- early in February this year -- let me invite you to join in tuning up your spiritual life. Take an hour to make an inventory -- what mechanics know as a squawk list. Which spark isn't as hot as it might be? Which tire is going flat? What kind of oil are you going to add this time? And what are you going to do with the old, dirty stuff? That's what the altar is for, in a spirit of repentance and return, and it's not unlike recycling the old so it can be used for good. A blessed trip this year!

Ash Wednesday...Are you ready to journey through the desert?

For a large number of Christians, Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent. Biblically, Lent is the 40 days and nights that Jesus spent alone in the desert and was tempted three time by Satan. His return to Jerusalem is marked as Palm Sunday. Historically, it is the time when new converts used the time to prepare for Holy Baptism.

For me, Ash Wednesday gives a bit of connection... From dust we came and to dust we will return. As a Christian, this is the begining of some time of introspection, accounting and penitence. One realizes, in my belief, that if we follow the road that Jesus took it will lead to eternal life. Jesus was made mortal and died mortal. He turned death into ashes....

To make ashes you need fire. I believe the fire of God's love, generosity, hope, forgiveness, humility burns bright and hot during this time; and it is a time to recognize it and prepare for the gift of Easter and the resurrection.

The Lenten season gives us the time to restore fellowship, repent, reconcile, receive absolution and become whole again. This is traditionally done by meditation, self examination, prayer, fasting, self-denial, (and I add) service to others.

During this time of Lent, the Psalm that is traditionally used is Psalm 51. I'll post it later during Lent. Have a blessed Lent.

Fat Tuesday...

Getting ready for Lent. Last Friday Mr. S and I went to The Warsaw Mardis Gras Party at Twist. We weren't really planning on going. I volunteered in assisting with some of the decorating and after blowing up 1300 helium balloons, we decided we were going.

It was a blast. We dressed Scotty up and then we got dressed and headed out. It was an evening with old friends, costumes, drag queens, height challenged dancers, music, beads and just plain fun. We were out late, but it was worth it.

FYI for some of my old friends: Warsaw was first Ovo at the Warsaw ballroom in the early 80's, then it was Warsaw....it is now it's now "Jerry's Deli".

Wooo Hooo! It's February!

Well, it is February again and time for Aquarius birthdays (including Me!), Superbowl Weekend, Fat Tuesday, Ash Wednesday (beginning of lent), Chinese New Year, Miami Flamenco Festival, Valentine's Day, President's Day, Food and Wine Festival, Coconut Grove Arts Festival, Winter Party, etc...

On the 8th, Mr. S and I will be going to see the GO-GO's in concert at the Fillmore. I'm excited.

I'll update as I can during the week. Hope all of you have a great weekend/week. Unitl later...Take care of each other...

I love my tourists...but.... (Joke: A Place of Balance)

A Place of Balance

Once upon a time in the Kingdom of Heaven, God was missing for six days. Eventually, Michael, the archangel, found him, resting on the seventh day.
He inquired of God, "Where have you been?"
God sighed a deep sigh of satisfaction and proudly pointed downwards through the clouds, "Look, Michael, look what I've made."

Archangel Michael looked puzzled and said, "What is it?" "It's a planet," replied God, "and I've put Life on it. I'm going to call it Earth and it's going to be a great place of balance."

"Balance?", inquired Michael, still confused. God explained, pointing to different parts of earth, "For example, northern Europe will be a place of great opportunity and wealth while southern Europe is going to be poor; the Middle East over there will be a hot spot. Over there I've placed a continent of white people and over there is a continent of black people," God continued, pointing to different countries. "This one will be extremely hot and arid while this one will be very cold and covered in ice."

The Archangel, impressed by God's work, then pointed to a large land mass and said, "What's that one?""Ah," said God. "That's Florida, the most glorious place on earth. There are beautiful lakes, rivers, streams and climate. The people from Florida are going to be modest, intelligent and humorous and they are going to be found traveling the world.

They will be extremely sociable, hardworking and high achieving, and they will be known throughout the world as diplomats and carriers of peace." Michael gasped in wonder and admiration but then proclaimed, "What about balance, God?" You said there would be balance!"

God replied wisely, "Wait until you see the idiots I'm sending them from the North every winter!

A Night at the Circus...

This week Mr. S and I have spent a lot of time together. On Tuesday evening we had the pleasure of going to see the travelling show "Absinthe" at "Spiegelworld". (I won tickets by answering a question about Absinthe.) It is a great Cirque de Soleil meets Vaudeville type show. It is NOT for kids. The live music is excellent....there is a female singer accompanied by a piano. The acrobats and performers are amazing and sexy. You also get a few laughs and insults from an Emcee called "The Gazillionaire" and his high pitch voiced assistant. He is a greasy, tacky tuxedo dressed man with a pencil thin moustache. He has his own midnight show as a separate event.

Speigelworld is the whole set up. There are bars, pre-show dinner offers, an old fashioned tent with a wooden floor. Do get there early to get seats, since it is all general admission. All the seats are good, but if you don't want to be singled out, don't sit in the front row.

I do recommend for everyone to go. The one drawback was the drink prices. We has $15.00 glasses of house wine (Pinot Noir and Pinot Griggio).

Go see this bawdy and entertaining show. You will not be disappointed. Enjoy!

Kathy Concert - update

Mr. S and I had a great evening. Kathy Griffin gave an outstanding performance, tried out new material and we laughed and laughed. She is all I wanted her to be and more. She made comments about the "You Tube" guys that were from Miami and threatened the Police with guns, Brittany Spears, J-Lo and Mark Anthony, Liza Minnelli, her new beau, etc..... If you get a chance to see her...GO!
The Bravo network had picked up "Life on the D-List" for the 4th season with 10 episodes. I will look forward to it.

Time for some family celebrations and laughter...

Today is my little sister's birthday and we will be having a quick dinner and some homemade brownies at Mom's. The big gathering will be on Saturday with the traditional "January Birthday's Party". It lands exactly on my Mom's birthday day, so that means I will be doing all the cooking, serving and all around being a good host.

So, tonight after the quick get together, Mr. S and I will be going to see Kathy Griffin at the Fillmore at the Jackie Gleason Theater. It is the opening for the South Beach Comedy Festival. Comedy Central and The Improv are two of the main sponsors. It's going to be a weekend of free comedy on Lincoln Road and ticketed events at different venues.

It also happens to be Art Deco Weekend, but I will blog about that later if I get to go to some of the events.

I hope all of you are having a good week. Take some time for some laughter....

Been busy this week, so enjoy a few pictures of Miami at dawn. These are from the Macarthur Bridge and you can see the Port of Miami with some ships and the Downtown Skyline. Enjoy

Resolution Support...

The New Year is now in full swing. The decorations are just now coming down and the house is looking empty after all the Holiday stuff is put away. The weather has been nice with a few breezy evenings. I am also getting ready for the January Birthdays...again....

I know many people pick New Year's Day as the starting point to begin their resolutions...whether it be to get healthier by stopping a bad habit, beginning new, healthy habits, making commitments to the community or family, giving back by volunteering, keeping things in order, changing careers, etc... One of the obstacles I see people having (myself included) is that they are not receiving support from friends, family or co-workers.

Okay people, if the person you know trying to do something to improve themselves it does NOT mean they will stop being your friend. Do you feel guilty or jealous because you are not doing something or is it because you are currently practicing the bad habit they are trying to change?

I'm not going to keep rambling about this, just enough to say: If you are a friend and the person you know is attempting to keep a resolution, what is the harm in you supporting them. Wouldn't that make you a better a friend? Wouldn't it make your friendship better?

For all of you trying to start or in the process of keeping your resolutions: Find support if you don't have it readily available and let your friends know that their support would be appreciated.

Peace!

Brrrrrrr!

I know that most (or all of you) from the Northern States will probably cuss me out or send me to Hades, but it is the first week of the New Year and the temperature in Miami has gone waaaaay down. It is a relief....we finally get to pull out our winter gear. The confusion is in what to wear. We rarely have dips below 50 degrees. Should I wear leather, fur, cashmere? A jacket, sweater, coat, hat, scarf, muff? So many choices.

I do hope all of you are keeping warm and safe.

Happy New Year...2008!

It's a little early for the "Happy New Year", but I will be busy with Mr. S., Family and Friends the rest of the weekend and I wish to also take advantage of the good weather we are having now. I do want to reflect a bit.

I am thankful for the many friends and family that are in my life and the people that pass by and just say "Hi". I am thankful that I have someone to share the good and not so good, the quiet and noisy, the fun and the sad times with.

I wish to remember those who are no longer with us. They are remembered fondly and their impact on my life can not be measured. You are missed, but are in a glorious new place.

There are new friends and old friends that have made this last year so special. I am glad I am able to include you in the many parts of my life.

I'm not sure what I want to do for my New Year's resolutions. I think I will continue to focus on health, family and spiritual life, nurture relationships, and keep close to those I love. I think Mr. S. and I should travel a bit this year if we are able...maybe Las Vegas, the Bahamas, Puerto Rico... (I really like sharing my life with him).

For all of you out there reading this: May you have a New Year full of health and the love of friends and family. May you find peace and caring. I wish for a year that is full of new and positive things that will make the children in our lives proud. God Bless You All! Peace.

"The Last Song" and some quiet time

The first part of the Holiday events and gatherings is done and now on to the second part. In the middle of all this chaos, my mom, cousins and I were able to have some quiet time and sit down to watch an old Sarita Montiel film on DVD...."EL ULTIMO CUPLE" ("The Last Song"). It was full of music, gowns, music, love and loss....all that you want in an old film. At the time it was released in 1957 it was the most popular Spanish film of the time.

Sarita Montiel (he given name by the studios) was born in Spain in 1928. She is the daughter of a peasant and a beautician. She has always had a presence and is still going at age 81. I recently saw her on a television interview. She was in charge while smoking a cigar...

Sarita can be seen in some English language films such as "Vera Cruz" (1950) and "Serenade' (1955). It comes to show that elegance and glamour never goes out of style. Even though there are many good films out there, we tend to like seeing the classics.

Hoping all of you continue to have a safe and joyful week.

Jo! Jo! Jo! (That's Ho! Ho! Ho! in Spanish)

The week is going by quick. I've already finished all my holiday shopping and most of the Chistmas and Happy New Year cards are out. The house is decorated and the lights are up. There is a nativity set in every room, the holly shower curtains are up, the holiday dinnerware has replaced the daily set, the poinsetta bedsheets are on and the holiday throws and couch pillows are out. Hmm? Do you think that is too much? Those are just the basics. I still have not gotten around to painting my room and the guest room, but at least they are clean and ready for company. Now, it is time to wait for the family storm to arrive.

I have my godson and his mom (my cousin) coming in from Wisconsin and another cousin, her husband and two teenagers coming in from Maryland, Mr. S is spending some time during the weekend plus we have an old family friend coming to stay. Oh, and my younger sister will probably spend some nights here also.

This is not to say that the festivities have not yet begun. We have already had 25 people over to light the advent wreath and it turned into a Puertorican Party. Then we had Bishop Soto and his wife over for lunch before they leave town for the holidays and that turned into a luncheon for 10 people.

Coming up is the Twist and Palace Holiday Parties and on Saturday is the last of the 40's girls parties. It is a "Cubo-Rican Party". There will be a mix a Cuban and Puertorican food along with goodies that guests were asked to bring. It is an all ages, all background group that will be attending. It is at one of the girl's homes and I was there at the beginning of the week putting up all the lights, moving furniture, giving advice and making lists. It is going to be fun. I hope the weather cooperates and that we find enough tables and chairs.

Even though there are all the get togethers going on, there is still the thought of friends and family that are dealing with illnesses, and other personal losses and difficulties. They are in my prayers and I do get to see and/or speak to some on a daily basis. If you know of anyone that is having or had had a difficulty this year, please remember them. It could be a phone call, a card, and invitation to a meal out, or maybe just a quick visit. Anything to let them know they are not forgotten and are remembered can be an uplifting thing.

Peace to All.

"The Passion of Matthew Shepard"

There are many organizations that need help during the year and during the holidays. Please give when you can.

I was at the University of Wyoming in Laramie, Wyoming the Summer of 2002. I was there for the Episcopal Youth Event and was responsible for a dorm of youth and adults that were in attendance. There were around 2,500 attendees from every State in the USA, the Caribbean, Central and South America, Micronesia and the United Kingdom.

One of the days a group of us ventured out to the location where Matthew Shepard was found and had a service. I was very moved by the way the young people reacted and the passion, compassion and empathy that they showed. I am fortunate that sometimes I have the privilege to glimpse at a group of youth (who are now adults) that give me hope and fire up my optimism for the present and future.

I pray today for the many youth that find themselves disconnected and in a time of solitude and despair they feel they can not overcome. I pray that they find their angels and that the angels out there find them. AMEN