by sheila morris
Half a truth is often a great lie.
Actions speak louder than words.
Once in a blue moon, we catch someone red-handed when they are trying to pull the wool over our eyes.
Caught with their hand in the cookie jar, weaving a web of lies, playing fast and loose with the truth.
crying wolf together
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
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I’ve always been partial to idioms – stay tuned.
Being celebrated for our work in the LGBTQ+ community in the midlands of South Carolina was a remarkable experience last week for Pretty and me. We wanted to share a few highlights with our friends in cyberspace, too.
Are you a friend of Dorothy?
a code phrase back in the day which was translated to mean
“are you gay?”
Teresa (a/k/a Pretty) and me outside the Columbia Museum of Art in Columbia, South Carolina
the First Lady of the event and a dear friend of ours for three decades
Harriet Hancock, for whom our community center was named
Pretty and another warrior friend, Nekki Shutt
daughter-in-law Caroline with Dick Hubbard looking dapper
Dick is an institution himself – has been in the trenches with us
from the beginning 35 years ago
The Legacy Award
Pretty and I accepting award presented by last year’s winners
Bert Easter and Ed Madden – and Emcee Patti O’Furniture
(their words were awesome, moving, inspiring)
Drew and Caroline made us proud for their love and support
a bit of foolishness after the ceremony – I look like James Cagney
A perfect evening of celebration for Pretty and me as we learned about the current projects spearheaded by the Harriet Hancock Center and met young leaders with their own moving stories like Elliot Naddell who was named the Youth Advocate of the Year, PJ Whitehurst, the Community Advocate of the Year, and Senator Tameika Isaac Devine, the Political Advocate of the Year whose support as an ally of the LGBTQ+ community is historic.
Organizations like Can Community Health recognized as the Health & Wellness Organization of the Year, the Nickelodeon named the Arts & Culture Organization of the Year, and the Rainy Day Fund which was selected as the Community Partner of the Year.
Teresa and I were honored to be included with these current champions of causes so dear to us. You all share our legacy of “speaking the truth boldly, loving fiercely, and ensuring that future generations inherit a state where equality is not questioned but celebrated.”
Thank you, thank you, thank you to those who nominated us, to Harriet Hancock and the Center for selecting us, and to all our friends and family who showed up to celebrate on a magical night that stirred memories, inspired hope, and cast out fear.
No longer a secret, never again silent. These words by the Hancock Center Executive Director Cristina Picozzi and Board President Matt Butler must be etched in our collective consciousness from this day forward. They are not just a theme for a gala but a mantra for everyday living. The struggle is real.
Onward.
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Guess what? We discovered over the weekend that we have lost our actual Award! There was a misunderstanding about who took the blue box containing the award home post Gala. Turns out none of us picked it up because we thought someone else had it. We have contacted the Columbia Museum of Art and the Harriet Hancock Center but, alas, no luck. If anyone has any information concerning its whereabouts, PLEASE contact us. We would love to solve the mystery!
P.S. I would also love to credit all photos but I lifted the images from multiple places. Thank you to all who took pictures including Erin, who gets extra credit because she drove from Charleston to celebrate with us.
For the multitude of readers requesting an update on our little bottle-fed Summer Superstar, we have good news. Cheryl, Bennie’s new Upstate Mom, sends us pictures and videos showing Bennie’s good fortunes.
Bennie learning to eat with his three Big Brothers –
he’s a Big Boy now – one of the guys!
he loves to run and chase the Brothers,
but then he gives everyone a rest when he takes a break
Thanks to the US Postal Service for preserving Bennie’s sweet face (or some other lucky puss) on a Forever Stamp. It’s a collectible, right?
And thanks to Cheryl for the updates, pictures, videos – we miss him and are grateful to her for keeping us in touch.
Pretty has a new bumper sticker on her work truck:
You go, Pretty.
Onward.
Trump to Putin – a Love Song
Fools rush in
Where wise men never go
But wise men never fall in love
So how are they to know
When we met
I felt my life begin
So open up your heart and let
This fool rush in
(nineteen days later at large military parade in Beijing)
Honestly, Xi, I don’t know where Trump gets the idea I’m in love with him, protests Putin.
That’s just how fickle his love is, Kim Jong Un blurted out. I have the love letters to prove it. What a two-timer. Cheater, cheater, pumpkin eater.
Boys, boys, settle down in front of the military. We’ll discuss the United States back at the palace – we’ll sign secret tariff agreements and maybe have time for a round of golf. We’ll play at MY club where you fellows have a chance to win, Xi said. As for Trump, I’ll set up a zoom call of let’s make a deal with him that will send him down to Heartbreak Hotel. He ain’t nothing but a hound dog anyway. Crying all the time.
Now smile. I’m ready for my close up.
Oh, it’s a long, long while from May to December, but the days grow short when you reach September. When the autumn weather turns the leaves to flame, one hasn′t got time for the waiting game.
Oh, the days dwindle down to a precious few: September, November. And these few precious days, I’ll spend with you. These precious days I’ll spend with you.
Writers Kurt Weill and Maxwell Anderson wrote these haunting words in 1938, eight years before I was born. The days do grow short in September, more precious with each passing year. I choose to spend them with you…
I'll Call It Like I See It 
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