Full disclosure. I don’t know nuthin’ bout no antiques, but my wife has too many booths for me to count in three different antique malls in three towns in our vicinity: West Columbia, Prosperity, and Little Mountain; but the largest one is in Little Mountain. (www.littlemountainantiquesandcafe.com) This past week we were riding to the upstate, and Pretty had to make a quick stop to check on something in her empire on the mountain so I took the opportunity to take a few minutes to go in with her and look around. Wow. I was blown away not only by the collections of items but also by the creative displays. Here’s a sample!
If Santa can’t find a treasure or two in Pretty’s empire, he’s simply not looking in the right corners.
I’m so proud of Pretty because she follows her passion, works unbelievably hard, and still finds time to be the greatest Nana to our two growing granddaughters (ages 6 and nearly 4) while trying to make sure her elderly wife stays out of trouble publishing blogs on WordPress. Bless your heart, Pretty. May the Force be with your empire during the holiday season and into the New Year.
Local artist Donna J. Magrath is a native New Yorker who came South for a relationship that didn’t survive but gave her an opportunity to fall in love with a place she has called home since 2012. New York’s loss is Columbia’s gain!
Magrath’s ancestors included Russian immigrants
a passionate advocate for equal justice
Magrath’s creativity as an artist finds expressions
in varieties of forms,
but her authenticity, courage, and perseverance in her art deserve celebration.
Magrath’s latest work: the East Wing of the White House and Rose Gardenbefore demolition
The East Wing contained the Office of the First Lady and played a key role in the visibility of women in the White House, according to The 19th. News.
But, of course, if the Office of the First Lady is gone, no one will notice she’s not there.
Despite the inauspicious beginning of last week’s Disney World adventures, I gave the journey through the Kingdoms a 10+ on a scale of 1 – 10. Caroline had planned the entire trip for us, which is always our preferred planning process for family fun. Pretty and I depend on our daughter-in-law for all event scheduling; and this trip for our granddaughter Ella’s sixth birthday was arranged for maximum smiles, laughter, thrills, and memory makers as my mother used to say.
Molly wears Nana’s new hat – who had more fun with the hat?
Olaf, bubbles and a Mickey Mouse sticker turn stroller into magic
Daddy knows best – and had the most fun with his girls
it’s all good
wake up, Naynay – this ride is the best
don’t be mad, Jimmy Kimmel, it’s my birthday
is that really Elsa? I love her
should I try face transformation to match my bonnet?
it worked for Molly
ask me how old I am
Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party fireworks
(waiting for the spectacular display,but it had been a long day)
I wondered if the moonlight that covered us as we left the Magic Kingdom that night was real or a part of the Halloween Party light display – just kidding – I wanted an excuse to include this image.
I wish Mommy would let us live in DisneyWorld
Alas, all good things come to an end…birthdays are special times, but they only come around once a year while good times with family happen every day, anywhere.
homeward bound with a big girl whohas new worlds to conquer
while little Molly says no, thank you, I need a nap –
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 meoutside the Columbia Museum of Artin Columbia, South Carolina
the First Lady of the event and a dear friend of ours for three decades
Harriet Hancock, for whom ourcommunity 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 beginning35 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 Carolinemade 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.
*************************
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.
I'll Call It Like I See It 
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