I'll Call It Like I See It

by sheila morris

Tag: francis marion university

  • which anniversary is this? better ask Pretty


    fun with friends at DeBordieu, 2007

    So Pretty and I are having dinner with our friends Nekki and Francie after the South Carolina women’s basketball game last night, and the conversation turned to our anniversary which is this Saturday, February 9th. I had invited them to go to dinner with us on our anniversary but that wasn’t working out so we opted to eat after the game.

    Nekki asked what everyone always asks about anniversaries – how many years are you celebrating?

    Nineteen, I answered quickly because I am the numbers person in our family who keeps up with birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, graduations, etc. Every family has a designated scorekeeper, and in our family I am known as the go-to person for important dates. Pretty is generally unreliable in these areas.

    Oh, Nekki said, nineteen years is really great. Pretty and I both nodded, although I noticed Pretty displayed a hint of eyes rolling at my answer. Then she said, no, it’s not nineteen, it’s eighteen to which I responded no I specifically remember the year was 2001 when we got together so anyone could plainly see our anniversary was definitely for nineteen years. Case closed, I added for emphasis.

    For those of you who can do “high math,” I will let you do the numbers or you don’t really need to bother because February 09, 2019 is our 18th. anniversary, and don’t you forget it. Please enjoy a few highlights of the past “on the road to nineteen” with us.

    family civil rights tour – Alabama, 2018

      SC women’s national championship, Dallas – 2017

    Number One Son Drew’s rehearsal dinner – 2015

    South Carolina Pride – 2016

    signing copies of Committed to Home at Francis Marion – 2018

    OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

    the hideout, Wyoming, 2009

    in the beginning, Cancun, February 09, 2001

    family vacation – Gettysburg, 2012

    Valentine’s Day Poinsett Bridge with family – 2015

    Texas, 2013

    Happy Anniversary, Pretty – how do I love thee? I can’t begin to count the ways…or the years evidently…but my love will always belong to you. Thank you for every day. Case closed.

    Stay tuned.

  • BONUS pics from Francis Marion trip!


    I was pleasantly surprised to find a very kind note from Dr. Lance Weldy this morning when I opened my email, and he sent more pictures he took after the panel presentation when we were signing copies of Southern Perspectives on the Queer Movement: Committed to Home that people purchased…sweet.

    Pretty and I sign books…

    while lady who prepared yummy refreshments looks on.

    Michael Haigler and Pat Patterson sign books

    (while Pretty looks, well, pretty)

    Pat talks, Pretty signs, while I eat probably my 10th. little sandwich

    We had a great conversation with students Andi (l.) and Sierra

    we were excited to hear their wedding plans after graduation

    Thanks again to Michael, Lance, Pretty, and Pat for a fun time!

    My special gratitude to all the students and faculty from Francis Marion University who came to the event and showed us and our book some love.

     

  • road trip to Francis Marion University!


    What a wonderful reception for Southern Perspectives on the Queer Movement: Committed to Home at Pride Week at Francis Marion University last night! A group of 30 students plus several faculty members gathered in Lowrimore Auditorium to hear four contributors discuss the book and  their individual essays as gay alliance faculty sponsor Dr. Lance Weldy moderated the panel.

    Contributor Pat Patterson was the person who originally suggested the panel discussion with Dr. Weldy since Pat is a regular participant at other Pride events. Dr. Weldy took the idea and ran with it – even giving his English Lit students extra credit for attending the event. (No wonder so many students were furiously taking notes! )

    Pretty listens intently as Dr. Weldy briefs us prior to program

    Pretty, Michael Haigler, Sheila –

    Michael entertained Pretty and me on the road trip from Columbia

    Pat Patterson makes us all smile with his stories

    the old girl in action

    Many thanks to Francis Marion student Amanda Montgomery for the pictures since Pretty was pressed into panel service for the evening. Amanda took pictures in between note-taking so maybe Dr. Weldy will give her extra, extra credit?

    Following the book talk, delicious refreshments were provided, books sold and signed. In the midst of signing books, a young lesbian couple came to tell Pretty they couldn’t afford a book but didn’t want to miss an opportunity to talk to us. Would we sign a piece of paper they could use as a bookmark when they did buy the book later. Of course we were happy to write something for them and as we did, one of the young women told Pretty she had never talked to any lesbians older than 20…what the night meant to her and her girlfriend to hear us talk so openly about being who we are. They live together now and plan to get married when they graduate. Repeat: they plan to get married when they graduate.

    Pat reminded us last night that the students in the auditorium were our hope for the future – no disrespect to us oldies but goodies on the panel but these young people aren’t exhausted from the crusades – they’re just beginning the journey. Some of them will see injustice and become agents of change. Thanks for the reminder, Pat.

    Michael, Lance, Pretty, Sheila, Pat

    Stay tuned.

     

     

  • committed to home goes to Francis Marion University


    Good fortune is mine this week because of an invitation to bring contributors from Southern Perspectives to Francis Marion University in Florence, South Carolina, as a part of their Pride Week celebration…Wednesday evening from 6 – 7:30.

    The LGBTS Alliance sponsors Pride Week. Lance Weldy, Ph.D. is an associate professor in the department of English and faculty advisor for the Alliance. He is also the person who will moderate our book panel.

    Francis Marion was founded in 1970 and is located on the outskirts of Florence in the heart of South Carolina’s famous Pee Dee region which gets its name from the Pee Dee River that reflects its native American lineage. The Pee Dee region encompasses the northeastern corner of the state and is a largely rural area. The college has about 4,000 students and offers a wide range of undergraduate degrees and graduate programs.

    Pat Patterson a/k/a Patti O’Furniture, Michael Haigler (stepping up for Harriet Hancock) and Pretty will be on the panel with me so the event promises to be fun and full of great storytelling.

    I wish all of my cyberspace friends and followers could be with us this Wednesday night, but I will have a report and, hopefully, pictures.

    Stay tuned.