Saturday, May 30

A Blog, a Race and a Book

I really enjoyed this post by a woman whom I think deserves more readers. Please read The Cataract Club and leave a comment for Oklhdan!

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What is it about drag queens that I find so fascinating? I recently watched 2 episodes of RuPaul's Drag Race and it is oddly captivating to me. It encompasses all the elements you find on other reality shows on TV; dancing, appearance/make-up, costuming, business sense, competition, etc. and of course, all the bitchiness of a Miss whatever pageant (if the truth be known). When you see some of these guys without makeup (they look so ordinary) and then see them in the contest, you realize that what they can do with make-up and costumes is utterly amazing! Some of them are enchantingly beautiful and so talented!

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Now for something entirely different....I just finished reading a book for children ages seven to twelve. The title is "The Tale of Despereaux" by Kate DiCamillo. This book won the John Newberry Medal, for the Most Distinguished Contribution to American Literature for Children. The subtitle is..."being the story of a mouse, a princess, some soup, and a spool of thread." DiCamillo may have written it for children 7-12, but I think you'd like this book even if you are 70!

Early on in the reading of it, I had decided to give a copy to my 13 year old granddaughter, who could definitely benefit from some of the lessons in the book. Then I reached the page where a father sells his daughter. Here's a quote:

"Can you imagine it? Can you imagine your father selling you for a tablecloth, a hen and a handful of cigarettes? Close your eyes, please, and consider it for just a moment. Done?"

That line made me cry; remembering how my grandchildren's father left them and went off to California with a new girlfriend, and didn't even look back. I decided that the book might bring up too many bad memories for this child. Could she benefit from it, no matter how much sadness it might conjure up? What do you think?

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Tomorrow (31st) my friend Tiff is having a birthday. Please go and tell her to have a happy, happy one. She's having a bad time right now: a horrendous case of poison ivy and her car broke down. I hope her birthday weekend will be fun for her, in spite of all the troubles.

14 comments:

Sage said...

Drag Queens bother me--back when I lived in NC, I remember talking to a policeman who did the downtown beat on the Wilmington waterfront--he told about taking in prostitute, getting a female officer to process her only to have the officer come back and say, this one is yours! At the time he said that was true for about a significant number of his arrests.

Evil Twin's Wife said...

I love the queens too (probably no surprise to hear that from me). My best friend from high school did drag, so I spent a lot of time backstage (and completely underage) at bars with him as he got ready for his performances. I learned A LOT from all of them! :-)

JeanMac said...

Happy birthday, Tiff!

Star said...

Of course you know, I saw the movie. It was after all about a mouse. And I took the CP. It was really bad. More about nasty rats than the cute mouse. sounds like the book has much more to offer than the part the movie was about. I shall give it a try.

Joy Des Jardins said...

Happy Birthday Tiff. I briefly stopped over at the Cataract Club and read her lastest post....I like it. I think I'll go back and leave a comment a little later. Thanks for the link...

Arkansas Patti said...

Always love when you tell us where to go. Will check out your links.
I wonder if those queens could make an old woman look young? Why not if they can make a plain man look like pretty woman. Do I look under "Queens" in the phone book?
Now off to the Cataract Club.

Granny Annie said...

I don't know why, but drag queens fascinate me as well. There is a personality trait that goes with the dress code that is very compelling.

My 13 year old granddaughter would possibly be crushed also because her mother left her and her brothers when she was 8 months old and her brothers also toddlers. None of the three could even begin to fathom their steadfast father leaving them.

The Cataract Club has to be great because you recommend it. I'm off to take a look.

Femin Susan said...

happy birthday tiff !!!
sounds fun !!
cheers!

Rick Rockhill said...

Funning thing about drag queens is the ones who are good, I enjoy watching. But the ones who are lousey REALLY bother me. Although I was at a charity event a few weeks ago and there was a drag queen there just having a cocktail chatting with other guests. "She" was done up so well, in a really hilarious over-the-top sort of way that it made me smile.

oklhdan said...

Thank you so much for recommending my babbling banter to your readers. Now I'm going to have to think of something clever to say. Your latest post gave me some thought as my now grown children know first hand the feelings of rejection by a father. Thank goodness kids are so resilient. Much more so than their parents.

John said...

Hello, first I wanted to let you know I have given you an award. Just check my blog post "Kreativ Blogger Award." Hope you don't mind!

I will check out The Cataract Club. Thanks for the link.

I watched all of RuPaul's Drag Race. It was hilarious. I'm glad to know they are making another season of it!

And lastly, Happy Birthday Tiff!

srp said...

Beverly and I had a lovely lunch yesterday and wonderful conversation. We missed you and she delivered her hug from you and I have sent one back as well. Some day I hope we can all meet together for some food, fun and good times.

LZ Blogger said...

Judy ~ RuPaul's Drag Race? I thought that was a JOKE! But it sounds like it is REAL? If so... not something I think I'd spend much time on. FUNNY! ~ jb///

Pat said...

That's a difficult question Judy. I would have to know the child better to have a clue. Maybe it's safer not to.