Although we have been incredibly busy with our group and our private reigns, you may never know it based on this out of date blog. It reminds me of the person who is so preoccupied Snap Chatting, Instagramming, and Facebooking that they forget to experience the moment. The cold hard focus on a screen consumes them.

Well, that sure enough has not been the MJQs last year. So huzzah and good for us. We have been living and surrounded with joy and so focused on Being the Sparkle that the job of recording our Royalty on a blog has taken a back seat. To be honest, the blog is not even in a back seat. The task is in a rusty flat bed trailer sitting out in a field.

Should you wonder, “What have the MJQs been up to lately?” then this simple answer should satisfy: We have just been happy Being the Sparkle in Savannah, Georgia.  You are most welcome.

Some binary choice questions imply that there is something wrong with you if you answer a certain way. How does this translate to fear? Lemme tell you.

For example, in your Book Club, everyone may say they adore the latest book by E.L. James. (I do not use the word “novel” to describe the 50 Shades of Gray book because I am a critical like that.) During the discussion you announce that you did not like it at all and did not finish reading it. Life is too short to read books you do not like, you say.   The Book Club members look aghast and one other person, whispers, “Yes. I really did not like it that much either.”

What happens if everyone says they just hated the memoir “Just Kids” by Patti Smith. “No kidding,” you say. “I loved it.” One other member counters, “It was totally disgusting.”

If you are able to feel comfortable with other women commenting on something you personally like, be it heels or flats, then good for you. Most of the time, I like to believe that I am more than happy to share my opinion and others’ differing ideas do not phase me at all.  But what if you have had a bad day?  Or even a bad week? Your hair is all frizzy. The dog threw-up on your new bedspread. Maybe the coach did not let your ten year old play but a 5 measly minutes and and your boss added your name to the clean-up crew after the company picnic. Maybe you have surgery scheduled on a lump somewhere. The nursing home workers told you that your mom had been crying a lot more and MRI you just had for the pain in your hip was diagnosed as sciatic nerve pain caused by poor posture. Maybe you have to have a root canal tomorrow or you just had one yesterday. To top it off, the only swimsuit that fits you anymore has a broken elastic leg hole and now you have to take a day and go shopping for a new one. All of these challenges are stories someone out there can tell.

Mountains of small things might pile on top of you, weighing down your heart and your spirit. The only thing you have had time to schedule is Book Club, but then doubt and unpleasantness may be your reward. A feeling of “Crap ,am I the only one who thinks this way?” could creep in with waves of loneliness and little ripples of isolation. Tiny Hardship after Tiny Hardship can take a toll and even a small judgment can knock you down a peg or two.

Face it.  Being the only one in a room who likes (or dislikes) something is not a  joyous party place to be. I feel strong and powerful being honest and going against the crowd, most of the time, but there are times it also feels lonely. It sort of depends on what else is going on in my life. We all have a story. The story details are constantly changing for all of us.  You never know what others face.

That is what I adore the most about reigning as a royal with the Mint Julep Queens. Through the years we finally have found our code, our mission, our reason to exit. Do you like to dress-up and wear a crown? Every last one of the MJQs will proudly say, “Yes. Of course.” In every other way we are a very diverse group of females, but on this we stand. Give us a rhinestone headpiece, a swishy dress, and a royal wave and Voila`–all is right with the world. In the Mint Julep Queens, the only question you need ask is this- “Do you like wearing a crown?” As our Queen Elizabeth noted, “Why wouldn’t I like it? I am a queen for goodness sakes.” And I promise, everyone agrees. 

Reign on!

I

All hail!  Our newest regal members were sashed on May 21st at the historic Isaiah Davenport House.

As you may know, to join of our private social group you must have a sponsor who introduces your Royal self to the MJQs.  Of course, I believe all females are regal and typically rule as solitary monarchs throughout their lives, however when we find Queen Material, we celebrate. Discovering a grown-up, charming, fun-loving female who adores wearing a crown & gown becomes harder and harder as we age, as we add commitments to our lives, as we put other’s needs ahead of our own.  ”To Do Lists” and “Serious Jobs” do not kill the MJQs’ love of sparkle. In fact, as adult females, we embrace our Inner Queens with even more earnestness.

Scheduling time for fun, chiffon, and glitter during our busiest days feeds our hearts. When we were little bitty girls, we would put on a princess skirt, and a plastic crown and sashay about ruling our realm. Time goes by, but we still adore donning a tiara and showing the world we are Royal.  Huzzah. Huzzah.

Don’t forget to Reign on!

HRH Queen Erica

*Welcome to Queens Shari, Jodi, Leigh Anne, Marie, and June! Thank you for deciding to Rule your Queendom in a group with us, the MJQs.  Thank you, Queens Sylvia, Kim, and Meredith for introducing these stellar royals to us.

Of course, we celebrate reigning as Royals, but our newest members give us even more reason to call “Huzzah! Huzzah,  All Hail, most regal sovereigns.”

Elizabeth, Mary, Marianne, Georgia, Jenni, and Kim B sparkel with charm, wit, and majesty.  I predict last year’s MJQs and this year’s MJQs will lead us triumphantly.  Keep in mind, our job is spreading joy, one tiara at a time and to never grow so tired that we forget how to have fun; nothing less will be the order of business for the remaining months of 2015.

A May tea time and “MJQ Coronation & Flounce” will be the scene for our next official welcome of new members.  Time and date TBA, location will be The Davenport House on East State Street in historic downtown Savannah.

“The Davenport House is situated on Columbia Square at the corner of State and Habersham Streets in the Historic District of Savannah, Georgia. The house is one of the oldest brick structures in the city owning to the common use of wood construction during the town’s earliest history. Situated directly on the street, the two-and-a-half story urban dwelling contains a total of 6,800 square feet with a basement level (which originally housed the kitchen, storage, work space and possibly a sleeping area for the enslaved servants owned by Isaiah Davenport), the first floor containing the public areas, and the second and third floors which were bedrooms and storage space. The Davenport home sits on Columbia Ward’s lot number 13, which originally measured (and continues to measure) 60 feet by 90 feet. The rear portion of the lot at one time held a carriage house, garden and privy.”

“The site now contains a portion of lot number 14 which is the Museum’s courtyard garden. The garden was a Bicentennial project of Savannah’s Trustees Garden Club. It has since been redesigned under the guidance of renowned English landscape designer Penelope Hobhouse. While not a true restoration, the garden is maintained by volunteers “in the spirit of the original owners” and is planted with varieties of plants known to the Davenports and typical of coastal Georgia.” 

http://www.davenporthousemuseum.org 

After winning the BEST WALKING GROUP category in the Savannah Waterfront Association’s Annual Light Holiday Parade, a sweet old dude in a lit-up SRV pulled up to our Duke of Tranport’s 1964 convertible Cadillac, Desi.   He hung his head out the window,  as we all busied ourselves getting de-lit and un-plugged from our Sparkling Regalia.

“Hey,” he called politely.  ”I got a question.”

I had not really been paying attention to the nice old dude, so our group of ladies called to me and indicated we had an admireer  with a question.  The group deferred to me I suppose because I have a gift of chatter.  Some might even call it a talent.

As I approached his car window,  he said,  “Tell me.  What do y’all do?”

“We are the Mint Julep Queens.”

He nodded.  You see, he had that part figured out, since we had a handmade glittered poster board strapped to Desi’s car doors proclaiming The Mint Julep Queens.

“Yeah.  I see that,” he nodded at me.

I continued.  ”We have fun.  We celebrate being fabulous females.”

The guy smiled back.  ”Yeah.  But really, what do you do?”

“We celebrate being alive and being fabulous. ” I curtseyed a bit and grinned at him, hoping he understood.

He cocked his head, surveyed the scene and asked, in a surprised tone, “That’s it?”

“We have fun being Queen–  so, yes.   That’s it.”

Then he waved and answered,  ”Well, then.  Bless you, all.” And he drove off.

Another string of lines arrived in the mail yesterday.  This set has a line of white foam roses with little LED lights in the center of each blossom.  The other seven strands,  (Yes,  That is correct.  SEVEN)  I purchased are called “Fairy Lights” and have small green dots that glow like mad.  The eighteen to twenty or so Mint Julep Queens— and Ladies in Waiting with a smattering of Junior Mints thrown in for good measure, all are getting our glowing gown gear ready to walk in the Savannah Waterfront’s 2014 Lighted Christmas Parade on Saturday December 6th.

As we know, all women need to own at least one tiara.  When we heard about this lovely parade, we have expanded out view to include ,”All Queens shine with a joyous inner light, and given an opportunity can even shimmer in the dark with a battery power pack of LED lights draped on chiffon and threaded through rhinestones. ”

Join us on the parade route which runs along River street, then up to Bay and finally meandering over to City Market.  We love to wish our subjects well and embrace other Royalty spotted along the way.  It is so kind of the Savannah Waterfront Association to plan this little pomp filled event to celebrate Santa’s arrival.  Our dear, Executive IceCream Producer and charming Savannah boy, Stratton Leopold will be the parade’s grand marshall.  

Now I am off to buy candy and tiaras to give to our admirers.  

We all Shine On!  And Reign on.

To celebrate ten whole years of Reign in Savannah, Georgia, we, the Mint Julep Queens are planning a huge, elegant, regal party.  Yes.  I know.  I am giddy with excitement.  The Savannah Philharmonic will play for us! Thousands and thousands of well-wishers from far and near will pack their suppers and seating, and then they will gather on the grounds of Forsyth Park.  Glasses will be raised and love and peace will abound throughout the Realm.

Three Ladies in Waiting will be crowned and sashed as official Mint Julep Queens.  Several of our brilliant Junior Mint Princesses will be there to give away over two hundred little tiaras to charming guests. Please join us at 4:30 pm in Forsyth Park for ”Keep Calm & Fly Me to the Moon”,  an MJQ 10th Anniversary Coronation & Flounce.

(In case you have not heard, the gathering on Sunday, October 5th is free and open to the public.  You will likely see it written up in local papers as “Picnic in the Park” with the Savannah Philharmonic sponsored by Parkers.  We Royals prefer to think this beloved tradition is a gift from the city of Savannah to us, but honestly, dears, maybe it is a gift to us all.)

(Queen Kim welcomes visitors from abroad who arrive to celebrate our decade long reign.)  

New Blood.

No, dear. How about new Blood lines?  

That sounds much less Zombie Queen or Vampire Princess.  Let’s go with that.  New Bloodlines have been formally welcomed as the newest members of the Mint Julep Queens.

Queen Janet, Suzanne, and Cara (after ages of being notably charming) and after spending a bit of time with our group, decided they like us.  They enjoy our company and we enjoy theirs.  After attending several parties with their sponsor, we invited the three Ladies in Waiting to become crown-wearing, scepter-toting monarchs who absolutely refuse to give up the exciting aspect of girlhood— the ultimate dress-up.  Let’s play Queen!  (Playing Princess is really good training for playing Queen, is it not?) Each is Brave, Wise, Charming, Witty, and on Thursday evening, they got Sashed.

A few months ago, I was feeling pretty sorry for myself, and sorry for the group.  I could plan an event and maybe 12 ladies would show up.  With +thirty members, one third is not a participation rate I am satisfied with— so in typically “I darn refuse to give up” fashion I asked co-queens Kim and Sylvia, “What in the world are we to do?”

You wrang your hands and sniveled and wailed, too.  The melodrama is unnessacry.

The voiceinmyhead exaggerates.   And in fact, it was necessary to explain the dire straights the organization was facing.  Either we give up and just remain a small band of a dozen ladies like Robin Hood’s Merry Men (and I do not want to be Little John or Friar Tuck, nor wear tights) or we disband like a bunch of losers.   The choice of growth and expansion  was the most unlikely option, however it was the only option I wanted.  Kim and Sylvia headed the squad of cheering and planning.  Their Ladies in Waiting were first in line for our Tenth Anniversary Coronation and Flounce.  With over twenty females braving the storm, we rocked the Jepson Center.

With help from new generations of exceptional fun-loving ladies with girlish hearts, we decided to blossom. We rise from the ashes like glittery power phoenixes.  I believe our mission is unstoppable.

And what, pray tell is your “mission”?

Don’t play dumb with me, voiceinmyhead.  You know exactly what the mission is.  Give yourself permission to have fun and stop for one instant worrying about being judged.  Give yourself permission to Prance and Dance with abandon and joy.  Give yourself permission to seek out the camera and say, “Hey, you!  Take MY picture! I am here.” Give yourself permission to laugh really loudly and giggle non-stop for longer that most well-mannered belles ever thought they could.  Give yourself permission to be grateful that you have eccentricities that turn out to be your gifts and you need to magnify them, not hide them. Give yourself permission to no longer be the judge and jury of others and most of all, of yourself.

Fun is fun and if it ain’t fun, honey, don’t do it.   Being Royal does not hurt a single soul, my dear little crowder pea.  What hurts is wanting desperately to wear a tiara and never, ever gathering the gumption to do it. 

On May 15, 204 we will celebrate a decade long reign in Savannah, Georgia.  A decade sounds longer than ten years to me.  Doesn’t it to you?  In a way, the sound of time measurements and words are really worse that the actually time. For example, I am over fifty. That is more than half a century.  You have got to be kidding me.  Stop it with that language.  Half a darn century?  Nawww. That’s can’t be right.  My skin is crawling.  And my hip hurting is so it must be right.

Highnesses, let us agree that we have been reigning as a group of fun-loving women for either one–ten years or a decade, ok?

All Queens and their sponsored Ladies in Waiting  are invited to our Fun is Key- Coronation & Flounce at “Art on Tap” at the Jepson Center on May 15th.

We will have a nibble and a drink.

MJQs, this a full regalia event.  Glitter and sparkle and sash and crown.  Those of you who are not MJQs, I can’t tell you what to wear, so please do not ask unless you want my opinion.  If you do want my Royal advice– I will be more than glad to give it, however it is only worth what you are paying me, so it is not worth a thing.

Back to the MJQs– Three Ladies in Waiting have attended several parties (three or more) and their sponsors have recommended them highly.   Janet, Cara, and Suzanne will be Sashed and One Queen (Erica R.) will be more formally introduced.

On May 15th, we will grab a pedicab or flounce off to dinner.  The location of that dinner has yet to be determined, however I would like Vinnie Van Go-Go’s, but there are many options.

(By the way, all MJQs, consorts, and Ladies, please save the date for August 2.  The MJQs will support Queen Erica R in raising funds for The 200 Hundred Club. Check links under “Blogroll” and “Queens in the Press” to the side of this post for more information.  Find the MJQs on Facebook and Instagram. )

Ten years ago when the Mint Julep Queens were created by five fun loving women, we thought each lady would have such a strong sense of self,  that each queen would create their own unquie version of sovereign.  If you have never contemplated ruling a realm, you clearly are not a Royal yourself and must be studying the phenomenon.  Let me explain the facts and images a monarch may channel when she is invited to attend a Flounce with us.

American Queen  Jackie Kennedy is the epitome of American Queen in Camelot, complete with clean and crisp lines cut from the pages of the early 1960’s.  This Queen is Elegant, Understated,  but Powerful in her confidence and ease. She may be soft spoken, but she is brilliant, charismatic, and iconic.  Something about those long white gloves makes the crowd wave at her.  She waves back and nobs with a demure smile. This queen is diplomatic.  International.  Globally astute.

Prom Queen.  The lady would have been the perfect homecoming chick–  if only she had been popular .  She was not selected by her classmates because she was not a follower and sashayed to the beat of her own our beach music.  (Honestly, she was not very pretty either.  She may have suffered from UDS–  Ugly Duckling Syndrome.)  But she always wanted a big dress the size of a homecoming float.  Toile and ruffles, chiffon and sequins decorate bright green. Her laughter is infectious.  She is Very Smart and tries every day to be Kind.  Just because she was not voted the most popular cheerleader– (she was not ever a cheerleader, by the way)…just because she was a total nerd in school, does not mean she disdains rhinestone crowns.  On the contrary.

Pageant Queen.  We have some members  who really were so pretty in their youth that they were crowned Queens in beauty contests. They have maintained a beauty that is amazing.  These ladies are humble and know genetics gave them the physical beauty they possess, but their character is their real gift.  Good humored, cheerful and out- going, Pageant Queens are informed, sentimental, and polite.  (The Pageant Queens the MJQs hang out with are these things.) They still own their crown and love the chance to wear it again. Pageant Queens are informed from the era that they reigned.

Fashion Queen.  A 1950’s silhouette. A Chanel look.  Dior.  A Marc Jacobs gown. An Oscar dress.  This queen loves  the spotlight, (who of us doesn’t?)  But is happier to share the attention with fellow Royals.  Metropolitan and Urban, she is intelligent and witty.  Attention to details describe her.  Every photo of her is perfect.

Character Queen   Inspired by history or literature, this Queen has a deep sense of Myth.  Represented archtypes and all, she is acutely aware of her impact on the commoners.  Energetic and strong she is enchanting.    Elizabeth I.  Victoria.  Gwinevere.  Catherine the Great, Cleopatra.  Mid-Summer Night’s Dreame Fairy Queen. Cinderella. Sleeping Beauty.  Scarlett O’Hara.  Need I say more?

Thrift Shoppe Queen   The lady’s look will change based on her mood and her pocket book.  Her thrift shop finds will inspire attire.  She would rather invest her treasure in family and causes than the fleeting fabrics of a grown.  Hyper-creative, she laughs easily and with deep gusto.  She attracts attention and admiration wherever she flounces.  She owns more than one MJQ gown.

Campy Queen   She is glittery and bright. Flashing lights may suddenly appear around her.  She will stick battery powered lights to her dress or shoes. Comfort is more important than anything., so she will wear cowboy boots under her crinoline.  Good natured and cheerful, she is the life of the party.   She knows no fear.

The list above is just the short list.  Some  of the MJQs change their style from year to year.  Some MJQs have specific emergency needs that arise on the day of an event that impact dress choice.  ( Like your darn zipper broke; you are in mourning and totally must wear somber colors; or your dress shrank in the closet.)  It is your realm so you decide what works for you.  And it always a Queen’s prerogative to change style.  We do not all dress alike– except for general hue…green, greenish blue, blueish green, grey green, greenish grey and silver.  Got it?  Emergency attire of unlimited hue is of course encouraged.   Group photos look so much better when done in same the tonal range.  N’est pas? But really, as long as you are happy, it will be the perfect dress for you. If you are not satisfied with your Royal Style, change it.  Remember honeys,  you are not a tree, rooted to one spot.  You can move.  You can Flounce.  With the Queens, and in life, it is wise to adopt a look that helps you enjoy your journey.  As you sashay your chosen  path, folks around you may break into applause.  If they do not, they may not recognize you.   Never the less, it is still good to be Queen.