HAPPY BIRTHDAY QUEEN PATTY.

(Queen Patty looking royal. Click)

While I was writing a draft of November’s birthdays post, I  looked for images of the birthday Queens.  I had so much stuff to sort through, re-size and change to thumbnails and pages. I am embarrassed to say my photo software is a wreck with scattered folders. I have many files with just one lone, pitiful  image and I can’t figure out how to merge them.  

When Queen Becky C told me she had not figured out how to print and download the cute pics I had sent her, I breathed a sigh of relief.  When you are as techno-challenged as I am, it can be an isolating feeling and to hear someone admit their computer challenges is reassuring.   I travel slowly around that dangerously sharp learning curve of the digital cyber-highway.  I don’t know about you, but I can’t afford to have an e-crash at burn.com.   Would the geek squad rescue me with the jaws of life?   I can’t figure out why my digital camera won’t work ever since I bought a new memory card that allows for more images. What do I do now? Put in the old memory card.  Problem with that is I lost the darn thing, so I resorted to 35mm film for a family birthday party.  So I vow that I am going to teach Becky how to retrieve images I send her and I will ask Queen Carolyn to teach me how to use an ipod.  It’s humbling. My problems with technology go on and on. I won’t bore you with the rest. Just be patient with me and with this site.

(Queen Dottie, Lady Carolyn H. and Queen Pat- click)

Queen Pat, Queen Dottie, Queen Mary, and Queen Melissa and I had fun at the Junior Achievement Hall of Fame last evening at the convention center. The event was so well attended.  From what I heard, 450 folks came out to see Helen Downing, Herb Traub and Curtis Copper’s wife accept awards recognizing their commitiment to Savannah’s business community.   Now on to Royal matters.

Queen Dottie said she had found a vintage dress at a shop on Tybee Island.  She is wisely planning for the next coronation and had it altered from a size 12 to her petite size 2 frame.   When she was at the dressmaker’s for a fitting, a stranger asked if she was a Mint Julep Queen.  I guess the green dress gave away her identity.  The sweet lady continued on about how she wanted to be an MJQ and please tell her how she could join. Darling Dottie got the girl’s address and phone number and told her that if we had a party that included friends, we would send her an invitation, if we had openings.  We will have Coronation VII on November 30th,  which is St. Andrew’s Day.   The St. Andrew’s Society will keep some of the consorts busy.  How lovely and how convenient for them to have a little something to do with themselves as we go flounce. 

(Click) Friend of Queens, Kelsey, Lee Anne, and Queen Rhonda at the Mansion for Coronation. Queen Stacy at Alligator Soul for Cocktails and Fun.

Queen Stacy and Queen Rhonda have October birthdays!  Stacy celebrates on the 6th and Rhonda on the 10th.  You could give them a call and wish them all the Fun, Fabulous times Royalty deserves.  Drop them a card or cute little something.  Reign On and Happy, Happy birthday. 

(click) Queen Rhonda and Queen Emma at April 2007 Coronation. Queen Jennifer, our most recently discovered and Coronated Queen and Her Friend, Cecelia at Alligator Soul, one of our Favorite Savannah restaurants. 

If you are being asked all about the MJQs or if some charming, stylish, fun-loving lady says, “So, I hear you are one of those Mint Julep Ladies.”  Sweetly correct her. “Queens.  Mint Julep Queens.”  Then she may ask all about us.  My answers are as simple or as complex as I feel like being at the moment. I can yammer on about dress-up time, flouncing about, being outrageous and re-invention of public perception.  Re-naming your own archetype or taking ownership of that part of yourself that allows for self assuredness and extravagant re-birthing as The Queen, The Goddess, The Celestial Mother is fun and empowering.  When I am really on a roll, I can even launch into a comparison and discussion of ”Women Who Run with the Wolves” by Clarissa Estes.  It’s a great book about divine and mythical archetypes, wild women, maidens and mothers, old crones and diva types.  (I recommend that you take note and when I start up with all that mess, it’s a good time to excuse yourself and go to the bar for another.)

Given opportunity and enough libation I will, and have, held forth on the joy of creating little moments that make my life and lives of my unknown subjects more enriched, or at the very least more memorable.  Like the time a little girl, no more than 3 years old was the only child cramed onto one of those tour trolleys rolling down the streets of Savannah with guide and adults all focused on architecture, history and the Southern stories that haunt this city.  She looked up to see me sashaying out across the street to place a child-size tiara on her head, which by the way is a ritual I have every Coronation. (If I don’t give away at least one tiara, I see it as a a bad omen for the future reign of the MJQs.) The grown-ups smiled and took pictures as she grinned and insisted that I was “Belle” from “Beauty and the Beast.”  Having placed the jewels in her brown curls, I told her that she was indeed a pricess and that I was so glad to have found her.  She had forgotten her tiara and I had come to give it to her.  Then I swished off into the sunset, self-satisfied that I had made that girl’s Savannah tour an event she would not forget.  And if she does forget, her parents have loads of picutres to remind her. 

Well, that type of little moment is one of the things I love.  Not to mention hanging out with friends, dressing up, having a drink, and not worrying about a darn thing, but how can I arrogantly think a tiara and mere greeting from me matters to anyone.  Maybe I wish that I had those kind of memories  and maybe I am projecting my own desires, wishes, and regrets of childhood and adolence onto that simple experience.  

Queen Emma and I  had a memorable meeting at the last Coronation.  Emma had gone to the powder room and a pretty, slight brunette told her with a smile, “I love your crown. I am so jealous.” 

Emma responded in typical Queenly fashison, “You don’t need to be jealous of me.  You need to buy yourself a tiara and wear it.  It’s so much fun.”  The admirer said, “Oh, I never could do that.” She left with a smile and a nod to Emma and  returned to her friends at the other end of the bar. 

As the night unfolded, we decided to give her the tiara I had brought for just such a purpose. Obviuosly she wanted one, which is the first sign that you  may already be a Queen.  Emma and I went over to three ladies and found out the lady with crown-envy was there with her friend and her friend’s mother.  Ladies Night.  We gave the taira to her and she beamed.  “This is one of the nicest things that anyone has done for me.”  Her friend then gave me a cool, super-size ring so I can offer select subjects the chance to “kiss the ring.” I refused the kind gift and said it was just too much.  She assured me it was a Steinmart piece and I could accept it without reservation,  which I did.  Very Pretty ring, plus a bargin.  Love that. 

So the moral of this story is that being part of the MJQs and being a Queen can be whatever you want it to be. Personally, most of the time the Mint Julep Queens are just pure fun and a chance to play dress-up.  But sometimes, the fun can mean a tad bit more… 

 (Click for full size image.) In 2006, Queen Holly attended “It’s a Bad Time of Year for a Party, Party” even though Princess Maura was just weeks away from arrival.

(click image)Queen Wendy last year when Yates was just a thought and not a reality.

Yates Satterlee Martin was born September 12.  Queen Wendy and Consort Capers are doing well, although I have only spoken to them and have no real proof that they are fine other than their voices sound chipper on the phone and they seemed rested enough to carry on a converstion.  I was a a mess when my babies were babies. Way back in 2001 and 1997, my own princesses were just weeks old. I was whining about lack of sleep and painful exhaustion and could not put a coherent thought together.  

Can you beleive this time last year the MJQs were getting ready for It’s a Bad Time of Year for a Party, Party?  Queen Holly was almost ready to have baby Maura, but made the regal effort to attend the soiree looking glorious in a slimming black maternity dress.  Well, imagine she was 8+ months and ready to pop.  Plus, she could not have cocktails with the rest of us.  What a trooper to show up and have Dennis do her hair with proper tiara placement. Last year Queen Wendy was just considering her reproductive options and Yates was merely a thought.  Last time I saw Wendy, she still had that exquiste skin, artist style, and runner’s body.  With one little exception.  A darling little round puff of baby belly.  We yucked it up for hours over lunch at The King and I  in August. It is hard to beleive that so much can happen in such a short amount of time.  Last fall we had talked about babies and the benefits of having more than one prince or princess.  A year has passed and low and behold, another Royal is born.  Best wishes to Queen Wendy and Consort Capers and Happy Birthday to Queen Holly’s Maura on her upcoming 1st birhtday.

 I will absolutely scream if you miss Happy Hour at Alligator Soul on Thursday August 30, 5:30.  Annie will be in The Hamptons. Sounds quite Queenly so I will try to scream quietly. (auuggh!)

 (Click) George, Sr. will be attending the Sept. 20th Fundraiser for the  Frank Callen Boys and Girls Club.  I double dare Queen Linda to get a Royal picture with him.  Tiara or no Tiara.

 Click Queen Linda. She asks us to consider this worthy event.  I hope she wears this dress and tiara to meet George.  I’d be there, but the 20th is Princess Sage’s birthday. Family dinner calls.  UHMMM. I could always send a check:)

Boxing legend George Foreman, Sr. will be the guest speaker at the Frank Callen Boys & Girls Club Annual Fundraising Dinner, “For Kids’ Sake”, Thursday, September 20^{th  6:30pm, at the Armstrong Atlantic State University Conference Center.  Musical entertainment by American Idol finalist Stephanie Edwards, and Ben Tucker Jazz. The evening features a silent auction, wine, and a catered dinner by Paul Kennedy Catering. Tickets $175; table and event sponsorship opportunities available; for information call 912-233-2939; email: fcbgced@comcast.net or ccurreyortiz@yahoo.com}

September Mint Julep Queens’ Birthdays
Queen Holly was waiting last year for Princess M. to arrive. Click to see her is all her glory. September 4

Queen Leslie - New horse and second home keeps Queen L very busy.
September 10th

Social Secretary -Tiffani is now married.  We need pictures:)
September 12

  Queen Carolyn and Queen Dee have birthdays this month. C. on th 6th and D. on the 12th. ‘Tis a perfect time to invite them for lunch or cocktails. At least send a little note. Here’s some Glamorous news about Queen Emma. She was selected to fly to LA and meet a make-up artist to the stars. Emma was one a few special Dior reps to get this rare opportunity. I can’t wait for her to learn those Hollywood tricks and apply them to moi. I want to look tres jolie.

Speaking of pretty, I just heard about a fun drink. Lady Cindy’s seventy-plus year old mother, (everyone affectionately calls her “Gigi”) loves a new drink she discovered called a Cosmetology. Cindy went by her house one day to find her dear, gray haired mother singing praises to the delicious concoction she had just discovered.
Gigi thrust a chilly glass onto unsuspecting Cindy, saying, “Here, honey. You’ve got to try this new drink. It’s just about the best thing I have ever had.”
Cindy sipped the mixture and sweetly replied, “Mother, this looks just like a Cosmopolitan.”
Dear Gigi corrected her daughter. “No honey. It’s a Cosmetology. It’s has cranberry juice, triple sec and vodka, with fresh lime juice. Yummmmm.”
“That is a Cosmopolitan mother,” Cindy retorted, trying not to sound too sassy and grown, even though she was.
“Well, call it what you want,” Gigi said, prissing her lips. “After I have two, everybody looks pretty.”
So from then on, in their household, Gigi’s Cosmetology’s are made by the gallon and may appear at any little gathering, cook-out, or ladies group meeting. The large size Oceanspray bottle has a permanent Sharpie marker written on the white plastic cap so as not to confuse any of the grandchildren or great-grandchildren that visit from time to time. A friend of the family from California even stole the recipe and serves “Gigi’s Cosmetology’s” in his bar in San Jose`. It’s on the menu.

Reign on!
Queen Erica