the morning after

Let us have wine and women,

myrth and laughter,

Sermons and soda water

the day after.

Lord Byron, from Don Juan

Come in and help yourself to some delicious brunch. There's plenty of my favorite press pot coffee, brewed extra strong, since most of us had a just a few too many Last Word cocktails last night, including Branwell Bronte, brother of the three famous Bronte sisters, who came along with Alan Burnett.  The Bug, didn't imbibe, but was seen flashing around a large nickel-plated revolver.  I'm not sure exactly why.

In addition to our fascinating list of guests there was quite a bit going on all evening, which miraculously lasted 24 hours, including fencing competitions, drag racing, men in kilts, and Tom, Half Moose's attempt to scuba dive in the Scioto River.  Steve Martin once again roamed the grounds of the manor without his pants, or even the rest of his clothes, for that matter.  Tom's tuxedo came loose and floated down the river, on its way to the mighty Mississippi.  Steve was only too happy to loan him his white suit, replaced by a metallic silver thong.

Reya was stunning in her fur trimmed mini Twiggy dress.  Dino Hand, looking just as stunning in his Michael Jackson glove, spent most of the evening hovering behind her.  Lord Thomas of Wellington entertained us on the piano, and Dr. Linthead, dressed in handsome Civil War general's uniform, took over, not even realizing he could play.  Brendan absolutely outdid himself by writing a glorious mythological poem in honor of the ball.

Junk Thief's film presentation of the Willow Manor Ball, included yours truly ice skating with the ever talented Archie Leach. The diligent practicing of my woolly socks triple axel truly paid off.  My personal highlight of the evening, was watching the sunrise over the Scioto, while the dashing R.A.D. Stainforth read me a passage of Lord Byron's Don Juan. He can read poetry just as well as he can tango, by the way.

Some might think this was simply a lot of silly nonsense. But, I happen to believe the fine line between fantasy and reality is the space where artists live.  We should never apologize for this virtual world, if not celebrate it, gorge in its creativity.  This is exactly what we did.  Thank you for dancing that powerful dance on the splendid border between fantasy and reality with me, dear friends.  It was good.

Congratulations to Fireblossom and Rob Kistner,

winners of the door prize of an Ohio Starbucks mug.

(please send me your mailing addresses)