Saturday, October 8, 2011

my date to the willow manor ball


R.A.D. Stainforth, yes, the same inimitable Stainforth, of Black Dogs, known to read my poetry, from time to time, has most graciously invited me to be his date for the upcoming Fourth Annual Willow Manor Ball.  I sent invitations to several other wonderful men, including William Powell, President Abraham Lincoln, and Monty Woolley, but the charming Mr. Stainforth rang me first.  You know what they say about the early bird, and all that. A magpie knows these things.

I'm quite thrilled, and more than a little bit intrigued, to finally meet the enigmatic R.A.D., since no one, at least not anyone I know, has actually seen him in person. In addition to having a delicious voice, he is known to enjoy listening to Schnittke, and on occasion, reading Edward Thomas. He tells me, he'll be arriving at the manor in his fabulous Jag, so I'm hoping he'll take me for a spin after the ball.  In fact, I wouldn't mind if he wants to park in the luscious patch of ferns, pictured above, for a bit of early morning poetry reading. Should I be nervous, having never seen him? He appears around the blogs only in a nondescript, faceless hoodie. Images of Charles Laughton, in the role of Quasimodo, keep pestering me.

Just in case you haven't heard about the cyber event of the year, mark your calendars.  There will be a Mr. Linky widget provided for those who wish to share their dates and what they are wearing the the ball, which mysteriously lasts a whole 24 hours beginning at 12:00 a.m. on:

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Don't forget, there will door prizes chosen from everyone who attends (leaves a comment) here at Willow Manor on the 12th. When you arrive, hop on into the comment section, and join the fun.

One of the great things about a cyber ball is that we all dance like gods and goddesses.  Make sure you have your dance cards ready, because we will be rolling up the carpets at Willow Manor. Valentino said tile floor was the best for dancing the tango, but in this case, the hardwood floors at the manor will do the trick.


75 comments:

  1. Suki, I can't wait to see who you're bringing!

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  2. I have a bit of a logistic issue as my date, Stafford Ray, will be sailing with his lady love the night of the Ball. I'm thinking of a commando-like 'snatch and dance' maneuver. Of course, the sailboat will have to be anchored keeping his lady safe until I drop him back on board!!!

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  3. Helen, sounds a little like a scene from "Some Like It Hot"...giggle...

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  4. wow, you go lady ;)

    cant wait for the ball

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  5. I've just invited a gentleman to escort me. The Balenciaga has already gone to the cleaners. Can't wait.
    L.A.

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  6. Sounds extravagant!..I wonder if Audrey Tattou is busy that night?..Mind you! I always end up in the kitchen at parties!..

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  7. Poetry reading in a hot classic car with a mysterious stranger! My, oh my. Sounds pretty groovy, really.

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  8. Jeffery...the catering crew is very entertaining...but I might want a spin around the dance floor with you...

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  9. Old 333, groovy, indeed...(!!!)

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  10. I'd suffer the Sciatica in silence to Tango with you M'lady!

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  11. Sometimes, being a voyeur is a first step. I am shy. I will probably be the girl in the corner, dressed in the black dress that does not quite fit, a little too big for her, hands behind her back, not quite daring to dance, but living vicariously... taking a tentative step toward the bright figures, but then retreating to watch.

    ...or maybe...

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  12. Good for you... I forgot to ask if who wants to be my date... I am busy preparing for what t wear and what looks will i will be showing, clean shaven or with facial hair... Mmmm...

    JJRod'z

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  13. Here is my official RSVP and my date to the ball. He's a little wild but wild and surly but I just know you're going to love him!

    http://www.livinginthemiddle.com/2011/10/willow-manor-ball-rsvp.html

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  14. My date will be Dr Sheldon Cooper. Hands off, ladies.

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  15. He parked his jag in the ferns
    To show her all that she yearns
    Quasimodo her desire
    Sets her heart all afire
    With passions that yearn for some bairns

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  16. Mike...I'm not sure about that Quasimodo part...giggle...

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  17. As you already know from over on Facebook, we're lining up quite a selection of dancers who will make Dancing with the Stars look like amateur night. The Duchess of Alba has confirmed that she will attend as the date of my cyber ego Alton V. Yowells, VII. (They have the same hair stylist.) We will also provide video coverage, and we just learned that Snooki will be coming with her date Gandhi.

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  18. Ooh...Mr. Alton V. Yowells, VII, no less. The ball would not be the same without your or the Duchess of Alba. I wonder if Gandhi will be wearing his trademark loincloth? He might find it a bit chilly in Central Ohio this time of year...

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  19. Dinosaur Hand tells me men in hoodies are not to be trusted. He is a very jealous hand, but don't worry, we are bringing a pair of handcuffs to the ball this year, so maybe you won't get pinched again.

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  20. I'm so sorry to be the bringer of bad news but R.A.D Stainforth hasn't been seen since May last year

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  21. Tom, if I remember correctly, Dinosaur Hand has very sharp teeth...

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  22. Mike, I can't seem to find anyone who has actually seen R.A.D. Stainforth...ever...

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  23. I just hope the Jag doesn't break down ... and Nigella Lawson is still running hot and cold ...

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  24. R.A.D., what is it about Jags? They seem to always be breaking down. I hope your's doesn't until after the ball in that lovely patch of ferns. With me, of course...

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  25. If I can Nigella Lawson's enormous arse out of the Jag, we'll go for a spin Tess ...

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  26. I'll bring along my little pet mouse...that should do the trick...

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  27. LOL! Jealous, of course, though I know not quite of whom to be jealous. Love XKEs...wouldn't want to stake my life on whether or not one would run :-D

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  28. I may have to push it the last few miles ... hope you don't mind if I arrive with my face streaked with dirt and sweat ... Nigella's bringing her toolbox so she can stay outside and fix it whilst I dance with you ...

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  29. R.A.D., if you brake down...just buzz me and I'll send up Phipps to collect you. Leave Nigella to tinker on the car...

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  30. By the way, you may say "whilst" to me as many times as you like...

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  31. Dr. Linthead, I am penciling you in my dance card for at least two dances...

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  32. Oh my! I saw a bird-legged girl in knee socks today...a favorable omen, no doubt. I have new boots! Oh, and a fine cutlass ;-)

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  33. All I can say at the moment, is that I have been in contact with Maureen O'Hara. She has yet to confirm.

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  34. Looking forward to the event Tess. Still not heard back from my proposed date, but I am hopeful. Do you have stabling for the horses?

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  35. Cro, I adore Maureen O'Hara...I do hope she comes with you...I want to hear her sing "Look to the Rainbow"...

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  36. Alan, yes, please come with horses!

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  37. Tess,

    There is more to quasi than just a Jag and a hump, you should see what he has in the garage. But just now he really has the hump because I've asked Esmeralda to accompany me to the Ball.

    Anyone got a recipe for Goat Stew?

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  38. Mike, I don' mind a good goat stew as long as there's no floating eyeballs...

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  39. Try this one It's delicious!
    http://recipes.cehun.com/2009/07/25/moroccan-goat/

    Rock The Casbah!

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  40. I've heard the head is a delicacy...

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  41. Delicious News! I was wondering if you were going to have a "Willow Ball"! And....this year, I will e able to dane the entire night away..as I am just back from New England! Oooooh....so much to do.... finding my dates (you KNOW I am going to bring a few..a-ha-ha), dress shopping, shoe shopping, handbag shopping, etc. etc.

    Counting the days, o' gracious hostess!!!

    Love,

    ♥ Robin ♥

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  42. Was going to wear my hot mustard yellow sixties number to the Autumn Ball, but last night someone splashed chicken gravy on to it. Dastardly!! Advice on stain removal of oil based gravy please!!

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  43. Can't believe it's October again already! The ball always makes me miss the New England autumn. They really haven't got it down over here. Rain and brown leaves just don't cover it.

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  44. It is upon us, and no one can
    still their ardor and anticipation.
    It is a done deal with my date.
    Miss Cate Blanchett will be on my
    arm. My George A. Custer outfit
    last year my be hard to top, but
    I will design and procure something
    this next week. Save a few dances
    with me, Mistress Tess, and do our
    aerobics in preparation, for there
    are studs aplenty pawing the corral
    to get you in their arms.

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  45. I'll be there. With my dance partner.

    http://youtu.be/K9K4EN2TNSc

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  46. Jeffrey, it looks delicious;
    Tess, calls for shoulder - sorry no eyeballs in this one.

    Now where is the little fellow: Djali, here boy, here boy - Djali

    Don't tell Agnes.

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  47. my dear duchess - 'tis my honor to attend - and about my companion for the evening, while i've had several acceptances from the invitations i extended for the affair, i am leaning toward allowing the extraordinary liam neeson the privilege - you see, we share a deep friendship of many moons...and he's such a magnificent dancer as you can imagine - i've some photos of us dancing the night away in times gone by - but that's a story for another time - perhaps -

    in any event, we both look forward to attending the willow manor ball!

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  48. Sorry, but may not be able to attend the Ball this year. Even after I had planned.
    Busy helping to organize the "occupation" of a Canadian city. It's a "solidarity" event for those who are occupying Wall Street. Or the folks who have been Occupying Barcelona since May 15th. And, . . . and, . . .
    Blessings and Bear hugs if I don't make it on Wednesday.

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  49. I'll be bringing the spirit of Steve Jobs with me. Be ready for a burst of creative energy!

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  50. The Jag starts and runs well from cold, but when it has warmed up and I turn off the engine and try to re-start, the engine struggles to turn over ... if the spark plugs are removed then the engine turns over freely ... I think my starter is going out ... there just isn't sufficient torque when it's hot ... a good indication of a dying starter ... there's no load on the engine with the plugs removed, so it takes much less effort for the starter to spin the engine ... or it could be vapour lock ... maybe the engine's flooding when it's shut off ... so, I may have to remove the air cleaner, hold up one or two of the carburettor pistons, open the throttle all the way, and the car will start, I hope ... anyway, I am in Nigella's capable hands ... I've never driven to Ohio before ... looking forward to the Willow Manor Ball immensely Tess ...

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  51. R.A.D., I have a handy pair of jumper cables at the manor...I would be more than happy to give you that much needed jump start...

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  52. My date for the evening is Derrick, who used to blog as Melrose Musings. He was my date last year and although he no longer blogs he has taken his tuxedo to Crete where he is on holiday. We shall both dance superbly and I shall be wearing a silver Dolce and Gabana dress in a size 8 (I wish). Can't wait. We have been doing a cyber practice of the Argentinian tango!

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  53. Argentine Tangos (Tarragona)

    It is time for vespers
    And our young Polish priest
    Sits in a brown armchair
    Reading, smoking a cigar,

    Listening to countless Argentine tangos.

    Later, a woman in red
    Brings a basket of food.
    They sit on the terrace
    Eating, not communing,

    Listening to haunting Argentine tangos.

    An atheist black cat
    Carrying a dead mouse
    Walks along a white wall
    To the next roof. We smile,

    Listening to bloody Argentine tangos.

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  54. R.A.D., thank you for this lovely red-hot poem...did you write it? I had a black cat once, but I'm not sure whether or not he was an atheist...

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  55. My dearest Catfish, I'm sure there is now a long line of potential dates lined up outside your door, like the nannies in Mary Poppins...can't wait to see who escorts you Wednesday night!

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  56. Tess, that is a poem I wrote about a time back in the last century when I was in love in Spain ... if I fall in love like that again ... it's not gonna happen ...

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  57. someone is having so much fun

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  58. now why do you say that???

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  59. Why you can practically hear the giggles and shrieks of joy as if you held the page up to your ear!!

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  60. Page up to your ear?????
    My you are an old goat!!
    they dont have pages any more
    and I'm not even sure if they have
    ears!

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  61. Just wait a minute there buster!!
    Misstess Kincaid's supposed to love old stuff like that
    and I don't think she's just talking raindrops falling on her head.
    SO I think this here cotillion will be a blast from the past into the future- and you better get a date and some fancy pants if you want to partake in the hot dog porridge and the oblivion stew punch!

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  62. Well Tessie's all carded up and floating higher than a jaguar carburater's fumes so let me prowl the edges of creation
    and see what
    I can see.

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  63. I'd be most interested in buying a ticket to the dance.

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  64. RSVP

    I shall be attending quite alone.
    All will be revealed at the ball.....

    Sincerely,
    Miss Violet Louise Moorfields
    www.collagepirate.blogspot.com

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  65. Eugene recorded a song just for you Tess and for the ball tomorrow. http://www.livinginthemiddle.com/2011/10/sun-is-on-my-side-by-gogol-bordello.html

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  66. I'm rushing to the airport now - over nighting - somewhere - not sure where yet!

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  67. My first post about the Ball is up because I have to fly out tonight!

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  68. This sounds deliciously fun. As I'm a bit late and it's my first ever manor ball, I may just be a wall flower and take it all in. Can't wait to see though!

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  69. You know I am finalizing details as I type this...

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  70. ok... posted your ball info, my threads/date, and few things i'll bring along to the partay, on my page! :D

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  71. That sure was a hot date with a cool car. WOW! That's so great to ride on that vintage car out on a date.

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Inject a few raisins of conversation into the tasteless dough of existence.
― O. Henry (and me)