July 4th Weekend, 2009

Just returned from seven glorious days at 590 Fire Island Boulevard in the Fire Island Pines. If you haven't visited or know anything about the Pines, it is a community comprised of homes inhabited by gay men who escape from the confines of city life and search for laughter and companionship.

Guy and I have taken a half share this summer. That means ten weeks during the summer alternating every other beginning Memorial Day. The weather this past weekend was incredible and we could not have asked for more. Guy chose to stay in the city and watch the fireworks over the Hudson River-commemorating the 400th anniversary of its' discovery.

I arrived on Thursday at 11:50 off the ferry after a quick express train out from Penn Station to Sayville. A quick five dollar/five minute shuttle ride and on the ferry I went. I arrived at the house with my ingredients to make the house snack: GUACAMOLE! Yummy. No cilantro in my, and lots of extra lime just to keep an extra day. Thursday night was low tea and then home to cook.

Friday was a day of leisure. A little shopping in town, some consuming of cocktails in the afternoon around the pool, pre tea and then enjoying the fantastic weather that was offered for us to enjoy our time out. Some other housemates joined on Friday and made for a night big meal at night.

Saturday (JULY 4th) the 34th annual Invasion of the Pines took place. In history, as I have heard it told, a group of drag queens boarded a ferry and hijacked it over from Cherry Grove to the Fire Island Pines on July 4th, 1975. The INVADED the all male gay clubs and caused a scene with their outlandish outfits and attitudes as big as their wigs. It was a blast. This year I did not attend. After so many years of hanging out in the harbor, I needed a break and relaxed by the pool at the house and took in a little reading. In the evening though, a housemate and I wearing the same t shirt invaded tea and had a blast saying LET'S HUG IT OUT! Lots of fun. Saw lots of familiar and STRANGE faces. And, some faces I have not seen in a really long time. RIBS for dinner late-I think we sat down around the table at 11:30 and laughed and ate until almost one a.m.

Sunday, Rick's birthday celebration cocktail party in the afternoon. About 2:10 in the afternoon there was a pull on the door and the gate opened to reveal friends with smiles and bathing suits reading to enjoy a libation around the deck outside the house. TEA followed and then dinner back at the house. Hello Sip N Twirl!!! Just went for a drink or two and to talk with some friends. Then back to bed.

Monday, a glorious day under the sun, allowed for another day of relaxation, reading and some pre coverage of the Michael Jackson Memorial Service that was to take place in Los Angeles on Tuesday. Nap time! A dip in the pool, a soak in the hot tub, show and then off to TEA for one drink and back to the house for dinner. Yummy.

Tuesday. The National Weather Service has issued a thunderstorm warning with heavy rain and winds up to 60 miles per hour. Watched the VIEW for a while and then outside to read until the storms present. Bright sun and then clouds until about 3 p.m. after hanging around the pool. Pack up the blackberry, my book, the cushions and bring down the umbrella before heading inside to catch the last few minutes of the Michael Jackson service. Touching. Symbolic. DEAD.
After the storm, which was really just rain for the most part, passed, a housemate and I walked down to the harbor to grab a drink at TEA and take a picture or two at sunset. Amazing sunset after a rainstorm. There are always clouds still in the sky. Took our drinks to CROWN and hung out with some friends and laughed about the events of the weekend. Then, back to the house to pack, heat up some leftovers and make time for sleep before catching the ferry in the am. I did manage to squeeze in a little pool before bedtime. Didn't win, but had a blast.

6:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 8, 2009 time to get up. Put the egg dish in the oven and go back to bed for an hour. Up at 7:42 and a housemate had already helped themselves to the first piece. Not my best work by far, but needed a little nourishment before the long ride home. Closed up the house, said "SEE YA LATER" to the pool and headed down to the harbor. Ferry departed at 8:55 back to Sayville and was nicely returned to Manhattan by 11:10 by a housemate. We laughed and tried to get ready to return to reality.

Fire Island PINES: PARADISIO!!!!