Dear My Gorgeous Pretties,

I think people drastically underestimate my desire to run away into the woods and live amongst the forest fairies in peace. The witches of days old (and the ones in fairytales) get a bad rap. I mean think about it. Going off to be one with nature, foraging & eating what Mother Nature made available to you, making natural tonics (“potions”) and living a life of serenity & solitude away from the antics of civilized society was somehow considered maleficent? It sounds like a perfectly quaint life for me, honestly. A life I desperately long for…

At the same time I have this unyielding, incessant, need for creative expression in all its forms. So many people have a desire for fame and for me, the goal is simply freedom of expression. While the internet is a great tool for connection and information, it has simultaneously tarnished any real sense of individuality. People will say, “They have a fear of being seen,” and then turn around and regurgitate the information they got from that person without giving any credit to the source. Well, therein lies the problem. Is it a fear of being seen or frustration from consistently producing and being siphoned from?

We live in a very strange time. But then I read this poetry from the 13th & 14th centuries where they’re essentially RUMInating (😝) on the same conundrum which thus leads me to believe that it has always been this way, just taking on different forms as the times change. So what’s the solution? We sally forth. Forward. Onward. To the sky. Arriba!

When I got off the plane in St. Louis I was greeted with a “Welcome to the Chess Capital of the America” sign. I immediately had to look into this! Turns out there’s a whole chess campus which houses the World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries, the St. Louis Chess Club, serving as a center for chess education, competition, and cultural enrichment, hosting elite tournaments like the US Chess Championships and the Sinquefield Cup, as well as scholastic programs and community events. (STL Chess Club) Icooooonic. My dad, uncle, granddaddy, taught us the game of chess at an early age. All the men in my family still play. I wouldn’t say I’m a pro, but I know a thing or three. Of course, I had to go check it out and see for myself.

Located in the St. Louis’ Central West End, the street is filled with shops, restaurants, & boutiques, a premiere destination for those looking to explore the city.

*Kingside Diner located directly next door*

As previously shown, outside of the hall of fame is the world largest chess piece, accompanied by a giant miniature (playable) chess board, and tables with regular size chess games atop. Anybody can stop by and play a leisurely game or delight themselves with an iconic photo op.

Just for alternate perspective, you can see this chess piece is literally as tall as the building.

Upon entering you’ll have the Q Boutique on you right hand side

Followed by the welcome/reception desk staffed by a lovely individual

There is no fee to enter, but if you’re in the area, the membership does come with its perks from lessons, club events, tournaments, and merch, so join today and be a part of a thriving community. What could it hurt?

Once past reception, you enter the first of 3 galleries, spanning as many floors.

There is no order to view as they are all stand alone, but why not start at the beginning?

From basketball icons, to swim champs, to olympic speedskaters, gymnasts, soccer (football) & football stars, and everyone in between, the Hall of Legends highlighted just how much the game of chess has evolved in its own right while at the same time intersecting the world of sports to the point where athletes are using the same strategic methods on their field play as the players in world of chess.

Speaking of Queens, they also had a special segment highlighting the gap between male & female chess players.

While this information was rather enlightening, I was particularly intrigued by the sport of chessboxing, a hybrid of the two sports originating from the graphic novel Froid Équateur.

I never heard of it before coming here, but apparently, rules of engagement are such that players alternate betwixt the two, challenging your mental and physical stamina, for up to 11 rounds.

They had a football bleacher setup—complete with astro turf—with a 60 Minutes segment of New York State chess champ, William Graif, detailing his journey from regular (world class) chess player to chess boxer.

Probably the coolest takeaway was how this pairing of chess & sport has evolved to Diving Chess and Chesswrestling. Like what?? 🤯

But seeing virtually all of the sports world showcased in these galleries, and considering the notion that all sports are essentially challenging the limits of your mental and physical endurance, it poses the question, in the end isn’t it all really a game of chess?

*Do you see the craftsmanship behind this work??*

Heading up to the 2nd level, you pass this corridor with looped interview tapings of “the greatest chess player of all time,” chess champion Bobby Fischer, on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, 60 Minutes, and game show I’ve Got a Secret.

I fear I've accidentally deleted the stairwell photo from this particular vantage point, but now would be a good time to mention how much I loved the coziness of this building. And I don’t mean that in a condescending way or in the sense that makes its size feel diminutive, but there was very much a warm to this building that made you feel like you were walking into an older family member, perhaps your grandfather’s, updated 1904 Victorian style home with the gorgeous rich brick exterior (very popular throughout all of STL) and painted brick inside with modern accents in the stairwell such as the painted giant chess piece on the wall and the light fixtures, while keeping the original old-school style bannisters in place. It was a nice juxtaposition. All truly *chef’s kiss*

Now heading to the 2nd floor, the gallery on this level narrows the scope of this chess/sports intersection specifically to St. Louis & Missouri.

Here, you get all the Chess club lore, the difference they’re making in the classroom, and the give back to the community. Always a must.

The annual St. Louis Chess Club Charity Golf Tournament offers an opportunity for many elite chess players to indulge in their sport of choice outside of their board.

And then of course you have your major league sports highlights:

*Didn’t know St. Louis had a football team until now. Pretty cool. Pretty cool.*

And then my favorite part

*Swing battuhhh, battuhhh, battuhhh, battuhhh, battuhhh, SA-WING!*

Moving on to our 3rd and final level…

Now you know I’m a nerd so I loved seeing the framings on the history of St. Louis & learning about the new inductees into the U.S. & World Chess Hall of Fame in the stairwell.

Here is a partial pic of the stairwell I was telling you about earlier. The chess piece is the same on each floor landing.

*See what I mean with the bannister and the light fixture (and even the carpet), juxtaposed with the painted brick of the hall of fame wall?*

Of the 5 new inductees, 2 are women, so that’s a pretty good ratio if you consider what we learned about the gender gap from the 1st floor gallery. Raise your hand if you remember without going back to check…

Alright, now onto the Fan Zone.

This floor was cool because it showcased specialized chess sets made for/by different sports and teams which I thought was a really nice marriage and culmination of this chess/sports crossover.

*This set commemorating the 1980 Moscow Olympics I found particularly beautiful*

They have two different areas to play video games

More information on the inductees

And my favorite part, the chess boxing circus

We end this visit back where we started, popping into the Boutique before we hit the road.

They offered such a vast selection of memorabilia so suit everyone’s flavor. You have to leave with something.

You know we love a little fine jewelry. I took home the crown key chain as seen last week’s Monday Meditation Moment (on my head)

And a little neck tie action for those looking to elevate their fashion sense this fall

Whatever you do, just remember to be a player, not a pawn.

The World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries is open Monday-Friday with extended hours Thursday & Friday, and limited hours on Sunday. If you stop by, tell em tha Queen from the NE sent you.

Well, My Gorgeous Pretties, I had to skip across town for a hot date with my St. Louis cutie, so I didn’t get to scope out the scene next door at Kingside Diner. And unfortunately I didn’t make it back down before I left, but I heard wonderful things, so I look forward to trying them when the Universe takes me back. Maybe this time I won’t have to wait 30+ years, but ya never know!

And since we’re on the topic of sports, the international football break just came to an end and there were quite a few noteworthy events. Did you watch England v. Croatia the other day in that 7-0 demolition? Woof. And then Messi’s last country dance last night. That was super sweet to watch. What a career. What a legend. And the Bahrain in Malasia F1 Grand Prix had me all jacked up. The timezone change made it actually perfect timing to watch. I watched all of FP1, 2, 3 and quality and then fell asleep for the actual race. So rude.

Of course there were other sports highlights but I’ve kept you long enough. Next week we shall dine and dish on more of all of this. Until then, thank you for being here and as ever and as always, thank you for being a friend. Whoever you are, wherever you may be, you could be anywhere in the world, but here you are with me. And I love that for you. And I love that for me. I hope you have a delectably delightful rest of your week! Stay blessed out there, and of course, God speed.

Love Always (& besitos!),

Enjoying la vida bonita

And keeping my moves close to the vestido 😝

king me

Meet Me In St. Louis