Dear My Gorgeous Pretties,

How was your week, my loves? All’s one over in my part of the world. I do apologize for getting to you so much later than anticipated, but I was stuck on my yacht. The captain thought it would be fun to take me on a little rendezvous off course, and honestly, it was! You know I’m always up for an adventure. Eoowww!

Happy July 1! It’s dear old Granny’s birthday today, Allah yerhamha. It’s also my half birthday! Happy birthday to us! My Granddaddy, Allah yerhamo, would always stare at me when I was little and say, “You look just like Elnora.” Honestly I think it was mostly our aura. She too was—is—the light. Al noora, the light, in arabi. Muneerah is kinda like, the light multiplied. Illuminating all of the lights. She had a natural elegance to her, like me, like all the women in my lineage. We come from elegance, from riches. It only makes sense that richness comes back to me. It is my birthright. And therefore I enjoy it gladly, on my little yacht off the coast of—never mind. I shan’t disclose my location at this time. Anytime I name a thing suddenly everyBuddy wants it, wants a part of it, wants to have it, do it, be it. It’s quite irritating at times, but I guess that’s the price you pay for being the influence and never the influenced. A purveyor of culture, if you will. A cultural architect of sorts. Ce’st la vie, mon amie!

During my leave I took myself on a holidate to this little vintage clothing fest in Vegas. It was Totally Rad!

I love (hate) how vintage has become so commercialized. I know I’m partially to blame for that due to the meticulous lengths I went in preserving the clothing from my youthful days and then sharing that with everyone only for some fiendish knaves to come and try to steal my joi de vie. Some people will always to convince you, “People who have money aren’t jealous of you, especially if you don’t.” Ummmm, have you seen Cinderella? Her evil stepmother & sisters put her in rags, forced her to be their servant, and relegated her to the dusty attic, and STILL despised the grace in which she carried herself. It was her aura they were jealous of, not her possessions. And people will always be jealous of the things that money can’t buy, especially when they think that everyone and everything has a price. But favor ain’t fair, but believe you me, it damn sure ain’t free…

I didn’t buy anything. I really don’t like shopping for real, which is why when I find a good, quality garment, I take care of it, and keep it for as long as possible. For me, I only shop with purpose. And of course that one-off occasion where if I see something that instantly gives me that feeling of electricity, like, BUY. ME. NOW. then I get it. And if I need something, I get it. But other than that, it’s fun to just go and have much ado about nothing.

I’m not a Vegas local so I don’t recall the venue this pop up took place, but it was fun to walk around and check out the shops and see other people’s perceptions of what vintage means to them. But for me, the bunnies are always gonna win.

My other favorite part was the arcade.

We always love a good game, don’t we fellas? 😉

Ok, admittedly not *the best* percentage, but there was a littler kid behind me who kept messing with my boot tassels. The little rascal. He was trying to distract me so I would hurry up and finish. It worked!

But I must be a kid magnet because I went to the final activation on my way out and another little wanted to hop in my pic. Her mom grabbed her while my secret rich lovuhhh snapped this flick.

In my leisure I’ve been doing some poolside reading. Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine. A fun collection of short stories and murder mysteries, bandits, cowboys, and the like. It reminds me how fun it is to just make shyte up sometimes ya know? Remember what I told you before? Some stuff really just be for giggles and nothing more. Unless…?

But the thing about art is that, once you put it out there, it’s open to interpretation by each & every individual who views it, filtering it through their own perspective and collection of experiences. It can literally have nothing to do with them, but they can make it about them, because in their mind, you are the star of their show too. But what can you do? That’s why I just sip my tea, mind my b, and say whoopty doo!

As I mentioned in my last love letter before break, being back in Kent was so lovely! I feel like I didn’t take full advantage of its cuteness while I lived there. Specifically speaking about the riverwalk, but then again, it also wasn’t built up as it is now. It was a bit more rugged. The kick it spot where the skater boys and girls and other rebels with a cause would cut to and get away from it all—smoke their cigarettes, drink the beers they stole from their parents party stash, make out. Not me though! I was (am) a goody two shoes, with a touch of controlled ratch. Plus, we were strategically kept in the house. Lol. Outside of afterschool extra curriculars, and maybe that one, max two, best friends’ houses we were allowed to go to, Ma kept us inside. Put up princesses. Which explains why to this day you will still cash me inside, how bout dahhh? And anyway, ain’t nothing out there for real. Ma was on to something, though at the time it felt otherwise. Hindsight.

I didn’t make it to our quintessential lunch spot we would frequent when all of us were still in/around the O. With all the festivities there wasn’t much of an opportunity. Defintely saving that for the next trip, and NO, I won’t tell you where it is! Why are you people so nosey? No spoilers! Geez. CaHn’t you wait for anything?

Young nephecito also graduated from Kent State (go Flashes! ⚡️) whilst I was there and the gang celebrated at Michael Angelo’s Winery & Bakery in Richfield. Such a gorgeous venue. Immediately obsessed. The stately entrance instantly makes you feel grand, and then you walk into the front doors and are met with a waft of fresh baked goods and fresh roasted cawfee. You know I love my cuppuhhh, morning, noon, or night!

It was graduation weekend and Mother’s Day weekend so it was packed. Plus I mean, it’s a delicious Italian restaurant, so I feel like, regardless of the weekend that just goes without saying, amirite? It started raining as soon as we pulled up so I didn’t get to immerse myself in the full experience of the vineyard and the gorgeous patio spaces, but I know when I go back it will be worth the wait. Plus, the vines will be all lush so it will be perfect timing. They have multiple large rooms and buildings to host your private parties and/or special events, and did I mention the outdoor patio space is ginormous and gorgeous? And the pasta! The pasta arrabbiata was a 10 outta 10 make me wanna slap yo mama. Jk, jk. No slaps. Just love taps 😘

And being Italian, you know everything was large, family style portioning. One dish was plenty for 2, etc, etc. And seeing my two little baby great nieces was just the pot o’ gold at the end of the double rainbow!

🤣

Can you believe I’m a Grand-Auntie?! I’m literally only 10! But it was definitely quality time well spent. And if I didn’t say it already, congratulations to all the 2026 graduates! And THANK YOU, Dear old Kent 💙

On my journey back West I took the scenic route to the Springs of the Panamint

A quint & rustic location with truly iconic views from a different perspective of Death Valley. I was instantly smitten.

But then I was served lunch and the love bug was bitten.

Definitely had leftovers to take with me. Complete with campgrounds, lodging, RV sites, and a general store, twas a worthy side quest. Next time I’ll hafta hitch my camper and make it an overnight visit!

*What are some of your favorite places to visit?*

*Ok, now we outta here. Toodles to you bishes. Destiny is calling and it’s time to go the distance!*

Well my Gorgeous Pretty Ones, this is where I bid you adieu. Tis all she wrote for the night, and this all must do. As ever and as always, I thank you for your company. You could be anywhere in the world, but here you are with me. I love that for you, and I love that for me. Have a tremendous rest of your week! I shall see you on the same bat channel in due time. For now, I take my leave. Stay blessed, EveryBuddy. Stay in the Light. Keep fighting the good fight. And of course, God speed.

Love always (& besitos!),

Your little pocket full of Sunshine

go the distance

The return