Current location: In lair but thinking of that great day!
Current mood: envious
Current music: "Born Free"

Saturday the 15th of August was a very good day for them and for me. I do sincerely hope that such a day may yet happen to this middle-aged white lion. "Are ya' listenin' Higher Pow'a?"


On Thursday I drove over to Van Nuys in the San Fernando Valley to pick up our furiend Tora. I bought him over to my apartment where he stayed the night. We got up at 5:30am Friday morning and got ourselves woken up enough to be functional and hit the road at 6am. The freeway was pretty clear as “rush hour” was shortly to start but not yet in full chaos. We did pass a truck accident on the 57 freeway just north of where it joins the 60 freeway. That slowed us down to around 20mph for a few minutes till we passed it. After that we had good full speed. WE were able to use carpool lane as we were two. That was a blessing when we got on the 5 freeway in Santa Ana. All other lanes were at a near total standstill. We went onto the 55 freeway and did have to endure some slow traffic there. As we were getting off so shortly after going on it, we couldn’t take advantage of carpool lane. We got off and headed southwest on Mac Arthur Blvd. and took it until it ended at Pacific Coast Highway. We made a left turn south on to PCH and went about a couple of miles till we got to the park, “Crystal Cove State Beach”. We got there at 7:15am. We had been told to expect to pay a $10 fee but the kiosk booth was still closed up tight and not open so didn’t have to pay. Even though their sign said open at 6am there was no one there. That saved money ended up getting me a better dinner that night.

We parked in parking lot four where we had been instructed to do by a note from Renee’. We got out and walked a bit but weren’t sure it was right after all. We couldn’t seem to “find” the spot we were looking for. Via a phone call it was determined that it was really parking lot three so we dove the very short distance to that one instead. It was a long walk but not too hard. It could have been done in fursuit. I have “suffered” worse walking situations in all my years of performing. The advice had been not to do fursuiting because of the steep path. This was all right, but you know me, I really would have liked to, but we all had some fur on.

As we drove into the park the sky was a battleship gray overcast of clouds. It was about 68 degrees and although it did not feel oppressive it was a bit humid. The natural brush that is the park and preserve gave of a strong musk-like odor that filled the air. The path we walked along from the parking lot was paved but was covered by a spotted carpet of sand and fine dirt. Before the path really dropped down to the beach itself there was a small dirt path that went perhaps a hundred feet to a small overlook area. That was our spot. Natural scrub lined both sides of the path. The end was a circular dirt and sandy area that was at the end of the cliff side. Dark, weather-worn wood posts connected by a good metal chain made it secure and relaxing. There would be no way anyone could accidentally fall over. I would say it was a couple hundred feet above the ocean and beach below. The waves were of the soft rolling kind, one right after the other. The sound of the waves crashing was audible but soft and gentle. An excellent backdrop if ever you wanted one.

Right there at the edge of the cliff you now could smell the salty air of the ocean along with the aroma of the brush. As noted, Tora and I were first to arrive. Maurice and Chris and Renee’s dear friend Ann Marie arrived next in his car. This would have been around 8:15am. When they arrived we went down to the lookout site. I brought along my good-sized cheetah and husky plush to make a little display. I also had my boom box to play the song they wanted, “Ever After” from “Enchanted”. Ann Marie “swept” up the area with a little twig from the natural brush that was just lying there on the ground where we were. When Renee’, Grandma Shirley and Matt arrived Renee’ put out two pictures.

Two blankets were put out on top of two cement benches that were there. Renee’ had the small native basket that contained the ring pillow with Matt’s ring to Chris in its little pocket. Under the pillow was a folded up piece of paper that had Matt’s vows and short message to Chris. As I was “Maid of Honor” I was given the basket. Grandma Shirley was Chris’s “Best Man”. I had a little bouquet of fake purple flowers between the cheetah and husky. It’s from the wedding I attended several years ago where I was “Best Cow”. Shirley paced a bouquet of yellow and white flowers on the chain and post that was just behind where Renee’ stood to perform the ceremony. About ten minutes or so before we would begin the ceremony the sun broke though and we now had full daylight but with still cloudy, hazy skies with some patches of blue sky starting to show. I do love the symbolism of the ocean and its waves. We pass though this life in all too short a time. But the sea is “eternal”. It makes me so humble and thankful at the same time that the Higher Power gave me this gift of life to enjoy for what time I am “allowed”.

Henry/Bengaley was our only other participant in the event. He arrived a bit after Maurice and company had arrived, probably about 8:40am or so. He manned the camera on the tripod for the entire ceremony. He made us all laugh as he was wearing a casual crème-colored suit but with no tie. He made the rest of us look “underdressed” in our own casual attire although that is what we were supposed to wear.

I had put on my lion head, “Larry” when I heard that Matt and Renee and Grandma Shirley had arrived in the parking lot. So Matt sees Larry as he first walks up. I’m wearing my black t-shirt with the lion head on it and my black sheepskin fur Ugg boots. This is the first I’ve seen him in several days so we share a tight hug. I was going to leave Larry on but Matt said I shouldn’t, that he wanted to see my face so I took off Larry and put on my lion hat instead. Both Matt and Chris were wearing their tails. Matt had on his leopard and tiger casual shirt with his black pants. Chris had on a similar style casual shirt but with cheetahs on it and he wore shorts instead of pants.

We all had gathered there in the overlook area the first thing. Then after getting all things ready, Maurice and Matt walked back down to the foot of the path and I was instructed to play the song on CD. I started the song and after the vocal began on it they walked up the path again back to the rest of us at the top. As they are walking up, I am to the left side, the plush are lying together on the bench just behind me and a tad below of where I am standing. Grandma Shirley and Chris are just to the right of Renee and they are almost right at the railing, no more than a single step away from it Grandma is acting as Best Man.

Ann Marie is to the right of them from this point of view. She’s standing next to them but is off just a slight bit to be a little more back of them and is not directly alongside. Tora is next, sitting there on the bench on the right side along with a small Stitch there. Bengaley is standing with the camera and tripod right where the bench ends. Renee’ is there right in the middle and center of our group just about a foot in from the wood and chain railing.

As Matt and Maurice walk up to the center I step a little to my left side to allow them my place so to speak. I now stand about a step closer to the bench where the cheetah and husky plush are. Renee’ asks who gives the bride away. Maurice answers I do and steps back to stand just behind Matt by a couple steps. I am Maid of Honor so I now take his place along the left side of Matt. Renee’ asks who takes the bride and both Chris and Grandma Shirley take the couple steps needed to be next to Matt and me. Reading from a book she brought, Renee’ welcomes us all and proceeds to detail the responsibilities of marriage and then begins to perform the ceremony.

It didn’t take all that long really, but it was very moving to me. Their rings to each other have wolves on them as that is the symbol of the family clan. They looked very nice. And although larger than what one usually thinks of wedding rings, they were not that big to be cumbersome or out of proportion. I’m not a jewelry lion as such but those looked so nice I must say.

Renee’ and company had brought those little mini bubble bottles made for weddings and such so when the ceremony ended we all blew our bubbles around. It was surprising how far they did travel before popping. I guess it was the very soft breeze we had that was responsible for that happening. We really filled the immediate area around us for a while there. There were a few joggers and walkers who went by during our time there. They were on the main path itself and did not actually come up to or near us. But I do wonder what they thought at what they saw. We were obviously “different”. Well what the heck, furries are people too…ya’ know!

After the wedding and our bubble blowing were done we all walked back to the parking lot and we all drove back in our respective cars to the Residence Inn by Marriot hotel on Harbor Blvd right at the corner of Chapman Avenue where Grandma Shirley was staying for a couple of days for a very low-key and informal reception. It’s not that far down from Disneyland by the way, just to let you know.

They put out some potato chips, cut fruit, veggies and cheeses as our snacks. We all had some Andre strawberry champagne to toast Matt and Chris. It was delicious and I would have liked much more but I only had the one glass knowing I must be driving later on. So I switched to a spiced sparkling apple cider instead and had several glasses of that. When that finished up I continued with some Pepsi that was also there and available. There was a nice and very rich chocolate cake as well, which as by tradition, Matt and Chris cut together. No face smearing of cake allowed as we were in hotel room. All of our talk was casual.

Matt, Chris, Tora and Bengaley left to run over to Bengaley’s place which was close by, then over to the cheapy motel where Matt and Chris were going to stay for two nights. They could officially check in and save having to do that later. It is a cheesy kind of motel that although clean, would have to go up a couple of notches to even be a Motel Six. That should give you an idea. Its sole redeeming value was it having large Jacuzzi-type bath tubs in some rooms. That’s what they reserved for themselves. While they were all gone I stayed there at Shirley’s room with the remaining others. We made small talk pretty much to pass the time.

I asked if Renee was thinking of doing the jade sale at FC in January again but she doubts it what with the hassle it was last year. It was profitable but also bothersome at the same time. I know we three, I, Matt and Chris will be going to FC come heck or high water. I know for me it is my one ultimate pleasure I give myself for the whole year. I don’t think I now could not go without feeling so rotten and so down in spirit with myself for missing it. It’s become that important to me. For a week I am really me. The furry I am and always will be.

When the guys got back we hung around there in Grandma Shirley’s hotel room for a little while more then we all walked out of the hotel to go across the street to the “Outback” steak house restaurant. I have eaten at Outback a couple of times over some many years of time. They offer great food but at the same time they are pretty expensive. So, at least for me, they are a very occasional treat and can’t be an everyday type of restaurant. I must admit I did splurge a little on myself and I got the 16 ounce Prime Rib, cooked medium rare as I like it. I’ll be having lots of macaroni and cheese and spaghetti dinners at home to “pay” for it but it was so well worth it.

I ate all of my meal but most everybody else took back leftovers. Well, you know my ”appy-tite” already, right? I didn’t get a dessert for myself but did share in a sort of communal dessert that we got for free as the waitress accidentally spilled Maurice’s glass of water when refilling it and it spilled partly onto him, the bench he was sitting on and also partly onto Grandma Shirley. It was a true accident and at least it was only water. Hey, shit happens, doesn’t it!?!

We all made the short walk back to the hotel and relaxed for a little while longer. Henry/Bengaley did finally have to leave as he had work to go to but he assisted in dropping off Matt and Chris to their motel room back in Cypress. Tora rode with me in the PT. With his and my stuff in the car we had no more room to take anyone else. Once we all got to their motel room we all crashed there for the rest of the night. It had been a long but a very satisfying day. By the way, we all did have a chance to enjoy that Jacuzzi tub and it was most enjoyable. I sure wouldn’t mind having one of my own in my home or apartment.

'Twas a very good day indeed, I'd say! Furry hugs to one and all! Semper Furry!

--Me, the middle-aged white lion who's a big softy of a furball at heart.