Two signs are displayed. One reads, "Robert's Lafitte Cocktails, Games..." and the other reads, "3rd St. Station." Both signs have decorative fonts and designs.

Pumpkin spice, sweat, hurricanes and world upside down

By Forest Riggs

Where to begin? September is about half over, I’m a year older, storms keep crawling off the coast of Africa, the heat will not let up and the stores are already crammed full of holiday junk! Mix all of this with the returning use of pumpkin spice in everything from coffee to condoms and tampons and you have the upper Gulf Coast’s version of fall.

Record temperatures have been sizzling Galveston Island for months now and there appears no cooling anytime soon. Our brilliant leader, Lord Cheeto, insists that climate change is fake news and any evidence to the contrary is also fake, created by liberal democrats and “paid scientists.â€

It is pretty much OK to make a blanket statement that things have gone awry in the good ol’ USA. It’s sad that mass shootings have become so commonplace that they are almost expected now. Lives are lost, “prayers and thoughts†abound, and the politicians bury their head in the sand, double-talk and quietly take contributions from sources that just don’t give a damn.

It is clear the elected leaders (for the most part) don’t give a damn about the wishes, desires, and needs of their constituents. Look at old Turtle Face Mitch. He goes into office with some money but nothing like the millions he has amassed on a $142,000 annual salary. Talk about greased palms (and probably a few other holes here and there.) When one looks at the full picture, things don’t look so good. I know, blame it, Obama and Hillary!

These are indeed strange times. The rights of LGBTQ people are slowly being chipped away and laws providing equal rights and freedoms are being challenged and reversed. I guess in the end, we have “thoughts and prayers.â€

Hell no, we have a vote. We have something other countries dream about, a chance to vote and get rid of the riff-raff. Remember “drain the swamp?†It was drained, all right, and filled with high-dollar executives, liars, criminals, and other “ good†people committed to change. What a crock of you-know-what!

The good news

Meanwhile, while the world is spinning and mostly out of control, things on sunny Galveston Island are pretty stable. The LGBTQ community is stronger than ever and very involved in positive activities. Monies are being raised for all sorts of charities, a few rainbow flags are flying again, and the visitors are still arriving daily. Though not as many, the Chamber of Commerce reports high numbers in visitors as well as revenues and first-time tourists to the Island.

The heat is horrible, but it does make for a fun day on the sandy beaches and a walk along the Seawall proves that people love the Galveston beach, no matter what. Mother Nature has cooperated in a magical way, keeping the water blue to clear green for months now. Even the seaweed does not appear as profusely as it has in past summers’ end. It’s nice to meet visitors for the first time and hear them say, “We had no idea Galveston was so great. The water, the shops — so welcoming.â€

The three big bars or clubs are doing great business with everything from live music, comedy shows, bingo and trivia to fabulous drag shows and more.

The Island’s iconic Robert’s Lafitte is celebrating 50 years in business and the drinks, fun, and celebration continue to flow.

Todd Slaughter and his staff continue to bring Las Vegas-style shows and entertainment to Rumor’s Beach Bar, the beachfront venue. The Rumor Report packs out on weekend evenings.

Todd Mackenzie and Tom Fiero have transformed 23rd Street Station into a fun-filled venue for live music, great drinks, and a choice hangout for locals and visitors. The Island’s only “piano bar†with a large LGBTQ following has livened up the Island nights and offers something different.

So with all the negativity floating around the country these days, it just might be a good idea to slap on some pumpkin spice cologne and head to Galveston. The world is certainly not perfect and neither is the Island next to Texas, but the locals sure know how to make folks feel welcome and ensure a good time. The weather will eventually break, the holidays will get here and the “fun†season will begin again in Galveston with Lone Star Rally in November, Dickens on the Strand in December and, of course, Mardi Gras in early Spring.

Come on down and find new friends and new adventures, and make some new memories.

A resident of Galveston where he can be found wasting bait and searching for the meaning of life, Forest Riggs recently completed a collection of short stories about his beloved island and is working on a novel.

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