Tonight is the monthly Greensburg Night Market. This event runs the fourth Thursday of every month and today being the 23rd means it’s time to shop downtown and support your local everything.
I’m no stranger to the event, having been here multiple times in 2020 and 2021, when supporting small businesses was imperative due to the circumstances we were dealing with. Since I last attended in 2021, this market has grown substantially. I walked down and was amazed at how this little market has become so big in so little time.
I took my time checking out some of the stands and getting food as well. So many choices, but I picked the first one that came to mind and that was The Pickled Chef. I spent more time eating than actually buying stuff. I’ll be back next month for the Greensburg Night Market as the week before Mr. Clougherty and I will be going out for dinner for my birthday. By then, I should have my research done and maybe not be as overwhelmed by the crowds. It’s really cool to see how big this market has become, though.
A few things that you need to know when attending the event are that there is metered parking all around the city. Good luck getting through downtown after 3:30pm on the day of the night market as various streets will be closed off. If you have pets, it’s best to just leave them at home (unless it’s a service dog). If you want to play it safe, there is a shuttle that picks up at Nicely Elementary School and drops you off in the heart of the action at the corner of Pitt and Penn (Pittsburgh Street and Pennsylvania Avenue). Always check out the website for more on the event and what vendors will be there and any other questions you may have that can be answered.
I don’t know what it is about May, but around this time of the year I always feel a little bit down. Since I attended my first conference in five years, I can’t call this a post conference-curse. It’s like I get sick, or I feel depressed around this time because I feel like I get no love or support in my journey. Miraculously, I didn’t get COVID during that time.
Two years ago, I fell into a deep depression because I missed my old co-workers and I felt no one approved of what I was doing. I regretted walking away from my church. The reason I don’t attend is mainly because of my work schedule and I want to go back but I’m not sure. Aunt Sue asked me why I wanted to give up my gender nonconformity and the answer was because I felt I was getting no support.
Last year, it was a host of problems starting with Benny and his health problems. We didn’t know when he was ever going to get out of the hospital and what would come after he got home on Memorial Day Weekend. Then, it was all the negative press over the Bud Light controversy and TikTok influencer Dylan Mulvaney. A certain talking head that used to work on a network who now has a podcast had some really nasty shit to say about the whole controversy and Dylan herself. Consuming all that information really hit me hard and I was actually this close to getting rid of everything and starting over. I went back though and it was on the Saturday we had our club officer training. I felt good wearing my leopard print scarf and carrying my Coach purse. Both Dana and Cassie gave me some excellent feedback on my outfit and told me not to change for anyone. It was then that I knew that I was meant to be on this journey.
It’s still not an easy road and I’m still second-guessing myself, but I’m still going strong.
This year, I don’t know what has me feeling down. At the conference, I had encouragement from a lady who won an award and who has a son who’s LGBTQ. I told her my story and she gave me great encouragement. I still don’t know what I really identify as, but Dana hit the nail on the head when he said, “You’re just stylish.”
After hearing that from the Toastmaster whisperer and District Historian, the best advice I can give myself is to just “shut up and go with it”.
Stylish 🍒 