May 1-3 Trademark  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/trademark-xli-tickets-1982713508477
May 8-10 Power shine trip to Chicago
May 16 Tarheel bar night
July 3 Talon bar night http://fetlife.com/event/2026/07/03/talon-clan-bar-night-q45yyu
July 17-19 Tarheels star and stripes run  https://www.facebook.com/TarheelLeatherClub
July 24-26 Atlanta Leather Pride https://atlantaeagle.com/event/atlanta-leather-pride-2026/
Aug 1 House of Mercy (invite only event)
Aug 7-9 Midwest Leather Kink Alliance https://mwlka.fun/home
Aug 15 Tarheel bar night
Sept 4 Talon bar night
Sept 12 Greensboro Pride https://www.impaqtgso.org/
Sept 19 Tarheel bar night
Nov 6 Talon bar night fundraiser http://fetlife.com/events/2026/11/06/talon-clan-bar-night-fundraiser-2026-zxqgmz
Dec 19 Tarheel bar night
May 13, 2027 Frolicon https://frolicon.com/registration/

Holy Fudge, this just happened.

When I first had my introduction to leather back in 2016, I never would have thought I would be Leather let alone a Titleholder. Leather to me at the time was sexy clothes and toys. I had no idea there was more. Between then and 2023 I kept finding myself with leather folk and I didn't believe I fit in.

Sitting on the back porch, feeling the connection of family with people I had only met hours before then crying when it was time to leave opened my mind. My Sir pulled me to the side and said "with reactions and feeling like this why do you think you don't belong in leather".

Now 2 years later, as I stand on a stage with some of the many people I could not imagine my life without, I know where I belong. Sir saw something in me that day and He knew what I could accomplish. And now so do I.

This title run has been a memory I will hold dearly for a very long time. I got to meet and talk with so many people over the weekend and truly felt connected to my community. I got to show a part of myself that is not often shown. My fantasy for one is one that I had told a handful of people about, and yet many of them came to me after and said "you made me cry", which means I hit a spot in them that we all don't like to talk about. Labels are only helpful for those who don't have the mind to understand. Don't pressure yourself to fit into someone else's label, find what works for you.

So my word of advice to everyone, including myself, as I start this year of SELF discovery (pun intended), be who you want to be, authentically, whole heartedly and deeply yourself, because that is all you can be.

Thank you to everyone that has supported me the two years leading up to this, and thank you to all that will support me moving forward. I couldn't do this without y'all.

Lovingly in Leather

Puddles

 Cheers, tears, and a growing community

Since May 1st, there have been many little moments that make me feel connected to my community. First was the Tradesmen Trademark event. Home of both the NC Leather contest and the South Carolina Leather contest. Tradesmen, based out of Charlotte NC, welcomed us to Augusta Georgia for a weekend full of fun, laughs and great stories. During the weekend I was asked to be the “contestant wrangler” for this year's NC contest. Easiest job ever, because Garou, LittleGarou, was so on top of everything. Seeing and helping her win the NC Person of Leather title was amazing, I can't wait to see what her next steps are. Spending those days with friends and family brought me so much joy, and waking up in a room with people I deeply care about made it all the better.

The next weekend was another trip, but this time north. Myself, Koda Bootblack and Lady Abrams loaded up the car and drove, yes drove, to Chicago. We made a few stops, and made many memories along the way. First stop was Point Pleasant, West Virginia. What's there you may ask, Mothman. Mothman, and his museum, is located there. For only 5 dollars, the hours we spent in the small little town was totally worth it. And just because we had to, there was a very thorough analysis of the Mothman statue by myself, my plushie and yes a finger or two. Not only is supporting local important but making those giggle induced memories is just as important.

Stop two was a surprise stop to see a partner who had been in Ohio for the week. Using shared locations to make a surprise since we were passing near him anyway, kinda gets ruined when the person you are trying to surprise can also see your location. Stopping for dinner before hitting our hotel in Cincinnati for the night still was fun.

Stop 3 was a bad idea. What happens when 3 littles, without adult supervision, go to the Cincinnati zoo. Chaos, chaos is what happens. If you were to ask me about petting wild squirrels, running off to go see fruit bats, trying to speak penguin, and chilling with the manatees for a little too long, I plead the 5th and have no idea what you are talking about.

Finishing the last of the drive involved a stop to see a friend. Atlas Rose was having an event before going off to IMLBB. A quick run by the bar, getting to see friends and support one hell of a bootblack and even more of an amazing person, maybe a day of driving worth it. So glad we got to see him before he went to IMLBB, and we wanted to make sure he knew we were fully Team Atlas. His pin will forever be one of my favorites. Advise to the world, sit for your bootblacks, show them some love and help our community shine like a diamond.

Waking in Chicago meant it was time to do what the trip was for. One whole day set aside to see the Leather Archives and Museum. I had a goal since winning my NCBB title of seeing the archives. With the current renovations to the building I wanted to see it before it closed. That quiet day we got to see so much of the leather history we only heard about in person. Between the final exhibit set, the bootblack corner and the research library, the hours were gone before we knew it. 3 bootblack sat at the table, slowly reading through the archives copy of the bootblack codex. The history, knowledge and stories held in that book was amazing. We read every single page, absorbing all we could.

On top of everything, the trip had a more personal reason. My late Sir, Master Ben (NCMaster), had one final wish for his leathers. He wanted for them to be placed in the archives so the family set out to make that happen. When the family heard I was going to see the archives, I was honored with being given His leathers, to hand deliver to the archives. Being the one to place them in their final resting place was a memory I will forever be a special memory. I didn't know Him long, but I know He is always with me. We all have people in our lives that have forever left an impact on us, and it is part of our journeys to carry them with us. When we feel the most alone, know that there is always someone there for us. As the final, and most important stop on this road trip, the hours of driving, gallons of gas, and jokes that made us laugh, I finally have closer than I had been avoiding. My journey will forever be impacted by the people I meet, now and forever.

Which leads me to my community. June is pride month. The pictures all over social media of our community coming together, showing support, and being there in times of joy, and in times of pain. The only event I was able to make in person was Winston Salem pride. I had the honor of walking in the parade as both the SouthEast Bootblack and a pledge to the Tarheels Leather and Levi club. Wearing my gear, holding the bootblack flag, and walking along my club brought joy to so many. After I ran the table for the club. I answered questions about leather history, bootblacking and hankie code all day. It was a part I could do, while supporting my club. Other members along with our guest had the great fun of having the protesters right next to us. Without missing a beat, the member who felt comfortable grabbed a flag, and created a wall separating the protesters from those just trying to enjoy pride. Throughout the day, so many people came and said how much they appreciate having “protection” while at pride. It was nice being able to tell people that “Leather will ALWAYS protect others”. It's a value I learned early in my journey and pride fully showed that. We as a community will always come together and protect, serve and help whenever we can. Personal highlight was toward the end of the day, the club gathered around and presented me with my Tarheel Patch, which officially changed me from pledge to full member. A year, or more like 3 years, of showing up, putting in the work and being there for the community all finally came to an end. But the work doesn't stop there, it just means I now do it as a Tarheel and could not be happier.

As I take on these next few months, my goal is to connect more with my community, both near and far. I want to find more ways to help others and show what Leather is all about. I'm keeping my mind and heart open to all that is out there.

Lovingly in Leather,
Puddles
SELF BB ‘26
NCBB ‘24