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
Nov 13-15 Wisconsin Leather Pride
Dec 19 Tarheel Christmas Party
Feb 20, 2027 Tarheels bar night at Chemistry Night Club
Mar 20, 2027 Tarheels bar night at Chemistry Night Club
Apr 30 - May 1, 2027 1st Trademark weekend
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

“Summer romances end for all kinds of reasons. But when all is said and done, they have one thing in common: They are shooting stars-a spectacular moment of light in the heavens, a fleeting glimpse of eternity. And in a flash, they're gone.”  ― Nicholas Sparks, The Notebook

A quote from a book that has so much importance to me, but it truly holds such meaning right now. This summer has by far been one with its own romance. Who was my romance with you might ask, well I will tell you. My summer romance was one with my community.

Starting July with my chosen family. The Tarheels had their run. While smaller than normal this year, it was still full of memories. Being there with my club, my friends and those I was just meeting, made me feel at home. The stories, the jokes, and the amazing food always reminds me why my chosen family will always be my chosen family. No matter what, we will always be there for each other and help those in need.

The weekend also held the first Carolina’s bootblack contest. Starting in the early 2000’s the contest came into the Tarheels' care in 2019. I had the honor of being the 2024 title holder for this contest. In 2025 it was decided that to help showcase all that the Carolina's had to offer the title would be changed from the NC bootblack to the Carolina's bootblack. This allowed for a joining of the North and South Carolina communities and strengthened the values of serving our communities both near and far. Now as a lovely twist of fate Sir BlkPanther Onyx won Carolina's bootblack title, and I could not be prouder of him. But why is that a twist of fate you might ask, well for that we have to go back to 2024 when he was on my judge panel for NCBB and then again in 2025 when he was my technical judge for SELF. The laughs we have now shared about this is wonderful and I care deeply about him, and love watching him grow.

The other event I got to go to in July was Atlanta Leather Pride Weekend. There I was able to work the stands and teach my leather basics class. I got to answer some really awesome questions on leather care, got to feel some GORGEOUS snake boots, and got the spend the weekend with friends and the best co-pilot “Party Corpse”. 5 mins into a car ride and he was out, which meant I got to drive with my audiobooks, my smut, or my music without anyone complaining. And just when you think everything is good, you quietly hear the half asleep singing of “light my candle” from the party corpse, before it returns to its normal snoring like nothing happened. During the contest that weekend I also got to connect with many people I had not for a while that came into the event. I missed seeing them and connecting with them since life was calm for a few days.

August was a travel month. I took a plane ride all by myself to go to MidWest Leather Alliance. Here I was able to connect with many people in the Midwest region, work in the bootblack stands and watch the new title holders step up for the year. I have high hope for both the POL and the M/s titleholders and I greatly hope that our paths continue to cross so we can connect more. Highlights from the event was by far being added to the LEGO army, having all the plushie giggles and bootblacking alongside IMLBB Atlas. So much fun happened that weekend and getting to feel his energy in the stands was awesome. I also had a little surprise for Atlas. When I met up with him in Chicago in May I made notes about Atlas as a person. With the permission of Izzy the Bootblack, I made a small run of bootblack hankies. I had taken the time to make one special for Atlas. Seeing the look on his face when he got it made all the work worth it. I, like many other, hope that he does amazing things as IMLBB and I hope he wears the hankie with pride.

But I did have a more personal moment, one that hits harder than most. While working in the stands, a woman, a community elder, came over and asked if we could condition her shoes, but asked if she could not climb into the lifted stand. Without any hesitation I pulled up a good comfy chair, had her sit and I sat on the ground to love on her leathers. She was very worried about being judged, or hurting me, which I fully reassured her that she deserves the exact same care any else would, in the stands, or on the ground. Sitting there talking with her, hearing her story, and building that connection will always be a memory I hold from that event, and I am so honored I got to have it. After i was done, looking down at my leg, with her shoeprint in my skin, it inspired something in me and has made a new idea for a memorial thing for me. Details will be kept quiet for now, but will be shared soon once everything is planned out. Now I will not name names since I don't have permission to share her name, but if she is reading this, you are amazing, valid and ALWAYS welcome in my stand, as for anyone else.

I did get to go out to one more event, Mr. Triangle leather. This event was on my calender because I wanted to be there for a few people. Boy Diesel was stepping down and what a close to one crazy year. Being the first out Bisexual titleholder for that title, and the first, to my knowledge, out bisexual contestant at MAL, Boy Diesel broke through walls every step of the way and redefined who he was and what he stood for. He was always been someone to step up, help where he can, and protect others. He has been one heck of an example of what a titleholder should be. He took every day as a new day and took it with his amazing energy and love. I can not wait to see what is next in his journey.
The judges at the event had a very hard job, finding the right person to take on the title and continue the goals it stands for. And by far they did that. Simba Onyx won the title and had the biggest smile on his face. Anyone in that room could feel the love he has for the community and the work that he does every single day. I know that carrying a title can be a heavy weight, but I have full faith that he will carry it with grace and represent the area, state and leather amazingly.

Spending one last night with my community and friends was just what I needed. Then I went back to work and life got busy, yay for vanilla jobs.

In September, I had to take a step back. September is mental health awareness month and this year was hard. Like many I have a past filled with hard times and struggles. For my teenage years I have struggled with anxiety and depression. In a society where it is shamed to talk about it and everyone is expected to be perfect, I had to do something hard. I had to be honest and tell people I wasn't okay, and that's okay. The outpour of love and support from people didn't make the issues go away, but it did make the day to day a little easier. The bad dad jokes, funny cat or cow videos or teenage boy bathroom humor helped me get to the point where making it through the day was a little bit easier. So my big take away from the month of “me” is the lesson I want to share with all of you reading this. Life gets hard, and it really sucks sometimes. But if you can make it till tomorrow, yesterday will be behind you. Talk to your people, because you are cared about, valued, and not alone.

As the fall rolls in, days get colder, and the nights get longer, remember to take time for yourself. Fall is all about balance, gratitude and inner work. Take this time to reflect on your journey and where you want to go next. And remember every obstacle that you have already overcome. There is much work to do, and the only way to do it is to be the person to do the work.

I know my next step is to enjoy my corset, sweaters and leather wardrobe, because with winter moving it, I'm not gonna die of heat. Also breaking back out my witchy clothes just feels right. I will continue to serve my community and teach where I can.

Lovingly in Leather,
Puddles
NCBB ‘24
SEBB ‘26