The Carter/Johnson Leather Library visits Baltimore at the G.L.C.C.B.

Cleaning Mama Vi Johnson's new gift - Dehner's!

May 10-12, 2013

I worked as a bootblack within the Carter/Johnson Leather Library this weekend and had an awesome time.  It always feels so right being a bootblack inside of the Library, next to the Bootblack display, as if I am an intimate part of the history that has happened/is happening in the Leather community.  I traded shine time with Raquel (Mid-Atlantic Community Bootblack 2012) so we could both enjoy the Library during our off times, as well as attending the roundtables that were held on Saturday.  Raquel attended the Sir/boy Roundtable hosted by Sir John Krikorian (Mid-Atlantic LeatherSir 2010 and 2011) and I attended the Leatherwomen's Roundtable hosted by Toni Solenne (Mid-Atlantic Leatherwoman 2012).  I do believe that the highlight of the weekend for me was working on Mama Vi Johnson's new gift from Tracy Black -- a pair of cordovan Dehners that were custom made! And on Saturday, Sir Robert Bowden was announced as Mid-Atlantic LeatherSir 2013.  The 2013 Mid-Atlantic Leather family is now complete and ready to compete in Dallas TX.  The rain that fell throughout the weekend could not dampen the joy at having the Library in Baltimore for all to come out and enjoy.

Cleaning boots within the Leather Library.

Taking a cherry!

Explaining how boots are cleaned.

Tracy Black donates her "license plate" as Mid-Atlantic Bootblack 1999 to the Library

Leo Mason (Mid-Atlantic Bootblack 2011), Sir Loki (Central Plains Bootblack 2012), and me.

Sir Robert Bowden receives his title, Mid-Atlantic LeatherSir 2013!