My friend just texted me that the utterly fabulous Rue McClanahan has passed away early this morning. The Emmy Award Winning Actress, was an inspiration for all of us flamboyant, Southern debutantes out there. I remember watching Golden Girls with my mother when I was kid -which explains so much about the way I turned out - and instantly fell in love with her vulgar yet refined nature and a knack for expressing herself in the most dramatic fashion possible. Who could ever forget such classic lines as;

"Dorothy I am a jumpier than a virgin at a prison rodeo"

or

"Rose, a metaphor is when you say one thing and it means another. Like when I say men are blinded by my beauty, they're not actually blinded. They regain their sight in a few days"

or even

"Black .... Jeremy wasn't black he was from New Jersey. I went to my senior prom with a YANKEE!!!!"

I actually started to tear up a little bit when I heard the news. It's a weird sensation to grieve for a woman that I tragically never met in person. However the character she played was one that I aspire to be when I am 50, 60 years old. Blanche, and the rest of the Golden Girls, brought a new look and perspective to sexuality and the sensuality of older women. I often fantasize about retiring and moving to Miami with three of best friends and recreating the antics of the Golden Girls only replace four elderly women with four middle-aged gay men. It could be epic.

Here is one of my favorite scenes from the Golden Girls with Rue. I will always miss you Blanche :)