Please note that due to adverse comments and because of the subject matter, I have regretfully decided to un-publish the story.

I may return to the story at a later time, but at the moment I will not do so.

I apologise to all my readers as I hate not finishing the story which was to be one of resistance and fortitude but I am aware of the current sensitivity about minors in stories and I have taken the decision not to continue.

Hugs
Sue

I've only now learned of the departure of Margaret Jeanette, a prolific writer whose work appears on FM. I have, on occassion been entertained by her work and am saddened that our small community has become somewhat smaller, and dimmer.

She passed on Feb. 4th and requested that her body be buried with a smile, and that laughter permiate the celebration of her life. I urge those who might be interested to read the details at the beginning of her last story.

Lil Kelly

I ran accross this nugget:

http://community.feministing.com/transgender-issues/

A commentary on the proposed changes to the DSM-IV for the new DSM-V, dropping the "Identity Disorder" from the name tag and reduce the stigma of it being a mental illness.
It would become "Gender Incongruence"
Also for the posties out there, good news! They want a fully transitioned person to be diagnosed as fully cured. This can be an issue in several career paths.
They wish to remove the sexuality aspect from it as well, gender incongruence and sexuality being two different issues.

I hope you have a wonderful day. Always remember: Carpe diem= seize the day.

Do I have to explain: Carpe cakem? I didn't think so. Many, many more, my friend.

Hugs from my heart,
Catherine Linda Michel

Dick Francis, author of dozens of popular mystery novels has died. He was 89. Most of his stories were set in the world of racing, where he had once been a champion jockey.

I have on the table beside my computer, two Dick Francis novels I found in a used bookstore that I have never read. His latest book, co-cuthored by his son, Felix, (I think it is called Silks), I also have not read. I may have missed a few more, here and there over the years but will doubless find, read and enjoy them as I have all of his work.

When I set out to tell the story of Bob Isle and Mattie Grant in I’ll Grant You My Wish I decided to draw heavily from my youth. In my original outline, Bob’s a twelve-year old boy who is dragged into femininity by a domineering Mrs. Grant who is seriously disturbed by the loss of her own daughter. In the end, Bob decides he has to stand up to Mrs. Grant and rebels. Since he is basically a nice boy, when he puts his foot down it is done quite gently.

I pray the Lord, my soul to keep.

If I should die, before I wake

I pray the Lord, my soul to take.

this is not a suicide note. it's only me, trying to deal with more loss than anyone should have to.

I'm tired, and I want to sleep...that's all...just sleep. Don''t call. Don't message. Just let me sleep. at least in sleep, I can dream I've not lost.

goodbye.

Hey Everyone!
The next chapter of Once the Hero is up! I had to post a little early given that if everything goes to plan I'll be busy Valentines Day. So here is an early gift for you all!

Hugs!

Grover

(I thought that title would grab your attention! Sadly, it's not original - it's mentioned in a story on this site. All will become clear if you read further!)

I've finally taken a bit of time to do something with a project I started a while back.

The project was inspired by tales told of Yak Breeding (sorry, Wuthering Dormice), and the aim was to skim through the chapters and produce one line summaries of the main event(s) of each. Easier said than done, and I initially gave up after the first 40.

I was reading an excellent story and one of the comments was and I quote:

This story is very similar to another story posted.....

I hate to see this sort of comment as the implication, to me anyway, is that the story might in some way be plagiarism, even if that isn't the intended meaning.

A lot of my stories have had that sort of comment and I must admit that I take it personally.

The writers of those comments might mean something like 'Oh, I like this so try that story', but it doesn't read that way.

It seems as there are some people for whom garments that cover the entire face can be useful/necessary, wherever in the world they may be...

Courtesy of El Reg (an online IT news tabloid) here: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/02/10/bearded_lady/

A Dubai man whose fiancée kept her charms hidden under a niqab opted for a quick divorce after his first glimpse beneath the veil revealed she was cross-eyed and sported a beard.