A few days ago, someone made the suggestion that if it would help the site run more efficiently that the tallies for hits could be eliminated. Erin mentioned that these tallies consume large amounts of computer capacity. Maybe we should discuss this more.

This is Erin's site. She has the most at stake. More importantly to us users, through her leadership, this site has survived. She knows more about what her customers want than anyone and has skillfully implemented and monitored.

She also listens to comments.

It has taken me eight decades to find the truth.

I’ve long suspected and only recently realized, that anyone who does things that are different than the way I live my life . . . is wrong.

It would be great if I could cut you a break and allow for variances depending on your individual circumstances, but that would prove foolhardy and dangerous for both of us.

Simply put – everything you do that is not something I would do, so should be terminated immediately before it’s too late.

In the future, you should add one simply step to your decision-making process.

Rolling Stone did a feature article about teen trans. http://www.rollingstone.com/culture/news/trans-teen-homeless...

It hurts me to think they're accurate.

Jill

With the current administration’s aggressive anti-trans activities is it time for BC to reconsider its ban on political discussion?

https://www.lambdalegal.org/in-court/legal-docs/20170825_tra...

I will try my best not to be political, but I'm so disgusted I don't know what to do other than to suggest that you read a story I posted nine years ago.

https://bigclosetr.us/topshelf/fiction/10075/anticipation#new

It seems even more salient today than it did then.

Jill

For the last few years, I’ve waited with baited breath every time I’ve tried to open Big Closet.

As I wait . . . I ask myself, “Is today the day?

“Is today the day Erin’s financial woes will finally make life so miserable for her that she’ll give up.”

“Is today the day Erin has to umpire that one more contentious spat between site users that will push her over the edge?”

My life has gone through many recent changes.

I sold another business and am now semi-retired which has dropped my income by two-thirds -- at least until I can get more consulting work.

We bought an old house (1906) and are doing extensive remodeling.

Although I have limited current resources for contributing money to BC, I am buying quite a lot of remodeling supplies on Amazon and using the link you provided. Yesterday's purchases included the kitchen sink! Hopefully, since our purchases are adding up to a large total, BC will receive a nice commission.

Jill

The following lists is in order of my personal opinion based on each person when they were, again in my opinion, at their peak. There are a least a few on the list who would challenge my firm beliefs about my sexual preference.

For example: Robert Redford in The Natural is . . . quite attractive.

Epicene seems to be a word that should be used more often in TG fiction.

Any thoughts as to why it isn't seen that much?

Jill

Erin has agreed to post my new story, The Girl Who Saved Aunt T’s, in Hatbox. Hatbox is one of the ways you can support this site. Make a contribution to Hatbox and Erin will send you a password allowing you access to a group of stories that have been set aside for this purpose.

The Girl Who Saved Aunt T’s is a 50K novel.

After reading Erin's story and the comments my thoughts centered on the musical Lil Abner.

The lyrics to one of the songs are as poignant today as they were sixty years ago.

The Country's in the Very Best of Hands – Li'l Abner and Marryin' Sam

Them city folks and we-uns
Are pretty much alike
Though they ain't used to living in the sticks
We don't like stone or cement
But we is in agreement
When we get started talking politics

My grandmother often warned against "getting the big head."

She believed in humility and, of course, she was right.

Damned if I didn't go against her sage advice -- and grew a melon of above average size.

I've been able to order extra large wigs from Paula Young in the past, put they seemingly have stopped making them.

The searches I've made for extra large wigs have brought me to sketchy sites that appear to be selling poor quality products to desperate people for exorbitant prices.

It has become increasingly apparent that there is direct correlation between when I send money to Hatbox and good things happening to me.

I don't own a rabbit's foot. Although there are several bunnies in our backyard, they're intact with all four paws.

There are probably some four leaf clovers in my yard, but they would be under a foot of snow and not functional.

I don't have any special amulets or lucky charms.

It seems that my good luck is created by the kharma that accompanies a donation to Hatbox.

I had a few moments and downloaded a few books from Amazon.

It was a frustrating experience. Only one of the about dozen TG books I bought had a BC author. Her book was excellent. The others ranged from poor to really poor.

From time to time Big Closet writers become upset by comments -- or even lack of comments.

I just read about Angharad’s decision to cease writing for BC. She has been worn down by what she considers to be negative remarks. What’s negative and what isn’t, is her decision . . . as is how she reacts.

She has proven her character through her diligence to her craft. BC would be a much different place without her involvement. I hope she reconsiders and keeps writing for BC.

Yesterday I read Melanie's recent great story, which is a worthy addition to her wonderful library of work. After reading it I read the comments and became incensed by remarks that seemed to condone the character's suicide decision because of the bullying she'd experienced. I've read these kinds of comments too many times on BC. Being trans is NOT a reason for suicide. What happens to you because your trans also is NOT a reason for suicide.

According to a study I once read, about 60% of U.S. citizens donate money once a month -- about 75% in UK.

"Bike" enjoys about 600 hits a day. If 10% of BC's consistent readers are "Bike" enthusiasts that would indicate about 6,000 consistent users.

If 65% of those donated to BC that would be almost 4,000 donors per month.

Erin struggles to generate $2,500 in monthly donations.

If those 4,000 donors were to contribute just seventy cents each, the monthly nut would be met.

So why isn't that happening?

It's a simple question.

Why don't more BC writers support Hatbox by contributing stories to it?

I can't think of one valid reason.

It would seem logical that more people would subscribe to Hatbox if their was more quality content. Content seemingly is king. If Hatbox added a new story every week, from authors with followings, there's no doubt the number of subscriptions would skyrocket. More revenue, less doubt about the sustainability of BC. BC is NOT a given.

Hatbox subscriptions are one of the vital supportive measures for BC.

Several phrases were coined by one source. They include:

1.) Pursuit of the almighty dollar.
2.) The great unwashed.
3.) The pen is mightier than the sword

What (or who) is the source?

a.) The Bible
b.) Charles Dickens
c.) Ambrose Bierce
d.) Edward Bulwer-Lytton
e.) Mark Twain
f.) Ben Franklin
g.) William Shakespeare

Please make your guess and give your reasons for that choice.

On Wednesday Daniel Thomas posted the "Saddest Picture of the Day". I expected it to be a picture of the rainbow over Paisley Park

http://www.tmz.com/2016/04/21/prince-rainbow-paisley-park/

K.T. Leone recently passed away. Coincidentally I was reading her God Bless the Child. I haven't read much that Katie write for the last ten years or more. I didn't care for some of her themes and we "spared" years ago.

I just finished God Bless the Child. If you haven't read it, you should consider allowing yourself this treat. It's graphic and not for the faint of heart. It contains some religious sentiment, but not more than what is needed to be true to the story.

Are all authors whores?

1.) If we didn't have BC where would the authors post their stories? There are other sites, but none as welcoming and as author-friendly as BC.

2.) If we didn't have BC where would readers find stories? There are other sites, but none offer the quality of BC. Why? See 1.).

3.) If we didn't have BC where would bloggers post their thoughts? There are other sites, but are bloggers on other sites able to post with confidence that their thoughts will be appreciated and handled with respect.