I was hoping to have "Synchronicity" finished and up by now, but the last while PTSD issues and depression have taken my writing spoons. Not sure when I'll have it finished, or when I'll have serious work done on my other unfinished stuff.

Sorry.

just letting everybody know, I'm going to be rather busy the next couple of days. so if you try and contact me, and I'm not on, it means i'm either a) running around like a chicken with its head cut off, or b) sleeping or possibly c) both.

Things I've learned, transitioning late in life:

So I've been having teeth pain the last couple of days, and finally screwed up my courage and went to a dentist.

Today all I got done was x-rays, so I will have to go back Thursday for the first part of the work that needs done, and chances are it will take 2 visits to get everything accomplished.

So anxiety levels are not going to be lowered for a while, sadly ...

When I posted a link to my story "The things we do for love" here, I wasn't expecting more than maybe a couple people clicking on the link and enjoying the story. But Erin and the elves here decided I needed a present, so they not only put the story back on the top of the front page, they added a beautiful image to it as well.

Thank you ever so much. After grinding out my latest down time, to get this kind of generosity ...

I'm ... overwhelmed ...

I only wish I could do something in return ...

Okay, although I'm not comfortable blowing my own horn much, I want to do something a little risky and put a brief spotlight on some of my older stories. Since we have a lot of new readers here, they may not have seen them the first go-round. Its a bit like the Retro Big Closet feature you may see here from time to time.

Its been very smoky here in Edmonton this week, as fires rage all across BC and the smoke pours over the mountains into Alberta. Should be good writing weather but I ... just havent had as much writing spoons as I would have liked. Still, I have a couple of pieces more or less ready - one for the September contest, and one for the next "mix tape" if it gets accepted. Plus I have one more that is about a quarter done, my Siege of Fiddler's Vale story which is started but kinda stalled, and a few older pieces I hope I can get wrapped up some day. So as the saying goes, stay tuned !

Kristine Roland contacted me on Facebook saying she's having troubles accessing her account here. If Erin or any of the elves could help, I'm sure she would appreciate it ...

Well, my muse brought me a little snippet, so I'm sharing it with you, my friends. Hope you like it!

https://bigclosetr.us/topshelf/fiction/75371/gibraltar-falls

Well, I just posted a little preview of my upcoming story "the siege of Fiddler's Vale" - just to whet everybody's appetite ...

you may or may not remember that a few years ago there was a documentary called "super size me" in which a man decided to eat nothing but Big Mac hamburgers for a year. In the documentary, the man's doctor begs him to stop half-way through the year because of the damage he was doing to his organs.

Well, I am in basically the same situation as that guy.

I have been told in no uncertain terms I have to change my eating habits and my lifestyle, or I wont have either style or life, or at the least I'll be unable to enjoy what life I have.

When I was little, I had this rather bad habit of trying to lecture bullies on why it was bad to bully. Of course, that usually resulted in me getting pounded, me running for my life, or my brother trying his best to protect me.

All these years later, I still jump in when I see people getting hurt, even though there is nothing I can do except lecture people from behind my computer, and it has cost me more than I would like.

But I dont know how not to fight for what I think is right.

In Pathfinder terms, I guess I'm a Paladin, whether I want to be or not ...

Well, a week from today, I am going to have the opportunity to meet with a group of local women writers of speculative fiction. To say I'm nervous is putting it mildly. So send extra huggles this week, if you can spare them?

my "staycation" contest entry is up!

https://bigclosetr.us/topshelf/fiction/75021/staycation-escape

I saw this amazing compliment on a blog here: "Dorothy is not just a great soul but has one of the most inventive storytelling minds on this site. Her Chekovian economy with words means a whole lot of story with very little investment of time. "

Wow.

I'm ... stunned, and flattered.

Thanks Laika (aka Veronica) !

Just wanted to pass along an update on my writing.

"E-Girl - the gift" - work in progress, I'm hoping this weekend to maybe get close to finishing the final chapter.

Staycation story: work in progress, should be finished or close to by the time the contest opens

Pathfinder story: gotten started, gonna be a while.

"The secret of M.Y.T.H.": kinda stuck. hoping for inspiration

"Jaci and Dottie go to Whately": started. we'll see how this one goes.

"Branded": Stuck. I need a mastermind character. any suggestions appreciated.

Caution: Discussion of suicide

Just wanted to publicly thank crazypagangurl, who talked me through a flashback last night. Thanks, hon!

when I first started my transition, I went to the Bay (a Canadian version of Walmart, without the low prices, for those who dont know) and got some makeup tips and supplies. Well, its umm ... some years later, and I am going to be doing something like that again, this time with an actual goal in mind - to look as close to pretty as I am capable for a concert, or at least that's my plan.

Dont know if an opportunity will present itself for me to take a photo, but if it does, I'll share it ...