the optimist says: Look at the progress we've made. The former Eastern Block is now full of prosperous democratic countries, in fact more countries are freer than ever in history. For LGBT folks, more of us are coming out, and getting support from our family and friends, progress has been made in acknowledging our rights in many countries, and there are positive portrayals of us in the media.

Serious adulting done today. I went and got my oil changed, my air filters changed, and a new wiper blade put on my car, then I went downtown and paid my speeding ticket.

Its not normally the case that i would be celebrating spending close to $ 600, but I feel a lot better about things with those tasks taken care of.

on a day when I needed a pick-me-up, I got three. First, two different people mistook me for my mom when I answered the phone, and then while on a walk with Lady, a nice man said "you two ladies have a nice day".

You gotta celebrate the little victories cause you never know when or even if the big victories will happen.

Thanks to the recent blog on adding pictures to one's stories, which resulted in someone going through the steps in a way even I could understand, I am now adding some pictures to a some of my stories. I'd love feedback on the pictures if you happen to come across them (hint: Help my girlfriend is a unicorn, Mercy, and the E-girl universe have pictures now, as does my most recent story)

As it is supposed to be super cold here the next couple of days, I'm going to stay in as much as possible. I'm just wondering if anybody would like to share their "snow day" activities - the stuff they would do if stuck inside for a day or more?

Assuming I have any people interested in reading my stuff left, I need to give them an apology. Massive stress around here with my mom hurt, my dog struggling, Sharon having troubles, my brother looking at surgery, and he and I getting into an argument over my transition during which he said he never saw anything feminine in me growing up, and doesnt see anything feminine in me now, has all led to me not being in a good state for writing at the moment. So no new Branded, or The gift, or the war/supernatural story I had started on for now, and maybe not for a while.

Some good news, my mom came home from seeing her doctor, and he said she's getting better. No more antibiotic, just keep changing the bandage every day, and she'll recover fully.

Guess what, I have a new little story up!

It's not "Branded" or M.Y.T.H., but hey, you cant have everything ...

Anyway, I hope everybody enjoys this little story. Might be more coming ...

Assuming I havent driven away any fans I had with delays and short chapters, I'm afraid I have to tell those people that at the moment, my writing has slowed to a crawl, and as a result I cant say when then next chapter of Branded will be out. I'm going to try my best to have it ready before the new year, that's as good as I can do right now.

Sorry.

I'm really upset with Sharon.

Apparently, she told my mom that she's in serious financial difficulty with many bills not paid.

According to what my mom said, she has been stretching herself too thin by paying for counseling for Sam, and now is in trouble.

Of course, mom wants to help, but she cant do much when she's desperately trying to drop down to part time since at 80 working full time is getting to be a bit much.

And of course I can do anything since I'm not working at all.

Sighs ...

Well, my brother got a date for his knee surgery.

Its gonna be on Feb. 7.

hoping all goes well ...

Having read most of the submissions for the Christmas contest, I can honestly say I'm a little intimidated, The level of quality in the stories is astounding, especially when you consider most of the authors are not professional writers, and several of our "heavy hitters" havent even weighed in with their stories yet.

This is one of the reasons I love this place, the shear quality of work is amazing.

Well, it seems like my depression is lifting. I got some things done yesterday (shoveling the walk, laundry), and I even got a couple of sentences written on a story.

its not much, but I have hope again that I might actually get a story (or at least a chapter of a story) finished before the new year ...

In honor of TDOR, here is a link to a story of mine:

https://bigclosetr.us/topshelf/fiction/32200/tapestry-stars

just about anybody who has had a pet can tell you they sneak their way into your heart, and losing them is a grief as large as any grief you can suffer.

Well, we are getting close to that point with our dog, Little Lady.

Her one back leg is causing her such pain she cannot put any weight on it, and she collapses or limps continually.

I believe it is arthritis, as it seems to get worse at night and on colder days, but we're going to try and find out for sure.

for those of you who have been worried I had given up on writing, here is a sneak peek at the title page of my next story ...

https://bigclosetr.us/topshelf/book-page/71309/branded

In honor of Remembrance day, let me share a story about my grandfather.

My grandfather served in WW II with the "Calgary tanks", and as such was on the front lines of almost every battle involving Canadians.

He helped fight Rommel in Africa, helped invade Italy, and much more.

He was wounded several times. pieces of shrapnel were permanently lodged in his lungs, and in his shoulder.

He had been told, as most were, that the war would be over in months, but served six years. In the process, he missed his small children growing up.

I'm wondering if anybody could make a picture of Mercy or Brand for me?

Cant pay, but I could praise the heck of you ...

Because, I guess the universe decided things weren't interesting enough around here, i found out tonight that my brother has an enlarged prostrate, and while they haven't said the "c" word yet, its looking like its headed in that direction. You add in my dog having walking issues, my mom now has high blood pressure, and I'm ... well, I'm me, and I could stand having a little less stress ...

Sighs.

Hugs, prayers, and positive vibes accepted.

Just posted a new little story. Hope you like it ...

Well, just when I was ready to believe I was done as a writer, my muse made a return.

I am currently working on a brand-spanking new story, and new chapters for Mercy and MYTH are also bubbling around in my head.

Stay tuned ...