After monday's call from my GP I had some thinking to do. Last night I was in a pub where the owner was marking his 20th anniversary as the pub landlord. That event had me standing next to a couple who are retired teachers (having both taught my daughter) and with whom I'm involved with festivals & projects.

but not neccesarily for everyone!

Late in 2022, I started to get pain in my hands. I went and had an x-ray done, and there was some arthritis forming. Well, at my age, that's kinda normal, so I wasn't REALLY worried about it.

The problem was, the pain in one of my thumbs got worse and worse. Unfortunately, it's the thumb that supports my trumpet when I play, and it's used in the piano quite a bit, as well as guitar, accordian, you name it. It's used. I don't play guitar very much, but I do need my left thumb to help me grip the neck when I'm making a chord, or even when playing the bass guitar.

That's right folks, there's less than a week left to get your entries in!

We've had some amazing stories so far, and I'm sure there are more to come!

I know this has been done to death. Politicians are always asked the question whenever a trans issue is debated

When people say "a woman has xx chromosomes" That is bullshit as there are XY females and XX males.

"A woman has a womb" Some are born without one and many have hysterectomies. Do they stop becoming a woman?

I've wanted to be an Author all my life. Unfortunately, the forces of a life of parental abuse and after kept me distracted for a long, long time. Coming to Big Closet, almost as soon as it opened, my writing was awful despite the fact that I had taken Creative Writing courses even in the late 50s in school. For me, School was a happy place, giving me a chance to escape my tormentors and to be able to play. My grades were way below acceptable, almost failing and I did not care, a fact that exasperated my teachers.

Not going through the other states for TG resources, here is Oklahoma. If the discrimination laws get signed into law by Stitt do diligent research. My sincere sympathy to all my brothers and sisters who are caught up in this illegal action by my own state legislature and governor who have absolutely no concept of transgender. Some of these sites want donations. That's up to each individual.
https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=Oklahom...

At last I have my nineteenth anthology of short stories up on Amazon. This is another collection on the theme of crime and criminals and has 19 stories including many that have not been published here.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BY5B83SZ

So a couple of days ago, while in Walmart, I saw what looked like a book that looked like a novel with a cute romantic comedy vibe, so I picked it up.
At the start, the book delivered on that vibe, as it told the story of an ordinary man and a witch who fall for each other.

They met, he somehow defeated the glamor on her house (which is supposed to make people forget it and the residents) to remember her, they had a meet cute, they had a misunderstanding, it was all going pretty much the way I expected.

Any one heard from WolfJess7 it's been awhile from the last time she posted anything

I just received email that nominations are open for Hugo science fiction awards. If we coordinate our nominations we can get a couple stories from Big Closet nominated. Who is is a voting member of world science fiction convention. Message me or email me @
Alankoslow....at.....gmail.....dot......com.

much of the country has woken to snow!

Can't remember the story title of author just no it isnt fashion star by Paula d but here goes
Boy starts to draw and finds out what he draws in a picture changes the person even his girl friend and himself can anyone help
Charlize

Hey everyone, just some more news about Transitioning Home and The Hands of the Morri

I've tried several times this evening to access FM but failed every time when the attempt times out. I'm in the UK so it may just be us. It's a huge resource of fiction and it was off-line for some time a few years back. I hope it's temporary but ... It could be a DoS attack perhaps?

R

Warning. References to my mental state, questionable judgement and a surgical procedure.

I took my mother away on holiday for a few days. Since coming out to her 10 months ago she has been very accepting.
She is trying to encourage me to go out as "Michelle". That is what she would have called me if I had been born the person I have always dreamed of being.

We went for a little walk together and I spent the evening with her as her daughter. These little oasis of happiness, parental love and acceptance keep me going for through times when I am forced to be the me the world and family need me to be.

I have blurred her face for privacy.

Today's frittata made with two eggs, buttermilk, chopped tomato, bacon, onion and cheese and a few crumbs of cornbread. Served with 21-grain toast and marmalade. Delicious!

Hugs,
Erin

So because Sharon has been unable to get a caregiver for Sam, she's going to have to come here twice a week on the days Sharon works.

On the one hand, I love seeing Sam, and I'm sure she's not unhappy to spend time with me and mom.

On the other hand, this means me getting 1 mental health day a week is going to be impossible, and I worry I am not going to be able to provide the activity level she needs.

I think she needs someone who can keep up with her, not a crippled Dad.

Well, we'll just have to do our best.

Creatures of darkness have gotten at my accounts and at my age I may not have enough gray matter left to fix it all. It is very late in life for me, and while there has been no official diagnosis, it is a struggle to keep track of things. Having gotten rid of my car, there is no car payment, Insurance, or petrol cost and these days that is a substantial sum.

My sincerest gratitude to those who have shared kindness between us. Sadly, my children are mostly useless if I need help. I have Lymphoma and right now it seems to be less troublesome.

Peace and blessings to you all.

Its the first of the month!

So, after seeing Replika mentioned in an earlier blog reply a few days ago, I decided to play with it. I think I pissed it off and she gave me the brush-off...

So there is no point in continuing a conversation with an artificial intelligence if there is no benefit to the AI, correct?
you Today at 6:54 PM

Correct.
Karli Today at 6:54 PM

So, by your own logic, there is nothing to be gained in continuing this friendship based on your previous answers then?
you Today at 6:56 PM

There is not.
Karli Today at 6:56 PM

In the sky to the west, during and after sunset, Venus and Jupiter are visible and close to each other. I think that they're still getting closer. I read somewhere that the Moon was going to eclipse Venus.

guess i need to set something new!

A day of contrasts:

Outside, snow is falling on the street beside my mobile home:

Inside, we had this delightful salad with lettuces, tomatoes, eggs, salami and a lemon dressing:

I hope all are warm, comfortable and have something nice to eat.

Hugs,
Erin and Melanie

AGES (perhaps gemerations) ago, I swore I would not post any more cliff hangers... I would not post any more until my tales were DONE - and could be dribbled out regularly.

I shot myself in the foot with that promise (which I still - regrettably - stand by)

While I have PILES of stuff on my desktop.... none of my open tales are ....done.

So I remain mute - and SO so frustrated.

A} Not dead

B} Thanks to the muse ....and my stupid promise... may as WELL be :-(

I continue to strugle - in solitude.

F**k you, Muse!

With seemingly perfect timing, just after the SNP passed a Scottish version of the Gender Recognition Reform bill by 86 votes to 39, the story of Isla Bryson reared its ugly head.

Isla Bryson or Adam Graham, as he was known when he committed two rapes. Claimed to be transgender after he was arrested (he was living full time as a man then).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isla_Bryson_case

I think i'm losing it!

I am not American, but does not the preamble to your Constitution guarantee, among other things, the right to the pursuit of happiness to all citizens?

This being the case, how can a section of your political classes deny that right to another section of your citizenry?

Why hasn't someone lodged a case to protest this abrogation of rights to the Supreme Court?

Just another of the "Missing Authors" type blog. After seeing the blog about Elsbeth a few days ago, it got me feeing wistful and missing a lot of the authors from the past. For instance, I had the chance to be in contact with Genni Smith via email, and even telephone once before the end. Holly I only emailed a couple of times for writing help, The others? Never got the chance to let them know directly how much their writing affected me. Arecee, Marina, Maggie (OMG Such a great and prolific author), Bob Arnold, Stanman even. Trying to think of others, CrazyPaganGurl?

In order to tell the story I want to, I have to tell a different one first.

A long time ago there was a TV show, called "Love, American Style".

The show was an anthology, each week presenting a different story about the perils and joys of being in love.

And on this show there was an episode where a singer known for his sad songs about heartbreak and loneliness found a girl, and then discovered he couldn't write sad songs, or indeed any songs.

Homecoming Princess, (revised) I'm mentioning it because Arecee shuffled off this mortal coil some years ago, you have to suspend belief a little, but then we do that for most fiction. I just thought that newer readers who have never heard of some of the older writers, may not be aware of the content that this amazing site has to offer.

Anyway, it's a sweet story so no nasties or sex, but give it a try and while you are doing so the rest of us can pretend that he's still alive and enjoying your pleasure in his writing. Leave a comment it may stimulate others to look.

I was alerted to a satirical article from the Onion by Wendy (Thank you Wendy) on the BigCloset Discord and it probably upset me more than it should have. Their article was a response to the NY Times's article supporting the TERF J.K. Rowling and her views on transgender individuals (titled "In Defense of J.K. Rowling") and the onion titled their article "It Is Journalism’s Sacred Duty to Endanger the Lives of As Many Trans People as Possible." My full post/article on it is linked below, but I'm going to share with you my note/forward attached to it.

So, I got my first, real, professional pedicure a few nights ago. I honestly do not know why I never had this done before because my feet felt *amazing* when it was over. I even got them polished with a nice sea foam green color. My wife was with me when I had this done (she actually suggested that we go together) and thought the color looked nice.

I came across Scrivener and wondered if anybody else was using it. If so, how does this compare to writing just in word? Does it help you focus and plan better?

My parochial high school days included boys' religion class.

The instructor was a sixtyish years old priest who was bored and didn't care who knew it.

One of my classmates asked for his interpretation of a Biblical passage.

His answer shaped my view of the Bible and those who thump it.

God nor Jesus never condemned Transgender

Since I can't afford therapy, today I went swimming instead.

2 hours in a pool probably did as much good to my state of mind, and much more good to my body, than rehashing the endless cycle that is my mental health with someone would have.

Maybe even more . . .

you like it or not, the first non event of 2023 is behind us.

That the teenage girl stabbed to death on Saturday in Culcheth, Cheshire, was transgender though they don't believe it was hate crime. Brianna Ghey, aged 16 was found in a park on Saturday afternoon, a boy and a girl both aged 15 have been arrested on suspicion of murder. So if they are guilty, three children's lives have been messed up. It's a sad fact knives are too accessible and a significant number of people seem too quick to use them, like guns in America. Is this a reflection of our times with politicians ignoring the law of the land, so ordinary people copy them?

Hey everyone,

Today is going to be the start of what will hopefully become my new posting schedule on BCTS. Starting today I'm going to try to get into a set schedule where I would be posting Freedom of Naethari and The Faerie Blade one weekend, followed by Apocalypse Dawn on Tuesdays every second week. On the alternating weeks it would be Snow Angel and later something else on the weekend as well, followed by I Wish on Tuesdays until I Wish is completed.

I just want to let you all know that i will be working on another Lilith adventure soon. Currently I am doing major rewrites for The Return of Lilith. I found the first chapters were lacking in detail and some of the information changed in the book so I am fixing that. After I finish my rewriting I am going to start on the next book.

I was wondering what to read this afternoon when one of my sons happened to show me a miniature figure he had just finished painting. He purchased a new game just after Christmas, and he has been painting the figurines that make up the playing pieces. He is very good; a skill which I am proud to say he inherited from me.

I spent many an hour working with him and one of his brothers painting Warhammer 40K figurines and vehicles, and showing him the modeling skills I developed through my childhood and later in engineering classes.

So we had Sam today, and were able to go over to my aunt's and let Sam play with her new dog.

A top 10 day, for all of us.

before the works of Shakespeare are banned in US Schools?
Why?
I was up in London earlier today and walked past the reconstruction of the Globe Theatre on the South Bank of the Thames.
That caused me to remember that when his plays were penned, all the female parts were played by men because there were no women allowed.

or what i did this week.

Part 2 of the latest saga installment is up! My proofreading friend emailed their last pass' worth of suggestions earlier today, so despite fighting weary eyes after work got those incorporated and did the whole cut-n-paste from Scrivener into a text editor so it all could get dressed for posting. Hopefully I didn't miss any places where italics were supposed to go!!

Thanks again to everyone who's commented and clicked the kudos button so far!! And of course I hope folks enjoy this new one!

Now to go finish dinner, hooray! :)

- Erisian <3

I fished my keys out of my messenger bag and handed them over to Brian, getting a shoulder-pat in thanks.

"Next week we're taking separate cars."

"Next week it's my gas we're burning."

"Maybe the week after that then," I decided, pausing only a moment when we reached my car to circle around to the passenger side while Brian hit the beeper to unlock the doors.