(aka Bike) Part 1329 by Angharad Copyright © 2011 Angharad
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I looked at the two lots of pills locked in the medicine cupboard–Trish’s soya based plant phtyogens, and Billie’s estradiol. The two girls had been quite upset for me to stop them, after all they’d waited for ever to have them, according to them they had. So it came as no surprise that they cried and sulked when I told them Dr Rose had been upset with me for allowing them to be taken–I wasn’t aware what he wanted blood tests for–to set baselines for a few things including hormones.
I assured them after the blood tests were taken, that they’d be able to continue taking their pills, providing Dr Rose agreed. The proviso was the problem, I had no control or idea what he was likely to say.
It transpired the following week that he was happy for them to start again, except rather than Trish have the phytogens, once he saw what the levels were he might prescribe very low dose oestrogen. This would mean seeing him the week after Easter, during which there were going to be bank holidays galore and some young couple were apparently getting married on the telly. I wish them well but am not sure about exhibitionists, especially from that family.
I had to plan what we’d need to eat over the holiday. The supermarkets are closed on Easter Sunday–and on Christmas Day as well. I don’t have a problem with it, except they don’t shut for other denominational festivals, so why these two pagan ones? Though this one is linked to Passover, but in being linked to phases of the moon, it betrays its origins–Eostre–a fertility goddess, and you wonder why you roll eggs and so on? Each to his own I suppose.
I was irritated when Trish asked if we were going to church at Easter–I had no such plans. When I asked why, she told me the school expected it.
I tried to explain that although I allowed her religious education because it was a condition of the school attendance–and if you remember, no other school wanted to take her–I hadn’t agreed to attendance at religious ceremonies outside school.
If any of my kids decided they believed in something or other, I wouldn’t stop them enrolling in their chosen mythology, however, I wasn’t going to play myself except to allow them to experience a service–at least in Christian churches–I wasn’t sure if the other ones allowed curious bystanders to come and watch.
“So may we go to church on Easter?” she asked.
I felt really uncomfortable in going myself because it would be under false pretences. I knew what went on in Anglican ceremonies–I’d been confirmed, and yet had rejected it since.
“Perhaps Gramps would take you, he goes sometimes,” I thought I’d found a get out, Daddy did go for things like Easter and Christmas and occasionally other times. He was a sort of believer–hedging his bets, perhaps to protect his deceased family–believe in an afterlife and they might just be there waiting for you. I don’t know if he’d had any experiences of unworldly things–I’d had a few as I’ve documented here–although I’m quite happy to suggest they are almost certainly of an internal dialogue mechanism in our own minds–that’s how I understood my various dreams in which my mother appeared. Dreams–nothing more–unless some form of self-delusion is acceptable as a description.
“I’d like you to take us, Mummy.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re my Mummy.”
“But Gramps goes more often than I do, and has some sort of religious belief, I don’t, and I certainly wouldn’t go to a Catholic church.”
“No, that’s okay, you can take me to any church, I don’t mind.”
“Why d’you want to go?”
“I want to see the man change water into the blood of Jesus.”
“Um–it’s wine they do it with, and it’s symbolic not actual.”
She looked confused by my statement. I tried again.
“The priest blesses the bread and wine and it symbolically becomes the body and blood of Jesus.”
“I thought it was magic–an’ they like turned into blood and skin.”
“No, it’s all symbolic–they give you a tiny little piece of a wafer–like rice paper and in Anglican churches a sip of watered down wine. In Catholic churches, the priest drinks all the wine, I think.”
“What? You eat and drink it?” she sounded horrified.
“Yeah, of course you do.”
“You eat and drink Jesus’s blood and skin?”
“Metaphorically, yes. It’s all symbolic and supposed to be happening on a spiritual plane not the mundane one.”
She looked blankly at me. How come she can get her head round E=mc2 but not this stuff? It’s all hypothetical.
“It’s all about cannonballs,” she said pulling a face. “Yuck–I don’t wanna eat anybody.”
“You don’t actually eat anyone, you just pretend you are.”
“That’s silly.” She was beginning to see where I was coming from.
“No that’s faith, believing in things which defy logic.”
“Wossat mean?”
“It means believing in things which can’t actually be shown.”
“Like electricity?”
That’s right, Trish, pick an easy one–shit.
“Yeah like electricity–you can’t see it, but as soon as I flick this switch you know the light will come on–unless there’s a problem like the bulb has blown. But you know that ninety nine times out of a hundred, the light will come on if you press the switch.”
“Is that the electricity that comes out?”
“No you can’t see it, and I’m not sure we know how it works, but what you see is light produced in old fashioned bulbs by the element glowing hot, so they gave off heat and light. These new ones don’t get so hot.”
“Is that why they're dimmer?” she asked.
“Um–are they?”
“Gramps says they are, which is why he won’t let you put them in his study.”
We were now going off tangent and I tried to go back to the subject. “Anyway, we know that when we connect a supply of electricity to a light bulb it will produce light almost every time. So we have some circumstantial evidence, and it can be replicated–done anywhere–using the same sort of equipment.”
“I can see it, Mummy, like your blue light.”
Some days I wished I’d stayed in bed. “Um–I’m not sure I understand that–the blue light I mean.”
“But you can replicate it, can’t you?”
“Sometimes, darling, I don’t have control over it, so it isn’t quite the same as flicking a switch.”
“Can you make some blue light now?”
“What for?”
“I dunno–to make me more of a girl.”
“Trish, you’re already as much of a girl as any other or as anyone can make you. The blue light won’t do that.”
“How d’ya know?”
I didn’t–I honestly didn’t.
“I don’t know exactly, I’m just going on past experience.”
“So it could happen?” she asked excitedly.
“I doubt it, darling, because not being a biological female isn’t being sick, it’s just a variation on a norm.”
“Will you try it?”
“I really don’t know if I should,” I didn’t believe any harm could happen but I couldn’t see how any good would either. I felt if anything did, it would just be some form of consolation which would stop her seeing herself as incomplete. I couldn’t see her have a DNA switch or suddenly grow ovaries and so on.
“Will you do it them, Mummy? Make me a proper girl.”
Comments
This is a tough nut to crack
When is it correct to use a power such as Cathy's? She has used it for unselfish purposes in the past; however, where are the lines drawn, and who draws them? I keep hearing something that the 'spirit' said to Cathy many episodes ago. We shall just have to wait and see.
Portia
Portia
Foot and mouth disease
Looks like Kathy has stuck her foot pretty far into her mouth this time.
Well, off to church, today is Maunday Thursday and I have choir practice before the service tonight.
Easy As Falling Off A Bike pt 1329
I love her question for Mummy Cathy.
May Your Light Forever Shine
May Your Light Forever Shine
I too find it difficult to believe ...
... that any sane person can believe things for which there is absolutely no evidence but apparently they do. However, in Cathy's case, she has evidence of magic with her blue light and her ability to diagnose illnesses, so perhaps if that were real and not merely a very entertaining story I might believe in other magic. Perhaps Cathy might too.
It's funny that Christmas is fixed but Easter time is derived from a complicated formula involving the Spring equinox and phases of the moon. Adapted pagan festivals, I suppose. Trish will come to her senses eventually; she's too bright not to.
Robi
Calendars
It's all about the calendars used.
Christmas is always December 25 according to the standard (Gregorian, IIRC) calendar. Ramadon and other Islamic holy days are based on the Islamic calendar, which has something other than a 365 day year length. Therefore, the holy days tend to rotate around the year.
Similarly, Jewish holidays follow the (moon based, IIRC) Jewish calendar. There must be some kind of a 'leap year' type compensation for the fact that lunar months don't divide evenly into a year.
For what it's worth, Easter is often celebrated on two different dates by the Orthodox church and the other (Catholic and Protestant) churches. The formula for both is based on the Jewish calendar because Resurrection Day and Passover are linked.
By the way, it wasn't at all uncommon for the early Christian church to hijack pagan holidays. Since the recently converted members were used to celebrating a holiday at a certain time, they found it prudent to also celebrate, rather than tempting the brand-new Christians too much with the desire to enjoy the holidays.
Most modern Christians don't worry about it one way or the other. Some have a big problem with it and consider those who celebrate those hijacked holidays to be unwittingly celebrating pagan holidays. Others say that they are celebrating Christ's birth or resurrection, and that it's what is in your heart that matters, not some happenstance with the exact date. Some say that the holidays have been redeemed.
I do laugh though about christians
celebrating easter with bunnies and eggs. Very clearly the symbols of the predecessor religion's (I refuse to use pagan.. just the previous mythology) spring renewal festival. Even the resurection of a deity isn't new or unique. Take a look all the way back at the Greek tale of Persephone re-emerging from the underworld to bring spring.
Hoo-ooo boy!
I wondered when the little genius was going to spring this one.
Good luck Cathy. The best I can see happening is a complete loss of faith. The worst I can see is a loss of trust!
Still lovin' it.
OXOXOX
Bev.
Growing old disgracefully.
I doubt it will work
Trish is not sick. The only hope is for Cathy to ask and for the Blue Light to only do what it will. The ultimate in faith is letting go so we do the deity's will. I personally believe that is a naive view of life.
We are endowed with free will and I will gladly do what is right but I will not be a rubber stamp for the deity. Cathy is in a more difficult place. She wields a force that does its own thing without a how do you do. So my question for Cathy is for her to figure out how to avoid being a 'dumb pipe' like an internet provider. I am personally unhappy with that and the last time when she rescued Trish, she pissed off Shekinah I believe and was 'unforgiven'. Personally I would tell Shekinah to get over herself and have more consideration for her representative on earth.
Kim
Ouch
Backed into a corner by the precocious little so-and-so...
Let's see... what have we here? A Christian holiday of crucifixion and resurrection. A nonbeliever who wields the power of a female personification/arm of God. And, a pagan fertility festival.
And, a little girl who wants fertility.
Hmmm...
What could possibly happen, I wonder? Drum roll, please...
___________________
If a picture is worth 1000 words, this is at least part of my story.
Nothing
and I mean it, nothing good is likely to come of this.
I'll get a life when it's proven and substantiated to be better than what I'm currently experiencing.
Sorry, Cathy, but...
you really have to try.
If Cathy doesn't try, Trish won't easily forgive her. "Don't you love me, Mommy? Don't you want me to be a real girl? You're just jealous because you can't be a real girl so you won't let me be a real girl!!!" [cue serious tantrum, sobbing, and screaming; followed by the sound of two little feet running away]
If Cathy says that she doesn't think that it'll work, but she is at least willing to try, Trish will have much less reason to be mad at mommy -- though she'll be every bit as disappointed.
Of course, it might work. And Trish might be able to do the same for Cathy. It would be interesting to see what happens when Cathy has her first period, or perhaps goes to the doctor because of nausea in the morning.
Blue light transition?
Sure would save on medical bills, if Cathy can use it like that. As they say, kids say the darnedest things or out of the mouth of babes... It will be interesting to see where this goes.
Hugs,
Trish Ann
~There is no reality, only perception~
Hugs,
Trish Ann
~There is no reality, only perception~
Lovely
Of course, Trish remains aggressively Trish. Great portrayal of the character and processes of the intellectually gifted child. I loved mine to pieces but there were those days when I was out and about on the front street looking for Gypsies. I'd heard that they sometimes stole children and there were those days.....
Anyway, I have loved this story and continue to do so. Thanks Ang
Joani
Dance, Love, and cook with joy and great abandon
Loved Trish's series
of questions but have a definite sense of dread about Cathy trying to blue light her. (unless they do a mutual "healing" and both of them end up as biological females) Would certainly leave Billie and Julie jealous. Imagining the rest of the family finding Cathy and Trish locked up inside a glowing blue cocoon and emerging later as....
Boys?
Be ironic, and a tad annoying, if the healing followed the genetic code.
That's for sure...
guess we have to trust the blue light to make it the way it's supposed to be not the way it was.
Who knows...
Who knows which bit of her Genetic code would be followed... There's some research that show some genetic factors in transsexuality (at least M2F)... Time and perhaps a lot more research will tell...
But, if it reset her body to where it was before the "modifications"... She'd not be happy. I agree there.
Anne
Despite her education...
...Cathy still manages to find herself having discussions with Trish that she'd prefer not to have... for a few years, at least.
That’s right, Trish, pick an easy one—shit.
Thanks A+B: this was another enjoyable Bikesode.
Prepubescent Scrutiny
Bike Resources
Bike Resources
*sniff* *sniff*
Will you make me a proper girl... *sniff*
But, on to happier topics...
Believe it or not some denominations of Christianity actually claim to believe that the bread and wine (or grape juice) becomes the body and blood of JC... At least that's what their "doctrine" says. Not symbolic, but actual... *shrugs*
You don't want to get me started on what electricity is/isn't... Too much Physics in Uni I suspect... LOL Some of it apparently stuck.
Thanks,
Anne
transubstantiation
is (the belief in) the conversion of the sacramental elements into the body and blood de facto. Try working that into everyday conversation. If it were to happen, would partakers of the eucharist be cannibals and are they in principle anyway? Meaty stuff; not many major religions allow you to eat your God/King, do they?
Angharad
Angharad
That lets me out then.
I couldn't take communion as I'm a vegetarian. Phew, that's a relief :) I assume vegetarianism and Christianity (at least the ones with bells, smells and Eucharist) are mutually exclusive conditions.
Robi
Trish
oh boy - the moral question of the century. Mommy has the power to change me, but does she? will she? can she? Let's not forget that Trish has some minor abilites also. So she def. needs to learn not to abuse said powers and if mommy doesnt do such, will Trish do something stupid like try it her self or some other thing that causes harm to herself or someone else.
.
.
that's that the bad thing about having access to something others do not, the temptation to abuse it for the power it gives you.
.
.
chistmas celebrating on Dec. 25th. well I think there is more of a buisness decision here than religious, and been around since B4 christ. It's near year end and tax collector time... the more inventory you carry the more taxed you are for having it...it's as true now as it was back then. people were buying,selling,trading and gathering.. since people gathered, it prob. likely they'd group together and celebrate a bit according to their beliefs whether christian pagen or what ever. Christianity prob. took it's que's from other groups. It's only beeen recently it's become the commercialism event that's it has become since the early 1900's, but those roots were for same cause I just mentioned... reduce inventory B4 taxman owneth or the church owned it..
just a thought.
We knew this was coming...
and why Cathy is such a hard head is kinda strange. Science accepts anecdotal evidence as real, but waiting for replication. The blue light, and her experiences under it, are very real and reproducible.
Cathy's deep in the Doodoo!
Had to happen with all the blue light stuff but tough that Trish has to be the one to test Cathy's limitations. I can't imagine the story being able to continue if it works but Angharad has surprised me before
Rhona McCloud