Reach Out

Yesterday my psychologist called and asked if I would be interested in helping to set up a sort of out reach program she is putting together for transgender veterans at the Dayton VA hospital.

Of course I said I would be flattered to help and indeed I am.

I consider it the greatest form of good karma to pay ahead and help anyone else with my experiences like changing gender markers etc.

It's going to be a busy day on Tuesday with the VA trans vets meeting, then that evening I have a meeting with the Transgender Day of Remembrance Planning Commission I'm on for Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky. 

Then of course Sunday I will be really going in prep for my colonoscopy early Monday morning.

Zoom-zoom

THE Reason For Me To Go Pride

Turns outs this S.O.B is supposed to be at Cincinnati Pride:
Back in my Army days. one of the prerequisites of Basic Training was complete knowledge
 of  the M-16. (automatic rifle) I hope this guy has some training and really knows just a little about love. I feel sorry too for the police who have to follow this hater around.

The Longer and Widening Road

I get asked over and over again, "When did I 'know'? A supposed easy answer for the "civilian" who expects me to say 1964.

My problem is I seriously don't know the exact day, week or month I first went exploring in my Mom's underwear drawer. I can only tell them it was over a half century ago and something just clicked. Not unlike the cylinders in a safe falling into place.

Little did I know where the trip through Mom's clothes would take me and the changes that would take place.

So, here we are approximately a half century later and I am working on getting my VA primary care (similar to your family doc) transferred down here to Cincinnati. Which saves me, time, gas and wear and tear on my "Roll Royce."

Now I have to face other set of eyes who have never met me, not to mention some not so mention looks. I suppose now, I should be getting used to it and I am-to an extent.

Going back to Mom, I often wonder how she would react under similar circumstances to say "Jazz Jennings" parents. She and Dad probably had the insurance and the resources to handle the cost of hormone blockers.

Oh well, both of them are gone now and with them the greatest majority of the WWII/Depression generation too. It's a mute point. It seems our country has gone nuts and we as LGBTQ citizens all of the sudden are in the cross fire.

I seriously doubt a bullet proof vest was hidden among the hose, bras and panties.

The Calm After the Storm

The calm after the storm. A rare double rainbow seen outside Liz's front door and dedicated to Orlando. She took the picture, I was busy crying...damn hormones!!!!

(Picture taken South over Ohio River East of Cincinnati.

Suck it Up Buttercup

Well, the much un-awaited moment of my first colonoscopy  is bearing down on me Monday. If you know anything about one, much of the difficult work is done the day before during a clean out period.

None of this is my first rodeo so to speak, after all I am a veteran of three former colonoscopies.

However this is my first procedure of any kind this far advanced into my MtF transition. As I have written, even though I know the nursing team has most likely seen it all before, perhaps, not so much with me. With my highly androgynous body.

I see Monday too, as an advanced look to at a medical future I am not sure I am ready for.

Not to be too crass here but it's time to bend over and get it started, I guess. The option of having colon cancer is much worse.

Courage, Perseverance, Pride

In the wake of the tragedy in Orlando, I am sure LGBTQ people across the country are questioning their security at upcoming Pride events. 

Here in Cincinnati, it is no different to be sure as I watch most of the Facebook action. 

Fortunately, most of the response seems to be for everyone to move cautiously forward and not let acts of hate take away our lives as we know them. To do so is no worse than getting shoved back into closets we have worked so hard to get out of.
As far as I am concerned, I am going forward with a couple of my planned volunteer activities for Pride.



Plus keep a sharp eye out for anything. I have come too far to go back now.

While My Blog Gently Weeps

This pretty much says it all:

Lindsey Muller

From the Military Times: Lindsey Muller spent most of her 16-year Army career as a man named Ryan. About two years ago, the UH-64 Apache Longbow pilot changed her name, started taking female hormones and underwent what the 34-year-old describes as “female puberty.”

The biggest step in her transition came in 2014, when she confronted her commanders with the fact she is a transgender soldier who, under current Pentagon rules, has a “psychosexual condition” that warrants medical separation. “When I walked into their offices I had the current policy in my hand,” Muller, a chief warrant officer 2, told Military Times. “I said ‘Hey, based on this regulation, I’m deemed unfit to serve. It was almost throwing myself at my commander’s mercy.”

The commanders' response was unexpected. “I was encouraged to stay and continue my career,” she said.

Follow the link above for more!

JJ's Sunday Edition

Ker Plunk! Another Sunday Edition is hitting your virtual front porch.
Weather wise we are expecting another sweltering 90 degree humid Ohio summer day, so iced everything will be the way to go today! So let's get started:

Page One: The Week that Was-or Wasn't: First of all, my condolences go out to all the victims of senseless crimes this week. Of course the latest was the twenty plus casualties in Orlando last night at the "Pulse" Night Club. While my blog gently weeps, I just hope for more love in the world. It's frustrating when it seems every week you read of a new story of a gunman opening fire with an "AK-47" on a group of innocent civilians.

Page Two: Yesterday's Coffee-Opinion: Well, the bonfire has come and gone and I had an excellent time even though for once the trans girl wasn't the most interesting woman there.

That honor went to the woman who after about 15 minutes, said it was too hot and there were no men and pulled her wig off and set it on the table. (Cancer survivor plus paranormal ghost buster.)


If you look closely in the picture, I am in the back left corner wearing a striped top. As I said, an excellent time!!!

Page Three: The Back Page: As hot and humid as yesterday was, at certain times I wished I could take my wig off too, except of course I don't wear wear one. Plus, as it turned out, what was left of any makeup I tried to wear was a waste of time too. Which leads me to Connie's comment: "The best paint jobs always start with proper preparation and a good primer. More paint won't make up for those things; in fact, it usually only makes it worse. So it goes, working through our transitions."

I love you all and thanks for taking your time to stop by JJ's!