Happy New Year!!!

No, I'm not at a gala party tonight nor am I at a festive house party. I'm at home, in my pj's, warming up something comforting for dinner having just fed my cat a half-hour ago. At nine pm, I'll be getting call from my father in Montreal (where it will be midnight Eastern Time). At midnight here on the West Coast, I'll be opening a bottle of sparkly ... pop: not champagne.

But, none of this is sad, tragic or in any way unfortunate. In fact, this is how I wanted to see out the old year, restful (I've also just gotten over the flu), quiet and gathering my energy for the new year as I'm sure I'll need. Many projects lay ahead (more in my next post) and I need to be ready. For now, though, I contemplate the past year one last time. It was year of fewer posts than previous years, but no lack of developments in life. I would like to say a final farewell to the friends who are no longer in this life; thank you for accompanying on my life's journey for as long as you could. For my surviving friends, some having good years and others not, I love you all and do not forget it.

And for my blog visitors, thanks once again for being there!

Happy New Year to you all and be true to yourselves in 2014 and beyond!

“As I walked out the door toward the gate that would lead to my freedom, I knew if I didn't leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I'd still be in prison.” - Nelson Mandela

Happy Christmas!!!

I guess there are many ways to wish people well this season, but I like the UK way of saying "Happy Christmas"; sounds cozy. Cozy is what I am hoping to get a lot of over the next week and a half while I am on vacation, hanging out with friends, celebrating abundance and helping others who do not have it so well. Inevitably, it is also a time to reflect on the year gone by and begin to visualize a better future next year and beyond.

In the meantime to all my readers, thanks again for stopping by and my best wishes this season, whatever you celebrate, and in 2014!

The December Project, 2013

Having a hard time this holiday season? If you're trans* and feeling blue this time of the year, the December Project is back for the third year in a row and is ready to make your Christmas/Yule/Solstice brighter and warmer.

The December Project was launched on December 1, 2011 as a support network for transfolks who, given that this season is a lonely, isolating one for many of us, would like someone to talk to. The Project, founded by Jennifer Finney Boylan, Helen Boyd, Mara Keisling and Dylan Scholinski, aims to: "raise the spirits of people in the trans community during what can be a difficult time of year".

Boylan elaborates on her site: "We are two trans women, a trans man, and a spouse of a trans woman. Between the four of us, we have heard many different kinds of trans narratives.  If we can help you, we would be glad to do so."

See the rest of Boylan's post for more information. To everyone in the trans* and genderqueer communities, please take care of yourselves during the holidays. Remember, you are loved!

And to the December Project network: Once again, Good on you! Keep up the great work!