My eldest nibling turns 20

It was 20 years ago that I became an aunt for the first time when the eldest nibling was born. I remember that day like it was just yesterday. I love all the niblings, but there’s something unique about the one who teaches you to be an aunt and the youngest who puts all of […]

What ‘after the holidays’ really means

Last year was a nice holiday season for me – I felt hopeful, comforted, and valued. This year? Not so much. I thought the holiday in tandem with my blog’s 20th anniversary would create lots to celebrate. I was wrong. A 20 year milestone is not resonating with local media outlets that typically jump for […]

This is How to Decolonize Thanksgiving

Or at least get started … I’ve been pondering how to reconcile 54 Thanksgivings with the undeniable truths about the harm and trauma that celebration causes my Native and Indigenous friends, neighbors. As a trauma survivor, I appreciate the distinction between bad memories and actively continued experience. It has gnawed at me so I did […]

My Legal and Living Expenses Crowdfund Reaches the Halfway Mark

Today, my GoFundMe reached the halfway mark – $20,000. Obviously, that means the goal is $40,000. For now. It means a great deal to me that you continue to support me, to help with legal and living expenses. Life is really hard right now, but I do find moments of joy and satisfaction. My friends […]

I grew up being sexually groomed by my grandfather

Sexual violence with any minor child is abhorrent and too common. “There’s a difference between a 15 year old and a 5 year old” Megyn Kelly, defending Jeffrey Epstein. Content Note: sexual violence, child abuse, politics, church, incest Let me start by reminding everyone that sexual abuse of young children, ages 5 and 15, including […]

Update on Lawsuits, My Realistic Fears of Being Homeless, Need to Raise $625 Soon

Thank you for your donations. You have made it possible for me to get this far.  Scroll down for a current ask I have, but first I want to talk about the possibility of my being homeless. On Wednesday, we had another conciliation hearing. The outcome is that the cases go back to the Family […]

Will the grandchildren of ICE Nazis make amends?

I watch (and share) a lot of videos that are focused on identifying ICE agents, documenting kidnappings, and lauding the creative, persistent resistance. Sometimes I wonder what I’d say if I was holding the bullhorn or recording with my phone. I’m not sure that the words of an individual have any impact or can prevent […]

Sourcing Winter Cat Shelter Whilst Reflecting on My Future

Only four days into NaBloPoMo and I’m scrambling to get a post up in the next 51 minutes. Democrats won every single election. I’m sure the analysis will feed news stories for days to come. While it is much needed good news, it still is like the bare minimum to navigate the terror in the […]

I Climbed the Ladder to the Kitchen, not Success

My therapist recently asked me to recount a childhood experience where I felt or knew that I had been abandoned. At some point in our childhood, my parents started taking off for little drives on my Dad’s off days. They would leave while we were still at school and come home when the spirit moved […]

Long lost photos bring unexpected joy to my 55th birthday

Yesterday, an innocuous brown box arrived at the house. There was no name, so I opened it figuring it was a 50% chance of being mine. I was right. Inside I found a package from my brother – a very large handful of photos he had found when he was packing to move. I was […]