My Grieving Chronicle at Five and a Half Weeks

Birthday party idea

It has been five and a half weeks since my mother died. The phrase “and I still haven’t’ really cried” keeps coming to my lips, as if there’s a certain moisture emission density that is necessary to be a proper mourner. But it is true that I have not cried a lot, more often oozing […]

Black Trans Woman Tatiana Labelle Murdered in Chicago

Tatiana Labelle

On Friday, March 18, 2022, the body of Tatiana “Tee Tee” Labelle was discovered after she had been listed as missing for five days in her Chicago hometown. Police are describing her death as a murder investigation after an autopsy on Saturday. Tatiana Labelle, 33, was last seen on the 700 block of East 84th […]

As we followed him down To the station

Pittsburgh Famous

Today is #FollowFriday which is something I just made up tonight (Thursday night) I’ll post a video with some riff on “follow’ and you will return the favor by following me on social media. It is where I post tons and tons of cool links to all sorts of great reads. Plus, I have a […]

Is St. Gertrude Really the Patron Saint of Cats? And Who Are the Cat Folx?

St. Gertrude

We have a little St. Gertrude plastic figurine holding a cat sitting above our sink. Friends gave it to us. It is cute, but I had never heard about a patron saint of cats until then. If you are on social media today (St. Patrick’s Day), you’ll see lots of references to St. Gertrude because […]

Beautiful – the Carole King Musical this weekend in Pittsburgh

This weekend only, the Cultural Trust will present the Carole King musical. You should go. Fri, Mar 18 – Sun, Mar 20, 2022 Beautiful – The Carole King Musical tells the inspiring true story of King’s remarkable rise to stardom, from being part of a hit songwriting team with her husband Gerry Goffin, to her relationship […]

On Being a Woman

When I was a teenager and young adult, I struggled with the simple concept that I was a woman. I wasn’t questioning my gender identity; I was questioning my validity. Anytime I had to say something like “I’m a woman” in any context, I was self-conscious and awkward and keenly aware that I felt ‘othered.” […]

Statement on Queer Women’s History Month

Queer Women's History Month

I drafted this for another purpose. It wasn’t utilized, so I decided to publish myself just for the record. ~ Sue Women have always walked these grounds we know as Pittsburgh, forging paths and paying the way for future generations. The documented history of Pittsburgh might have primarily been controlled by men, but the living, […]

double, double. toil, and trouble.

My therapist encouraged me to buy some clothing that fits my shrinking body. So a few months ago, I bought two pairs of Old Navy sweatpants and they fit reasonably well. I took a leap and advantage of a sale to buy five more pairs. Same size. Too big. Too big. Slide off when I […]

Trans People Are Relevant

Matthew Spampinato

Yesterday, a family friend of Matthew Spampinosa left a comment on this blog post about his death. I was appalled enough to draft a message in response to her, but my gut tells me she isn’t going to hear me. So I opted to share my thoughts with you. After all, just today Georgia introduced […]

Waiting for the Appliance Repairman

The term ‘appliance repairman’ is almost quaint. Perhaps ‘appliance repairperson’ would be better if more difficult. But Mr. Spirko has been repairing our appliances since 2003 or so, so I’ll allow for the throwback to 1970. Laura and I are both unable to recall how we learned about him. There used to be a Northside […]