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 […]

My best friend Dr. John P. Ruffing VMD died on this date in 2007. He was 41.

I found this today “Susan, Though I do not tell you often, I am glad that you are part of my life. Some or most of my best memories are times that we have shared together. I will love you always and I hope the day (my birthday) was special for you truly are. I […]

Worry. Why do I let myself worry?

Today was busy. I did some work on sourcing winter shelters for our pet food pantry caretakers. Thanks to many volunteers, we now have 10 completed shelters that should be distributed in the next 48 hours as cold weather approaches. We need some more. I asked Animal Friends for more kits. One of our caretakers […]

Things to Watch During Native History Month

My friend, Lee Dingus, is a Seneca artist and educator who has contributed to this blog in the past. I asked her to specifically share television shows and movies that do a solid job with representation. Indigenous created content is so much more accessible now, but I don’t think people know that. I certainly didn’t, until […]

The cruelty of food distribution in the United States

When I think about the evil decision to cut SNAP benefits for millions of Americans, my next thought is the scene in The Hunger Games where Peeta and Katniss attend a banquet where they learn about the concoction that the elite use to vomit so they can continue to gorge themselves on delicacies. Both are […]

“Why should anyone feel secure about the right to marry when this Court has proven it doesn’t believe in precedent?”

“Why should anyone feel secure about the right to marry,” he asked, “when this Court has proven it doesn’t believe in precedent?” Jim Obergefell to The Advocate magazine. Today, Friday, the Supreme Court Justices will meet behind closed doors to determine if they will hear a case that includes a challenge to the previous ruling […]

NOW This Pittsburgh Pet Food Pantry Needs Your Help Delivering Winter Shelters for Homeless Cats

The Pet Food Pantry is helping our colony caretakers prepare for cold weather. We’ve procured 12 shelters BUT we need help ASAP delivering some & dropping kits off to a volunteer to assemble this weekend. Pittsburgh LGBTQ Charities is covering the costs of the kits. A large SUV can accommodate up to six. Here’s the […]

That’s it.

I’m too tired to even try to write something witty and thoughtful for #NaBloPoMo. Got up early, drove to Animal Friends to pick up shelters and straw for our pet food pantry folks. Missed the turn. Twice. Opened back of Gertie to find everything had slid everywhere. Wriggled into Gertie which I’m sure was a […]

When first we laid eyes I swore to no compromise

Once again. my #NaBloPoMo post is coming in under the wire. I spent hours today – HOURS – updating my listing of all of the LGBTQ+ folx elected in Pennsylvania, dating back to 1992. But an update doesn’t count. This morning, I heard ‘O Valencia’ by The Decemberists while I was making coffee. It has […]

We’ve documented the election of more than 100 out LGBTQ+ folx in Pennsylvania from 1992-2025

The firsts include over a dozen bisexual individuals, two pansexual folx, a dozen who identify as nonbinary, nearly a dozen trans folx, and several dozen people of color. When I began blogging in 2005, there were no out elected officials in Pennsylvania (that I knew of.) Now there are so many that keeping track is […]