My hope is that you all have been getting out and enjoying this wonderful summer. It's a great time to wear your lovely summer frocks and show off those pretty painted toenails. What a great time to be a girly girl. It doesn't all have to be about big hair, high heels and panty hose.

Last month I complained about the rudeness of some of our members talking while a program is being presented. Well, my hat (hair?) is off to you all. The respect and attention paid to Deb Wilke last month was heartwarming. Deb is so good at getting us to look at ourselves objectively. When we look at ourselves honestly we have an advantage over the rest of the world. We know who we are. Good or bad, warts and all, when we truly know ourselves, (and sometimes it can be very painful) we can then become the person that we really want to be. That is the person who we really are, the person we can love. Being born with the heart and soul of one gender and the body of the other is a huge burden. None-the-less, it is one that can be borne through honest self-assessment and determination.

It isn't too hard to move about within the Trans community living in a city as large as Chicago but we can still be in the closet. To live and enjoy life truly as God has made us requires commitment and courage. Recently, I was on the way to visit a friend who has a passion for Italian lemon ice (I prefer banana ice) but the place that sells it is run by a macho group of guys. I hesitated, but then looked in the mirror, liked the girl I saw and went for it. Not only was I treated like any other customer, the clerk actually was a bit of a flirt! Just being ourselves is some times the greatest treat of all. We all have an inner beauty that shines when we allow it to be seen by others.

My spies tell me that Sheila D's picnic was a huge success. I'm sorry I missed it but I have an excuse. My three loyal readers probably remember me talking about my daughter's difficulty having a child. Well, Emma was christened on Sunday August 22 and our hearts are filled with joy.

If you happen to stop by Transformations in Arlington Heights take time to notice the certificate from the American Cancer Society thanking our community for the generous donation of wigs. The project is still going on, so keep looking for those wearable wigs that you no longer use or (you lucky ones!) no longer need. Bring them to a CGS or Tri-Ess meeting or drop them off at Transformations, Rachel's or Janna's Place and I will get them to the American Cancer Society. You are giving more than a wig, you are giving love to our less fortunate sisters.

My final topic today is Blood Donations. Just because you are transgendered and taking hormones doesn't mean you can't donate blood. As long as you can answer those horribly personal questions about your sex life in a positive way, HRT is not a barrier. I had a long talk with the nurse at the Glen Ellyn Life Source Blood Bank and she said that they are only interested in the compounds themselves such as estrogen, aldactone and progesterone. Last month a different phlebotomist took my history and when she asked what each med was for I simply replied "hormone replacement therapy". No further questions, no embarrassment. So, if you can donate blood, do it! You will feel good about it, you will help people as no other gift can and you will get free cookies and juice afterward.

I have been rather long winded which is a terribly clever pun leading into the "Benediction"

We can"t change the wind, but we can reset the sails.

Love, Katie