Been a long time since I have taken the time to sit down and write. Lots has happened. I had a beautiful and regenerating birthday week home in Buffalo with all of my friends. All ... and my daughter making sure I had the best birthday ever. I felt so lucky for days. Trish and Sarah both came to Buffalo so we could celebrate together. We stayed at the Hotel Lafayette and I was thrown back through time. I time traveled. That was  my birthday. Started with a powerful croning ceremony at Cyd's that Cyd designed and manifested for me. Robbie gave me tickets to hear Hilary Clinton speak. Saw Bicth at the 9th Ward and she sang to me for my birthday. She dedicated her final song to me...a ballad cover of the Bee Gees staying alive...it was terrifically funny and poignant at the same time. Friday night back stage at Ujima.for the big bday bash. Kate made it happen...she and Erin and Amber especially made it happen so much hard work. And there were drag queens...well this is what Ron wrote...

Mom and daughter Last night I watched what I’m pretty sure were mainly {Men Who Love Men} dressed as women performing stripteases for an audience consisting mainly of {Women Who Love Women}, some of whom were dressed as men. And it was one of the most glorious, and in a slightly bizarre way, one of the most patriotic things I have ever witnessed. THIS is surely part of what Whitman had in mind when he wrote that he heard America singing. Perfect description and one that I feel good about. I have tried to life my life to that ideal. Learned from my father. I used to read Whitman to Dad, from Leaves of Grass and ask questions of the parts I didn't understand and he would explain. There was dancing and drag and singing and story telling a most perfect night. And all the food was food I could eat!!! Kastle told the story of the bears in the Adirondacks. Lorna said I was someone who supported her art, she talked about Yalla Bitch.   In A2 had a birthday celebration with friends ..I do have a posse here in A2. That was big fun and then home to Maggie. Robby Griswald and I are getting to be friends as are me and Amy and Callie. New friends! I spoke at UMHS and and I am off insulin. After 10 years? I am OFF insulin. I am still working out and eating healthy. Three years now. 40 years of journals saying the same thing. And now three years of saying something different. C H A N G E.  All of this to say it may be time for me to do my autobiography just for me well with an eye to Kate. I think I will do it electronically. Include scans and  photos.  Also saw Carolyn Gage in Lansing and had dinner with her.  Maggie and I still seeing each other and we are going away the first weekend in December for a get away weekend just the two of us. This will be the longest we have spent together. We are settling in with each other. Still laughing and a little less intense which was at first difficult for me but clearly Maggie is in a more comfortable space. She took me to Pacific Rim for dinner last week and we talked for three hours. And we are planning next year's Suds together already. And so it goes... and I have decided that turning sixty is about letting go.  That is what I did at my croning ceremony I let go or put down in the underworld where it belongs. I put down harsh with myself, and picked up compassion. I put down attachment and picked up connection. I put down bulk and my bear and kept the bear's wisdom but with my health I no longer need the bulk I need my health which is now my protection. I put down shame, and other things that I cannot remember...insert smile here.