Massachusetts height & weight anti-discrimination bill refiled TODAY!

TODAY (the refiling deadline for all bills), the latest version of my home state of Massachusetts’ height and weight anti-discrimination bill was refiled! An Act Making Discrimination On The Basis Of Height And Weight Unlawful, SD 1581. If you didn’t get the following e-mail on Monday January 7th, e-mail Caroline.Sherrard@MASenate.gov.

"Height and Weight Anti-Discrimination Legislation

Hello all,

If you’re receiving this email you previously reached out to Rep. Byron Rushing’s office in support of height and weight anti-discrimination legislation in Massachusetts. If you would like to no longer receive emails on this topic, please let me know.

As many of you know, Rep. Rushing is no longer in the legislature. I’d like to introduce you all to Senator Becca Rausch who will be filing this legislation in the Senate and Representative Tram Nguyen who will be filing this legislation in the House. I used to work for Rep. Rushing and now work for Senator Rausch, so there is some nice continuity! Tobin Abraham, also cc’ed, is Rep. Nguyen’s staff person.

We need to refile this legislation by 1/18. If you have any comments on the language from last session (attached), please let me know as soon as possible. I’ll be in touch soon if our office or Rep. Nguyen’s office has suggested changes.

We’d like to have an advocacy strategy conference call after bill filing, sometime in late January or February.

Thank you so much for your interest and advocacy.

Best,
Caroline

Caroline Sherrard, Chief of Staff
Office of Senator Becca Rausch
Massachusetts Senate
Norfolk, Bristol and Middlesex District
State House Room 419
617-722-1555 (internal ext. 1556)
Pronouns: she/her/hers"

Partner with the Black Trans Prayer Book to say Transphobia Is A Sin!

The Black Trans Prayer Book’s Transphobia Is A Sin campaign is launching TODAY, and EVERYONE’s encouraged to participate (it’s okay if you’re not Black and/or trans -- nobody’s perfect)! 

Make a sign, take a selfie, share it!!! 

Here is mine. 

#BlackTransPrayerBook 

#TransphobiaIsASin 

#TransPeopleAreDivine 

#TransphobiaIsTrayf 

#TransphobiaIsChayt

🖤🚻🛐📖 

It's only January, and yet at least one trans person has been murdered in 2019

Alas, my first post this morning must be about mourning. January isn’t even over yet, and there has already been at least one trans person murdered in 2019. And sadly it isn’t at all surprising that she is a woman, Black, or young. This past Sunday January 6th (Epiphany / Three Kings Day), Dana Martin, 31, a Black trans woman, was found murdered in Montgomery, Alabama.

Last November 20th was the 20th annual Transgender Day Of Remembrance (TDOR), when we remembered the at least 25 trans people murdered in this country since TDOR 2017, and the hundreds more murdered elsewhere in our world. And between that day and the end of the year, at least two more of my trans siblings were taken by murder here in the US, and we became more aware of an October murder. And the great majority of those stolen continue to be Black, women, and young.

Between TDOR 2017 and the end of 2017, three trans women were murdered -- Brooklyn BreYanna Stevenson (Oklahoma City), Brandi Seals (Houston), and Rhiannon Layendecker (Englewood, Florida). In 2018, they were joined by Christa Steele Knudslien (North Adams, Massachusetts -- we were colleagues there in my home state and Friends here), Viccky Gutierrez (Los Angeles), Celine Walker (Jacksonville), Tonya Harvey (Buffalo), Zakaria Fry (Albuquerque), Phylicia Mitchell (Cleveland), Amia Tyrae Berryman (Baton Rouge), Sasha Wall (Chesterfield County, South Carolina), Karla Patricia Flores-Pavón (Dallas), Nino Fortson (Atlanta), Gigi Pierce (Portland, Oregon), Roxana Hernandez (Albuquerque), Antasha English (Jacksonville), Diamond Stephens (Meridian, Mississippi), Cathalina Christina James (Jacksonville), Keisha Wells (Cleveland), Sasha Garden (Orlando), Vontashia Bell (Shreveport, Louisiana), Dejanay Stanton (Chicago), Shantee Tucker (Philadelphia), Londonn Moore (North Port, Florida), Nikki Enriquez (Laredo, Texas), Ciara Minaj Carter Frazier (Chicago), Regina Denise Brown (Orangeburg, South Carolina), Tydi Dansbury (Baltimore, an hour from me here in Gaithersburg), and Keanna Mattel (Detroit).

I note that there have been multiple murders in some places, that Roxana died in ICE custody with significant evidence showing she was abused there, and that Nikki was one of four women victims of an intel supervisor for US Border Patrol. And that more than 360 trans people have been murdered elsewhere in our world in the past year, and the great majority are Latinx -- mostly trans women and transfeminine people. Too, there continues to be little attention given to the murders of and assaults on Native people who are Two Spirit.

I also remember Nicole Hall, a Black trans woman found dead in Dallas in May. And my siblings lost to suicide, as the attempt rate in our community is over 40%. And every year there are unreported deaths, and reported ones where the victim is not identified as trans.

May all of my trans sisters, brothers and other siblings’ memories be a blessing, as we say in Judaism -- and one that calls us to act, especially at trans justice’s intersection with racial, immigration and economic justice. May we continue schlepping towards tikkun olam, world repair, at the intersection of LGBTQI+, climate, racial, immigration, spiritual, fat, disability, and all other stripes of the rainbow of justice. May we never forget that white supremacy has always included and prioritized misogyny, cis supremacy and transphobia. Amen!

#TDOR #TDOR2018 #TDOR2019 #TransDayOfRemembrance #WontBeErased

Massachusetts height & weight anti-discrimination bill UPDATE!

Friday January 18th is the refiling deadline for the latest version of my home state of Massachusetts’ height and weight anti-discrimination bill! If you didn’t get the following e-mail about that today, please e-mail Caroline.Sherrard@MASenate.gov.

"Height and Weight Anti-Discrimination Legislation

Hello all,

If you’re receiving this email you previously reached out to Rep. Byron Rushing’s office in support of height and weight anti-discrimination legislation in Massachusetts. If you would like to no longer receive emails on this topic, please let me know.

As many of you know, Rep. Rushing is no longer in the legislature. I’d like to introduce you all to Senator Becca Rausch who will be filing this legislation in the Senate and Representative Tram Nguyen who will be filing this legislation in the House. I used to work for Rep. Rushing and now work for Senator Rausch, so there is some nice continuity! Tobin Abraham, also cc’ed, is Rep. Nguyen’s staff person.

We need to refile this legislation by 1/18. If you have any comments on the language from last session (attached), please let me know as soon as possible. I’ll be in touch soon if our office or Rep. Nguyen’s office has suggested changes.

We’d like to have an advocacy strategy conference call after bill filing, sometime in late January or February.

Thank you so much for your interest and advocacy.

Best,
Caroline

Caroline Sherrard, Chief of Staff
Office of Senator Becca Rausch
Massachusetts Senate
Norfolk, Bristol and Middlesex District
State House Room 419
617-722-1555 (internal ext. 1556)
Pronouns: she/her/hers"

Less than a month after the 20th annual Transgender Day Of Remembrance, more murders

November 20th was the 20th annual Transgender Day Of Remembrance (TDOR), when we remembered the at least 25 trans people murdered in this country since TDOR 2017, and the hundreds more murdered elsewhere in our world. And yet since that Day, at least two more of my trans siblings have been taken by murder here in the US, and we’ve become more aware of an October murder. And the great majority of those stolen continue to be Black, women, and young.

On October 7th, Regina Denise Brown, a Black trans woman, was killed in Orangeburg, South Carolina. On November 26th, Tydi Dansbury, also Black trans woman, was killed in Baltimore, an hour from here (Gaithersburg). And on Friday December 7th, Keanna Mattel, also a Black trans woman, was killed in Detroit.

Between TDOR 2017 and the end of last year, three trans women were murdered -- Brooklyn BreYanna Stevenson (Oklahoma City), Brandi Seals (Houston), and Rhiannon Layendecker (Englewood, Florida). In 2018, they have been joined by Christa Steele Knudslien (North Adams, Massachusetts -- we were colleagues there in my home state and Friends here), Viccky Gutierrez (Los Angeles), Celine Walker (Jacksonville), Tonya Harvey (Buffalo), Zakaria Fry (Albuquerque), Phylicia Mitchell (Cleveland), Amia Tyrae Berryman (Baton Rouge), Sasha Wall (Chesterfield County, South Carolina), Karla Patricia Flores-Pavón (Dallas), Nino Fortson (Atlanta), Gigi Pierce (Portland, Oregon), Roxsana Hernandez (Albuquerque), Antasha English (Jacksonville), Diamond Stephens (Meridian, Mississippi), Cathalina Christina James (Jacksonville), Keisha Wells (Cleveland), Sasha Garden (Orlando), Vontashia Bell (Shreveport, Louisiana), Dejanay Stanton (Chicago), Shantee Tucker (Philadelphia), Londonn Moore (North Port, Florida), Nikki Enriquez (Laredo, Texas), and Ciara Minaj Carter Frazier (Chicago).

It’s important to know that there have been multiple murders in some places, that Roxana died in ICE custody with significant evidence showing she was abused there, and that Nikki was one of four women victims of an intel supervisor for US Border Patrol. And that more than 360 trans people have been murdered elsewhere in our world in the past year, and the great majority are Latinx -- mostly trans women and transfeminine people.

I also remember Nicole Hall, a Black trans woman found dead in Dallas in May. And my siblings lost to suicide, as the attempt rate in our community is over 40%. And every year there are unreported deaths, and reported ones where the victim is not identified as trans.

May all of my trans sisters, brothers and other siblings’ memories be a blessing, as we say in Judaism -- and one that calls us to act, especially at trans justice’s intersection with racial, immigration and economic justice. May we continue schlepping towards tikkun olam, world repair, at the intersection of LGBTQI+, climate, racial, immigration, spiritual, fat, disability, and all other stripes of the rainbow of justice. May we never forget that white supremacy has always been inseparable from misogyny, cis supremacy and transphobia. Amen!

#TDOR #TDOR2018 #TransDayOfRemembrance #WontBeErased#FridayMotivation

MY ARTWORK!! Or, How I Put the Arts in MasadArts

Pictured is one of my sushi stationery sets -- little kits for creating offline mail that look like boxes of takeaway sushi!

Happy Cyber Monday, and welcome to the MasadArts art department.   

While I wouldn't say I'm well-prepared for this day or season, I have updated my artwork portfolio, and it's in three albums: 

• Stationery (greeting cards in several formats, gift tags / ornaments, keepsake books, sushi stationery sets…) 

• Jewelry (earrings, pendants, friendship pins…) 

• Miscellaneous (wrapped pomegranates and candles, juice bottle cap tea-light holders, eyeglass cases…)

My work is mostly handmade, and made mostly of vintage / recycled / found / thrifted / gifted etc. materials.  And I do take commissions, personalize, customize and so on. 

I invite you to enjoy, Like, comment, share, shop, etc.



Also, my Aunt Pat in Boston is also an artist, and offers lessons, paintings, photography, greeting cards, hand-painted eggs and more. 

Shalom, on this Thanksgiving Day / Day Of Mourning

Shalom. Rest, cessation, peace, harmony, wholeness, completeness, prosperity, welfare and tranquility. On this Thanksgiving Day.

I am thankful to be spending today at home with my wonderful spouse, our dogter, and my mother-in-sin and law. I am mindful of my privilege that makes this possible. I am also struggling today, for a variety of reasons, and thinking of those who struggle in ways like and unlike mine.

Native people, many of whom are observing the 49th annual Day Of Mourning -- including those in Plymouth in my home state of Massachusetts, where today’s high will be 23 degrees and the low 14.

Trans people, like myself, who are transitioning from observing the 20th annual Transgender Day Of Remembrance (TDOR) just two days ago.

Fat people, like my spouse, most of whom will experience an intense increase in fatphobia today, even in some of the most radical spaces.

People who are in two or more of these communities, including Two Spirit people. People who struggle with this Day for other reasons. People who struggle every day.

May we all have a meaningful fast and feast, however we define those things.
May we be comforted by the Addams family credo. Sic Gorgiamus Allos Subjectatos Nunc -- We Gladly Feast on Those Who Would Subdue Us. “Not just pretty words.”
May this day next year find us in a better place and a better world -- and may we each do our part in creating it.

Amen!

Today is the 20th annual Transgender Day Of Remembrance (TDOR)

Today, Tuesday, November 20th, 2018, is the 20th annual Transgender Day Of Remembrance (TDOR).

In 1998, the murder of Rita Hester, a Black trans woman, in my hometown of Boston, led to the creation of this Day. The other known trans people murdered in my home state of Massachusetts are Denise Pugliesi, Georgette Hart, Diane Carter, Monique Rogers, Debra Forte (the aunt of a trans colleague), Chanelle Pickett, Monique Thomas, and Lisa Daniels. I also remember CJ Garber, the trans son of two colleagues (one of whom has since passed away), who died of an overdose.

At that time, I was 22, and living in Boston, as I always had; born there in 1976, I had been out and about for several years as a trans person and advocate.

In 2018, at least 22 of my trans siblings have been murdered in this country, and the great majority are Black trans women. Christa Steele Knudslien (in my home state of Massachusetts -- a colleague there and a Friend here), Viccky Gutierrez, Celine Walker, Tonya Harvey, Phylicia Mitchell, Zakaria Fry, Amia Tyrae Berryman, Sasha Wall, Carla Patricia Flores-Pavón, Nino Fortson, Gigi Pierce, Antasha English, Cathalina Christina James, Keisha Wells, Diamond Stephens, Sasha Garden, Shantee Tucker, Vontashia Bell, and Dejanay Stanton, Londonn Moore, Nikki Enriquez, and Ciara Minaj Carter Frazier.

Also this year, Roxsana Hernandez, a Latina trans woman, died in ICE custody; Nicole Hall, a Black trans woman, was found dead in Dallas; SJ Brooks, a trans person of color, was killed by a mountain lion in North Bend, Washington (and was the partner of a colleague).

And well over 300 trans people have been murdered elsewhere in our world, and the great majority are Latinx trans women.

Too, many of my trans siblings have been lost to suicide, and the attempt rate in our community is over 40%.

And there have been trans deaths that haven’t been reported, and reported ones where the victim has not been identified as trans.

At this time, I am 42, and living in Gaithersburg, Maryland (Montgomery County, next to Washington, DC), where I moved in 2014 to begin living with my spouse Julia, who is gender nonconforming. I still hope, pray and work for tikkun olam, world repair. But on days like today, the world feels especially broken, and so do I. At the same time, I am mindful of my white and other privilege, even as a Jewish trans person who is nonbinary and queer.

November is Trans Month and also Native Month -- and this Thursday, “Thanksgiving” Day, is the 49th annual Day Of Mourning -- and we must remember the Two Spirit people who have been taken, including Jamie Lee Wounded Arrow last year.

May all of my trans sisters, brothers and other siblings’ memories be a blessing, as we say in Judaism -- and one that calls us to act, especially at trans justice’s intersection with racial, immigration and economic justice. May we continue schlepping towards tikkun olam, world repair, at the intersection of LGBTQI+, climate, racial, immigration, spiritual, fat, disability, and all other stripes of the rainbow of justice. May we never forget that white supremacy has always included cis supremacy and transphobia. Amen!

(The photo is mine -- I set it up and took it at my home a few years ago.)

#TDOR #TDOR2018 #TransDayOfRemembrance #TransWeek#TransMonth #WontBeErased #TuesdayThoughts #TuesdayMotivation

TODAH RABAH to everyone who worked on Yes On 3 for Massachusetts' trans rights law!

On this seventh anniversary of the first #TransLawMA’s passage, in this Trans Week in Trans Month, I want to more formally say todah rabah, many thanks, to everyone who worked on the second Trans Law MA -- and the #YesOn3 campaign that kept it law! Thank you to Freedom for All Massachusetts, Mass Trans Political Coalition (MTPC), and the many other trans and allied groups and individuals!

On this day in 2011, Massachusetts passed a trans rights law that included gender identity and expression in its anti-discrimination laws around housing, employment, education and credit. In October 2016, they passed another, that added public accommodations. Opponents of the second law gathered enough signatures to put it on this November’s ballot, as Question 3, and tried to convince enough voters to vote No and repeal the law, but thankfully failed.

I’m an Election Judge for our county (Montgomery County, Maryland), so on Election Day I was working from 6 a.m. to after 11 p.m., and most of us aren’t allowed to use our phones or the internet while we’re serving, talk about politics with anyone, or leave the polling place. It was very difficult to wait and pray, hoping that I and everyone else had done all we could, and that the Massachusetts voters would do as they should. I really didn’t know what would happen, and it was so hard to be alone with that for so long. It was so good to get on Facebook late that night, see that it was indeed Yes On 3, and text my spouse Julia who had already seen that.

I was born in the Boston area in 1976 and lived there until 2014 when I moved here to Gaithersburg -- to begin living with my Julia, who has always lived around here. I came out as queer and trans in high school, began by working to pass Massachusetts’ LGBTQ student rights law, and continued my work through the trans rights laws -- primarily by co-leading the faith campaigns for them, as co-chair of the Interfaith Coalition for Transgender Equality. (And I have lots of stories...but many of them start with “back in my day” and end with “get off my lawn”, so we’ll save those for later.) I moved to Maryland in what turned out to be the last few months of their trans right law’s campaign, and I worked on that -- the Fairness For All Marylanders Act passed in October 2014. Its opponents tried to gather enough signatures to put it on the ballot in hopes of repealing it, but failed, largely thanks to Equality Maryland (since merged with FreeState Legal into FreeState Justice) and the Maryland Coalition for Trans Equality.

I’ve been thinking about my history, and the history. Back through the trans organizing I was part of, and before. Back through the history of Massachusetts and Maryland. Back through the thousands of Native people who lived on those lands for ten thousand years before colonists arrived. Back through all the trans people who were among them, as we have been among all peoples, always. Back through all the secular and spiritual histories and mysteries of my people to the first person, the first human, created both/neither/other than male/female, man/woman.

I’m remembering and mourning those who died waiting for this day -- especially as the twentieth annual Transgender Day Of Remembrance is next Tuesday November 20th. In many ways the #TDOR journey began with the Massachusetts trans community’s response to the murder of Rita Hester, a Black trans woman, in Allston/Brighton in November 1998 -- and her murderer has yet to be brought to justice, which is still not at all unusual. So many trans people have been taken by murder and lost to suicide, before and since Rita. At least twenty-two trans people have been murdered in 2018 in this country alone, and the great majority are Black women. May their memories be a blessing, and blessed be the True Judge, as we say in Judaism.

And I’ve been thinking about the future. How will we heal from witnessing many of our fellow Massh...erm, Massachusettsians struggle with voting Yes, or voting No? How will we recover from the loss of resources -- the millions of minutes and dollars? How will we help the two-thirds of Yes voters continue to progress, and reach the third who voted No? How will we continue to work with the faith community, who is mostly exempt from these laws? How will we move beyond the limits of laws to liberation? And how will we be more intersectional? November is also Native Month, including the Day Of Mourning next Thursday November 22nd (Thanksgiving Day) -- how will we be better partners with Two Spirit people?

We still have so much work to do, for trans justice and all justice -- how much more so liberation -- in Maryland, Massachusetts, the rest of the country and the world. May we continue schlepping towards tikkun olam, world repair, at the intersection of LGBTQI+, climate, racial, immigration, spiritual, fat, disability, and all other stripes of the rainbow of justice. Never forgetting that white supremacy has always included cis supremacy and transphobia. Amen!

💚💚💚

#WontBeErased #TransMonth #TransWeek #TDOR2018#TransDayOfRemembrance #TransformTheVote #FridayFeeling#FridayMotivation #Friyay #FridayReads #FlashbackFriday

80th anniversary of Kristallnacht

Shabbat shalom. On this Erev Shabbat that is the 80th anniversary of Kristallnacht, Crystal Night, Night Of Broken Glass, November Pogrom, a Day Of Fate. Hundreds were killed and injured, thousands taken to prisons and concentration camps, and dozens took their own lives; thousands of synagogues, cemeteries, schools, homes and businesses were damaged and destroyed, in Germany, Austria and the Sudetenland of Czechoslovakia. May their memories be a blessing, and blessed be the True Judge, as we say in Judaism.

My family wasn’t directly affected -- in that by 1938, they had been in this country for at least two decades, the Jewish side having left Ukraine due to the pogroms there.

Tonight, tomorrow, always and in all ways, may we find, create and share more shalom -- rest, cessation, peace, harmony, wholeness, completeness, prosperity, welfare and tranquility. Schlepping towards tikkun olam, world repair, at the intersection of climate, racial, immigration, spiritual, LGBTQI+, fat, disability, and all other stripes of the rainbow of justice. Never forgetting that anti-Semitism has always been an inseparable part of white supremacy.

Shooting at the Tree Of Life * Or L'Simcha Congregation last Shabbat

Shabbat shalom -- on this #ShowUpForShabbat, this first Shabbat after the mass shooting at the Tree Of Life * Or L'Simcha Congregation last Shabbat. May their memories be a blessing, and blessed be the True Judge, as we say in Judaism. And refuah shlemah, full recovery, to those who were wounded and survived, in all senses.

Last Shabbat I was Election Judging at Early Voting here in Gaithersburg -- my spouse Julia's hometown, symbolized by the Forest Oak, which passed away in a storm in 1997 when they were 295. And I was wearing the pendant on the left -- one of my engagement gifts from my Julia, who gave it to me in April when she proposed. And as always, I was wearing it partly because that makes me feel safer -- safety being a feeling and fact that continues to be challenging for me, even with my privilege and location, especially as a visibly trans and queer person. As havdalah approached, a voter commented that it was especially appropriate that I was wearing a Tree Of Life on that particular day. Half-expecting what I would hear, I asked her why she sounded sad when she said that, and that’s how I found out about the shooting. Election Judges here are generally not allowed access to the internet while serving, and our workdays are usually at least twelve hours. For most of the rest of my service as an election judge, I wore the pendant on the right, as well as Tree Of Life earrings.

I’ve only been to Pittsburgh once, many years ago, but I did stay in Squirrel Hill, and my visit was part of a Jewish journey (not that the rest of my last forty-two years haven’t been). Here on Facebook and elsewhere, I’ve been learning about my other connections to Pittsburgh’s Jewish community. And about the racist shooting in Jeffersontown, Kentucky, that almost included a Black church. And of course the hateful attempted mail bombings, and oh so much more.

Tonight, tomorrow and always, may we find, create and share more shalom -- rest, cessation, peace, harmony, wholeness, completeness, prosperity, welfare and tranquility. Schlepping towards tikkun olam, world repair, at the intersection of climate, racial, immigration, spiritual, LGBTQI+, fat, disability, and all other stripes of the rainbow of justice. Never forgetting that anti-Semitism has always been an inseparable part of white supremacy. ✡️🌳🔯

My acrostic poem about #WontBeErased

Nu, I wrote an acrostic about #WontBeErased (a trans community response to the latest Trump transphobic terribleness).

We won’t be erased
Our lives matter
Now and forever 
Transgender people are vital to tikkun olam, world repair

B’tzelem Elohim, in God’s image, we are made
Each of us fully human and fully Divine

Each of us struggling towards justice, trans justice
Racial, immigration, climate, spiritual, disability, fat, queer justice
At these intersections and others we exist, persist, resist
Sisters, brothers, siblings, men, women, both, neither, others
Existed we always have, and always will
Dor v’dor, generation to generation, we generate and regenerate

#LGBTQHistoryMonth #YesOn3 #TransformTheVote #acrostic #poem#poetry #acrosticpoem #acrosticpoetry #TuesdayThoughts #TuesdayMotivation

SHANA TOVA 5779!!!

Shana Tova 5779!!! From my Julia and I and our dogter Ursula. Our celebration includes getting married today; may your Mondays be meaningful too.

#ShanaTova #ShanaTova5779 #RoshHashanah #RoshHashanah2018 #RoshHashanah5779 #HappyNewYear #Happy5779

MY PARTNER & I GOT (MORE FORMALLY) ENGAGED!

MY PARTNER JULIA & I GOT (MORE FORMALLY) ENGAGED last weekend, and here is our public announcement, which started life as three Facebook posts this weekend:

💍🏳️‍🌈💍

I said yes, she said yes, we said yes!!!

We’ve been partnered for almost nine years, and since early on have known and shared that we want to

be partners for life, and hopefully afterlife, which for us includes engagement and marriage.

But we’ve also had long-distance, health and other challenges.

On Peaster/Eastover weekend we vacationed on Chincoteague Island for the second time -- and Julia

presented me with lovely presents (photos soon) and proposed that we finally get formally engaged!

We have little love for the legal marriage system, and would prefer to only have a (inter)faith-based

wedding and exchange rings.

But the system seems like one we need to take advantage of, especially now that Julia has a job with

great benefits that I could share in, and we caretake her mother; and we can now legally marry anywhere

in the country (we are both legally “female”).

And we are not logistically ready to schedule a wedding.

Nu, we plan to legally marry this Fall, and begin wearing rings -- unfortunately, marriage licenses are

temporary without at least the court’s ceremony, so we will do that too.

And our dogter seems to be supportive -- if only because the happier we are, the more spoiled she is.

Todah rabah, thank you, to everyone who has supported our partnership!

💍🏳️‍🌈💍

My engagement presents from my Julia!

Flowers in a ceramic pitcher (Four Seasons Florist, LLC), Earth and Moon marbles in a jewel box

(Shasta Visions and our Goodwill of Greater Washington), and a pendant (Ashley's Elegance)!!!

There was also a card, but if I tell you about that I will cry on my keyboard, and I really need this

Chromebook! She surprised me with all of this while we were vacationing on Chincoteague Island

last weekend, and proposed that we finally formally get engaged. (And I would have said yes anyway,

but these incredible gifts definitely didn’t hurt!) I am researching engagement rings, starting with

those already in my family.

💍🏳️‍🌈💍

Nu, last weekend on Chincoteague Island, when we decided to finally get more formally engaged, we

wanted to go out for a fancy dinner to celebrate but didn’t get around to it. So last night we went out for

a fancy engagement-announcement-day dinner. Julia chose the Old Angler's Inn, which neither of us had

been to, and didn’t tell me where we were going, which made it even more enjoyable. Though it turned

out our table was on the second floor, via a tiny spiral staircase, and we thought we were going to have a

Winnie The Pooh moment! But no; and on our way out, a waiter tipped us off to a door from the second

floor to the outdoors. In the attached photo from their website, our table is in the far left corner.

And here’s what we had for dinner and dessert --

> Shirley Temples (our traditional celebratory drink -- w/ ginger ale, not Sprite)

> Classic Caesar Salad (Romaine Hearts, Parmesan, Croutons, House Made Dressing)

> Spring Rolls (Cucumber, Carrots, Ginger, Cilantro and Spinach With a Soy Mirin Dipping Sauce)

> Penne Mushroom Pasta (Pan Sautéed Mushrooms, Shallots, Garlic, Kale, Grated Parmesan Cheese)

> Pan Seared Filet (Seasoned Beef Tenderloin, Fingerling Potatoes, Crispy Brussel Sprouts, Red Wine Sauce)

> A chocolate & peanut butter dessert that I’m not finding on their website

> Florida Key Lime Custard (Graham Cracker, Seasonal Berries)

My Aunt Pat, a professional artist in Boston, gives art lessons

One of my maternal aunts is Patricia Trapp, a professional artist back in Boston (where I lived until 2014). She offers art lessons, prints and stationery of her photography (of her flowers, her many glass sun-catchers and their rainbows, her charcoal sketches of cats, and more) as well as other crafts (including fabulous hand-painted chicken eggs), and takes commissions for paintings and possibly other artwork.

I help her with her PR, especially because she's not online at all and never has been; this is her permanent ad, and I put a temporary one on Craig's List Boston each week.  My artwork is here (and via the "My artwork" link in this blog's header).

Patricia Trapp, a professional artist in Boston, is offering art classes for individuals and small groups of all ages. She is also available for freelance mural work. She can be reached at 617.522.2046.

Classes include:

- Basic instruction in the fundamentals of painting

- Beginning through advanced techniques

- Brushwork 

- Color, light and shade / shadow, and perspective

- Describing form, how to build a painting

- Illustrating animals, landscapes, seascapes, cityscapes

- Creating natural textures, such as foliage

- How-tos of students' requests

- Ink, watercolor, acrylics and pastels -- no oils

There is a shopping list of basic required materials, which are to be purchased by students. 

Patricia is a native of the Boston area, and has been a professional artist here and in Europe for many years. She is currently a professional freelance muralist, for the decorators of the Boston Design Center and private clients. 

She attended Boston's Museum of Fine Arts' School, and received her BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts) in Theatre Design from Boston University. She was the resident designer and head of the painting department at Decocitel in Brussels, Belgium. She has also been a designer and instructor at the University of Massachusetts / Boston, the Boston Conservatory, and the Boston and Brookline Public Schools (through a grant from the Massachusetts Council for the Arts), and currently teaches art in a Cambridge school. 

Please call her at 617.522.2046.

The above image is one of Patricia's commissioned paintings, done entirely by hand -- the original is 6 feet by 8 feet.  The below is a dragon t-shirt she made for me -- an iron-on transfer of a scan of her original 8”x10” painting, additional iron-on transfers of scans of her original painted framing corners, hand-applied 3D gold glitter t-shirt paint, and hand-sewn beads.