Monday, June 30, 2025
LGBTQ+ Pride Month: Organization Spotlight: Pflag
LGBTQ+ Pride Month: Show Recommendation: Pose
LGBTQ+ Pride Month: Book Recommendation: Unprotected by Billy Porter
Saturday, June 28, 2025
Saying Goodbye to a Doctor
Yesterday I had my final appointment with my long-time pulmonologist - Dr. Shapiro.
He has been a fixture in the NMD community for I don't know how long.
He has been my doctor for about 20 years.
Dr. Shapiro has literally changed my life.
In my first meeting with him, just by looking at me, he diagnosed me with two health conditions and immediately started prescribing treatments and referring me to other doctors for confirmation of his diagnoses.
I have seen him every three to four months since.
He is one of those rare doctors that takes a lot of time with you, asks a lot of questions, and follows up.
He makes sure that I get regular bloodwork and other tests to keep an eye on my health.
He's also very personable, and we enjoy bantering with each other.
Because he takes so long with every patient, I usually have to wait awhile to see him.
Two funny stories, given that fact.
Usually I meet with him in the late afternoon, after work.
Knowing that I would have to wait, I packed a book, a journal, I don't remember what else I had with me.
After our visit, he picked up my bag to help me with it.
"Girl, what do you have in this thing? This is too heavy for you." he said.
"If you wouldn't make me wait so long, I wouldn't have to bring so much shit," I retorted.
He grinned and said "Touche."
Another time I was reading when he finally came in the exam room.
I looked at him over the edge of the book and said, "I'm at a good part in my book. You're gonna have to wait."
That is the relationship we had.
I'm not sure I'll have that with another doctor.
It's sad and I will miss him, but I am also happy for him.
He has worked hard, and now it's time for him to enjoy his retirement.
I have a friend whose long-time doctor died. So obviously I am grateful that Dr. Shapiro is retiring. There is even a chance that he will work part time as a consultant. But he doesn't know yet. So I treated yesterday's appointment as our last visit. I wrote him a card, and we hugged. I told him how much I appreciated everything he has done for me.
I have met the doctor who will be taking over for him, and she seems nice and is definitely capable.
There is a saying that goes something like, "Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened."
That is what I am trying to do here.
Thank you, Dr. Shapiro.
I have the life that I have in large part because of you.
librarianintx
LGBTQ+ Pride Month: Show: Overcompensating
Overcompensating is a show currently streaming on Amazon Prime.
The main character, Benny, is a closeted guy in his first year of college.
Benny goes to great lengths to conceal his sexual orientation.
Confession: I haven't finished the season. I have two more episodes.
But I wanted to blog about it, especially after the blog post about Sally Ride.
Isn't it so sad that in 2025 we have to have a show about a young person in the closet?
Benny goes through so much torment, as he navigates attempting to join a fraternity, crushing on a classmate, dealing with his older sister and her boyfriend being at the same school, and developing a close friendship with a gal pal that he tries to date. He also struggles with family expectations and his identity as a high school jock.
I'm not sure that I can recommend Overcompensating.
Part of the problem is that I'm a middle-aged woman watching a raunchy show about a group of young people that don't know how to communicate with each other.
I don't dislike it.
But definitely the target audience is younger.
It has a 93% Rotten Tomatoes score, so people like it.
Maybe the appeal is that it is often over the top.
Also, the nostalgia factor - many of us remember how hard we used to try to fit in, before we realized how important it is to be ourselves.
There's nudity, a lot of sexual situations, and a lot of foul language in Overcompensating - but there's also real emotion and heart too.
It's an ensemble cast, and all of them are struggling and finding their way, not just Benny.
Maybe I like it better than I thought I did.
librarianintx
LGBTQ+ Pride Month: Documentary Recommendation: Sally
Sally is a documentary currently streaming on Hulu and Disney+ about the first American woman astronaut in space: Sally Ride.
There are spoilers in this blog post, so stop reading if you want to watch the documentary and not be spoiled.
Sally was not only the first American woman in space, she was also gay.
But she hid that part of her life from everyone except her very closest friends.
She gave her life partner of 27 years, Tam, permission to tell the world after she died.
Sally died at the age of 61 of pancreatic cancer.
She and Tam had known each other since they were kids.
They were together for 27 years.
So why did Sally choose to stay in the closet?
A number of reasons.
She grew up in a family that did not express their emotions.
She worked in a male-dominated field.
She was friends with Billy Jean King and witnessed what she endured when she was outed. She was taken to court, lost many of her endorsements, and was dragged through the mud in the media.
Sally became a celebrity when she was selected to be the first American woman astronaut.
She became a hero to many, especially girls.
She and Tam started a program to get more girls involved in STEM.
She was scared that if she and Tam were outed, then the program would be discontinued.
With celebrity status comes intense media scrutiny.
She was trying so hard to fit into the male-dominated world of NASA, and then she had to field ridiculous misogynistic questions.
When reporters referred to her as miss, she would rely, "You can call me Sally, or you can call me Doctor. Do not call me Miss."
It is very sad that Sally felt she could not live her live out in the open.
Given her situation, it makes sense. But it doesn't make it any less sad, for her and for Tam.
librarianintx
Friday, June 20, 2025
LGBTQ+ Pride Month Documentary Recommendation: Will & Harper
LGBTQ+ Pride Month: Hotlines for the LGBTQ+ Community
THIS IS NOT A POLITICAL POST.
It is simply stating facts.
In July, the Trump administration will eliminate funding for the section of the 988 Crisis and Suicide Prevention Hotline that serves LGBTQ+ youth.
LGBTQ+ will still be able to call 988 and receive help. But there will no longer be a section specifically for them with specially trained staff to meet their needs.
Here is a list of other hotlines that are available for anyone who identifies as LGBTQ+:
https://pflag.org/resource/support-hotlines
It is important for people to know these resources exist.
That there is help available.
Please share.
librarianintx
Tuesday, June 17, 2025
LGBTQ+ Pride Month: "It Gets Better" organization
https://itgetsbetter.org/about/
It Gets Better is a non-profit organization that seeks to uplift, empower, and connect lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer youth around the globe. This is accomplished by sharing stories, educating, and connecting globally.
By uplifting, empowering, and connecting LGBTQ youth, the goal is to create thriving LGBTQ adults, who can then help the next generation to thrive.
"It Gets Better" is an important concept for all LGBTQ youth.
And everyone can get involved in helping these young people feel safe to be themselves.
librarianintx
Sunday, June 15, 2025
LGBTQ+ Pride Month: Book Recommendation: The T Guide
I finished reading the T Guide last week.
It has a longer title.
I'm lazy. :)
Written by Gigi Gorgeous and Gottmik (both Drag Race alums, authors, and influencers among other jobs), this book contains everything you wanted to know about being transgender (including questions you shouldn't ask)
Contributors to the book are other members of the LGBTQ community, including Adam Lambert, Sasha Colby, and Senator Sarah McBride.
It's designed to be both a handbook for those somewhere in the transition process, or thinking about it, and an educational tool for allies who want to know about the physical, mental, and emotional changes experienced by trans friends and family.
I learned a lot by reading this book. An important thing to know is that transitioning is not a quick and simple process. Most people spend years transitioning. And there are a lot of options when it comes to the physical aspects.
librarianintx
Thursday, June 12, 2025
LGBTQ+ Pride Month: Book Recommendation: Red, White and Royal Blue
It's a completely implausible book that I absolutely loved.
When will it ever happen that the son of the President of the United States falls in love with an English Prince?
And the President is a woman from Texas, who is also a Democrat.
Well, a girl can dream.
And read a book about it. :)
Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston was so up my alley - a gay storyline, one family from Texas, the other English royalty - I couldn't ask for much more.
librarianintx
Tuesday, June 10, 2025
LGBTQ+ Pride Month: Trans Lifeline
Monday, June 09, 2025
LGBTQ+ Pride Month: Book Recommendation: Guncle
Sunday, June 08, 2025
LGBTQ+ Pride Month: Drag Brunch
Saturday, June 07, 2025
LGBTQ+ Pride Month: Special
Based somewhat on his memoir: I'm Special, and Other Lies We Tell Ourselves, Ryan O'Connell stars as his himself in the two-season comedy "Special" on Netflix, as he starts his first job and negotiates adult life as a gay man with cerebral palsy.
He's open about being gay.
About being disabled - not so much.
I'm very interested in intersectionality, so I enjoyed this show. I liked that the show dealt with ableism, co-dependency and body positivity, among other topics.
I also liked that the character of Ryan wasn't inspirational and faultless.
He was human.
Sometimes he was a jerk.
He was figuring out his life, just like everyone else.
Does the Ryan in "Special" figure out his life by the end of Season 2?
I don't spoil storylines! :)
Two years ago, the real Ryan published his first novel, Just by Looking at Him, which is about a writer who is gay, has CP, and is struggling with alcohol addiction and acceptance in our ableist world. It's on my TBR list (To Be Read).
librarianintx
Friday, June 06, 2025
LGBTQ+ Pride Month: Matteo Lane
I watch very little stand-up comedy, so I'm no expert, but...
Matteo Lane is FUNNY.
He's also smart, talented, hot, and gay.
He speaks four languages.
He's a painter, a cook, and he sings opera.
In April of this year, he released his first book: Your Pasta Sucks.
He's naturally funny, and he has a real gift for interacting with members of the audience and making them part of the show.
Here's an example: Matteo Lane - Italians, Germans, And The French
If you attend one of his shows, ask him how he feels about the Olive Garden. :)
librarianintx
Thursday, June 05, 2025
LGBTQ+ Pride Month Organization Spotlight: The Trevor Project
The Trevor Project: www.thetrevorproject.org
The Trevor Project operates a 24/7/365 hotline for LGTBQ+ young people in crisis.
The organization is also involved in advocacy, research, peer support, and public education.
The Trevor Project saves lives, and changes minds.
Donate if you are able.
Consider volunteering.
Spread the word about this vital resource for a vulnerable population.
librarianintx
Wednesday, June 04, 2025
LGBTQ+ Pride Month: Gay Men's Chorus
On May 18 I went to the Capital City Men's Chorus (CCMC) concert.
I had not been to a concert in several years - since before the pandemic.
I was so glad I went.
It was an afternoon of beautiful music, heartfelt personal stories, and a wonderful sense of community and inclusivity.
CCMC does not discriminate.
You do not have to identify as gay, and you do not have to identify as male, to be a member of the chorus.
You do have to be able to sing.
And sing they did.
If you have a Gay Men's Chorus in your city, go to a show.
Support the arts in your community.
Now more than ever, support queer art where you live.
Many programs are losing funding and need ticket sales and donations to remain operational.
There are costs associated with choruses that many don't consider, such as venue rentals, paying musicians, printing programs, etcetera.
I feel privileged to have a Gay Men's Chorus where I live, and I hope they have the opportunity to continue serenading the community for years to come.
librarianintx
Tuesday, June 03, 2025
Me and the Queens
I promise, all my posts for Pride month are not going to be about drag queens.
Although they could be. :)
Anyway, here are some pictures of me meeting some of them.
Most of the pictures are from Drag Race tour shows.
The last picture is of me meeting Yvie Oddly at her book signing event.
Two stories about me and queens.
Story #1:
I met Eureka (blond in the red dress), who I absolutely adore!
After we hugged and took the picture and I told her I loved her, she said,
"Girl, that hair color is everything!!"
It was one of the best moments OF MY LIFE!
A drag queen complimented my hair!
Life doesn't get much better than that.
Story #2:
When I met Yvie, we did the sideways hug thing when we had our picture taken.
Then she said to me, "Okay, now I need a real hug,"
And she gave me a full-on, just the right type of tight, big hug.
It was wonderful.
If you don't know Yvie, look for videos of her on YouTube.
She has the most unique laugh I've ever heard.
I love it.
librarianintx
Monday, June 02, 2025
LGBTQ+ Pride Month Show Spotlight: "We're Here"
Remember how I said in my last post that many queens from Ru Paul's Drag Race have gone on to star in other shows?
Ladies and gentlemen, exhibit A: "We're Here."
We're Here was on for four seasons on HBO Max.
The first three seasons starred Eureka, Shangela, and Bob the Drag Queen.
Season Four starred Sasha Velour, Priyanka, and Jada Essence Hall.
On the show, the drag queens traveled across the country, recruiting people (see what I did there?) to get drag queen makeovers and star in a town drag show. People from all walks of life, all genders, all colors - inclusive.
True confessions - I have not watched Season Four yet.
But I ADORED seasons one through three.
So fun.
So touching.
So much heart.
So fabulous.
These makeovers were transformative.
I wish every homophobe was made to watch this show.
Maybe it would change their narrow-minded views about gay people, especially about trans people.
If you only watch two episodes, watch Florida Part One and Florida Part Two of Season Three.
But really, watch all of it.
It will make you have all the feels.
Here's a clip from Season 1, with Hunter, and her Drag Mother Shangela:
https://youtu.be/uBiLhWSl334?si=XerXSIUjVMxH04SD
librarianintx
Sunday, June 01, 2025
LGBTQ+ Pride Month Show Spotlight: "Ru Paul's Drag Race"
Happy LGBTQ+ Pride Month!
LGBTQ+ Pride Month is celebrated every year during the month of June to commemorate the Stonewall Riots, which occurred in 1969.
You might be saying, "Why do you keep typing "LGBTQ+? We know what Pride is."
But Disability Pride is celebrated in July every year, so that's why I'm making the distinction.
Ru Paul has been the face of drag for decades.
His show, Ru Paul's Drag Race, began in America 18 seasons ago, and has since become a franchise and worldwide phenomenon.
It is a weekly reality show where drag queens compete to win the title of "America's Favorite Drag Superstar" which includes a cash prize and gifts.
It's a show filled with fun, camp, pain, heart, and fabulousness.
There have also been "Drag Race All Star" seasons, Ru Paul's Drag U, Ru Paul's Secret Celebrity Drag Race, and Ru Paul's Drag Race Global All Starts.
At least fifteen other countries have had their own Drag Race competitions.
Ru Paul's Drag Race has won 27 Emmy Awards, and 6 MTV Movie & TV Awards, among other awards.
Contestants from the show have used their exposure to carve out success in the entertainment industry, including touring; creating music, art, and fashion; appearing on Broadway; writing books; and staring in other television shows.
Ru Paul's Drag Race will make you laugh, tear up, and show you how to "throw shade," "spill tea", and "be sickening."
Check out Ru Paul's Drag Race on Paramount+.
librarianintx
Thursday, May 22, 2025
Survivor Season 48 Finale: My Thoughts
Um...
It was okay.
I'm conflicted.
Kyle deserved to win - because he won the final challenge, and because he did the best in the final tribal council.
You never know what a jury is going to want.
But lately they seem to go for big reveals.
That's what this jury seemed to want.
And Kyle and Eva gave them what they wanted.
Joe did not.
I knew Joe wasn't going to win when he weakly said, "I'm just a fireman."
Joe was a comp beast, a family man, a compassionate and caring man.
But he did not outplay, outwit, and out last.
I'm just kind of confused.
Ever since the merge, it was "Get Joe out. We gotta get Joe out."
And then at five they vote out Mitch?!?
But Kyle was right. He thought he could beat Joe, and he did. Solidly.
But I kinda feel like he and Kamila should have been co-winners.
And it was Kamila's comments while sitting on the jury that backed up Kyle's claims of plotting to get out Shahin.
After the vote, instead of basking in Kyle's win, it turned into more of the Eva show.
I really enjoyed this season.
Mitch, Eva, and Joe were my favorites.
But the finale was kind of meh for me.
I wanted to see Joe fight for the win, and earn it.
librarianintx
Tuesday, May 20, 2025
Survivor Season 48: Predictions
Wednesday, May 07, 2025
The 5 AM Club
"Be on Time Chronicles": Driver Dilemma
Sunday, May 04, 2025
Writing Prompt for May 4th: Hobbies and Activities You Enjoyed When You Were Younger
1) Swimming
I LOVED to swim! It was my only form of exercise besides walking. I'm a Pices. I loved the feeling of being in the water, how light my body felt. I also loved swimming under the water and could hold my breath for a pretty long time. I feel bad for my sister though. When we were young, my sister had the responsibility of getting me out of the pool when it was time, and I fought her all the time. She had to drag me kicking and screaming, which caused a scene at our apartment complex.
2) Needlework
I enjoyed cross stitch as a teenager. I never learned counted cross stitch; I did the ones with the x's. Most the pieces I did, I gave away as gifts. My eyes won't let me do cross stitch anymore.
3) Dolls
I loved playing with dolls. I didn't have a huge Barbie collection, but it was big enough for me. A friend of one of my aunt's hand-made some barbie clothes for me. They were so nice, but they were also very 70's! I looked at them recently and planned to give my collection to my oldest niece for her daughter, but the dolls and clothes did not age well.
4) Reading
I was also an avid reader (and still am).
I was (and still am) a devoted Little House on the Prairie fans. I read all the books. I have three nieces, but none of them read the books. They were all into Harry Potter. I also loved Beverly Cleary and Judy Blume books. I had the honor of meeting Judy Blume at a book signing a few years ago.
5) Journaling
I am an avid journal writer and have been since I was eight years old. I recently brought journals from my mom's house, but I haven't counted them yet. Thirty maybe? Maybe more.
librarianintx
Friday, May 02, 2025
Writing Prompt for May 3rd: Activities That Make You Lose Track of Time
This can also be called a flow state.
reading a good book
watching a good show
journaling and blogging
playing phone games
some examples: Sudoku, Cross Math, Triple Tile, Boggle, Minesweeper, Waffle, etcetera
doing word searches, cryptograms, and other puzzles
cooking
librarianintx
Writing Prompt for May 2nd: Times You've Felt Most Like Yourself
I would say when I'm having a productive day at work.
It feels really good being busy at work.
Helping people
researching information
creating fact sheets and guides
Jumping in to help co-workers when needed.
Twenty-five years in...and I still love my job.
librarianintx
Writing Prompt for May 1st: Things You'd Do If You Knew You Couldn't Fail
The quick and easy answer: everything
But it's not realistic
And even though failing sucks...
It's often an element of success.
Success is even sweeter and more triumphant when you survive failure on the path.
I think a better question for me would be:
What would I attempt if I knew I wouldn't get hurt doing it?
If I could physically do it.
Like run a marathon
Or swim the English Channel.
I've watched videos of the Boston Marathon recently.
Seeing the joy and pride as people cross the finish line - I'd love to experience that feeling.
librarianintx
Tuesday, April 29, 2025
Should one moment define your life?
Something happened yesterday -
I don't mean to vague-post, but I would rather not go into specifics.
Someone made a comment during an online event that was...not nice.
Happens frequently these days, unfortunately.
Today this person sincerely apologized and took responsibility for their actions.
So, my question is, should this one moment of thoughtlessness, frustration, bad temper, whatever was going on, define that person?
Will the person be remembered for that one moment of poor judgement, communicated without forethought?
Two examples:
Will Smith
One minute he's a wildly popular actor, rapper, comedian.
Then he slaps another actor onstage at the Oscars in front of millions of people, and in that instant, he becomes persona non grata.
He is banned from the Oscars.
He loses job opportunities.
The public turns against him.
He is almost arrested.
Travis Kelse
One minute he's a successful, respected football player
He's also Taylor Swift's hunky boyfriend.
Then he shoves his coach during a heated moment in the Super Bowl, and suddenly he's not only a man capable of violence, he's also suddenly an abuser.
Many people go online, urging Taylor to leave him before she gets physically assaulted.
If she hasn't already been.
From America's best boyfriend to "run away, run fast".
Is this right?
Is it fair?
Should who you are be defined by one moment in your life?
In my two examples, should Will and Travis have been able to control their temper?
Of course.
But are we holier than thou to insist that WE would have been able to?
We are all capable of good and bad.
Some mistakes are bigger and more public than others.
But we are all capable of screwing up.
That is part of what makes us human.
I think how we handle the aftermath of our mistakes should define our character more than the mistake itself.
And as humans, we should also be capable of understanding, grace, and forgiveness.
librarianintx
Thursday, April 17, 2025
Winning quote
"Winning doesn't always mean being first. Winning means you're doing better than you've done before" - Bonnie Blair, professional speed skater
I like this quote.
I would even take it a step further.
Winning can mean taking the step to do anything, especially if it's something you haven't done before.
Winning can mean having the courage to try.
Making the attempt.
Seeing something through to its conclusion.
Maybe you didn't win the writing or art contest.
But you signed up for it, you created something, and you submitted that creation.
You didn't win the race.
But you finished it.
And maybe you beat your own record.
That's a win for you.
Your team didn't win the game.
But you all played hard, you worked together as a team, and you didn't give up.
Winning is a tremendous feeling.
But trying and finishing should feel awesome too.
librarianintx
Wednesday, March 12, 2025
Paratransit Survival Kit
Sunday, March 02, 2025
The Oscars
Sunday, February 23, 2025
Living a Healthier Lifestyle
Monday, February 17, 2025
In This Political Climate...
Monday, February 10, 2025
Super Bowl Performances - My Thoughts
Saturday, January 25, 2025
Elon Musk - Did He or Didn't He?
Wednesday, January 22, 2025
"Just put on an extra sweater"
People who tell me that don't know enough about me.
So I am here to educate.
Many people with neuromuscular diseases are cold intolerant.
But unfortunately, but with limited physical abilities, including arm movements, wearing extra layers of clothing can make moving even more difficult, if not impossible.
This morning it had snowed a little, so I wanted to go outside.
I put on a thermal undershirt, long sleeved turtleneck, zip up fleece jacket, and a puffer jacket. Getting the puffer jacket on over the other layers was difficult, but I made it. But even without the jacket, wearing the other layers made it hard for me to raise my arms to reach things, carry things or comb my hair. Not just difficulty moving my arms; my shoulders feel heavy too.
Today I chose warmth over ease of movement.
But I could make that choice because I didn't have to go anywhere.
I didn't have to worry about how my hair looked.
I didn't have to get on a bus or reach the elevator buttons or assemble packets of resources at work.
So just keep that in mind the next time you see that I'm cold, or that I say I'm cold.
Decisions aren't easy.
Solutions sometimes result in problems.
But we do the best we can.
librarianintx
Sunday, January 19, 2025
"Storytelling is a Powerful Form of Advocacy"
Words to Live By
Wednesday, January 01, 2025
Favorite Books from 2024
I read 36 books in 2024.
I am only in competition with myself when it comes to how much I read.
I have friends who read many more books than I do.
I was in a reading slump for part of last year.
I hate reading slumps.
When I am enjoying a book so much that I don't want to put it down, that is a happy place for me.
Here are my favorite titles from last year:
"I Will Always Write Back" by Martin Ganda and Caitlin Alifirenka: The true story of two middle schoolers, one from the Midwest and the other from Zimbabwe, who began a lifelong friendship as pen pals.
"The Goldie Standard" by Simi Monheit - a Jewish grandmother is on a mission to marry off her granddaughter to a 'nice Jewish doctor'
"Have a Little Faith: A True Story" Mitch Albom - Mitch connects with his childhood rabbi and an African American pastor and learns about faith and connection
I also found two new authors to like:
Carolyn Meyer - YA historical fiction
John Glatt - true crime
librarianintx