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Another Guest Post!! You'd almost think that this is a real blog! Our guest poster today is my oldest child, Lydia. So, away we go! My name is Lydia. I am Catherine’s oldest biological child; the college drop-out and wannabe cat whisperer. I’m also the genderqueer member of the gang and Mom asked me to write something for you all for Pride Month. So. Hi, Mom’s followers! Happy Pride! Of course, I say this as I start writing this on the 2nd-to-last day of Pride Month. It’ll pr

Today I went to my first Pride event, the Stevens Point Pride Fest! Patrick and I met Lydia for lunch and then met Jenna, Chris's fiancee at the event. There were a couple of people there that I knew, and Lydia introduced me to a few of her friends. And, I became an official "Mom hugger"! I got to officially give out "Mom hugs" or handshakes or high fives or fist bumps to anyone who wanted them. Here is a link to the Stevens Point Journal write-up of the event. It explains wh

Here's an overview of what has been going on in my life in the last few months. Migraine Yep. I still have Chronic Migraine. In fact, I've been having more trouble with pain since before my hysterectomy in November. I was hesitant to do anything about it until I was recovered from surgery, which took longer than expected. Then, I had problems with my depression until we finally decided just to increase my amitriptyline back to where it was. After all that was done, my migrain

Ya'll, I have a guest poster!! My blog is becoming a real blog. Jesi is dear friend, practically daughter. She lived with us for 6 months when she was five years old - she's now 24. I've known her for almost her entire life! I wanted her to share her story because it highlights what it is like for some people to grow up gay and to lose the support of their family. But, Jesi's story is ultimately happy, as you'll see. So, here she is . . . We all know it's pride month, by defi

I have been watching the situation at our southern border over the last few months with absolute horror. I want to run down there and take all of those children held in "prisons" and put them back with their parents where they belong! Instead, I'm up here in rural Wisconsin feeling incredibly useless. But, we live in a democracy and we aren't useless. Our government is for the people and by the people. We do have a say in what happens, even if the wheels of change move slowly

"When you are somewhere, be there!" That was one of my dad's favorite sayings when I was growing up. And I needed to hear it. I'm a planner and anticipater (and worrier), so I try to live in the future. Right now, I'm thinking about and planning for going to camp tomorrow!! Our family has been going to Fort Wilderness Family Camp in the Northwoods of Wisconsin for the last 16 summers! When I was growing up down South, we sent the kids away to camp so the adults could have som

Another book review for Pride month! I came across Austen Hartke on a The Bible for Normal People podcast and I loved listening to him so I knew I had to read his book. Hartke is a transgender Christian and is the creator of the YouTube series Transgender and Christian. His education is from Luther Seminary's Master of Arts program in Old Testament/Hebrew Bible Studies. Transforming is his first book. Transforming is a compelling book exploring transgender identity through sc

I tried a couple of new recipes this week and thought I'd share them with you. Maybe I'm becoming a lifestyle blogger?! Keto Chia Seed Chocolate Pudding I have no idea why I thought that I should try such a thing, but I searched out a few recipes and finally ended up making my own. Here it is: 1 14.5oz. can full fat coconut milk 2 Tbsp cream, 1/2 and 1/2, or more coconut milk (optional) 1/3 cup cocoa 1/2 cup granulated erythritol 1/2 tsp. vanilla 1/2 cup chia seeds Whisk toge

I generally do my book reviews over on GoodReads, but I'm doing a couple here on my blog for Pride Month, starting with Susan Cottrell's "Mom I'm Gay". This book is intended as the first book that an Evangelical parent reads after their kid comes out to them as LGBTQ. And, as that, it is excellent. Each chapter is short and intended to deal with one issue about "coming out". The chapter ends with a few questions to the parent about how they handled the situation, what they co

Today's lectionary reading is from Galatians 5:16-25. 16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatr