Now I’m Left to Wonder if Anyone Noticed That My Dad Died.

My Dad died on February 28, 2024. Early that morning, I arrived at the funeral home and see one arrangement of flowers. They were from my brother’s coworkers. Two more arrangements arrived later that day. I don’t know who sent them. That was it. We had listed ‘Kerry’s Kittens‘ as a charity in lieu of […]

My Father Died Last Night

Two years ago this month, I wrote a similar blog post My Mother Died Last Night. I don’t know if it a coincidence or a sign that my father died in the same month. This was a Facebook post I created this morning. I’m posting here to preserve it. I will write a more traditional […]

2024 Political Q&A with Summer Lee: What You Need to Know About This Incumbent Candidate for US House District 12

Summer Lee for Congress

Beyond these fundamental protections, my campaign focuses on meaningful representation for the LGBTQ+ community in politics, warding off a right-wing Supreme Court that could poke holes in LGBTQ rights based on “religious liberty,” and addressing the many disparities that the LGBTQ+ community faces in affordable, inclusive health care. Meet the Candidate This is the next […]

2024 Political Q&A with Makenzie White: What You Need to Know About This Candidate for PA Senate District 45

Meet the Candidate This is the first post of our 2024 primary election season series ‘Political Q&A’ with progressive candidates throughout Pennsylvania. Candidates can be anywhere in Pennsylvania running for any level of office. Please note that these are not necessarily endorsements, more of an opportunity for candidates to connect with the LGBTQ community, progressives […]

40 Days This Blog Illumined the Advent of the Holiday Season

Memories of Christmas and other holiday events are part of life’s sustenance, good and bad. They remind of what we’ve experienced and also teach us about who we are. Or perhaps who we aspire to be? Since 2005, I’ve written many blog posts about this holiday. Many describe events long before I was born but […]

How I Will Remember Sinéad O’Connor

When I was 21 years old on October 3, 1992, Sinéad O’Connor was the brave hero I needed. I remember being at a retreat for campus ministry that weekend, watching the show stretched across longish sofas with pizza and pop and the righteous purity of our little Catholic college bubble. I remember the shock in […]

Another Update: Crowdfund to Distribute #ProtectTransKids Yard Signs in Brookline and Carnegie

Protect Trans Kids

Anyone can make an individual request for a yard sign, stickers, or pens at http://bit.ly/ProtectTransKidsSigns at no charge. Some communities have organized to distribute directly. We are crowdfunding with them to pay for a box of 50 signs ($580) so we can get them in the ground ASAP.  Our ‘urgent care’ vet office is on Brookline Boulevard. […]

The Easter My Dad Went Fishing Without Us

Easter brings to mind a lot of bullet point memories In 1983, things were bleak financially. I was 12 years old and in 7th grade. So, of course, my Dad decided to join my cousins on a spring fishing trip to the Outer Banks over Easter. They weren’t high end, but it was still money […]

I Voted for Jimmy Carter When I Was in First Grade

Jimmy Carter

In October 1976, Jimmy Carter was the Democratic nominee for President. I was five years old, in first grade at New England Elementary School. Our teacher explained to us in very basic terms how an election worked and what it meant to vote. Mrs. Moreno was her name. I’m pretty sure this was tied to […]

No Crib For a Bed

Now I’ve heard there was a secret chord That David played, and it pleased the Lord But you don’t really care for music, do you? I’ve always known that my family moved to West Mifflin when I was a preschooler so while I can lay claim to that corner of the blue collar world as […]