Ways of Being.

Hi kids! I'm endeavoring to write more consistently in this Blog. I am losing affection for the Christian-model of humans. Frankly, I do not think we are created, "Broken", though Life certainly tries to break us. Or perhaps, a more-true thought is that when Life is not lifting us up, it is breaking us down. It rarely is "neutral". There are so many ways to "be" in the world. Sometimes--lately, quite often-- I feel like an Agnostic--someone for whom the very "idea" of God seems too distant, too faraway, too nebulous. A cumulus cloud, fading...and, in the very next breath, I'll find myself remembering watch beloved Mom attempting to pray, (try as she might, she could not speak the words; she was able only to whisper "I can't".) as I comforted (I hope) her, saying "Well, that's okay, Mom, I'll say the words, and you can say them in your head, okay?" She looked relieved and muttered, through a slight smile, "Okay...", as I prayed "The Lord's Prayer" and a "Hail Mary" for her. Earlier today, while scrolling through Facebook and friend's posts, I came across a nun explaining the Rosary being "Sung by Dominicans". It was kind of delightful and my joy at discovering that post, begs the question: Can someone be both ambivalent about God, while actively searching for SIGNS of God? Is it hypocritical to have membership in--and truly enjoy--a group on Facebook known as "Liberals, Atheists, Feminists, and Friends", while simultaneously planning a prayer or meditation session, or going into a church or Mass, to light a candle, for those who no longer, can? I can assure you, I suffer from no "cognitive dissonance". I feel culturally like the same "Cradle Catholic" I've always been: honoring Jesus Christ as a man of peace and good will, but feeling inside that God is "within". That we must fix ourselves, alone. I feel such kinship with the "Humanists" who believe only humans can advance humans, that we must respect all life. So that's where I'm at these days, broken-but-not-broken, a doubter, who believes. Peace, kids.

HAPPY EASTER/HAPPY SPRING!!!

HAPPY EASTER/HAPPY SPRING!!!
If you call yourself a Christian, then today is one of the most important days of your life--the commemoration/celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Even before I embraced faith, even back when I lived and breathed only Atheist "doctrine"(if I could not SEE something in front of me, it did not exist), Spring still felt "special". I now know that what I responded to back then, was the sense of "renewal" one feels, every Spring.
With meditation and prayer, I made the link only a few years ago, to a belief in God, and in Christ.
I am one of those liberal Christians who believes in the tenants of "social Gospel"--that means we endeavor to address the needs of the marginalized--just as Christ did. Feeding the hungry, clothing and housing the poor, and providing education and medical and other assistance for the troubled. I also believe that those who call themselves "Christian" who attempt to exclude those of us who are LGBTQ, are deeply misguided(Blacks were once excluded from many early Christian groups). God exists for all of us. Period.
I will never tell you that my way is the only way to enlightenment, or fulfillment. But I can tell you, without reservation, that with God I am a larger, more fulfilled person, than I was for so many years before finding my way to faith.
I pray that all my readers will come to a sense of serving a larger purpose, however you may find it.
God Bless You All, and HAPPY EASTER!!
http://www.paxchristiusa.org/
Please note: I'll be out-of-town for nearly 8 days, and will resume blogging and responding to e-mails, next Tuesday, April 21st.

GAY MARRIAGE SHOULD BE CELEBRATED BY US ALL!
Because it is recognition of legal, civil, moral connection between two people who love, and are committed, to one another. Because if we are a loving nation, we are pro-love. Because this group of people---LGBTQ persons, are the last group to be afforded what EVERYONE ELSE takes for granted. Because it's common sense. Because LGBTQ people just want to be able to say "Here is my wife." or "Here is my husband.", with the same joy as everyone else. Because this is long, long over-due.
I hope this law in California will eventually lead to protections for LGBTQ persons, such that they are FEDERALLY ensured of their rights...
I heard Ellen Degeneres wasted no time, and asked lovely Portia to be her bride.Congratulations, ladies.

How do I begin to describe Tuesday evening at Outwrite?
It was grand enough that Franklin Abbott included me in the Features for this quarterly event, along with Craig Washington, and Franklin himself...
A BIG THANK YOU to OUTWRITE BOOKS and owner, Phillip Rafshoon,for letting us participate in the celebration of Community that OUTWRITE BOOKS so embodies!
What made the evening so interesting was the wonderful range and diversity of work--both contained in each writer's selections, and of course, the diversity seen in the three of us, in terms of gender, race, orientation, and background....
Franklin's gentle, soft-spoken delivery and subtle pacing allows the listener to "drink in" his marvelous imagery. Especially lovely were his reminisces on India--especially on the nature of meditation/Buddhism, etc.. --where he recently visited...

I was up to speak, and I opened with "The Orgasm Poems"--with two new Orgasms added from my last Feature at Outwrite...
I then read a somewhat dramatic excerpt about a stripper who has multiple cosmetic surgeries because her husband insists she have them, and then she later discovers her husband is not who she thought he was(this character is one of several strippers I'll portray--or refer to-- in my one-woman "Show & Tell",)...It's based on a true story, kids.I'll give you a hint about this excerpt's "twist" ending: it involves gender-identity!

Craig Washington's evocative musings on Hattie McDaniel were heartbreaking, without being maudlin. The perception he exhibited in terms of what it means to have Ms. McDaniel's "Mammy" as both unwitting icon, and caricature/awful stereotype of African-Americans and the contrast between that character and WHO Ms. McDaniel truly was, was awe-inspiring...
As was his ode to Ms. Audre Lorde--a favorite poet of mine, too, Mr. Washington.
It was a tender tribute to Ms. Lorde and to his own father, that had me blotting my eyes...

Check out Craig Washington at Craig Werks...

Franklin Abbott at:

www.atlantarainbowmuse.com

A shout-out to several young men who came by after the Reading,to tell me what I spoke about in "The Orgasm Poems" was entertaining, and funny.
My PCP doctor showed up--seems he's on the "Outwrite Mailing List" and so knew I was Featuring...Thanks, "Dr. K.", that was really sweet for you to come over & celebrate!!
Other audience members...
One African-American gay man told me "I said now what is this conservative little woman going to say?"
I interrupted him to say,"No, I'm not conservative--not politically, socially, sexually..."
He responded,"I know-- WOW--you put it out there, honey...."

"And was there anything you, a gay, African-American male could relate to, in my experiences as a bi, white woman?"

"Oh, yeah, honey...And once you say these things,it makes it easier to talk like this, you know?"

Yes,indeed, I do....


A final note:

Jerry Falwell, dead at 73...
Like the Gay and Lesbian Task Force stated, early on Tuesday--"Condolences go out to those who were close to you, Mr. Falwell.But you will be remembered by all of us as.."

I'll label it:
A hate-monger. A fearful man, stirring up more fear. A man who called himself Christian, without--in my humble opinion--without ever once considering what true Spirituality means.Your Religiosity had no Grace to offer, no shelter or comfort to give to those wanting...
I'll not jump up and down, thinking "Ding Dong The Witch is dead, the wicked old..."
I'll try to be quiet. And I'll pray for you, Mr. Falwell.But I'll pray even more, for those you hurt.