Thought No. 1: My recent mission work to make the world better for all humans has included presenting to two Minnesota governmental agencies and then speaking at the La Crescent MN Public Library where I talked about my first book, Getting to Ellen (the library later hosted two meetings to discuss the book). After speaking in La Crescent, I travelled to Cedar Rapids where I spoke at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church—once to workshop Gray Area Thinking® and the next day to talk about how being transgender isn’t a “choice.” They were so welcoming at the church! And just today, via Zoom I was on a panel of transgender lawyers hosted by the New York State Unified Court System; the topic was challenges around being transgender (either as a lawyer or as a litigant/defendant) in courtroom settings. 

Thought No. 2: Longtime Ripple readers will recall that I wrote a monthly column for Lavender Magazine for a decade until 2022, when I resigned in protest over a new policy mandating that I couldn’t pen anything political, and instead could only write about “life and leisure.” Well, Lavender abruptly folded this past June and alumni from the magazine decided to start a brand-new LGBTQ+-focused publication. Thus, I’m thrilled to announce that I’ll be writing monthly for Q Minnesota, a lovely publication that’s several steps above Lavender in quality. Here’s a link to my first column! Please subscribe to Q MN!

Thought No. 3: On my way to Cedar Rapids earlier in the month, I stopped in Decorah, Iowa, which had the entire main drag decked out in Pride flags (just by chance, it was Pride weekend!). While in town, I stumbled upon an incredible artist-owned store named “Story People.” Ellen and her son Matthew and their colleagues create wonderful art and spectacular greeting cards with uplifting messages of hope and support— I was brought to tears by some of the messages. Check out their website here and consider ordering something! 

Thought No. 4:  Just to give you a sense of the serenity I experienced on Cape Cod, above is a morning picture I snapped on Head of the Meadow beach just south of Provincetown. I’ve decided that I will go back to Ptown annually as long as I’m physically able; there is just something about the ocean that grounds me like nothing else! 

Thought No. 5: Next week will be my last speaking engagement until late January. The Trump administration’s anti-DEI crusade has devastated my ability to stand in rooms to advocate for compassion and kindness for all humans. It’s all so sad! Thankfully, I still have my radio show, The Illegal Trans Woman (now airing in four cities), and the Q MN column. I just have to hope that someday things will turn around, and that I’ll still be here to reengage. We shall see. 

Final Thought:  Last month, I tried to launch a “Good Hearts” Project: As I eplained then, this newsletter is intended to be about how humans are good to each other. I comb the internet for stories of compassion and kindness, but I also would like to offer stories from my readers. I had asked you to send along stories of kindness toward other humans or youself, but no one responded! Darn! Before I give up, I'm putting this out here one more time. Do I have any takers? Email me at elliejkrug@gmail.com and we will go from there! Thanks!