Thought No. 1:  As indicated above, following the Kirk assassination, the “Oversight Project,” an offshoot of the Heritage Foundation (the lovely folks who brought us Project 2025), began urging the FBI to create a brand-new category of domestic terrorism. That proposed terrorism category is titled “TIVE” –"Transgender Ideology-Inspired Violent Extremism.” (Read more here.) If the FBI goes along with this, it would mean that simply telling others that transgender people “have the right to exist” or using phrases like “cisgender” or “misgendering” could be deemed characteristics of TIVE extremism. In other words, my advocacy and that of others aimed at protecting transgender human rights could be deemed a “threat” and worthy of arrest. I wish I was making this up; it’s just absolutely Orwellian! Of course, I’ll keep you posted about what the FBI ultimately does with this. 

Thought No. 2: I got back from Cape Cod to find three postcards in the mail. (See above photo.) As you can see, the postcards, signed only with first names, offer wonderful words of support and affirmation. I finally figured out who was the ringleader—my friend Ellen, who I thanked for organizing this. Later, yet another post card arrived as well—postmarked from Hawaii! All the supportive words were so very needed!

Thought No. 3:  Being Ellen: A Second Chance at Life continues to sell nicely—of course, it is available on Amazon and Kindle, but also at Off the Beaten Path in Steamboat Springs and now also at Cream & Amber in Hopkins MN. You can certainly order it from your local bookstore too! And I’m looking forward to a November 3rd book club discussion at an Excelsior MN church (they had purchased 25 inscribed books!) and another discussion with retired therapists in St. Paul in December. If your book club reads either of my books, I’m happy to come for the discussion pro bono! 

Thought No. 4:   If you bought Being Ellen via Amazon and liked it, I would greatly appreciate you posting a review of the book on Amazon. And of course, anyone who has read the book (purchased from any source) can post a review on Goodreads. Thanks!

Thought No. 5: The government shutdown is having horrible consequences for the most vulnerable. I’m on the board of our local Community Action Partnership (CAP) agency and have learned that unless the government is funded, SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and WIC (a supplemental nutrition program for women, infants and children) benefits will cease at the end of the month. If you know of vulnerable families, this is the time to reach out to support them. I certainly will do that. 

Thought No. 6:  If you reside in the Eastern Carver County School District where I live and serve as a school board director, please remember to vote on a funding referendum on November 4. The District has had to make $5 million in cuts due to a budget shortfall, and the referendum is intended to get the district back to equilibrium, plus add some needed programs and staff, such as additional high school counselors (our students are experiencing incredible degrees of stress!). (Read more here.) Make sure to check your polling location—it may not be the usual place. (In Victoria, where I live, it’s at the Vic Rec Center, not at Lion’s Park.) Thanks for voting one way or the other!

Last Thought: 1 I have been dutifully pumping out this newsletter nearly every month since July 2016. Some of you have been with me from the beginning—thank you for that! Even though it’s a good deal of work, I want you to know how much joy I experience with ever Ripple I publish. I’m often brought to tears as I assemble the links and videos—it’s because I’m reminded that we really do care about each other so much more than one would guess. It is human (and sometimes, animal) goodness that so touches my heart. I just wanted you to know that!