From the Travels of the Two Auntees

This is a view of Thomas Jefferson's house at Monticello, VA. There are some great gadgets and antiques and a great display of objects that he was given by Lewis and Clark from their travels as they explored the West in the great waiting room.

This picture was taken in the courtyard area of the Brandywine River Museum, in Chadds Ford, Pa. Someone told us when we were in Delaware that it would be a short trip to see the home of Andrew Wyeth's home in Chadds Ford, and we are always up for an adventure. I realized later that I didn't take any pictures of his home or the studio that was built by his father, N. C. Wyeth. I did not know about NC Wyeth. As a premier artist and teacher he would gather the actual items to paint for his pictures; costumes, busts, pistons, rifles, farm implements and tools. He even bought a birchbark canoe from the indians and has it shipped back by train for just one of his pictures. He traveled to the west to live the life of a 'cowboy' and paint them. He brought back western 'cowboy' clothing to add his collection. N C painted the original illustrations for "Treasure Island" and was paid $2000 in 1911 by which he bought the land where his studio and house sits. Those paintings measuring at least 4 ft by 5 ft are hanging in the Brandywine Museum down the hill from his house.

I just had to go back and visit once again the Navy's School of Music, located at the Naval Amphibious Base at Little Creek, VA. This was where I had to go after my basic Army training as well as my Advanced training for Group Leaders and First Sergeants Courses. Going back into the building was a little weird. But they have some odd instruments of display in the front hallway; like a Bass Saxophone and a Sousaphone that is a woodwind instrument. Didn't want to trespass too far, so I didn't attempt to walk the hall to the classrooms. We didn't spend too much time at the school as I wanted to take Kay to the beach at Cape Henry, and view the light houses on Fort Story, which is an Army Base near VA beach.

This is my backside as I was looking for shells and other odd bits that we collected. We even brought back with us a piece of driftwood of fair size. We always feel a need to get close to water sometimes and this was our chance; only one other family on the beach.
This is a picture of the first and oldest light house on Cape Henry, there 191 steps which will take you to the top. But which we didn't climb; too much time and energy as we needed to head north to Delaware.

Overall we had a great trip the weather was very nice and even though it was mid November, the trees still had their canopy of leaves in subdue fall colors. Still very beautiful colors from a late fall season. It was on the last few days that we had rain and even saw some blowing snow for awhile.

Class of '76 reunion

This past weekend I attended my class reunion of '76 from Winthrop University. Although I didn't know any of the other class members who attended, they were quick to accept and include me in the group. We had a great evening on Friday and then Saturday Morning our class had a group picture made. I was amazed at how relaxed I was during the weekend and how well it all went. I did explain and tell a few people the "Rest of the Story" as it used to be and they all seemed as it didn't matter. I don't know how much they continued to 'talk' after I left saturday night, but the next morning all were very cordial and social with me.

During those 2 years I was in grad school with the music department I was quite busy, enough that I didn't interact with other school activities. I at least want to thank Margaret for making great memories and letting me have a great time during the weekend.

As always, I try to return to my house I lived in when we visit places that I lived; and again I couldn't find the house. Everything has changed soo much over the last 35 years. However, when we took a short trip to the church were I was the Choir Director those many years ago, it was still there; and we drove by the house where my friends live; just up the road from the church.

The Children will lead the Way!

This young lady stole my heart, thank you Big A, I love you back.

We have been thanked several time this past week for making people laugh. People have commented on our sense of lightness and giggles we have shared over looks, stories, jabs between us. We seem to make other people happy, and that really is kind of them to share those feeling with us. People can see our happiness by the smiles we carry everywhere and that's only because we live open, honest and full lives.

Lately it seems like my biggest supporters come from the children in our lives and I believe that if parents follow their lead, they will bring us, people like me, out into the open. It will be our children who will help us change people's minds and the world we live in.

When we told the member of you church that I was trans and would be attending Church as Sarah, some people's first though was, "What are we going to tell our children?". That was 7 years ago and we can't keep up with the number of children who have touched our lives, or the number of families who have shared a meal with us. To members of our Church we are known as the "Aunties", we watch and care for children, hold them, change diapers, put them to sleep when we are allowed.

A few years ago there were two babies who were getting fussy during the 'coffee hour' after church and since Kay and I had finished eating and the parents seemed to be needing a break, we each took a baby and went to the swing outside for a bit. It wasn't long before the both of them were soon fast asleep in our arms and we were able to lay them down in the cribs in our nursery. As so "the Auntee's" reputation for calming babies grew. And so yesterday a new father had brought his new daughter to church to show her off. After services we were talking and admiring the new one who was getting fussy and so he offered to let someone hold her; so I dropped my purse and held our my arms. She was still a little fussy being held in my arms, so I laid her on my shoulder and she seemed to calm down rather quickly, enough that her dad said that I had the "touch" and I said the Aunties' are know for having the touch.

Lately a young couple, we spent a day together at a park recently, has a young son who thinks the world of me, and it probable is because I listen and got down on his level to play with him. And so they have decided to keep coming to Church. Well it happens that there is an older woman who knew me as John, when she left has returned to town to find that I have transitioned and now see's Sarah, seems she has a problem with me now. The problem came to light when she started talking to this young couple about how she didn't like me now and didn't understand, and she was given both gun barrels, as it were. This older woman was told that their son loves Sarah, and she had best keep her opinions to herself and never speak against me in front of them or their son ever again.

Ya gotta love those who accept us for who we are.