List of Officers:
President: Gloria Fenton
Vice President: Michelle Stuart
Sec/Treasurer: Sandy

Newsletter Staff:
Editor: Tanya Brown
Publisher: Deborah Lynnette Lee

Well, here we are in the holiday season - a time for sharing with family and friends and giving thanks for the unity which holds us together as Human Beings. No other time of year brings out the best in us so well. "Peace on Earth, Goodwill Towards Men" takes on more of a meaning....or at least seems to.

It is also a time of closing out the old year, putting behind the frustrations and woes which have plagued us all year. We remember the good and renew our hope for the wonders of the new year to come.

For many, it is a time for us to repledge our faith; not only in our religions but in Mankind as well. It is a time to reach out in friendship and love.

Thanksgiving is a time to unite family and community. The first Thanksgiving didn't end the problems between the Indians and the Pilgrims but it was a needed celebration to honor the human spirit in its quest to survive almost insurmountable odds.

At this time of year we also remember the birth of Jesus, his life and teachings. Through faith, love, understanding and forgivness, we can all share in his promise of the glory to come.

It is also a time when many of us reflect upon ourselves and our own lives. Have we always been fair and just, or have we retaliated with the weapons of war rather than the olive branch? If I have learned anything in life, the biggest lesson perhaps is that I am human. I do make mistakes. I don't always give the understanding and love which is needed. I must forgive as well as ask forgivness.

This time of year has always been magical and wonderful to me. I hope I can share that feeling in some way with all my sisters and friends. To those who will attend the Christmas party, I look forward to sharing a very special time with you. To those who cannot attend, I hope you know Alpha Omega wishes you all the best of the holiday season.

Together we can do some mighty wonderous things. I hope the unity of the holiday season will bring us all together in love and friendship as we look forward to the future with renewed faith and purpose.

Sincerely, Gloria

Hello Girls,

Christmas is only a few weeks away and the shopping is probably under way for most of you. As for me, I have to get moving to avoid the rush if I am not already too late. Tis the season to be jolly!

I have been a member of the transgendered community for nearly ten years now and one thing stands out in my mind. In our paraculture we all strive to be in touch with our feminine selves, to be more caring and loving individuals. However, I have noticed we have, in general, a tendency to shun masculinity while worshiping femininity in the extreme. We tend to blame problems in our lives and in the world on masculinity and believe that, if we were all like women, the world would be a better place to live and we would all be happier. I used to entertain this notion but now, after years of contemplation, am no longer sure what I can believe.

Suppose all the men in the world left the planet, leaving women in charge of Earth and its problems. The men would only visit the planet occasionally to propagate the species and would then leave taking any male children with them, assuring the purity of the femininity on Earth.

After, say, fifty years the ladies would have had plenty of time to get things running smoothly. What would the brave new world be like? Would it be a more peaceful world with no more wars, no more crime and all the other beautiful things women and their femininity are believed to bestow? Perhaps so. But, then, I cannot help but feel one would find Earth to be much the same as it is today. What do you think?

In this new world women would have to deal with tasks which were formerly the domain of males. The most undesirable of these would be the military. Suppose two nations were in a very difficult conflict. Would the leaders resolve their differences in a feminine manner? Suppose they could not agree on a critical situation. Would they go to war? If so, war would now be a woman's game. Having to deal with the horrors of war, would they be able to preserve their femininity or would much-detested masculine traits begin to manifest themselves amongst the women of the brave new world? Who knows?

I find it interesting pondering such thoughts. It seems to me masculinity and femininity have a special relationship with one another. Perhaps masculinity must thrive in men in order for femininity to evolve in women. In other words, men traditionally sheltered women from the rough and tumble of survival, thereby making it possible for femininity to blossom among them. Women generally never fought in wars, hauled heavy stones or boards to build homes nor hunt for food for the table. Rather, the women tended to the domestic chores necessary for the survival of the family. The domestic environment was a much more ideal place to cultivate femininity, for it to grow.

My point is we should all strive to keep masculinity and femininity in perspective. We should refrain from attempting to associate all Society's ills with masculinity. It's simply not fair. Perhaps, in a candid sense, masculinity is a necessary evil which femininity needs to thrive.

Happy holidays, Michelle

The meeting was called to order at 8:20 P.M. by Gloria, nineteen members and guests were present. Gloria announced she received a ballot in the mail today for Lady of the Year. The tie was broke and there is no longer a need to have a tieşbreaking vote. Gloria read the proposed by-law change for non-spousal partners. Discussion followed. Megan motioned and Pam seconded to accept the by-law. It was unanimously approved. Megan and Pam updated the group on their trip to Carousel Dinner Theater to see King & I with six people attending. Michelle updated the group on her pajama party with six people attending also. Pam Dresser updated us on the Erie Riverside Gala Weekend. Gloria needs to know by end of month how many people will be attending the Christmas on December 5th. Everyone was asked to bring decorations in that can be left for the following years. If you would like to bring something to the Christmas party you can bring hors d'oeuvres or dessert. There will be a gift exchange with a $10 limit. Anyone who brings a gift will receive one. Tanya will update her article on the legal aspects of crossdressing. Pam Dresser talked to our group about the coalition. Kathy told us about all the old copies of the newsletters that she brought from the library. Debbie thanked everyone for the articles. Debbie motioned and Pam Dresser seconded to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 9:00 P.M.

December Meeting

The December 5th meeting will be held at the Manor and will be Alpha Omega's annual Christmas Party. Keeping with the Xmas spirit, no meeting fee will be charged. REMEMBER: This is the FIRST Saturday of the month. There will be no speaker - and no business meeting! Come one and all to enjoy the holiday season with your sisters. Dinner will be catered and the highlight of the evening will be the presentation of "Lady of the Year" and other awards to deserving members of the chapter.

As in previous years, there will be a gift exchange. Those who bring a gift to be placed in the exchange will be eligible to receive one. Please keep gifts in the area of $10 and, if at all possible, avoid those which are size dependant.

As I write this it is Sunday evening after driving home from the Riverside Gala Weekend. To say Pam Dresser and the Erie Sisters did a great job would be an understatement. We had a ball from the minute things started till it was time to head down the road this morning. Deb is going to do an article on the Weekend so I'll leave the rest of the story to her.

The Riverside Weekend had a hard act to follow. November 11th-15th was the Atlanta Holiday En Femme, hosted by Sigma Epsilon chapter. Robin Kieffer, Linda Peacock and the girls outdid themselves in putting together a quality convention. Everything was topnotch from dinner at Alfredo's Wednesday night through the Thursday tour, the trip to the comedy club (where, of course, we served as a big part of the entertainment), right up to the dinner Saturday evening. A special treat was the appearance of the Atlanta Gay Men's Chorus. They were excellent. All in all, Delta chapter in Denver is going to have a very hard time making the 1993 Holiday better than this year's version!

I arrived home from Atlanta Tuesday and left for Erie Friday. If two conventions so few days apart weren't enough (unpack, wash clothes, pray the "drip dry" dries in time, repack), this old girl had to add to the chaos of this past week by "pulling the plug". Thursday, November 19th, I unbuckled my gunbelt for the last time and became a person of the retired persuasion.

I looked forward to the event with glee but, when it actually came, found myself driving around alone using a lot of Kleenex. Giving up something you've spent half your life at isn't easy. I must say one thing for the people I work with. They saw my red eyes, understood the reason for them and refrained from harassing me about them.

Of course the question came up "What are you going to do now?" How does one say, "Well, you see, I have this business selling breast forms..." Boy, would that have gone over great! In all seriousness, I do hope to devote more time to Tri Ess, especially the Big Sister program.

Well, I have to get this finished off so I can send it over to Deb for processing into the December issue. I hope you all have a wonderful day next Thursday as you destroy your figures with turkey and dressing while frying your eyes with game after game on television. And, to those of you who won't be able to attend the Xmas party, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

Love, Tanya

On Saturday, November 14th, I visited Penny, a Tri Ess sister who lives in Columbus. I spent the good part of Saturday and Sunday with her. We enjoyed meeting each other after a year of correspondence. After the introductions, I dressed in casual attire and we shared conversation.

Later, Penny prepared us lunch. Afterwards we admired each other's wardrobes and spent the afternoon in conversation. We then freshened-up, changed clothes and Penny drove us to downtown Columbus where we had dinner in a lovely setting. She then gave me a guided tour of the sights. Returning to Penny's apartment, we listened to a tape on crossdressing, took some photos and enjoyed more conversation before turning in for the evening.

Sunday morning, we wore male attire to church. After the service we ate a fabulous lunch in a quaint restaurant. We then did what was only natural and went shopping. I found a nice bracelet. Back at Penny's apartment, we changed into femme attire and spent a couple relaxing hours before it was time for me to depart.

My visit with Penny was another wonderful experience. As you know, I am sure looking forward to next September when I will be spending the majority of the rest of my life en femme.

Have a wonderful Christmas. I look forward to seeing you all in January.

Love, Rhonda

To the Food Committee, Pam F., Cheryl, Megan and all concerned for a great meal and some wonderful deserts.

To all who contributed newsletter articles.

To Debbie for bringing her camera equipment, taking pictures and being our designated photographer. Your skill is appreciated by all.

To Pam D. for taking time to tell us more about the Riverside Gala Weekend and the proposed coalition of crossdressers' groups she is working on.

To all our members for their excellent suggestions on outside activities for the coming year.

To all who helped set up and later clean up the meeting room.

Lastly, to my sister-in-law and friend, Candy, for serving as the evening's speaker to the chapter. She was nervous as she was not used to speaking in front of groups but did a great job. I thank her for being with us, sharing some of her photos and for the gifts (ID tags, photo charms, etc.) she brought for us.

Love, Gloria

The fifth of the feminine archetypes is the Great Mother. Already you are probably wondering what she has to do with us. After all, we are women in spirit only or, at best, by the grace of a good surgeon. So let us see how we can apply the characteristics of this archetype to our existence.

In reality, a woman becomes a mother with the birth of her first child. Some would say she becomes a mother from the time of her own conception and birth. Be that as it may, we all acknowledge the fact that, biologically, we cannot be mothers. Yet, at least in spirit, have we not given birth?

In the human species, the creation of a new life takes only nine months. For us, the creation of a new life may take many years and, even at that, it may never see the light of day. For many years our feminine self grows in the fertile womb of our minds. One day, possibly without warning, she is born. Out into the light of day she comes, often without fanfare and, much too often, to the chagrin of those around us. Regardless, when this birth takes place our lives are changed forever.

It may be this birth breaks the last thread that links us to the masculine world. We then become twins; half masculine half feminine. A new life has emerged in the presence of the old. Is it the beginning of the end or the end of the beginning?

At the birth of a child, a mother extends her time and assures the blood line will continue at least for another generation. But when we give birth we gain no time. Instead, time seems to speed up toward the inevitable opposite of birth, death. We may look at our life and suddenly feel we have so much to do and so little time to do it in. We want to enjoy the experience of being a young woman but we are forced to look at ourselves as a matriarchal middle aged woman. Our self image is somewhat skewed as we struggle to regain equilibrium.

To make matters worse, biology does things to our male body which make it all that much harder to be a woman. What next? What happened? Where will we go from here? What will happen next? These questions run around in our head as we try to nurture our newborn self. What will become of our child when she grows up? Will she grow up before I die? Will I be able to live as I have so long dreamed of or will I be forced to continue the charade for the benefit of family friends and Society?

When these questions are asked there are no answers. Neither can we give answers to those about us. We are afraid of what others might think. We are afraid of losing everything we have. We cannot help those around us understand because we cannot help ourselves to understand. Our newborn girl looks at another woman and thinks, "You are what I want to be...what I have always wanted to be." As mothering goes we fail miserably as we have not the experience of being a woman or a mother. Frustration ensues as we continue to try and find answers to our questions. We do not have the wisdom which comes with being a mother.

Then, if fate or circumstances allow, our feminine self ventures out into the world. At that time we may encounter others like us at various stages of development. We may then begin to nurture and love our sisters much as a mother loves and nurtures her children. If we are lucky enough, we may find a sister who was just born and is asking the same questions we once asked. Then together we begin to explore the questions. Out of this we gain a better understanding of who we are and where we are going.

Little by little our wisdom grows as we begin to find answers to our questions. As wisdom grows the fears melt away, yet some remain. So, you see, we are mothers. We give birth to our feminine self. We then nurture her and begin to expand our sphere of influence to others like us. We begin to love and nurture our younger sisters as we gain insight and experience. So my friends, enjoy your motherhood for it is an experience that only half of our society ever gets to know.

Next Month The Lady of the Hearth.

This series is taken in part from THE CIRCLE OF NINE by Cherry Gilchrist, Arkana Books 1991.

Part II
The first shoe store had no sandals and nothing under $100, though the salesman was accommodating. We headed to another mall, the biggest in the city, to search some more. As soon as we entered, my confidence was gone completely. I was drawing way more than casual attention; I was drawing stares. I went into a department store and found the ladies shoe department amidst constant glaring from the other shoppers. I looked at some low-back shoes but it soon became apparent I was not going to be assisted by the sales help on duty. I exited with the pain in my spirit nearly as severe as that in my feet. All hope seemed gone so I told the other girls to go on with their day. I was going back to the inn to pray for a cure before dinner. They insisted on accompanying me back to see if there wasn't something which could be done so I might be able to go back out with them. Well, Paddy came quickly to my rescue, taping my heels with duct tape (Yes, the silver stuff!) and loaning me a pair of sandals. It was the perfect cure. I could actually walk with no hint of pain. I freshened up and off we went to take a ferry boat ride to the Toronto Islands on a gorgeous, sunny Saturday afternoon.

The minute we boarded the boat, Pam #2 and I began to feel the stares and ill will of the other passengers. We escaped to a corner of the boat that wasn't crowded and sat quietly hoping the ride would be short. When we left the boat at the islands we heard the jeering comment from the boat crew, "Have a nice day ladies". They weren't being sincere I assure you! Well, by now our confidence was shaken and no matter how hard we tried not to notice, all we could see were the faces of everyone screwed-up in disgust as they passed by. That's really how it felt though I'm sure it was at least partly imagined. But it didn't matter. Our day was fast being ruined, partly by our own lack of confidence and partly by the honestly rude treatment we were receiving.

It occurred to me this must be how the handicapped feel as they are stared at for their disability and that people are indeed rude in this regard. I was getting angry at their lengthy unnecessary staring. Bad enough that they saw right through me, the leering was uncalled for. Pam #1, not feeling nearly as uneasy as the three of us, walked ahead as we stayed at a lonely picnic table away from the crowds. We agreed to meet back at the boat dock in an hour. That hour was filled with nothing but nervous anticipation of the trip back across the channel on that boat where we would again suffer at the hands of those who wanted us nowhere near them or their families. Our trip back did not contradict our fears. Again, as we disembarked, the crew made rude comments loud enough for all to hear.

As we walked from the dock area and headed back to safer ground where we had been the day before, I began to feel renewed. I got a little more confident with each step and began to again believe things would be as they had been Friday. But, as we got back to the same mall where this awful day had started, I felt once again at the mercy of the stares. We, unwisely I think now, entered to find the food court for a quick bite. It was down three levels, the stares were again popping up and it was sickeningly hot as we got to the court. All at once a woman in front of me looked up at me from a distance of just several inches. Her face took on a look of disgust and she turned away but leaned over to her daughter of maybe 12 or 13 and said something. I can guess what. The girl then looked right back at me. Her mother turned her away and now a younger girl was asking what was all the looking going on and she was told and she now was staring at me. With this, the mother whisked the two girls to the side so I could pass, cowering to the side as if I was a leper or something. That was it. I had to leave, and now! We trooped back up the three levels and to the freedom of the outdoors and decided to just head back to the inn and find some food along the way. Well, my appetite was gone and I just wanted to get back. We walked back with little further incident and I was certain that I could start fresh for the evening and all would be well.

The itinerary for Saturday night included a play and dinner. The play was a high-brow intellectual dark comedy "Maids" performed in a bar. Frankly, it was only fair. For dinner we chose an interesting place directly across the street from the bar. I was last in line crossing the street as I looked in both directions noticing a car just turning the corner some 100-200 feet away. About halfway across the street I heard the loud engine roar, a short screech of brakes and the shout from the car: "Get out of the way creep!" I was, to say the least, shaken. This guy missed me by mere inches and he was deliberately trying to hit me. I don't think he would have intentionally run me dow but had I slipped or broken stride for a second.... Well, you can use your imagination. Anyway, dinner was fine but the service was a trifle standoffish, even to the point of the waitress' insistence on addressing us as "Sir". Pam #2 pointed out to her that a larger tip would be in store if she could get over the "Sir" thing. It fell on deaf ears I'm afraid.

After dinner we again split from Pam #1 and the three novices headed back to the inn but not without one final incident to cap off the unholy day. Our taxi was nearly broadsided by a car attempting an illegal left turn. We persuaded our cabbie not to get out and pick a fight though he did catch up to the offender at the next light and had a few words out the window with him. Anyway we did arrive at the inn safe and in no further danger.

The balance of the evening until the early hours of Sunday morning were spent in delightful conversation with girls from the Canadian Crossdressers' Club. They're the greatest! Sunday morning our trip was nearing its conclusion and Paddy made us an excellent breakfast to fill us for the long ride home. We said our goodbyes to Paddy, Veronica and Toronto and set our course southward.

So, what does all this add up to? Well, I can't give any advice because I'm not experienced enough to be handing out any wisdom but I will share my conclusions and advice to myself:

1. I had a really GOOD time, despite the difficulties of Saturday.

2. I'd do it again any time (Sandy, don't worry it'll be a while).

3. Don't put yourself in compromising situations.

4. Go where you're wanted, stay away from where you're not.

5. Follow your instincts, do what YOU want to do, don't be a follower.

6. Above all, if it doesn't feel right don't do it.

7. Have fun regardless of what happens.

I'd go back to Toronto but maybe with a slightly different agenda. It would certainly include the Wildside, though, because it was my safe harbor. I felt welcome, accepted, safe and understood. I already miss the company we found there. So, what's next you ask? Well, Pam F. and I hear that Provincetown is nice in the spring. And, in the meantime, we'll continue to stick our little toes in the public creek in little ways and in small doses. If your heart is telling you to try it, go for it! For me it was 'a far, far better thing than I had ever done before.

Sincerely, Cheryl

Well, there I was just sitting there, resigning myself with great reluctance to attend a Halloween party being given by my wife's daughter and her fiancee for his family and a few friends. I was griping that we should be hosting our own party for our friends as we have done in the past, but my wife simply did not want to do it again this year. She asked for the umpteenth time "have you decided on a costume yet?" "No", I replied, stalling for the umpteenth plus one time. Then she said "I think you should go as a femme fatale". Ka-thump, ka- thump (oh be still my heart!) A thrill of indescribable exhilaration coursed through my veins, a feeling that I had not really experienced in quite some time. I didn't dare to appear too enthusiastic, though, in case she quickly realized what she was saying and change her mind. "But what about your daughter?", I inquired. She said "why not, anything is acceptable on Halloween". And then I thought, yes, why not? What better way to observe Halloween, the "cross-dresser' s holy day of obligation", than to be en femme at a party, especially where I might even be the only one? The idea began to simmer deliciously in my mind.

For the next two days, eager anticipation and exhilaration alternated with fear and risk evaluation about how the party- goers, strangers and my step daughters' in-laws to-be at that, might react. Would they really suspect my true nature? However the pure exhilaration won the day and pushed me onward, as I continued to explore in my mind why my wife' s opening invitation to dress up for Halloween gave me such a special thrill. After all, I do indeed have the opportunity to dress as a female many other times. Then I remembered my youth, and how at age 11 or 12 my friends and I were "hanging out" before one Halloween and made such comments like "Gee, Halloween's coming, what are you going to dress up as?". "Gee, I don't know, what are you going as?" "I don't know.... maybe I'll dress up like a girl" .... (pause, snicker) "Oh yea?" "Yea, it might be fun"... But the idea died as some distraction occurred, and at age 11-12 it was baseball, not sexual bias or orientation ruling our behavior and conversation. Now little did my friends suspect that I really did want to dress up as a girl! I chickened out to make good on my threat, though, because if I had asked my mother to borrow her clothes I believed she would have suspected that I had more than a passing interest in them (I had recently discovered her wardrobe and began to conquer the intricacies of female garb!). And then, the day before Halloween, one of the guys, Lonnie Smith (no, not the baseball player), came to our 5th grade class party dressed up in his mother's clothes and he looked pretty good! He was comfortable, too, although a bit silly as you might expect a twelve year old to be. (Still, ... maybe he' s now a member of Tri Ess; guess I should check the directory!)

That episode certainly reinforced my desire to dress as a girl, but I still never did for any Halloween. However, once just a couple years ago I dressed as a cat, like in the musical "Cats", including medium heels, make-up and nails, but my costume was still more animal motif than female. I then realized that the coming party was actually a long-awaited opportunity to dress up completely as a "regular" female for Halloween, a dream which was about to come true.

The next day my wife said, "Well, you're going as a female, what am I going to dress up as? Think about it while you're at work." That day I began to wonder about what character she could play in a two-some that might allow me to almost legitimately appear as a normal female. A little creative cogitation of the cerebellum and voila! I had it! We'll go as the fairy God Mother and Cinder-fella, er Cinderella! No need to explain further to you, dear sisters, just who was who in this pairing, is there?

All Halloween day I counted the hours in wonderful anticipation of the event to come, and I promised myself that I would really enjoy this "high holy day of days" and that there would be no problems! As dusk approached and the bunches of trick or treating munchkins, goblins, batmen, cat- women, and penguins galore (relics of the Batman movie, a big hit with the kiddies this year) darkened our door, I happily distributed the goodies, musing to myself "betcha can't guess what my costume is this year!" Then I retired to bath and boudoir to prepare. I had decided to dress as "bewitchingly" elegant as I could possibly muster myself, Slipping into my best "simple little black dress" and highest heels. Finishing my makeup and painting my nails a nice raspberry, we were soon on our way, FGM with her magic wand and her fully transformed Cinder-fella in tow. (Actually, I was probably out the door first, in ever growing anticipation of this night!)

Soon we arrived and were about to begin the real adventure. When my daughter's fiancee answered the door and greeted my wife, whom he easily recognized, he initially thought she had come with a girl friend. It wasn't until I was fully in the door and spoke that he realized it was me! I of course decided that discretion certainly should govern the evening and explained that I was Cinder-fella, and therefore did not use my true femme persona name Diane, lest suspicions grow too much. He was really taken aback but not at all reviled by the vision before him, a "femme fatale" now standing where he had only known me as a male. Then my wife's daughter appeared, and told me how good I looked. "What a great job Mom did with your make-up," she exclaimed. (While I really wanted to correct her on that score, again discretion begged that I merely say that yes, she really did.)

We were then introduced to the other guests, nieces and spouses in their mid-twenties, and my wife's daughter's fiancee's mother. At 75, even she got into the costume act, as she was dressed as a pistol-packing bearded denizen of the wild west. She was also impressed with my appearance, and everyone greeted me at least matter-of-factly if not warmly, and after all, we were meeting for the first time. As other guests began to arrive and introductions were made, I of course hammed it up a bit to break the ice, especially with the guys, flirting a little, putting my arm around them, and greeting them with a full-bass "hi, guy" that be-lied my appearance and would have won me a starring role as the bass soloist at the Opera. During the party, most of the young women, save one, didn't really comment much to me directly. Perhaps they simply didn't know what to make of me. However, the few older women, sisters of the boyfriend and in their mid-forties, had no apparent trouble with my appearance and were very complimentary. Naturally I had to strut in my heels and they were quite impressed, telling me that I looked really quite good and were amazed at how comfortable I appeared. (What a joy we strive for, to be complimented on our transformed appearance by real females!) Of course I really was comfortable, felt perfectly at ease and not at all self-conscious. I can certainly attribute that to my growing experiences en femme with my sisters in Alpha Omega and to my understanding and often very helpful wife. Despite the rather easy acceptance of my appearance, though, I wonder just what conversations about me took place when everyone drove home! One other male guest was also a bit "different" --- one of the older males, a sister's husband, came as a somewhat gay "Indiana Jones", complete with make-up and clear nail polish. (Hmm, wonder if he really liked it -- he remarked almost coquettishly and disappointedly when they were ready to leave that darn!, he'd have to go home and take off his make-up. He seemed to like what he was portraying --- wonder if he is struggling with a hidden persona like all of us sometimes do.)

There were some valuable lessons learned through this most enjoyable Halloween experience. Of course, it really was Halloween, a night when just about anything goes, and not just another day. Still, no real problems developed about my true male identity, and everyone seemed to accept me almost matter-of-factly being dressed completely as a woman. Perhaps the growing occurrences of drag performances in sit-coms, and increased awareness on talk shows has allowed more people to see men in women's clothing as maybe unusual, if not common, but not as an outlandishly weird situation. Also, if we true cross-dressers do dress as tastefully and artfully as we can, act naturally with dignity and self-confidence, and are genuinely friendly with those whom we meet, then we at least have a chance that our personhood will be accepted, and our specific mode of dress will become secondary.

The next day my wife's daughter and fiancee' came for brunch and again commented on how good I looked as a woman. They also were surprised that both "Indiana" and "Cinder-fella" were dressed as "gays". The perfect opportunity thus arose to tell them about cross-dressers, and that not all gays cross-dress, and that true cross-dressers are heterosexual and not gay at all. They seemed to accept and understand this, and I wondered just how I would have responded, really wanting to "come out" and tell the truth, if they had asked if I really was a cross-dresser, but the question never came up. At least this time.

All in all, the entire experience was terrific and provided great personal joy and satisfaction, and allowed some "missionary" work to take place in providing just a little bit more awareness, understanding and growing acceptance of cross-dressing in our Society. It truly was "A Night to Remember!"

Love, Diane

Did you ever wonder why women's shoes are pointed at the toes? I remember in grade school I wore the Mary Janes which had rounded toes. Was that so the boys shins would not be maimed? Where were those pointy shoes when we needed them. As you get older, that perfect defense for those little bratty boys is given to you. Is that fair?

Did you ever wonder why those same women's shoes have the cute little bows, broaches, and other devices to make your feet more attractive? Do the bozo's who design those things own a good amount of stock in hosiery manufacturing. I mean, the minute I put on a pair of expensive pantyhose for an evening out I first have to have a major overhaul on my nails in order to put them on. Sometimes just breathing at the wrong time will put a run in them. Then during the night, I cross my legs at the ankles (for us fuller figure women that sometimes is the only recourse) and World War III is declared on the hose. Seeing those pale white legs showing through the craters left in dark hose by those cute little bows make me want to find that designer and put those bows where the sun doesn't......

And lets not forget those wonderful women (or men) who design the fancy hose with those adorable rhinestones embedded in them. I'm sure this is a conspiracy to make sure that not only does the hose self destruct but your surgeon is also brought into the picture.

And I would like to get my hands on the person that invented or coined the phrase "one size fits all!" Was this person really serious or was it just something that was brought over from one of those countries where the women are 4'2" to that heaven seeking height of 5'. I mean, when I put on those "one size fits all" items I end up using them on my "Barbie Dolls" as clothing. It's like the one size fits all panty hose... I put them on, cut out the panty portion and use them as knee- highs! It's not right!

Let's talk about the people who design four door cars. In order to have enough room for four doors, they make the doors smaller than those on a two door car. Now I know why my yoga class is 99% women... you have to be a contortionist in order to get in and out of the car. Then you go to a seminar at a crossdressing convention and there's that wonderful course on feminine deportment. Yes, how to gracefully enter and exit from the car seat. Ever wonder why these experts use a chair to demonstrate this maneuver? Because it looks good on paper. Why don't the ones doing this demonstration bring a Yugo into the building and stick their petite size 3X body into that tin can and show us just how feminine it is to have your boobs worn as ear rings. I mean you don't need to wear prosthesis when driving a Yugo, with the seat forward, your knees do a really good job.

Did you ever wonder why women get paid 60 to 75% of what men do, especially when a women has to keep a wardrobe that is current with fashion and season? I mean a man can get away with wearing the same pair of slacks with a different shirt two days in a row, but a woman is looses her girl card if she wears the same outfit or slacks twice in the same month, let alone two days in a row. Lets not talk about make-up either. I mean, would a man ever look at you if you kept wearing the natural look? But that neandrathal can come into work without shaving for a week with the poor excuse of "I'm starting to grow a beard" bit. What gives? I just doesn't seem fair.

An do you ever wonder why I kept sitting behind a desk while I was hosting "Sixty Minutes". Do you ever wonder why I don't work there any more? It doesn't pay to crossdress from the waist down or wear the same outfit that Morey Schaeffer had on. It can get you wrong side.

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