Complete Immersion

The very long run of days out continued. June 8, 2025, a simple Sunday at church, but the love just grows and grows.

Beginning with Pride the day prior, I will (at least as of the time of this writing) be dressed for eight of nine days; nine different outfits and because I am getting lazy, I will repeat two of the outfits. Outfits for every occasion, simple coffee with a friend to a big charity ball to Parade The Circle to my latest movie premier.

The nutshell summary for this day: cuter than ever thought possible; one memorable interaction after memorable interaction; the place that I treasure over all else. Good night, everyone!

The outfit, perfection down to every single detail. Not my opinion, that of many that saw me and told me so. I picked up this sweater recently for a sawbuck and debated, go cute or go awesome. I opted for cute and church but will later wear this with faux leather leggings and stilettos for a rocker chick look. But for now, let’s be demure.

So here’s the thing I cannot articulate. I make no mental effort to melt into femininity, it just happens. I get very small, hand in my lap. Legs crossed at the knee. Voice softens. It is unconscious.

Left home around 8:30AM and hit a park on a rainy day, mid 60’s temps. I had an empty party plaza to work with and did have folks walking and/or running past me. Then a stop at Target to pick up a few cosmetic items. When I walked in my eyes lit up and I picked up the most adorable bikini on clearance!! Cute beyond words. Reversible, one side more amazing than the other. And when I got home, the fit was knee bending! As an almost 64-year-old biological male, I make one beautiful beach babe (at least now, on a eat-as-little-as-possible stretch)!

Before you call me an arrogant a-hole, understand the years and decades of self-loathing; the hours and hours and hours of an almost daily workout grind; the thousands (literally) of miles run; the either eating right or not eating at all; the hours of converting my body from that of a grizzly bear to what you see and what feels to me to be a woman’s body when in the shower, etc.; I could go on and on. Some of you know where I was and what I am now. I worked my booty off (which it was noted by my friend Renee that not only do I have boobs, but I also have a booty). I put a great deal of effort into being what I am. It is, was and always will be work, but it is, was and always will be my great joy. That ever-present smile (at least here) is real and is not forced.

At Target I wanted to pick up what I will refer to as a feminine hygiene item, which I use often. I was looking around and a lovely young lady asked if she could help me find something. I asked for what I wanted, she pointed me in the right direction. All done without question.

I planned my walk into services for about 10 minutes prior to the start so that I could walk into the church with eyeballs to see me. Again, no exaggeration, I am so valued there. Compliments on specific things like the perfect match of my earrings to my outfit. During the exchange of peace, so many people made sure to walk over to me and wish me peace. Hugs on overload, most with me in a squat position. While I am not that tall, I am tall for a gal, especially around cis women.

After services were completed, it was just a number of us ladies talking. Me in male mode, there would be no talking. Kandi, she is one of the ladies. People still coming up to me and saying hello. My head swelling with ego while I try to ground myself.

I sat with my great, great friend Judy, with whom I am so grateful to know and who is a good foot shorter than that your pal here, Ms. Godzilla. All in all, I am full of gratitude.

Grabbed a bottle of vodka (I remain a work in progress) and back home, grinning from ear to ear and once I tried on that bikini, giggling beyond control because this was not possible a decade ago. Immediate plans are in place to get out in front of as many people as is possible with nothing else on but that bikini.

As I told Judy, I know I set an example. I know this (it happens to be fact) and I never take this responsibility for granted.

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Let’s be clear here. The Cleveland Museum of Art is a world class museum (Google it and prove me wrong). The museum’s Women’s Council is mostly comprised of well-heeled women in the Cleveland social community. And they asked and welcomed me (yes, ME) to be a part of their participation in a tremendous civic event, Parade The Circle. And during the great deal of work involved in our participation in this event, I was one of them. Me. Picasso just moved out of the museum to be replaced by Takashi Murakami, who has worked with designers like Mark Jacobs and Louis Vuitton and that is the tip of the iceberg. Again, ME!!!! There. With this wonderful group of ladies. Dressed as a daisy.

June 10, 2025, dress rehearsal for the parade. I had to work (truck), drive across town home, get dressed, and then drive to the art museum. I squeezed in one cocktail, simply to relax and enjoy what was a glorious day!

No real great story as my time at rehearsal (we didn’t actually put our costumes on) wasn’t more than an hour and one packing ticket. It was, is and always will be remarkable to me that in this specific circumstance, I have never felt more a part of the innate bond women have with each other. It is intoxicating and quite magnetic. I treasure these relationships.

Check out our new friend Michelle’s Between Genders blog! It’s on the Links page.