Come Home...

Danica Siegel

 It began with two words: I Am
The Quiet Revolution of Scent

To Do List...

 Any additions you want to add?

All things my grandmother warned about.  

Feminine Differential - White Shirt and Jeans

In Search of The Perfect Day Look 

 

This is becoming a default look. Androgynous is not necessarily the goal. The look I want is enough of a difference (differential) to be seen as feminine; the person I am.  

The shoes are the defining factor with the shirt and jeans setting up the canvas. Optional are makeup, sunglasses, and jewelry. These are all the frosting on the overall look. I am not getting second looks with the confusion, "is it a....".  The perfect Dr. visit of trip to the market look. 

An alternative look is white jeans with a chambray (jean / denim look) top.  

Lets See What Your Father Says...

 

Feminine Image 11

 

Teased In High School...

 

Were you teased / bullied in High School?  Tell us your story.  Looking good at my high school reunion was sweet revenge.

Political Cartoon 11-8-2026

 

Research...

 

Deer In the Headlights

That is the way I felt exactly!

 

Make A Place...

 The Mall

The Market

Restaurant -  Dinner out

A make-over beauty counter / store

A bar

A Piano bar

A dress boutique 

A shoe boutique

A wine tasting

A concert / live music venue

A cooking class

The Theater / Play 

A cafe with outdoor seating

A stroll in a shopping plaza / street

Alabama elects first transgender woman

Allison Montgomery

A Historic Night. - America's voters  Woke up. 

___________________

November 4, 2026

Allison Montgomery has made history in Alabama after winning the election for State House District 25. She became the first openly transgender woman to be elected to the Alabama state legislature.

Montgomery, a Democrat, defeated Republican incumbent Phillip Rigsby in the November 3, 2026, election. The contest took place in the Huntsville area of Alabama.

Montgomery received 53.2% of the votes, while Rigsby secured 46.7%, according to Alabama Political Reporter. All precincts had reported in the results cited by the publication. Her victory is significant because District 25 has traditionally supported Republican candidates. Rigsby had represented the district since 2022.

Wake Up America

 This is the day you get to decide if we can "Keep it"!  

The Question: As he walked out of Independence Hall at the end of the Constitutional Convention, Elizabeth Willing Powel (an influential Philadelphia socialite) asked him, "Well, Doctor, what have we got, a republic or a monarchy?"

Equality Florida Brunch

 

Florida's Statewide LGBTQ Civil Rights Organization

Half a million members strong in the fight for equality

Equality Florida is Florida’s statewide civil rights organization dedicated to securing full equality for Florida’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) community.

Getting Out On Halloween - No Costume Required.

 

Yes, I did get out yesterday (Halloween 2026); although not a costume day. I had an amazing lunch at a beautiful outdoor cafe with a new friend that I met last week.

Then I dropped by the mall to say hello to my shop friends. Selfie taken in shoe department at Nordstroms. I love their full length mirror.  

 Overall a great day for an escape and fun. I hope you had a fun day as well.  Share.... 

Halloween 2026 - Escape

Halloween is a special day for many of us; "National Be Something Else Day". I used it for my very first "full Girl" outing and never looked back.  

One of my best getting- out story was my first. When through fear, I never made it to the local resterent's costume walk. At first the hostess was not sure I was in costume, however, did say the  bar was still serving free drinks to all participants. I joined several others at the bar.

As we so often do, I felt the need to explain why I was dressed as a girl. I don't remember the excuse, but sure it was lane. I explained to the bartender this was my first time.

He immediately shot back, "If this is really your first time, then I am sure it will not be your last". No truer statement has been ever made.   

_________________

Today I am adamant that "Rhonda" is not a costume and every day is not Halloween. I am not "Being Something Else". This day can be your vehicle that move you from solitude dressing at home, to being out. 

Note 1: See how easy and accepting the world can be.  

Note 2: The exhilaration of being yourself.  

Note 3: How right it feels. 

Note 4: You add..... 

Escape, but don't let this evening be your once a year event.  Live your life!

     

Crossdressing on Halloween:

 When the Whole World Dresses Up With Us

Maddie Taylor Oct 1

MyGirllife.com

Halloween can feel like a little permission slip. For one night, the streets fill with costumes, bold makeup, dresses, wigs, and people trying out a different look. If you’re a crossdresser or one of the many Trans women figuring out where you feel comfortable being seen, that crowd can make a first outing feel less like stepping into a spotlight.

I understand the appeal. When everyone is dressed up, you may feel freer to walk into a party, meet a friend, or simply enjoy the evening as yourself. There can be a bittersweet note, too: Why does it take a costume holiday to feel like I can go out? That mix of excitement and melancholy is real. You don’t have to pick one feeling and leave the other at home.

If this is your first Halloween outing, make the plan fit you. Choose a gathering that feels welcoming: ask the host or venue about its policies and who you can approach if you need support. Consider going with someone you trust, planning your ride home, and keeping your phone, keys, and essentials somewhere secure. Wear something you can move around in, and decide ahead of time whether you’re comfortable being photographed. You can say, “Please don’t take or post pictures of me,” and you can leave whenever you want. A short, joyful first night absolutely counts.

Most of all, remember that Halloween doesn’t define what your clothes mean to you. For some crossdressers, the outfit is a chance to explore expression; for some Trans women, it may be a chance to show a part of themselves more openly. Our journeys aren’t all the same, and neither are our reasons for dressing. But for many of us, the night can feel less like putting on a costume and more like catching a glimpse of who we are when we let ourselves breathe.

That’s worth celebrating, not because one night has to answer every question, but because it can offer a moment of connection. I hope you find people who see you, respect your boundaries, and make room for you to enjoy the evening exactly as you are.

If you’d like more honest conversations about crossdressing, Trans women, and the many ways we find our people, join me on the My Girl Life Podcast. Share your Halloween story with someone you trust, and remember, you deserve to feel welcome beyond October, too.

Stay tuned for my Halloween post tomorrow...

Feminine Image 8

 

My Wine Tasting

 Uncorked: Supertuscan

Eataly West Palm Beach August 28, 2026

The Morning Group and Sommelier (dark shirt) 

About this Class: Sit at our table and learn from one of our resident Beverage Experts about Italian wines, producers, and regions. They’ll walk you through the history and traditions of the area alongside a tasting of curated wines. Learn about Italy in the best way – through your wine glass!

In this Class We:

• 

  The Sommelier

  Learned about the history, grape varieties, and traditions of Supertuscan
  
  
• Enjoyed a menu featuring an antipasto and welcome Prosecco or soft drink

• Tasted a selection of wines from Tuscany

• Discussed the flavor profile of each wine

• Took home tasting notes from the class

Feminine Differential - Chiffon

 What is Chiffon Fabric?

Temu -  One-shoulder Elastic Shoulder
 Chiffon Blouse, matched with 
flowing pazzallo pants

I remember my mom having a dress that was beautiful that fascinated me. It was soft, and hang beautifully whenever she wore it. She called it her "Chiffon dress".  I just love how the word just lingers on your lips. 

This is a material that has been around for many years, first being silk and later synthetic. Here is what I found online about the exotic and exclusively feminine Material:

__________________

By Sewport Support Team 

 August 25, 2026 

Chiffon is a term that is used to refer to a wide variety of different types of fabrics that all share similar qualities. This type of fabric is sheer, which means that it is light and semi-transparent with a simple weave.

This type of fabric was originally made from silk, and it was both expensive and in high demand among upper-class women in Europe and the United States when it was originally marked in the mid-19th century. The term "chiffon" is French, and it literally translates as "cloth" or "rag," but this word has come to be synonymous with any type of lustrous, sheer fabric that is woven in a particular style.

Chiffon fabric was first made in France, but the production of this substance expanded worldwide as the Industrial Age picked up steam. By the first few decades of the 1900s, silk chiffon was in relatively wide production in the United States, and producers of this fabric in America were starting to show interest in replacing silk with another material for chiffon production.

In 1958, however, a polyester version of chiffon was developed, and most chiffon in existence today is made from this purely synthetic material. As a chiffon textile, polyester mirrored silk in many ways, but it, of course, was not as soft or "silky" as this organic textile.

_________________

What brought this to my mind was the Temu Blouse that I ordered. It is as beautiful as the photos shows. Maybe it would make my mom proud? 

Temu Described it here:

Summer One-shoulder Elastic Shoulder Chiffon Blouse, Semi-sheer Lightweight Top with Random Print, Women's Lantern Sleeve Loose-fit Top. $20.05

Post Delivery Note: Yes it as beautiful as the photos depict. The overall quality is good with the material feeling silky (it is synthetic) but sheer. It has an excellent elastic tie front neckline and elastic sleeves. I ordered a large, it works, so be aware that sizing runs small. Be generous in selecting your size, you want it be blousey. I tried it on upon arrival with a pair of skinny light wash jeans; the colors match is excellent and looked great together. 

I did wear it to my wine tasting a few Saturdays ago. The place and event - the Eataly West Palm Beach  Uncorked: Supertuscan.   

Femininity Is How You Feel

 

A Truth

No matter what the label we use, there is a moment when we knew we were different and our gender does not conform to conventional norms. Denial was always our first response but ultimately self acceptance must come to the fore.  

If you still fight your natural inclinations you are denying the eventuality that is you. 

Do not waste time. It is the most precious element on earth.  

  

Being Misgendered

The most troubling part of this scenario is when we are out, presenting female, because of hate, contempt or ignorance we are purposely misgendered. The best approach is to avoid confrontation.  

However, I live another side of that scenario. Otherwise when I try to present male, I am many times recognized / accepted as female. Had my transition been more intentional this would be the best of a world I created.  

I have been reading a wonderful Fictionmania story about a protagonist that accepted a job that gradually became female centric, through dress and role. It is "From Supervisor to Secretary" by ColeComet. 

The descriptions have been electrifying, especially one where the character confronts the fact she is now being perceived female. My story closely parallels her writing. I hope the author does not mind that I have adapted this part of the story to my true life. Enjoy and I welcome your comments. 

 ____________  

 Art Imitating Life or Life Imitating Art  

I could no longer pretend the misidentifications were rare.

They had started as isolated, almost comic errors. Someone would ask "what can I get you ladies" when a waitress would go to take my group's order. Walking on a crowded street hearing "excuse me, miss" as they tried to pass. A barista defaulting to "ma'am" while reading the name on the cup. A delivery driver glancing up from the package and asking a polite "is he's in?" 

Early on I answered quickly, sometimes with a short laugh to take the edge off. "It's Tom, actually." Or simply, "He." Most are embarrassed, apologized, and then move on. I always felt guilty for calling out a innocent and unintentional mistake.

The exchanges were awkward but manageable for me but sometimes made my accompting guests or kids uncomfortable. My daughter said to me once in frustration, “Just own it.”

As the obvious bras, the fitted blouses / sweaters and the makeup routines had become ordinary to me, the mistakes had thickened into a pattern. In department stores. In the supermarket queue. At the pharmacy. Questioned to the extent of once being challenged when called from the waiting room of my doctors office; "may I see your ID?"

The glance landed on the chest contour, shapely legs, the longer hair framing a softer face, the overall silhouette. Items of dress I describe on this blog as "Feminine Differentials". Yes, I am personally pleased that the language followed automatically: miss, ma'am, she, her. Sometimes it came with a small, polite smile. Sometimes it was purely transactional. Either way, it arrives with the calm certainty of someone reading an obvious visual fact.

Years ago, I corrected misgendering, especially when I was not overtly feminine. Then the frequency increase and I ask myself, “were the onlookers seeing something I was denying.”

After a while the cost-benefit calculations shifted. Correcting every instance meant repeatedly announcing a discrepancy between how I looked and how I was asking to be read. Letting it pass meant the moment ended in two seconds and both of us continued with our day. So I have stopped.

Not with a formal decision. Just a gradual extinction of the reflex. A "thanks, miss" from a shop assistant earned a nod. A "she was ahead of you" from someone in a queue earned silence. A "ma'am, your total" earned the card already extended. The words landed, registered, and slid past without the old flare of correction. In their place a quieter, stranger sensation settled: expectation. I began to anticipate the error before it happened.

When a stranger's eyes moved across me in public I could almost feel the linguistic slot they were about to drop me into. When the word arrived, it no longer surprised me. It simply confirmed the prediction. The rationalisation kept pace with the adaptation, the way it always did. The polite course was to stop making every public interaction into a small gender seminar. Lower the friction. Lower the stress. Accept their reality. 

The fact that I no longer flinched, no longer corrected, no longer even felt a strong impulse to correct, was simply efficiency.

The fact that the words had begun to feel ordinary rather than jarring was simply habituation. The fact that part of me had started to register a "miss" or "ma'am" as the expected soundtrack of moving through life.  

My thought: Was this not, what I wanted?

___________________

Thank you ColdComet for helping me describe the wonderful world I find myself unintentionally living.  

I Refuse To Be Unhappy ...

I am finding it takes effort. 

 

Vance: "Vote for the People Who have Solutions...

"Don't Vote For the people Who Made The Problem"  

Vote for 

Vice President Vance: "So vote for the people who have solutions to lower the cost of gas. Don't vote for the people who made the problem to begin with."

Best Democratic ad of the election.

Why Did We...

 

Outfit Formula 101

 

HS Reunion - Part 3

 

The Photo Wall and Hallowed Halls...

Through some stroke of luck, all of our senior High School vintage yearbook photo collages have been preserved. We had been told some years back  that they were to be moved (likely destroyed). Our class put up an organized effort and they were saved. Our year is front-and-center as you enter through the student / bus entrance.  

I am sure all of the JR High kids now wonder who are all these old people.  We do too.  

Tommy

This must have been a huge effort, first collecting / organizing the photos and then, back before computers, physically pasting in all of the yearbook photos one by one. The spacing is perfect. All photos are alphabetical with each name in black ink calligraphy. I believe our Shop / Drafting teacher was instrumental in the effort.  Thank you Mr. Harrison for this lasting memory. 

Going back was the only way to see the photos. The collage was completed during the summer after our graduation and hung in the fall. So today, may have been the first time some saw it.   

Seeing photos of classmates no longer with us, is moving. For us returning class mates, what a treasure. 

That day it did not take much effort to close one's eyes and remember. Feel and hear the noise of this group between classes moving through the halls - 60 years ago.  

HS Reunion - Part 2

Memories Friendship Pride

Part 1 photo here: 

Above all else I want to thank the incredible class of ‘66. Somehow through the efforts of several very dedicated and persistent classmates, they have kept connections open for 60 years.  No small task. Notifying us of gatherings, losses, accidents and accomplishments. You know who you are. Thank you. I am so proud to be a part of an inclusive and accepting group of special men and women. 

I am going to add a little more color commentary to my recent HS Reunion weekend.

Touring the "Old" High School
A collage of our yearbook photos In the background

 

First,  I was well known among my classmates, through sports and school activities so attending this time was a sure happening. In school I did not seek popularity. Being a country kid I never run with the cool kids. However, I was included and liked. I ask a reunion attendee how was I perceived? She said, “We all knew you were smart”. Something I did not see in myself until much later in life.

This was my third escape reunion, so there was no longer any confusion to me being “Tommy” the girl now. 

On a personal note there was a validating interchange with a wife of a classmate. She  innocently made my weekend. I will set the stage with an old joke:

There was a gathering of comedians where jokes were shared. Being most had at one time or another heard all the jokes, the jokes were given numbers. Someone would stand, call out a number and all would chuckle, recalling both the story and punchline. One comedian stood, call a number and mild laugh occurred. Except for one, who roared with laughter. Someone ask, what was that?  Another participant leaned in and whispered, “He had never heard that one”. 

Like I said, by now I was old news (or joke). Almost all at the reunion knew of me now being a girl and I was just accepted as one of the group. No big deal. One classmate’s wife had not been clued in yet. While touring our old school, she leaned in and ask, “I bet you were a cheerleader.”  I laughed and said, “I was the middle line-backer with your husband on the football team”. The realization finally hit. For the rest of the afternoon, we were fast friends with her asking many questions. The one person in the room that had not caught the joke. 

Attending a Cocktail reception Thursday
The main entrance at my resort hotel. 

Other than that, the event was typical for what anyone would expect. Acceptance and just being one of the classmates. I tried to interact with many that I had not seen in years. My motivation, since our last reunion we have lost classmates and one could easily observe that time was taking it's toll. A former girlfriend was not there; cancer. Our senior class president attempted to speak, and it was evident that short-term memory was ebbing. He barely finish his planned speech.

We were told that many did not attend because of health issues. One had broken her hip a few days before the reunion. A reunion committee member had passed away just the week before; we honored him that evening.  Several that I talked with spoke of having debilitating conditions.

Maybe you should never go home. Although I went each time with the purpose of making sure a transgender person is not remembered like the news portrays us; just one of “y’all” as they say in Virginia.

These are my thoughts on being there and this being maybe our last get-together. For me a wonderful escape weekend. Many thanks to the Reunion Committee.  Great job! 

Pride, appreciation, acceptance and a memory rich time defined the weekend. I only hope Tommy is fondly remembered, by all.  

Our Dinner Party Saturday Night

Why Not 5

 

A Great Fall Look

Political Cartoons 10-11-2026

 

My Day As....

 

Holiday Working / Retail

Card Shopping

I love working during the holidays. Nothing epitomizes the season better than retail. 

Most customers are purchasing gifts, and there is far less mission shopping.  The customer, in general, seem happy and where I worked many of the purchase were self-gifts; lingerie. 

Although there would be the brave men that would drop in. We carried a few "trashy" items that when purchased by husbands, would surely be returned. "Would you like a gift receipt", was always the ask. 

I have not worked since January and got a text from a former workmate, to check out working at a mall gift/card store with her. She was always fun to work with. The store is beautiful and holiday / gift centric.

There were parts of working at the lingerie store that were difficult. You would fit a customer and arguments would pursue with them insisting they were smaller/larger. At times leaving with an ill-fitting bra.  If that is what the customer wanted...       

I have gone through orientation at the card store and this time only part-time / oncall / a few days a week. Eight hour days on my feet are not what my Doctor though best. As the holidays get close I am sure I will be busy. Busy is good thing because it makes the time go fast. 

Many stores are desperate for help. So why not give it a try. The socialization is a fun "ESCAPE".  

 My new store is directly across from previous Soma store

________________

Personal note: On the 20 million views - I would like to thank the two that acknowledged the accomplishment and effort.  

My Blog - 20 Million Views

 

The "Because I Love Being A Girl" was my first post. I still feel the same. It was July 16, 2015, and 11 years later, 20 million views has happened. When I first put up that post, I was not sure there would be more. Now 4,121 post later, it has been so helpful for me to express myself and maybe helpful to you, my readers.  

Most importantly, I hope you have been motivated to "ESCAPE". 

Thank you my loyal readers for the comments, support and encouragement.