living well and dying with dignity
Aleia 
It’s almost time for the Vernal (Spring) Equinox, marking the balance of sunlight and darkness as the sun crosses the equator, moving from south to north. This special day marks the beginning of spring in the northern hemisphere. This year the equinox falls on March 20, 2025, at 5:01 a.m. (EDT). I like to honor … Read more
While I don’t relish beginning the 2025 newsletter with words about disaster, I would be remiss if I didn’t address the catastrophe that will require much healing, care, and support for thousands of displaced persons and animals in Los Angeles. Please consider making a donation to World Central Kitchen, Best Friends Animal Sanctuary (LA), or … Read more
Winter solstice is a special day that occurs annually on or around December 21st when the sun is at its most southerly point relative to the celestial equator. The word solstice comes from the Latin words, “sol” (sun) and “sistere” (stopped or stationary). At the summer solstice, when daylight is long and the sun is at … Read more
Autumn’s chill and respiratory viruses usually arrive hand in hand. While most people who “catch a cold” don’t test for SARS-CoV-2 (COVID) any more, many who do find that their at-home tests are negative even on day 3 or 4 after symptom onset. To be clear, one in ten people infected with any COVID variant … Read more
Halloween decorations are starting to appear in yards and on porches, ramping up excitement for trick or treating, pumpkin carving, funny costumes, spooky themed parties, and ghost stories. As golden autumn days grow shorter, the next cross quarter point on the Celtic Wheel of the Year is rapidly approaching. To the ancient Druids Samhain (pronounced … Read more
At autumnal equinox, day and night are in equal balance. It marks the beginning of increasingly shorter daylight hours and longer nights, and it’s right around the corner on September 22, 2024. When the summer fun is done, and fall makes her subtle debut, we human beings can become the epitome of “human doings”! Waning … Read more
It’s been a while since my last Long Covid (LC) Series post. That is because I am better but not normal. The good news is that I have been enjoying summer in Flagstaff. There have been social interactions (virtually and outdoors), Llumination Quests (ask me about this), reading, research, writing, consults, and precious time with … Read more
This edition of the seasonal timings explores a celebration with rich history in both Celtic and Anglo-Saxon cultural traditions. Lughnasadh (pronounced loo NAS ah) occurs at the midpoint between the summer solstice and the autumnal equinox. This holiday is traditionally celebrated on the eve of July 31st and into the next day, August 1st while … Read more
For the first three years living with Long Covid (and not knowing it), I spent a lot of time avoiding allergy triggers and another covid infection. I masked in public places (still do), and tested frequently for covid before and after social interactions. Most of my limited social interactions were (and still are) in outdoor … Read more
Readers following the Long Covid (LC) series may note that I referenced a “trigger event” that increased my symptoms in 2023. Today I want to share about this, hoping it is of some use to other LC patients. The event was related to a covid vaccine. To be very clear, I am not anti-vax and … Read more