Author: Sephira

Born and raised primarily in Northern Virginia, my family and I moved to North Carolina in 2006. Married for over 20 years, my husband and I have two boys and a gaggle of cats. For me, writing is a great stress reliever. I can let my mind wander and let my emotions run free in a way that is generally not possible in my normal everyday life. My writings run the gamut in terms of style and genre – for instance my first novel is a historical romance set in the Civil War, but some of the other things I have in the works are fantasy or thrillers, among other things. It probably goes without saying, but my poetry is somewhat eclectic in nature, and again while some may feel the need to stick with a particular form, I tend to write just whatever comes to mind. Let the winds of inspiration lead me on… I’m always interested in comments and feedback. So please feel free to share your thoughts with me!
~ Sephira ~ Leave a comment

vastderp:

theafrocentrics:

wonkistan:

Reader Chris passes along an article about differences in American Sign Language usage between white and African-American signers. Researchers investigating what they call Black ASL found significant variations in signs, signing space, and facial cues. They explain:

Black ASL is not just a slang form of signing. Instead, think of the two signing systems as comparable to American and British English: similar but with differences that follow regular patterns and a lot of variation in individual usage.

They hypothesize that these differences began in segregated learning environments, and continue to evolve in Black social spaces. The whole article is worth a read.

Thanks, Chris, and remember — you can submit Wonk-worthy links through our ask or via email!

ETA, 9/24/12: Many of you have brought up the use of the word “mainstream” in this infographic. Better choices definitely exist, since this word rings of othering. We appreciate your nuanced and attentive readership!

Black folks got they own vernacular in asl also. You learn something new everyday.

whoa, that’s awesome!

~ Sephira ~ Leave a comment

tyrgodofjustice:

So I’ve been looking into some Norse gods, and found some interesting information about one of Sigyn’s best known kennings, “Incantation Fetter”: in that context, ‘fetter’ means either to control or to break, and ‘incantation’ of course refers to magic.

So Sigyn’s name means “Victory Woman” and her most famous nickname basically translates to “Cursebreaker”.

People can spout off all they want about Sigyn being useless, boring, etc etc, but I’d say she must have kicked some serious ass to earn those kind of monikers from a warrior culture like the Norse.

People With ‘Invisible Disabilities’ Fight For Understanding

~ Sephira ~ Leave a comment

Some disabilities are more obvious than others. Many are immediately apparent, especially if someone relies on a wheelchair or cane. But others — known as “invisible” disabilities — are not. People who live with them face particular challenges in the workplace and in their communities…

People With ‘Invisible Disabilities’ Fight For Understanding

Live in the Moment

~ Sephira ~ Leave a comment

caregiverscarereceivers4dementia:

image

                               Photo courtesy of gigimia.tumblr.com

For most of my lifeI had heard the expression, “live in the moment” and thought I understood what it meant.  After all,what free spirited thirty something doesn’t think that it means to be spontaneous or do something outlandish and never-mind the outcome or the consequences.  

Fast forward a few decades and with a diagnosis of
Alzheimer’s strapped to my wife, I heard people say over and over, “live in the
moment!” To me that now meant, ‘do what you can while you can’. I thought I
understood, but I really didn’t.

Lately as Laura has been slipping so much, I think I am
finally beginning to understand. She
said something really funny the other day, and we both cracked up and were
laughing so hard we were crying. When we both had it down to some chuckling, I
wiped my eyes and said the obvious, “That was really funny.”

“What was?” she sincerely asked, still smiling broadly.

“What you just said” I replied softly. All of the
implications of her short term memory loss hit me like a ton of bricks.

“Oh, what did I say? I don’t remember.”

I wanted to wipe my eyes now for another reason.  The moment of laughter that we had shared had
passed, even quicker than it came. Then I understood. Living in the moment is not
about doing anything; it’s about
absorbing those few precious seconds that you can share.  Today it is laughter or reliving the flicker
of a memory. I don’t know what it will be tomorrow. It might just be the flash
of recognition when she sees me. I don’t know. But I do know that I will relish
every second of it.