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!

Self Care in Self Betterment

~ Sephira ~ Leave a comment

wanderinglistener:

So it’s that time of the year, again— holidays and finals. There’s lots of stress going around, and we can get caught up in our busy schedules to the point where we get sick (or worse). So, I’d like to make a little post with some ways to hopefully help in our self care. You can take a whole day for yourself or just a few minutes, if your schedule won’t allow it.

  • Take a shower, bath, or run a warm, damp washcloth over your face, neck and shoulders. Take some time to pay a little extra attention to other grooming, as well! You can do things like manicures, pedicures, face masks, etc. in the comfort of your home, if you prefer it.
  • The air gets really dry this time of year, so you can get lotion or a humidifier to help with that. If you have a wood stove, you may consider putting a pot of water on top so it releases the steam into the air (but keep an eye on it). You can add things like cinnamon sticks in the water that creates a lovely smell, but be careful of the water level, as you don’t want the cinnamon to burn!
  • Treat yourself to a little (or big) something, if your budget allows. Maybe you’ve been eying a new book, for example!
  • Wash/change your blankets, sheets, and pillow cases. Perhaps you’d like to get a new detergent for an extra nice smell!
  • Curl up with some music and a book, hot drink, knitting project, etc.! I’m personally fond of melting a candycane in hot chocolate while listening to musicians like Loreena McKennitt, Enya, and Mozart. Loreena and Enya both have Christmas related albums if you’d like to listen to them and are in a festive mood.
  • Play with a pet you may have or a friend’s! (Be sure to ask permission first!)
  • For this one, I would suggest seeing a doctor about prior. I’m in a place that gets very little sunlight in the winter, so I need it, but you may not! With the lack of sunlight in the winter, our immune systems can take a really big hit, and pulling all-nighters for finals doesn’t help any,either. When I was in school (and even now) I’d take a single tablet of vitamin D3 every day. It would keep me feeling more energized, happier, and would rarely get sick. Again, talk to a medical professional before getting these. (You can also take daily vitamins! )

I hope these suggestions help you guys, and that you all have a happy and safe holiday season!

~ Sephira ~ Leave a comment

carohoku:

Hello everyone! Please sign this change.org petition to have the phone companies to allow deaf customers to have an unlimited data plan. 

Here’s why:

Many states still don’t have a 911 text option. So that means if us deaf people want to make emergency calls, we’d have to use video relay service (which basically works like ft with ASL interpreters who interprets the calls for both deaf and hearing callers). The problem is that video relay service uses up so much data. What if us deaf people are in area that don’t have Wifi and we have to make important life saving calls? We’d end up having to pay extra charges for going over our data plan. 

Also, since many of our first language is ASL, we deaf people heavily rely on video chats to connect with our family and friends. Some of us including myself live in an isolated area where there are so few deaf people around. I use video chats/facetime all the time to be able to have human contact, socialize, feel less lonely, and maintain our mental health. It’s not fair that we cannot have as much call hours as hearing people do. 

So, please, take just 5 seconds of your time to sign this very important life saving petition for the deaf and hard of hearing people. 

Thank you.

Don’t look past my disabled body – love it

~ Sephira ~ Leave a comment

livingwithdisability:

theperksofbeingdisabled:

image

When I was younger, I vowed that I would never have a relationship with another disabled person. Certainly until I was about 17, I was kind of “in the closet” about disability. I knew I had one – heck, I got my first motorised wheelchair when I was 2½ – but I…

Reposting because of the sad news that Stella Young is no longer with us. RIP.

Don’t look past my disabled body – love it

Help author Katharine Kerr care for her husband Howard

~ Sephira ~ Leave a comment

Pictured above left: Katherine “Kit” Kerr at age 70. Above right: Kit and her husband, Howard, picture taken at their marriage in 1973. I first encountered Katharine Kerr’s writing in 1986 with the publication of her debut novel, Daggerspell, the opening volume of her much lauded and loved Deverry…

We have set up this fundraiser specifically to pay for care for Howard to allow her to write, either a health aide to come to the house or an adult day­care specifically designed for Alzheimer’s patients. She cannot afford this unless we help. We have set a basic goal of $12,000, which should give Kit 20 weeks of coverage. Any money raised over that amount will go for more of the same.

Help author Katharine Kerr care for her husband Howard

~ Sephira ~ Leave a comment

lazerscythe:

666jfc:

brutalboobs:

silhouettes-of-my-soul:

here’s a tip: if you start dating a depressed person, don’t be surprised if they are still depressed while they are dating you.
they’re not depressed because they’re single, and you are not an all-powerful cure for mental illnesses. just be there for them.

REAL

FUCKING

TALK

or if youre friends with a depressed person and they are upset whenever you hang out with them. Dont take it personal ok

YES