One of the coolest things about being a writer is meeting and becoming friends with other writers. It’s an energizing, uplifting group of people who are always learning, always growing, always reaching for the next star. I met Faith at … Read More

  As y’all know, I sometimes struggle to find a good recipe to share, and when that happens, I ask for your help. But this month, I’m sharing a simple baked-cornbread recipe and some stovetop cooking advice I had forgotten … Read More

A short video showing how to train a dragonfly. Many years ago, a dragonfly befriended me. He flew up to see me every time I came outside. If I held my hand up, he’d land on my finger and sit … Read More

My friend Katrina and her partner Linda have a precious little Japanese Chin named Wardell. Boy, has that little dog landed in the lap of luxury! Suddenly having two loving mamas doting on him was a dream come true for … Read More

While we were in Louisville, we found a great Mexican restaurant, where I ordered Pina Fajitas. They were amazing! I didn’t need anyone to tell me the recipe; it was easy to discern. Here it is for two people: 1 … Read More

Our good dog Fred crossed the Rainbow Bridge two weeks ago. He was old, and we were lucky that he went downhill so quickly that he didn’t have to suffer for long. But even as I type this, I realize … Read More

1 can sweetened coconut milk 3 dark chocolate bars (60 – 85% pure chocolate) Instant dry oatmeal Optional: raisins, cranberries, coconut flakes, whatever floats your boat. Heat chocolate and coconut milk together in a smallish saucepan on stovetop with very … Read More

On Mother’s Day, a mother Blue Jay nominated me to foster mother her baby who had fallen out of the nest. I was outside watering plants when the mama Blue Jay caught my attention. She was flying from tree to … Read More

Ahhh, Springtime! Flower time, shower time … stray dog-and-cat time. Yep, it’s puppy-and-kitten season, which also means dumped-animal season. Tossed out like garbage, these baby animals sleep under cars in parking lots, hide out in culverts, and scrabble for sustenance … Read More

Anyone who has learned animal communication (or more accurately, unlearned the idea that they aren’t able to do it) knows that telepathy with animals is only the beginning. Once you know that you can communicate with animals, you quickly realize … Read More

I have been racking my brain to come up with a recipe I haven’t already written up in the newsletter, but nothing I can think of feels inspired. So, what I’d like to do in leu of this month’s recipe … Read More

Most of the time, when I communicate telepathically with a client’s animal, I use a method called “remote communication.” In other words, I’m not in the same place (or even the same zip code, usually) with the animal. I ask … Read More

Memes and myths abound about the differences in dogs and cats: Dogs are faithful companions; cats are aloof. Dogs have masters; cats have servants. Dogs are forgiving; cats hold a grudge forever. While some trends may hold true within a … Read More

Have you ever been STUCK, afraid to make decisions because they might end up being the wrong ones? I’ve been there. If you haven’t, you’re lucky, because it’s easier than you might think to slip into a perpetual state of … Read More

Animals are great at leading by example. They listen to their bodies, follow the natural rhythms of the earth and its seasons, and don’t apologize for being themselves. When they’re tired, they nap. When they feel energized, they get the … Read More

  In New Zealand, scones are a thing. (Actually, scones withcoffee or tea are a thing here.) I haven’t tried this recipe, because wehaven’t been anywhere that had the facilities to cook them. Give it a try andlet me know … Read More

I haven’t done one scrap of holiday shopping yet, and it’s so unlike me! I’m usually finished by now. But we’ve been so busy, there hasn’t been time. If you’re in the same boat and could use a few good … Read More

On a road trip in which I’m the passenger, I can be blind to a cool car, a tall building, or a sign the size of a barn. But if there’s a critter of any sort on the side of … Read More

  Hans and I have been traveling quite a bit lately, and that includes lots of time sitting next to each other in the car. On one of these trips, we were sparring as we sometimes do, and he said … Read More

Whenever we leave the house—or come back after being away—our dogs serenade us with the most beautiful howls you’ve ever heard. Fred sings bass with his mournful-sounding howls, and Jed and provides percussion with his rhythmic woof, woof, woof, woof. … Read More

I don’t know if y’all noticed, but in last month’s newsletter, some unnecessary commas snuck in. I knew it. I saw them. I even told my newsletter/website guru who formats and posts these things for me that I’d found a … Read More

Whenever anyone asks how I’m doing these days, my answer is always, “I’m as busy as a rat.” Let’s contrast that to a similar statement that I never use: “I’m working like a dog.” Rats are always busy. Whether it’s … Read More

One reason it’s important for writers to do more than write, is that going out into the world gives us ideas. Fodder. Grist for the mill. And you never know when off time will lead to inspiration. This is one … Read More

Roxanne Perillo Shamanic Practitioner and Reiki Master I regularly do energy healing for my clients (both animal and human). But in the same way that the cobbler and their kids often go barefoot, energy healers are liable to neglect their … Read More

My mom used to make this all the time; it’s a familiar comfort food from my childhood. (She never told me what a healthy food it was!) It’s so easy to make. Here’s all you need: 4 or five medium-sized … Read More

When Hans and I were out of town recently, the dogs’ schedules were disrupted because while we had house-sitting help, it wasn’t possible for the dogs to go in-and-out-and-in-and-out quite as often as they were used to doing. This meant … Read More

I’ve always been an animal lover, and along with that came a certain amount of do-gooder mentality. Before I accepted my animal communication abilities, I felt compelled to pick up every stray I saw and help them get back home. … Read More

Hans and I went to Canada recently. The first morning in Toronto, we had coffee in the Chelsea Hotel’s courtyard. The area was very urban, so imagine my surprise when a raccoon strolled across the courtyard like he owned the … Read More

I’ve been making my own Kombucha for years, and it’s usually better than any you can buy in a store. Plus, the store-bought Kombucha is expensive while mine’s close-to free. Kombucha scobys multiply, and I always keep a scoby hotel … Read More