Hey all. It’s been a minute.
I realized recently it’s been five years since I’ve picked up this blog/app, and I realized that it was something I missed — community. I missed being a part of something larger, a part of something meaningful. So, I started a mid-year goal to make at least one post a week starting with this one, an update regarding my life and practice. So, here’s what’s new in the last five years.
Pandemic hit me hard, I became disabled through multiple covid infections despite doing my best to be careful (I worked “essential retail”, then in a nursing home, now in the community. More on that later). As a result of those infections I developed POTS, Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome. I went from being an active 19 year old, to barely being able to stand up and walk across a room without being faint and dizzy, sometimes resulting in a full syncope episode. Nowadays, my POTS is controlled with medication, compression, and my service dog(s). Speaking of…
Remember that post, asking for assistance with my pup’s emergency surgery? Well, not only did Cosmo pull through and recover beautifully (thanks to generous people in our community), he began training as my cardiac and psychiatric service dog which was exactly what his driven, energetic, keen mind needed. Over the course of two years we trained rigorously together, and he became public access approved in 2023 — when my POTS really developed full-on. Now, at almost 13, Cosmo is happily retired and only works on HIS terms, and is helping me train my next service dog — a Catahoula Leopard Dog named Amaretto Pucker, or Puck for short. See end for pics.
I graduated in 2021 with my BA in Sociology and minor in Anthropology with nearly enough credits for a criminology degree as well (I didn’t want to take an extra class at the time). I utilize this degree as a Community Support Worker/Direct Support Professional, where I assist clients from all things like getting public aid (think food stamp, disability, social security, etc applications), to going to appointments and attending those appointments with clients when consent is given, to managing health conditions and medications, to teaching and developing social skills, to so much more. It’s exceptionally fulfilling.
I have moved 4 times in the last 16 months, and it’s about 3 times too many. Right now I am in my own place, a mobile home in a rural town that is just enough space for me and the critters — because I also got 3 cats over the course of the last year, as the cat distribution system is no joke! They’re lovely, though, and we are our own family.
I am in a happy relationship with my partners, Katie and Nova — a high school teacher and a state clerical worker — and am finally feeling safe and loved and seen in a relationship. Bonus points for Katie being polytheistic as well, though more eclectic than I!
My devotional practice has flourished, and in my current days I find myself becoming more mindful of my practice — I sit quietly now, instead of raging or crying or begging. I find myself more at peace, less desperate for guidance. I am working on building a functional yet safely out-of-reach-from-animals altarspace, so oftentimes I find myself praying very khernips in the mornings and evenings, thanking the Gods for the blessings of my day. I veil more frequently now, as I find it not only ground, but soothing.
I appreciate those of you who have stuck around this long, and I look forward to going through my askbox! Plan for more devotional activities/outfit inspirations/veiling ideas/devotional playlists from me, as I have been working to develop and curate these ideas for a while!
May the Gods’ favor shine upon you,
pixelskylines
jacobvanloon
turnnoffyourmind
blakekathryn
theartofmadeline
kianamaiart
