La Bona Dea's Journal of Everyday Magic

Sand Candle Making to Capture the Essence of Childhood and Play Note: We did not use items from the beach, but brought all decorations from home. If you go to our public lands, always leave them the way you found them, or better yet, with less litter. Blessed Be!

Blessings to you and yours at this cold and mighty Winter Solstice. The time of year when tradition once begged us to hustle and bustle, to meet-up, and party down. A season filled with laughter, hugs, and kisses or sharing hours in one another’s homes for meals and comforting visits. But not for Winter Solstice […]

When I was growing up I was taught to say thank you when people were kind to me or gave me gifts. And I am old enough to have had a great-grandma, Noni Rosie was her name, who gave me silver dimes when I saw her. “Thank you,” I’d say. As I grew I’d notice things […]

Two weeks of one foot on earth, the other in the stars. . . Today I have the urge to get grounded and attempt to focus on my work. But Bella. . . Bella our lovely Golden Retriever passed away yesterday. She’s been with us for 14 years, so yeah, there is an emptiness in […]

In Northern California, where I live, our typical fire season begins this month. The fires would be a few acres of grassland or a factory–something to remind us of how powerful and raging this element may be. But the last couple of years we have seen ravage and fury rise from the flames, and She […]

Six weeks ago I had to do the hardest thing in all of my 56 years. I had to choose to let Buddy Miles go. I had to let go of him so he could shed his tired body, no matter how much it hurt me. Yes, I’ve been divorced, yes, I have lost a […]

Blackberries are a favorite of the Goddess Brigid… She has such good taste! Great Blessings to you at the Season of Harvest! I enjoy this time of year when you can find “free food” all around the neighborhood, fields, and streams. I love that there are ancient parts of me that yearn to keep the […]

Sometimes it really is the thought that counts, so put some thought to it! xo There are some days that jump up and surprise us. A forgotten birthday arrives, a special going away gift, a thank you, or a simple, I’m glad you’re my friend occasions arrive. And, right now, it is not easy to […]

I grocery shop at the market down the street from me. On a good day and when my legs don’t hurt, I can walk there. It’s not quite a mile. The clerks and managers know me. And my kids, who used to tag along since we moved here 21 years ago. A family market that […]

The sun streamed through the window but I rolled over in my bed. The tulips began to push through the earth, but I strode past them. The sunset a few minutes later, but I went inside. I am waking from a different sleep this year. Not a long winter nap, but a dream time filled […]