Welcome, writers at home– To prep for the Face Your Fears writing workshop today with me– please start with listing your top five fears. Don’t think about them, just make note. Afterward, take a look and number them in accordance with your level of fear. Talk to you again in a short while.
Continue readingWHAT, WHO, & WHEN, HOW & WHY: Free writing workshop with me as facilitator & blogger here. “Face Your Fears” is the theme. I’ll be online between 3-5 p.m., responding to questions in comments section. You don’t have to sign up. You don’t have to make a comment. You don’t have to submit any writing. But you are welcome to observe, participate and give feedback. If you’d like to submit the writing you did out…
Continue readingThe United States is the wealthiest country in the world. Yet there are health care workers dying because of not having basic protection against the potentially lethal virus they work against. Why is that? As with all Obama funded programs, scientifically based as well as humanity related the Trump Administration got rid of the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Reauthorization Act. Ridding the government of Obama’s legacy because he is a black man was one reason.…
Continue reading20th anniversary edition: University of New Mexico Press (2014) (first edition: 1994)
Continue readingSo the nightmares have begun–not only the nightmare of a pandemic but real nightmares. Our imaginations go where they go–worms coming out of the tap water, being possessed by a demon, searching for people we love and can’t find them… There’s no surprise that the anxiety levels are up. We read bed time stories to children to put their minds at ease at bedtime. I suggest we do the same for ourselves. If you go…
Continue readingWe are entering Spring Equinox. The world is on alert and populations are challenged as never before. As a Chicana/mexicana-indigena I grew up and have always had limpias as part of our lives. We do all kinds of limpias–sweeping with a huevo, usamos hierbas y aquas preparadas, baños. Friday is a good day for a limpia. You don’t have to find a curandera, santera, or modern bruxa/os. If you’d like a recommendation on how to…
Continue readingIMG_2323 Cooking at home is not so hard. Buying in bulk is “elder” advised. Make enough for more than one or for several days. Frijoles charros. You can find recipes on line. Legumes are a superfood, btw. Here we are.
Continue readingNow that we’ve established how I really feel, welcome to my new La Comunidad blog. As a writer, creative, poet and long-time cabrona con corazón, if you’re not familiar with my books and writings please do check them out. They’re on my website and anywhere you get books and your information. You may comment whatever you wish here but only good-vibes. We are in the midst of world-spreading pandemic and I am in the U.S.…
Continue readingIf you are at home practicing social distancing, social responsibility or because you have to– remember that BOOKS are our friends. They don’t carry viruses. They free our imaginations. Whether you prefer fiction to non-fiction, poetry to memoir, if you are a book-lover you most likely have a pile near your bedside waiting for your attention. I recently pulled out of the bedside-shelf an old read, AZTEC by Gary Jennings. I first read it when…
Continue readingChicago workshop on the 18th was cancelled last week. It would have been a good idea to cancel considering the pandemic the world is experiencing but it was cancelled because of a personal family medical emergency. Ultimately, it all ties in. If you are interested in working with me on your writing now or in the foreseeable future please do reach out via anacastilloworkshops@gmail.com with any questions. Until now, I hesitate to blog bc before…
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