Thanks for filing yourself in my address book. It’s much appreciated.
A tiny box of tiny happinesses.
#GroundingBox #ItBringsMeJoy
I don't think I'll ever get over how weird, wonderful, and messy these trees are.
#california #palmtrees #longbeachCA
When a ton of your friends are writers, you end up with a giant "Did I ever actually review that on Amazon?" stack.
#IfYouReadSomethingSaySomething #WriteReviews #SmallPress #WriterFriends #LoveYourAuthors #YourFriendsCountOnYourStars #SupportIndieAuthors #SupportPoets
The bracelets I won from @lotus.sky came in and I used that as an excuse to fill my arms with jewelry. These bangles (top three in the pink flower hand) are gorgeous and super-duper comfortable. The all-woman-owned company is doing a contest for the next couple of days in case you want to try to win some too.
#LetsBeTwinsies #ThanksLotusSky #EthicalShopping #FairTrade #Bangles #SupportWomenInBusiness
One time, my late husband and I found a cheap charm bracelet that had symbols of good luck from around the world. We bought it because we could only identify half of them. For months, we asked everyone we passed if they knew one of the mystery symbols. If someone seemed particularly moved by the presence of a charm, we would take it off and give it to them. In the end, only two elephants were left and I told myself I'd turn them into earrings one day. And today I did.
#projects #keepsakes #elephants #remake #rebuild #letsgoletsgoletsgo
My wildly-talented friend, @tjlubrano , made this illustration a million years ago. That's me! Hi. I'm Ra Avis. I'm basically a dinosaur. It's nice to meet you.
Right now, I'm holding back a panic attack. It's a little like trying to drink from a soapbubble. I have to reach into my throat and punch my heart back down. I tell it my ribcage is a blanket not a prison, and it can rest. I take the weight from my shoulders, set it on my chest, and pray it keeps me from floating away. Outside my mind, when all this is happening, I look distant and still. You wouldn't notice anything till the bubble pops and I fight to keep air so hard I sweat translucence. And even then, you may not notice.
I say all this because one thing that pulls the ants from my veins is knowing that good neighbors are everywhere, even just on the other side of this screen, and I can reach them with my words. I say all this because May is #MentalHealthAwareness month. And though my hashtags and blogs are all about the many nouns I am-- I am a person with an anxiety disorder as much or more than all those other things. My mental illness informs what I write, how I interact, where I find joy, and how I process #trauma and #grief -- no matter how regulated, medicated, positive, grateful, or careful I am.
My mind is a rebel wand, stealing my air and turning it into pest and pop. You may not see the fight, but it's as part of me as bone and blood. And I say all this because even though it isn't possible to always know how a mind is shaped, it is always possible to greet someone like their heart has taken a few punches and is just trying to get some well-earned rest. Like life isn't always easy. Like you are a neighbor they could reach out to, if they ever need to borrow some air.
Hi. It's nice to meet you. ♥️. I hope your day has been filled with easy breathing and kindness.
#DoingTheseEveryTwoMonths #IsThatTooMuch #aboutme #meettheartist #meetthepoet #introduction #raAvis #rarasaur #InstaRarasaur #browngirlbloggers #poet #blogger #followmeontwitter #chicana #desigirl #felon #formerlyincarcerated #widow #loss #rebuilding #writer #smallpresspublisher #girlswhocode #anxiety #gad
Reminder to self: There is an Outside. Sometimes it is even pretty.
Traditions are especially reassuring when the right words have gone the way of everything else you've lost.
#AnniversaryOfTerribleThings (If you click the hashtag, you will find years where I actually had something coherent to say.)
Spring looks good on you, Long Beach.
#longbeachCA #thisIsLB #palmtrees #blueskies #california
Wow, you are super organized, but I guess you would kind of have to be considering all the things that you cover on this blog.
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Hugs to you too
xoxox
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I am very impressed with your little secretarial skill at filing all this info away! Good for you! I absolutely love your blog, btw. 🙂 Happy Monday!
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D’awwwwwwww misunderstood-monster hug. 🙂
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I like filling out forms. 🙂 That was quite fun, and I’m glad you’re letting us enter ourselves into your address book.
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🙂 I love godzilla and king kong hugging it out!
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I don’t know how you do this stuff, Rara. It’s as much as I can do to post every day and remember the odd link
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I was lucky enough to get a friendship bracelet & I still wear it every single day! I use my Outlook to keep track of everyone I need to know – got used to it thru work & just kept it going for my personal stuff
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Why does King Kong look like me?
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How could King Kong look like you? He’s not nearly as handsome as you are.
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I meant it seemed like King Kong looked *enough* like me and Rarazilla was giving me a hug.
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Oh, I see. In that case, it’s okay. Don’t forget, though. I’m good for hugs, too.
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This is so awesome! You’re amazing!
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aww shucks. nice surprize.
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The overexcited Kermit made me laugh. 🙂 Thank you.
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Whiiieee! Opting for Rara-goodness gives an additional monster-hug!
*Listens to the grumbling besides her and starts hugging the cuddly stuffed monsterbears again*
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I especially love the caveat *overly excited promises not guaranteed. It made me less scared to be part of your awesome group (I’m easily overwhelmed these days). Also I need to post it in my house. It’s the story of my life but in a good way.
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I didn’t even know you could do something like this. You blow my mind woman, you burst with amazingness! I signed up for the pepper thing, but I’m scared!!! xoxo
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*waves*
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Well the list form did not like my wordpress blog id and kept kicking me outcfor a proper url. HA! Hmmm IDK?
https//dianneebejer.wordpress.com
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Hey Rawr! Hope the holidaze are treating you well! While subscribing to your list I’m taking this opportunity to ask ya’ if a copy of Sack Nasty might be coming my way? Still haven’t received it. Be well, love & light sister!
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