This is our beautiful Dreamer and in the background is Star these two have become best friends over the last couple of years

Between caring for Dreamer in her last days as our breathing companion and wedding plans I will not have time to do all the regular posts. I will only be posting the daily (for some of my days off only one horoscope will be going up for the daily one but you can click on the link to read the other one) and birthday horoscopes, current moon phase, daily correspondence and a spell which will be going up on the day of instead of the day before. I will also get something up for Litha in the northern hemisphere and Yule in the southern hemisphere.

We have made the very hard and heartbreaking decision to do what is best for Dreamer by sending her across the rainbow bridge on June 22nd hopefully she crosses it at home before then. As I wake up every morning and still see our big baby girl suffering as we will not have the full amount needed for the vet to assist her across the bridge until Big Dawg is paid on the 22nd I find it very hard to concentrate on doing posts or really anything that takes my thoughts away from her except for our wedding day. I am taking the 23rd off to grieve and celebrate Dreamer’s time of living with Big Dawg and then myself. Yesterday we individually told her we want her to cross the bridge to be out of pain and be able to run and enjoy being whatever age she wants to again. Yes, there were many tears mostly sad at watching her quality of life go downhill so quickly and happy ones as we told her about our favorite times with her. I thought you might like to know how Dreamer got her name. As a pup Big Dawg saw she dreamt a lot about running as her legs were always moving in her sleep. So, he gave her the name Dreamer. My nickname for her is Dreamsicle as I love her and creamsicles.

As far as our wedding I am doing the nosegay bouquets and bootiners for it. Along with helping Big Dawg get the last of the papers served that he needs to do by the 21st. We will be getting married at approximately 1:00 PM CDT on June 21st!

This is a very bitter sweet time in our home. I ask again with tears in my eyes for prayers for Dreamer to cross the bridge here at home so her last thoughts are of a place she is familiar with and surrounded by her canine companions as well as Big Dawg and myself.

I will try to get the rest of the northern hemisphere’s tomorrow posts done by the time they are supposed to go live which is about 4:00 PM CDT. Between the stress and worry over Dreamer, lack of a even half-way decent night’s sleep, and a cool, rainy day my brain went out to brunch without the rest of me. I don’t mean any disrespect with my wording over my brain fog but if I don’t laugh and whatever I would be sitting here crying. Brain fog is a very serious condition that can cause the person not to be able to focus on any task. Please bear with me today if I don’t get all the regular scheduled posts done as I also have a tension migraine. I am going to meditate which usually helps to center and ground me more so I can stay focused.

I am typing this trying not to cry to hard, so I don’t make too many typos. THis has not been proof read either. I thank you for letting me pour my heart out again in a safe place! I have been up since 1:30 AM CDT with only 4 hours of sleep. Dreamer’s back legs are getting worse, but the doctor changed her medication 2 days ago and we are hoping it makes a difference. This is the last thing to try before we send her in to her eternal sleep.

This morning when it was time to take all of our fur kids out it took her 6 tries to be able to stand up, she went down the four steps fine but I had to help her back up them. Which is better than Star who is afraid to go down the new safer stairs we put in on Tuesday afternoon. But to be fair to both of the ladies I had a hard time being able to stand and go down and up the stairs this morning too. It looks like only our brave, protective male Merlin, who scared a poor baby rabbit by barking at it, likes the new stairs or he just doesn’t give a dam as long as he can get to his favorite bathroom spot.

Today we will be installing a ramp outside for Dreamer and Star to use. As our Cleo is 14 years old and hesitant to jump down off the cough or go down and up the new stairs, I am pretty sure she will choose the ramp also.

The ramp we got was given to us by a couple whose Chihuahua crossed over a few months ago. We need to make a couple of small adjustments to it, but Big Dawg and I work great on home repair and improvement stuff as we found out installing the new stairs.

Please say a prayer or light a candle for whatever is best for Dreamer be it that the new medicine helps or it is time for her to cross to be free from pain and whatever age she enjoyed being the most.

If any of you ever want to talk or vent or scream or need a prayer said and/or a candle lit please contact me at ladybeltane@witchesofthecraft.com. I am not a licensed therapist but I am an ordained minister so anything you want to talk about goes no further than my listening to you. If it wasn’t for first my Coven Life family when my mom crossed and than you my wonderful WOTC family helping me through the last 4 years or so I don’t know what shape my mind, bod, or spirit would be in. Thank you are inaquetue words for what my heart feels in graitude to each one of you for followingWOTC and “listening” to me when I need to pour out my feelings in a safe place. I hope WOTC can become a place for us all to feel safe sharing our laughs, happiness, sadness, losses, and any other thing you might like to share with us.

MAY THE GODDESSES AND GODS KEEP YOU SAFE IN THEIR WARM BRACE AND CONTENT IN YOUR LIFE! iF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ACCEPT THEM I SEND EACH OF YOU A RAINBOW OF BLESSINGS FROM MY HEART TO YOURS.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.

Mosquito season is officially here. Learn about how to prevent and treat bites.

Summer is by far my favorite season. The warm temperatures and consistent sunshine in North Carolina, where I live, mean I can spend more time outside doing things I love: hiking, walking my dog and spending time at the lake. But that time in nature is quickly spoiled when I find myself covered in red, itchy bumps after just a few minutes outdoors. Even though we’re just on the cusp of the summer season and the temperatures are still fairly temperate for most of the US, pesky mosquitoes are active starting in March. That means mosquito season is already in full swing. 

If you’re like me, you get frustrated by the number of mosquito bites you acquire. It’s downright infuriating when I come inside sporting several new welts while my friends report that they don’t have a single one. 

Why is that? It’s not that I’m particularly unlucky. There are actually scientific reasons why mosquitoes single out certain people. Here’s why mosquitoes bite and how you can make yourself less of a target this summer. For more, learn about how to safely remove a tick and how you can alter the colors of your hydrangeas. 

Why do mosquitoes bite?

Contrary to what you might think, mosquitoes don’t bite people for food; they feed on plant nectar. Only female mosquitoes bite, and they do so to receive proteins from your blood needed to develop their eggs. 

Why are some people more prone to bites?

There are several factors that impact why some people are more prone to mosquito bites than others:

Blood type

A common belief is that mosquitoes are attracted to certain blood types, considering mosquitoes bite humans for their blood. Blood type is determined by genetics, and each blood type is created based on the different sets of specific proteins, called antigens, on the surface of red blood cells. There are four main blood types: A, B, AB and O. 

While there are no firm conclusions as to which blood type is more attractive to mosquitoes, several studies have suggested people with type O are most appetizing to mosquitoes. A 2019 study observed mosquito feeding behavior when presented with different blood type samples, and found mosquitoes fed from the type O feeder more than any other. A 2004 study also found that mosquitoes land on blood group O secretors (83.3%) significantly more than group A secretors (46.5%).

However, these studies are not definitive, and much is still up in the air about mosquito preferences when it comes to blood type.

Clothing color 

Mosquitoes are highly visual hunters when it comes to finding a human to bite. This means movement and dark clothing colors like black, navy and red can stand out to a mosquito. Research has shown that mosquitoes are more attracted to the color black, but there has been little additional research into why this is the case. 

Carbon dioxide

Mosquitoes use sight and smell to find hosts to bite. One of the quickest ways mosquitoes can sniff out a person is through the carbon dioxide emitted when we breathe. According to research published in the journal Chemical Senses, mosquitoes use an organ called a maxillary palp for carbon dioxide detection and can sense it from 164 feet away. 

Because carbon dioxide is a huge attractor, people who emit more of it — larger individuals and people who are breathing heavily when working out — are more attractive to a mosquito. 

Body odor and sweat

Mosquitoes are attracted to more substances and compounds than just carbon dioxide. Mosquitoes can find people to bite by smelling substances present on human skin and in sweat, including lactic acid, uric acid and ammonia. 

A new study found that mosquitoes are attracted to compounds called carboxylic acids that every human produces through sebum, a waxy coating, on their skin. The sebum is eaten by the millions of beneficial microorganisms found on human skin, which produces more carboxylic acid — and will, in turn, produce an odor similar to cheese or smelly feet that appears to attract mosquitoes. Lead researchers on this study said mosquitoes are sensitive to human odor and that even perfumes or colognes can’t mask it.  

Researchers are still learning why certain body odors are more attractive to mosquitoes, but they do know that genetics, bacteria on the skin and exercise all play a factor. Genetics impact the amount of uric acid emitted, while exercise increases lactic acid buildup. 

Why do some people swell from mosquito bites more than others?

Mosquito bites can range in size from small little spots to large welts. Why is this the case?

Bites affect people differently. The size and severity of a bite relate to how your immune system responds to the saliva introduced by the mosquito when it bites. When mosquitoes bite, they inject some saliva when drawing blood. This saliva contains certain anticoagulants and proteins, triggering the immune system to respond to these foreign substances. 

Our body responds by releasing histamine — a chemical released by white blood cells when your immune system is fighting allergens — which causes the itchiness and inflammation of the bite. 

How to prevent mosquito bites

The best way to handle a mosquito bite is to not get them in the first place — but oftentimes, that’s easier said than done. 

Some common ways to prevent mosquito bites include:

• Use repellents and bug sprays (Repel, Off Deep Woods and other brands that contain DEET)
• Use natural repellants (citronella essential oil, neem oil, thyme essential oil)
• Avoid going outside at dawn or dusk 
• Avoid dark-colored clothing, specifically black
• Avoid standing water and try to eliminate standing water near your home
• Use mosquito netting when camping or sleeping outdoors
• Wear long sleeves and pants
• Prevent mosquito bites when traveling internationally

If you’re using DEET insect repellent, make sure to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidelines (PDF) about the strength and proper application.

How to treat mosquito bites

Mosquito bites, while annoying, are often not severe and will resolve in a few days. In the meantime, there are several treatments to alleviate the itchiness and inflammation:

• Clean with rubbing alcohol if a fresh bite
• Take an oatmeal bath 
• Use over-the-counter antihistamines such as Benadryl or Claritin
• Apply mild corticosteroid creams
• Use aloe vera to reduce inflammation
• Try a cold compress or ice pack for 10 minutes

Though difficult, try as best you can to not itch the bite too roughly to prevent any sort of skin reaction or infection. 

Mosquito-borne diseases and illnesses

While the majority of mosquito bites result in welts that heal in a few days, mosquitoes are known carriers of many deadly diseases and illnesses, including but not limited to:

• Malaria
• West Nile
• Dengue
• Chikungunya
• Yellow fever
• Zika Virus

Mosquitoes are often considered one of the deadliest animals on earth. Mosquito-borne diseases kill more than 725,000 people a year the World Health Organization estimates, with malaria accounting for the vast majority of deaths (600,000). 

While malaria and other mosquito-borne diseases hit Sub-Saharan Africa the hardest, mosquitoes pose a risk to every continent and nation. Most types of mosquitoes in the US are nuisance mosquitoes — mosquitoes that do not spread germs that make people sick — but there have been outbreaks of West Nile, dengue, chikungunya and Zika in a few states and territories. 

There are several steps you can take to control mosquito populations and minimize risk. Make sure to properly cover and store water containers around your home and drain any standing water to prevent mosquitoes from laying eggs. For treatments, you can use an outdoor adulticide to kill adult mosquitoes or larvicides to treat bodies of standing water that will not be used for drinking and cannot be drained. 

Infected bites will often look extremely red, swollen and warm or have a red streak that spreads outward from the bite. See a health care provider if you have signs of infection or if symptoms worsen. 

For more, read about the five smart ways to repel mosquitoes this summer, the mosquito forecast tool*

First published on July 30, 2022 5:00 a.m. PT

*OFF!Cast Mosquito Forecast Tool

(SIDE NOTE FROM Lady Carla Beltane: SO I have signed up for the 7-day forecasts to be sent to my email. I will wait to see how right or wrong they are and let you know towards the end of the month. I am lucky to hardly ever get bitten but I worry for our fur kids with living across the street from a small swampy area.)