January 2025

While experiencing a series of Shamanic Visions in the early 1980’s, John Sacelli met his totem Lynx (links) who introduced him to a series of inter-dimensional, alternative and past life adventures. John/Juan is the author of The AngeLynx Oracle, The Angelish Dictionary and Lynx in Time – the 1960’s and three books of poetry.  He […]

How to be Wise in the New Year I have had this life-long desire to find someone who is wise, who, with his or her wisdom, will provide instructions for me so that I might blithely traverse this “vale of tears” (as Shakespeare refers to human existence). Ever feel this way? Ever seek someone who

Leaving Your Comfort Zone and Clothes Behind I wrapped my yukata, a cloth kimono, around my naked body, pulling the left side of the fabric over the right, as instructed, and tied the obi sash securely at my waist. The hotel provided these robes to guests to wear throughout their stay, even to dinner. Putting

I’ve been pretty fortunate to have good eyesight most of my life. I never had to wear glasses growing up. I was well into my sixties before I realized that I needed glasses if I were going to pass the California Driver’s License eye test. I wound up needing bifocals. At first, my optician suggested

The road construction in Chapala seems like a dim memory. For the most part, the downtown traffic moves smoothly, but during that two-to-three-year period of road upgrades and city beautification, there were many traffic issues: long lines, reduced lanes, and traffic police everywhere.  I live in a barrio adjacent to Tepehua, and I often had

Hope Springs Eternal Normally I am excited at the prospect of a new year: new calendars, new plans, a new verdant view. For gardeners, we also have a rebirth of our gardens to look forward to. This year seems different. My friends are complaining that they are having to learn new things daily. Their resources

You Know It’s Love When…. Little did Elizabeth Dalziel know that when she visited her mother in Chapala, she would end up flying a dog back to her home in England. Yet, that is exactly what happened when Elizabeth and her two sons, Ben and Joe Hodge, visited our area in August. Elizabeth’s mother lives

He ruined my life. I took a voice lesson with Timothy G. Ruff Welch. At first it thrilled me. Then, it made me very upset. You see, I realized afterward how it had affected so much more than my ability to sing. But it had come, in at least one painfully profound respect, too late.

Shelley Edson ElOjoShelley@gmail.com From the Lakeside Living Editor: Please send information about a local cultural, civic, or charitable event to ElOjoShelley@gmail.com at least one week plus one month in advance of the publication date. Please submit information for the Febuary issue on or before December 24, 2024. Fundraiser for The School for Special Children in

If you don’t know A Visit to Don Otavio, Sybille Bedford’s delightful book about Mexico, all told with love of foible and with sly humor, I am here to prod you into filling this local-color lacunae, as did praise from the most prestigious publications, which fell over themselves at its 1953 publication. Born in Germany