Misery: Cuddling up to the Tahoe Shoulder Season

 The Tahoe Shoulder Season Survivalist’s Tricks: 

Eat, Sip, and Flip

By Cal Orey, M.A.

When I woke up, the Sierra mercury decided to play mind games, plummeting from a warm 60 F to a biting 30 F in a single day. “Forget controlling the weather,” I muttered to my shivering tree garden, realizing that nature’s wacky weather is not an obstacle to be cursed, but a tactical challenge to be outsmarted. As the author of the Healing Powers series, I have learned some tricks to ride the season mix from a test of endurance into a masterclass in mountain adaptation. 

• The "High-Altitude" Pantry: When the weather is fickle, stocking the right superfoods prevents the blues that comes with crazy pressure changes. On gray rainy days, think “Cold-Snap" proteins: Fresh fish and poultry. These are heart healthy and low-cal. When the 60-degree days hit, load up on hydrating produce like tomatoes, cucumbers, raw spinach, oranges, and apples. These provide the water content your body craves when the air is dry and thin. 

• Hot-Cold Elixirs: The "Snow-Day" Tonic: A hot tea spiked with raw honey, and a pinch of cayenne pepper acts as a natural vasodilator, pushing blood to your extremities when the wind chill bites. The "Sun-Day" Refresher: Brew a large batch of hibiscus tea. It’s packed with cold and virus-fighting antioxidants, and helps the body manage the oxidative stress of high-altitude UV exposure.

• The "Tactical Alpinist" Garb: If you are wearing the same thing at 10:00 AM as you are at 4:00 PM, you are doing it wrong. The Base Layer: Always wear layered clothing to bundle up in both 30 and 60-degree weather, tossing it off when you’re hot and insulating when you’re cold. In Tahoe, the wind is the real culprit behind the "shoulder season chill.”

As the April winter advisory looms, I shed the layers: shorts are swapped for jeans, and the hoodie is traded for a lighter tee. By night, the electric fireplace hums, paired with the soothing ritual of chamomile tea and lavender honey, cuddled up with the fluffy feline and canine, a final, cozy defense against the chill before the first May flowers signal the sun’s return. 

CAL OREY, M.A., is a bestselling author-novelist specializing in topics such as adventure, health, nutrition, and science. She holds a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in English (Creative Writing) from San Francisco State University. Her books include the popular Healing Powers series, and Courage with Paws, Time-Traveling Tabby, the new, revised 2nd edition of The Healing Powers of Honey (pre-order for 2026), and The Healing Powers of Olive Oil, 3rd edition in production.  She is a South Lake Tahoe local. Her website is www.calorey.com

Cultivating a Garden in Spring Takes Patience for Vibrant Blossoms and Leaves

 Plant some green air

News | May 27, 2025

Cal Orey  Tahoe Daily Tribune

Twenty-five years back, upon establishing roots in South Shore, I initiated a deliberate intervention: cultivating a dedicated green space, a personal plant collection. As time progressed, this botanical foothold grew claiming territory on the deck with potted specimens–maples, aspens, even lavender. The outcome wasn’t merely aesthetic; I uncovered a truth: actively engaging greenery wasn’t just nurturing plants…This connection to nature is an observation that gardening can do so much more!

Did you know plants can absorb toxic compounds and provide improve air quality? Being in the presence of plants and trees has been linked to reduced stress levels, lower blood pressure, and decreased heart rate. And nurturing plants and trees can be good medicine for you, especially during summer when windows might be closed due to heat or allergens. Take a look at the power of green air…

Top 5 Plants/Trees…Mind/Body Perks

1. Aspen-Outdoor Deck: Aspen trees are native to the Tahoe region and are suited to the climate. Young trees can be kept in large pots. Watching its vibrant green leaves in summer, golden-yellow foliage in fall, provides a link to seasonal changes and the rhythm of the natural world, fostering a sense of place and grounding.

2. Maple-Outdoor Deck: These native species, like Aspen, grow well on the deck and in large pot. Maples boast super colors. The visual pleasure of the tree’s structure, the changing colors of its leaves through the season, can provide a sense of calm, and enhance mood.

3. Snake Plant-Indoor: A popular and hardy houseplant (I’ve had one for years) does well in our homes with lower light and dry air. Studies by NASA show they can remove toxins from the air, which can lower anxiety related to indoor air quality and support respiratory health.

4. Lavender-Outdoors: Lavender are resilient for Tahoe’s climate and can grow in containers on a deck. The scent released from the plant, when warmed by the sun, can have an effect on relaxation. Having a lavender plant (or several!) on the deck, provides stress reduction via aromatherapy.

5. Spider Plant-Indoor: A popular and easy-to-grow houseplant known for its “spiderettes” or “baby” plantets are good for the mind/body, too. Research suggests that the presence of plants in a workspace can help with mind fatigue. Having a spider plant indoors may also contribute to aiding in concentration and focus during tasks.

The golden rule of green thumb at Tahoe is, after Memorial Day it’s time to get busy with your plants and trees for their versatile qualities and positive effects on your well-being.

CAL OREY, M.A., is a bestselling author-novelist specializing in topics such as adventure, health, nutrition, and science. She holds a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in English (Creative Writing) from San Francisco State University. Her books include the popular Healing Powers series, and Courage with Paws: The Heart of a Siamese Cat, (Book 2) Time-Traveling Tabby, and co-author of a sci-fi duology–The Ghost Ships. Her bestselling book The Healing Powers of Honey, 2nd ed. will launch August 2026; The Healing Powers of Olive Oil, 3rd ed. is in production. She is a South Lake Tahoe local. Her website is http://www.calorey.com

Want to Know When the Next Quake is Coming? Ask Your Cat!

 By Cal Orey

Time-Traveling Tabby: Paws, Claws, and Quantum Laws: Feline Odyssey Through Dimensions! (Available on Amazon and B&N) In a world where seismic and cosmic events reshape the Earth and alter the fabric of time, an underappreciated cat becomes an unexpected bridge between past and present. As its new owner and cat experience the complexities of time travel, the feline’s heightened senses alert her to impending Earth changes that could redefine their existence. Together they forge a bond, revealing tales of feline companionship while facing the mysteries of the Universe…

In the short story Time-Traveling Tabby: A Journey Through Whiskers and Time, [click and watch TRAILER!]  a scribe navigates a complex time-based landscape, and her newly adopted cat becomes a conduit to the past, revealing tales of feline companions from bygone eras. With its keen senses, the cat alerts its owner to an impending celestial event, forging a bond between them that transcends time and space. As the feline peeks into a future time loop in 2032 (impacts of climate change and extreme weather events), it must trust its instincts in order to confirm a calm future. [PAWS ACROSS TIME: ORACLE VISIONARY MARCH 2025, PAGES 18-19--Oracle Visionary | Oracle Visionary March 2025 | MagCloud]  

The tale revolves around a young orange tabby cat adopted by a seasoned prose weaver who takes “Gatsby” on a journey through time, visiting the 70s, 80s, 90s, and the 21st century, and eventually, the future. The feline narrator tells the saga of adventures, which are deeply connected to his owner’s past experiences and the stories she shares with him about her previous cats. As the cat listens to these feline tales, he feels a strong desire to prove himself and fill the paws of the scribes’ past adopted cats who endured Earth changes through decades in the U.S.

The Cat’s Journey and Sci-Fi/Fantasy Elements

As Gatsby time travels with his owner, he develops a keen intuition that allows him to sense an imminent earthquake, which he warns his owner about by scratching at the closet door for two days before the BIG event changes his life. The act of courage and loyalty wins over his owner’s heart, and she begins to appreciate the great Sir Gatsby’s wonderful listening skills and the special bond they share. The cat’s ability to sense the earthquake and his journey through time with his owner are the key sci-fi elements in the story, showcasing his uncanny powers and the unique connection he has with his owner. The cat’s experiences and the stories this owner tells him about her past felines who survived earth changing events, creates a rich and immersive narrative that explores the themes of time travel, intuition, and the human-animal bond. 

Take a peek at an excerpt from the Time-Traveling Tabby:

THE SHAKE-UP - Time's Tectonic Shift

Then, BAM! seismic waves shook my senses for two days…

The sensitive woman noticed my odd scratching the closet door;

I saw flocks of birds fly away from rumbling to come,

An earthquake imminent; shaking and rolling floor—and MORE!

Sci-Fi/Fantasy Themes

The story is heartwarming and thought-provoking exploration of the sci-fi fantasy genre, with a unique twist of having a feline narrator who travels through time and experiences the world in a way that is both familiar and strange. The cat’s journey and his owner’s stories about her past cats create a sense of nostalgia and high-tech wonder, highlighting the idea that animals can possess a deep understanding of the world and the people around them. The story’s use of time travel and the cat’s intuitive abilities adds a layer of sci-fi/fantasy that makes the narrative engaging and mesmerizing.

CAL OREY, M.A., is a bestselling author-novelist specializing in topics such as adventure, health, romance, and science. She holds a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in English (Creative Writing) from San Francisco State University. Her books include the popular Healing Powers series, and Courage with Paws. (Book 2) Time-Traveling Tabby, and two electrifying co-authored sci-fi-/fantasy novels--The Ghost Ships. Her website is www.calorey.com

Quake Coming? Ask Your Cat!

 Seismic Wellness: Staying Steady When the Earth Isn’t

NewsNews | Apr 15, 2026

Cal Orey, M.A. Tahoe Daily tribune

The ground beneath me recently turned into a liquid-like wave, and with no ShakeAlert or “pet-alarm” to warn me, my own nervous system was the only early warning I had. This recent 5.7 magnitude jolt on April 13 was a reminder that in California and Nevada, we are guests on a restless crust. April has a haunting history of shaking us awake, from the catastrophic Great San Francisco Quake of April 18, 1906, to the Morgan Hill event of April 24, 1984. The Fallon, Nevada quake was a wake-up call to get my ducks in a row, because in Lake Tahoe, the only thing more predictable than a shake is the fact that the next one is already overdue.As the author of “The Man Who Predicts Earthquakes,” I was taught a thing or two by the late geologist Jim Berkland. Here’s some health tips to keep on hand to be prepared when the next earthquake hits.

The “Anchor & Shield” Protocol: Since you can’t rely on technology or animal intuition, your body is your go-to tool. If you feel the “rolling” sensation of a quake, don’t wait to identify the magnitude. (I did that after the shaking stopped.) Drop, cover, and hold on. This lowers your center of gravity, lessening the vertigo that causes the “sea-sickness” effect. 

“The “Survival Cache” (Food & Water): You need a “grab-and-go” supply that requires zero preparation. Store at least one gallon of water per person per day for three days. Focus on foods that don’t require cooking: proteins (tuna), peanut butter, nuts, and dried fruits.

The “Medical Baseline”: Maintain a “Go-Kit” with essential prescription meds, trauma kit, and OTC remedies for nausea and vertigo to manage the lingering “quake-sickness” that persists after the shaking stops. 

The “Aftershock Jolts”: Never assume the first quake is the last one. After the initial shaking, move to a “safe zone” away from glass, and bookshelves. If you are indoors, check for gas leaks by smell. Turn off the main gas valve if you suspect a leak. 

So, the ShakeAlert system didn’t go off because Nevada isn’t in the system; California is part of the USGS ShakeAlert network. But, even with a perfect system, people close to the epicenter often feel the shaking before an alert can be sent. My cat’s sixth sense for tremors failed me this time, so I was left to navigate the sudden ground-shaking entirely on my own.

CAL OREY, M.A., is a bestselling author-novelist specializing in topics such as adventure, health, nutrition, and science. She holds a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in English (Creative Writing) from San Francisco State University. Her books include the popular Healing Powers series, Courage with Paws, and the new, revised 2nd edition of The Healing Powers of Honey (pre-order for 2026 summer), and The Healing Powers of Olive Oil, 3rd edition is in production. She is a South Lake Tahoe local. 

Buzzworthy Release: Be the First to Dive in this Summer. Reserve Your Copy

 The Original is a must-read; the New & Revised 2^nd Edition is the must-have of the Summer.

"An eye-opening book"

"I love her style"

"Powerful health solutions"

* * *

--Authors from Goodreads

By Cal Orey

Summer is on its way, and the data is clear. Folks of all ages are shifting their eating habits to a clean Mediterranean diet and real food; and raw honey is replacing refined sugar for health’s sake. I spent last summer amid rollercoaster weather at Lake Tahoe listening to worldwide experts, from doctors, nutritionists to beekeepers and consumers. It became obvious that the market has made a seismic shift since 2011 when I wrote the #1 hit The Healing Powers of Honey, first edition. That’s why I’m thrilled and eager to share the revised and updated evolutionary honey revolution with you today. The new digging and data I discovered will simply rock your world!

It’s not just another summer release—it’s the answer to better health to lower the risk of chronic diseases, obesity, diabetes, heart ailments, and improve healthspan and lifespan for all generations! If you have questions about how the honeybees, honey market, and demand for honey has been changing the game, ask me a question! Go ahead and email me at COrey39184@aol.com . I’d be glad to share my remarkable and jaw dropping findings. Meanwhile, reserve your copy: Be the first to dive in this summer. The Healing Powers of Honey: Revised and Updated 

Resilient Roots Weather Every Storm

 Resilient roots weather every storm

NewsNews | Apr 12, 2026

Cal Orey, M.A. Tahoe Daily Tribune

Three years ago, a scary health crisis landed me in the ICU, leaving my world shattered in its wake. Surviving it felt less like recovery and more like surviving a tectonic shift; for weeks, I could only sleep with the lights on. Soon, the silence was filled by the haunting intrusion of flashbacks, the agonizing memory of forced separation from my family, and a relentless, suffocating anxiety, the constant thought: “What if it happens again?” I had stepped into the “Twilight Zone” world of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), where the past refuses to stay buried.

Recovering from a traumatic event, whether it stems from a health scare or an evacuation is a personal journey that requires time to heal. Yes, you can make a comeback from PTSD, note experts from the National Institute of Mental Health: Coping with Traumatic Events—and me! Here are five practical tips:

1. Ground Yourself: When you feel overwhelmed and in panic mode, engage your senses to anchor yourself in the present. Identify five things you can see, touch, hear, smell, and can taste. This technique shifts focus from internal distress to external reality. 

2. Inhale-Exhale: Trauma often leads to shallow, rapid breathing. Practice “box breathing” inhaling and exhaling to physically signal to your nervous system that you are safe.

3. Create a “Safe” Routine: Trauma disrupts our sense of predictability. Build a simple daily routine, such as making your bed, eating at set times, or distract yourself with a book or music. Structure provides a sense of normalcy that helps the brain feel secure.

---

4. Move It! Trauma is often stored in the body. Try repetitive movement, like rowing or stretching which helps process the excess adrenaline and cortisol associated with the fight-or-flight response.

5. Write It Down for Clearing the Mind: Expressing your thoughts can prevent them from looping in your mind. By externalizing your PTSD, you create distance between yourself and the past trauma, which can reduce the boogeyman thoughts.

Mountain living demands resilience against the volatility of nature—earthquakes, blizzards, and wildfires. Like a cat, you will land on your feet, stronger for the fall. Yet, if the past refuses to fade, seek professional support. Resilience is not the absence of trauma, but the courage to move forward.

CAL OREY, M.A., is a bestselling author-novelist specializing in topics such as adventure, health, nutrition, and science. She holds a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in English (Creative Writing) from San Francisco State University. Her books include the popular Healing Powers series. The new, revised 2nd ed. of a popular Healing Powers book, 2026 is ready for pre-order, and The Healing Powers of Olive Oil, 3rd ed. is in production. She is a South Lake Tahoe local. Her website is http://www.calorey.com

The Healing Powers of Honey--A Survivor's Revolutionary Hot Summer Read

 Resilient Roots Weather Every Storm

Gripping tales about how honeybees and humans survived earthquakes, blizzards, wildfires extreme heat and cold, and more! A must-have summer read!

SECURE A SUMMER COPY!

Three years ago, a scary health crisis landed me in the ICU, leaving my world shattered in its wake. Surviving it felt less like recovery and more like surviving a tectonic shift; for weeks, I could only sleep with the lights on. Soon, the silence was filled by the haunting intrusion of flashbacks, the agonizing memory of forced separation from my family, and a relentless, suffocating anxiety, the constant thought: “What if it happens again?” I had stepped into the “Twilight Zone” world of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), where the past refuses to stay buried.

Recovering from a traumatic event, whether it stems from a health scare or an evacuation is a personal journey that requires time to heal. Yes, you can make a comeback from PTSD, note experts from the National Institute of Mental Health: Coping with Traumatic Events—and me! Here are five practical tips:

1. Ground Yourself: When you feel overwhelmed and in panic mode, engage your senses to anchor yourself in the present. Identify five things you can see, touch, hear, smell, and can taste. This technique shifts focus from internal distress to external reality.

2. Inhale-Exhale: Trauma often leads to shallow, rapid breathing. Practice "box breathing" inhaling and exhaling to physically signal to your nervous system that you are safe. 

3. Create a "Safe" Routine: Trauma disrupts our sense of predictability. Build a simple daily routine, such as making your bed, eating at set times, or distract yourself with a book or music. Structure provides a sense of normalcy that helps the brain feel secure. 

4. Move It! Trauma is often stored in the body. Try repetitive movement, like rowing or stretching which helps process the excess adrenaline and cortisol associated with the fight-or-flight response. 

5. Write It Down for Clearing the Mind: Expressing your thoughts can prevent them from looping in your mind. By externalizing your PTSD, you create distance between yourself and the past trauma, which can reduce the boogeyman thoughts.

Mountain living demands resilience against the volatility of nature—earthquakes, blizzards, and wildfires. Like a cat, you will land on your feet, stronger for the fall. Yet, if the past refuses to fade, seek professional support. Resilience is not the absence of trauma, but the courage to move forward.

CAL OREY, M.A., is a bestselling author-novelist specializing in topics such as adventure, health, nutrition, and science. She holds a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in English (Creative Writing) from San Francisco State University. Her books include the popular Healing Powers series. The new, revised 2nd ed. of a popular Healing Powers book, 2026 is ready for pre-order, and The Healing Powers of Olive Oil, 3rd ed. is in production.   She is a South Lake Tahoe local. Her website is www.calorey.com