In 1999, I got my first trade cover book contract. Thus, I packed my bags and took a 200 mile move to Lake Tahoe (a place I used to visit in the summers), where I fine-tuned and finished writing The Healing Powers of Vinegar. I knew nothing about the touted perks of apple cider vinegar but after extensive research, my pantry was full of a variety of vinegars. And I had penned the bible on vinegar. It later became the most interationally popular books on vinegar--the bestselling health book (for a while) in South Korea.
Then, Doctors’ Orders followed. As I wrote in the preface, “One afternoon I lay in bed, cozy in my cabin in the California Sierra, suffering from writer’s block. Brain dead, I turned on a television news program. Suddenly, I was listening to an amazing story about a college student who had interviewed more than 80 cardiologists for his thesis. His ambitious feat inspired me.
"I thought, 'What if I interviewed doctors, all types, and wrote a book about their health habits? It would be fascinating to probe medical experts about what they do for their own health.'"
Later, I pitched my idea for a book about how doctors stay healthy to my book editor. Two years later, Doctors’ Orders continues to sell worldwide. And I personally follow the holistic docs’ timeless advice to keep a healthy body, mind, and spirit.
A few years later, as a single baby boomer living in the mountains, I continue to write about Mother Nature. Surrounded by towering pine trees, nearby the Lake, and amid wildlife I am constantly inspired to create books containing a nature-based element, from health, science, animals, and relationships. And I use Lake Tahoe as my muse.
I am a freelance author-journalist who holds both a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in English (Creative Writing) from San Francisco State University. Over the past 20 years, I have written more than 10 books and hundreds of articles for national and international magazines and websites. I continue to reside in Northern California--a place that seems to have a hold on me.
About Cal ~
As the Rolling Stones' song lyrics go, "Let me please introduce myself . . ."
After graduation from SFSU, I wrote natural-based articles for national publications. I wrote about dogs (my first published article “Mobile Mountain Vet,” ran in Dog World, 1986), cats, pet health, human health, and relationships. I also wrote dozens of mini mags (those little books you see at grocery store check out stands). The titles included, “The Healing Power of Love,” “The Healing Power of Cats, “The Magic of Oils, Scents & Candles,” and “Lose 12 lbs in a Week!” I finally got a lead to write a “real” book--straight from a New York Publisher.
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Cal's Articles have appeared in The Writer, Woman's World, Woman's Day, Mens' Fitness, Cleo, Health & Fitness, Dog Fancy and Dog World as well as in Complete Woman for which she is a former contributing editor.
One of Orey's SFSU favorite professors and poets John Beecher noticed her talents and imagination during her graduate work.
Three Mentors from the Golden Gate
Orey's SFSU favorite professors and mentors: John Beecher noticed her talents, standout imagination, and creative writing about her intimate relationship with a dog and bold travels across America like John Steinbeck's Travel's with Charley. During her graduate work he wrote the words on one of her canine-related essays: "Vivid imagination... candor shines through."
And there's more...Frances Mayes, author of the novel Under the Tuscan Sun, has greatly influenced Orey's work which boasts an European twist: The Healing Powers of Olive Oil, The Healing Powers of Vinegar and forthcoming book on chocolate. Also, best-selling author Anne Rice was a guest speaker in one of Orey's classes Writers on Writing. Rice showed the aspiring San Francisco Bay Area native writer about how to put passion and her soul down on paper and let it fly into the hearts of readers.
A Natural Born Intuitive
A spiritual people, the Osage Indians were excellent hunters and fierce warriors. Their religious beliefs were based on Wah-kon-tah, the great mystery spirit or power.
Recently, I realized that due to my Osage Indian roots that it may be in my blood to be super sensitive and the key to my being able to sense both good and evil. Also, since the age of 8, my teachers noted my "gift" of creative writing--which entails using the right brain--intuition. And my predictions often are similar to the creative process when I put together articles and books.
While many of my forecasts are about Earth changes (i.e., quakes, floods, wildfires, etc.), I also sense other things, whether it be economic ups and downs to winning a windfall at the local casino (I live at Lake Tahoe). I can tune into an upcoming good or bad event (i.e., a health issue for myself to my dog) and often read the end result. And yes, I can and do channel into my companion animals--and read their minds. The spiritual part comes into play time after time, because I become proactive and prepare for the worst and hope for the best as well as forewarn others to be prepared, not scared.
It's a sense of empowerment to be able to use the messages I receive. These cues come to me in dreams, visions, word/picture images, body signs--anxiety, headaches, ear tones--as well as observing Mother Nature, my seismically sensitive cat/dogs, etc., and also feeling a hunch and/or picking up on vibes from a place, slot machine, wildlife to people. What's more, I do not believe white light power can stop some things from happening, but I do know we can toy with our destiny or fate to a point. The key is to not tune out our intuition or gut instincts but tune into it for self-preservation--taking care of our mind, body, and spirit.
The healing powers of intuition also can provide peace of mind. But sometimes, my spiritual guides can be pesky or even "a curse" when I sense something negative will happen. One more thing. Positive thoughts, of course, can help heal ourselves and others and stop negative things from happening--but sometimes it is not enough and we must be like a fierce warrior and take action and that in itself makes me a "healing type medium."
