Based on a true story

A bipolar disorder irritability story. Not even a severe one. Won’t even go there!

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Anger sign

I thought I was doing fairly well today, mood-wise, until I went to the grocery store. Well, maybe I started to get unwell towards the end of my conversation with my sister. She didn’t say anything to trigger it. I totally brought it on myself. I was not angry at her at all, but more fuming about other people (politicians, certain organizations, etc.). Then I asked my brother to come over for dinner tomorrow, in exchange for some handyman advice. He accepted, so then I realized I needed some groceries in order to make him a nice meal. So I set out for the grocery store. Then the “irritability” started to balloon. Continue reading →

So extremely bad…that it’s amazing!!!

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Angry chicken

So my husband and I went to Lowe’s today to look for a new faucet to go with the new counter top we’ll have installed next week. I knew we’d end up leaving there with more than we could carry. I know my people! So, I volunteered to get a cart, leaving hubby to enter the store on his own. When I returned to him, I saw him standing with a young female clerk, both laughing hysterically. I said “What on earth did you say to this young lady?!?!” Continue reading →

The old witch with an autoharp

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autoharp
An autoharp

In the 1970s, I was just a small girl going to elementary school in eastern Pennsylvania. Each class level had about two teachers, with the students divided between the two. Other than “library time” when we all got in a line and made the procession to the library (to see the librarian), all classes were held in the same classroom. A separate art teacher came to our class with a cart full of art supplies, and the designated music teacher came with numerous instruments, like tambourines, triangles, egg shakers, recorders and kazoos. You can imagine the “music” we created with that lot of instruments, but it was so fun! I remember the music teacher even having us dance around the room as if following the Pied Piper. Continue reading →

Expectations of customer loyalty – Awkward moments and reproaches (stories)

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barber

For years I went to the same hair stylist at a rather upscale salon in my town. The stylist always did an outstanding job, even to the point where a few people on the streets complimented my hair. Even a French woman in a diner once walked up to me and said in her lovely accent “You’re hair is so beautiful! So French!” Even one of my doctors complimented my hair, and compliments from him are quite rare. Continue reading →

Obsessive or maladaptive daydreaming easing back into grounded creative thinking

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daydreaming

When I was about 20 years old, I had fallen into a deep depression. I was a junior in college at the time. I ended up having to drop two of my classes, taking me down to the minimum 12 credits needed in order to stay in campus housing. I could hardly even handle the 12 credits. I missed several class meetings, but did manage to go when exams were held. I’d spend most of the days in my bed ruminating about death, and my lack of ability to cope with life. Hours flew by quickly; I’d sleep 12 or more hours, and wake up again to resume ruminating.  Continue reading →

He’s the star of the show, and he likes it like that

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happy starThere is a man named Moe who has a penchant to be the star of every show. He drives everywhere in his flashy white Porsche with the windows way down low. He stops at every popular hot spot in the town, just to let everyone know that HE is around.

Every morning he sachets into the town’s main café. He comes so often that on occasion he doesn’t even need to pay. The owner has his coffee and bagel with lox ready for him on the counter. His cronies show up shortly, to begin the daily banter. Continue reading →

Rejection of good family members – Why?

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abuseWhat did my mother ever do to you? What did her children, including me, do to you? Throughout our lives you showed us so much hate. You were critical of something we did or didn’t do at least once every time we ever saw you. I just don’t understand why you treated us like that. Why? Continue reading →

Double vision – My experience with diplopia

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diplopiaWhen I think of my past double vision I think about the song by that name by the band Foreigner. Singing it to myself eased the eerie discomfort and scariness it brought. When it would come on seemingly out of the blue, I would lurch around, unable to walk straight, and frankly feel left in the lurch, when away from home, unable to safely drive, stuck where I was. I wondered how long it would last. Sometimes my friend drove me home, or my husband had to be called to pick me up, leaving my car parked where I left it before the strange symptom began. Other times I just sat in my car and waited for it to stop. Continue reading →

My very first love (Part 3 of 3)

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Golden gate bridge

Continuation from My very first love (Part 2)

Following my first love, Mihai, across the country was an exciting prospect. I was just so happy that he loved me enough to want me to join him, and not leave me in New Jersey.  I was only about 22 years old at the time. I had never lived with a man before. I guess deep down I thought this was a first step to an eventual marriage. Continue reading →

Hazel was a spicy lady

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mouth on fire
Now THAT is really spicy!

Our friend Hazel was a 6 feet tall Amazon, with a wit and intelligence just as high. Nothing matched her infectious teasing humor, and she always said what was on her mind.

Over 20 years ago, it was Hazel that first guessed that my hubby and I caught each other’s eyes.  Continue reading →