Based on a true story

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. 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 →

My very first love (Part 1 of 3)

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Love in chinese
This is a first draft of a section of a possible memoir chapter

Falling in love has never been as easy as making scrambled eggs for me. Not to say I didn’t have my fair share of crushes over my earliest years, but somehow I knew the difference between the two. Continue reading →

The story of my voluntary childlessness

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couple with bikes-001

Obviously from the title you know what this post will be about. Believe me when I say that I thought twice about writing it. Just like certain illnesses, a decision to remain childless, is often stigmatized. Many people assume that childless women have a physical inability to have children, and may therefore be pitied, or seem cold-hearted in some ways for not liking children. There are other reasons, too, that may be judged. I don’t think that because I choose childlessness for certain reasons, that other women similar to me should, too. I believe in freedom of choice, and hope that I won’t be judged harshly for mine. Continue reading →