Not long ago I became a preschool teacher to fifty of the most beautiful, caring, and humorous bunch of preschoolers. I directed plays and skits with a combination of personalities that displayed high energy from the word “go.” Under my direction, the dramatic performances enabled us to express our emotions and to act out. To … Continue reading
Filed under memories …
Coping With Stress before the Holiday
I was given the opportunity to be with my aunt who is nearing 90, this weekend. Making 4th of July hats was one activity I had planned. I brought head bands which I had cut out from thick watercolor paper with an extended star from the middle of the band. From working at Preschool, years … Continue reading
Bonding with my Preschool Class
As a preschool teacher, I went to seminars and found techniques to bond with the children in the classroom. I remember attending a presentation by a teacher at a day care for positive discipline. I made a welcome apron suggested by her with large white letters spelling W E L C O M E attached … Continue reading
HAPPY FATHER’S DAY
He is the handsome intelligent man that I love, He honored his visitation rights with his kids and provided them with food and shelter. When other men would move away and shirk the responsibility of raising their kids as teenagers, he stayed and toughed it out without raising a fist. He studied mechanics and fixed … Continue reading
A Dog named Neve
Having given an In Our Own Voice speech to a Family group on the day of the Rose Parade, I was honored with an orchid plant by the group leader. Afterwards, my husband and I traveled to Seaside and visited my aunt Deanna who is 89, and my cousin Mickey, and his wife Sue. We … Continue reading
My Real Father
In 2007, I needed to take my healing and channel it to another place. I was going to have a knee replacement. My knees gave out on me as I applied at the malls and several teaching institutions and when crossing the street, I found myself in the middle of it without the strength in … Continue reading
Capture Your Memories
When I was having trouble with mom’s suicide in my 40s I dealt with my insecurities by sewing. I began with stitchery kits of flowers, sunsets, and Indian scenes. Mom loved to grow sunflowers in the Green District, a tiny suburb of Roseburg, Oregon. She gazed at the peach colored sunset and rocked back and … Continue reading
ABOUT SHERRY Speaking
Schizoaffective Disorder Bipolar Disorder Public Speaking My first “public speaking” experience was in English Class, my junior year in High School. It was one of my finest moments, but I was critical of myself. I gave a presentation on The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams with another classmate. While I delivered it I could … Continue reading
A Gay Man’s Life
As I sit a gallery in Portland, Oregon, where my paintings hang with other artists, I’m looking at a photo. That’s me in the denim jeans and white laced blouse with my brother’s arm around my shoulder. He has a dusky Afro and a wide Portuguese smile. A happy picture. I remember stroking his soft … Continue reading
An Event Remembered
We walked through the Rhododendron Garden together viewing the luscious blooms and watched the baby geese feed themselves seeds from the green grass. It was a month since I talked with Amy Meyers, the coordinator of the Music and Art for the Mind show, and she seemed at peace with herself. The warm wind tossed … Continue reading
Arts and Writing by Sherry 