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
Filed under memories …
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
ABOUT Traveling
Traveling with Schizoaffective Disorder and Bipolar Disorder By Greyhound or Plane, keeping a Positive Attitude. What I relish in life is the fact that I had the opportunity to travel by myself to different countries. It surpassed the Saturday night movies with my husband and the fixing of Portuguese chicken dinners for my clients as an … Continue reading
Forgiveness
Mom and I smoked Virginia Slims and carried on lighthearted conversations in my 20’s. We became lushes together. She was a beauty born into a family of ten in Natal, Brazil, and had black kinky hair and hazel eyes. Her father was a tailor in a village where people came to him to mend their … Continue reading
ABOUT Being Bullied
Cheerleader Schizoaffective Disorder Bipolar Disorder When I was a cheerleader, I felt I had something to prove to the universe. I believed that I had the magic to make my life change. Our team’s name was the “Generals” named after General John C. Fremont. I made up cheerleading yells to “The Crazy General” for instance, … Continue reading
A Favorite Memory
I was painting from a picture of a lady on a swing on a warm springs day. It was a blend of impressionism and realism and I was overcome by the feeling of peace and tranquility as I painted it. It reminded me of all the times I lectured at the psych ward and gave … Continue reading
