Filed under paths to recovery …

Destruction

As the climate destroys the earth it changes our attitudes towards life. At times like this, seeing communities come together over the devastation made by a tornado makes me appreciate the real value of being here.  We can never be sure what is in store for us. Being able to walk the planet is a gift. Our food, water, shelter, transportation, and special moments are valuable.  We … Continue reading →

NAMI Walk

It was overcast for the NAMI Walk, a walk for the mind, today. The clouds concentrated on holding the Spring showers tight in the sky. There were loaves of bread being passed out with bottled water at the Eastbank Esplanade in Portland and what seemed like pop western or reggae music being played on a … 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 →

My Article in NAMI Voice Newsletter

Bringing Peace and Happiness to the Psych Ward An article which ran in the NAMI Voice newsletter, Spring 2013 As a member of the National Alliance of Mental Illness and lecturer in a psych ward, I introduce a meditation exercise to my groups. I have everyone get comfortable and relaxed and count from toe to … 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 →