Category Archives: Uncategorized

By Sherrie Cassel Years ago, I read a book called, “Touched with Fire: Manic Depressive Illness and the Artistic Temperament,” by Kay Redfield Jamison. I read this because I was interested in my misdiagnosis at the time of depression, and I mistakenly thought depression and manic-depressive illness were the same animal; they are not. WhenContinue reading “Mental Illness, Medication and the Muse”

By Sherrie Cassel She had a mastectomy yesterday. Her comment to me when she was first diagnosed with cancer was, “I’m 81 and I know I don’t need them anymore, but…”, as she drifted off to consider the way her life would change, not just her body. After surgery, in the recovery room, the firstContinue reading “Making our losses count”

By Sherrie Ann Cassel What is it about death that transforms reality into an idealization of a person who has passed; it’s almost like we send them off to heaven with our transcendent image of their sainthood. That is how it happens. As Rikki’s momma, I have collected every wound I ever caused him, andContinue reading “Self-Forgiveness: Balancing on the Fulcrum”

by Sherrie Cassel The temperature in the high desert is only 84 degrees F. It’s perfect, no humidity, sunny, bright, and just beautiful; it matches my mood. See, I’ve had a long stretch of good days. I can’t remember the last time I cried. Oh certainly, I miss my sweet boy every second of theContinue reading “Grief under Pressure”

From Ben Cassel Here’s the Sherrie story: The rules don’t always apply. The rule that says that your formal education ends when one’s hair is still influenced by melanin? That doesn’t apply. The rule that says you have to figure out what you want to be when you grow up and THEN grow up? ThatContinue reading “Birthday Greetings”

By Sherrie Ann Cassel “For everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under heaven” Ecclesiastes 3:1. Every generation has its utopian visions of potential panaceas for what have been the most consequential blights on its seasons. What would Dr. Spock say to the new generation of those who consciously parent today.Continue reading “The Next Indicated Step”

By Sherrie Ann Cassel Here I am smack dab in a moment of clarity. Don’t worry; it won’t last. They never do. Thirty years ago, I was listening to the Counting Crows, AUGUST AND EVERYTHING AFTER. Adam’s reckless voice and unbridled passion were all the rage, an echo of neo-masculinity whose response would be AlanisContinue reading “For now, a glass darkly…”

By Sherrie Cassel Dedicated to Kyungsig Samuel Lee, Ph.D. Last year this time I was planning my sixtieth birthday party, a milestone, for sure. The group of friends from all over the state who went was perfect. The right amount of verve and vitality. I had people buying me shots of Patron all night andContinue reading “When Easter doesn’t Come”