Wheel of Power

This Power and Control diagram is a helpful tool in understanding the overall pattern of abusive and violent behaviors, which are used by a batterer to establish and maintain control over his partner. Very often, one or more violent incidents are accompanied by an array of these other types of abuse. They are less easily identified, yet firmly establish a pattern of intimidation and control in the relationship. Just click image for full size.

Developed by: Domestic Abuse Intervention Project 202 East Superior Street Duluth, MN 55802

Mind Games

Sometimes I  feel I am hanging on by a thread, but still I hang on. It is time to climb a mountain. I read a story a while ago about someone who overcame adversity. She was unwell, doctors had given up basically, but not only did she get healthy again, she swam the English Channel. There was a line in the article that stuck in my head for months; What happened next blew everyone away. 

Every so often, if I hear a special song, or see billowy clouds floating across the sky- all the fear goes away. And I feel free. Not just better, but completely and utterly free. It doesn't always last but it is enough to let me know these awful feelings I sometimes get are just a trick of the mind. Mind games.

A friend of mine died age 24 of Juvenile Diabetes. I know what she would want me to do. She would want me to fight. To grow. To get happy. So, I must make my mind stronger.

Pettiness makes me feel heavy. Reading about weighty stuff makes me absolutely light headed.

Mathematics is one thing that I love to read and learn about. My weakest subject at school; I think of it like boot-camp for my mind. There is a book I have been working at for a while called, "Why Beauty is Truth, A History of Symmetry," by Ian Stewart. It makes my brain hurt but I love it. Every time I read it I forget about everything else because it is really hard for me to understand and comprehend, but eventually I get it.  Then I feel like a took a big happy pill. I feel connected. Which makes me free.

 So my antidote to small minded?  Open your mind. Expand. Learn. Let the games begin.

Golden Slumber

Pen and ink sketch. I love working with ink, I like the crispness of it. Cats? Well, you know what they're like. He would open one eye occasionally to look at me with mild annoyance.

My watercolor - "Two Glasses"

This is the first watercolor painting I have done in many years. Prior to that I had painted since I could pick up a brush. When I paint I forget myself. My mind feels free and happy! So here is my first effort after far too long an absence. I like to leave a lot of white and keep things loose. I chose glass just to give myself a hard time! What do you think?