Still Back. Fall’s Coming. And A Bigger TV.

After I felt like I was pretty much back to my fashion self yesterday, I worried it would be a one-day thing and then I’d wake up today feeling plain again. But no. I’m a happy clam, clash-fashion wise. In fact, I wish I had a clam bow tie to wear as a metaphor for my happiness. But I don’t. I did find this bubbly Bow Tie o’ the Day, and it’s a happy-looking one. Plus, I’m wearing yet another shirt as a cape. I think I’ve got my groove back. For luck, I’m crossing what’s left of my pancreas.

I don’t know how chilly it was outside your house this morning, but it was a bit frigid outside mine. Right now I’m wearing jeans, which I try not to do until at least October. Love me my shorts. But it’ll toast up later today, so I can change into a pair of shorts, and maybe take a dip in the pool.

Fall is my fave season, so I’m not dreading it. I’m just not ready for it to be knocking at my deck’s sliding doors just yet. There’s no stopping the jeans and long-sleeve shirts from worming their way onto my Fall/Winter clothing carousel. And you are well aware what my wearing long-sleeve button-down shirts means: Cufflinks o’ the Day! They’ll soon be crawling out of their storage cases.  More clever/glitzy ‘links have been acquired for your viewing pleasure.

Speaking of viewing pleasure, it is finally necessary for us to adopt a larger TV into our family. Honestly, it’s our eyes that have turned wanting a new TV into needing a new TV . I guess our 54-year-old eyes made the decision for us. We can no longer read written words that show up on the screen as part of the programs. Not on our current picture boxes.

Although the TV will benefit Suzanne and I both. It’ll benefit me more. Turning on a television is a prescription I write and fill for myself. I have the TV on all day, whether I’m seriously watching it or not. When you’re bipolar, it helps for you to find “tricks”– in combination with medications and therapy– that work for you. I’ve had to find my own particular strategies to keep me level and centered. I have a slew of other “trick” arrows in my coping skills quiver, but having the TV on during all my awake hours is one of the most effective tricks for my head.

For me, television is like a soundtrack playing in the background. It helps the manic thinking in my bipolar head get just distracted enough to keep me from thinking my way into a dark abyss. When I am manic, I listen to the “soundtrack” while I’m doing housewife work. Focusing only on the audio– following the program’s narrative–keeps my head busy, while still being able to accomplish something around the house.

Listening to TV shows when I’m manic works better for me than listening to music. Songs are short– both musically and lyrically– and their rapid movement from one song  to the next to the next, etc., can push me further into mania. When I’m on the depressive side, I lower the tv volume and the soundtrack becomes “white noise.” I can hear the TV, but it kinda isn’t there. The low background noise can keep me settled enough to write. Whenever my mood finds its middle level, the music can begin. And I can crank it up!

BTW  JUDGE JUDY and HOMICIDE HUNTER are definitely a different TV matter: Rain or shine, manic or depressive –for those shows, I sit at attention, watching and listening to every moment. Don’t call or text me when these programs are on. Don’t even knock on my door. I might love you, but I will not answer the the phone, a text, or the door when I’m with Judy or Joe. 📺