Boo

While writing a recent Salmon River article, I noticed that I use the term 'new age' for any stupid fad that tries to manipulate moods, confuse issues, or pisses me off. Although specific ideas and applications have expired, the definition lives on.
So then I thought- and what about psycho-babble? You know, derivatives of Freud's pseudo-science. Although Freud's body of work has been completely discredited by science, it lives on in the world of psychology in spite of evidence to the contrary. Like the concept of being 'in denial.' No such things, folks. While our brain doesn't always have the support system in place to remember somethings, there is no repression going on. Some memories just don't have enough reference points to recall them easily. So, I deny denialism as psycho-babble, which is a conundrum, but I would smugly add that brain science is on my side. Psycho-babble remains a useful term.
Apparently, I am in a bit of a snit this afternoon. Mom noticed it also as she put up the article I mentioned earlier. She suggested that I write something about spring instead. of course most of the stuff I write about Nature is pretty cynical too. I suppose I could put together something about how even though it is too cold to enjoy the flowers, it is not too cold to mow the grass. Grr....
But for now I have to turn that frown upside down. I go in to read with fifth graders this afternoon, and children take bad moods so personally. It's all about them.
Which reminds me, when I picked Ryanne up yesterday she had three volumes of Scary Stories. She read to me all the way home, delighting in gruesomeness that I didn't think a ten year old would appreciate. Dying bride in trunk, severed head falling through the chimney and a scarecrow putting a human skin out to dry in the sun is apparently her cup of tea.
I hope she has those books with her again today. I'm just in that mood.
Nancy Sherer