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Highly Sensitive Person (HSP)

What’s something most people don’t understand?

I think it’s hard for a good majority of the people in this world to understand or empathize with things they don’t relate to. It’s something I wish a lot more people had grace with. I don’t think most people understand what it’s like to navigate this world as a highly sensitive person (HSP).

HSP is an individual  who, “has a sensitive nervous system, is aware of subtleties in his or her surroundings, and is more easily overwhelmed when in a highly stimulating environment,” according to psychologist Elaine Aron, PhD.

Navigating this world as an adult who is a HSP has been challenging. I often feel like I have to mask my feelings or pretend like I’m good. I get easily stressed, overwhelmed, and will overthink myself into headaches. I feel it in my heart and soul when people suffer. I can cry at things that have no impact on my life and that may not even be real. My mom said I was two years old crying when Bambi’s mother got shot. I’m still that person that will cry at movies and books. I can recall being tease about that and one of the hardest things for me to do has been to accept who I am and learn to navigate my feelings.

I use to think being so sensitive was a curse but I realize it’s a gift. I make sure I protect my space and keep my circle tight filled with mutual respect for each other and life experiences.

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Sherlock Holmes 1954

What movies or TV series have you watched more than 5 times?

I have Sherlock Holmes on cassette tapes and VHS tapes. I have definitely listened to the cassette tapes more than five times as I’m a huge fan of Old Time Radio Programs. I know the prompt is not about Old Time Radio Programs, but some of my favorites are Gunsmoke, The Six Shooter, Johnny Dollar, Boston Blackie, and obviously The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. I enjoy the cassette tapes, but I also like watching the older programs. Yes, I love black and whites.

Image from televisionheaven.co.uk

The 1954 series of Sherlock Holmes is my favorite. I think Ronald Howard as Holmes, and Howard Marion Crawford as Watson is a great duo. This particular series had 39 half hour shows. In this series Howard and Crawford are a great duo and play off each other well. The chemistry between the two was undeniable. They were a great Sherlock and Watson.

I can’t mention anything about Sherlock Holmes without mentioning Basil Rathbone. Rathbone play the role of Sherlock Holmes from 1939 to 1946 in 14 movie roles. Rathbone is arguably the best, Sherlock Holmes.

Images from basilrathbone.net

Basil Rathbone, and Nigel Bruce play the duo of Holmes and Watson on the screen and on the radio during this time period. Rathbone left the role in 1946 because he did not want to be tight cast. I read that he like the creator of Sherlock Holmes had mixed feelings about the character and role. I doubt that he knew almost 80 years later that he was still be spoken about in this role.

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The Influence of Sherlock Holmes

Murdoch Mysteries Review

Any true Sherlock Holmes fan has seen different shows spin off and include elements of Sherlock Holmes. Murdoch Mysteries is definitely one of those shows. I initially clicked on this show while I was scrolling through Hulu because it reminded me of Sherlock Holmes and was set in the late 1800s/early 1900s. I prefer to watch older films or films set in old times because I don’t want to see nudity, I don’t wanna hear a ton of profanity, and it just seems like I won’t have any surprise sex scenes. I may be a bit of a prude.

I decided to review this show as part of my Sherlock Holmes series when I got to Season 1 Episode 4, Elementary, My Dear Murdoch. In this episode, Murdoch meets Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Doyle, as any true Sherlock Holmes fan knows is the creator of the great Detective; so I was intrigued when I saw him appear on this episode.

One thing I have to point out, although I am a huge fan of Sherlock Holmes I don’t know much about the creator, Doyle. I have read different things on Doyle that talk about him being jealous of the character he created. Many people have suggested that’s why he killed him off at Reichenbach Falls. Beyond that I am not as up-to-date on the author, as I am on the character.

It appears that in this episode, Sherlock Holmes has already been killed off at Reichenbach Falls, because Murdoch upon meeting Doyle talks about how much of an inspiration Sherlock Holmes is. Doyle dismisses him and says it’s good that he’s gone. Based on this, I know that this episode had to occur after 1893 because Sherlock Holmes was killed off in The Final Problem, which Doyle wrote in 1893.

In this episode Doyle is in town to give a lecture on spiritualism. In real life, Doyle was into spiritualism, and believed it to be some of his most important work. Spiritualism is a belief that spirits departed continue to exist in the hereafter and can be contacted by those still living. (“Arthur Conan Doyle.” Arts & Culture, Encyclopedia Britannica.) I was unaware that Doyle was into spiritualism, but that’s one of the things I enjoyed about this show. It brings in real elements of the people from that time.

In this episode, Doyle sees a Mystic and ends up finding a body based on something the Mystic said. This leads to him working with Detective Murdoch. Murdoch states that Doyle shouldn’t believe in Mystic or spiritualism as he’s man of science.

Image taken from TV Insider & Hulu

I don’t want to give away too much from this episode just in case someone wants to go and watch the show, but one of the things I found intriguing was how many aspects of Doyle’s actual life were brought into the episode. I didn’t know that Doyle didn’t ever really consider himself a good doctor, and that’s why he became a writer. When Doyle is asked, “What kind of writer kills his own creation?” He says,“One that does not want to be shackled to his own creation.” This is believed to be an accurate representation of how Doyle felt.

In the show Murdoch is not only a detective but he’s also an inventor and is quite knowledgeable about variety of topics. It seems that some of the show was in part based on the Scottish chemist, inventor, and mechanical engineer William Murdoch. I would do this review a disservice without mentioning that, but there are definitely elements of Sherlock Holmes in the show as well. Holmes was not only a detective, but also was knowledgeable about a variety of subjects, including chemistry.

Overall, I enjoyed this show. Murdoch colors outside the line so to speak just as Sherlock Holmes did. I enjoyed the fact that this show presented an accurate representation of Doyle, and even what he looked like. Based on portraits of Doyle, the representation of the character that played him seem to be spot on. I also enjoy the mention of the hell hound of the Highlands, which references, The Hound of the Baskerville.

On Episode 9, Doyle makes another appearance, and says that he wants to shadow him to base a detective story on him. This episode also makes mention of Mycroft, Holmes’ brother. I’m currently in Season 3 and would 100% recommend this show. It has 13 seasons has been nominated 105 times and has won 12 awards.

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Little Things

It's the little things that make my heart happy!

Gentle kisses on my forehead.
   The light taps on my bottom.
Make my heart happy,
   And my soul full.

And in these moments,
   Fleeting though they be,
I'm reminded why,
   I'd choose you for eternity.

The little moments,
   Quiet, gentle, and still
Leave me in awe,
   Of who you are.

Loving, kind, and patient,
   Everything I need in every little moment.
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Sherlock Holmes

Sherlock Holmes is arguably the greatest detective of all time. There is not one fictional character that has been as prodigious. How many other fictional detectives have had the success?

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of Sherlock Holmes is such an inspiration. I was originally introduced to the character through Old Time Radio (OTR). I would wait for Bedtime with Barney to go off on Sunday nights for a chance to hear Sherlock Holmes on the radio. My nights were always made when the great detective made his debut.

I was lucky enough to have parents that encouraged my love for the fictional character. My mother always encouraged us to read so she had no problem buying me books, cassette tapes, and VHS’s. I was amazed that Doyle had created such a complex and captivating character. Doyle made me want to become a writer.

When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.

The Sign of Four 1860

Doyle is a titan in the literary world. Imagine creating a character that lived forever. Generation after generationh has been fascinated by Sherlock Holmes. So many people have tried, but failed to duplicate the great detective. The legacy Doyle left behind is remarkable.

This will be a series on the blog. If you are a Sherlock Holmes fan please consider following! I’d love to hear your thoughts!

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Excerpt From My Book 📚 “The Shortest Love Story”

I’m having trouble getting past Chapter Two in my book. Self doubt and negativity have been creeping in. I have written pages and pages, and created various scenes only to cut them. I can recall one of my graduate school professors saying to me, “I don’t know how you made it this far,” when referring to my writing skills. If I could get out of my own way I know I could create something beautiful. 
I cut the bit below and decided I would share. I welcomed feedback and constructive criticism; keyword CONSTRUCTIVE! No one has read anything I’ve written in my book or provided any help with editing so please keep that in mind and be gentle with me!

Julian looked into Moons eyes and could tell that he was making her nervous. This was only their first date and he wasn’t quite sure if he should kiss her. By the way she looked at him he could tell that she wanted him to. He decided to tease her a bit. He slowly moved in and watched her close her eyes. He smiled as he planted a kiss on her check and said, “We have to do this again sometime.”

Why would he play like that? Moon wasn’t sure how she felt as she watched him walk toward his car. She was still trying to catch her breath and was hoping she didn’t make too much of a fool of herself. Julian standing so close to her made her stomach tie in knots. It also made her acutely aware of how bad she had to pee. At times like that she hated that being nervous made her bladder tie in knots as well.

She walked back in the restaurant to use the restroom and was surprised to see that he had waited for her. “You came back to get your kiss I see,” she playfully exclaimed.

Her remark made him smile. She was definitely feeling him, but he decided to play it cool. “No, I’m just trying to make sure you get to your car safely,” he smirked.

He examined her profile. She truly was supple and divine. Her white dress hung to her body and accentuated all the right places. He stopped looking her over after he caught the seductive look in her eye. This sister knew she was fine. Black women typically weren’t his type, but he knew he’d make an exception for her the moment he laid eyes on her. It had also helped that Kyle had vouched for her.

Moon broke his thoughts when she said, “Why are you looking at me like that?”

He knew what she was talking about but asked, “Like what?”

“I think you know that you make me nervous and enjoy teasing me without saying a word,” she replied.

He stepped closer to her and slipped his had in the cup of her back and heard her gently gasp. He smiled and leaned into her and whispered in her ear, “Well I guess I better let you go. I don’t want to make you too nervous on our first date.”

He laughed as he stepped back. Moon caught his eyes for a few second. His eyes made her the most nervous. He had the most beautifully alluring almond shaped eyes that seemed to be looking into her deepest thoughts. No one had ever looked at her and made her want to squirm the way he did. She couldn’t really pinpoint what that nervous feeling was or if it was good or bad, but she decided she wanted to find out.

He looked back at her wondering what she was thinking. She had kept the conversation very causal unlike their first meeting . “Babygirl!”

Him calling her that made the corner of her lips turn up in the goofiest, yet, somehow still sexy smile. He’d noted that she was a bit of a free and goofy spirit through their date and he’d enjoyed it.

Moon was happy he didn’t seem to notice the goosebumps that simple statement gave her. She looked at his lips and bit her bottom lip. Man did he have nice juicy lips. She wondered what they would feel like on hers. He must have been reading her mind, or the lip biting gave it away.

“I think I’d better let you go,” he said more for his benefit than hers. Seeing her biting her lip like that had him wondering if the blacker the berry the sweeter the juice was a true statement.

He opened her car door for her and made sure to get a final look at her ample behind. Man I have to take my time with this one, he thought.

He kept it cool, “Let me know when you get home babygirl.”

He noticed that she bit her lip again at the mention of babygirl. As much as he seemed to make her nervous she had an equally endearing affect on him. He was thinking about having a serious relationship with her after one date and already couldn’t wait to see her again.

By car, of course!

You’re going on a cross-country trip. Airplane, train, bus, car, or bike?

If I’m going on a cross country trip I definitely want to go by car. I always thought it would be fun to go from coast to coast by car and stop at every little city or store that you wanted to. If you go by plane, it’s not really a cross-country trip you’re just going to destination. If you go by car it’s a cross country trip and you can stop at all the sites.

With that being said, I would love to take a train ride. I’m fascinated with old movies, old books, and trains. I would love to take a train ride. Though, I don’t know that I will want my first one to be cross country.