It

When it comes, it comes like a freight train - throttle out.  It will blast through your psyche like Dirty Harry's 44 Magnum.  And with but a whisper, a glimpse of what could be, it's gone...like a butterfly with the afterburners on.

A kindly gentleman told me about it over ten years ago.  He carefully prepared me, teaching me how to deal with it.  To this day I do exactly what he told me to do.  I cannot imagine a life of writing and not dealing with it.  I am sure one's hair would fall out and their soul would dry up from the inside like a prune.

Rosemary reminded me of it today while we were watching One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest on TV.  As a matter of fact, when it hit her she scurried off, away from the movie for an hour.  It had gotten her and would not let go.  Here is what it was today for her...

In the movie Jack Nicholson had just undergone electrical shock treatment.  He came back to the group of mental patients that he was staying with and said:

"The next woman who takes me on baby, is gonna light up like a pinball machine and pay off in silver dollars."

When that line hit Rosemary she didn't just get up off the couch an scurry, no, she long jumped two rooms without hitting the floor.  She was in her writing office within three seconds.

Now, as I observed this, it hit me as well.  The result of that hit?  I am telling you about it now.

Tomorrow I will tell you how I deal with it as well as my perception of how Rosemary deals with it.  Ok, I can't wait.  Here is a snippet...

A description of Rosemary when it has control over her.  Picture a lioness that hasn't eaten for a couple of weeks.  Now picture her devouring a side of rich and juicy beef.  What do you suppose would happen if you were to interrupt her during her feeding frenzy?  Of course by now you do realize that the lioness would be kind in relation to disturbing Rosemary while in the grasps of it.