In a long tussle with the Property Manager over some busted sewage pipes in a one-bedroom Florida condo we own, my Florida realtor told me she didn't like the way he was speaking to me.

Then I admitted, "Well, I haven't been exactly nice to him either." Ooopsie.

Last week, I accused Hubs with Why are you so irritable today? when truth-be-told, I was also feeling prickly and showing that frown-down side of my face. I was only mirroring him in how I was acting - simultaneously. Ooopsie.

Another day, I didn't prefer being tailgated in the fast lane on Interstate 83, judging the idiotic race car driver behind me as he kissed my little Fiat's red tail, and yet, minutes later ... I noticed the same red Fiat a bit too close to the car in front of me as I drove on autopilot. One more ooopsie.

At times, we might toss out a bitchy judgment about a person - you know what I'm talking - something we can't stand about her/him - when in fact, we possess that same characteristic.

Surely, snippeteers, you can think of similar examples such as these four above, as you've said-thought-acted-done them.

Sigmund Freud's words sum it up ...

“If you don’t like a person, it is because they remind

you of something you don’t like about yourself.”

(I believe that. I've done that!)

On Google: "This refers to the psychological concept of projection, a defense mechanism where individuals disown uncomfortable, negative, or unaccepted traits within themselves by attributing them to others."

Without delving into the entire projection theory here, faking psychiatrist and sending you to the couch, I'll simply say this ... snippeteers, let's watch our step (and our mouths). Often when we sling arrows, accuse a person, don't like someone, or shut him/her down for doing/saying/being something we don't like ... let's be sure we haven't done/said/are that, too.

Let's watch our step and perhaps let's shut up when we are in fact - GUILTY. (How's that, Sigmund? Hmmm.)



Snippeteers, please include your TOWN & STATE when you backtalk ... even if you think I know it already!

"I understand how important colors can be. I hated the many years that my whole house was beige, and it's so much more homey with colors. And BTW ... just look at my hair, which is really colorful, so I do love those rainbows! Good luck on the sale of your old house and a new house with a beautiful fresh canvas to make your own." 

~ Karan A in Middle River, MD

"I love color and decor - it gives the house personality! In the last few years, though, I have switched to gray, as well as more pastel colors. I find it peaceful - but don't want to be dull. So I add a splash of burgundy or green into my gray rooms and when I walk in, it's like a surprise! Be colorful- that is definitely you!"

~ Karen R in Maryland

"I’m with you on the color thing! God gave us all the colors to paint our world! Spread the color!!!!! In more ways than one!"

~ Nancy W in West Virginia

"Keep snippeting and start buying paint for the new house!!"

~ Joanne in New York

FOR Miss Mary in heaven - God rest her soul and FOR her daughters, Sue & Diane, as they grieve and miss her

FOR Hildegard's soul and FOR Susie and her sisters in their mourning

FOR Kerry's soul and FOR Susan & Kenny on the loss of their brother / brother-in-law