There will always be the type of people who will take advantage of others. There are some that are fully aware they are asking for more than they are entitled but do it anyway. And, there are others who don’t even realize that they’re pushing another person to their limit. Whatever the case may be,…

By the looks of my bathroom rugs, I’m convinced this is how the rest of my family must enter the room.

Like most parents are forced to do, I was waiting for my kids to get out of whatever dance, sport, music, or craft lesson they were taking. This class happened to be in the town’s community center so I was waiting in the huge center portion of the building, just outside the room. I sat…

With the dim light just visible at the end of the tunnel, I can now write about this tRump Shutdown unhindered by the worry that was growing with every passing day. The stress started slowly then creeped into almost every thought. Like every government worker, we missed two paychecks. My husband works for the Department…

Chapo, a tiny ball of grey fur, came home in a brown wicker basket. He spent more and more time outside as he grew older but he was allowed inside until my “stepdad” banished him outside permanently. After that, I swear to Karma, that cat would run inside every chance he got and head straight…

I saw and did so many things in Paris both with my cousin and on my own. I saw the Mona Lisa (it’s much smaller than you’d expect), Luxembourg Palace, the Musée du Louvre, musicians on the metro (not on the platform but on the actual moving train. THAT took some skill!), Notre Dame, Winged…

[The view from my window.] My room was down the hall from the main apartment. From my window, I could see the Eiffel Tower far off in the distance and I spent many nights staring at it. We were on the 7th floor. This is important so I’m going to repeat it — WE WERE…

My husband took it upon himself to search for my Parisian “lover” on the internet. It took him all of two minutes to find Thibault, including pictures and video! Apparently, he’s a banking big shot in Paris. Unfortunately, he didn’t outrun the march of time either. I’m a little pissed at my husband for instantly…

I don’t remember where I was going but I remember a hot bus ride and no available seats. Yup, I was just traipsing around all over the city by now! I was wearing a bubblegum pink miniskirt, an oversized men’s shirt, a bowed headband, frosted pink lipstick, button earrings, and white Keds with cuffed socks….

Using the map trick again, I plastered it to the window and said: “Arc de Triomphe, si’l vous plaît.” I rode the hot, crowded train by myself, determined to see this landmark. Climbing out of the tunnel into the bright sunlight and stifling heat, I was shocked by the throngs of people I ran into….

I woke up with a resolve that I carry to this day. I got dressed and stopped at the corner grocery shop for a pack of LuLu cookies and made my way to the metro station. Metro map in hand, I held it up to the window of the information booth and simply said: “Eiffel…

It didn’t take long for the drama to start. When I arrived in France, I found my cousin in a volatile, explosive relationship with the man for whom she had moved to Paris. I had my own room down the hall from the main apartment but it was easy to see, hear, and feel the…