The Bold Soul: A Writer's Life in Paris

Déjà Two

Two years. It's still incroyable to me that Georges and I have been together for Two. Whole. Years. First off, before Georges, I'd never been in any relationship that lasted more than about 15 months, so already we're ahead of that curve, having also now been married for 15 months as well (as of October 12). So the realization that we've been together for this long is sort of blowing my mind. In a good way, of course. There was a time, not all that long ago, where I was beginning to doubt my ability to do "long term". I don't doubt it anymore, though; it only takes finding the right person to make it easy. Every day for two years, I've had something to be happy about... because of Georges. I've had laughter in my life... because of Georges. I've had kids in my life, something I'd kind of given up on altogether. And I've had love -- wonderful, over-the-moon, perfect, giggly, fabulous, unconditional, movie-love love -- every single day for two years, because of Georges. How do I even begin to thank the Powers That Be for all of that? My gratitude knows no limits and it's overwhelming.... Read more →

I sooo know how she feels

The past three days I have been having hot flashes like nobody's business. I am just sitting here, working, quietly "occupied" with my own "onions" (as the French would say) and out of nowhere, I'm suddenly schvitzing like frigging Niagra Falls. WTF? Is this one of those "be careful what you wish for" moments? And of course, while wiping the sweat out of my eyes and sticking my head in the freezer, I thought of one of my favorite Sex and the City moments. My own miserable hot flashes are fortunately just normal aging, not a side effect of chemo, but still... ya gotta love Samantha. She might have lost her hair and her makeup might be "running down her couture", but she's still got her balls. Read more →

And the adventure of a lifetime began...

It was two years ago today that the man I love breezed through my virtual door, and we began the adventure of changing each other's lives. Our "real" two year anniversary is on Friday night, since that's the anniversary of our first date -- the one that lasted 26 hours. But tonight I think we just will snuggle down together, all cozy-like, and re-read our chat transcripts of those first few days... the days when we knew something interesting was happening, but we had no idea where it would lead us. I never expected it; neither did he. But then these things always seem to happen when you least expect it, right? Read more →

Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition

I get the distinct feeling I'm being watched. Well, perhaps not "watched", so much as "wondered about". Yesterday, my mother called me at 5:30 am HER time, which even for her is a bit extreme; she said she woke up early, as she sometimes does at age 75 (she'd probably kick my ass from Paris to Prague if she knew I just told 100,000 strangers her real age) and was "thinking about me". Wondering if I was all right. Then in the next half hour she proceeded to ask grill me 3 more times how I was; was everything ok; was I feeling all right? No amount of my replying, "I'm fine, Mom. I'm great. Really great. Super great! Never better! I'm deliriously well and happy! I'M FREAKING FINE, ALREADY, NOW CAN YOU GET OFF MY BACK?!" seemed to satisfy her. Sometimes, she gets that way. She's my mother and also a congenital worrier. So I chalked her Spanish Inquisition up to her just being Mom. But then I remembered that a few days ago, my best friend came right out and asked me the question I now suspect has been on the minds of millions thousands many at least... Read more →