The Bold Soul: A Writer's Life in Paris

It's just one big multi-cultural pissing contest around here

Overheard between a French husband and his American wife this evening: She (pointing to a red box with the image of a familiar, motherly-looking woman of color): "I made myself some pancakes for lunch this afternoon. A LOT of pancakes. And they were good. Even though they're not crepes." He (reading the box and mispronouncing the name): "Aunt JEM-in-a. Oh, that's like Uncle Ben's." She (rolling her eyes): "No, sweetie, it's Aunt Je-MIM-a. And no... Uncle Ben's had an old white guy with white hair and a black hat." He (grinning with French superiority): "No, my love, Uncle Ben's rice has a black man on the box." She (running to grab her laptop, SO ready to be RIGHT, for ONCE): "Oh REALLY?!? Which one of us is the American?" She Googles "Uncle Ben" and prepares to click on the link. He (following her and standing in the doorway, still grinning): "It's not QUAKER OATS... it's UNCLE BEN. And he's BLACK." She (realizing with dawning horror, even as the Uncle Ben site loads on her screen, that once again, he's got her. And there, smiling at her, is the warm and inviting face of Uncle Ben himself. Clearly NOT the old... Read more →

Taking a deep breath before I dive back in

I'm working full-blast to finish a memoir project for a client; hence, not much energy or time for blogging (or socializing, or eating, or bathing... sorry, TMI). We've started this book more than two YEARS ago (don't ask why a project that was supposed to take 6-9 months took about 30 months instead... it was mostly all my fault) and now it appears we will complete it no later than tomorrow if things continue to go well. Oh, the celebrating that will happen when this is done! And then... it's back to work on MY book, and NOTHING ELSE. Meaning I will have no income whatsoever until I sell the book, but I will also have no more reasons to procrastinate. So it's all good. Better put the last few bottles of our wedding champagne on ice now, though. I plan to drink a lot when this project is done. And I mean, a LOT. Read more →

With Bated Breath

The camellias -- like me -- are just waiting for spring. Read more →

Coffee-Clach(at)

Ah, look who decided to join me at the kitchen table for a cup of coffee today! Sorry, Clachat... that was the last drop. And it's all mine. Read more →