The Bold Soul: A Writer's Life in Paris

Perspective

Out and about now, I can do more but can't yet do it all. Then I was reminded of what "tired" REALLY looks like. Read more →

The Wepler

In which I make my triumphant and very happy return to "public life" in Paris. Read more →

I know you already do, but...

Getting a book deal involves a lot more than simply writing a great book. It's a damn popularity contest. HELP! Read more →

Better and better

The light at the end of MY post-op tunnel looks like a disco ball, because I feel like dancing in celebration of just being able to cross the street to do some food shopping! Read more →

I marched...

Well, I marched across my living room. With the sign I made for Georges and le Garçon, who went to the actual march here in Paris today. And yes, I asked Georges to cut my head out of the photo. I had terrible bed head this morning, but what can you expect when I've been in bed or on the couch for weeks now. I watched the march on TV and it was incredible. Estimates range from 1.3 to 2.5 million people marching in Paris, and 50 world leaders or their representatives were there as well. Kudos to the police force in Paris for their excellent work in making sure this day was safe for all the people who came out to stand together for liberty, to pay hommage to the victims, and to demand an end to terrorism. Read more →

How to make a man cry (well, almost)

And no, I didn't have to hurt him. Read more →

Slow lane

When my doctors told me I would have to have major abdominal surgery, they warned me that the recovery would be very slow. Any of you who have had abdominal surgery know first-hand that this is true. I asked the doctors for an estimate of how long it might take, assuming of course no complications would take place, and they said about a month after leaving the hospital I would probably start to feel a whole lot better, though probably not 100% back to my usual self. I think I've been in France too long because I seem to have adopted the snail's pace on the healing track. My surgery was December 18th. Today is January 9th. That's 23 days, a week short of a month. And I'm still spending 98% of my time lying down. I thought that by now, I'd have built up enough stamina to at least be able to walk across the street to the Franprix market and pick up a few groceries, or walk to the end of the street to the pharmacy. I didn't expect I'd be hopping buses or the metro all over town, or that I'd be up to having dinner out... Read more →

I am Charlie. So are we all

Standing in solidarity with my fellow Frenchmen and women, with journalists in France and around the world, with the core values of freedom of speech and freedom of the press, and for an end to senseless hatred and terrorism. Read more →

New Year's Eve in Paris

This year in Paris, the Mairie decided to do something different. Instead of focusing the festivities on the Eiffel Tower, they moved the party to the Champs Elysées and the Arc de Triomphe, and created a wonderful spectacle complete with fireworks at the countdown. If you can overlook the idiots who thought it would be fun to use their stupid green lasers on the Arc during the entire show, it was really quite nice and very well done! I hope they do it again next year and maybe we'll get to go there in person. Although we'd probably never have as good a vantage point as we have in this video, what with thousands of people crushed into the Champs Elysées. Bonne année à tous! Enjoy! Paris célèbre le passage en 2015 avec un... by mairiedeparis Read more →

A Healing New Year

It's been a very quiet, lazy week for me and my sweetie, with my 3x/day blood thinner injections done by the home nurse, and basically just resting and letting my poor abused body heal. (One "plus" - I've dropped nearly 30lbs since this started, on top of the 20 I lost deliberately over a 6-month period earlier in the year, and now at 50 lbs lighter I barely recognize myself. I haven't been at this weight since 1996! My older stepson says I'm "fondue" -- melting!) I was frustrated on Monday at a doctor checkup to learn I'd have to do the 3x/day shots until probably January 5th (plus bloodwork twice weekly). I knew intellectually this would be a long, slow process, and having a blood clot just complicates matters, so I was in a pretty bad mood that day. I had at least been hoping to taper off to 2 or even 1 daily injection because I am now also starting the transition to blood thinner pills, but I guess this is a tricky medication to get just right. I am just sick of feeling like a fricking pincushion. Then there are my weakened abs - the scar extends... Read more →