Cleopatra and the Paparazzi

Note: The following is an excerpt from one of my books-in-progress, a sordid tale of the time when a mass contingent of my family stupidly decided to go on a Carnival Cruise, wherein we were expected to behave in wholesome manner. (This was never going to happen, the […]

Dancing with the Bars

Setting the Scene: My family and friends are in the final stages of a vacation in France and, having returned from an eye-opening experience at a nearby restaurant, we’re ensconced on the patio of our hotel. Laughing, imbibing and reminiscing about the past week, crazy as it was. […]

The Warmth of the Fires We Kindle

Setting the Scene: After a rather rambunctious and shame-inducing series of events, a group of my friends and family members are about to feast on the fare proffered by a semi-posh restaurant in Paris…   Our food arrives. I cross my fingers that everyone enjoys the selections that […]

Where Have All the Flowers Gone?

Setting the Scene: Several family members and friends are gathered around a long-ass table in a moderately-fancy restaurant in Paris, a happenstance arranged by the owner of the hotel where we are staying during our sojourn. We have just survived the challenge of requesting food, mostly in English, […]

The Dark Side of the Spoon

Setting the scene: A contingent of my family and friends are headed toward a restaurant in Paris, greatly relishing a fancy but happily free meal that has been comped by the owner of the hotel where we are staying. (My mother was good friends with said owner, so […]

The Unexpected Fallout of Reindeer Games

  It had never crossed Muriel’s mind that this selfie might attract unwarranted attention. But as she gazed lovingly at herself in the hand-crafted mirror, she noticed Mrs. Claus rushing up behind her, bellowing something about Santa delivering presents where he shouldn’t, as evidenced by the familiar North […]