School Days...Vacation is Over

As many of you know, I have been working on my Masters in Nursing for a while, and as of tomorrow, I am back at it again. I took a break (well deserved), and then another break, and now I have to get back on the horse and get it done. While I am looking forward to obtaining this long sought out goal, I truly dread taking the classes to get there. My head wants to rest. It does not want to think about writing long papers and organizing references. I’m feeling old and tired, and really just want to spend time reading novels and not text books, but...

I’m grateful I have the support system I do at home. Jim is done with his Masters (YIPEEEE!!), but is a constant source of “Go Wendy Go!” for me. As are the kids. It helps knowing I have that support. It’s motivating (and at my age, some days, I need it).

So if it seems time lags between my blog posts, it’s no doubt because I am hard at work doing school requirements (The History of American Nursing) and will, when time allows, share what’s going on with me when I can. So keep checking back, and often!

My Life For Sale?

I recently read where an Australian citizen is selling his life through eBay. Is there anything you cannot sell on eBay? Apparently he has been jilted by his wife of 5 years (in a relationship with her for 12) and now he feels he has to give it all up as everything is a constant reminder of her and his life with her. (I would think a pill and some therapy might work, but what do I know?)

Anyway, it got me to thinking if I were to sell my life and all of its contents, what would I sell it for and who would even consider buying it? It does make you think. Of course, I have this problem of having 2 children, a husband, and four dogs, or could I simply throw them all in the mix? And where would I go once the final deal was made? I mean, I certainly have joked about selling them all and moving, but I still need a buyer. And I really should decide what I really want to take me when I go.

So IF I were to sell everything, I would imagine the list might look something like this:
First of all the buyer would have to live in New Jersey. Now that being said, I would have to summarize the good things about living in NJ. That alone might jeopardize the whole sale. I mean the taxes alone would be like selling a box of rocks.

Then there’s the house. It’s new and in great condition. No issues there, except that it is on a busy street and there’s the tiny issue of the house next door that is now housing old people, crazy old people. BUT we do have that new fence that keeps them OVER there. (Remember that blog?) And if the dogs are included, which they would be, the buyer would have to maintain the grass and all the shrubs in the back which is like having a nagging toothache constantly. Seriously.

As for the contents, those that I are mine; the list would be long enough to peak some interest in a potential buyer. First of all, there’s the whole content of my arts and crafts room. That might be fun for someone who likes to sew and glue and paste and color and scrapbook. I’ll even throw in the bazillion buckets and bins of material I have collected over the past 25 years. BUT the buyer would have to weed through a ton of stuff that might take up way too much of their life. I do have many collectables, none of which have any real value except the sentimental kind, which a buyer could eventually come to use for themselves. There’s some potential.

I have a BIG closet of clothes, all size 14, and all seasons covered. (I would have to take a few things, but the buyer and I could haggle that out, if need be). I am partial to my handbags, and I do own a few Coach bags, so that alone might be a place to think about a bid. The purchase would include my lap top and my iPod which is loaded with great tunes. I’m also throwing in my camera, and my cell phone (my friends are all in there and THREE important ICE (in case of emergency) contacts, so if the buyer is involved in an emergency, three competent people would be at their side to help them). I have a library full of incredible books. No one else here reads, so you are bidding on a huge amount of books! Quite honestly, this might be one of the highlights of the purchase. No kidding.

The job. Now if you are an L&D nurse, this might work out for you. I would imagine if your background is like mine, you might just slip into my job slot. (I haven’t yet asked the boss if she would be willing to replace the winner of my life with my job). It’s not a bad gig. Although there have been some cut backs (like everywhere), so this might not be an option for someone who is REALLy interested in working two days a week, 12 hour shifts, caring for screaming women.

Ok, now then the husband. He’s a great guy and makes a great salary, so you would not have to worry about financial security, although he might prefer someone who helps bring home a few dollars. I cannot list his bad habits, BUT if the buyer is serious enough, and makes a serious BID; I will fill them in ahead of time. (Hey, someone out there may not care about all the hair...) Sorry no take backs once you purchase my life.

Then there are the kids. Both are still doing the school (college) thing, so you might really think about that before placing that final bid. Good kids, but these day, kids = dollars. Even adult kids are struggling and need help now and then.

My siblings. Two GREAT sisters, so this is a bonus. I have two brothers and one has a boat! (I see fishing in your life if you are the winner). Family get -to - gethers are an added bonus. IF you are not a family person, please do not bid. I mean, that is IF you are looking for a Brady Bunch type family. If not, you might love this life of mine. Kooky family and all.

The mother. As the oldest, and as the one who knows all about medical stuff (so my siblings keep telling me, which really is a crock of bull since I only deal with women and their “v-jay-jays”) I am responsible for ensuring the medical health of my mom. So this means appts, appts, and more appts, and then educating her as to what to take and what not to take together. She is up there in age and can be demanding. (I might clean out the craft area if you bid knowing this fact).

The dogs. Might be the perfect lot for the “dog lover.” Imagine your life with FOUR BIG dogs! Wooo, hooo! Bid, bid, bid! This however would include taking one of them to the library four times a month as she works as a therapy dog. This non-negotiable. They are high maintenance dogs with all the hair, baths, pooping, etc. Remember BIG dogs eat big. (I bet I just scared off several bidders with that one).

My friends. I have a handful of incredibly wonderful freinds, and while I will share them I will not give them up. So you must be willing to share, and share nicely.

That's my life in a nutshell, cracked as it is. It seems the life for sale in Australia might be a better thing to bid on if you like all that excitement and travel. But if you are comfortable picking up after one man, two kids, and four BIG dogs, and hauling an old lady around every now and then, then perhaps my life might just be what you are looking for after all. Happy bidding!

Saving Gas = Having Fun

Like everyone else across the nation, and around the world, we are feeling the pains of higher gas prices. They stink (I could use a stronger adjective, but stink covers it as well). I no longer just “jump in the Jeep to run an errand”, but stratagize each errand and then each route in getting them done. We have no choice. Jim and I always car pool; that is he takes me to work when I work the longer shifts and then swings by and picks me back up after he is done at his job. This saves.

With the prices going higher and higher, it was now time to drag out Jim’s motorcycle and get it back on the road. So with a little bit of maintenance, and two brand new helmets purchased, he is now using it to run errands in town, and take both kids to work (they both work in town). It helps and the kids enjoy dad taking them to work on the back of his bike. I, too, enjoy the occasional ride into town to get a bag of groceries. If “going into town” was closer, we could hoof it, but...

Change is never easy, but this one comes with a little bit of fun. So the change has been easy to do and in the long run, helping to maintain the costs of getting around and getting things done. And we like that. Now if we could tackle the soaring food prices this easy.

Baby Robins and Gypsy Caterpillars

The park we love to walk is being destroyed. Well, the trees that grace it and provide us walking shade are literally dying before our eyes by the gypsy caterpillars. As we walk, we squish and kill all we can, but there are only so many we can get to and obliterate. I am glad that Jim was able to spray our trees, so perhaps they have a chance. It’s really been an ongoing struggle for many areas here in NJ, as it is in other states. It’s just in the last two years here that we are really seeing the trees die off and it is quite sad. The Pine Barrens, while predominantly pines, are also slowly dying as it was graced with many oaks. The next step is to lure the moths into traps, and Jim has strategically placed the traps around the yard, so we are doing what we can here to control the destruction. We hope.

Matthew 5:5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. (Left to various interpretations, however I see ‘meek’ as helpless tiny things).

Now onto the baby birds. We have this silly Robin that insists each year on nesting in our arbor. Now while it is a great place to nest (the rain has little chance of getting to her nest, as do any other creatures, and the height is perfect), what concerns us is that on the day it is time to push the little ones out of the nest, she does so with a pack of Goldens hanging around. And this pack is smart and can hear the peeping going on in the yard. Last year we did not rescue the birds in time. =( this year we were one step ahead of the mother. We knew (how I did not know) that the day had come to teach them to fly. So we watched and as each little guy or gal fell down to the ground, we shooed them out past the fence and out of harm’s way. After all, they are ‘bird dogs’ and do not intend to hurt the birds, but the simple soft mouthing of them has not proved to be safe. Thankfully, the nest is empty, and the four little birds have moved out of the yard and on to safer ground.

“For the birds that cannot soar, God has provided low branches.”
~ Turkish Proverb

Summer and Tim Russert

Good grief, where does time go! Summer is here and we (I) have been busy out in the yard, and just sitting and relaxing on my deck (my favorite place on the planet, next to my bed). School is out around here, so the place is quiet and peaceful!

Jim and I spent time sodding (placing sod) the bare areas of the backyard. So far, they have taken and no one has dragged the live green carpets away (I speak of my four-legged yard maintenance crew), so I am happy. The results look great and we did NOT spend fortune (Thank You Home Depot) for the sod pieces. I also planted a few tiny evergreen-like trees in front of the shed, and so far no one objects to them. They are still there. (Yes, I again speak of the lawn maintenance crew). My yard is plush and green, thanks to all the rain and humid weather. So the view from my deck is enjoyable. (Truthfully, my deck would be enjoyable without a view).

I am sad this week because of the sudden death of Tim Russert. I, like many, truly found him a wonderful person, and have got to add that he had the ability to help me understand the intricate business of politics. “Meet the Press” was one of my favorite news shows, and if you know me, you know I am a news junkie, so my choice is important to where I get my news. In this riveting political year, he had the know-how in getting to the bottom of the issues with those who knew the issues. God bless you Tim! I will miss you terribly.


I have also been busy with my mom, helping her out (doctor’s appts) and then work has had me busy as well. I’m here, I’m good, as is the rest of my family...just involved in life and summer. Stay tuned for more from me....throughout the summer.

Online Friendships

"Constantly look for a new friend, a truly first-class person, one who has the courage to criticize, to demand your best self, a person who has different interests and different beliefs from yours, a friend for whom you can render a constructive service. Devote energy toward making such friends. Retain them, never let them go, and continue making new friends until you die." This quotation comes from William Terhune, a noted psychiatrist and founding professor of the psychiatric department at Yale University. (Bet you are wondering if Bill and I were friends?) This quote should be followed by all people.

I have many friends who meet the expectations of this quotation. I love them, and will cherish their friendships for as long as we live. I have friends from my childhood school days, college days, old jobs, my military days (ok, I wasn’t IN the military, but I did work and live among them), and from simply moving around the country because of Jim’s job. I have friends online and offline. Over the years I have gained many new friends, thank to the power of the internet.

There are those who debate the value of online friendships, believing them to be phony, or a waste of time. Someone who is not online on a regular basis, or at all, has a hard time understanding a friendship formed on the Internet. Ask a member of an online cancer support chat room about online friendships. Many would report they would be lost without their online friends who provide them with hours of support. Ask a nurse who is struggling through an online class how important an online nurse friendship might be (I have many good nurse friends from classes).

One of the friendships I treasure is my friend Michele who I met online years ago in a writer’s forum. We chatted about various things through the forum, and then eventually through emails, and until this day to have an incredible friendship. We met, we talked, and then I suddenly realized I had met someone who has the same sense of humor, the same values, and some of the same interests that I do (I know she feels the same about me)!

Michele is as real as my offline friends. Real friendship is about support, sharing, laughter, and loyalty. Michele is this and more. We have been friends for a long time. IF my memory is right it has been 8 years. She lives out west, not where cowboys live, but far from NJ! Her emails always seem to come at a time when I need to laugh. Her writing of her life’s adventures ALWAYS makes me chuckle, and not at her, but with her! She is truly a treasure of technology. Thanks Michele for being my friend.

Happy Father's Day Daddy!

Those who have read my blog are aware that I lost my dad years ago. With Father’s Day tomorrow, my thoughts are, of course, of my dad.

There are days that we celebrate simply because it helps the card and flower businesses thrive, and Father’s Day is no exception. I have long been a proponent that we should celebrate these days every day, and not simply one day a year. (Being a mom, it is my belief that every day is Mother’s Day). Life is short and we just never know when we won’t be around or those we love won’t be here to celebrate these special days.

I miss my dad. While I know these words are simple to express, they are heartfelt, and I know I speak for my siblings as well. I think we would all love one more hug, see one more of his smiles, and even hear one more of his grouchy outbursts. I’d even love to taste one more dish of his spaghetti. (His sauce was outstanding).

I miss my dad for so many reasons. I often think of him and say to myself, “he would like that show... he might like this dish I made... he would love to have seen his grandchildren do this or that...and he would love to sit on my deck and enjoy life”. My dad lived a hard live as a kid. In fact, he was an abused kid and how he survived still makes me wonder today, but he did. He served in our Navy, married, and worked as a policeman, a postman, a florist, a butcher (deli), and various other odd jobs, to keep busy and to keep five kids fed and clothed. To some he might not have been the “model” father, and it has only been in my adult life that I have come to understand the man he had grown to become. He did his best. He loved us all in his own way, and being able to love did not come easy to him. I know that now, as do my siblings.

So this Father’s Day, like many to come, I will celebrate my dad through my own memories of him. I loved my dad and I miss him terribly.

When Someone We Love is Hurting

When someone we love deeply is hurting, be it a friend or family member, it’s not so easy, at times, to find the right words, or even the right approach in helping them. Even if we believe our insights or valuable advice might help them, the task can be daunting. There are no rules to follow in helping someone, except you use your heart and let it guide you. You also have to have the ability to listen and be nonjudgmental. Perhaps not always easy, but necessary. (The nonjudgmental stuff)

I strongly believe that we have to reach out with unconditional love. A hurting person may display intense emotions—tears, anger, bitterness, frustration, or sarcasm. We may feel tempted to withdraw from such emotional displays, but we need to draw near to the person who is in pain. Especially when it is someone we love dearly and want to hold in our hearts.

I believe we have to understand, rather than fix the hurting person’s feelings. We may mean well when we try to persuade a hurting person to "cheer up," but suffering is often an integral ingredient of life’s experience. We must acknowledge a person's pain, not try to put an emotional bandage over it. THIS is not so easy for a mom to do. I struggle with this all the time.

I believe we have to find specific ways to be supportive. People who are hurting often struggle in asking for help or guidance. The smallest expressions of love and demonstrations of caring can mean a great deal to some who is hurting. There's an old expression: "If we don't demonstrate our love, it doesn't do anyone any good." Hurting people need expressions of love they can see and feel.

I believe that when we share our own struggles with others, we demonstrate the ability to be open and the ability to communicate things we might struggle to share. I've found those that are hurting benefit tremendously when they can talk with someone who's transparent about their own struggles. Such honesty breaks down the barriers of isolation that suffering often erects. Loving someone is easy. Watching them hurting is not easy. Sharing with them is not always so easy. Being able to help them when they are troubled uses both love and the ability to share openly feelings we might otherwise keep to ourselves. No one wants to see someone they love hurting. Especially when you are a mom.

My Favorite Tomato

When I was a kid growing up, my dad and mom had a huge vegetable garden. It started out small, but after many years, and the need to feed five growing kids, the garden took on more space and got more prolific with its bounty. We had all kinds of food growing in the garden; things from simple lettuce to huge quantities of tomatoes. The garden was really looked after by all of us (we kids had the task of weeding), and mom and dad organized and then did the canning or freezing of all that grew there. However, for some reason, when I think of that garden, I tend to think of it as my dad’s garden. I have no idea why, except maybe he spent the most time, there, constantly ensuring things were appropriately taken care of; weeded well, watered well, and plants tied up to ensure no rot would occur. He was a master gardener, as defined by many dictionaries, he “was one who exhibits style, skill, ability or other characteristics of gardening” and he did, and well.

My dad was known for his tomatoes, and he would share with many neighbors and friends. It wasn’t unusual to see him out there with a small brown bag collecting veggies for a friend. His tomatoes were what New Jersey tomatoes are known for...BIG, red, fleshy, sweet, and juicy tomatoes! When I moved to Germany, this was one of the things I knew I would miss, but because my dad was who he was, I got my tomatoes via the US Postal Service, neatly packed as if they were fragile pieces of glass. Home never tasted so good! My German neighbors could not believe I got tomatoes mailed to me, until they tasted them, and they, too, fell in love with the taste of them.

With the bad press tomatoes have gotten lately (and rightly so), I have had the chance to think back and remember my dad’s delicious tomatoes. The FDA has proclaimed the Jersey Tomatoes safe to eat, (and salmonella free), but if they had tasted my dad’s tomatoes, they would not only claim them safe, but deliciously irresistible! I have always grown tomatoes in my garden, but I have yet to perfect the perfect tomato, but then I am not a master gardener. I also think it’s more than the tomato I miss. I miss that gardener too.

Heavenly Treat

It's been a while since I have shared a recipe of any kind, and after baking these oh so delicious morsels, I had to share this one with you (even if you despise Martha, these are worth your time). Don't they look yummy? Add one tall glass of cold milk, and you might think you are in heaven! Enjoy!

Double Chocolate Coconut Cookies, from Martha Stewart's Cookie Cookbook

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
1/4 cup unsweetened Dutch process cocoa powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
2 cups white-chocolate chunks (~9 oz,)
1 3/4 cups sweetened flaked coconut
1 3/4 coarsely chopped walnuts (~6 oz.)

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Cream butter and sugar until smooth, about 2 minutes. Mix in eggs, one at a time. Stir in vanilla.
2. Sift flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt into a medium bowl. Mix into butter until well combined. Stir in chocolate, coconut and walnuts.
3. Using a 1 1/2 inch ice-cream scoop (or if you don't have one, like me, use a heaping teaspoon per cookie), drop batter onto sheets lined with parchment paper. Space 2 inches apart. Flatten slightly, then cook for 10-12 minutes or until set. Let cool on sheets on wire racks for 2 minutes. Transfer cookies on parchment paper to wire racks to cool completely. Can be stored in airtight containers at room temperature for up to 1 week. Yields approximately 5 dozen cookies.

The Social Mentality of Geese

After seeing a story in the news in which an old man was run over by a car (hit and run) and no one, NO ONE stopped to help him, I am further convinced we are living in a very ME, ME, ME world. What the hell has happened to our moral compasses? Why have we stopped looking after one another? Personally, I cannot even imagine NOT stopping to help someone in need, no matter the circumstances. And it has nothing to do with the fact that I am a professional nurse.

I often think about how a flock of geese works together and wonder why we cannot all be like a flock of geese. There's power in a gaggle of geese that you just don't find in a lone goose. For example:

Fact: As each goose flaps its wings, it creates lift for the bird following. By flying in a "V" formation, the whole flock adds 71% greater flying range than if one goose flew alone.
Lesson: Those who share a common direction and sense of unity can get where they're going quicker and easier because they're drawing strength from each other.

Fact: When a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to fly alone, and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird in front.
Lesson: Stay in formation with those who are headed where we want to go; be willing to accept their help and give help to others.

Fact: When the lead goose gets tired, it rotates back into the formation and another goose flies at the point position.
Lesson: It pays to take turns doing the hard tasks and sharing leadership. People, like geese, are interdependent on each other.

Fact: Geese look after each other. If one gets sick or wounded, two geese follow it down to protect and feed it until it either recovers or dies.
Lesson: Stand by each other in difficult times as well as in good times.

I am sad for the elderly man that got hit and then did not get immediate attention from those standing nearby. I am sad for those who felt they could not reach out to him and hope that if they ever find themselves in the same situation, that someone, like me, will be there to help them. I do like this ME world we live in and hope it changes. And soon.

The Nursing Shortage: My Concerns, Your Concerns

I do not usually write much about my job as a nurse, but in light that it is an election year and our country is facing a severe nursing shortage, you will have to bear with me for the next few paragraphs. I feel I have to voice my concerns, not only as a nurse, but as a person who is aging and a person who one day might need a nurse in her very old age at her hospital bedside. (Side note: I expect to be a crabby patient).

First of all some unsettling and even frightening statistics: (at least they are for me)

Recent nursing stats from the U.S Dept. of Labor:
* Nationwide working nurses : 2.5 million
* Average age of nurses : 47 years
* Expected nursing shortage nationwide by 2020 : 36%
*116,000 Number of nurses needed immediately at community hospitals and clinics nationwide.
*23% Anticipated job growth in the nursing field over the next decade, making registered nursing the fastest-growing career in the nation.

Most of my peers within my own nursing department are in their 50’s. Most are anticipating retirement within a few years. Some will hang until they are in their 60’s, like me, although I do not see myself at the bedside. Many of them do not either.

There seem to be no solutions coming from Obama, Clinton, or McCain, let alone any politician. In fact, McCain at a primary rally at a NJ hospital openly admitted he had no idea a nursing shortage even existed in our country!! The one politician who has spoken out about health care, Ted Kennedy, is on the receiving end of health care now after being diagnosed with a brain tumor. Perhaps he might help even further upon getting out of the hospital, although he might just be too busy going through cancer treatment. I hope there is not a nursing shortage that day.

One of the problems that does is exist is that we have an over abundance of people wanting to go into nursing, but a very limited amount of nursing programs and nurses willing to teach those students enrolled in programs. Why? Salaries. It all comes back to the dollar. Universities are not willing to pay enough, especially to those who do not have their doctorate to teach. I’m working on my Masters in Nursing Education with the hopes to teach, but sadly my pitiful MSN will not allow me to teach nurses at institutions that offer higher levels of education to nurses. And I have very little desire at this time to pursue my doctorate. It stinks. It makes no sense. (My being allowed to teach, not my wanting to get my doctorate). So I can offer myself to lower educational programs, and will. (For a decent wage, that is).

Until things change and we get our politicians on board, little money is being put back in nursing to ensure its future. So here’s what I am asking you to do. Write your politicians and make sure they are aware there is a nursing shortage and get them on board with helping to put funds back into schools that will “pump out nurses.” One day you are going to wish you had a very well educated and not so tired nurse at your bedside. Trust me.

Sorry for the length of the blog. It could have been even longer! This is an issue that is very dear to me. The video helps to explain the issue....

I Miss Germany...A Lot!

One of the things (and there are so many) that I miss about living in Germany, especially this time of year, were our (almost daily) trips to Luisen Park. This park was in the center of Mannheim, and covered a huge amount of space (101 acres to be exact). The park contained so much for us to do, that we could never fit it all in one day, although we did try! There were all the typical things one would find in a park, which included the trees (many varieties), flowers and shrubs, and dozens of walkways to stroll.

Of course, what would a park be without playground equipment to entertain the little ones? And this park had a diverse selection to choose from, no matter your age or what you felt like doing on any day. There were typical slides and swings, to castles whose walls you could scale to save the damsel in distress. And heights were not a concern for the Germans. However, I had a problem watching my two year old climb at least 25 feet in the air. But he did it, and quite well. They both did. There were dry playgrounds and those that had enough water to keep you wet and happy on the hottest of days! (And bathing suits were not required for those under 5). My kids would hear we were going to the park and would strip down to bare skin within seconds flat!

There was also all kinds of wild life which included the following: birds, turtles, fish, alligators (yes those too), and even an area that housed farm animals. The kids had it all. And of course, what is a park without food? So we could dine on bratwurst and follow it with ice cream. And if you got tired and wanted to just sit, you could do so in small boats that pulled you around the interior of the park, so you could watch wild life in its natural habitat. I prefered watching the Germans in their natural habitat. =)

Every June, the park would have its celebration of the beginning of summer by hosting its “Sommer Nacht Festival.” There would be tons of food, bands, vendors selling their wares, and the night would end with an incredible display of fireworks; nothing I have yet to find here in America that even compares (except maybe the ones in NYC on the 4th of July). I miss this extravagant kick off to summer. I miss strolling the park and watching the kids play for hours with their German peers. I miss Germany. I miss the simpler times.

Hemingway's Paris, My Paris

"If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, then wherever you go for the rest of your life, it stays with you, for Paris is a moveable feast." ~ Ernest Hemingway

I have just completed reading “A Movable Feast” by Ernest Hemingway. He is one of the authors I have come to love over the years, and have even read several of his books more than once. I recently took the time to read this book for the first time, and I was immediately transported back to my vacation in Paris in the spring of 1985.

A dear friend of mine, Sandy, came to visit us when we lived abroad. She had been traveling through the various European countries and enticed me to visit France with her. I had two small babies, and at first decided my place was at home with them, but Jim surprised me with a Mother’s Day card filled with French Francs so off we went!

We took the midnight train from Mannheim, Germany and arrived in Paris in the early morning. The next several days were spent exploring the highlights of Paris. I have to say this was one of the many trips I took in Europe where my gastronomic curiosities began. This is where I learned about turtle soup and snails, with much coaxing from my friend, but enjoyed each delicious bite. From eating in the outdoor cafes, to long walks through the Louvre (seeing the Mona Lisa), the nightlife of Paris “City of Lights” (seeing the Folies Bergere), and absorbing the local culture, I loved each and every minute of Paris, and can fully understand Hemingway’s love of it.

Past and present merge and I realize that what this book really represents for me now is an atmosphere, an attitude, a youthful feeling about Paris, about the possibilities of life, and a very dear friendship. For here is Hemingway, in the autumn of his own career, writing about the spring. How ironic. His descriptions of Paris match my memories of a wonderful time.

We all have our own Paris. It may not be thought of as geographical geographical; it's the place where life first came vividly to bloom for you, where you walked out the door and fell in love, where you couldn't believe the exquisite beauty of the buildings, or even having the chance to share a great time with a friend, whose friendship has lasted a lifetime, long after our trip to Paris in the spring of our lives. I will always have Paris. I cherish my friend and her friendship. And I am truly thankful, for both.