A friend’s grandson just turned 1 and I went to his birthday party. I was talking to her 
daughter’s (the baby’s mother) father-in-law and Ellen (my friend) said to him, “Fransi and I have known each other all our lives.” He was intrigued and wanted to know more.
Our mothers met in the laundry room of the apartment building where they both lived, in Montreal. I was an infant. Her parents were newlyweds. The Continue reading
I have another WordPress blog — one where I talk about my day job as a writer, marketer and strategist. About six months ago I wrote about how, just by looking 
around and being observant, a writer can find inspiration anywhere. And everywhere.
One of the examples I gave was about a couple, having dinner a couple of tables away, from my then-boyfriend and me. I spotted them the minute we sat down and I have to confess that I couldn’t take my eyes off them. I was riveted. They were married. And there they were, at a small table for two. But as intimate as the space they shared was, they might have been in different countries, let alone tables.
They said nothing to each other. Not once. Not even when they ordered their meals. They never looked at each other. Not once. Although they were sitting directly opposite each other, they were ‘positioned’ at a slight angle away from each other. So their bodies were facing in slightly opposite directions. I’ll bet anything they were totally unaware of it, too.
They didn’t seem angry. They didn’t seem upset. There were no red faces, tear-filled eyes, longing looks, frowns, sneers. No clenched fists. No negative body Continue reading
Okay. Someone has to say it out loud. Paul McCartney cannot sing any more. Watching him perform (?) during the Opening Ceremonies at London 2012 was excruciating. He sang (so to speak) somewhere else recently. Again it was painful. And embarrassing. For him, for God sake! Is this how he wants to be remembered? Barely able to croak out a song? Off key? He has had a brilliant career. He is worth millions and millions. It’s time to pass the microphone. Really.
I can imagine (no pun intended) how difficult it must be when that realization finally sets in. “Yes, it’s true. I have lost my voice.” Whether it’s because of age, illness, booze, cigarettes, drugs, pollution, dust, damaged vocal cords or the Universe being cruel, one fact remains: His singing career is over.
Do something else. He can still be productive. Start a record label. Discover and develop talent. Write a book. Produce musicals. Become an entrepreneur. Travel simply for pleasure. Relax, spend money and have fun with that new, young wife.
Just please, exit gracefully.
When food is past its prime we toss it without a second thought. But we are reluctant to face this same reality about ourselves. We hang on to relationships that are really over, and have been over for years. We say it’s for the children. Does anyone really believe that it’s better for kids to live in an environment where their parents argue, slam doors, cry, ignore each other, cheat, lie and settle for less than any of them deserve?
We cling to hope when there is none and insist on keeping loved ones plugged into respirators long after they are brain dead. We tell ourselves it’s because we love Continue reading
365 And Counting 