How I’ve Changed

Importance of Friends: I don’t remember when I first heard the expression, “It’s hard to be your own eyes.” But I remember realizing at the time that there was an important truth in the proverb. The observer can’t simultaneously be the observed object. The best one can do is notice how choices and values change over time. Now that I’ve been in France for six months, I can look back and see some of the ways I’ve changed. Immune System Is Recovering Slowly For sure, the accumulated stress from taking care of my husband for his final years has begun

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Vacation in France

Vacation in France: During August, France’s vacation month, I spent a delightful week in Biscarrosse-Plage, a beach town on the Atlantic Ocean in the Bordeaux region. Biscarrosse-Plage resembled Santa Cruz, California, only ratcheted up a few notches. Besides beaches, giant dunes, and hiking in nearby forests, the town boasted dozens of sporting goods stores, a farmer’s market, restaurants, bars, and gift shops. A tall, dramatic Ferris wheel anchored the downtown area. On my first visit to the fine, sandy beach, I waded out two hundred yards where the waves were still very gentle. I would have needed to go much

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Introductory Blog

Life Expectancy in France: Late afternoon on April 4, 2021, while I held his hand, my husband of 30 years took his last breath, and I went from being a wife to a widow.   In the days that followed, I didn’t feel single. In my head, I was still married; the only complication was that my husband was gone. As reality sank in, I was forced to decide what to do with the rest of my life, however long or short that might be.  Against the well-meaning advice of those around me, I quickly rid myself of belongings, sold my

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Hi, this is Carole again. Can I ask you a favor?

People who've read my first novel, Blackbird, have said they couldn't put it down.

Would you like to read the first chapter for free?