Five Sentence Fiction Friday - Thunder

Welcome to Friday and this week's edition of Five Sentence Fiction. This week's prompt is thunder. If you'd like to learn more about Five Sentence Fiction, or give it a try yourself (which I highly recommend), just visit Lillie McFerrin Writes. Enjoy!

Thunder is usually something to be scared of, something to make you grip your sheets in terror, but not tonight. Tonight it was the only thing keeping her safe.
With every loud, shuddering boom, the little creatures on the floor around her bed would leap back against the wall, terrified. In the quiet between they would creep forward slowly, smiling with pointed teeth, getting bolder until another blast of thunder sent them scurrying back. If the storm ended before morning, she was done for.

Voila! I hope you enjoyed my little story, and if you did then I hope you'll share it with friends and/or comment below. If you're still hungry for more Five Sentence Fiction, just follow the links below to read past editions. Don't forget to follow this blog to read other great posts and come find me on twitter @MelanieKCole. Have a great weekend!

Five Sentence Fiction Friday - Travel
Five Sentence Fiction Friday - Fabric
Five Sentence Fiction Friday - Learning
Five Sentence Fiction Friday - Bliss

Fleas and Wasps and Mice, Oh My!

It's been one of those weeks. I'm sure you've all had those. The kind where you want to look up at the sky and cry, 'why me?!' possibly while tearing your hair out.

It started with a text message from my sister, letting me know that her dog (and Maddie's favourite playmate) had fleas. This was most distressing, not only because I adore my little nephew dog, but also because Maddie had played with him two days ago. Could she possibly have given him the fleas? And if she hadn't, it was entirely possible he'd given them to her. I checked her over and couldn't find any, but she's black and they'd be mighty difficult to spot, so, I decided to err on the side of safety and headed to the pet store for a flea treatment.

Little did I realize, that stuff is really toxic! I had to take my sweet baby outside into a well ventilated area, apply the goo to between her shoulder blades and avoid contact with her until it dried. Hmmm, well that's all well and good, except that it wouldn't dry. I'm attempting to keep her off the couch while not touching her and she'd gone doe-eyed and sad, completely unaware of why I'm suddenly shunning her love and refusing to let her onto her favourite nap spot all while I'm texting my sister to find out when the stupid goo will absorb so I can stop this heart breaking struggle. Her response? It doesn't. Her dog is still greasy with  it and she put the goo on yesterday. Great! I'm pondering the thoroughly awful evening ahead of me while rereading the flea package again when I hear buzzing. LOUD buzzing. While taking Maddie outside to douse her with poison, I've let a gigantic wasp into the house.

As most of you know by now, I'm terrified of wasps. Childishly, ridiculously so. All the breath went out of my body as I watched its yellow, torpedo shaped body hover about the lights, reaching blindly for Maddie's collar as I dragged her with me into the bedroom. I'm now attempting to keep her off the bed while phoning my husband, leaving hysterical messages that I've let one of those yellow demons into the house and he has to come home and deal with it now. He finally calls me back, and with a heavy sigh asks if it's really necessary that he drive all the way home from the gym right this second to deal with a bug in the house.

"Of course it's necessary! The dog is covered with poison, we're trapped in the bedroom and that wasp is waiting out there to eat my soul!"

There's another heavy sigh and my very unimpressed husband comes home to kill it. Excellent. Problem solved. At the end of the evening I finally let Maddie up on the bed, wrap her in an old blanket and we move on. Several days go by and her hair is finally almost back to normal. But wait! Our troubles aren't over yet. Last night the three of us (dog, husband and myself) were hanging out in the living room, when I thought I saw something move out of the corner of my eye. Now, I often think I see something out of the corner of my eye, so I didn't pay too much attention. That is, until it went scurrying back under the couch at lightning speed. Oh yes. A mouse had just sprinted under the couch where I was sitting.

I scared the shit out of my husband as I suddenly launched into an impressive string of expletives ending with "a mouse just ran under the f*cking couch!!" Once we got his heart beating again, he started setting traps and I started cleaning like a whirlwind. I was in the cupboards with bleach, transporting the contents of every unchewed bag and box into a sealed tupperware container and scrubbing down the kitchen. Finally, my husband got me calmed down enough to go to bed, but I didn't sleep until 3:00AM, after I'd covered the registers and shoved a blanket into the crack under the door.

The mouse was caught the next day, luckily while I was out (I really didn't want to hear that tell-tale snap), but I won't be relaxing until those traps stay clear for another week or so. And we definitely won't be putting any of them away until we're through that fall home finding period when all the mice seem to attempt to come indoors.

So, to sum up, this past week has been like a series of plagues, and as much as I don't want winter to ever get here, I am looking forward to the peace it brings from pestilence. Because the only creatures I want in my house are the ones I've invited, and I don't recall sending out any invitations to wasps, fleas or mice.

*Side note: Since writing this, wasps have built a nest directly above our back door and I just found a grasshopper in the house. So... the plague continues.

Monday Book Review - Some Kind of Fairy Tale

Welcome to Monday and this week's book recommendation!

SOME KIND OF FAIRY TALE by Graham Joyce

 

It's Christmas Day and Mr and Mrs Martin are just sitting down to a quiet supper when there's a knock at the door. Their daughter, Tara, is standing on the doorstep. Now, this would normally be a pleasant surprise in a family, except that Tara has been missing for twenty years. Her brother, Peter, is called away from his family to come over, astonished that the sister he's believed to be dead has suddenly reappeared. But there's something strange going on, more so even then her sudden reappearance. For one thing, she looks almost the same, as though she hasn't really aged at all. And she has the strangest tale about where she's been...

I loved this book. It wasn't one I gobbled up in a day, like I do with some of the ones I recommend here. This one took me longer than usual. I'd read a chapter, and then muse on it for a few hours, even an evening, turning over the clues in my mind, trying to unravel the puzzle. It's uniquely told, jumping between different perspectives, both at the time of Tara's disappearance and her return. It's a mystery wrapped in a riddle, surrounded by magic. 

The writing, as well as the structure of the story, were supremely well done. It unraveled in just the right way, tantalizing, intriguing and always flitting about your thoughts when you really should be concentrating on something else. It was a strange and lovely tale, sure to capture your imagination. Definitely give it a go and come back and let me know what you think!

Five Sentence Fiction Friday - Travel

Welcome to Friday and this week's edition of Five Sentence Fiction. This week's prompt is travel. If you'd like to learn more about Five Sentence Fiction, or give it a try yourself, just visit Lillie McFerrin Writes. Enjoy!

"Excuse me, miss? Your passport is expired."
"What? That has to be a mistake!" She stared at the woman behind the ticket desk, bags packed and ready next to her. "I've been planning this vacation for months, I couldn't possibly have forgotten.."

She woke up with a start, drenched in sweat and looked at the time before turning over in bed and muttering, "I've really got to get my passport renewed."

There you have it! I hope you enjoyed this piece. It was inspired by the millions of nightmares I have when I book a vacation and still need to renew my passport. I literally have nightmares every other night that I've forgotten and I'm at the airport for months until I finally go down to the passport office and get it done. The trip could be nine months away, I'll still have nightmares. So weird. Anyway, have a great weekend, and if you're still hankering for more Five Sentence Fiction, just follow the links below!

Five Sentence Fiction Friday - Fabric
Five Sentence Fiction Friday - Learning
Five Sentence Fiction Friday - Bliss
Five Sentence Fiction Friday - Limitless

Getting in Shape

Last week, my husband did something bold. He asked me to run with him in the Color Me Rad 5K in September. A request made with such heart melting sweetness that I couldn't resist. I said yes. Despite my severe lack of cardiovascular and respiratory fitness. But hey! Love makes you do crazy things. And for some reason (I have no idea why), I find the thought of running side by side with my husband while being pelted with color incredibly romantic. (It's possible I have brain damage).

So, with less than a month to go until the big day, we started running. And we've been running every day. (Now, when I say running, what I really mean is light jogging.) As it turns out, my husband is a fabulous running buddy. He's encouraging, thoughtful and always complimentary. He celebrates my victories (running 2 km without stopping!) despite the fact that he could go out and run the race tomorrow without a problem. It's just one more thing we get to do together, another challenge conquered as a team.

I guess what I'm trying to say is, training for a 5 km race where you get pelted with so much colour you look like tie-dyed rainbow at the end can be very romantic. At least for me. And perhaps for you. If you're intrigued by the idea and would like to look into a race near you, just follow the link below.

COLOR ME RAD

Monday Book Review - Kalila

Welcome to Monday and this week's book recommendation!

KALILA by Rosemary Nixon

 

Now this was an interesting book and I don't know if I ever would have found it if it weren't for the fact that the author is going to be the new Writer in Residence at the public library this fall. After reading her profile, I decided to request some of her books and read them before going in to meet her. Already I feel very fortunate that Saskatoon residents will have the opportunity to work with her, because her writing is fantastic. 

What a unique book. It's told from several perspectives, each with their own vastly different style and voice. In fact, the style of the book itself is very different, I don't think I've ever read anything quite like it. I know I usually give a summary of the plot, but I don't really want to. Part of the joy of this book was letting the story unfold, and I don't want to spoil that for anyone. 

It's a lovely, bittersweet story, beautifully told and is bound to keep you flipping the pages. It's not something I'd usually read, but like I said before, the style and voice are so different, it was a complete perspective shift. You get to know the characters so well, being inside their thoughts and everything about this book, from the writing to the plot is just so unexpected.

I recommend this one to writers, for the education on technique and style, and to readers, looking to break up the usual routine and read something breathtaking, honest and bittersweet. 

Five Sentence Fiction Friday - Fabric

Welcome to Friday and this week's edition of Five Sentence Fiction! This week's prompt is fabric. If you'd like to learn more about Five Sentence Fiction, or give it a try yourself, just visit Lillie McFerrin Writes. Enjoy!

"So... it really is fabric, then?"
"Of course, it's not just a  euphemism you know."
She held the shimmering fabric up in her hands, sending it rippling as she gave it a sharp tug. I reached out a hand to feel it, rough and thick in places, soft and delicate in others. 
"I guess I just never thought our existence would be yellow."

Voila! I hope you liked this little story, and if you did, please share it with others! If you'd like to read more Five Sentence Fiction, just visit the links below for past editions. Don't forget to follow this blog and come find me on twitter @MelanieKCole. Have a great weekend!

Five Sentence Fiction Friday - Learning
Five Sentence Fiction Friday - Bliss
Five Sentence Fiction Friday - Limitless
Five Sentence Fiction Friday - Wisdom

Watching Summer Fly By

Well, we're approximately half way through August, which means there's only a little bit of summer left. How much? It depends on September. We have years where September is glorious, like a bonus month of summer, and we have years where September is cold and bitter, sweeping away any warm memories of sunshine and lemonade with the last of the leaves. In the face of uncertainty I'm beginning to feel a little panicked. What if there's only a couple weeks left and then it's gone?

This week we were finally blessed with hot weather. Since the beginning of July it's been very mild, rather cool days non-stop. Which isn't awful, but it's not the kind of thing you can call up in your mind when it's minus thirty degrees Celsius and snowing outside. And it's not really shorts and a tank top weather either, which is a bit of bummer when you only get to wear that stuff for two months out of the year at the best of times. So, with this sudden gift of heat, I can't help but feel that it's entirely wasted sitting in an office (specifically, a very air conditioned one). What if it's the last we're going to get until next year?

I've been thinking I should see if I can get a day off this week, just a bonus day to run around soaking up sunshine before it's gone. It'd be even better if I knew someone with a great deck or a pool, but beggars can't be choosers. This might be my last chance to sip on a cocktail in the sunshine. Especially with being officially broke from Paris. There are no sunny destinations in my future this winter or for the next couple. I can't afford a vacation, but perhaps I can afford a day off.

Monday Book Review - The Suitors

Welcome to Monday and this week's book recommendation!

THE SUITORS by Cecile David-Weill

 

This is the story of two sisters who are flabbergasted to hear that their parents have plans to sell their summer home, L'Agapanthe. The house is a place of charm, elegance and above all, good manners; where the relationship between the two sisters has blossomed. Neither is willing to give up the summer retreat and all it represents, so they hatch a plan to find a wealthy suitor who can afford to purchase the estate. Unfortunately, the suitors are not all they're cracked up to be...

I loved this story. Maybe it was the very French elegance of it, the astutely observant main character, Laure, or perhaps it was the suitors themselves, totally unaware of their place in the sisters' plot and failing miserably to hold up their end of the bargain. Either way, I loved it. It was like stepping into an entirely different world, the world of the fabulously wealthy, where manners and codes of conduct rule the day. I have to admit (not that I was planning to argue), the French really do have style and elegance down pat. You really must pick it up, if just to feel the sensation of that world.

The writing is sublime, even the typeface of the book is elegant. And the story is charming and sympathetic, despite how different most of us are from the main characters and their charmed existence. And who hasn't felt the panic of change, the longing to hold onto things just the way they are? Read it, and come back and tell me what you think!

Five Sentence Fiction Friday - Learning

Welcome to Friday and this week's edition of Five Sentence Fiction. This week's prompt is learning. If you'd like to learn more about Five Sentence Fiction, or give it a try yourself, just visit Lillie McFerrin Writes. Enjoy!

"Would you give it a rest? I told you, I locked it in the storage room so you're perfectly safe..."
The sound of humming and scraping echoed above their heads.
"What the hell was that?"
"Oh God," she looked over at him, "it's learning."

Voila! I hope you've enjoyed this week's little story, and if you have, I hope you'll share it with friends. If you'd like to make my day (and my weekend) then follow this blog and/or come find me on twitter @MelanieKCole. If you're still in the mood for more Five Sentence Fiction, just follow the links below for previous editions. Have a great weekend!

Five Sentence Fiction Friday - Bliss
Five Sentence Fiction Friday - Limitless
Five Sentence Fiction Friday - Wisdom
Five Sentence Fiction Friday - Locked

Editing

I'm proud to say that yesterday I FINALLY got my manuscript off to the editor. It should have been on its way as soon as I got back from Paris, but jet lag, laundry and a broken water heater put a rather large wrench in my plans. So, it's very late and that I'm not too proud of, but at least it's on its way. And that's worth celebrating. (Which I did. With ice cream.)

My work with this book isn't done yet, in fact it's only just beginning, but it's so exciting to see it progress. I've been editing it for a long time, but I've reached a point where I can see it still needs work, I'm just not sure what that work is. That's where fresh eyes (and very talented ones at that) come in. The last Writer in Residence, David Poulsen, was kind enough to make an introduction and the editor in question was kind enough to take me on.

So that's where it is. This is the next step. To make my book as good as it can possibly be. We'll do this next round of edits and then take it from there. But in the meantime, I'm going to put my feet up and read a good book.

Monday Book Review - Kitty Peck and the Music Hall Murders

Welcome to Monday and this week's book recommendation!

KITTY PECK AND THE MUSIC HALL MURDERS by Kate Griffin

 

This book is rather special to me because I found it in Paris, at the Shakespeare and Company bookstore. I didn't read it until I got home, so it was nice to have that little reminder of Paris, there on my nightstand at the end of the day. Not that my reading was limited to the end of the day. Honestly, I dare you to limit it your reading of the book to once a day! Good luck. A mystery like this is not easy to walk away from.

The story takes place in Victorian London, and centers around the lovely Kitty Peck, a seamstress at the Gaudy Music Hall, run by the fierce Lady Ginger (who presides over that and the surrounding area with an iron fist). The Lady has called upon her to act as bait for a mysterious kidnapper who's been stealing her most valuable asset, her dancing girls. And one doesn't say no to The Lady.,..

This mystery has a sort of Jack the Ripper quality to it, what with the cold dark streets of crime ridden London and the mysterious disappearances without a trace of who the kidnapper might be. This one will keep you guessing and not just about the identity of the kidnapper. All the characters seem to have a secret of their own, a hidden past they don't want revealed. The setting is vivid, as are the characters, especially Kitty. She is uniquely strong in the face of her adversities, quick witted and unwilling to go down without a fight. It's a great read and a fantastic mystery.

Five Sentence Fiction Friday - Bliss

Welcome to Friday and this week's edition of Five Sentence Fiction. This week's prompt is bliss. If you'd like to learn more about Five Sentence Fiction, or give it a try yourself, just visit Lillie McFerrin Writes. Enjoy!

Bliss. That's how she described it to her girlfriends. 
She couldn't take the risk of telling them the truth, that she actually found the old man repulsive. If this was going to work, no one could question her loyalty or her love. She needed that money and she'd give the performance of a lifetime to get it. 

Thank you for stopping by to read this week's edition of Five Sentence Fiction! If you liked it, I hope you'll share it with friends, and if you feel like making my day then please feel free to follow this blog or come find me on twitter @MelanieKCole. If you're in the mood for more Five Sentence Fiction, just follow the links below to read past editions. Have a great weekend!

Five Sentence Fiction Friday - Limitless 
Five Sentence Fiction Friday - Wisdom
Five Sentence Fiction Friday - Locked
Five Sentence Fiction Friday - Flight

Hung Over, But Not in the Traditional Sense

Sorry this post is a little late, but I've had a really great week so far. Sunday, my husband convinced me to go see the new Wolverine movie. I'd resisted at first, as I figured it'd probably be horrible and I hate watching my favourite fictional character of all time get ruined on the big screen. (Not due to Hugh Jackman, I think he's a fantastic actor, but due to terrible script and plot choices). But I'd heard on the radio that it was actually a good movie so we went. And it was. I refuse to give spoilers but it was fantastic. Definitely go see it if you're a fan, or if you're not. It's that good.

Unfortunately, Wolverine has a rather strong effect on me, leaving me feeling buzzy and distracted for days after an encounter, whether it be cartoon, book, comic book or movie. There's something about him, always has been, that just gets under my skin and crawls around. It's pleasant and unpleasant at the same time, and I always want more even though I know it will just prolong the feeling. So, I texted a girlfriend and asked if she'd seen it, and volunteered to see it again with her. Which is what I did last night. And it was fantastic again.

But, I'm also buzzy and distracted again, unable to push him from my thoughts or concentrate on anything else. It's irritating and lovely and I'm already itchy to go back to the movies and visit him again. So, I guess what I'm trying to say is, sorry this post is a little late and he's all I can talk about, and does anyone feel like going to the movies?

Monday Book Review - Cinnamon Toast and the End of the World

Welcome to Monday and this week's book recommendation!

CINNAMON TOAST AND THE END OF THE WORLD by Janet E. Cameron

 

I picked this book up because of the title. I mean, come on! That's a great title. Who could resist a book that combined breakfast food and the apocalypse in just the title? I didn't even read the back, just picked it up and started reading. And it. Was. Fabulous. I read it within the span of two days, just couldn't put it down. It was exactly the kind of book I love. The kind you're willing to cancel plans for. So, what's it about? Not the apocalypse, at least in the traditional sense. It's about a boy named Stephen and the fateful day he realized he was in love with his best friend. A boy. It's a coming of age story in a tiny Nova Scotia town with a unique cast of characters, both past and present, that decorate Stephen's life. 

What did I love about this book? EVERYTHING. No, really. I did. The main character is so real and complicated, you feel for him with every ounce of your once high school angst ridden self. It's also kind of funny and strange and nerve wracking, as you root for him, longing with every page to see it all work out fine in the end. And does it? Well, I'm not one to spoil the ending. Just pick it up.

You can tell how well written it is by how real it is. I forgot all the time that it was written by a woman, I had just assumed it was largely autobiographical because the character's voice felt so real. The setting felt real. All the characters felt real. The writing is just... I loved it. What a lovely book. You simply must pick it up. It's too good to leave this one unread. Add it to your list, read it and then come back here and tell me your thoughts. Although I think we're going to be of the same opinion.

Five Sentence Fiction Friday - Limitless

Welcome to Friday and this week's edition of Five Sentence Fiction! This week's prompt is limitlesss. If you'd like to learn more about Five Sentence Fiction, or give it a try yourself, just visit Lillie McFerrin Writes. Enjoy!

Every time you think it's over, it just begins again. 
At first, it was a relief, the idea of eternity. But heaven or hell, it just goes on forever until finally, you realize they're one and the same. But there's no escape. It's what you signed up for, and now you have a very long time to contemplate your decision.

Okay, this one may have been a little dark, but it's the image that popped into my head at the word limitless. And you can't fight an idea that won't let go. So, I hoped you enjoyed it. If you'd like to read more Five Sentence Fiction, just follow the links below to read past editions. Don't forget to follow this blog and come find me on twitter, @MelanieKCole.


Five Sentence Fiction Friday - Wisdom
Five Sentence Fiction Friday - Locked
Five Sentence Fiction Friday - Flight
Five Sentence Fiction Friday - View

Getting Back on the Ball

For some people, traveling to Europe can really screw up their internal clock. Normally, I'd say I was the same, but I will admit that my recent trip to Paris did nothing of the sort. I was entirely jet lag free the whole time and returned to my home time zone with ease. (Amazing, I know. But it's true.)

No, what has been weirdly difficult is getting back on the ball. I can't seem to get blog posts done on time (aside from today's, finally!), I haven't managed to get my manuscript off to the editor when I'm practically jumping out of my skin I'm so excited to have her look at it and getting back on track at work has been an arduous undertaking. Sure, some of that was due to the usual work of laundry and such after a vacation, and true, my water heater did crap out on me as soon as we got home and leaked all over our basement, leaving me without water and an additional large expense when I really didn't need it. But I never post late on my blog! It's a point of pride for me. And not getting my manuscript off to the editor immediately? Say it ain't so! I should be wading around my basement in rubber boots, unshowered as I reread my final draft before stuffing it in an envelope and putting it in the mail.

The only explanation I can come up with, is that I'm still in vacation mode. You know what I mean. That head space where you sleep in, take life slow and stop for a three hour coffee/lunch whenever the mood pleases you. God, I love that head space! And it wouldn't be so bad if I didn't have a day job. But I've got to get back to it! So, even though I can't stand to let go of my Parisian attitude, I've got to buck up and get back to work. Because what I really want, (even more than a three hour lunch) is to see my book in print. And posting this on time is my first step.

Monday Book Review - Allison Hewitt is Trapped

Welcome to Monday and this week's book recommendation!

ALLISON HEWITT IS TRAPPED by Madeleine Roux

 

I read this book a while ago (may have even mentioned it on this blog on one of my book lists) but I thought it deserved its own stand alone recommendation. To be honest, I love zombie things. I don't know why, I just do. I like zombie movies, video games, board games, books (obviously). The only problem is, they give me nightmares. (I know, I know, I'm like a nine year old that can't have sugar before bed time). So, my enjoyment of zombie flavoured entertainment is usually limited to broad daylight, well before nightfall, and usually with a few Disney movies thrown in afterwards for good measure. But even with my zombie handicap, I could not put this book down well before dark like I was supposed to. It was addicting, you just have to keep reading to find out what happens to Allison Hewitt and her comrades.

Okay, I better back up. Usually, I do the synopsis first. Here's all you need to know. The book centers around a girl named Allison Hewitt who, up until the zombie apocalypse, works in a bookstore where (after said zombie apocalypse) she and her coworkers get trapped. The book is written through a series of blog posts she sends out into the void in the hopes of rescue, as she and her friends battle for survival in their new zombie infested world. It's brilliant, very tongue in cheek, clever and doesn't take itself too seriously. Just the way I like it. 

As I mentioned at the start, the writing is fantastic. You're pulled in from page one and childish nightmares be damned, you'll keep reading until the end. The blog post idea gives the zombie genre a fun twist and the cast of characters is lovable, hate-able and very relatable. Even if you're not a zombie lover, I encourage you to give this one a try. It's funny, ridiculous and the perfect antidote to reality.

Five Sentence Fiction Friday - Wisdom

Welcome to Five Sentence Fiction Friday! This week's prompt is wisdom. If you'd like to learn more about Five Sentence Fiction, just visit Lillie McFerrin Writes. Enjoy!

The snake warned me not to do it. 
"What good is wisdom anyway? Stay here, in the garden, in paradise."
He made an appealing argument to my simple mind, but there was a pull inside, a need for freedom, a tingling of curiosity for that big red apple that was impossible to ignore.
My children often ask if I regret it, but I just look at the spark of intelligence in their eyes, smile and shake my head no.

I hope you've enjoyed this week's edition of Five Sentence Fiction. If you have, please share it with friends. If you're still hankering for more, just follow the links below to previous editions. Have a great weekend!

Five Sentence Fiction Friday - Locked
Five Sentence Fiction Friday - Flight
Five Sentence Fiction Friday - View
Five Sentence Fiction Friday - Blades

Paris

On Sunday night my husband and I returned from our trip to Paris. It was an amazing vacation. Obviously we didn't see it all (I think that's impossible in Paris), but we saw a lot. We wandered through side streets, hit the tourist hot spots, tried out what little French I'd managed to master before we left, and had a wonderful time in each others company. It was the best anniversary a couple could ask for.

There's just something about Paris. Its every avenue drips with history, every building, alley and doorway is something special. I did a lot of research before we left, which helped a lot when it came to understanding the etiquette of going into shops, ordering at restaurants and so forth. I've heard a lot of people say the French are rude or snobby but in my experience this couldn't have been further from the truth. Everyone I interacted with had impeccable manners. The French conduct themselves in a way that is just all together more classy. From the way they dress (no booty shorts or too tight tops or jeans, skank is not an embraced fashion choice there) to the way they talk in restaurants. In a tiny crowded bistro you never had to shout to be heard by your dinner companion. No one tried to talk over anyone else, there was a polite consideration for your fellow diners that you just don't see in North America. The difference was so pronounced that while we waited to board one of several flights home in Canada, I leaned over to my husband and whispered, "I miss the French." I'm a very proud Canadian so that tells you something.

Of course, the real star of Paris (after the history) is the food. Oh. My. God. The food. Everything was so fresh, with so much consideration put into the dishes, while at the same time being so startlingly simple. Being there for just that short time has taught me a lot about eating, about really enjoying my food and not settling for prepackaged garbage. Why have Doritos when you can have Pain au Chocolat? After such an extraordinary trip for my tastebuds I'm looking forward to simplifying, but also going for a slightly higher quality. And if I can find a bakery with good Pain au Chocolat, then I'll really be set.

Of course, our vacation curse struck again when we got home. (Every time we go on vacation, we come home and are struck by some kind of financial grenade). This time our water heater went kaput and leaked water all over our basement floor. So, that's getting replaced by the end of the week and we've been busy cleaning up and getting rid of the dank in our basement. (Which is also why this post is late). It's a financial expense we really don't need after a pricier vacation, but I'm not going to let it get me down. These things happen and this vacation was worth it!