Coucoumellisms

The person who posted this picture asks a very valid question.  What did happen? We lost class somewhere along the way, in the last 50 years; a lot of class, and a lot of self-respect.  This prompted a conversation between myself and a friend, and she mentioned that "standards aren't an individual thing but a collective when it comes to things like fashion and behavior." Yes, thanks to role models like Madonna, Britney Spears and Katy Perry, (and countless others) there are enough women out there dressing like trash to make men in general think of women as disposable people, to be used once or twice and then thrown out, or changed.  There are exceptions thank God - and I mean thank God literally because most of those exceptions probably have some kind of intimate relationship with Him. It certainly creates a problem for those girls who perceive themselves as much more than trash and deserving not only of respect but some kind of chivalry.  Try t...

The story of Kristin Bothur: March 19, 2012 Dear Mr. Anderson: This is the story of how the State of Connecticut took $347 from my ten dependent children in order to pay the debts of a man who robbed me of $9900. How did this happen? * January 1, 2007: my husband, Thomas J. Bothur, Jr., walked out on our family, leaving me with no money and 10 minor children at home. * My ex-husband used his place of employment and position (bank manager) to transfer all joint money into a personal account, without my knowledge or consent. * Early 2007: My ex-husband filed joint state and federal tax returns for 2006; he had the refunds direct deposited into this personal account, again without my knowledge or consent. * My ex-husband failed to pay state income tax, which has still not been paid as of today. * I was left with no money to hire an attorney to seek child support. * March - December of 2007: after I obtained an attorney, child support was received * Around June of 2007, my ex-husband mo...

He got up and planted a big kiss on the side of her neck, right where it met her shoulder before putting his empty bowl and glass in the sink. “Stop.” She said, half-laughing, half-serious, “You’ll be sorry if all your charms start working on me.  I happen to have a certain faiblesse for kisses in that particular spot.” “Just providing all that attention that you’re so starved for.” Christian bantered.  “Before you go back to your lonely existence.” “I’ll be so spoiled, I won’t want to go back.”  Joanne smiled. “So don’t.” “And yet,” Joanne pretended to sigh, “I must.” “When are you leaving?” “Early Sunday afternoon, I think.  So I can be back in time to unpack, get groceries, throw out the spoiled food in my fridge, all that kind of stuff, before I go back in to work on Monday.” “Spoiled food, hmmmm.” Christian mused.  “I’m sorry about that.  I’ll have to pay you something for the food you’ve lost on my account.” “Don’t be ridiculous!”...

It was about seven-thirty when her cell phone rang. “Allô?” she answered. “Joanne?”  It was Karine. “Hi Karine.” “Are you planning on coming home anytime soon?” Karine asked. “Umm, well yes, eventually.  Why?” “Uh well, because you’re missing your surprise birthday party, and I think Christian is rather upset that you are not here to appreciate his efforts.”  Karine replied. “Oh noooo.” Groaned Joanne. “Oh yessss.” Confirmed Karine. “Okay, I’m on my way.” Joanne answered. “Okay, bye.” It was after eight o’clock when Joanne walked in the door.  She noted the untouched birthday cake on the counter of the kitchen.  It was obviously decorated by hand, with some effort gone into forming fruits and flowers.  Karine, Patrick and the girls were there, and she immediately recognized Michelle, Patrice and Caroline, mutual friends from years ago.  The guy sitting next to Caroline, she did not recognize.  She greeted the friends she ...

“Are you trying to keep women away for good?” asked Chantal. “Look at me.”  Christian told her, still joking, “I don’t need to keep women away, they aren’t attracted to a man my size anyway.  What woman would want me?!”  He laughed again. Joanne looked at him.  Christian was not a slim man.  He was a bit large around the waist, but he also had wide shoulders, and his weight was evenly distributed through his arms and legs.  When she looked at him, she did not see a fat man. The others continued joking, but Joanne was not listening anymore.  She continued to look at Christian.  To her eyes he was pleasant to look at.  His brown eyes crinkled in the corners when he laughed.  His face was expressive, his smile was charming.  She liked the way his very dark brown hair curled at the neck.  He kept it just a little on the long side, and it waved just a bit on his forehead too. Christian glanced at her and noticed her starin...

She was deep into a website project on her laptop when Christian came home later.  She saved her work and closed the laptop. “So?”  She asked, as he sat across the table.  “How was it?” He eyed her.  “You enjoy talking about yourself?” He asked. Joanne nodded. “To a stranger?” Joanne shrugged, “Sometimes that’s easier.”  She said.  “Strangers don’t judge.  They don’t really care.  They aren’t personally involved.” “So you’ve done this before?  Talked to a psychiatrist about your problems?” “Uh, no.  Not really.” Christian shook his head.  “So how can you know you’d like it?  What do you think it’s like, having to go through unpleasant memories that you’d rather forget?  It’s not much fun!” “Sorry.” Joanne replied. “So if you enjoy talking about yourself so much, why don’t you tell me what you were going to tell me this morning?” “You’re not a stranger.” Joanne reminded him.  “That makes things ...

Maple syrup And obviously, maple taffy, maple butter, maple candies, maple sugar, coffee with maple syrup, maple frosting, maple syrup pie, the list goes on...

The whole contraception debate going on right now in the US?  It's not about anyone's right to contraception.  Contraception hasn't been banned, you can still go out and pay for your own contraception to cover your own personal needs.  Actually, half the time, you don't even need to buy them because they get handed out for free. That's beside the point.  If you want to avoid having children, that is your decision, and it is normal that you should pay for that decision.  It's not like pregnancy is a disease to be avoided.  It's more like an option, a private decision.  One that shouldn't implicate the rest of us. Especially those of us who believe contraception is wrong. If a non-Catholic company wants to include contraception in their health-care insurance, that is their business.  If a Catholic company does not want to include contraception in their health-care insurance, that should also be their business. If you have a problem with that...

Spring!!! Longer hours of sunlight; flowers pushing out of the ground; maple syrup; balmy weather; not freezing when you walk outside; the promise of summer and outdoor sports; what's NOT to love?

Pretty clothes.