Book Blog

When I was growing up, I was a dancer. Not a tutu adorned young dancer wearing my long hair up and in a bun. I wore tights and leotard, and my flowing long hair was an extension and expression of my spirit. Spirit which came alive when I was dancing and went dormant when back home. I owe so much to my dance teacher. She provided me with a safe space where I could experience freedom and joy. No one … [Read more...] about A Free Spirit

Last weekend, my son and his family celebrated Mother's Day in France. It triggered a memory of  his coming into the world.  Here is a recount of the hours before my son was born at home. It was a planned home-birth. What will women do? They will do whatever is needed! (Unedited excerpt of my memoir.) Sylvaine Francine © 2019 Time passes, the contractions come on more frequently. I begin to … [Read more...] about A Ride In The Night

©2019 (Unedited Excerpt from my memoir)  A good neighborhood—Le café “Aux Deux Magots,” feverish with activity on Le Boulevard St Germain, faces La Rue de Rennes and right there, on the same sidewalk the little church of St Germain stands as always. I live in the center of Paris between the churches of St Germain and St Sulpice. I barely acknowledge them, reserving my ecstatic admiration for … [Read more...] about Paris – 1979 Left-Bank Neighborhood

Unedited excerpt of my memoir - ©2019 Sylvaine Francine  I close the low gate behind me. The twins, Nicolas and Marion, run toward the children. I sit on a bench and think about Sam and India. Our fights over his drinking on dry days when no liquor can be purchased or consumed. We didn’t leave in the best terms; I was too upset with him. “Your French uptight temper, a real problem.” “Your … [Read more...] about 1978 – Encounters – India and Pakistan

Don't you like my vertical desk? I can wheel it around and work from wherever I feel like it. On the front porch, I sit at the round table. I place it next to the sofa where I sit. I love to wheel it to the bedroom, I spread everything the bed. It reminds me of my student days in Paris. Unedited excerpt of my memoir - ©2019 Sylvaine Francine On the other hand, I have a good life in Paris: … [Read more...] about My rolling desk

Unedited excerpt of my memoir - ©2019 Sylvaine Francine  So, this is the way I live. On one hand, managing my busy schedule leaves me breathless. I pay for my lodging, every Franc, earned honestly. Every Franc costs me my nails which I chew at the end of every month and the intensity of my college curriculum makes me tired and feel helpless. I dread my end of the year exams. Will I pass them? I … [Read more...] about Paris 1979 – Eat the Cookies