I was a young woman, and he was an older and much wiser man. — At twenty-two, I fell in love with a man fourteen years my senior. He was everything I admired. Witty, incredibly smart, and older men love young women. He desired me 24/7, and I felt that. He bought me silk blouses and insisted I wear them with no bra. He was enchanted with my youth. And my young body, of course! He said, “Take my credit card and go get yourself some things.”

She bashed me nonstop, and I finally called our relationship quits. — Some years ago, I began studying narcissistic behavior When I first learned about narcissism and love-bombing, I wondered if my ex was a narcissist. He passed years ago in a tragic accident, and I think about him. I’m happily remarried, but no one forgets their first spouse. We lived in Cambodia for a long, long time We traveled throughout SE Asia, using a Lonely Planet Guide. Then…

I put myself in a dangerous situation, but I’m here to tell the tale. — TW: this story may be upsetting to some readers. Would this be it? Was I to be raped, murdered, and left on the island? Only a very few times in my life have I been so terrified. I sat on the front of the speedboat, facing the driver and his…

The crazy doctoral candidate was a control freak, but my meth house roommates shared their food bank cheese. — Fall Term at University At 25, I quit my job with the State of Oregon. I made great money, but wanted to go to college. I soon learned living on student loans is poverty level. At my age, I didn’t expect my parents to help. After two years at community college, I transferred to…

That horrible day and reflecting on my two ectopic pregnancies — The elevator jarred up and down. I struggled to stay on my feet. Boxes of shoes bounced around next to me. After half a minute, I noticed the red emergency phone and picked it up. The woman who answered the phone said, “Why are you still here? …

Words to help you to cool down and preserve yourself — Anger is intense. In thinking about situations that have made me angry, a few bubble to the surface. Once, a boyfriend raised money issues and enraged me I’ve always made good money. This isn’t bragging. I know how to chase the elusive dollar. I don’t sell my panties with three toppings. I don’t sell essential oils on social media…

Pheromones, vending machines, and the enigma of a stigma — Like flies on a steaming cow pie, followers were all a-buzz with questions. I was looking through social media clips over the winter. Bored into a zombie-like state and ready to fall asleep. Suddenly, here was this large, bleached-blond 40-something-year-old woman discussing her side hustle of selling panties. …

Sea glass and stories about love, death, and my life — The Pacific Ocean is such a draw for me. I watch the tide schedule, and when there’s a low tide, I hit the beach. I have a rock pile I watch for agates and sea glass. I’ve got lots of both. …

Creative and imaginative, Dad knew how to make life magical. — “So, what are your three magic birthday wishes”? Dad asked. I was turning nine, on September 9th. Grammy hyped it, saying it was my “golden birthday.” Golden birthday? Sign me up! I was fascinated with the idea of anything golden, like the goose that laid the golden eggs. All that…