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Reasons to visit a French pharmacy

Everyone includes major monuments like the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower on their Paris itinerary. Still, if you don’t go into a pharmacy while you are there, you will miss out on an extraordinary experience. We don’t have anything like French pharmacies in the United States, but I wish we did. Let me explain what they are like by describing why you should visit them.

  • You can receive the care you would receive at a doctor’s office without paying an office fee or needing a prescription for minor ailments. Traveling can be rough because you can’t travel with all the cures you use for small issues like a sore throat, allergic reaction, cold, or bug bite. You can go into a pharmacy, consult with the pharmacist, and receive the necessary medication at a reasonable price.

Here are a few stories I have experienced at pharmacies. For about a year, I kept having allergic reactions to something, but I couldn’t figure out what was causing it. I was in France with a student group, and I took a girl who had never had a crepe to one of the best crepe stands. We both bought enormous chocolate and banana crepes and ate every bite. A few minutes later, I was walking back with my daughter to our friend’s apartment when I said to my daughter that my legs were burning. I pulled up my white pants and saw that my legs were crimson. I was having an allergic reaction to the hazelnuts in the chocolate. My friend rushed me to the pharmacy. Let me tell you that a Frenchman driving in a hurry is a scary experience! When we arrived, I showed the lady my leg and said I was reacting to nuts. She turned around, grabbed a package from the shelf, and said, “Take one of these right now!”  The reaction was gone in a day.

I often become ill after being on the plane. I am a germ magnet. On one trip with my family, I felt awful, but I was trying to soldier on. At night, I would start coughing, so I went to the pharmacy, explained my situation, and the pharmacist gave me cough drops and syrup. The syrup was like Nyquil on steroids. My husband said he shook me once to make sure I was okay, and I didn’t move. French medicine is strong.

The best story was when we entered a small pharmacy because my daughter had asked me to buy some skin care. The pharmacist was tending to a young woman who was having horrible cramps from her period. They were so bad that she was nauseous and couldn’t stand up. The pharmacist had her in the back with a hot water bottle on her stomach, and she was treating her as if it were her daughter. She even called the woman’s boss and told her she wasn’t capable of working.

  • Most pharmacists are capable of helping you with skin care, makeup, and health issues. My favorite place to receive the best advice is at Forum les Halles. Employees are circulating, asking if you need help, and they sincerely want to help. They also are not trying to push products on you. I had some moisturizer of a product I like. The woman helping me told me it wasn’t for my skin type and put it back on the shelf. During our last visit, we asked a woman about gut health, and she gave us a product that she said was amazing. I just started taking it, so I’ll let you know.
  • The prices are often half of what we pay in the States. Several years ago, a dermatologist recommended a cream to me called Cicalfate. It is a repair cream. It usually costs between $26-$28 here, but it costs $13 in France. The woman in the pharmacy said that every household needed to have that cream.
  • The staff is so caring. I always feel like my mom is fussing over me, and when I don’t feel good, some extra love helps.
  • You discover some great products.

I hope you have a chance to explore the pharmacies. Wherever you see a large green cross, that designates a pharmacy. Don’t be afraid to go in and ask questions.

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5 Ways to Improve Your Mood

Have you ever had a day when you woke up angry, hating the whole world, and you are annoyed at everything?  Some days you might be in a fine mood, but your day starts off badly, or you have an unpleasant interaction with someone and that sets the tone for the day.

 Even the most positive person has these days, but they aren’t pleasant for the person having them, or the people who are around the negativity.  I always know when my husband is having one because he contradicts everything I say. I could say, “The sky is such a pretty blue.” He will answer, “It’s not really that blue, it’s grayer.” Instead of needing to feel that I am right, I see the humor and realize he is only having one of those days.

Being in a bad mood is never a good feeling, but you always have the power to change that negative energy to positive. Here are a few ideas to help you improve your mood.

Find the funny. I find it difficult to stay in a bad mood when I start laughing. Watch funny videos online, or a movie that makes you laugh. Spend time with that person who makes you laugh so hard that your stomach hurts. Watching the antics of animals and small children can bring a smile to your face.

Retreat and recharge. Do you ever feel like you need some time away from everyone and everything? Making a mini escape is a healthy way of preserving your mental health. It is easy to be overwhelmed, and taking some time to be quiet and have time to yourself can help you come back stronger.

Rest. I know this is probably easier said than done, but fatigue can wreck your mood, and when you are feeling down a quick nap, or watching a movie on the couch, or curling up and reading can feel like heaven.

Eat your favorite food. Food is good medicine and one of life’s greatest pleasures. Cooking is also a great way to reclaim your peace. Put together your favorite meal and watch your bad mood slip away.

Go outside and move. Being outside and moving are both ways to heal your mood. It doesn’t matter what form of movement you choose. It could be running, walking, biking, playing with children, swimming, gardening, or any other activity. I love to run and that is what I do anytime my emotions swamp me.

Always remember you have the power to change your mood, you only need to discover which tools work best for you.

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When You Create a Mental Storm

Have you ever stopped to wonder if the terrible, I want to hide in the corner bad day could have been avoided? I’m going to share a realization I had about my own situation in the hopes it will help you.

We all have those days when we need to retreat and renew. My husband and I know each other’s signs for those days. I can see a bad day on his face, and he becomes slightly grumpy and almost seems to want to argue. I’m the opposite. I don’t want to interact with anyone. I crave quiet and I want to disconnect and heal. How do you react to the hard days?

It’s not normal for me to be depressed. I might have a bad day here and there, but I can usually find the positive side to anything. The past two months have been different though. I created a nasty mental storm for myself.

The unrest in our country and the world in general has weighed heavily on me. Hateful posts have also affected me as I unfriend more people because although I can respect a difference of opinion, once that opinion becomes hate filled and violent, I’m out. I am missing my children more than usual, and I haven’t had the motivation to run which is usually something I love to do. I haven’t even wanted to putter in the garden. (I’m usually out there singing and talking to the plants.” I started crying for no reason including waking up crying at 2 a.m. last week.

This morning, I decided it was time to turn things around and I realized there was a lot in my power to make things better. I made the decision to take back my happiness and guard my peace.

I’m a planner, so I had to have a good plan to follow. Running has always been my therapy, so the first thing I did was to go for a glorious run. I ran hard and fast, (fast for me is pretty slow!) which I haven’t done for almost 2 months. My legs were tired after 6 miles, but I’ll get stronger every day. The next step was to eliminate the toxic elements around me. I unfriended the person who posted about hoping the marines killed the immigrants in. L.A. I then sent friend requests to people who were mutual friends with friends I consider to be amazing. One of the things that has been bothering me is all the hate in our country. I know I can’t change twisted thinking, but I can spread kindness and understanding in my corner. If I am missing my children, I can reach out to make more opportunities to be together.

What is weighing on you? Is there anything you can do to calm your mental storm and heal the hard days? If you are struggling and cannot beat the funk, reach out for help.

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The Key Element for The Success of Anything

My daughter runs a very successful online business. She worked very hard to be in her current situation. She let other people’s doubts of her fuel her motivation, she put in countless hours learning what would work and what was important, and she watched the people who had made it to where she wanted to be. None of it was easy. Even now, there are challenges like the haters every time she does a video. She told me that people criticize her voice and her looks. She has learned to ignore the empty noise.

She told me certain questions about her success bother her, and I understood what she meant. She told me she hates it when someone asks her what the secret to her success is. She believes anyone who asks that question wants to know what the secret pill is to have instant success. She said, “Mom, there isn’t a secret sauce. You have to show up and put in the work. You have to be patient and constantly learn and be better. The people who ask that question don’t want to work hard, they just want to reap the benefits.”

There is a difference between someone who wants an easy answer for success and someone who is willing to do the work but needs some guidance and mentoring. I speak with many people who want to be more serious about writing, but they are not sure how to begin. I love helping people who are excited about writing and are grateful for someone who can offer some resources.

Showing up and putting in hard work consistently is the key to success in any area. I was listening to an interview with Wynona Judd today. The interviewer asked her how she prepared for a tour. She said she showed up and put in the work every day. I have heard that from so many entertainers. When someone is enjoying success and labeled as a new artist that person often mentions they have been working at the craft for years.  

When you are discouraged because you aren’t finding the success you hoped for, ask yourself what you need to do differently. Do you need to invest more time or resources? Don’t give up on your dreams. Keep moving forward and trying new things.

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Questions to Ask Your Doctor

Questions to Ask Your Doctor

Are you comfortable asking your doctors questions, or do you blindly trust them because you consider them the experts? I always hope I can rely on my doctor’s expertise, but through the years, I have learned that while my doctors have a wealth of medical expertise, I am the expert for my body. Each one of us is unique so a one size fits all remedy is not always going to work. The best way to help your doctors take care of you is to keep open communication with your doctor, do your research and ask good questions. Here are a few questions you may want to ask.

When medication is prescribed. Ask questions about why a medication is being prescribed. We have become a take a pill to solve everything society. Sometimes there may be alternatives to medication. What are the ingredients in the medication and are there side effects? How long do you need to be on the medication, and will the doctor monitor your use?

After the covid shot and the booster, I developed Afib. The doctor in the hospital prescribed me a beta blocker and told me to keep taking it until I saw my cardiologist. It made me so tired because it was slowing my heart down. I have never liked taking medication and one that slowed me down was definitely not on my list. When I went to the cardiologist he found nothing wrong with my heart but told me to keep taking it just in case. I hated the fatigue it caused, so eventually I stopped taking it and thankfully, I have not had an attack since. I would have liked more guidance with the medication.

When a procedure is suggested. My favorite type of doctor is one who provides options because there is often more than one way to solve a medical issue. When your doctor suggests a procedure like surgery, ask what the other options are. Research your medical issue and ask any questions you have before you commit. Ask the doctor what to expect from the procedure and what your recovery will be like.

The first time I had Moh’s surgery for skin cancer on my face, I had no idea it would be as intense as it was. We were in the office from 9-4:30 and I had not brought any food or water. No one talked to me about what to expect and I foolishly did not ask. There were three days when I didn’t want to do much besides lie in bed and it took me a week to get my energy back. The second time was even worse, but this time I called up the office and asked questions.

If a doctor does not let you feel comfortable to ask questions, you need to find someone else. I just broke up with my dermatologist because his answers to my questions were sometimes condescending or defensive. The final straw was when I had to request a biopsy for a spot on my nose that he claimed was fine. My Moh’s surgeon made me an appointment with a new dermatologist before I left his office. I will be keeping him on my care team.

Remember your doctors need to work with you to keep you in good health, so keep open communication, research, and if a doctor isn’t the right fit for you. Break up with him.

A doctor providing consult for a patient by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is licensed under CC-CC0 1.0
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Don’t Follow All Your Doctor’s Advice

Although I am blessed with some amazing health care providers, I have learned during the last five years that you have to be your own advocate, research, ask good questions, and not blindly trust what a doctor suggests. I will use my own experience to explain what I mean.

Last Wednesday, I had my second Mohs surgery on my face in two months. Both of these were because I was a sun worshipper and I am a runner who loves to be outside, but they are also because I trusted a dermatologist who did not listen to me when I expressed concerns about the spots. Both spots were burned off but returned later. When I expressed concern I was told they were fine until I asked to have a biopsy done on both. I was not excited about being right, but the final straw was when he pointed at a spot near the biopsied area and said, “Look we burned that off and it’s doing so well.” When my Moh’s surgeon came in after the first cut on my nose, he said, “Jen, the spot next to it also had cancer, so I took that too.” I took a deep breath and said, “I’m breaking up with my dermatologist.” He recommended a good one and I will be meeting with her in three weeks.

I was prescribed a painkiller after the surgery. I hate taking medicine, but I was in pain that night so I took two pills and two more later in the early morning. It was too harsh for my stomach and I threw up all day Thursday. When we called the office, they prescribed an anti-nausea pill that wasn’t ready until 6 that night. I was prescribed an ointment and by chance my husband looked at the ingredients right before I took it. “Jen, this has sulfate in it. Aren’t you allergic to that?” I am and it is marked in my chart. Imagine if I had not seen that ingredient. I definitely didn’t need an allergic reaction on top of everything else.

Most doctors want what is best for you, but everyone is different, so what works for someone else might not work for you. After I strained my knee and went through physical training, my orthopedist said, “You are done with distance running.” He told me during our first meeting he thought runners were dumb, but he never realized how much running has done for my mental and physical health. I have done 20 ultra marathons since then, so I’m not done. Please don’t do something that will hurt you, but make sure the restrictions your doctor puts on you are valid ones.

Before covid, I would have followed most of what a doctor suggested. I had the Covid vaccine and the booster and shortly after I developed A-Fib. Three different nurses said it was probably from the vaccines. I haven’t had an attack in three years, so I’m hoping to keep that streak going. Please know I’m not anti-vaccine but I do think we weren’t 100% sure what was in that.

I am in no way a health care expert and I don’t want you to do something against your doctor’s wishes, but I am hoping you will self-advocate, ask questions, and do your research. No one knows you as well as you do.   

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Your Emergency Emotional Kit

Do you have those days when you wake up in a funk? There might be good reasons for those feelings, or you might be having one of those days when you are feeling off kilter.

Most of us keep a first aid kit for when we have a physical issue. It’s just as important to have an emergency kit for our mental health too. What do you need to ease those hard days? Here are a few ideas.

Make a playlist. Music can heal, so use it to help you when you are struggling. Make a playlist of your favorite songs. You can also make several different ones. One can be upbeat motivational songs, another can be quiet and peaceful, and a third can be a combination. Listen to them depending on your mood.

When I was stressed, I used to listen to I can only imagine by Mercy Me and something about the song always calmed me. Music has power so use it to help your moods.  

Laugh. It’s difficult to stay sad when you are laughing. Do you have someone who makes you laugh so hard that your stomach hurts? I can’t completely explain it, but when my oldest daughter and I are together, hilarious things happen. We start laughing and things go downhill from there. Spend time with your person. Watch funny movies and videos. See the humor even when you are having one of those days when everything seems to be going wrong. Imagine yourself telling the stories of what happened to your friends.

Eat your favorite food. Food is fuel, joy and love. Why do you think guests all seem to congregate in the kitchen? I can make it through a bad day if I know a good meal is in my future. There is also something soothing about cooking. You don’t have to be good at it or make something fancy, just have fun putting something yummy together. Sharing good food with friends is even better.

Retreat. Do you ever feel like life can be a battle? Sometimes we can benefit from a few minutes alone doing nothing except reflecting and being quiet. Let your mind go blank and regroup.

Move. Running has been my escape for years, but if running is not your thing then any movement will do to work out the kinks and soothe your mind.

Sink under the covers. I’m hyperactive, so I don’t lie down often, but after a Mohs surgery I was told to take it easy for a few days. I forgot how fun it is to slip under the blankets and watch television or read.  

Do your favorite thing. Do whatever activity you love to do. It can raise your mood when you can look forward to something fun.

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What I Know So Far

What I Know So Far

Living for six decades teaches you about life, people, and perspectives. Not all the lessons are fun, but those are often the situations that teach us the most. Here are a few things I have learned so far.

You can accomplish almost anything with hard work and determination. I took karate for six years. It was in a full contact dojo which was often terrifying and sometimes painful. I believed I was going to fail before I started. I often let frustration overwhelm me, but gradually I learned that if I practiced something enough and asked questions, my body would take over with muscle memory. It was empowering to know I could do almost anything if I had the right attitude and the determination to do it.

Your attitude is your superpower or your kryptonite. You have the power to choose how you react to something. Your actions and reactions have energy. When you send out that energy you can influence things. You can also be a positive example to others. Negativity, on the other hand, can suck the life out of you. When negativity sneaks into your thoughts, change those thoughts into positive ones.

There are places you shouldn’t go. It doesn’t matter what your beliefs about spirituality are, if there is enough evidence that a place is evil, you should stay away. There is a lake near us called Lake Lanier that was formed by flooding a town. I could understand a few water related deaths, but the death toll for Lake Lanier is not only high, but it comes with odd circumstances. The most recent death that I know of was a man who took his kayak out on the lake. He was training for a triathlon. They found his kayak and then recovered his body several days later. They did an interview with a police officer who told the story of a woman they rescued after she fell off a boat. She said it felt like she was swimming through molasses, and she was a lifeguard.

There was a show talking about evil places and they mentioned a forest in Japan where people talk about feeling incredibly sad when they were in there. There is a high suicide rate there.

Ten people could have 10 different perceptions about the same situation. I was at a faculty meeting where the school head proposed a significant change in procedure. When we left several faculty members came to me to tell me their opinion. The first was excited about the change, the second was confused and asked for clarification, the third was angry and couldn’t understand how the head could propose this. Others came in through the day all with different perceptions of the same topic. Don’t expect everyone to jump on board with an idea because everyone is coming from different mindsets.   

Slower is better. I spent the first 25 years of my career running around in a frenzy. I was stressed out, doing too much, saying no too little, and no one was getting the best of me. I wish I could tell you that I no longer do that, but I am wired to move and do. I am trying to slow down though because I know the benefits. Going slower helps you both physically and mentally. It helps you be more present for the people you love, and you can take more time to rest and recharge. If you are moving too fast you miss a lot of the important things in life.

We need more kindness. Everyone is dealing with a burden or two and sometimes they are heavier than usual. A smile, a kind word, a compliment, or a kind act could lift someone up when she needs it the most.

Staying calm can change the situation. People are good at stirring the emotional pot, but you can choose to guard your peace and stay calm. When someone becomes angry, don’t escalate the situation by meeting that emotion. Continue to speak calmly or end the conversation and tell that person you can talk again when he has calmed down. It takes at least two people to have drama so refuse to be part of the group.

My husband and I have very different political views and for some reason he becomes angry every time I bring a topic up to discuss. When I remain calm, I watch him dial down the emotions gradually until he realizes I want a discussion, and I am not trying to attack his opinion.

Comparisons don’t make sense. The next time you compare yourself with someone, ask yourself if you are ready to also take on the mess you don’t see. Everyone has a messy corner, some are only better at hiding it. Fame and money do not guarantee happiness, so be thankful for the blessings you have as well as the burdens you don’t.

Worry is wasted energy. Worry is another word for stress. What if what you worrying about never happens? Stress doesn’t do anyone any good, so manifest some positive outcomes instead.

Be transparent about who you are. Trying to be someone other than yourself is exhausting and people are going to judge you no matter what you do, so do your thing. Being transparent makes the people around you more comfortable too.

You should follow your passion. When I started writing full-time my family did not provide much support. I don’t think they realized how important it was to me. I knew it was something I wanted to do, so I carry on without their interest.

Travel if you can. I know not everyone has enough money in the budget to travel, but if you do I hope you will go to as many places as possible. Travel opens you up to new experiences and perceptions. It is a great learning experience.

Create your space and draw boundaries. Even your family members can treat you as smaller than you are, and it often only takes you describing your boundaries to straighten out the situation. I applied for a business license and was doing a few other things to treat my writing as a business when my husband said this to me. (Imagine the sneer and condescending tone.)

“You’re doing all these things and calling this a business, but you aren’t making a profit.”

I have learned when I am angry enough that I want to inflict physical harm, the best thing for me to do is take some time to think it through and collect my thoughts, so at the time all I said was, “I’m only trying to do what I’m supposed to do to legally sell my books.”

The next day, I entered the kitchen and said, “I need to tell you how what you said last night made me feel. I have already written and published six books with two more at the publisher. I haven’t figured out how to market them yet, but I need you to give me a chance and stop saying shit like you did last night.”

He apologized and has been much more supportive. People will treat you the way you let them, so stand up for what you want.

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Why My Husband’s Driving Terrifies Me

I am blessed to be married to an amazing man. My one complaint is that his driving terrifies me. Let me give you some detailed description about what I mean.

The need to observe his surroundings. When I drive, I am hyper focused to what is happening in front, behind, and to the side of me, but I am watching the other drivers because there are some other crazy drivers out there like my husband.

My husband is unfocused. He looks to the right or left and can be distracted by anything. When I wish he was paying attention to the road, he is looking at the new construction and wondering what it will be. We have run over curbs and veered towards the bushes because of his curiosity.

He feels the need for eye contact. He is a wonderful storyteller, but even while driving, he feels the need to make eye contact with me. No matter how many times I ask him to please look at the road, he still turns to me and continues the story.  

He misses important signals. My husband becomes so lost in thought that he sometimes doesn’t notice a light is red, or he slows down when it’s green. He moves through stop signs without even a pause, and he has cut more than one person off without meaning to.

Parking is an issue. My husband can’t just pull into a parking lot and park. He needs to find the perfect parking spot. He will drive around, start to pull in, decide that it’s not a good one, and continue this several times. It is maddening.

He plays chicken while turning. He will turn in when a car is coming, but he slows down as if he wants to scare the other driver, but the only one it scares is me!

He looks at his phone/watch. I am already a nervous wreck on the highway but it’s worse when I see my husband looking at his phone or watch.

He waits too long to get gas. He will tell me not to worry when the gas light comes on. He has had to walk to a gas station more than once.

Whiplash acceleration. Even though he has had his car for two years, he cannot seem to get a feel for the accelerator, and I often think I will suffer whiplash.

I am grateful for my husband and everything he does for me, but please pray for me and my time in the car with him!

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What I Wish You Knew About Yourself

Are you ever surprised at someone’s self-perception and the way you perceive that person? I find myself shaking my head all the time when someone explains a fault or strength, and the description does not match reality.

My friend Raleigh has had two strokes, and heart surgery. The first stroke was massive, and the doctor told him he only survived because of his fitness level. While he was waiting for his release, he walked in loops around the hospital so he would stay in shape. He did a 10k race a week after his second stroke, even though he didn’t know yet that a hole in his heart was causing the strokes. Not only is he fearless, but he also never complains about anything. His attitude is that you deal with the challenges and carry on. He’s tough right? He would never describe himself that way, so I have to remind him all the time.

Raleigh is not the only one who doesn’t see his stronger qualities. I taught French for forty years and I was always having conversations with students who didn’t think they were good enough. I spoke with a girl who had a high GPA, had taken every advanced class known to man, did extra-curriculars, and was a general high achiever. She was starting to look at colleges when she said to me, “Madame, I don’t think I’m good enough for college.” I know my mouth was open in surprise when I replied, “If not you, then who?”

My friend Kim is a military airline mechanic. Imagine being a woman in a male dominated field. I think she is tough as nails, super cool, and she has wisdom that has helped me many times. The problem is she doesn’t recognize any of those qualities. How do you convince someone they are so much more than she thinks?

We spend too much time thinking we are less than we are, so here are a few things you should know about yourself.

  • You are enough for any challenge, if you believe you can.
  • Fear is a dream killer and there is no place for it in your life.
  • Excuses for not doing something are fear of failure and they are all lies holding you back from the best you.
  • You have some qualities that others admire.
  • You have gifts you were meant to use. Don’t worry about what others think about how you use them.
  • Don’t try to be someone you are not. The person you are trying to imitate might have some dark corners you don’t need to explore.
  • Find your joy.
  • Be transparent about your struggles. You could help someone else.