It was always the same for Cortlin she was always there at the pub. She wanted attention so she began to sang and dance only to have her mother grab her by the ears and pull her away from whatever she was doing.

“I won’t have ya dancing like whore in me pub Corti.” Mama would say but Cort would go back to dancing when the music would start and the fellows would drop money into the jar she had sat on papa’s bar.

She was 19 and the menfolk had started to ask about her “Availability” Her father had said she wasn’t ready for settleing down and her mother would only hold her hand over her chest in answer. Being bored with the pub and singing and dancing Cortlin asked her folks if she could start her own little shop. She liked to make jewelry out of simple things she would collect. Buttons, beads, charms.

“It’s a fine idea lass, but we don’t the money to start you a store.” Papa said, but before a month was over he had portioned a part of the pub off to make her a tiny little corner to sell her things. She was thrilled. The problem was it was mostly men in the pub. Sometimes. Women would come in to eat stew or a sandwich. She had to somehow draw the women in. For now she was happy with her tiny corner of the pub where Papa had put two large shelves and a counter to stand behind…He had lots of friends and wherever they got the things that now made her own little corner of the world she was very greatful.

Dressed in long trousers the color of faded red roses and a white peasant blouse that hung off one of her shoulders she looked lovely. Her black hair was cut short almost like a boys and her deep blue eyes were mischievous as ever. The pub was busy and she could smell Mama’s lamb stew cooking slowly on the stove and everynow and them someone laughed loudly. It was a late Sunday afternoon when he came into the pub.

She couldn’t see him because she was in her corner, but she could hear a different accent. It wasn’t Irish. She had heard other people’s way of talking because they were passer-bys and travelers. She heard a very nice voice, a manly, handsome voice. She didn’t want to leave her little shop because Gabrielle De’mons was holding one of her baubles. Gabby was fancy she was French and her family had moved to Ireland just because they could…Cortlin was agitated because she wanted to see the man who was talking to her father. “OH !” Gabby let out and put the earrings back on the counter..

“Yazid! Come !” She grabbed her cousin by the arm. In a moment Cortlin was staring at a handsome, tall young man with soft eyes and dark hair and beautiful dusky skin. He was wearing a black light jacket a dark blue sweater and gray slacks. He smiled at Cortlin.

“Cortlin this is my cousin Yazid from Algeira
Algieria is in North Africa.” She said excitedly.

“Oh…Hello. I don’t think we have had anyone from North Africa in our wee pub so welcome.” She stepped out and shook his hand. She was that way with everyone. He smiled at her a warm, boyish smile.

“Nice to meet you.” Yazid’s brown eyes fell on the fair skinned Irish girl with the big blue eyes. She was smiling with deep dimples. Why was she so happy? His cousin put down money for 3 pairs of earrings. “

“Cortlin, this is beautiful…I like all your things, make more and I will buy!” She kissed her on the cheek and dragged the tall young man out of the small corner. She stared after them.

Later at home she pulled out the encyclopedia and read about Algeria. She took notes so if she met Yazid again she could talk to him about his country. Mama was staring at her. “What are you doing?” Mama came and lifted up the heavy encyclopedia.

“I’m learning about Algiera” She said excitedly.
“Oh you are are ya?” Mama asked her eyebrow lifting. “Who is it you are studying this for?” Mama sat down on her small bed. Cortlin’s face was burning.
“Gabbie’s cousin is from there, he is so tall mama and handsome and….” The look on her mother’s face stopped her.

“You don’t chase foreign boys. I won’t have you running off to some far away place.” She blew her a kiss and walked away. Cortlin shook her head, and went back to the encyclopedia.

The Next day she went to Gabbie’s house. It was a nice house not far from the pub. In her purse she carried a few new pendants she had made. This visit was so she could lay her eyes on her handsome forgiegn boy again. She knocked on the door and Gabbie’s Mother opened. “Ah, Cortlin, how are you? Come in!” Her mother seemed to be excited, but Cortlin thought it was all for show , how could she be that excited to see her? She walked inside and spied Yazid at the dinner table he was reading a book. He looked up and then rose from his chair. He came to greet her.

“Hello.” She said
“Hi.” He was looking at her and he liked her smile.
“My cousin told me more about you.” He said with a smile.
“Well, what did she say?” Cortlin’s lips sort of puckered. “Maybe, I should be worried?” Cortlin smiled
“No need to be worried, she said you liked to sing in the pub.” He moved away and motioned for her to come inside for they had been standing in the doorway.
“Yes, I do. I get bored over at the pub so every now and then Ilike to sing some.” She hugged Gabby when she came inside. Gabby was lovely with blonde hair and a dainty figure. Maybe, Gabby was her only friend in town she suddenly realized.

They went into the parlor and Yazid followed they sat on a large sofa and he sat in an arm chair across from them. He looked down every now and then and Cortlin wondered if he was shy.

“Tell me about your country. Is it Yazid? I like your name its pretty.” She said smiling.
“Pretty? No one ever said that he laughed.”
“Well, I like it. I really do.” She blushed.
“Thanks.” He said. “Its pretty boring compared to your name.
“Oh Cortlin? I don’t know where mom got that name. I don’t like it at all!” She said loudly then covered her mouth and giggled.
Gabby coughed…”And what about me, what about my name? “ She chided.
“Oh Gabby everything about you is perfect.” Cortlin smiled.

Yazid excused himself and left the two ladies to talk. He was restless. He was glad to get of the homeland and see some of the world, but he was worried about their home in Biskra that his father had just turned over to him. It was his yet, he was far away and unable to build it up the way he had dreamt since he was old enough to dream. He could feel Cortlin’s eyes on him and he was a bit uneasy. She was as warm as a desert wind in summer. She had this aura about her. He went back to his cousin and her friend.

“Well, I hate to go, but my folks need me to keep that pub alive.” She smiled and went to the door. “Tell your mum I said bye and thank her for the tea.” She looked at Yazid. “Yazid, take care of yourself.” She patted his arm and left.

Cortlin was smitten. It was obvious and she spent a lot of her time in the corner daydreaming. It was when her parents said that she must continue to do most of the pub work and only pay attention to her “Shop” when someone mentioned it. So she was back to bussing tables and singing and feeling foolish. She daydreamed of Yazid and his faraway land when she caught a moment.

He came into the pub with his books. He didn’t drink said it was not because of his religion alone, but that he preferred juice. So she would give him orange juice and ask him what book he was reading and try to hang around him as much as she could. Her parents made faces, but after a few days they realized that Cortlin had a crush on the young man from far and decided to leave her alone.

Yazid invited Cortlin for a walk and she went. It was nice to be outside and away from the pub.

“You like being with your parents?” He asked and she realized again she loved his accent it was so different somewhat French and yet she giggled and begged him to speak some Arabic to her. She loved everything he said and he smiled at her. They would walk and talk for hours.

Cortlin lay in her bed at night and thought about kissing Yazid. It would be a nice kiss they were both tall and so she imagined him kissing her and then what she didn’t know exactly. She never wanted him to leave this tiny town of hers.

Gabby announced that she was going to have a small party over at her home and Cortlin jumped at the chance to come. “Oh, it will be great Gab. We can have music and food and well it’s going to be great! “ Cortlin imagined wearing her dark blue dress and dancing with Yazid. He had told her the other day that he was willing to learn to dance.

“Corti do you like my cousin?” Gabby was sitting in the chair near the door at the pub and thankfully the music her father had playing was quite loud. She took a sip of tea. “ Yes. I like him. He’s tall, he’s cute. I wish he was mine.” She blushed. “But don’t you go telling him anything like this!” Cortlin grabbed Gabbie’s hand. “I mean it Gabbie, because I don’t have luck with guys and you know it.” She pleaded.

“Well, I think he likes you too. Why would he come over here everyday to go walking with you if he didn’t?” Gabbie’s voice was full of excitement.

“Ah Gabby, he’s just bored is why he comes over here. There is not a lot going on here and we keep each other good company.”

“Whatever, but I think he likes you too my dear.” And she took a sip of tea and they both broke out in giddy laughter.

A young man in town had his eyes set on Cortlin.He had wanted her for a long time but kept quite until now. He didn’t like the way she was all smiles with the tall man from far. He was not local either. he was born and raised in Istanbul and had came to Ireland for sheer leisure and had not yet been able to go back to Istanbul. He had spoken to Cortlin many times and yet he had hurt her feelings over and over. She begged for love and he begged for her body and it seemed neither would give what the other wanted. Now, he was walking to her outside the pub.

Cortlin’s pulse quickened when she saw Serkan. He was devilishly handsome and something about him just upset her to the very bone. She walked faster. “Cortlin, wait I want to talk to you.” He was next to her now with those sharp dark eyes and raven hair. He wore a silver hoop in his ear and she shook her head. He looked like a handsome pirate.

“I know you said you don’t want to talk to me, but I think we can be friends. I want to get to know you better.” He touched her hand.

“You knew me a year, Serkan, and when I said I liked you what did you do? You ran off. Just leave me alone alright.” She was upset and she stopped to sit at a small picnic table. He sat down across from her. ” I know I have been a bad guy. I have been mean to you, but I have changed. I like you so much.” His hand reached out to hers but she pulled it away. She felt lost around Serkan, he was one of the first guys that had ever stirred her desires. She wanted him to get away now though but his hand was on hers again.

Yazid saw Cortlin and for some reason seeing her talking to another man unnerved him. It was also her body language she was tense. In a few strides he was standing next to the picnic table….He didn’t even think he just reacted as his fist hit the other man in the face. “OH GOD!” Cortlin explained she knelt down to check Serkan. “Why did you do that?” She asked shocked.

“Wasn’t he bothering you?” He asked her in a tone of voice that didn’t seem to be too concerned. Serkan held his jaw as he stood up. He looked at Cortlin. “I will see you later.” And walked away. Cortin was left with Yazid and she was shaking. ” I may not care much for him, but you didn’t have to knock his lights out!” She ran off towards the pub. Yazid shook his head. “Oh well.” He murmured and his fist hurt a little.

Cortlin was at the pub, in her little corner. She was daydreaming about things and wishing she was in a far away land, Yazid would be on a horse and come riding towards her…

“Girl, when does the dishes get done around here?” Mama asked bringing her out of the Sahara dessert. “Oh. I forgot all about that. She put the few boxes of goods away and walked to the front of the pub. She was really wanting outside because it was a lovely day and all. She saw Yazid with his book near the window he gave her a smile and she blushed. She couldn’t be angry at him for long. He was the only real male friend she had ever had to talk to. She was going to go over to him, but her mother grabbed her by the arm.

“There is work darlin…” Her mother gave Yazid a small smile, he was handsome that was a fact.

After the dishes were done. Cortlin went outside to walk with Yazid it was near dinner time.

“I will going back to my country soon Cortlin.” He said looking at her with those soft puppy eyes.She stood still. “Oh..” was all she could say before the tears started down her cheek. He caught one with his thumb.

“Why are you crying?” She lay her head against his chest. She sobbed he put his arm around her. He never expected her to react this way.

“I don’t want you to go Yazid. I love you.” She said suddenly. She didn’t even hear the words they just came so free from her and it was the truth.

“You love me?” He asked with a smile. “How can you love me Cortlin?” He urged her over to the small park bench..”Sit down and dry your tears.” He handed her a hankie.

“I just love you Yazid.If you don’t like it I can’t help it. I just do.” She put her head in her hands.” He touched her soft dark hair. “Now, calm down Corti.” He hadn’t called her Corti before,but he had heard others close to her call her that and it felt right at the moment.

“Well, I have to tell you something. I think I love you too though I don’t really know what love is.” He smiled and removed his glasses. She peered at him with a weak smile.

“You do?” No man had ever said he loved her before. She threw her arms around him.

“Relax, it doesn’t mean we are going to get married and have a gang of kids or anything.” He laughed.

“Okay.” She said still looking at his face that she adored. Was he going to kiss her ? Didn’t people kiss after they said they were in love? But He stood up. ” Let me walk you home. I have to leave early in the morning.” He took her by the hand then. He didn’t want to go, because he didn’t know if he would ever see this lovely angel again. He should not of told her he loved her but something about that moment, her tears and her lovely face had made him feel safe in saying the truth.

The day Yazid left for Algeria he kissed Cortin on the cheek and boarded the train that would take him farther away to a ship. She sobbed quietly and they both promised to write one another. Her mother left her alone  to cry in here room the rest of the day. She had no interest in the pub or her little shop. Life had been so boring before Yazid. he brought with him so much. He was tall, handsome his skin was a lovely tan. He was so lovely and warm and made her heart skip. Now, he was gone. She wondered if he would forget her. It seemed as if her world had turned upside down. She went to Gabby for comfort.

“I really don’t know much about him. We are related yes, but I never knew him much growing up. I know he likes you Cortin he told me.” Gabby was at the piano playing away. Cortlin said goodbye and went for a walk. Serkan came along and looked almost afraid.

“Don’t worry Yazid went back to Algeria.” She said sadly.

“AH! Some good news!” He  didn’t say anything else he just walked away. Cortlin went to the pub and her mood was foul. Her father was smiling and she slammed the kitchen door. She didn’t want to see a smile or hear a cheerful song not when someone she loved was gone.

***

Back in Algeria Yazid was busy with his family. They had no clue about the beautiful girl he had left back in Ireland. TBC

You will never forget your favorite toy, it’s an amazing thing childhood and if you were lucky to have a few toys it could of made a difference in your life. Some children may be so poor they can not have any toys. I am happy to say that a simple stick, some mud and rocks can also be play things, I played with that too. When you do have toys however say a cuddly doll, a toy train or truck your imagination can really go places. I always had the mothering thing. I loved my dolls. I was dramatic my dolls would have all kinds of issues…a rash which I would take a magic marker (Sadly sometimes it was a scar !) I would give them terrible haircuts and folks hair doesn’t re-grow on dolls ! My barbies had great lives they would have fur coats made from a squirrels tail my uncle used to save me a squirrel tail from his hunting (I grew up in kentucky folks LOL). My barbies dined on fine food cut from magazines, they feasted on Roasted turkey, fruits and wine..They took ski vacations I would put them in a dish pan and push them down the hill believe me they had more fun than i did ! I wanted my dolls to have the glamourous life. We flew in our private jet. I would sit a big box fan on mom’s hope chest at the foot of the bed and start it up me and the barbies and baby dolls behind the fan. I would announce (Being the pilot) that we were going to Chicago again. When I was a kid some how Chicago was as far as my mind got to me it was a big city, why I didn’t think of New York back then I don’t know. So we would fly and arrive to spend a glamourous day in the shops where we would buy clothes, jewelry and spend the day at the beach (YES ! My chicago had a tropical beach) The beach was the back yard…There the baby dolls would lay under the shade tree a blanket and a bottle while the barbies enjoyed a swim in the dishpan. Ken was a lucky man doll because he was the only guy there. His girlfriend changed from week to week he was quite the playa. When I wasn’t in Chicago with the barbies and the babies. I enjoyed Atari we always had a second hand one from our cousin. We never really got to enjoy Atari as much as we liked because our grandpa would make us turn off “the racket”. I loved my Rubik’s cube and I had the fun of setting for hours on winter vacation trying to make all the sides match up. We had etch a sketch and a stretch Armsrtong doll that you could pull his arms and legs to sickly lengths it had to have been a woman design that doll and it was a wonderful torture practice ! I was lucky to have toys as a child and even with my own kids I have tried to provide them with toys, but the most valuable thing at any age is your imagination and the ability to play never lose these two precious gifts

Wouldn’t you like to have a magic carpet? It’s amazing how human hands can make such a beautiful thing as a carpet. I have always had a love for carpets.It would be impossible to do a proper article on Carpets, but I can tell you about my experiences in buying carpets in India. I wish I was rich so I could own more carpets. When I lived in India we went to buy some carpets for our apartment. The floors are mostly concrete or marble so if you want some warm, comfort then you better haul in a carpet or two.There are so many places that sell carpets that its best to ask in town where you can get a good carpet taht isn’t out of this world in prices because believe me a small carpet can be as much as 5,000 dollars or more.When you go to look at carpets in India plan to spend a good part of the day there. I wouldn’t advise taking the little ones because you really need to pay attention to what you are doing. Also, the rugs can perhaps fall as some are rolled up and propped against the walls. And..you don’t want junior to have an “accident” on one of the costly carpets.So, usually you will be asked to sit down and you tell the carpet vendor what you are looking for, the size, color and price. He will not be happy usually with the price that you offer and he will smile and say ” We can work something out.” We were always offered a hot tea or a cold drink. It can be very relaxing yet very stressful looking at carpets. 2 skinny youths come out carrying big and small carpets they throw them down and unroll them dramatically.Drinking my tea I admire the carpets the boys are smiling. They get a kick of chubby american ladies maybe. They unroll then I mention a beautiful ornate rug with a peacock I saw long ago. This is going to be hard for the guys, but they smile and think about how many rugs back was it that the peacock rug made its appearance. They unroll it again and tell me its 14,000 dollars. I always drown in my tea. Of course I don’t have 14,000 dollars and I don’t even think I got them to let me take a pic of the peacock rug.I think we ended up with a pretty carpet that was more affordable and just as lovely.TBC

1Would you like to send a poem to your special someone,
don’t have the words ? I have them for you ! I have been writing poems all my life and I love to help others express themselves. Each poem is only 1 dollar, you can get it emailed to your special someone. Just write to me at Alaknanda@aol.com put POEM in the subject and tell me about the occasion, a little about the person and I’ll send you a poem if you want any changes, you tell me and I’ll be happy to do that for you.

Margo

Are you low carbing? are you checking blood sugar ? Are you missing rice ? Look here, lets try this !!! I am so glad I found this video Click here.

This is an easy easy recipe, and it is delicious. The only caveat is that it is much better if you use powdered erythritol as part of the sweetener. I have tried it with only Splenda and it just isn’t as good. Xylitol might also work well. I describe how I do the sweeteners below. This fudge is intense so you might want to cut it into even smaller squares, as a little really satisfies.
Ingredients:
8 oz. unsweetened chocolate squares (see update note)
1 cup smooth peanut butter (no sugar added)
3/4 – 1 cup erythritol
1 cup worth other sugar substitute (or to taste)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Pinch salt
Preparation:
I originally made this recipe with Hershey’s baking chocolate because I figured most people could get it. I’ve now found that when I make it with a higher-quality chocolate such as Ghirardelli, it comes out very hard, and works better to use less chocolate (like 6 or 7 oz.) or more of the other ingredients.

A word on the sweetener. I have tried different combinations of sweeteners, including Splenda packets, Sweetzfree liquid Splenda, and powdered erythritol. I had the best results using the powdered erythritol and Sweetzfree, which is a very concentrated liquid. I have found that with chocolate, using artificial sweeteners with no sugar alcohols produces only an “OK” result. Adding a low glycemic sugar alcohol (not maltitol) improves the flavor and texture when working with unsweetened chocolate.

1) Melt the chocolate. I like to pour boiling water over it, let it sit for 5 to 6 minutes, and then pour the water off. That way I know I won’t burn the chocolate.

2) Mix in the rest of the ingredients, adjusting sweetener to taste.

3) Pack or spread into a loaf pan. Cool to room temperature, or you can put it in the refrigerator. Cut into 18 pieces and serve.

Nutritional Information: Each serving has 3 grams effective carbohydrate plus 3 grams fiber, 5 grams protein, and 146 calories.

This is a basic cheesecake recipe. It is fairly dense (and becomes more so when completely cold). We like it with a strawberry topping, especially when strawberries are in season. I haven’t tried very much variation as far as fat levels in the cream cheese, but I think you can substitute, at least to an extent. When I tried just substituting low fat for one of the bricks, the batter seemed slightly looser, but I only detected a slight difference in the final product.
Ingredients:
3 packages (1 and 1/2 lbs) cream cheese (room temperature)
4 eggs (preferably room temperature)
1 and 1/2 teaspoon (1/2 Tablespoon) vanilla
1 and 1/2 teaspoon (1/2 Tablespoon) lemon juice
1 and 1/3 cups sugar equivalent of artificial sweetener (I like liquid concentrates for this recipe)
1/4 cup sour cream
Crust:
1 cup almond meal
2 Tablespoon melted butter
2 Tablespoon artificial sweetener
Preparation:
Heat oven to 375 F.

Tip: If you have bricks or a pizza stone or unglazed ceramic tile*, put them on the lower rack of the oven. This will hold the heat in the oven. This is good for cheesecakes not baked in a water bath. (Well, actually, it’s helpful for any kind of baking, as it keeps the heat in the oven more constant. I keep a pizza stone in the oven most of the time.)

Combine ingredients for crust, and press into the bottom of a springform pan. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until fragrant and beginning to brown.

Raise oven heat to 400 F, or lower to 350 F if you’re using a water bath (see below).

Put cream cheese in mixing bowl, and beat until fluffy. Add other ingredients, scraping the bowl and beaters each time (this is very important), fully incorporating each ingredient. When all ingredients are combined, scrape one more time, beat one more minute, and pour mixture into pan over crust.

Instructions for water bath: Wrap the bottom and sides of the springform pan in foil, put it in a baking pan and pour boiling water around the sides. Bake at 350 F for 60 to 90 minutes, checking often. When the cake is firm to touch but slightly soft in the center, or the center reaches 155 F, remove from oven.

Instructions for non-water bath: For this method, you start the cake at a high temperature, and it slowly drops. If you have stoneware, bricks, etc, this allows it to happen at a slower rate, and I get better results in less time. Put the cheesecake on a sheet pan in case of drippage. After putting the cheesecake in the oven at 400 F, turn the oven down to 200 F. Bake for 60 to 90 minutes, checking often after an hour. When the cake is firm to touch but slightly soft in the center, or the center reaches 155 F, remove from oven.

Chill completely. Top with fruit, if desired, such as Sugar-Free Strawberry Topping.

Makes 16 servings.
Nutritional Information: Each serving has 2 grams effective carbohydrate plus 1 gram fiber, 6 grams protein, and 221 calories.

* Alton Brown of the “Good Eats” TV show says of pizza stones: “You could march down to Gourmets ‘R Us and plop down 30 or 40 bucks for a pizza stone. But a well-placed, unglazed quarry tile for 99 cents from a building supply will do the job just fine.”

This super-simple topping can be used for cheesecake, pancakes, low carb ice cream, or anything else your imagination comes up with.
Ingredients:

Fresh Strawberries
Artificial Sweetener
Low Carb Strawberry Jam
Preparation:

This is one of the few things I use powdered Splenda for, rather than liquids.

The amount depends on what you’re using it for. For a cheesecake topping, I use 2-3 cups of strawberries.

For each cup of chopped strawberries, sprinkle with one packet of Splenda, and mix in one tablespoon of sugar-free jam.

Nutritional Information: One cup of chopped strawberries has 9.5 grams effective carbohydrate plus 3 grams of fiber. Splenda has a gram of carb per packet, and each brand of jam will be a little different (be sure to get sugar-free jam).

Ingredients
2 cups crunchy peanut butter
1 lb powdered sugar
1/2 cup soft butter or margarine
1 1/2 pkgs semi-sweet choc.chips

1/3 bar shaved paraffin wax

Directions
Mix the peanut butter, margarine or butter,  and powdered sugar by hand. Immediately after mixing, make small balls from mixture, then chill.
For the coating, melt wax in to of a double boiler.
Add chocolate chips and melt.
Dip balls into the chocolate then place on a cookie sheet covered with aluminum foil.
Chill & store.
Makes approximately 84 balls.

1. Older women tend to be more confident

They have a certain assured air about them that is a huge draw to younger men. They tend to be comfortable in their skin and it shows. Younger men find it very appealing to be with a woman who doesn’t need constant assurance about how she looks, or doesn’t require you to stroke her ego. You don’t have to go out of your way to impress her, she finds your boyishness charming, and you don’t have to take the lead all the time.

2. They’re more experienced

Older women tend to bring a wealth of experience with them, both in matters of the head and heart. They’ve been-there-done-that, and can sometimes offer valuable advice to a younger beau on how to conduct himself in a difficult situation, or even a career move. They can offer a certain perspective that comes only with having crossed certain bridges in life. A lot of younger men are also drawn to older women because of their sexual expertise. Research shows that these women often display formidable prowess sexually and younger men are drawn by the promise of what they have to offer between the sheets.

3. The independence of older women

Older women are often more settled financially and career-wise. They are often not as driven by ambition, and are already comfortably perched at a certain point on their career path. Unlike younger women, they don’t feel the need to compete and prove a point, or have that drive to climb the corporate ladder. This is more conducive to a relationship, both in terms of the quality, and quantity of time they have to offer. Sometimes they are even financially well-off and don’t mind extending this largesse to their partner without making him feel he’s sponging off. There is no pressure on the man to support the relationship single-handedly or bear the financial burden.

4. Older women are more understanding

Very often, men tend to find older women, more tolerant and supportive. They are more balanced emotionally and can even be protective at times. Men do love to be nurtured, and to a certain extent, even mothered. Men rarely find this quality in women of the same age group, as they tend to be more preoccupied with their own careers, motherhood, children’s problems etc.

5. Older women are more mature

An older woman, like any fine wine, matures greatly with age. They have a certain wisdom about them that is highly attractive to younger men, who are sometimes reeling from nasty breakups or just emotionally adrift. Men find that these women tend to be more straightforward, about where they’re at, and what they’re after. They find the mind games that younger women play in relationships are rarely there with older women and that is a relief.

6. They’re less rooted in conventions

Older women also tend to have already fulfilled their expectations of the American dream, complete with white picket fence, two kids and a dog. A significant number of them have already had that. So their expectations of a relationship tend to be less complicated, more focused on the emotions and comfort of being together.

And as for older women, they find that..

1. Younger men are adventurous

Naturally, they’ve got more stamina physically and are probably more into having fun than older men. They are spontaneous and can go with the flow. They tend to be less stodgy than their older counterparts, and less predictable too, which makes it exciting.

2. Younger men are more adaptable

Younger men often have no compunctions about moving in with the older lover, sharing their accommodation and their life. It means having to make fewer changes for the older woman, who likes it that way. She doesn’t have to radically alter her life because of the relationship.

3. Younger men make them feel desirable

Younger men by virtue of their youth, make the older woman feel younger too. She feels energized by the excitement with which he throws himself into everything. She also feels needed and wanted when she sees the smitten look on his face. Younger men tend to be more transparent about their feelings than older ones.

Many such relationships, with the woman eight or ten years older than the man, or more, have met with astounding success. Sometimes, for the younger man it is the lure of the forbidden, a new experience. With the older woman, it might be the adventure and thrill of having a younger companion, which reassures her that she is still attractive. Whatever the reasons or the motivation, there are certain basic things that should be sorted out.

The two individuals involved should have chemistry and should click on a fundamental level. Their priorities should not be poles apart, resulting in a conflict of interests. If for instance, the man wants kids at some point in the future, he should make it clear. If the woman’s biological clock has run out or she no longer wants kids in the future, such issues should be ironed out. When two individuals decide to make it work and are committed to the relationship, there is nothing that can come in the way, least of all a decade or two!

without love
without feeling
without hope
without care
I’ll live my life
and be dismissive of all
my dreams
I’ll forget the one I wanted
I’ll forget the one I knew
I’ll forget the one who said
I love you too
I have gotten good
at pretending
I put on masks for your moods
who do you want me to be
I’ll be that for you
but to my ownself be true I’m not
Im lost in a hell I never knew
there are men here who want to hurt me
and there’s the man I gave my heart too
there’s the man
who called me his wife
there’s a man
who asked me could he peek inside my skin
theres men who tried to
seduce me
and then there’s him and my heart he did win
but Im without him
and he’s far and I’m still caught in this hell
this town I can’t get out of to save my soul and
I’m without care
I’m without
him…..