Catherine Gigante-Brown

The santero sent us off with a shopping list of ite

8. Educate, don’t fixate.

I know it’s not a politically correct one, but I’ve got a confession to make: earth-friendly hotels stink. There, I said it.

Were you going to run into that cute guy John Williams on the way home? Would you see Anne Marie by the lockers and sort out what to do for the weekend? It was hit-or-miss, and that was the beauty of it. The breath-holding chance of it all. Now, our kids’ friends are as close as a keyboard stroke away. It’s too easy.

"Remember, this isn’t just happening to you, it’s happening to moms everywhere. It’s not your fault — "

I fumbled with my lace bra, hoping my silicone form wouldn't fall out from the left cup. I wasn't exactly ready . . . yet I was.

You realize pretty soon that everything other than cancer — i.e. missing a train, being late to your dentist appointment — is no biggie compared to the suck factor of chemo.

I try. I really do. But whenever I attempt to embrace my husband Peter’s Cuban culture, I always screw up.

At the New York City release party for Dayna Kurtz’ latest, Rise and Fall, my friend Nadia leaned over to me and whispered, “Why the fuck

The hell with his elaborate metaphors and rhetorical phrases. Iambic pentameter is cruel and unusual punishment.