Published inThe Startup·PinnedMember-onlyI Banned Laptops in My CoffeehouseIt was necessary for ambiance and the three Cs… — I owned a coffeehouse, in an area we playfully called “The Yale Grad School Ghetto.” A beautiful neighborhood, on the rim of Yale’s campus. It was a coffeehouse in the tradition of coffeehouses where people came in to drink great coffee but also sit and passionately discuss local and global…Coffee Culture4 min readCoffee Culture4 min read
Published inThe Book Cafe·Jan 20, 2022Member-onlyA Novel I Can’t ForgetTherese Raquin — Many years ago, I read Therese Raquin by Emile Zola. I’ve forgotten most of it now, except for the morgue scene. That scene has stayed with me for twenty-five years. It stands out because it was the only time a scene was so well written, so observed that after reading…Death3 min readDeath3 min read
Published inILLUMINATION·Oct 30, 2021Member-onlyMeltemi, A Breathtaking Storm At SeaWithout warning this storm almost swallowed our boat, here’s what happened. Alan, Nick, Maureen, and I decided to take the boat to the Island of Skopelos for a picnic. The rays of the sun were spattering golden light across the water, making it glisten. What a day for a sail…Storytelling3 min readStorytelling3 min read
Published inILLUMINATION·Oct 28, 2021Member-onlyThe Train, The Family, And A TragedyHere’s what I remember — Every year I’d plan a visit to Montreal during the Film Festival du Monde, when the city was ablaze with everything cinema. I loved every minute. I’d ride the Montrealer to St. Alban’s, where border control agents would come on board to check passports; from there, the train would move…Trains4 min readTrains4 min read
Published inILLUMINATION·Oct 27, 2021Member-onlyMy Grandson’s Life Spared, A Deadly Crash Averted, for Us.This is what happened. — Driving manuals taught us when stopping at a light at a cross street, never block the intersection, but you see people doing this all the time. I don’t follow all the driving rules but this one I feel is important. My grandson attended a high school 15 miles from home…Life Lessons3 min readLife Lessons3 min read
Published inILLUMINATION·Oct 18, 2021Member-onlyMy Writing Struggle. Writing VS. StorytellingTelling a great story and writing that story down uses two different skill sets. — I’ve been writing on Medium for two years now and love this platform, but I noticed I struggled when writing a story vs. telling that same story. The writing was more challenging so I consulted a friend who is an excellent writer to begin to unearth the reason. …Writing2 min readWriting2 min read
Published inILLUMINATION·Sep 30, 2021Member-onlyAs My Mother Lay dyingA daughter’s moment of remembrance — It’s a surreal feeling watching my mother die. I’m sitting beside her bed as she tries to breathe, with incredible difficulty. I feel helpless. This year has been nightmarish for her. She contracted Covid 19 at the beginning, but thankfully she was A-symptomatic. The nursing home was in lockdown for…Death3 min readDeath3 min read
Published inILLUMINATION·Sep 23, 2021Member-onlyThis Is What Happened When I Stopped Worrying About CriticismMy painting journey. An act of love. — In 1995 I registered for my first ever drawing class with a fine artist and friend, Suzan Shutan. Waiting for the day to arrive, my feelings ranged from terrified to excited. Suzan set up a still life by placing many objects of varying sizes and shapes across a long table…Art3 min readArt3 min read
Published inAbout Me Stories·Sep 15, 2021Member-onlyAbout Me — Lulu deCarronHello, I’m Lulu deCarron, entrepreneur, artist, storyteller, writer, maverick, loving mother and grandmother, an empath, and a coffee lover. Here is Daisy, my darling girl I rescued in 2015. Joy and madness.Writing5 min readWriting5 min read
Published inILLUMINATION·Sep 14, 2021Member-onlyGrowing up in an Italian familyMy recent Italian breakfast sparked some warm and wonderful memories — Making this breakfast reminded me of my love of breakfasts growing up, being Italian and Nonna’s house Sliced Italian bread, hot from the oven Sweet butter and preserves Strong, fresh roasted coffee Growing up in an Italian family, food was the focal point of our day. My father owned a…Culture4 min readCulture4 min read
