Frankie asks… Is it easier to be single than to be in a difficult relationship? I know on the surface that question looks relatively easy to answer. You’re mouth may even be half open with a quick answer and witty reasoning. However, you’ll be stumped. Really. Ask yourself, or better yet, ask someone else, and they’ll most likely answer quickly, then their voice will trail off and they’ll rethink their answer, second-guess their motives and reasons for answering that way. And then, of course, if you’ve been single for a long time, you’re going to answer the latter. And if you’ve been in a relationship, maybe a rocky one, you’re going to answer the former. Like I’ve mentioned before in my blogs, I’ve been single for over four years now. That is, up until two months ago. I have been hesitant to write anything about it yet (not that the guy knows I even blog or that I blog on here – so I should be safe from any repercussions), but I’ve been hesitant because I felt like I’d just gotten my groove as the ultimate single girl – confident, comfortable, even a bit chipper about it. And my blog was sort of in my head dedicated to that new me. But as luck (or fate or destiny or timing or whatever you want to call it) has it, I met someone. And without going into great detail, because honestly not all of it even adds up for me, we had a really fun beginning to our relationship – all 10 days of it. And after 10 days, the shit hit the fan. He went through some very tough personal conflicts and amongst them was losing his car, his job, a bunch of money...

Seriously, isn’t that cool, colorful picture absolutely mouthwatering on this hot summer day?  During my trip to New Orleans, I was introduced to Snowballs, a most refreshing dessert.  They’re much more than just syrup and water!  While many cities have their own version of Sno-cones, the south does them best! Let me know if you can find one of these in a city near you! Snowballs are well known in the southern United States.  A Snowball is not a slushie, not sherbert, and not your standard ice with flavoring.  The consistency is just like new fallen snow. Fresh ice is shaved superfine from a brick of ice, and then doused with home made flavorings. Hansen’s Sno-Bliz was the location I visited to sample the dessert.  According to their website, the stand located at 4801 Tchoupitoulas Street in New Orleans opened in 1944; after selling the dessert on the street since 1938.  The ice is still served the very same way as it was in the beginning.  A worker shaves each cone from a massive block of ice, for every customer’s unique order, using a specially designed, saw-like machine. Standing at the counter waiting for your treat, you can see the gloved man shaving away.  From what I’ve been told, it’s hard job, so cold the ice shaver must wear gloves to avoid frostbite on his fingers. Each and every one is home made.  No machine pushing syrups with CO2.  There are also a massive variety of sizes, from a tiny cup to a giant trash can size that was for a frat party! The dessert can be served with multiple home made fruit flavored syrups, or a splash of condensed milk, marshmallow, crushed pineapples, crushed strawberries or whipped cream. Even ice cream can be added.  I...