Virginie and her father talking face to face on a quiet road, Canon AE-1, Ilford HP5 black and white film

Jean Paul Jacob, 1946 – 2026

I have written this article a thousand times in my head. Monsieur Jacob was my father-in-law, and he taught me a lot of my French by arguing with me. This is the version that finally made it onto the page.

Read
Woman with crutches standing beneath the inverted glass pyramid of the Carrousel du Louvre, Fujifilm XT2, Paris 2020

A Day in Paris with My Daughter: The Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, and 127 Floors

A day trip to Paris with my daughter Kate in July 2020 — the Louvre, the Pyramide Inversée, and more steps than anticipated. Shot on Fujifilm XT2. Republished six years on.

Read
Black and white photograph of Princes Street, Edinburgh, the Scott Monument and National Gallery in the distance, a tram stop and a double-decker bus, a white-haired woman crossing.

NORTHUMBRIAN SUMMER PART III

Father-daughter memoir: Edinburgh 2025. After years splitting time between three kids, a dad gives his 15-year-old daughter solo “Dad time” in Scotland. She rejects H&M’s body-shaming, claims a tartan étole, and chooses a claddagh ring—right hand, heart free. A legacy of belonging. Not travel writing: who we become in places we’re given.

Read

Happy Not Dead Day 2024

The evolution of birthdays is a bittersweet journey, from childhood excitement to forced fun and introspection. Recalling past celebrations, each era brought new traditions and perspectives. Despite discomfort, recent celebrations with family and reflection on aging brought gratitude. Despite reluctance, the enduring love and memories make birthdays a journey of mixed emotions.

Read

A Whirlwind of Joy: A Day of Celebrations

The unexpected turn of events on a Sunday morning led to a joyful day celebrating a couple’s 30th anniversary and their upcoming adoption. A broken camera miraculously revived, reuniting with old friends, and an impromptu orchestra all contributed to a memorable day filled with love, music, and gratitude, reminding the author of life’s beautiful unpredictability.

Read

How does death change your perspective?

WordPress, like most companies, wants to create wealth, especially for WordPress.  One way it does that is to create advertising that it will place on the sites that…

Read