I approached the driver in the main square to inquire about a carriage ride and, still in the habit from Brussels, tossed off a sprightly “bonjour.” I blame being tired for my social stumble. This was the heart of West Flanders, and French is not a sound that rings friendly…

The cobblestones are wet and a bit slick as I walk across La Grand-Place. It has been raining off and on for most of the day and even though the sun is now out, it is chilly. And damp. The air holds the damp and cups your face in its…

We sat on the rocks, in the shadow of the bridge, with the sound of trickling water and mating calls from an army of unseen frogs. Our edible treasures from the day’s adventure spread before us. The afternoon sun poured liquid gold across the landscape. And in that moment I…

I look back to my time in Rome with nostalgia. Of the four cities I love, it swaps in and out of the top spot with the changing of my mood. Because I live here, and ours is a love affair of daily interaction, New York does not get a…

One of the things that you learn about New York, if you are here long enough, is the dichotomy between its two states; constantly changing and remaining the same. Store fronts are removed and replaced, people come and go, practices are in vogue or out. And yet, it is always…

As we enter the heart of winter, my thoughts and tastes turn towards France and the dishes served in the bistros of Paris and Provence. I imagine warm, dimly lit places, full of people and the clanking of dishes and the din of congenial conversations over comforting food and good…

My wife and I arrived on the island of Naxos on the Bluestar from Santorini the evening before, drawn by the promise of crystal clear waters and ancient ruins, to spend a few days exploring before heading to Mykonos. Outside of Crete, Naxos is my favorite island in the Cyclades…

A ChatGPT mashup where Winnie the Pooh and Piglet are on a stream that’s on the Dutton Ranch. A bit tame, if you ask me… Once upon a time, John Dutton, Kayce, Beth, and Rip— were out for a stroll on the Yellowstone Ranch in Montana when they came across…

A collaboration with ChatGPT, image by Dall-E2 — It was a cool fall day, the sky full with the threat of winter. Winnie the Pooh and Piglet stood at the edge of the river, the clear Montana water rushing past them. They were armed with their fly fishing rods, ready to cast their lines into the water. They…