My recent remembrances of explorations in Provence in  2002 began with an outing to Arles—a city whose role in history appears to have been predestined by its geographic location.

Midway through September, an abundance of figs, pears, peaches, and plums arrayed in assorted bowls had taken over half of the surface of our nine-foot-long harvest table.

In 1836, Rosa Bonheur spent entire days at the Louvre copying works of the Old Masters.

Last week I began rereading Peter Mayle’s wonderful 1989 book A Year in Provence.

There are signs of change in the air and on the land these early September days that have me feeling unsettled.

As Thomas Jefferson famously said, “I can’t live without books.”

Some days I find myself traveling the world via the pages of cookbooks.

Peekay, my orange Bengal/tabby cat, is due for his annual checkup and shots.

From the get-go, Kit has been a survivor and an explorer filled with adventure, joy, and light.

Late July was a very busy time in my neighborhood in the Sierras.

Few things in life these days are as wonderful as good neighbors.

I love the title of a 2017 book edited by Kate Lebo and Samuel Ligon—Pie & Whiskey: Writers Under the Influence of Butter & Booze.

It is the middle of July and I was desperate for some relief from the heat and the weight of upsetting news that takes a physical toll on the body and soul these days.

Last weekend, our granddaughter Catalina graduated from Queens College, Cambridge University, where she has been studying History for the past three years.

Recently, I baked a pie for neighbors who are feeling depressed over the current administration’s daily attacks on freedoms and civil rights Americans have long believed were guaranteed by our constitution.

On Father’s Day, our amazing granddaughter Inés was among the largest graduating class on record at Stanford University’s 2025 Commencement.

Saturday, June 14 was indeed a banner day in America.

What did I know of cats as a child?  When did a cat first allow me into its life?

Life is filled with unplanned events that can be majorly inconvenient or turn into a pleasant surprise.

When Captains Meriwether Lewis and William Clark set out on their Voyage of Discovery across the newly acquired Louisiana Purchase over two centuries ago, they surveyed the plants and animals found west of the Mississippi.