One of France’s Finest Cartoonists Visits the Japanese Countryside

Phantom in the hedge, Catherine Meurisse

It’s been more than ten years since terrorists forced their way into the offices of the satirical French weekly Charlie Hebdo, killing 12 of its staff members. Two of Charlie’s female contributors, Corinne Rey and Catherine Meurisse, survived the horrific onslaught. Yet, both women continue to ply their craft as…

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Consider Fontainebleau Instead of the Beaten-to-a-Pulp Path to Versailles

Versailles vs. Fontainebleau Focus

First-time travelers to Paris often dedicate a day to seeing the Palace of Versailles. I avoided the place for many years in favor of dozens of museums and monuments within the city limits. However, in 2018, I finally visited with my husband Andy and our daughters. The line to get…

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Seeing the Essential: Craig Thompson’s Instructive Carnet de Voyage

Carnet de Voyage focus image

Journaling… like every other human endeavor, there exists a narrow sliver of people who raise this seemingly simple practice to the level of a refined and illuminating art. Such is the case with graphic novelist Craig Thompson’s Carnet de Voyage. In the spring of 2004, Thompson traveled to Europe to…

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My Surprise Encounter with a French Paparazzo & Photojournalist

La Grande Arche

Or, Just Because You Have Impostor Syndrome Doesn’t Mean You’re Not a Fake An often overlooked site when visiting Paris is La Grande Arche de La Défense, located in a stylish business district just beyond the city limits. Starting from the city center, the most efficient route to La Défense…

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Musée Montmartre and the Captivating Cats of Théophile Steinlen

Apotheosis of cats

Tucked away in a corner of the 18th arrondissement, just steps from Sacré-Cœur and la Place du Tertre, lies one of Paris’ lesser-known gems, the Musée de Montmartre. This picturesque museum, built in the 17th century, is surrounded by gardens that begin charming visitors before they ever step indoors. Such…

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The Stunning Beauty of Utah and Reimagining our National Parks

Sunset at Strawberry Point

I’m writing this post from the deck of a cedar A-frame, 8400 feet above sea level. My kids and husband Andy, are here with me in southern Utah. I’ll characterize our location as the middle of nowhere, roughly equal distance to Bryce Canyon and Zion national parks. We’ve been doing…

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