Category Archives: Lifestyle

The month that was – August 2025

Posted on August 29, 2025 by JJS

🇬🇧 Ah, August. The month when most of the world seems to go on holiday… except at my place. No visitors this time, which made for a rather quieter stretch. The fridge was grateful, the wine rack untouched, and the … Continue reading →

Posted in Beach Destinations, Food and Drink, Lifestyle | Tagged * Beach Days, BBQ & Friends, Food & Dining, Hospitalet Beach, Le Chat qui Pêche, Le Mans 24h, Narbonne Plage, Pool Party, Provence, Sobriety Journey, Summer 2025, Travel Tips, Weekend getaways | Leave a comment

The calm after the storm

Posted on July 28, 2025 by JJS

🇬🇧 (Also known as grandkids going home) July 2025 – Somewhere between nostalgic and shell-shocked So. The whirlwind is nearly over. The house, which recently resembled a toy shop after a minor explosion, is about to fall eerily silent again. … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, Lifestyle | Tagged Empty nest moment, Family rhythms, Grandkids depart, Home stillness, Nostalgia, Post‑visit fatigue, Quiet house, Recovery from chaos, Reflective calm, Summer slowdown | 1 Comment

Régime sévère, moral d’acier… et pastis aux abonnés absents

Posted on July 21, 2025 by JJS

🇫🇷 Et voilà, ça fait déjà trois semaines que je me suis lancé dans cette aventure un peu folle (certains diraient héroïque) : celle de retrouver la ligne, la vraie, celle d’avant les bons petits plats, les apéros, et la … Continue reading →

Posted in Diet & Nutrition, Lifestyle | Tagged 3 Weeks No Booze, Discipline & Humor, From Army Days to Today, Glucose Monitoring, Healthy Aging, Intermittent Fasting, Lavender Fields, Low Carb Life, No Alcohol Challenge, Provençal Life, Scale Victories, Sugar Levels, Weight Loss Journey, Wellness Over 70 | 1 Comment

The month that was – March 2025

Posted on April 1, 2025 by JJS

🇬🇧 The case of the disappearing month Once again, I find myself asking: where on earth did March go? It barely arrived, made itself comfortable for about five minutes, and then vanished without so much as a goodbye. I checked … Continue reading →

Posted in Lifestyle, Monthly Recaps, Personal reflections, Travel, Travel and adventure | Tagged Bureaucratic Battles, Devon Trip, Irish Pub Culture, London Trip, March Recap, Mini Drone Adventures, Rugby Matches, Seaside Getaway, Time Flies, Travel planning | 1 Comment

The week that was 11-2025

Posted on March 16, 2025 by JJS

🇬🇧 A week of sneezes, seafood and subscriptions At the time of writing, I am feeling decidedly under the weather, battling a rather unpleasant cold. Given the times we live in, I should probably take a COVID test, but let’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Lifestyle, Personal reflections | Tagged Food & Drink, Getaways, Health, Money Management, Productivity & Organisation, Seasonal Living, Travel, Wellness | 1 Comment

Ma philosophie

Posted on January 18, 2025 by JJS

🇫🇷 Il est inutile de s’attarder sur des préoccupations sur lesquelles nous n’avons pas de prise, et qu’il est préférable de se concentrer sur ce que nous pouvons faire ici et maintenant. Il y a des choses qui dépendent de … Continue reading →