Can you almost fall in love? I don’t think so. You either do, or you don’t. Love with the Bodyguard struck like lightning but grew slowly, winding. Food and art once brought people together; now I write to give shape to grief, to beauty. Birds remind me of that balance — physics and miracle, mystery and freedom. They move between worlds, guided by stars. You see, one is in love with them. Not almost.

It’s summer in Causses et Veyran . My  first summer in 35 years without my bodyguard by my side. To stay grounded, I keep myself busy...