“You don’t have to know all the steps to getting where you want to be, you just have to know the next step.” ―Valerie Young
When my youngest son passed in July 2015, I fell headlong into depression. A pretty serious depression. Oh, I could function, but I felt as if I was always one step behind myself. I began to see a grief counselor who quit (!) after several sessions. This was not looking good, I needed an outlet, something to focus on, but what?
After floundering for months, I began to entertain the idea of creating a new blog, a project so to speak. Chasing the Next Chapter was birthed in April 2016. It’s a blend of travel, fashion, and a generous dose of the ex-pat life in France… And whatever else I feel like sharing.
So much has happened since the first post…travel writing, moving to the South of France as full-time ex-pats, Covid-19 (me), reoccurrence of cancer (Ray), and so much more.
It’s been an exciting (crazy) ride thus far, and I hope you follow along on our journey, bumps and all.
XXX
Barb and Ray
P.S. June 6th, 2022, will mark our three-year Franniversary! Dreams do come true.

The French Elements was my first blog. 2007-2015