Fire! Fire! Fire! (Letter #021)

Detail of photo of building in flames by Chris Karidis via Unsplash.

In which Papa Zesser looks back with gratitude and relief at a kitchen accident that happened only a few days back. Mama Raven saved the day! (Photo by

Inconsolable II (Letter #020)

Photo of baby Baobao howling.

In which Papa Zesser, after what was mostly a lovely day with his off-spring, considers the similarities between an infant who doesn’t realize she has gotten very tired, and a drinker who believes that an endless succession of “Just one more” will lead to eternal good time, and not sudden anger or tears followed by a brutal hang-over.

Maybe babies don’t work in such mysterious ways after all. Click the headline to read more.

Baby’s got a brand new box! (Letter #019)

Photo of smiling baby Baobao in a box

In which Papa Zesser looks upon his spawn enjoying a new toy on the ninth month anniversary of her birth, and wonders: Why – o! why?!? – did we bother actually buying her anything to play with?

Babies work in mysterious ways. Click the headline to read more.

A spoonful of tedium (Letter #018)

Photo of Papa Zesser face down in his Baobao's play-pen

In which Papa Zesser contemplates the apparent sameness of child-rearing, even as he acknowledges that change happens. In other words, child care is hard, with a lot of repetition, despite the constant growth and change in their charges.

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Baby’s chicken soup

Photo of baby before chicken soup

In which Mama Raven provides a recipe for baby – and for grown-ups! – in her own words. (Note: This photo is what your baby looks like when she *doesn’t* have chicken soup!)

Ode to mothers and to Mother (Letter #017)

Photo of baby Baobao holding Mother's Day card.

In which Papa Zesser weighs his reflexive dislike of corporate holidays, against the joys they were meant to fill. And finds, once again, that your mother’s pleasures exceeds his cynicism.

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