Too modest about your writing, my friend. It's good, and it's natural and unforced. People strive to achieve that level of professionalism and fail because it's like trying to use a Southern accent when you're not from the South: it is going to sound fake. (Rock Hudson should have been tarred and feathered for trying!)
I had wondered if you had used studio lights for the photos because of their very good shadow detail. The camera has a good internal light meter or light processor. They added a very nice touch to the text.
I'm afraid I have gotten lazy with my photos by using the iPhone instead of my Nikon DSLR. Lugging that around is like carrying a field pack and, other than for photos of my S.O., I seldom use it. I have made thousands of portraits of her over they decades and, in my opinion, the perspective through the 300 mm lens cannot be beat for getting close-ups without actually being there.
Nope, I don't cook because I lose interest in food when I see it being made. I'm not a real food fan anyway, even though it's an obvious necessity. I eat because I have to and don't pay much attention to whatever it is. That lack of interest does not provide a driving force to be good at cooking. Eating canned stuff is okay with me, but that offends my S.O. considerably since she is a dedicated cook and spends hours a day preparing meals for the two of us. I do appreciate gourmet food, but canned field peas on jasmine rice suits me just fine, too.
I think Curies happen when they happen. I have no clue what gets attention and what they like or don't like. I would be happy if I could get readers and comments on what I do post. I'm sure it depends on the time of day of the post, the title, the thumbnail image, and what happens in the millisecond the posting gets attention from a viewer. All else is mystery.
I hope your wife is back to normal after her surgery. I know how disruptive that is.