There was a nifty-looking motorcycle parked on the sidewalk across from our apartment this morning. I think I want one of these!
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
I want this one!
Tuesday February 22, 2011 Day 237
There was a nifty-looking motorcycle parked on the sidewalk across from our apartment this morning. I think I want one of these!
There was a nifty-looking motorcycle parked on the sidewalk across from our apartment this morning. I think I want one of these!
More tulips
Monday February 21, 2011 Day 236
There is still only one tulip up, but a second one is trying to poke its head through the soil, and has almost managed. The tips are much fatter than I expected, given the size of the bulbs, which were only slightly larger than a walnut.
There is still only one tulip up, but a second one is trying to poke its head through the soil, and has almost managed. The tips are much fatter than I expected, given the size of the bulbs, which were only slightly larger than a walnut.
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| Hmmm . . . I can't see the second tulip in this photo, but it is there! |
Spring is coming
Sunday February 20, 2011 Day 235
This morning we arose late and went to the grocery store for a few items. Then in the afternoon, it was bright, sunny and not too cool, so we went for a walk in the botanical gardens near our apartment. Unfortunately we forgot to take either camera. The walk was lovely - the earliest of the spring flowers are just starting to open, and a couple of trees were in bloom, although even they looked as if they had opened only yesterday. Clearly, spring is coming.
While in the gardens, we could hear drums beating, so on our way back we climbed the hill and entered the Peyrou, where there was a 10-piece drum line practicing with drums whose names I do not know, as they were not familiar to me. A couple of them were the rough equivalent of bass drums, but were upright and with only one head. One girl played a cowbell, another beat a tambourine-looking instrument but without the shakers on the side. Their beat reminded me of the drum cadence for parade marching - complex, with rhythms that were not repeated often. They were a nice reminder of Mardi Gras, which I don’t think is celebrated with much fervor here.
This morning we arose late and went to the grocery store for a few items. Then in the afternoon, it was bright, sunny and not too cool, so we went for a walk in the botanical gardens near our apartment. Unfortunately we forgot to take either camera. The walk was lovely - the earliest of the spring flowers are just starting to open, and a couple of trees were in bloom, although even they looked as if they had opened only yesterday. Clearly, spring is coming.
While in the gardens, we could hear drums beating, so on our way back we climbed the hill and entered the Peyrou, where there was a 10-piece drum line practicing with drums whose names I do not know, as they were not familiar to me. A couple of them were the rough equivalent of bass drums, but were upright and with only one head. One girl played a cowbell, another beat a tambourine-looking instrument but without the shakers on the side. Their beat reminded me of the drum cadence for parade marching - complex, with rhythms that were not repeated often. They were a nice reminder of Mardi Gras, which I don’t think is celebrated with much fervor here.
Tulips are up - or one, anyway!
Saturday February 19, 2011 Day 234
Roger looks as if he has been losing weight on our low-carb diet. I suspect he has lost more than 10 pounds, but we do not have a scale to check our weight. On the other hand, I see few signs that I am also losing weight. I will be falling off the diet on Wednesday when I go to Cook & Eat. But I will get right back onto the wagon until we decide to go somewhere or until the first of our visitors arrives.
Roger came home early because it had begun to rain at chess. He really surprised me by telling me he invited a chess-playing friend, Troy, to dinner on Wednesday night. Seldom in our entire marriage has Roger invited someone home to dinner! Troy is a New Yorker living here and taking art classes.
A tulip finally pushed through the soil today. It is large and healthy, so I guess I have just been in too much of a hurry. My only experience has been in the warm soils of the southern U.S., where we plant tulips one day and in less than a week they are two inches into the air!
I seem to be getting seriously into farming in the apartment. In November, we bought two African violets. At one point in December, a few leaves broke off, so I set them up to root in a glass. Most of them died off, but two survived. When we returned from our cruise, they had sufficient roots to plant. One died, but the other seemed to just sit there in the pot - not growing, but not dying either. Yesterday some tiny leaves appeared at the soil line! Yay! Further, the two African violets I bought originally have multiple crowns - one has two, the other three. Today I separated them and I now have five African violets plus the new baby. In the process of separating and repotting them, I broke off several leaves, so I am working at rooting them as well. Maybe I can give each Garden Club member an African violet as a parting gift.
Roger looks as if he has been losing weight on our low-carb diet. I suspect he has lost more than 10 pounds, but we do not have a scale to check our weight. On the other hand, I see few signs that I am also losing weight. I will be falling off the diet on Wednesday when I go to Cook & Eat. But I will get right back onto the wagon until we decide to go somewhere or until the first of our visitors arrives.
Roger came home early because it had begun to rain at chess. He really surprised me by telling me he invited a chess-playing friend, Troy, to dinner on Wednesday night. Seldom in our entire marriage has Roger invited someone home to dinner! Troy is a New Yorker living here and taking art classes.
A tulip finally pushed through the soil today. It is large and healthy, so I guess I have just been in too much of a hurry. My only experience has been in the warm soils of the southern U.S., where we plant tulips one day and in less than a week they are two inches into the air!
I seem to be getting seriously into farming in the apartment. In November, we bought two African violets. At one point in December, a few leaves broke off, so I set them up to root in a glass. Most of them died off, but two survived. When we returned from our cruise, they had sufficient roots to plant. One died, but the other seemed to just sit there in the pot - not growing, but not dying either. Yesterday some tiny leaves appeared at the soil line! Yay! Further, the two African violets I bought originally have multiple crowns - one has two, the other three. Today I separated them and I now have five African violets plus the new baby. In the process of separating and repotting them, I broke off several leaves, so I am working at rooting them as well. Maybe I can give each Garden Club member an African violet as a parting gift.
Happy 60th Birthday to my Dear Husband!
Friday February 18, 2011 Day 233
Happy Birthday to Roger! We got up late, and after a leisurely breakfast, went for a walk in the sunshine.
As usual, Roger headed for chess after lunch. Today, he gave himself a birthday party at the chess club. He told the host that today is his 60th birthday and he wanted to buy everyone tea or coffee. He forked over a 20€ bill and the server, who is also a chess player, brought trays of tea and a few coffees, and gave those present their choice. When it was gone, that was it, but everyone who usually plays chess there got a cup. There is a guy who hangs around the chess tables a lot, but doesn’t play chess. He asked if he was to be included in the refreshment, and Roger told him “yes,” so he got his cup of tea as well.
In the meantime, I went to Carrefour for pork roast, as Roger wants pulled pork for his birthday dinner. We managed his dinner while still holding mostly to our low-carb diets.
We check the mailbox almost daily, and most days it is empty. Today, however, there was an envelope containing a Valentine card from the three Richards and a birthday card for Roger from Brennan, signed with an incredibly smooth-looking “X.” That kid already has a really steady hand!
Happy Birthday to Roger! We got up late, and after a leisurely breakfast, went for a walk in the sunshine.
As usual, Roger headed for chess after lunch. Today, he gave himself a birthday party at the chess club. He told the host that today is his 60th birthday and he wanted to buy everyone tea or coffee. He forked over a 20€ bill and the server, who is also a chess player, brought trays of tea and a few coffees, and gave those present their choice. When it was gone, that was it, but everyone who usually plays chess there got a cup. There is a guy who hangs around the chess tables a lot, but doesn’t play chess. He asked if he was to be included in the refreshment, and Roger told him “yes,” so he got his cup of tea as well.
In the meantime, I went to Carrefour for pork roast, as Roger wants pulled pork for his birthday dinner. We managed his dinner while still holding mostly to our low-carb diets.
We check the mailbox almost daily, and most days it is empty. Today, however, there was an envelope containing a Valentine card from the three Richards and a birthday card for Roger from Brennan, signed with an incredibly smooth-looking “X.” That kid already has a really steady hand!
Fixing the chess pieces
Thursday February 17, 2011 Day 232
We had soy milk in our tea this morning and, while it isn’t the same as cow’s milk, it is a nice addition to the English breakfast tea we habitually.
While I was sitting around this morning, I cut out small circles of felt for Roger’s chess pieces. The pieces are weighted, and some of the weights have loosened. They press against the very thin felt on the bottom, and some of the pieces of felt have loosened and the weights have come out. Our plan is to glue pieces of x-ray film (nice, sturdy plastic - at last we have found a use for those x-ray films we walked out of our health exam with!) onto the base, then glue felt over that to provide a smooth, durable base. We intend to do all the pieces, not just those that have loose weights, as the Roger glued most of the loose weights into place last week.
This afternoon I rode with Mariannick out to Maggie’s house to see Frida, story of Frida Kahlo, an important artist in Mexico at the turn of the last century. For January, the book club read The Lacuna, which is the story of Frida as told by an imaginary cook in her household. I missed the book club meeting because we were in Texas, and didn’t read the book either, but it is on my list.
It was cold all day, and rainy as well. When Mariannick dropped me off, I still had a 10-minute walk to get home. It was drizzling slightly, and as I walked past a tea shop, I realized how good a cup of tea would be. I called Roger, told him I was five minutes out, and asked him to have a pot of tea ready for me when I got home. He, of course, obliged. How good it was!!!
The plan for the chess pieces was to do them on a Saturday evening or Sunday, since the chess club does not meet on Sunday. This would give them 24 hours to dry before putting pressure on the glued-on x-ray film and felt. However, there was no chess because of the rain, so Roger spent the afternoon gluing on the film and the felt, and the pieces looked very nice.
We had soy milk in our tea this morning and, while it isn’t the same as cow’s milk, it is a nice addition to the English breakfast tea we habitually.
While I was sitting around this morning, I cut out small circles of felt for Roger’s chess pieces. The pieces are weighted, and some of the weights have loosened. They press against the very thin felt on the bottom, and some of the pieces of felt have loosened and the weights have come out. Our plan is to glue pieces of x-ray film (nice, sturdy plastic - at last we have found a use for those x-ray films we walked out of our health exam with!) onto the base, then glue felt over that to provide a smooth, durable base. We intend to do all the pieces, not just those that have loose weights, as the Roger glued most of the loose weights into place last week.
This afternoon I rode with Mariannick out to Maggie’s house to see Frida, story of Frida Kahlo, an important artist in Mexico at the turn of the last century. For January, the book club read The Lacuna, which is the story of Frida as told by an imaginary cook in her household. I missed the book club meeting because we were in Texas, and didn’t read the book either, but it is on my list.
It was cold all day, and rainy as well. When Mariannick dropped me off, I still had a 10-minute walk to get home. It was drizzling slightly, and as I walked past a tea shop, I realized how good a cup of tea would be. I called Roger, told him I was five minutes out, and asked him to have a pot of tea ready for me when I got home. He, of course, obliged. How good it was!!!
The plan for the chess pieces was to do them on a Saturday evening or Sunday, since the chess club does not meet on Sunday. This would give them 24 hours to dry before putting pressure on the glued-on x-ray film and felt. However, there was no chess because of the rain, so Roger spent the afternoon gluing on the film and the felt, and the pieces looked very nice.
American Library in Montpellier
Wednesday February 16, 2011 Day 231
It was apartment cleaning day, so we got that task out of the way and went out for a walk for a bit - no place special, just around our neighborhood in the city centre. When Roger left for chess, I went out to find the newly-reopened American Library. It is near the train station, in the back part of an old building. It is an interesting walk to the library itself once inside the building - I went upstairs and was greeted by a clerk for some business. I told her I was there for the library, so she led me down a hall, turned to the right, another long hall, a threshold over which we had to lift our feet because it is probably two inches high, then through a kitchen area, then another long hall, then she pointed to a door down a ways, and indicated “a droit,” so I went in the door on the right. There, an English lady was helping another lady check out a couple of book. I asked “Are you Patricia Robb?” and she asked how I knew. I told her that I had looked her up on the schedule. I browsed while she finished helping the other woman, then we chatted a bit and she explained some of the procedure. Some of the books are for sale for a Euro or two, others are available for checkout only. I selected three books for Roger and one for myself. Patricia told me that, while the books are actually due in two weeks, there is no penalty and no pressure to return them promptly. She indicated that, if I wanted to check out a book, I must be a member, and that the fee is 25€ for a family. I joined, and checked out the books. I asked several more questions about procedure, then left.
At the grocery store the other day, I saw some soy milk, which is very low in carbohydrates. So I went from the library to the grocery store and bought a dozen eggs and a four-pack of ultra-high-pasteurized soy milk. From there, it was a short walk to the chess area, so I went to see how Roger was doing. He was not playing at the time, just watching. We talked for a few minutes, then I left him and returned to the warmth of the apartment.
When he got back after chess, I asked him if I could give him his birthday present early. He said “of course,” so I did. He seemed puzzled about why I was giving him a canvas bread bag, but seemed pleased that he would have something more substantial and sturdy to carry his chess stuff in. Now if only it didn’t have pictures of talking bread painted on the front of it!
It was apartment cleaning day, so we got that task out of the way and went out for a walk for a bit - no place special, just around our neighborhood in the city centre. When Roger left for chess, I went out to find the newly-reopened American Library. It is near the train station, in the back part of an old building. It is an interesting walk to the library itself once inside the building - I went upstairs and was greeted by a clerk for some business. I told her I was there for the library, so she led me down a hall, turned to the right, another long hall, a threshold over which we had to lift our feet because it is probably two inches high, then through a kitchen area, then another long hall, then she pointed to a door down a ways, and indicated “a droit,” so I went in the door on the right. There, an English lady was helping another lady check out a couple of book. I asked “Are you Patricia Robb?” and she asked how I knew. I told her that I had looked her up on the schedule. I browsed while she finished helping the other woman, then we chatted a bit and she explained some of the procedure. Some of the books are for sale for a Euro or two, others are available for checkout only. I selected three books for Roger and one for myself. Patricia told me that, while the books are actually due in two weeks, there is no penalty and no pressure to return them promptly. She indicated that, if I wanted to check out a book, I must be a member, and that the fee is 25€ for a family. I joined, and checked out the books. I asked several more questions about procedure, then left.
At the grocery store the other day, I saw some soy milk, which is very low in carbohydrates. So I went from the library to the grocery store and bought a dozen eggs and a four-pack of ultra-high-pasteurized soy milk. From there, it was a short walk to the chess area, so I went to see how Roger was doing. He was not playing at the time, just watching. We talked for a few minutes, then I left him and returned to the warmth of the apartment.
Feutre
Tuesday February 15, 2011 Day 230
Saturday when I went looking for felt, I dropped into one fabric store. When the clerk told me he did not have felt, I let the matter drop. Today I went to a different store, went in and asked for “feutre.” The clerk asked me something about “tissue, which is “fabric” in French. I wasn’t sure exactly what she said, but I gambled and told her “yes.” She took me back and showed me a marking pencil for fabric. No, I shook my head, feutre. She insisted that the pencil IS feutre. We bandied the conversation back and forth for a moment, then Roger stepped forward and tried to explain that we wanted felt to go onto the bottom of his chess pieces, but this just muddied the conversation. I looked around for a moment and spotted a sewing machine set up for sewing classes, so I went over to it. I tilted it slightly and indicated the little feet on the bottom of the machine. It turns out they were rubber (!) but that conveyed the idea. The light bulb went on in the clerk‘s eye, and she turned and pulled out a box. Opening it, she displayed squares of colored felt. Voila! We selected a green square and I asked her what it was called in French. She told me, but I didn’t get it. Nevertheless, we walked out happily with our green feutre.
From there we went to the market. I have realized that one of the things I like about the market is the opportunity of flirting with the vendors. We have our friends, who have come to recognize us from one time to the next. We carry on a light flirtation in a combination of English and French. The cheese guy is particularly amusing because he mocks us slightly in both English and French. The olive and nut vendor always tells us “taste, taste!” and so we do - a couple of nuts one time, a certain stuffed olive another, and a dried date or mango still another time.
We bought flowers for belated Valentine’s Day - some daffodils and a red-flowered plant similar to a gloxinia, but without the velvet leaves and with smaller flowers. Speaking of flowers, I still have no tulips in the window boxes.
I did make a woman smile at me today. Roger and I were on our way to the market, and she was on her bicycle. We were crossing the street and she was coming down it. He was ahead of me, already almost on the sidewalk. I hesitated, sort of in the middle of the street, trying to decide how to avoid her. She was still many meters away, trying to determine what I was going to do. At my pause, she let up just a bit and considered swerving right around me. At almost the same time, I reminded myself that, for my safety when bicycles are approaching, I am better off continuing on whatever path I had set, so I moved on across the street. But for a few seconds there, she and I did a little dance in the street. When I grinned at her in passing, she returned my smile.
Saturday when I went looking for felt, I dropped into one fabric store. When the clerk told me he did not have felt, I let the matter drop. Today I went to a different store, went in and asked for “feutre.” The clerk asked me something about “tissue, which is “fabric” in French. I wasn’t sure exactly what she said, but I gambled and told her “yes.” She took me back and showed me a marking pencil for fabric. No, I shook my head, feutre. She insisted that the pencil IS feutre. We bandied the conversation back and forth for a moment, then Roger stepped forward and tried to explain that we wanted felt to go onto the bottom of his chess pieces, but this just muddied the conversation. I looked around for a moment and spotted a sewing machine set up for sewing classes, so I went over to it. I tilted it slightly and indicated the little feet on the bottom of the machine. It turns out they were rubber (!) but that conveyed the idea. The light bulb went on in the clerk‘s eye, and she turned and pulled out a box. Opening it, she displayed squares of colored felt. Voila! We selected a green square and I asked her what it was called in French. She told me, but I didn’t get it. Nevertheless, we walked out happily with our green feutre.
From there we went to the market. I have realized that one of the things I like about the market is the opportunity of flirting with the vendors. We have our friends, who have come to recognize us from one time to the next. We carry on a light flirtation in a combination of English and French. The cheese guy is particularly amusing because he mocks us slightly in both English and French. The olive and nut vendor always tells us “taste, taste!” and so we do - a couple of nuts one time, a certain stuffed olive another, and a dried date or mango still another time.
 |
| Our cheese vendor, clowning for a photo |
I did make a woman smile at me today. Roger and I were on our way to the market, and she was on her bicycle. We were crossing the street and she was coming down it. He was ahead of me, already almost on the sidewalk. I hesitated, sort of in the middle of the street, trying to decide how to avoid her. She was still many meters away, trying to determine what I was going to do. At my pause, she let up just a bit and considered swerving right around me. At almost the same time, I reminded myself that, for my safety when bicycles are approaching, I am better off continuing on whatever path I had set, so I moved on across the street. But for a few seconds there, she and I did a little dance in the street. When I grinned at her in passing, she returned my smile.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Valentine's Day
Monday February 14, 2011 Day 229
Valentine’s Day. Neither Roger nor I got a card for one another, or anything else except good wishes. We are getting to the point where we need to do that for all those gift-giving occasions - nothing or almost nothing.
Rain is forecast for today, but that does not stop Roger from heading out to chess. We have learned how unreliable the forecasts are. In fact it did not rain at all, so he stayed until he got too cold.
While he was out, I went out for a bit myself. In my wanderings, I went to the Two Euro store, where I bought Roger’s birthday present. I got him a bread bag. Really! I carries his rolled-up chess board and chess pieces in a plastic bag designed to carry two bottles of wine, one with a divider in the middle of it. However, the divider has pretty much given way, so now it is just an ordinary bag, although perhaps a bit taller than many shopping bags. I saw this bread bag, made of canvas, and realized that this would be perfect for toting his long roll of chess board with plenty of room in the bottom for the chess pieces. That’s almost nothing, isn’t it? And you can’t beat the price! Someday I will probably paint a picture of a chess piece on it, but for now it is adorned with a picture of a dancing baguette!
Valentine’s Day. Neither Roger nor I got a card for one another, or anything else except good wishes. We are getting to the point where we need to do that for all those gift-giving occasions - nothing or almost nothing.
Rain is forecast for today, but that does not stop Roger from heading out to chess. We have learned how unreliable the forecasts are. In fact it did not rain at all, so he stayed until he got too cold.
While he was out, I went out for a bit myself. In my wanderings, I went to the Two Euro store, where I bought Roger’s birthday present. I got him a bread bag. Really! I carries his rolled-up chess board and chess pieces in a plastic bag designed to carry two bottles of wine, one with a divider in the middle of it. However, the divider has pretty much given way, so now it is just an ordinary bag, although perhaps a bit taller than many shopping bags. I saw this bread bag, made of canvas, and realized that this would be perfect for toting his long roll of chess board with plenty of room in the bottom for the chess pieces. That’s almost nothing, isn’t it? And you can’t beat the price! Someday I will probably paint a picture of a chess piece on it, but for now it is adorned with a picture of a dancing baguette!
French reserve - no, it's not a wine
Sunday February 13, 2011 Day 228
There is no sign of the tulips yet. I did expect to see them, but I could hope! It has been more than a week.
We Skyped with Alicia this afternoon. She was getting ready to go to Seed & Feed band practice, but we had a nice half-hour chat nevertheless.
We went for a walk later. One of the things I have noticed about France is that, as strangers, they are closed to us. In the U.S., I could walk along the street, smile and say “hello” or “good morning” to total strangers. Many would generally return my smile and nod or return a greeting. Not in France. First, most people do not meet my eyes on the street, and those who do quickly avert them. If I smile at someone in the street, he or she does not return my smile. There is little or no bonhomie among strangers, not even those who share a situation, such as standing in line or waiting at the airport, or traveling in an airplane or on a train. I miss that easy camaraderie
There is no sign of the tulips yet. I did expect to see them, but I could hope! It has been more than a week.
We Skyped with Alicia this afternoon. She was getting ready to go to Seed & Feed band practice, but we had a nice half-hour chat nevertheless.
We went for a walk later. One of the things I have noticed about France is that, as strangers, they are closed to us. In the U.S., I could walk along the street, smile and say “hello” or “good morning” to total strangers. Many would generally return my smile and nod or return a greeting. Not in France. First, most people do not meet my eyes on the street, and those who do quickly avert them. If I smile at someone in the street, he or she does not return my smile. There is little or no bonhomie among strangers, not even those who share a situation, such as standing in line or waiting at the airport, or traveling in an airplane or on a train. I miss that easy camaraderie
Market conversation
Saturday February 12, 2011 Day 227
“Bonjour monsieur. Avez-vous du feutre? No? Merci. Au revoir.”
Hello, sir. Do you have any felt. No? Ah, well. Thank you. Goodbye.
“Bonjour, madam. Je voudrais cinq cent gram du dix-huit moins de compt fromage, sil vous plait. Ah! Merci pour le goute, c’est bon. Merci. Au revoir. Bonne journee.”
Hello, ma’am. I would like 500 grams of the 18-month Compt cheese, please. Ah! Thank you for the taste, it is good. Thank you. Goodbye. Have a good day.
“Le turbot, sil vous plait. Ah, merci! Au revoir. Bonne journee.”
The turbot, please. Ah, thank you. Have a good day.
“Je prende deux, sil vous plait. Combien? Ah, voila. Merci. Le meme a vous”
I will take two, please. How much? Okay, here. Thank you. The same to you.
“Je voudrais ce sac a main, sil vous plait. Oui - ce le meme a moins, ah, oui, merci.”
I would like the handbag, please. Yes, it is the same as mine (with pockets as he was describing). Ah, yes. Thank you.
“Vous-etes prochain?”
Are you next?- this to a young man who was leaning casually against the corner of a vendor’s trailer. I wasn’t sure whether he was standing in line or just waiting for someone or something.
And so I made it both in the market and in the fabric store - all in French. Slowly but surely I am coming to understand some of the conversations and many of the questions. I do need to listen harder, though. I often anticipate what a speaker is going to say, and when he doesn’t say what I was expecting, I am lost. But at least I am making progress. All this does NOT stop them from calling after us “Have a good weekend!” or “Goodbye” in English! I have no disillusions about sounding like a native speaker.
“Bonjour monsieur. Avez-vous du feutre? No? Merci. Au revoir.”
Hello, sir. Do you have any felt. No? Ah, well. Thank you. Goodbye.
“Bonjour, madam. Je voudrais cinq cent gram du dix-huit moins de compt fromage, sil vous plait. Ah! Merci pour le goute, c’est bon. Merci. Au revoir. Bonne journee.”
Hello, ma’am. I would like 500 grams of the 18-month Compt cheese, please. Ah! Thank you for the taste, it is good. Thank you. Goodbye. Have a good day.
“Le turbot, sil vous plait. Ah, merci! Au revoir. Bonne journee.”
The turbot, please. Ah, thank you. Have a good day.
“Je prende deux, sil vous plait. Combien? Ah, voila. Merci. Le meme a vous”
I will take two, please. How much? Okay, here. Thank you. The same to you.
“Je voudrais ce sac a main, sil vous plait. Oui - ce le meme a moins, ah, oui, merci.”
I would like the handbag, please. Yes, it is the same as mine (with pockets as he was describing). Ah, yes. Thank you.
“Vous-etes prochain?”
Are you next?- this to a young man who was leaning casually against the corner of a vendor’s trailer. I wasn’t sure whether he was standing in line or just waiting for someone or something.
 |
| A typical market day at Les Arceaux |
And so I made it both in the market and in the fabric store - all in French. Slowly but surely I am coming to understand some of the conversations and many of the questions. I do need to listen harder, though. I often anticipate what a speaker is going to say, and when he doesn’t say what I was expecting, I am lost. But at least I am making progress. All this does NOT stop them from calling after us “Have a good weekend!” or “Goodbye” in English! I have no disillusions about sounding like a native speaker.
Book club
Friday February 11, 2011 Day 226
I went to the AWG Book Club meeting today, where we had a good discussion of Cutting for Stone. A few of the members were grossed out by the descriptions of some of the medical procedures, believing that they could have been left out entirely without compromising the story. I’m not so sure. It is the fascinating story of twin sons born in Ethiopia to a doctor who then deserts them. One of the twins becomes a doctor in his own right and sets out to find his father.
We took a walk this afternoon, and in the street which runs in front of our apartment, there are some huge drainage or sewer pipes waiting to be installed. My engineer husband could not resist inspecting them.
I went to the AWG Book Club meeting today, where we had a good discussion of Cutting for Stone. A few of the members were grossed out by the descriptions of some of the medical procedures, believing that they could have been left out entirely without compromising the story. I’m not so sure. It is the fascinating story of twin sons born in Ethiopia to a doctor who then deserts them. One of the twins becomes a doctor in his own right and sets out to find his father.
We took a walk this afternoon, and in the street which runs in front of our apartment, there are some huge drainage or sewer pipes waiting to be installed. My engineer husband could not resist inspecting them.
My motorcycle?
Thursday February 10, 2011 Day 225
I spent a good deal of today reading Cutting for Stone, in order to be ready for the book club discussion tomorrow. It is a compelling book, hard to put down. It takes place primarily in Ethiopia, a country about which I know very little.
This afternoon I looked out the window and saw this excellent vehicle. If I were going to ride a motorcycle, I would want it to look like this!
I spent a good deal of today reading Cutting for Stone, in order to be ready for the book club discussion tomorrow. It is a compelling book, hard to put down. It takes place primarily in Ethiopia, a country about which I know very little.
This afternoon I looked out the window and saw this excellent vehicle. If I were going to ride a motorcycle, I would want it to look like this!
Cutting for Stone
Wednesday February 9, 2011 Day 224
I went out for a walk this afternoon and stopped by the English Book Shop for Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese. It is a rather large book, and I almost put off reading it until too late. The book club meets Friday at 2:00! Needless to say, I spent a lot of the afternoon and evening reading the book.
I went out for a walk this afternoon and stopped by the English Book Shop for Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese. It is a rather large book, and I almost put off reading it until too late. The book club meets Friday at 2:00! Needless to say, I spent a lot of the afternoon and evening reading the book.
High-definition engines?
Tuesday February 8, 2011 Day 223
Market day - we didn’t buy much except for some ham and a few vegetables. There was a vendor there whom we had not seen before. She had some interesting items for sale, including these tassels:
When I got the AWG newsletter last week, I noticed a piece about the American Library in Montpellier. It is only open on Wednesday afternoons from 3-6 and is staffed by volunteers. I emailed Kim, who is in charge of it, and told her I might be interested in volunteering. She sent me back a reply with the schedule for the next several weeks. There are no openings until March, but I may try to sign up. I suppose I need to find the library first, however.
Market day - we didn’t buy much except for some ham and a few vegetables. There was a vendor there whom we had not seen before. She had some interesting items for sale, including these tassels:
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| On the way back from the market, we saw this car, apparently in need of repairs. Are they making engines in high definition now???? |
Post-Superbowl Recovery
Monday February 7, 2011 Day 222
Okay, I didn’t stay up to watch the entire game. I gave up some time in the third quarter. Roger stayed up for the entire game, coming to bed around 4:00 or so.
We didn’t get up a whole lot later than our usual rising time, given that we stayed up so late - 8:30 as opposed to our usual 8:00. We were pretty tired during the day, and Roger napped a bit. I stayed awake until around 10:00, then dropped into bed. We were both too pooped to do much, including blog or take photos!
Okay, I didn’t stay up to watch the entire game. I gave up some time in the third quarter. Roger stayed up for the entire game, coming to bed around 4:00 or so.
We didn’t get up a whole lot later than our usual rising time, given that we stayed up so late - 8:30 as opposed to our usual 8:00. We were pretty tired during the day, and Roger napped a bit. I stayed awake until around 10:00, then dropped into bed. We were both too pooped to do much, including blog or take photos!
Superbowl Sunday
Sunday February 6, 2011 Day 221
Superbowl Sunday! Ronnie fixed a nifty front page to the sports section of the Dallas Morning News yesterday. He also sent a photo of his snow creation - a Lombardi Snowphy.
We lazed all day, then went to be about 11:00 for an hour or so of sleep. I don’t think I slept particularly well. Then the alarm went off, and we got up to watch the Superbowl, thanks to Ronnie’s Slingbox.
Superbowl Sunday! Ronnie fixed a nifty front page to the sports section of the Dallas Morning News yesterday. He also sent a photo of his snow creation - a Lombardi Snowphy.
We lazed all day, then went to be about 11:00 for an hour or so of sleep. I don’t think I slept particularly well. Then the alarm went off, and we got up to watch the Superbowl, thanks to Ronnie’s Slingbox.
Daffodils and depression
Saturday February 5, 2011 Day 220
The market was quite large and very crowded today. We saw Caroline Grassette there, she who hosts the AWG Cook & Eat. I introduced her to Roger. She was buying cheese and made a recommendation which was quite good. We bought olives for the first time - two different kinds. One is a pitted olive which I plan to stuff with cream cheese. The other is pitted as well, stuffed with dried tomatoes. I also bought some sprouts - two different kinds. The guy selling them has about 10 different kinds - I didn’t know there were so many!
This afternoon I went to the English book shop to buy Cutting for Stone, the AWG book club selection for Friday. I have almost 600 pages to cover by then. Should be a snap if I could let Evony go. I am addicted to an on-line game. Sigh.
I bought some daffodil stick-ons for decorating our door and stairwell. I am trying to spruce up the place a bit and to get out twice every day, both of which will lift my mood and help with the depression. Man, I hate writing about this depression. But I hate having it even more! I have had it enough times to understand a lot about how to manage it, even though I have no medication. Today was sunny and bright and almost warm - into the high teens Celsius. I was overdressed in my lined sweater and scarf this morning, so I went out in just a cardigan for a wrap this afternoon and was quite comfortable. The warmth and sunshine help. The longer days will help, too. The tulips will help, as will the new décor, for a while. Then it becomes ordinary! Sigh.
We fixed three pots of tea today. Nothing from the tea goddess. She may be lurking in the shadows.
I broke my low-carb “code” today - I used some golden syrup (1 teaspoon!) in an endive recipe. For two weeks now, no sugar, honey, syrup, flour, rice or pasta have passed my lips.
The market was quite large and very crowded today. We saw Caroline Grassette there, she who hosts the AWG Cook & Eat. I introduced her to Roger. She was buying cheese and made a recommendation which was quite good. We bought olives for the first time - two different kinds. One is a pitted olive which I plan to stuff with cream cheese. The other is pitted as well, stuffed with dried tomatoes. I also bought some sprouts - two different kinds. The guy selling them has about 10 different kinds - I didn’t know there were so many!
This afternoon I went to the English book shop to buy Cutting for Stone, the AWG book club selection for Friday. I have almost 600 pages to cover by then. Should be a snap if I could let Evony go. I am addicted to an on-line game. Sigh.
I bought some daffodil stick-ons for decorating our door and stairwell. I am trying to spruce up the place a bit and to get out twice every day, both of which will lift my mood and help with the depression. Man, I hate writing about this depression. But I hate having it even more! I have had it enough times to understand a lot about how to manage it, even though I have no medication. Today was sunny and bright and almost warm - into the high teens Celsius. I was overdressed in my lined sweater and scarf this morning, so I went out in just a cardigan for a wrap this afternoon and was quite comfortable. The warmth and sunshine help. The longer days will help, too. The tulips will help, as will the new décor, for a while. Then it becomes ordinary! Sigh.
We fixed three pots of tea today. Nothing from the tea goddess. She may be lurking in the shadows.
I broke my low-carb “code” today - I used some golden syrup (1 teaspoon!) in an endive recipe. For two weeks now, no sugar, honey, syrup, flour, rice or pasta have passed my lips.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Tulip planting time
Friday February 4, 2011 Day 219
I continue to be amazed at the weather forecasts. The high for today was predicted to be 14 degrees, but when I went out for my afternoon walk, it was already 17 degrees. Go figure!
I planted the tulip bulbs today - five in each of two window boxes. This is a beautiful day to encourage them - bright and sunny. Unfortunately, neither of the windows on which the boxes sits gets any direct sunlight. I do not think this will prevent the tulips from blooming, however.
On my jaunt out, I purchased yet another teapot. We now have three “whole“ pots, which is not too many considering that we make hot tea three times a day most days. We shall see if the tea goddess’ hunger is slaked, or whether there will have to be another sacrifice soon.
I continue to be amazed at the weather forecasts. The high for today was predicted to be 14 degrees, but when I went out for my afternoon walk, it was already 17 degrees. Go figure!
I planted the tulip bulbs today - five in each of two window boxes. This is a beautiful day to encourage them - bright and sunny. Unfortunately, neither of the windows on which the boxes sits gets any direct sunlight. I do not think this will prevent the tulips from blooming, however.
On my jaunt out, I purchased yet another teapot. We now have three “whole“ pots, which is not too many considering that we make hot tea three times a day most days. We shall see if the tea goddess’ hunger is slaked, or whether there will have to be another sacrifice soon.
The Tea Goddess strikes again!
Thursday February 3, 2011 Day 218
So . . . today I bought two new cheap teapots. I brought them home and rinsed them out. At dinnertime, I set about preparing tea, and I noticed that one of the pots has a broken spout! I do not know whether I bought it that way, whether I broke it on the way home, or perhaps when I washed it (although there was no glass in the sink, so I think that is the least likely of the three). Or perhaps the tea goddess got really jealous?!!
Roger has had two good days in a row at the chess boards. The afternoons are quite sunny and, while not warm, are not cold either. He comes home rather cool, with cold cheeks and ears.
I am finally getting out more - we went to the grocery store this morning, then I went adventuring by myself to find the teapots in the afternoon. We bought some tulip bulbs for our window boxes while we were out.
So . . . today I bought two new cheap teapots. I brought them home and rinsed them out. At dinnertime, I set about preparing tea, and I noticed that one of the pots has a broken spout! I do not know whether I bought it that way, whether I broke it on the way home, or perhaps when I washed it (although there was no glass in the sink, so I think that is the least likely of the three). Or perhaps the tea goddess got really jealous?!!
Roger has had two good days in a row at the chess boards. The afternoons are quite sunny and, while not warm, are not cold either. He comes home rather cool, with cold cheeks and ears.
I am finally getting out more - we went to the grocery store this morning, then I went adventuring by myself to find the teapots in the afternoon. We bought some tulip bulbs for our window boxes while we were out.
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