bon anniversaire

Today is (near) the first anniversary of the GBC blog. I feel honored to have been able to contribute as the voice for this period of time - thank you.

In a continued sense of ramblings, I finished Emma this morning, and it was lovely to be reading Austen on the train which was (mostly) quiet and picturesque. I had marked a few of my favorite quotes as they seemed apt to my current station (if you will forgive the double meaning): "Perfect happiness, even in memory, is not common," and in another locale, "Fine dancing, I believe, like virtue, must be its own reward." Both of these gems were thought and spoken, respectively, by our dear leading lady.

Though perhaps I should have begun our official April read, I have instead dedicated time today to Madame Bovary in a nod to my recent journey. Bon courage!

All For One

There are those occasions when you prepare for an event only to find the destination under construction. So it was with the journey to Auch to see the statue of d'Artagnan. We were 35 meters above the river Gers and 374 steps removed from the banks. Nevertheless, with the sun at my back and drinking water awaiting post-climb, I made the journey up the temporary arrangement which allowed the viewing of the original construction of archways for fountains.

Sometimes a trip is worth the value of its destination. At other times, it is the journey which makes the memory. So it has been with me. "I've come to Paris to join the Musketeers."

Life is Like a Butterfly

My focus the last two days has been the brochures of local happenings during these last days in Southwest France. There are so many things to see and to enjoy. The weather is again lovely after a few days of rain. As I sit on the sofa with a black cat at my side and a fire in the hearth, I feel fortunate for the people I have met and for the experiences during my travels.

Emma is waiting to be finished with Madame Bovary next in line. I also have a renewed interest in Three Musketeers after discovering that a statue of d'Artagnan rests in nearby Auch. [I would also like to note that I have yet to charge my electronic reader - thank you neighbor for the tip on "wireless off" to prolong the battery. In equal fairness, I should also admit that my reading has been relegated to less time than my norm due to my typically long and physical days.] I look forward to the characters I have yet to meet.

Hey Pilgrim

The readers "on the ground" report that April's meeting to discuss Half Broke Horses was another success. In keeping with the book's theme, GBC Bill prepared a menu of pulled pork, baked beans, potato salad, and cornbread to name just a few of the dishes to grace the table. In a nod to our January read, the baked beans were de la façon de Julia Child with one change for thematic accuracy. Readership of the book was high despite apparent lack of interest by GBC E.

Your cultural awareness link today is inspired from two pilgrims following the route of Santiago de Compostela in homage to St. James (Saint Jacques). The route has received acknowledgement as a World Heritage Site and each year, thousands make the trek, many with official credencials which would allow travelers to have free refuge on their journey. The French symbol/medallion is the coquille de Saint Jacques (seashell). A nearby church is included on this path.

Special thanks for GBC Paige and GBC Kim for updates on the meeting and to Salemtown Mike for a question on language leading to a turn of phrase above. Please forgive the Wiki link, however I found it be rather good English overview.

Silence of the Damns

I am certain the GBC April meeting was another success and I am looking forward to receiving news about the meal and accompanying discussion. My reading the last two days has been relegated to research for a couple of current projects. [Goal: execute a practical application using the fluid mechanics theory learned years ago.] Tuesday evening is meditation night in this town so perhaps a bit of inspiration will be discovered.

Willow in the Wind

I finished A Year in the Merde by Stephen Clarke Saturday evening in the hammock before the sun was setting to the company of three roosters crowing in competition (or communication). In speaking with a Parisian last night who has also read the book, he testified to the truthfulness of some of the descriptions in the text such as running for a train when the next is only one minute away. (I did not dare venture to ask him about the women.) During the course of the evening, I noticed several "ooh la la"s spoken but only after this Parisian mentioned his Swedish friend's observation that this phrase was actually commonly used. [Did you follow that? It was a tricky one to word.] There are times when we have to see something through another's eyes in order to observe our own habits. At any rate, the book was a particularly amusing read for April.

[Note: Willow is one of two cats here. While I was typing, she made a brief appearance in my lap.]

A Box of Chocolates

Discoveries:

• The raclette. At least one notch above fondue and if you use the raclette électrique, clean-up is easy.
• The platane. As firewood, it has burned hotter than any other wood I have seen on this adventure. The platane is either similar to or is a sycamore. (Arborist needed.)
• Cooking in a metric kitchen with a US standard recipe can be a bit of a challenge. Add time, particularly if you need to crack walnuts. Oh, and good luck finding a pan.
• A pyracatha has serious thorns.
• Weeding can be a very meditative experience.
• I can give you about 5,000 reasons not to plant a bean tree. Luckily the pods only fall once a year or many times a year for a very long time depending on when your tree decides spring has arrived.
• Mistletoe grows on trees and looks like a nest from the ground (if your eyesight is like mine).

I have not had much time the last few days to pick up either book, but as the sun is still over three hours from setting (around 9:00), I might squeeze in a few pages. Hope you are enjoying your weekend.

Not a Taxing Chore

I have already made this admission to you, and last night I shared this little secret with a local acquaintance. The conversation went something like this:

She: Which book are you reading?
Me: Emma
She: Oh she's the best!

Isn't it lovely how a book can make us feel as if we know the characters? I promised to have an update on my favorite character next week. Currently, I am leaning toward Mr. Woodhouse. I will let you know if I change my mind.

The weather here has been really nice for drying clothes outside on the line. I am getting a little more adept at hanging things in such a way to minimize future ironing. As in the UK, there are financial incentives to use large appliances late at night to reduce electrical loads. Process development, meet the washing machine.

La Vie en Rose

It is time for my reminder than in a week or so, the GBC will meet to discuss Half Broke Horses: A True Life Novel by Jeanette Walls. I am well-positioned to finish my two current reads in order to spend the weekend/early next week in collegiate form, cramming for the "exam." Well, at least these are my intentions.


Your fun French fact for the day: Toulouse is known as "la ville rose" due to the popularity and use of a light pink brick for a number of the buildings.

Between the Weeding

I may have mentioned the French habit of the two hour lunch (typically from noon until two). Yesterday, this delightful tradition was followed with a rest in the hammock to read another chapter of A Year in the Merde. [Lest ye think I am lazy, a functional purpose existed to avoid the heat of the day as I had been in the sun about four hours by this time.] Fortunately, I have been in the countryside long enough to catch some of the humor, such as the reference to dining at a Casino when the power is out. A breeze was blowing, the roosters were crowing (cock a rico en francais), and I was reminded again of the delight in reading outdoors.

Not a Dead End Road

Some of my very dear friends know that I am rather fond of cemetaries. In fact, at least one of you has trapsed with me in the sweltering heat of New Orleans to read a few headstones.

My current residence is less than 150 meters from the town cimetiere, and this evening after my run, I decided to go exploring. The ground surrounding the cemetary is quite peaceful with an overhang of trees just outside the parking area. As one enters, water is available to use for sustaining the plants that one might leave. Along the right wall of the entry is an area reserved for babies, which I found to be quite sad. The oldest headstone that I could find was dated for 1833, but there were a number of stones that were a challenge to decifer. There was a memorial to those who had died in World War I, as well as a series of headstones designated with white crosses, but no names. As I was alone, the only sound to be heard was the crunch of small gravels under my feet. One cultural difference is the practice of leaving small plaques as memorials; some of them are entitled "Souvenir."

It is quite beautiful to read the inscriptions that people leave for their loved ones. If you ever get the chance to take a quiet walk through a cemetary, I highly recommend it.

Lost in Space

Writing tonight was like trying to burn wet firewood - slow to ignite and with a lot of smoke. I found several beginnings but lost the thread of thought after just an opening line. Despite the power of the "Mission Control" mug from Johnson Space Center, I am without direction. Perhaps you will forgive me the narrative of a story and suffer through my stream of consciousness.

As I sit and type, I am surrounded by night sounds: tree frogs (which sound like an electronic beep), the crackling of a dying fire, and the occasional hoot of an owl.

My typical place to write has been the dining table which is currently covered in oil cloth with imagines and words reminiscent of the 1950s: "Drive In", "Coffee", " and "Cafe." These table coverings are typical in French households.


For the last two days, the weather has been lovely, and we have been able to have lunch in the side garden. The French approach to the noon-time meal is far from "eat in front of your computer" with a main meal lasting two hours or longer.

The hour is late and I will be early to rise.

Ah We-uk en Franz

In addition to Emma, I am now reading A Year in the Merde by Stephen Clarke borrowed from the library of my current residence. Reading through chapters "Octobre" and "Novembre" has been quite entertaining, particularly decifering the text written phonetically to illustrate the character who learned his English during his "yee-uh" in "Ja-Ja."

The best education tends to be that which is not gained through a book (or via language CDs). In the last week, I have been fortunate to expand my knowledge of southwest France. The region itself is lovely and on clear days, one has a view of the Peak de Midi . The area is well known for its duck (magret) and for its Madiran wines, both of which are believed to promote long life. [It is my intent to continue to sample local flavors for the benefit of my readers.] The weather has hints of spring and flowers are beginning to show their blooms. The summer holds promise of a jazz festival, various fêtes, and of course, Le Tour.

Scenes from a Train Window

I am moving through Emma at a slower pace now that my days are quite full. Still, I have managed to find time each evening to see how our main character is doing with her match-making. I am 23% through the book (according to the handy reference for the electronic reader) and think I have finally retained to memory who the early characters are in the story. It has taken me several pages to grow accustomed to the language and the formal references (Mr. Weston, e.g.). I am enjoying the story.

In addition to the new title, I have found delight in a change in scenery. In a few long days, I have found a new rhythm where things are quite different but somehow familiar.

Bonjour!

I read Emma on the plane
I read Emma on the train
I have not yet been in Spain
But yesterday did enjoy the rain

I have made more than a pilgrim's progress in the book, but still many more pages to go. [More news to come when my sleep to awake ratio gets a bit higher. Nous vous remercions de votre patience.]