Gone with the Wind!

Our fifth week already! And this week was so much different than the 2 before. The fourth week literally MELTED away with the canicule (heat wave) & our fifth week was COLD! The heat was literally "gone with the wind", when it switched directions--instead of coming from the south (Africa), it blew in from the Atlantic. Out came the blankets for 3 blustery days. No breakfast on the terrace!

Our Encounter with Metal happened on Friday morning, June 30, when we drove to Nimes to attend a viewing for the auction of old royal coins. The "viewing" was limited--you had to look a the catalog & then ask to see specific coins. As I had just finished a book on Louis XIV (the Sun King) & his tumultuous & sensual reign, I asked to see his coin. Holding it in my hand was a thrill. I couldn't believe the auction estimate was only between 50-80 euros! For a look at this coin, as well as others, check out our album titled "Coins & Kings". You will see a progression of coins & kings (& other rulers too!) from Louis XII all the way to the Third Republic.

Our Encounter with Mud started when we arrived back at home to find a large mound of "terre vegetale" mixed with humus dumped in front of our new "bac" (planter). Due to the high winds (from the Atlantic), this delivery had been delayed several days. And thanks to the wind, it was pleasantly cool, & I set to work to fill up the bac. Once full, & planted with my new lauriers, I realized we still had half the dirt still mounded in the driveway. So...Saturday morning, after the purchase of a "brouette" & a shovel, Les & I toiled for 2 hours to distribute it all over our yard.

Our Enounter with Stone was such a joy! About a month ago, on a Sunday morning walk, we visited "les Carrieres de Junas", a limestone quarry in a nearby village. We were awed by the empty space carved out of the mountain, & enjoyed a few sculptures left in place after the yearly "Rencontres de la Pierre", especially one created on a roundabout that referenced the Roman influence on the area. (See our album called "Week 2: A Walk in a Quarry", June 11.) So when we started seeing posters announcing the upcoming 3 day event, we decided we'd take a look. And we are so glad we did!

What a difference happy people make to a large cavernous stone place! The white iimestone they were working with contrasted sharply with the lichen covered limestone that had been exposed to the elements. The huge space, empty when last we saw it, was now full of all kinds of people, skilled & unskilled, literally immersed in white dust as they created their own works of art. Kids & dogs, instructors & students, all mingled together on this beautiful day. We saw the stone come alive before our eyes, with chisels, air brushes, pick axes, & saws. See our photo album titled "Rencontres de la Pierre" to see a few "befores" & "afters", some of them a 3 year + deal, others in 30 minutes.

And today, another encounter, this time with our French friend Benedicte, who we've known for over 30 years. Of all our encounters, this one was the BEST! There is nothing like lunch with an old friend!

Here's to you, our American families & friends, on the Fourth of July! We hope your encounters are all positive, & that you can stay away from MUD! We don't recommend it.

A bientot,

Elise & Les