Everyone talks about it

The weather and politics! Right now, that's pretty much all that anyone in the Possum Kingdom is thinking about.

As we are a Socialist hot bed (Mme. Royal roundly beat M. Sarkozy here), folks are not pleased about the predictions that Sarko will take the Elysee Palace on 6 May. One of our locals pronounced that if he DOES win, he's moving to Spain. I don't really think that will be lots better, but what do I know? I left the U.S. because of Bush.

Reader Ralph posted about the article in the Economist, saying Sarko was a good thing for France. But, I don't know. He's very anti-immigrant and people are very worried about the social consequences.

Of course, I say "people," but clearly at least half the population must NOT be worried, or they wouldn't be voting for him! There's a televised debate next week, which I would imagine the whole country will be watching. It will be interesting to see how the two candidates come off, because Mme Royal is supposedly an excellent debater, although she seems to be a lousy public speaker.

As to the weather, it has been unbelievable. Today has cooled off a bit, but earlier this week it felt like the middle of July. Strangely, after the raging rivers of last week, the Hers, in particular, is looking quite "peaked," and is so low that poor Shmoo even has trouble finding a place deep enough for him to be able to swim. When I mentioned it to several of our local gardeners, I was told it is because all the water is being taken out upstream to fill Lac Montbel!

Well, that's very nice for Lac Montbel, but not especially good for us! We want our river back!

Ciao for now,

Randy

More on the weather

It's just amazing how a few days of rain can change the whole landscape around here.

When I took the Horde out for its afternoon walk, I couldn't believe how high the Blau and the Hers were running! I crossed the Chalabrais this morning, but I was driving so I couldn't really look to see how that one is doing.

Still, it's really nice to see the water really flowing. In fact, the Hers was full of eddies and white water. I was glad that I had not let Shmoo off of his leash, as he really likes to go and swim when we're out (actually, I think he just wants a drink, but misjudges the water) and I think if he'd attempted that today he would have been swept away. That is a nightmare scenario I don't even want to contemplate!

We're supposed to have several more days of this, and I think we're all hoping this will help the drought situation. But, I don't know if it's a case of too little, too late or not.

Yesterday, JM and I watched a program we'd taped about five scientists who all have plans to try to stop global warming. Some of them were pretty wacky and expensive, but a couple seemed quite workable and easy to stop if things didn't go as planned. All of the scientists said that they hoped their plans would not be needed. I don't know though; when you talk to people around here and they tell you what winter used to be like, it seems pretty dire.

If we get to the point where the snow cannons can't make snow in the mountains because it's just too warm, what will the rest of us be living with?

Just a little something to think about on another, beautiful, rainy day.

Ciao for now

Randy

Rainy Sunday

For a change, Meteo France has been correct in predicting the weather. I suppose I shouldn't single them out, as no matter where I have lived, weather predictions seem to be a bit "iffy."

Still, it's nice when they get one right.

Indeed, the month of February seems to have felt a responsibility for the lack of rain we've had throughout most of the winter, and we've had several good, soaking rains so far this month. Strangely, no one seems to mind, because we all know that we need it. But, you don't see many people out in the streets, nevertheless.

I was delighted when, about 10 days ago, I saw that the Chalabrais finally had water running along its course for the first time since last spring. There is nothing sadder than a dry river.

So, what shall we do with our rainy Sunday? We did manage to get the dogs out for their morning walk before the heaviest rain hit; but I don't know if we'll be so lucky this afternoon. At least both of them seem happy to wait to be dried off with a towel when we come back inside; indeed, they actually wait for it as if it is a divine right.

For the rest of the day, I think soup is called for, then cuddling up on the couch with a dog or two, a blanket, a cup of tea and a good book. I don't think there's anything that feels more "rainy Sunday" than that.

Enjoy your day!

Ciao for now.

Randy

Wnter? Really?

We MAY be heading back for a dose of winter, although I must admit that I remain skeptical. The temperatures have certainly dropped again and I've felt the need to wear warmer clothes and eat soup. Still, we've been fooled before this year so I'm remaining guarded.

We're all really concerned that we're headed for a major drought this year. And, unless we get a lot of rain and snow in the next two months, I have no reason to doubt that assessment. Also, predictions are for this to be one of the hottest years on record. Frankly, I could do without that as I did not enjoy the 3 weeks of massive heat that we had last summer. With 2 dogs that will need walking no matter what the weather, that is going to be a challenge. I think that as Maggie gets older, we will really not be able to take her out at all during the hottest part of the day. I was seriously worried about her health several times last summer.

Speaking of the dogs, we had a little adventure last night. Our friend Hazel, who lives just on the edge of the village, invited us over for drinks with her and her son Jason who is visiting from Paris.

Hazel has 3 dogs (Tarquin, Horace and Rab) who are all considerably smaller than either of my 2, and she also has a lovely, large, enclosed garden. So, despite the size differential of the assorted hounds, she told us to bring Maggie and the Shmoo along with us.

At first, it was a bit hairy, as Tarquin and Shmoo were growling at each other a bit. But I'm pleased to say that after a few minutes of calming exercises with Shmoo, we were finally able to let everyone free to roam and enjoy themselves. The humans went inside and the dogs stayed out.

There were several attempts by Shmoo and Maggie to break in through the terrace doors, but they realized we were still there and went exploring. We checked on them several times and everyone came running when I whistled, no one appeared the worse for wear, and all seemed to be well.

I did a last check and went back inside for a final chat, then about 5 minutes later we decided we'd best get home to feed the hungry creatures. JM and I went outside and I blew my handy dandy whistle. Maggie came, Tarquin came but no Shmoo. By now, it was pitch black outside and Hazel had no outside lighting. After calling for a few seconds I realized that I heard crying somewhere in the darkness. JM heard it too and we were convinced that was Shmoo.

Even though Hazel's garden is enclosed, her property is right on the main road (although down an embankment) and that can have some pretty fast traffic at times. I had horrible visions of Shmoo lying bleeding on the road. Hazel found a couple of flashlights and Jason and I went around towards the back of the property. As we got closer, the sounds of Shmoo crying got louder.

Jason found him: he had managed somehow to jump into Hazel's above-ground swimming pool! I still have no idea HOW he did this, as it is a good 4 feet tall with no terrace or platform around it. There is a hill behind it, but that would have been a prodigious jump. With the fact that it had a tarp over it, so what he was standing on was soft and gave him no foothold, and also because the sides are just straight up and down, there was no way that the poor boy could actually get out. Luckily, the only water in it was what had collected on the tarp, so I don't think he risked drowning, but it was terrifying for all of us. Jason was able to pull him out, Hazel got some towels and we dried him off.

Unfortunately, the water smelled disgusting from the rotting leaves and god knows what else that had collected on the tarp. So poor Shmoo was subjected to yet one more indignity and dragged against his will into the bath.

Our lesson for the evening: we are right to not want to leave the dogs unsupervised in an outdoor area. We were lucky that no one was hurt, but I just don't think my nerves can take that kind of thing again!

Ciao for now.

Randy

Only 24 days till Christmas!

Happy December 1st! The official countdown to Christmas has begun.

Living in a place where it gets cold for Christmas and where there is an actual possibility of snow, was one of the things that JM and I most enjoyed last year. We had forgotten, after almost 30 years in Los Angeles, that Christmas has its own set of smells, sounds and sensations in a place that "does" winter.

The weather is finally cooperating, with nighttime temps getting down to freezing, and everything looking frosty and misty in the morning. When we go out for our evening walk, there is that distinct smell of winter in the air: a blend of woodsmoke and frost that you just don't find in a city. It tends to make both of have those Proustian "Memories of things past" moments.

Even the residents of the Possum Kingdom, who often tend to complain about the weather no matter what it is, seem to be quite pleased at the change. Everyone is getting into the seasonal mood, putting up decorations, making holiday plans, etc. It is a really cheerful time of year.

The downside of the cold is that you often don't see quite as much of the neighbors, as everyone does tend to huddle indoors on a winter's evening, but I guess we can't have everything. We're trying to lure them out tonight, with JM giving a slide show about California at the library. Noëlle and I are both baking treats to serve afterwards, so maybe the combination of pretty pictures and the first of the holiday goodies will be enough to tempt a few folks out of hibernation.

Ciao for now.

Randy

Weather Woes

I bet you thought I was going to talk about how bad the weather is. But you are wrong. I'm going to talk about how GOOD it is.

Indeed, it is strangely, weirdly, unseasonably good.

True, if you're in France on vacation, this is probably a nice thing. And, even for those of us who are out and about, it's much simpler and more pleasant with the sun shining and warm temperatures. But, let's be honest: it's the end of November! We should have frost and crisp days where you need to be wearing a sweater and stoking the fireplace.

Instead, people are wandering around in t-shirts during the day. We're having Los Angeles weather, not Pyrenees weather. Although, in Los Angeles last weekend I understand they were having full-blown summer as opposed to even a typical, warm but not hot L.A. November.

Everyone here is talking about it, and not with the pleased tones you would expect when it's so nice outside. Most people feel concerned and wish things would move on to the "norm," even though that is decidedly less comfortable. I don't think we've even had a hard frost yet this year; which frankly isn't all that good for agriculture, even though you'd think it was.

Lots of things need to be cold to really bloom and fruit the following year. Certainly, insects are better kept under control when it gets cold. We don't have termites, for example, because the cold winters keep them away. Will this change? I don't know.

No one knows for sure whether this is just a normal variation or if it's due to global warming, but everyone is blaming global warming nevertheless. We all need to be concerned by it, though, because if it continues, it's a sign that our world is changing forever.

Ciao for now.

Randy