Thanksgiving (or Thursday, as it's known here), was nice if a bit quiet. Our friend Peter, from Rivel, came to share our modest dinner of homemade paté and bread, turkey roast, green beans, my special stuffing, sweet potatoes and apple cake. We had much for which to be thankful this year, and as always, it's lovely to be able to give thanks with a friend.

Next year, I may plan ahead a bit more and try to do something a bit more elaborate that includes several more of our friends.

Although it is not yet December, it seems clear that we are in for a very,very cold winter, as has been predicted by meteorologists throughout Europe. There were several days this week where the temperature was barely above freezing. We're even expecting snow this evening.

Most of the house remains quite comfortable, and our fireplace in the dining room/kitchen area does a masterful job of keeping the downstairs and media room cozy. Our bedroom has been a bit more of a challenge. Part of that is because it is the least protected room. Part of it is because the radiators in there were meant to heat two smaller rooms and we took down the separating wall, thus making it a bit too big for them to cope. Part of it is that the windows are very old, very thin and have openings around them that let cold breezes blow through without much in the way to stop them.

After doing research, we bought some special plastic film which you put over the windows, in effect creating double-glazing without replacing your windows. Not quite as effective nor aesthetic as new windows, but not even a fraction of a fraction of the cost! And, even JM and I were capable of doing it ourselves. Practically a miracle. We had barely finished when we already started to notice a major difference in the temperature of the room. We've also purchased a small, electric radiator to add to the two oil ones that are already there. And, our final element will be insulated curtains, which will arrive in about ten days time.

Those small changes will hopefully not only make the room more comfortable, but will save energy as well. Eventually, we'll replace all the windows in the house, but we need to recover from the renovation work we've just finished first. Sadly, as writers, we've discovered that we can't print money as easily as we can print books!

Clearly, everyone in France is concerned about the weather, as I'm trying to find long johnss to wear and every place that carries them seems to be sold out! I had purchased some for JM over the internet this week, and thought I would buy a pair or two for myself. In the two days since I placed his order, they're all gone for at least six weeks! Who knew such a simple item could be so sought after?

Still, as I said to a friend earlier today, if it's a trade-off between Los Angeles traffic and mountain winters, then there's no contest. I'll take a bit of cold weather any day of the week.

Ciao for now!

R
(see pictures on my personal site.)

First and foremost, to all my U.S. family, friends and readers, have a very happy Thanksgiving! We have finally decided to make a small celebration here, even if I can't find a whole turkey to roast. But, it's the thought that counts as much as the food, right?

I had a bit of a surprise this week. I had not heard back about my next shot at taking the written driving exam. JM called and tracked down the head of the licensing department for our area and found out that the Prefecture had lost my file. He's going to look for it, and hopefully get me back on track to take the test in December.

The big shock came when I found out that I have to take the actual driving test. That wouldn't be so bad, except you have to bring your OWN dual control car. Of course, EVERYONE has one of those just sitting around home. I was seriously bummed out, because in order to get one, it means signing up at driving school, which is seriously expensive here.

Instead, I decided to make another effort to see if I couldn't get a copy of my old Pennsylvania license. Although I spoke with some extremely helpful and nice folks in the PA DMV, the end result wasn't positive. I seem to have been "purged" from the system. The only possible way of tracking me down would be to have my original license number, which, after 28 years, I no longer do.

I even called the California DMV, hoping it would be on my file there. No joy with that either.

So, today, I bit the bullet and went over to the driving school to see what I would have to do. It turns out not to be too, too horrible. I will need to take only two lessons and they'll come with me on the day of the appointment. It won't be that expensive, somewhere around 100€, which is reasonable. I feel relieved. Now, I just have to pass the written test, which means study, study, study!

On the positive side of things, we are now 99% finished with the work in the house. Only the ventilation to the exhaust fan to be connected to the outside of the house and a bit of paint to go. Then, a MAJOR cleaning. It's wonderful to feel as if we've accomplished something (well, as if our artisans have accomplished something!).

We also realized today that we have really come full circle in the weather department. I had an early morning appointment at the clinic in Lavelanet, so we were on the road before the sun was even fully up. The fields and forests were covered in a blanket of frost. The temperature was once again below freezing and we are expecting snow in the next couple of days.

We have now seen our shire go through each of its seasons, every one of them full of their own beauty. You would think that leaving the warmth of Southern California would make this cold a negative aspect of our life here. But, I find that I enjoy even that. Both JM and I have been flashing back to memories of our childhoods, and we realized that somehow, we had missed these seasonal changes more than we knew. The smell of frosty cold air blended with wood smoke is a far headier perfume than the smell of gasoline hanging in the air over the freeway. There's something wonderful about coming in from an icy walk to stand in front of the fireplace, as the friendly flames toast you back to warmth.

And, that brings us right back to Thanksgiving. We are blessed to have many, many things for which we are thankful.

Ciao for now!

R
(see pictures on my personal site.)