Another one of those weeks

I don't know why, but we seem to have a lot of them since we've moved to the Possum Kingdom. I plan all sorts of things that I want to do, then unexpected "stuff" occurs and I don't accomplish half of what I mean to do.

This was a week like that. It started out well enough, but two days were half-shot with visits to Carcassonne for various errands; necessary, not unpleasant, but time consuming. Then, as always happens here in Chalabre, as soon as the weather turns nice, all your village activities take twice or three times as long as planned, because you see EVERYONE as soon as you step outside.

That's a good thing, of course, but it is not conducive to getting a chapter a day of editing done on our next book project. Add to that various necessary (but boring) computer maintenance issues and VOOOOP, the day disappears in the blink of an eye.

Still, I'm not complaining. Besides seeing our friends from the village, this week brought visits from British reader Graham, who has a holiday home in Tréziers and biked over for a short visit, then I ran into three of the lovely American artists who are here for a painting workshop in Ste. Colombe. I DID NOT run into them with my car, by the way! But, Maggie and I came across them at the village ATM on Wednesday. The American accents were unmistakable, and I had to ask them if they were part of the group.

They were, so I got to meet Karen, Annette and Raya. I've still got to meet the rest of the gang, and hope that will happen soon.

Also, good friends David and Jane are in town working on their house two doors down from us. So, an evening of good food and conversation was de riguer! Tonight, Sue Lawrence from the UK is supposed to drop over for dinner, and I'm sure we'll run into other friends over the next few weeks as the Easter holiday period continues on.

So, I suppose I need to forgive myself for not working quite as efficiently as I had desired. But, I must get back to a bit of work for now.

Ciao for now!

Randy

Strike Two

If it's Tuesday, we must be striking. At least it seems that way right now, since we're having our second, major, general strike on a Tuesday.

I think we would notice it more in a big city. JM and I were only minorly affected when we went to pick up a copy of OVER HERE that we'd left on consignment at the Carcassonne airport gift shop (they can't take books from individuals). Since the air traffic controllers are on strike, there are no flights (Duh!!) and therefore no need for anything there to be open.

On the other hand, the CULTURA bookstore in the Salvaza centre commercial WAS open and happy to get several copies of the book to sell on consignment. No one appeared to be striking in the retail area.

There was a rather nasty commentary on Jet2.com, one of the low cost airlines that fly to France. I have to say that their attitude repulsed me and I will remember not to fly them should the opportunity arise. I actually admire people with secure jobs going out on strike to support others, even though it gains nothing for them. What an impressive show of solidarity in a world that is often sadly lacking such a thing.

When you read something like this diary on Daily Kos, it makes you realize that a little solidarity amongst workers would not be a bad thing in places like the U.S. I feel lucky that we were able to rescue our personal situation by moving to France. And, warts and all, I feel pleased to be part of a society that cares about its future and the well being of its next generation of workers.

Ciao for now!

Randy