Tourist season

There's a definite feeling that for the majority of the tourists, summer is over. The bustle of the Possum Kingdom is definitely winding down.

For example, there has been plenty of parking available this week, something that was at a bit of a premium for the last few weeks. Of course, on Cours Colbert, things are always quieter when our superb bakery is closed, as it is now until the beginning of September. It's always sad to see the disappointed looks of those who did not realize this was coming and who stand in front of the door hoping that it's all a big mistake. Alas...

Still, the remaining tourists are flocking to the library to check their email. I've had people waiting all afternoon for their chance at the two workstations. Surprisingly, the fellow who wanted to connect his laptop directly to our internet connection has not shown up. Probably all for the best, as I would have had to tell him the it's a definite "no" on that one.

There may be one or two more visitors popping in during the next week or so, but I think we're definitely heading back into the calm lifestyle or normal life.

Ciao for now.

Randy

August

August is an odd month in France.

As I've mentioned before, most people who can take at least a couple of weeks of holiday; some of them take the entire month. This means that there are lots and lots of tourists, of course. But it also means that there are things that you really shouldn't do in August.

One of the big things you shouldn't do is get sick, or as happened to JM yesterday: break a tooth. He did this not by biting into something like a frozen caramel or anything that silly. Nope, he ate a piece of bread and WHOOSH, there it was, glistening like a little stone.

First we called our regular dentist in Laroque. He was closed due to a death in the family. Next, we tried the dentist in the village and he was on vacation. I had the name of someone in Limoux who had been recommended by our friend Nathalie, but she was also on vacation.

Next stop, the yellow pages. We picked Limoux and just started calling down the list. Dr. Bac was the second name and his receptionist kindly offered to squeeze us in yesterday afternoon.

Sometimes, a think that appears to be bad luck actually turns out to have a shiny, bright silver lining. This seems to be such a case. We had been wanting to change dentists, as the one we've used up to now is fine, but neither of us got the warm fuzzies when going there. JM and Dr. Bac hit it off right away. JM told me later that he was so gentle, he could barely feel what he was doing. And, it turns out the the Doc's daughter was a journalism student at Berkeley and just graduated this past June, so they had lots to talk about (fingers in the mouth aside). Indeed, we may have found not only a new dentist, but a new friend as well.

Now, if you aren't sick and don't have a dental emergency, there are some wonderful things about the month of August as well. First of all, unlike in L.A. where you often feel as if you are walking into an oven as soon as you set foot outside your front door, August has been a much cooler month than July. We find ourselves needing sweaters in the morning and evening and not feeling as if we are wilting during the afternoon hours. I consider that a bonus, although I know my more lizard-like friends may not enjoy it as much.

Also, this is the month that everyone's produce is bursting and ripe. I have been swamped under tomatoes, zucchini, plums and figs! I've been able to make sauce, ratatouille and fabulous preserves which I will enjoy enormously this coming winter. We are unable to take a walk in the gardens without people plying us with bags of fresh produce as the gardens are blooming like mad and no one can eat it or preserve it all on their own.

Then, there is a cozy feel about the month for me. It is still summer, but there is that tang in the air that says fall is coming. It's a bittersweet tang, because the pleasures of summer are about to take a backseat to the rhythm of fall, but I don't mind. I'm looking longingly at my sweaters, knowing that it won't be long before I feel like curling up under a blanket with a cup of cocoa and a good book.

So, here's to August, the month of paradox.

Ciao for now.

Randy