Yup, it's Winter!

But first this:

Helen, a reader from the UK, wrote:

Your blog doesn't really give too much info about how Schmoo got under
your skin. One day you take pity on hi cos he's got a limp, three weeks
later he's yours without any sort of feeling of how his cuteness won you
over.

He's a lovely looking dog but it did seem strange.

I thought I should explain a bit more. The three dogs I've had as an adult have all been rescues of one kind or another. Maggie we got from a rescue organization and both the late, great Taffy-Jerome and the Shmoo just sort of walked into our lives. Now, I love all dogs, as does JM, but sometimes there is a dog that brings you something special. It's hard to totally explain; you just know that you were meant for each other.

At first, I really made an effort to not allow Shmoo a space in my heart. We weren't going to keep him as we already had Maggie and didn't want to do anything to cause her to feel displaced. But Shmoo has that "special" quality about him that is similar to what caused us to bond with Maggie so quickly. He has a way of looking at you that makes you aware he is truly trying to communicate. And, although he had been out on his own for at least a month it was obvious that he was a dog who was searching for "his" family.

He has a way of coming over and putting his head on your knee, or just snuggling up to you, that just let's you know that he has "chosen" you as much as you have chosen him. He also lives up to his name in that in most things, he clearly wants to please, I've never had a dog that learns things so quickly. Maggie is smart and understands what you want but doesn't always feel like doing it. Shmoo understands and just does it because you ask him.

As each day went by, he just wormed his way more and more into our hearts. We felt that if we send him away we would be abandoning him yet once more in his short life and we just couldn't stand hurting him again.

So, that is why he went from a stray to being ours.

Now, this weather thing. It's hard to believe that last week I was too hot in a cotton turtleneck sweater! This morning it was around -5 C and I think it's only supposed to get up to 1 C during the day.

We had a blizzard last night. The quantity of snow that dropped isn't huge, but it came with massive wind gusts and because it was so cold, the snow was that kind of hard, icy snow that hurts you when it falls. We took the dogs out for their evening walk at 7:30, and sometimes it was an effort to walk upright because the wind was so powerful. And, it was blowing right into our eyes, which hurt a lot!

Strangely, Maggie seemed to enjoy being out in it; I think she could have walked forever. Shmoo, on the other hand, seemed delighted when we said it was time to come home. This morning, it had stopped dumping fresh snow, but what is there has turned icy and walking in some places (especially on the bridge over the Blau) is scary and dangerous. I was a little nervous, to be honest, because I am not the most graceful creature who has ever lived and I pictured myself being pulled over by an excited dog and breaking a hip.

Still, we managed to get to the gardens, where everything was beautiful under a fresh, white blanket of snow. The dogs enjoyed this new experience, and even JM and I didn't mind once we were in a place where we could walk without breaking a bone.

Ciao for now and keep warm!

Randy

A French Sunday Lunch

This morning, Dev, an acquaintance from DailyKos called. He was visiting in the area and JM invited him for lunch. The call was at 10 am and the lunch at 12:30.

Around here, lots of restaurants and hotels close in January, because it's the slow season and the easiest time for them to do that, so you never are sure what is open and what isn't. The weather had turned cold and rainy and I didn't feel like driving around to find someplace that we liked that was actually open, so I told JM that I would throw something together.

I looked in the fridge and freezer and this is what I came up with: homemade vegetable soup using some of the great frozen vegetable mixes that are available here and which I always keep on hand. a bit of leftover wine and this amazing boullion powder (Marigold) that a friend introduced me to just this week.

Then, I had two kinds of potatoes so I made potatoes roasted in duck fat with chives and garlic and a simple herb omelette. A quick trip to the boulangerie next door for fresh bread and a lemon tart. And, of course, CHEESE wonderful CHEESE.

By 12:30, everything was read, the house was cleaned (de-dog haired!!!) and we were ready to meet and greet.

Simple, satisfying and a big success.

A perfect Sunday lunch.

Ciao for now.

Randy

Our Local Hospital

Perhaps you will find that title confusing, as it would lead you to believe that we HAVE a local hospital. We do, but not in the sense that many of us would think. Indeed, I remember when we first came to look at Chalabre, we thought, "how convenient; a hospital!"

What we didn't realize at the time was that the hospital in question is really a retirement home/Alzheimer's center. I imagine that the term is more in the sense of "hospice" rather than "hospital"and that there are historical reasons for using it, but the modern visitor can certainly find themselves a little surprised if they are looking for medical services.

At any rate, our brand new local hospital had its official "opening" ceremony on Friday. JM and I had received an invitation, so we joined all of those who made their way there for the ribbon cutting and speechifying.

The building is really very nice and necessary, as the retirement home that has been here forever is in terrible condition and needed serious replacement. The rooms are all bright and airy and each resident has a private room. It is set up on a hill with a commanding view of the village and surrounding hills and mountains. There is a large courtyard with trees and sitting areas. Indeed, all of us who were there feel like we should already be putting our names on the waiting list for our own spaces.

After the ribbon cutting and a tour, the various notables made their speeches. It was clear that the occasion to snipe at each other would not be lost. All the typical factions made snarky backhanded comments that were not lost on any of the listeners. Amusing in its own way if it hadn't been for the fact that the weather had suddenly turned cold and gray and a light drizzle was falling. Since we were all outside in the courtyard I think we could have done with less talking and more socializing.

Still it was nice to see and be seen. I managed to mention to the director of the hospital that in the U.S., facilities like this often had a Therapy Dog program. I plan on going to see him for a longer conversation and see if we can't try to set one up. I already know several people who would be interested in participating and I think it could be a great thing to do.

Unfortunately the residents won't be moving in for a while, as the staff is concerned about doing that during the winter. They've all visited, however, and are very excited at the idea of getting into their new digs.

Ciao for now.

Randy