Bubble Tea and Other Surprises

On the rue Saint Pierre, the organic food shop and tea room opened last summer. Michael and Erin found IPA beer there. I found gluten free cookies for a friend.  Hearing about the bubble tea, I strolled over there yesterday.  I looked closely around the shop before placing my order. I zoomed in on tahini and across the aisle, grilled crickets in four different flavors perfect for your aperitif. I asked the shop keeper if anyone dares buy them. She said it is amazing. She can't keep them in stock due to the demand. People get used to them and serve them like chips. The crickets reminded me of Mothers' Weekend at Purdue University. The Entymology Department treated us to chocololate covered crickets and mealy worms.  The crickets did not tempt me, but I did enjoy my green mint bubble tea. It tasted light and refreshing with aga agar pearls . The cookie was delightful too! 

Hot as the Hobs of Hell

What a weekend! I spent it holed up in my bedroom with the above device. We got along fine, but I kept insisting it work harder to cool me off. Luckily, we became friends as I saw very few humans for two days.  I ventured out for dinner and couldn't wait to get back to my appliance. Bill fitted it in March with a bespoke hole in the bedroom window.  Looks like it will be called to service again as temperatures creep up into the nineties. The municipal pool took mercy on us and opened early for the season. My goal is very cleat. Get across that pool without a noodle. Fear will need to be tricked again. I hope I win!

Agricultural Fair in Monflanquin

The Agricultural Fair takes place each year in the region. This year Monflanquin received the honor of

hosting the big event. Llamas, cows from the Aquitaine, poultry, rabbits, horses showed off their native splendor.  Luckily, they could not read the sign across the road: "Farm Fresh Aquitaine Meat and Poultry."

It is cherry picking season here in Monflanquin. My friend Mado invited me to her orchard today to enjoy the bounty.  Today was one of my favorite days. At the Thursday market, I met so many friends. It felt like coming home. Diana invited me for a special aperitif at noon to celebrate her new French citizenship.  Our entire block  toasted her with delicious champagne followed by a savory tart,  artisan cheese from the Pyrenees,  cherry tomatoes and sausage. For dessert, a choice of tarte aux pommes or fraisier, creamy strawberry pie. Impossible to choose, so we all sampled both. Our block may be the nicest in the village. It is certainly one of the liveliest. Cheers!

Goofy Airport Selfie

Michael can actually take a great selfie of himself and Erin. No clue how he does it. The only thing good about this picture is the reminder that my dental implant now lives securely in my mouth. What an ordeal. Nine months of patience; actually impatience. Relating to all the toothless people out there. Traveling to Hong Kong without a tooth. Avoiding nuts, seeds, and popcorn. Hopefully this experience won't need to be repeated.
My flights were all on time and smooth. Air France still offers free champagne. I toasted everyone I could think of. Food was okay. My seat mate decided her little boy should sit next to me. I have no idea why. He kept kicking me while he slept. It felt like Maggy was sleeping with me. The grand finale was his hurling into the barf bag. His mother just smiled. What are you going to do?
I wrote another diamond poem Saturday and Sunday. Here they are without the diamond shape format.

Saturday Diamond Poem:                                     Sunday Diamond Poem

Airports                                                                  Air France Bus
Distant Bustling                                                      Slow Bumpy
Watch Wait Whisk                                                  Stop Go Rattle
Impersonal Busy                                                     Convenient Gray                                               
People Mover                                                          Bus Michael loathes
                                                                           

Diamond Poems

This week I learned about Diamond Poems. I thought to have my French 101 write them the last day of class. Instead, they got into a long discussion in English about saving the planet. It was a rough term with too many students struggling with personal issues. When I first started at PCC thirty years ago, students did not have personal issues or so it seemed. Now they are eager to tell me how many times they threw up in the bathroom. TMI

I thought to try a Diamond Poem myself the day before  beginning my summer adventure in France.

                                       Anticipation

                                anxious           uplifting

                            hopes     foreshadows   predicts     
                         
                                  helpful             harmful

                                         Preconception

My bag contains a vegetable peeler and four pillow cases, signs of home ownership.  I can't wait to be in my little kitchen in Monflanquin. I am most worried about the rental car. Will it be small enough? Will I feel comfortable and safe?  Anticipation is traveling with me,

                               
                               

Back to France - Spring Break 2019

Not my usual time to return to France.  Designated as a  home improvement work crew, Bill, Erin, Michael, and I met in Monflanquin to perform some much needed  home maintenance. First priority, replace moldy old  living room floor boards,  repaint the  walls near  floor board and  thoroughly clean the cave. Then time permitting, ready the window in the master bedroom for an air conditioning unit.  With less than a week to accomplish these tasks, we held family meetings to quantify what could be done and how.  Michael and Erin amazed us with their  skills. Bill, now retired from TriMet, kept everyone on task with his master list and worked hard.  My job:  keep the crew fed.  And voila, it all got done despite jet lag and  language  label confusion.
I felt the magic of Monflanquin return immediately.  What  a joy to rediscover my friends!  Spring turned up to make our stay a pleasure. One day, I sneaked in a 10 K hike between meals and found myself truly enjoying the fresh air and nature. After hibernating during much of Portland's winter, it felt so good. Saturday before departure, all work completed, we drove to Chateau Castelnaud, a medieval fortress in the Dordogne and home to an excellent military museum featuring medieval ammunition like the sling shot. Below are some photos from the trip.

Erin's birthday celebration

At Chateau Castelnaud

Construction crew on break

Erin Makes A New Friend
Rue Sainte Marie