A Brooklyn Blogger In France: A Long Walk Through The Countryside

It must have been the hottest day of the vacation so far,
but that did not deter Mr. Pardon Me from wanting to
take a long, long walk through the countryside.
So...



they set off: the son, the husband and the Brooklyn blogger,
who was not at all sure this was such a wonderful idea.



You see, she was afraid that they might encounter one of the wild boars
that inhabit these Auvergnat forests.




She likes walking past the open apple orchards better,




or the fields of ripe wheat.



She especially liked the tree-lined paths



which lead to a beautiful chateau



But most of all, she enjoyed the encounters with the swallows,



the horses in the corral,



the curious cows in their barn



and the cock who came towards them to protect his hens.

In all, they walked eight miles in the heat. The Brooklyn blogger muttered under her breath for most of the way. It was hot, it was difficult walking and they had not taken enough water.
But they made it back to their little hill safely and soundly, if a bit heat stroked and exhausted.

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Picture Of The Day: The Glow Of The Setting Sun

The summer sun sets after nine at night
here in France,
and as it does,
it shines beautifully
through the lace curtains
on my window.

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A Pair Of Silly Donkeys

Not far from our house in the Auvergne, there is a meadow on which two donkeys graze all day. For years now, I have enjoyed stopping by to see them. A few years ago, there was a little baby, but I do not know what happened to it.
The donkeys are always rather curious and come right up to the fence. Yesterday, one of them treated me to a little spectacle. No doubt, he wanted to coat himself in dust to rid himself of the pesky flies. So he rolled around on his back, his four legs straight up in the air. For a second, he looked dead. And then, as though nothing happened, he got up again.
Silly donkey.


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A Brooklyn Blogger In France: A "Vide Grenier" In Échandelys

In Brooklyn, we may have "stoop sales", but here in France, they are called "vide grenier" which means "emptying the attic". There was one such sale in Échandelys this last week-end, and had I not been so busy painting one of the bedrooms in our house here, I surely would have posted it then.
Échandelys is one of those typical Auvergnat villages. It has a church, it has a fountain, it has a cross, a World War I & II memorial and it has a café on the main square. Once a year, like all the other villages, it has a little celebration, which brings all the inhabitants together for a day.
The one at Échandelys featured the vide grenier as well as a carousel for the children. Of course, there is much wine and merriment involved as well.
I came home with a beautiful clay pitcher, for which I paid three Euros, or roughly $ 4.50.
Not bad, I say.

Hope everyone is fine back in Brooklyn. I heard that the weather is actually rather nice back home. Drop me a line at the email address on the right, or simply leave a message. Would love to hear from my readers.


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Picture Of The Day: The House Amongst The Sunflowers

On the way to Issoire,
there is an old stone house
standing on top of a hill,
in a field of sunflowers!
I could imagine living there.
Could you?

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A Brooklyn Blogger In France: The Streets Of Issoire

Dear Reader,

The weather has been just delightful here in France. Deep in the Auvergne, in my little village in the countryside I have been working hard weeding, planting, painting, cooking and cleaning. In between, I reconnect and catch up with my neighbors. There is much to talk about and so much happens in one year.

Occasionally, we do go into Issoire, a beautiful, very old little town, which is just half an hour away from our village. The old center is full of weaving little streets that all seem to bring one back to the town square.

There is a market here every Saturday, but there are also bigger stores , where we can buy supplies. So you see, we are not working all the time. Sometimes, we come down from our mountain, just to buy supplies, so that we can continue working.
But I am not complaining....



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Comment Of The Day

Anonymous has left a new comment on the post "A Brooklyn Blogger In France: Market Day In Ambert":

Katia, are you sure those people at the market did not mind your taking their picture? Maybe one of them is supposed to be on a diet and is not supposed to be around such rich and fatty temptations...the sausages, meats, cheeses..s/he might be found out!

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Picture Of The Day: Approaching Storm

The sky was in turmoil.
Thunder could be heard in the distance.
The threatening clouds hung over the forest
and crept ever closer.
Yet, rain never fell
over our house
in the Auvergne.

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A Brooklyn Blogger In France: Market Day In Ambert

Market Day In Ambert, France from Katia Kelly on Vimeo.

Thursday is market day in Ambert. So early yesterday morning, after a quick cup of coffee, we set off to do our shopping. Ambert is about forty minutes drive from our little village, on roads which serpentine up and down the mountain, making the trip seem longer than it is. Luckily, one passes charming little clusters of houses on the way, and the landscape is breathtaking.

I did not have much on my shopping list, except cheese and melon, but the selection of products offered was so tempting that I walked away with more than I needed. Can you blame me?
Just look at the photos. As I pushed my way through the narrow, crowded streets, I stopped every few feet to delight in the offerings, my basket getting heavier, as I made my purchases.

The last stall I visited was the one at which little birds, hamsters and gerbils are sold as pets. It is my favorite, though it does make me uneasy to see the little critters in cages. However,
the little chipmunks were rather entertaining, as they spun like crazy in their wheel.

Hope everything is well in Carroll Gardens. Leave a comment or drop me a line at pardonmeinbrooklyn@gmail.com. I'll be sure to answer from France.



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A Brooklyn Blogger In France: A Busy Day In The Garden

I have been so busy in the last two days, dear Reader. My little French garden was in a frightful state when I arrived in the Auvergne. It had rained so hard during the spring, that tall weeds had found their place among the flowers, invading every flowerbed. So I have my work cut out for me.
Early in the morning, I got up to get started on reclaiming the garden. Oh, my! What a lot of work it was. Hours and hours were spent, pulling and yanking, filling one wheel barrel after the other.
The neighbor's cat stopped by, inspected my progress, and lazily installed himself on one of the chairs.
Slowly, ever so slowly, the lavender and the asters were freed from the weeds. Not bad for a day's work.
Good night, dear friends, I am heading to bed!

Give my regards to Brooklyn!



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