Autumn Dreams And Fall Planning
The end of August is here, fall is in the air and….ooops sorry, only in your dreams.
It’s another 35°C (95°F) degree day today with another roaster forecasted for tomorrow and we’ll just have to see how the rest of the week goes. These are temperatures we should have seen the last of weeks ago, yet they persevere like a stubborn stain that won’t go away.
A sign of modern times, I guess.
In-between there are hints of changes however, days of cool and even torrential rain as the weather struggles to move forward and find it’s Autumn step. Our parched lawn now sprouts a fine mist of green not seen since Spring, and at night the lightning storms flare up on the horizon over the Pyrénées. I watch them from my bed, flickering and flashing through dark skies, ferociously bright yet silent so far away.
Changes are happening in village life too.
School will start soon, la rentrée, and as such businesses and shops are slowly waking up from their summer siesta. The summer campgrounds will be empty, open-air markets will be full and everything you couldn’t get done in Aug will suddenly become possible again in Sept. This is perhaps a bit morose humor for the blog, but I’ve always said you can do anything you want in France except die in the month of Aug. Lord knows who would move the body….
Ah yes, my Scandinavian noir side is coming out (I may have been watching a few too many Danish murder mysteries recently LOL), but fear not we are gearing up for brighter things. Beer is being brewed like there’s no tomorrow, fruit is being transformed into jam, I’m being made fancy and preparations for autumn and winter are in process. September is the new August, October is the new fall, and although now may seem like forever tomorrow will soon come and the freshness of autumn will finally, truly be here.
That’s the general (cross-fingers and paws) plan, in any case…
Planning For Fancy
On the foot front you’ll be happy to know my lizard-appendage from last week has cooled to a deep, muddy purple. I’m walking with regularity again, driving like a race-car operator and skipping down the road like a happy bunny in the mornings. Well, those last bits were perhaps a smidgen exaggerated, but I am mostly back to normal apart from the fact that my foot looks permanently dirty now.
Ah well, it’ll keep away the riff-raff, as they say….
This is good news for my up-coming ~1,300km drive to the UK in Sept not only on the driving front, but also for my University reunion which I can now walk to without limping and hobbling like an 90-year old. The latter has also required some additional planning in that I realized last Sunday that my entire wardrobe consists of either comfortable lounge-wear or quick-drying hiking outfits. Practical and useful for country life, but not exactly en pointe for a black tie event (alas, even my smartest black yoga pants and best top can’t make the cut).
So this week I was forced to admit defeat and do something I absolutely loathe. I had to go {{gulp}} fancy clothes shopping.
It’s times like this that I wonder if other women exist like me. I’m the type that can spend hours comparing specs and technical performance for a camping towel, will happily pass a whole morning oohing and aahing over new hiking gear, feel like a pig in mud when I enter a backpacking store and yet cringe when I’m faced with a regular mall and the overwhelming task of choosing something “pretty” to wear.
I can do it you know, I just don’t like to.
In any case Monday was the dreaded shopping day, so I was rather chuffed when when I plucked up the courage to drive into the big city, walked into Zara and found an outfit within the first 30 minutes I was there. No pics (sorry), but suffice to say the new threads passed the Paul test, and a few of my girlfriends too. Best of all, I won’t have to go fancy shopping again for a long, long while.
Why oh why can’t I be a normal gal?? Tis’ the eternal question….
Planning For Autumn
Brewing and jamming are all the happenings.
We’ve got another bumper year of figs this year. It’s the one fruit that seems to self-sustain and grow wild all over this part of SW France (well, other than the cursed, thorny blackberries that literally overtake everything) no matter the weather and the only that we never have to buy. We have a massive tree in our yard, but there are loads of them along the main road too. In fact the farmers cows down the road eat the figs as treats when they’re out grazing on the hill (I guess their 4-part stomachs can handle it?).
Anyway I always struggle with what to do with so many figs. After a week of fig/feta salads, fig tarts and giving away as many as I can handle to neighbors and friends we inevitably end up jamming them. They make a super-thick, sweet concoction that works with cheese as well as bread and this year I ended up making 2kg of it.
Not bad for an afternoons work 🙂
Paul has also been busy in his brew-laboratory. He’s been churning out almost one new brew per week this month and now has the entire process down to a science. Of course the result is loads of beer, which thankfully both dad and the neighbors are happy to help out with. “Brew happiness, spread happiness” is our new motto. Even better he’s just started his first stout, a Nina-special that should be ready in ~6 weeks or so. The chocolate-colored delicacy was mashed just a few days ago and is now happily fermenting away as the yeast munch through the wort glucose and turn it into dark, alcohol deliciousness.
Important preparations for Autumn, don’t you agree?
Planning For Winter
On a much more sober note we ordered wood pellets this week for our 7-tonne silo, planning ahead for winter shortages (that I fear are only too likely to come) and the result was much as expected. 5 weeks lead-time and prices that are more than double what they were a year ago {{gulp}}.
Still, we feel incredibly lucky….
When we switched to pellet-based heating 2 years ago, prices for gas and other fuel types were already trending upwards, so we expected it to be a solid choice, but it was so much more fortuitous in retrospect. I don’t think anyone could have foreseen the astronomical rise in energy costs that we’ve seen today, particularly in natural gas where prices have risen more than 550% over the past 12 months (Europe relies heavily on imports for natural gas from Russia, and supply lines have been crushed since the war with Ukraine started), but also for electricity.
So although our pellets are more expensive than they were, the alternatives would have been much, much worse and our single fill-up this Sept will last through to next summer where (hopefully?) things will be better?
Still, this winter will be hard throughout Europe. Energy supply lines are predicted to go under further strain, and many lower-income families will be forced to choose between food and heat. I know that we will be trying to conserve (as we must), but I fear for those who don’t even have that choice.
Sad and worrying….
Planning For Change
Autumn is in the air, somewhere, like a whisper in the wind.
I feel it sometimes in the morning when the cool air seeps through the trees. I sense it at night when the sun sets and the breeze teases through the dark. It’s hard to imagine it right now, with a heat that hits you in the chest like a hammer when you go outside, but I know my friend is not far away. Like all things this too shall pass, and something new will pave the way. Hey, maybe I’ll even be complaining about the cold a few blog posts from now?
Ah, but such is life.
I’ve finished my happiness course now, the one I told you about a few blog posts ago and I’ve learned a few things. To express gratefulness every day for the things that have bought me joy, to talk to strangers (who will benefit from it as much as I do), to savor the moments I can when they are there. I’m doing my best to absorb all these lessons, to make them part of my everyday life, but I also know that I’m human and thus imperfect.
So although I may not be the fanciest dresser on earth (nor even in SW France) and I’m certainly not the most normal (weird is my game), I can make a killer fig jam and I do have hope for the future.
It’s a good start, no?
I’m curious my blog friends, especially the gals. Are any of you shoppers? Or are you shop-averse as I am, particularly for the fancy stuff. I’m so keen to know! DO feel free to share and comment below.
I love…love to shop and would happily do it for you… just send me a ticket
THIS is what I need. A shopping buddy!!! You ticket will be ready for the next outing, my dear.
Nina
Ah yes, loved to shop, still do a bit. Runs in the family. My mother shopped, because it made her happy. I think the Depression that my mother and father grew up in shaped some of their habits. My parents and some of their siblings, who grew up poor, became pack rats verging on hoarding. Having to deal with a giant house packed to the roof when my parents died and listening to what my cousins had to go through when their parents died was a good reality check. I don’t shop much any more and think twice about buying clothes and things that are not really needed. The conversation goes like this in my mind -” new shoes or a day of travel”. Travel tends to win most of the time. I still struggle with getting rid of stuff. Hard to throw out perfectly good things. I sell, recycle and give away things. I go in cycles of getting it done, then months of inactivity. Still have a long way to go to reach my goal of what is needed it out or neatly stored in a drawer or closet, but not piled in the attic, office, and basement.
Your comment sparked a very interesting thought for me. My mom was always a heavy shopper and we always had so many “things” in the house, bordering on hoarding (she grew up poor too). When she passed it was a monumental effort to work through and get rid of it all. I think that may be part of the reason I have such an aversion to stuff, and much prefer minimalist living. Never thought of that…By the way I love your mental argument. Very powerful.
Nina
I hate shopping for clothes. If I can’t find it in a catalog it will not show up in my closet. And those few things in my closet are all comfy clothes. Dress up? Not if I can help it.
I’m with you. It’s exhausting to dress up, and I never feel quite right.
Nina
I have a love/hate relationship with shopping. For my weight I am much too short which makes clothes shopping a very stressfull experience. I do just fine shopping for tops and shoes. I tend to shop for what will be comfy around an rv park. IF I had to I could pull together a respectable pair of pants with a nice top and appropriate shoes, but nothing fancy, fancy. You asked why you could not be normal. You Are Your Own Normal.
It’s so much harder to shop when you’re not a “standard size” (as defined by the fashion industry). I’m too tall and a smidgen too round for most things. Pants are the worst. And thanks…I’ll take being my own normal. I like that.
Nina
So jealous of your figs. One of my favorite things and harder to get here in Colorado.
It is definitely one of the joys of living here in SW France. I remember I used to covet figs when we lived in the US as they were always such a luxury. Never really knew they grew wild anywhere until we moved here.
Nina
I dislike shopping, as well, Nina! I’m happiest in jeans and hoodies, so naturally, autumn is my favorite time of year. As we’re leaving for Bali in a month, my shopping, online or otherwise, will hopefully be limited to yoga pants and tops, easily packable in carry-on.
Enjoy your reunion!
Oh yes I’m totally with you on the autumn attire! I’m absolutely happiest in pants and a long-sleeved fleece top, and always look forward to cooler temps so I can get back into that combo.
Nina
I hate to shop. Being a plus size doesn’t help. I refuse to wear skirts or dresses. If I can’t find it on line, I don’t need it. And I love to research all other items. We needed a new refrigerator for example. Spent days on the computer. My life rarely needs any fancy clothes thank God. I do hope you enjoy your class reunion in spite of having to dress up.
Plus size shopping is awful. I’ve been various sizes throughout my life so I absolutely feel you there. I also very, very rarely wear skirts or dresses. Think I’ve worn maybe two dresses in the past 25 years? I’m with you on the fridge research too…that’s something I could happily dig into!
Nina
Absolutely hate shopping. Don’t even like shopping for groceries. Always shop online for clothes. Hubby loves shopping for groceries, so he does it. I cut the grass with a walk behind mower. I love to workout with weights, walk, hiking, running, cycling, yoga. Anything physical. I haven’t worn a stitch of makeup in 30 years either. Hate it. I sweat so much it would run off if I did. No ever has ever noticed.
I’m with you. I’m not a big makeup gal either. I will wear mascara and lipstick if I’m going out somewhere fancy, but otherwise I’m “au naturale”. Just never liked the feel of all that gunk on my face. Funnily enough I do enjoy grocery shopping…dunno why?
Nina
I love to shop for clothes and shoes. With that said, so much of my shopping is done online. I frequent sites which have free shipping to and from so returns are easy. I use the same online stores over and over so am fairly confident of my sizes. I haven’t purchased a pair of shoes in a store in a very long time. I needed a dress for an upcoming outdoor wedding in Arkansas. I saw the cutest dress on Facebook in an advertisement–did a bit of research on the company to make sure the dress wasn’t coming from China and ordered. It fit and the Cowboy said it looked great–I’m good to go. Make sure someone takes your photo in “fancy dress!” Your figs look divine!
Most of my camping gear I’ve bought online, and I do occasionally buy shoes online too. That said, I buy the same shoes every year LOL. I’m impressed with your online shopping success, esp for a dress!
Nina
Normal? How boring is that. I’m tall and somewhat large and have been most of my life. Shop for formal clothing? Nope. I live in an RV park, for heaven’s sake. I borrowed a pair of nice trousers with a tee and a lace top for my niece’s wedding 7 years ago. Good thing my family loves me. LOL. Thank the goddess for yoga pants which is pretty much all I wear now. I just had a birthday and now am ready for fall. It’s back to school time! Not for me, but was for many many years. I feel energized even though it’s 105F here. We’ve had some wonderful monsoon rains; and in a couple of months when AZ fall is actually here, my beloved Canadian pals will be migrating south. Wahoo!
I also thank the shopping Gods for yoga pants. I practically live in them LOL.
Nina
Can figs be used in production of beer?
I’m sure they could! In fact I think they’d make a really interesting combination with a chocolate stout. Controlling the sugar levels (and alcohol balance) would be the biggest challenge there, but I’m sure the flavors would work.
Nina
If your name was Newton, someone could ask “Is that your Fig Newton?” 🙂
HA!! Nina
Ha. Comments are split on the love vs hate of shopping for clothes. (I’m in the puleeze don’t make me do that category.) Glad you had rapid success!!! Well done. Envying your figs.
Yessss….someone like me. I don’t know why I hate it so, but I just do. Going to a hairdresser is a similar cringe for me.
Nina
All of my clothes are for hiking, lounging, or sleeping. Not a single dress, no fancy shoes, NADA (not a damn attractive accoutrement). But you know what? I am quite content with me.
Sounds perfect to me!
Nina
In our “other life”, I loved to shop. I’d drive into one mall or other, by myself, and just wander the stores looking, and trying on. Of course, that was when I was a young woman, easily fit into most things and had lots of “dress up” places to go. Now, not so much. Jeans (short or long, blue or white or tan) t shirts and/or sweat shirts are de rigueur for life in the motorhome or the desert! We carry one sort of dress up outfit with us, just in case! I agree with others, we need to see you all dressed up!
I never would have pegged you as a shopper Sue…how interesting!!
Nina
I hate to shop. Jim and I used to do “entertainment shopping” when we were working, and it rained every day in the winter in the PNW. Then we moved twice, ejected most of our stuff and went full time RV. Living in an RV really changed my relationship to stuff, due to the lack of space for the stuff. I hate to shop now. Shoes largely come from REI and Zappos because they have good return policies. Last winter I did have to buy jeans at a store, I found three pair that fit, so I’m done for the rest of my life. At present I have zero fancy stuff, except for my formal yoga pants and a pair of black Mephisto sandals. And yes, please show us your dress!
Maybe I’ll take a “fashion shot” when I get the whole outfit together. We’ll see 🙂
Nina
I used to loooooove to shop at the mall, just wander around looking at things and mostly buying from the clearance rack. Then ebay came along, and I bought lots of clothes that way on the cheap. Some fit, some didn’t, but they were inexpensive, so it was all good. Now that I’m, ahem, over 60, about 95% percent of my shopping is online and infrequent. I have a winter black dress and a summer black dress for the occasional funeral, and I haven’t been to a wedding in many years, so if I ever do attend another, will have to shop for a dress. Until then, most of my infrequent purchases are from LL Bean or Lands End, mostly sweats, yoga pants, and cycling gear. Being retired, I don’t need much more than that. So I totally understand and second your aversion, Nina. You are not alone!