Family Visits
James and Daniel have worked very hard on both their house and garden this spring. The results have been spectacular! At the end of this last week they were able to share all their progress with Daniel's parents who arrived from St Louis on Friday.
A Rainy Week
This week we have had lots of rain. I guess the garden plant life enjoys it, as the back garden, which we made from scratch just two years ago, is becoming like a jungle. All the plants we tucked in here and there, without much sense of design, are expanding, blooming and enjoying their moment of glory, as are we. The erigeron, called Santa Barbara Daisy in California, is a weed, which I carefully planted everywhere and it fills in as a most faithful and effulgent ground cover. The Blue Star Creeper between the stones is full and blooming with charming little sky blue flowers.
May Days
In northern France, as well as in many other parts of Europe, les Saints de Glace (Frost Saints) are reckoned and respected in mid-May. St. Mamertus, St. Pancras and St. Servatius have feast days May 12-15 and are reputed to bring a sudden cold snap. Gardeners are warned that tender plants, especially tomatoes, should not be planted out of doors until after les Saints de Glace have been on their way—in other words, only after May 15. This year has not followed convention, and cold and rainy weather in April and early May has only now given way to some real warmth and sunshine.
Pushing forward
Here in Moulins spring has brought us all to life. The bright days invite some gardening. James and Daniel are very busy at work on their house and front yard, upping the energy level several notches. Louÿs runs circles around us, one after the other. Excitement is in the air.
Here and There
It has been very nice having James in residence. For one thing, we are more inspired to go on outings. Last week we journeyed to Semur-en-Auxois, about 40 minutes southeast. It is one of our favorite nearby locations and is home to our most beloved restaurant. We have not often gone there just to walk the streets and window shop, which we were happy to do with James, who is looking for many different things to fill their house. Semur is a Medieval town encircled by the Armançon River. The town itself has been a monastic center since the ninth century.
Springtime for Puppies...
Last week James and the charming dog Louÿs arrived in Moulins. We went into Paris to pick them up. Daniel will arrive next week to join the rest of his family, meanwhile we've been enjoying the livelier pace around here. The travelers arrived just as the first hints of spring have.
