Power is Back! A Frenchman in America...

No power in part of the house......an important part of the house....the KITCHEN.  It has been a day and a half so we are thrilled to see EDF show up to replace the melted box.

One of the men heard X and I speaking English and asked where I was from.....Caroline du Nord, Monsieur...."Oh, I love the USA. I have been there", he said!  "But there was one thing I did not understand".  Smiling,  he proceeded to tell of his trip to Austin, Texas.  While there, he always greeted friends and family the usual traditional French way.....a kiss on each cheek.  A stranger approached and told him that this is not done in America.  Surprised, he listened.

Did he misunderstand? Who knows what the stranger really meant.....were they just curious about the tradition or did they really mean that one should not greet someone in public with a kiss in America.  That is the way he took it so from then on he said he and his family shared no more French greetings in America.  C'est dommage

And, finally, we pass on a bottle of rosé acknowledging a job appreciated and well done.  Somehow I don't see us handing a bottle of wine to the Duke Power guys. Do you?

P.S. There was a geiko that must have been very close when the box was struck.  He is charred....absolutely black....but is still alive and well....must indeed have a suit of armor.  Have not been able to catch a photo of him.

Sainte Barbe Day, A Provence Tradition

In Provence, the Christmas season begins on 4 December, Saint Barbara's Day, with a tradition dating to Greek and Roman times. You begin by choosing a saucer or other small container. Cover the bottom of the container with soft cotton. You can use a sheet of cotton or simply pull apart cotton balls. Then lightly sprinkle the cotton with water. It needs to be wet but don't drown it. I like to drip the water off the tips of my fingers. Now, scatter grains of hard wheat over the damp cotton. I purchased my hard wheat from the bins at Earth Fare. Water lightly daily. The grains should germinate in a few days and soon you will have wheat grass. The germinated wheat represents prosperity and a good harvest for the following year. Be careful not to overwater as it will rot the grains.

You can see that I got a little carried away with the number of containers. I even used empty tealight containers, and my friend, Lin, used an olive boat. Use the sprouted wheat on the table at Christmas as well as in and around the creche (nativity).