Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Ah, the romance still blooms!!

Voila!!  This morning, Skippy and I discovered roses on the ledge again.  It was earlier than we usually go out so maybe the flowers have been left there all along and we just missed them. 

I didn't have my camera, so no picture.  Just had to give you this little update!!

Friday, May 10, 2013

Shout Out!

Yes, I really needed to shout this out!!!  I am in the middle of a good day.  The sort of day when things fall together and work they way they should.  Ha!  Believe me, I really appreciate that sort of day.  There are no smiley faces here or I would post one now.

Today, I managed to get my Kindle accepted by the Livebox wifi here in the house!  I have been trying off and on for 4 1/2 months now. (really) Today it finally went through.  The key to the success was getting the password entered correctly.  A tricky handwritten 6 was disguised as a capital G.  But I finally tracked him down. I had been trying a switchout on other numbers and letters too but this little guy was the culprit and I finally got him.  It's a 26 digit password.  Yep, 26. 
I have been doing my reading with my laptop through cloud, but the Kindle is so much more comfortable.   Now I can get on with reading up on French History.   Twice Queen of France by Mildred Allen Butler was a good look at the Countess Anne of Brittany. I'm always on the lookout for a good biography.                                                                  

Also, I figured out how to do some things with my camera.  Technology is mostly out of my skill set.  So, when I "get" it, it feels miraculous.  Yay for me.

Also, I managed to get an order placed online in French for replacement ink cartridges for my printer.  Easier said than done.  Some sites do not want to accept my credit info.  They're just real finicky.  Sometimes it goes through, other times not.  There are many sites which will not ship to me here.  But from US it's too exorbitant anyway.  So I try to find French sites.  But they sometimes do not like my Amer. card.  


Today, I also received a lovely Mother's Day card from my son.  Made my day. I know I'll be hearing from the "girls" too, so I'm happy as can be.

Now I have to track down the document that shows that Skippy has had the Bordatella vaccine.  Kennel Cough.  I appear to have everything "but"- in my dossier.  (I might be boarding him now and then)   I think it's coming by email attachment.  Isn't it amazing?         (this little lane Skippy is sniffing is called Ruella de la "HaHa"......it's one of his favorite places to take care of business)

In a couple of weeks I am going to Rennes, (on the bus) the capital of Brittany, for my appointment with the French Immigration Bureau.  Long stay Visa people have to check in for review and medical exam.  But I am turning an annoying bureaucratic event into a 2-day site seeing visit.  I have booked a hotel near "Old Town" Rennes, and within short distance to 2 major Art Museums.

For my Immigration appointment I must provide them with all the documentation originally assembled for obtaining the VISA in the first place, back at the Consulate in NY.  That is:  Tax returns,  Proof of Income, Health certificates from Doctors, Letters on letterhead from Doctors, affidavit regarding purpose for Visa, signed guarantee to not accept wages during visit, Passport, of course, Proof of Med. Insurance, International Insurance policy, Proof of legal residence in France, proof that the Landlady is the actual owner of the property (yes they are THAT intrusive)  Phone numbers, addresses, references, and more.

And Skippy was required to get his own "Pet-Passport".  That required vaccinations within certain time frames of the trip. That was made more difficult by his medical emergency back in September for which he needed 2 surgeries.  So I did bring all that with me.

 I say all of this as a heads up for anyone thinking of coming to live in Europe for longer than a normal vacation period.  You can stay up to 3 months without the Long-Stay Visa.   Once here, it was necessary to get a local cell phone and figure out how to use it.  Most people also have to get signed up for TV cable, electric service, etc.  I, happily haven't had to add those items.  But I did begin attending French class.  And the main thing is.....Making Friends!!!  That has worked out very well for me.
The minutiae is numbing and the tech is exhausting.  But if you're into those you'll breeze on by it all.

I must say, I didn't breeze through it, but here I am somehow.   It got done and I am loving my time here in Josselin.

Now, I am going to get my window boxes planted!  I have some bags of aromatic (ha) potting soil here waiting for the task.  My front windows do not get direct sun, so those boxes are getting variegated hosta as well as a bit of ivy.  It's still chilly out some days, but no more frost I hope.

Tomorrow is Market Day, and I will once again be perusing the veggies, fruits, cheese and bread.
And enjoying the general hubbub of town. 
Above are some random pictures.     So, until we meet again, Bientot, AuRevoir!! Mes Amis!!


 



Sunday, May 5, 2013

Je vous embrasse sur les deux joues

C'est le mois de mai trés joyeux.....

It's the very merry month of May......and I'm loving it!    I even bought little bundles of Lily of the Valley to gift to a couple of friends.  Alas, I ended up sick and unable to deliver them.  But the point is, Sue explained, that it's a tradition here.  Giving out little bouquets of Lily of the Valley on May Day.  Sweet! 
(beats having a parade to show off your missles)


Yesterday, it seemed like all of Morbihan turned out for the Josselin market day.  Morbihan is the name of the "county".   The population of Josselin is only about 2,500 and it seemed like many more than that were here.  The lines were long so I didn't get any cheese.  
Everything was tempting and I confess I gave in on a scarf and some croissants.  





It was such a beautiful day, people were in shirtsleeves and sandals.   I was starting to worry that everyone would be wearing black all summer.  And boots.   But with the arrival of the warm sunshine came the pastels and prints and cotton.  There was almost a carnival atmosphere.  

Later I bought myself lunch at the cafe.  Loved just people watching and soaking it all in.   Usually I would see Lucille or Frank or Angela or others at the cafe.  Seems everyone stops in for a coffee or beer.  But Lucille has gone off to Corsica for a month!  I did see Fiona and her husband ( whose name I forget....forgive me)  from my French class.   I bumped into Sue.  She was on her way to a committee meeting.   So, sipping my cool beverage, listening to the French pop music in the background and watching the action on the square was just the best finish to Saturday market.  
Earlier in the week (at the cafe) I met Lucille's friend William, who is an artist and is struggling to get his gallery up and going.  Another friend, Tim is also an artist.  So I have bumped into the Bohemian crowd here.   Now I am looking forward to seeing their work.  Almost every week there's an exhibit going on in the little Chapel by the gate.  


Last Saturday night, I went with Lucille to the cinema.  We saw a film called "Le Noir (Te) Vous Va Si Bien"    You can't really translate it literally.  But it means..."black suits you"    A very haunting downer of a movie.   But well done.  It's about so-called "honor" killing in the Muslim community.  One of the stars of the movie ( Lounes Taziart) was there at the theatre and when the film ended he gave a little talk on the subject.  All in French of course.  But I could make out words such as:  tradition;  religion; effective; exceptional; and others.  These words are the same in French, but pronounced with a very strong French accent.  like: "trad-ees-ee-own"   After his talk, there was a question/answer period which lasted another hour.   Lucille asked 2 questions and I have no idea what she said.   She comes from a cinematic family.  I just wanted to come home as I hadn't eaten and I was famished.   My stomach was speaking its own French!

The next day was the Flower Festival at the Chateau.   That was my first time on the grounds!  It was so beautiful.  Mobbed, but very quiet.  I was amazed at all the vendors with booths set up.  Flowers, herbs and various plants for sale. 
The countess spoke.  Something about a Historic Buildings Festival to come later.  I bought some hostas for my flower boxes that get no sun.  Another great day.
I wasn't feeling all that great that evening and by Wednesday I was awful.  Went to the doctor who wrote a prescription for an antibiotic as I had a bad bronchitis.  So it's been a bit of a lost week with me moping around coughing and napping.  
I think that's why I enjoyed Yesterday's market day so much.  Finally up and out again!

Today, while drinking my coffee on the couch, next to the open window....I heard the clop clop of hooves again.  Now and then a horse does come (with rider) clopping down my street.  But today it was a big carriage with 2 horses and a driver!!  I didn't have my camera handy of course.   It was just such a moment!! 
Oh, another big thing happened last week!  The shoe store opened right next door!!  I ran right in and bought a pair.  Yes I did.   But now I'm sworn off.  Cross my heart!! 

Earlier today the doorbell rang and when I answered the door, a lady was there who said her name was Barbara.  She introduced herself and said Frank had told her about me.  (Frank, a friend of Lucille's and now mine.  Everybody in town knows Frank)   So, we're meeting for coffee tomorrow at the cafe.  Wow, another new friend!!   

Oh, I fear I may have jinxed the flower lady.  Skippy and I haven't been by there a lot in the last week or so, but the times we did go that way there were no bouquets on the ledge.   I told myself they went off on a romantic holiday....or something.   But one day I did see HER!  She came out the door and went to her car in the car park across the street.  I was just standing there with Skip.  She got something out of her little Fiat (which I have been admiring for weeks) and smiled at me with a little nod and went back inside her house.  I said "bonjour".   I thought about asking her.......but how would I manage to intrude on her so.   Anyway, she looked perfectly happy so I'm not going to look for the flowers anymore.     I spoke to her because she made eye contact and smiled.  That's a rule here.

Just walking around, if you make eye contact you are bound to say "bonjour".  Both of you. 

 But if you avoid eye contact (pretending something caught your eye in the store window) you needn't say anything.   In late afternoon you say "bonsoir" .  Same rule applies.  If it happens to be someone you know, you are required (like in the States) to say hello of course.  Here you also say "ça va?"  and answer "ça va".  (but the ç has to have the little squiggle on the bottom) (meaning "are you ok?"  "yes, I'm good") And of course the MOST important thing here is you ALSO must kiss both cheeks of the person you know!!  To refrain is something of a slight.  If you are meeting someone for the very first time, a handshake is fine.  And to say, "enchante".  Why the other day, Skippy and I walked past a little boy about 10years old walking his dog, and HE said "bonjour" to me!!  I mean, he looked me squarely in the face, smiled and said "bonjour" as if doing so gave him great pleasure.  I must say I was almost startled.  And then charmed.  French children are known for their exceptional courtesy and good manners.   At a dinner I saw a young boy get up and greet a woman with a kiss on both cheeks.  On his own.  I was amazed.  It's a warm and beautiful part of the culture.    But of course, maybe his mom had reminded him that when Aunt Mary arrives don't forget to give her your greeting.  That could be.  Still, he did it.  Lovely.

Well, tomorrow, coffee with Barbara across from the Basilica.  Tuesday to the garden center with Sue.
So, till we meet again, "Bonsoir mon amis! auRevoir!"