All clear

Did I tell you about our little scare with Tasha? I think Ken blogged about it, but here it is in a nutshell. About a month ago, we noticed that Tasha was drinking a lot of water, way more than she normally does. One of our neighbors, also a dog person, said that could be a sign of diabetes. That was nerve wracking. So Ken stopped by the vet's office while out running errands and made an appointment for that afternoon. The vet took a blood sample and a urine sample (he said it could also be a urinary tract infection) and prescribed a course of antibiotics. Both tests were negative. Nonetheless, we noticed that Tasha has cut down on her water intake. So we feel good about that. The vet said to let her run the full course of antibiotics just for good measure. That will be over in a few days.

We're still waiting for the landscape guy. I'm starting to wonder if he'll get the work done before summer. Bother. This view of our hamlet is toward the northeast. The yellow spot is our forsythia.

A detour through the woods

As the ground starts to dry, Tasha and I are able to vary our walks by taking paths through the woods and the vineyard parcels. This is a familiar sight: the Artsy Organized Neighbor's property and a few of his "works."

Sunrise on a clear morning.

The weather is about to change. That high pressure system that was keeping us clear and dry is moving on. That means the door will be open to lower temperatures and more rain systems. Joy. 

Gâteau renversé à l'ananas

Thanks for all of your comments about the mail issue between France and the US. I'm getting the impression that letters are supposed to be ok and that there's just some postal software issue that hasn't been dealt with yet. Tax season might not be affected because returns can be filed through the internet. But voting is another issue. I haven't seen any chatter on how Americans in France will be able to cast their ballots if not by mail.

With a sticky and sweet pineapple/caramel glaze. Yum!

Here's the dessert we made for Ken's birthday. It's a pineapple upside-down yogurt cake! I could have fancied it up a bit with cherries or some other colorful garnish. But I didn't. 

Forsythia 3

It won't be long before these flowers fade and leaves appear on the forsythia. Then we're done for another year. 

Forsythia in the back yard.

I went to the post office yesterday to mail something to the US. To my surprise, the postal clerk told me that France doesn't send mail (like letters) to the US any more. Since August. I asked if it was because of the war(s) in the Middle East and he said no, it has something to do with customs and duties tied to US tariffs. There are interruptions because of the war, but this is something else. I don't recall seeing anything in the news about this. Some internet sites say that letters and post cards are exempt (they're not heavy and they're not merchandise) and can be posted, but they weren't able to at the two post offices I went to yesterday. The clerk at one of the post offices insisted that I could send my letters, but the computer would not allow her to print the postage. She was as puzzled as I was.

Forsythia 2

Or should I say "Five-sythia?" This is the same bush that I posted yesterday, just from a different angle. It was either last year or the year before that I pruned it way back. It gets very big and unruly if I let it grow. I should probably plan some more pruning this year in an attempt to shape it more.

The forsythia is at its peak right now.

 

We're still waiting, and hoping (and wishin', and prayin'), for the landscape guy to show up. He usually does, right about the time I give up on him.

Forsythia

The forsythia is blooming all over the place, including in our back yard. The yellow is so vibrant that it almost feels warm.

Our backyard forsythia is in fine form this year.

Rain showers are back in the weather forecast through to the weekend, and the temperatures are lower than they have been. Boo! 

Flowering cherry

The annual show is on! There seem to be more flowers than usual this season. Probably something to do with all the water we got during the winter. Now it's time for things to dry out a little so we can work in the yard. Yesterday, I heard lawn mowers here and there. I'm not quite ready to take mine out. The ground feels too soft for that, but I may get to run the mower before the end of March.

Flowering (no fruit) cherry.

I'm liking the earlier sunrises. Tasha and I can get out for our walks before other folks are about, namely other dog walkers and vineyard workers (along with tractors and such). Speaking of which, it's time for me to go! Ta ta!