Once more, with feeling

This is pretty much the same view as was in yesterday's post. That one was taken about three weeks ago. I took this one yesterday from the same spot (out the guest room window). Whole vineyard parcels have dropped their leaves; others are still holding on. Orange is quickly giving way to brown.

In the foreground, the real fake well. In the background, the Lone Poplar.

In general, out temperatures are pretty mild for mid-November. That's nice, except for the rain that often comes along with it. That said, the forecast for the next few days looks relatively dry. We're having a nice arrière saison, as they say. This morning is foggy and we're socked in. Still, we can't really complain.

Room with a view

This photo is from the 20th of October, a view from our guest room out over the vineyards to our west. Most of these leaves are gone now. Temperatures are still mild, but a couple of windy days was enough for the leaves to drop.

Ken's choucroute was delicious yesterday. So much so that we're going to eat the leftovers today. But that won't be the end of it because we froze several kilos of the stuff to eat all through fall and into winter. It's nothing like what comes in a can or a bottle. As you probably know from his blog, he buys raw 'kraut, rinces and blanches it, then, either cooks it or freezes it for cooking later on. Yum!  

Under the maple trees

Here's another view of one of the two maple trees that grow over the driveway.

Pretty, but messy. This is part of the same view as yesterday, only zoomed in a bit.

This will be a short post 'cause I'm heading out to get some Alsacien wine for Ken's choucroute (sauerkraut). It'll go into the chou as it cooks this morning and then into us as we enjoy the meal later.

Make like a tree

And leaf! I think I learned that one in grade school. I did get a lot of the leaves, maybe half, blown to where I want them. The rest will have to wait because the rain is back.

The driveway before. I don't have an after pic. One of our cars is under the carport (out of the frame on the left), the other is in the garage (out of the frame on the right). 

Ken and I had a hard time getting the leaf blower going yesterday. There was a lot of swearing. @#!%#%!! The thing is brand new! (although we've had it for a year already) After a while it started working. Seems there's a bad connection in one of the electrical cords and you have to hold your mouth right to get it to work. We'll do some further investigations when the weather gets better.

Another red sky at morning

If you're a sailor, take warning. We're having a couple of nice days. I think I'll try the leaf blower this afternoon. I have a few errands to run this morning, so we'll see.

Another breathtaking sunrise over our hamlet from last week.

Tuesday's election results across the USA seem to portend a healthy rebuke of You-Know-Who and a reset for the more liberally inclined moving toward the mid-term elections next year. I think that's a good thing.

Stuck on you

Leaves stuck to a damp deck on a foggy morning are common in the fall. It could be worse; wind often blows the bigger maple leaves up onto the deck, but there weren't many, if any, on this morning. The driveway just below is another story.

I need a few dry days to dry the umbrella. Then I can put it away for winter.

It's a chilly 7ºC (about 45ºF) out there this morning. That's why it's called Novembrrr. It's time to start thinking about bringing plants in for the winter.

Branching out

This branch on one of our maple trees lost its leaves before all the others. It's covered in lichens, but so is the rest of the tree. Mystery? Or just one of nature's little quirks?

The aqua-blue color on the branches is lichens. I've read that they're essentially harmless.

I've reached the point in my life where I'm tired of cleaning up fallen leaves. The lawnmower mulches them, but I've finished with mowing for the season. The last few years, I've been leaving the leaves on the ground over winter. They mostly mulch themselves and what's left get pulverized when I start mowing again in the spring. I've learned the hard way not to leave the leaves (haha) in the driveway over winter. They're a mess to pick up after they've semi-mulched themselves into our gravel driveway. I'll pick some dry weather days to blow them onto the north forty. We got a leaf blower last year thanks to a nice store credit that came with a sale when we bought our riding mower. 

Not quite right

This photo didn't turn out as I expected. It was before sunrise and there wasn't much light. But I only took two of this view. Here's the better one.

Trees grow where ravines drain the vineyards down to the river.

We had wind and rain a good part of the day on Saturday. A lot of leaves blew off the trees and now cover the ground. There are still a lot of leaves on the trees, but I can now see more and more bare branches out there. Ah, autumn.

Color my world

Yesterday was a little breezy and the leaves on our maple trees were tumbling down. There are still a lot of leaves on the linden and other trees, but not for long. Soon the browns and greys of winter will take over. Meanwhile, we're enjoying the show.

Another view of the Lone Poplar.

 Here we are, the first of November. The two-weeks-long All Saints holiday ends on Monday and the kids go back to school. The next school vacation is for Christmas, starting on the 20th of December, ending after the new year.

I'm enjoying watching the Paris Masters tournament on tv, the last of the Masters 1,000 series (nine tournaments through the season) at its new venue at La Défense. It's the last tournament in the Men's tennis season before the championship final in mid-November. 

Where's Tasha?

I know that Ken already posted photos of this recent meal. But here it is again in case you missed it. A delicious omelette aux épinards (spinach omelet) and air fryer frites (French fries).

Here's an added bonus! Can you see Tasha in the picture? Where there's food... 

Sunrise in the vineyard

Yesterday's sunrise was quite dramatic. I took this photo just as the sun was rising over the horizon. Tasha and I were on our morning walk. If you look closely, you might recognize the Lone Poplar on the left.

Wednesday morning's sunrise over the autumn vineyards.

There's not much going on here as we slide toward winter. The days are getting shorter, of course, and the weather, while not really bad, is wet and on the chilly side. On the positive side, we're enjoying and planning more fall/winter type menus for our daily lunch. Coming soon: choucroute garni (sauerkraut with meats and vegetables)!

Red leaf

I think that the vineyard leaves are at their peak right now. Bear with me while I post some more fall colors.

Pinkish red.

Way out back I saw this morning that many sections of woodland have been cut. The trees and other vegetation are lined up on the ground where pines and oak stood just the other day. I wonder what's going on. New vineyard space? Just a regular periodic cleaning up? I didn't take any photos, but I will. Stay tuned.

Tasha Tuesday

Tasha doesn't mind the chilly weather. And why not? Look at that fur coat!

On the vineyard road.

Still no sign of after-effects of the flu and covid vaxes I had on Saturday. I hope it stays that way.

Raclette

We've had raclette twice this fall. So far. To make it, you need a raclette machine and some raclette cheese. There's a heating element under the griddle. You put a slice of cheese in the little tray and slip it under the element to melt it. While it's melting, you grill some meat and vegetables that you've prepared in advance. When they're done, they go onto your plate, then you pour the melted cheese over all. Yum! There's no limit to what you can grill. Anything that goes with cheese goes with raclette.

Clockwise from the wine bottle: raclette cheese, melting trays, sliced mushrooms, sliced steamed Brussels sprouts, cured ham, sliced chorizo sausage, more melting trays, pickles (not for grilling), sliced steamed potatoes. In the center is the raclette machine.

It's windy, but warmer, this morning. No rain in the forecast. I think that I'm going to remove the riding mower's battery for the season today. I don't want a repeat of last year's bungle with the mower's battery. Less stress!

Oops

I didn't get the clocks done yesterday. I had my appointment for flu and covid shots at 14h30 and that messed me up. So I'll be doing the clocks this morning. My upper arms are a little sore from the injections, but it's not at all bad.

A parcel of older vines.

Meanwhile, the local leaves continue their color change both in the woods around us and in the vineyards. It's chilly this morning. I could build a fire in the stove, but I've got clocks to change! The central heating is helping us out. 

Going back in time

Today is when I turn the clocks back one hour to Central European (Standard) Time. The time officially changes at midnight tonight, but I like to have all the clocks done when I go to bed so I don't have to mess with them in the morning. The tv news people are saying that this will be the last time, except for one final "spring ahead" next year. I'll believe that when I see it.

These vines were planted this past spring.

Here's a shot of the recently replanted vineyard parcel and its new stakes and guide wires. I think these vines are too young to get pruned this, their first, winter. I'll keep an eye out.

There's moles in them thar hills

Well, maybe not "in" the hills. But definitely below them. After our summer heatwave, it got wetter. The ground softened and the moles moved back in. There are several "mole towns" like this in the west and north forties. I have to rake them down before cutting the grass.

Mole hills in the West Forty. The yellow leaves are on our fig tree.

The wind died down over night as the remnants of storm Benjamin move on through. This morning is clear and cold and still. Did I mention cold? It's 7ºC (about 45ºF) out there now.

In other news... Ken and I are both scheduled to get our flu and covid shots over the next few days. I haven't had a flu shot (other than covid) since I don't know when. But being over 65, I think I should err on the side of caution.

Those crazy cave men (and women)

This "Far Side" comic by Gary Larson always makes me laugh. I don't think that humans and primordial soup co-existed (neither did humans and dinosaurs, another Larson staple), but who's counting? A little poetic license, as it were, for a good laugh is an even trade.

The Far Side by Gary Larson.

The wind kicked up last evening and gusted through the night. I slept through most of it, but I was up at 03h00 and did a quick tour of the house to be sure everything that needed to be was shut and/or secured. Then it was back to sleep until I got up around 06h30. 

The lone poplar

This tree was a lot smaller when we first moved here twenty-two years ago. Across the dirt road from the tree is the old cabane de vignes, a simple one-room shelter and storage building constructed among the vines. This one doesn't get used much these days. Modern vehicles and equipment can be quickly and easily moved from the winery to the fields, making the old cabanes more or less obsolete.

Heading westward from our hamlet out through the vineyards.

It's raining right now and we're expecting more throughout the day. We're turning our clocks back over the weekend. That'll be fun. Efforts to stop the bi-annual clock change have once again fizzled. The issue comes up every now and then. Like the weather, however, no one seems to be able to do anything about it. 

New stakes

Here's a view of part of that vineyard parcel that was replanted this past spring. It's now complete with new stakes and guide wires; all ready to receive next year's new growth.

It took the crew about two weeks to do the whole parcel.

We're in a rainy period now. I was coming back from the pharmacy yesterday afternoon and a rain shower came back with me. It moved on when I got home. 

Bizarro

Back in the early '90s, I was fresh out of grad school and found a job as a transportation planner at what was called a Congestion Management Agency. I could not resist clipping this strip from the local paper.

Bizarro by Piraro. I added the color.

I heard rain showers over night. Nothing serious. 

Pretty in yellow

We're about a month into autumn now. The grape vines look beautiful and there's still more color ahead. I'm glad I was able to get some photos in the bright sun yesterday. The weather forecast is for rain off and on today with the pattern continuing into next week.

The trees behind this vineyard parcel are beginning to turn. This is the view outside our back gate.

The French held a "No Kings" protest back in 1789. It didn't end well for the royalty.

Red, gold, and yellow

The colors in the vineyards out back are nearing their peak, I think. I haven't ventured very far into the vines in the last couple of weeks because there's been a crew out there putting stakes and guide wires in the newest replanted parcel. The crew arrives just before sunrise and leaves a little after sunset each day. Tasha gets excited around vehicles and people in the vineyard, so I have to keep her on leash to take photos (which doesn't work very well). And Sunday is hunt day, so we stay out of the vineyards on that day.

The reds are really vibrant!

Once the work ends out there, I'll be sure to get some new photos. 

Painstakin' peas

Here's another of my favorite comics. This one is by Roz Chast of the New Yorker magazine. Anyone who likes to cook will at least giggle.

Roz Chast's parody of Pierre Franey's New York Times feature "60 Minute Gourmet."

It's about 7ºC (45ºF) outside this morning. It's my morning to go out with Tasha. Brrr. 

Twenty years

Today marks the twentieth anniversary of this blog; the first post went up on this day in 2005. I couldn't have imagined going this long back then. Thanks to all who stop by, whether it's daily or once in a while.

Looking back toward our property. Tasha's was on leash because there were tractors and things moving around out there.

Here's yet another photo of the nearby vineyard parcels just west of us. I've watched the vineyards through the seasons and over the years. Much of what I've observed is chronicled here. And, while there have been changes, it's all generally the same, if you see what I mean.

Foxtrot

I have a small folder of comic strips that I've saved over the years. Here's one that makes me smile:

From "Foxtrot" by Bill Amend.

Our thermostat is set at 18.5º Celsius this time of year. That's close to 65º Fahrenheit, 291.6º Kelvin.

More leaves

This yard belongs to another of our neighbors. They were out of town over the weekend, so I walked through with Tasha. This tree and it's beautiful red color was my reward.

Fall colors in the 'hood.

Notice how the land slopes, rather steeply, down into a stream bed below. We often see chevreuils (roe deer) grazing in these yards on the edge of the woods. We've also seen evidence of sangliers (wild boar) over there. They like to dig for critters to eat and leave annoying craters in the lawn. Not very nice.

Leaf peeping

Fall colors do not seem to be an attraction here in France as they are in the USA. That's not for lack of fall colors, though. Another thing that's not a big deal here is "pumpkin spice." Thank goodness.

Our leaf "peak" usually happens around the first of November.

That reminds me. I want to make a pumpkin pie soon. I have some pumpkin-like squash in the freezer from last year. And I have all the spices I need in the pantry for a good-ole American style pumpkin pie. 

Saturday was pizza day

I think that this was the best pizza I've made in a while. Tomato sauce, bell peppers, and canned artichoke hearts. The cheese was a melty raclette, popular in the fall and winter months. The homemade crust was doughy on the inside and crispy on the outside. Just the way we like it.

Pizza with artichoke hearts and bell peppers.

I made a second pizza with saucisson sec (like a mild pepperoni) and mushrooms. Also very good, but I didn't take any pictures of that one.

Leaf litter

This isn't our yard. It's the neighbors' across the road. The leaves are mostly from their catalpa trees. Their grass is nicer looking than ours. I don't know why. They don't fertilize, water, or otherwise treat it. Just like us. And, so far, they don't lose trees like we have in recent years. Could it be something to do with the way water moves underground? There's a real (not fake) well on their property. It belongs to the hamlet, but people don't use it these days. Still, the well might indicate a water source that our trees can't reach.

Leaves in the neighbors' yard.

Our property taxes are due next week. I spent an hour or so yesterday morning arranging for a wire from our US bank to our French bank. It's all done on line and is relatively quick and painless. Soon after we moved here, we set up an automatic payment for taxes at the French bank, so I have to be sure our balance of euros is enough to cover the payment when it goes through. It always is, but I like to be certain. Moving money around between countries is nerve wracking. It's not high finance, but still, there are codes and numbers and such to keep track of. On line banking makes the whole process easier.

Another bunch of leaves

The grape leaves are turning more and more. Before too long, they'll start dropping to the ground. Our linden and maples are starting to turn and drop as well. The apple trees aren't far behind. There will be lots of cleanup to do, but we have a leaf blower to help out this year.

Autumn in the vineyard.

 

Super moon

It was more impressive in reality than in this photo taken with my phone. The sky was cloudless, but there was some fog. The moon was minutes from setting when Tasha and I went outside on Tuesday morning. I realized what was going on and took a couple of quick snapshots with the phone.

The garden shed at moon set (and sunrise at my back). That ivy is scheduled to be removed this winter.

We're enjoying a warm spell. The mornings are quite chilly, but the days are dry and pleasant. Having said that, I did put a fire in the wood stove yesterday morning and kept it burning until early evening. It felt nice. 

What is it?

I know I could use the internet to identify this shrub. But I'm lazy. I might get to it, I might not. As you can see, it's not forsythia because what has turned bright yellow are leaves, not flowers.

It almost looks like bay laurel. But we have a lot of that in our yard and it's evergreen, so, no.

We're having pleasant days, weather wise. I can already see the grass growing since it was recently cut. I'm not ready to cut it again so soon, but I'll be keeping an eye on both the grass and the weather forecast through October.

Under the catalpa tree

I stood under one of the neighbors' catalpas for this view. I will look closely at that shrub the next time I'm out, maybe this morning, and take a photo of its leaves. Maybe it is forsythia, although I read that they don't normally do fall color all that well. Still, it could be.

We have this neighbor's permission to walk Tasha on their property when they're not around.

I got my US Social Security statement in the mail yesterday. My full retirement age comes up a year from now. Oh my! 

Mellow yellow

I guess there's nothing really mellow about the yellow in these two catalpas (and a shrub) in our neighbors' yard. Maybe I should have called this post "Screaming Yellow Zonkers."

Two catalpas and a shrub that looks like forsythia (but it can't be).

It's below 10ºC (50ºF) outside this morning. That doesn't sound very cold, but it sure feels like it. The central heating came on this morning. I increased the temperature a little. I feel like I'm getting frileux as I slide into old age.

Remnants

What's left after the harvester passes.

 

The new vines

Remember the vineyard parcel that was planted this past spring? Here it is now. It's still green, but soon the leaves will drop. I don't think it will get pruned this winter. It seems to me that the growers leave new vines go a couple of winters before they start getting cut back. We shall see.

The "new" vines had a good season. Now it's time for their first winter rest.

Today's a three-W day. Warm, windy, and wet. The remnants of two Atlantic hurricanes are passing over. 

The grass is cut once more

The last section of the yard to get cut in this go-round was the south forty. It's also the smallest section so it took no time at all. The weather will now control if and when it all gets cut again before winter. The section in this photo is about half of the west forty, the largest section.

Artichoke skeletons. Tasha checks out a mole hole in the freshly cut back yard.

The weather is going downhill again. Cold, with wind and some rain through the weekend. It's normal. October can be an iffy month. 

Like magic!

Yesterday I posted a photo I took in the Luxembourg Garden (Paris) and wrote that I wish I could selectively remove certain parts of the image. Lo and behold! Blogger buddy Mike in Australia knew exactly what to do and he sent me his result. Thanks Mike!

The extra and partial people are gone!

I got the mower out again yesterday and cut the north forty and the strips outside the hedges. All that's left is the small south forty. I'm hopeful that today's weather will cooperate. 

Jardin de Louxembourg

Paris in the fall. Or is it winter? The Luxembourg Garden is one of the more popular of Parisian parks, at least in my opinion. I lived and went to school nearby and had occasion to walk through and/or sit and relax often. I don't know who the people are in the photo nor do I remember when I snapped it. It's likely from one of our trips back in the late 1980s.

I'd love to remove the person just over the guy's shoulder, but I don't think my software does that.

I got the mower out yesterday and cut the west forty (the largest section of our property). It feels good to have that done. Today I hope to get the north forty done. I can't cut before noon because of the heavy dew we're having. It's mostly dried up by lunch time.

Tasha Tuesday

Finally, here's a photo of Tasha shortly after her grooming last week. She's not very good at "sit and stay." She sits on command, but the "stay" part is not one of her best tricks. So I get photos like this one where, at least, she's looking at the camera.

"Wally (she calls me Wally), my bowls are empty!"

The chimney is swept. There was a lot of soot; I'm glad it's gone. We also had new faucets and a new drain plug installed in the bathroom (sink and bidet). It's nice to have things working as they should again. 

Winter prep

As you probably know by now, the plumber is coming this morning to sweep our chimney and clean out the wood stove. We have a few things to move around before he gets here. I'll leave you with a photo of the fireplace and stove taken back in winter of 2017.

 

Another one bites the dust

Another old vineyard parcel out back is being taken out. I think the parcel was sold when the previous owner retired. It was pretty much left alone all year, until recently. The presumed new owners (who own most of the parcels out there) have been working to remove the guide wires and to cut the vines down to the stump. The next step, I think, will be to pull the denuded vine trunks out and prepare the parcel to lie fallow for a while.

There's a special tractor attachment that pulls the wires out at the end and winds them onto a spool to create the circles you see here, but not before people walk through and detach the wire from the support posts.

The green vines on the left are only about twenty years old and are not being taken out.

Tomorrow (Monday) we're expecting the plumber back to sweep the wood stove's chimney. I don't why plumbers got that job in France, but they did. Chimneys have to be swept annually. Insurance companies won't pay for chimney related damage unless it's been done (the plumber provides a certificate as proof). We had a real hard time finding someone to do it during the pandemic, and some years went by without a sweep. But now we're back on track.

I was lookin' back to see

Actually, she wasn't. Tasha was focused forward until I called her name and she turned to see why. Then I snapped the photo. The grape vine leaves are turning to their fall colors now. It's still mostly green out there, but there's more yellow every day. And some red.

I don't know why we get bursts of red in otherwise yellow parcels. But I'm glad we do.

The groomer came by as expected yesterday. Tasha resisted at first but she soon gave in and went along with it. I'll try to get an "after" photo today. 

Foggy morning in the vineyards

A gloomy, almost ghostly morning among the grape vines yesterday. And chilly.

The harvest is all done and the grape vines rest, waiting for their leaves to drop before pruning begins.

Today is Tasha's grooming day! The itinerant pet groomer arrives at 09h00. I got the grooming area (our utility room) cleaned up a little for the occasion. 

With a capital C

Here's a column, or part of one, on one of the many local, and lesser known, châteaux in our region. Which one? I'm not sure. I'll get back to you. Maybe... Ok, did it. I believe it's the Château de Troussay.

It's the beautifully sculpted capital of an engaged (built into the wall) column.

Another ten degree morning. Outside. I think I'll need a scarf and a knit cap when I go out for the morning walk. Brrr! 

Two years ago this week

The weather was much better. This year, it's cold. Our central heating came on this morning (with no help from us). It's under 10ºC outside. Also, this year, it's overcast and rainy.

The end of September 2023.

Tasha's daily walks get shortened when the weather is bad. And she's getting older. At eight years now, I can tell that she's starting to slow down, contributing to shorter walks. On the up side, the groomer comes by on Friday, so Tasha will get a bath and a haircut. All prettied up for fall!

Accidental leaves

I know this probably never happens to you, but I accidentally hit the "take photo" button on the phone. Still, it's a nice image for fall.

That's the toe of my boot in the lower left corner.

Rain is starting. And it's my turn to walk. We turned the central heating on for the first time this season. Ugh. Mostly just to verify that it works. Also because it feels effin' cold in the house this morning. It's 10.8ºC (51ºF) outdoors.

The other way

I'm standing in the same spot as I was when I took yesterday's photo, but looking the other way. Meanwhile, today is the autumnal equinox. The first day of fall! 😇 Next Sunday, our local hunting season starts. 👿 I hadn't noticed the emoji tool in the Blogger interface until this morning. Watch out.

Leaves are beginning to turn. Happy Fall!

We had some spells of sun yesterday, mostly in the morning. The next expected rain event is predicted for tomorrow morning. It looks like northeastern France will get more of it than we will.

Walking in the woods

A short post today. Typing and especially mousing (is that a verb?) are painful.

Walking in the Artsy Organized Neighbor's woods with Tasha.