Wild chicory is plentiful out in the margins of the vineyard parcels out back. I've featured it here many times. So here it is again, photographed as the sun rose, before their characteristically blue flowers opened for the day.
Today's a holiday: l'Assomption, the Assumption of Mary. There are two weeks left in the summer vacances scolaires; September 1 is back-to-school day for the French kids. Meanwhile, the heat goes on. Nothing new weather-wise.
... and the fig tree taketh away. Well, not really. But what it gives is harder than igneous rocks and inedible. By humans in any case. Insects and birds seem to enjoy it all.
Eyeglass Chronicles, part 78. I had an appointment to see the ophthalmologist yesterday, but when I got to the medical building, the lights were off and the place was locked up, more or less tight. Turns out that they made my appointment at their other offices, about 40 kilometers away. Why they would think I wanted that, I cannot say. The appointment was made for late in the day, after their phones went off line, so I couldn't even call them to let them know (no voice messaging available after hours -- that's helpful). So today I've got to ring them back* to let them know what happened. All they know at this point is that I was a no-show. Will this never end?
* Chose faite (done). No problems.
It's easy to see anthills in the vineyard road. The road is covered with gravel of different sorts and colors, most frequently white limestone. The soil beneath that gravel is red clay. The ants dig down into the clay and carry it out of their nest before dumping it around the entrance.
Our weather forecast predicts highs in the upper 30s through the week and morning lows above 21ºC (about 70ºF). That, after three days of the same, is officially une canicule (heat wave) in our part of France. Ugh. We won't be able to complain that we didn't have a summer this year. August has turned out to be a scorcher, even if it started out cold and rainy.
Before I tore out the half-dozen or so grape vines in our back yard, we used to harvest the leaves for that famous Greek dish called dolmas or stuffed grape leaves. I kind of miss making them, but I don't miss those old vines at all. They did produce some grapes, depending on the year. Before we moved in, the vines had been neglected for a while. They were, as in the larger vineyards, supported by stakes and guide wires that formed a barrier across the yard. They were planted in the shade of several large trees, so they never got the sun that they needed. They were likely planted before those trees got huge. Three of them are gone now, too.
I got up around midnight last night and noticed that it was raining. It lasted about five minutes, then the moon came out again. This morning the sky is clear. It's going to be another hot one today.
Here's a recent look at the newest vineyard parcel out back. I think the vines are busy growing roots. They have no grapes this year, and likely won't next year, either. Later this fall, the leaves will turn and drop and the vines will resemble little more than sticks in the ground. The leaves will sprout again in the spring (as leaves do) and the stems and vines will get stronger and longer. I'm not sure when the first pruning will happen.
As usual in hot weather, our windows and doors are opened in the early morning to allow cool air into the house. There's no wind, nary a breeze outside today. But if you stand next to an open window or door, you can feel the cool air creeping in. Until mid-day when we close up to minimize solar gain and keep the hot air out.
It's that time of year. Acorns are forming and falling. I'm sure they're good food for many wild critters like deer, squirrels, and birds.
We're expecting a high today of 32ºC, close to 90ºF. The hardest part of the heat is how it affects sleeping. Not in a good way, that's certain. It's such a relief in the morning when the cool air comes in. By mid-day, it's time again for closed windows and shutters.
I didn't really see any portents. Thank goodness. What could S A mean? I'm guessing "Saint Aignan."
They're forecasting a heat wave for the next week or so. The forecast also includes cool mornings, so that will help make the heat bearable. Highs are expected to hit the low to mid 30s all week, going up to near 40ºC (104ºF) by mid-week. Yikes!
