Indian Summer

Is it our usual Indian Summer coming a month early, or are we just having an exceptionally glorious September with temperatures here in Gascony still rising towards the late thirties C max?  Only the cool, crisp mornings with the hedgerows glistening with diamanté dew remind us that it is officially Autumn.  Having finished my painting commissions for birthdays and weddings my French neighbour has floored me by suggesting that I do two portraits of her so she can give one each to her grown-up children!  Fortunately, I'm not so good at human portraits [animals being my speciality] so her poor suspecting offspring may yet be spared.

What am I doing now?  Well, I'm giving thought to organising my art group's Christmas party and the painting programme for 2012, which will be much more challenging and comprehensive.  And today I've printed out the first three and a half chapters of my new novel for editing.  This will get it flowing again after a short break from writing and, hopefully, I will get it finished by Christmas - well, that's my aim, anyway.  

Hot stuff!

We are 'enjoying' the big heat hear in Gascony at the moment with temperatures soaring well over 100F degrees.  Yesterday my outside thermometer registered 52C and it was like walking into a hot oven.  Too hot to be in the garden or work in my studio, hot in my office even with the fan going full blast - so I took it easy with my two furry buddies lounging together on the settee in the sitting room which is the coolest room in the house, despite facing south.  Candy doesn't mind being in the house, but Toby was a bit peeved not to get his early morning walk because it was already too hot for all of us by breakfast.  This morning it's just as hot and I'm hoping for some rain and cooler weather soon so that I can complete a very important painting commission - a wedding present with a very odd subject: Two goldfish kissing in a bowl!  Apparently, the French see this as a sign of love and happiness.  Ah, oui!

Springtime in Gascony

There's nothing quite like Springtime in Gascony. It happens overnight. Suddenly, the afternoon temperatures soar, the trees turn green,the flowers bloom and the bees buzz in a deafening chorus.

Our sleepy little village awakens with the first morning light. Still snug in my cozy bed I listen to the birth of the day. A car revs up and drives off, the first sound to break the silence. Down at the local farm there's an unidentified engine whirring while the cows - brown, long-horned Salers and parchment white Charolaises compete with the plaintive braying of donkeys.

Through my open window the scent of tree blossom and roses wafts on the cool air and a Nightingale arouses the Black Caps and the Blackbirds in a magical chorus that will continue throughout the day.

Downstairs, my two miniature Yorkies are awake and having their daily spat while waiting impatiently for doors to be opened and dishes to be filled.
I'm out of bed, filled with renewed vigour and inspiration for the next novel, which I've only just started to write.

As usual, things get in the way, I'm sidetracked by the unexpected. This morning it was a surprise visit by a worldly-wise seven year old French boy who had decided to come and say "Bonjour". Seven, going on seventeen, and as big as a ten year old, was fascinated to see inside an English home, enchanted by Candy and Toby, and full of questions for my husband, Brian, who speaks no French! And the house is at its most unclean, most untidy state and the French friend and neighbour Louis came with is ultra house-proud - certainly great competition for the legendary Mrs Bucket - or is that Mme Bouquet!

So, here it is getting on for midday and a quick lunch before I keep my appointment with an orthopaedic surgeon who will, I pray, sort out my knees without resorting to surgery. So, little writing will be achieved today, though I am more than pleased to tell you that Chapter Two is underway and I have at last sussed out the route of the story - possibly my most challenging yet, spanning 100 years. A veritable saga!