THE CLIMATE. Yesterday while I was working with a client over Skype a storm burst upon Salies, and burst is the word. Nothing announced it. Just suddenly there was this resounding slap of wind and rain against the side of the building and I turned to see literal sheets (cords, in French) of water blocking the view of even the closest trees. Continue reading
UPDATE…
Two things: My back is better and… I received this Award from my marvelous co-blogger Teatime at the Zoo, writer of a blog that is a constant delight of living critters (marvelous photos) whose lives become personalized through her imaginative observing eye. Thank you from the bottom of my heart; you too are my favorite blog.
DREAM LAND
INTRODUCTION
I dream a lot. I used to dream much more, but even today I have dreams that I remember and write down. I have always dreamed (or should it be ‘dreamt’?) as far back as I can recall. Unfortunately, most of my dreams were nightmares that, at the time, I would have preferred not to have. Continue reading
HESTE DE LA SAU
The Heste de la Sau (Fête du Sel in French) or Salt Festival is the principal yearly happening in Salies. When summer has been spent, when kids are back in school, when the public officials are working again and most people have ended their vacations, Salies throws caution and economics to the wind and goes all out for four days. Continue reading
MY BODY’S A DISASTER ZONE
In October of 2010, a month before moving to Salies, I threw my back out. I was at a ranch outside of Palma de Mallorca attending a workshop. Every morning, one of the participants would direct yoga exercises. Every time I assumed the flat-on-my-back-legs-stretched-out position, the thought that this was not good for my particular lumbar region would flash through my mind and I would ignore it. Continue reading
DEFINITELY NOT A PARTY DOG
As I walk out the front door to go for coffee the same as every morning since eighteen 
months ago, Salomé pulls to the left decidedly. That is not the way and she knows it; she also knows that when we arrive at the Café des Thermes we will meet Kiwi-san and she will get her daily morsels of croissant that he so generously shares with her. Why in the world would she insist on going in the opposite direction? Continue reading
TO A DEAR FRIEND TURNING 60
Hello, my runner up by 10 years! Yes! I am that far ahead of you: ten years and one day!!! So, I have already been where you are just arriving and I have wonderful news! Continue reading
JUST FOR TODAY
I was going to title this “Back” but I can’t know that. It is only this moment, this ten twenty-nine p.m. moment of July 26th, while I listen to the thunder rolling over the hills in the distance like some lumbering cannon coming ever closer, and feel finally a cooling breeze that would bring the body back from the fringes of hell, that I can know. Continue reading
KIWIPEDIA
Kiwipedia: a walking Wikipedia in the person of… who else? Kiwi-san.
Sometimes I consult Wikipedia, but most times I consult Kiwipedia as the easiest way to obtain information. And just occasionally I get more than the information I required. Continue reading
MEETING THE GREEK
And I said to God: “Thy will be done, but, please, could you see to it that the next man I meet has some money.” Continue reading
Writing a life 