The cicadas are hot. They've begun the cooling process of flapping their wings that brings the noise that has become synonymous with provence. I heard the first ones today at lunch. Apparently the fried salmon was a hit because after a moment there was silence around the table, a rarity with three girls, as everyone dug into their lunch. But it wasn't quiet, Inoticed the loud scratching sound right outside the open door.
For about 5 days now we finally have a true summer, the kind of weather the south of France is known for, the kind where you just sit around and sweat and dream of an after lunch siesta (not possible) and a late afternoon dip in a swimming pool.
We spent last weekend squatting in our friends pools. On Saturday we went south to JC and Lulu's for the afternoon. JC and Raph have been friends for over 20 years and are like brothers. We arrive at each others houses and invade with all our children. So far we've had the upper hand with our 3 to their 2 but their expecting twins this year so they'll soon be ahead by one. On Saturday, to our surprise, they bought us a copy of their swimming pool. Truthfully, they insisted, "it's purely for selfish reasons - now we've evened the game" - they'll have just as much reason to invade us as we do them this summer. They don't even mind the in-laws.
The swimming pool is one of those plastic blue circular things that balloons open and is sustained by the water. We haven't yet installedthe sucker despite my constant comments about the heat to Raphael. We're in debate over where to put it. Okay, the debate is over. It's been decided. After ruling out Nini's courtyard due to the traffic of winery clients and me not wanting to be seen floating like awater buffalo and giving the impression that I'm wearing the pool as my innertube. Our next choice was over the hill from the House where, a few years back we had a similar version of this pool, until it got blown to bits by the Mistral before we had the time to take it down one September. It was a beautiful spot. We could float around in lazy circles watching the trees blow in the breeze. For me, it was too far away from civilization - a kitchen and bathroom. Then there was the bug problem, they constantly fell of those lovely trees into the water, and the fact that we had to tramp through and un mowed field to get there. Raphael had the brilliant idea to put the pool in our courtyard, that is the one currently under stalled construction in front of the HOUSE. The courtyard is divided into terraces each bordered by a stone wall. Only one is almost complete - the cement was poured months ago giving it a finished look despite not being tiled yet. The problem, this terrace is not big enough. But the center one, currently a mess of broken stone, is. That is where Raphael wants to install the pool this summer. He does have one point. The spot is great for it's lack of wind, trees (and bugs) and is facing directly south so very sunny (this means that I won't be allowed to take the girls there between 11am and 4pm because it's too hot). I agreed but that means waiting a week to use the pool. Today the mason was here to finish breaking the stone (the first step). Tomorrow and over the weekend Raphael will have to clear away all the stone so that Monday the mason can pour the concrete. It needs three days to dry and then we can raise the pool.
I'm going to thank JC and Lulu again because not only did they give us a way to cool off and keep the kids busy this summer but also they got me a second almost complete terrace.
I'm so glad you've returned to blogging. I check your site once or twice a week and imagine my surprise to find a post today. It's been such a pleasure to read back and catch up. I'm so sorry that life with in-laws has not improved; am awfully happy for you regarding the new pool chapter and terrace #2 to be completed. Please keep blogging--even if only a paragraph a day; it may help keep you sane! ;-)
Austin, TX
Posted by: musingegret | June 18, 2009 at 03:56 PM
yes do keep blogging! you have a wonderful talent for it and it is always a pleasure to read.
Now that i went back and got caught up on your recent postings, you have my sympathies! Now, let's have a nice cool glass of wine.
Posted by: Gilbert Galvan | June 24, 2009 at 10:37 PM