Category Archives: The Land

June Gardening Update

In June the garden was filling out and growing fast with plenty of rain and warm weather. The peas really took over and I discovered a whole new world inside those tiny green pods. I had never really known what a pea tasted like before June 2009, but I made up for it with kilo after kilo smothered in butter and a bit of garlic… The Zucchini plants began to flower; There were some tiny green tomatoes forming, and peas, cabbage, beets, and carrots were not long from harvest time. Continue reading

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A Walk in the Village

Some photos from around the village in early June. The weather was finally starting to really warm up, the grass was green, and the gardens were growing. Continue reading

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One more time, in Harmony.

Things have developed very rapidly over here. There’s a lot to say, but little time, and words are difficult.

It seems that I will be or will soon be leaving Le Vignaud indefinitely. I won’t go into the details of the situation (as some of you already know, to varying degrees), but will only say that this was a very difficult decision to make. Continue reading

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May Gardening Update

May was a big month for gardening. The last of the frosts were finally past, the weather became warmer, and the plants (along with the weeds) started growing quickly. Tomatoes and Peppers were in the ground, we ate more salad than anyone cares to remember, and already peas, radishes, and carrots were growing fast.

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Lac du Vignaud

Alex and Jessica ditching work at the lake one beautiful spring day in early May. I was the only one brave enough to jump in that day… it had been five years since I last had the chance and I … Continue reading

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Cold Frame

Gus helps me build a new cold-frame for the tender spring seedlings. I had been looking for some old windows to use for a long time and finally some happened to come my way. Gus helped with the painting, and even the grass looks a little cheerier thanks to the Le Vignaud Blue that ended up everywhere… Continue reading

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A Walk in the Country

Alex and I ditch work one day in April… The day after Alex lay dying if I remember correctly. Who can stand roofing after a night with Paddy?

So instead, we took a walk to the lake and had a nice chat with the cows on the way. The lake was still frigid, but the first spring leaves were just starting to emerge from the surrounding trees. Just before sunset, the light is wonderful and the lake is calm. Continue reading

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Welcome to the Neighborhood

Is this the French version of the flaming bag of dog shit on the front porch, or a really strange way to welcome me in to the commune? Continue reading

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