September, Fall….And Hope?
It’s the first week of September and the first drops of rain (in over a month) have just fallen.
The garden is breathing a collective sigh of relief, the parched ground singing as precious moisture eases into its crevices and coats the burnt leaves of trees all around. It’s the start of the season change, and as the weather alters, everything seems to move with it.
Kids are back in school (the big “rentrée“) so lakes and towns are empty again. Working folks are also back in offices, albeit with masks and social distancing rules in place (the new 2020 norm). And campgrounds are slowing down, although things are still bustling all along the coast where the sea of summer kids has been replaced by an equally eager wave of white-haired folks. It’s “retiree travel month” in France, the last hurrah before camps close for the winter season. Even a pandemic it seems, isn’t putting an end to that.
Plus of course the Tour de France has started. It was delayed this year (for obvious reasons), so now the experiment is happening this month instead of the usual time in July. We’re still doing our best to stay virus-free so we haven’t been to watch any of the cyclists in person, like we did last year (the tour actually passed very close to us yesterday), but we’re enjoying the daily transmissions on TV. It comes as a soothing bit of “normality” in an otherwise very strange year.
And with that, comes a beacon of hope…
There’s A Change In The Air
The change in the air is palpable, and it’s not just in the weather or the Tour.
Everyone is still worried about COVID-19 of course, wondering how schools will manage, uncertain about their work and their futures. But there’s also a tinge of something else behind it….dare I say hope? Despite hitting a record number of infection cases in France, hospitalizations and deaths remain low, and that’s a bright ray of light on an otherwise very dark horizon.
Personally I think the numbers reflect changes in the way we are approaching the virus.
A lot more tests are being carried out now (in fact, hundreds of thousands more than back in March), so we’re managing to catch way more infections, much, much earlier. It means our numbers are higher, but it also make them less deadly, percentage-wise. Plus right now it’s predominantly the younger population that are getting infected, reflecting a summer of mingling & partying, again (hopefully) resulting in a less deadly outcome. As for the older folks, I do believe the French mask policy is working, as is our understanding of the virus itself.
And we really do understand more….
Perhaps one of the most interesting articles I’ve read recently was a study of data from ~17,000 genetic samples crunched by the Summit supercomputer in TN , leading to something called the bradykinin hypothesis. If proved true, it would explain a lot of the deadlier symptoms of COVID-19, including fluid build-up (in the lungs), heart, nervous system & brain issues. That understanding should in turn lead to better (more effective) treatments. It’s early days, but IMO it’s hopeful stuff.
I have no illusions about avoiding a 2nd wave (it’s coming whether we like it or not), but perhaps with on-going vigilance and science maybe, just maybe it won’t be as bad as the first one?
We can hope….
Apple & Figs Are Coming Into Season
The other change on the horizon is our new crop of autumn fruits.
‘Tis the season for apples, and perhaps more importantly figs. The latter actually grow wild here, in grand bushes all along the roadside. We have a massive tree on our property and probably around 20 more within walking distance around the neighborhood. It’s a crazy, sweet, dense fruit that also seems quite fancy at the same time. A combination of luxury and sugar rush all in one.
Everyone gets into them here, including the local fauna. I surprised the neighbors cow herd munching their way through a roadside bush the other day. We had a moment of crazy-eyed contact, as the lead cow (main bovine?) stared me down in a sugar-induced high. If you’ve never seen a cow on figs, just imagine a 2-year old after a bag of candy, and add-on about 1000 lbs. As you might imagine, I decided to turn around and walk the other way….
As for apples, we’ve got plenty of those too. Our trees are heavy with fruit, as is the local market where they’re selling them for a song, a mere EUR 3 for 3 kilos. Not being much of an apple person, I never really know what to do with them all. I make a few apple tarts, put them in salads, munch a few, and then….? If you have any good ideas, pleeeease let me know.
So We Wait, And Breathe, And See
I feel like we’re in a lull at the moment, that we have time to breathe, a sweet moment of respite.
On Thursday we did a sneaky little outing to a local lake (Lac de Montbel), a super popular summer spot that is all but completely deserted now that everyone is back in school. We walked part of the ~16 km rim trail with Polly, played in the sand, dipped in the water. I forgot my bathing suit, but it was so empty I simply stripped down to my knickers and went swimming nonetheless. It was a moment of freedom and complete release, something I haven’t experienced since……last year?
It was glorious.
Maybe things are moving forward again, in a real way. Maybe we’ll manage to travel again, and see the world around us. Maybe we’ll find some sense of normality again, if only for a moment. And perhaps our septic will get done (wouldn’t THAT be a minor miracle?).
To be honest, I’m still somewhere in-between it all, my darker moments interspersed with moments of espoir. It’s been a long, long, long…and uncertain summer, but perhaps fall (or Autumn, as my UK-based friends like to remind me it’s called here) will bring something new? I like the idea of shedding it all, of letting the last months fall away, going bare until we can re-boot this whole mess of a year into 2021. Either way I feel change is in the air, and I like to think that’s hopeful.
Do you share the hope, my friends? Are you feeling a change?? Or does it all still feel like Groundhog day? DO share your thoughts and comment below.
A Reminder For Overseas Americans (Make Your Vote Count!)
This is an add-on to my post. The clock is counting down to the upcoming Presidential vote in the USA, and although I do not talk politics (as a rule) on this blog I feel it’s important get the word out on how to make your vote for 2020 count. For Americans residing overseas, NOW is the time to act. Simply follow these 3 simple steps:
1/ Register to Vote (NOW!) -> Each state has deadlines by when you must register to vote. Click on the below websites to easily/quickly see your voting state’s dates & download a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) to send in for registration (many states allow you to do this by e-mail!!). You can also go directly to your local state/county website & register there. There is still time to register, if you haven’t already, but don’t dilly dally. Do this now!
- Federal Voting Assistance Program: https://www.fvap.gov/
- Vote From Abroad: https://www.votefromabroad.org/
2/ Track Your Ballot (SEPT 19th) -> All states are required to send ballots to registered overseas voters at least 45 days before an election, that’s SEPT 19th this year. You should receive it that day (if your state e-mails it) or soon thereafter. If you have not received anything by October 1st, then you can still vote by downloading and sending in an “emergency ballot” otherwise known as the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB). The key here is that as long as you are registered to vote, then you can vote!!!
3/ Cast Your Vote & Return your ballot (ASAP) -> In order to count for the election, overseas ballots must be post-marked by Nov 3rd, but there is often an extra, super-critical catch. Many states require that ballots must also be received within 7-10 days of the election date! International post takes weeks, which means if you send in your ballot too late, then your vote will not count. So, this is what you need to do:
- For states that accept return ballots by e-mail or fax, use that method to avoid delays. If you do not have access to a fax machine, there are online apps you can sign-up for (e.g. efax, you can sign-up for a free trail) OR you can use the fax service provided by the Federal Voting Assistance Program (e-mail to fax@fvap.gov). Download and print THIS cover letter from FVAP to go along with your e-mail/fax ballot to avoid any processing errors.
- For states that only allow return by post, use tracked mail and post your ballot back as soon as your get it.
For those voting from abroad, I hope this helps. Make your voice count, make your vote count & spread the word!
I found this article very helpful and related to the examples and suggestions. The author gathers experts’s views on why we’re sometimes at a loss, unable to work on projects, etc., during this pandemic. https://elemental.medium.com/your-surge-capacity-is-depleted-it-s-why-you-feel-awful-de285d542f4c
PS I met you a few years ago at Cape Disappointment!
Thanks for the link. BTW Cape Disappointment is one of my favorite places.
A very good article. Thanks for sharing it. And Cape D…..ahhhhhh, what beautiful memories 🙂
Nina
Oh to be able to hug freely and mingle in crowds again. Such simple things. Happy for your hopeful post and to see you doing well. We too are starting to nose around just a bit more ever so carefully. And have a small trip to some nearby very remote eco hotels in October. We hope … we wait.
YES….HUGS….I so miss those!! Here in France we all kiss each other on the cheek, or rather we used to. That has all ended now and I miss that terribly too. It’s those small intimacies that we’ve all lost, that don’t seem like much, but change fundamentally how we interact with those around us.
Nina
Ah figs!!! I was in eastern European countries for the fall of 2018 and there were figs at every farmers’ market, dried ones and fresh ones, and I gorged on them! just like those cows 🙂 How I miss those markets. And your lake photos are gorgeous. As for apples, you can sauté little bits of them (diced with peelings) with little bits of smoked sausage, then toss with pasta or fried potatoes or anything, the combination is a nice fruity/meat sweet/salty blend.
Lovely idea for cooking. My mother used to make a savory apple and prune stuffing back when I was a kid. I’d totally forgotten about it, but your post prompted that memory. Thank you so much for the idea!!
Nina
Thanks for the hope and the wonderful photos! Figs! I’m drooling here.
Suggestion: chunky apple sauce with lots of cinnamon – mmmm.
YES…apple and cinnamon….a marriage in heaven.
Nina
Dried apples are wonderful hiking and camping snacks. Peel and slice, then dry to desired crispness.
Another great idea!! We’ve never dehydrated them, but I love that option. Do you use a dehydrator? Or just the oven?
Nina
A dehydrator. I always dry lots and give them as Christmas gifts.
As the keeper of an abundant apple tree, I know what it is like to stare at bushels of apples and wonder what to do. You can only bake so many pies, make so much applesauce, dehydrate apples slices, etc. Even preserving apples, whether by canning or freezing, come the next harvest, I still am working on the bounty of last year.
Last year we made apple juice for the first time. And when you have apple juice, you can make hard apple cider if you’re feeling adventurous. We use a food processor to shred the apples. If you want to dip your toes into the water, get an inexpensive mesh bag and squeeze by hand (hard work, but doable). A small apple cider press works much better but is more of a commitment. The leftover pomace goes in the compost pile, so I don’t feel too guilty drinking just the sweet juice.
Fall in San Diego means heat and wildfires, both of which we’re having now. I’m looking forward to the cool weather of November (can we just fast forward through September and October?). I’m enjoying your posts about life in France. Thank you so much for sharing!
Excellent tips!!! I hadn’t even thought of juice, or cider. That could be fun to make. Thank you for that!
Nina
Hi Nina, Thanks for the hopeful post. I am in Northern California and we have had smokey skies for 3 weeks. It has been hard when added to all the misery of the pandemic and the very divisive politics in this country. We are about to leave on a 2 week camping trip to Oregon and Washington where we hope to find some fresh air to breathe.
I am a little sad to see summer coming to an end. I haven’t kayaked as much as I want to and I haven’t hiked enough and I haven’t rode my bike enough. The smoke here robbed us of 3 weeks of summer. I do count my blessings though. My house and our town are still intact. And fall is beautiful here.
Have you tried making apple butter? It’s a good way to use up a lot of apples and you can give away jars at Christmas to your friends there. It would be delightful on some freshly baked bread along with some butter.
The smoke and fires in CA/OR…it’s all so terrible, on top of everything else. I really do hope we ALL see clearer skies over the next months. In every way.
And thanks for the idea of Apple butter. Looking it up now.
Nina
We make apple butter every fall and give some jars as gifts. You can find a good recipe online. I enjoy your posts and have been reading them for a long time. Hope you can travel again soon!
Wonderful idea!!! I’ve never apple butter so I’m going to look that up today. Thank you!
Nina
You’re welcome! We always add more spice than the recipes call for so it’s good and spicy. Taste as you go.
More so than even during the height of the lockdown, it feels as if we are in a state of suspension, waiting to see what happens in November and, more importantly, what happens after. I am reasonably confident that we’re going to be facing a period of unrest in the U.S., no matter what happens with the election. Tensions are high and things are already turning violent. It is concerning, to say the least. Ever the optimist, I am hopeful that we’re all about to turn a corner, but ever the realist, I am anxious about what’s coming down the pike. Simply put, I’m more jealous of you guys than usual. Southern France sounds pretty nice right now… Stay well.
I so feel you on this one! I am truly worried about the election, especially regards violence and what might come after. I really hope that’s doesn’t happen, but I can’t deny that tensions are higher in the US than they’ve ever been (or that I’ve seen in my lifetime).
Nina
I’m glad to see the weather is turning a corner, it’s been a hot summer you’ve been through. Fingers crossed you guys are able to get out and about in LMB. I’m sure you have places you’d love to go, but if I were in the south, I’d go to Saint Jean-Pied-de-Port. Maybe take a day hike. 🙂 Where ever you go, have fun!
St Jean Pied-de-Port is so lovely…and close. We do need some outings here soon (before I go stir crazy).
Nina
Please change my notifications to none. Thank you!
Sorry Kris, I don’t have access to your notifications. If you click on the e-mail (any e-mail) you get from this blog, there should be an option to change your notifications there.
Nina
I can’t seem to change the notifications only for the comments on this September Fall blog. I still would like to get your newsletter by email. When I click change subscription at the bottom of the email with the new blog comment, I get sent to Word Press and have to sign up for an account there. Sorry to bug but I am getting way too many emails with individual comments on the blog entry. If you don’t know how to do this either, I guess I’ll have to unsubscribe to the newsletter.
Kris
Sorry, as I said I don’t have access to individual blog comment subscriptions. You must have accidentally hit the “notify me of follow-up comments” box on this blog post, and that’s something I cannot manage or change from my side. If you want to unsubscribe from the blog, then you can do so from the weekly blog e-mail. That may or may not unsubscribe you from this comment thread however (I don’t know). Sorry, I just don’t have access to this.
Nina
There’s very much a change in the air here in Colorado. We’ve been plagued by new records in heat and New records in forest fires. And probably new records in smoke along the front range very thick smoke everything is got an orange and ash to it on your cars it’s just been terrible. As to the mood at the citizens of the state it’s very much changing the clamping down on face masks social distancing and the like has really turned against government workers or employees. Most are ignoring all the rules and even when they have security at doors to demand the mask fights have broken out several times. But even beyond this there is a restlessness among the state you can’t quite put your finger on what it is but you can see in actions you can feel it and changed is about to take place. whether is going to be a change for the good or whether for status quo or bad there’s no way really to tell but the tension is there. And A change is about to happen I suspect after the election things will really start to turn all these directives have really brought the silent majority to the forefront and they’re really not very silent.
I’ve been really believing in the last several years citizens of the United States are waking up and things will never go back to what they been it’s a change I think it’s a change all over the globe things will not be ever done the way they were before you can see that people are speaking their opinion more and more and that smaller groups are growing in size and they become very vocal so I figure within the next 6 to 8 months or beginning of spring next year whichever comes first the change will be there for all of us to try and move forward in our lives. Best wishes to the world and it’s changing citizens. Best wishes to those who are restless as they find peace, a better quality of life and happiness within their families and other citizens of the community.
I hope you’re right. I hope everyone is waking up, and that awaking will lead to positive things.
Nina
If we were ten years younger, we’d be leaving the US. Portugal and Germany have long term stay permits that can be obtained by people with no EU passports. This country is just off the rails. The idea of fist fights breaking out when people are told to put on a mask is just symptomatic of the great stupidity and rage that has over run so many people. The current president has certainly done his part in minimizing the danger of this virus and failing to take steps to contain it. Public health only works if the public cooperates. We’re past that. Arizona was a hot spot, the governor finally got a clue and closed the bars and ordered mask wearing. It worked, so now he’s opening bars and softening the mask requirements. Rinse, repeat. This will never be over.
On the bright side, we have your posts to enjoy and remember our times in your wonderful country.
I have to admit, I do find it depressing when I see how folks fight over masks in the midst of a pandemic. They’re such a basic, small thing we all can do to help each other, and yet somehow they’ve become a political statement. There are anti-maskers here in EU too, although there seems to be less of them (thank goodness) than in USA. I just don’t get it.
And yes, there are days where I too despair and wonder if life will EVER be the same again. But then again, I know the world has gone through worse…international wars, civil wars, strife…and has recovered. So I have to believe the same is possible now.
Nina
I’m hoping that my hope is not based on impatience and on real expectations. I too believe that while numbers go up with testing, it is the lowering death rate that is most optimistic. People (if only it were everyone) doing what’s necessary to slow/stop the spread are making the difference. For that I’m grateful and hopeful.
Your little lake is lovely – I do miss having more water to visit here in our desert. Your figs and fruit look amazing – what a treat!!
Yes, I truly hope the hospitalization & death numbers will stay low….or at least under control. That would be very positive indeed. Fingers and paws crossed.
Nina
Big laugh about the cows and figs!
You captured my feeling, mood, energy perfectly today. Even though I just kind of reached critical mass this week (we’re in Northern CA, fire threat, power shut off, generator failing, end of my rope) I am feeling a turn. I too feel your hopefulness. I also feel that I am dropping something that I had previously held dear. A little of a limbo feeling but knowing its temporary. This is passing through.
Thank you as always for staying true to yourself and telling your story, it’s exactly what I need.
Emily
Envious of your figs! I always serve apples braised in butter alongside any kind of pork. We’re actually having smoked ribs and apples tonight! You can also add chopped apples and chopped cabbage to mashed potatoes to change up the flavor a bit. Add to the potatoes in the last 5 to 10 minutes of cooking, then mash as usual. Mix some thinly-sliced apple chunks into turkey meatloaf mixture (can you get ground turkey in France? It wouldn’t taste as good with beef), then top the loaf with bacon strips before baking. Apple chutney is also good. Enjoy! Glad the weather is finally turning for you. It turned here this week. It was 85 degrees on Thursday and we had to have the heat on Friday night.
I do not feel hope here in the US. I feel sadness and despair and a longing to escape the madness that is all around. It is nice to hear someone else speak of hope. You are a lucky gal.
I am so sorry you are feeling that way, but I completely understand it too. There are moments I feel hope, and others where I feel despair. My days go in-between the two. I hope better days for you and all of us are ahead.
Nina