Now we’re…

Getting back to paranormal

After 50 plus years, we can’t recall a time when we both have been so darned sick. Today Judy said that it is now the best she has felt since around Christmas, and last fall was no delight after our October COVID bouts. She felt lousy for much of the cruise and had no appetite. When she had the night sweats during the last two days, all of the bedding was absolutely soaked. Same when we got to Tresques, but it all settled down a few days ago and she has slept well. We are both hacking up mucous but stocking up,on Exomuc, which breaks things up.

We will be bringing several boxes back to Canada for stocking stuffers. You can check it out: https://www.mon-pharmacien-conseil.com/en/oily-cough/808-exomuc-200mg-24-sachets.html. You can maybe find it on Amazon too.

Jude was not alone regarding ailments. About two days into the cruise I could not flex my right leg more than about 20 degrees. It was the first cruise where the fitness facility was out of bounds for me. Getting off the ship a couple of times was quite painful, and geriatrics with canes and walkers kept passing me. There is a message but am tuning it out. By the end of the cruise, it was back to its regular self.

So, I am not an engineer.

After taking possession here almost nine years ago, the tv streaming in the petit salon has been spotty at best. I figured we just had to put up. We could watch a show for a few minutes, and then the spinning wheel. Very frustrating. But last night there was a bit of an epiphany. The wifi router, phone, and all the internet stuff were in the second bedroom. It is insulated by a stone and concrete wall about a foot thick. Could that be a problem?

Take a moment. This morning we (I) relocated all of the technical paraphernalia to the defunct fireplace in the grand salon. It isn’t pretty, but thankfully the cord was long enough. Will get a longer one tomorrow and tape it along the base of the wall. Anyway, it works and the Amazon Fire Stick and Apple TV are now getting mighty signals.

This is not Home Beautiful…

Maurice returns!

Guessing nobody believed me when I wrote that we saw him, and I had some doubts after five or so days. So tonight at about 6:30 I opened the door to do a kitty check, and the little tyke was on the stairs YELLING at me, in French. He has now had wet food and snax.

Last year his ears we’re looking a bit more healed, and now they are just mostly scarred. He is a very nice cat and pleasantly mouthy. More to come.

Dress shopping..

With Judy and her date scheduled to attend two weddings before our return to France in September, it is time to research the haute couture. Peggy, our personal shopper extraordinaire, knows a store in Uzes that may just provide the solution, at least for one.

Today is May 1, which is Labor:(sic) Day in France. Everybody gets a day off, with pay! Sounds very Trudeauesque, non? This started over 500 years ago and if you are interested, please research it. It has little to do with labour movements or anything contemporary.

Amusements

On the barge cruise last spring, Doug cruelly introduced me to Spelling Bee. This is part of the New York Times daily puzzle app, and if you enjoy puzzles this is a good one. It includes the Bee, daily Wordle, Sudoku, and the NYT crossword.

The Bee works as follows: you are presented with a circle of six letters surrounding one in the centre. Using at least four letters, come up with as many words as possible but they all must contain the centre letter at least once. Here is an example.

The daily Bee is published daily at 3:00 AM, EST. There is a guy named Steve G. somewhere in New York who has this finished every day by 4:00 AM. Please don’t ask how I know. He appears to be a Renaissance man or incurable insomniac, or both. Give it a try if you have nothing to do and lots of time to do it.

Signing off for now. Getting prepped for the shopping spree, lunch in Uzes, and apéro with Serge and Patrizia tomorrow.

Requiescat in pace – Orillia’s son

« There was a time in this fair land… » when we were privileged to enjoy the work of great Canadian songwriters, poets, and artists. The leaders like Ian Tyson, Leonard Cohen, and Gord Downey have been joined by Gordon Lightfoot. One can only hope that someday there will be a return of storytellers, musicians, and unforgettable melodies and lyrics.

Not holding my breath, though…