Hello, Friends. How are you? Does it seem like Friday to you? Are you feeling the relief of making it through another week? Any updates on school closings where you live? President Macron spoke earlier this week and said May 11th is the earliest schools will reopen in France. (School here ends the first week of July, so that would still give a couple of months of learning.)
Something new for us: We tried a bit of gardening at the new house this week. Nothing major — we just dead-headed the hydrangea bushes. But it felt good to work outside. And we found the little nest above! Those eggs look absolutely pretend, right?
Now I need to figure out: 1) where I can buy stuff like a rake and some garden gloves while most stores are closed, 2) if there’s a community composting spot where I can drop off clippings and leaves and other yard waste, and 3) what we can reasonably do to improve the garden this summer, even though we’re not living in the house yet.
Maybe we can plant something? Figure out a path and some ground cover? The interior of the house is definitely the priority as far as work projects go, but if there’s something small we can do outside, I would be open to it.
Ready for some weekend reading? Here are a few things I’ve wanted to share with you:
-Coyotes, bobcats and bears: Wildlife is reclaiming Yosemite National Park. I love Yosemite so much.
-“This tight correlation suggests that if the US were testing more people, we would probably be seeing an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases. And combined with the high test-positivity rate, it suggests that the reservoir of unknown, uncounted cases is still very large.”
Oh my I desperately want widespread and frequent testing. It’s so hard to get a picture of what’s actually happening, and to make a game plan for what to do next, until we know who has covid-19 currently, and who has already had it. If we had that knowledge right now it would change everything.
-In an excerpt from his new book, Bill Buford writes about his time as an apprentice in a boulangerie in Lyon.
-Gross. How Some Rich Americans Are Getting Stimulus ‘Checks’ Averaging $1.7 Million.
–Our steamer didn’t work with French voltage, so we left it with our kids in California, but I miss it and am ready to replace it. They’re relatively inexpensive (under $20), and so easy and satisfying to use.
-Epidemiologists estimate that if social distancing had started even one week earlier, it could have saved the lives of thirty-seven thousand people, sixty per cent of those expected to die.
-Which grandparents do your kids feel closer to?
-Yikes. All 12 jurors from the Roger Stone trial told the court today that they feel harassed and afraid for their lives, especially after President Trump and right-wing media figures criticized them for convicting Stone of seven federal crimes.
-Much appreciated words of wisdom.
Here are some tweets I saved for you:
-Thank you Activist Barbie.
-Hah! Raise your hand if you need a haircut.
-A thread on the pandemic in rural America.
-Is this true about the bacterial enzyme? That seems like good news.
-The minimum wage isn’t livable and hasn’t been for years.
-Again, where are the tests?
-What are you thoughts on America as a punchline?
-How does this sound to you?
-Hahahahaha. Very relatable.
-An unbelievable story and my favorite response. I’d sue everyone.
I hope you have a really good weekend. I’ll meet you back here on Monday. I miss you already.
kisses,
Gabrielle
Plant fruit trees! It takes a few years for them to bear fruit and they require intermittent care the first year (prep a planting spot, fertilizing, watering now and then if no rain). But, by planting them now you will get a head start on years to come! Fruits like crab apples and plums make fruit and beautiful flowers. Now would be a time to look around and see what your neighbors have blooming.
Please share a picture of your backyard and garden area! would love to see that! The picture of the bird eggs was so beautiful, it didn’t seem real!
Yes- backyard pictures! Also, I’d love to know what you are planning for the front entryway? It may seem far off, but I personally feel so happy arriving home to a nice looking entryway, it makes me feel good every time (until I get in the messy house!). I’m thinking a couple of planters on either side of the door? Are window boxes a thing in France?
Are you sure your pepinieriste is not open? They should be open, even if the schedule is not so wide; and for the greens, won’t they take it in the green garbage bean? (I live in the east and that’s what we do, but I know it can vary). Good luck and happy gardening…
Most of the stores are closed but you can find garden stuffs on websites like leroy merlin. They give you a date and a time to pick up your order safely.
We have some gardening stuff at our local Carrefour Market, including coal for barbecues (just saying) seeds, rakes etc…
Do you have a sunny spot for veggies? If not directly in the ground, the troughs for watering livestock are wonderful insta-beds. There are also lots of Corten steel options available online, which some prefer to the silver galvanized color.
The Illinois governor is expected to announce later today school closures for the remainder of the year. Chicago had a teachers strike earlier this year. Between those days lost and the remainder of the school year elearning (at best), it’s a devastating year for learning.
The same happened where I live, in Ontario (Canada). We had strike action in the fall and winter, now the closure for the pandemic. The academic year is a write off.
Ohio is officially done for the year; they’re talking about a blend of distance and in-person learning in the fall. I may cry if these kids can’t go back to school this fall!
Loved the story by Bill about baking bread in Lyon.
Thank you for sharing!
FYI–the “words of wisdom” link goes to the steamer link. Not sure if it’s me or the link!
Me as well. I’m still enjoying all the great links, but wanted to let Gabby know this, too!
All fixed now. Sorry about that!
Our schools official online only. I had hoped for a June return (last day is 6/20ish), but no go. That means six months without in person learning. It is what it is- hard for everyone.
Luckily, infection rates looking good here and slowing.
But what next?
Being 30 weeks pregnant right now, the story about the second uterus stood out to me! 😳😳😳 NOPE! I agree, I’d sue everybody!
I’m from Canada, and American has been a punchline since Trump announced his run for president. Your country may never recover from that mistake, unfortunately.
I LOVE seeing you working on the house in your stories, inside and outside in the garden. Keep it up!!!
The story about Bill in Lyon (that’s my birth place!) was really touching. I am now curious to read his novels.
Those are robin eggs I think … so pretty!
Hopefully you will see the baby birds!