04 March 2012

Fermetures et absences

No snails yesterday. The escargot man was not at the market in Saint-Aignan. Our region's schools are on winter vacation right now, so a lot of businesses are closed and some of the regular vendors aren't showing up at the market.

Sunrise over the vineyard in a 2008 photo

France is divided into three regions so that there's a staggered school vacation schedule. That way, not everybody in the country hits the roads or the ski slopes at exactly the same time. Yesterday we noticed at least one baker and one restaurant that were closed. Our bread delivery services has been suspended all week while the porteuse de pain takes a holiday.

Lucky for us, the wine co-op was open for business. So was one of the best Saint-Aignan boulangeries. And both the gardening center and the hardware store were open. At the latter, we found a sharpening machine (un touret à meuler). Now we can sharpen big knives, lawnmower blades, and axes. Watch out!

15 comments:

  1. Whew! Thank goodness the wine co-op was open!

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  2. Meant to add that I love your new header photo. It's 2:25am here and the wind has been howling so loud I can't sleep.

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  3. Ken,
    We wish you a happy birthday for Monday, just in case we get our time lines mixed up.
    I can never figure if we are in front or behind French time.

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  4. Leon and Sue, I think it might be bad luck to give birthday wishes in advance! French superstition. Don't know if it's bad luck for you or for me. Just kidding of course. Thanks.

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  5. Wonderful, wonderful header photo. The other one ain't bad either.

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  6. Grea header photo, Ken. Thanks for visiting my blog. Are you going to the US soon? And passing through Paris? We could plan lunch together.
    As for your pets, nothing doing, ils sont comme chien et chat !

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  7. Oh boy, I love the new banner header! It's fun how you've been changing the color scheme and banner frequently :) It's another beautiful shot.

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  8. Ken, I have to wish you a happy birthday today because I have been working so much, I don't spend a lot of time on the computer. I leave for work at 4.30 am and come back around 9 or 10 pm.
    Have a good one!

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  9. Beautiful photo!

    Love those clouds and the BLUES!

    Mary in Oregon

    I don't want to jinx your day - wishes tomorrow!

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  10. Hi Ken !

    The sky on your new banner is gorgeous !

    Bises

    Mary

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  11. Hi Ken !

    The sky on your new banner is gorgeous !

    Bises

    Mary

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  12. It's gone midnight....
    It is officially Mundi...

    Hippo Birdy Two Ewe
    Hippo Birdy Two Ewe
    Hippo Birdy Deer Ken
    Hippo Birdy Two Ewe!!

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  13. I just love the "Hippo Birdy Two Ewe." So that's what I'll use today. I probably won't remember tomorrow when I call you.

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  14. Your banner is heavenly!!!

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