28 June 2011

Cœur normal, but check your engine

Votre examen est normal, Monsieur. Your exam shows nothing abnormal. That's what the cardiologist said. That was good news. I didn't much appreciate the notation on my diagnosis that I have a surcharge pondérale. But I know it's true. Wonder why?

Other good news: the air conditioner in the Peugeot was working just fine. The thermometer readout on the dashboard showed 39ºC — 102ºF — all afternoon, outside. Inside, it was a cool 25ºC or less.

Red and black punaises (stink bugs) on parsley flowers

But then on the way home, just 10 miles from Saint-Aignan, as I slowed down for a STOP sign, the car conked out. It restarted okay and I drove it on home, but the témoin d'autodiagnostic moteur idiot light stayed lit up the whole way. That's the "check engine" light, I believe. So now I have to go see the mechanic. I hope he's not closing his garage for all of July and August — les grandes vacances.

This branch broke under the weight of the apples on it
when we had rain and a little wind last week.

It's probably time for a new car. Or a "new" voiture d'occasion. The Peugeot will soon be 11 years old. I really want a Citroën, but I have to find one I like. And I'd like for the dollar to go up a little against the euro, please.

The geraniums on the front deck are electric red this year.

It's raining this morning. Well, sprinkling. There was lightning and thunder overnight, but only a drop or two of rain. It's still hot (nearly 25ºC/77ºF) right now at 7:00 a.m. It's supposed to cool down quite a bit by tomorrow. With any luck, we'll get some more rain.

13 comments:

  1. what kind of plant is that? where the stink bugs are. . .also, is that an apple tree?

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  2. I'm full of questions like Jason. What's a surcharge pondérale? I thought you might get another Peugeot or Renault, but you mention Citroen?

    I love the stink bugs and parsley photo- it looks like modern art.

    I hope your mechanic is in town and that your car is OK, conking is not OK,

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  3. Surcharge pondérale , that's a diplomatic or politically correct way to say it ( here they will say "embonpoint")

    Good to hear that the heart is getting on very well. I guess the red wine is doing its job :-)

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  4. WE too had a car problem -picked up a used truck yesterday and the dealer said he drove it earlier an d it ran fine.

    A block down the road from the dealer, the check engine light came for me! back to the dealer and sure enough somehow in the 2 minutes I drove it, some exhaust sensor went out and it was running rough.

    So a quick switch to a new one on them and I was on my way again with a "sorry about that" from the dealer - hope that is it as I will be attaching a 26' travel trailor and head to Montana for the summer on Thursday.

    Trout of Schnitze and the trout b log

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  5. Wow - hard to believe you had 102 degrees. I'm sure that's oppressive with the humidity. Good thing the car started again. We had 117 degrees here yesterday, but only 4% humidity.

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  6. Yes, the surcharge pondérale just means I'm (slightly, if I may) overweight. Well, it runs in the family, I say, and my weight has been stable for 10 years or more now.

    I have a good mechanic. As I told CHM this morning over the phone, I know people who have driven thousands of miles with the Check Engine light shining. But I'll go to see the mechanic this week.

    Diogenes, I guess the heat in Phoenix or Palm Springs or wherever is normal for you. Here it's abnormal. Yesterday it wasn't too humid, though hot, but today — ouf! Terrible. Not as hot, but twice as muggy.

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  7. Jason, where the stink bugs are is in a patch of parsley that has gone to seed. And yes, it's just under a big apple tree.

    Evelyn, hi, I just want a Citroën. I like the Peugeot. I'm less enthusiastic about Renaults. Maybe the Peugeot problem will turn out to be pas grand'chose. The car seems to be running fine. Whatever the verdict, I plan to keep it, because it's in good shape.

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  8. 102° F seems suspiciously high.
    Rien à signaler de Saint-Laurent-Nouan, j'espère.

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  9. Dean, I think the car's thermometer always reads high. The real temperature was probably closer to 36ºC / 97ºF. It was hot, as it is today. It's not as hot today, with a breeze, but with high humidity.

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  10. I'm glad there's nothing abnormal about you, but sorry the Peugeot is not the same!

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  11. Fingers crossed that you get your dream car someday soon. And I'm glad the cardiologist gave you the thumbs up. :)

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  12. Hi ckb,

    We are living in north Scottsdale now, but spend a lot of time in LA and PS. Yes the heat is "normal" -it's 113 today - but I never seem to get used to it. If you guys ever visit here, may I suggest November through March. ;-)

    Thank you for translating surcharge ponderale. Now I know how to describe my own waistline in French.

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  13. Ginny, I just want a Citroën. I'm not sure that's a dream. I hope it doesn't turn into a nightmare!

    Diogenes, I remember visiting Salton City and Death Valley in October or April. Those were the only months that were tolerable. Or maybe February/March, if it didn't snow.

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