A Tease of Autumn

Using every last bit of the chicken

I am thoroughly enjoying living in a four-season climate once more.  It's better than the Mid-Atlantic, where I grew up, because here, summers, while hot, are not quite as humid as those I remember in Creagerstown.  I don't have air conditioning, and I don't really wish for air conditioning.  I am lucky enough that the fairly constant winds keep my home pleasant on most days.  

Don't get me wrong, we've had some 90 degree days here--a little heat wave last week toasted us nicely.  But there have been hints of fall's inevitable arrival.  The platane trees no longer have the sheen of early June to their leaves, and many fallen leaves go skittering down the street, sounding to me like rainfall.  It's not an unpleasant sound; I will take it over motorcycle engines revving up, any time.  And the sky has been sort of unsettled from time to time in the past few days.

What happened?  The day started out bright and cloudless!

The morning started off bright, cloudless and cool.  I even awoke to find myself completely under the covers, something that has not happened in months.  Usually I get too overheated and kick them off, or simply lie down and sleep, top sheet-less.  It felt like a nest again this morning.

 

Later, I found myself, without a great deal of planning, making chicken stock.  I purchased a roast chicken at Saturday's market, and this morning, the carcass and some assorted veggies and seasonings went into the making of a stock.  It's probably destined for the freezer, but there are some split peas in the cupboard....split pea soup in August??!!! Unheard of.

Feria, perhaps my favorite festival here in Carcassonne, is coming up in a little over two weeks.  And  "Re-Entry" (going back to the classroom or office from annual vacations) is fast approaching.  I love it that the stores are just now putting out their "Back to School" displays--and school starts on September 1.  

Un-seasonal sky

I am getting my papers and documents amassed for my early September appointment at the Prefecture for the renewal of my Carte de Sejour--my papers which allow me to live here legally.  All these signs and activities point out that fall is poking its head slightly above the horizon.  And I am glad.  I love autumn.  And I especially love autumn here in Carcassonne.