Blahs

I want the sun to reappear....rain, rain, go away...

I haven't written on my blog for a day or so, mostly because nothing very worthwhile has happened. I have been dealing with intermittent computer and Internet issues for the past 2 days--what a pain that can be, and it just drains me.  It may be weather related; it's been raining for a day and a half.  It's not cold here, fortunately, but grey.  I went out to take care of the recycling and to get my newspaper and the wind nearly lifted me off my feet.  Le mistral, I think.

I watched a very disturbing investigative journalism piece the other evening about the tanneries in Bangladesh.  I am now close to foreswearing leather products unless I know the country of origin.  I have already been practicing some of that--I won't buy food made or processed in China.  And now I want to know where my footwear originates.  We westerners should be better informed. I did write the rough draft of a poem about it; it will stew for a while and then I will edit it, but I am already pretty happy with it.

At any rate, I have not been very energetic today. I did some housework and have done some writing, and have tried to do some work for "work."  I want to go to a concert this evening at the Chapeau Rouge--it is Occitan music.  Perhaps a little nap.  I wish my energy level didn't so much depend on the weather. 

Tomorrow Carcassonne celebrates the Festival of Saint Vincent--the patron saint of winemakers.  This weekend the city fathers are dedicating a hall to Prosper Montagne, a native Carcassonais who was quite the gourmand and promoted the foods of this area.  (Before I knew about him, I read one of his books-his essay about cassoulet is Divinely inspired, I believe.)  There are all sorts of activities here in the Bastide tomorrow through Monday, all revolving around food and wine and chefs. There will be a blessing of the wine and at Saint Vincent's church with an organ concert to follow.   I expect to be in full attendance, so I need to feel a little peppier...