Spring Fever at the Saturday Market

Market day and people are happy

There was a very slight hint of springtime at the market this morning.  Maybe it was no more than wishful thinking on my part.  Maybe it was that it was fairly mild, no freezing hands and having to be bundled up to my eyebrows.  But still--I saw fresh strawberries and fresh raspberries from places where spring has arrived (or maybe never left). 

It's not too crowded--yet

But I think my mild case of spring fever has to do with all of the yellow flowers for sale.  Of course I had to inspect; at first I thought it might be broom.  They call these "Mimosa" but they bear little resemblance to the fuzzy pink flowers I associate with the mimosa trees of my childhood.  I looked up the word in both my dictionary and on-line with no results.  Then I decided that I didn't really care--the important thing is that they are beautiful, cheery and bring some sunshine indoors.  Yes, I had to buy some!  

Sunshine in a bunch

Coins change hands

I got there a little early to miss the crush of people that arrive between 10 and 11 every Saturday morning.  It can get difficult to maneuver through the throng of people and baskets and wheeled shopping carts and strollers.  There were some new vendors there today--one selling chocolate and nougat. I walked right on by, but I wanted to stop.  Fortunately for the vendor, there was a fairly long line.  

My weekly marketing

This afternoon I am going to attend a round table at "my" library.  The topic is the status of studying Occitan in today's world.  Some of the people from the conversation class are going to be on the panel, and I would like to not only support them, but am genuinely interested in what they have to say. 

Sunshine inside my apartment

I also got stopped by one of the workers from Jose Perez's campaign team (he's the Socialist candidate who's running for mayor) and got invited to hear him speak on the 29th.  I explained that I was from the United States, and couldn't vote. She told me to come anyway, and I think I will.  I think the civic problems we wrestle with are universal and I would be interested in how he plans to address them. 

I completed my morning marketing and came home to work.  I have some writing to work on--it's the part of this "adventure" that always seems to get the short end of the time stick. Then I wrestle with the guilt, because I came here to learn French and to write.  I am making some progress with the first, and working at a snail's pace at the second.  

I can't resist.  They remind me of forsythia.

Next weekend is the Festival of Saint Vincent.  I am also seeing posters and articles in the newspaper about the coming carnaval celebrations.  I can't imagine ever being "bored" here in Carcassonne.