News From The Auvergne

Dear Readers,

I am finally in the Auvergne, and as far removed from my life in Brooklyn as I could possibly be. Here, in a very, very tiny village, my family has owned an old stone farm house for decades. With few exceptions, we have returned to it every summer to spend a few weeks in the French countryside.

Since we arrived, the weather has been glorious. The first few days have been busy greeting our neighbors and connecting to our friends. There is so much catching up to do after one year of absence.

This being France of course, we spend a fair share of our time planning meals and talking about what bottle of wine to open. There is also the next game of pétanque to organize. At night, we sit around the fireplace and talk for hours.

The sunflowers are in full bloom, the wheat is ripening, the cows are grazing in the fields and life is good, my friends.

PS: Before you think that all we do is laze the day away, let me say that we have a few projects planned on the house...and we have started already. This year, we are finally going to plaster and paint the hallway and get rid of the last remaining hot pink which dates from the 1960's. I can't wait.