Monthly Archives: January 2013

It’s been a year since we’ve seen Brunhilde, during which time she has patiently waited for us to reappear with some driving in mind. Well, we’re on our way, though not to the far-flung, exotic locales of usual. No, we are going to be civilized for awhile, renting a small apartment in the center of the old town of Nimes and spending some weeks doing a few of our favorite things: exploring small roads and out-of-the-way villages, sampling local foods, drinking agreeable wines.

One big difference between this trip and, say, Burma, is that we will handily speak the local language. Even if we cross the Pyrenees to dip our toes in the water along Spain’s Costa Brava, we will not be tongue-tied (or, at least, one of us won’t be). And, BIG NEWS, we will both be EU citizens, as I have recently received my French passport! It only took four years……

Why Nimes, some have asked? A quick look at this weather chart will give you one easy answer, especially as compared to the 25mph wind (constant) and -7 temps (yesterday morning) of recent days here at the ranch, where snow is already covering the fields.

But here’s another, less well-known reason to go there. Nimes is linked to every one of our lives. Intimately so. If you’d like to have your “Aha!” moment of the day, read on: As early as the 18th century, there’s been a sturdy fabric called serge, originally made in Nîmes, France, by the André family. Originally called Serge de Nîmes, the name was soon shortened to denim. Denim was traditionally colored blue with indigo dye to make blue “jeans”, though “jean” then denoted a different, lighter cotton textile; the contemporary use of jean comes from the French word for Genoa, Italy (Gênes), where the first denim trousers were made.

Wow, you’ve gotta love those French!!!! And here I thought blue jeans were invented for me and my hippy friends in the 1960s …..

Jeans, wine and weather aren’t Nimes’ only attractions. Our apartment is literally two minutes walk from Les Halles, Nimes’ enormous indoor food market, with everything from meats and olives to abundant fruits and vegetables, from baked goods and daily fresh baguettes to prepared foods galore, cheeses and charcuterie!

Our apartment has a little balcony overlooking this plaza in the old town, a spot that undoubtedly is packed with visitors during the summer, but at this time of year should be pleasantly occupied by locals. And us, of course.

Here’s other news, this time related to publishing. My book is making its way through the publication process with amazing (alarming) speed. It’s already finished with the first pass of typesetting. This means that what used to be a long, double-spaced Word document now looks like something you’d pick up from a bookstore or library shelf. In other words, it looks like a real book. This is extremely exciting, as you can imagine. Though the publication date is 6 months away, here’s a sneak peek at what the cover will look like once the book is out. Let me know what you think!