Observations from America
There is no dog shit on the sidewalks or on the ground in parks. Fewer dog lovers walk their pets because yards here are much larger and usually fenced in. This means that shoveling the poop on a regular basis is needed. However, stepping in a gooey mess is rare.
Life in a small town means loud mufflers on the pickup trucks that are three times the size of any personal vehicle in France. It’s some sort of masculine statement-my muffler is bigger and louder than yours.
Gas prices are low - $1.75 per gallon beats the going French per liter (litre). However, those massive cars and trucks on US roads devour petrol making the cost per mile about even. The oil lobby seems quieter now that demand is soft and the coal boys are silent.
Tried to buy a good red wine for dinner. The steaks were great but the $10 bottle of Cabernet reminded me that a 5 euro Malbec from Anne de Joyeuse can’t be duplicated here. But the Michigan micro-brewers are magnificent. It’s about time for a Bell’s Porter.
Wednesday nights in Eaton Rapids means the classic car parade. The downtown is restricted in parking to those beautifully restored memories of youth. Sidewalks are crowded with camping chairs as grandfathers expound on the relics to anyone who will listen. Later in the evening the antiques form into a single file line and the parade begins. Might be an idea for Quillan.
There are no hills in central Michigan. My son-in-law, a marathoner who recently won a hilly race in Wisconsin, mentioned the incline on the walk to downtown as one to avoid. It’s insignificant. We used to live in Mount Pleasant which had only one hill-bumper stickers proclaimed with tongue in cheek “I scaled Mt. Pleasant”.
Eggs here are white. Chickens are large but tasteless. Can’t find duck in the supermarket. Cheese is bland and selection is miniscule. But corn on the cob is everywhere and sweet and tender. And grapes are seedless. And bacon is thick. And bread loaves have heals.
Haven’t seen TV since arriving. Haven’t missed it. No political ads and no Covid 19 numbers. Masks are required in businesses and haven’t seen any protesters wearing signs around their necks.
36 degrees this morning - that’s 2 Celsius. Had to scrape frost off the windshield. Now I remember why Quillan was so attractive. And the food. And the people. And the history.
Smoking ribs and chicken wings tonight. And of course corn on the cob. Probably some broccoli slaw and black beans and rice. Apple cobbler for dessert. Did I mention a good Porter to drink?
Motorcycles actually obey the rules of the road. Had one follow us at the speed limit-damn near fainted.
Had pizza at a beer garden yesterday. 30 varieties on tap and not one single Porter. Must be a conspiracy-deep state at work.
Walking through the neighborhood requires restraint. Political signs are everywhere. What happened to common sense? To unity? To brotherhood? To common decency? There is an obvious answer.
US French fries are a poor cousin to frites. And French salad dressing is thick orange stuff. And French toast is never found in France. And French bread is a sham-labeled a baguette and priced at $3.59. And French kissing?
Went to a bakery this morning. What a disappointment. Not a croissant or baguette to be had. The donuts are good and pies are attractive (lemon merengue) but little artistic work exists. Oh, the cupcakes are an exception, but Julie’s are much more worthy of admiration.
Trees are beginning to turn. Aspens and poplars begin the parade with light gold. Then the hard maples contribute brilliant reds and oranges. Finally, the oaks give deep colors on a background of green pines. Michigan is a colorful state-until it’s all white for five months.
Ju and I took our grandson Braylon for a walk (actually he took us). Only blocks away is a farm which has a pond and petting zoo. It was peaceful until the dozens of Canadian geese which had gathered on the pond for migration began complaining about our intrusion. They’re beautiful but territorial-and very loud.
Began searching flights to Toulouse. Family is important, but travel in the US is difficult because of Covid and politics. Vermont and Nebraska are too far and schedules are crammed. Can’t wait to get home to Quillan.