My throne.

When I finish up a taxing job in the garden I am pouring sweat. It is also hot and humid Florida. So I get a liter of Nuun (an electrolyte tablet that goes into a bottle of water) and sit here to cool off.

More garden.

When we moved here 27 years ago, our back yard was lawn. St. Augustine grass, which I don't like, trying to grow in the shade of three large trees. Whenever a patch of grass died, I would either put a paver on it or plant a bush or tree. This is my little Asian patch. There is a ginkgo a Japanese maple and a bottlebrush tree growing over a huge ginger plant. The ginger comes from a supermarket piece of ginger that I put in a pot 20 years ago. Ginger is a slow grower but it is persistent and has broken the pot and gone to ground.

Garden paths

Last year we cleared these paths, Janie put down cloth and I mulched. They really needed this second layer. The rocks were a bear to move and put back.

Janie's garden

Another bed that Janie is remulching.

Garden

This is one of the beds in front. Janie put down landscape cloth last year and mulched it. This year she put a new layer of mulch down and it looks great.

Garden work

 Every year I attack a different part of my garden. In Florida things will get overgrown in a year. This year I went after a small plot next to our guest house. A day of weed pulling on my hands and knees, followed by my lovely bride doing a job I hate, laying down landscape cloth. Then I cover it all with a thick layer of cypress mulch. This year I found that I had planted a Meyer lemon by the fence, years ago. It had thrived in my benign neglect and was covered with fruit. Now it  is covered with flowers. Satisfying work.

Winter colors, below Saignon

Trail clearing, Saignon

 This winter we were invited to help keep some walking trails clear. A large group from Foyer Rurale de Saignon assembled and we walked up the trail above town. It was a bit overgrown and we applied secateurs to every offending branch. A tough climb for me but worth it for the friends and the satisfaction of keeping a wonderful trail passable.

Fredo finishing up

 Fredo Chaix has been working on his house since we have known him. Here, he was finishing up on windows that he installed through a thick wall. They are lovely. His work is amazing.

I just like the red/orange interplay here.

Signs, Lourmarin.

I love the Sauf Riverains sign. It basically means the street is only for locals.

Cafe, Bar, Lourmarin

White van and dresses, Apt market

Drainpipe, Apt

Apt market

The French have learned about the power of Janes.