Days 82, 83 - jeudi et vendredi

21, 22 avril 2011
     Yesterday class was in the morning so I got home early enough to wash a load of laundry. Gratefully the rain has held off so the drying process went quickly. I began to pack my bag(s). I have one extra carry-on to hold the things that I need until the end of my European excursion, some of which will not come back to the States with me.
     Last evening a group of us, about 22 students, went out to dine at Le Safari in the old town. We had a very nice time. I have so enjoyed the young people that I have met here. The girls from China have been especially appreciative of our friendship. I hope that I can keep in touch with them. Facebook will be most useful for this. I reached home at midnight.
     This morning I finished packing. It is hard to believe that I will be on my way from Nice for the last time tonight. The people have been so kind, and I've learned so much about France and French. The only thing that I did not do was connect with French musicians in a meaningful way. Practicing was not possible either, so I feel really rusty now, but the summer will be time to revive that. However, no regrets, it's time to look for other opportunities and sharing.
     This afternoon I have class, but I will stay only until 4:30, after the break. Then I will return to the apartment. Michele is making me supper before I leave for the train. Wei-Wei is going to meet me at 7:00 to assist with the walk/dragging of bags to the station. I am grateful for all these things.
     Blessed Good Friday, Dear Reader. I hope to return to this page after Easter. See you then.

Day 46 - mercredi

Lemon Meringue Pie in France

16 mars 2011

It rained hard all night long and most of the day today. My pants were wet up to my knees by the time I had walked ten minutes to school. The umbrella was doing a great job keeping me dry from the waist up, however.

This morning was also the time to make the American version of a Lemon (Meringue) Pie. It was beyond my comprehension how difficult it might be to convert a US recipe to an European one – Michele has only one tall glass with measurements for various things. She does not have any measuring spoons, either, so there was lots of estimation that went into this recipe. In Europe, measurements are given by weight. We measure by volume. Also, I had to make the recipe that Mom sent me last week, a little bit bigger because of the size of the pan.

Last night I found a recipe for piecrust made with oil rather than continuing my search for lard. I had doubts about the quality of the dough, and that was confirmed this morning when I saw the oil that had puddled beneath the small ball. OK, I decided to add flour as I rolled the dough flat. It became obvious that was not going to be enough dough to cover the 10-inch-plus size pan. I made another batch, being much less generous with the oil, then joined the two balls. Ah, this seemed about right. It rolled out much more easily and held together. Whew! Task one, completed. It baked fine – I had the oven temperature calculated correctly.

Next to make the pudding. The measuring of the cornstarch (maïzena) was difficult without a tablespoon; my estimation came up short, so the pudding did not thicken as expected. I mixed up some more cornstarch and water and gradually added that until it seemed to thicken appropriately. The lemons were juiced, the eggs were separated. From here on it should be easy. Except that the pudding still was not thickening as it needed to. I added more cornstarch and water. Now I was more hopeful, but because the eggs were in it, I wasn’t sure that it should come to a boil again. Oh well… at least the mixture tasted good. I poured it into the baked pie shell and let it cool.

About 11:20 I began making the meringue. Once the egg whites were frothed, Michele assisted by spooning in the sugar. When stiff peaks formed, it was spooned onto the pie and baked until slightly brown. Overall, the meringue was probably the easiest part of the entire task.

When I got to school, my teacher Mariette told me that she had done a search for the saindoux (lard) in her neighborhood and purchased some for me. I had to tell her that I had made the pie in the morning. But she gave me the lard anyway. I’ll have to figure out what kind of treat I can make with the lard that I can take to school next week.

After school, with tea, Michele and I each had a piece of pie. It tasted pretty good, all in all. It would not win any blue ribbon at the Iowa State Fair, but it was an accomplishment considering the measurement and ingredient obstacles. Michele announced that she will make the next lemon treat – she has both a French lemon pie and an Italian lemon pie recipe which are very different from my version. Yummy, in any language.

I hope that you all had a good day. Mom’s surgery is tomorrow. Thanks for your prayers, Dear Reader.

Day 41 - vendredi

11 mars 2011

            Class was in the morning, so I left the house about 8:30. At school, it was quiet in the courtyard.  A number of people depart today but only two that are in my classes. At lunchtime, I enjoyed peanut butter on a wheat baguette. Michele had the opportunity to taste this delicacy, but she flatly refused. This makes me smile, as peanuts are one of my favorite foods: an obvious sign of my American heritage.

            At lunchtime, I surfed the net for information regarding the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. The images are unbelievable. I had a chance to speak with Chisa who is from Japan. Gratefully her family in Tokyo is fine.

            After class I took home my computer bag, then headed to the Orange.fr store to buy a cell phone, un mobil. Because I have several trips planned in the next month and then will be on the road to other places, it seemed like the right time to get one. There was a good sale going on for the simplest phone. It is all in French, of course, so it will take me a little while to get used to the nomenclature. If anyone needs a phone the next time you travel in this direction, the phone is yours to use. You only need to buy credits to be able to use it.

Friday’s are always nice, aren’t they? There is so much to look forward to, so much potential for the weekend. At 5:00, I attended a poetry reading by a friend of Michele’s at the grande bibliothèque downtown. Sophie read poetry based on short nature films made by her husband – he is also a painter. I am still only catching words, no, phrases, here and there – but by the time I “understand” (i.e. translate) what I’ve heard, the topic has moved forward and it takes a bit to readjust and “listen” again. Michele is lending me several of Sophie’s books that I will attempt to read. There might be a song possible for one of my composer friends.

Rosa and I will be leaving for Genoa, Italy early in the morning tomorrow, Saturday, and returning Sunday evening. (If there is a break in my “transmission”, this is why.) Rainy and cold is the weather forecast for our destination so warm clothes will be needed.

This evening I realized that the outer sole of my favorite pair of shoes is breaking loose again. I had them repaired before I left, but possibly because of all the rainy days that I’ve worn them here, they are coming apart again. Michele recommends that I look for a new pair in Italy – everything is cheaper there. Rosa said the same thing. I do have my white athletic shoes, which don’t have the same enduring comfort. If I wear them, though, everyone will know that I’m a foreigner for sure.

Well, that’s all the news for now, Dear Reader.  Stay tuned!