It’s funny that the cutest French word, poubelle, means trash can. On the side of the road into Cluny there are 3 big poubelles by the road for recyclage. Which is also a drop-off spot for unwanted cats. When someone want to abandon their tiny kittens, they simply dump them there, to fend for themselves. Folks who will not, in my book, be going to heaven.
Other people dropping off their bottles and such started feeding the cats periodically, which inspired more folks to abandon their cats there, and pretty soon there was a bevy of chats sauvage--feral cats. After one was run over, the neighbors took action. Unable to find homes for all of them (though Lord knows we tried), we moved them down the road to a quieter spot, built them a little cabin for food, and formed a group to feed them properly. The Poubellies, as we now call them, have been there three years now; there are seven of them, as cute and sweet as can be. All neutered now, and mostly tame.
So let me introduce you to Pauline and KittyPoo, Smudge Bucket and Waldo, Big Mama and Thom and Double (so called because she accidentally got sterilized twice). What’s funny is that each person who feeds them has their own names for them, reminding me of T.S. Eliots great poem, "The Naming of Cats". In which every cat has three names, but the Poubellies have even more. Photos: above,Pauline scratches an itch; Pauline and Big Mama in the snow. Left, Thom and Kittypoo (Domino's twin?)
The little cabin someone built for us was very small, so last year Ron and our neighbor Jean-Marie kindly built them what we refer to as Le Chat-eau. It has 3 floors, with six cozy sleeping nests plus room to feed them.
They are now spoiled and fat; we feed them well, and daily (I'm referring to les chats, not to Ron and Jean-Marie, though two out of three of the above applies to them as well). When I arrive the Poubellies emerge from wood and field, their tails at full mast. They talk to me with soft miaous and rub their silken selves on my legs. The winter is hard for them, but at least they have food and shelter.
If I ever find the folks who abandoned them, there's a poubelle I'd like to personally stuff them into. We worry what will happen to these cats. Our team is dwindling; some of us leave for the winter, one is in ill health. What if we can’t continue? They are too wild, too accustomed to their home to be moved, even if we were lucky enough to find a place for them. But for now, we feed and love them, and hope for the best.
Photo above: Our heros Jean-Marie and Ron build the chat-eau. Left: A cat called Smudge Bucket. What other name would possibly do?
Favorite BLOGS: I know some of our readers are learning SPANISH, and I have a new friend, Amit, who does the popular Always Spanish blog. Amit was kind enough to publish an article I wrote, expanding on my book How to Learn a New Language with a Used Brain
. The article is called "Can Learning Spanish Make You Smarter?" (and the short answer is YES, and with French too!).
Another new blog I've discovered that will be of great interest to French learners: Jennie n'est plus en France, and her corresponding website, ielangagues, with free tutorials.
BIG book news this week! Our loyal reader Michaela Kane Rodeno, sister of my great friend Mark Kane, has just published a book! Michaela has recently retired, but she rose from the ranks to be a CEO of a Napa Valley winery. From Bubbles to Boardrooms: Act 1: Startups Are Such Fun is her memoir. Buy it if you're interested in wine, or especially if you're an entrepeneur looking to refine your career plan (and don't we all know a young person like that? This makes a great gift). I loved the book, it's a great read. Felicitations, Michaela. The book is available in print or in eBook format. It also makes a fine gift for any wine lover you know!
In the COMMENTS: Great comments on what Iz calls the "Peyton Place's" of France. Mariella has another great story from her village. Barbara of The Wise Collector notes correctly that the best village story comes from the movie Chocolat
.
Jonelle, Bébé is a great cat name, of course you must bring her to France! Christine of Pen at the Ready has an update for us on the French restaurant crisis---and yes, the legislation passed! Colleen (Colleen Taylor Fine Art), we may have to torture you for that cream puff recipe!
And a friendly reminder to my readers: When you have Amazon purchases to make, please start here, by searching in the Amazon window in the left column. ANY purchase on Amazon that originates through this blog helps keep it going. Mille mercis!
