JanetJoanouWeinerMar 13, 20213 minLife and DeathOur little town of St. Hippolyte du Fort boasts not one but two old-fashioned cemeteries. There's a reason for this: one was for...
JanetJoanouWeinerFeb 28, 20213 minThe NooooorthThe Nooooorth Several years ago, my husband and I watched a popular French film called Bienvenue Chez Les Ch'tis. The basic plot revolves...
JanetJoanouWeinerFeb 19, 20213 minWinter BeautyWinter brings a subtle beauty, one that can easily be missed. Do we see muted skies and think, oh no, another overcast, gray day? Or do...
JanetJoanouWeinerJan 31, 20214 minThe Road Not TakenLast Sunday, puffy white clouds drifted overhead through a sparkling blue sky. A lovely winter day to take the small hike up the mountain...
JanetJoanouWeinerJan 24, 20213 minRésisterThe tradition of resistance runs deep in the Cévennes and in our little town of St. Hippolyte du Fort. We're situated at the southern end...
JanetJoanouWeinerJan 17, 20212 minDay is DoneAfter two long days of (good, but intense) meetings, I managed to get outside for a walk. Later than usual but still before dark. In...
JanetJoanouWeinerJan 9, 20213 minLooking UpThe snowflake icon appeared all night on my weather app. Yet the windows opened only to rain, no white in sight. Same thing this...
JanetJoanouWeinerDec 31, 20204 minThe Week BetweenThe week between Christmas and New Years' is one of my favorite times of the year. While I love the holiday season and truly enjoy...
JanetJoanouWeinerDec 12, 20204 minL'Histoire de Château de PlanqueOur lives unfold as stories, scenes of seasons, events, places, and people woven into the fabric of our lives. When I think back over my...
JanetJoanouWeinerDec 5, 20204 minLes OlivesThe Château de Planque, our home and ministry center, came with an extensive terrain of 2.5 hectares (6.5 acres). Most of the land lies...
JanetJoanouWeinerNov 25, 20202 minA Walk Along the RiverAlmost every day, I go on a walk with my trusty little companion, Snicket. The fresh air and movement while soaking in sights, sounds,...
JanetJoanouWeinerNov 15, 20203 minAutumnal GloryWhat is it about autumn that is so appealing? So surprising? The glory of green leaves turning golden, amber, ochre, and crimson never...
JanetJoanouWeinerNov 8, 20203 minFig & Vine: Greece, part 2Waiting is never easy. At least not for me. In this season of a worldwide pandemic, a prolonged election, mounting terrorism, and so much...
JanetJoanouWeinerNov 2, 20204 minFig & Vine: Greek editionThe name Fig & Vine came to me over a year ago as I walked through our garden thinking, listening, praying about starting a blog (does...
JanetJoanouWeinerOct 18, 20203 minLes FontainesIf you took a stroll through our little town, you’d be pleasantly surprised by the sound of water as it spills through fountains on many...
JanetJoanouWeinerOct 11, 20203 minBridges of LifeOur little town boasts many bridges. Since a river–actually two–run through St.Hippolyte du Fort, we need ways to cross over the waters....
JanetJoanouWeinerOct 4, 20203 minLa VendangeEarly fall means it's time to harvest wine grapes or as it's called here:"la vendange". Yes, it involves picking grapes but it is far...
JanetJoanouWeinerSep 27, 20203 minA River Runs ThroughLike many European towns, large and small, St. Hippolyte du Fort grew up around a river. While we tend to take water for granted, coming...
JanetJoanouWeinerSep 19, 20203 minDoors to the ImaginationWhat's behind that door? Not that I'm overly interested in today's occupants–that feels too nosy, invasive. What intrigues me is who...
JanetJoanouWeinerSep 13, 20204 minWhy St. Hippolyte du Fort?For a town of our size, we have had more than our fair share of dramatic events. The population has hovered around 4000 for centuries,...