Naughty helen

Well hello there everyone (she says bashfully)

Apparently it has been a bit of a long absence from the keyboard and I have been reprimanded by some of my clients that they have no idea what is going on. Well I didn't think it had been such a long time but we are actually talking 2 months, which yes is really rather too long. I put it down to internet fatigue in this (latest buzz word) "post-truth era". I am sure some of you will know what I mean by that. If not google it, you may find it listed with the "alternative fact" section. Honestly what a load of....um....garbage...people talk. And that is very much the polite word.
I have given up the news but stumbled across Channel 4 news in error yesterday and decided that might be a marginally better, less sensationalist station to go to for an infequent dose of n'importe quoi (rubbish, for those who don't speak french). Funny that, as when Channel 4 started up back in the day, they were the sensationalist channel.

So back to the life of The Franklin's we had a super busy Christmas season thanks of to all those wonderful people who come to the market or place orders for our products without whom we may as well pack up and go....hmm.....home? Where that is right now other than France, I have no idea. So this years challenge is to ask The French very kindly if they will consider having me on a very permanent basis, and let me vote. Wish me luck as the hoops appear to be numerous and it does not come for free. The photo is us on Christmas Day excuse the decor, new home. Needs a bit of work.
The big children are both in tertiary education and it is panning out well for Patrick but for Emily it is less exciting so she will be looking for a different course in September for a new challenge, which will mean we have 2 children far away. Thank goodness for late babies. Poor Number 3 will be smothered with 3 times the amount of hugs and kisses, oh yes, and parents grumpiness. For the next 7 years. I wonder if the poor child is aware of that. You know what I don't think I will tell her.

We returned to markets earlier this year than usual and ended up standing in many days of freezing weather either outside at the stand or inside the butchery as a consequence of which I skived yesterdays market and hid at home with a streaming cold and a temperature. That will teach me to go out in unsuitable footwear. Subsequent to my minus 9 market in Riberac the other week I went to the sales (:)) and found a pair of German made fluffy boots at half price 30euros. They got me through the Saturday market at minus something, i forget, but I think the rot had already set in.
​On a slighty more disgusting note I have often wondered where in your head there is soooo much space for snot storage, maybe your brain shrinks at the same time as you get a cold which is why some of the things you do during this period are so out of character. Like eating whole packs of biscuits and entire bags of Liquorice Allsorts.....Oh wait, no, that is not out of character..... Hmm it will obviously continue to be one of lifes mysteries.
So we hope to be having puppies this year as well. I have told Abbey that 2 would be good, one for us and one for the owner of the dog, but I guess she will do her own thing as usual. Other news is that we will be restarting our delivery routes next month and that means a new one up towards Piégut-Pluviers.
See you all soon
​Helenx