The Little Words Mean the Most

Simone & Tom get new glasses from Carla's Eyeworks in Montpellier

That's Carla in the middle; love the T. She manufactures all her own designs in the studio above her shop. And now attracts international celebrity attention. She has a new peace line: COEXIST.

Dear Tim Cook: Apple's replacement for iPhoto totally sucks

If I've said it once, I've said it now a thousand times.

Somebody let a gibbering pack of ex-Microsoft engineers loose on this once useful, now cryptic and painful, product ... didn't they, Tim? Come on, admit it. #I'mNoSteveJobs

Archie McPhee: the British Museum of goofy crap

Will be featured as an optional tour (I hope) at the Seattle "storytelling for fundraisers" conference this November 2014, featuring Jeff Brooks. Archie McPhee. Home of the "squirrel in underpants" car air freshener. The "existential coloring book." And the "crazy cat lady action figure." Archie McPhee's Slightly Less Disappointing Blog is here.

My first bequest marketing letter

Dear beloved Tom,

I am writing to thank you.

You have regularly and generously blessed us with your compassion over the years, through your gifts to St. Litter's Home for Kittens and Waifs.

This might be the best headline to wake up to ever. Make it your ringtone. This is the eternal flame. Until females (studies show) control at least 33% of every legislature, parliament, body, congress.... Testosterone is the most dangerous chemical in nat

Top stories at the Farm Mark NECT dateline 6:22:14

A lazy Saturday in France: part 1

L-r: the odd "flat" peaches we buy locally; SPJ does what she loves more than anything else on earth: read and highlight business books while sunbathing on our downstairs terrace (there is an upstairs terrace as well); the "disreputable" look of our back wall; our dining room built over a 15th-century stable yard: 2 laptops, no waiting

Internet at the house in France

 

There is NONE. Hard truth #1. Expect digital withdrawal.

We maintain Internet access for ourselves; not for guests. To avoid a huge pain in the neck.

Still, you are quite welcome to jump aboard our connection ... as long as you don't blow it up. And if you do? There is NO — zero — technical support. You should probably read that sentence twice. Honestly, fundamentally, we couldn't care less if you have Internet service at our house in France, since we don't officially offer it. And you're supposed to be on vacation, anyway. De-gadget. Yes, you can piggyback on our Internet connection. But ... if you break that connection, you're out of luck. Trust us: no one's riding to your rescue. Calling Wayne & Lisa about Internet connectivity incurs extra fees, charged against your security deposit.

If you can't get online at our house, there is free WI-FI access in Pézenas at McDonald's. A lot of guests go there to connect ... and discover. Do a taste test. Are Micky-D French fries in France any different?

 

Ate a can of calamari from Zingerman's, now I am PUTIN STRONG

Portuguese octopus made me Strong like Putin

What we snuck home in our oversized luggage