We found ticks in both dogs. They were disgusting. Not like Martha’s Vineyard ticks! Seriously. And they were deeply embedded in both dogs. One was a millimeter from Kukla’s eye AND it was bleeding. He’d been licking it so his paws were covered in blood, which meant the white sofa was covered in blood. If you’re hoping for a picture of the vermin, I’m sorry to disappoint you. Jim wouldn’t stand for it!! I wanted to post pictures of the little bastards after I squashed them. I’m clearly a sadist so don’t fuck with our dogs!
Being Jewish gives me an inherent facility for medical knowledge (even veterinary), I had Jim get dental floss and we tied it around this thing. It was gross , engorged and disgusting and didn’t look like any tick I’ve ever seen. (Jim insisted it wasn’t a tick, until I proved otherwise). What followed next was not a pretty picture. Not only did we find two more but then I found two on Tootsie, a hair away from going into her ear! The good news is that they’ve been on tick medicine and seem absolutely fine. I’ll call our vet tomorrow. The one here (here being an hour away), was closed because it was Sunday. Jim was totally flipped out by it. He gets SO nervous when the dogs are involved. It’s sweet.
This morning we decided to visit some ancient chateaus in the area, although naturally they aren’t open to the public today. The big tourist season doesn’t start until July. We miss the tourists but we also missed going into the castle, but the outside and grounds are amazing.
And of course I took pictures of ancient churches. When you stop and think about the population of these small villages when the churches were built in the 12th-15th centuries, practically every family must have a church! So naturally I had to take photos because they’re beautiful from the outside. But I’ve ceased and desisted from entering any more.
I do have a correction that goes back to earlier post about a castle in Mareuil. It’s actually a chateau, complete with a moat.
Apparently everyone had their own church and if you didn’t live in a chateau, you slaved in one. This particularly area has an enormous amount of chateaus. I think we should buy one and start a commune. The Dordogne is heaven. I can’t imagine a more perfect place to spend my waning years. The people couldn’t be lovelier and its loaded with British ex-pats. What could be better for me? Or you for that matter!!
The way into Richmond
Can you stay in France a little longer for me? I’m going to miss your commentary so much! I appreciate your postings from all over, but the ones from France are divine. It’s so impressive and admirable that you resisted the foie gras. I understand your reasons (and feel guilty and immoral about having devoured it when in the Perigord region), but, should you decide to have a mere taste, make sure it’s not cooked. Some places actually cook it, and then it tastes like chopped liver, sort of. But I like the fresh mousse best, or the paté. I suppose you’ll never need that advice, but – just in case- I had to caution you.
It’s the whole thing, how they get it, what they do to the poor ducks. YUK. I can’t handle it. I can’t bear to leave France. We’re going to be outside of Lyon for three days over the weekend. Then on to Italy. Not so terrible, but still. Tomorrow is Sarlat! Will give you an update.
My HepCat had what I thought was a “tick;” imagine my surprise when I discovered it was Jimmy Hoffa.