October Beauties

A few pretty things from Saturday’s market in Carcassonne.

Like the amazing collections of pumpkins, squash and gourds.

The sign says “edible squash.” In case anybody has doubts. I love the ones that are shaped like acorns.

The florists are gearing up for Nov. 1. It’s a holiday here–no school, everything closed–and not because Halloween is the night before. Everybody is busy cleaning up the cemetery plots of loved ones, and getting fresh flowers. I wish I could do it for my parents.

The favored graveyard flower because it’s so robust.

There also are lots of pansies and cyclamens, which resist frost and tend to bloom all winter here.

Do you see the bunches of balloons that look like grapes? There was a wine festifal earlier in the week.

These red plants were arresting. And do you see the orange tree?

The market is often animated by bands or musical groups of one sort or another. And we get buskers, too. This is the first time I’ve seen this cellist.

After the market, we headed to our apartments, just down the street, for a weekend stay. Have to test drive it before we start having visitors! Lots of updates coming. The renovation is nearly wrapped up.