This morning, I went to my favorite produce stand at Place Maubert to buy some tomatoes and a nice, sweet, melon. Melon is similar to cantaloupe in the U.S., only comparing the posturing hack that is "cantaloupe" to the French Charentais melon is like comparing Johnny Hallyday to Elvis. Except in this case, the French version is the king in the glorious white jumpsuit. Yeah, I'm pretty passionate about the melon. You do not even want to get me started on the melon-jambon combination....mmm, ham.
Anyway, en route on blvd. Saint Germain, I ran into Madame L, wheeling back her groceries from Franprix. I don’t see her very often, so I braced myself for a sour comment about my recent run of guests and the accompanied noise level (yes, even despite the rug), but instead she just complained about the construction, tourists, and heat. Then, she told me that thank god she was leaving Monday for two weeks in Corsica with her daughter and grandchildren.
Looks like SCATTERED BOUTS OF SHOE WEARING WITH HEAVY CHAIR SCRAPING ARE ON THE HORIZON.
Your site is always so educational. Now I know that my favorite, cantalope, is named after a city in France. If only the ones you can get this year at the Ralph's in L.A. weren't so lousy. You've given me another reason to visit France.
Posted by: Neil | 13 August 2005 at 02:16 PM
Funny, I just saw a video about Prosciutto ham and melons today :)
http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,,FOOD_9936_22686,00.html
Posted by: Sharon | 13 August 2005 at 04:19 PM
Or rollerblading! :)
Posted by: Marilyn | 13 August 2005 at 04:24 PM
I'll have to take your word on the melon. I have never been much of a melon fan. Perhaps it's because I od'ed on them in early childhood.
Also your neighbor going out of town seems to call for a loud party.
Posted by: Dagny | 13 August 2005 at 06:36 PM
I must be out of it because I have yet to be exposed to the melon/jambon combo. Melon/Porto on the other hand...MMM.
I think you should definitely throw a houseparty in Madame L's honor.
Posted by: Sammy | 13 August 2005 at 10:53 PM
Is that the melon thats whitish with green stripes? That one is the best.
Posted by: Amaranta | 14 August 2005 at 05:21 AM
I love melon. Hard. Appropriately. <3
Posted by: ludivine | 14 August 2005 at 05:34 PM
Melon is delicious with 1à years old Porto, don't you agree ?
Posted by: Negrito | 14 August 2005 at 06:52 PM
Those are indeed great melons, which luckily you can find in LA farmers markets. Mm, but now I want proscuitto to go with the melon I just bought. Dammit!
Posted by: Gloria | 14 August 2005 at 09:36 PM
Dagny, Sammy, I know a party is in order, but Guigui's out of town and it's just not a party without him.
(Actually, a lot of our friends are out of town...Jeanne's here though, we'll have to run around in shoes one night)
Negrito, I've never had it with Porto, but I'm sure I would love.
Posted by: Coquette | 14 August 2005 at 10:47 PM
hahaha, excellent. melon and ham sounds very tasty.
Posted by: linda | 15 August 2005 at 04:23 AM
Maybe you can find someone to give you tap lessons at home?
Posted by: DDJ | 15 August 2005 at 06:36 AM
I guess you're right Coquette, without Guigui the houseparty would be a flop.
Happy high heel scraping anyway.
Posted by: Sammy | 15 August 2005 at 10:57 AM
OK. So no party but I think DDJ's idea is brilliant.
Posted by: Dagny | 15 August 2005 at 04:24 PM
I've never heard of having porto with melon...are you talking about vintage or tawny?
I'm intriqued...
Posted by: Bob | 15 August 2005 at 10:19 PM