Daily I am astounded by the bountiful, generous help offered me by my friends and neighbors — and neighbors who have become dear friends.

Just today, for example, my friend Fred assembled in a jiffy the three remaining chaises longues after I’d struggled with the first for over an hour. This man has skills, and tools! And since I’m having 15 people over for a 4th of July BBQ tomorrow, I needed the lounge chairs assembled! And then he called his friend at the appliance store because I need a fridge and pronto. I’ve been using the former owner Claude’s fridge since my arrival in March — four months ago — and he asked for it back weeks ago. (And I MUST buy a car … I’ve been borrowing my French brother’s car since my arrival. And a filing cabinet to organize my catastrophe-stricken office.) But I’ve had other things pressing …

And today, my neighbor-friend and potager-partner Jean François added a valve to the garden sprinkler hose so I won’t get *as* wet when I move the hose. He was tired of watching me run around trying to avoid the sprinkler as I attempt to time it right, to grab it and move it before it comes around again. And I always return drenched. He just shakes his head and laughs.

And Jean François offered me room in his fridge for the things I do not need while I cook and make salads for tomorrow’s party. And he brought over plates and glasses for tomorrow, because I still only have two plates and four glasses (all borrowed — must go shopping!). And Jean François brought over a folding table for tomorrow’s party. And, and, and …

Fred saw that I hadn’t purchased enough hamburger buns and soft drinks (but we have plenty of beer! And wine!). So he’s going to the store to get more. And he brought me a brioche this morning because he knew I haven’t had time for a proper breakfast these last few weeks.

Stressed in Provence? Oui!!! I’ve been scrambling to prepare my rental cottage (le mazet) for renters who start coming on July 11 — in one week! — and the pool area and garden.

I’ve been running around mostly in Avignon but also in Saint Rémy — and staying up all night online — buying *all the things* one needs in a rental unit: fridge, stove, sink, cupboards, tables, chairs, bed, mattress, bedding, towels, towel hooks, mirrors, lighting, TV, BBQ, shelving, plates, glasses, cutlery, dishtowels, strainer, wine opener, key chains, curtain rods. And getting the curtains hemmed. And calling the TV satellite guy to come. And the wifi guy … we still don’t have wifi in the mazet. And, and, and …

It has been tricky finding what I wanted … I didn’t know all the right stores to buy what, where (I do now!). And I’ve had to translate *all the things* learning lots of new vocabulary. I looked for days in at least four stores for a dish rack drainer (égouttoir) with the little lip that drains into the sink. After returning empty-handed several days in a row and expressing my frustration, my friends said, “We don’t have those here.” Ohhhhhhhh! So I bought a dish drainer with edges all around that contains the water … which requires sponging or tipping over to drain the water. Shopping in a foreign country can be complicated … and frustrating … and time-wasting.

And we had several frustrating, stress-inducing setbacks with the Moroccan tiles arriving later than promised, and a vital kitchen cupboard lost in transport. Fred was under the gun with a firm deadline of renters having already paid and arriving. He even built a temporary cupboard which turned out so beautifully we decided to keep it and get a refund for the one that got lost. Fred has done all the work in the mazet (plumbing, electrical, painting, plastering, tiling, building) … and it’s absolutely gorgeous. And Jean François has helped me with all the heavy gardening and watering, serious weed whacking and fitting hoses and sprinklers … and the garden and pool area are stunning. And Jean François remembers without fail to water in the potager … which I forget to do with so much else on my mind and on my list.

These are mere snippets of the myriad large and small ways these two, and many others, have helped me since my arrival. I’d always heard how country folks help each other out. It’s true. In return, I offer veggies from the garden, meals, wine, pastis, more wine.

But these two … Without these two excellent men, there is no way I would have been able to get the mazet ready in time. No way in hell. They are two of the best, kindest, most thoughtful, generous, skilled people I know. And they both have become dear, cherished friends.

The little mazet is finally ready for visitors. And now you’ll find me naked by the pool, resting for awhile.

PS - It was one year ago today that I first saw this house and property. What a difference a year makes!

—

Two weeks later …

Haha. The pool resting was short-lived. The week after the mazet was all finished and photographed, I finally had a moment to buy a fridge, and a filing cabinet, and a car. And plates and glasses! Now maybe I can find the time to buy a toilet paper holder to replace the cardboard box where my TP has been sitting for four-and-a-half months …

And there is wifi in the mazet. The kind renters from Switzerland are tech-experts who helped figure out how to get the darn thing working. And they LOVE the new mazet.

Le Mazet :: before …

Le Mazet :: after …

Oof!

(Mazet photos by Mathieu Hache)