No mixing or molding or baking today. Just unveiling the sourdough starter, allowing it to breathe…
We were welcomed again with open arms. My brothers and I have arrived back in Les Aldudes, a Basque village of 360 people tucked in the Pyrenees mountains that separate France and Spain. This is the village where my great, great grandfather was born. I am writing today from the house in which he lived for those short fifteen years before he ventured to the new world. And though 100 years have passed, the people of this place always treat us as though we’ve only been gone a few years, and that we’ve finally returned to the land and air that was partially made for us.
The church bells just chimed six. I also heard them at four and at five. Who needs sleep! I am anxious for the sun. Yesterday, as we drove into the valley at dusk, we marveled at the autumn colors–the deep rust of the sleeping ferns. The yellow and oranges and some still green leaves that painted the mountains. And the three of us, my older brother, John, and my younger brother, Charlie, couldn’t stop our gushing.
I am so grateful for this home away from home…
The Woman and the Wheat 
Oh Jane,
This is so beautiful! I love this blog. Must add a link from my website. It is all joy to be able to journey with you to France, too, where you encounter your roots. How amazing that you are in the home where your great-grandfather lived. How exciting it is to participate in your experiment in giving. I want to give more, too. This blog inspires me to search for ways to transform thoughts into action…
I lived in France as an exchange student when I was in high school. I felt strangely at home there and I have never really stopped yearning for it. My French family is in Tours. One day I will go back…
Beautiful!
How wonderful! Hope the starter made it there ok! You know, this is sort of how they make the prosphoro at the Athonite monasteries. The prozimi serves the same purpose as a starter.
Hope you have a wonderful trip! And if you have some free time, I’ve started a Psalter prayer group on my blog for the Nativity fast and we’d love to have you join us!! 🙂
Lots of love and prayers to you!