Listography.

Things I like about living in France:

1) Old men riding bicycles. I inwardly squeal with delight when I see these types pedaling around town -- extra points if there's a baguette in his bicycle basket or under his arm.

2} The challenge of no English. And how reading English books to the kids gets automatic giggles (before translating).

3) The thrill of seeing 120 on your speedometer. No units required here!

4) Country life: chickens that recycle all the leftovers and in return offer fresh eggs.

5) Seeing the universal aspects of family life, parenting, and growing up.

6) Yogurt section at the grocery store that encompasses 2 aisles. Cheese, ditto.

7) Trying new things, learning patience.

8) Languid dinners that last well into the evening after the children have gone to bed.

9) French bread-cheese-wine. M told me when I got here "This is all we need in France for the good life!"

10) Charming old buildings, Solognot tile and brick (in my region).

Drawbacks:

1) Not a whole lot of young people in the area.

2) The challenge of no English -- and the frustration at certain points!

3) That the speed limit on the surrounding country roads is 90 max. Passing giant logging trucks on roads that better accommodate mini coopers.

4) The one damn chicken that is small enough to squeeze through the cage bars that I throw back regularly.

5) Trying to keep the peace/ the language at a G- or PG-rating.

6) Healthy eating put on hold.

7) New places, experiences: getting lost, eating pungent mackerel or slippery clams, misunderstanding things.

8) Well, no drawback here.

9) See number 6.

10) Awkward, 3-hour long seminars on regional brick-making.

Clearly, though, the former outweighs the latter. I am truly thankful to be where I am this summer.