It's important (so I'm told) to keep one's brain in tip-top shape by learning new things.

Here are some odd bits from the week – things I've learned and things in the news:

French news:  In July it becomes law in France that every car has to have a breath test kit so that one can test oneself after imbibing to see if one is legally able to drive or not. The kits are single-use and will cost around 1 euro each. 

Actually, each car will have to have at least two kits, as the law requires them to be unused….

So, if one uses the kit, determines it's okay to drive, one still cannot legally drive unless there is another kit in the car.

Hmmmmm. 

~France has also passed a law that requires all GPS devices to cease warning drivers of impending speed cameras.

I always thought that was a rather nice, driver-friendly feature, and it did accomplish the goal of obeying the speed limit quite nicely.  The warning would sound about 2km before the camera, giving one ample time to slow down, if, for some reason, one found oneself to be inadvertently over the limit.

If the goal was to have more drivers within the speed limit it worked.

If the goal was to increase revenue by capturing more drivers speeding it failed.

Another 'Hmmmm'.

I updated our GPS today, as there is rather a stiff penalty for non-compliance.

Gardening tips: If you put a copper wire through the base of your tomato plants it will prevent disease and some pests. This is according to a French friend who is an avid (and successful) gardener.

~You can make an organic combination fertilizer / pesticide out of rotting nettle leaves.  

General discoveries: If one loves books, and owns lots of them, no matter how carefully one counts, measures, plans, designs, etc. the new book shelves will be, roughly, 20% too small to hold all the books. 

I think it's a 'loaves and fishes' thing…..

~If one asks a French neighbor for help, be prepared to have it sooner and faster than agreed upon, more efficiently done than hoped for and for less money than expected.

BUT (and this is important – I failed.  I'll know better next time).

BUT…. have something to offer them to drink after they're done – other than water. (hangs head in mortification)

So much still to learn!

No learning required to make scones, however.  These are so quick and easy the puppies could do it…. if they ever get over that lack of opposable thumb thing. 

I made these the last time I made soup…. They would also be great with fresh, spring salads!

Cheddar Scones 

1 cup flour
1/2 cup oatmeal
1 1/4 tsp baking powder
1 tbs dried sage, crumbled
dash salt 
2 tbs butter
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese 
1/2 cup milk

Mix all dry ingredients in medium bowl. Cut in butter with pastry cutter or fork until it looks like 'crumbs'. Add milk, cheese and stir until sort of combined.
Scoop dough onto a nonstick baking sheet, knead it once or twice, then pat it into a 3/4 inch (2cm) thick circle.  Don't handle it a lot. It should be 5 – 6 inches in diameter.
With a long knife carefully divide it into 6ths, cutting about 1/2 way through. Bake at 400F (200C) for 17 – 18 minutes, until lightly browned. Remove, cut alone scored lines and serve, warm, with butter.

What did you learn this week?