And the rain came...

Above, a quote from a Ramblin' Jack Elliott song. I even think I used it in an earlier post... I like it that much.

The outside world in the South of France, let me just say, is becoming scary -- with flooding, non-stop rain, and people from Ontario cowering in restaurants everywhere.

Last night, I decided that I needed to see some real life for a bit so I could give my brain a break from living in this story I'm writing. We went to Ma Nolan's in downtown Nice. It's an Irish pub, but I was looking for reminders that I'm actually still living my story ... and that I'm living in France. Oddly, last night, the pub felt more like Ontario.

To my right, three people -- one from near Kingston. To my left, a couple -- both from Toronto. At one point they talked to each other and I had to hold myself back from trying to join in their Ontario love-fest. Having a sense of belonging is such a funny -- and sometimes overly appealing -- concept.

I've heard that this summer will be busy and hot and full of rich tourists driving fancy cars dangerously through the mountains of Nice. But is Nice also going to be filled with Ontario residents? That's just weird.