My visit to the lovely Pyrenees Mountains last week was rejuvenating. I must have managed to sketch every single wildflower and champignon in the region. The hills were covered in tiny blue stars and yellow buttercups. The snows had receded greatly allowing us to pass through some incredible country. I took a carriage to Touluse and then on to Lourdes. I stayed with some good friends from Collge de Sorbonne. We then proceeded by horse back to the mountains where we foraged for edible wild mushrooms and some local medicinal plants I wanted to learn of. I recall as a child my grand-mre would take me out after the rains had faded and the days were hot. We would fill our aprons with chanterelles in a lovely secret wooded area near our grande maison. After our fruitful forays, my grand-mre would invariably make us an omelet with wild mushrooms cooked in butter. She would sit with me sipping a glass pouilly-fum and rave about the delectable flavor of the chanterelles! The champignon were all over the forest floor in great quantities nestled among the mosses and general detritus of the woods. I brought some of the cepes back wrapped tightly in cheesecloth for a little late spring indulgence. I stopped and paid my respect and said my prayers to the Vierges Noires. Such a powerful and haunting energy these small-carved ladies emit. I have visited many in France but this particular place seems so very different its hard to explain. Such beautiful people in this region. Their garb is colorful and fine. I found myself sketching some of the ladies at market. Their hats were of paticular intrest to me...so strange looking. The food and wine was incredible. I return home with the fresh mountain air still in my lungs. My hair and riding habit still smells faintly of snow and wildflowers. I hope to return again someday.