Bren Kübler
@brenkubler.bsky.social
Lining up words for 40+ years (editor, translator, writer). Swiss/UK citizen originally from Yorkshire. Semi-retired, living in rural SE France since 2007.
Language(s), books, cats, food, gardening, France, bees in my bonnet. Food bank volunteer
Language(s), books, cats, food, gardening, France, bees in my bonnet. Food bank volunteer
Yep. We have a brand new one, 20 minutes away. VERY posh. (There's a much less posh one 20 minutes in the other direction, too).
This is in Livron, Drôme.
This is in Livron, Drôme.
November 17, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Yep. We have a brand new one, 20 minutes away. VERY posh. (There's a much less posh one 20 minutes in the other direction, too).
This is in Livron, Drôme.
This is in Livron, Drôme.
Ahhh. Alt Txt, merci. J'imaginais un transat bleu ciel coincé dans un couloir.
Très LaFuma. Really. Look!
Très LaFuma. Really. Look!
November 17, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Ahhh. Alt Txt, merci. J'imaginais un transat bleu ciel coincé dans un couloir.
Très LaFuma. Really. Look!
Très LaFuma. Really. Look!
I love raclette but it doesn't love me. Fondue is the same. However, and weirdly, baked Vacherin Mont d'Or goes down just fine (and is rather delicious). Can you get it where you are?
November 10, 2025 at 9:21 AM
I love raclette but it doesn't love me. Fondue is the same. However, and weirdly, baked Vacherin Mont d'Or goes down just fine (and is rather delicious). Can you get it where you are?
Here's Salto, when he was a few months old. He's a little over a year old now.
Sending lots of virtual hugs!
Sending lots of virtual hugs!
September 18, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Here's Salto, when he was a few months old. He's a little over a year old now.
Sending lots of virtual hugs!
Sending lots of virtual hugs!
Ah sorry. Didn't attach the photo of this magnificent beast.
August 30, 2025 at 11:29 AM
Ah sorry. Didn't attach the photo of this magnificent beast.
I'm not complaining. Patrick Stewart can rescue me any time at all, thanks.
August 22, 2025 at 11:20 AM
I'm not complaining. Patrick Stewart can rescue me any time at all, thanks.
Ras el hanout varies hugely (I spent a lot of time at spice stalls in Moroccan souks). Every person makes it differently. It's the (literally) 'best of the house' blend.
I make a *lot* of tajines, and even have a propah gizmo (that also works as a slow cooker).
I make a *lot* of tajines, and even have a propah gizmo (that also works as a slow cooker).
August 13, 2025 at 7:51 AM
Ras el hanout varies hugely (I spent a lot of time at spice stalls in Moroccan souks). Every person makes it differently. It's the (literally) 'best of the house' blend.
I make a *lot* of tajines, and even have a propah gizmo (that also works as a slow cooker).
I make a *lot* of tajines, and even have a propah gizmo (that also works as a slow cooker).
I wear calf-length leggings, which have a sort of tie/bow to adjust the length. They have been quite a success with Salto, our youngest addition - now just over a year old.
August 8, 2025 at 8:45 AM
I wear calf-length leggings, which have a sort of tie/bow to adjust the length. They have been quite a success with Salto, our youngest addition - now just over a year old.
Me to all three cats: "Was it YOU chewing the wicker laundry basket? Eh?" (after finding bits of wicker and knowing full well who the likely culprit is).
Rather deaf Mr K who often gets in trouble for not answering me.
"Er... yes, love".
I should explain, I suppose. But now I have this image...
Rather deaf Mr K who often gets in trouble for not answering me.
"Er... yes, love".
I should explain, I suppose. But now I have this image...
August 1, 2025 at 8:17 AM
Me to all three cats: "Was it YOU chewing the wicker laundry basket? Eh?" (after finding bits of wicker and knowing full well who the likely culprit is).
Rather deaf Mr K who often gets in trouble for not answering me.
"Er... yes, love".
I should explain, I suppose. But now I have this image...
Rather deaf Mr K who often gets in trouble for not answering me.
"Er... yes, love".
I should explain, I suppose. But now I have this image...
It's a 'housse de couette' in France.
July 19, 2025 at 6:21 AM
It's a 'housse de couette' in France.
Sometimes I want a 'cry' emoticon and not just a heart one.
July 13, 2025 at 9:38 AM
Sometimes I want a 'cry' emoticon and not just a heart one.
This is what they do to ours, usually (must check if it's up yet). Two years ago they did a light show about the town and area projected onto it instead, though - was brilliant.
July 12, 2025 at 6:39 AM
This is what they do to ours, usually (must check if it's up yet). Two years ago they did a light show about the town and area projected onto it instead, though - was brilliant.
This morning: pool man, A/C man *and* pest control man!
Pool: teeth-sucking. '*Maybe* we can clean the bottom next week. But lots of people with algae/dust issues.'
A/C: teeth-sucking. 'New part won't solve the problem as mice ate so much'. So whole new unit.
Mice: 'Should be fine now. Probably'.
Pool: teeth-sucking. '*Maybe* we can clean the bottom next week. But lots of people with algae/dust issues.'
A/C: teeth-sucking. 'New part won't solve the problem as mice ate so much'. So whole new unit.
Mice: 'Should be fine now. Probably'.
July 11, 2025 at 1:22 PM
This morning: pool man, A/C man *and* pest control man!
Pool: teeth-sucking. '*Maybe* we can clean the bottom next week. But lots of people with algae/dust issues.'
A/C: teeth-sucking. 'New part won't solve the problem as mice ate so much'. So whole new unit.
Mice: 'Should be fine now. Probably'.
Pool: teeth-sucking. '*Maybe* we can clean the bottom next week. But lots of people with algae/dust issues.'
A/C: teeth-sucking. 'New part won't solve the problem as mice ate so much'. So whole new unit.
Mice: 'Should be fine now. Probably'.
Reading a lovely letter posted by @englishmaninbx.bsky.social which reminded me of this one - seen many times but... it's excellent.
July 9, 2025 at 7:07 AM
Reading a lovely letter posted by @englishmaninbx.bsky.social which reminded me of this one - seen many times but... it's excellent.
Reminds me of this (except it hasn't been concreted over, fortunately). Grignan, in the Drôme, not far from us.
July 6, 2025 at 6:38 AM
Reminds me of this (except it hasn't been concreted over, fortunately). Grignan, in the Drôme, not far from us.
Storms to the north, east and west of us. It ain't half black over Bill's mother's, too.
We're middle, leftish.
We're middle, leftish.
June 30, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Storms to the north, east and west of us. It ain't half black over Bill's mother's, too.
We're middle, leftish.
We're middle, leftish.
I'm in the dark (hot) bit of the bum crack shape in SE France.
And I'm old enough to remember this:
And I'm old enough to remember this:
June 30, 2025 at 4:21 PM
I'm in the dark (hot) bit of the bum crack shape in SE France.
And I'm old enough to remember this:
And I'm old enough to remember this:
Oh oui. Il y a une entreprise spécialiste en autocollants qui s'appelle Drom'adhère. Pas mal, hein?
June 30, 2025 at 8:37 AM
Oh oui. Il y a une entreprise spécialiste en autocollants qui s'appelle Drom'adhère. Pas mal, hein?
Am I the only one constantly staring at the weather forecast and willing the temperatures to go down?
No, thought not.
First, it was 'it will go down Wednesday'. Then Thursday. Now - a bit - Friday.
No, thought not.
First, it was 'it will go down Wednesday'. Then Thursday. Now - a bit - Friday.
June 29, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Am I the only one constantly staring at the weather forecast and willing the temperatures to go down?
No, thought not.
First, it was 'it will go down Wednesday'. Then Thursday. Now - a bit - Friday.
No, thought not.
First, it was 'it will go down Wednesday'. Then Thursday. Now - a bit - Friday.
I'm editing about cosmic rays and meteorites - all very serious stuff.
And my childish, shallow brain is suffering from too much Star Trek.
And my childish, shallow brain is suffering from too much Star Trek.
June 27, 2025 at 10:03 AM
I'm editing about cosmic rays and meteorites - all very serious stuff.
And my childish, shallow brain is suffering from too much Star Trek.
And my childish, shallow brain is suffering from too much Star Trek.
Another step forward. Found a mouse-extermination company locally, who use pet-safe products. They're coming Saturday.
Sorry mice, but... has to happen. A/C repairs are £££. Oven wiring last year too.
I'm getting things sorted. And it's all easier to do when I'm not sitting at my desk melting!
Sorry mice, but... has to happen. A/C repairs are £££. Oven wiring last year too.
I'm getting things sorted. And it's all easier to do when I'm not sitting at my desk melting!
June 25, 2025 at 12:06 PM
Another step forward. Found a mouse-extermination company locally, who use pet-safe products. They're coming Saturday.
Sorry mice, but... has to happen. A/C repairs are £££. Oven wiring last year too.
I'm getting things sorted. And it's all easier to do when I'm not sitting at my desk melting!
Sorry mice, but... has to happen. A/C repairs are £££. Oven wiring last year too.
I'm getting things sorted. And it's all easier to do when I'm not sitting at my desk melting!
I don't normally do political posts but... how do you nominate somebody for the Nobel peace prize who then bombs the shit out of somewhere.
June 22, 2025 at 6:44 AM
I don't normally do political posts but... how do you nominate somebody for the Nobel peace prize who then bombs the shit out of somewhere.
Or Salmorejo (the one that includes bread). I admit I bought ours, but it's a famous Spanish brand and it's excellent.
(I often make my own once our own tomatoes and peppers are ready, in my defence).
(I often make my own once our own tomatoes and peppers are ready, in my defence).
June 19, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Or Salmorejo (the one that includes bread). I admit I bought ours, but it's a famous Spanish brand and it's excellent.
(I often make my own once our own tomatoes and peppers are ready, in my defence).
(I often make my own once our own tomatoes and peppers are ready, in my defence).