The Tour de France has ended - and life returns to "normal" at our house - which means there is an annual brief mourning period for our family the last week of July.  Despite the fact the Tour does mean my husband is controlling the TV for 3 solid weeks, it's nice to see him actually take a well-deserved break on what he customarily calls the 'idiot box' - but on which I enjoy spending my time being entertained and decompressing at the end of the day.

The end of the Tour means we know longer hear the voices of Phil Liggett & Paul Sherwen commentating each tense moment of the cyclists ride along beautiful French terrain.  They are comforting, paired with a delightful anchor table - Bobke as always, and Jens Voight, a delightful addition to the comments.

Each July 4th we start out with the "hoorah" for our country, and then all focus is on the Tour... for the next 3 weeks.  It starts early in the morning, and goes through until the later airing, so we can catch some good interviews from after the race.

For years, I've loved watching the beauty of France in the background of the race.  Some very talented helicopter pilots, and stealth motorcycle drivers carry some very talented cameramen who capture castles and farmland with endearing messages or artwork that took hours or even days to create in honor the race or a racer.  Those on the backs of motorcycles, which zip alongside the cyclists at very racy speeds, hang onto motorcycles with their legs while holding heavy cameras - I mean, WHAT?!  They capture hugs, chats, literal blood, sweat and tears... dehydrated lips, and finish line victories.  

The camera feats are only one part of this amazing race.  This year, the production of it all struck me - it is grand. All the grand tours are highly respected by the cycling community, and the countries that sponsor them put forth extreme coordinated shows, along with NBC Sports.  It amazes me each year. Each city is prepared with barricades lining the streets at start and finish towns, and along the course in some places.  The mountain stages are an incredible display of Fan-dome.  Some are excited. Some are rude. And many can be a bit hindering!  It's the only sport I can think of where the spectators get to run alongside the "players" on the "field."  I mean really...soccer (futbol) would never endure this! Can you imagine a cricket match with spectators on the field... interference, anyone?  How about polo?  Running alongside the horses.  It's ludicrous, and the cyclists have extreme focus and patience to deal with the people they have to endure at any moment... and worse, along a grueling mountain HC climb!  Come on, people!  They need to breathe!  You try riding your bike, up a steep hill while someone runs alongside you waving a giant country flag! (and possibly wearing a speedo, or even naked! It's happened!)  So let's stand back and enjoy the race.

This year my kids seemed to really take to watching the tour, as well. The 10 year old has seen plenty of cycling, but even the 6 year old was sad the excitement was over.  The fun of watching not only the cyclists, but their father get excited, and almost giddy - which they will attest is almost NEVER.  The Tour, cycling in general, and "Top Gear" are a few (and there are only a few) things that bring a smile to his face, and good spirits to his demeanor.  So I understand why the end of the tour hits us all so hard.  It's a huge let down for everyone.  And we must go on - onto August and finding other ways to enjoy summer.  The town pool has proven a cool respite in the late afternoons, but we await next July for the excitement of the race, and the sweet sounds of the Tour in our living room.

It seems, sometimes, we are the only household without central air.  I know this is not true - I mean there are many people, I'm sure, in the world... and by world, I feel I'm comparing us to third world countries... but certainly, not everyone in NJ has A/C.  Or do they?  And then, you ask, why not just install the window air conditioners you have in the attic?

Well, my husband and I both say we like the feel of breezes.  For me it's completely true... but I think he partly also doesn't want to run the electric bill up to crazy levels.  I, being the bill-payer, knows it won't break the bank to put pretty efficient A/C's in our windows for July & August, but I humor him.

I also LOVE the sound of the cicada's in the trees at night which can only be heard through an open window.  They bring back such fond memories of nights at my grandmother's house, where there was also no air conditioning, and she'd leave her sliding glass door open with the screen to give my sister and me a breeze, and the sound of the cicadas were an added bonus, in my opinion.
    "Sh-sh-sh" they'd sing...."sh-sh-sh."

This year the cicadas are plenty.  Not as crazy as a few years ago when it was their 17 year cycle - that was insane. And a little like a sci-fi movie.  This year is back to the usual - we can hear them buzzing like electricity in the trees during the hot day, and chirping the "sh-sh-sh" sound at night.

In chatting recently with a friend about them, along with my search for a job in the Bay area, to return us there if at all possible... or CA in general, I recalled the cicadas don't chirp there.  It is one thing I missed when I lived there briefly.  And they would be missed again should we return.  But I'll worry about that when the time comes.  I won't miss snow!  So sometimes you have to pay a price... there's a price for everything!