Calico cat in a window
Louper
(loo pay)
verb
to miss (a class…)
After his hearty lunch of poulet rôti, spicy eggplant ratatouille, and rosemary potatoes (and seconds of all three!), I suspect that my son is brimming with health and not at all as sick as he claimed to be when the alarm clock rang this morning. ("Aïe! J'ai mal au ventre!" he complained. Feeling sympathetic, I let him stay home from school for the morning.)
"Well, well, Max, you certainly seem to be feeling better! Maybe I could take you to school now and you won't miss your afternoon classes?"
"Mommy," Max pleads, "I need a whole day off!"
"Well then, you'll have a lot of classwork to catch up on, so don't come crying to me!"
Max offers me a disarming smile before asking what's for dessert. I bring out a bowl of aromatic garriguettes—strawberries so sweet you'd swear they were sugar cubes blushing in disguise. I pass Max the can of whipped cream, figuring that he might as well enjoy his sick day even if he is guilty.
As he eats, he reviews which classes he has missed:
J'ai loupé les maths…
J'ai loupé la musique…
J'ai loupé la téchno…
Listening to my son's losses, I try to balance the debit. Though Max missed math, music, and technology, he didn't miss doing the dishes (this, without my asking), he didn't miss making me a surprise cup of tea ("C'est bien chaud!" he announced, his shining eyes carefully steadied on the steamy surface of the tea lest it spill as he walked), and he didn't miss collecting a handful of roses (after he slipped out to the garden, scissors in hand). Finally, he didn't miss selecting a vase (our best coffee cup in the cupboard) and arranging the flowers into an attractive bouquet before delivering them to my desk. "For you, Mommy," he offered.
"J'ai loupé un peu d'histoire." I missed a bit of history, too, my son admits as I poke my nose deep into a pink blossom. Learning about another "louped" class, I feel slightly annoyed. Then I get to thinking about Max's history book and all the "important stuff" that is recorded inside for students to study and recall. Why shouldn't this moment, too, be memorized? How unworthy of note one boy's stolen day may seem to historians, who will never document the sweetness of this tea, or record the gift of a tender heart.
***
French Vocabulary
le poulet rôti = rotisserie chicken
Aïe! J'ai mal au ventre! = Ow! I have a stomach ache
j'ai loupé les maths = I missed math
j'ai loupé la musique = I missed music
j'ai loupé la téchno (technologie) = I missed technology
c'est bien chaud = it's very hot
J'ai loupé un peu d'histoire = I missed a little bit of history
:: Audio File ::
Listen to me pronounce the word "louper" before my daughter reads the following quote:
Download MP3 or Download Wav
Il ne faut pas louper le coche,* mes amis!
We musn't miss our chance, my friends! –Henriette Chardak
*coach, barge; rater le coche = to miss the boat
.
Terms & Expressions:
louper son cours = to miss one's class
louper son bus/train = to miss one's bus/train
louper le coche = to miss an opportunity, to miss one's chance
louper son coup = to miss one's chance
A ne pas louper! = Not to be missed! (program, event…)
Verb conjugation:
je loupe, tu loupes, il/elle loupe, nous loupons, vous loupez, ils/elles loupent => past participle: loupé
***
A Day in a Dog's Life…
For the next 10 days Smokey and Braise will be vacationing at a chambre de chien, a doggy equivalent of une chambre d'hôte. We'll be dropping them off a the B&B (Bed & Bark?) in Rochegude, on our way to Serre Chevalier. Smokey, pictured left, doesn't look very happy about this… (you should see Gramma K's face, which is even longer!) but there will be no room for dogs in the little Alpine chambre that we will be renting. While we're away, French Word-A-Day will continue, with selections from the archives. (There will be no posts on the 9 and the 12th.)
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You have a caring, sensitive son. One who knows how to care for himself while caring for others! Happy Easter. Jeanne
(82 here in Ohio today!!0
Sometimes we need these “mental health days” as they are sometimes called when one misses work and physical health if more intact than not! Spring days are a perfect time for this. I think you made the right decision and Max was more showing his appreciation than assuaging his guilt with his sweetness to Mommy. Tu es une bonne maman! Happy Spring from a gorgeous early morning in Roanoke, VA–where birds are chirping under a clear blue sky, trees are greening out, and Maxine is lying here curled up dreaming of chasing chipmunks around the backyard. Happy vacation!
Coucou (One of my favorite French words)
I loved these delectable words that you wrote: “strawberries so sweet you’d swear they were sugar cubes blushing in disguise.”
Our sons are the same age, Kristin. We’ve had this happen to and I think that, because they grow up so fast, they love their down-time at home and they miss that special time with mom. I agree with you. It’s a time “a ne pas louper” for either of you!
Aww – poor pooches. They know what’s going on as soon as you start the laundry for the holiday trip. I love these photos of them with the colorful flowers.
Have a wonderful vacation! I’ll be looking forward to stories and photos. (Speaking of the mother-son thing: my son and I are headed to Puerto Rico with another mom and son for a few days. We’ll be making “un peu d’histoire” ourselves! It was the boys idea. Aren’t they great?
Coucou (one of my favorite French words)
Karen – age 53
Finally sunny and warm in Towson, Md.
Kristi, We’ve had a few mental health days with our boys (now 24 and 21) in the good ole days when they were living at home. In fact, we made up a rule. They could take one day per school year, where we actually let them stay home. They didn’t have to pretend they were sick, it was just their day. We called it a “mental health” day, too. They got to do whatever they want. Kids have so little control over their lives it was one simply way they could do it “their way”. But I actually like your way better. I would give anything now to have a day of homemade tea, flowers from the garden and a “Thank you Mommy” memory in my heart. xo Robin
The dogs look so sad. Just be sure the chambre de chien gets Smokey and Blaise’s names right. We had our golden Theo (Theodore) “stay” at a chambre de chien but my wife had hurriedly written his name down and the whole time we were gone Theo was called Moe. The owner said “No wonder he never responded when I called him.”
Have a great vacances, Kristin et famille.
Here’s an illustration I’ve used that teaches us type “A” personality adults that our schedules (and therefore the schedules of our children) are not always the most important things.
‘In his book, The Effective Father, Gordan McDonald wrote about Scottish lawyer and author James Boswell most known for his bio. of Samuel Johnson. In his published works he often referred to a special day in his childhood when his father, Alexander Boswell, took him fishing. The day was fixed in his mind, and he often reflected upon many things his father taught him in the course of their fishing experience together that stayed with him the rest of his life.
After having heard of that particular excursion so often, it occurred to someone much later to check the journal that Boswell’s father had kept and determine what had been said about the fishing trip from the paternal perspective. Turning to that date, the reader found only one sentence, “Gone fishing today with my son; a day wasted.”
P.S. It’s uncharacteristically warm here in Detroit…great weather to celebrate Good Friday with my congregation this afternoon.
What a sweet son you have, Kristin. Everyone deserves to play hooky occasionally. And Max definitely showed his appreciation. Bon voyage to your family. We’ll miss your new entries but look forward to les histoires nouveau.
And your description of the strawberry feast reminded me of that wonderful French ambrosia I ate last summer and wrote about.
http://www.traveling-through.com/2009/07/strawberry-ode.html
Beautiful story, Kristin.
Kristen I was so touched by your “date” with your son..I too have savoured such days now they have become phone calls from University,usually as he is making dinner..History goes both ways…
Several years back we had a flood in oour kitchen where a ceiling pipe broke in single digit weather.. A hot steamy whale of water saturated 2 floors..I was alone with Hart as my husband and our daughteer were away on the otherside of the world…so the 2 of us cleaned the mess up in shifts..A building contractor cam and “bubble wrapped the gaping ceiling hole..after 3 days a truant officer called form school quite upset with my excuse by why Hart was not in class..When I explained the severuty of the situation and that this 13 year old kid id this for aand with me..I suggestd that maybe learning had many sides and learning how to deal with a surprise disaster such as this was a life lesson..He cowered gracefully,told me to let Hart get some rest and send him back when he was ready..That week will be something that both of us shall wear for the rest of our lives..These moments can’t be duplicated but they are ours to own..May your roses stay fresh all week and perfume your house..Spring keeps us sharp with gratitude..I have joined your friends blog Tongue in Cheek…
Would love to meet you some time..We will be returning to Antibes for the summer on April 20th…Happy Easter…pamela pamela
excuse my typiing errors…I was called to rescue….by my husband as I was writing this…didn’t proof pamela pamela
What a beautiful day…strawberries, flowers and a loving cup of tea. Sounds wonderful.
I remember our oldest coming home from school one day at about age 8. He plopped on the sofa and said simply, “Mom, I need some time at home to do nothing.” I felt terrible, of course, that perhaps I, we, life had asked too much of him, pushed him too hard.
I just told my husband I wanted to “louper” this weekend and head for the beach. : ) What a great word.
Thanks and have a great weekend.
As most before me have stated, everyone needs a mental health day here and there. And as you so eloquently put, it might not get written in the schools history book but it has been written into your Heart book.
Joyeuses Pâques !
I am learning French via Rosetta Stone in anticipation of coming to Paris for a year, and they suggest the use of “manquer” for “to miss”. Can you tell me when to use manquer versus louper?
Oh, I miss my son! There’s something so tender about a mother/son relationship. When Andy was little he loved going to the local arcade where he could win tickets for his grand accomplishments. Then he could trade in those tickets for prizes that were worth different amounts. I was so touched when he spent all the tickets he had been saving for a year, to “buy” me a Christmas present. Those are the most wonderful memories. I’m so glad you and Max had that day together. Enjoy your “Springtime in the Alps”. It’s sunny and supposed to be in the 80s today in SW KS. Blessings to all of you.
Good for you! Sometimes they just need a day to themselves.
You are a wise mom!! What a special day to savor and remember. ( :
Vous etes une bonne maman! Je souhaite que etait ma mere! Laurie
You helped make a very special day for your son. I’ll never forget the day my mother surprised me in 2nd grade by picking me up unexpectantly and taking me to Disneyland with my cousins. I don’t remember any other day in 2nd grade, but I do remember that one. Your story brought tears to my eyes.
This tender heart you speak of has clearly been inherited.
Kristin,
What a lovely story of a relaxing day at home with your son Max! It was a special mental health day for both of you.
– Have a wonderful week away! I empathize with you having to take Braise and Smokey to a chambre de chien because our cat Kitzel has to stay at a chambre de chat while we’re away next week on the Delaware coast. – The French verb “se manquer” means to miss someone or something, for example, the French for “I miss you” would be “tu me mangues.” Please correct me if that’s not right. – Bon voyage! Lorena
Children and adults need an occasional mental health day
I absolutely loved the story of the “louped” schoolday! I love all things French, especially the people, food, beautiful buildings,land and the language!! LOL.
It is a bright, colorful, breezy morning here in Little Rock, Ar. But, though I’m grateful to have a job, I must work in a kind of cave. The good news is that the company for which I work saves lives every day. It is the American Red Cross.
Bless you and your loving son,
Tonya
Pamela (pamela) – I like that.
I also love your words about Spring – that it keeps us “sharp with gratitude”. Beautiful words for a beautiful season of growth and renewal.
Bonjour Kristin:
I think my favorite city in France is Strasbourg. I have a sweet son like you. He’s now a new dad living in Massachusetts with his charming French wife and lovely little daughter but about 5 years ago he was a postgrad student living in Strasbourg. While he was there we visited him twice and really enjoyed our visits. My husband and I are both artists and love photography as well so we found much to enjoy on our visits to that quaint and charming city.
I think we all need special places and special days in our lives,
Edie from Savannah
Good morning,
My son has not been playing hooky this week, since he has now finished high school, but he has been sick. He migrated his way upstairs out of his basement bedroom, to our livingroom couch. He has been wanting me to watch movies with him. This is rare since he is now 17. We both have enjoyed it very much. This time also has brought much conversation. Though it is rare for a teenager, it seems, to talk to a parent so much, he has always been this way, and for that I am grateful. I may not always like what we talk about, at least we have that dialogue. They do grow up fast, and for some time I had been thinking not fast enough….TEENS!!! But this week has been nice, despite the fact he has been sick.
Have a wonderful Easter with your family! I will be at work, but plan to give the kids a surprise Easter basket tomorrow. They think I will not for the first time ever, since they are older now.
Take care,
Buffy
I’m curious about the “techno” class Max has; what do they learn in it. Also, about the French educational system generally, since I recall you mentioning that he might get a special certification (diploma?) in food preparation/restauranting.
The day you described was special, and I hope you will always remember it.
After my husband passed away, I let my son have one school day a year to remember Dad. It wasn’t always on his father’s birthday, but whatever day was selected. We didn’t spend the whole day on that, but sometimes looked at pictures for a bit, or did other things his father especially liked, such as going to a museum or historic site.
I don’t think there’s any question that some (not all) students today feel pressured. Psychologically, a day of break is helpful. This year in our area, students had a windfall of over an extra week of no school, because of blizzards. It appears they won’t make up the time, either, because parents’ schedules are already set and can’t be changed. Local and state governments are still mumbling about this.
Anyway, savor the wonderful treasures that such a day can bring.
Kristin,
I loved your story about your “mental health day” with Max. We all certainly need these in our highly structured lives and like another poster commented, spring is the perfect time to do this. I too have a son and this sounds like something he might do as well. Le lien entre une mere et son fils est un lien tres precieux et cheri. May you always have these special moments with your son to remember for ever.
Kristin, When I was a student in elementary school in Toulon some 30 years ago, they still wore “tabliers” or smocks to cover and protect their clothes which I suspect was a holdout of times gone by. Do they still do this in preschools and elementary schools? I’m just wondering!
Enjoy your vacation in Serre-Chevalier and I look forward to reading posts about your trip when you get back.
Amicalement,
Laura
My mom used to call it “the 8 o clock sickness” (it was to late to go to morning school by 8) Everyone should have that opportunity now and again. And as your story today reminds us, it’s often the one on one time that helps us “recover”.
I hope you all have a wonderful get away.
Looking back, you can never be sorry that you missed a day of school, but missing out on a special day with mom…..well, that’s a day Max will always remember. I hope you all have a fantastic vacation. Mark and I are on our way to France tomorrow and then onto Germany mid month. We’ll be thinking of you!
Spring has sprung here on Long Island and I can thoroughly identify with Max’s desire for a mental health day. I think that letting kids take a guilt free mini break from school also encourages them to learn how to manage their own time. The memories we make on those unstructred days together will last a lifetime. Far too few of us take pride in learning self care, thinking it wasteful or selfish when nothing could be further from the truth. Mental health days are a great way to recharge the batteries and connect with those we love. Max sounds like an absolute sweetie and your day together was priceless.
Much love to you all!
Aw….! All the considerate ways that your sweet Max showed love to his maman brought big tears to my eyes. Even now that my boy is in college and *towers* over me by about a foot, I LOVE it when he *stoops* to hug me tenderly and calls me “mommy.” 🙂 Sigh… we never stop being their mommies… caring about every little hurt they have; worrying about them…
And you’re SO right… those moments of personal history are SO important! And in the course of your life, those prove the most valuable. 🙂
Reading your blog entries is always such a highlight in my day, and I especially loved this one. I adore Max, he’s a little boy with a heart of gold. I am a mom of two grown boys, and now have a five-year old grandson. Little boys have a special gift for melting hearts, don’t they? (and of course, so do little girls!)
Oh, I forgot… for your mom: I am 62 years old. We don’t have a favorite French town yet, only Paris, but when we visit Paris this summer we are going to work on finding one. We might start with a day trip to Reims, or perhaps Chantilly or Champagne. I hope some others mention their favorites, that may influence our choice!
Max is really a special young man, who deserved his day away from school without really being too sick to enjoy it. Love to Braise and Smokey, who look adorable even when sad. It’s sunny & chilly in Southern California.
I have to say thank you to Marianne for the wonderful idea! My husband passed away six months ago. My son is seven and I think that I just may start the same tradition with him. BTW, his last film “Bedford: The Town They Left Behind” is now available on DVD.
A gorgeous day here in Washington, DC!
Hi, Leslie H,
Did your husband produce the DVD, act in it, or what? As your son gets older, you can share his father’s interests with him, whether military history (which my husband knew a lot about) or other subjects.
You and your son will be in my prayers. This is a difficult time for you. Treasure every moment.
Your son is a sweetheart, Kristin– even if he did skip school!
And bonnes vacances! Enjoy the time with your family!
My favorite French word….without a doubt it is “la poubelle”. En anglais, the trash can, garbage can….these words cannot compare with the lovely sound of la poubelle!
I remember one day my son did not want to go to school, so we played hookey at a beautiful local park noted for it’s tree plantings from around the world, and we spent the day drawing. I vividly remember that time whenever I look at the drawing. I also passed on to my kids that “almost everything can be solved with a cup of tea”, so I just smiled at your story. Oh, and I also remember my son with his nose in the opening buds, asking me,”Don’t you just love to smell the floweres?” You are blessed, as I am, and smart enough to enjoy it while you have it. Thanks for provoking these wonderful events.
I also have a question au niveau de la langue. What is the difference between “louper” and “rater”? If I had to guess I would say “louper” is plus familier?
It would be very difficult to deny Max anything! What a handsome and dear young man! Thank you for your continued good words and beautiful photos. Enjoy your getaway to Serre Chevalier. Happy Easter!
Thank You for all your pictures, words, stories, etc!! It’s a pleasure learning french!!! Happy Easter!!!
One of my favorite posts of yours, Kristin! Have a Happy Easter weekend and lovely trip. Hope it’s not raining there like it is here in Paris.
What a multi-talented Max! Charm, wit and a genuine love for his mom. You have raised him well! Savor the moment–I suspect this will be one of your favorite memories from his teenage years. Speaking of savor, who wouldn’t give their teeth for a bowl of garriguettes! It’s an understatement to say that my daughter loves strawberries, and I still remember the first time she tried some garriguettes at age 18 months while visiting her French grandmother one summer. How those blue eyes of hers lit up! Her younger brother will have his turn at them the next time we make a warm-weather trip to France. Thank you for allowing me to use your memorable moment to indulge in one of my own!
Your luncheon menu made me hungry. Would you share your recipe for ratatouille?
Evelyn
A wonderful description of a lovely day. Thanks!
Poor Braise and Smokey. But maybe they’ll like the B&B? Some of them are quite nice.
You must take photos of them greeting you when you go to pick them up after you get home.
Have a wonderful vacation!
xoCandice
I remembered my high school times. In the future, I want to have a sweet son like Max. Have a wonderful vacation.
Raquel
Rio de Janeiro
Brazil
Sorry, Marianne–it’s taken me so long to get back to the computer–don’t know if you’ll check this again. He produced, directed, and edited the film. It’s a documentary–no actors in it.
What a beautiful day!