Smokey says: Certes, on dirait qu'elle en a assez dans sa collection… sure, you'd say she has enough in her collection… but the truth is she adores every one of them! Today, find out who won une de ses clés… P.S. can you see the ombre or shadow of the missing key?
la reine de beauté
: beauty queen
(Find out why this word is so special… read the story column, just below)
Audio file and example sentence
(note: the audio file feature will return… just as soon as one of the sleepy Francophones in my household wakes up!)
Il se cachait alors dans un coin solitaire, fixant ses yeux ardents sur cette reine de beauté entourée d'hommages, de murmures flatteurs et d'envies jalouses.
He hid in a lonely corner, fixing his passionate eyes upon this beauty queen surrounded by compliments, flattering murmurings, and jealous desires. –from "Le Correspondant", by Charles Douniol
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A Day in a French Life… by Kristin Espinasse
Beauty Queens
Returning from the doctor's office, Wednesday, I lay back on my bed, tucked under les couvertures, as if a blanket's weight could anchor such rising emotions!
What exactly were these sentiments? A mixture of relief and gratitude, to be sure: lab results were now back, confirming another basal cell—and that the doctor succeeded in removing all of it (without leaving so much as a flourish on my nose. Un miracle!).
But how to explain the other bubbles that were rising to the surface of mon âme? For this, I looked back at my laptop screen, where waves of good tidings were flowing into the comments box, following our recent giveaway contest…
…Aloha from Samantha in Hilo, Hawaii!
…Mabuhay! from Manila in the Philippines. –Faith
…Bonjour… from Boutilier's Point in Nova Scotia, Canada. –Holly
There was something about your words, Dear Reader, that ignited a warm and cozy feu inside of me… a feeling of espoir and, especially, tendresse. I began to sense a tug, as the joyful greetings brought me back in time…
…Namaste from Shobha, in India.
…Hello from Tigard Oregon. –Chris
…Bonjour d'Ethiopie! –Tim
Until there I was, returned to my childhood home! Wearing my favorite golden robe and slippers, my eyes were scotched to the T.V. screen in front of me. Our mutt, Benji, by my side, his eyes were glued to that same screen… We sat, star-struck, admiring the prize-winning smiles of the beautiful representants, who announced their countries, along with warm greetings…
…Hallo aus Berlin, Germany und danke für alles. -Karl
…Buenos dias from Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico. –Sheila
…Bonjour from Arizona…. –Gaelle
I watched, enchantée, as the beauties filed gracefully down the runway virtuelle, each contestant representing a different country:
…Hola! y Saludos! from sunny Puerto Rico. –Maria
…Hello from snowy Trondheim, Norway. –Siv
…Bonjour from Perigord Vert, Dordogne France. –Janet
OUI! I now could identify the comforting, nostalgic feeling inside of me—that of returning to the warmth and innocence of yesteryear, to a favorite childhood past-time: watching Miss Monde! How similar were the greetings that filed into the comments box… to those of the glamorous Miss World candidates who filed down the runway!
Merci beaucoup, dear reader, for your lovely greetings and good tidings! You are all, all of you, beauty queens to me!
***
CLICK HERE and look for my Mom, Jules's comment,where she shares about the Eureka moment, in which she came to choose our winner. You will then see a comment by me, announcing a second winner (this time via a random computer-generated selection!
Update: My father wrote me, after reading your comments, and I think he best succeeded in describing, in one word, what your messages represent: CARE. Thank you so much for responding, with care, to these missives, anecdotes, vignettes, and essays. You fill us with hope! (Now to call Mom, who leaps out of bed each morning… to check in with you all via the comments box! She is such a copycat leaper!)
French Vocabulary
certes = most certainly, sure
l'ombre (f) = shadow
on dirait qu'elle en a assez dans sa collection = you'd say she has enough in her collection
une de = one of
une clef, une clé = key
une couverture = blanket
un miracle = miracle
un sentiment = feeling
une âme = soul
le feu = fire
l'espoir (m) = hope
la tendresse = love, tenderness, fondness
enchanté(e) = enamored
virtuelle = virtual
Miss Monde = Miss World
More keys… and so hard to part with even one of them. Perhaps I need to learn the key to giving? Maybe another giveaway would be a good way to practice?
An antiques shop in Colmar. Tell us what French antique you dream of winning. Click here to leave a message in the comments box.
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GOODMORNING MY LITTLE ANGEL KRISTI –
HOW COULD I NOT USE MY POWER OF POSITION TO TAKE CONTROL OF PICKING THE WINNER FOR YOUR VERY FIRST CONTEST!!!
BECAUSE GUS’S (GUS ELISON) WORDS CAPTURED MY HEART THE MOMENT I READ THEM – PLUS THE FACT THAT I WOKE UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT THINKING OF HIS WORDS….AND THEN HAVING HIS THOUGHTS AGAIN ON MY MIND THE FIRST MOMENT I CAME OUT OF MY DEEP DREAMSLEEP THIS MORNING – I FEEL IT JUST HAS TO BE ‘MY GUS’.
MY THOUGHTS OF HIM THIS MORNING WERE – ‘WELL IF GUS IS 87 – HIS NOTE GIVES ME HOPE THAT I WILL ALSO ONE DAY WHEN I AM 87 HAVE SOMEONE IN MY LIFE WHO COULD INSPIRE ME TO WRITE HIS SAME WORDS…
I AM SO CAPTIVATED BY HIS HEART THAT I ACTUALLY COPIED HIS NOTE TO YOU IN MY LITTLE PARIS NOTEBOOK – THE ONE YOU GAVE ME A FEW YEARS AGO. I’M SURE BY THE END OF TODAY HIS WORDS WILL BE IMPRINTED IN MY MEMORY FOREVER AS THEY SEEM TO KEEP ECHOING IN MY MIND AS THE WORDS A MOM WOULD BE MOST HONORED TO HEAR SOMEONE SPEAK OF HER ANGEL DAUGHTER.
GUS WROTE IN HIS MESSAGE:
‘AT 87 THERE ARE NOT MANY THINGS TO LOOK FORWARD TO. FRENCH WORD OF THE DAY IS AN EXCEPTION. THE PAST TWO YEARS HAVE BEEN AN AWAKENING TO THE BEAUTY OF LIFE. THANKS FOR SHARING WITH ALL OF US.’ –GUS ELISON
TO HEAR GUS SHARE THAT FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS YOU HAVE BEEN A PART OF HIS ‘AWAKENING TO THE BEAUTY OF LIFE’ — JUST BLOWS ME AWAY.
PLUS THE FACT – OF COURSE – THAT HE WOULD CONVEY HIS MESSAGE TO YOU IN MY FAVORITE ‘ALL CAPS’ EXPRESSION OF ‘ LOOK HERE – I AM ALIVE!!! CAPS….CAN ONLY EXPRESS REAL ENERY OF BEING ALIVE..THROUGH WHICH HE HAS SHOWN ME HIS SPIRIT.
I’M OFF TO SEE IF I CAN FIND SOMEONE WILLING TO PRINT OUT ALL OF THESE COMMENTS FOR ME SO I CAN MAKE A SPECIAL BOOK OF THIS WONDERFUL MOMENT IN OUR LIVES….OF COURSE WITH YOUR POST AT THE BEGINNING OF MY BOOK…..I SHOULD MAKE YOU A COPY TOO….AS THIS IS JUST THE KIND OF BOOK YOU NEED TO HAVE CLOSE BY ON A RAINY DAY WHEN YOU FEEL ALONE AND UNLOVED.
WHEN A MOTHER READS WORDS TO HER DAUGHTER – AS I HAVE OVER THE PAST 24 HOURS – WORDS OF LOVE AND PRAISE AND ENCOURAGEMENT…..IT IS ONE OF THE GREATEST GIFTS A MOTHER CAN RECEIVE.
I LOVE YOU HONEY…YOU HAVE BEEN SO STRONG AND FULL OF COURAGE OVER THE PAST 6 MONTHS. YET YOU HAVE STILL MANAGED TO TOUCH US ALL WITH YOUR BEAUTIFUL WORDS….YOUR BEAUTIFUL HEART.
XOXO
MOM
Thanks, Mom, for reading all of the comments along with me, and for choosing our first winner!
Mom and I decided to choose a second winner, this time via a random, computer generated number. The second winner is:
Marjorie Recinos in Newburyport, Massachusetts!
Would the beautiful winners please email me with your addresses and I will send you your antique French key!
What a wonderful gift, all those replies yesterday .. and Kristin, you deserve them all! Aloha
Thank you! Your postings are a delight.
Congratulations to the winners!
You asked what French antique i dream of owning? Peut-etre, un homme ancien, avec grand coeur et petite maison en Provence.
On another note, several months ago you wrote about’les fleurs de cimitiere’. J’en ai plusieurs! However, unlike yourself, with freckle-sized ones, mine have all at once (it seems) blossomed into peonies! Big sigh here…
fantastic kristi, but i wish i could see them all like jules can – maybe she will do ‘a book’ we can buy??????
love you
annie shultz
Lovely words from Jules, Kristin. She’s a good mom, eh? Glad to hear you’re on the mend. It’s almost spring and life is good!!
So much JOY encountered in this blog. Thank you Kristin and your Mom! I know this antique shop in Colmar well – have been a customer there for 30 years….a paradise for bric à brac and collectibles….. Chandeliers are my fave antique of late….
Hi Annie, Mom sees the same comments that you do (via the comments link at this post). She then scrolls through the pages–via the more comments link–at the end of each page:
http://french-word-a-day.typepad.com/motdujour/2012/02/etourdi.html#comments
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if there were a picture of the commenter next to each message? Then Mom’s book would be even neater!
Exquisite…and what fun to see the sentiments on global paths to your virtual winners box, soon to be opened with the key, to the heart of selection! Congratulations to your winners.
I am wondering if Annie meant the way your mom perceives the comments rather then the actual viewing of them. You and your mom both have a special way of seeing the world and those in it. Thanks for putting a rosy tint on everything
Congrats to the winners….. a great idea, something different & exciting for us ‘French-Word-A-Dayers!!’
Glad you are feeling well and have a great weekend.
Poppi xx
Ca me rend heureuse que vous soi bien. Merci pour tous les délicieux mots françaises et les histoires adorables. I don’t spell French!
Arlette en Bethesda, MD USA
a vintage copper fish poacher.
How wonderful for the winners!! I would love someday to have a real French espresso or cafe au lait cup to drink from with my new espresso machine!
Cindy
Arlington Texas
Felicitations Gus et Marjorie! How exciting! And, I’m excited to say that I was right…it was UNE CLE! What a nice thing to share, Kristi!
Bonne Journee!
Amber
I always expect to read beautiful words and be inspired by them when I read these articles, but the comments from Gus are icing on the cake! Lovely. …an awakening to the beauty of life. Yes! Congratulations Gus, and thank you Kristen.
David
Gus reminds me of someone I met when I was 19 and he was 90, Stanley Beale. He was going to College to take French lessons!!!!
He was our neighbor, and I would help him with his homework and his accent ( He was an Aussie and had arrived in the US by boat during the San Francisco earthquake of 1906 and had to watch the fires from the boat for several days before debarking!!!!) He told me he had always wanted to learn French, the most beautiful language in the world to him, and taught me it was never too late to learn, just like Gus, learning to appreciate beauty. Such rare and wonderful people are a true inspiration for a life well lived, and we will never forget their lessons!
ps And Hallelujah that your nose emerged unscathed, my little beauty queen, and specially that you are OK!
Health over beauty always! Big hugs from all of us.
Congratulations to the winners. I enjoy seeing the variety of places the commenters live. To ask me what French antique I would like to have is an impossible question for me to answer. I would love to have anything that spoke to me of France. Have a wonderful weekend.
Beautiful and inspiring words from Jules.
It made me focus on our typical Filipino (Philippines) greeting of “Mabuhay!” Its root word is “buhay” that translates to “life” in English. And I thought, hey, when you tell someone “Mabuhay!”, not only are you greeting them, it’s like you are wishing them life. I have not thought of it and appreciated it that way until now. Thank you, Kristin, Jules and Gus. 🙂
I’m so glad you are on the mend and cancer free. I am sitting here in the back country of Indiana waiting for a house deal to go thru so we can go to California to be with my sister who is going thru Chemo now. She lost her husband last summer and just a few weeks later had an episode leading to the Ovarian cancer diagonosis. I need to be there with her but I know she has her children. I hope by the time we do get there that she will have good news. She and I and our older sister are planning a trip to France and England and ??? Waiting is hard but FWA really helps. Thanks…glad you are better.
What a lovely way to begin the day – Gus and Jules and Kristin’s good news. Thank you for giving the beautiful and inspiring Gus a place to be heard, where his humble comment can inspire so many others!
P.S. As for my favorite French antique, it would have to be RIBBON- Gorgeous old ribbon waiting for a new project! Easy to tuck into the suitcase!
Oh Gus is so charming and so deserving of such a unique gifting. Also want to say ‘yay’ for Kristin. I am certain you are in a great place of gratitude. Hugs.
“… the beautiful représentants, who announced their countries, along with warm greetings…”, Kristin that is exactly what I was reminded of as I read all the wonderful comments from your readers around the world. If there were photos to go with the comments you could indeed picture everyone taking their turn on the runway. Love it and I share Gus’s sentiments…so delighted he won la clé. Quelle bonne idée !!
Kristen your words always inspire me! I know your beautiful spirit is the divine tool that gives you the power to overcome those bumps in the road. My husband and father in law – freckled Irish men that they are, have the same skin issues as you. Visiting your doctor often and staying on top of the situation is the best thing you can do.
If such a thing could be found in that little antique shop I would want to buy a big beautiful antique sun hat for you!
Congratulations to the winners! Gus’s sentiments are lovely – they have me tearing up. You do inspire us and bring out our best sentiments, Kristin. Merci beaucoup.
I’m very happy to know that your surgery was a complete success.
What antique would I like from France? Like Patricia anything that speaks of France is wonderful. But in particular, I would dream of winning an antique snuff box. The first time I visited France my husband spent hours looking at the snuff boxes on display at the Louvre, fascinated with the beauty and detail of each box. We celebrate our anniverary on Bastille Day and I have searched, in vain, for a long time for a snuff box that would make the perfect anniversary gift.
Bon weekend!
Jules!
As much as I look forward to reading Kristi’s stories about her home and family; as much as I feel a part of this odd psuedo camaraderie we all share with her; I also love hearing about you and reading your messages to your daughter.
When I read your notes to her and hear of your spirit you encourage me to build up my daughter; to see and encourage Gus’ ability to see “the beauty of life”. You too have that talent.
Jules, you invite us all to LIVE!
Della
Greetings from the Land of Enchantment!
I dream of an antique wine carrier to secure my wine from the acrobatics of my crazy cat! Mercie, Page
Kristin and Jules,
You both always help me jump start my day. I love the glimpses of your relationship that you share with us. I’ll be watching for more comments from Gus, too!
And Kristin,I’m so happy to hear that those nasty cancer cells are gone and that your focus on life won’t have that c word undertone! Enjoy a wonderful weekend! Thank you for sharing so much of your life wiht all of us!
Bless you.
What may have been another jour ordinaire, is now filled with sweet inspirations!
Merci pour les mots!
Candace
So glad you’re feeling better, Kristin! Your blog is like sharing a hot cuppa with a good friend – only this friend’s kitchen happens to be in southern France! Added to the pleasures of your writing are learning a bit about the wine making process, basking in the reflected glow of Jules’ energy and love, and reading all the delightful comments from others who follow your blog. Thanks for the gift of sharing! And congratulations to Gus and Marjorie on winning a key to all our dreams of France!
Well, teach me to think I was too busy on Wednesday to read FWAD and would catch up later. I missed the contest! But I couldn’t have competed with the winner Jules selected anyway. So glad your bad cells are gone. And thank you for reminding us that even if we sometimes think we are too busy for FWAD we should be too busy not to enjoy life. better late than never,
bonjour from snowy but sunny Boulder, Colorado
Congratulations to all of you. You for the wonderful news and the winners who now have something from you to treasure.
How wonderful that the latest spot has been taken care of and without a blemish! You are an inspiration to all of us. Amities,Nancy
What an inspiration that was to have your readers check in and post their location! Is there a continent (maybe Antarctica?), a country, a state in the USA, a province in Canada that isn’t represented? You certainly cast a very wide net and then pull us all in together! I especially enjoyed postings from places I’ve lived in or visited–brought back some very special memories. You make the world a brighter place with your musings and photos. So glad the book is closed on your latest surgical experience, and very successfully at that! A French antique? One of those little cups–I think it’s called a tastevin–that the wine tasters used in the caves.
Wonderful post-op news Kristi! So glad the area is now clear.
The French antique I’d want (besides a key) would be a usable enamelware coffee pot. I have one in Provence blue but it is very rusty and decorative only.
To Krisitn’s mother: I just finished reading a collection of the letters of Madame de Sevigne. Like you, nothing pleased her more than words of admiration and praise for her daughter!
Kristin, than you for your website and for the French word a day.
Felicitations to the key winners!
Kristin, so glad to hear your recent surgery went well. If you ever feel alone or lost, just look at all the dear friends you have made here on your blog. It’s amazing that through this medium so many people come together with a common interest and share their love of France and you. Congratulations to Gus and Marjorie. My wish for something French….I would truly enjoy living in France for the rest of my days.
Bonjour. So glad to see there were happy endings all around. I don’t know what French antique I would want. I try not to think about it because I already have so many American antiques at home. I keep telling my husband that I need to buy a home in France so I can feel free to shop for my favorite things and have a place to keep them without the hassle of shipping them home.
Happy Friday, everyone! Congratulations to the winners of the prizes! Glad to hear you are bouncing back, Kristin. I am glad the readers gave you inspiration like you give to us with your posts. Have a wonderful, joyous, and restful weekend!
Bonjour from MS (temporarily!)! Congratulations to the winners of the cles – here’s hoping it opens up wonderful things in their lives. I know your writings, yours, your Mom’s, and all your dear readers’ open up my life! I think I’d like an antique statue of an angel – I’m not sure why I think of that as a ‘French’ antique, but it would be so wonderful to find one in France to bring home and watch over my family and friends.
So glad to hear the relief and the joy of the good health news!
Congrats! to the winners…and it is true for me as well-Like Gus Elison, I look forward to my French-Word-A-Day…it’s fun to connect with people from all over the world through your site Kristin-and I learn French as well(I’m not very good at it-but I enjoy it so much). L&L~Lisa
Congrats to you, Kristin, such great health news! A shout out for the winners, and Kristin’s mom.
I love getting French-Word-a-Day. Thanks so much!
Two talented writers in the family, who are able to speak from the heart so beautifully!
Congratulations to Gus. He sounds like quite a guy.
Your new book is a delight. I just finished reading it. Reminds me of the wonderful year I spent in France about 50 years ago.
I am so happy your “spot” on your face has now vanished. Do be careful in the sun.
I am now going to order your other book. Thanks for many happy reading moments.
Mary Lou
Love Gus’ comments. So relieved to hear that they got all the bad cells. Thank goodness you have kept on top of your medical problems.
My friend Karen and I both read your blog and love to talk about your writings.
Blessings on you,
Anne
The key is such a wonderful analogy of life – unlocking the unknown – what’s on the other side of that door? I’m reminded of a passage in Francis Mayes’ “Under the Tuscan Sun” where she describes a creche made by a child which was made entirely out of keys. The baby Jesus was a tiny diary-sized key. I love the image I get of that lovely creation. What a special gift you have offered to Gus and Margaret! My house is so old that my front door is still locked with one of those old “skeleton” keys. I wonder what all of your keys have locked and unlocked over the years. I’m so glad, dear Kristi, that you are healing and the cancer is gone! And a grand merci to JULES for her comments on cher Gus. As always, you both “open” us to new ideas and beauty!