A butter and cheese shop in the village of Salernes. Would this be a good photo for a book cover? If so, what might the book title be? Leave your answer here, in the comments box.
Chief Grape's USA wine tour will have him in the Washington DC area on 03/10, 03/11 and 03/12 and in Madison WI on 03/14. Click here to see all the cities Chief Grape will be visiting
une morsure (mor-sewr)
: bite
une morsure d'araignée, de serpent = spider bite, snake bite
une morsure de chien = dog bite
morsure du vent, du froid = biting wind, frost
Audio File: (Oh, man, here we go again. Not a Francophone in the house to record today's example sentence. I'll give it my best… but listen at your own péril! Update: I tried, but could not do it! My American accent drowned out the French words! Waiting for Max to return from driver's school. He have to do the recording this time!)
Example Sentence:
Une morsure est une blessure faite par la bouche d'un animal, incluant les humains. A bite is a wound made by the mouth of an animal, including humans. –Wikipedia
A Day in a French Life… by Kristin Espinasse
Un Mystère
Smokey made it home first. Shivering and wet, he hopped from paw to paw until I took the hint and brought him a big bowl of croquettes. After the two day escapade, he was affamé!
Braise arrived next. Only, as she bounded up to the back porch I noticed her head was covered in blood. Given her energetic arrival, I did not panic, but carefully parted her fur, looking for the wound.
In addition to the tear along her ear (which must have flopped over onto her head, soaking it in sang), there were four gaping holes in her side!
"C'est curieux," the vet commented, after we arrived at the clinic. "Normally, if this were une morsure the wound would not be so clear cut…."
I studied at the punctures in Braise's side, and wondered what–or who–could have gotten to her? My stomach weakened at the thought: Could a human have done this?
Impossible! No, she must have run into something sharp. A set of fire-stokers, par hasard? A barbed-wire fence? No, the hooked metal would have pulled at the skin. These wounds were too neat, like holes made by a tiny cookie cutter.
The mystery was troubling, and I watched, in a state of half-attention, as the vet took care of Braise.
When the vet pushed an aiguille into Braise's front leg, I saw the patient's furry jambes slide out from beneath her until she was lying like a mop, completely anesthetized.
The petit doctor picked up our 30 kilo dog who, when lifted, all but eclipsed the vet in size. "Puis-je vous aider?" I reached for Braise's legs, but it was too late, the vet heaved her up onto the operating table. "J'ai l'habitude," she explained.
Standing beside the table, I caressed our dog. Reaching over to lift her paupières, I saw only the whites of Braise's eyes, which had rolled back. I wondered if she could sense my presence and if it comforted her?
"Vous n'êtes pas obligée de rester," the vet said. I looked over at her hands which were wet with blood. My eyes blurred at the sight of needle, thread, and dog ear.
"Oh… ça va. Je reste." It occurred to me that my presence might be a distraction, but it seemed too late to back out now. Braise had just heaved a gentle sigh. Maybe she wasn't so far away after all… perhaps close enough to be comforted?
With one hand on our dog, I gripped the table with the other. It was only a precaution… in case this new-found nonchalance dissolved into waves of queasiness… and landed me on the floor, supine as our canine!
When the 45-minute operation was over (I lasted 10 minutes, only to end up chatting with a testy boxer dog in the waiting room), the doctor wrapped Braise's fury torso in one great bandage.
I couldn't help wondering about those wounds, but the vet put my thoughts to rest by concentrating on the positive: "Braise was lucky. The attack could have been at a more critical place–like the throat."
(Oh, the thought of it!)
"By the way, what about the other dog?" The vet inquired.
"Oh… Smokey… he is fine. I just hope he tried to help his mother during the attack!"
The vet studied Braise, thoughtfully. "Or maybe it was the mother who was defending the son?"
Of course! Chances are it was Braise who was looking out for Smokey. It wouldn't be the first time she saved his life.
French Vocabulary
une croquette = kibble (dry dog or cat food)
affamé = starving
le sang = blood (learn the expression "bon sang" + a dashing photo of Jean-Marc)
c'est curieux = that's strange
une morsure = bite
par hasard = by coincidence
une aiguille = needle (learn a ton of "needle" or "aiguille" expressions, here!)
une jambe = leg
puis-je vous aider? = can I help you?
j'ai l'habitude = I'm used to it
une paupière = eyelid
vous n'êtes pas obligée de rester = you aren't expected to stay
ça va. Je reste = it's okay. I'll stay
"Mother Love". Photo of Braise and Smokey, taken two years ago.
To respond to this story, or to leave a comment about an item in this edition, please click here.
The next day I took Braise's son Smokey to the vet's…
For the record, trying to keep a dog occupied in the doctor's (vet's) waiting room, is just as challenging as trying to keep a couple of toddlers occupied in the doctor's waiting room. The kids are grown up now, but I have a feeling that Smokey will never lose his need for one's full attention. And seriously, Smokey, how many times can one play Pat-a-cake? (Pardon me, I meant Paw-a-cake.)
Here's a French version of the game, one that Smokey particularly likes to play (keeps him busy during entire waiting room visits).
(sorry, the video is a bit dark. I found it on YouTube.)
Lyrics in French/English: Tape Tape, Petites Mains
Tape tape petites mains
Clap, clap little hands
tourne tourne joli moulin
turn, turn, pretty mill
nage nage gentil poisson
swim, swim, nice fish
vole vole papillon
fly, fly butterfly
Youpi! (Oui!)
Yeah!
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Un avant-goût pour meurtre.
That should mean “A Taste for Murder.” Guess my taste in Ruth Rendell and P.D. James murder mysteries is showing.
P.S. The mystery would be set in Provence, of course.
Merci pour l’histoire et video! Je suis très heureuse que les chiens vont bien. J’ai une chienne qui était presque tué par un autre chien. Mais maintenant, c’est moi qui est traumatisé!
WHAT FATE AWAITS?
Soft sweet kisses – butter and cheese, mais oui!
Baisers doucement doux de beurre et de fromage
Book title:
Decadent Eats from the French Countryside
The forgetten Life
“Melting Moments”
“La Vie en Beurre.”
Pauvre Braise! Quel soulagement qu’elle n’était pas mordue au cou! I hope she’s now doing well. Kristin, I love your writing style. You describe any situation well. Here, you kept me in suspense until the last line.
La vidéo “Tape, tape, petites mains” ne marche plus?
The Hidden Treasures of Provence
Oh Kristin–
(My daughter’s name too…)
Relieved to hear that the pup is on the mend and surely defended by Mom. I agree with possible wild boars in the countryside could have encountered the dogs. Think more
about bringing those dogs into print. We would love to hear more about your life and theirs too! Cheers!
OMG–such excitement with Braise–forget a cat having 9 lives, Braise seems to be on the protected path too. So glad all turned out ok.
Kristin, I have a book called Entrez–Signs of France which features many old doors with signs (photos by Steven Rothfeld)–yours would have been a perfect cover (it opens in the middle as if opening double doors. I do think your photo would be a great cover for your book. Wonderful combination of frilled letters with worn wood and paint. Which village is it in?
Kristin, so glad your pooches made it home. I have 2 myself. I would venture to say Momma was protecting her young. Beautiful dogs.
Once again I came to your blog and was held in suspense til your words were complete. Thanks for sharing the best, the sad and reality of life.You write it so well Kristin.
Why do these things always happen when our husbands are away????
Sooo relieved they came back, can’t imagine how worried you must have been! Wonder what bit poor Braise, the good mama?
Glad it wasn’t a snake or worse…Ever consider getting one of those invisible fences? You don’t have to have them on all the time, and the dogs could run around free, but with limits, like within earshot of your voice calling them. Sounds crazy in a wonderful setting such as yours, but it might relieve some of your anxiety and they would be safer from predators…just an idea.
My book title is : Traditional French Cheese Recipes
How frightening for the pups and you, too. Tears here from this animal lover.
The Mysterious Kase of Arterial Occlusion Collusion
I have to agree with Jules also. You said before that you have had trouble with them in the vineyard. Can you think of any other “wild animal” in your area that would do that.
I like the photo, but for a book cover it needs a spot of color…..like a box of flowers somewhere….just my thought.
When I began to read your account, I thought this was an old story–the one when Smokey first was injured. But then I realized that this was a new/horrible/scary adventure for Braise and Smokey-Dokey. Pauvres chiens!!!
My heart is breaking for both of your puppies. Give them lots of loving and attention, and please give them belly rubs and nose kisses from their biggest friend in Virginia.
xo, Catherine Burnett
Oh, poor babies! I sure hope Braise makes a speedy and full recovery! That photo of the two of them is so sweet. I can tell it was after Smokey’s accident, as his cute little tongue is hanging out. He looks so content lying next to his mom.
Kristin….I’ve been away from the website for a while…BIG change in my life that has been keeping me very busy, but I wanted to say that I have peeked in from time to time and I saw the medical issue you have been dealing with. You are in my thoughts and prayers, as are the two furry babies. I just want to give you all a big squeeze!
All the best,
Erin (formerly in Atlanta) now in The Bahamas
Kristin, re the audio file, I think you meant to write “francophones” and not “francophiles” – we are all Francophiles, whether we are native speakers or not.
I agree with a couple of people who believe a more colorful cover is appropriate. I personally gravitate to attractive covers on books. The photo on today’s post could maybe be on the back of the book. Alternatively, if you have a section in the book about food, including one or more stories about butter or cheese, the photo would be an appropriate one to “open” it – via the doors.
As for the title, I think it’s better selected after one determines what the content will be. And I’d love to see French-Word-A Day 2, 3, etc.
I wish Braise and Smokey a speedy, complete recovery. Maybe they can be allowed to roam more when someone can go with them?
“C’est Yum” ! From another land of cheese and butter…..New Zealand
It was a pleasure meeting Jean-Marc at his wine-tasting in Washington, DC after reading about him for so long. Sampling his rosé transported me back to Provence.
I hope your brave Braise is recovering well. A mother’s love and protection remain strong no matter how old the child has become.
I was so upset to hear about Braise and Smokey. Thank God they are okay. I hope you figure out what was responsible so you can put to rest the notion that some terrible human could have done it. The tusk ideas sounds like a possibility. You should mention it to a wildlife expert and maybe they would know if the vet doesn’t. I pray they don’t wander off again anytime soon. Please tell them we love them and we worry. I’m sure they’ll listen with an open heart and mind 🙂
Paul and I were unable to make it to Jean Marc’s tasting in Boston. I hope it went well and that other readers enjoyed themselves for us.
I hope his visits are a huge success!
How about “Portes of Call”? You have an uncanny ability to find interesting doors and windows that call out to you and inspire musings, as well as your muses. Bonne chance!
Title: Le passé au présent
Title for the book…Non Pasteurisé
I do hope that Braise is doing well! I can attest to the fact that keeping a dog occupied in the vet waiting room is so difficult. That picture of Braise and Smokey is precious!