Panneau de publicité. An advertising signboard placed on an old cabanon. Click here to comment. To skip the debate, you might talk about the pretty flowers instead 🙂
à suivre (ah swee-vrh)
: to be continued
.
Audio File: Listen to the following sentence: Download MP3 or Wav file
La fin de cette histoire? C'est à suivre…. The end of this story? It's coming up next….
A Day in a French Life… by Kristin Espinasse
Over a week ago that I wrote about 17-year-old Max's stint in French basic military training. At the end of the story, I ventured to note that Part 2 and Part 3 would follow… Mon oeil! Mon oeil! they would!
I thought I had learned my lesson about announcing story follow-ups, having discovered how any number of calamities can pop up in between (namely, lack of steam!)—only to make a struggling writer regret her best intentions!
“No more ‘to be continueds’! And no more multi-part stories'!” I’ve cried on occasions in which inspiration deflated almost as soon as the story suites, or follow-ups, were promised! But this time it isn’t want of inspiration, but lack of permission that has foiled the delivery of Part 2 and Part 3 of the ambitious Military Trilogy!
It was while picking Max's brains for details in which to build “Part 2” that my son looked at me alarmedly: "Mom, those are French military secrets! You can't share them with anyone!"
Il va sans dire, or goes without saying, that this killed la suite–and maybe even Part 3 of the not yet celebrated Trilogie Militaire! (Might as well forget “The Laundry Scene”! Saperlipopette! I wouldn't want to spill the soap! I never realized that something as banal as sorting military T-shirts and briefs—and then innocently blogging about the chore—might compromise La France!)
“Mom,” Max explained, “ce n’est pas de la rigolade!”
No, this was no laughing matter. A country’s security was at risk (I refrained from questioning Max about the likelihood of top military secrets being doled out to a troop of skinny 16-year-old volunteers. These kids were, after all, being wooed by the French government, they were not yet being entrusted with top secret info. But it would have made light of the sincere and hard work that my son had carried out, this far, had I poked fun at any part of what was, ultimately, a serious military formation. Max was right, ce n’était pas de la rigolade! What's more (should any powers that be be reading…) Max could certainly be trusted to zip his lip!)
“But what about the part about becoming invisible? Can I share that bit?” I persevered, hoping to write Part Deux.
“No! Mom, you can’t share that!”
“But you didn’t even tell me how you manage to disappear so it’s not like I’d be sharing step-by-step instructions or anything,” I argued.
Max calmly shook his head.
“OK, well then can I tell them about the see in the dark stuff?—that’s so cool to be able to see when it’s pitch black out—never mind everything’s seen in green!”
"You can share that," Max agreed, after all most armies had night vision equipment, didn't they? or some version of it—even if that amounted to no more than the bright shining lune.
So there is hope, yet, for Part 2 of the Fabulous Military Triliogy! Now to finish the laundry… housework always jogs my imagination, now if it would only jog my pen!
A suivre… (Oh, brother, there we go again. Promises, promises!)
Book Update: I hope to have another chapter for our red-penners, or voluntary readers, very soon! Thanks for sticking with me and for your patience and encouragements, which are always needed! (A little about these publishing projects here.)
French Vocabulary
mon oeil = yeah, right!
saperlipopette = don't miss this word's meaning–as well as a story on French cuss words!–here.
ce n'est pas de la rigolade = it's no joke, no laughing matter
il va sans dire = it goes without saying
la formation = training program
la lune = the moon
Training, training, training…
Smokey (background, to the right) says: Ce n'est pas de la rigolade! Serious stuff here! Now may I play?
Smokey: Ma, How do you say "blurry" in French.
Mama Braise: la langue* is a mystère. Now pull yours in!
*la langue = 1) language 2) tongue
Discover more from French Word-A-Day
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We just got back from a trip to the Normandy beaches and la guerre, ce n’est pas de la rigolade. To see how D-Day was accomplished and all the equipment and men that came streaming through Normandy is amazing. Max might want to read up on how fighting wars has evolved with each war, sometimes with each battle. He may be better off learning how to control a drone than how to shoot a rifle. Just a thought from an old computer programmer…
You did a great job of telling us about his week at camp today without spilling a single secret. Max is looking so grown up. And Braise and Smokey Doke are looking so wet. Only two weeks until I see my own cabanons. So excited!
NOW you tell me about the dangers of committing to multi-part stories – now that I have committed to writing a series about Psalm 23 for our Webbsite! I have already written 8 postings and am not halfway through the chapter yet! It looks like I am committed for the entire summer!
It is interesting to see the red-and-yellow Hot Pokers growing near the old building in France. I thought they only grew in the American Southwest. They have deeeep roots. Once they take hold, they are difficult to eradicate.
About the sleeping dogs, you may call the photo “blurry”, but I think it looks soft and fuzzy so that it enhances the sleepy quality of the photo. Yawn!
Merci for your insight! – Mary
Salut Kristin,
Having served in the U.S. Army Signal Corp and also being an electronic engineer designing military electronics, I relate to Max’s situation. It’s serious business that may involve his life and the lives of others.
Smokey and his mom found water to play in. Duffy is jealous!I wouldn’t let her jump in the canal de Provence today.
Those pretty flowers look a lot like candy corn…what are they called? Are they wild?
Hi
Oh, so much to comment on! Your stories about Max brought back memories of my visit to my son at his post graduation event at basic training. He broke his ankle just before graduation and could not attend. No matter, when I visited him, I was so proud to walk down the street with my limping soldier. Thank goodness, his unit just missed going to Iraq because the war was over by then. It was such relief but I can imagine your worry.
Second comment refers to the blurs. The blur makes Smokey and Braise look so cute, as if they are shimmering in the sun. The tongue is his crois de guerre – battle scars. I am sure Smokey can tell a lot of stories to Max.
I’m constantly amazed that your family is so supportive of all the family ‘tidbits’ you share. I love every one of your stories,and think your kids (and Chief Grape) are delightful. I have three (grown) daughters, and when they were teens and pre-teens absolutely everything was off limits to repeat to anyone. Please send heartfelt thanks to your family for their openness. Your site is rather like ‘reality TV’ – only much more fun and upbeat!
How do we continue when we’re either stuck, or when everything seems to be falling apart around us?
I woke up thinking this, so your post was very appropriate.
I tell myself just to do what is in front of me, the smallest, most obviously positive thing. And go from there. Easier said than done, bien sur!
DARLING KRISTI,
WOW! What a great post….I am always amazed at your thought process – the brilliant way you weave your deep insight into such a small post – I think your caption under Braise and Smokey is worthy of a poster. The way you dropped in that little ‘wisdom’ just blew me away.
In your photo of MAX training, training, training I almost thought that was a photo of KIP back in the day when I first met him as a First Lieutenant in the Air Force….more and more as Max grows up I see so much of Kip in his rangy body and the tilt of his head…I immediately flashed back to Kip when I laid my eyes on this photo. Amazing moment you gave me this morning.
I will not even go to the thoughts I have regarding Max’s future in the Air Force – only to insist that he attend Jean Marc’s old university in Marseille first. The innocence of youth ….. of course the French Air Force is accessing it’s youth in the camp Max attended – I’m sure they are well aware that they are aware that they are going to reap the benefits of acquiring a Franco-American. Once again as I learned when you were 17 Kristi – you are really God’s child – otherwise I would have never survived the weigh of trying to carry you on my back the rest of the way.
The girls are going to be banging on your door day and night from now on…….
XOXO
MOM
Kristin–
I’m with Judy here. Those flowers are soooo
interesting looking. What are they please?
Cheers! Paulette
Hi dear Kristin,
What a wonderful post!
As always!
Your gift for storytelling takes us right along beside you,your words painting pictures for us to see in our minds.
What a privilege to share in your life!
Love, Natalia XO
Max is no longer a boy, but a young man. How do these things happen? I am very surprised that he has allowed you to say anything. Most 17 year olds shy far away from their mother’s telling anyone anything. I think that he is allowing some is a kudo to how you and Jean-Marc have raised him. There is a real strong family bond. And it will probably be worse with Jacquie. But perhaps not. On the other hand, you can write whatever you want about Braise and Smokey! Thank goodness for our four legged friends.
All through France there are faded ads on old brick buildings on the outskirts of towns and villages. Some are in a wonderful cobalt blue – leached by le temps et le soleil – mostly for alcoholic beverages (the names of which elude me at the mo). Your photo reminded me, Kristin. Nothing escapes your artistic eye!
Paulette — Those flowers are Red-Hot Pokers. They’re quite common in California, and yes, they’re fun! (They come in some other colors, too, like lime green!)
Yes, Red Hot Poker is a common garden plant all over the states. I have grown them in Ohio and Georgia, my daughter grows them in Texas.
Enjoyed today’s post and the photos. Max is goodnatured to share his conversations with you and also his “workouts”….wonder what that word would be in French.
Hooray for Red Hot Pokers or Torch Lillies! Twenty plus years ago I would frequently see beds of these plants in yards but now I seldom see them since folks seem to prefer the more exotic plants to be found in gardening centers. As your photo proves, the red hot poker requires no special care and very little water. How striking they are growing in the white sand! Amicalement, Cynthia
I am so glad that your Mom, Jules suggested that I follow your blog. I am so enjoying your life and your humor.My children are in their 30’s so it is rather nice to live life through your ups and downs, occasional “teehees” as I recall similar incidences.
Oh life is grande on the other side of 60!
On the flowers, these are called “red-hot pokers” in our area..and they seem to like it there in the south of France. Well, don’t we all?
Max will certainly attract all of the girls’ attention – tall, handsome, and muscular and I’m sure intelligent.
Then we have lovable Smokey with his tongue which hangs out and really makes him cute.
I’m sure Max is just as lovable as Smokey.
kniphofia (nip hoff ee ya) from South Africa, travelled to Provence.
Torch flower, red hot poker, and many other common names.
I never saw that flower before, though I read that it grows in the US in many places. Good foreground for the cabanon.
That is funny to me that a one week training session is considered full of essential military secrets. Seems more likely, full of his secrets, shared with his family only.
How he grows!
Bravo, Kristi!!! xoxox
Dear Kristin.
First, I’ll say that you can actual tell us when you have no updates and leave it at that. That’s the way life goes sometimes.
Second, I guess the time has come to take Max….Max Bond’s…. mission seriously. (last joke, I promise). Keeping light about it probably put off the inevitable days of true worry – not to mention, the acceptance of him as “man” instead of “boy”. :'(
I’ll help you come up with the positives about this whenever I can. To start, he’ll be learning invaluable self discipline lessons and he’ll be highly regarded for future employment. The late teen/early 20’s years are spent “partying” by the majority of kids. And while those are also years of life-learning experiences and great memories, they can be just as dangerous as being in the armed services, IF – that is, we are focusing on the dangerous. So…. I guess I’ll end by saying that we shall all keep positive energy flowing. Capture as much time as you can with him as time seems to fly out the door quicker than ever these days. I’m sure he isn’t choosing to cause you any misery. He is such a sweetheart of a person to also have a side to him that’s full of determination. That’s all due to you and JM and Max, himself. How proud you must be.
He sure is looking strong and healthy. That’s no secret!
Loving the furry-blurry double headed mother and son photo. A beautiful image for a beautiful mother/son post. That’s one topic that will always “be continued”!