Cabane de berger (the shepherd's wooden hut) photo by the Neurdein brothers. Here we have a slumbering sheepherder with his border collie and german shepherd (is it?) minding the troup. (When Mom sees this photo, she'll ditch her latest treehouse scheme… in favor of this fort-on-wheels with a nifty sliding door! Mom has had a hard time deciding where to anchor, here on the olive farm. This just may be the answer!)
un berger (une bergère)
: a shepherd, or shepherdess
la bergerie = sheep pen, sheepfold
Audio File: listen to Jean-Marc read the following sentence, in French: Download MP3 or Wav file
Le berger amène ses moutons dans la plaine. Cela s'appelle la transhumance.
The shepherd brings his sheep to the flatland. This is called "la transhumance".
A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE… by Kristin Espinasse
A Modern Day Nomad
Returning home from the doctor's on Monday, we ran into a roadblock along our driveway. Dozens of sheep, great and small, were feasting on the grass beside the olive trees!
They're here! Hurry, get their picture! I said to Jean-Marc, who got out of our car to check the mail. Hurry! Before they wander off!
Having collected the courrier, Jean-Marc made his way up the crowded and bleating path. There were sheep everywhere: in the road, in the meadow, and in the trees (or nearly!). I watched, amazed to see the peaceful-looking animals rip off and devour the thorny stems of the bushes, enjoying them like chewy licorice sticks.
Driving cautiously in my husband's wake, I rolled down the window to get a better look at the troupeaux, which included several nursing lambs—agneaux—and even a few black sheep. I smiled thinking of their proverbial brothers and sisters (and a few of my own family members…).
As Jean-Marc advanced, a shepherd appeared on the restanque just above. The two men began a lazy conversation. I struggled to get within earshot, but it wasn't until the shepherd whistled—and a Border collie materialized—that the path instantly cleared of its four-legged traffic and I was able to pull my car over to the side of the road.
Jean-Marc, interested in some free soil amendment for his soon-to-be planted vines, was informing the berger about which pastures belong to us, and which were the neighbors'. As the men pointed and stretched their arms, measuring the expanse of the pâturage, I stole a closer look at the sheepherder.
He appeared to be in his early thirties, an unusual age for sheepherders, who, once upon a time, were either the very young or the very old (deemed useless to the family for anything but watching sheep!).
History had changed since the down-and-out times of early shepherding; it wasn't likely that this modern day berger was a burden to his family. Shepherds these days earn a living and, from all appearances, made enough to afford a smartphone!
Apart from the portable phone, I noticed the shepherd's tattered wooden cane, une houlette. It had the famous hook at the end, useful for freeing the hoof of a trapped sheep, one that has fallen from the path.
The shepherd tucked his canne under his arm, pausing to roll a cigarette as he listened to Jean-Marc. He was no ordinary shepherd, wearing a newsboy cap and a punk haircut. His short locks were punctuated by a single strand of braided hair that signaled nonconformist. Come to think of it, weren't punk rockers noncomformists who aspired to be nomads? This shepherd was the real deal, a living, breathing wanderer.
"Tomorrow, I'll park on the other side of the field," the berger informed Jean-Marc, pointing to his beat-up shepherd wagon. It was one of those classic Estafettes, the kind Jean-Marc's grandmother drove during WWII, as she peddled house linens to the Pieds-Noirs in Morocco.
"Ça marche," Jean-Marc waved goodbye to the sheepherder, before getting back into our car.
I still hadn't had a word with the shepherd, though I was itching to know him. What a fascinating story he must have to share. But I had a feeling he was a private type—he reminded me so much of my rebel sister-in-law. And though I had so many questions, (just as I had for her), I didn't want to put him out and, admittedly, I didn't want to say something stupid or square to someone so authentic.
But then, wasn't I a little authentic too? How many times had I let my perceived squareness keep me from befriending the nonconformists? But I wasn't so straight as that. Gone were the perfectly made-up face and fluffy hair. With a bandaged nose* and, wearing a sweater with holes (my dear mom's, for comfort), I might pass for a bohemian, like him.
Before putting the car into gear, I stuck my tattered nose out the window. "Nice dog!" I offered, admiring the hardworking Border collie, and noble chien de berger. "Is she good at what she does?"
A smile now stretched across the nomad's face, revealing a row of teeth as wandering as his sheep.
"Elle est la meilleure!" the berger replied, his enthusiasm as endearing as his smile. "If one of these moutons ended up on that far off colline (with this, he stretched forth his cane, waving it for effect), Mieszka (mee-esh-ka) would be there in a flash, to steer her home."
It didn't take much, after all, to connect with the mysterious nomad who was so different from this heart-on-sleeves homebody. I had thought I had nothing to say, and yet, venturing the question, I was rewarded by the friendly, universal connection.
To comment on this story, click here. Keep the conversation going by sharing your own stories about connecting with people so seemingly different than yourself. And what about Border collies and the intelligence of dogs? Notice any other themes in today's essay? Thanks for sharing your thoughts, in the comments box.
*bandaged nose: the stiches from the biopsy were taken out on Monday. Good news: this time the results came back benign, and not bcc!
References:
Read about Jean-Marc's grandmother in the story "bouder" (to pout). It was Jean-Marc's grandmother who gave me some of the best mariage advice, namely ne jamais bouder! Click here for that story and the scene of the grandmother peddling linens from a military supply vehicle….
FRENCH VOCABULARY
le courrier = mail
le troupeau = herd
un agneau =lamb
le mouton = sheep (some fun & colorful "mouton" expressions, such as "revenons à nos moutons, here)
la restanque = a kind of terrace held by a wall of stacked rocks
le pâturage = field of grasses from which animals graze
la canne = cane
le pied-noir = French citizen who lived in Algeria before independence. The term included citizens, like my mother-in-law and her family, living in other North African countries, such as Morocco, during or after wartime.
ça marche = that'll work
le chien de berger = sheepdog, such as a Border collie
elle est la meilleure = she's the best
la colline = hill
Gus was so suprised and touched by the messages you left him for his 88th birthday. Gus writes (in typical Gus "all caps"):
IF I REALLY TRIED, I COULD COME UP WITH A FLOWERY PHRASE TO TELL YOU ABOUT MY FEELINGS FOR THE BIRTHDAY AFFAIR. THE BEST ONE IS A VERY SINCERE "THANKS"..
Gus is pictured, above, with daughter Mary, who is, Gus tells us, "MY ONE FLOWER AMONG FIVE SONS".
Marguerites in the lavender town of Sault. Has a friend forwarded you this post? Sign up, here, to receive French Word-A-Day in your in-box.
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Kristin, although I don’t post much, I read all your posts with interest and today’s story was special. And what a beautiful picture! I’d give anything to come home to a driveway full of sheep! And I love how Jean-Marc just entered into a “lazy” conversation with the berger. When I saw the title of your post in my email this morning it reminded me of a song for children in French that I love – do you know it?
Il était une bergère,
Et ron, ron, ron, petit patapon.
Il était une bergère,
Qui gardait ses moutons,
Ron, Ron,
Qui gardait ses moutons.
Wonderful news about your biopsy. Hope you were able to celebrate it with your family!
Kristin, although I don’t post much, I read all your posts with interest and today’s story was special. And what a beautiful picture! I’d give anything to come home to a driveway full of sheep! And I love how Jean-Marc just entered into a “lazy” conversation with the berger. When I saw the title of your post in my email this morning it reminded me of a song for children in French that I love – do you know it?
Il était une bergère,
Et ron, ron, ron, petit patapon.
Il était une bergère,
Qui gardait ses moutons,
Ron, Ron,
Qui gardait ses moutons.
Wonderful news about your biopsy. Hope you were able to celebrate it with your family!
This is my first comment to one of your much enjoyed posts. I was a high school french student but lost much of it over the years Now I enjoy reading your blog and try to recover some of my “french” What made me comment now is that wonderful picture of the sheep that looks like a master’s painting. I am an artist and looking at it made me want to grab my pastels and go for it. Beautiful
This is my first comment to one of your much enjoyed posts. I was a high school french student but lost much of it over the years Now I enjoy reading your blog and try to recover some of my “french” What made me comment now is that wonderful picture of the sheep that looks like a master’s painting. I am an artist and looking at it made me want to grab my pastels and go for it. Beautiful
Hello Kristin, I love this story and the photo.
I’ve not posted before but have just now had to unsubscribe from FWAD and felt so disloyal about it that I had to explain that I’ve immediately re-subscribed. I wasn’t sure how else to to register my new email address (will soon move to India for a couple of years). I enjoy and appreciate being let into your life and your thoughts.
Hello Kristin, I love this story and the photo.
I’ve not posted before but have just now had to unsubscribe from FWAD and felt so disloyal about it that I had to explain that I’ve immediately re-subscribed. I wasn’t sure how else to to register my new email address (will soon move to India for a couple of years). I enjoy and appreciate being let into your life and your thoughts.
Excellent news from your doctor, Kristin! I loved today’s entry for so many reasons, including the most excellent photos bookending it. Jean-Marc’s photo of the sheep is just surreal, something about the light and the way the sheep are holding themselves, like stiff members of parliament at a garden party. Your marguerites are fresh as a new life against that bright blue. Can it be that your relief about the biopsy results gave you each a renewed appreciation for the sweetness of today?
Oh, by the way, I think the perfect solution for your Mom’s visits to the mas would be to buy plans for a tiny eco-house and have a local builder make it for her. Some are on wheels like your favorite caravans. Look at http://www.tumbleweedhouses.com. (I have no connection to the company, but I like their ideas).
Best wishes from afar…
Excellent news from your doctor, Kristin! I loved today’s entry for so many reasons, including the most excellent photos bookending it. Jean-Marc’s photo of the sheep is just surreal, something about the light and the way the sheep are holding themselves, like stiff members of parliament at a garden party. Your marguerites are fresh as a new life against that bright blue. Can it be that your relief about the biopsy results gave you each a renewed appreciation for the sweetness of today?
Oh, by the way, I think the perfect solution for your Mom’s visits to the mas would be to buy plans for a tiny eco-house and have a local builder make it for her. Some are on wheels like your favorite caravans. Look at http://www.tumbleweedhouses.com. (I have no connection to the company, but I like their ideas).
Best wishes from afar…
Hello Kristin – as for your mother’s choice of lodgings on your family’s new property, how about a fully restored & tricked out Airstream? Are there even any in France? They are very stylish and your mother appears to be a stylish and eclectic person!
Hello Kristin – as for your mother’s choice of lodgings on your family’s new property, how about a fully restored & tricked out Airstream? Are there even any in France? They are very stylish and your mother appears to be a stylish and eclectic person!
Lovely post, Kristin! I hope you get a chance to learn more about your berger! I love hearing other people’s stories! It seems everyone else has a more interesting life . . . I guess it is a little like the grass is always greener! 🙂
I was happy to hear about the good news from the Dr. I have been through that also. The waiting between the biopsy and the results is the worst part. Mine ended up being a melanoma, but I have been free and clear for over 10 years now! Yay! 🙂
And . . . congratulations! I see you have reached the 40,000 reader mark! 🙂 Yay!
Lovely post, Kristin! I hope you get a chance to learn more about your berger! I love hearing other people’s stories! It seems everyone else has a more interesting life . . . I guess it is a little like the grass is always greener! 🙂
I was happy to hear about the good news from the Dr. I have been through that also. The waiting between the biopsy and the results is the worst part. Mine ended up being a melanoma, but I have been free and clear for over 10 years now! Yay! 🙂
And . . . congratulations! I see you have reached the 40,000 reader mark! 🙂 Yay!
Brilliant all-clear news Kristi!!! Here’s to a very Healthy & Happy 2013, and thank you for this post. It made this square peg pause to think 😉
Much love and support from Australia,
Leisa
Brilliant all-clear news Kristi!!! Here’s to a very Healthy & Happy 2013, and thank you for this post. It made this square peg pause to think 😉
Much love and support from Australia,
Leisa
Hello Kristin,
This is my first message to you. I am really enjoying FWAD-revisiting the French language that I did study at school many years ago. I loved your story and the photo. Also I am having a biopsy taken on Monday 21/01/2013 from an area on my face so I am hoping that I get as good a result as you did. Many thanks.
Elizabeth, Gold Coast, Australia.
Hello Kristin,
This is my first message to you. I am really enjoying FWAD-revisiting the French language that I did study at school many years ago. I loved your story and the photo. Also I am having a biopsy taken on Monday 21/01/2013 from an area on my face so I am hoping that I get as good a result as you did. Many thanks.
Elizabeth, Gold Coast, Australia.
Was cheered to hear the super news re your nez…..and loved the moutons. Showed my son the pic, as he finally met the local berger and his moutons on 6th Jan in the garrigue and I had taken a pic of him from the back, looking at the moutons with the sun shining through the trees into them – so like Jean-Marc’s pic. We felt that we had stumbled across the flock again and it reminded us of a wondeful walk on a wonderful day. Thankyou for doing the site and sharing your pics, writing and news.
L.
Was cheered to hear the super news re your nez…..and loved the moutons. Showed my son the pic, as he finally met the local berger and his moutons on 6th Jan in the garrigue and I had taken a pic of him from the back, looking at the moutons with the sun shining through the trees into them – so like Jean-Marc’s pic. We felt that we had stumbled across the flock again and it reminded us of a wondeful walk on a wonderful day. Thankyou for doing the site and sharing your pics, writing and news.
L.
Oops! Meant to add that I had a chat with the berger when we met and he has a Border Collie to work the sheep and 2 big Pyreneens to guard them. The collie runs about like a helicopter Mummy when the sheep make a move and the other dogs wander about and do their own thing till anyone or anything approaches, when they assess the friend or foe.
L.
Oops! Meant to add that I had a chat with the berger when we met and he has a Border Collie to work the sheep and 2 big Pyreneens to guard them. The collie runs about like a helicopter Mummy when the sheep make a move and the other dogs wander about and do their own thing till anyone or anything approaches, when they assess the friend or foe.
L.
Chère Kristin,
Wonderful news on the medical front!! Just wanted to add our congratulations on the biopsy results. Our son is also a cancer survivor, so we know all too well how it feels to wait for those test results. We are both so happy for you, your family, and all the folks around the world who love you and love sharing your French Life.
This latest story is a delight. Everyone who has ever been lucky enough to have such a dog must have smiled as much as I did.
Je t’embrasse,
Johanna DeMay
Albuquerque. NM
Chère Kristin,
Wonderful news on the medical front!! Just wanted to add our congratulations on the biopsy results. Our son is also a cancer survivor, so we know all too well how it feels to wait for those test results. We are both so happy for you, your family, and all the folks around the world who love you and love sharing your French Life.
This latest story is a delight. Everyone who has ever been lucky enough to have such a dog must have smiled as much as I did.
Je t’embrasse,
Johanna DeMay
Albuquerque. NM
This story is as charming as the daisies in the last photo (one of my favs!)! The neighboring farm uses some of my pastures for their sheep. It is lambing time here; heartwarming to watch the boundless joy of the lambs as they jump and play.
Speaking of heartwarming; thanks for including the photo of GUS and WONDERFUL news regarding your biopsy results!
This story is as charming as the daisies in the last photo (one of my favs!)! The neighboring farm uses some of my pastures for their sheep. It is lambing time here; heartwarming to watch the boundless joy of the lambs as they jump and play.
Speaking of heartwarming; thanks for including the photo of GUS and WONDERFUL news regarding your biopsy results!
Great news!! Glad to hear the biopsy was neg. Loved the story of Jean-Marc’s grandmother!
Jackie
Great news!! Glad to hear the biopsy was neg. Loved the story of Jean-Marc’s grandmother!
Jackie
Elizabeth, best wishes for an all clear for you biospy on Monday. Good you are getting this looked at. Take care and send an update.
Elizabeth, best wishes for an all clear for you biospy on Monday. Good you are getting this looked at. Take care and send an update.
Just catching up on the French-Word-a-Day editions from this past week. What a wonderful story about making a connection with a ‘stranger!’ Time and time again, I’m reminded to put myself out there and make the first step toward speaking with someone, and especially if that someone appears to be very ‘different.’ There is so much more that unites us than what separates us! And congratulations on the excellent news from the biopsy!
Just catching up on the French-Word-a-Day editions from this past week. What a wonderful story about making a connection with a ‘stranger!’ Time and time again, I’m reminded to put myself out there and make the first step toward speaking with someone, and especially if that someone appears to be very ‘different.’ There is so much more that unites us than what separates us! And congratulations on the excellent news from the biopsy!
Linda, no worries at all — and you are so thoughtful to want to explain why you had signed off. I do not look at the sign offs (that way I will not have to wonder who or why or what did I do wrong? 🙂 I am so glad to know you are resubscribed. Best wishes with your move to India.
Linda, no worries at all — and you are so thoughtful to want to explain why you had signed off. I do not look at the sign offs (that way I will not have to wonder who or why or what did I do wrong? 🙂 I am so glad to know you are resubscribed. Best wishes with your move to India.
Priscilla, thanks, and in northern Marocco. I cannot remember the city, but could ask my mother-in-law…
Priscilla, thanks, and in northern Marocco. I cannot remember the city, but could ask my mother-in-law…