"Cat on a hot tin wire." Girouettes are a works of art and if you look closely you will discover characters, even dramas! Photo taken a few years back in Pernes-les-Fontaines.
une girouette (zshee-roo-et)
: weather vane, wind indicator
être une vraie girouette = to be capricious, fickle; to be a weather vane (as changeable as the weather)
une girouette d'affichage = destination indicator. (You know those digital tapes or screens that run along the front of a bus, telling which direction the vehicle is headed? Those are called girouettes, too! girouettes d'affichage)
A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE… by Kristin Espinasse
Yesterday morning I waffled back and forth like a rooster beneath a falling sky. My hair flew up, twirling around me, as I retrieved fallen laundry from the clothesline. I snatched a dried sock from the rosemary bush, some underwear dangling on an olive branch, and a T-shirt that had flattened the patch of newly-bloomed anemones. As my eyes scanned the countryside I was thankful the wind hadn't carried off the laundry any farther. I looked down into the muddy dog run, no towels had ended up there this time (it was vacant. Braise and Smokey were safe inside the house.)
The girouettes are spinning this morning as a violent wind continues to sweep through the Mediterranean. Residents in Marseilles have been asked to empty their balconies, lest objects fly off landing on the streets (and the citizens) below. Certain roads along the littoral are closed because of the risque de submersion, or threat posed by the giant waves coming in off the coast. Even the scenic route des Crêtes, (taken last week, when I went to collect my bodyguard) is off limits.
"C'est infernal ce vent!" Jean-Marc grumbles as he gets out of bed to batten down the hatches. I watch my husband pull the wooden shutters closed locking them with a metal latch. Certain volets are old and warped and won't shut completely, as evidenced by the darkening patch of sky peeking in.
Jean-Marc isn't sure his gesture will make a difference. "C'était peut-être pas la peine."
"Yes, it's good, it's good," I assure him, a little spooked by the wind after an exceptionally creaky night. Earlier, when Jean-Marc got up in the middle of the night, he left our bedroom door open. I listened as it creaked back and forth, eventually slamming shut on its own. The windy rafales are so strong they are blowing right through the tiny spaces between the window and door frames.
"What kind of wind is it?" I ask Jean-Marc.
"Un vent d'est," he answers.
"Yes, but what is it called?"
"Un vent d'est…"
I was hoping for a colorful name–like a Tramontane or a Sirocco or even the ubiquitous Mistral. But with or without a name, my mind could still conjure up a colorful memory.
I thought about the times the cold Mistral was replaced by a warm vent d'est, how it would blow through Sainte Cécile, where we lived in a 300-year-old house with loose roof tiles. When the windy Sirocco blew through I would tell the kids to put their hands over their heads as we entered or exited the mas. I was always so afraid one of those tiles would come crashing down on our heads, after hearing about flying-tiles, or tuiles-volantes.
We eventually had the loose tiles refixed, but I never lost the habit of throwing up my hand to cover my head. It's a handy tip to keep in mind when navigating the windy corridors of France, where the charming old buildings are the slightest bit menacing on a day like today.
Oh dear, I hadn't meant to leave you on a discouraging note, so I'll end with a new term I learned this morning, a synonym for "au revoir"–and a welcome addition to our list of ways to say goodbye in French:
Bon vent!
French Vocabulary
c'est infernal = it's hell
le vent = wind
C'était peut-être pas la peine = maybe it wasn't worth the trouble
une rafale = gust of wind
le vent d'est = east wind
le mas = old Provençal farmhouse
bon vent = goodbye (literally "good wind" – a term used by sailors, to wish someone a safe journey) Note: when expressed with an agressive tone, Bon vent changes meaning (instead of goodbye it means good riddance!)
I'm still sans ordi–or computerless–after my PC bit the dust Monday morning. Without any photo archives to illustrate this post, I had to swipe a few pictures from Google (no copyright worries–I photographed these pictures and used them in a post about a French cheese shop. Not that a girouette or a dog have anything to do with that, either. Read the short, cheesy story here.)
Max, our 17-year-old, will have two grains de beauté suspects, or "suspicious moles" removed today. The dark spots on his back and side appeared "smeared" or "shadowed". The doctor is not worried, but prefers to err on the safe side. How about you — have you had your spots, moles, and questionable growths checked lately? What's keeping you? Maybe it is time for a prise de conscience.
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Thankfully, no suspicious spots here, but I’m always on guard, after having had one removed in the past. Bon vent, Kristin! Hopefully, that menacing eastern wind will settle down soon.
Thankfully, no suspicious spots here, but I’m always on guard, after having had one removed in the past. Bon vent, Kristin! Hopefully, that menacing eastern wind will settle down soon.
That’s a beautiful Campanile. I bought a beautiful book about them when I was in Provence one year. With the help of the Larousse, I was able to understand some of the French, that the lacey designs are so the Mistral can follow through without damage.
Expecting our second big snow storm.
It was three feet several weeks ago.
That’s a beautiful Campanile. I bought a beautiful book about them when I was in Provence one year. With the help of the Larousse, I was able to understand some of the French, that the lacey designs are so the Mistral can follow through without damage.
Expecting our second big snow storm.
It was three feet several weeks ago.
Isn’t is true ..
winds not only blow ..
they can “suck” too!
🙂 Aloha, Bill
Isn’t is true ..
winds not only blow ..
they can “suck” too!
🙂 Aloha, Bill
Great story — loved it. You have a very handsome son Kristin! Yes, since I was raised in San Diego and was a redhead — I am always checking.
Thanks! Stay well!
Great story — loved it. You have a very handsome son Kristin! Yes, since I was raised in San Diego and was a redhead — I am always checking.
Thanks! Stay well!
This blog post almost exactly mirrors a conversation I had yesterday! I’m studying abroad in Aix-en-Provence this semester and I asked my host mother if the terribly strong wind was the Mistral, but like Jean-Marc, she said it was “un vent d’est.” Elle a dit, “Le vent d’est amène la pluie, mais le mistral fait s’envoler les nuages et amène le soleil.” We’ve had to brace the volets with rocks when we open them in the morning so they don’t rattle throughout the day. Thanks for the tip on covering your head: it looks like this wind will last until the weekend at least!
This blog post almost exactly mirrors a conversation I had yesterday! I’m studying abroad in Aix-en-Provence this semester and I asked my host mother if the terribly strong wind was the Mistral, but like Jean-Marc, she said it was “un vent d’est.” Elle a dit, “Le vent d’est amène la pluie, mais le mistral fait s’envoler les nuages et amène le soleil.” We’ve had to brace the volets with rocks when we open them in the morning so they don’t rattle throughout the day. Thanks for the tip on covering your head: it looks like this wind will last until the weekend at least!
This post is so timely for me. My husband and I have just talked about the many moles that have appeared on my back in the last five years. They appear to be a result of hormonal changes which can happen in your sixties as well as your teenage years. They are usually harmless according to Cleveland Clinic and the University of Maryland, but still I worry about leaving them. My son had a large congenital mole which are the ones that usually become melanomas (according to the Cleveland Clinic). We had it removed when he was three or four years old – no problem. He is fair skinned like Max. I agree with having the moles removed. Better safe than sorry.
This post is so timely for me. My husband and I have just talked about the many moles that have appeared on my back in the last five years. They appear to be a result of hormonal changes which can happen in your sixties as well as your teenage years. They are usually harmless according to Cleveland Clinic and the University of Maryland, but still I worry about leaving them. My son had a large congenital mole which are the ones that usually become melanomas (according to the Cleveland Clinic). We had it removed when he was three or four years old – no problem. He is fair skinned like Max. I agree with having the moles removed. Better safe than sorry.
Your son is gorgeous- he looks just like both of you!
Your son is gorgeous- he looks just like both of you!
Our dear Kristi,
First of all, we’re praying for Max today!Always(!) asking God to bless you all with wonderful health!
We have very strong winds,too. There is something alittle frightening about creaking and banging–something about Mother Nature’s strength and how small we are in comparison.
Love, Natalia XO
Our dear Kristi,
First of all, we’re praying for Max today!Always(!) asking God to bless you all with wonderful health!
We have very strong winds,too. There is something alittle frightening about creaking and banging–something about Mother Nature’s strength and how small we are in comparison.
Love, Natalia XO
When I was in Marseilles in 2004, I had hoped to take a boat to Chateau d’If, but that violent wind was blowing so strong and Chateau d’If has no natural harbor for the boats to dock, the ferries wouldn’t go there. We were able to take the boat to Iles des Friouls, and what a ride it was. I kept my eyes peeled for the nearest shoreline and which boats were where because I was sure we would capsize in those huge waves and I’d need to swim for it! We made it, finally, and had a lovely hike out to the old battlements on the island, and after a few hours, my stomach settled enough to eat a little lunch. I asked the waiter for the name of the wind, he called it “souffle” (breath).
I was terrified to get back on the ferry; thankfully the ride back was not so bad. I’ll never forget that wind and that first boat ride, though.
When I was in Marseilles in 2004, I had hoped to take a boat to Chateau d’If, but that violent wind was blowing so strong and Chateau d’If has no natural harbor for the boats to dock, the ferries wouldn’t go there. We were able to take the boat to Iles des Friouls, and what a ride it was. I kept my eyes peeled for the nearest shoreline and which boats were where because I was sure we would capsize in those huge waves and I’d need to swim for it! We made it, finally, and had a lovely hike out to the old battlements on the island, and after a few hours, my stomach settled enough to eat a little lunch. I asked the waiter for the name of the wind, he called it “souffle” (breath).
I was terrified to get back on the ferry; thankfully the ride back was not so bad. I’ll never forget that wind and that first boat ride, though.
Long ago I travelled much between Chicago and D.C.. One meeting in my nation’s capital was cut short because the locals left early in fear of the big snow storm. The same storm had dropped the same amount of snow in Chicago some hours earlier. When I got back, I asked the cab driver about the big storm. He was perplexed. After much thought he said, well there were a few inches, but no one noticed that.
I imagine the schools stayed open, as children are sturdier! Marianne, I think that nothing has changed in D.C., just that the government realizes its employees will react like that to a few inches of snow now.
Long ago I travelled much between Chicago and D.C.. One meeting in my nation’s capital was cut short because the locals left early in fear of the big snow storm. The same storm had dropped the same amount of snow in Chicago some hours earlier. When I got back, I asked the cab driver about the big storm. He was perplexed. After much thought he said, well there were a few inches, but no one noticed that.
I imagine the schools stayed open, as children are sturdier! Marianne, I think that nothing has changed in D.C., just that the government realizes its employees will react like that to a few inches of snow now.
What a wonderful “girouette” with the cat stalking the unsuspecting mouse. And Max: “Comme il est beau!”
It seems we are all unsettled by the wind. Here on the Eastern Shore it is “blowin’ a gale” with heavy rains. Maybe we’ll escape the snow since we are warmed by the Atlantic and the Chesapeake Bay. I hope others will not suffer too much. Bien amicalement. (Now, thanks to you, I have a great choice of endings to notes,etc.)
What a wonderful “girouette” with the cat stalking the unsuspecting mouse. And Max: “Comme il est beau!”
It seems we are all unsettled by the wind. Here on the Eastern Shore it is “blowin’ a gale” with heavy rains. Maybe we’ll escape the snow since we are warmed by the Atlantic and the Chesapeake Bay. I hope others will not suffer too much. Bien amicalement. (Now, thanks to you, I have a great choice of endings to notes,etc.)
What a handsome son who looks so much like his mom!
What a handsome son who looks so much like his mom!
Hi Kristin,
I’m reading your post late because our power has been out after we got 10 inches of snow and a blowing wind that blew down trees and power lines. I heard people go crazy from the Mistral, have you heard that? Max is a cutie and I hope all goes well at the dermatologist.
Hi Kristin,
I’m reading your post late because our power has been out after we got 10 inches of snow and a blowing wind that blew down trees and power lines. I heard people go crazy from the Mistral, have you heard that? Max is a cutie and I hope all goes well at the dermatologist.
Loved your essay on wind…I’ve always loved Seneca the philosopher’s quote “No wind blows fair for a ship that has no port”. We need direction in our lives, purpose. Get that mole removed…they can be deadly, especially for the fair skinned. It was providential that my pre-melanoma was removed from my back last year!
Kind regards/Wells
Loved your essay on wind…I’ve always loved Seneca the philosopher’s quote “No wind blows fair for a ship that has no port”. We need direction in our lives, purpose. Get that mole removed…they can be deadly, especially for the fair skinned. It was providential that my pre-melanoma was removed from my back last year!
Kind regards/Wells
Interesting about the winds. I heard that there is an old French law states that any one who claims to have gone mad on account of the sound of the Mistral may be pardoned of their crime. Wonder if it still current.
Winds of depression
In certain regions of the world, the seasonal winds that blow have become legendary, bringing little short of misery and chaos to many of the local inhabitants. In these places it has been known for generations that the winds bring feelings of anxiety, stress, depression and sleepless nights. In fact winds like these are surprisingly common across the world:
The Foehn is a dry southerly wind which blows from the Alps across Switzerland and southern Germany. The Sirocco blows in Italy and the Mistral in southern France. (It is said that Winston Churchill avoided visiting the Mediterranean coast when the Mistral was blowing). The Middle East has Sharav – also known to the Arabs as Hamsin (the fifty days wind).
Western Canada and USA have the Chinook – and in the area around California blow the Santa-Ana and winds known in Indian mythology as “The Bitter Winds”. ….
http://www.djclarke.co.uk/file02.html
Interesting about the winds. I heard that there is an old French law states that any one who claims to have gone mad on account of the sound of the Mistral may be pardoned of their crime. Wonder if it still current.
Winds of depression
In certain regions of the world, the seasonal winds that blow have become legendary, bringing little short of misery and chaos to many of the local inhabitants. In these places it has been known for generations that the winds bring feelings of anxiety, stress, depression and sleepless nights. In fact winds like these are surprisingly common across the world:
The Foehn is a dry southerly wind which blows from the Alps across Switzerland and southern Germany. The Sirocco blows in Italy and the Mistral in southern France. (It is said that Winston Churchill avoided visiting the Mediterranean coast when the Mistral was blowing). The Middle East has Sharav – also known to the Arabs as Hamsin (the fifty days wind).
Western Canada and USA have the Chinook – and in the area around California blow the Santa-Ana and winds known in Indian mythology as “The Bitter Winds”. ….
http://www.djclarke.co.uk/file02.html
Speaking of word formation in linguistics, I wonder now if those two are related: Le Mistral and Minstrel/Ménestrel (from Wiki – “..A minstrel was a medieval European bard who performed songs whose lyrics told stories of distant places or of existing or imaginary historical events. .. ”
Speaking of word formation in linguistics, I wonder now if those two are related: Le Mistral and Minstrel/Ménestrel (from Wiki – “..A minstrel was a medieval European bard who performed songs whose lyrics told stories of distant places or of existing or imaginary historical events. .. ”
Sitting in a cafe in Avignon three years ago during a mistral, I thought the waiter was trying to hold my hand, he was only demonstrating how to hold on to my wine glass – didn’t work for some customers, though. As for going to school in winter (in the UK), we used to struggle through the snow uphill, in both directions!
From Vancouver, BC where the first blossoms are starting to come out.
Sitting in a cafe in Avignon three years ago during a mistral, I thought the waiter was trying to hold my hand, he was only demonstrating how to hold on to my wine glass – didn’t work for some customers, though. As for going to school in winter (in the UK), we used to struggle through the snow uphill, in both directions!
From Vancouver, BC where the first blossoms are starting to come out.
Yay, Kristin, for you and Max taking action on his skin-health; a topic which you’ve mastered the hard way. Long ago, I saw an episode of an terrific American medical drama called “Quincy” about a cranky coroner (Jack Klugman played him) who got very riled up about people not getting their moles removed in their youth. It became a mission for me to spread the word, and my young daughter had several large moles removed (her back). So did several relatives and friends. It’s still a sensible info-mission, tho’ so many people are now well-informed. Bravo to all who heed your hint.
Yay, Kristin, for you and Max taking action on his skin-health; a topic which you’ve mastered the hard way. Long ago, I saw an episode of an terrific American medical drama called “Quincy” about a cranky coroner (Jack Klugman played him) who got very riled up about people not getting their moles removed in their youth. It became a mission for me to spread the word, and my young daughter had several large moles removed (her back). So did several relatives and friends. It’s still a sensible info-mission, tho’ so many people are now well-informed. Bravo to all who heed your hint.
Bonjour Kristin, your son is so good looking just like his parents..praying for him that his moles are benign.
Bonjour Kristin, your son is so good looking just like his parents..praying for him that his moles are benign.
Somewhere between the time when my old computer decided to retire (after 12 years) and my new one got plugged-in to the Internet, you must have moved from your idyllic country home to who-knows-where. Why the move, and where are you now?
Somewhere between the time when my old computer decided to retire (after 12 years) and my new one got plugged-in to the Internet, you must have moved from your idyllic country home to who-knows-where. Why the move, and where are you now?
Word also used for the destination blind on the front of a bus.
Word also used for the destination blind on the front of a bus.