A scooter in St. Tropez. Look closely at the sagging object my husband is carrying. Meet Mr. Sacks, Jean-Marc's lovable sidekick. The photos in the following story were taken over the years….
Today's Word: la sacoche (sah-kohsh)
: handbag, saddlebag, purse, bag
from the Italian saccoccia, or "little pocket"
la sacoche en cuir = leather bag
la sacoche d'écolier = school bag
la sacoche à outils = tool bag
une soirée de sacoches (Canadian expression) = girls' night out, evening with girlfriends
A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE… by Kristin Espinasse
Ode to Mr. Sacks
I couldn't believe my ears when Jean-Marc, packing for his business trip, mentioned: "I'm not taking my sacoche with me."
Vraiment? My husband might as well have decided to leave an appendage behind–son bras droit, for example, the one he uses to lift his wine glass. That is how vital his trusty, takes-with-him everywhere sacoche is to him.
What with increasing restrictions for carry-on and check-in, Jean-Marc's dear sidekick, Mr. Sacks, is the latest victime of airline cutbacks!
Poor Mr. Sacks! I've never felt sorry for the old bag before. Mostly, I've felt envious. Mr. Sacks is the one who goes on all the business trips with my husband. Mr. Sacks goes to all the local wine tastings while I sit at home guzzling tap water.
Mr Sacks in Paris… the one on the left. (Make no mistake, the other bags mean nothing to Jean-Marc!)
Mr. Sacks in Ventimille, Italy, watching locals play boules, or pétanque.
I do pity, Mr. Sacks, now that his saggy little body is pouting in the corner of my husband's office. This is the first time in his 12-year-old life that he's collected dust. Normally he's on the go….
Mr. Sacks cruising the island of Cres, in Croatia. Just kidding, Jean-Marc would never put Mr. Sacks in this predicament (water). This brings me to the next point…
Regularly I am asked to hold on to Mr. Sacks while my husband sprints off to use a public restroom or when (as pictured above) he is practicing a sport. "Tu peux prendre ma sacoche?" He asks. And I always grumble, not wanting to hold the heavy "third wheel". Apart from tractor wrenches, he even keeps wine bottles (for his tastings) in there…
Mr. Sacks (on the floor, next to the bucket spittoon)
Some refer to Mr. Sacks as a "man purse". That always makes me snicker. Hahahahahaha! Man Bag!!! Sac Homme! I point at Mr. Sacks. But Mr. Sacks isn't laughing…
Me, babysitting Mr. Sacks in Malta in 2017. Jean-Marc purchased the leather bag in une maroquinerie in Draguignan, years and years ago. It was love at first sight.
Jean-Marc's got that guilty look on his face. He's always holding hands with Mr. Sacks instead of with me–and he knows it! While others worry about the other woman, I have to worry about the old bag!
Mr. Sacks is with him on bad hair days…
And on good hair days… at the beach in Sainte-Maxime.
And especially on family days!
Visiting the healing waters at Lourdes. Can you spot Mr. Sacks?
Mr. Sacks in Burgundy… with the winemakers…
But old Mr. Sacks, as you can see, is beginning to sag. I worry that items inside him will begin to fly out of his slouching pockets. I especially worry that money will fall out. For this reason, I sometimes follow close in Jean-Marc's wake as he goes about his errands. I am stumbling along behind him swatting my arms back and forth prepared to catch those banknotes that might come flying out of that sagging bag.
Mr. Sacks is coming apart at the seams, which just goes to show even sacks have middle-age crisis.
Over the years I've tried to get Jean-Marc to consider buying a new bag. Nothin' doin'! "But it's a hazard," I argue (a financial hazard at that! Just think if money really were flying out of that bag).
"I'm keeping my bag!" my husband always argues back.
A couple of weeks ago Jean-Marc announced with an ear-to-ear grin: Je l'ai fait réparer, mon sac. He had brought Mr. Sacks to the leather mender's, in town. The guy did a wonderful job, Jean-Marc told me, adding that the man was nearly 90 years old.
Any ill will or harsh feelings I may have felt regarding Mr. Sacks flew out of the picture (as those bank notes might have…). My heart smiled thinking of the wrinkled man sewing the wrinkled bag, one soul giving life back to the other, each content to be of service for as long as they were needed or wanted.
FRENCH VOCABULARY
vraiment = really
le bras = arm
droit = right
tu peux prendre ma sacoche = can you take my bag?
la maroquinerie = purse, bag, and luggage shop
le sac homme = man purse
je l'ai fait réparer = I had it fixed
mon sac = my purse
Oh dear. Here is Mr. Sacks on the little island of Porquerolles, with Jean-Marc and his formidable mop-spear. I hope you read about this confection–Jean-Marc was very proud of it–in the chapter "Lance".
Mr. Sacks in Caltagirone, Sicily… can't you see him sniffing the pretty flowers? Voilà, for this edition. If you feel like one more story, read about the time I found a heart-stopping message inside of Mr. Sacks.
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This was great! You should do more stories illustrated with your excellent photos.
This was great! You should do more stories illustrated with your excellent photos.
Wonderful story, Kristin! I laughed out loud, and then was touched by the ending. And I truly LOVE that you call it “Mr. Sacks.”
(BTW, Mr. Sacks is a beautiful bag. I want one of my own.)
The photo-heavy format is a nice change of pace. That picture from Sicily makes my jaw drop every time I see it. But I can’t figure out where you took the one in which J-M has a child under each arm and Mr. Sacks at his feet. At first I thought Disneyland Paris, then Vatican City, but finally I have no guesses.
Wonderful story, Kristin! I laughed out loud, and then was touched by the ending. And I truly LOVE that you call it “Mr. Sacks.”
(BTW, Mr. Sacks is a beautiful bag. I want one of my own.)
The photo-heavy format is a nice change of pace. That picture from Sicily makes my jaw drop every time I see it. But I can’t figure out where you took the one in which J-M has a child under each arm and Mr. Sacks at his feet. At first I thought Disneyland Paris, then Vatican City, but finally I have no guesses.
Great story! The pictures told much of it for you. Mr Sacks will have a place in your home forever. After that, I believe it will have a new home with …which child?
Great story! The pictures told much of it for you. Mr Sacks will have a place in your home forever. After that, I believe it will have a new home with …which child?
Darling Kristi,
Thank you for this lovely gift this morning. I was taken ‘off-guard’ as late yesterday afternoon during your phone call you had remarked that you didn’t think you had a story left in you for Fridays post…you were tired and stressed with all of the responsiblity of life in Provence while Jean-Marc was away. We had agreed that it would be o.k. for you to run a re-post and collect your energy for the busy weekend before you with all of the motly crew JM had organized to visit you and work on all of the projects he had lined out for them while he was away. When I went to sleep last night I was thinking about how smart my precious son is when it comes to protecting you and the kids while he is away. You may not see it this way, but your Mom does, and that’s why I love Jean-Marc so much.
Then to find this amazing story today once again reinforced my joy of knowing that you are truly a gifted writer…one that is able to follow her path no matter what obstructions lie across her way. You story floated across my computer screen like a melody that has found its beat – you are simply amazing and this is now one of my favorite stories. I do believe that you have found a way to imprint your music deep within my soul…Bravo Kristi!!!
XOXO
MOM
Darling Kristi,
Thank you for this lovely gift this morning. I was taken ‘off-guard’ as late yesterday afternoon during your phone call you had remarked that you didn’t think you had a story left in you for Fridays post…you were tired and stressed with all of the responsiblity of life in Provence while Jean-Marc was away. We had agreed that it would be o.k. for you to run a re-post and collect your energy for the busy weekend before you with all of the motly crew JM had organized to visit you and work on all of the projects he had lined out for them while he was away. When I went to sleep last night I was thinking about how smart my precious son is when it comes to protecting you and the kids while he is away. You may not see it this way, but your Mom does, and that’s why I love Jean-Marc so much.
Then to find this amazing story today once again reinforced my joy of knowing that you are truly a gifted writer…one that is able to follow her path no matter what obstructions lie across her way. You story floated across my computer screen like a melody that has found its beat – you are simply amazing and this is now one of my favorite stories. I do believe that you have found a way to imprint your music deep within my soul…Bravo Kristi!!!
XOXO
MOM
Great story! Oh what adventures Mr.Sacs has been on. You have the story in pictures, now all you need to do is flesh it out in words.
Jean March hasn’t changed a bit over the years – at least that is what the pictures also tell. Mr. Sacs is like Dorion Gray’s painting. It ages while Jean Marc stays young. Hmmm, another good story line.
Anne
Great story! Oh what adventures Mr.Sacs has been on. You have the story in pictures, now all you need to do is flesh it out in words.
Jean March hasn’t changed a bit over the years – at least that is what the pictures also tell. Mr. Sacs is like Dorion Gray’s painting. It ages while Jean Marc stays young. Hmmm, another good story line.
Anne
Wonderful – thanks for the grins!
Wonderful – thanks for the grins!
Pauvre sacoche …. 🙂
C’est marrant. Merci Kristin
Pauvre sacoche …. 🙂
C’est marrant. Merci Kristin
I love looking at photos of Jean-Marc…he is so beautiful…xoxo Mom
I love looking at photos of Jean-Marc…he is so beautiful…xoxo Mom
tee hee
tee hee
Like your mom, I experienced that story as floating into my eyes and through my body and soul. I love my “sacs” and usually carry the “new” one into the 7th or 9th year, so the price is usually much less that a cheaper bag when amortized over all that time.. plus, it becomes a part of me. Unlike the lady who laughed, I had a tear in my eye as you spoke of the old man giving new life to the old bag. I’m just now realizing I’m getting “old” and identify with both. You are a superb writer. God bless you.
Like your mom, I experienced that story as floating into my eyes and through my body and soul. I love my “sacs” and usually carry the “new” one into the 7th or 9th year, so the price is usually much less that a cheaper bag when amortized over all that time.. plus, it becomes a part of me. Unlike the lady who laughed, I had a tear in my eye as you spoke of the old man giving new life to the old bag. I’m just now realizing I’m getting “old” and identify with both. You are a superb writer. God bless you.
Oh…I forgot! The photos really added to the loving reality of the story. I loved the entire piece so very much.
Thank you, again.
Oh…I forgot! The photos really added to the loving reality of the story. I loved the entire piece so very much.
Thank you, again.
Kristin,
Your story about Mr Sacks is hilarious..and yes, like the others, I think you might have a very cute children’s book going here. The pictures are priceless! After reading through the post with smiles and chuckles and appreciation for your writing style and humor, there was a pow! You stopped me with a beautufully written and very poignant thought about the old man and the treasured old bag. Well done…
Kristin,
Your story about Mr Sacks is hilarious..and yes, like the others, I think you might have a very cute children’s book going here. The pictures are priceless! After reading through the post with smiles and chuckles and appreciation for your writing style and humor, there was a pow! You stopped me with a beautufully written and very poignant thought about the old man and the treasured old bag. Well done…
This was a GREAT “illustrated” story…..so much fun to read…hope you will do more like this ! Looking thru your photo files–“themes” appear like magic!!!!
This was a GREAT “illustrated” story…..so much fun to read…hope you will do more like this ! Looking thru your photo files–“themes” appear like magic!!!!
Oh how I adore this post! One of my favorites. Love the story and it’s a good one to send friends to when I try to describe that men carry around purses in France, too. 😉
Oh how I adore this post! One of my favorites. Love the story and it’s a good one to send friends to when I try to describe that men carry around purses in France, too. 😉
Hilarious, Kristi! Ralph also has his buddy, le sac verte…as in “Where’s my Green Bag!?”. It is not leather, but a nylon like material and it goes everywhere–to work on the train, in the car, on visits to family– and esp. when we are travelling! Yes, it’s his ‘Man Bag’ and he will never part with it. At this point it could use a good washing, but I would have to part him from it long enough to get it through the washing machine and that isn’t happening any time soon! Thanks for the laugh!
xo Nancy L
Hilarious, Kristi! Ralph also has his buddy, le sac verte…as in “Where’s my Green Bag!?”. It is not leather, but a nylon like material and it goes everywhere–to work on the train, in the car, on visits to family– and esp. when we are travelling! Yes, it’s his ‘Man Bag’ and he will never part with it. At this point it could use a good washing, but I would have to part him from it long enough to get it through the washing machine and that isn’t happening any time soon! Thanks for the laugh!
xo Nancy L
I echo the comments made by others- I loved the format and the story! You have a wonderful sense of humor and it shone through with every caption. Not to mention that your husband is easy on the eyes, with or without his sac! The love you have for one another really was evident in today’s post. Merci!
I echo the comments made by others- I loved the format and the story! You have a wonderful sense of humor and it shone through with every caption. Not to mention that your husband is easy on the eyes, with or without his sac! The love you have for one another really was evident in today’s post. Merci!
Too funny. Loved this. Thanks for the giggles.
Too funny. Loved this. Thanks for the giggles.
Great story! I really enjoyed it – wonderful way to start my day! That is true Elizabeth: he is easy on the eyes — with or without his sac! Too funny.
Thanks for the interesting story & super photos!
Stay well.
Great story! I really enjoyed it – wonderful way to start my day! That is true Elizabeth: he is easy on the eyes — with or without his sac! Too funny.
Thanks for the interesting story & super photos!
Stay well.
I loved the way you presented this story. You told it so well. It was humorous, heartfelt, and loving. The pictures were superb. It felt like your most personal story aside from your “confession”. And it read like a movie script, i.e Three Coins in the Fountain. Well done. And can we see more of these. (It also reminds me of my husband, who takes a “briefcase” with him everywhere, even on vacation as Jean-Marc did.
I loved the way you presented this story. You told it so well. It was humorous, heartfelt, and loving. The pictures were superb. It felt like your most personal story aside from your “confession”. And it read like a movie script, i.e Three Coins in the Fountain. Well done. And can we see more of these. (It also reminds me of my husband, who takes a “briefcase” with him everywhere, even on vacation as Jean-Marc did.
What an endearing and fun story, Kristi! I’m grinning with delight reading your words. You are a gifted writer and loving mom and wife. Much love. 🙂
What an endearing and fun story, Kristi! I’m grinning with delight reading your words. You are a gifted writer and loving mom and wife. Much love. 🙂
Hilarious how you brought to life “Mr. Sacks”! Told with much love and humor. Isn’t that what we all could use in this life?
Hilarious how you brought to life “Mr. Sacks”! Told with much love and humor. Isn’t that what we all could use in this life?
I too loved all the photos in today’s story. Isn’t it interesting that while we women love getting new things, our men seem to like to hold onto the old ones? I have great difficulty getting my husband to relinquish an old t-shirt or pair of sneakers. He will literally wear them until they fall apart. However, after 34 years of marriage, I guess I should appreciate his desire to hang onto his old things, including me!!
I too loved all the photos in today’s story. Isn’t it interesting that while we women love getting new things, our men seem to like to hold onto the old ones? I have great difficulty getting my husband to relinquish an old t-shirt or pair of sneakers. He will literally wear them until they fall apart. However, after 34 years of marriage, I guess I should appreciate his desire to hang onto his old things, including me!!
A very sweet story cleverly written!
A very sweet story cleverly written!
So funny and cute! That must have taken some time (un bon moment) to find all of those pictures of J-M accompanied by his sacoche, but so worth it – it made a great photo-essay.
So funny and cute! That must have taken some time (un bon moment) to find all of those pictures of J-M accompanied by his sacoche, but so worth it – it made a great photo-essay.
I LOVED this post, and I think I love Mr. Sacks, too. What a great story. I’ve had a smile on my face since I started reading, and it was the first smile of the day, which is nearly half gone. If I get down in the dumps again today I’ll just think of you and Jean-Marc & Mr. Sacks.
I LOVED this post, and I think I love Mr. Sacks, too. What a great story. I’ve had a smile on my face since I started reading, and it was the first smile of the day, which is nearly half gone. If I get down in the dumps again today I’ll just think of you and Jean-Marc & Mr. Sacks.