The island of Porquerolles is only a 15-minute ferry ride from coast (near Giens and Hyères). More, in today's story column.
tergiverser (tehr-zhee-vehr-say)
: to hem and haw, to dither
Also: to delay, to procrastinate, to put off, to dally, to shilly-shally or dawdle or linger or tarry…
Audio File: Listen to Jean-Marc pronounce tergiverser and the example sentence, below: Download MP3 or Wav file
Lorsque Jean-Marc m'a invité pour un week-end sur l'île de Porquerolles, j'ai tergiversé. Est-ce qu'on pouvait tout laisser derrière nous? When Jean-Marc invited me for a weekend on the island of Porquerolles, I wavered. Could be leave everything behind us?
A Day in a French Life… by Kristin Espinasse
When Jean-Marc suggested we escape the renovation for a night–and get away to the nearby island of Porquerolles–I hemmed and hawed, unsure about leaving the kids and the dogs behind.
But when I learned Jackie was invited to stay the weekend at a friend's… and that Max had agreed to look after Braise and Smokey, I began to consider the break Jean-Marc was offering me. In the 7 months since moving houses–and all the decisions and disruptions involved in the process–it could be refreshing to have a change of scene.
And, after all, I thought, Max would be comfortable in the room where Mom had stayed: it was completely independent of the partly condemned house. He could even invite a friend over for the night (a change from all the party weekends he's been enjoying, away from home).
With our teenagers' encouragements, Jean-Marc and I left just before noon on Saturday. I suggested we visit the village of Bormes les Mimosas, which wasn't too far from the Giens peninsula and La Tour-Fondue, where we would be catching the 15 minute ferry to Porquerolles.
In Bormes les Mimosa we had lunch at Lou Portaou, where we had eaten 18 years before, on our honeymoon. Jean-Marc must have told the waiter the story two or three times and, rather than hush my husband, it occurred to me to rejoice knowing he remembered so much about our lune de miel.
After lunch, Jean-Marc followed me through the rain as I snapped pictures of one of France's most flowerful villages–only this early in April, many blossoms were still sleeping… if not all of them:
On our way out of Bormes, and not 3 hours after leaving home, we were surprised by a call from our daughter…. Would it be okay if she and her girlfriends slept at the house tonight? Jackie wanted to know.
Hors de question! I growled into our car's speakerphone. But Jackie eventually sweet-talked her way into an agreement. Besides, she informed us, she and her girlfriends were already back at our house….
Noticing my agitation at the unexpected change of events, Jean-Marc suggested we not let this ruin our weekend. "The girls will be fine," he assured me. They could hang out in the safehaven and we could order pizza to be delivered to them for dinner.
Photo: Entering the village along Rue de la Ferme. Jean-Marc brought his vélo but we realized, later, that it costs more to use your own bike (ferry fees) than to simply rent a bike. (Notice his beloved leather bag… I need to add this one to the sacoche gallery….)
When our boat arrived at the island of Porquerolles we rushed beneath the rain from the little port right to our hotel, less that a 5-minute walk from the dock. Our plan was to relax the first evening, have dinner at the inn, then enjoy a tour of the island on Sunday, when the clear blue skies would return.
It was peaceful to be in an uncluttered room, away from the dust and all the renovation equipment. As it was still cold and rainy out, I slipped off my shoes and got under the bedcovers to rest until dinner. We were unable to get a room facing the sea and the port, but we had a cozy view of the church and the little square.
Taking advantage of the hotel's wifi connection, I logged on to Facebook. I noticed an update from Max posted onto his timeline for his friends to see.
That's strange, I thought, studying the snapshot of Max and his friends, who seemed to be gathered at the house of one of the kids. I shared the information with Jean-Marc, who smiled. "Are you snooping?"
"No! I'm not snooping." I protested.
"You are snooping!"
Harrumph! My attention returned to the screen, where I studied the picture of Max and his friends, who were gathered on the porch of one of the kids. I began to notice the cigarettes and the alcohol and all the girls….
"They are having a party!" I informed Jean-Marc. That turkey! He was supposed to stay home and take care of the dogs. Instead, he is out somewhere having a party!
I strained my eyes, searching the photo, when a pot of flowers came into view. It seemed the friend's mom had planted the very same trio of purple, white, and yellow primaveras that I had planted…
…and in the same unmistakable cracked pot!
***
Post note: Returning from the island I found those purple and yellow and white primaveras at the other end of our garden, root side up. As for the pot, it had disappeared.
As I inspected the front porch and the house, I complained to my daughter. "Well. If I were your brother and I had had a party when my parents were away, I would have done a much better job cleaning up the evidence!"
"But Mom," Jackie complained. "We scrubbed the floors!"
"We?"
***
As for Max's punishment he might pack his toothbrush and join me for the spring cleaning of the Paris catacombs.
French Vocabulary
la lune de miel = honeymoon
hors de question = out of the question
Our hotel room faced the Église Sainte-Anne de Porquerolles. Jean-Marc gave the rest of the morning croissants to the friendly doves… (re the hotel, we stayed at L'Oustau)
The Quai des Pecheurs or Fishermen's dock.
Classic wooden Provençal fishing boat, aka le pointu.
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You can’t know how encouraging it was for me to read of your kids’ escapades. Been there too- with some carpet stains ever present as reminders.
Thank you SO much for sharing this with us today. God takes care of me in surprising ways!!
You can’t know how encouraging it was for me to read of your kids’ escapades. Been there too- with some carpet stains ever present as reminders.
Thank you SO much for sharing this with us today. God takes care of me in surprising ways!!
I’m so sorry- it said it didn’t post!!!
I’m so sorry- it said it didn’t post!!!
I’m so sorry- it said it didn’t post!!!
I’m so sorry- it said it didn’t post!!!
Is it just age appropriate behavior-even in terrific kids-no matter what the country? Good Heavens, my Waterford crystal was in the laundry, cups in the bushes, garbage bag of cans in the potting shed, lacrosse balls in a flower arrangement, and unfamiliar lipstick in my bath…yet, son, Dad, and two golden retrievers all calmly looked at my pink face…”no, really, nothing happened, mom-why?” Grrrrrrr…….
Is it just age appropriate behavior-even in terrific kids-no matter what the country? Good Heavens, my Waterford crystal was in the laundry, cups in the bushes, garbage bag of cans in the potting shed, lacrosse balls in a flower arrangement, and unfamiliar lipstick in my bath…yet, son, Dad, and two golden retrievers all calmly looked at my pink face…”no, really, nothing happened, mom-why?” Grrrrrrr…….
Is it just age appropriate behavior-even in terrific kids-no matter what the country? Good Heavens, my Waterford crystal was in the laundry, cups in the bushes, garbage bag of cans in the potting shed, lacrosse balls in a flower arrangement, and unfamiliar lipstick in my bath…yet, son, Dad, and two golden retrievers all calmly looked at my pink face…”no, really, nothing happened, mom-why?” Grrrrrrr…….
Is it just age appropriate behavior-even in terrific kids-no matter what the country? Good Heavens, my Waterford crystal was in the laundry, cups in the bushes, garbage bag of cans in the potting shed, lacrosse balls in a flower arrangement, and unfamiliar lipstick in my bath…yet, son, Dad, and two golden retrievers all calmly looked at my pink face…”no, really, nothing happened, mom-why?” Grrrrrrr…….
Oh, my Kristi! I am thinking it may be quite some time before Max and Jackie get the chance to have the house to themselves for the night. It would have taken away some of the tranquility of a get-away if I were in your shoes! Still, I am so glad you got the chance to visit such a beautiful place and offer us this story. Life is full of surprises, yes? I so love that you and Jean-Marc shared a meal at the same restaurant you had on your honeymoon. Your photos are lovely; nice to see the promise of spring.
Oh, my Kristi! I am thinking it may be quite some time before Max and Jackie get the chance to have the house to themselves for the night. It would have taken away some of the tranquility of a get-away if I were in your shoes! Still, I am so glad you got the chance to visit such a beautiful place and offer us this story. Life is full of surprises, yes? I so love that you and Jean-Marc shared a meal at the same restaurant you had on your honeymoon. Your photos are lovely; nice to see the promise of spring.
By the way, a message appeared saying my message did not post and to try again. I see it posted even so. Lovely day to you.
By the way, a message appeared saying my message did not post and to try again. I see it posted even so. Lovely day to you.
Thank you, Stacy. I see your message, too, and am enjoying all these stories. Thanks for taking the time to post, or to repost, and sorry about the posting glitch. If anyone gets a message, as Stacy did, have a look first to see if your comment was posted.
Time to sleep… Will check these comments in the morning. Bonne nuit!
Thank you, Stacy. I see your message, too, and am enjoying all these stories. Thanks for taking the time to post, or to repost, and sorry about the posting glitch. If anyone gets a message, as Stacy did, have a look first to see if your comment was posted.
Time to sleep… Will check these comments in the morning. Bonne nuit!
Never tried what your kids did, possibly because my folks never left us home alone overnight. They encouraged us to have parties in our teenage years, and enjoyed the company of our friends. A surprise when I realized it, but a good one.
Possibly not our music, but we played that outdoors.
Your weekend break sounds great. I hope your project does not take forever.
Never tried what your kids did, possibly because my folks never left us home alone overnight. They encouraged us to have parties in our teenage years, and enjoyed the company of our friends. A surprise when I realized it, but a good one.
Possibly not our music, but we played that outdoors.
Your weekend break sounds great. I hope your project does not take forever.
Never tried what your kids did, possibly because my folks never left us home alone overnight. They encouraged us to have parties in our teenage years, and enjoyed the company of our friends. A surprise when I realized it, but a good one.
Possibly not our music, but we played that outdoors.
Your weekend break sounds great. I hope your project does not take forever.
taking a few tries to post this note, too.
Never tried what your kids did, possibly because my folks never left us home alone overnight. They encouraged us to have parties in our teenage years, and enjoyed the company of our friends. A surprise when I realized it, but a good one.
Possibly not our music, but we played that outdoors.
Your weekend break sounds great. I hope your project does not take forever.
taking a few tries to post this note, too.
Never tried what your kids did, possibly because my folks never left us home alone overnight. They encouraged us to have parties in our teenage years, and enjoyed the company of our friends. A surprise when I realized it, but a good one.
Possibly not our music, but we played that outdoors.
Your weekend break sounds great. I hope your project does not take forever.
taking a few tries to post this note, too.
Never tried what your kids did, possibly because my folks never left us home alone overnight. They encouraged us to have parties in our teenage years, and enjoyed the company of our friends. A surprise when I realized it, but a good one.
Possibly not our music, but we played that outdoors.
Your weekend break sounds great. I hope your project does not take forever.
taking a few tries to post this note, too.
Never tried what your kids did, possibly because my folks never left us home alone overnight. They encouraged us to have parties in our teenage years, and enjoyed the company of our friends. A surprise when I realized it, but a good one.
Possibly not our music, but we played that outdoors.
Your weekend break sounds great. I hope your project does not take forever.
taking a few tries to post this note, too.
Never tried what your kids did, possibly because my folks never left us home alone overnight. They encouraged us to have parties in our teenage years, and enjoyed the company of our friends. A surprise when I realized it, but a good one.
Possibly not our music, but we played that outdoors.
Your weekend break sounds great. I hope your project does not take forever.
taking a few tries to post this note, too.
Never tried what your kids did, possibly because my folks never left us home alone overnight. They encouraged us to have parties in our teenage years, and enjoyed the company of our friends. A surprise when I realized it, but a good one.
Possibly not our music, but we played that outdoors.
Your weekend break sounds great. I hope your project does not take forever.
taking a few tries to post this note, too.
Never tried what your kids did, possibly because my folks never left us home alone overnight. They encouraged us to have parties in our teenage years, and enjoyed the company of our friends. A surprise when I realized it, but a good one.
Possibly not our music, but we played that outdoors.
Your weekend break sounds great. I hope your project does not take forever.
taking a few tries to post this note, too.
Our dear Kristi,
Adorable story today(!!)accompanied by your beautiful pictures!
Such a lovely,peaceful spot for your second lune de miel! And the perfect place for a break from renovations!!
Love, Natalia XO
Our dear Kristi,
Adorable story today(!!)accompanied by your beautiful pictures!
Such a lovely,peaceful spot for your second lune de miel! And the perfect place for a break from renovations!!
Love, Natalia XO
Kristi: No. You were NOT snooping! You were being a responsible parent. Oh. My. What a terrifying prospect: unattended children having a party. This story is well told. Thank you, Dearie. I’m glad you and your husband were able to get away for a couple of days. Ahhh. Encore une lune de miel. What a joy. I’m assuming you’ve prepped your children on how to have fun responsibly…. This was a wonderful post. I’m by nature a ditherer. I get to learn a new word. Perfect. La La
Kristi: No. You were NOT snooping! You were being a responsible parent. Oh. My. What a terrifying prospect: unattended children having a party. This story is well told. Thank you, Dearie. I’m glad you and your husband were able to get away for a couple of days. Ahhh. Encore une lune de miel. What a joy. I’m assuming you’ve prepped your children on how to have fun responsibly…. This was a wonderful post. I’m by nature a ditherer. I get to learn a new word. Perfect. La La
Kristi I think its a fact of life that all parents have to face at sometime with their teenage children, “if the cats away the mice will play”. Although its over 40 years . I still remember the dismay after returning home from a getaway weekend with my husband. My 16year old son had invited his friends over but I think most of the neighbourhood arrived, by the results of partying. Since then realise given the opportunity most young people relish the delight of having the house to themselves and so lets enjoy. . I guess you have experienced one of the rites of passage of parenthood. I am so happy you had the opportunity to go to the island for the weekend, Bormes les Mimosa was where I had hoped to spend my next holiday in France but alas thats not to be, so thank you for the photos, I am always amazed at the clarity of the photos you post, it almost makes me feel as if I am visiting there myself. Thank you Kristi for all your wonderful stories . ., they are the highlight of my week.
June, Gold Coast Qld
Kristi I think its a fact of life that all parents have to face at sometime with their teenage children, “if the cats away the mice will play”. Although its over 40 years . I still remember the dismay after returning home from a getaway weekend with my husband. My 16year old son had invited his friends over but I think most of the neighbourhood arrived, by the results of partying. Since then realise given the opportunity most young people relish the delight of having the house to themselves and so lets enjoy. . I guess you have experienced one of the rites of passage of parenthood. I am so happy you had the opportunity to go to the island for the weekend, Bormes les Mimosa was where I had hoped to spend my next holiday in France but alas thats not to be, so thank you for the photos, I am always amazed at the clarity of the photos you post, it almost makes me feel as if I am visiting there myself. Thank you Kristi for all your wonderful stories . ., they are the highlight of my week.
June, Gold Coast Qld
Chere Kristin,
So happy you and JM had the chance to get away from it all. The photos are just breathtaking, esp. the first one of the beach. I want to be there picking up all of those interesting shells? or rock? or pottery? What are they? I love all the colors. How wonderful that you had dinner at the same restaurant from your lune de miel. Romance away from renovation!
As for the kids, so happy it was you and not me dealing with that worry (sorry)! Love the idea of all the kids helping with work around the house! 😉
Looking forward to Wed. post!
Caro (my nickname when I was in France-I loved it!)
Chere Kristin,
So happy you and JM had the chance to get away from it all. The photos are just breathtaking, esp. the first one of the beach. I want to be there picking up all of those interesting shells? or rock? or pottery? What are they? I love all the colors. How wonderful that you had dinner at the same restaurant from your lune de miel. Romance away from renovation!
As for the kids, so happy it was you and not me dealing with that worry (sorry)! Love the idea of all the kids helping with work around the house! 😉
Looking forward to Wed. post!
Caro (my nickname when I was in France-I loved it!)
When my neighbor came over to check on on the commotion, she said the party animals scattered like cockroaches. My daughter was a modern day Peter, denying 3 times she had any party designs before we left town. And for years I found tossed beer bottles in the back garden azaleas. You were duped ma cherie, but what a great story for years to come!
When my neighbor came over to check on on the commotion, she said the party animals scattered like cockroaches. My daughter was a modern day Peter, denying 3 times she had any party designs before we left town. And for years I found tossed beer bottles in the back garden azaleas. You were duped ma cherie, but what a great story for years to come!