Photo of front porch, where Mom and I will soon have coffee. The wind blew off the makeshift curtain (an attempt to shade the area at lunchtime…)
la chaise-longue (shez- lowng)
: lawn chair
Elle est dans le jardin, en train de lire sur sa chaise-longue. She's in the garden, reading on her lawn chair.
A Day in a French Life… by Kristin Espinasse
"I could hear you girls giggling all night long!" Mom called out.
I looked up from the flower bed, where I had been experimenting with an ice plant (could one really stick a griffe de sorcière in the ground.. and it would grow?). "Good morning Mom!" I chirped, waving the experimental cutting.
A second-story window framed my mom and the morning sun dazzled her eyes, which sparkled with life. She had her silver hair tied back and her olive complexion was as fresh as the morning dew that covered the plants beneath me. I could tell Mom was full of energy today. Perhaps we could do something special to mark this, her second-to-last day in France before returning home to Mexico?
"Come have your tea with me?" I stood up, shook the dirt from my hands and pointed to the picnic table.
Mom was down in a flash and we were reliving the previous evening, in which I had the pleasure of spending time with Ann and Katia, a writer and a beloved podcaster. I rarely have the occasion to speak in person with people who do similar work to my own, and it was interesting to talk about the highs and lows of creative work.
Mom loved my friends and I assured her that they found her just as endearing. "I'm sorry I talked too much…" Mom apologized, as we took our cups of tea and walked from the front porch to the meadow, below, to have a look at all the plants among the olive trees.
"Don't worry about it!" I said, feeling a little ashamed for having elbowed Mom the night before. Having realized she was three-quarters of the way through her life story, I wondered: had Mom gotten to the part where she was rescued? Strapped onto a lawn chair and lowered onto a Mexican panga boat to be transferred from the remote fishing village to a city hospital? Ironically, that would be the beginning of her nightmare.).
I was sorry to have been disrespectful to my Mom and regretted my words from the night before (along with a few other things I'd said during her four week visit to France). And now Mom would be leaving soon. Had we said and done all we had wished to say and do?
"I just want to lie here in the garden," Mom said, "here under this olive tree. I'll go get the other lawn chair."
"Stay there! I'll get it for you!" I dashed off, past the wild fennel and the bright red poppies, to the terrain de pétanque–where those "witches fingernails" I'd been transplanting grew–and snatched up the chaise longue.
We arranged the lawn chairs along the slope, until we were looking up at one of the ancient olive trees. "I'd like this one to be mine," Mom suggested. "Could you put my name on it?"
It was a lovely idea. I could then sit by the tree and think of Mom while she was an ocean away….
"Look over there," I said, pointing to a figuier I'd discovered the day before. The little fig tree (really a series of shoots from an ancient trunk) had been completely overrun by an invasive bush. The night before, I'd gotten the long-handled shears and freed it of its leafy invader and could now admire it from where Mom and I were sitting. "OK, I said, this one is Jules! And do you know what I've named the little fig tree?"
Mom's eyes were bright with curiosity.
"Newton!"
We sat there laughing beneath the olive tree, remembering yesteryear–before one of us moved to Mexico and the other to France. Back when we shared tall glasses of milk and those favorite fig-filled cookies.
"Fig Newtons…" Mom said, reminiscent.
"I'll call him "Newey" for short." I winked at my mom, who smiled as we gazed at our trees, affectionately.
As the wind blew through the trees' branches, causing the leaves to rustle, our conversation carried on, lackadaisically. I no longer hoped we were making the most of our time, but knew that this cozy moment was the yesteryear of tomorrow–as comforting and sweet as those fig-filled cookies.
* * *
Making memories with Mom. After Mom befriended this guy, she handed me the ball to play.
Don't tell Smokey and Braise… We'll bring them the next time!
Tidying up the house before tidying up ourselves… and heading out to explore another seaside town…
Mom, "la capitaine", at the port in La Ciotat. I think it's time to name Mom's fish purse à la Mr Sacks. Suggestions welcome in the comments box!
At the seaside market in La Ciotat, I bought a jujube tree and a few other natives to plant in our garden, beside the Mediterranean strawberry tree, or arbusier. What are some other local trees and fruit-bearing shrubs that you would suggest? Meantime, Mom and I are busy trying to identify more than trees… but all of the edible weeds and medicinal plants here in the olive field or meadow: plantain, fumeterre, fennel, lucerne, chardon de marie, pissenlit… and heaps of thyme and rosemary.
I'm going to miss you so much, Mom. Come back soon! And thank you for being my sweet maman. While her adoring husband is waiting for her back in Mexico, help me wish Mom bon voyage, here in the comments box.
Discover more from French Word-A-Day
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Safe trip home Jules. So happy you got to spend this nice long visit with Kristie & her family. Bon Voyage! Hugs.
Safe trip home Jules. So happy you got to spend this nice long visit with Kristie & her family. Bon Voyage! Hugs.
At the port in La Ciotat you were very near the scene of my pétanque debacle. I am at the Denver airport starting my journey to Provence!
At the port in La Ciotat you were very near the scene of my pétanque debacle. I am at the Denver airport starting my journey to Provence!
Sounds like the ordeal of a parental visit that ends pleasantly. Often that’s as good as you can hope for.
Sounds like the ordeal of a parental visit that ends pleasantly. Often that’s as good as you can hope for.
Oh, the love of a mother! It never leaves us. We carry it with us in our hearts. You shared special time together, and made memories. That is priceless. You have a wonderful relationship and that is to cherish. My mother is far away too, but will see her soon and also appreciate the time and memories we create. Love your blog. Buen viaje Jules. Vuelve pronto.
Oh, the love of a mother! It never leaves us. We carry it with us in our hearts. You shared special time together, and made memories. That is priceless. You have a wonderful relationship and that is to cherish. My mother is far away too, but will see her soon and also appreciate the time and memories we create. Love your blog. Buen viaje Jules. Vuelve pronto.
Bon voyage, Jules!
Bon voyage, Jules!
Vous etes tres chanceuse d’avoir votre maman. J’ai perdu ma maman l’annee derniere.Tres, tres triste.
Vous etes tres chanceuse d’avoir votre maman. J’ai perdu ma maman l’annee derniere.Tres, tres triste.
As Marcello Mastroianni’s character said in one of his movies, “To do nothing is a thing so beautiful!” I think most Americans grew up calling chaises longues chaises lounges, but lounging IS the idea, so maybe it helps ease us out of our puritanical love of busyness and industry!
This is a lovely, wise post, Kristin.
As Marcello Mastroianni’s character said in one of his movies, “To do nothing is a thing so beautiful!” I think most Americans grew up calling chaises longues chaises lounges, but lounging IS the idea, so maybe it helps ease us out of our puritanical love of busyness and industry!
This is a lovely, wise post, Kristin.
Bon Voyage Jules! Seems to me that you ‘ve both had an excellent visit.
I would love to see what pissenlit looks like…pee in the bed? !
Bon Voyage Jules! Seems to me that you ‘ve both had an excellent visit.
I would love to see what pissenlit looks like…pee in the bed? !
Salut Kristin and Jules
Great photos today, Kristin! They make the area look very appealing and the three models add glamour to the scene. (Three models? Yes, the dog.)
Jules, if you have a layover in Phoenix on your way back give me a call . . I’d love to chat with you and hear about your latest experiences
À bientôt
Salut Kristin and Jules
Great photos today, Kristin! They make the area look very appealing and the three models add glamour to the scene. (Three models? Yes, the dog.)
Jules, if you have a layover in Phoenix on your way back give me a call . . I’d love to chat with you and hear about your latest experiences
À bientôt
Bon Voyage, Jules!
What a lovely post. Such insightful words. It makes me wish I were your mother…plus I’d have someone to show me all these beautiful places!:)
Bon Voyage, Jules!
What a lovely post. Such insightful words. It makes me wish I were your mother…plus I’d have someone to show me all these beautiful places!:)
Thank you Kristin for a great post & photos. Jules have a safe trip home. I wish you could move (with your hubby) near Kristin. Anyway, mothers & daughters are very special. My mom passed in 2006 and I miss her every day. Enjoy this time.
You both look so beautiful — Jules does have a certain look — very curious and full of life. Love it!
Be well!
Thank you Kristin for a great post & photos. Jules have a safe trip home. I wish you could move (with your hubby) near Kristin. Anyway, mothers & daughters are very special. My mom passed in 2006 and I miss her every day. Enjoy this time.
You both look so beautiful — Jules does have a certain look — very curious and full of life. Love it!
Be well!
Thank you so much for this love-filled post!
Thank you so much for this love-filled post!
Bon voyage, Jules…safe travel home. Kristi. You must have umpteen stories of “the visit”….so looking forward to hearing of those adventures. (going to be 108 in Scottsdale this weekend…l’ete est arrive!)
Bon voyage, Jules…safe travel home. Kristi. You must have umpteen stories of “the visit”….so looking forward to hearing of those adventures. (going to be 108 in Scottsdale this weekend…l’ete est arrive!)
Beautiful beeyooootiful post today. It says so much about a family and its relationships when, after 4 weeks together, the goodbyes are sad. for many families, it’s just the opposite! what a thing to cherish.
It made me think of my yearly visits to belgium to see my son and his family. every year it gets harder to say goodbye. sigh. part of my heart and consciousness is there every day–imagining what we’d be doing, etc. it’s like leading a double life!
have safe safe friend-filled travels, Jules. oh–i love the name-the-purse game. my contribution is “Bubbles.” 🙂
Beautiful beeyooootiful post today. It says so much about a family and its relationships when, after 4 weeks together, the goodbyes are sad. for many families, it’s just the opposite! what a thing to cherish.
It made me think of my yearly visits to belgium to see my son and his family. every year it gets harder to say goodbye. sigh. part of my heart and consciousness is there every day–imagining what we’d be doing, etc. it’s like leading a double life!
have safe safe friend-filled travels, Jules. oh–i love the name-the-purse game. my contribution is “Bubbles.” 🙂
Bon voyage, Jules. Lovely mother daughter stories that Kristen shares about the two of you. I 2nd the comments of Priscilla @ NO. Today’s story was particularly appreciated as I sit next to my mother while she is in the hospital. I thought about all the fond memories of her visits with me when I lived in NYC. And yes, pouring it out is much better for our soul than keeping it in; there is even research to validate that. Kristen, thanks for introducing me to Ann & Katia. If you are interested in cooking with wild flowers you might want to check out an on-going conversation with the Slow Food group on LinkedIn. @Bill in St. Paul, per the late Andy Rooney ” Life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer you get to the end, the faster it rolls!” Again, Kristen, I cherish your stories about you and Jules – can’t say that enough! You are blessed to have the relationship that you do. Best to you all.
Bon voyage, Jules. Lovely mother daughter stories that Kristen shares about the two of you. I 2nd the comments of Priscilla @ NO. Today’s story was particularly appreciated as I sit next to my mother while she is in the hospital. I thought about all the fond memories of her visits with me when I lived in NYC. And yes, pouring it out is much better for our soul than keeping it in; there is even research to validate that. Kristen, thanks for introducing me to Ann & Katia. If you are interested in cooking with wild flowers you might want to check out an on-going conversation with the Slow Food group on LinkedIn. @Bill in St. Paul, per the late Andy Rooney ” Life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer you get to the end, the faster it rolls!” Again, Kristen, I cherish your stories about you and Jules – can’t say that enough! You are blessed to have the relationship that you do. Best to you all.
Oh my, please excuse the incorrect spelling of your name, Kristin. We have a Kristen in the family & old habits die hard.
Oh my, please excuse the incorrect spelling of your name, Kristin. We have a Kristen in the family & old habits die hard.
Sometimes the moments when we stop and just enjoy our surroundings and the person we are with are the most memorable. This moment sounds like that for you and Jules. I can picture you both in that meadow.
Sometimes the moments when we stop and just enjoy our surroundings and the person we are with are the most memorable. This moment sounds like that for you and Jules. I can picture you both in that meadow.
I LOVE YOUR MAMAN!!!! Wish I still had mine.
And your stepfather is adorable….
I LOVE YOUR MAMAN!!!! Wish I still had mine.
And your stepfather is adorable….
Loved reading this Kristin and so nice that you have such a lovely relationship with your Mom. Have a wonderful summer and many greetings from San Francisco
Nicole
Loved reading this Kristin and so nice that you have such a lovely relationship with your Mom. Have a wonderful summer and many greetings from San Francisco
Nicole
“Henry” the fish purse .. because every fish needs a name. Thank you for a wonderful post and Vaya con Dios JULES!
“Henry” the fish purse .. because every fish needs a name. Thank you for a wonderful post and Vaya con Dios JULES!
Jules, You are BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is the first time in the few years that I have been reading Kristin’s column that I have seen a full-face photo of you. You take my breath away! And I am a woman,in my early 70s. No wonder your daughters and grandchildren are also BEAUTIFUL!
Joanne Polner, NJ
Jules, You are BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is the first time in the few years that I have been reading Kristin’s column that I have seen a full-face photo of you. You take my breath away! And I am a woman,in my early 70s. No wonder your daughters and grandchildren are also BEAUTIFUL!
Joanne Polner, NJ
Darn it, you made me get all misty there at the end. Thanks again for sharing so much and so well!
Darn it, you made me get all misty there at the end. Thanks again for sharing so much and so well!
I was so relieved to see your mom’s
youthful face today. The last letter from
you had only photos of her back, which
caused me wonderment? I believe she is
a bit younger than I, ( I am late 1945)
and Jules epitomizes my favorite style,
which i have not yet captured.
I was so relieved to see your mom’s
youthful face today. The last letter from
you had only photos of her back, which
caused me wonderment? I believe she is
a bit younger than I, ( I am late 1945)
and Jules epitomizes my favorite style,
which i have not yet captured.
Our dear Kristi,
Today’s post is not only eloquent and beautifully written, but truly fills our hearts with the loving bond that you and dear Jules share.
Just wonderful!
THANK YOU!
Love, Natalia XO
PS Wishing Jules a happy journey home!
Our dear Kristi,
Today’s post is not only eloquent and beautifully written, but truly fills our hearts with the loving bond that you and dear Jules share.
Just wonderful!
THANK YOU!
Love, Natalia XO
PS Wishing Jules a happy journey home!
Merci, Kristin, for sharing your maman with us. Et bon voyage, Jules. You both looked beautiful and almost like twins in the photos. As for her purse, just the simple Madame Poisson.
Merci, Kristin, for sharing your maman with us. Et bon voyage, Jules. You both looked beautiful and almost like twins in the photos. As for her purse, just the simple Madame Poisson.