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.
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Beautiful post Kristin! Wishing a safe journey and quick return for JULES!
Beautiful post Kristin! Wishing a safe journey and quick return for JULES!
Wishing you a safe journey my friend as you return to Mexico. May you both drink from the this cup which is overflowing with such sweet memories of the time you have spent together. Cherish the time…keep the memories close to your heart.
Thank you for allowing us to intrude occasionally into your life…it was special.
Love,bj
Wishing you a safe journey my friend as you return to Mexico. May you both drink from the this cup which is overflowing with such sweet memories of the time you have spent together. Cherish the time…keep the memories close to your heart.
Thank you for allowing us to intrude occasionally into your life…it was special.
Love,bj
Oh, dear sweet Kristi, this post brought me to tears; so beautifully shared. Your cup runneth over and fills mine on days such as today.
How can it be time for Jules to return home? The tides of life… Grateful you, and Jules, are a part of mine!
Jules, blessed journey as you return home!
Oh, dear sweet Kristi, this post brought me to tears; so beautifully shared. Your cup runneth over and fills mine on days such as today.
How can it be time for Jules to return home? The tides of life… Grateful you, and Jules, are a part of mine!
Jules, blessed journey as you return home!
Bon voyage Jules! I wish you a happy and safe trip home. So glad you had a month with Kristin and the gang. I’m sure they’ll miss you but before you know it, you’ll be back again!
Soak up your last moments together!
Blessings to all of you….
Bon voyage Jules! I wish you a happy and safe trip home. So glad you had a month with Kristin and the gang. I’m sure they’ll miss you but before you know it, you’ll be back again!
Soak up your last moments together!
Blessings to all of you….
Wishing you safe and easy travels Jules. Looks like you had a wonderful trip. I love to see your beautiful face. Love your fish purse too!!!!
xoxo
Wishing you safe and easy travels Jules. Looks like you had a wonderful trip. I love to see your beautiful face. Love your fish purse too!!!!
xoxo
Kristin, your mother is lovely and where can I buy that beautiful top she was wearing?
Please let us know, I am sure others would love to know, too.
You are a wonderful writer.
best ~
Kristin, your mother is lovely and where can I buy that beautiful top she was wearing?
Please let us know, I am sure others would love to know, too.
You are a wonderful writer.
best ~
I’m late again!!
I checked out the pictures before I started my post. You ladies look stunning!!! How wonderful to look at the two of you after reading today’s story. The story brought a tear to my eye it was so touching. Hope your visit has been wonderful. And Kristin, I have said so many things to my mother that I wished I hadn’t. I guess it is time for a phone call to let her know I love her. Thanks so much for the reminder.
I’m late again!!
I checked out the pictures before I started my post. You ladies look stunning!!! How wonderful to look at the two of you after reading today’s story. The story brought a tear to my eye it was so touching. Hope your visit has been wonderful. And Kristin, I have said so many things to my mother that I wished I hadn’t. I guess it is time for a phone call to let her know I love her. Thanks so much for the reminder.
Bon voyage, Jules! Have a safe, eventful (only of the best kind – to have stories to tell!) and fun trip back home! It looks like you had a wonderful time with your family there! Love your joie de vive! ! ! Mr Sacks has a new friend? Miz Feesh? ? ? ? 🙂
Bon voyage, Jules! Have a safe, eventful (only of the best kind – to have stories to tell!) and fun trip back home! It looks like you had a wonderful time with your family there! Love your joie de vive! ! ! Mr Sacks has a new friend? Miz Feesh? ? ? ? 🙂
Such a lovely, tender post, Kristi. Surely there are olive trees in paradise!
Some thoughts on Jules’ purse: to me he is a chivalrous male, carrying all her things for her, so his name could be
“Señor Fish” (assuming he is from Mexico).
Merci beaucoup for this heart-warming post.
Such a lovely, tender post, Kristi. Surely there are olive trees in paradise!
Some thoughts on Jules’ purse: to me he is a chivalrous male, carrying all her things for her, so his name could be
“Señor Fish” (assuming he is from Mexico).
Merci beaucoup for this heart-warming post.
Spending time with you all was one of the highlights the trip! And I adore Jules! I can’t wait to visit again, to cook and forage with you! xxx
Spending time with you all was one of the highlights the trip! And I adore Jules! I can’t wait to visit again, to cook and forage with you! xxx
Jules is so beautiful. I know that she has some wonderful stories to tell when she returns home. Your experiences together sound like some of my own when I visited my mom. I always went away thinking I shouldn’t have said one thing or another. I just spent a month in France and this is my first day at home. It is hot and dry. Friends say they don’t believe it rained for the entire month, while in France it rained almost every day. I hope your flowers and plants flourish, and I hope the same for your beautiful mom.
Jules is so beautiful. I know that she has some wonderful stories to tell when she returns home. Your experiences together sound like some of my own when I visited my mom. I always went away thinking I shouldn’t have said one thing or another. I just spent a month in France and this is my first day at home. It is hot and dry. Friends say they don’t believe it rained for the entire month, while in France it rained almost every day. I hope your flowers and plants flourish, and I hope the same for your beautiful mom.
Au revoir, Jules. Hopefully, a bientot. We have enjoyed your visit through Kristi’s sharing. Thanks, Kristi, for the photos, which show La Belle Mere avec beaucoup d’esprit. I think Maman has found the secret of enjoying life. Don’t sweat the small stuff and wake up anticipating the new day. A pretty good outlook, n’est-ce pas?
Au revoir, Jules. Hopefully, a bientot. We have enjoyed your visit through Kristi’s sharing. Thanks, Kristi, for the photos, which show La Belle Mere avec beaucoup d’esprit. I think Maman has found the secret of enjoying life. Don’t sweat the small stuff and wake up anticipating the new day. A pretty good outlook, n’est-ce pas?
Have enjoyed your photos and news for some time now and especially of your mother’s latest visit with you but there is one question I have never seen asked and that is ‘would your mother like living nearer to you and your family in France instead of her living in Mexico?’
Have enjoyed your photos and news for some time now and especially of your mother’s latest visit with you but there is one question I have never seen asked and that is ‘would your mother like living nearer to you and your family in France instead of her living in Mexico?’
Bon voyage, Jules, and best wishes for smooth re-entry into your life in Mexico!
Bon voyage, Jules, and best wishes for smooth re-entry into your life in Mexico!
Call it “pursson” (poisson)???
Call it “pursson” (poisson)???
Jules…you look stunning in your blue and white! I’m sorry you couldn’t have stayed a bit longer in France so we could be with you.
Jules…you look stunning in your blue and white! I’m sorry you couldn’t have stayed a bit longer in France so we could be with you.
Bonjour! Took Mom to the airport yesterday and am catching up on my correspondence now. Thank you for the very encouraging words you have left in the comments box. A few comments have not come through (including one of my own), but I wanted to answer those of you who asked about Moms top and where she bought it. Mom does not shop, but her dear husband buys her all her outfits. I do not know where he gets them. If I ever find out I will let you know 🙂
Bonjour! Took Mom to the airport yesterday and am catching up on my correspondence now. Thank you for the very encouraging words you have left in the comments box. A few comments have not come through (including one of my own), but I wanted to answer those of you who asked about Moms top and where she bought it. Mom does not shop, but her dear husband buys her all her outfits. I do not know where he gets them. If I ever find out I will let you know 🙂
I’d call her purse ~ poisson de la mere. or petit poisson de la mere…..I just couldn’t resist the play on words.
I’d call her purse ~ poisson de la mere. or petit poisson de la mere…..I just couldn’t resist the play on words.
I missed travel day somehow and hate that I did but hope the return flight was smoothe and relaxing.
Kristin, don’t believe you can remotely imagine the delight, the feelings and the wonder you share with all of us by your beautiful photography and carefully painted words. I know you realize how beautiful your Jules is but want to let you know that we, too, know. She has to be one of the most beautiful women on this planet. And that dazzling smile!!!!! Then to see that she is her very own gal is so refreshing. What an inspiration!
Thank you for sharing Jules with us and the special bond the two of you share. I know you miss her very much.
Hugs and love, jacquie
I missed travel day somehow and hate that I did but hope the return flight was smoothe and relaxing.
Kristin, don’t believe you can remotely imagine the delight, the feelings and the wonder you share with all of us by your beautiful photography and carefully painted words. I know you realize how beautiful your Jules is but want to let you know that we, too, know. She has to be one of the most beautiful women on this planet. And that dazzling smile!!!!! Then to see that she is her very own gal is so refreshing. What an inspiration!
Thank you for sharing Jules with us and the special bond the two of you share. I know you miss her very much.
Hugs and love, jacquie