Last month's sabbatical began in Paris… More in today's letter.
We will be back to the regular format of French Word-A-Day soon. Meantime, there's a letter waiting for you, just below, and a few ways to say 'hello.'
You know the word for "hi" in French. Here are some other oft-heard salutations. Have fun changing up your greetings next time you see a friend.
- salut (hi!)
- coucou (hey there!)
Bonjour! When last we spoke I talked about a one-month sabbatical. What I didn't tell you was how nervous I was about taking it. There was that risk of never coming back….
For decades (since young adulthood) I've lived with this belief that I am an all or nothing person. That, for example, if I dared keep this gig as a writer, I'd better keep on track–or veer off to The Land of Flake forever. (Flake–flakiness…).
But I have also secretly suspected that, deep down, I'm NOT an all or nothing person. That there is a resilient, flexible, can stop and start again soul at the helm of my personcraft, or being. Sometimes we just have to throw off our life jackets and test the waters. Thank you, dear reader, for waiting there on the raft for me! You promised to be there when I swam back. If you are reading now you can see my outstretched hand. I'm ready to get back on dry ground. Are you still ready?
One, two, three… heave!
Before setting off for a new season of writing, I'd like to take a moment to thank those readers who joined me on the one week AmaWaterways Paris to Normandy cruise last month. What a warm-hearted and fascinating group you were.
Thank you Joan and Glenn, Jean-Marie and Mark, Chris and George, Celia and Martha, Julie and Brad, and last but not least, thank you Nan and Tom and Charles and Martha (these two showed up for a surprise visit when we docked outside of Paris!). Thanks also to readers Julie and John (who were on the cruise just before us, and who took the time to leave a message in my room. I was delighted to read it!).
I would also like to thank my best friend Susan Boehnstedt (aka "Rouge-Bleu") of Critics Choice Vacations. Susan invited Jean-Marc and me to host the cruise, after highly suggesting our candidature to AMAWaterways! (Thank you Denise, at AMA, for making this possible!)
Going on this cruise was the best chance to see a beautiful part of France. And while it is hard to pinpoint a favorite endroit, or place–or a favorite thing about the cruise–I will share a comment by Jean-Marc, one that wonderfully captures the gift of cruising with AMAWaterways:
C'est bien reposant! How restful this is! (This, coming from an overworked winemaker and business man, is the best compliment one could give. So thanks to the hard workers at AMAWaterways for keeping an impeccably run boat. We enjoyed our chance to travel with you!
I leave you now with a few pictures from our cruise along the river (more photos to come). I hope these images will inspire you to travel the waterways of France. For more information, contact Susan at Critics Choice Vacations: Susan@CriticsChoiceVacations.com Phone: 480-831-9076
There were so many breathtaking landscapes along the waterways. We stopped in Les Andelys for a view from above.
In Rouen we stood where crowds witnessed the demise of Joan of Arc (flames once went up where now you see the plaque on a bed of flowers.)
I didn't get a picture of the irises that grown on these traditional rooftops. But I did get a snapshot of this little Norman boy as our tour bus cruised past.
Taken with Susan's camera (that's her, left, me, right). I think Linda took this photo. Linda is Susan's longtime friend from their days in Douglas, Arizona. It was a pleasure to meet Linda and spend pre-cruise time together in Paris. I especially enjoyed our lunch together in Île Saint-Louis where we chatted about Susan (were your ears burning, Rouge-Bleu?). The picture was taken in Honfleur, where we froze. Thankfully Celia (mentioned in the Thank you section, above) had this handmade bonnet on hand.
Here's Linda with Susan, in Honfleur.
The most touching moment of the trip was our visit to Omaha beach. I leave you with this image (more to come). This is Janet, whom I met on the cruise. I found her all alone. Lowering her umbrella, she spoke to the lost heros. Her gesture puts words to the gratitude in all our hearts.
Everyone loves this holiday CD! Listen to A French Christmas and "Mon Beau Sapin", "Saint Nuit", "La Marche des Rois", "Petite Ville Bethléem", "Il est né Le Divin Enfant". Order CD here.
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Welcome back, Kristi…it is good to have you back in the saddle (see, you climbed up all by yourself). I, for one have been cranky with wordaday withdrawal and look forward to the next installment!
Welcome back, Kristi…it is good to have you back in the saddle (see, you climbed up all by yourself). I, for one have been cranky with wordaday withdrawal and look forward to the next installment!
So glad you’re back. I am looking forward to hearing about and seeing more of your trip.
So glad you’re back. I am looking forward to hearing about and seeing more of your trip.
Bonjour! Good to have you back. Looking forward hearing your stories of the past month. Thanks for the beautiful pictures et a bientot!
Bonjour! Good to have you back. Looking forward hearing your stories of the past month. Thanks for the beautiful pictures et a bientot!
Welcome back. I missed you and was so happy to see your post.
Keep it going! Phyllis
Welcome back. I missed you and was so happy to see your post.
Keep it going! Phyllis
So happy you’re back! I really missed your blogs, but glad you had a chance to have such a lovely vacation. Normandy is such a wonderful place – thanks for the photo of Honfleur, a place I enjoyed visiting – as well as Normandy Beach.
So happy you’re back! I really missed your blogs, but glad you had a chance to have such a lovely vacation. Normandy is such a wonderful place – thanks for the photo of Honfleur, a place I enjoyed visiting – as well as Normandy Beach.
wondered where you were and assumed you were on a jaunt somewhere or taking a well deserved quiet break for quiet time! coming to your part of the world soon. Any suggestions on villages east of Marseille to locate as we visit the many museums of the Cote d’Azur area?
wondered where you were and assumed you were on a jaunt somewhere or taking a well deserved quiet break for quiet time! coming to your part of the world soon. Any suggestions on villages east of Marseille to locate as we visit the many museums of the Cote d’Azur area?
Coucou, glad to see you back, plan on spending 5 weeks in Europe next Sept., hope to get around to say Bonjour and see your new digs in Bandol, Best to you and yours, have a great Holiday. Lou Bogue
Coucou, glad to see you back, plan on spending 5 weeks in Europe next Sept., hope to get around to say Bonjour and see your new digs in Bandol, Best to you and yours, have a great Holiday. Lou Bogue
So glad to see you back!
Visiting “Bloody Omaha” and the American Cemetery above the beach is about as moving as one can get.
My lovely wife, Melissa, fell in love with Normandy on our first visit. Each time we’ve visited we’ve hired a battlefield guide for two days and it really has allowed her to understand my passion for studying it and to give her a glimpse of what her father experienced in a career as an Army officer with two tours in Viet Nam.
On our September trip, we were down in your neck of the woods, though way over in Avignon. We did also visit battlefields, since I’ve studied and lectured on the fighting during August of ’44 in southern France. It included a tour by Colonel Pierre Balliot, who drove up from the coast to show us around.
So glad to see you back!
Visiting “Bloody Omaha” and the American Cemetery above the beach is about as moving as one can get.
My lovely wife, Melissa, fell in love with Normandy on our first visit. Each time we’ve visited we’ve hired a battlefield guide for two days and it really has allowed her to understand my passion for studying it and to give her a glimpse of what her father experienced in a career as an Army officer with two tours in Viet Nam.
On our September trip, we were down in your neck of the woods, though way over in Avignon. We did also visit battlefields, since I’ve studied and lectured on the fighting during August of ’44 in southern France. It included a tour by Colonel Pierre Balliot, who drove up from the coast to show us around.
Very happy to receive your post this morning, Kristin! Welcome back!! We all need a break now and then and it is truly refreshing and rejuvenating. We missed you!
Julie
Very happy to receive your post this morning, Kristin! Welcome back!! We all need a break now and then and it is truly refreshing and rejuvenating. We missed you!
Julie
Welcome back! I was so happy to receive your post again! For sure missed your blog ,yet, am glad you took some time to rest, rejuvenate and have some fun along the way!
Loved the pictures, especially the ones with a bike and, of course, the one that showed a women writing “Thank You” in the sand.
Welcome back! I was so happy to receive your post again! For sure missed your blog ,yet, am glad you took some time to rest, rejuvenate and have some fun along the way!
Loved the pictures, especially the ones with a bike and, of course, the one that showed a women writing “Thank You” in the sand.
So glad to have you back. I have missed your writing very much as it always brightens my day. You have brought a smile to my face. Thank you! Frances in Napa, California
So glad to have you back. I have missed your writing very much as it always brightens my day. You have brought a smile to my face. Thank you! Frances in Napa, California
Bonjour Kristin! Glad to read you again. Your lovely photos remind me of my last trip to France in 2011 when we visited Normandy. I’m anxious to return.
Toni
Antoinette French Design
Bonjour Kristin! Glad to read you again. Your lovely photos remind me of my last trip to France in 2011 when we visited Normandy. I’m anxious to return.
Toni
Antoinette French Design
Bonjour Kristin:
Sounds like you had a “bon temps”. What a great way to travel. Looking forward to more photos of your memorable trip.
Edie from Savannah
Bonjour Kristin:
Sounds like you had a “bon temps”. What a great way to travel. Looking forward to more photos of your memorable trip.
Edie from Savannah
Welcome back, Kristin! I love your blog and have read your books and sent copies to friends. My husband and I were on a Uniworld Paris to Normandy cruise in October 2013, so loved reminiscing with you. Our visit to Normandy was incredibly moving. We could not visit the American cemetery because of the US government shutdown, so visited the beautiful British one instead. We remain grateful to all the allies who landed in Normandy. We agree with Jean Marc- the cruise was so relaxing! Thank you for the photos and comments. Looking forward to enjoying your blog with my morning cup of coffee. Bien amicalement, Carol Carney (Lake Geneva, Wisconsin)
Welcome back, Kristin! I love your blog and have read your books and sent copies to friends. My husband and I were on a Uniworld Paris to Normandy cruise in October 2013, so loved reminiscing with you. Our visit to Normandy was incredibly moving. We could not visit the American cemetery because of the US government shutdown, so visited the beautiful British one instead. We remain grateful to all the allies who landed in Normandy. We agree with Jean Marc- the cruise was so relaxing! Thank you for the photos and comments. Looking forward to enjoying your blog with my morning cup of coffee. Bien amicalement, Carol Carney (Lake Geneva, Wisconsin)
C’est très bien de vous voir Kristin – aussi de lire encore les événements quotidiens di votre vie. Josephine in the UK (You can see I’ve been practising)
C’est très bien de vous voir Kristin – aussi de lire encore les événements quotidiens di votre vie. Josephine in the UK (You can see I’ve been practising)
Hi Kristi! Welcome home. We’ve missed you. The cruise photos are fabulous. Seems you had a wonderful time! God Bless! xoNancy L
Hi Kristi! Welcome home. We’ve missed you. The cruise photos are fabulous. Seems you had a wonderful time! God Bless! xoNancy L
Welcome back, Kristen! You were missed. Beautiful pictures that brought back many memories.
Welcome back, Kristen! You were missed. Beautiful pictures that brought back many memories.
Yippee! You’re back at it. Your posts have been missed bt me and my French IV and V (AP/IB) classes. Let your most interesting life saga continue!
Yippee! You’re back at it. Your posts have been missed bt me and my French IV and V (AP/IB) classes. Let your most interesting life saga continue!
Welcome back! My morning routine hasn’t been the same without you! It amazes me that you manage to find your muse several times a week. Rest assured that your writing and choice of subject matter brighten many lives all over the world. I was particularly pleased to see all the positive comments re AmaWaterways. My husband and I are signed up for a July cruise with them from Prague to Budapest and now I’m looking forward to it even more eagerly than ever.
Your Omaha Beach photo brought back a flood of memories of trips we’ve taken there. The entire area–the Beaches, Arromanches, Port Winston, the American and German cemeteries, the Peace Museum in Caen–is one every American should experience. You probably wouldn’t have seen this in November, but, like Mary Jo above, we felt a bit disconcerted at first by the laughter of children playing on the beach and families pique-nique-ing as though they were completely oblivious to the drama that unfolded there. However, I came to realize that this is THEIR beach and life goes on. Those who gave their lives on that beach would probably have their hearts gladdened by the enjoyment of renewed freedom on their battleground. That’s what they fought and made the ultimate sacrifice for!
Welcome back! My morning routine hasn’t been the same without you! It amazes me that you manage to find your muse several times a week. Rest assured that your writing and choice of subject matter brighten many lives all over the world. I was particularly pleased to see all the positive comments re AmaWaterways. My husband and I are signed up for a July cruise with them from Prague to Budapest and now I’m looking forward to it even more eagerly than ever.
Your Omaha Beach photo brought back a flood of memories of trips we’ve taken there. The entire area–the Beaches, Arromanches, Port Winston, the American and German cemeteries, the Peace Museum in Caen–is one every American should experience. You probably wouldn’t have seen this in November, but, like Mary Jo above, we felt a bit disconcerted at first by the laughter of children playing on the beach and families pique-nique-ing as though they were completely oblivious to the drama that unfolded there. However, I came to realize that this is THEIR beach and life goes on. Those who gave their lives on that beach would probably have their hearts gladdened by the enjoyment of renewed freedom on their battleground. That’s what they fought and made the ultimate sacrifice for!
Welcome back. It’s good to get away sometimes and enjoy a fresh perspective on life … and then … home again, home again jiggity jig (can you believe that when my daughter said those very same nursery rhyme words to a group of friends at college, none of them had any idea what she was talking about?! : ) In any event, it’ll be nice to open my email to your missives.
Welcome back. It’s good to get away sometimes and enjoy a fresh perspective on life … and then … home again, home again jiggity jig (can you believe that when my daughter said those very same nursery rhyme words to a group of friends at college, none of them had any idea what she was talking about?! : ) In any event, it’ll be nice to open my email to your missives.
Welcome Home, Kristin!
Welcome Home, Kristin!
Coucou! (That’s the one I get the most in French e-mails). Bienvenue de retour. It was so great to spend time with you on the boat and to have such great conversation with J-M on the drive home. I hope the kids and dogs survived the week without you. Here’s hoping I can head south to Bandol sometime in the near future.
Coucou! (That’s the one I get the most in French e-mails). Bienvenue de retour. It was so great to spend time with you on the boat and to have such great conversation with J-M on the drive home. I hope the kids and dogs survived the week without you. Here’s hoping I can head south to Bandol sometime in the near future.
Welcome back! What an exciting tour. Looking forward to more pictures. Thanks
Welcome back! What an exciting tour. Looking forward to more pictures. Thanks
WELCOME BACK ! I KEPT CHECKING THE CALENDAR AND WATCHED TO DAYS DRAG ON. SOUNDS LIKE YOU HAD A GREAT ADVENTURE.
GUS ELISON
WELCOME BACK ! I KEPT CHECKING THE CALENDAR AND WATCHED TO DAYS DRAG ON. SOUNDS LIKE YOU HAD A GREAT ADVENTURE.
GUS ELISON
Welcome back! While you were shivering in the north, we were trying to stay warm in Aix 😉 Hope to see you next time we’re over-
Anne
Welcome back! While you were shivering in the north, we were trying to stay warm in Aix 😉 Hope to see you next time we’re over-
Anne