I have a little gift for you today. The gift of language. Today's word of the day–make that "words" of the day, for there are many here–is in the story below. You'll also learn about this photo–snapped December 19th in the town of Bandol.
A Day in a French Life… by Kristin Espinasse
Driving round and round the seaside town of Bandol, I heard a faint mumbling beneath my breath:
"But of course there's no parking–everyone's set out to do their gift shopping just like you!"
Stalled at yet another crosswalk, herds of shoppers passing by my car, coats and purses scraping against my headlights, I looked up at the giant Santa. He seemed as troubled as I (just look at those eyes!).
Troubled and nervous! With the rain pouring down on my windshield, I proceeded to the next stop–and yet another crosswalk. It was tricky to see the pedestrians–given their knack for appearing from behind dark corners and landing in the middle of the street!
With stress and frustration mounting, I had an urge to peel out of traffic and head for a quiet place to wait things out. I had one hour until my daughter's school bus arrived. Instead of using it wisely (to hunt for presents), I could use it indulgently (to pout!).
Now was a good time for a pep talk!
Look, there's a fishing and tackle store! You'd never have seen it if it weren't for this parking dilemma! You're sure to find something for Jean-Marc in there… One less thing to worry about! See what happens when you consider the bright side of things? GOOD happens!
My emotions jumped from despair to the very heady feeling I had now–that of espoir! Hope born of humility–for isn't that how it works? Put aside doubt (Will I ever find a gift?) and pride (And not just any gift—the perfect gift!) and intolerance (why am I not finding parking NOW)–and experience grace!
Grace indeed! Not only did a parking spot appear, but so did a peaceful and inspiring scene! I locked my car door and hurried over to the dock, just a few feet away, to snap a photo of some old fishing boats. Pointus! Their little masts were lined with Christmas lights.
The scene! And the colors! That blue, that gold. It was right out of a Van Gogh Starry Night painting.
I pulled my new Smartphone out of my coat pocket and approached the line of boats. Clicking on the camera app I knew chances were slim, this time, that a grumpy homeowner would pop out of one of those port windows and scold me for filming.
With my umbrella teetering on my shoulder, my hands were free to take several pictures before turning toward the boutique-lined streets, opposite the port.
My former cares had completely fallen away as I marched down the street to collect Jean-Marc's gift. I still had no idea what the gift was, but felt confident of finding it in the tackle shop I'd spotted while stuck in traffic. And to think what a pathetic doubter I'd been! All it had taken was a slight tweak to my attitude. How well I'd handled that! How wise I had become!
Rounding the corner I stopped dead in my hi-falutin' tracks. Oh no! The tackle store was closed!
C'est pas vrai! Now what to do? That old familiar grumbling returned, a little more colorful than before–as echoed in the words of the grumpy shoppers who passed me by: "@$#! Why are shops closing at 5pm, days before Christmas?!"
Yes! Dagnabbit! Why indeed? Now what was *I* to do?
As I stared at the cobblestone pavement, watching puddles form where pavers were missing, a little inkling came along–hoppity hop hop–like a one-legged bird.
The little inkling said: "Excuse me, Mam, but maybe you need to retake The Test?"
"The Test?"
"Yes, Mam," Little Inkling said, reaching for the toe of my boot to balance his one-legged self. "See, so far it's been easy. You remembered to slow down, to breathe. You readjusted your attitude. You gleefully snapped up that parking spot and enjoyed the impressionistic scene just beyond it… but somewhere between there and here you–if you don't mind my saying–somewhere along the line you got a little sidetracked.
Distracted?
I thought back to all those shoppers I'd skipped past… and that smug feeling I had at being the one person around here who knew just where she was headed! How impatient I'd become when that slowpoke (the one back there with the sagging bonnet and cane) dawdled in front of the chemiserie, blocking my way to the tackle store!
A tackle store that was now closed! Shoot! If I'd only sped it up a bit, I'd have made it in time!
"No!" said Little Inkling, hopping excitedly around my foot. "That's not the answer."
"Well, what IS the answer?"
As Little Inkling and I stood debating, the one towering over the other, SlowPoke–with her saggy bonnet and noisy cane–had eclipsed us! She hobbled up the street, the picture of perseverance.
Looking back down to Mr. Inkling, I laughed. "Well, I thought I'd learned to trust in the outcome. But now that this store is closed, it's true–I'm riddled with doubt again! How will I ever finish my Christmas shopping on time? I guess now's the real test–to trust another opportunity will soon appear."
(Here, Little Inkling cleared his throat…)
"Oh yes," I remembered, "And, meantime, to be patient with others along the way!"
"Très bien!" the little one-footed creature said. And, turning his beak up the path, my eyes followed his gesture until I saw a glowing light in the quincaillerie, or hardware store.
"Aha! I have just the idea for Jean-Marc! Oh, thank you, Little Inkling! Thank you!"
I hurried up the street, pausing cautiously at the crosswalk. As I stood looking left, right, and left again, ever the prudent American, someone leaped off the curb from behind me, landing right in the middle of the street!
I shook my head in appreciation, watching as SlowPoke traversed the rue, just like any French pedestrian worth her salt. Crippled or not, they sure know how to stop traffic!
Post note: the names of the characters in today's story have been changed, in respect of their privacy. But I can share with you their professions:
- "Little Inkling" is a spokesperson for the non-profit "A Fish's Rights!" (spends his weeknights in front of the tackle shop, distracting would-be shoppers!).
- "SlowPoke"– she's a B-movie stuntwoman and a seamstress at the chemisier.
- The character known as "Kristin" goes by "The Birthday Girl" in real life–or at least on Sunday–when she'll turn 46!
All three wayward souls wish you happy holidays–may the coming week bring you peace and joy! Thank you for reading and for all the encouragement you have sent me in 2013. I hope these stories encourage you, too.
FRENCH VOCABULARY
la quincaillerie = hardware store
l'espoir = hope
un pointu = classic Mediterranean fishing boat
c'est pas vrai! = No way!
la chemiserie = shirt shop
Listen to A French Christmas and "Mon Beau Sapin", "Saint Nuit", "La Marche des Rois", "Petite Ville Bethléem", "Il est né Le Divin Enfant".
Picture taken up the street from the tack shop. My perfect birthday gift would be for all those chairs to be filled with those who read and enjoy this blog! Let's see about a meet-up here, in the new year!
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Kristin,
Great story, and a wonderful lesson, especially for us New Yorkers!
My sister-in-law, a retired French teacher in the states, sent me the site subscription link, and I’m glad that she did.
You do a wonderful job! As a retired English teacher, I appreciate your knack for writing.
Merry Christmas!
Kevin
Kristin,
Great story, and a wonderful lesson, especially for us New Yorkers!
My sister-in-law, a retired French teacher in the states, sent me the site subscription link, and I’m glad that she did.
You do a wonderful job! As a retired English teacher, I appreciate your knack for writing.
Merry Christmas!
Kevin
Joyeuses Fetes and Bon Anniversaire, Kristin!
Joyeuses Fetes and Bon Anniversaire, Kristin!
Hi Kristin,
Love your story today! Joyeux Noël!
Hi Kristin,
Love your story today! Joyeux Noël!
I love Bandol! The best salade Nicoise I ever ate was in that lovely little town. A meet-up there next year would be fabulous! If it is early June, I might just make it! Joyeux Noël, Kristin!
I love Bandol! The best salade Nicoise I ever ate was in that lovely little town. A meet-up there next year would be fabulous! If it is early June, I might just make it! Joyeux Noël, Kristin!
As busy as this time of year is, I wat to wish you a very happy and blessed birthday, Kristin, even though it is early! Start celebrating now!
As busy as this time of year is, I wat to wish you a very happy and blessed birthday, Kristin, even though it is early! Start celebrating now!
Happy Birthday, Kristin. After 43 years of marriage I still haven’t learned to shop for my wife’s Christmas presents early, I guess I like the pressure of last minute shopping but it doesn’t improve my choice of presents any. Merry Christmas!!
Happy Birthday, Kristin. After 43 years of marriage I still haven’t learned to shop for my wife’s Christmas presents early, I guess I like the pressure of last minute shopping but it doesn’t improve my choice of presents any. Merry Christmas!!
Particularly superb photos today – you really have an eye.
And, incurable English teacher that I am, and realizing I should give you pass as you live in a francophone environment, I’ll gently point out that you meant “faint” not “feint” in your text!
Bonnes fêtes!!
Particularly superb photos today – you really have an eye.
And, incurable English teacher that I am, and realizing I should give you pass as you live in a francophone environment, I’ll gently point out that you meant “faint” not “feint” in your text!
Bonnes fêtes!!
Just as I was about to wallow in my Christmas blues,your post and this picture brought warmth to my heart!
Thank you, Kristen.
Just as I was about to wallow in my Christmas blues,your post and this picture brought warmth to my heart!
Thank you, Kristen.
Love and thanks to you and to all of the commenting friends and family for another year of FWAD joy. Let’s all carry Little Inkling around with us in generosity of sprit, during this magical season.
[By the way, Kristin, nice smartphone photos! Do you carry your camera less these days because of that?]
Have a wonderful birthday, Kristin!
Love and thanks to you and to all of the commenting friends and family for another year of FWAD joy. Let’s all carry Little Inkling around with us in generosity of sprit, during this magical season.
[By the way, Kristin, nice smartphone photos! Do you carry your camera less these days because of that?]
Have a wonderful birthday, Kristin!
Thanks once again, Kristin, for a charming story of life in France and your very personal perspective. I always appreciate reading your stories. Wishing you and yours the best of holidays!
John
28330 Charbonnieres, France
Thanks once again, Kristin, for a charming story of life in France and your very personal perspective. I always appreciate reading your stories. Wishing you and yours the best of holidays!
John
28330 Charbonnieres, France
Happy birthday, Kristin, and thank you for the timely reminders in today’s post…it’s as if you have the birthday, and we get the gifts! Bless you and keep you well in 2014, and all your family, too. Joyeux Noel et Bonne Année!
Happy birthday, Kristin, and thank you for the timely reminders in today’s post…it’s as if you have the birthday, and we get the gifts! Bless you and keep you well in 2014, and all your family, too. Joyeux Noel et Bonne Année!
Merry Christmas ! And Merci for a year of posts and discoveries of spirit and soul. Happy birthday! We are both Christmas babies, but I much older! Give yourself a big hug for your courage and love sent to so many readers!
Merry Christmas ! And Merci for a year of posts and discoveries of spirit and soul. Happy birthday! We are both Christmas babies, but I much older! Give yourself a big hug for your courage and love sent to so many readers!
Joyeux Noel, Bonne Année & Bon Anniversaire! Merci for all your thoughtful blogs throughout the year. As we are planning a trip to France next year, a meet-up sounds wonderful. It would be great to meet you and see Jean-Marc again. Please write more about his vineyard project. Best regards
Joyeux Noel, Bonne Année & Bon Anniversaire! Merci for all your thoughtful blogs throughout the year. As we are planning a trip to France next year, a meet-up sounds wonderful. It would be great to meet you and see Jean-Marc again. Please write more about his vineyard project. Best regards
Ah, ‘Tis the season to breathe deep, relax, and believe in miracles! http://permissionslips.wordpress.com/
Ah, ‘Tis the season to breathe deep, relax, and believe in miracles! http://permissionslips.wordpress.com/
You are very wise indeed…thank you for reminding us all to learn the lessons that are around us all the time. Merry Christmas. It has been years since I have been to the South of France with it’s wonderful bright colors and sun. I seem to always return to Paris. Maybe some day soon I will be back to the South. Your photos are such a wonderful reminder to me of how lovely it is.
You are very wise indeed…thank you for reminding us all to learn the lessons that are around us all the time. Merry Christmas. It has been years since I have been to the South of France with it’s wonderful bright colors and sun. I seem to always return to Paris. Maybe some day soon I will be back to the South. Your photos are such a wonderful reminder to me of how lovely it is.
Loved the boat pic. Our French forefathers built boats in Le Seynne, France and New Orleans, LA USA more than a century ago.
(In placing things in time, I must remind myself of my own age and things are farther back than I think. ;o)
Fay Plauche’ Butler
Loved the boat pic. Our French forefathers built boats in Le Seynne, France and New Orleans, LA USA more than a century ago.
(In placing things in time, I must remind myself of my own age and things are farther back than I think. ;o)
Fay Plauche’ Butler
Hi Kristin. Another little typo to add to the one pointed out by Jane, above. Change ‘lept’ to ‘leapt.’
Have a Happy Christmas.
Hi Kristin. Another little typo to add to the one pointed out by Jane, above. Change ‘lept’ to ‘leapt.’
Have a Happy Christmas.
Hi Kristin. Another little typo to add to the one pointed out by Jane, above. Change ‘lept’ to ‘leapt.’
Have a Happy Christmas.
Hi Kristin. Another little typo to add to the one pointed out by Jane, above. Change ‘lept’ to ‘leapt.’
Have a Happy Christmas.
merci beaucoup Kristin, One day at a time, one moment at a time helps us focus on what’s really important ! ce qui compte,
Joyeux Noël…
et je voulais dire que je recommande souvent votre blog aux amis et ils l’apprécient beaucoup! Merci, Margot
merci beaucoup Kristin, One day at a time, one moment at a time helps us focus on what’s really important ! ce qui compte,
Joyeux Noël…
et je voulais dire que je recommande souvent votre blog aux amis et ils l’apprécient beaucoup! Merci, Margot
Happy Birthday! I keep thinking you’ll catch up to me in years but alas, I seemed to have jumped ahead a bit lately! Tant pis! Remember, with age comes wisdom. …at least I hope it does!
Happy Birthday! I keep thinking you’ll catch up to me in years but alas, I seemed to have jumped ahead a bit lately! Tant pis! Remember, with age comes wisdom. …at least I hope it does!
Kristin, merci pour votre magnifique blog.
Joyeux Noel et Bonne Annee!
Kristin, merci pour votre magnifique blog.
Joyeux Noel et Bonne Annee!
In your first sentence you mean “faint,” not “feint.”
In your first sentence you mean “faint,” not “feint.”
What a wonderful set of metaphors for the path to happiness. Full of rich language. May that force (of Little Inkling) stay with you (and may I absorb some of it!). Thank you.
What a wonderful set of metaphors for the path to happiness. Full of rich language. May that force (of Little Inkling) stay with you (and may I absorb some of it!). Thank you.
Kristi, quel plaisir de voir les belles photos de Bandol! Wish I were there! Thanks for your insight and inspiration, as always. Joyeux Noel et très bon anniversaire.
Kristi, quel plaisir de voir les belles photos de Bandol! Wish I were there! Thanks for your insight and inspiration, as always. Joyeux Noel et très bon anniversaire.
Kristin, Loved your story today! A good reminder to slow down and observe the beauty all around us. Love you photo of the boats. I saw boats decorated like that in tropical Honolulu last Christmas, Such a nice surprise. Hope to visit Bandol one day it looks charming . Joyeux Noel a ta famille!
Kristin, Loved your story today! A good reminder to slow down and observe the beauty all around us. Love you photo of the boats. I saw boats decorated like that in tropical Honolulu last Christmas, Such a nice surprise. Hope to visit Bandol one day it looks charming . Joyeux Noel a ta famille!