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!
Discover more from French Word-A-Day
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Favourite word in this post…..”Dagnabbit”!!!! 🙂
Forgotten how it can be cold and raining for Christmas on the other side of the world as I was busy yesterday in the sweltering heat planting, mulching and watering my garden in readiness for family lunch outside (hopefully) this year!!
Wishing you a wonderful and happy birthday for tomorrow and hopefully the rest of your family also have some “Little Inklings” as to what would make your day special!
Now… off to water the plants!!
xx
Favourite word in this post…..”Dagnabbit”!!!! 🙂
Forgotten how it can be cold and raining for Christmas on the other side of the world as I was busy yesterday in the sweltering heat planting, mulching and watering my garden in readiness for family lunch outside (hopefully) this year!!
Wishing you a wonderful and happy birthday for tomorrow and hopefully the rest of your family also have some “Little Inklings” as to what would make your day special!
Now… off to water the plants!!
xx
I must say “dagnabbit” struck a chord. Gabby Hayes et les autres hommes dans L’ouest au cinema il y a soixante ans et plus. Quite the American Western phrase that I haven’t heard in many years. How talented you are in personalizing emotions, as in “The Little Inkling”. Thank you for sharing your shopping adventure, your thoughts and best of luck in finding the “cadeau parfait” for Jean-Marc. Most of all, Bonne Anniversaire et Joyeux Noel. Bandol looks lovely. Wish we could all be there in those chairs.
I must say “dagnabbit” struck a chord. Gabby Hayes et les autres hommes dans L’ouest au cinema il y a soixante ans et plus. Quite the American Western phrase that I haven’t heard in many years. How talented you are in personalizing emotions, as in “The Little Inkling”. Thank you for sharing your shopping adventure, your thoughts and best of luck in finding the “cadeau parfait” for Jean-Marc. Most of all, Bonne Anniversaire et Joyeux Noel. Bandol looks lovely. Wish we could all be there in those chairs.
Kristin – You are such a delight!! I LOVE, LOVE reading your posts. And I LOVE the picture at the end of the church! It should definitely go in your next book! I would die to come for a meet-up there!! I loved today’s post. You are such a warm, wonderful, insightful, thoughtful, creative, passionate, beautiful person – inside and out. Happy Holidays from Phoenix (Chandler)!
Kristin – You are such a delight!! I LOVE, LOVE reading your posts. And I LOVE the picture at the end of the church! It should definitely go in your next book! I would die to come for a meet-up there!! I loved today’s post. You are such a warm, wonderful, insightful, thoughtful, creative, passionate, beautiful person – inside and out. Happy Holidays from Phoenix (Chandler)!
Happy Christmas! Thank you for your lovely stories. They always brighten my day.
Happy Christmas! Thank you for your lovely stories. They always brighten my day.
You bring joy to my heart, lovely story today if only I could be there to share your birthday what a would be wonderful event to look forward to. Miracles still happen I believe, one never knows happy festive season to you and your family love you Kristin
June, Gold Coast
You bring joy to my heart, lovely story today if only I could be there to share your birthday what a would be wonderful event to look forward to. Miracles still happen I believe, one never knows happy festive season to you and your family love you Kristin
June, Gold Coast
Happy, happy birthday, Kristin. May the coming year bring you as much joy as you have brought to others. “For it is in giving that we receive…”
Happy, happy birthday, Kristin. May the coming year bring you as much joy as you have brought to others. “For it is in giving that we receive…”
Happy Birthday,Kristin!
Thank you for this blog, which I treasure and savor.
Happy Birthday,Kristin!
Thank you for this blog, which I treasure and savor.
Happy Birthday & Merry Christmas to you & your family!
Thanks for all the information on day to day french . So helpful to we expats having to use french on a daily basis. Here in Roussillion the locals steadfastly refuse to speak English, & also speak french with a Catalan accent !!
But we chose to live here and so ‘buckle down and get on with it !!’ Anyway, it’s such a lovely part of the world in which to live, & the local people are so friendly & helpful .
I always enjoy your thrice weekly blog. I feel a bit of a connection since my youngest daughter now lives in Phoenix !
p.s Did you know that British Airways fly direcct to Phoenix from Heathrow ?
Happy Birthday & Merry Christmas to you & your family!
Thanks for all the information on day to day french . So helpful to we expats having to use french on a daily basis. Here in Roussillion the locals steadfastly refuse to speak English, & also speak french with a Catalan accent !!
But we chose to live here and so ‘buckle down and get on with it !!’ Anyway, it’s such a lovely part of the world in which to live, & the local people are so friendly & helpful .
I always enjoy your thrice weekly blog. I feel a bit of a connection since my youngest daughter now lives in Phoenix !
p.s Did you know that British Airways fly direcct to Phoenix from Heathrow ?
Happy Birthday, bonne anniversaire! Meilleurs voeux pour un Joyeux Noel et Bonne Annee…
Happy Birthday, bonne anniversaire! Meilleurs voeux pour un Joyeux Noel et Bonne Annee…
Many Many Happy Returns of the Day Kristin.
Have a great B’day!!
Merry X’mas and Happy New Year too.
It would really be wonderful, if your wish came true and that lovely picture could actually have your friends seated on those chairs—you never know!!!
Love, Rina.
Many Many Happy Returns of the Day Kristin.
Have a great B’day!!
Merry X’mas and Happy New Year too.
It would really be wonderful, if your wish came true and that lovely picture could actually have your friends seated on those chairs—you never know!!!
Love, Rina.
Chere Kristin, your writing and photography just get better and better – with age? – perhaps; with experience? – peut-etre; with a growing perspective? – c’est possible. But certainly better and better all the time. You are a blessing to us all. Joyeux Noel et Bonne Annee (et Bon Anniversaire! bien sur!)
Chere Kristin, your writing and photography just get better and better – with age? – perhaps; with experience? – peut-etre; with a growing perspective? – c’est possible. But certainly better and better all the time. You are a blessing to us all. Joyeux Noel et Bonne Annee (et Bon Anniversaire! bien sur!)
Great post. I love the imagery…I could just see a little being there on the sidewalk with you.
Love the pictures and yes it would be nice to have FWD friends fill the chairs.let us know when. I’m ready to return this spring.
Bon Anniversaire, Joyeux Noel et Bonne Annee!
Kathleen
Great post. I love the imagery…I could just see a little being there on the sidewalk with you.
Love the pictures and yes it would be nice to have FWD friends fill the chairs.let us know when. I’m ready to return this spring.
Bon Anniversaire, Joyeux Noel et Bonne Annee!
Kathleen
What a wonderful Christmas story! I was there with you, every step of the way – you painted such a vivid picture for us! Make the ‘meet-up’ some time between May 26 & 29, 2014, and I just might be sitting in one of those chairs! We’re headed to France next Spring and we can hardly wait!
Bon Anniversaire, Kristin! Mine was a week ago, so we are both almost ‘Christmas babies’! Have a beautiful Christmas!
What a wonderful Christmas story! I was there with you, every step of the way – you painted such a vivid picture for us! Make the ‘meet-up’ some time between May 26 & 29, 2014, and I just might be sitting in one of those chairs! We’re headed to France next Spring and we can hardly wait!
Bon Anniversaire, Kristin! Mine was a week ago, so we are both almost ‘Christmas babies’! Have a beautiful Christmas!
Joyeuses Fetes and Bon Anniversaire, Kristin!
And to your wonderful family thank you for a year full of fun, interest love and share of adventure. The meet up sounds interesting!!
Joyeuses Fetes and Bon Anniversaire, Kristin!
And to your wonderful family thank you for a year full of fun, interest love and share of adventure. The meet up sounds interesting!!
HI Kristin,
I am just getting around to reading this weeks stories. Your writing has really taken a nice turn. I love the way your wrote the last three articles. You seem inspired, but maybe your statement about just letting the creativity take you there is the real reason. Great job!
And I love to hear you write about your kids and husband. They add color to your life and to your writing.
And finally, kitting is cool. It has become very popular in the US in the past few years. There are knitting clubs here and the libraries are hosting them.
Ok, now finally! I love the pictures of the Christmas decorations. It makes me feel like I am there to experience them myself.
Merry Christmas,
Sharon
HI Kristin,
I am just getting around to reading this weeks stories. Your writing has really taken a nice turn. I love the way your wrote the last three articles. You seem inspired, but maybe your statement about just letting the creativity take you there is the real reason. Great job!
And I love to hear you write about your kids and husband. They add color to your life and to your writing.
And finally, kitting is cool. It has become very popular in the US in the past few years. There are knitting clubs here and the libraries are hosting them.
Ok, now finally! I love the pictures of the Christmas decorations. It makes me feel like I am there to experience them myself.
Merry Christmas,
Sharon
Bon anniversaire, Kristin. Quarante six ans est un plus bel âge. I wish you a wonderful year. And a wondrous and sparkling Christmas and New Year.
Bon anniversaire, Kristin. Quarante six ans est un plus bel âge. I wish you a wonderful year. And a wondrous and sparkling Christmas and New Year.
Merry Christmas and Happy New year to you and your family, Kristen. Also Happy Birthday. Love your stories. May love, good friends, good health and joyous times fill your Newvyear. Fondly, Mary-Audrey
Merry Christmas and Happy New year to you and your family, Kristen. Also Happy Birthday. Love your stories. May love, good friends, good health and joyous times fill your Newvyear. Fondly, Mary-Audrey
Chere Kristen
Joyeux noel + mes meilleurs vouex pour 2014
John
Chere Kristen
Joyeux noel + mes meilleurs vouex pour 2014
John
Merci et Merry Christmas from Down Under!
Merci et Merry Christmas from Down Under!
Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday! I hope the New Year ahead is extra special just as you are.
Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday! I hope the New Year ahead is extra special just as you are.
To our dear Kristin,
Wishing you and yours a peaceful, joyful Christmas today. My husband and I are away from family this year so I’ve had my share of the blues today. Thank you for lifting my spirits and helping me to appreciate the true meaning of the season. A wonderful story and pictures. Thank you for once again, sharing your life and spirit with us this year. Special hugs and kisses to Braise, Smokey and the kitties!
I hope to share a table with you someday in that cafe….
A happy, blessed birthday from one December baby to another!
Love and hugs, Carolyn Dahm
To our dear Kristin,
Wishing you and yours a peaceful, joyful Christmas today. My husband and I are away from family this year so I’ve had my share of the blues today. Thank you for lifting my spirits and helping me to appreciate the true meaning of the season. A wonderful story and pictures. Thank you for once again, sharing your life and spirit with us this year. Special hugs and kisses to Braise, Smokey and the kitties!
I hope to share a table with you someday in that cafe….
A happy, blessed birthday from one December baby to another!
Love and hugs, Carolyn Dahm
Merry Christmas to you and yours. And may 2014 be filled with peace and happiness for all.
Merry Christmas to you and yours. And may 2014 be filled with peace and happiness for all.
Charming post.
Charming post.
Enjoy your blogs, Kristin…helping me w/ my French, which I appreciate.
Am going to France next year & a “meet-up” would be fun.
Bon anniversaire et passez des bonne fêtes!
Enjoy your blogs, Kristin…helping me w/ my French, which I appreciate.
Am going to France next year & a “meet-up” would be fun.
Bon anniversaire et passez des bonne fêtes!
I love the photo of the church in Bandol. I have a photo of it, taken at the market last April. Yours is better. But it brings back happy memories of many stays in Sanary and excursions in the neighborhood. Bonne anniversaire, Kristin, et bonne annee! Amicalement, Steve et Ali.
I love the photo of the church in Bandol. I have a photo of it, taken at the market last April. Yours is better. But it brings back happy memories of many stays in Sanary and excursions in the neighborhood. Bonne anniversaire, Kristin, et bonne annee! Amicalement, Steve et Ali.